Chic Critique

Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA


Joined June 20th 2007

Number of Posts:
48

Number of Comments:
546

Karma:
10



Feel free to email me with feedback or to submit a web site or trend for review! chic.critique@gmail.com PS. Will only be posting from time-to-time just now as I'm starting a new business.....see you soon!

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Recent Posts

Luella, Betsey and Maddison

September 20th 2007 06:15
Luella Pink Ruffle Dress with Black Peter Pan Collar
Luella Pink Ruffle Dress with Black Peter Pan Collar



After six years away from the London catwalks, Luella returned with a collection that oozed retro femininity and style. Florals and frills, tulle and lace made for an absolutely pretty return to fashion week, as seen below in pictures from SMH.

Luella Black Tulle Skirt and Lace Cape
Luella Black Tulle Skirt and Lace Cape


Luella Red Strapless Sparkly Dress with Cape
Luella Red Strapless Sparkly Dress with Cape


A week earlier in New York (where apparently it is now the norm to invite fashion bloggers! - over 40 were requested to attend - if only it were like that at Rosemount Aust FW!!!) Betsey Johnson unleashed her new range inspired by the 'prom'. Featuring hints of retro, more tulle and a load of vibrant colours, the Spring 08 collection included cute jumpsuits and incredible red-carpet worthy creations.

Betsey Johnson Red White and Blue Prom Dress
Betsey Johnson Red White and Blue Prom Dress


Betsey Johnson Mint Paisley Playsuit
Betsey Johnson Mint Paisley Playsuit


Back to London, for fashion week according to an article in the SMH, in an effort to prevent eating disorders amongst the profession as well as the wider community, the Model Health Inquiry set up in March is suggesting "health certificates" from doctors which would be presented to their agencies. In addition, they suggest that no-one under 16 should be able to do catwalk modelling, as well as a full ban on size zero models. I think most of us would agree that's a step forward, no?

A couple of days later, Naomi Campbell has responded negatively, simply saying that it's "unfair". A lot of the controversy has been heightened by the debate back here in Oz, over Maddison Gabriel, now 13, whom the Prime Minister had determined as too young to hit the catwalks and be a model.

What do you guys think?

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Sexy Ladies Pirate Costume
Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr - image from pinupgirlclothing.com


Ahoy me hearties!!!

Inspired by A La Solo's post regarding today, the 19th September, the annual "Talk Like a Pirate Day" I have been aghast at how many pirate things are in my life lately. Combine that with the fact that Halloween is around the corner, there is a plethora of buccaneer booty to dress up in.

Jolly Roger Hoodie from Pirate Store
Jolly Roger Hoodie - image from piratestore.com


From kids shoes, ladies stockings, earrings and even Andrew G's tie on Sunday's Idol, the Jolly Roger is popping up again as a pirate culture icon, with a punk rockabilly edge. Influencing all things cultural from art to music, it seems that there is a trend a-surfacing.

Pinupgirlclothing.com, known for their funky and sexy Halloween costumes has avast (pun intentional) range of stuff to pillage in. For wenches and first mates alike, you can find a bunch of well decked ideas if that's your thing.

Sexy Ladies Pirate Costume
No Quarter! - image from pinupgirlclothing.com


Mens Buccaneer Costume
Shiver Me Timbers! - image from pinupgirlclothing.com


An entire pirate-o-philic culture exists out there, once you get Googling you'll see it too! Finding a series of online stores that sell the puffy shirts, fake (and real!) cutlasses (is that the plural of cutlass?!) and belts fit for Blackbeard...was a bit of a shock to me really!

Red Wench Bodice
Red Wench Bodice - image from dresslikeapirate.com



Then I went out for coffee, and by jingo someone walked in fully dressed as a pirate for the day!!!! She had come over all ostrich feathers and grog frogs, cuff bracers and daggers!!

So.....today of all days....instead of the catwalk, walk the plank, grab ye a flaggon o' Rum and splice the mainbrace with a yo-ho-ho!

Blimey!


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Style Wars (Part 3)

September 18th 2007 13:22
Material Boy Green Balloon Top and Scribble Tights
Material Boy Green Balloon Top and Scribble Tights


The relatively safe and mostly conservative designs from the previous collections were no preparation for the next labels to hit the catwalk at MMSFW Style Wars; Material Boy and Romance Was Born.

Mic Eaton, the designer for Material Boy described the collection as "celebrating his inner gay" (sic). With an androgynous and somewhat asexual feel to the collection, the models wore masks and a lot of the male models had long hair which exaggerated that theme. A strong 80's influence with coloured tights and oversized t-shirts in balloon prints were the fundamental designs for both men and women.

Material Boy Pink Ski Pants Grey Jacket with Balloon Top
Material Boy Pink Ski Pants Grey Jacket with Balloon Top


The entire audience could not help but giggle when a male model wearing some of the tightly tailored shorts seemed to have stuffed several pairs of socks down the front of his pants in an effort to either impress us all, or suggest the cod piece with a zipper is the way to go for next season. On the whole however, the outfits from Material Boy looked comfortable, and were well suited to spring weather with vibrant and fresh colours.

Material Boy Blue Shirt and Shorts
Material Boy Blue Shirt and Shorts and erm....probably some socks


Known for their outrageous and predominantly artistic creations, Romance Was Born did not fail to disappoint. Opening their show with an excerpt from the 1985 film Weird Science, it dawned on me that there is a whole generation of people that look upon the decade that style forgot as inspiration, and only in some cases is irony suggested. Showing the 'bras-on-head' pseudo-scientific moment where the boys create their ideal woman, was an appropriately oblique way to open their show.

Romance Was Born funky pattern dress
Romance Was Born funky pattern dress


With Yothu Yindi's Treaty as a soundtrack, the models hit the stage wearing a series of pieces inspired by pop art and tribal fauna, combined with the essence of a Harajuku girl. With outfits including a pink terry towelling bunny jump suit (complete with ears on the hood, and carrots for ties), tights with feathers matched with a body suit and fox stole, some designs were characteristically over the top.

Romance Was Born Pink Bunny Jumpsuit
Romance Was Born Pink Bunny Jumpsuit...yes, I said Pink Bunny Jumpsuit


Following the initial attention grabbers with pieces more easily imagined to exist in a wardrobe, interesting fabrics combined with outlandish cuts proved both futuristic and ambitious. Vibrantly patterned smock and tights combinations with glittery tops, pearlescent taffeta ruffles, turquoise and red tulle, ripped materials, chains, acid wash oversized shorts and batwing coats, provided a cornucopia of style.

Romance Was Born Blue Dress with Black Tulle
Romance Was Born Blue Dress with Black Tulle


Humour was a strong element as a lot of the models brandished the archetypal nerd glasses (some even wore the springy googly eyed goggles!) which followed through to the wedding finale, with the grooms wearing science jackets, which included both a hetero and a very cute same sex Romance Was Born marriage.

Romance Was Born Wedding Scene
Romance Was Born goes to chapel....and they lived happily ever after....


I left feeling completely fashionised. A night to remember.

Thankyou Melbourne. Mwa on each cheek!



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Style Wars (Part 2)

September 17th 2007 02:05
Kate Hurst and Friedrich Gray designs
Kate Hurst and Friedrich Gray designs at MMSFW Style Wars


Johnny Cash's smooth tones provided the soundtrack to the Claude Maus range which was next to hit the catwalk at MMSFW Style Wars. A chic and stylish range in monochrome, the pieces catered for women as well as men who have a retro-Euro look in mind.

[ Click here to read more ]
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Style Wars (Part 1)

September 12th 2007 07:12
Yellow Dress by TV
Yellow Dress by TV



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Her real name is Nicholai?

September 11th 2007 07:45
Nicky Hilton presents Nicholai at New York Fashion Week
Nicky Hilton presents Nicholai at New York Fashion Week


A small shock to people like me who like to only dip their toes in celebrity knowledge, Nicky Hilton, the sister that seems to wear underwear and, you know, "do stuff", launched her new clothing line as part of New York Fashion Week overnight. Labelled Nicholai , it featured more class than Paris has sense. Guess that wouldn't be too hard.

[ Click here to read more ]
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Penthouse Mouse - Pop-up Retail

September 11th 2007 02:43
Penthouse Mouse Limedrop Clothing
All 3 Dimensions - Limedrop clothing - image from penthousemouse.com


Purely for the duration of MMSFW, a team of youngsters created a new concept; pop-up retail. Titled Penthouse Mouse, a group of sweet young things tidied up an abandoned warehouse tucked away amongst Melbourne's Chinatown in Market Lane (opposite the infamous Flower Drum restaurant).

[ Click here to read more ]
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Probably Tokyo, right? Condom Couture!

September 10th 2007 08:24
I'm about to do something uncharacteristic.

I'm going to:

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Motorola Melbourne Spring Fashion Week

September 10th 2007 02:47
Motorola Melbourne Spring Fashion Week
Motorola Melbourne Spring Fashion Week



[ Click here to read more ]
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Bathing Beauties

August 31st 2007 06:04
Bathing Beauty Esther Williams
Bathing Beauty Esther Williams


Swimming costumes, bathers, togs, swimsuits or just 'cossie'; all names for the nylon / cotton / lycra combination we like to slip into when we go to the beach or to the pool to dip our bodies into water and have a paddle around.

[ Click here to read more ]
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Recent Comments

Comment by Chic Critique
on The size of the size zero debate

September 27th 2007 08:41
Man you write well! Great post m-c!

See ya round soon!

Cheers
CC

Comment by Chic Critique
on Sneaky Sound System: A Spaced Out Odyssey Tour

September 20th 2007 12:56
I saw them as part of the Good Vibrations festival in Jan earlier than this year and they absolutely rocked!

This would be good to go to Melbournites!!

Cheers
CC

The clip made me feel sick too....something's definitely not right in her world. Poor bugger.

That's sooooo not a picture of me...... I am sooooo not that skinny.....I am soooooo much the buxom chick.....


Comment by Chic Critique
on Not as exciting or scary as Rugby...

September 20th 2007 10:17
Consider it yours!


I go for a good 3-4km walk/jog 3-4 times a week with my dog and my hubby. I love it - and this has made me feel even better about it!

Cheers
CC

Comment by Chic Critique
on Luella, Betsey and Maddison

September 20th 2007 07:29
hey there katyzzz - the pink ruffle is very cute isn't it?!

Dusky - we did do it again! Weird..... Your comments are valid and you are too youthful to have a 17yo daughter!!! I'll bet she is gorgeous, and it just goes to show how good her mum has brought her up if she wants to be a vet instead of a model

Cheers for stopping by you guys!

Oh silly billy Britney......what the hell!!!

Cheers
CC

Comment by Chic Critique
on Animal Farm: Adidas has a brain: Autonomous view

September 20th 2007 07:19
Love the Rose Glow - and I might have to invest in some of those trainers for my daily jogs!

Cheers
CC

Comment by Chic Critique
on Not as exciting or scary as Rugby...

September 20th 2007 07:17
HELLO GORGEOUS!!! Hope you're well and thanks for all your comments!!!

Holy snapping ducksh*t that looks thoroughly frightening!!!

But fun!

Cheers
CC