LANA WILKINSON Stylist

Alexander Wang bags first hit the scene with the infamous “Rocco”, but now celebrities and fashion conscious are flocking towards a more modern design.

Bucket bags have been making a comeback, and the “Diego” bucket bag is the perfect style item that is also comfortable and easy to carry around on shopping trips. A necessity for my job and with a baby on the way, I want something that’s stylish but that is also practical.

It’s slouchy and downtown-chic. Constructed of rich, wrinkled leather and accented with heavy studs that lend an industrial feel. The edges of the front and main pocket are drawn together with buckled straps, which double as adjustable cross-body and shoulder straps.

In my search for the perfect designer bag, I found the Alexander Wang ‘Diego’ bag was relatively more affordable (in comparision to a Chanel, Louis Vuitton or Celine bag) yet still packed the same fashionable punch.

SHOP the Alexander Wang Diego Bucket Bag

1. Black with rose-gold hardware Here

2. Tan Here

3. White Here

4. Black with silver hardware Here

Not sure what to wear to your next event? Contact me for a quote or follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to stay up to date with my fashion and style trends.

LW X

Further to my last post, I couldn’t get enough of the Rachel Zoe Collection when I visited Myer Melbourne last week. It occurred to me, why stop at one piece when you can have three! This devine leopard print 2-piece suit was speaking to me, “buy me, buy me, buy me” - I had to oblige.

What I love about this piece, is it looks very high fashion without the high fashion price tag (not to imply that it’s not expense, but I was expecting to part with a lot more).

The blazer goes for bold in a high-contrast animal print, notched lapels, button front and cuffs and three patch pockets. Paired with the devine slim line pants, I can easily tie in pieces from my own wardrobe to style it up or down depending on the occasion.

This tailored, classic and timeless piece is effortless and on-trend. Definitely a wardrobe staple when I’m rushing to and from appointments.

SHOP IT

Rachel Zoe at Myer  Charlie II Leopard Print blazer $400

Rachel Zoe at Myer  Charlie II Leopard Print pant $300

Mossman peplum top $79.95

Patricia Field NYC chain necklace $50.00

Patricia Field NYC Rings $25.00

Patricia Field NYC Leather baseball cap $28.00

Tony Bianco shoes at Myer $169.00

The Rachel Zoe Collection is only available exclusively at Myer’s International Collections in their four top stores around the country –Melbourne, Sydney City, Brisbane and Perth.

Now all I need to hope for, is for Rachel to visit a Myer store sometime in the future!

Not sure what to wear to your next event? Contact me for a quote or follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to stay up to date with my fashion and style trends.

LW X

In coming out and sharing the news with you that I am four months pregnant, there could not have been a more relevant designer for me to ‘out myself’ in, than in this amazing silk shirt from the new Rachel Zoe collection, now available exclusively at Myer.

For as long as I can remember, and well before the Rachel Zoe Project, Rachel’s sense of business and influence in the fashion industry changed the way a generation of young Hollywood dressed. Does everyone remember Nicole Ritchie before she had Rachel as her stylist? Rachel’s fame, her experience as a stylist and magazine editor combined with her fashion credibility makes for a very exciting collection that is sure to appeal to many.

Myer securing the Rachel Zoe collection is a real coup for the department store, as her authority and influence as the top go-to-stylist in Hollywood is sure to resonate with customers. For me, I’ll be honest, there may be a little hero worship going on. Rachel’s critical eye and expert tailoring is evident in every facet of the collection – from colour and silhouette to fine detailing . Her clever ability to mix and match key pieces in a variety of new ways means it’s easy to match with items from your existing wardrobe – something as a stylist I swear by.

Now, thanks to Myer, we can all have a little piece of Rachel Zoe. Accessible luxury; tailored, classic and timeless pieces, effortless and easy, on-trend, functional and comfortable; chic and fashionable; ageless; feminie and polished; glamorous are the hallmarks of the Rachel Zoe Collection. Have I used enough adjectives?

SHOP MY LOOK

Rachel Zoe silk sleeveless shirt at Myer $270

Myer Miss Shop leather cap & shorts

Celine sunglasses

Marc Jacobs watch

Diva Necklaces

Patricia Field NYC rings

Tony Bianco wedges at Myer

Mimco satchel bag

It genuinely is a beautiful and wearable collection. And, the pleasant surprise for consumers is that the price points are within reach, with most pieces ranging from $220.00 to $480.00. The more exquisite pieces, such as leather jackets, are priced at $750.00 plus. With celebrity fans including Jennifer Lopez, Reece Witherspoon, Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian, I am more than happy to add myself to the list of Austrlalian devotees.

Be sure to visit Myer’s International Collections in their four top stores around the country –Melbourne, Sydney City, Brisbane and Perth.

Not sure what to wear to your next event? Contact me for a quote or follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to stay up to date with my fashion and style trends.

LW X

Day 4  at  Mercedes Benz Fashion Week had Tara O’keefe attending the Suboo show, which meant bringing some sunshine to the previous day’s look (monochrome).

 I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a jumpsuit. When I was selecting options for Tara’s fashion week events, I had to get this jumpsuit by Unspoken on her. Whilst striking in colour, it also has a drop v-back and cuts just under the bust - ensuring a longer line for Tara’s small frame.

The sometimes referred “onesie” can make you look longer and is always a head turner. However, you want that to be for the right reasons. It can also make you appear wider if you don’t choose the right shape for you. Cuts such as this one are a safe option as inevitably it will make your legs appear longer - and let’s be honest, us shorter girls love that!

SHOP IT

Unspoken jumpsuit

Stella Nemiro necklace

Tony Bianco ‘Krystle’ heels

Michael Kors Watch

Peeptoe clutch

Not sure what to wear to your next event? Contact me for a quote or follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to stay up to date with my fashion and style trends.

LW X

Tara O’keefe attended Watson X Watson during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, so it was only fitting that I wanted Tara to sport a look that was on trend with the designer and the fashionable crowd. Most of you know I’m going through a monochrome phase (aka. black and white) .

Excuse the selfies, I had jetted back to Melbourne by this stage so I left it to Tara to showcase her look.

SHOP IT

Unspoken  silk shirt & black twirl short

Amber Sceats chain neckalce

Peeptoe shoes

Michael Kors watch

Chanel bag

Not sure what to wear to your next event? Contact me for a quote or follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to stay up to date with my fashion and style trends.

LW X

Tara O’keefe, Director of all things wedding, at De La Mod and wife of Sydney Swan’s Ryan O’keefe, took a punt on me to style her for the BMW Doncaster Day at Sydney’s new Royal Randwick Racecourse this past Saturday. Tara’s style is naturally quite fashion forward and even though the weather forecast for the day wasn’t very inspiring, cold and showers, she was prepared to step it up, all in the name of fashion.

I had fallen in love with this stunning Nicola Finetti dress during the Myer Autumn/Winter Launch a few weeks ago. With a touch of monochrome and the sophistication of a peplum and open back, it was truly perfection for the big race day ahead. The 2013 Autumn/Winter col­lec­tion from Nicola Finetti is feast for the eyes with mas­ter­ful clashes of pat­terns, colours, tex­tures and shapes. As always, the col­lec­tion cel­e­brates the female form by bal­anc­ing con­trasts like struc­ture that also seem to have ele­ments of grace and softness.

To complement the dress, I opted for these gorgeous and on trend black court booties from Kookai’s current Autumn/Winter collection and a contrasting white clutch from Peeptoe to appeal to Tara’s personal style. No race wear outfit is complete without a fabulous fascinator and Sydney milliner Viktoria Novak’s Gatsby inspired embellished headband gave the outfit a vintage look, with a modern direction.

SHOP Tara’s Look

Nicola Finetti Peplum dress with curved hem at Myer

Viktoria Novak Gatsby Headband

Peeptoe Clutch (similar here)

Kookai Court Boots (available in store in 2 weeks)

Michael Kors watch

Not sure what to wear to your next event? Contact me for a quote or follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to stay up to date with my fashion and style trends.

LW X

For those of you that follow me on Instagram, you’ll notice I’m going through a serious black and white phase. The Monochrome trend is extremely hot at the minute and is no stranger to the high fashion runways, so I thought I’d adopt it for my first day of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. In a mad rush before the big week ahead, I popped into TopShop where I stumbled across the LOVE skirt – I thought to myself,  directional but still very classic. So I built my look around the skirt.

SHOP the Look

Nicholas peplum top (similar here)

TopShop LOVE skirt

Knots and Knits rope clutch

Tony Bianco shoes

Amber Sceats chain necklace

Not sure what to wear to your next event? Contact me for a quote or follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to stay up to date with my fashion and style trends.

LW X

Clean-cut lines and minimalist shapes was the order of the day at Bec & Bridge’s The ‘Chromolux’ Spring Summer 2013 collection, inspired by water and its fluid nature. True to their inspiration and theme, sequins and pearlescent materials were scattered throughout the collection, like reflective scales on fish when they capture the light in the water.

The 90’s was in full force throughout with sophisticated streamlined shapes featuring sheer paneling, cut-out backs (as you know, my all-time favourite) and sports inspired mesh, contributed to a sleek runway show. If I shut my eyes, I could see the likes of Cindy, Naomi and Claudia marching to the beats in such fabulous fashion back in ‘92. LOVED IT.

Fabrications were soft in a palettes of black, white, pastel blue and maroon and garments slipped over the body.

The collection featured a number of dresses and easy-to-wear separates, with models marching down the runway to a killer 90’s soundtrack. My favourite was the ‘White story’ which featured pencil skirts, structured vests and tailored trousers –minimalism never looked so good.

Not sure what to wear to your next event? Contact me for a quote or follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to stay up to date with my fashion and style trends.

LW X

Images my own & courtesy of Lucas Dawson

(Source: lucasdawson.com.au)

My first day at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week opened with Perth designer, Aurelio Costarella, who celebrated 30 years in fashion with show that featured talented singer Grace Woodroofe in an incredible installation that captured the designer’s signature aesthetic.

The show was a collaboration with artist Waldmer Kolbusz that offered an artistic interpretation of warm, calm and cool fashion palettes. The designs were spectacular, an eclectic mix of fashion styles dating back over decades. The highlights of the show were the amazing silver and black sequined head pieces contrasted with dramatic eye make-up and exaggerated eyebrows in dark charcoals, sage or peach finished with nude lips.

As I circled what seemed like a beautiful carousel of old Hollywood glamour, the collection was a mix of red carpet glamour and beautiful styled ready to wear pieces that would easily ensure you stood out from the crowd.

Not sure what to wear to your next event? Contact me for a quote or follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to stay up to date with my fashion and style trends.

LW X

Images my own & courtesy of Lucas Dawson

(Source: lucasdawson.com.au)

The 2013 L’Oréal Paris Luncheon today welcomed fashion and beauty royalty including special guest International L’Oreal Paris ambassador, Hungarian supermodel Barbara Palvin, and Australian ambassador Megan Gale, who hosted the exclusive event for the first time and wowed thered carpet and audience in Dion Lee.

Barbara joined the L’Oréal Paris family in 2012 and is the youngest ambassador ever to be signed to the infamous L’Oréal Paris ‘Dream Team’. She now stands beside some of the most beautiful and accomplished women in the world including fellow ambassadors Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé.

The invitation-only Luncheon held at Maia at the Docklands was a flurry of excitement with over 200 guests in attendance to celebrate the launch of the 2013 L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival.

In a spectacular fashion and beauty moment 14 models showcased the hero hair and make-up looks and seasonal trends for coveted L’Oréal Paris Runways, which will kick off at Peninsula Docklands as of Tuesday.

Among the line up of VIP Festival guests were L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival Chair, Laura Anderson, L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival CEO, Graeme Lewsey and Australian personalities including Helen Kapalos, Tania Zaetta, Magdalena Roze and my fav, Nadia Coppolino.

In true Festival style, the event showcased the country’s leading designers including Gwendolynne, Richard Nylon, Camilla, Mariana Hardwick, LIFE with BIRD, Leonard Street, and Limedrop.

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LW X

Photography by Lucas Dawson

The 2013 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever. This premium event stops Melbourne in its tracks (pardon the pun) and brings both fabulous international guests and Australia’s elite to Albert Park. So it’s no surprise that Johnnie Walker Gold Label, in partnership with Artist Series hotel, The Blackman, hosted the Grand Prix launch in fabulous fashion in its Penthouse last night.

Hosted by Johnnie Walker Gold Label Master of Ceremonies, Brodie Young, dressed in top hat and tux, welcomed many celebrities and Melbourne’s social set to the opulent and luxurious gold themed room. Surrounded by gold arches, arm chairs and gold (literally) bikini clad models, I found myself ogling some of the fashion fun surrounding me. The music in the penthouse was as amazing as the view of the track, thanks to Easy Tiger’s Claire Elliott and Katie Hansen , busting out many a favourite tune warming us up for a celebratory Grand Prix ahead.

This coupled with Johnnie Walker alcoholic delights has me excited for one of the best events on the Melbourne Calendar. Big thank you to Johnnie Walker and The Blackman for having me - loved attending this gold class event.

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LW X

Photography by Anthony Licuria – www.aplphotography.com.au

Coco Rocha has taken over sass & bide’s online world and it has been a pleasure to be a part of it by contributing countless images of the latest Love Shady collection thru social media all leading to reveal of the labels latest muse, supermodel Coco Rocha.

Watch video of Coco Rocha for Sass & Bide on my blog, here

Coco posted new looks daily – styled & shot on the move – using only a handheld camera and her natural surroundings. With all the content posted on sass & bide’s social media channels, with a live feed through to sassandbide.com as well as through fashion bloggers like myself…the takeover began.

From January 23, sass & bide counted down to Coco’s takeover with a ‘teaser’ campaign shot in London by photographer Angelo Pennetta and styled by Victoria Young. The images slowly revealed Coco’s identity over a five-day period.

During the takeover  that kicked off on January 28,  Coco  was featured in candid, raw and energetic shots self-styled in the sass & bide SS13 collection ‘loveshady’ giving a sneak peek into the daily activities & musings of a supermodel ‘off-duty’.

It certainly had me and many others wanting more – not to mention lusting for Sass & Bide’s latest collection.

WIN

You still have until a chance to win two looks worn by Coco by entering your details before February 8 2013. Enter to WIN HERE

Not sure what to wear to your next event or need a wardrobe make over? Don’t hesitate to contact me for a quote or follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to stay up to date with my fashion and style trends.

LW X

Had to share my latest purchase with you from Rubi Shoes.

I love my new Space Odeyssey wedges! I’m clearly going through a metallic phase and these will add a little bit of glam to my casual looks. Plus, they only cost me $10.00.

Love a bargain.

Buy online or instore at www.cottonon.com.au

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LW X