Miss Haberdash is watching Dior ....

If your lucky enough to make a living from your creative skills Dior and I is a must see.

With a deadline looming and the worlds fashion press on his back Raf Simons has to produce his first haute couture collection for the House of Dior - no pressure then.

The film tracks the creative process from development through construction to the final reveal. It's a fashion film that literally brings the drama, passion and sheer hard work to life, a must see for all fashionistas.

Miss Haberdash visits Unfolding....

The flyer advertising Unfolding, New Indian Textiles shows a runway model wearing a brightly coloured sari, fluorescent yellow platform heels and fuchsia stockings, gorgeous and so high fashion.

Play Clan,  printed sari, Miss Haberdash 2015

I was excited, pity then the show falls a little flat. Yes, the colours are vibrant and the garments impressive in both concept and construction but they are let down by the gallery display. The textiles look uninspired against the galleries pink walls and ho- hum on the mannequins.

Jason Cheriyan & Anshu Arora, Miss Haberdash 2015

Goodness, thats a pretty tough critique! but decide for yourself it's showing at RMIT gallery, 344 Swanston Street, Melbourne, till May 30.

Miss Haberdash and Woolmark ....

Earlier this year Rahul Mishra was named winner of the International Woolmark Prize 2013/2014. The winning collection was exquisite. His use of traditional Indian embroidery and hand loom weaving techniques took my breath away! I've yet to see photos that do it justice.

 More impressive still is his commitment to preserving these crafts, therefore supporting and empowering local communities. A truly uplifting story and a world away from those infamous sweatshops and the drudgery of mass manufacture.

Miss Haberdash on Chanel....

I've been pouring over some delicious images from the latest Chanel (fall 2014) collection. The embroidery work, reminiscent of baroque swirls and flourishes was truly exquisite. The innovative use of unusual materials such as cement! (tiny mosaic beads), neoprene and plastic was quite astonishing.

Style.com

If you're a fan you can view the entire collection at Chanel, best of all is the short film looking at the making of embroidery for the Paris-Dallas 2013/2014 collection.

I also recommend the BBC documentary, The Secret World of Haute Couture. Margy Kinmonth explores the business of haute couture. Her cynical take on the outrageous prices, the women that wear it and the exclusive club they belong to is entertaining.

Miss Haberdash the weather diaries ....

I just couldn't resist posting these gorgeous images from an exhibition entitled The Weather Diaries.

A collaboration between artists Cooper & Gorfer and fashion designers showing at the Nordic Fashion Biennale 2014.

Intrigued? then watch the documentary on the making of the images  at http://vimeo.com/88897936

Miss Haberdash collage ....

If you're not afraid of colour and love the collage aesthetic, look no further.

Marimekko have managed to reference the great Matisse and children's classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar - all in the one dress, now that's impressive.

It's fresh, colourful and fun but a little goes a long way especially if you're not blessed with super model proportions.

Images: Fashionising.com

Author Eric Carle reads children's classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar :

Miss Haberdash picture perfect ....

This season the art/ fashion divide came together, with paint splatters and brush strokes appearing all over the runway. You wouldn't know this given the black on black offerings appearing on the High Street, but maybe that's just Melbourne!

These pieces by London label Vanessa G capture the still red hot trend for digital prints, her futuristic designs in eye popping colours, are hard to forget.

http://www.vanessag.co.uk/index_main.php

http://www.vanessag.co.uk/index_main.php

Miss Haberdash kaleidoscope ....

Take a trip down memory lane, back to the 1970s. One Christmas I was given a kaleidoscope, the  rotating mirrors reflected a myriad colours and fantasy shapes. I think we used scrunched up tin foil from Quality Street wrappers to create our own designs.

http://thinkdesignerprints.com.au/print-picks-resort-2013/

Back to the present, and similar images have been cropping up all over the place. From art installations (Suzan Drummen), graphic design (Melbourne Recital Centre) to fashion (Peter Pilotto - follow this link to see his latest collection) and even the very cool online fashion magazine, Submission, Kaleidoscope is the theme for issue two.

http://www.designboom.com/art/suzan-drummen-kaleidoscopic-crystal-floor-installations/

Miss Haberdash fashion fusion ....

Faith, Fashion, Fusion: Muslim Women's Style in Australia recently opened at the Immigration Museum, Flinders Street. I first saw it at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney and was impressed with the insightful look at the lives, businesses and fashion of Australian Muslim women.

Museum Victoria

If you can't get to the exhibition all the interviews with participants can be seen on Youtube. The Immigration museum is a favorite of mine and always surprises with interesting exhibitions. If you're a fan of Who do you think you are? I recommend a visit.

Miss Haberdash anyone for tennis? ....

These images taken by Australian photographer Ward Roberts capture perfectly the current trend for geometry and colour in fashion and interiors. I'm a fan, they feature in his latest book Courts.

www.wardrobertsphoto.com/

Like it or not pastel pink is going to be everywhere next season. So here are a few of my favourite pieces from Etsy - jujujust, elfina designs, FreshfromtheKiln, onewhitesunday.

http://www.etsy.com/au

Miss Haberdash Milan ....

All rise for Miuccia Prada, her latest collection marched down the catwalk in Milan, only 8 hours ago. Sportswear, 60s tailoring, and crazy embellishments tripped over each other. It was exciting and empowering everything fashion should be.

style.com

Miss Haberdash East London life....

Here is a fantastic story penned by the Gentle Author who writes daily at the blog Spitalfields Life.

These wonderful, vibrant images of the ladies who sell African textiles on Wentworth Street, Spitalfields are fabulous. The rich cultural heritage of East London is endlessly fascinating if you want to read more about the textile industry in Spitalfields enter textiles in the search function.

Josephine Yokessa & Tayo Raheem photographs Jeremy Freedman

Franceskka Ambimbola & Tayo Oladele  photographs Jeremy Freedman

Thanks to Helen for this story!

Miss Haberdash Atelier Chanel....

The Chanel Autumn/Winter 2013/14 collection was mesmerising. Iridescent metallics, reflective paillettes (large, flat sequins) and tweed woven with lurex shimmered down the catwalk. A feast for the eyes.

style.com

Chanel has interests in 10 of the Arteliers d'Art or Workshops including Montex and Lesage who specialise in embroidery. Watch this clip to see how the artisans "make it happen".

Miss Haberdash advanced style ....

An unlikely scenario but if Scott Schuman aka The Sartorialist had been waiting for a bus in Fairfield on a wintry Melbourne morning he would surely have taken a snap of one cool elderly lady. Wearing a leather biker jacket, tweed "houndstooth"slacks and fluoro Nike trainers she turned my head and made my day, what a dame!

I also love these New Yorkers captured by Ari Seth Cohen. The July edition of Vogue Australia recently featured some fabulous images of older women who just adore fashion.  Many are captured in Advanced Style  the book and blog. A documentary is coming soon, can't wait to see that.

http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com.au/

Miss Haberdash goes to Hollywood....

Well, almost. Hollywood Costume is showing at acmi and it makes interesting viewing for fashion and film buffs alike. There's nothing like seeing the garments up close, and interviews with directors, actors and designers provide a fascinating glimpse into the industry.

But, the layout is frustrating and a challenge if you go on a busy weekend, you've been warned!

http://everguide.com.au

Miss Haberdash woolmark....

I've just watched Reaching the Mark a fashion documentary following six international designers striving to win the prestigious International Woolmark Prize. Each interview reveals the designers creative vision and it's fascinating to see the raw material transformed into a thing of beauty. Dion Lee represents Australia (top left) but the winner is clearly Belgian, Christian Wijnants (top right) who transforms the medium but retains a commercial edge.

www.weeklytimesnow.com.au

Miss Haberdash resort wear....

Unfortunately Cambodia saw the worst of my wardrobe. The baggy, daggy, and quite frankly seen better days wear. All in the name of functionality!

Next time it's fantasy resort wear all the way. It's hard to choose from D&G's Spring 2013 looks, a superb combo of craft (raffia!) and brilliant colour. Close your eyes and you're in Capri.

style.com

style.com

Miss Haberdash fashion forward....

The girl can't help it, each season I'm compelled to give up some blog space to Mary Katrantzou. Her fall collection 2013 recently shown at London fashion week was poetry in motion. Her unconventional dress shapes were the perfect canvas for romantic graphic images, they floated down the catwalk.

style.com

Miss Haberdash mad hatter....

I've become an ABC iview addict! For a limited time only watch a fascinating interview with Irish milliner Philip Treacy on Artscape.

In conversation with Virginia Trioli, he describes the creative process working for clients as diverse as Lady Gaga and Princess Beatice (yes, that hat!). Lots of amazing mad hatter images, a creative genius.

Philip Treacy Spring 2013,  www.trendhunter.com

Miss Haberdash Happy New Year....

I've just finished reading Grace, A Memoir (my favourite Christmas present). It's a book of fashion reminiscences gathered over the past fifty years, scribed by Grace Coddington the flame haired creative director of American Vogue Magazine. A great read for anyone fascinated by the fashion world and a who's who of Grace's celebrity fashion friends. If you saw The September Issue and loved it this is a must read.

Also from HBO another interesting fashion documentary already viewed stateside "In Vogue, The Editor's Eye". Alas, who knows when we can expect to see this in Australia!