Bassike

Images courtesy of Bassike

Overcast and raining but never the less impressive, the Northern Beaches in Sydney is a hive of fashion activity. I visited the girls from Bassike, Mary Lou and Deb at their amazing Palm Beach office or as I call it a retreat. I'm shown their new collection of wardrobe staples (yes I have a selection of their quality cotton tee's, dresses and blazers) and Mary Lou reminds me how she did work experience with me many moons ago when I was at marie claire.

Photo's: Patrick Mcgreal for Style Me Romy

Their offices are complete with all the trimmings of serious work, and their desks are filled with computers, fabric swatches and lots paperwork piled high to run their international business that has grown to incredible proportions in the last couple of years.

But with breath taking views of Palm Beach, I don't know how they get any work done!

Their dog Butch... yes the girls have a good sense of humor.

Bassike Store

11-13 Macmilan Court, Avalon Parade, NSW, 2107

Other stores worth visiting if you're up Northern Beaches way

Lee Matthews in Newport

Ginger & Smart in Avalon

Splice Boutique in Freshwater

Merry Christmas

The love of my life, Finn in the current Country Road Christmas catalogue.

Northern Beaches here I come.....

Photo's: Patrick Mcgreal for Style Me Romy

I'm finally on holidays, feeling happy, healthy and already shopping. It helps that I'm on vacation with Nicky and Simone Zimmermann.

We sat down in their new pop up store in Whale Beach, with the soft sound of crashing waves outside and the hum of reggae playing instore. We chatted plans for new years eve, bikini's, panama hats and gossiped old times.

Zimmermann pop up shop open 'til end of Jan 2010

Shop 1, 231 Whale Beach Rd, Whale Beach

Off to the Beaches...

Photo: Patrick Mcgreal for Style Me Romy

Gucci bag, Anna and Boy bikini, Whyred sandals (Australian enquiries +612 9360 3909), Rayban sunglasses and my favourite Carolina Barbieri necklace.

I'm packed and off to Palm Beach . I'll keep you updated with holiday pics x

My local Corner Shop

Having an office in Paddington, I am always walking past and admiring the outfits of the girls from the Corner Shop. But they won't be getting a holiday this summer, they're working right through and here's a peak at what they'll be wearing....

(Left) Tiffany Hague wearing Yvonne Sporre T-shirt dress. (Middle) Talisa Rose Sutton wearing Therese Rawsthorne shirt and Isabel Marant booties. (Right) Pia Xipolitas wearing Ann Demeulemeester top and Marni necklace.

Tiffany just landed her dream job and I'm sure thousands are envious. She's jumping on a plane January 3rd to head over to New York, to be Scott Schuman's P.A (The Satoralist).

Photo's: Patrick Mcgreal for Style Me Romy

Mad Hatter

Photo: Patrick Mcgreal for Style Me Romy

Hair: Renya Xydis

Makeup: Jasmin Lo

Our model Annabella (Bella) was looking for the perfect summer hat, and found this one lying around my house. It's an old favourite of mine, and perfect for the beach. Danielle Wallace has just opened a pop up store in Sydney, with the ultimate selection of Panamas for $100 each in literally every colour. Located 115 Macquarie St, Sydney.

I'll be wearing a 70's inspired felt hat through summer, love this under $30 find from Condura (+612 8595 6999).

Haute Contour

Photo: Patrick Mcgreal for Style Me Romy

Hair and Make up: Jasmin Lo

Spanx from Sylvia Rhodes, Shoes Yves Saint Laurent from David Jones.

Something people are forever asking is how to look good in clothes. Here is a little secret I am going to let out of the bag... Spanx, an undergarment with inbuilt super suck in stomach control, that also smooths down your thighs and hips. They have you covered, literally!

Digitize

Enter a cyber world of Digital print this week, here are our pick's...

Marios Schwab 3D Crystal Print Dress $1260

Stella McCartney shirt $1275 from Belinda

Dries Van Noten dress $2195 from Belinda

Christopher Kane printed sheer silk dress $1601

Sportsgirl strapless printed dress $129.95

Alexander McQueen clutch

Hair Extraordinaire

I keep being told how great Sophie's (Monk) hair looks in the pictures we took for Style Me Romy, It's all thanks to Renya. The hair stylist extraordinaire says "Platinum blonde needs to feel effortless, not over done, Wella Ocean Spritz for texture is a great fix".

Friedrich Gray

Photo: Patrick Mcgreal for Style Me Romy

Hair: Renya Xydis and Makeup: Linda Jefferyes

Shot at Studiotwenty4

Sophie (Monk) wears digital print dress from Friedrich Gray SS09 collection

Friedrich Gray designer Ben Pollitt, talks digital print, film collaborations, girlfriends and whats instore next season. He's one to watch, correction, don't take your eyes off him!

Photo: Bec Howell , Friedrich Gray AW10 collection

Romy: I saw a preview of your AW10 collection, it looked so modern and chic, I see digital print is still a large part of your collection?

Ben: Yes, this season we went for a refined and minimalist approach. We have used Italian fabrics and continued to extend our washing and distressing effects. The (digital) print is a representation of the conversation between Photographer/Director Tim Richardson, who directed the film we did together. They are images of actual rock faces on the site of the film, an old quarry in NSW.

R: Oh I do think your attention to detail and experimental use of fabric is so incredibly clever, I particularly love the leather pants with the zip right up the back of the leg, like wearing a boot really?

B: This season I really focused on the little details and made sure those elements added to the final fit and feel of the garment. I love those pants they have a real bondage feel to them, you can unzip from top or bottom and yeah feel like an extension of your boots.

R: What's Bec (Howell), your gorgeous other half, wearing from Friedrich Gray this Dec?

B: She is rocking the high waisted denim/leather skirt with leather bra under a sheer men's tee.

Portrait of Ben Pollitt with girlfriend and photographer, Bec Howell

Safety First

Photo: Todd Sutherland for Style Me Romy

Yves Saint Laurent bag $450 from Cosmopolitan Shoes (+612 9362 0510)

My collection of luxury bags don't work quite well at the beach, but thank you YSL for this convenient creation, Im hooked. A designer denim bag perfect for weekend activities, dusk till dawn.

We ♥ Tom Binns

Photo: Patrick Mcgreal for Style Me Romy

Sophie (Monk) and I had a great play with layering up some Tom Binns jewellery in this shoot.

Then Tom kindly granted me this exclusive interview...

Romy: Hi Tom, I think you're possibly the hottest thing in high fashion jewellery right now, especially in Australia.

Tom Binns: Thank you, very nice to know that a few of you down under are loving my stuff and that the good people of Australia get this crazy Irishman.

R: Love anything about Australia?

T: Only a few of your women.

R: Ha Ha, I read you're designing a collection for Disney inspired by the new 'Alice in Wonderland' film. What am amazing project! Will it be available here?

T: I would imagine so. Disney is marketing the project so I imagine it will be all over the world during the launch of the movie. It was a very interesting project to work on. 'Alice in Wonderland' is an amazing story, and with the collaboration of Tim Burton it adds an even more surreal element. It was the perfect vehicle for me to go wild.

R: Sounds fab, any other recent noteworthy collaborations?

T: Yes, I have designed a collection for Puma, which will be launched during the World Cup next year.

R: Cool, I love the diverse themes and inspirations you work across, your ranges span across so many different eras/periods. Although I've read you're main influence is the 80's I see so much more. What are you working on right now?

T: I am working on making jewellery into art pieces. I just did a show at Miami Art Basel that was very successful. The pieces were more poetic. I am taking jewellery beyond its dangly bauble trap.

Tom Binns jewellery available in Australia at Belinda and Parlour X

Vintage Treasures

Photo: Todd Sutherland for Style Me Romy

I put my stylist hat on and went to my two favourite antique jewellery stores and found these special little earrings. I just cant get enough of the real thing sometimes, wish they were all mine!

(Clockwise)

Victorian malachite ivy leaf $750 from Anne Schofield - Victorian cased 9ct double drop $1500 from Kozminksy - 15ct gold leaf coloured agate ball $1800 from Anne Schofield - Carved coral and jade drop $2800 from Anne Schofield - Indian gold and seed pearl $2500 from Anne Schofield - 15ct gold round with garnet $2250 from Kozminksy - 18ct gold Indian ball $1200 Anne Schofield.

From one vintage to another, I'm forever inspired by the work of Tony Duquette. His books reflect his Hollywood lifestyle, a world full of excessive glamour and fantasy.

Low Maintenance

Still life photography: Todd Sutherland for Style Me Romy

Dolce & Gabbana heels $950 from Cosmopolitan Shoes (+612 93620510)

Even the most dedicated Fashionistas need a break sometimes from those towering monster heels that have graced our runways for quite some time now. Fall 2009 collections showed a number of lower heels, yeh!

Finally the kitten is making a comeback, so stylishly sexy and perfect for strong dancing at the disco!!

Rachael Ruddick bag $485

This tiny little bag is all one needs to get out of the house with the bare necessities. Also this fantastic wrist strap leaves you hands free to hold an animated conversation and glass of champagne!

Devine Delfina

Image courtsey of Hanneli

My obsession with jewellery has come to a new level with the recent discovery of Delfina Delettrez's amazing range, it is both breath taking and budget breaking. The recent collection 'Anatomik' was recently shown in Paris, inspired by the body- diamond encrusted skeletons, fingers, lips, noses and eyes. See below for this week's wishlist....

Delfina Delletrez bracelet

Delfina Delletrez diamond ring

Chain Store Find

Puppies aren't just for christmas.. but this $90 Sportsgirl top can be.

The Queen of Animal

Isabel Marant photographed by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin

For Fall 2009 she was the queen of animal. The collection, in stores now has a mix of pretty much every animal print from the jungle- fine leopard print blouses, python print pants and classic leopard print coats.

Isabel Marant is one of my favourite labels to buy, so I had to find out what was coming into town from the recent Spring/Summer show. I sat down with the buyers from Belinda and went through what's coming into their Belinda and Corner Shop stores.

Their pick's for the season: Boho, Pirate chic, Injections of HOT pink and Bold Shoulder jackets. My favourite looks they've bought...

Golightly girls go leopard

Photos: Patrick Mcgreal for Style Me Romy

Holly wears Lover shorts

Sarah wears Camilla and Marc boots

Catherine wears Isabel Marant pants

Animal 3 ways..

I adore my friends at Golightly PR, how effortlessly chic they always look.

Self professed animal lovers they all rose to the challenge for my week of animalia.

Great job girls, thank you.

Jungle Fever

Photo: Patrick Mcgreal for Style Me Romy

Hair and Make up: Jasmin Lo

Romance was Born dress $374

Cyber Shop: my new Vivienne Westwood pirate boots, I bought them this week on Net-a-porter.com, a classic find.

It seems to be all about the pop up store these days. Romance Was Born recently opened there's at 2a Glenmore Rd, Paddington, till Jan 31st 2010.

The opening was a tropical jungle of festivities...

Linda Jackson, Jenny Kee and designers Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales

Styling Sarah

Photo: Lisa Maree Williams

Still chic and pregnant, I styled Sarah in this animal print Bianca Spender dress. I was really proud of her that night, and Pride Of Australia.

I thought I'd give you a closer look at the Bulgari 'Serpenti' collection jewels Sarah wore.

Bulgari Bracelet

Bulgari Ring