And the winner is.... Dion Lee

I caught up with the always immaculately groomed and well-dressed designer Dion Lee. He did, however, admit his biggest fashion faux pas is (constantly) wearing track-pants in public. I congratulated him on winning the Woolmark young designer award, we discussed his calm and cool work ethic and I got some insider info on his collection for the up and coming RAFW.

Photo: Richard Bailey, courtesy of Vogue Australia

Romy: You won the Woolmark LMFF young designer award, congratulations. What happens now?

Dion: At the moment I am deeply immersed in my new collection, to be shown at RAFW. I have had so many other things going on, so it's great to finally be able to devote all of my energy to designing. I can't wait to start thinking about the trip to premier vision and working on a new collection with those amazing resources. However, so much to do before then.

R: Your shapes feel so sculptured and modern, your clothes are like pieces of art... Do you take inspiration from any particular artists?

D: Yeah, I do look at alot of artists to source the appropriate references for a collection. For AW2010 'how to be invisible' the idea was to create this surrealist landscape, clothes fading into the body and disappearing, with transparency and stretch silks, weaving through structures. There was one (Salvador) Dali image of particular influence that I seemed to keep coming back too that beautifully illustrated skin melting off the body. The staircase sculpture we created for the shoot had elements of M.C Escher and Rachel Whitehead.

R: I shot a jacket for Vogue from your second collection ever (pictured above) , and I've dressed Sarah Murdoch in a few of your pieces. Who are you thinking of when designing for this summer collection at fashion week?

D: I think there are often multiple personalities in my collection. There are a variety of women whose styles influence me in different ways. With the collection I am working on at the moment, there is a lighter, easier sophistication and I thin a stronger sense of maturity.

Los Adelaidos next stop... Claireinc.com

Can't be bothered with Ebay? Does the smell of the Salvos turn your stomach? Browse Claireinc.com for impeccable quality vintage YSL, Chanel and Givenchy to name a few. Join owner/buyer/stylist/photographer Belinda Humphries and I on the latest shoot for the site.

Clare: Why vintage Bel?
Bel: I saw a huge gap in the market for something trend-based, late-era designer collections in Australia. We focus on avant garde pieces with relevance and that promotes individual style and rejects tired retro stereotypes.

C: How should your pieces be styled and worn by your clients?
B: I think it's important to find a balance and mix in with contemporary collections and great quality basics. Fashion is cyclical and it always looks best when old is blended in with new.
C: Who are your clients?
B: Ironically the majority of our clients are based overseas. We get quite a few high-profile fashion editors and celebs - M.I.A, Lily Allen, Irina Lazareanu to name a few.

C: Adelaide tip?

B: The Central Markets, Amalfi Restaurant and have you heard of The New Guard?

C: Certainly have!

Los Adelaidos - The New Guard

Clare Alstin reports:

I'm back in my hometown, Adelaide, this week and first stop is The New Guard on Unley road. This modern boutique to which all things black, minimal and fabulous reside is owned by Erin Skipter and Anna Sergiou, two of my longtime friends. I drop in and Erin shows me what's just arrived...

Clare: How's the newguard.com.au going one year on from launch?

Erin: Our label mix this season is pretty spot on. We now sell Arnsdorf, Alexander Wang, Friedrich Gray, Acne, Opening Ceremony, Ksubi, Complex Geometries, Dion Lee and Erin Wasson RVCA is landing any day.

Isabel Marant Booties (phone order only) and studded bag, Alexander Wang top, Friedrich Gray leggings, thenewguard.com.au
C: So glad my Isabel Marant booties have arrived Eri, add these to my layby please! What else has come in and what are you loving?

E: I'm loving the distressed knits and sporty-luxe fleece by Alex Wang and I'm so impressed with Dion Lee again this winter. Have you seen this incredible dress? Can't even describe the way it fits but look at the way the fabric's sculpted - it's literally a blazer/mini dress hybrid.

Erin's Adelaide tip: Gouger Street for restaurants and McLaren Vale wineries for the best reds.

Meeting Francisco Costa

When the Calvin Klein team come to Sydney its always too much fun. I have to say my hangovers are milder this time around as they are splitting their stay between Melbourne and Sydney (oh and they didn't bring Kevin Carrigan, Global Creative Creative Director, CK Calvin Klein).

Photo: Belinda Rolland

Calvin Klein Collection, woman's Creative Director Francisco Costa (above) is here to speak at L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival's Business Seminar, Friday 19th March with Malcolm Carfrae, the company's Executive Vice President of Global Communications.

With Fashion Consultant, Claudia Navone. My dress is Calvin Klein Collection Spring 2010 available at Myer Bourke st. store April.
Last night we were celebrating the launch of Calvin Klein home furniture with Creative Director Amy Mellen, at Sydney's Coco Republic.

Image Slim Aarons from his book Poolside with Slim Aarons available at Borders.

Francisco and I chatted about feeling "butch" at Icebergs (Bondi Beach) when jumping from pool edge to ocean and how it reminded him of the iconic Slim Arons picture in the South of France.

Bulgari's golden years on film

I love an old film, the costumes and jewellery they swan in and out of. That sort of 60's glamour exists in a different way today so it's so nice to look back.

Bulgari and the ACMI have collaborated to present 2 of the most beautiful 60's films, Come September (1961) and The VIP's (1963).

Be sure to get tickets for the screenings to Timeless Glamour: Bulgari on Film, Melbourne, 13-18th April www.acmi.net.au

Photo courtesy of Photofest, Still from the film The VIPs (1961)

Richard Burton is said to have quipped about his then wife Elizabeth Taylor ...

" I introduced Liz to beer, she introduced me to Bulgari" and " the only Italian word Elizabeth knows is Bulgari"

Bulgari necklace in platinum with emeralds and diamonds 1961

Also showing in Melbourne and Sydney is Bulgari's Retrospective Exhibition, "Between History and Eternity"1884-2009, 125 years of Italian Jewelry.

Held in the Bulgari stores, this exhibition is the first stop after Rome to show here in Australia.

Email vintage@bulgari.com to make an exclusive appointment to view these incredible pieces.

Anu

I don't always like working on a Sunday but I do like working with a great team, Patrick , Noni, Anita, Jira, and Bart. We were shooting the Anu look book. Be the first to order from the latest collection yet to be seen by anyone, anita@byanu.com.

All photo's: Patrick Mcgreal

From Stockholm to Sydney

The Swedish are taking the fashion world by storm, one shop at a time. Australian's are obviously huge fans and devotees to Acne clothing, after opening their Glenmore Rd store in Sydney, they've recently opened up shop in Melbourne. We've got just as much love for Acne Paper, the sell out creative publication is innovative, full of inspiration and on our reading list, pity it only comes out twice a year.

Whyred, a new label to hit our shores boasts it's clean lines, neat shapes and quirky details.

One of our favourite's this winter, these innovative and money conscious boots, doubling up as a knee high and zipping right off into an ankle boot... how thoughtful.

Whyred boots $969 (02 9360 3609)

Leading the pack in the denim realm, the Swedes do know how to make a good pair of jeans. Labels we love Cheap Monday, Nudie and Dr Denim.