Chanel... you've got me hooked

I went into the Chanel store and was curious about this crazy invention. What a cute idea, it hooks on the side of the table to hang your handbag, keeping it off the floor.

The perfect gift idea for someone who has everything, or something special for myself.

Chanel Handbag hook $530 from the Chanel Boutique

Goot launch

Designer Josh Goot launches the Goot range at his new store in Glenmore Rd Paddington, Sydney yesterday. A diffusion line of easy care, easy wear, wardrobe essentials inspired from his previous collections of signature pieces that earned him his global recognition.

Fashion consultant and 10 TV's Gabriele Hackworthy was in town and interviewed Josh for Style Me Romy. Apologies for my bumpy camera work, I will have it sorted by Australian Fashion Week!

Light sensation at the MCA

As a stylist I often seek inspiration from all sort of mediums, recently from a modern installation of contemporary art.

I went to Olafur Eliasson: Take Your Time, exhibition at the MCA Sydney. A Danish-Icelandic artist, he plays with light in a powerful way. I walked into rooms and I turned black and white, I was showered with mist and saw incredible rainbow effects, it was truly an amazing visual experience. I've since spoken to people who have been multiple times, it's a must, on until April 11th 2010.

Robby Ingham in Paris

Things are happening on Oxford St in Paddington, Sydney, with a total revamp to retail store Robby Ingham. New labels, new partner and a new direction makes it one of our new favourite shopping destinations. Marlene Mangioni, buyer and partner (previously at Belinda Boutiques) has just returned from her buying trip for the new season. Adding to their exsisting line up of labels - Chloe, Helmut Lang and Martin Margiela - Robby Ingham will be adding Stella McCartney, Alexander Wang, Halston, Givenchy and Phillip Lim to their racks.

Marlene took us to the Paris fashion showrooms and gave us a sneak peek of what she's buying for next season.

Givenchy dress

Givenchy bag... first there was the Nightingale, next the Pandora and now the Antigona, the new "it" bag

Stella McCartney pants, you can't not have a cropped skinny pant for winter with a pointy kitten heel a la Emmanuelle Alt.

Stella McCartney stirrup pants, hot hot hot!!

Balenciaga's Nicolas Ghesquiere in Sydney

Yes the very private, fashion royalty, Balenciaga designer Nicolas Ghesquiere, is coming to Sydney to launch the house's first ever fragrance.

My most desired label, it holds a very special place for me. I married wearing Balenciaga at City Hall in NYC and was nearly brought to tears in a Paris nightclub when I thought I'd lost my Balenciaga jacket...I can easily admit to being a true fashion victim when anything Balenciaga is involved.

A question I hope to ask Nicolas whilst he's here....

Was Tom Ford really in the nude when he interviewed you recently for Interview magazine? (click on link, a must read)

Lets hope I get to meet him and that he's as much fun as his PA, Charlotte Proux, who's already intown. We love you Charlotte!

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!