Pastel is not a dirty word.

Emma Cook.

Emma Cook's eponymous line is inspired by a fictional muse named Susie. To create each season's look, Cook imagines her young character travelling throughout world and time, dictating the designer's use of fabrics, prints and detailing - which often include hand painted and hand crafted touches. Past collections have included whimsical shapes, chintz accents and draped jersey with laser-cut overlays.

The SS10 collection sees her return to the ultra-feminine, animal motif prints. With a subtle palette of vanilla, pastel yellow, dusty pinks and a few key pieces in black, Cook manages to mix a little drama in with what is the perfect summer wardrobe. Whether you're waltzing late into the evening 1940's style, or hitching your skirt up for a little croquet... this innocently flirtatious range will have something to suit the Susie in all of us.

Keep an eye out for her AW10/11 collection, which will change focus again... black is back.

Hair-do not included.

www.emmacook.co.uk

Back to basics.

Sosume.

Having a social conscience shouldn’t mean sacrificing style, and with the arrival of homegrown label, Sosume, being green has never looked so good.

Sosume is a collective of four young designers who collaborate between Melbourne, Sydney and New York. Featuring only natural and organic fabrics, and offered in a pared-down palette of black, white and grey, Sosume designs make up a womens collection which is both simple and refined.

Produced in Melbourne, Sosume sources the finest fabrics from the most environmentally-responsible mills internationally. Their debut collection featured micro modal, a fabric made from the European Beech Tree, requiring only a tenth of the water used in cotton production. Currently the AW range focuses around basic wardrobe staples.... the tank (produced in various styles, crop, loose, long and skinny, double....), the tee (long, loose, long sleeve) and the hooded option in either a long vest or cardigan.

available in store now
great pieces, great prices........if you can't choose a colour, buy two!

Small luxuries..

Douglas Little.

"...Mr. Douglas Little is a sybarite of the senses who has created award-winning images and ideas for the finest names in beauty. His appetite for rarefied pleasures has compelled him to bring D.L & CO into being, so that he might share with others his passion for the hidden treasures of this world.

D.L. & CO. exists for the sole purpose of bringing a more vibrant way of living into being, a refuge for those weary of the prosaic, second-rate offerings that surround us all.

Within the dim, opulent parlours of D.L & CO, detail, craft and imagination are all greeted with a tender, reverent embrace, and are cordially introduced to their lusty suitors, obscure botanica, Victorian surrealism and ancient charm. The fruits of their languorous unions are all found here.

... lose yourself in their subtle, yet vertiginous splendour...."

Angels Trumpet Diffuser

This is an unusual and rich scent which offsets the heady scent of Angel’s Trumpet Absolute and French Tuberose against an earthy and delicate scent of Woodland Mushrooms. This has been a best-selling signature scent since it was introduced because of its unusual balance, richness, and exotic notes.

Fowl Play Writing Set

Pen and letter opener set. In the 19th century designers found inspiration in the art and design of the far east. These exotic images of the natural world translated into popular design, and one of these esoteric subjects explored in the 'nouveau' art movement was the bird talon. This curious subject was used as ornamentation for many functional items such as walking canes, candle holders and accessories. D.L. & Company brings you a modern twist on this avian effigy with our Foul-Play Writing Box. Gold plated, brass crow talon letter opener and feather plume pen are a limited edition item from D.L. & Co. Feather plume pen takes standard ball point pen refill.

Feather Stationery

A set of 12 Italian, die cut note cards emblazoned with a gold embossed flourished feather and 12 gold lined self sealing envelopes

Boite De Pommes

Set of 4 diminutive golden brass and enameled apples filled with the crisp and verdant thorn apple fragrance. .75 oz. each

Thorn Apple Candle (10 oz)

Thorn Apple’s clean bouquet (applewood, vertiver, oakmoss and patchouli) is enveloped by the trill of sharp, bright notes, partially obscuring its lush, verdant interior. Like the horn-shaped blooms that seem to sound its arrival, Thorn Apple’s crisp scent foretells the sweet surrender to come. 40+ hours of burn time.

the perfect gift...

Arrival in store mid July

www.dlcompany.com

Japanese expansion. From workwear to whimsy...

Akira Onozuka.

ZUCCa.

Akira Onozuka founded ZUCCa in 1988, hosting collections bi-annually in Paris. This debut onto the fashion scene soon branched out into various expressions of his vision. ZUCCa TRAVAIL was a work wear inspired range, followed by Cabane de ZUCCa, a wristwatch collaboration with Seiko.. and up to date, being recognised for a long standing contribution to the French manufacturing industry.

"...Onozuka treats his design process as an experiment in a three-dimensional art form, with functionality one among several goals. He finds his inspirations from things he sees and feels through his travels, books and art.

What he most cherishes in the creation of his collection is the process itself, and the development and evolution that come along with it. Onozuka likens making a collection to having a small organic farm, where one has to oversee every harvest

with care and attention to detail...."

Pieces from ZUCCa SS10 collection, in store now.

The brand also produces quarterly newsletters, 'BE ZUCCa'. These run in limited print, and are mostly available from their international stores. Highlights from the mags can be seen at...

www.zuccone.com

Australian Made.

Christopher Esber.

His absence from the RAFW runway show for this AW10 season was noted by most, but the much anticipated collection from breakout Australian designer, Christopher Esber is now in store.

Black is back, and if his cuts are anything to go by, bold is definitely better. Oversized hand knitted sleeves, body con leggings and sheer layering pieces characterized this range. Minimal designs with maximum impact.

Dropped shoulder skivvy

Structured shift dress in wool felt and suede

Long knitted scarf with thumbs

Wool felt coat with oversized knitted sleeves

http://christopheresber.net

O Jerome!

Jerome Dreyfuss handbags, 20% off selected styles from previous collections. A style to suit everyone... whether you're chasing the classic 'Billy', or perhaps for the more 'financially' adventurous (or reckless!), a statement python bag.

The current SS10 range is in store, seeing the return of the favourites, the Billy, Twee, Twee mini and Paul.. in a selection of vibrant new colours. New styles also available.

The AW10/11 collection (which will hopefully arrive in store by the end of August) will see the introduction of the black bag. To date, Jerome Dreyfuss has not offered a true black bag, with previous ranges including Moka.. a painfully dark brown, but for all those die hard 'black' fans, not dark enough.

The new range will offer the black bags in calfskin, as opposed to the lamb and goat skins used in the past. The calfskin offers a smoother, and more uniform texture... keep an eye out for these stunning new pieces!

Future Classics... Sale now on!

Future Classics AW09/10 collection is now on sale. Signature silk dresses from the Future Classics Dress line are now 20% off, as well as beautiful navy winter capes, future crombie coats, and the coveted PVC arm sheaths and leggings.

The SS10 collection is currently in store now. One of the main prints for this season is the 'graffiti flower', a mix of subtle, muted floral designs overlaid with fluorescent scrawl. An effective combination. Designer, Julie Wilkins, has applied this print to the shoulder holster, snood and geometric shift dress.. team them up for the perfect urban camouflage!

The Dress line has some offerings in navy and black silk, as well as the obligatory prints for the season. The Mac (from previous seasons) is back... the design has been re-worked into an oversized, cropped style... perfect over the orange PVC legging! one for the fashion risk taker...

Introducing..... New Labels

Quentin Veron.

(The Tim Burton-esque furrier of France)

this one's not for the PETA fans (although i'm yet to see the distinction between fur and leather. I'm quite sure not all those against fur have resigned themselves to wear crocs.)

Runway shot from Quentin Veron FW10/11 collection, shown at Paris Fashion Week.

Furs. Whether you're a rampant anti-fur campaigner, or one of those who, given the chance, would cover all their home furnishings in whatever hide was going.... furs make a resurgence every winter, as this season is no exception.

Quentin Veron is a young French designer, who brings a new vision to the art of fur fashion.

He has worked for Thierry Mugler, and with Jeremy Scott during his time in the United States.

Inspired by Nordic legends, and fairy tale, the universe of Quentin Veron brings to life the exuberance and grace of a fantasy unparalleled.

..take a trip into the wilderness..... Current collection in store now.

All furs are made by SAGA, and are a mix of fox and goat hair.

www.quentinveron.com

Commuun.

Commuun was established in 2005 by Kaito Hori and Iku Furudate.

"The core idea of Commuun's image is drawn from the structural aspect of nature balancing between harmony and tensions.

The design aims at reconstructing these features through simple strong shapes

and fine detailing. This fundamental approach is also reflected in the exclusive use of natural and organic fabrics.

A detailed research is undertaken in order to determine the most adequate fabrics to work with. The materials are further refined through the use of the traditional French pattern cutting technique to create well tailored functional clothes reinforced by futuristic details of long-lasting quality."

current SS10 collection in store. AW10/11 arriving in late July.

www.commuun.com

Tom Scott.

Tom Scott. Fashion forward knitwear designer, Tom Scott nyc has finally landed his collection in Australia, at The Slaughterblouse. Sheer colour block tees, voluminous harem pants, oversized sheet sweaters, and... macrame! An eccentric range, showcasing superb attention to the intricacies of knitwear. Be sure to keep your eyes out for his AW10/11 collection arriving in October

www.tomscottnyc.com

They're back...!

BLESS have re-released their 'Bedsheets Couple' from their previous 'No 36 Nothingneath' collection. The sheet set includes a queensize cover, and two european pillow cases, retailing at $420. For this current range 'No 39 Heartringers', the creative duo have looked to the outdoors for their inspiration, offering up the 'Bedsheets Lake'...
This set differs slightly, including both the queensize cover and flat sheet with the lake print, as well as the two pillow covers. Retails at $530.

Available in store now.