Emma Cook AW10/11 collection.

Available in store mid-August

Italians do it better..

Ilaria Nistri.

Iconic beauties suspended in timeless space. An ode to explicit femininity.

Ilaria Nistri's A|W 10|11 collection is a rapid proliferation of laces that seize the eye and amplify the silhouette’s visual impact. The hand made Alpaca knitwear and it's floating yarns can be traced through the wide weft, tubular structures are applied to the weaving, while long leather laces spill down freely. Pants and jacket are a futuristic satin décor of leather and jersey, emphasizing the shoulders and the extreme close fit of the garment.

Fastened only by laces, and wrapped tightly to the body, the satin Kimono/shirts are held by their own jersey belt. Laces are also used in the belts, where through the cuts in the soft leather, a delicate web of metal and fabric can be seen. Shoulders get the main stage, particularly in jackets and coats, where the inner and external shoulder pads play a sculptural game that with wadding and skilful seams grant additional roundness.

The colours are daring: Black is a note of a wider symphony playing with dynamic reds and investigating possible shades of brown: from the deepest of pinots to traces of Bordeaux red, from greening bark up to ebony black.

Available in store early September.

www.ilarianistri.com

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