Looking back at the noughties...


It is 2011 and the noughties are behind us. This post is the first of several looking back at the head wear and fashion from 2000 to 2009. Giving a nod to the glorious and not so glorious fashions of the recent past.

In 2000 I began year 10 (I'm giving away my age now). My interest in fashion had only just been ignited, I was still ignorant in many respects and made my share of fashion blunders. The only hats I owned were the baseball cap variety and a witches hat from my tenth birthday (that incidentally after long thought lost, turned up last week!).

Though my memory may be a bit fuzzy about the details, photo's never lie! I have an extensive magazine collection including classics from the 1970's and 1980's. Magazines have just about taken over my life. At one point I think I was buying 5 fashion magazines a month and that's not including the other magazine genre's. I only keep the best, I have every copy of Australian Vogue from Apr 2001 to the present day and every edition of Australian Harpers Bazaar from Sept 2002 to Jan/Feb 2010 (ever since Alison Veness-McGourty left, it just wasn't the same). My current love is Russh, with only 6 issues a year I have every copy since Mar/Apr 2006.

It's October 2000 and Christine Anu is on the cover of Australian Vogue and purple is everywhere. The only hat within the pages is a purple wide brimmed sun hat, still a hangover from the 90's. It reminds me of that hat worn by Andie MacDowell in Four Weddings and a Funeral. One thing I did notice was the unflattering lighting on quite a few celebrities, they obviously hadn't discovered photoshop.

Stay tuned for the next installment, 2001 and the coming of the gypsy queen or should I say the mutton dressed as lamb look.

Ruby red...


I love this 1950's rich ruby red number. You can just picture the previous owner dressed in her beautiful 'new look' dress, with the nipped in waist and full skirt. Her small gloved hands holding a neat purse. Her red lips posed to take a sip from a delicate glass of champagne.

If only the women of today would show such reverence for there appearance. What happened to the time when a simple thing like not wearing thongs to the office was accepted practice (I'm referring to flip flops, for those who aren't Aust). Call me old fashioned, but aren't you supposed to wear a comfortable yet formal shoe to the office, not what you slob around in on your weekends. At present the casual day that used to be once a week has merged with the other four resulting in mishmash of work attire. Office workers don't know whether they're going to the gym or to the pub for a beer?

When did the straight skirt and shirt disappear? I know it's still out there somewhere. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that ladies need to look frumpy. That is the last thing I want. Nor do I want us to conform to the male ideal of the sexy secretary. All I would like to see is a bit more pride taken in our daily work appearance. You never know, the lift in looking the part might just improve your standard of work too.

Where have all the colours gone?


I love black, it’s great. Having a fat day? Throw on some black. This clever colour (or absence of colour, depending on how scientific you want to get) hides a multitude of sins. It is also the staple of the fashion set. Whether you think that is a good or bad thing, I leave to you to decide.

All I would like is a bit more variety. Purple, blue, red, green, where have all the colours gone? For a country that experiences 35 degree days, has bright sunlight and dare I say it somewhat drab surroundings, why oh why are we subjected to boring dull clothes. Have we turned into nuns over night? Or are we so self conscious of our figures that we couldn’t possibly splash on a little colour.

Playing it safe seems to be the mantra of the high street store. Well I’m saying I’ve had enough. I don’t want to fade into the background. I don’t want to feel like I’m wearing a uniform. I want the bright confident feeling you can only get from slipping into a cherry red dress, with a pair of killer purple heels.

I’m all for trends, but with the beige epidemic that has plagued us for the past 4 seasons, the only alternative is black. The reprieve this season seems to be orange, which has the horrible side effect of highlighting every freckle on your face. Making you look orange, as well as wearing it.

I fear I’m not alone in my disappointment and with winter fast approaching, I’m not going to hold my breath for the bright colours to suddenly to appear. (Although turning blue would add another dimension to my black outfit.)

I guess I’ll just have to wait yet another season, cross my fingers and pray to the fashion gods for a vibrant brighter future!

(Pictured Russh cover for February 2011, classic example of the beige epidemic.)

DAVID JONES Claremont opening...





In March the new Claremont Quarter opened its doors and with it after an absence of over two years, David Jones returned to Perth's Western Suburbs. The ribbon was cut by Perth model and David Jones ambassador Megan Gale, with a speech from Premier Colin Barnett.

To celebrate the opening David Jones held two fashion parades with model Samantha Harris walking the catwalk and Nicole Trunfio as MC. The pictures above are from the first fashion parade.



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