The Voxfrockers are pooped. Bubble after bubble, can-ape after can-ape, party on party on party. Our calendar’s been chock full of frockshows and launches for weeks – WEEKS! – our inbox an Everest of payattention collections and snazzackle accessories. Where to begin the telling of suchmuch? How to proceed? By the miracle of Flipagrams on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, dear readers. (Do follow us! Like us! We party relentlessly for YOU!) The rest, we have edited down, down, for your education and entertainment, to this short sharp sixpack of frocky Voxbullets. We’re off, now, for our Easter lie-down. Enjoy your own break, dear readers, safe in the bosom of family and friends and remember, Easter is the official prelude of new life, renewal and all manner of conceptual and physical replenishments. Make it so.
Kisses from Voxfrockxx.
Fashion’s backlash against stupid shoes is building.
Flats are flourishing, particularly ballet-styles. Voxfrock’s dislike however, of versions with scooped-out sides and thin, slipper-like soles, is intense. (Cheap-looking with a tendency to impart a slovenly scuff to the wearer’s gait.) Sturdy, leather-soled versions with a classic upper, on the other hand; well. Chic doesn’t cover it. The Voxfrockers have logged some marvellous examples of these in recent months, including in the collection of Melbourne-based, Italian-made Ballettonet, brainchild of savvy/busy young mother of two small poppets Stephanie Waters. Ms. Waters and husband/business partner Ben launched their second Ballettonet collection at a soiree in the elegant upstairs of Melbourne’s iconic Grossi Florentino restaurant. Italian connection appreciably noted. Voxfrock’s Best in Show included woven leather styles in a classic palette and an ocelot pony pair (pictured), perfect for stalwarts of layered, Chanel-esque black fashion. Ms. Waters says she modelled the collection after Audrey Hepburn’s charming role and costumery in Roman Holiday. This is patently obvious. (Sometimes literally.) Prices span $160 to $250 and online sales are now available at www.ballettonet.co with free shipping within Australia.
More shoes
Voxfrock is also enamoured of local label Maya McQueen, currently among our favorite collections of bootlets best linked to current winter casuals. Melbourne entrepreneur Domenique Nestel launched her first Maya McQueen collection two years ago. Her fourth and current, is a comforting reminder of her commitment to fine craftsmanship. “We seek out manufacturers that understand the heritage, art and traditional techniques necessary to produce beautiful quality shoes,” says Miss Nestel. She often finds the craftsmen she needs in Portugal. Voxfrock’s pick of the cuban-heeled bootlets is priced around $250 and stocked in Melbourne at Eliza Baker, 447 High Street, Prahran, (03) 9533 7369. For other stockists, go direct to the brand’s Facebook page here.
The legends are coming
Still fizzing at the prospect of Jean Paul Gaultier visiting Melbourne for the opening of his National Gallery of Victoria’s exhibition, The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk (Oct.17, 2014 to Feb 8, 2015)? We too. Now, try this factette on for a frocky entree: Domenico Dolce – yes, THE Mr. Dolce – will pop into Melbourne’s Dolce & Gabbana store for a Night of Italian Cocktails on April 30.
Exactly. That’s what we squealed. (Photo below, from Forbes report of Mr. Dolce’s current wealth, $US1.7billion.)
Domenico Dolce Photo: Forbes
Fast Swelling Shopperama
For those resident under rocks recently, Melbourne now has a gargantuan, uber-elegant H&M flagship installed in its former General Post Office GPO Building and is in the throes of a full-bore launcherama party-fest as store after store in the nearby Emporium including Uniqlo, Move, Alannah Hill and Superdry among 225-odd others, fling open their doors for the very first time. Are we excited? Is the pope a frockaholic? Amid the relentless festivities, tipped to bleed into several more months, Voxfrockers also made the following, curious, jottable note. Significant numbers of otherwise dyed-in-the-wool anti-fast fashion protesters, formerly vocal opponents of outlets such as H&M, Uniqlo and Topshop at one time or other, appear to have relaxed their strident “it’s-all-landfill-crap-and-you’re-killing-our-local-industry” principles and come out surprisingly on the side of “it’s-not-so-bad-maybe-even-good-for-Melbourne”. No idea either. #gofigure
Heath Meldrum and Brodie Harper at last night’s Superdry launch in Melbourne’s swank new Emporium shopping centre
Little miracles
Voxfrock includes this miraculous little jacket (pictured) as second last item in our Voxbullet sixpack lest anyone mistakenly assume it a mere afterthought. Which it is most decidedly not. Thurley’s Prince of Persia jacket, and it’s mate, (main picture, top) the Twighlight, are shapely, achingly chic and among the last known nods we’re aware of, to fashion’s recently ubiquitous peplum. Voxfrock is most fond of the peplum; the most flatteringly feminine silhouette of recent years. Thurley’s ode to clean, elegant lines and kinked tailoring, with peaked peplums contributing to an optical illusion of length and leanness, are the perfect acompaniement for trousers; slim-leg or classic cigarette, or skirts, pencil or A-line dropped to a below-the-knee or calf-grazer hemline. Utilised wisely, it will become the kind of wardrobe fundamental likely to be as relevant – worn open or closed, with blouse or tighter shell – in five, 10 or more years from now. Fancy one? Thurley Prince of Persia Jacket, $350, and the Twilight, $600, at www.thurley.com.au
Thurley’s Prince of Persia Jacket, $350
Splat. (The Afterthought.)
Is there a sound more comforting than the pocksplatpock of raindrops on a waterproof coat? (Yes, Veronica, fashion can be practical.) Voxfrock editor Janice Breen Burns says she remembers when all the world owned a raincoat and wore it religiously with Wellingtons or girly galoshes. What happened? She is uncertain, but speculates we are fussier now, more inclined to dash for shelter than embark anywhere on foot – short commute or long, reflective wander – in the rain. More’s the pity. Mrs. Breen Burns regrets the waned popularity of walking in the rain – “Very romantic, good for thinking” – and heartily approves our notation here on so called Jelly Bean coats or, technically, coat-lets. (“How marvellous!”) The transparent plastic coats are not only pretty, with their seams attractively bound with coloured tape, but constitute a practical nod to fashion’s functional past. We intend buying five at $40 each, one for each Voxfrocker, at www.jeans.com
Compiled by Candice Burke and Michaela Summers intern@voxfrock.com.au, Terry Carruthers info@voxfrock.com.au, with Janice Breen Burns, jbb@voxfrock.com.au.
