THE GLAMOUR OF AUSTRALIA

After a lazy Sunday sleep in, I braved the NYC heatwave & went wandering down Hudson St today to find myself 15 blocks downtown in the heart of Soho. Usually I have shopping agenda, stores to see, galleries to visit, but today was just wandering. I glanced up Greene St & double took a [ZIMMERMANN] banner for a mirage in this unbearable heat. I walked to towards it, hoping it would not fade the closer I got & to my delight, the further I walked, the closer I got!

I Love ZIMMERMANN as a brand. I love how it has stayed true to it Australian aesthetic, all the while expanding in global markets. I like the aspiration of the ZIMMERMANN woman, healthy, natural & confident, stylish & glamourous. at 112 Greene St, NYC; The ZIMMERMANN brand has brought a piece of Australia to The City with a beautiful pop-store in the heart of Soho, for the USA summer months. While in this Australian brand's store, I spotted Australian model Jess Hart & overheard another Aussie accent in amongst local clientele. I love when Australian brands make their mark in such a beautiful way in off shore markets. ZIMMERMANN is a perfect example of putting their glamourous stamp on this, at times, hard to crack, fashionable city. Go Aussie. - SW

If you are in NYC, get your skates on, the [ZIMMERMANN] pop-up store is only open til Aug 1, 2010.

BEAUTIFUL ART

My latest art purchase. Black & White framed photograph of Bianca Jagger riding into Studio 54 on a white horse. Amazing. -SWx

RELIGION

THEM: What Religion are you?

ME: Christian. As in Christian Louboutin.

LIFES PLEASURE

“The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.”
Walter Bagehot

ITS A SIGN

I am a big believer in 'signs', not as in 'signage', but as in 'signs' from the universe. When I nearly ran into this sign, on a sign today in NYC, I felt it was just a little to literal (& expensive!) to follow. -SW

MARKETS OF NYC

Last weekend I was at my favourite Vintage Market in all of New York City, the Garage Markets on 6th & 24th. At a booth by the door, I was fortunate enough to meet Author Karen E. Seiger who was doing signings of her new book, Markets of New York City - A Guide to the Best Artisan, Farmer, Food & Flea Markets.

This gorgeous handbag size guide will keep you busy for weekends to come, exploring some of the best markets NYC has to offer. Markets are an unique venture in the sense that you can have the next up & coming designer alongside a booth run by an elderly couple who lead a Gyp-set lifestyle selling vintage jewels from eras by-gone.

Karen was delightful & I look forward to all the treasure troves she has introduced me to thorugh her book. A Must for New York natives & new comings alike. Enjoy the adventure!

Markets of New York City - A Guide to the Best Artisan, Farmer, Food & Flea Markets.

By Karen E. Seiger

Some of my personal NYC Market photographs below. -SW

[INSPIRATION] 'UNWRITTEN' LYRICS - NATASHA BEDINGFIELD

I am unwritten,
Can't read my mind.
I'm undefined.

I'm just beginning,
The pen's in my hand.
Ending unplanned.

Staring at the blank page before you,

Open up the dirty window,

Let the sun illuminate the words

That you could not find



Reaching for something in the distance


So close you can almost taste it


Release your inhibitions


Feel the rain on your skin



No one else can feel it for you


Only you can let it in


No one else, no one else


Can speak the words on your lips



Drench yourself in words unspoken


Live your life with arms wide open


Today is where your book begins


The rest is still unwritten

.

I break tradition


Sometimes my tries


Are outside the lines



We've been conditioned


To not make mistakes


But I can't live that way, no



Staring at the blank page before you


Open up the dirty window


Let the sun illuminate the words


That you could not find



Reaching for something in the distance


So close you can almost taste it


Release your inhibitions


Feel the rain on your skin



No one else can feel it for you




Drench yourself in words unspoken


Live your life with arms wide open


To the years where your book begins


The rest is still unwritten



The rest is still unwritten


[READING] I LOVE YOUR STYLE

I am currently reading [I LOVE YOUR STYLE] by Amanda Brooks. I will write more posts as I progress through, but I just wanted to share with you the forward by [Diane Von Furstenberg], a woman who I have so much personal admiration for. I started reading this book standing in the Anthropology store in NYC's [Chelsea Market]. I got so enthralled in it that I had read 8 pages in the store without even looking up. It made me think about he way I design for the SW woman, & the fact that there is not just one style. But something that we pride ourselves on at SW is designing accessories for all types of style, what we hope our accessories do is provide confidence for woman to experiment, define, refine, embrace & even re-invent their own personal style. Personal style goes beyond fashion. It is how you feel in your skin when you wear clothes a certain way. Clothing can determine your mood or confidence for the day, it can make you uncomfortable when you do not feel you have found your own style, or even more frustrating if you know what your style is but struggle to compose it in your everyday dress. At 28 years of age, I combine my love of fashion with my love of creating - & in the morning rather then ask myself 'what do I want to wear today?' I ask myself 'Who do I want to be today?'. Personal style is a huge part of who you are, it is accepting who you are, & in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson - 'Insist on yourself, never imitate'. - SW

I LOVE YOUR STYLE - By Amanda Brookes

Forward by Diana Von Furstenberg;

What is style? It is an effortless confidence in being yourself, it is a way of putting yourself toegther according to your mood and what you want to project. Personal style appears to come naturally for some, but for others it can take a while to find it!

I grew up in Belgium as an odd duck - with curly dark hair when everyone else had blond straight hair. I hated the way I looked, but slowly I realised that the thing I hated most could actually be an asset, because it was me! Finding my own style was about accepting and liking myself... it was not always an easy process, but it was the only one.

Amanda Brooke was born, bred and raised in style! She's experimented with it as a child, as a teenager, and soon she became a real pro. She has a true eye and natural instinct for understanding fashion. She loves design, relates with designers, and has been a muse to many. I love her style because it is easy & effortless; her walk, her allure is confident and light; it is never forced. Fashion is a mysterious thing to express, but if anyone is qualified to write a book on style, Amanda is. She has the unique talent of sensing trends, feeling the moment, and knowing what to mix with what. This book is fun, informative & very clever. I am sure it will inspire many & reassure others.

After all, style is something each of us already has -all we to do is find it. - Diane Von Furstenberg

THE INSPIRATION OF OTHERS

The amazing result of working with the creative genius of Fabio Ongarato.... The above [SAMANTHA WILLS] campaign was shot in Sydney, Australia, by an amazing creative team, Art Directed by Fabio Ongarato of [Fabio Ongarato Design].

It is inspiring, as a creative person, to work with creative people who are leaders in their field. Working with the right people can allow your mind to open doors you didn't even know existed, take you down creative paths that can lead to new collections, new goals in life, new directions or simply gratification to see your own work look so immaculate because of the amazing hands that touch the job after you have contributed your piece.-SW

ART DIRECTION: FABIO ONGARATO

PHOTOGRAPHER: WILL DAVIDSON

[BEHIND THE SCENE VIDEO]

DEFINITELY A WOMAN

"I'm very definitely a woman and I enjoy it."

– Marilyn Monroe

THROUGH MY LENS [LONDON]