Indian Summer X Academy Brand

April 10, 2017

I have a whole lot of fun in the sun. This day was no exception however, it feels like a lifetime ago after we spend a few days/ weeks of rain. Has Sydney become London? I am not concerned by weather, in fact I relish change..it keeps things interesting. This is the boat ramp at North Bondi, one of my favourite places for some sun and dip in the ocean. This dog friendly area is always buzzing with life, in the water and on the ramp. Given my penchant for regular swims, I have quite a few pairs of swimming trunks. These Academy Brand have been my favourite this season. I love how the white gives you more contrast on your skin. The pockets mean they can go from beach to bar. The variety of colours in the print gives you plenty of options in teaming t-shirts and woven shirts like this pale blue linen number together. I cant tell you how easy it is to wear this shirt, it just goes with so many looks. My shades are from the latest Baliey Nelson range and the hat is a handmade Panama courtesy of the gentlemen at Strand Hatters. Bondi locals Commune, carry a vast range of quality Turkish towels like this gem. Like the need for many pairs of swimming trunks, towels are equally important.

academybrand.com / trunks and linen shirt

strandhatters.com.au / panama hat

communebondi.com / turkish towel

baileynelson.com.au / sunglasses

vassi.com.au / photography

MONO NERO X Balenciaga

March 28, 2017

I really do enjoy sipping on a fine Japanese whiskey. If I am wearing a black monochromatic ensemble, its highly likely my mates are close by or on their way. This is a Summer/ Autumn evening look, that suits a casual coastal suburb like the one I live in. Black monochrome is best for evening in my mind. There is so much time through the day and special occasions for colour. If the weather is cooler, try a biker jacket for casual to smart casual or a black blazer for a dressy look.

By the way- these Belstaff boots have travelled to New York to Iceland to LA to Sydney, I can't tell you how comfortable they are. I firmly believe in the mantra- 'buy once buy right'. if it costs a little more than you usually budget for, look at the cost per wear equation. These boots have been comfortable, straight off the bat. The Baleciaga wax finish jeans give the leather look to great effect and the Isaac Selam t-shirt ties in nicely with the leather inserts.

Keep it simple, here are the links -

www.balenciaga.com.au

www.belstaff.com

www.isaaacselam.com

Weekend Reflections x Mocha Salt

March 20, 2017

An Aussie brand having a crack, I'm always about that. . Mocha Salt are based on Sydneys northern beaches and are giving the mens swim market a solid nudge. This label is making contemporary menswear for poolside and coastal living. A slick range of plain and printed swimming trunks and plain t-shirts mean they are sticking to what they know and not trying to be all things to all people, I like that. I love the beach to cafe to bar wardrobe concept, which is essential on Australias east coast. The fact that you can turn swimming trunks into walk shorts is really cool. Add a long sleeved linen shirt and a pair of espardrills and you're all sorted for your post swim hangs...Anyways, here I am at home (in Bondi) pretending I am on the Amalfi coast cruising the shoreline in really comfy threads. If you like your poolside or coastal lifestyle, check out these guys..

shorts and t-shirt x mochasalt.com

hat x strandhatters.com.au

towel x communebondi.com

sunglasses x baileynelson.com.au

images x vassi.com.au

FASHION INDIE // G-STAR RAW

October 31, 2016

WORKWEAR AS FASHION HAS BEEN A BIG DEAL SINCE THE 50's. We live in a denim nation, everyone wears it in some way shape or form. Many of you know I grew up on a farm, so I have some heritage in these pieces. This look is very much a casual, fun, Indie ensemble. From the rock n' roll stage to your local pub, it's hard to go wrong with these hardwearing, workwear inspired outfits. Double denim is one of my favourite kits to put together, the secret to its success is to be sure the two denims don't match the same. Also consider putting a colour between them to break up the two denims like this example. If the weather is cooler, just add your favourite leather jacket to layer over the top to great effect.

This is G-Star raw denim jeans and Levis sleeveless trucker jacket. Underneath is Brooklyn denim henley shirt, covered up with Jack Smith flannel shirt and down below are Belstaff boots that have been all the way to Iceland and America already in their short life. Akubra 'Capello' hat and Pacifico Optical wire frames complete the outfit.

The lineup-

Akubra Capello from Strand Hatters // strandhatters.com.au

Pacifico Optical wire frames // pacificooptical.com

Levis trucker jacket // levis.com.au

Jack Smith flannel shirt // unavailable

Brooklyn denim henley // brooklyndenimco.com

G-Star raw denim // g-star.com

Belstaff boots // belstaff.co.uk

Photography // Vassi Lena

THE MIDNIGHT SHIFT // WIL VALOR BESPOKE SUIT

October 13, 2016

TODAY I'M TAKING MONOCHROME TO DARK, DARK PLACES. Many of you know of of my love of the colour blue and monochromatic palettes, so I thought I'd show you one of my favourite cooler climate ensembles. I have paired my bespoke suit in midnight with a black window pane check with a midnight blue merino turtle neck. Accessories are a black silk pocket square gold frame aviators and blue velvet slippers. This is the kind of outfit I wear to cocktail events in Winter/ Spring.

In creating a look like this my process is three steps. Step #1 Comfort, check the weather as comfort is first and foremost. Step #2 Audience, is it an event, friends or clients that I will see today, and whats appropriate. Step #3 Feeling, my personal style is a representation of how I feel every time I step out the front door.

For this ensemble, I started with my bespoke navy and black window pane check suit and added the midnight merino wool turtleneck sweater. Accessories are a black silk pocket square, gold frame aviators and blue velvet slippers. Warm, comfy and event appropriate, see the line up of designer, bespoke and high street labels below.