Image taken by Dimi Krkaliev

It’s been just over a week since my business partner and I launched what has been the result of endless daydreams, long and sleepless nights and copious amounts of caffeine…the end product, a sparkling new fashion label called ‘daeDreamer’.

Think tequila sunrises, holidays in the Bahamas and pops of bright tonal summer colours blended with a twist of vintage charm and bohemian femininity and what you end up with is a fresh new brand that quenches the thirsts of style-seekers from every end of the fashion spectrum.

Last Sunday 27th November, myself and Penelope Day gave the world a small taster of what is yet to come from our joint love of creating whimsical and etherial pieces that make its wearer feel like a goddess with minimal effort.

As the day approached (faster than we expected) the sun was shining and there was definitely a distinctive scent in the air of ’something new’ about to be discovered.

Hosted at the Fashion Incubator, Designer Concept store at Sanctuary Cove – over 70 VIP guests came to witness the unveiling of what has been 9 months in the making for both Penelope and myself.

Gorgeous models (from Katz Management) sashayed around the store, serving food and chatting to guests whilst wearing combinations of our vintage crochet ‘one-off’ pieces (all 100% hand made and beautifully unique in their own way).

With a live DJ, bubbles, canapes and lots of garments on show for sale – the parade proceeded to begin. Never have I witnessed so many people, clambering to edge one foot into a single shop front, all to take a glimpse at what was next to walk down the runway.

Inundated with sales, (still whilst the models paraded the garments on their bodies) guests were super keen to get their hands on some of the new daeDreamer pieces – it was amazing and very rewarding to see it being so well received. Even one week later we are continuing to process private orders that are coming in thick and fast as we also prepare for our inaugural website launch where everything that was showcased on the 27th will be avail for purchase.

Hence the day was a huge success – allowing us to unveil our new baby, one that has been kept under a pretty tight lock and key until now. We are also proud to share that daeDreamer supports local production and ethical practices, with the majority of our garments being made and produced right here on our doorstep (in the Gold Coast and in surrounding areas).

So as I sit here now, sipping a latte and reflecting on what was a launch event ‘extravaganza’, I can’t keep the seat warm for too long, there’s so much to be done and the truth of the matter is…the dae-Dreams of two Gold Coasters…have now become reality!

This week I caught up with the beautiful and talented Kate Campbell, an emerging Gold Coast designer with style and class beyond her years.  After pledging to follow her dreams into the fashion industry at the ripe old age of 11 with her best friend, Kate has never looked back.

Having recently completed her fashion studies, Kate has been getting hands on experience working for one of the Gold Coast’s industry stars Lisa Brown.

In 2008, when Kate won her school designer of the year award, Brown was the presenter and offered her a trial on the spot. Brown was so impressed with Campbell’s speedy sewing skills and quality craftsmanship she just had to have Campbell on her team. Two years on and Campbell is still loving every minute of the experience.

‘Lisa is amazing, she collaborates with her staff and often seeks our opinion on ideas, and she is very creative’.

However it doesn’t stop there for this blonde beauty, with Campbell swiftly establishing a label in her own name. Her pieces are inspired by beautiful fabrics and the way they fall on the body, the Kate Campbell range is currently stocked exclusively with online boutique The Hanging Space.

Campbell says the Gold Coast is no longer the poor cousin when it comes to fashion and in fact believes it is now rivaling our interstate cities.

‘Fashion on the Gold Coast is definitely evolving; I see it as a blend of coastal chic and beautiful florals’

‘It is no longer about denim shorts and bikini’s’.

As for her own personal style Campbell is ultra feminine and mature beyond her years. She is heavily influenced by her stylish interior designer mother.

‘I want my own label to bridge the gaps, catering for women aged 18 to 60 with different pieces for different age groups.’

A beautiful floral dress from the Kate Campbell collection.

‘I am hoping for a trip to Indian Trade Fair in 2011’

‘As for my label I am hoping to really get working on more samples, have flexibility and complete control of all aspects of my business including direct access to my customers’.

3 Quick Questions….

Favorite labels: Alberta Ferretti, Chloe, Miu Miu, Carla Zampatti, Lanvin & Balmain.

Favorite piece I own is: a Country Road mist grey cape with mesh detail. It is really dressy so I only wear it occasionally.

Top of my wish list: to create a beautiful collection and reduce my stress levels!

It’s always a worry when you choose a heading for a blog and then grab a copy of a new mag (in this case Vogue) at the airport and realise that you’ve chosen a heading that is a feature of their September issue.  So, at the risk of being slammed, I am sticking to my original title – “Spring clean your style”.

Spring really is my favorite season of the year. Not only does it add a little spring to my step, it means no more layers upon layers in the early hours of the morning exercising, it also means a change in fashion, new season trends, summer is getting closer and most importantly it is the BEST time of year ever to detox yourself and your style!! As we all start to come out of our winter cocoons, we start to turn into beautiful butterflies.  Here are my tips on how to kick off spring on the right foot and rediscover yourself and your style:

1. Empty everything, yes everything, out of your wardrobe either onto a spare rack or your bed.
2. Grab a BFF or hire a personal stylist to come and help you work your way through what’s to stay and what’s moving on. Try everything on, yes that’s right everything!!
3. Anything that doesn’t fit – put to one side. Depending on whether it’s an “ I’m just having a fat day today” or “I really really just cant’ get that button done up day”, will help you decide which ones stay and which ones go. If in doubt, space-bag up pieces and pop them under your bed or above your wardrobe. The more you get rid of that you don’t wear they better you will feel.
4. Jump onto ebay to sell anything that could give you a few extra $ to put towards some new season pieces or if that’s not your thing, drop a bag off to your local Salvo’s, Red cross or Charity. If you have unwanted suits look up your nearest branch of “Dress for Success” – a fabulous non profit organisation that supports women getting back into the workforce.
5. Hit the shops! Be daring, go on and try on things you would never usually try on. You just might surprise yourself with how wonderful you look. If you don’t know where to shop or what to buy or could really do with some friendly advice – book a personal stylist. Most shopping centres have ones they recommend and I too have a great network of the best and loveliest stylists in every state. Personal stylists are cheaper than a fashion mistake. That’s for sure!
6. Get dressed up. Organise a night out with your partner or the girls – getting dressed up and having a meal out you don’t have to cook and few good laughs with great friends is so underrated and almost as good as a holiday.
7. Set your alarm just half an hour earlier and start pounding the pavement. Summer will be here before we know it and walking even 20 mins every morning is a great way to shed that excess insulation that may have crept up over winter and kick start those feel good endorphins.

I actually heard Arn Doh – one of my most favourite comedians talking yesterday about the release of his first book that he wrote in two months. One thing that stuck in my head was his dad said to him Arn “ There is now and there is too late”.

So no excuses,   NOW is  your time – what are you waiting for?  There is no better time to start than NOW.  Go on get cracking… NOW!

Well like any other night as much as the Logies is about celebrating the talent on our Australian Screens, it really is about the red carpet fashions isn’t it? So without any further ado let’s get straight to the hits, misses, the what the’s and the down right WOW’s!

The hits – Ada Nikadoumo – the most perfect of styles and colours to show off her petite but perfect figure. Lisa Wilkinson is the modern day Audrey Hepburn. Simple but so elegant – her perfect look, Rebecca Breeds – so stylish. Shelly Craft, Anna Hutchinson, Emily Simmons (that crazy Marilyn from Home and Away) loved her classic look.

This misses/ what the’s – Gabrielle Cilmi – sorry but I don’t get her, her music or the blue number she wore. She continues to amaze me at the Gigs she gets. Rebecca Gibney, as much as I love her and I thought she looked incredibly pretty, her dress let her down. The colour and style did her no favours. Jessica McNamee (packed to the Rafters), the burnt orange was different but not what I would have chosen for her. Alex Perry a firm favourtie designer of mine, I didn’t rate Kerri – Anne’s number either.

The undecided – Jen Hawkins ?? She looked gorgeous, funky and eclectic and I am a big fan of Toni M, but I don’t think her outfit was really Logies style. But then again isn’t style all about expressing your individuality, isn’t it? And I wouldn’t be complaining if I looked like her. Claudia Carvan, loved her stylish old fashioned look, but again, just not Logies for me. Maybe she should have kept that one for RFAW this week.

THE WWWWWWOW’s in my books, Melissa Doyle looked as beautiful as her smile (I was really hoping she would take out best TV presenter just quietly). She graced the Red Carpet like no other. Esther Anderson (my pick for best dressed), Jessica Morais (the other pick for best dressed), the gorgeous Natalie Gruzlewski and Margo Robbie.

All in all, I think this year it was the more neutral softer feminine and elegant colours that stole the show this year.

Now for the blokes, sure they don’t have the opportunity to do as much with their outfits, but for me it was all about how they did their hair that topped off whether they made it in my books or not and maybe their smile, ok I am a sucker for a cute smile – Todd Lasance, Luke Jacobs, Hugh Sheridan (Yep your cous is hot Jess (wrongly or rightly)) and his on screen dad Eric Thompson all so sexy, sophisticated and handsome but it was probably Luke Mitchells charcoal suit that made him stand out a smidgen about the rest.

Well that’s a wrap from me on the fashions. for another year of Logies…….I must say as I struggled to stay awake, it was well worth it when Alf Stewart (aka Ray Meagher) took out the Gold Logie, very much overdue and well deserved.

For the full list of winners, and further commentary, please visit Screen Scoop

The ‘NEXT BIG thing’ in Fashion is…….

It was truly a spectacular evening at Sanctuary Cove on Saturday 27th March at the first ever “NEXT BIG thing” in Fashion event. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, champagne and magnificently decorated tables as the 360 guests sat by candlelight (in order to support earth hour) and ate a sumptuous 3 course Meal. Throughout the night guests were treated to fire twirling entertainers, music that melted the soul and the fashion parade of the 6 Finalists of the evening’s event.

The GC Fashion Incubator a non-profit industry association that provides a platform for new, student, emerging and established designers to launch and grow their labels was behind the idea of the event. Donna Caley from the Fashion incubator did a phenomenal job in co-coordinating the students and fashions for the night as did Tracey Toovey Marketing Manager from Sanctuary Cove and Simone from shac communications.

The 6 finalists of the night were:

Indigo Joker by Kathryn Edmonds www.indigojoker.com

JANIN by Aneta Rycombel www.janin.com.au

Jemae Australia by Paula Tangredi www.jemae.com.au

JettRoc by Deb Tranter Parkinson www.jetroc.com

KJ by Kevin Heisner www.kjheisner.com.au

Taree.birse by Taree Birse www.tareebirse.com

The finalist’s products were displayed at a retail site in Sanctuary Cove and consumers were able to vote online, in store and on the night. I was honored to be one of the judges in conjunction with Kathy Castens from Katz Management (who also provided the models for the evenings event) and Brad Webb, Brisbane’s finest Bridal designer.

A BIG congratulation to the overall winner of the competition Taree Birse. Taree (among other things) will now have the opportunity to spend a week working with Carla Zampatti in Sydney and will showcase her range at Fashion Exposed in Melbourne in late August.

Given the response and popularity of the event it will sure to be back next year.

The Fashion Incubator is supported by Business GC, the Gold Coast City Council’s Economic Development agency, its members and corporate partnerships.