I must admit that I’ve never been crazy over the Gladiator or Fierce Shoe. I take my hat off to the girls who can wear them though, because they can look pretty cool with some outfits.

Call me old fashioned, but I don’t know if I can handle my feet being edgy, fierce and confrontational. I like my feet to be elegant and sexy.

So I’m loving these strappy, gladiator-inspired shoes from ASOS!

I’d like to introduce you to someone who I think is pretty cool.

Alister Yiap has made quite a splash on the fashion scene since he graduated from Curtin University’s Jewellery Design Course just last year.

His work first caught my eye when I saw a photo of his wearable art, I thought it was very cool. Then, when I was invited to be backstage at the Graduation Fashion Show, I saw his full collection and I was completely blown away!

I was not the only one who was struck by his impressive talent! He’s gained a tidy list of awards, media attention and he was recently named as one of the Emerging Designers at STYLEAID 2008 - one of Perth’s most important annual fashion events.

I had the chance to meet up with Alister, chat over a mug of hot chocolate, and discover that he was even more talented than I suspected.

And he was great to talk to! Lively, confident, intelligent and passionate about his work. He was very modest and very kind. His mix of dedication, professionalism and vision is clearly reflected in the quality of his designs and the styling of his brand.

Jewellery is his main focus at the moment, and the pieces he produces are gorgeous, dark, edgy, confident and sexy. And they encompass the same mood and tone as his “Runway Couture” designs.

Alister’s jewellery come in two categories. The first is his “Fine Jewellery”, highly sought after one-off creations. These are hand-crafted by Alister himself, and there are presently only two pieces left!

The other is his “Malachi Alister Yiap” collection of limited-edition jewellery.

I really like this range. Which is why I’m a proud owner of these Ivira earrings. I love their dark, elegant, sexy mood. I love the black diamond touches and the solid silver. And I love the fact it’s a “limited edition” piece.

I found a mirror and I made Alister “Do The Karen Cheng” with me. He was such a darling.

I was actually trying to capture the whole “dark, elegant and moody” thing, and have some photos that were a bit more sophisticated - especially since we both turned up to the meeting in matching fur-lined jackets.

But when the time came, we spent most of the time laughing ourselves into a blur of pixels.

Thanks Alister, it was wonderful to meet you!

Alister Yiap’s Website - Malachi Alsiter Yiap Collection, Fine Jewellery Collection, Runway Couture.

You can browse and buy his Malachi Alister Yiap range at Shopmoose.

Alister’s Fine Jewellery are exclusively sold online at the Katherine Kalaf Gallery.

With my interest in fashion, I have been very excited about the upcoming Perth Fashion Festival, 4 - 12 September 2008 – its 10th anniversary!

I had the opportunity to meet up and chat with Mariella Harvey-Hanrahan, director of the Perth Fashion Festival, to find out more about her, and to have a little peak into what’s going to be cool and exciting at this year’s festival.

I discovered that it was in fact Mariella herself who first founded the festival in Perth 10 years ago. At that time, she was working as a fashion writer at a magazine, Bridal Options, which she also founded, and she had a fashion jewellery label called Lou Lou.

She has since moved on from both the magazine and her boutique, and now dedicates her time to running the PFF. She also happens to be a mother of two, and so of course, I completely appreciate the energy and passion she must have.

Mariella was lovely to talk to. She was glowing with energy and excitement for the Festival and what it does for all facets of the Western Australian fashion industry – fashion designers, emerging designers, models, photographers, stylists, retailers and more – all making a contribution to the national and international fashion scene.

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the Perth Fashion Festival, with the theme ‘A Decade of Fashion’.

The Festival will run over 10 days, featuring runway shows, awards, free events for the public, guest appearances by designers and celebrities and many other events. The full details will not be revealed to the public until the official programme launch on Tuesday 29th July, which is also when the 2008 website will be launched.

Tipped to be the highlight of the event is the new ‘WA Designer Collections 1 and 2’. Collection 1 will feature 15 already successful Western Australian fashion labels, and Collection 2 will showcase 10 emerging and independent WA designers.

I’ll be at the programme launch, and I can’t wait to see who these designers are!

Until then, you can visit the 2007 Perth Fashion Festival to see what went down last year.

Photo credits: Garment by GOSPEL, Neckpiece by Yang Li.

I just adore my Rootote Bags! I’m continually amazed by how much stuff I can throw in there and how sturdy they are. They’re definitely perfect as an everywhere bag.

Rootote has recently launched a new range of designs, and I managed to get my hands on some super cute ones.

This is me about to head off to an afternoon lunch with some friends. I’ve got a Medium Luxe Floral Bag which is holding a pair of hoodies for my sons, two drink bottles, a packet of biscuits and not to mention all my usual handbag stuff.

This is me dressed more appropriately for the cold, winter afternoons. I’m heading out to a cafe with friends. I’m carrying a Medium Felt Swan Bag – it’s so cute, and it’s made of felt!

These are a few more cool designs from the site:

From left to right: Dot Luxe, Capital Luxe, Corner and Denim.

I was also eyeing a few TALL designs (slightly larger in size):

From left to right: Nature, Check and Bonjour.

Rootote are offering FREE Shipping Australia-wide. And a flat fee of AU$12 to Singapore, Malaysia, USA and NZ. Enjoy!

Last night, 35 of my closest friends joined me to celebrate my birthday over a banquet dinner. I had such a wonderful time talking to everyone, laughing, chatting, eating, floating, taking pictures and just being me.

The company of great friends is priceless indeed.

I thought the photo above was just too cute - the lovely Annika and Ian are crouching down, because they’re actually a full head taller than me!

We stretched along one wall of the restaurant, spread over 3 long, narrow tables!

As with most large group dinners with a mixture of friends, everyone didn’t get a chance to mingle very much, so I was toying with the idea of making everyone shuffle along – speed dating style. But the food came out! So everyone was too busy eating.

My outfit for the evening.

Dress: Silk Smock Dress from Obvious
Earrings: From Pinc
Legs: Beige Fishnet Stockings
Shoes: Black pumps

There’s a few more pics at my “Doing The Karen Cheng” Facebook Group.

I was actually planning to wear another dress that I specially bought for the occasion, but I ended up wearing that dress to my other birthday function in Singapore.

I’m also sporting my new birthday present! We decided to invest in a DSLR Nikon D80 with a very yummy 18-135mm lens.

It’s a tad heavier than my little Canon A700, but I’m completely loving it!!

During my recent trip to Singapore, I had a list of “MUST SEE” boutiques and fashion designers compiled from dozens of personal recommendations, suggestions and my own online research. But I only had time to do about half of them. Argh!

On the top of my list was Soon Lee, in Haji Lane.

I was given lots of mixed opinions as people described the shopping at Haji Lane. I got the impression that it was VERY DIFFERENT to the high-end, designer-brand, super-shiny boutiques in Singapore’s Orchard District.

One of the results of mass production and globalisation is the rise of the conventional shopping mall. These shopping experiences are predictable, and pretty much the same, whether you’re in Perth, Singapore or London.

Part of my interest and take on fashion, is to showcase different, unique and local shopping experiences - so I was very curious to take a look at Haji Lane for myself.

Oh how I loved it!

Walking down Haji Lane, you would probably think you arrived at the wrong place for a fashion experience. The lane is long and narrow. There is the occasional piece of rubbish lying around, there are rickshaws (yes, a pedal powered taxi with a charming, old, toothless man!) and rubbish bins are parked next to tiny, two-stroke vans and motorcycles.

Old shop houses run the length of the shopping lane – some shops have vines growing up the building, with aged, oriental murals flaking off the walls. Some have uber modern glass walls, with brushed, stainless steel fittings and amazingly designed wall patterns. The place is crammed with absolutely unique shops and cafes.

Singapore is a sophisticated, developed, modern and a truly global city. But nearby in Arab Street, you can literally see, feel, smell and taste that Singapore has been a cross roads of international trade and cultural exchange for centuries.

I loved all the vibrant colours, deep textures, exotic smells, the mix of old and new, the signs of oriental and global influence. It was incredible.

At Soon Lee, I was welcomed by its co-owner, Sharon Cher. I adore her blog, www.ishopsoonlee.blogspot.com, so I was keen to meet the woman behind the words. I was very fortunate that she was able to afford some time to chat over coffee!

She is one smart woman. Passionate, intelligent, brave, stylish, driven - exactly the kind of person that makes fashion exciting!

She explained the short fashion history of Haji Lane, and the even shorter background of Soon Lee. Soon Lee means “plain sailing” – a wonderfully calming reference, and indeed, both the boutique and Haji Lane is a long way from the rushed pace of Orchard Road’s towering, multilevel shopping centres.

Her shop is wonderful. Eclectic, busy, over-flowing with delicious bits and pieces and designed goodies – clothes, jewellery, accessories, hats, belts, sun glasses, homewares.

Soon Lee
56 Haji Lane, Level 2, Singapore.
Open everyday from 2pm-8pm.
Phone: (65)6297-0198

You get the feeling that Haji Lane oozes a new kind of quiet, creative confidence in Singapore, still fresh and exciting.

I can’t wait to go back and have a whole afternoon or evening to drift from one boutique to another - which are all within steps of one another. Haji Lane is worth visiting just to experience Arab Street and its surrounds too, and the price of everything seem very affordable.

Most boutiques in Haji Lane only open their doors from around 2.00pm, and are still open till around 9 -10 pm. I’ve been told that the best time to visit is 4pm on a weekday.

Get there by:

Taxi - I had to explain to our taxi driver that Haji Lane is parallel to Arab Street, between North Bridge Road and Beach Road, then he had no problem. I used this google map.

Or take the MRT East-West line train to Bugis station and walk for 10 minutes.

Enjoy!

If you have travelled to Australia, you have probably experienced our strict and daunting customs and quarantine regulations. Even as a local, I find the whole customs process to be close to terrifying.

The airport is filled with security guards. Sniffer dogs roam the baggage collection points. Attendants will literally open up your bags, rip open packets of tea, and cut open Chinese Moon Cakes in search of illegal substances!

And they’re not looking for drugs, they’re looking for egg yolks!

As a general rule, you can’t bring in food products, or objects made of wood, plants, animals, egg, shells, soils or anything biological into the country. And being the good citizen that I am, plus the fact that I’m terrified that one of those cute sniffer dogs will turn on me, I made sure I had none of the above.

So imagine my blood curling alarm, as my bag went through the xray – something close to nuclear sirens screamed from the machines and a security attendant came hurtling my way.

They whisked my bag away, slammed it onto a table, and asked me a zillion questions.

I was trying to be calm. Cool. Composed.

They kept asking me if I had any plant material. I kept saying NO.

But I could feel every pore on my body prickle and break out into a sickening sweat.

They dug through my bag, and behold, my illegal LEAF was immediately found.

The customs people had a good old yuk yuk yuk about it, while I stood there, trying to mend my frazzled nerves and sweep my stomach off the floor.

The “DTKC Super-babes” are looking damn fine! I am wearing a dress from our major sponsor, online boutique FashionJunkee.com.

12 days ago I had this crazy idea to take something that was a bit silly, and turn it into something significant.

In a matter of days, the Doing The Karen Cheng Singapore Red Cross Charity Event caused a huge wave of momentum and excitement. We had multiple sponsors, interviews with 3 major newspapers, I was invited to chat on radio, magazine and newspapers wanted to cover the event, heaps of people wanted to help and participate! I was truly overwhelmed by all the support.

The event was a success. We had over a hundred of people turn up, and we raised approximately $2000 in 2 hours! Woohoo!

I was thrilled to see so many girls and guys dressed up to the max and joining in the fun! I’m so glad everyone stayed for drinks, mingled, chatted, and took more photos! I chatted with heaps of people and would have loved to talk MORE, but I was slowly losing my voice over the course of the event.

All my photos and professional photos are at the Doing The Karen Cheng Facebook Group.

Please remember to upload your own photos, feel free to browse them all, and please help me tag people.

The wonderful FashionJunkee.com donates US$1000 to the Singapore Red Cross.

Photographers working their magic at the gorgeous venue IndoChine – The Forbidden City.

The very charming and very popular Malaysian blogger Kenny Sia turned up and was more than happy to be the centre of attention.

A big thanks to May (centre) from Carrey Hill Events Management - she looked into every detail, she fixed every problem, she took care of everything, she was so organised, enthusiastic, reliable and creative! She was incredible! And she did it all for charity! Thanks so much May, her crew and Carrey Hill.

We had a professional photographer take some photos for the event, the award-winning Ivan Loh (left) of Pigs Can Fly. He was amazing too – fantastic to work with, full of great ideas, amazing results, lovely personality, professional but fun, hard working, very determined to get that perfect shot, and he even dropped off the CD the next morning! Thanks Ivan, you’re too kind.

Of course, I need to thank the kind folk from The Singapore Red Cross, who were incredibly supportive! Thanks Kelly!
Romadas Arts kindly donated their printing services and materials for the event. They made up some great posters and an amazing banner, all for free! And Nuffnang Blog Advertising Community kindly donated colour printing services to all of the participants!

Lastly, I want to thank the gorgeous girls who came a bit earlier to the event to help with photos, and became the “DTKC Super-babes”. You guys looked amazing!! Thanks to Hui Wen, Mel, Jacqueline, Sheena, Michelle, Karen, Nicole, Norshahira, Tricia, and Kelly. There’s an excellent pic of us in today’s MY PAPER (8 July 2008). Please let me know if I have forgotten someone!

Also thanks to the Fashionation girls, Dottie and Stephie, and also Sharon from Soon Lee at Haji Lane, for all their excellent advice. And, I have to mention my cousin Calvin Cheng, who made some very important conections for us so this could all happen.

Near the end of the event, I was requested to “Do The Karen Cheng” with a dog with a blog. I thought it was such a funny and cute idea. So we moved the mirror, brought the whole party outside and took some very cool photos of Kingsley the blogging dog.

So I’m back in Singapore after six years, and I feels SO GOOD! I love the heat, I love the food, I love the shopping!!

I arrived on Thursday 4am, and it’s been a crazy whirlwind of events, meetings, interviews, shopping and eating. It’s been so much fun! My FashionJunkee dress has arrived! I’ve been talking non-stop, and lo and behold my voice has turned husky again.

Which is hilarious, because I was on Power 98 FM this morning! My first time on radio! Joe Augustin and the gang were talking to me about “Doing The Karen Cheng”, and raising funds for the Singapore Red Cross! If you want more information about the Facebook Group and the Event, please scroll down and read my previous post!

(Btw, it’s my birthday today!! I’m 30 and it feels awesome!!!)

xxx

Wow. Only a few days till I go to Singapore, and “Do The Karen Cheng” with readers of this blog to raise money for those in need. I am so excited to let you know that we have already raised US$1000 for this cause.

I have previously talked about FashionJunkee.com, an online fashion boutique, and when they heard about this charity event I was organising, they offered to sponsor a gift to the Singapore Red Cross of – just let me say this again - ONE THOUSAND U. S. DOLLARS!!

The check (and a couple of their latest dresses) are in an express parcel pack as I write this, to meet me at my hotel in Singapore when I arrive there on Wednesday. So, now I know what I’ll be wearing! What will you be you wearing?

I’m also glad to say that we have another sponsor as well. Carrey Hill Events Management in Singapore are very generously organizing the event (at VERY short notice) where we will be “Doing The Karen Cheng”.

I’ll publish the details of this location on Thursday or Friday here on this website, and also on the Facebook group “Doing The Karen Cheng” and the Facebook event “Doing The Karen Cheng in Singapore”.

We’re still confirming all the details. It might be in the Orchard district, or maybe somewhere else.

If you are planning to come, please indicate this with an RSVP at the Facebook “Doing The Karen Cheng in Singapore” event.

Please support and check out FashionJunkee’s latest garments at www.fashionjunkee.com.

EEEK!! So excited!

In my boutique travels, I was tipped off to visit a new menswear concept store and cafe on Kings Street, called Zekka.

Upon entering, it is hard not to ooh and ahh. With it’s discrete shop signage, a mysterious laneway, wall murals, eclectic mix of furniture, dramatic lighting, amazing architectural shop fittings and art sculptures – this shop is designed to uber perfection.

I managed to have a chat to the owners, Scott and Connor. They were just the loveliest guys - ambitious, fearless, warm, humble and kind.

They had previously been business partners, opening Test Tube, a designer homewares shop in Mount Lawley. After that, they wanted to try something different and not done in Perth before, combing upmarket menswear and a cafe in one space.

I love the way they talked about their business ventures: casual, humble, with understated confidence. As if they were talking about a little project they just happened to find in their garage. But to look around and see what they have created from nothing, I was in awe. You can see more great pictures here.

These guys have created an amazing shopping experience for me. Browsing through designer garments, feeling like I’m walking through an art gallery, gawking at art sculptures and quirky window displays, then sitting down and enjoying a coffee and a gourmet sandwich - it was all very cool.

Zekka stocks a range of upmarket, international designer menswear, shoes and accessories.

Zekka
74 King Street, Perth Wa 6000
Phone: +618 9481 1772
www.zekka.com (still under construction)

I‘m going to be in Singapore next weekend, and it’s so cool that I have so many readers in Singapore!

I’d LOVE to meet up and chat with each one of them, especially the ones who have emailed me over the years, but I simply have not had the time to reply to.

Time is so short, and there are so many people. I REALLY want to DO SOMETHING with everyone!

So here is my crazy idea.

A few weeks ago, I got an email from one of my readers who is an aid worker posted to Myanmar (Burma) to help deal with the cyclone disaster there. I won’t mention their name, because it might put them in a difficult position somehow, but a BIG “Hello!” to you.

I saw the devastation on TV, but to then sit down at my computer, find a message from someone who reads my blog, whose job is to literally help these people, well, it made the suffering seem very real and close.

I have to admit, with my kids safe and snug in bed, I realized what a privileged, happy, lucky, secure life I, and all of us who live in developed countries have.

Since then, of course, there has been earthquakes and floods in China, typhoons in the Philippines, not to mention the Boxing Day Tsunami victims, who are still in need. It’s all been on my mind.

And I wanted to do something to help.

So, while I am in Singapore, and it’s my birthday, I am going to raise some money for the Singapore Red Cross. I know they will do good things with it! And I am asking you all to help me!

How does this work?

At 4pm on Saturday the 5th July, I will be dressed up and “Doing The Karen Cheng” in a big mirror somewhere in Singapore, in a public place. A shopping centre, function centre, or hotel lobby. Somewhere central, and easy to get to.

If you’re not familiar with what “Doing The Karen Cheng” is, please read my post about it here, and then head on over to the Doing The Karen Cheng Facebook Group craziness!

I’ll be “Doing The Karen Cheng” with anyone who wants to have some fun, while helping some very needy people. Instead of us spending $10 on coffee and cake, we will each put the $10 in the Red Cross collection box that will be there!

But wait, I need more help!

I haven’t even been in Singapore for six years, and I have no idea where I could find such a big mirror!

So if you are familiar with Singapore, can you suggest where you think a suitable mirror/place might be and I’ll get in contact with the owner to organise permission.

Ideally the mirror would need to be HUGE! In a big open space, outside a shopping centre or hotel, or inside a shopping mall.

We need to know:

> the name of the shop, or hotel, or whatever
> in what shopping centre or street
> in what district
> how long it takes to walk there from public transport

If you have a suggestion (please!) for a place, please email me directly on karen[AT]karencheng.com.au

Facebook Event

Please RSVP to this event on the Facebook EVENT “Doing The Karen Cheng in Singapore”.

By rsvp’ing, we can know approximately how many people are coming, and also, I’ll let everyone know the EXACT place of this event. I will also announce the location and any other updates on both Facebook and my site.

I can’t wait to meet everyone! Invite your friends!

Hope to see you all there next Sat!

xxx

I bought some Threadless t-shirts for my boys the other week, and they arrived today!

Let me tell you this. Children sitting on their bottoms, wiggling, jiggling and unable to contain their excitement… are the cutest thing ever.

Sean (left) running away from a terrifying robot destroying the earth, models New World Order.

Callum (right) trying to look like an evil villain, models The League of Cliche Evil Super-Villains.

My boys. They make me laugh.

Tu is a fantastic little boutique run by fashion designer Annie Chong. Having worked in the design industry in Singapore and Australia, she now runs a boutique featuring some of her own designs, as well as other Australian and International designers.

I actually discovered her shop by accident, through a friend of mine. When I popped into the store to take a peep, I introduced myself, and it turned out that we have so many of friends in common. It was really nice. We chatted for ages, about fashion, business, careers, clothes, life. She’s one lovely, hardworking and inspiring young woman!

As for the clothing, I was absolutely thrilled by her gorgeous selection of dresses!

She has a great range of party dresses, simple dresses, stylish evening gowns, and standout designer dresses. Definitely the place to go if you’re looking for a great outfit for a special occasion. I liked so many of them!

All the garments seemed well priced, there were lots of smaller sizes, everything was of good quality, and unique design. She also stocks a really nice range of handbags, gorgeous designer jewellery, and other cool accessories.

Tu is located west of the main Perth City malls, and west of King Street. It’s just along Murray Street, in Shafto Lane. Very easy to get to!

Tu
Shop 9, Shafto Lane, Perth 6000
Phone: 9322 3288

(I have a few more photos at my Doing The Karen Cheng Facebook group.)

I have always loved wearing beanies and knitted berets!

I love it that I can plop something on my head to cover my bad hair-day moment, to then suddenly look all stylish, and keep my head warm. It’s all good.

I found some cute ones from Urban Outfitters!

For my upcoming birthday, my husband has organised for us to scuba dive with sharks at the Perth Aquarium. I’ve been wanting to dive with sharks for years!!

I learned how to scuba dive in 2000, and did heaps diving through to 2002. Since then I haven’t touched my wetsuit in 6 years.

This is me in my custom-made, 7mm wetsuit! At the time I bought it, I thought I’d be able to get one off the rack in a “Little Japanese Girl” size. But it worked out better if I just had one custom made to my own measurements. I chose the colours, design, and had extra zips inserted in the legs and sleeves. It fits me perfectly. Like a glove. I love it!

But as I put it on, it suddenly occurred to me: what if wetsuit designs have changed in the last 6 years? What if I rock up to a dive site, feeling all special in my specky, custom-made wetsuit, and everyone raises their eye brows, because, it’s like SO out-of-date?

Haha. Ok, it was a ridiculous thought. When you’re underwater, no one really cares about how fashionable you look at all. But it did make me think about fashion and style merging with practical design in garment wear, and actually, what is fashion, and where are its limits?

So, to go with that ridiculous thought, I thought I’d slip on some pumps to complete my outfit.

Definitely something interesting going on with the zips, velcro straps and the shiny black pumps.

I’ve uploaded a few more oh-so stylish (not) photos onto my Doing The Karen Cheng Facebook group.

I had a few fashion appointments in the City of Perth today. Naturally I made my way over nice and early to check out all the sales. Almost all the stores and boutiques were clearing their stock, and having 30% - 50% (even 70%) off a huge range of stuff. I love shopping in the city!

So behold, more photos of me in clothes! I’m completely loving my “Doing The Karen Cheng” Facebook group!!!

I know it’s all just for a laugh – but I’ve had such amazing feedback! There are almost 600 members and around 250 photos! And lots of people cruising and commenting!

I love the fact that it’s turning into a place to discuss fashion styling and personal style. Plus showing off and looking at clothes! So if you’re interested, head over there, I’ve added a few more pics, and I explain what I was trying to do with these photos above and what/where/how much!

I’d love to introduce you all to Dottie and Stephie, who write one of my favorite Fashion blogs based in Singapore – Fashionation!

I guess everyone knows about my long standing connection to Singapore, and these guys are my source for what is happening in the Singaporean fashion scene!

They have a unique take on the world of fashion, with really well written, interesting stuff – often throwing in a little fashion history to keep it all in perspective, and with a sense of humour!

Dottie and Stephie have taken up the “Doing the Karen Cheng” self-styling and self-photographing challenge, and you see how it went on their site!

I just LOVE Kookai’s latest winter collection.

Kookai is a French label, now well established in Australia. I always seem to love their mix of Parisian, boho and classic stlyes. You can buy their stuff online at ASOS.

A few years ago, I received an email from a pair of girls.

They said they went out for dinner, saw a large mirror, and since they were all dressed up nice, they decided to take a photo of themselves doing “The Karen Cheng Pose”. Complete with head tilt.

They sent me the picture, and omg I laughed and laughed! Oh it was too funny. Big wave to Sofia and Hanaa!

Then a few weeks ago, I received another email. Again, it was another reader doing The Pose. She wasn’t sure if she should send it to me, in case I got offended, but I assured her, I’m all for making fun of myself!!

I find it utterly hilarious (and a bit tragic) that my lazy-assed, self-portraits have become my signature pose.

So I hereby officially invite everyone to my new Facebook Group called “Doing The Karen Cheng” – devoted to the crazy people, a bit (or a lot) dressed up, taking their own photograph in a mirror. Not forgetting the head tilt!

To get things started, I’ve put up about 20 photos of myself taken over the years. I’ve also included little “how to” instructions.

Haha I’m looking forward to see what people will post up. Feel free to post links back to your own blog as well!

After reviewing various boutiques in Leederville, I managed to catch up with De (co-owner of Atlas Divine) and have a chat to her about her store.

De is a fashion designer who has been running her boutique for 15 years. In its early days, it was a menswear only store, which carried her own label, as well as other international brands.

However, in the last 2 years she re-branded her store, renovated the shop, and branched out to carry women’s clothing, jewellery, belts, bags, hats, shoes, sunglasses, and kids-wear. She has around 65 Australian and international brands in her store.

She personally selects every item in her store, making sure that they are unique and not commonly found elsewhere in Perth. She is determined to keep her stock fresh and exciting – always carrying the perfect items for the stylish girly girl, the funky techno raver, the casual indi musician and the quirky alternative kid.

She believes in friendliness and amazing service for anyone who walks through the door.

As we chatted, she shared heaps of stories about little old ladies who toddle into her shop, young mothers in tracksuits, working executives in power suits, after school teenagers, crazy looking backpackers - everyone loves it and everyone seems to find something they love.

She also mentioned she gets a lot of Asian clientele, so whenever she can, she buys size 6 or 8 for small frames and tiny waists. I clapped my hands with glee and said, “Woohoo! Bring em on!”

De let me spend some time in her shop trying on clothes and taking pictures. I went around pulling out 1) stuff I loved, and 2) stuff that looked amazing, but I wouldn’t normally wear. Halfway through, I had pulled out so much stuff, that I was so embarrassed by the PILE I made. It took me ages to get through it!

The shop has an excellent price range of clothes – there were $70 dresses, $400 dresses, and lots in between. There was a nice mix of stylish garments, party dresses and casual clothes. I was in girl heaven.

Atlas Divine is located in the hub of Leederville, in the midst of all the cafes and pubs. It’s a tiny walk from the Leederville train station, but don’t walk too fast, or you’ll miss it! The shop front is very small. It sits on the corner of Oxford and Newcastle Street, next to Greens and Co Cafe. Enjoy everyone!
Atlas Divine
121 Oxford Street, Leederville 6007
P: 08 9242 5880