She just finished her graduation parade (although she hasn’t finished her study just yet). Ellie was one of three winners at the Perth Fashion Festival 2009 to secure a fashion studio for six months to showcase the work (with Andrea Wolf from Polytechnic west and Jane Kelsey from Central) at the 2010 Festival.

After admiring her bug collection at the Curtin Graduation Parade 09 exhibits outside of the venue, I finally got to meet Ellie and scored my own piece of Prufrock at Unwrapped 09 Leederville in December last year. I got a bug brooch and a vest which can be worn in multiple ways. Another special thing about it is that it’s pretty much one off as Ellie made it using vintage fabric off another garment.

It’s all too exciting. LMFF is happening in March. Some people suggested that I should go to LMFF but with my day job I really can’t.

I hope Melbournites love Prufrock, Ellie’s design. Good luck, Ellie!!

Actually, I did go out. I went to Garden City and visited two of my favourite stores. T2 is an amazing store. It’s a sensory heaven – smells nice and visually stunning. Only leaf tea I drank so far has been some Japanese Green tea. I thought it’s about time I had some more interesting stuff. T2 is the place for just that. I’m not dead against drinking bagged teas although some of my friends are. I certainly can afford to pay a little extra for nicer tea I suppose. I also needed a pot with a proper strainer since I was looking leaf tea. The one I picked out which didn’t have a price tag turned out to be the most expensive item in the entire store – all glass pot from Germany at $220. Yep, I didn’t think I could spend that much! I did ask the shop assistant to recommend something more affordable. I’m very happy with the white pot I bought today. It came with a high quality stainless steel strainer and a lid with a quality rubber seal that keeps all parts in place. Most important thing, however, is how well it pours. I’m very happy to report that it pours well without spilling everywhere. Green Rose is rose flavoured classic green tea. Monk Pear is black tea with delicate flavour. T2 Stack I got has three different kinds of Green tea. Drinking hot tea in 37c heat seems counter intuitive but it works out fine for me. Half way through the pot, I’ll transfer the tea into a jug and add some ice. Nice… ice tea with fresh fruit. How about that for a Summer survival drink?

Did you know that my catwalk photographs are available for purchase? In case you didn’t know, check out the Gallery page in Base East. Anyhow, now I have happy customers. Interestingly, the site, Base East started out as an experiment but it’s generating income albeit small. I always thought it would be good to have albums from each show I attended. I went to another one of my favourite stores, kikki.k, and bought two cloth covered albums. I’m never good with my own memorabilia and travel photos. However, I’m very enthusiastic about my catwalk photos. I wonder if other people are as well. so I’ll start with STYLEAID 09 and Perth Fashion Festival 2009. Maybe, I’ll show off once these are all filled in. It will be interesting to do the ‘editing’ work – picking what to print and sequencing printed photos. Hope you’re excited to see the final result. I know I am.

Talking about shows, I have all the photos from Architextile – Challenger TAFE 2009 Graduate Show loaded in Facebook and Flickr. While I looked through what really grabbed me was a couple of outfits from the sustainable and eco design. The last piece is designed by Louise McMahon and it was also shown at the Perth Fashion Festival as part of the Student Runway.

The sustainable design is more of the ‘op-shop shopping turned into a new outfit’. It must have been fun. It’s not just about creating new garments from old. It’s a total restyling which I find so exciting. I wish I could buy those two outfits ha ha..

There were, of course 13, graduates presenting four garments each. I’d like to pick my favourites soon and show them to you. By the way, have you picked out a pair of shoes for me yet? See the previous post…

Evidence of Betts shoes everywhere.. Lin Pin, Zara Bryson and Leanne Lim parades

Here I am browsing for a new pair of shoes. I’ve been offered a free pair from Betts – just because I took literally hundreds of photos of models wearing Betts for many weeks? Is that a good enough to reason to receive a free gift? Whatever, I can never say no to free shoes. Have you seen a necklace with a charm saying ‘will f*^*k for shoes‘? Enough said.

You know I do complain about crappy websites. Betts has done a really good job with their online store. Much better than what Wittner shoes did with their website. Their flash based website bugs me no end and I gave up going there. Betts’ website is easy to use. It’s conventional. It shows you what you want to buy and it doesn’t get in the way of all the more important buying experience. I’m all for easy to use online stores. Enf of my website review now.

Here’s my selection of shoes. I got attracted to strapy sandals. I haven’t quite decided what to get though. I just need to pick a pair and Gino, the national marketing manager from Betts Group will ship them over for me. Why don’t you tell me what I should get? This could well be the start of another ‘Dressing Songy‘ season. How about that as an incentive?

1. Bondage $109.99

2. Galaxy $119.99

3. Law $89.99

4. Enslave $119.99

Heck, I could just get myself one of these instead – completely suitable for carrying a 15kg camera gear in my white tee and a pair of jeans.

Of course, I did pay all the more important visit to backstage. Unfortunately, I wasn’t there early enough to catch the girls getting their hair and make up done. It was frantic as usual, though. I made some snaps with the designers and models.

It’s always great to see familiar faces. Anna Excell was in a gorgeous off-cut ruffle dress. She seemed to have had a ‘peach’ phase (maybe she is in love…) this season. Her spring and summer collection as part of the grad parade was all in pinky peach. I absolutely loved her jumpsuits, great big dress with a huge train and a ruffle vest with suede shorts. Yum.

Big hair and fierce make up – sign of a dramatic show. Well, Aly May was once again in charge so it was going to be one of those spectacular evenings. It helps to have great designs too. Architextile was fantastic although the venue was way too hot. So much so that I had a cramp in my leg due to dehydration. I just finished downloading photos (1.5K). This is just a sneak peek post. Actual parade photos to come tomorrow and over the weekend unless there are more fun things to do… you know how it is.

Although I was feeling rather crook, I did pay a visit to see the crew before the show. Petticoat Minx’s fasciantors fascinated me. I hear that they are all individually handmade. Cool? Don’t you love the crazy brow make up by Penny?

Ah, I was thrilled to see Paper Skye’s new design (second row)! The venue, Bistro Felix, was cool although it wasn’t that parade friendly. I could see that the food was quite sumptuous. I loved their vintage style prints on the wall.

It was also great to see some familiar faces and getting to actually know names of some of the faces (as well). I finally got to meet Greg from the West. I see him in most events I attend but I never knew his name although he is rather famous in his own right taking photos from the biggest paper in WA. I was also approached by Emma Bergmeier, Fashion and Art editor from X-press magazine. She was asking me if I could ‘shoot’ for X-press at all graduation shows. Yeah, why not. I don’t know exactly what’s involved but I’m sure that means processing photos as soon as the shows are over… more sleep deprivation is in order it seems. I also saw Teagan (one of the project managers from the Perth Fashion Festival 2009 and Fremantle High Street Collective 2008) who is preparing to launch her own jewellery label. I hear that her stuff will be stocked at the famous Varga Girl. The flagship store was relocated from King St. to Oxford st. in Leederville recently. There will be an official opening of the store. It’s going to be big. I’m so excited about it… probably there will be a personal tour of the store by Teagan herself before then! Hurrah.

Back to Couture Friday, fortunately, I didn’t get to see the entire show. Regardless, I like the idea of lunching and fashion show. Will they be next time, Jacqui? Please count me in.. I might even get to sit down next time for a change?!

Fashion WA’s store is selling all you see in the photos (of course, not the girls or the wine…)