Ahhhhh … A sigh of relief  – Home at last!
I have just returned from an amazing month long trip to the USA – I’ve come home feeling refreshed and ready for action and ultimately inspired.

Las Vegas inspired me with its bedazzlement and awe inspiring costumes – Glitter was born in Vegas. The glitz and glamour of the place is just like a legally blonde movie with the colour turned up 100% – Just crazy!

As it wasn’t my first trip to the City of Sin, I had seen most of what it has to offer before, but it never ceases to amaze me how much attention is paid to every detail of the Casinos. The Venetian for example – The Sistine Chapel like Lobby and a fully operable Venetian Canal, complete with Gondolas and beautiful a Capella singing paddlers… Just magnifique! Or the Treasure Island with its spectacular pirate show right on The Strip, though the show has now been “revamped” – I have to say it was quite disappointing that the abundance of humour the show used to have, has now been replaced by something I can only say as being “Pussycat Doll-esque”.
Then there is the ever gorgeous, never aging Caesars Palace which just brims with beautiful sculptures, carvings and paintings. The Excalibur that represents something out of a Disney movie and the New York New York casino with a rollercoaster that goes through the casino itself! – Its just astounding!

After all the glam and hype I ventured to the complete opposite of surroundings. The calm, cool (pun intended) and collected Colorado. Where the serenity itself is inspiring. I could walk for miles through the mountains, its just so peaceful!
2 weeks of Skiing in the beautiful mountains with my amazing family and 2 of my best friends was such an adventure and I loved every minute and every person we met along the way.

Then it was back to Los Angeles. for walk down Hollywood Blvd, to see the walk of fame, the famous Chinese Theatre and some amazing wax figures at the Madame Tussauds. The to Anaheim where we spent a good 12 hours at the amazing Disneyland – Which was very exciting as I hadn’t visited since I was allot younger and still managed to be completely ecstatic about every aspect. Another amazing sight in LA was the Getty Museum. I was lucky enough to be visiting whilst the Rembrandt exhibition was on, displaying some stunning works of art. There were also Monet’s and Pollock’s, just a few of my favourite artists and all in the same location! AMAZING!

And now, back to the beautiful sunshine of the Gold Coast! – Quite a difference from the minus 20 degrees of Colorado! Now its time to embrace the year of 2010 and what it has to bring with Events, Shows, Trends and most of all Fashion!!!

Madame Tussauds Wax Figure - Hollywood Walk of Fame

What a crazy year we have had. Such amazing start to what is sure to be a beautiful future in the way of Fashion Scene. We have seen you through Fashion week, spring carnivals and Ekka show parades and have loved every minute of it. Such an amazing experience.

And now Christmas is upon us like a flash. The stores are overflowing with the jostle of shoppers trying to get their gifts. Always those last minute items that you need to retrieve. No wonder they call it the silly season. It’s most certainly my favourite time of year, but somehow this year seemed to sneak up on us just that extra bit quicker. It seems to make it all so surreal. Possibly because I have been so busy with all the extra work going on. But it doesn’t seem just to be me. There’s been talk that fewer lights are being put up, Less money being spent in stores than the usual. Perhaps it’s because of our new spend-thrift ways after the economy crash. Either way, I feel it necessary to hike up the amp on this Christmas, being that it is mere days away. Here are MY TOP 5 FAVOURITE ways to spread Christmas cheer:

1. Put on a Christmas Hat – I prefer the really deluxe fluffy sort though in   Australia these can present alittle bit of a heat problem – Perhaps swap for some Reindeer ears!!!

2. Sing Carols (Or just play them and hum along)!!! – My Favourites: -Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas -Santa Baby (For a Chic Christmas!) -Baby It’s Cold Outside (So Old Fashioned and sweet) -Run Run Rudolph (Reminds me of “Home Alone”!)

3. Wrap Gifts!!! – It’s the season for giving. One of my favourite parts is wrapping gifts in beautiful colours and placing them under the tree. Some gorgeous wrapping ideas and purchases can be made on this gorgeous site The Wrapping Paper Company: www.wrapco.com.au/

4. Baking Christmas Cookies – Baking is so much fun and getting the family enticed by letting someone lick the bowl – So much fun! – Try some Christmas Tree Shapes, Or Regular round shapes and decorate them as Christmas Baubles!

5. Touring the Christmas lights displays – As a Christmas tradition, come Christmas eve, my entire family pile into the car with blankets, hot chocolate and Christmas carols for a tour of the gorgeous light displays around our area. You can usually find a list of participating streets on the website of your local newspaper. Nothing gets me in the spirit more than seeing the gorgeous lights and displays just knowing santa will be coming down the chimney in a matter of hours!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year From the Entire Fashion Scene Team!!!

Last night QUT fashion graduates, friends, family and fashionistas gathered to view the final collections of the hard working graduates. Each designers’ collection was breathtakingly different from the other, wowing the audience with their creativity and ability to produce such fashion forward garments. You may wonder why these collections are not ready-to-wear, but rather, haute couture.  After reading an article in QUT’s Frock Paper Scissors Magazine, I now understand the reasoning behind it.

Haute couture is used as an important marketing tool in defining and maintaining the status of high end luxury brands. These creative designs are seen as a way to showcase their talent and build brand awareness.  Well, they had me impressed, to say the least. A preview of some of the designs captured by photographer Christian Bowman last night are exhibited beow.

This fashion forward creation by Robyn Taggart (above), is one of the many intricate designs showcased at the QUT Graduate Fashion Parade last night. This womenswear collection, made from various knits and printed textiles, used cream as the main colour and bursts of coloured stripes and prints. It evoked a tranquil but fun and edgy feel, and was a definate crowd pleaser and perfect finish to the show.

If you look closely at this design by Jeremy Gillis (above), QUT Fashion Graduate, you can see the hint of femininity he’s created by adding delicate ruffles to the front of the blouse. This menswear collection worked well on the catwalk by using every day smart menswear with a quirky detail, print or splash of colour to intrigue the audience.

Winner of the 2009 MSIT Billabong Swimwear Fashion Award is Rhaman Donovan. This is the first time the MSIT has worked with Billabong to present students of fashion of the TAFE college with this highly sort after award.

The girls blogging at Designer’s Closet was told, “Exploded Wings” which was the name of her Swimwear collection, was inspired by the view of a butterfly wing through a microscope.

This was one of 5 finalists for the MSIT Billabong Swimwear Award, with other finalist’s included Amy Davidson, Alice Mala Rezende, Edwina Tait and Rachel Hedges with Rhaman Donovan being the inaugural winner.

It was a tough event to shoot, so have a little bit of editing to do for you. I’ll post in the next few days!

MILDRED Ellwood

The official winner of the 2009 Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Fashions on the Field is Mildred Ellwood.

Ellwood won, after a mix-up judges made during the official presentation event, at this years Melbourne Cup Day at Eagle Farm. Bethany Townsend was awarded first prize after being named a finalist. However it was too late when judges realised that none of them had chosen Townsend to be the winner.

The courier mail quoted that she was told by event organisers to not talk to the media, however Brisbane Racing Club has said this was not the case. Pru Harris the PR spokesperson for BRC told Courier Mail “In no way did I tell her not to speak to the media”.

It’s a big shame that Ellwood’s electric blue frock and intricate head piece was not given the recognition it deserved on the day. As you can see in the photo above, Ellwood is a worth winner and all aspects of her presentation was done with an exceptional amount of detail.

Ellwood will receive the same prize that Townsend was given, which is worth over $12,000.

Liz Cantor speaking to a confused Winner

Entrants of the 2009 Fashions on the Field at Eagle Farm may have felt short changed after the announcement of winner who admitted to throwing the outfit together the morning before.

21 year old birthday girl, Bethany Townsend was announced winner of the $12,000 prize package after a mix-up by competition organisers. Judges revealing later in the afternoon that none of them picked that entrant as the winner. “There has been a mistake here” was the quote The Courier Mail got form Brisbane Fashion Festival director Lindsay Bennett.

Accidental winner Townsend will receive a $2500 shopping voucher, DKNY sunglasses and a Mercedes Benz for a weekend (a package worth $12,000).

Newly announced winner Mildred Elwood will also receive the same prize as Ms Townsend.

Click here to look at some photos from the Fashions on the Field competition at Eagle Farm’s Melbourne Cup Day in 2009.

There is nothing quite like a beautiful Sunday, with the sun shining and that cool breeze that just screams Spring is in but Summer is coming… I spent a recent Sunday on a stunning 50ft yacht, cruised up to Moreton Island for the day. Sunning on the front deck, jumping off the boat into water that you cant predict the temperature of. It gives you a sudden rush and burst of adrenalin that, I personally couldn’t compare to sky-diving, but none the less extremely exciting and invigorating. An absolutely gorgeous day in the sun, ahhh life is tough!

After seeing the gorgeous swim wear collections at Brisbane’s Mercedes Benz Fashion week, you are hard pressed to find a better selection, Summer is coming and one needs to start thinking about shedding the pasty skin and walking into a gorgeous summer glow.
Mia Connor @ the Make Up Bar On the Gold Coast offers amazing spray tans to some of the industries most gorgeous models. For $35 you can get an fabulous tan that will have you glowing all ‘THE RIGHT’ shades of brown – None of the shades that resemble a certain citrus fruit.
One also requires a gorgeous long flowing maxi dress that makes you feel like a bohemian beauty, a pair of bedazzled thongs and a wide brim hat to prevent the sun from ruining your gorgeous complexion!

Bring on that gorgeous summer lovin’ self!

For information and bookings for your gorgeous tan contact: 0404 079 034

Mia Connor Make Up Bar – Located at Robina Quays Shopping Centre.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival 2009 – Day 2
The Sunday Mail – Group Show

Featuring
Chelsea de Luca, Talulah, Katlyn Aslett, Sacha Drake, Pia du Pradal, Juli Grbac

Click here to go to the MBFF 2009 – Day 2 Fashion Photos

Day 1 - Swimwear Show

I’ve just uploaded all the photos I took on Day 1 of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival. This was the swimwear show at Portside in Brisbane.

Click here to go to the Swimwear Fashion Photos

You’re welcome to download and share the photos, just click on the “”Download Photo” link on the bottom left of the image.