(Wo)man in Black

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Dress: Carla Zampatti crepe

Mules: Gorman calf hair

Bag: French Connection suede with silver hardware

Wrap Bangle: Gift, Commercial Road Antiques vintage buffalo horn

Cuff: Gift, Commerical Road Antiques vintage buffalo horn

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Avid readers of this blog will already know about my deep & abiding love for vibrant colours & funky prints; to be totally honest, they are my "happy place" when it comes to choosing clothes that capture (what I believe is) the REAL me. That being said, I've also started to reintroduce block colour into my wardrobe, as well as shades of black & white... & I'm relishing the chance to wear something a little different & a bit more subtle. This stunning black crepe sheath dress with attached cape detail from celebrated Aussie designer Carla Zampatti is truly exceptional; a piece that could exist in my wardrobe season after season, year after year. It is timeless & classic; the perfect "investment" piece & quite frankly, the ultimate splurge. I've styled it up with a pair of leopard print calf-hair mules with cylindrical black heels from Gorman, a boxy black suede handbag with oversized silver handles from French Connection & a matching vintage buffalo horn wrap bangle & chunky cuff that I discovered at Commercial Road Antiques to attend a recent Tex Perkins tribute performance to "The Man in Black" himself, Mr Johnny Cash... it just seemed like a match made in fashion heaven & a line that I am more than willing to walk...

Busy Bee

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Dress: Carla Zampatti crepe

Belt: Hell Bunny via That Shop patent leather, elastic

Ankle Boots: Wittner patent leather

Footless Leggings: Razzamatazz jacquard

Bag: Homes by ASF woven straw

Brooch: Fiera Boutique resin, enamel

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Avid readers of this blog are probably already aware that I absolutely adore wearing vibrant colours & funky prints, but sometimes it's nice to completely change it up with something a little more classic & simple... but still with my edgy, slightly-bohemian twist, of course! This utterly divine black crepe below-the-knee shift dress with attached cape from celebrated Aussie designer Carla Zampatti is the ultimate in classic dressing - timeless silhouette, fabric that transcends seasons, colour (or lack thereof) that doesn't dictate any particular trend or period - is made just that little bit more interesting with a shiny black patent stretch belt from Hell Bunny (found at retro-inspired That Shop in Carindale) to cinch in the waist, a pair of diamond jacquard footless tights from Razzamatazz (kindly gifted) to keep my legs toasty warm while adding texture, patent heeled ankle boots from Wittner & a natural woven tote bag from Homes by ASF in Rosalie to echo the pattern of the tights. Pulling the entire look together to create a cohesive whole is perhaps the tiniest element - a funky, resin & enamel bumble bee brooch from Fiera Boutique pinned to the cape's blank canvas that's just perfect for "busy bees" such as myself!

I am Spartacus

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Dress: Carla Zampatti crepe

Jacket: Taking Shape organza

Ankle Boots: Wittner patent leather

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier nylon

Bag: Urban Originals via TK Maxx vinyl with silver hardware

Bangle: Maleny Silver

Bangle: Vintage, Retro Metro silver

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Finally sharing all the pictures of the outfit that I "styled up" to attend a recent compelling performance of Bolshoi Ballet's Spartacus, the epic tale of one slave's fight for freedom that many of you may know from the cult 1960 film starring Kirk Douglas. Avid readers of this blog will already know that I am partial to bright colours & kitschy prints but for this event, I donned something a little bit edgier (owing to the subject matter) in the form of a classic black crepe shift dress with attached cape detailing from celebrated Aussie designer Carla Zampatti, silver & black floral organza longline coat from Taking Shape's event wear edit, shiny black patent ankle boots from Wittner, 40 denier nylon tights from Razzamatazz, a black vinyl crossbody bag with silver hardware from Urban Originals via my local TK Maxx store, chunky Tibetan silver bracelet from Maleny Silver & finally, a vintage silver bangle from Retro Metro in Paddington.

As Good as Gold

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Dress: Carla Zampatti boucle

Wrap Top: Bohemian Traders lurex

Ankle Boots: Wittner matte & patent leather

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier nylon

Bag: Forever New vinyl with gold hardware

Hinged Bangle: Samantha Wills resin, gold

Brooch: Fiera resin

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While it's true that I absolutely love a shopping centre & department store, I also enjoy traipsing along the road from boutique to boutique in the fresh, wintertime air, checking out a whole host of smaller fashion/lifestyle businesses with a different, slow-fashion aesthetic... particularly in places like Paddington, where the shopping extends from La Trobe Terrace to Given Terrance & the options for a sustaining all-day breakfast or lazy lunch are plentiful & delicious...

On this particular occasion I donned a beautiful, gold & white boucle shift dress with cape from celebrated Australian designer Carla Zampatti, gold lurex wrap top from Bohemian Traders, comfortable yet stylish black matte & patent leather ankle boots from Wittner, black 40 denier nylon tights from Razzamatazz to keep my legs feeling toasty-warm, vinyl crossbody bag with gold hardware from Forever New to carry all the essentials, chunky black & gold resin hinged bangle from bohemian label Samantha Wills & a kitschy resin bumble bee brooch from Fiera Boutique to complete the look.

Well, now that the fashion is out of the way, scroll down to see the mouth-watering spicy pumpkin soup & sourdough toast, washed down with a piping hot chai latte from the Italian & Spanish inspired Arrosto Bar & Grill...