In 1996 Amanda Briskin had a passion for designing bags, no formal training and a meager budget of $5,000. Now, Mimco, the company she founded is synonymous with stylish, individual and quirky accessories.

The latest chapter of this homegrown fashion story is in stores as Mimco’s dreamy new range "Souvenir Delirium". Influenced by the nostalgic charm of the 40’s and 50s and the irreverence of the early 90's it's sure to hit that quirky spot. The campaign shots, featuring our favourite and most successful ‘Australia’s Next Top Model’ series 4 winner Alice Burdeu, borrows from the fabulous London Tate Modern Gallery’s Cildo Meireles exhibition.

My favourite pieces include the ‘silver top’ clutch, the ‘graduated shield’ neckpiece and the oh so hot ‘speakeasy deco heel’

Dare you to walk in and not walk out in a delirium and in love with a souvenir!

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Genevieve Er, the name behind the label ‘This Is Genevieve’, designs for the trendy young fashionista and her work is definitely at home in the style Mecca that is General Pants.

With previous acclaimed lines like ‘The Tea Party’ and ‘Into The Brave New World’ Genevieve Er is surely at the forefront of young Australian fashion.

Taking it’s name from the Talking Heads song ‘And She Was’, Genevieve’s new release, still has the whimsical, rock and roll, futuristic themes that have been so successful but this time there’s a much more feminine feel. Abandoning the safety of blacks and dark shades, the new palette is peach, pearl, light grey and pastel yellow. These colours contrast beautifully with the rock glamour feel, cut outs on dresses and leather studding.

The new line also follows through with swimwear and you could say it ‘Errs’ on the side of fashion. Teamed with jeans or under big singlets it could be used in a great nighttime look. 

First it was Sass and Bide and now with Genevieve Er, General Pants is fast becoming a showcase for the who’s who of Australian fashion. So drop in and check it out it’s… Er-mazing.

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Green is the new black. In an era where being environmentally friendly is not just fashionable but necessary an opportunity to combine being green with our day-to-day wear is exciting.

Meet Envirosax. The all green environmental bags are the perfect anything, anywhere day bag.

Environmentally sustainable, lightweight and waterproof they come in a large range of colours and patterns, so you’re guaranteed to find one that suits you.

Plus Envirosax donate a percentage of their sales to the Australian Marine Conservation society, the Surfrider foundation and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand. It’s no wonder this Aussie made brand have been ‘bagging’ celebs all over the world; Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner and Bruno Tonioli are all fans and have all been spotted using Envirosax bags.

Environmentally friendly, ecologically sustainable and fashionable - Envirosax has definitely got it in the….er bag.

Available from:

• Bondi Junction – Plenty, Wheel and Barrow
• Westfield Chermside - For You Gifts and Homewares, Wheel and Barrow
• Westfield Doncaster - Karma Living, Wheel and Barrow, House
• Westfield Garden City - Wild Cards and Gifts
• Westfield Marion - Barbara's home and Gifts,   Dymocks
• Westfield Woden - News Express
• Westfield West Lakes – Dymocks

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La Mer is celebrating its tenth year OF keeping Australians looking younger! The iconic skin care range is marking the decade with the launch of the “anniversary collection”. 

The collection includes its famed eye cream, a hydrating infusion and the lifting face serum. And the collection comes in travel sized bottles, so if you are not already a fan of La Mer this is a perfect opportunity to acquaint yourself.

Just a quick bit on what the crèmes are: La Mer uses natural minerals and vitamins, the eye cream is renowned as one of the best solutions to dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles, the hydrating infusion prepares the skin to receive the benefits of the La Mer range, the La Mer face cream leaves skin firmer, softer and de-creased and the lifting serum restores clarity and brightness to the skin.

So La Mer may be getting older but use this opportunity to keep yourself looking younger! La Mer is available in David Jones Doncaster, Bondi Junction and Chermside.

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Following on from our Portmans revamp story last week - its now time to get ready for a gorgeous new look Portmans. To celebrate Portmans major makeover, they are giving you $50 off when you spend $150 in store!*

* This offer is valid when you spend $150 in one transaction at Portmans Australia store between 16th July and 19th July 2009. This offer is not valid in conjunction with any other promotional offer and does not apply to laybys. This offer applies to full price merchandise only and excludes Bloom cosmetics.

To be eligible for this offer you must present this coupon.

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It’s THE one-stop shop for the coolest accessories, denim, shoes, and clothing. General Pants Co a veritable mecca of young fashion has recently teamed up with uber-label Sass and Bide to feature a collection of denim and tees that will make you drool, jump for joy and thank the fashion Gods.

The ‘shine collective’ is a must for denim lovers with a range of cuts and styles, the creative new and classic staples. The collection has Aztec inspirations, rock and roll flavours with gingham, studding, and ripping and acid splashed jeans and shorts that go particularly well with the tees in the range.

For those who are already fans of the brand, keep a look out for your favourite cuts with new embellishments like “did it for the club”, skinny jeans with studded pockets. Or unleash your inner rock chick with the distressed boyfriend-cut “starting something”. And the rats are back!  The ever popular Sass and Bide ‘rats’ elasticized tights in various colour and prints are also hitting General Pants.

As for tops, the collection showcases beautiful printed singlets, as well as statement tees with fringing and sequined embellishments. Oversized tanks and loose fit and long sleeve tees also feature.

So it all adds up to one more reason to hit up General Pants Co. Sass and Bide with their new school cool and old school class have landed.

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There is a gentle, respectful hush as the doors are past. The distinctive brand causes trolleys to waiver and pram fender benders are on the increase as daydreaming shoppers stream by.

What is it that has taken your collective breath away? Yes it’s the thought of those iconic printed luggage sets, the handcrafted wallets, drool-worthy shoes, sunglasses and watches.

Yup Louis Vuitton is at Westfield Bondi Junction.

“A shopping centre of international standard” says Phillip Corne the chief executive of Louis Vuitton Oceania and with their new store sitting alongside fellow luxury label Chanel and fashion powerhouse David Jones, he’s right.

Enlisting the help of local architects and designers as well as their interior team fromParis, Louis Vuitton has created a space befitting the labels luxurious standards. With its stone flooring, timber paneling and woolen carpets it’s warm and inviting contrasting beautifully the brands traditional exclusivity.

The new Louis Vuitton store showcases all the Malletier’s signature accessories, so you will find all your favourite leather bags, wallets and luggage including “Irene” the bag of the season previewed exclusively at the opening. Also on display is their beautiful range of ties, shoes, belts, textiles and their brand new line of denim accessories.

Louis Vuitton has joined the many luxury houses that are opening up in Westfield Bondi Junction. This shopping Mecca continues to grow as labels catch on and don’t want to be left behind. So follow the scent of fine leather, the sound of awed whispers and the crash of trolley and pram pile-ups to find the brand new Louis Vuitton Westfield Bondi Junction.

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Retail giant Cotton On, known for wallet friendly fashion, is fast becoming known for its fundraising causes through the Cotton On Foundation.
 
The Foundation has been raising money for charities in Australia, Uganda and China. Proceeds from initiatives such as the ‘Message in a Bottle’ bottled water campaign are contributing to disadvantaged communities around the world.
 
On a local level the Foundation organizes the Run Geelong fun run, which raises money for the children’s ward of The Geelong Hospital. And the Rainbow Rider’s charity based in Geelong supports disadvantaged youth by building self-confidence caring for horses.

This year the Cotton On Foundation has set a worthy and ambitious goal of $1,000,000. Help their great causes by simply by buying a bottle of ‘Message in a Bottle’ water for $2, 100% of which goes to the charity. If you can’t swing by look up www.cottononfoundation.org and donate directly.

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Rumour has it she's going under the knife and yes they are true. Portmans is going to have a major makeover with a world class team architects, designers and creative directors on board. And everyone is excited to see how she will emerge!

Until she arrives with her bright new look why not tease yourself with the new season Portmans is about to drop - their brand new Utility and Safari lines.

Safari, which hits first in July, is a range of animal-print skirts, blouses and dresses. And there are safari-style frocks, trenches, shirts and vests in camel with interesting and bold splashes of red. Although not usually considered a safari colour it compliments the range perfectly and gives it a modern edge. It looks like Portmans have reinvented the safari suit giving it a definite place in the urban jungle of 2010.

In August comes the Utility range. It uses a palate of nude, black, blue, khaki and purple to showcase necessities as well as a few standout pieces. The watercolour inspired blouses are fashion forward and a highlight.

With their interchangeable versatility these ranges maintain what we loved about Portmans in the first place and put this best fashion foot forward with an uber-fashionable flavour

Lets face it shoppers Portmans is all grown up and is the newest addition to the must go fashion pitstop's of Westfield.

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