Author Archives: maria

Statement nails

As I sit thinking about what latest nail colour I should paint my nails, I think to myself why do I obsess about such a small part of me. Nails are such a small part of our body, yet I always seem to be thinking about them, what colour should I paint them? Will they match my weekly array of outfits? It all seems kind of silly and time wasting but why do I still find the need to do something different with my nails?

In saying this I caught myself researching when I stumbled across some great blogs with amazing nail art, scrolling through the pages of the blogs I found out that Iscreamnails.com.au actually pop up around Melbourne to paint nails in crazy designs. Another blog led me to supanails.tumblr.com/shop, where I am now lusting over some incredible nails.

All this Nail art inspiration gave me an idea; why not match you nails to a print, you want to rock that dress you just had custom printed and made, but don’t know what colour nails to match your outfit with, why not get creative and go print crazy and paint your nails with the same print! A Quick search on the web led me to one fantastic example using designer Karla Spetic’s  garments as inspiration.

Seeing as I have zero patience with waiting for nail polish to dry, and always seeming to bump and ruin them, I believe I’m due for a Melbourne visit very soon. Now to decide what kind of nail art I want to commit to for a week or two.

Images from www.karlaspetic.com , http://www.iscreamnails.com.au/ and supanails.tumblr.com/shop

Romance Was Born

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Sydney is well underway, I love looking at designers latest collections and street style photos, specifically Tommy Tom for Style.com. One of my favourite labels is Romance Was Born, for their amazing designs, quirky styling and unique runway installation.

This seasons was no exception, psychedelic out of this world was the first words to pop into my head as I looked at this collection. My second thought was wow look at those prints! I feel that it’s very hard to present a new design these days, everything has been done that’s where I think Prints and textures come in.

An outstanding collection for me incorporates simple silhouettes with amazing prints, which I think has been perfectly executed by the designers at Romance was Born. The late 60’s early 70’s silhouettes with the pop coloured fantasy prints has won me over once again, now to find an occasion to wear these amazing pieces.

Romance Was Born SS2013

Romance Was Born SS2013

Romance Was Born SS2013

Romance Was Born SS2013

Romance Was Born SS2013

Romance Was Born SS2013

Romance Was Born

Romance Was Born SS2013

Creative Director: Mark Vassallo
Stylist: Caterina Scardino
Hair direction by Alan White for GHD
Make up direction by Val Garland for M.A.C.
Nails by Rock Beauty London
Shoes by Shoes Of Prey for Romance Was Born
Jewellery by Romance Was Born in collaboration with Nikki Majajas and Pip and Pop.
Photos by Stefan Gosatti for Getty Images.

Bouquets Aplenty – Susanne Bisovsky

Austrian designer Susanne Bisovsky does not shy away from the sumptuousness of excess in pattern. As gorgeous and lavish as a well sculpted botanical garden, you can almost smell the sweet fragrance wafting from Bisovsky’s creations. Her work evokes a timelessness of technique and tradition, at the same time folkloric and respectful yet fresh and modern. Take time to wander through Bisovsky’s brightly decorated garden and marvel at the beauty all around.

All images remain the property of the original photographer and Susanne Bisovsky.
Images from http://www.bisovsky.com.

Frida – August 2010

Everlasting Collection II – September 2007

Innocentia – September 2011

Innocentia – September 2011

Dreimaederlhouse – February 2013

 

Archibald

It’s nice to get out of routine and head to a museum once in a while, this time it was The Archibald Prize. As usual it did not disappoint my favourite were by far the artworks that used mixed media and techniques and the artworks that looked so realistic I just wanted to reach into the painting and feel the textures. One painting that had me wanting to do so was ‘Dr Catherine Hamlin AC (MBBS FRCS FRANICOG FRCOG)’ by Sally Ryan, the way Ms. Ryan painted this is quite amazing; the intricate brushwork makes you want to feel the texture of the shawl and the painting is so life like it could almost be a photograph.

Dr Catherine Hamlin AC (MBBS FRCS FRANICOG FRCOG) by Sally Ryan

Another one of my favourites used mixed media to execute their artwork ‘Self-portrait: Morning Bay’ by Joshua Yeldham, used instrument, cane, shells and oil on a carved board. This painting needs to be seen in two ways, from afar and up close; it’s a beautiful artwork and even more beautiful when you get up close and see all the small details and carved sections. A lot of work was done on this artwork and it shows, the different layers build on the image and a texture to the artwork that stand out.

Self-portrait: Morning Bay by Joshua Yeldham

‘Habit de Jardinier’ by Carlo Pagoda had me mesmerized this artwork really stood out for me, Pagoda used permanent marker and oil on stainless steel. There are a lot of little details in this artwork, the body is built of produce, and the juxtaposition of the fine marker work and the warm oils really accentuates the emotion in the subjects face and highlights the produce that adorns his body. I found it very interested that the artist chose to build the body out of produce and greenery and and makes me want to work on designing fresh prints with small details not visible at first, but build to the entire print.

Habit de jardinier by Carlo Pagoda

The Winner of the Archibald Prize 2013 is ‘Hugo’ by Del Kathryn Barton, this artwork really stands out of the crowd; the mix of technique, from water colour, illustrative style and traditional dot painting really won me over, admiring it for a while I kept finding more details to look at. The dot painting technique really stood out for me and gave be great ideas for print inspiration.

Hugo by Del Kathryn Barton

These photos really do not do the artworks justice, I so recommend you go see these for yourself. The exhibition at the Art Gallery NSW is open until the 2nd of June 2013.

Images from the Art Gallery NSW