Welcome to The Lilac Mannequin Style Portfolio!

My name is Constance and I'm from Sydney, Australia!  I'm the editor of the blog, 'The Lilac Mannequin' which combines fashion, style and celebrities.  After two years of blogging, I'm now recognised as domestic media in Australia after being accredited for Rosemount Australian Fashion Week 2011.  With industry followers including designers, PR companies and various magazines, and my loyal Facebook and Twitter followers, the world is slowly becoming my runway!  Things weren't always this way, my fashion career started at the very bottom.  With an interest in the business world of fashion...marketing, PR, magazines and styling, I started a business degree at university.   Whilst completing my degree in Business, I decided to fit in a fashion business course which included internships.  I've worked backstage at major fashion shows, assisted at fashion and celebrity photo shoots, and interned at some of Australia's highest selling magazines.  My keen interest in magazines led me to add a styling course to the list of my qualifications.  In amongst all the studies and interning, I ran my blog.  Never did I think that my blog would be considered as media and be invited to Australian Fashion Week, media launches, PR showrooms, events and contacted by PR companies and designers.

All my studies and experience have been invaluable and have given me insight into how the industry works.  More importantly, starting at the bottom has taught me to appreciate every step of my fashion journey and career.  Thank you for selecting me as a semi-finalist in a competition that could send me to New York Fashion Week working with Elle Magazine!

With 49 other finalists, how will you remember my name?

Constance Hermes Bag - Which just so happens to be one of my favourite bags and on my wish list!

Constance Charlotte Olympia Wedge - Which just so happens to be one of my favourite shoe designers!

Model Constance Jablonski - Which just so happens to be one of my favourite models!

My Style Philosophy

If I had it my way I’d be walking around every day in a Marchesa gown and Brian Atwood pumps, but of course that would be insane!  Whilst I can’t wear this everyday it does represent my style philosophy and let’s just say I take Marchesa from the runway to the street.  I love all things feminine, elegant, classic and glamorous.  When it comes to my personal style I love taking simple silhouettes and making them glamorous.  This may include adding layers, prints and colour, statement piece jewellery and trend setting shoes and accessories.

Style Icons: Rachel Zoe and Tinsley Mortimer

As a young girl, I loved drawing style inspiration from my favourite celebrities.  Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were my style icons and I remember searching through endless stores looking for pieces that resembled the pieces Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were wearing.   Overtime, I’ve experimented and my fashion sense and style has changed and evolved.  I’ve now developed my own unique style which has been inspired by my current style icons, New York socialite and designer Tinsley Mortimer, and of course, fashion Queen Rachel Zoe.  Tinsley Mortimer has impeccable style and just like myself loves all things feminine, pretty and glamorous.  Tinsley Mortimer is recognised for her ‘girly girl’ style and is constantly photographed for her flawless looks.   And then there’s Rachel Zoe...  What can you not love about Rachel Zoe?!  From her quirky fashion phrases and her ‘dying’ love for fashion, to her exquisite style and her love for all things glamorous.  I love her as a stylist and as a designer, but the thing I love most about Rachel Zoe is her obsession for fashion..no matter how many times she sits front row at fashion week, she still ‘dies’ at the hands of her favourite designers!
Tinsley Mortimer

Rachel Zoe

 

 

New York, New York!

I’ve heard that once you visit the ‘Big Apple’, it’s hard to say goodbye.  I’ve never been to New York and aside from knowing of the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Wall Street, the Trump Tower and Central Park, when it comes to New York, I think FASHION and celebrities.  Nothing excites me more than the opportunity to walk into the tents of Bryant Park during New York Fashion Week.  Yes, there’s Paris, Milan and London, but to me, when it comes to fashion, New York is the thumping epicentre of the fashion universe!  Why you ask?..... Diane Von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Badgley and Mischka, Donna Karen, Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang and my two favourites, Oscar de la Renta and Marchesa!  From the Upper East Side, to the Meat Packing District, from The City, to Gossip Girl and High Society, Barneys and Saks on Fifth Avenue, not forgetting Fashion’s Night Out New York and a dash of Breakfast at Tiffany’s!  And so, what do I want to cover at New York Fashion Week?  I want to cover the excitement and the glamour....capturing the adrenalin backstage, spotting front row fashion elite, identifying trends, and snapping images and clips from the runway to the streets.

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week 2011

In May, I attended Rosemount Australian Fashion Week 2011, as accredited media.  I was invited to about 20 shows and presentations over the course of Fashion Week including pre-fashion week shows.  I reported on every show I attended.  Rosemount Australian Fashion Week is Australia’s most prestigious fashion event and is closed to industry and media.  It showcases an array of Australia’s leading designers.  Australian Fashion Week has just joined the Mercedes family and is now recognised as Mercedes Australian Fashion Week.  Attending Fashion Week as blogger was one of the most exciting experiences in my fashion career so far.  It equipped me with the necessary experience to be a successful style correspondent including trend spotting, reporting, interviewing, photographing, identifying front row elite and taught me fashion week etiquette.  Thought I’d share this video clip featuring some of the shows that I captured during fashion week.  As well as this I’ve included a few of my favourite images from the week.

       



Trend Report: Rosemount Australian Fashion Week 2011

Vibrant Colours and Colour Blocking

Time to have a little fun this season with colour blocking.  Dashes of vibrant colour including lime, blue and orange, were prominant through the majority of the collections.

Camilla and Marc

 Bianca Spender

Rachel Gilbert

Minilimalism
The art of simplicity was embraced by designers including Michael Lo Sordo, Josh Goot and Carla Zampatti.

Michael Lo Sordo

Carla Zampatti

Josh Goot

Cut Outs
Cut outs appeared on the runway in a feminine and subtle way.

 Alice McCall

Zimmermann

Karla Spetic

The Tuxedo

It seemed as though the majority of designers had their own interpretation of the iconic tuxedo.

Michael Lo Sordo

Karla Spetic

Bianca Spender

Short shorts

Summer wouldn't be summer without a little pair of shorts, day or night.

Alice McCall

Shakuhachi

Bec and Bridge

Jumpsuits

Jumpsuits appeared on the runway in collections by Alice McCall, Bianca Spender and Shakuhachi.

Bianca Spender 

Alice McCall

Shakuhachi

Carla Zampatti S/S 2011/12 Pre-Fashion Week Show

This year, several designers opted for pre-fashion week shows as part of RAFW 2011.  These shows were exclusive events for fashion elite and media.  One of the shows I was invited to attend and report on was the Carla Zampatti Spring/Summer 2011/12 show. It was an honour to attend.  Carla Zampatti has been in the industry for 46 years and is considered to be an Australian Fashion icon.  A Carla Zampatti collection is the epitome of femininity, sophistication and elegance and this collection was no exception.

The event was held at the Carla Zampatti headquarters car park (formerly a carriageway dating to the 1800s) in Sydney.  The juxtaposition between the raw setting of the car park and the Carla Zampatti clothing was fascinating and effective.  The collection was titled 'The Strength of Simplicity' and this described the collection perfectly.  The collection embraced femininity, elegance and simplicity and was inspired by the 1990s, focusing on "all about the back."  The show opened with simple and strong lined silhouettes with dashes of red, black and cream.  The collection progressed, with classic and tailored pieces including structured jackets, wide-legged flared pants, trench coats, jumpsuits, shift dresses, maxi skirts, and halter neck draped tops.  The pieces were complemented with unique floating organza hats by Jonathan Howard from Hatmaker.  As the music by the Sydney Dance Company became more dramatic, the mood changed and Carla Zampatti's signature gowns began to grace the runway.  The "all about the back", which had slightly appeared earlier, was now the focal point of the pieces.  The gowns were strong statements and consisted of the "sexiest strong graphic back detailing which can be twisted, draped and adapted to suit the mood or occasion."  The fabrics consisted of "new look linens and bamboo to the sheerest organza and georgettes."  Bold and vibrant colours were used including royal 'liquid like' blue, tangerine, striking red, silver, as well as soft creams and pink.

The collection was classic, gorgeous and elegant and I absolutely loved it! 

 (Images: Harper's Bazaar Australia)