24 hours in Melbourne...

Isn't it FAB how interstate travel has become so quick, easy, cheap and accessible??!!

i have just spent the last 24 hours in Melbourne, and it's amazing how much you can do in just 24 hours, believe me! i had 2 glorious art exhibitions to visit, and lots of fabric sourcing/shopping to do for my new wedding gown designs, so with a combo of fast-paced walking, planes/ trains/ trams and friendly yellow cabs, it was a breeze!

After visiting my favourite kimono and Japanese textile collectors, and a few silk fabric suppliers, i sped over to the GORGEOUS Art Deco Exhibition at the NGV in St Kilda Rd, and fell in love with EVERYTHING!!! Amazing collections of jewellery, furniture, music, film, objects d'art and of course FASHION, the highlight for me was naturally absolutely breathtaking Couture gowns from the 1920's and 30's, by such luminary designers as Coco Chanel, Lanvin, Poiret and many more... definitely worth the trip, it's on until 5th October - see website http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/artdeco

Then last night i had the pleasure of attending my friend and fellow collaborator Stan Yarramunua's official opening of his stunning Aboriginal art exhibition, in the foyer of the prestigious 101 Collins St building. Yarramunua's collection of paintings are a refreshing, colourful and modern take on the traditional Indigenous dot painting, and his use of "totems" such as the sea turtle and the goanna, mixed with his main theme of water, are spectacular.

Also in attendance was the beautiful Caroline Pemberton, who modelled a glamorous silk Couture gown that i designed & made for her to wear at the 2007 Miss World contest in China, where she proudly represented Australia (see gown in photo's here). Her fishtail-shaped, personally fitted and sharply tailored Culture Shock creation was hand-painted by Yarramunua, and last night it looked just AWESOME on Caroline as she mingled amongst all Yarra's paintings... You can only imagine how it must have stood out to the other Miss World contestants last year when they were on the world stage- so uniquely Australian, and yet so chic and so sexy, too! This one-off Culture Shock showpiece will remain on show with Yarramunua's exhibition til the end of this week, so if you're in Melb, do drop by for a look.

WOW - what a trip! i ADORE Melbourne and always feel sad to leave so soon - it's such a pleasure to visit a vibrant, culturally diverse and happening city that makes everything so easy for it's guests... i will be back very soon, Melbourne, so don't go changin'!!! xxx