Living Melbourne

Saxony Exhibition

melbournecentral — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:46:54 +0000

Each season Saxony invites an Australian artists to produce works that will be exhibited outside their Melbourne Central store.

This seasons exhibit is the works of exciting paper sculptor, Benja Harney, a Sydney based graphic designer, who is rapidly creating a niche in his craft. Benja was inspired by the Saxony Spring Summer ‘10 theme from philosopher Carl Jung, “In spite of its function as a reservoir for human darkness, or perhaps because of this, the shadow is the seat of creativity.”

The 33 year-old has created a paper pop-up book for Harper’s BAZAAR as well as pairs of paper wings for the Hermes storefront (which were all made from individually cut feathers! ).

The work outside Saxony was created on site at Melbourne Central.

by Benja Harney

Melbourne Spring Fashion Festival

melbournecentral — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:51:16 +0000

When viewing Melburnians en masse in the depths of winter, one gets the feeling that the city has issued uniforms for its residents – and they’re all black. Melbourne’s favourite shade for any time of year, black gets a particularly rigorous workout in the colder months. But this penchant for the dark side serves to highlight how the city comes out of hibernation once the sun shows its face again. With Spring Fashion Week knocking on our doors and the Spring Racing Carnival not too far down the track, any sunny day is a chance to warm up to the new season’s fashions and catch up with some much-missed colour. This spring, lingerie looks are the latest news, with satins, silks and lace in elegant ivory, blush pink, pale peach and nude tones dominating the catwalks. To avoid looking like you just knocked off work at a bordello, don’t go overboard with this trend – a classic camisole or corset-style top worked in with shorts or even a tailored jacket and pants for work is your best bet. And if smalls-influenced shades are not your thing, bright, clean, happy tones like grass green and cherry red are always an option for spring. Apart from being a time to try new trends from the runways, spring is also a good season to reassess your overall look – spring clean your style, so to speak. Think about whether your hairstyle needs updating, and consider a lighter, brighter palette when it comes to makeup. Your social calendar can get a makeover too, with picnics in the park, strolls on the beach and city sightseeing all possible without the need to rug up. So get ready to cast off those overcoats, turn your back on black and sign up for a spring fling!

Double Your Denim

melbournecentral — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:22:05 +0000

Ah, denim. To paraphrase a nursery rhyme, when it’s good, it’s very, very good, and when it’s bad, it’s horrid… REALLY horrid (acid wash, anyone?). But whether it’s good or bad, most of us own at least one item of denim clothing, perhaps a jacket, but more likely jeans.
Originally created as durable workwear for miners, jeans now span the great divides of age, class, gender, race, and more recently, occasion. Is there any other piece of clothing more versatile? With a little thought, your favourite pair of jeans can take you from a brisk walk on the beach to a fancy dinner date. Teamed with a T-shirt and cardigan or hoodie, skinny jeans are the new classics as a casual get-up for both guys and girls, finished with flat shoes, boots, or sneakers (although leave the white Reeboks at home unless you’re a particular admirer of Seinfeld’s sartorial selections). Ladies can turn up the style volume for after-5 events by pulling on some high heels and bringing on the bling, while leather shoes or even classy trainers in a dark colour can give gents’ looks some evening elegance.
Tailored jackets and scarves tied loosely around the neck work well to polish the look for both, or why not add some cheeky chic by trying a bow tie?
So what are the “denim don’ts”*? The Texas Tuxedo (matchy-matchy top-to-toe denim) was once a no-no, but the latest catwalks at Chloe and other big-name brands were overrun with models in chambray shirts and patchy boyfriend jeans – and there have even been sightings of fringed denim platform shoes. As with any item of clothing, though, let common sense dictate when it comes to denim. There’s so many different styles of jeans that there is no need to bend to trends – if high-waist painted-on pants are not your thing, there’s always the more forgiving boyfriend style, classic straight leg, boot cut, or even bell bottoms, so summon up the jean genie and seek out the pair that’s perfect for you.
*For tips on what not to do, check out:

http://www.refinery29.com/denim-disasters-the-ugliest-jeans-ever.php

Rock, Paper, Scissors.

melbournecentral — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 23:48:51 +0000

Brown Paper packages tied up with string. This is what has started a phenomenon; the cardboard phenomenon that is. From Frank Ghery’s brown cardboard ‘Wiggle Chair’ to Breathe Architecture’s Lulamae Pop up shop- it would seem that there is nothing beyond the realm of card.

And the obsession doesn’t just stop at the high end of design. Everyone is jumping on board. Coffee cups are going ‘brown’ again. Envelopes are remaining unbleached. It would seem that Mies Van Der Rohe was right all along: less is more.

So turn off your computer- write a letter instead! Feel the fibers in your fingers and read a Pocket Penguin. Listen to music through cardboard speakers from Typo. Build something to play with and break instead of buying something else. In the end the best thing about cardboard is that, when you do inevitably dispose of it, it will be recycled again and used again.

By Sarah Tulloch

Living Melbourne – Autumn/Winter 2010

melbournecentral — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:30:17 +0000

Melbourne is undoubtedly the best city to enjoy the Autumn/Winter months in Australia. In our latest in-centre campaign we think we have captured what we think are some of the very best moments of Living Melbourne life in the chillier months we love to embrace.

Life Shines After Dark

Life Lived In The Quiet Moments

Long Live The Long Lunch

Photography Samuel Hodge, Stylist Stevie Dance

Makeshift Holidaying

melbournecentral — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:13:03 +0000

Bored of same old Melbourne? Need a holiday? Before you run off to the travel agent, maybe all that’s lacking in your day-to-day is a wee injection of fresh perspective.
Holidays are generally recognised as a combination of small wins, making up an experience that leaves you feeling rejuvenated, knowing and silently accomplished. Even the disastrous journeys have had many a book dedicated to lamenting their follies. Whilst school holidays held dear the limbo between old and new, as we get older, time away is more hiatus than milestone. A break from routine is paramount. Give yourself the bare essentials of a holiday without actually going anywhere by introducing the alien into your regular life.
How to see Melbourne with new eyes, then? Firstly, how about don’t. Stop thinking with your vision and remember our other senses. Location is defined through spatial awareness, noise, smells and directly affected by mood. Consider sensual detachment and reconfiguration, this can be as simple as putting together a new playlist for your itinerant Pneumatic Otic Distractor.
Take advantage of this visceral sense and send your ears on holiday with some new tunes. Artists and albums on high rotation are flirting with humdrum, especially if you’re not offering yourself any variety. Friends are still more reliable than any application when it comes to music recommendations, but the online catalogue is a pretty good start. If you’re of an adventurous disposition, consider Borders’ miscellaneous CD section for soundscape recordings, from ice shelves breaking to Crawford, Texas. Take the noise for granted, suspend disbelief and immerse yourself in uncharted sensory territory.
To really egg things on, change the way you traverse your surroundings. Melbourne’s CBD is conveniently gridded, a structure that scientists and rats have deemed pleasantly negotiable, easing the journey from A to B. A wise, albeit slightly hippie, someone once said ‘travel is the journey, not the destination.’ Chances are you repeatedly tramp the same trails. Whilst drastically altering your route can be inconvenient, you can modify how you move.
Public transport catchers have a twisted sense of time. Car dwellers know how to hook turn. Folks with wheels on their feet appreciate surface and gradient. Pedestrians perfect their lateral movement. Experience topography differently by changing your mode of transport. Walk to Work Day is a while away on October 1st, but the Bike Share scheme is in full swing. Check out http://www.melbournebikeshare.com.au/ for details.

Signature Something

melbournecentral — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:54:27 +0000

In a world of fleeting, fast fashion, it’s easy to get swept up in the latest trends and forget what makes your look “you”. But have you ever noticed how truly memorable style icons have a signature look? Think of Audrey Hepburn – no doubt it’s the image of her in a black shift dress, pearls and Ray Bans that she wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s that comes to mind. While Audrey had famous French designer Hubert de Givenchy to help hone her style, us mere mortals can also find signature pieces that build a bit of backbone in our wardrobes.

A signature piece should be something that you can wear for years regardless of trends, work well with other items in your wardrobe, and be comfortable, yet flattering, so that you look and feel like yourself – but better. Look for something that has character and acknowledges trends, but isn’t completely over the top. For example, a navy jacket is always in style as it is versatile and fits in with fashion’s recurring fascination for nautical looks, but if you want to get years of use out of it, don’t shell out for a number with masses of gold chain and huge shoulder pads, as these sorts of details make a garment look dated. If you can’t find exactly what you have in mind, remember it’s possible to have clothes altered, or start from scratch and find a tailor to work with to have garments made in exactly the colour, style, and size you want – if it’s a particularly flattering piece, it’s worth having it made in multiple colours.

Investing time, thought and money into what you wear will affect your attitude towards clothes or accessories – you’re much more likely to feel a connection with a garment if you’ve put some effort into making it your own.

Accessories are great as signature pieces for this reason – but you don’t have to be a high-rolling Rolex wearer or be dripping in diamonds. Something that has a story to tell, like a unique bracelet bought on holiday overseas, a brooch handed down from your mum, or a beautifully patterned scarf from an op shop says a lot more about you than bling from a big-name brand. So get out there and find some pieces you’re proud to put your signature to.

Winter Warmers

melbournecentral — Fri, 21 May 2010 05:17:38 +0000

You know that summer’s over when the rooftop bars close their decks, when the laneway cafes bring in their outdoor tables, and when the only people who brave the outdoors are the huddles of unfortunate souls blowing smoke to the sky. But fear not, Melburnians – we’ve gathered the best winter hotspots to ward off the winter blues. They’re so good, in fact, that you may not mourn summer’s passing at all.

Melbourne in winter is a time of indulgence. We turn to our favourite vices to get us through the chilly days – endless cups of coffee, mulled wine at a dimly lit bar, fresh croissants for breakfast, and late night trips in search of the perfect hot chocolate. And when that after-dinner craving for something sweet hits, we recommend you pay a visit to Melbourne’s answer to Willy Wonka – Max Brenner’s chocolate bar.

Stepping into Max Brenner’s is like having your childhood dreams suddenly come to life – here, a fountain gushes forth creamy melted chocolate, there, an oversized vase is filled with hundreds and thousands. A glass cabinet displays perfectly formed handmade chocolates as if they were diamonds in a jewellery store case. The menu is fabulously decadent – strawberries dusted with icing sugar and served with melted chocolate, rich, dense brownies, fresh waffles and Max Brenner’s signature hot chocolates, served in a specially designed hug mug.

If you’re craving a late-night tipple to warm you, we recommend heading to one of Melbourne’s many fine bars, such as Der Raum, 1806, The Melbourne Supper Club or The Long Room. Sumptuous cocktails, decadent surrounds and quintessentially Melbourne attitudes, these bars offer the perfect escape on a cold winter’s night. Our favourite winter drink? The Blue Bazaar, courtesy of 1806. Watch in awe as your bartender mixes Scotch whisky and boiling water, and then calmly sets your drink on fire. Finished with a little sugar and the peel of a lemon, this flaming creation is probably the ultimate warming cocktail for chilly nights.

So wrap yourself in your warmest coat and set out into the brisk cold. Melbourne in winter has so much to offer.

by Nadia Bailey

Bargain Hunting

melbournecentral — Mon, 10 May 2010 00:25:41 +0000

We live in the age of the new. Better, faster, more powerful, more beautiful; the newer it is, the more we want it. But keeping up with the latest trend for leopard print wedges or bulbous cocktail rings or leather jodhpurs can be hard on the credit card – not to mention, completely exhausting. If the frenzy of spending is getting you down, we’re here to help. It’s time to learn the art of bargain hunting.

For truly unique pieces, the bargain hunter should become acquainted with the city’s markets. Melbourne boasts a multitude of weekly trash and treasure markets, as well as regular vintage and designer fairs. The Camberwell Sunday Market is a firm favourite, where you’ll find everything from household items and bric-a-brac to antique fur stoles and barely worn designer shoes. Take cash and arrive fashionably early – to find those one-off bargains, it’s first in, best dressed.

On less frequently, but no less enticing, are vintage clothing fairs such as Round She Goes. Held approximately once a quarter, Round She Goes boasts over 100 different stallholders, selling pre-loved designer and quality vintage fashion and accessories. Want more? Try the Hello Sailor Vintage Fair, held at The Carlton Hotel, or the Sunday Best Jumble Sale at Sommerset Place. They’re held semi-regularly, so keep an eye on their websites for details!

Stopping by your local op-shop should be de rigueur for the bargain hunter – with an ever-changing selection of stock, it’s worth checking in frequently. Make a trip to second-hand superstore Savers, with a lot of time and comfortable shoes – you could spend hours searching through their colour-coded racks and still not see everything they have on offer. Charity shops such as Vinnies, The Salvos and the Red Cross can also turn gems, whilst garage sales and church fetes are also worth checking out.

Links:

By Nadia Bailey

Hidden Secrets

melbournecentral — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:17:51 +0000

Creative types don’t often have it easy. Think of the popular, somewhat romanticised image of the starving artist alone in a cramped, freezing garret, surviving only on bread crusts and a passion for their art. Now replace that scene with a light-filled studio over 210 square metres in size, where creators have their own space to dream and create as well as the opportunity to bounce ideas off one another in shared spaces. Add to that a central location with inexpensive rent and you have Melbourne Central’s latest exciting project, No Studio.

Having opened in the cavernous space behind United Colors of Benetton in March, No Studio’s talented tenants include visual artists, photographers, graphic designers, web marketers and illustrators, with other creators also set to move in. Currently calling the studio home are creators including Paul Ikin, Charlotte Lance, Sarah Hankinson, Cat Rabbit and Eveline Tarunadjaja, fresh from her successes at a recent exhibition at No Vacancy Gallery around the corner in Jane Bell Lane.

Spearheaded by Andrew Chew from No Vacancy Gallery, the creative team behind the project, No Studio has transformed what was once an empty shell into a fully functional working studio with 24-hour access for artists, common kitchen, comfy chill-out area, photography studio, internet and conference area. What more could a creator want?

“The studio I was renting before was tiny, and it’s always hard to find a good place that’s not expensive, so this is like a dream come true,” says illustrator Jeremy Ley, whose work has already popped up around Melbourne Central, adding that other creators have also been commissioned on work for the centre and that collaborations between artists and individual retailers could also be on the cards.

With all this going for it, it’s no surprise that there are great plans for the future of No Studio. Visitors to Melbourne Central this week can expect to be treated to a feast for the senses, with art installations, performances and events planned. Also in the works is a series of invitation-only open nights where people can visit the studio to meet and chat with artists and view their work over drinks – stay tuned for more details.

Leeyong Soo