Ok - we rarely disagree with the raves from our friends at Trend Central. But this time we believe they have got it wrong. This week they are shouting-out about a hideous shoe collection that we suspect the only people going ga-ga are back packers, naturalists, nurses or swiss germans (in other words wearers of Birkenstock).  With the exception of TOM’s, these shoes will add a distinct ‘unattactive’ and ‘doudy’ dscription to any leg - even more so if you are sporting thick ankles, thick calves, hairy legs and unvarnished toes. Stay well away from these Saltwater sandals and ballet (prima) Crocs unless you are under 10 years old or seriously hard up for a shoe solution.

Read on for Trend Central’s shoe intelligence tip-toeing their pavement, believe us - its not anywhere we tred!

Pictures courtesy of TrendCentral

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Attack of the crocs! SMH July 2007

These boots are made for gawking

FitFlops: These new flip-flops are actually a fashion/exercise hybrid attracting buzz as an alternative to the ubiquitous summer exercise fads and crash diets. They are essentially cute comfortable flip-flops that, thanks to their uniquely engineered design, give the wearer a lower body workout toning the thighs, calves and glutes. While we’ve heard that they are initially a little hard to walk in, the trade off is that you’ll have a hard time staying away from mini-skirts!

source:trendcentral

The world of fashion is always pushing the boundaries.  A year ago, it was all about porn when French Fashion label Shai shot hard core flick with their clothes dangling on the edge of the bed.  Now, it’s moved on to another fashion industry vice, cocaine.  Sisley’s latest ad by Zoo Advertising in Shanghai, features models snorting a dress. 

Amusing observation #1 - In classic Shanghai form, the word ‘fashion’ is misspelled.

Amusing observation #2 - The subtle part that’s really nice is that they also included some real coke in the picture with a Chase credit card… I’m sure both Chase and MasterCard would love to see this use of their product.

source; TrendHunter

Sweet dreams with Ikea 

OSLO - Ikea in Norway is opening the Ikea Hostel, where customers can stay overnight if they haven’t finished their shopping. Shoppers will slumber in one of its two Oslo warehouses. Frode Ullebust, a company spokesman, said: “It will be like an alternative hostel. There will be the regular dormitory with lots of beds stacked up together. “We will also have a bridal suite, with a round bed and a hanging chandelier, and the luxury suite, where customers can enjoy breakfast in bed,” he said.  Family rooms will also be available for parents and children.

source: the travel mole

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 Bookmark the the tips from the GLAM SQUAD at STYLE STUDIO.

Lots of fun! and no “Colour me Beautiful” and dated formula’s, rather its ‘dressing like you mean it’.

Watch their video , read their ra-ra.

‘If you love fashion - Dress like you mean it!’

http://lifestyle.msn.com/stylestudio

 For more about GLAM SQUAD we have been reading Nick Verreos’ blog “This week MSN’s Style Studio was officially launched! I am so excited to announced that I am part of a very glamorous Glam Squad. Take a little dash of What Not To Wear and Queer Eye For The Straight Girl and add a healthy dose of any magazine’s “tips” section on make-up, hair and fashion, shake it up, and VOILA! Fashion Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is SERVED!!!!”
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Propaganda in Bangkok. No, it’s not what you’re thinking, given the recent political turmoil here in the Land of Smiles. Rather, I refer to a Bangkok-based design store called Propaganda, a place that sells whimsical housewares, like the combination chopsticks/spoon pictured above. And tons of other quixotic stuff: quirky plates and dishes, off-beat living room furnishings, picture frames, stationery, bags, and more. Think Ikea, but minus the Scandinavian pragmatism. As the store’s Web site says, Propaganda’s wares are all about “the innate sense of Thai playfulness.” Propaganda can be found in the uber-fancy Emporium mall and the less-swanky but still upscale Siam Discovery Center.

Propaganda [Official site]

Text: Newley Purnell - Gridskipper  Image: Propaganda

 Last month we climbed inside the handbag of our Sydney stylist and bespoke shopper  Nicola Hancock-Thompson. July we reveal our  stylist and urban scout Mary Datoc. She is our Korea, India and Indonesia shopping expert. Mary’s talent isaccumulating market intelligence or facilitating our style & trend clinics, bespoke & small group shopping tours. We are very disserning about the global talent we procure, it’s now time to celebrate their greatness. From all over the world we have great stories to tell.

Read about Mary :

1. What 1 thing do you have in your wardrobe that has sustained the fashion evolution.

Vintage Bracelet (chunky white 50’s enamel link leaf pattern) bought from  North Sydney Markets about 10 years ago for $5 - everytime I wear it I get compliments - it’s timeless & wearable through any season in any country.

 2. What’s one thing you can’t live without?

Ballerina flats

3. What’s you best career moment?

Gwen Stefani asking where I shop in Sydney.

4. Five (5) things on your shopping wish list?
Christian Louboutin pumps - any colour
Gucci Sunnies
Chloe Tote
Marni Top
Jeans - Nudie or Marc Jacobs

5. Your ‘top tip’

Buy a good bra - keep the ‘girls’ harnessed & comfy.

6. Your biggest fashion mistake?

A perm (Seoul circa Spring 2007) -

7. Five (5) of your favourite stores / places to shop. 
Siam Square - Bangkok, Thailand
Dongdaemun Market & Myeong Dong - Seoul, South Korea
Mall Ambassador - Jakarta, Indonesia
Orson & Blake, Incu & Mint - Woollahra, Paddington & Manly - Sydney
Fabindia & Good Earth India- Mumbai, India
 

8. We know that what you do feels like a hobby and not at all like work. So what is it you do when you are not shopping?

Manicure/Pedicure

While Japan’s sampling salons haven’t hit the U.S. yet, this is a similar alternative. This online market research and product testing service aims to help brands produce better products and services geared towards women by giving the target consumer a voice. Tapping into the average female’s natural love of freebies and samples, the site invites women to sign up, set their preferences, receive email alerts about free products they can test and keep, and then opt to test out (or pass on) whichever products they choose. Once the designated test-run is over, testers hold onto the free items but are required to fill out an online survey detailing their overall experience and perception of the product/service (which can be anything from a hair care product to a book). www.shespeaks.com

Thanks for the feed TrendCentral

New York’s Fashion Week may be a foggy memory of feathers, hats, and sequins, but we’re still sifting through the looks. We combed hundreds of shows to find fall 2007’s ten biggest trends, from silhouettes to shoes. Now you just have to find somewhere to wear them.
By Harriet Mays Powell & Amy Larocca

From left: Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Narciso Rodriguez 
(Photo: Imaxtree.com)

Read On and expand your fashion Shopping List

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Watch the video. Your favourite shoe and handbag designer talks to New York’s Harriet Mays Powell about show girls, sea anemones, and his latest creations.

http://video.nymag.com/?fr_story=ba1cff21e39e15e75f6781e3229e013c85907af7&rf=bm