May review
Sale finds, everything I wore at AFW + some thoughts/insights, a bit of travel + life updates
Hi! This substack is a little long - if you’re reading this via your email, it’ll say ‘View Entire Message’ at the bottom - click on that to keep reading, or view the entire newsletter in the Substack app (my preferred way of consuming these).
May was a big month. It always is. From prep for Australian Fashion Week and then the actual week (sharing all my outfits and some thoughts below), to a work trip to Melbourne (plus special catch ups with family and friends) and the Gold Coast, to an unforgettable stay-cay in Sydney at the Capella, planning my upcoming Europe/US work and sister trip, and I have almost finished decorating my home studio/office!
With each year of self employment (it’s been four years now), I’m able to reflect on how I operate best and make changes where needed so I can focus on what makes me feel good and how I thrive through busy periods.
To feel recharged, I need alone time. This past weekend, I had no plans. The only thing on the agenda was to rot in peace on the couch at home, catching up on Summer House (a Bravo show so deep in the Bravo universe, I mean, IYKYK), working on this newsletter (my happy place), my favourite candles lit, a bit of Bridgerton, deciding on the right paint shade to paint our bookshelves at home (more on this below), only stepping foot outside to collect my various Uber Eats orders. Bliss.
Sale finds
Kicking things off - I’ve gathered some great sale finds. Here’s the full edit (with items from the Iconic, Net-a-Porter, David Jones etc) but below are some highlights:
And my active wear brand of choice, Lululemon is also in sale mode. Full edit of my selects here but if you need a great puffer jacket - I have two of these in different colours and they’re incredible. My favourite leggings are on sale as well.
AFW
This AFW I took a different approach. Firstly, I didn’t drink. I’m not a huge drinker but in past AFW’s there’s a lot of parties and one (me) can get easily carried away and before I know it, it’s 1am and too many champagnes have been consumed. It’s already such a large and demanding week, socially, work wise, there’s unique pressures that emerge that week - so I wanted to avoid adding in extra exhaustion, unnecessary anxiety and stress from a hangover or late night.
I also was very intentional with the outfits I chose to wear. I wanted to feel comfortable, honour my personal style and wear more of my own wardrobe. I was lucky to be loaned and gifted some pieces from some of my favourite brands which always makes the week very exciting and special.
There’s been a lot of important and necessary discussion around the continued lack of inclusivity and diversity at AFW - like this piece by Carmen Azzopardi about how AFW can be more inclusive for people with disabilities, this inclusivity report by Vogue makes the issue blaringly obvious - 90.2% of models seen on this year’s runway were straight-size (AU 4-8) and Maggie Zhou’s insightful TikTok about the lack of diversity not just on the runways but in streetstyle coverage. Another informative read here:
There’s a long way to go but here’s one more insider snippet of how the industry works and another layer of it that needs fixing from my perspective.
I’m in a privileged position (in so many ways beyond this also) to be offered to be dressed by brands each year at fashion week. Sometimes I’m sent lookbooks via email to make my selects. More commonly I get invited to PR showrooms to make selects in person. This process isn’t exclusive to fashion week, it happens all year when different designers drop collections/when certain events are coming up etc.
An issue I’ve come across for years is that the showrooms often only stock sample sizing (which is generally a size AU 6-8.) Of course, this varies from showroom to showroom and PR agency to PR agency but in my experience, this is the norm.
As someone who wears anything from a size 10, 12 to a 14 - pending the desired fit etc - encountering this issue has made me feel at best awkward (I’d immediately mask this with an understanding attitude) and at worst, inferior and that I’m a burden. I’m not sure how in 2024 - with all the discussion around inclusivity and diversity - more sizes aren’t available in these spaces and it’s not a given that a wide array of sizing is going to be accommodated for. Of course, I’m very aware so many mainstream, popular Australian brands (international too) barely go past a size 14 and so many people don’t even get the option to buy a design they love because it isn’t even made in their size. It’s sad and weird and it all has to change.
This year my approach has been different. When invited into showrooms, I’ve asked if there will be sizing variety and when I’ve been told my size won’t be available, I don’t go in. Brands stock the sizes I’m after…so why aren’t they available in the showrooms?
In the past, I’ve gone in and had to squeeze myself into clothing that doesn’t fit (with a tinge of uncontrollable embarrassment), or that does fit but leaves me feeling physically uncomfortable. When things obviously won’t fit I’ve been directed to go in store for whichever brand it is to pick out my sizing there, which is a solution of sorts but adds another thing to my to-do list and doesn’t really answer the question / solve the problem of why only 6-8’s are represented and hanging in the showroom and rarely anything nothing else.
To the brands / agencies that always have size variety and also showcase this in campaigns, ecommerce shoots, runways, make it part of their brand DNA - thank you.
What I wore
Day 1
Kicking off AFW, I was invited to Albus Lumen, the opening show of the week. I went as a guest of Tresemme, who did the hair for the show.
I loved this show. A really beautiful, complete collection. The hair was glossy and gorgeous but really let the clothing speak for itself and the makeup + skin (by Sisley) was ethereal and shimmering heaven. I loved the genius use of silver eyeshadow on the models nails for a chrome effect. See more detail here - by my talented friend Helen Driscoll.
GRWM with me here:
Day 2
My most jam-packed day of the week, I went to 5 shows and had a total of 3 outfit changes.
I started the day with the P.E Nation show in my preloved red silk Prada coat (found another one here), my favourite COS tshirt, Lee Mathews pants, the same Adidas SL72s, my vintage dark chocolate brown Chanel flap bag (similar here), Mimco earrings and dark red Le Specs sunglasses.
My second outfit for the Emma Mulholland on Holiday and Bec & Bridge show:
Emma Mulholland on Holiday collaborated with jewellery brand Jean Riley which was a highlight.
My third outfit for the day was this suit by Maggie Marilyn in perhaps the most perfect shade of cotton candy pink.
Day 3
I had the Third Form show and a Pandora event. I wore beautiful Pandora jewellery all week. Did you know Pandora is the largest jewellery brand in the world? Their efforts in sustainability are also really impressive. Since December 2023, the brand has been sourcing 100% recycled silver and gold for all of their jewellery. To put this effort into perspective, according to Pandora’s website:
“By sourcing recycled instead of newly-mined silver and gold, Pandora avoids around 58,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. This is similar to the emissions from the annual electricity use of 11,000 homes or driving 6,000 cars around the world.”
Pandora also plan to be carbon neutral by 2025.
Day 4
Blanca was my last show of the week and it was a very fun way to wrap up AFW. Caught up with a bunch of my friends - which is always one of the best parts of the week. People fly in from everywhere and there’s lots of catching up and excited hugs and chats. It reminded me just how many lovely people I know in this industry and how this work and this world has enabled me to connect and befriend so many special, creative and kind souls.
I wore soon to be released shirt and skirt from Lee Mathews, Ganni vest, boots from Aere, Tory Burch bag, Le Specs sunglasses and Mimco earrings.
Travel / life things
Right after fashion week, Angus and I celebrated 11 years together. Time FLIES when you’re having fun. We had a quiet, cosy dinner at Alberto’s Lounge and then went home and watched F1 with some ice cream in front of the fire.
I also had dinner with friends at the new Merivale restaurant, Good Luck. Delicious food, great cocktails and fun interiors. And went back to an old favourite, Fred’s in Paddington for a dear friend’s birthday.
I went to Melbourne to see friends and family and it was such a lovely few days. If you’re yet to read my Melbourne guide - linking it here. I ate at Alimentari on Smith St and unsurprisingly it was delicious as always. I also had this incredible Cacio e Peppe with truffle at The Botanical in South Yarra. I visited my friend, artist Narjia Brownlie’s Melbourne exhibit. It was so special! If you have your eye on any of her work - now’s the time to buy as she’s offering 30% off her original artworks. See here.
I then flew to the Gold Coast for work and stayed at the QT. I believe this QT is relatively new/newly renovated? It was great. I spent some time at the gym and ordered room service after my work event and lapped up the silence by watching some of the new Bridgerton (how dare they only give us 4 episodes and then make us wait another eternity for the rest of the season).
I flew back to Sydney and then went straight to a staycation with Estee Lauder (to celebrate their Vivid partnership and installation). We stayed at the Capella Hotel. This hotel is a 10/10. The services, amenities, the rooms, the BED, the buffet breakfast!!! If you were looking for a reason to stay there - take this as your sign.
I need to do an updated home substack - see one I did last year here - as I’ve bought some new furniture bits and I’m about paint our bookshelves. Just choosing between these colours - if you have a favourite, let me know.
A long one but good to catch up!
More Smooth Brain Thoughts soon,
Ali xx
I agree about inclusivity in sizing. I am short and find that even though I might fit a 6-8 around the waist or hips, I find that jackets, shirts, sleeves, pants, skirts are all too long. I think most women my shape are shorter and not 5’10” in height, yet the sleeves on a size 14 will be the same length as a size 6. There is often talk about larger sizing, but I have huge problems getting things to fit me. Women come in all shapes, and also all heights.
I loved everything you wore! This was such a delight to read, thank you for sharing!