Dries Van Noten & Mickey Mouse - Monochromatic & Sequinned

Head-to-toe in Dries Van Noten - not from the same collection, so it's ok :)

DVN Black sheer knit top with sequinned band (black Metallicus top under it for modesty)

DVN Black skirt with white waistband and stripe down the side

DVN Black buckle sandals

Jewellery: Many Swarovski crystal bracelets (my aunt from NYC got these for all the 'girls' at a family Christmas get-together in the US a few years ago, as a memento of our 'reunion', so sweet), my 'Ice Cube' ring from Sportsgirl (bought this years ago for $1.50 on sale), crystal bracelet from Bauhaus (love this)

Top: Sass & Bide - "A Little Peace" Jagger Tee (love Mickey Mouse, and he's giving a peace sign, too cute!)

Pants: Sass & Bide Harem Pants

Tuxedo Blazer: Costume National brushed velvet with matte lapel & gold-trim button (love this jacket, and wear it with everything)

Shoes: Gucci Silver Stilettos

Remember these ad campaigns for Gucci from a few years back (Spring 2003)?

How I miss Tom Ford for Gucci! This was my favourite collection of his, I still long for the blue silk pleated embroidered kimono, it was a work of art!

(www.style.com)

Le Muu Muu - Loungewear as Outerwear?

Silk batik kaftan worn with Tom Binns Faux Real cuff (close-up pic in my previous post) & Lanvin bronze gladiator sandals.

So it isn't actually a 'Mumu', but that's what I affectionally call this amazing piece of clothing, it is seriously the most comfortable piece of clothing I own, and the soft flowy silk feels amazing against my skin when I move, love its flowy drapey nature.

I purchased this silk batik hand-painted kaftan in Malaysia, and they tell me it's their traditional clothing worn whilst at home. When I purchased it I couldn't fathom wearing it only within the confines of my four walls. My friend was appalled when I told her I wanted to wear it out (she's not Asian), as was my mother-in-law, when I donned it to a family dinner. I have worn it out on several occasions, but most enjoyably, there is nothing I like more than coming home and putting this on, leaving the cares of the day fall off my shoulders as I relax in comfort.

So what do you think, should it be kept as loungewear? Or can it be outerwear as well?

(www.vogue.com.au)

I just saw this silk Easton Pearson 'Kaftan' at Francesca for $1500 (at less than a tenth of the price, mine's not too bad!).

Lanvin Bronze Gladiator sandals (picture from Matches)

Akira - Playful, Funky & Oriental

Akira Blue Silk/Wool Pleat Front Dress

Playful

Shoes: Christian Louboutin Electric Blue Simple 85mm Pumps

Funky

Shoes: Marni

Oriental

Shoes: Prada Ming Nude/Purple/Nude heels (these were my first pair of designer shoes, I was a late bloomer)

Miscellaneous wooden colourful jewellery from Brazil, 'Candy' bracelet from Bauhaus (click HERE to enlarge)

Tom Binns Faux Real cuff, Prada Ming heels, Hand-painted Batik silk scarf from Malaysia (click HERE to enlarge)

Tom Binns Faux Real cuff, Prada Ming heels, Hand-painted Batik silk scarf from Malaysia, Blue fish pendant on gold chain (it is 'jointed' so that it's flexible and 'swishes' its tail when you move) from China (bought from Bauhaus) - I found this to be so cute I bought it in forest green & amber for my sisters (click HERE to enlarge)

Bamboo, Graffiti Walls and a peek at my Melbourne purchases

I almost purchased this Akira Isogawa silk dress with blue bamboo (not pink). I furtively took a picture of it in the change room but it turned out blurry. The bamboo is hand-painted and I loved the feel of it, but because of the delicate (and white) silk, and the fact that it was sheer, I realized that although the all-blue silk/wool version was simpler, it was more versatile, and could be worn with anything anywhere.

PICTURE: In the changeroom of the Akira store (where I also bought my wedding dress from), top left: my Dries Van Noten beaded/sequinned shirt dress and Willow blue silk coat/dress, on pink stool: Burberry red Manor bag, Tom Binns Faux Real cuff)

Melbourne's arquitecture is so beautiful and has a European feel to it. I wish I had taken photos of the beautiful Melbourne streets. Another interesting side of Melbourne I hadn't noticed earlier in my previous visits, was the amazing graffiti art found in little alleys (although the one above was not the best by far).

A close-up of the sequinned band of my Dries Van Noten sheer black blouse.

I came home with the intention to have a play with my Melbourne purchases, but have a killer headache, so just photographed a 'teaser'. I am already thinking of the different things I will wear with this Akira silk (with a touch of wool) dress, especially with lots of colourful accessories...I am toying with the idea of trying a DIY colourful Dries Van Noten-inspired necklace, but like many projects, may sit in my 'ideas' box. I love that it feels like I'm wearing nothing whilst wearing this dress, it is so soft, light & comfortable!