“It’s all about a pretty, sexy, cool vibe, with plenty of hardware detailing, sequins, cut outs, structured silhouettes juxtaposed with soft textile accents. ” Are the words of Claudia Venti, creator of the COCO LUXE label.

Looking at the Summer 2010 collection, it is easy to see that these words are true.

COCO LUXE is mostly club-wear but unlike other sparkly labels, this brand of dress would look appropriate on every age group. The maxis, playsuits and cocktail dresses in the collection are predominantly black and white. There are a few stand out splashes of colour which are sequined heavily. The boldy coloured pieces all start with sharply cut bodices which flow down to flatter the feminine physique.

The COCO LUXE mission statement says: “Dedicated to the sassy and distinct fashionista whom appreciates a whole lot of luxe and crazy/beautiful moments.” While the label has been worn by Jessica Hart on the pages of glossy fashion mags, it would be wonderfully appropriate in high-class cocktail bars.

This foxy allure has been inspired by the creators life experiences in show business. With this, has come an enthusiasim for fashion finery. Every piece is embellished by hand in fine workmanship, making each and every piece 1 of a kind.

The full collection can be viewed and purchased at www.cocoluxe.com.au.

Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2010. All Rights Reserved.

Samantha Harris for Seafolly

Samantha Harris will follow the path of many Australia supermodels and join forces with iconic swimwear and lifestyle brand, Seafolly. After appearing on the cover of Vogue Australia, Harris will join top model Jessica Hart, to help launch the Seafolly Summer 2010 campaign.

Seafolly has launched many successful Australian models including Miranda Kerr, Catherine McNeil, Kristy Hinze and Alyssa Sutherland. The campaign was shot on Queensland’s Brampton Island in June by photographer, Max Doyle.

Seafolly is available at major department stores, Seafolly Concept stores and selected boutiques around the world. For further information or to find your nearest Seafolly stockist, phone 1300130 715 or visit www.seafolly.com.au

BLK1 Article: SUNNY BURNS

Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2010. All Rights Reserved.

The 2009-2010 USA Swimming Grand Prix concluded in Los Angeles on July 11, with Chloe Sutton crowned the overall Grand Prix Series High Point winner, collecting a total of $20, 000 in prize money. 

The Grand Prix series consists of eight meets, beginning in Minneapolis on November 13, 2009, with the Los Angeles meet added to the calendar for the first time this year.

The Los Angeles meet was held at the University of Southern California from July 8-11.

Ms Sutton, who was a member of 2008 USA Olympic swimming team, put in an overwhelmingly dominant performance throughout this Grand Prix series, winning a total of sixteen gold medals, six silver and one bronze, earning a total of 99 points.

Her win is even more remarkable considering Ms Sutton did not compete in the Santa Clara meet of the Grand Prix series.

The race for second and third place in the Grand Prix series was much tighter, with Dagny Knuston coming in second place with a total of six gold medals and seven silver, earning 52 points and managing to narrowly defeat Dana Vollmer, who came in third place with a total of nine gold medals as well as one silver and bronze, earning 49 points.

Three meet records fell on day four of competition in Los Angeles, with Dana Vollmer setting a new record in the women’s 100m butterfly with a time of 57.39.

Rebecca Soni set a new record in the women’s 100m butterfly with a time of 1:06.23 and Kosuke Kitajima also established a new record for the men’s 100m butterfly, finishing the event with a time of 1:00.02.

Mr Kitajima also set a new meet record in day three of the meet in the men’s 200m breaststroke with a time of 2:11.14

On Day 3 of the Los Angeles meet, Katie Hoff shattered a ten year record in the women’s 400m freestyle, which had been set by Claudia Poll in 2000.

Ms Hoff completed the women’s 400m freestyle with a time of 4:06.21, which was almost three seconds faster than the record set by Poll, which was 4:09.04

And finallykick-started the Los Angeles meet with a bang by setting a new meet record (8:31.05) in the prelims of the women’s 800m freestyle

On day two, Ziegler followed up this performance by managing to shatter her own record in the finals of the women’s 800m freestyle, with a time of 8:25.89, which beat the record she had just set on day one by five seconds

BLK1 Article: [Justin Macdonald] BLK1 Photographer: [PETER SOLLNER OR OTHER PHOTOGRAPHER]

Images and Article:

Mok Theorem Spring/Summer 2010/2011 Collection| FACE Fashion Event at CarriageWorks | Sydney | Images | Photos | 2010

After launching just three months ago, Mok Theorem is a fashion label that is growing up and up, with more people whispering it’s name in fashion circles

When looking at the Spring/Summer 2010/2011 collection, it is obvious why. Each piece is divinely eye catching and edgy. The blacks, whites and boxy cut fabric can be dubbed as “so very now”.

All the trends of 2010/11 is clearly present in this collection. This is the reason it will be interesting to see what Mok Theorem will create in seasons to come.

BLK1 Photographer: Victoria Rika-Heke

Images: © BLK1 Photographer 2008-2010. All Rights Reserved.

Oat Spring/Summer 2010/2011 Collection| FACE Fashion Event at CarriageWorks | Sydney | Images | Photos | 2010

Oat is not a fashion label that dictates the personality of those who wear it. It’s pieces are open for accessorizing to vocalize the style of the wearer.

With its sleek cuts and basic colours, the pieces in the Oat collection remind us that fashion is about self expression and should be used to make personal statements – not statements dictated by designers.

Oat’s collection will look great on any type of person, as long as they have a personality bold enough to match the edgy designs

BLK1 Photographer: Victoria Rika-Heke

Images: © BLK1 Photographer 2008-2010. All Rights Reserved.

XXX Spring/Summer 2010/2011 Collection| FACE Fashion Event at CarriageWorks | Sydney | Images | Photos | 2010

FACE fashion was held at Sydney’s CarriageWorks. This was an appropriately edgy venue for the cutting edge designs that were showcased from emerging designers.

FACE fashion was a display put on by the designers who had been having their names whispered for the past few seasons. It was evident in every stitch on the runway that all designers were excited to be given recognition through their involvement.

BLK1 was there to capture exclusive photos:

BLK1 Photographer: Victoria Rika-Heke

Images: © BLK1 Photographer 2008-2010. All Rights Reserved.

Anna & Boy’s Spring/Summer 2010/11 collection was comprised of the binary ideas: tight and skimpy or loose and covering-all.

Bikini’s were made up of small squares of fabric with blocks of colour.

The rest of the collection features bright, flowing maxi dresses, again with blocked colours. There were also a few nature inspired modesty tops which would be perfect for slapping on over a bikini at a day at the beach.

The overall tone from the runway at Anna & Boy was casual. Everything that was paraded is highly wearable and can be expected to sell well in stores. There also seemed to be a cutesy undertone running down the catwalk, with the models sweet smiles expressing the attitude of the designers very clearly. Anna & Boy’s Spring/Summer 2010/11 collection is all about pure and simple beachy fun.

BLK1 Photographer: Victoria Rika-Heke

Images: © BLK1 2008-2010. All Rights Reserved.

White Sands, as always, put on a show that made audiences sigh for the absence of Summer in May. The Cargo Theatre at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week was bathed in warm, yellow light to show the swimwear and resort wear in the same way that it would appear if it was seen in the sunshine.

The collection featured white one-piece swimwear, which wrapped around the female curves to demonstrate the wearers feminine beauty.

The white tight swimwear was contrasted with black maxi dresses that were fanned to show what the wearer would look like if they were walking through a Summer breeze.

High waists featured prominently in White Sands Spring/Summer 2010/2011 collection. Bikinis were designed to flatter the female chest and draw attention in a subtle way.

White Sands offers a swimwear collection which features something for everybody with all kinds of cuts and colours.

BLK1 Photographer: Michael Greves

Zimmermann are famed for their bright colours and frilly cuts. It was a shock to audiences when models wearing white faces with vampish black lips were sent down the runway in monochromatic prints. Everything for the first few minutes of the Zimmerman show was black and white. These shades were contrasted through geometric, psychedelic patterns on long wavy pants and tight, high waisted shorts.