Jump up, jump up and get down.

Cheap Monday, the label synonymous with offbeat Swedish style, skin-tight denim, and an audacious approach to price, are bringing 80s funky-fresh flavour, and naughty 90s neon back to the block this season.

Cheap Monday challenges with an undeniable edge and frivolous flair that sees winter mainstays reshaped, and adheres to their legacy of affordable, on-trend, off-kilter designs.

Their ubiquitous denim line that revolutionised the denim market with decent, well-fitting, cheap jeans has evolved and extrapolated since its origins; with a huge range of styles in an array of washes, the range now comprises of well over 40 combinations!

Their adventurous and always fresh fashion range, priced to match, ups its game this season too, with an individual, cheeky collection, bursting with attitude.

New line for Cheap Monday

Costume yourself in Kostym, the suave, savvy and introspective new diffusion range from purveyors of affordable, offbeat style, Cheap Monday.

Literally meaning suit in Swedish, this latest dark steed from the Cheap Monday stable takes an elusively elegant, tailored approach to apparel for ladies and gents.

Structure is poetic and strong in this well-groomed range, and staples are a rebellious take on refinement.

An ode to the early 80’s Manchester punk and gothic rock scene and Joy Division’s tortured genius lead singer Ian Curtis, the collection has a haunting lyricism and polished, post-punk aesthetic.

Image courtesy of Dazed & Confused – Kostym by Cheap Monday Mod Jacket (far left)

Bringing earnest back...

As American as apple pie, and as iconic as, well, blue jeans, New York label Earnest Sewn is the premium denim saviour bringing earnest, uncompromising integrity back and reviving the fading mystique of the craft of jeans-making.

At the pulpit is jeans-purist, President and Designer Scott Morrison, whose unprecedented dedication to quality, authenticity and workmanship results in a denim line that’s fit and finished to perfection, with a vintage, lived in look, and a bespoke, second-skin feel.

An A-list cast of celeb followers attest their devotion to the label with names including Katie Holmes, Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie, Sienna Miller, Natalie Portman, Kirsten Dunst (as pictured), Kiefer Sutherland, Jake Gyllenhaal, Hugh Jackman, along with models Karolina Kurkova and Jessica Stam, all religiously sporting Earnest jeans.

www.earnestsewn.com

House of Capes

Draped in mystery, and caped in glory, the latest offering for Autumn Winter 2008 from designers Monika Tywanek and Ingrid Verner channels vintage sportswear, daring, high-end street, and screen-siren glamour.

Frills flit on structured frames, free-form volume reinvigorates classic chic, pared-back ballet grace lends an air of thoughtful simplicity, and organic shapes in natural cotton and macramé knits impart a more natural glow.

Pairing the unique TV brand of sophisticated street with top-notch knits, streamlined silhouette basics and elegant-meets-edgy dress-ups, ‘House Of Capes’ is at times dark and elusive, and at times wholesome and fresh.

With the recent opening of the TV flagship store in Prahran, a prestigious stockist list in Australia including The Corner Shop, Orson & Blake, Incu, Cactus Jam, Alice Euphemia, Fat, Digging for Apples, Natalie Denning and Dilettante (where they hang alongside international designers Vivienne Westwood, Jens Laugesen, Lutz and Tsumori Chisato) this dynamic duo are ones to watch.

Stay tuned.

Classic Heavy Metal

Referencing dark gothic history, biometric futurism and renaissance couture, William Llewellyn Griffiths is both a craftsman jeweller and innovative artisan.

His designs are a potent cocktail of stones, metals and gems, hand-worked into intricate pieces that have an allure of danger, romance and unholy reverence.

William has a developed a distinct signature which has led to collaborations with designers Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood and exhibitions of his work throughout Europe, the USA, Japan and Australia. High profile clients including Angelina Jolie, Marilyn Manson, Billy Idol, Guns n Roses and Ali G followed as well as commissions for films The Crow, Batman Forever, and the recently released 30 Days Of Night.

NEWS: WLG is currently working on a new body of work stemming from his ‘Cathedral’ rings (as pictured on left) which will be unveiled alongside his collection which will exhibited in Melbourne and Sydney in May during Australian Fashion Week.

Friedrich Gray Wins SOYA Award

Ben Pollitt of Friedrich Gray was named the fashion winner of the Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards.

The SOYA Awards honour young talent under 25 in the areas of music, photography, film, industrial design and visual arts along with fashion and aim to provide mentors who are leaders in the field.

Peter Morrissey judged the final 50 fashion entrants and will mentor Pollitt in developing his label.

"I've always known I can design and be creative," Pollitt said, "I just need to know more about the nuts and bolts of running a business and getting financing."

(This excerpt is from a piece by Jen Melocco that appeared in the Daily Telegraph.)

www.friedrichgray.com

SOYA Awards 2007 - Little Hero Finalists

The Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards [SOYA], the leading award for Australia’s best emerging artists, designers, and creatives, can now reveal the 18 very talented finalists competing across six categories in SOYA07.

Over the past four years SOYA has been instrumental in uncovering the best emerging artists, musicians, designers and filmmakers Australia has to offer. The Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards recognise excellence and innovation, and give talented young Australians the financial and professional support they need to share their talents with the world.

This year over 4 600 young, creative Australians (25 or under) entered over 32 000 works into SOYA’s six creative categories. They were all eager to have their work assessed by internationally-renowned, industry-leading mentors (like Bruce Beresford, Marc Newson and Peter Morrissey) and, of course, they could all think of some creative uses for $5 000 in cash and $5 000 in flights from Qantas.

Two of the finalists for the Fashion category are Friedrich Gray and Romance was Born so we're keeping fingers and toes crossed for them both for the 22nd November when the winner will be announced!

ANNA PLUNKETT
Anna Plunkett (label Romance Was Born - above top) is a 25 year old designer from Sydney (originally from Albury) who has turned down an internship with John Galliano, dressed rockstars from Cyndi Lauper, M.I.A to Lily Allen, and presented Romance Was Born (with partner Luke Sales) in their debut Australian Fashion Week show this year. “It’s really difficult to meet older/experienced people within the fashion industry to get advice from when you’re just starting out! A mentor to be there would be most helpful in finding contacts and advice in business structure and different design solutions.” Anna Plunkett, Fashion Finalist

BEN POLLITT
Ben Pollitt (label Friedrich Grey, above bottom) is a 25 year old self-taught designer from Sydney whose dark aesthetic and eye for luxury fabrications has combined in label Friedrich Grey. In April this year, Ben presented his own off-schedule fashion show during Australian Fashion Week, and was named by retailer Belinda Seper as her top young designer to watch. “I would use the mentorship to ask how to run my business more efficiently. How I can increase my profits with the current sales that I have, how to approach a department store in terms of the diffusion line that I wish to make, using Peter’s extensive experience to find production houses that can handle an increase in production levels that will be needed for the business to grow.” Ben Pollitt, Fashion Finalist

www.soya.com.au

Little Hero moves to Sydney

What's up Skippy?

This Summer, expect a visit from our most treasured national icon ‘Skippy’…

When cult Brit/Oz label ANT!PODiUM asked their friends at international design collective Rinzen to put a size zero spin on the herbivorous marsupial ‘Skippy’ for a London Fashion Week tote they couldn't waif for the results. Nor it seems could British fashion's big wigs. More than 800 were snapped up within hours…

Not wanting to deny their Australian fans, the enterprising trio behind the ANT!PODiUM label have released limited editions of their unisex Bit on the Side tank (RRP $79), Stretch Your Inclination tee (RRP $89) and Size Matters tote (RRP $149, pictured above) emblazoned with the darkly svelte character affectionately termed ‘Dead Skippy’.

Available at Fat, Alice Euphemia, Alfies Friend Rolfe and Zendie.com

www.antipodium.com
www.rinzen.com

Social Spree

Pop into bright colours and dress your way into Spring with snappy styles from the Limited Edition Metalicus Social Spree collection. This limited edition range of minimalist dresses from Metalicus is a welcome addition to their fashion bodywear basics and has been designed for party fun and festive soirees. Step out during the warmer seasons to turn heads in bold cuts and colours in these easy to wear Metalicus dress styles.

Metalicus Social Spree dresses are instantly classic with a wearable and feminine twist. The ‘Get Back to It’ dress (pictured above) drapes down the back for a sleek sexy look, while ‘Polished Up’ is pretty, preppy and effortless, ‘Garden Party’ flows and frills while the Tuxedo Halter is a sophisticated cut that commands attention. Complimented by the ‘Cover Up’ cardi all pieces come in the Metalicus signature two-way stretch cotton fabric for ultimate comfort. The colour palette packs a punch and is reminiscent of Warhol days with Pop Art brights of mistletoe green, hot punch pink, cobalt blueberry, holly red and classic hues of gun metal grey and black.

The Metalicus Social Spree dress collection is in store now, available from Metalicus retail stores (Melbourne’s GPO, Chadstone and Bondi), selected stockists and on-line at the Metalicus website.

www.metalicus.com