Pursing Up: Lucite Handbags

Pursing Up continues Canberra Museum and Gallery’s Cabinets of Curiosities series which showcases the private collections of Canberra and the region.

Rae Harvey has a passion for beautiful attire. To create her distinctive style, Rae re-examines past fashion trends and finds inspiration in vintage fabrics. She designs and makes many of her own clothes. Rae’s Lucite (acrylic) handbag collection began with a gift from her daughter in 2004. Since then Rae has acquired over fifty handbags, mostly purchased on e-bay.

For Rae these handbags are not simply an accessory; the finishing touch to a special outfit. Rae also appreciates them as the creative work of fine craftspeople. She delights in their bizarre shapes and “shining embellishments”. Their film star association adds a glamorous dimension, suggested in the names of the manufacturing companies: Patricia of Miami, Lewsid Jewel, Florida Handbags, Tyrolean, Rialto, Wilardy, Maxim, Majestic, Charles S Kahn, Myles Originals & Dorset Rex.

On Now in the Cabinets and Curiosities exhibit at Canberra Museum and Gallery.
Open until September 14.

Happy Friday: Happy cushions

Need a little colour to brighten up your grey winter? How about these...

Adoring these new cushions at Domayne. Covered in hand stitched designs, these are so funky and fun I want them all.

Happy weekend to you all, love Nina x

Lady Smaggle: Fashionista

Oooh, I just discovered Canberra's most fabulous fashion blogger at Smaggle Style. "Lady Smaggle" shows us local and international fashion trends, unique styling ideas and regularly offers us her daily style...

And I am LOVING her style... don't know about you, but I'm subscribing right now, love your work Lady Smaggle, can't wait to see more!

Corners of my home

I Covet: Prince chair

The Prince Chair, designed by Louise Campbell for a competition to design a chair for Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark

"This chair was originally designed in 2001 for a competition with the theme: design a chair for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Frederik. Bound by centuries of firm traditions, and yet a young man very much in touch with his generation, Frederik lives a life full of contrasts. These contrasts were the obvious inspiration in designing the chair. On one level it illustrates a motif resembling fine old lace, (there is a point to the transparency of the chair – it is hard for a prince to hide from the public eye,) on the other level the chair is produced using visibly high technology methods. The chair didn’t win this competition, but has managed to create a pleasantly high-flying jet-set life for itself anyway."
In April 2006 it was awarded with the EDIDA – Elle Decoration International Design Award.

By challenging modern manufacturing processes, it is possible to perforate two very different materials – steel and rubber - with precisely the same pattern. The steel creates the framework of this chair, the rubber gives it softness and comfort, a refreshing alternative to upholstery.

Yours is available at Designcraft, 8 Tralee Street Hume.

Saturday Fashion: C High Tea

On the agenda for some relaxing Saturday glamour was the C High Tea, a fashion event hosted by the Canberra Centre in the Hyatt Hotel Tea Lounge to showcase the best of what is on offer from the Canberra Centre's many fab retailers.

On show, styled by the effervescent Lizzie Wagner herself, Carmen Steffens, Guess, Oxford, Forever New, Country Road, La Voca and more. Above, your neutrals this winter are winter-white or grey, but don't forget to go glam with the shoes.

Accessorise with Carmen Steffens and Guess.

Don't be afraid to add a dash of colour to your new neutrals, I'm loving yellow this season.

Spoiled with champagne, cakes, goodie bags and complimentary pampering, the VIP audience enjoyed a relaxed gossip with friends and a close look at the fashion as the models weaved around the tables.

Wait!!! let's take a closer look at these fab Carmen Steffens shoes. Eat your heart out Dorothy, theres no place like home! I could, of course, be quite at home at the beautiful Hyatt - but first, a big day of fashion shopping at the Canberra Centre? Hmmm, curse thee light purse*!
(*thanks Mandy Splendor ;-)

Richard Larter: a Retrospective

Opened today, this retrospective journey showcases "one of Australia's most engaging and lively artists". His works have been described as provocative, dazzling, evocative and lyrical. Larter's subjects have included explorations of the human body and sexuality to Pop culture.

Cream Filling; Phew Finger Ring

Untitled; Tara #5

Sliding Easy

The exhibition includes a room dedicated to his obsessive devotion to his artist wife Pat Larter. Richard Larter: A Retrospective is open until September 14 at the National Gallery of Australia. Loving this, check it out this weekend.