Milly Sleeping news and online store : housing independent design labels from Australia & New Zealand

Things to see and do

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week begins in just a couple of days time, with many of our favourite designers involved. Of course, there is a program of events at the official website along with designer profiles and interviews but here is a small breakdown of some highlights for Milly Sleeping (including a couple of items that aren't yet listed on the program):

Designer Series Show 1
Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street
Tuesday August 31; two shows at 6.30pm & 8.30pm
Featuring Alice Euphemia, Alistair Trung, Arnsdorf, Assin, Dhini, Flannel, Gary Bigeni, Kuwaii, MATERIALBYPRODUCT, Therese Rawsthorne
(Ticketed entry)

Designer Series Show 4
Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street
Friday September 3; two shows at 6.30 & 8.30pm
Featuring above, ALPHA60, Carly Hunter, Claude by Claude Maus, FAT, Jack London, Limedrop, Tesla, Trimapee
(Ticketed entry)

Alexi Freeman at Flinders Street Station
Corner Flinders and Swanston Streets
Wednesday September 1; 8.00am
Showcasing Alexi Freeman's 'Diamondiferous' collection for S/S 10/11
(Free)

S!X on Crossley Street
Corner Crossley and Bourke Streets
Wednesday September 1; 5.30pm
Showcasing new garments by Peter Boyd & Denise Sprynskyj

RMIT Student Series
Various locations around Melbourne
A series of exhibitions and parades for RMIT Fashion Design Honours Students, including two runway shows on September 4 at 6.30pm & 9.00pm, which may well be sold out

BLACK
Nicholas Building, 37 Swanston Street
Thursday September 2 (5.30-7.30pm); Friday Sept. 3 & Saturday Sept. 4 (1-6pm); Thursday Sept. 9 & Saturday Sept. 11 (1-6pm)
An exhibition of jewellery and illustrations by Vikki Kassioras and Katherine Bowman

Fashion at the NGV
A range of great fashion-related exhibitions and presentations are currently on at both the Ian Potter Centre and NGV International, including Lace In Fashion featuring recent work by MATERIALBYPRODUCT, Australian Made, and an exhibition of the work of Mari Funaki.

Also currently showing in Melbourne (although not necessarily as part of MSFW) is this exciting exhibition:

Renaissance Dinosaur
Karen Woodbury Gallery, Richmond
Kate Rohde in collaboration with Anna Plunkett & Luke Sales of Romance Was Born
Until September 18

* * *

Pictured: MSFW participants Kuwaii and Estelle Dévé
- we have been staring at this combination all week and thinking, how special -
Kuwaii Stay Awake dress (RRP $352 now $317);
Estelle Dévé Smythii necklace (RRP $209)

26.08.2010

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From the beginning

Aldis Kossdottir is the label name (and the Icelandic name) of our friend Alison Cosson, who started knitting during an extensive journey about the world. When she returned, each time we saw her she was wearing a different kind of cropped vest or panelled singlet - one time in green, the next time in blue and beige, and so on. We were very admiring and a little bit envious and asked her to knit some things for Milly, which she did. The first lot sold out in hardly any time at all, and so we asked Al for more... and now they are here.

Each of the pieces is unique, and its end is an unknown thing at its beginning. That's the way the story goes, more or less - some of it might not be exactly true but Al likes tales so we don't think she'll mind.

* * *

Pictured: Aldis Kossdottir hand-knitted dress $144;
Aldis Kossdottir hand-knitted dress $156

19.08.2010

Any minute now ...

... pieces from Lui Hon's Spring/Summer collection are going to breeze through our door.

I saw the garments previewed in parade at RAFW in Sydney earlier this year. At the time I thought my camera failed me but looking at the images again today, they do seem to capture something of the moment - the lightness and sophistication of the garments.

The collection is entitled, So the wind won't blow it all away ... Images of our selections will be posted shortly.

19.08.2010

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This weekend ...

... We're packing a suitcase and taking it to town - to Crossley Street, one of the loveliest spots in the CBD. Upstairs at Number One, is the shop and meeting place of S!X, and this is where we will be.

There are always wonderful pieces from the S!X workroom to see here; this weekend Denise and Peter are putting together a very enticing collection of S!X samples, unique clothes and shoes from their own archives (plus a few surprises from their favourite international labels). Adding to their racks, for just two short days, will be a selection of Milly Sleeping garments and accessories - some of our most interesting/rare/collectable/lovable things.

Our friends/followers/readers are invited to drop in for a look, and will receive an extra 10% off any purchase from the Milly Sleeping stock (cash and credit card only please).

Oui, it's going to be a bon week-end... Von Haus is a beautiful building with Glitzern and a lovely café/bar downstairs, and Sarah Scout gallery next door to S!X. We're looking forward to just being there ... and it sounds like we've got Sunday free!

Sort of - Milly Sleeping on Elgin Street will still be open Friday through Sunday, keeping our usual trading hours.

18.08.2010

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One - love, Lonely Hearts

The labels' seasonal lookbooks, previewing the upcoming collections, are often nice things but this one may take the cake. It came in the post from Lonely Hearts in Auckland; it has lots of lovely photographs featuring the sweet, sporty and super-cute Love All range for SS10/11. Book lovers note: it is cloth bound with textured end papers and a placeholding ribbon.