Male Muse: for the next three months

Since July, I've been desperately seeking a new male muse - a man with a unique style to emulate and be inspired by, for the We rob banks SS13 ranges. I can't wait to play around and design with witty colours and prints, like polka dots, for menswear, thanks to my muse.

Et voila! Il est a là Surry Hills boy with a carefree but chic approach to dressing. An individual who is looking for something different and new, with interesting details. Yet still, he believes the ultimate sartorial solution is a button-up shirt and to master "the art of the pants roll". He likes to stand out to a certain extent without looking like victim.

He is somewhat inspired by a Spanish surreal artist, and lesser-known style icon with the wacky mustache, Salvador Dali, who was a dandy through and through. Hence, his wardrobe is part indie hipster, part sharp dandy, and all effortless, starting out with thrift store finds, then developing a taste for impressive vintage-inspired designs when his career as an artist/illustrator took off.

His bicycle is his daily commute. Oscar Wilde, and Bruce Wayne are his heroes. His favourite pastime is rocking the guitar, photography, drinking black coffee, and sniffing old books. He is a romantic at heart, has Peter Pan complex, and delights in eclectic prints in menswear, and old-school checks and plaids.

Male Muse: Young Michael Caine

Most young people think of Alfred the butler, but he made a bigger impression on me in his 1966 film 'Alfie'. Sir Michael Caine was one of the sharpest dressers in 1960's London. He eschewed the era's style in favour of the kind of restrained but energetic tailoring that's entirely relevant today. See him demonstrating the effect of a good suit on beautiful women.

2012 Fall designer looks I want to recreate.

I've been very uninspired the last few weeks. The fact of the matter is, I've reach that seasonal (or trans-seasonal) point when it's too soon to whole-heartedly indulge in layering, leather, and fur. As it happens, I've just been going back to a safe combination of black jeans, t-shirt, collared shirt, and oxford shoes.

During my 4 hour tutorial this morning, instead of dumbing down designer apparel for a lower-priced market, which was what we were supposed to do, I was discreetly going through the Fall collections from Paris Fashion Week on style.com on my laptop (nodding every now and then to show I was listening to the lecturer). Fortunately, temperatures are FINALLY dropping Down Under, as indicated by my wearing of opaque tights today, and Fashion Weeks came to pass. And so I really can't wait to be recreating designer looks by Charlotte Ronson, Paul Smith, Dsquared2, Isabel Marent and Frankie Morello this season! Super duper excited!

Sources: fashionising.com, style.com

Olsens' Shoes

They've nearly single-handedly (nearly, because Katie Holmes played a part) made me love ladylike heels again - pointy toes, stilettos, kitten heels, bows etc. These are ideal examples of how refreshing a change from those big heavy wedges can be. It also whispers, "I'm a well put-together, sophisticated, female grown-up".

Culling and Curating

I am moving, from a 5 bedroom house to a little 2 bedroom unit. That's a huge leap of a downsize. I'm currently going through the daunting task of culling my wardrobe. (I have already 3 garbage bags full of clothes ready to go to the Salvation Army bin.)


I'm so glad society has moved on. Those with massive wardrobes with every potential shoe and shirt combination, used to belong to the fashionistas, and be the envy of others. Not anymore. With fast fashion today (thanks to ZARA and H&M), anyone can have an overflowing wardrobe, and do it cheaply too. A small wardrobe is the now the hallmark of the modern fashionista. You see, to have a small wardrobe and still look stylish, requires you to actually have a sense of style. It requires you to really understand fashion, i.e. you have to be able to pull out of your butt several looks from one button-up shirt or a pencil skirt. A real fashionable wardrobe is about high-quality foundation pieces and versatile staples that work, often together, effortlessly.


I'm at the (if I may say so, mature, because I'm turning 23 in a few days) stage where I'm ready to indulge in 'the new luxury' of a refined and curated wardrobe. And once I have it organised, it'll make me contemplate and consider every single future purchases. No more compulsive-shopping! No more being broke because I splurged on something I'll only wear once! Yay, to my new mature, curated wardrobe!

"This is the philosophy I’ve chosen to apply to my own wardrobe. I find it fulfilling to define my style through the careful discernment with which I choose each piece. 
I am able to pull from mainstream contemporary and indie designers, vintage resale shops and all of the inspiration that comes from international travel (I make it a point to buy from at least one boutique in each city when I’m traveling) and interaction with others in the art community. It’s not only honing a wardrobe, but working toward a more refined presentation of self." - Style.com

Just being his immaculate self

Ryan Gosling, one of the best-dressed men in Hollywood. The dude knows how to dress, like REALLY. After much study (oh so so so much study), I have come down to this conclusion: Ryan's style trademark is his silhouette; slim and sleek. Whether in his suits - fitted with narrow trousers and single-breasted jackets, or whether he's off-duty - in fitted cotton tees with low-rise trousers or jeans, his relaxed charm and tattoos, that reminds me of Steve McQueen in the 70's. And I love how his choice of shoes are just as interesting as his movie choices! From boat shoes and desert boots, to suede loafers and two-toned brogues.

tweet me: @K_NaomiLee

Muse: Ashley Olsen

Sydney has started to shown first signs of heats waves during the day, and I dread about dressing for summer. (Forecast of almost 30 degrees this weekend!)  I've been noticing, this summer over in the northern hemisphere, in particular Ashley Olsen, although she's pretty awesome every season, really in her groove and the perfect example of cool, elegant summer dressing. While there is more than a subtle nod to clean, effortless, nineties minimalism, there is also enough quirkiness and fun to keep things interesting. Here are some examples of her awesomeness this summer.