Willow Fall 09

Kylie, Cate, Naomi, Nicole, Russell Crowe’s wife…Australian women know how turn heads. Yes, they’re gorgeous and usually the tall, willowy blond type, but they also have major personal style. Around this time two years ago I was enjoying an Indian summer in the modern, sophisticated and totally chill city of Sydney (sigh).  As luck would have it my trip coincided with their Fashion Week, and I was able to get a glimpse into the fashionable lives of Australia’s most stylish citizens.  Sadly I was not an attendee, but a mere tourist shamelessly lurking around the tents by Circular Quay gawking at the many, many, chic Aussie editors and VIPs and their seriously awesome outfits.  It wasn’t that their style was so groundbreaking or trend setting, but there was just something fresh and effortless about their look.  I was inspired, obsessed and determined to bottle up the Aussie je ne sais quoi and embezzle it back to the States.  A shopping mission through The Strand and the streets of Padington and Oxford led me to the secret…Willow! Lover! Camilla and Marc!  HOORAY!

Australian fashion is forward without being trendy and whimsical without being girly.  M (who lived in Sydney for a while) and I are so thrilled that we will be launching Les Nouvelles this August with so many solid Australian labels. We have such a crush on these designers and the fall collections from Willow, Lover, Camilla and Marc and Kiwi neighbor, Karen Walker, will elevate any fashionista’s closet with covetable, seasonless pieces that will bring a fresh edge to fall looks.  There has also been some great buzz about Australian designers from my fave blogger Garance Dore and Style.com! And if you just can’t wait until fall, bypass summer completely and head to Sydney where the Indian summer is fading into crisper temperatures and the fall merch is already in stores.