If you are not already following The Sartorialist, please at the very least have a good look. Scott Schuman's blog was named by Time Magazine as one of its "Top 100 Design Influencers" and with good reason. He has an amazing talent for photographing street fashion and finding the core essence of his subjects. I love his images and can find inspiration in just about every one of them.
I was therefor, very excited to see that he is currently in Australia as a guest of The Australian Tourism Board at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week and managed to stop in Melbourne for two days.
In an article published on Tuesday he was asked to compare the women of Melbourne and Sydney (*yawn*)..... Clearly the journalistic agenda of the so called "Melbourne/Sydney rivalry" is alive and well. But I shall leave that subject for another rant.
He said Melbourne women had a "very serious" style preferring "over design" along the lines of Comme Des Garcons and Yohji Yamamoto and flats over heels.
"A lot of times they kind of dummy it down a bit and kind of dowdy it down, which to me I don't find that romantic," he said
"Where here [in Sydney] they work out hard, they are beautiful girls and they really play that up. But somewhere in each place there's that difference. Heels and all that don't always make the look."
"A lot of times they kind of dummy it down a bit and kind of dowdy it down, which to me I don't find that romantic," he said
"Where here [in Sydney] they work out hard, they are beautiful girls and they really play that up. But somewhere in each place there's that difference. Heels and all that don't always make the look."
Now, I don't mean to get defensive about the town I love, or it's gorgeous Harbour City sister, but exactly how much of Melbourne did he see in two days to qualify 'A lot of times..."? Plus the fact that he was quoted after spending one day at RAFW (making that around two days in gorgeous Sydney) suggests that his view is somewhat skewed.
I got the feeling he was saying that essentially, Australian women just aren't put together very well. Yes, we are beautiful, but we lack true sophistication or self awareness of our style.
This Kitten disagrees. A. Great. Deal.
This Kitten disagrees. A. Great. Deal.
I want you to prove The Sart (as much as I love him) wrong.
In fact, I want you to rush out and capture a photo of yourself or someone who you believe embodies their own sense of style or romanticsim. They don't have to be Australian, but they must be photographed in Australia. Email them to me at vintageverve(at)hotmail.com by Friday 9th May 2008.
Naturally there will be prized awarded. Romantic, stylish, Australian and cutting-edge-cool prizes god damit!
Whew! I worked myself into a bit of a tizz Kittens. Better take a Bex and lie down.
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6 comments:
i dont actually follow his blog because i find it rather repetitive, i think its just different style preference when he names melbourne as unromantic.. i see many girls in the city with outfits id love to pinch! i may have to agree with heels though.. im only comparing to japan because these two places are the only places ive been hehe and 95% wear heels or anything but flats there. i guess every country has its norm ~ but anyway lets prove him wrong haha! x
I agree with H.O.P, I only stop by occasionally because I find it repetitive, but then, all our blogs are I suppose because it's life/fashion through our eyes.
I'm not entirely surprised he said that, he has the fashion world at his beck and call so he can say what he likes about our blessed city!
Still miffed though. (sniffs, shakes head......)
LM
x
I agree with your sentiments too. Perhaps his time was spent in less colourful parts of the city? Having lived in both Sydney and Melbourne, I believe that Melbourne is infinitely more stylish and creative when it comes to what we wear daily. Sydney is more about following, Melbourne is about leading.
I agree with SKM. It does atually really depend on where you look. In and around the CBD (mostly on week ends), I see some of the most magnificent ensembles. But on the weekdays when most people are wearing work attire, you can't really expect someone to Marc Jacobs (spring 08) misplaced heels and a dolce dress...
Even my friend who isn't interested in fashion and spent equal time in melbourne and sydney say we have a better sense of style. We're not afraid to try new things.
XXASAB
Considering he based this on being surrounded by PR girls and Fashion Editors; not so representative.
To really get a sense of a place he needs to visit the central business district, and then perhaps whatever the main shopping street is, then the "off broadway" shopping area.
I think there is a distinct difference between Sydney and Melbourne Birds, so I'd give him that. Not sure what defines it though.
xx
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