Winter Wonderland

Ashley Smith

Photographed by Paul Empson

Ellery Fall Campaign 2011

Today was the first day of Winter for us Australians. It's not quite like the Northern Hemisphere Winter but believe it or not we do actually get snow in some parts of Australia. Unfortunately, we don't in Sydney but they do in the Blue Mountains in the really cool winters, which is only about 2 hours west of Sydney. I personally love Winter - the boots, scarfs, woollen coats, fur, hot chocolate with marshmallows, homemade soup and rugging-up by a heater or fire. I don't think I'll be hitting the slopes this year but I would sure love to. Even though I went snowboarding year after year at Perisher (one of the Australian snowfield),  and have been to Europe, America & Canada in the Winter, I still get extremely excited whenever I see snow! I especially love a white Christmas and the magical atmosphere that comes with it. Everything just looks so beautiful covered in fresh white flakes of snow :) 

 Oh I get so excited about rugging-up in fur whether real or faux!

 Blogger Columbine Smille looking uber chic in a camel coat

 Diane Kruger looking casual & cute in her Winter Attire

 Sure the traditional winter fur boots & knit sweater may be a little kitsch but I can't help love them :)

 Dream winter holiday activity - Ice-skating in NYC's Central Park

 Natalia Vodianova in Vogue Italia 2002

Oh so pretty!

Pics from Fashion Gone Rogue, We Heart It, They all hate us, Columbine Smille, Bella 185, Wildfox & Etc...

The European Winter

 Such a sweet dress :)

Various Models 

Photographed by David Sims

Styled by Carine Roitfeld

Vogue Paris August 2010
Fashion Gone Rogue

Absolutely loving the styling in this editorial in the mecca of glossies, Vogue Paris. The ed is called L’hiver Avant L’hiver which according to an online French-English translation means 'The winter before winter". Note: French speakers, if I am mistaken, please correct me. I think it is a fantastic title for displaying the trends of the upcoming winter in Europe. Carine Roitfeld is such an amazing stylist. I admire the way she always pushes the boundaries and creates such dramatic looks. It's great to see Aussie swimwear label, Speedo featuring in the Oscar de la Renta & Burberry looks. 

Warm & Fuzzy at Chanel & D&G

 Chanel Fall 2010

D&G Fall 2010

Images from I LOVE WILDFOX!

I am a fur fanatic - both genuine and faux. I have a collection of fur hats, scarves, coats, bags, belts and even footwear.  How Cruella de Ville of me! It all began when I was 10 years old and my mother bought me a faux leopard fur coat in Katoomba which I wore religiously for many winter seasons to come and still wear from time to time. I only buy vintage real fur pieces and restrict myself to rabbit and fox. I am against the killing of endangered species such as bears and leopards etc for their fur, unlike rabbit and foxes which are pests to the environment they live in. I believe that fur should be bought as a classic, rather than something you wear of a season and then dispose of or keep in your closet unworn. On the weekend I was excited to purchase a gorgeous chocolate brown fur coat from an antique store in Berima on a day trip to the country. I was thrilled to see fur boots worn at the Fall Chanel and D and G shows in Paris. I can't wait to put my fur pieces to good use once the weather gets cooler. I think a trip to the snow is in order this upcoming season because  unfortunately, there are few Sydney Winter says which a cool enough to wear fur, other than the mornings and evenings.