New York Fashion Week: Diane von Furstenberg

Here at Fashion Weekly we are firm believers in staying innovative in order to stay relevant. We have no problem saying goodbye to tradition to welcome new trends and experiences. Which is why the presentation of Diane von Furstenberg's Fall 2016 Ready-to-Wear collection has left us really excited for what's ahead in terms of fashion shows.

Unlike a traditional catwalk show, this was more an entire experience where some of the world's biggest models--Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Kendall Jenner, Jourdan Dunn to name a few--danced to disco music in the new season frocks as the designer clapped along and occasionally was persuaded to join them.

Watch this on The Scene.

Von Furstenberg said the ready-to-wear collection, titled Love Power, is all about the movement of dancing and having fun with clothing. "I try to make friends for a woman's closet," she said.

True to the designer's aesthetics, the collection features an abundance of print and colour, with a 70's disco vibe. Layering the clashing prints, various textures and earthy tones add interest to the preppy styles.

Key looks that stand out from the Fall Collection are the slip dresses, a gold sequin long wrap dress, layered vests over bow-front blouses, tweed and leather midi skirts and an array of printed silk pieces.

Continuing with the changes to Fashion Week, the savvy business woman is offering a capsule collection of pieces from the showcase for immediate sale on DVF.com.

Many designers are getting on board the 'see-now-buy-now' phenomenon, as the focus of Fashion Week shifts to a more consumer-driven event.

Image: Credit

Upclose with the creative minds behind Axel & Ash

Crafted by Swedish-born Hanna Axelsson and Australian-born Ashleigh Powell, two free spirited women who share a deep love of travel, Axel & Ash is about defying the odds and breaking the rules, providing inspiration and motivation to live life to the fullest.

Their chic collection of travel journals are stylish, informative and inspirational and will ensure you capture, remember and treasure the memories that count. We spoke to the inspirational minds being Axel & Ash and their stories will leave you lusting after a holiday.

---

What inspired you to create Axel & Ash?

HA & AP: Inspired by Sebastian Terry's book 100 Things, where he created a list of 100 things to accomplish with the aim to tick them all off, one memorable afternoon on Ash's balcony we decided to share our crazy bucket lists. We bonded over our passions for travel, adventure, photography, the art of journaling and a common bucket list goal - to start a business - and Axel & Ash was born.

Where do you find your inspiration?

AP: So many things inspire me; meeting new people, listening to music, witnessing a friend achieve something amazing, hearing a new story about your mum you never knew or looking at a phenomenal piece of art! The world throws out inspiration everywhere, [it's] magical!

HA: I'm inspired by life around me - the people, the sights, nature, art, conversations and stories. I'm a real chatterbox and I take a lot of inspiration from speaking to people and hearing their stories.

What is it like designing and co-owning a brand together?

HA: Ash and I are like a married couple that love each other one minute and just can't seem to agree the next. We both have such strong personalities and sometimes it's hard to agree on what's best [but] a lot of the time we come up with amazing ideas together! The best thing is we compliment each other - my weaknesses are Ash's strengths and vice versa.

Can you tell us about the Scandinavian inspired interactive world map, Let's See It All?

HA & AP: Let's See It All is designed for travel lovers to document their journeys around the world. Inspired by our passion for travel and immersing ourselves in new cultures, the world map is an easy, fun and enticing way to recount memories and plan new adventures, it's our way of encouraging wanderlusting souls to dream, trace, decorate and explore.

Where are your top 5 travel destinations for 2016?

AP: Byron Bay, India, U.S (California), Scandinavia road trip and the Greek islands!

HA: The Finnish countryside, Joshua Tree in California, road trip through Sweden, The French Riviera and a private island in the Maldives.

What are three things you can't travel without?

AP: Camera, laptop and my swimmers!

HA: My phone, unnecessary outfits (that I have never worn before and don't end up wearing during the trip!) and my Canon camera.

What is your favourite inspirational quote?

AP: 'Believe you can and you will'.

HA: 'If you obey all the rules - you miss all the fun!' - Katharine Hepburn OR 'Remember that person who gave up? Neither does anyone else! - Unknown

We live in a technology driven society where we can document our journey electronically. Why do you think the traditional pen and paper experience is so enticing?

AP: Most people work on computers all day long, so to be able to take a step back and have our own time, to collect and write our thoughts - can be quite euphoric.

HA: There is always a sense of intimacy when putting pen to paper in a journal, it becomes very personal and extremely fulfilling once put away and reflected upon years later.

What was the last things you ticked off your bucket list?

AP: Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef! Over the Christmas/New Year break that just passed a few friends took a road trip in an RV from Sydney to Cairns. Our last stop was Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef where we swam with turtles, Nemo's and the most beautiful coral in the world, it was just incredible!

HA: Picked an avocado straight from a tree! I did this in Hawaii and it was the biggest avocado I ever seen.

What is next to tick off on your bucket list?

AP: [Attend] the Coachella festival and [go] hang gliding.

HA: [I want to] learn to play the guitar and walk on my hands (this has been my new years resolution two years in a row - I'm working on it!).

The latest Brisbane and fashion industry news of the week

Join the conversation and stay in the know about the latest Brisbane style news plus what's trending in the fashion industry!

---

Make Working Out Fun With Barre Classes

We all know A-list models and celebs love their Barre classes and finally the workout - which is a fusion of yoga, Pilates and ballet conditioning exercises - has arrived in Brisbane!

Barre Brisbane is launching its first Queensland studio in West End this month on 25 February. With a wide variety of classes on offer, Barre Brisbane is a fun way to get fit and works towards that Victoria Secret body.

Memberships and casual class passes can be purchased at www.barrebrisbane.com.au.

---

Sydney Airport Continues Designer Store Announcements

Leading International fashion brands Kate Spade, Michael Kors and TUMI are touching down in Sydney. The store announcements are the latest to follow the recent news of Tiffany & Co. opening at Sydney Airport's new T1 International luxury precinct.

There is no better excuse for a designer splurge than being on holiday and soon passengers will be able to shop the latest trends before jet setting on their travel journeys.

---

Jesinta Campbell is coming to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre

Model and David Jones ambassador, Jesinta Campbell, will be making an appearance at Sydney Airport's Autumn Winter 2016 Fashion Launch and VIP Shopping Event.

The event will feature a runway showcasing the latest trends for A/W 2016 and include a VIP shopping experience. If you'd like to attend the night, you can enter to win VIP tickets to the fashion showcase held on Thursday 10 March 2016.

---

The Woolmark Company and Christopher Raeburn to Showcase a Unique Collaboration for AW16 London Fashion Week

British designer Christopher Raeburn is the latest to collaborate with The Woolmark Company. As part of the designer collaboration, Merino wool will play a central role in the creation of Christopher Raeburn's AW16 womenswear presentation - putting the iconic Woolmark brand and Merino wool centre stage at London Fashion Week.

---

5 Ways to avoid that dreaded afternoon brain drain at work

Picture this; you arrive at work in the morning brimming with energy after a coffee-hit however that feeling slowly diminishes as the day progresses and the deadlines loom. Your productivity drops to an all-time low and you struggle to focus on any task at hand.

Does this sound like you?

The truth is, you're not just physically tired but your brain is exhausted. Luckily avoiding that slump is easier than you think. Dr Jenny Brockis, medical practitioner and author of Future Brain, unveils her top five tips on how to avoid the brain drain so that you're always on your A game.

---

1. EAT WISELY

What we choose to eat has a direct impact on our brain health. Bottom line is - stick to 'real foods' and minimise processed foods. It may be tempting to order fast food for dinner or snack on a donut in the afternoon, but fast or sugary foods has been associated with reduced verbal memory and lower mood which stops us from performing our best.

Opt for nutrient dense food choices like leafy greens and oily fish instead, and healthy snacks like berries, dark chocolate (minimum 70%) and chopped nuts.

2. TAKE REGULAR BREAKS

While we may worry that taking breaks will invite judgement from our colleagues on our productivity, regular brain breaks will actually keep our concentration and focus on point. Our brain is designed to pay focused attention in relatively short chunks of time, between 60-90 minutes. Prioritise your work into focused blocks, separated by regular 10-15-minute brain breaks. You'll be able to get more done, to a higher level and with fewer mistakes.

3. GET MOVING

Sitting has been labelled as the new smoking. When you sit at your desk for prolonged periods, you are denying your brain the oxygen and nutrients it needs to think well, resulting in loss of focus and concentration.

Get up and move every hour for a couple of minutes. Try a standing desk if your work permits or call a standing (or walking) meeting. Also take your phone calls standing up. It's also ideal to fit in 30 minutes of exercise before work every day to prime your brain for best performance.

4. SCHEDULE THINKING SPACE

Being busy means finding the time to think can be a challenge. Our thinking space is that quiet reflective place when we check in that we're on the right track, that things are going as expected and what else we need to prioritise or do.

Where you find this space doesn't matter, it could be in the park, while listening to some music, meditating or exercising. Schedule in 15 minutes a day in your diary, that's enough to set you up to be ready to do your best work.

5. GET YOUR ZZZ'S

Always sleep deprived and feeling chronically tired? Having a decent amount of shuteye every night is the ultimate energy booster you need.

Seven to eight hours of quality, uninterrupted sleep is best for cognition and is the perfect time for you to take out the brain's trash and regulate emotion.

When we don't get enough sleep, we feel immensely tired the next day. This then makes us cranky and can inhibit our ability to manage stress and make good decisions.

---

ABOUT DR JENNY BROCKIS

Dr. Jenny Brockis is a medical practitioner, speaker and author who specialises in brain health and the science of high performance thinking. Her new book Future Brain: The 12 Keys To Create A High Performance Brain is now available online and at all good bookstores including Dymocks.

Rihanna's new album 'ANTI' shouldn't be underestimated

It's been a year since the rebirth of Rihanna began. She took full creative control and while people may argue that she hasn't been as successful with her attempts I don't think you should underestimate her power.

"ANTI" is game changing, genre bending and is brave with the risks she has taken. There is no pop single. This is not an album that will continue her in the "pop queen lane" this album sees her becoming a musician and showcasing her talent and power.

Opening with "Consideration" and "James Joint" these short tracks perfectly set the vibe for the record with simple reggae fused RNB beats that allow her to get vibey and experiment with different vocal techniques. "Kiss It Better" is the closest you will get to past RIRI with a slightly sexy pop chorus that oozes with an epic guitar riff which will have every part of you popping. "Work" backs it up with a RNB-Electro sound which is already becoming the future twerking anthem and while it's not instantly likeable it will quickly grow on you with each listen. And I promise you, it will become your favourite song of right now even if the vocals in some parts sound like they are being sung in Sim."Desperado" and "Woo" follow the trend with electronic RNB tracks that are dark, mysterious but ultimately catchy.

The other half of the album is quite emotional and dark. "Needed Me" and "Never Ending" are simple in production but will win your fragile hearts over. "Love On The Brain" has her attempting the Doo-Woop trend and providing one of the albums strongest moments. "No matter what I do, I'm no good without you. And I can't get enough, must be love on the brain". There was a rumour leading up to the release of "ANTI" that she would cover a Tame Impala song. Now I thought this would mean she would steal a hook and maybe a beat then turn it into a big RNB song. But no, she literally did an exact cover of "Same Ol' Mistakes" (Originally "New Person, Same Old Mistakes") right down to the exact same vocal production. While there is no originality on the track she still smashes the song and will have you falling in love with it again.

In its entirety ANTI is not the album you expected from Rihanna but even if it was unknowingly, this is the album you wanted from her. She's confident, brave, honest and all types of sexy. This album will encourage other artists to take more risks with their music and not heavily worry about what the record labels want or deem "hit ready". Popular music is evolving, has Rihanna given us the future?

---

Words: Thomas Bleach

Orgininally published on www.thomasbleach.com | Follow Thomas Bleach: Twitter | Facebook | Youtube

Tease your way to subtly looking sexy with these style tips

When it comes to looking good there are many different opinions of what is considered 'sexy'.

Despite what we have been told and the image of 'sexy' that has been put in front of women since a young age, you don't have to be wearing next to nothing to look sexually attractive.

There's a new breed of modern trendsetters that are making fashion sexy, here's how you too can seduce him without looking trashy.

---

Off the shoulder tops

There is something so alluring about a woman's decolletage and an off-the-shoulder top is the perfect way to accentuate this delicate area without showing cleavage.

A photo posted by Krystal Bick (@krystal_bick) on Feb 9, 2016 at 7:12am PST

Baby got back

If you work hard in the gym, don't be afraid to show off your toned muscles with an open-back top or dress. He will LOVE the unexpected skin-on-skin sensation when he mindlessly touches your back.

The cropped trousers

When it comes to showing your ankles, your first thought definitely is not 'OOH SEXY'! But cropped pants that fit well through the waist and reveal your ankles are sexier than you think because showing skin where it is least expected is enticing.

For maximum sex-appeal style the look with a pair of sky scraping strappy heels.

The slip dress

A big trend this season that we love for its minimalistic feel is the slip dress. Add some statement earrings and heeled sandals for a chic yet seductive date look.

Racy lacy details

Lace detailing can instantly add interest to even the most basic black tank. The feminine detail will have you feeling more in touch with your sensual side.

A photo posted by Margaret Zhang ?? (@margaret__zhang) on Dec 17, 2015 at 10:40pm PST

Leather touches

Just as lace compliments your sensual side, leather can have you feeling edgier and more confident. Rock a pair of leather pants or a skirt with a more casual tank for an effortlessly sultry look.

The chic thigh split

Bare your legs with a skirt or dress that dons a thigh split, this will elongate your legs and make you look taller.

Find a good tailor

There is no way you can look good in anything that doesn't fit well. Your clothes don't have to be skin tight, but a pair of trousers that fits your derriere seamlessly or a dress that accentuates your waist well will show off your figure perfectly.

A photo posted by SARA DONALDSON (@harperandharley) on Feb 7, 2016 at 1:23pm PST

Bedroom eyes and a red lip

There is nothing sexier than slightly smudged eyeliner and a red lip to compliment your style.

Be comfortable in your own skin

Finally, the key to total sex-appeal is feeling great and radiating confidence!

Image: Credit

Foxes drops new euphoric pop album and it's unexpected

Euphoric pop is the current musical trend and I am not complaining because it has been quite a while since we've had some decent, positive pop tracks circulating our airwaves.

UK songstress Foxes has just dropped her sophomore studio album "All I Need" and she delivers fifteen feel good pop tracks. She bids farewell to her indie-pop sound that was very reminiscent of Florence + The Machine and steers towards the pure pop sound Ellie Goulding has embraced.

"Better Love", "Amazing", "Shoot Me Down", "Money", "Lose My Cool" and the underappreciated "Body Talk" perfectly capture the sound and airy vibe she wanted to create with this record. "Cruel" and "Wicked Love" bring the sickening sweet pop which at a first listen I could'nt stand but after a couple of spins they became bearable. Though, it still made me feel like I was listening to a Glee soundtrack (and not in a good way).

The remaining of the album is compiled of ballads and while some tracks impress with soaring vocals and beautiful imagery, others are dreary and get lost.

For example, "Devil Side" and "Scar" are darker and escape the bubbliness and allow her to get real - as she sings, "For someone who didn't love me well, now you're just a scar".

Wrapping up the album, "Feet Don't Fail Me Now" and title track "All I Need" are the only two tracks that capture the essence of her debut album and I'm glad she didn't just try to recreate "Glorious" because it wouldn't have felt natural. Whereas this exploration of pop might be at times over produced, it feels like the right approach for her. The fact that the bonus tracks are better than some of the material on the standard album is worrying though. "All I Need" is a feel good pop record that focuses on her strong vocals and has a few killer moments but is sadly affected by an average execution.

A video posted by Louisa Rose Allen (@iamfoxes) on Feb 4, 2016 at 12:47pm PST

---

Words: Thomas Bleach

Orgininally published on www.thomasbleach.com | Follow Thomas Bleach: Twitter | Facebook | Youtube