The texture trend is a simple way to make a sartorial statement in a minimalistic yet effective way. Swap out the top or bottom half of your next look for something textured. For a fresh take on ‘jeans and a nice top’, pair trusty denim with a ruched top. Classic looks can be achieved by a fringe or pleat element in a maxi skirt design or elevate your evening wear with a textured dress. Don’t forget – have fun with colours, cuts and prints to maximise impact!
Why you need it
Dynamic movement takes any look to the next level. Crinkled cuts, scrunched ruching, pleats and frills are a fun and flirty way to spice up your springtime style. It’s not a complete wardrobe overhaul either, just a little extra something that adds energy to your next outfit. Be bold or as minimal as you like – this trend can be taken in any direction.
Our pick
South Australian style makers are on board with this trend. Fashion houses like Autark have crafted a clever gathered and asymmetrical layered dress in a buttery yellow shade, but our favourite comes from Hansen & Gretel’s latest collection – a copper caramel coloured and frilled mini perfect for event season. For tops, try Second Female’s Mantova knit for a fringed take on the texture trend or Friends with Frank’s gathered Harlow top for an understated look.
A day dedicated entirely to fashion sounds perfect to us! Here’s how we’re spending it at the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters’ A Day of Fashion this Saturday (October 14).
Buzzing with activities, activations and discounts for shoppers, The Parade will come alive in style at A Day of Fashion.
Shopping till you drop has never been more fitting! Boutiques and other outlets lining The Parade will offer special offers all day. Stay updated on the discounts and promotions here from Wednesday (October 11). Best of all, in-store discounts and experiences will ensure your wardrobe is refreshed and ready for those warmer days and nights.
If you’re looking for a unique way to update your wardrobe, try shopping and swapping! Find your newest addition at Norwood Clothes Swap. Here’s how it works: bring up to 10 items you no longer need and exchange them for up to 10 new items. The event is free, but bookings are essential. Head here to secure your spot.
Pumping live music at various locations will add to the atmosphere, so mark this unmissable day in your diary!
From weddings and dirty dancing to rocking out and, of course, fashion, this weekend is a mixed bag of fun!
Dirty Dancing in Concert | Adelaide Entertainment Centre | September 23
Have the time of your life re-living iconic 80s classic Dirty Dancing on the big screen. Hosted at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Dirty Dancing in Concert isn’t the typical cinema experience. Along with a live band and singers, the audience will get to singalong to their heart’s content to the film’s iconic soundtrack.
the Wolf Gang’s Spring Warehouse Sale | Say Cheese Social (1/79 Unley Road, Parkside) | September 23, from 8am–3pm
Adelaide-based cult label, The Wolf Gang, is hosting an epic spring warehouse sale this Saturday, with prices starting from just $20. Drawing inspiration from the palettes and silhouettes of the 60s, 70s and 90s, the local and loved label’s bold prints and pops of colours have been worn by It girls around the globe, from Kendall Jenner and Hilary Duff to Australia’s own darling Carrie Bickmore. Shop never-before-seen samples or add to your capsule wardrobe with past seasonal staples.
Jet | Hindley Street Music Hall (149 Hindley Street, Adelaide)|September 23
One of Australia’s most celebrated rock bands, Jet, marks 20 years since the release of its debut album, Get Born. Rock out with the four-piece down Hindley Street where they’ll revisit their epic tracklist, including hits like Are You Gonna Be My Girl and Look What You’ve Done.
Adelaide’s Annual Wedding Expo | Adelaide Convention Centre | September 24
Chances are you’ve marked the big day on your calendar, now it’s time to set a reminder for Adelaide’s Annual Wedding Expo. This free expo is packed with inspo for the big day, from cars and cakes to make-up artists and menus. We’ll be there, too! Don’t forget to say ‘hi’ to the South Australian Style team – the creators behind the state’s newest premium bridal magazine, South Australian Weddings.
Consider your wardrobe sorted for the warmer seasons! More than 40 stylish brands will don the racks of department store giant, David Jones.
Model wears Alemais Top, $245; Alemais Skirt, $595; Earrings, $230; Edward Meller Heels, $319.
Whether dressing for impact or ease, David Jones’ Spring/Summer 2023 collection is set to breathe new life into wardrobes. From fresh silhouettes to wearable, bold colours, the loved department store has welcomed a range of new brands from around the world.
Among the latest additions to David Jones’ ever-growing portfolio include international designers LouLou Studio, Needle & Thread, Otiumberg, Pangaia, SKIMS and celebrated Australian designers Elka Collective and Sass & Bide. Brands such as Norma Kamali, Gentle Monster, Tove, Plan C, Sporty & Rich, Posse, Palm Noosa, Cleopatra’s Bling and It’s Now Cool are coming soon.
“From soft and undone boudoir dressing to a streamlined minimalism that captures the essence of quiet luxury, to a timeless take on the utilitarian trend, the new season collections at David Jones reflect many moods,” says Bridget Veals, David Jones’ General Manager of Womenswear, Footwear and Accessories.
Men’s wardrobes are also given a make-over with the latest in-season trends from international fashion houses such as A.P.C, Carhartt, Autry and Stone Island, as well as elevated athleisure brands, Reebok and BOSS Green.
“We’re seeing soft tailoring, relaxed linen, oversized shirts, vintage sneakers and soft leather accessories return this season, with an added attention to bold, bright prints and nautical-style pieces that really embrace resort-wear dressing,” says David Jones’ General Manager of Menswear, Chris Wilson.
Visit David Jones in-store or online to explore the fresh collections.
King William Road’s inaugural Sip & Style Soirée is underway for August!
The precinct’s restaurants, bars, boutiques and retailers bring shoppers and diners exclusive offers, in-store events, and unique experiences, with styling sessions and high teas. Here’s just a snippet of what shoppers can expect this month…
Enjoy a styling advice event in the studio every Friday, from 6pm–7pm. There’ll be a DJ, complimentary drinks. Shoppers can also enjoy a $250 store voucher when purchasing a full-price jacket or suit.
A special sip and shopping evening with complementary nibbles and drinks every Thursday. Discounted offers on rainwear all month, plus buy a rain jacket and receive overalls or rain boots at half price.
Experience the 2023 spring/summer collection release and styling event on Sunday, August 20, from 2pm to 6pm. Guests will have an opportunity to shop an exclusive 15 percent discount offer.
A sip and style evening and in-store styling every Wednesday, plus receive an exclusive 20 percent discount when making a purchase between 6pm and 9pm.
Book a sip and style service and receive a glass of bubbles or red wine, a wash, hydrating in salon treatment, blow-dry/style and take-home goodie bag.
Celebrate across a three-day event where customers can shop in-store special discounted offers and enjoy complimentary drinks and nibbles from August 17–19 with discounts of up to 40 percent on selected stock.
Timeless fashion that’s fresh yet exclusive is what makes Elle & Elka the go-to place for Adelaide’s style set.
Since 2014, Elle & Elka has served its distinct, diverse and designer fashion to women who want to be a step ahead of the trend cycle.
Co-owners Evelyn Kakkoufas and Leeann Anderson became fast friends when working for iconic designers George Gross and Harry Who. But it wasn’t until those labels closed and the pair visited Sydney for a trade fair that the idea of their own boutique was born.
Leeann Anderson (left) and Evelyn Kakkoufas.
“There was a gap in the market,” Evelyn says from inside her College Park boutique. “When we started, the clothes were a lot different [to today]. Everything was high-low, skinny jeans and drop waist. It didn’t suit our age group. What we tried to do was find [fashion] for us.”
Two decades of experience in the retail space and working as stylists put the pair in good stead. Today, the store is the go-to for women who are after well-made and on-trend fashion. The co-owners pride themselves on not stocking fast fashion labels, instead they hand-select exclusive stock from retailers across Australia, New Zealand and Europe for people to invest in.
Favourite brands include SA label Kinney, M.A. Dainty, Zoe Katzmann, Huntress and Desigual. This June, Elle & Elka also introduced fashion influencer Rozalia Russian’s latest athleisure collaboration with the label Atoir into the boutique.
“Adelaide is a small shopping destination, we don’t want the same labels,” says Evelyn. “We want to offer something different.”
“It’s one thing people come back for,” adds Leeann. “And we don’t buy multiples. We have one [item] in every size and when it’s gone, it’s gone.”
But, while renowned for their premium labels and hand-selected, quality pieces, community and customer service are what Elle & Elka are best known for.
In the nine years since opening, Evelyn and Leeann have developed a close-knit group of loyal customers that trust their stylish eye. This level of trust, coupled with the pair’s in-depth knowledge of fashion from their George Gross and Harry Who days, means Evelyn and Leeann are innate at unearthing customers’ personal styles and can curate the shopfloor to best reflect their clientele.
“We get to know our customers,” says Evelyn. “They’ve become our friends. We often go into showings and say, ‘Oh, we have to buy this for this customer’.”
“And we know what colours they like and what cuts they wear,” Leeann adds. “People trust us.”
CHAMPAGNE FRIDAYS
Evelyn and Leeann go the extra mile for their customers – shop in-store on a Friday and you can peruse the shop’s range with a glass of bubbles in hand. The co-owners have even taken a group of customers to Shanghai for Fashion Week and hope to do the same next year for the Trelise Cooper showcase at New Zealand’s Fashion Week.
A new Adelaide-based active lifestyle wear brand is showcasing the best of contemporary Australian culture.
The label, Sim & Mack, has been created to “embody the spirit of contemporary Australia”.
“Australia’s clothing brands have long embraced our iconic surfing culture and country/outback heritage, but I couldn’t quite see broad appeal to a contemporary generation,” says Sim & Mack founder, Andrew McKenna.
The Sim & Mack name derives from Andrew and wife Simran’s names. Simran is of Punjabi-Singaporean descent and Andrew is Irish-Australian.
New to the fashion world, Andrew received help from a range of supporters. One of those were former RM Williams designer and boutique owner, Ella Guerin, who along with being a valuable sounding board, provided support to create manufacturing tech packs and review prototypes.
The label features seven unisex top items, ranging from T-shirts and sweaters to hoodies and a rugby jersey.
All items are made in Australia from 100 percent cotton and packaged with 100 percent sustainable materials, with a focus on sleek design and ultimate comfort. The S&M T-shirt features 100 percent traceable Good Earth cotton from Sundown Pastoral in New South Wales, dubbed the world’s first fully carbon positive cotton operation.
“Over the years, I had become acutely aware of what we still make in Australia and the need to genuinely support Australian made,” says Andrew.
“From the get-go, Sim & Mack was only going ahead if it could be made in Australia.”
The Sim & Mack collection is now available online.
A look at the original fashionista through the ages.
With the release of Barbie the movie, we thought it’d be fitting to pay tribute to the iconic fashion figure since her introduction in the 1950s.
1950s: Barbie made her debut in 1959 with her first fashion line, showcasing the style of the time. She wore glamorous and feminine outfits, including evening gowns, pencil skirts, and tailored suits, inspired by the fashion trends of the 50s.
Photo: Les Arts Decoratifs Museum/Mattel
1960s: The swinging 60s brought mod fashion to the forefront, and Barbie embraced the trend with bold and colourful outfits. She sported miniskirts, go-go boots, and vibrant patterns, capturing the spirit of the youth-oriented fashion of the decade.
1970s: Barbie’s fashion reflected the disco era. She wore bell-bottom pants, platform shoes, and funky prints. Barbie also embraced the bohemian style with maxi dresses, floppy hats, and fringe detailing, inspired by the fashion of the hippie movement. This was the decade Malibu Barbie was introduced, bringing Californian sunshine vibes.
1980s: The 80s were known for their bold and exaggerated fashion, and Barbie’s style followed suit. She rocked shoulder pads, brightly coloured leggings, big hair, and neon accessories. Barbie also embraced fitness fashion with her ‘Barbie and the Rockers’ line, featuring colourful workout ensembles.
1990s: The fashion of the 1990s was marked by a more casual and grunge-inspired aesthetic. Barbie’s outfits included denim overalls, flannel shirts, and combat boots. She also embraced the girl power movement with her ‘Totally Hair Barbie’, sporting long, crimped hair and vibrant outfits.
Photo: Mattel
2000s: As the new millennium arrived, Barbie’s fashion became more diverse and trendier. She reflected the rise of pop culture and celebrity influences, often showcasing outfits inspired by famous singers, actors, and fashion designers. Barbie also ventured into various careers, such as astronaut, doctor, and teacher, with fashion to match each role.
2010s onwards: In recent years, Barbie has become more inclusive, introducing dolls with diverse body types, skin tones, and hairstyles. Her fashion expanded to include more contemporary trends, such as athleisure wear, street style, and sustainable fashion.
Photo: Mattel
Barbie’s collaboration with iconic fashion designers
Through collaborations with real-life fashion designers, Barbie has showcased various high fashion looks and inspired girls to pursue their own fashion dreams.
Christian Dior: In 1997, Barbie collaborated with the iconic fashion house Christian Dior. The partnership resulted in a series of dolls dressed in exquisite miniature versions of Dior’s famous couture designs, complete with intricate details and luxurious fabrics.
Vera Wang: Barbie teamed up with renowned bridal fashion designer Vera Wang in 2011 to create a collection of Barbie dolls inspired by Wang’s signature bridal gowns.
Oscar de la Renta: In 2016, Barbie joined forces with the legendary fashion designer Oscar de la Renta to produce a series of Barbie dolls dressed in stunning evening gowns and cocktail dresses that reflected de la Renta’s exquisite craftsmanship and sophisticated style.
Karl Lagerfeld: Barbie paid tribute to the late fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld in 2014 with a doll designed to resemble the legendary designer. The doll wore a tailored black suit, fingerless gloves, sunglasses, and a high-collared white shirt, capturing Lagerfeld’s iconic personal style.
Not only have these collaborations brought the world of high fashion to doll collectors, but it has showcased Barbie’s versatile style, from haute couture to ready-to-wear, and celebrated her timeless influence and presence in the fashion industry.
Levi’s 501s birthed the denim revolution. Today, 150 years later, the jeans are a classic clothing must-have and a wardrobe staple revered by the international fashion cognoscenti.
They’ve been worn by James Dean, Steve Jobs and Kurt Cobain; styled by Marilyn Monroe, Cindy Crawford and Winona Ryder; and were featured on Bruce Springsteen’s 1984 Born in the USA album cover. Levi’s 501s are one of the few fashion pieces that have maintained a cult status for more than a century.
May 20, 1873, marks the birth of the blue jean. The timeless design has since been worn by film stars, freedom lovers, punks, pedestrians and even princesses.
In 1873, the now-iconic 501 jeans were developed and patented under the Levi’s label by German-born, San Francisco-based businessman Levi Strauss and Latvian-American tailor Jacob Davis. They were first known as ‘waist overalls’, work pants secured by copper rivets and worn by US labourers, car mechanics and dairy farmers.
The simple yet sturdy design was revolutionary: the metal fastenings reinforce the trousers at stress points, denim is a long-lasting material, and the mid-waist rise, straight-leg fit, button fly style is comfortable enough to wear all day long. But it wasn’t until Marlon Brando paired his 501s with a leather jacket and boots in The Wild One (1953) that they became synonymous with an effortlessly cool style.
When the psychedelic ‘60s rolled around, 501s were the bohemian uniform of choice for Summer of Love and Woodstock attendees. In the ‘70s, the punk movement wore the desirable denim, but scuffed and oversized, styling them with chain belts, safety pins and doodled designs.
Levi’s were seen on Vietnam War counterculture protesters at the fall of the Berlin Wall (a pair believed to belong to Patti Smith is even preserved in the Levi’s archive), and even secretly traded between countries during the Cold War.
The versatility of the slouchy, hip-hugging jean became the perfect base for teenage rebellion, youth empowerment and subculture style, with the world’s socio-cultural stories woven into the brand’s history. Then, in the ‘90s, the jeans became a part of the cool girl style code, with Drew Barrymore and Nicole Richie wearing them loose and low or paired with faded band tees.
Today, 501 campaigns feature Hailey Bieber, and sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid have been snapped wearing theirs while walking the streets of New York. Over time, the classic composition of the jeans was toyed with but never radically changed.
In 1981, the first 501s for women hit the shelves, yet still retained its uniquely unisex style. Different dyes, shapes and fits – from tapered to cropped and skinny – have also since been introduced, and countless owners have even used them as a form of self-expression, drawing on, distressing, slicing into shorts or ripping at the knee.
Now, global fashionistas sift through piles of decade-old, discarded denim in hopes they’ll find the perfect pair of worn-in 501s. Price tags for the jeans, resold on platforms like Depop, eBay and Poshmark, can fetch double what they were worth in the year they were made.
From 1873 to today, 501s have been co-opted by international ‘cool girls’, supermodels, tech gurus and changemakers as the jean of choice.
Time will only tell when, how and who will fashion the next legacy of Levi’s. But one thing is certain – they’ll never go out of style.
Officially opened last Thursday (June 1), Spendless Shoes‘ former James Place store has moved to Rundle Mall’s western side (directly across from Uniqlo).
A facelift from the former CBD store, the Rundle Mall location is bigger with a more spacious fit-out, which is expected to bring new shoppers to the space.
Now employing more than 1000 staff across 210 stores nationwide, Spendless Shoes is investing in a number of new shopfronts.
Spendless Shoes Chief Operating Officer Jaimee Charlton says they’re excited about the new look and feel shopfront for its Adelaide CBD store.
“We’ve had our eye on this location for a while, and we’ve invested to ensure our customers get the best in-store experience,” she says.
Spendless Shoes began with just one store in Glenelg in 1988. The Adelaide CBD store is one of the oldest Spendless Shoes outlets.
South Australian Style Magazine 