Always one to support a good cause, Prahran Mission is now even closer to my heart because I work just around the corner and visit once a week.
Plus, fashion favourite (and someone I am thrilled to call a friend) Philip Boon, is involved, along with students from the Whitehouse Institute of Design, so you know it will be a quality event for a cause.
Purchase tickets by May 26 and go in the running to win a double pass to see The Temper Trap.
As one who is always working of late (you guys know how manic I am!), I was thrilled to find the time to pop into the Fashion Torque 2012 launch this week.
Melbourne fashion royalty Philip Boon and Jenny Bannister started Fashion Torque in 2010 as a way to connect the fashion community and bring every element of the industry together in a common forum where bloggers could mingle with stylists and insiders could share their retail secrets with up and comers.
The monthly forum and live chat show in Prahran drew a huge following and celebrated it's first birthday in 2011. Now, in 2012, Philip and Jenny are making some changes in an effort to bring Fashion Torque to even more people.
The day, the time, the place - everything is new and exciting! And I for one am thrilled about the changes - it will mean I might actually make it to a few more sessions this year!
Philip and Jenny unveil their 2012 poster shot at the Fashion Torque Media Launch.
Image thanks to Take 2 Markets
Kicking off on Wednesday February 29, Fashion Torque will now take place on the last Wednesday of the month, commencing at 7pm (rather than the earlier time of 6.30). This change gives more students and those with day jobs the chance to make it to the sessions and allows for greater audience participation.
The next, and perhaps most major change, is the location. Globe Cafe in Prahran has been good to us, but the Hasti Bala Bar at The Carlton on Bourke Street is a spot too good to pass up. Not officially opening til February 25, The Hasti Bala Bar is a vision of purple velour and pink, blue and purple wallpaper in an electric leopard print - the large elephant on the wall and greenery that surrounds the bar make it the most perfect fusion of fashion and fun.
The elephant in the room - Fashion Torque's new home at the Hasti Bala Bar
Acqua Panna - fashion water - will be an official supporter of Fashion Torque in 2012 together with Hannah and her team at The Carlton.
Each month, Fashion Torque will bring us four guests (up from two last year) and under five subtopics - FT recommends; Debates; Fans; Films; and Community - covering internships, past fashion stars, digital fashion, the vintage boom and so, so much more.
Fashion friend James Banham at the launch with me. Image thanks to Take 2 Markets.
'Predictions for 2012 in the Australian Fashion Industry' will be the first topic of the year, featuring Fashion Torque favourites Sarah Gale, Jc Lloyd-Southwell d'Anvers, Anthony Capon and Sarah Willcocks - with a special appearance from Dean Drieberg.
Can't wait to kick off Fashion Torque 2012 with the gang and the new venue - see you on the 29th!
Check out all the gorgeousness from the OPSM Sunshine Tour! The weather in Melbourne was perfect the day the ice cream van rolled into town - we could not have asked for a more sunglasses worthy day!
Fashionable favourite Philip Boon rocking his shades
I think I'll take one of each please...
Miss Cecylia checking out the goods
These ones are nice!
The crew have some fun
After lots of trying on and smiles for the camera, I decided on these Burberry beauties. What do you think?
Thanks to Couturing for images and to OPSM for a lovely afternoon!
A funny thing happens after several nights in a row on the town. Your ability to fall asleep at a normal hour creeps towards the wee hours and try as you might, nights become your awake time while mornings are a time to dread.
Tonight will be the fourth night in a row I have stayed up past midnight, however tonight is the first one I am doing without the support of sparkly drinks. If this is what the lead up to Christmas is like, I’m going to need to stock up on supplies.
Arts Centre, Melbourne, from the Melbourne Town Hall. Pic on Instagram by me
This blog post covers a few events and by the time I finished writing it, the text was rather long, so in order to shorten it (and add more pics), I have split it into three (just like Back to the Future and Lord of the Rings) and you will be able to follow the story Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Enjoy!
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The fun and games kicked off on Wednesday night (after a little long weekend getaway with Miss J to get sufficient R & R for the silly season) at Fashion Torque’s first birthday party, an exclusive invitation only soiree at the Melbourne Town Hall.
Philip and Jenny get the party started
Philip Boon and Jenny Bannisters' live chat show is still just a baby but has come in leaps and bounds since kicking off twelve months ago. With a dresscode of ‘colourful cocktail’, Melbourne fashionistas shed their black cloaks (well, for the most part) and shone in pinks, purples, orange and blues.
Melbourne Spring Fashion Week producer Dean Drieberg performed a stunning rendition of Madonna’s Vogue (complete with custom rap lyrics) and was definitely a highlight of the evening.
Dean belts out Vogue...
Phillip and Jenny took us on a trip down memory lane with panellists from the year, talking fashion journalism, androgyny and the online juggernaut, among others, and we laughed and nodded in agreement remembering the shows from throughout the year.
There was of course champagne and canapés and plenty of happy snaps taken on the night and after the formalities were done, we headed on to The Carlton to continue the celebrations.
Rina (Take 2 Markets), me, Cecylia and Sally (Styled by Sally) rock colour
Congratulations to Phillip and Jenny for twelve wonderful months – may you continue on to bigger and better things in 2012!
Pop by tomorrow to hear about the Social Diary Christmas Party and more!
Thanks to Kellie Dene for images
Style Note: My outfit - skirt by Syndicate, top from Vinnies op shop, bag from eBay and necklace by Pigeonhole
