Striking Snakeskin

I know, I know - we're doing it again - writing ANOTHER post about "Mimco", but we have a valid reason I promise!

What if I said the words: "limited edition"?

What if I said: "one of Mimco's most popular, classic designs - with an audacious twist?"

Would that catch your eye?

One of Mimco's signature bags, the "Natural Lady Everyday Bag" (a long time favourite of Australian fashionista's - renowned for it's simple nature and practicality), has been given a high-end makeover - transforming the piece from classic wardrobe staple to glamorous statement piece. This transformation is first apparent within the bags name, where the word "exotic" has been added to the foray. The "Exotic Natural Lady Every Day Bag" is given the luxury treatment in Mimco's snakeskin printed, embossed and patent finished leather Italian leather. To further encapsulate its alluring qualities, only 50 bags have been produced. This exclusivity does, however, come at a price with the bag retailing at $900, well over double that of the regular Everyday Bag.

The bag truly is a stunning investment piece, and please, do not allow the fact that it is not real snakeskin to act as a deterrent. The leather used is of a better quality than the regular Mimco bags (personally, I didn't think it could get any better but after feeling this I realise that there IS a significant difference). It therefore feels a lot better than real snakeskin and is also a hell of a lot easier to maintain - whereas with a genuine snakeskin article you would be too frightened to take it anywhere for fear of damaging it, with this I know that it can stand a fair amount of rough treatment and still come out the other end looking great.

How you use the bag is really up to you. The famous "Everyday Bag" practicality is still there, yet the snakeskin takes it up a notch - whereas with a normal Everyday Bag you would not be able to dress it up for a night out, this is certainly not the case with the Exotic Bag. We think its best suited to the workplace, as its the perfect statement piece to really liven up drab corporate attire. Plus, its the perfect size for keeping everything you need right by your side. Snakeskin truly is one of the most versatile tones out there as it can portray anything from "youthful exuberance" to "sophisticated class" - whichever direction you decide to head, its guaranteed to be a success with this gorgeous bag in tow!

Beguiling Birds

Summer is well and truly upon us and we at "Statement Pieces" have been looking for some fresh pieces to inject a bit of life into our wardrobes. As lightweight cottons take-over our clothes it means its time to step back from the more overzealous statement designs, instead focusing on charming, simplistic silver pieces. Whilst we've found ourselves lost in the plethora of silver jewellery we were well and truly saved when we stumbled across this weeks featured designer.

Elk Accessories, the brainchild between Melbourne design duo Adam & Marnie has been producing stunning accessories for a number of years (including jewellery, brooches, bags, hats, scarves and cardigans) - they're popularity continues to rise with their pieces regularly featuring in Australian publications such as Marie Claire, Grazia, Vogue and Shop Til You Drop. Elk's philosophy inspires each new range... accessories should be a statement. Easy to wear, comfortable, affordable and instantly recognisable. They also believe in only utilising fine quality raw materials which are sourced from all corners of the globe - the surprising thing? The pieces are all exceedingly affordable.

Our favourite pieces are apart of Elk's 08/09 Summer silver range and are entitled "Birds on a Wire". This mini-range features cufflinks ($135), stud earrings ($55), drop earrings ($66), a pendant ($105) and a cuff ring ($99). Each piece focuses around the story of birds sitting on a telegraph wire.
(Please note the studs and the cufflinks look identical so I did not include both images)

If we were buying from the range we would choose the pendant and the ring as the two compliment each other brilliantly without fighting for your attention. The versatility of the silver makes them all a very "smart" piece to invest in as they can literally be worn with anything. But as we mentioned before we really needed something to wear with the "softer" summer styles - these, undoubtedly serve that purpose. This was just one of the ranges we happened to love - there are many more available (for example there are four bird themed ranges - this was just one of them), so please check out the Elk website because you're sure to find a stunning piece made out of gorgeous materials for a quite reasonable price. (We especially recommend checking out their brooches - those of which they've become quite famous for!)

Timber Treats

In our continuous quest to find you affordable (not to mention amazingly beautiful) statement pieces, we try our hardest to feature up and coming Australian designers. We've found that it's really hit and miss and that the Australian fashion industry is as cyclic yet unpredictable as the ever-changing weather patterns - just when you think you're in the middle of a drought, the heavens open... Fortunately, that's a positive thing - and it seems to be the case for the close of 08, with a barrage of up-and-comers infiltrating stores its a perfect time to grab a quirky piece (before everyone else jumps on the bandwagon!)

My first pick of the hot local talent is Australian Design duo Clea Garrick and Nathan Price of "Limedrop" (they design clothes AND jewelery AND stationary - talk about a triple threat!) But for the sake of this blog we'll just focus on their incredible range of Cherry-Wood jewelery. Jewelery was never intended to be apart of Limedrop's repertoire, but when they created a series of wooden mobiles for an exhibition at Milly Sleeping during the 2007 L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival and turned the leftover pieces into pendants for their own show, they were overwhelmed with personal orders - so much so that a range of Cherry-Wood necklaces, brooches and "pop-out earrings" were made a part of their latest line (Summer 08/09) entitled "Snakes and Ladders".

The necklaces retail for $50, the (ingeniously cute) pop-out earrings $40 and the brooches for $40 (all AUD). Each piece is available in plain Cherry-Wood or metallic black, silver or gold. Our personal favourite is the Carrot Necklace - but we realise that we really can't "recommend" any of these pieces as they're each so fine-tuned for individual tastes. The plain Cherry-Wood looks great for a more casual look (and works great with florals), whereas the metallics (especially the black) are good for a more structured/modern look. My only other piece of advice? When you get them have a sniff - they'll take you straight back to year 9 woodwork!