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!

Gorgeous Gladiators

Gladiator sandals are not 'fresh' fashion news, in fact I was wearing a vintage pair around this time last year, well before the trend really took off. Since that time, 'Statement Pieces' has witnessed the rise of the gladiator - yet as with most trends we sat back and tried to remain unbiased - we were not going to be swayed by a sea of masculine (yet strangely delicate) sandals, each screeching "buy me!", no - it was our job to find the "golden gladiator", and after a year of searching, I think we've found it - right in time for summer.

Now, I know what you're going to say - yes, it IS yet another Mimco product (what can I say they're THAT good!). But let me explain the full story. As loyal followers to this blog would know Mimco has only this year released a range of shoes - as a part of this range was a stunning pair called the "After-Five Warrior Heels", we at 'Statement Pieces' instantly fell in love with the shoes' gladiator-esque qualities, however, they weren't TRUE gladiators and so we could not use them to recommend to our readers - it was a shame though, their lambskin leather, military buttoning and sturdy cord made them true statement pieces. (SEE BELOW)

Fortunately for us, the shoes were such a hit that Mimco was forced to release an updated flat version called the "Everyday Warrior". The best parts of the "After Five" were kept (the leather, the colour, the military styling and cord ties), however, the impractical elements (such as the high heel and unsupported ankle) were replaced in favour of a slight platform and enclosed heel/ankle strap. The result? An absolutely stunning pair of gladiator sandals that are as practical as they are beautiful!

The shoes are incredibly versatile and can be worn with just about anything - they are easily dressed up or down - the possibilities really are endless... Just make sure those toes are in tip top condition and don't be afraid to experiment with bold nail polish colours. A quick tip from us here at 'Statement Pieces' make sure you put sunblock on your feet if you're going to be wearing these shoes outdoors as you will end up with an unusual patterned tan! (But remember to let the sunblock soak in before letting it anywhere near the leather!) They retail for $379

Studded Stunner

Our obsession with Tiffany and Co. hasn't diminished (thanks for asking), yet we still find it an incredibly arduous task trying to find pieces that embody the "Statement Pieces" mantra and are also not ridiculously expensive - once again we think we've outdone ourselves with an amazingly elegant piece you may find a little left of field...

The "Tiffany Moderne Ring" is truly a bewitching statement piece. Described, on the Tiffany website, as simply, "geometric and oh so modern", this ring oozes class. We could see it living on the end of the perfectly manicured finger of a tough biker chick - but what "tough" biker goes around sporting a $350 Tiffany ring on her finger? Either way it's stunning and has sent us at "Statement Pieces" week at the knees - our mind boggles over the masculine stylings delivered from the archetypal feminine clutches of Tiffany and Co. It's a little bit rebellious, and I think that's part of it's charm...

The ring retails for $355 which is fairly reasonable, especially considering its bulk and weight - in reality it wears a lot more like a men's ring and so you wouldn't be surprised to see a price tag up towards the $600 mark. Here at "Statement Pieces" we believe that one piece can instantly affect your whole persona - be that your attitude, your mood, or your overall look - this ring just makes us want to mess up our hair, pull on a leather jacket, skinny jeans and some killer stiletto boots. Just make sure those nails are in good condition with a slick of dark (and broody) polish. We also suggest you check out "Urban Originals" range of studded bags as they would really compliment the look.

Necklace Nibbles

Ok, so we know this isn't the first time we've featured eerily edible accessories (Obsessed? Us?) - but whilst Jelly's Edibles were fun and funky in a "market-stall/uni student" way today's range is definitely for more mature tastes...

Melbourne based jewellery designer Lucy Folk is hurriedly making a name for herself both here and overseas. Her delightful pieces, each inspired by the simple pleasures embodied by childhood "junk" foods manage to put a smile on the faces of all those who encounter them - without the nasty calories! The newest collection "More Nibbles..." features nostalgic favourites such as burger rings, corn chips, popcorn, peanuts and pretzels beautifully handcrafted in sterling silver and 24ct gold - they may be extravagant, but they're certainly eclectic.

At $630 AUD for one of the gold pretzel necklaces you'd be forgiven for thinking these pieces were a little luxe (think of all the burger rings you could buy for that), we at "Statement Pieces", however, are blinded by the bling and have fallen in love with these stunning yet quirky works of art. We love the idea of freaking people out and teaming the necklaces with more corporate/formal attire (you want people thinking "surely that well dressed woman doesn't have a dorito dangling around her neck!") - think form fitting pencil skirts and blouses or dress pant and jacket combos. Our fave pieces include the "Gold Corn Chip Necklace", the "Silver Pretzel Brooch" and the "Silver Popcorn Ring". Yum!

Plastic Fantastic!

Don't you just love it when you find something that makes you want to revert back to an overzealous 14 year old - (seriously this post is seconds away from being littered with "OMG's", emoticons & a multitude of exclamation points). Well this is exactly how I felt when I discovered the "Vivienne Westwood for Melissa - Anglomania" range of shoes - or more specifically, one particular pair of shoes... and their price tag!

Melissa is world renowned (I'm not exaggerating either) for her jelly shoes and here at "Statement Pieces" we were coveting the range before they became chic and mainstream (yeah the Jimmy Choo version are to die for - but these are the originals!) The brand is so well respected that a plethora of amazing fashion designers have collaborated with Melissa to help raise her profile (and shun the copy plagiarisers). It's great news for us - where else are we going to get stunning Vivienne Westwood heels for a fraction of the price? Oh and the absolute *best* thing (and the thing that's sent my age back about seven years...) all Melissa's shoes smell like bubblegum - yep, you heard me, bubblegum! They deliberately add bubblegum scent to all their shoes - how cute is that?! Cue emoticon - XD

So these are the actual heels that have sent me so crazy - they're called "Lady Dragon" and are available in blue with red heart, pearl with red heart, yellow with black heart and salmon with black heart. Their style is an adjustable slingback v-shaped peeptoe and they feature quite a sturdy heel. The best news is that they're surprisingly comfortable, because they're made out of PVC they mold to your feet and the thicker heel offers a bit more support than most sling backs. Our favourite colour combo is the pearl/red heart as it is the most versatile/it shows the heart off really well - keep your outfit single toned or go for a black/cream and white mix and pick something structured like an pencil skirt and blouse. A nice touch would be a red headband/clip in your hair just to compliment & reinforce the heart - but nothing too outlandish - you just need a hint of colour.

Haute Horses

A week has past since the race that stops the nation...well...stopped the nation... That being said "Statement Pieces" were incredibly torn when we deigned to dedicate a blog to field fashion. We ended up deciding not to do it because we thought you'd all had enough of the over saturation of cup-fashion coverage - I mean, when the local news anchor gets involved it gets a little extreme (and don't get me started on ACA & Today Tonight's battle royale!) So we kept tight lipped - even though we were dying to scream from the roof tops "I DON'T CARE IF IT ONLY COST $24.99, BUYING A FASCINATOR FROM EQUIP/DIVA IS NEVER AN OPTION!!!" But this lack of race-time fun has left a void in our life that we need to fill - and fast - thank heavens we've found a cute as a button statement piece to quench our jockey lust...

Australian jewellery brand "Zoemou" recently collaborated with fashion designer Shona Joy to create a range of statement neckpieces made out of natural Australian materials such as wood and leather. Each piece is laser etched and depicts an elegant animal. We were immediately taken by the striking "Appaloosa Horse Pendant", which measures approx. 50mm in length and hangs in a "name plate" styling. This gorgeous necklace would work well with paler colourings in clothing - particularly denim - e.g. a cute denim vest would look wonderful, or for something more structured a denim jacket over a maxi dress. The light colour of the wood means that the necklace would stand out a lot better on people with darker skin tones - so if you're pale it's a good excuse to slap on a bit of bronzer. No other jewellery is needed - but a great tan bag is a must - we recommend the Mimco Mini Jetson Hip Bag or Witchery's Star Weave Bag. Get it while you can - "Daddy I want a pony!"

Whimsical Wallets

Here at 'Statement Pieces' we're known for our nostalgic yearnings, sure it's embarrassing - but hey, the present kinda sucks...
Thankfully we've found a store that wears their love of all things unaffected and sentimental on their sleeve - in fact they shout it from the roof tops...

The store in question is Melbourne-based boutique "Meet Me At Mikes" which stock a plethora of rue-inducing (in the best possible way) clothing and accessories, as well as children's toys and homewares. Our favourite pieces have to be the "Vintage Storybook Wallets". Made out of the pages of classic children's books, then covered in durable PVC these one of a kind wallets are truly adorable! Each feature a snap closure and deep interior pocket for your cards/notes. They cost $25 and would make a great stocking filler for Christmas - they are also great to use instead of giftwrap, for small pressies like earrings etc.

In keeping with the childlike qualities of the wallets, when you order online you get sent a random selection of designs - this means that you will not know what assorted story book your wallets will have come from. I have included a selection of designs to give you an idea - but really you're in the dark (or, more positively - it's a surprise!)

If you like the wallets, check out Meet Me At Mikes Blog - it's become quite a large hub of activity and a community for Australian lovers of vintage art & craft.