Girl please, this is what it’s really like to have curly hair
No, Blake Lively’s waves are not curls.
Curly hair. Everyone who doesn’t have it wants it and those who do have it, let’s just say it’s a love/hate relationship.
Trying to understand what it’s like to have curly hair is like trying to imagine what it’s like having a baby. You’ll never REALLY know until you have it.
Let me give you an idea:
Easy isn’t a word we use
Yes it’s natural so yes it can be easy. Not quite as easy as shiny straight hair that accommodates a million different styles, but whatever.
Those messy buns take more work than they should
A whole lot of de-frizz products and a good ten attempts before it looks cool, but not deliberate, is not easy.
Hairdressers can be a stressful experience
They give you the option of leaving straight or curly so you go with curly because der you’ve already got it. But then they straighten it and put the curls back in with a straightener while you sit there all confused.
You’ve also got to have it cut in a certain way to avoid looking like the pyramids. And don’t even think about the pixie cut or the Bingle bob.
You’ll never understand patience like we do
It can take a whole day for our shower clean hair to dry the way we want it and we’d rather look like a wet dog than get the blow dryer on it.
You don’t know what knotty is until you’ve had curly hair
And no I can’t just brush it out. Unless looking like Hermione Granger in the first Harry Potter movie is what you’re going for, then you can totally brush it out.
Forget about going to bed with wet hair
Unless you want half your head to rock that mop look while the other looks more like Anne Hathaway in Princess Diaries.
Every heard of plopping?
Probably not, it’s just one of the weird things we have to do to keep our hair in line
Ever seen someone with curly hair and a fringe?
There’s a reason for that.
You’re not sure how to feel when people say how much they love your straightened hair
Does that mean they think I look better this way? Do they even like my curly hair?
Don’t bother keeping up with hair trends
This stuff just doesn’t grow.
Do you even know what curly hair is?
Please stop using curly hair as that horrible ‘before’ photo and then referring to Blake Lively’s waves as curls.
Published on http://www.fashionjournal.com.au – 27/12/2015
10 Things Your Barista Wants You to Know
We love coffee, but we don’t always like you.
Baristas. We’re the unsung heroes of the world.
Each morning we breathe life back into your veins delivering your necessary cup of pure holy goodness.
And each morning we do it with a smile, despite having risen at 5am and already having dealt with a slew of sleep-deprived, caffeine-craving, oft-rude people.
But please know the smiles aren’t always real. Aside from our own lack of sleep and crankiness, there’s a few reasons why we’re not always super happy to see you. I think I can speak on behalf of all baristas here when I tell you there’s a few things we want you to know.
1. A weak skinny decaf anything isn’t really coffee
And don’t even think about adding sugar to that.
2. Please don’t ask for latte art
We get that it’s a thing, but if you want to look at pandas while you drink your coffee, please go to the zoo.
3. If you don’t want sugar just say ‘no’
If we ask you how many sugars you like, don’t say ‘none.’ Over the squeals of the coffee machine it sounds like ‘one’ and we won’t be responsible for your poor choice of words.
4. You’re probably drinking full cream milk
If it’s busy and the skinny milk runs out (or even if it’s just out of reach) you’ll probably get full cream. And you probably won’t even notice the difference.
5. Please don’t ask for extra hot milk
I mean do you even like coffee??
6. And extra hot long blacks…
WTF.
7. We may not remember your name but we’ll always remember your coffee
Good morning ¾ latte with 1 how are the kids.
8. But if we do require a name keep it simple, one to two syllables is great
If it’s any longer, abbreviations, initials and made up names are a godsend.
9. Please get off the phone
We get that you can multitask, so can we, but we’re going to keep not seeing you until you hang up that phone.
10. Huffing and stamping your feet won’t make your coffee come any quicker
So please stop. Coffee is long days, weird smells, sore hands and annoying customers that we just served before you. Be patient, if you scratch our back we’ll scratch yours.
Published on http://www.fashionjournal.com.au – 20/12/2015
Talking shop with the exhibition curator of ‘200 Years of Australian Fashion’
This is going to be good.
This month marks the start of some pretty serious fashion loving in Melbourne. Not only does the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival kick off but the National Gallery of Victoria is also unveiling its latest exhibition 200 Years of Australian Fashion.
Two hundred years is a long time, even more so by fashion’s standards. So we sat down with exhibition curator, Paola Di Trocchio, to learn about her take on Australia’s fashion industry, how 200 years has changed fashion and what an exhibition like this involves.
In a broad sense, because it’s not any easy thing to describe, how would you describe Australian fashion?
We kind of follow international trends, but we’re always that tiny but different or that tiny bit odd. We do have a lot of creative designers, like DI$COUNT, who are otherworldly. And you just don’t get that a lot abroad, especially in America. But Australians are very brave in the way they use colours, patterns and designs. We’re definitely more adventurous. Europe is known for being classic, America is known for being conservative but Australia’s just like ‘well, we’ll do all the cool stuff then.’
There is definitely that attitude of ‘yeah, we’ll give it a go.’
How long does it take to set up an exhibition of this size?
Well, we installed for most of February, but in terms of the preparation time, we have been working on this collectively as a team for about two or three years.
And it’s quite an interactive exhibition…
We’ll have a symposium on the Saturday (March 5) and we’ll be doing designer talks on the Sunday (March 6). And then, throughout the exhibition, there will be various floor talks and things.
It’s really good, because the exhibition is quite dynamic.
Are there pieces from the exhibition that require more care or maintenance than others?
Yes, the ostrich feather dress in particular underwent quite an extensive conservation treatment because it had lost some of its feathers, which happens I guess.
And there is a few other pieces, which our conservators have done an amazing job in supporting. With old silks and things, sometimes they’ll split, so [the conservators] will come in behind it and put an adhesive piece of fabric [there]. But everything our conservation team does is reversible.
And there’s a contemporary designers section as well isn’t there?
Yes, at the end of the exhibition.
Throughout the exhibition we’ve focused on the overarching ideas in each era. When we get to the contemporary section it’s about focusing on each individual designer, because each individual designer has really got their own signature. Toni Matičevski looks different to DI$COUNT, so you can’t put them in the same category.
And that, I guess, is one of the evolutions of Australian fashion, this real strength behind the individual signatures of designers.
How else do you think the fashion landscape in Australia has changed? What has changed the most?
Well I think it’s just getting stronger and stronger, and I think a lot of that has to do with the continuity of it. What was really interesting about looking at the designers’ biographies is that in the ’70s and ’80s they were going overseas to train and learn.
Now there’s more of a culture of [designers] staying here and learning from each other. For example, Romance Was Born took inspiration from the work of Linda Jackson and Jenny Kee a lot. It’s like the sophistication that each generation is achieving is passed on to the next, which makes [Australian fashion] stronger and stronger.
Do you think we’re coming back to the notion of making things to last and being sustainable?
I think that’s reflected in the wider realm and across fashion culture that’s definitely a theme. But I also think that’s one of the strengths of Australian design. We’re one of the few countries that have a high proportion of small studio-based practices.
So people like MATERIALBYPRODUCT are making products here on shore in their own studios. Strateas Carlucci are working with local knitters in order to have their textiles made and Romance Was Born used to do a lot more on shore, but still do a lot on shore. Those kinds of small specialist collections are what Australian designers tend to specialise in. It’s limited but strong, very artisan based.
Do you have a favourite designer or one that features heavily in your own wardrobe?
I can never pick a favourite, but in terms of my wardrobe I’ve got MATERIALBYPRODUCT in there, I’ve got Romance Was Born in there and Strateas Carlucci. But, you know, I’m always willing to shop.
We hear that.
Published on http://www.fashionjournal.com.au – 03/03/2016
4 options to consider before giving your clothes for the old heave ho
Don’t bin it.
In my wardrobe, not only do I have nothing to wear, I also have a growing pile of clothes that for one reason or another, I can’t wear. Whether it’s a hole, a broken zipper or it just doesn’t fit right.
I know you’ve been there too. You figure it’s the end and toss the once-beloved piece in the pile of clothes on your floor (be honest, you have one), a charity bag or the bin.
If you’re particularly organised, you might dig around for a receipt and promise to drop by the store this weekend to complain that it’s faulty and score a refund.
But would you ever consider fixing it?
Every year in Australia, roughly $140 million worth of clothes end up in the dump. That’s 100 really nice houses, thousands of hours spent working your shitty retail job or, let’s face it, a pretty amazing wardrobe.
So what are your options before just giving clothes the old heave ho? Well, you’ve got at least four:
1. Take it to your Mum/cousin/friend/vet’s sister’s boyfriend’s aunt
When my grandma was a little girl, she didn’t have a nice tunic for school. So her mother took apart a nice blue suit she owned and made her one.
When my mother was growing up, Grandma used to always say that it was better to have material in the cupboard than to have money in the bank (kind of like Carrie and her shoes). She made most of the kids’ clothes and was pretty crafty in repairing and re-creating clothes that were handed down.
When we were kids, Mum would mend all our clothes when needed and – up until sewing became more expensive than buying – she would make all our clothes as well. We were always confident that if we ever needed something fixed, we could just take it to Mum.
Now I know for most people, Mum or Grandma isn’t an option. But you must have some tenuous connection to someone out there who can sew. Ask around, find that person and see if you can borrow their skills. No doubt you have some special ability that you can trade off in return. Alternatively, you can always clean their bathroom.
2. You could sell it or donate it.
Most of you would have been to some kind of flea market or op-shop in your time. Flea markets are great for the wanderers and the casual Sunday strollers, but they’re also a treasure trove for keen hunters, collectors and sellers.
And although it may not seem it, they can get pretty serious. People can wait for months to get a good spot at a popular market and may have to adhere to some pretty strict guidelines. While this may sound a bit OTT for secondhand clothes, they’re also the markets that draw the best crowds and therefore, the best dollars.
If you have some spare time on the weekend, along with a clothes rack, some chairs and some cool tunes, then you’ve got all you need to efficiently get rid of your old clothes. Most pieces in good condition can sell for at least $10. Designer brands and ‘vintage’ pieces (i.e. pieces from which you’ve pulled off the Cotton On tag), can go for a little (or a lot) more.
If you’re not much of a market goer, there’s always the op-shop. You may not see any financial reward, but it’s a great (and heartwarming) alternative to tossing your clothes in the bin.
3. You could take it to a tailor or seamstress
Pretty self-explanatory. Taking it to a professional really doesn’t cost that much, and once it’s returned in near-perfect condition, you’ll wonder why you ever considered throwing it out.
4. You could learn how to fix it yourself.
I know it’s overwhelming, but start simple. Sew a button back onto a shirt. Mend a tear. YouTube how to stitch a low hem.
cheap either. But think about the unique pieces you could add to your wardrobe. Or the treasured items you can make last just one more season. Not to mention the new skill you can trade with your friends who can’t sew. Hellloooo clean bathroom.
Look, I get it. Not everything is worth saving, selling or donating. Sometimes things are better placed in the bin. But a little sewing know-how or some time spent at the markets can go a long way in solving a bigger problem, and keeping your wardrobe full of things to wear.
Published on http://www.fashionjournal.com.au – 14/04/2016
I Just Hit My Mid Twenties, So How Successful Should I Be?
An Investigation.
If there’s one rule you should live by, it’s don’t compare yourself to the people around you. We’re all different, right? But as a 25-year-old finishing a master’s, interning at a magazine and working as a barista, I’m at times left wondering if I’m as successful as I should be at this age.
Talking to a friend in one of those D&Ms you have when you feel like nothing is going your way, we wondered if we’d done enough with our lives. We’re educated, so that’s a plus, but after that we weren’t sure what else to count.
Our sporadic income? Our non-existent house? Our Instagram followers? Is there an age we should be in our dream job or at least have our foot in the door? Or is success just about us being happy and content and loving what we do? (In which case, we’re totally killing it).
Feeling a little deflated and at a loss for answers, I looked to the following for guidance:
Girl Bosses
I started searching for successful women to emulate; someone to make me think “ah, that’s what I’m supposed to do.” Beyoncé was the obvious choice and also clearly off the cards. I don’t sing. But Mia Freedman and Vera Wang are both in their own versions of a fashion job. They’re also both intelligent and inspiring women.
Mia was the youngest editor of an Australian women’s magazine at the age of just 24 (younger than I am now). Vera Wang, on the other hand, didn’t start designing wedding dresses until after her own wedding at 40 (heaps of time for me).
But just like these two are different, so are the times. As well as working hard, there’s the added pressure of a solid education, years of experience and in many industries, that pesky social media presence.
It’s not about what you know but who knows you, duh. So I turned to my socials for guidance.
Social Media
Flicking through Instagram, you can pretty much define success as the following: fancy dinners, flash holidays, designer clothing, a glamorous job with even more glamorous work events, a tight knit squad and 1000 followers to watch it all.
All wonderful but kinda shallow, huh? So at a measly 280 followers and scraping together coin for lunch, I’m left a little disheartened.
My Peers
Next I turned to uni friends. At a similar age, with similar qualifications and similar interests, they’d form a decent marker of where I should be, right?
I have one uni friend who’s in the same position I am: educated and at a loss with life. But she’s also engaged and just got a new job.
Then I have this other uni friend. She’s just been hired by a well-known magazine in Sydney.
I never knew her career goals were similar to mine, and for her to already be kicking goals in her career makes me wonder why I’m moving so slow.
Ah Google, always the reliable one. A quick search of “What should I have achieved by 25?” returned fears and insecurities similar to my own.
One girl went so far as to express that view that atop a high-paying job, a house and a serious relationship, she also needed a “moderate level of fame.”
A research report told me I should already be engaged by now. This same report also told me I should have had a full time job by 19. Does working in a café for my gap year count?
What I really took away from the all-knowing internet was that we were born into a damn competitive generation and that we should try and be happy, healthy and just do you. Plus you should also skydive, read books, buy great clothes and learn how to cook. Easy peasy.
Conclusion
After comparing, Googling, scrolling and stalking old friends, I’m still at a loss for that ‘age of success’.
I’m hoping the timeframe is something we set ourselves, based on how much we want a goal and how hard we work. Not where we rank compared to others.
As for what defines success? I guess I’m still working that out. At least I’ve had work published in a national magazine. Surely that counts as a moderate level of fame?
Published in Fashion Journal Issue 155 – 05/06/2016
Ronnie 