NIDA ANNUAL FOUNDATION TRUST GALA DINNER 2012 | NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DRAMATIC ART

The Saturday night before last, was quite a night!! I was invited to NIDA’s annual Foundation Trust fundraising Gala Dinner held at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. An array of almost 300 guests including familiar faces of our Australian stage and screen, prominent NIDA alumni, Sydney fashion identities and industry representatives attended. Here are some images I snapped on the night! (except for the one directly above and below by Patrick Riviere)

The night themed ‘Trip the Light Fantastic!’ was entertaining from beginning to end. Upon arriving, sharp dressed ushers welcomed guests to the NIDA courtyard lit up with a large crescent moon light and sparkle lights netted over trees. As guests mingled and filled, it was time to head inside for dinner. Before we did, there was a showcase of some incredibly constructed costumes created by NIDA students, whilst magical music and singing serenaded us into into the NIDA foyer where tables were beautifully set. It felt almost like a fantasy ball party with coloured lights. I was seated at a table with great company, including Vanessa Gray, Grace Huang, Sophie Lowe, Emma Lung, Morgan Griffen, Alyx Gorman and Jessica.

There was not a moment where us guests were not entertained, even in between a menu that sparkled our palettes, created by Matt Moran. With a witty and funny pair of hosts, to beautiful acoustic singing performances, to fencing acts, to acrobatic dancing, to a ruffle act by Tempus Two Wines waiters, to the hilarious auctioneer Justin Miller, every moment made for a fun night! It felt like I was in high school again. The fun, energy and talent on stage creating such entertainment was refreshing.

The night ended with NIDA students paying tribute to their favourite rockstars, performing, dressing up and lip sync singing as we danced. Some of the line up included Tina Turner, ACDC and Michael Jackson. If the night was not already amazing enough, I won a Bulgari gift from a draw (a lucky raffle winner won an amazing Bulgari ring! - pictured) and guests were delivered home by an Audi.

The night was not only a celebration of talent but also a reminder of the importance of support and how it can shape the future of their careers. Often creativity can be limited to support. Imagine musicians, artists, designers or even bloggers without their listeners, admirers, consumers or readers, it simply would not be possible for them to succeed. Writing a blog myself, I know the importance of readers and it keeps me motivated to keep creating content.

Can't wait for next year's gala!

I'm wearing G-Star Blazer, Obey Shirt (from Glue Store) & Vanguard Chinos.

BOLD AMONGST THE BLACK | J.CREW

The iconic American brand, which I'm sure most of you know of - J.Crew, launched globally online over 100 countries including us, Australia! Following this launch, they have created a special online experience called "J.Crew Insider" where you can have the advantages of free shipping, duty free shopping and VIP access to the team or personal stylists. All you have to do is sign up online! To celebrate this, J. Crew created an online feature, “Hello, World!" enlisting visionary bloggers, Garance Dore and Scott Schuman to select 10 international tastemakers, capturing the diverse and variety of different styles the brand caters for.

Hop on to the J.Crew site and sign up now here! It's easy and who wouldn't want free shipping and access to personal stylists to accommodate your questions?!

Here are some images that Lauren helped me snap of me wearing some of J Crew items. I'm a huge fan of people wearing colour, even though I wished I did that myself more often. Most of the time, I would wear colour and tone it down with black and on cold chilly winter days, I opt to wear mostly black.

Jacket: Brent Wilson

Shoes: Creative Recreations

Shirt/Sweater/Pants: gifted by

THOMAS SABO | SWEET DIAMONDS & STERLING SILVER LAUNCH 2012

The other week, I saw the new Thomas Sabo, Sweet Diamonds and Sterling Silver Collections, showcased at The Tea Room in the Queen Victoria Building. The new Sweet Diamonds collection is an expansion of the Thomas Sabo brand. The range is "delicate and beautifully crafted silver jewellery, adorned with real diamonds and framed by yellow gold." The diamonds are rather subtle and elegant.

I particularly liked the skulls of course and the big watches from the Rebel At Heart line of the Sterling Silver Collections. How cute is the hugging bear!

You will find the new ranges available from leading jewellers nationally in August 2012.

LEVI'S 4TH OF JULY | WE LOVE AMERICANO | INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS

Last week, Levi's had an event on 4th of July to celebrate the iconic day here in Australia. My American friends and I had a little fun celebrating the day, eating hot dogs, drinking Dr. Pepper, embracing all things American. Here are some photos from the night. I made some animations too! Some photos are taken from The Backroom, where the event was held.

VERA WANG | SYDNEY FLAGSHIP BRIDAL STORE | INTERCONTINENTAL SYDNEY

On Wednesday night, I attended the launch of the first Vera Wang store here in Australia. The stand-alone bridal flagship boutique is located at the InterContinental Sydney hotel. Upon arriving, we were greeted with Louis Roederer served in elegant Vera Wang for Wedgewood crystal flutes and canapés embellished with foie gras, truffle, oysters and oscietra caviar. One of my favourites were the pretty miniature wedding cakes (from cake maestro Anthea Leonard of Sweet Art) for dessert and as a toast to the many happy brides to come!

The minimalist store features arch windows filled with beautifully dressed mannequins and spotlit elegant racks. The interior design with shades of grey, including charcoal walls and sleek concrete floors, allows the beautiful dresses with tulle, lace, ruffles and layered textures to glow and be perfectly exhibited. There were magnificent classic Vera Wang pieces and the Spring/Summer 2012 Bridal Collection in store, including some dresses we found familiar, including Hilary Duff and Khole Kardasian's wedding dress designs or the one Kate Hudson wore we might have seen on the big screen in the movie Bridal Wars. In addition to the bridal gowns, the store includes accessories from footwear to corsages, as well as fragrance and highlights from the designer’s Wedgwood home collection.

The current Spring/Summer 2012 Bridal Collection sees Vera Wang take inspiration "... from the works of French artist Edgar Degas and his depiction of young dancers floating about the stage. Key pieces from the collection include an elegant strapless natural-waist ballerina ballgown with veiled layers of dégradé floral laser-cut organza and detachable trapunto-stitched bustier, and a graceful strapless sweetheart soft mermaid gown with draped bodice of sunburst pleating and cascading fan back train. Vera Wang describes this Collection as “artful and adorable”. "

For Vera Wang, it's a journey, an experience that is every girl's dream. With the Vera Wang bridal service, by appointment only, it allows brides to fully enjoy the entirety of the Vera Wang experience. For Australian brides there will also be twice yearly Vera Wang Trunk Shows, held in the boutique each May and November, allowing the brand to fully immerse with the customers. With so many brides I know going overseas every year for signature Vera Wang wedding dresses, it's great that it is now available here down under as the destination for Australians and brides from Asia. People can even spend that little extra money on other special things, instead of those more expensive flights for those multiple fittings and dress delivery!