Well Shod, Well Imformed

LMFF PRIORITIZE THE OH-SO FASHIONABLE SOCIAL MEDIA SET

LMFF may be 5 months away but according to the event organizers, Australia’s largest ‘consumer attended fashion week’ event is already shaping up to be a social media bonanza.

Talking to Imelda, AMPR Senior Account Consultant Ben Handberg said “the online community is a priority for LMFF”. Handberg went on to confirm that event organisers are seeking to “actively foster and look after the online community”, the PR Consultant also revealed next year’s festival will involve “much more online content”

However, the question on everyone’s lips is ‘which international blogger will be bought out to cover the event?’

This morning, event organisers circulated an email announcing that ‘international guests will be revealed’ at the event’s media launch next Tuesday.

It would be fair to suggest LMFF organisers have taken close note of the publicity boon generated by Scott Schuman and Les Mads, who as part of Tourism Australia’s ‘opinion leader incitive’ were bought to Australia during RAFW. One would also imagine LMFF have made note of the publicity Filipino blogger (and Imelda’s 3^rd World Home Gurl) Bryan Boy bought to this years MSFW.

When questioned if the international guests would be on par with RAFW’s ‘international guests’ Handberg replied “It looks that way”.

While Tourism Australia’s Advocacy Manager, Trinity Scarf, has confirmed TA’s involvement, “Yes I will be working with LMFF to bring out a blogger but we haven't together finalized who it will be”

However, LMFF organizers were quick to quash (but not dispel) the rumor that event would be hosting a ‘fashion blogger’ with a spokesperson saying, “LMFF are currently negotiating with a number of social media opinion leaders”.

While it does seem like international sponsorship (to fashion events) is the new retail window installation, the spokesperson from LMFF did temper my journalistic enthusiasm by stating that LMFF’s business events and seminars were a ‘priority’ for the ‘international guests’.

This suggests that should LMFF be hosting a fashion blogger the he/she will be of serious note.

While all will be revealed next Tuesday including the festival Ambassador, Imelda can reveal that world famous fashion photographer (and friend of the Despotic Queen) Sonny Vandevelde will be exhibiting his backstage (and theft worthy) photography as part of the festival’s art program.

So between the festivals new push into social media, international guests and Sonny I’d say we’ve got the makings a fine looking fashion festival.

THE WAIT IS OVA

With my inbox groaning under the weight of sneak peak exclusives (and expectations of Imelda-ness) it’s time to get back to the business of being despotic (or so I was told last night by all and sundry as I catwalked my way around town).

Since the haute frauline Chuh-Chuh previewed Sanderson’s S/S 10 collection a week ago (you snooze you lose) and the Despotic Queen has a nasty aversion to sloppy seconds, we’ll be brief.

Whist’s it not Imelda’s MO to play favourites, Sanderson holds a special place in mien heart of darkness. Of course peppering your emails with statements like this, “the Despotic Queen and her Imeldettes are Sanderson’s fave people in the world ever” helps grease up my touchstone of tyranny. But mien love affair with the Brit designer really got all Alex Forester after this INTERVIEW.

Sanderson proved to be a playful and good-humoured interviewee and because of his willingness to ‘play along’ has earned a lifetime of devotion from the Despotic Queen (a terrorizing thought if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m an 80 year-old woman!), thus explaining my decision to serve up a re-heated sloppy seconds post.

According to Sanderson, S/S 10 sees the Brit designer taking a step back from “the giant heels and platforms of previous collections”. I wouldn’t have classified Sanderson as a ‘giant heels’ type of designer, I see his signature esthetic as minimal elegance so this claim piqued my interest and I’ve been keen to see what’s in-store.

 

Last time we spoke, Sanderson revealed he’d been commissioned to design the footwear for David McVicar’s Royal Opera House production of Aida and we could “expect a little Egyptian influence” in his S/S10 collection.

 Sanderson explained he had “a lot of fun playing with negative spaces and cutouts” and that ‘Hot Rod’s’ (see below) were another influence for the collection.

 Sanderson has juxtaposed his new ‘pared back’ esthetic by using masculine fabrications like patent (in mellifluous red) and tough hardware trims.

 

Giving me cause for concern is Sanderson’s new clog-hybrid -  a sand shoe upper on a wooden clog base. The designer claims in hushed tones “it still manages to be quintessentially Rupert” but Imelda’s not sold. Technically there’s nothing wrong with the shoe but as far as hybrids go, this one in my opinion, misses the mark. Although Imelda’s keenly aware that clog style shoes are one of the key silhouettes for S/S10 it doesn’t mean I have swim with the tide, does it?

Aside from delivering another brilliant collection and inking a long-term partnership with Karl Lagerfeld, Sanderson has finishing up the year with an accolade. Last week, Conde Nast title FN named Sanderson as one of the nine designers to watch in ’10, which if Imelda knows anything about Sanderson, and I think I do, it’ll be going straight to the pool room.

GAGA FOR MCQUEEN'S BAD ROMANCE

“Please don’t let Gaga, RiRi or Beyonce anywhere near those McQueen shoes” tweeted the fashion elitist’s purists during Alexander McQueen’s stellar S/S10 collection (click HERE).

Too late hos, the deal was inked the instant the first model stepped out on to the runway (for the final walk) to Gaga warbling, “ohhh,oh,oohhh,oh,ohhh, caught in a bad romance”

Gaga gives twisted shoe in EVERY video clip and with McQueen's assistance the crazy was just cranked up to 11, which is why the Despotic Queen welcomes Lady Gaga into the Order of Imelda. Gurl, your complementary steak knives are in the mail.

 

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

I think it’s somewhat predicable (and perhaps a little self-serving) for a blogger watching a movie about another blogger to squawk “quelle horreur thiz is my life”. NO?

Of course the movie to which Imelda’s referring is Julie & Julia.

Far be it for the Despotic Queen to offer up a critique of anything other than footwear. However, I will say the film doeth touch what can often be a raw nerve for those who blog and that is the impact blogging has on those who love us.

Towards the end of the film there is a short scene that should resonate with EVERY SINGLE person who authors a blog.

It clocks in at around one and half minutes of screen time but this single scene surmises EVERYTHING there is to know about the psyche of a blogger. 

Should your amour be parked next to you on your zebra covered chaise (as Imelda’s was) this scene is guaranteed to elicit knowing glances, a belly load of laugher (for the self deprecating types) and (depending on how obsessed you are with your blog) a few snide remarks.

I mention this because the end of the scene served as a timely reminder to why I started blogging and that is because I enjoy (nah, love) writing.

But from time-to-time the simple pleasure of cobbling together a few nonsensical words and mixed metaphors has (over the past three years) turned into a big beefy monkey riding my back.

I’ve had more cyber honours bestowed on me than is befitting a small cult blog about shoes, yet why is it that I’m still paralysed by doubt and afraid to talk about it?

And I know I’m not alone.

Are we afraid any talk of doubt will reveal our soft underbelly thus rendering us defenceless to the myriad of perceived attackers?

I was.

A few years past, while we were having our two for the price of one colonic treatment, I imparted words of wisdom to my much beloved Jill of Trend de la Creme (who was also having a blog crisis), “blog for yourself and only yourself”. Of course, these weren’t Imelda’s words, I’d picked them up somewhere on the information super highway and at the time they felt appropriate.

But time and life has a way of diluting wisdom and the original joy of blogging can get swept under a pile of emails or lost in the rush to be first to publish or dented by trolls or crushed by constant comparisons to other more prolific bloggers.

Should someone ever seek my counsel I would now say don’t sit around stewing in your own filth. Ask someone to ride shotgun and if you don’t have someone then ask Imelda. If I’ve learned one thing in three years it’s that blog-related crisis’ are both alarmingly regular (read one a year) and crippling and that sometimes all y’all need is a little perspective.

I’m no blogging agony aunt, in fact I’m the poster despot for what-not-to-do but if you need an ear then email me at editor@imelda.com.au and I’ll pony up my Skype deets (down a handful of cunt-relaxants) and we yak.

If the prospect of a tête-à-tête with the Despotic Queen is enough to cause an anal prolapse then remember ‘blog for yourself and only yourself’ and get thee a copy of Julie and Julia (just trust mother Imelda on that one).

I MUST BECOME A LION HEARTED (DESPOTIC) QUEEN

For the last two weeks I’ve been rattling around the Palace of Despotism like Brooke Astor, Lord knows I’d get my Dahmer-on anyone who tried to swindle (the swindler) out of her meds. No I think parallel between the Despotic Queen and the famed American philanthropist is a pervasive sadness - the unwanted gift (with purchase) the universe bestows on rich old women of historical importance.

I’m beginning to think Sonny (von Bulow) was the lucky one.

If you’re following Imelda on Twitter or Facebook then you’ll know the Despotic Queen is about to undergo the single greatest transition since El Diablo called my beloved Ferdinand (may he rest.in.peace) home.

No! I’m not talkin’ about the type of ‘transitioning’ one does in a cheap Thai clinic, I’m talkin’ about a complete realignment of the Despotic Queens life, which for a woman of 80 isn’t as easy as it once was.

I burden y’all with this dribble because I should be surfing the wave of publicity (of being the first Australian Blogger to collab on a window installation) and wowing all my new Imeldettes with my double-jointed 'merciless tongue of tyranny' and ‘questionable’ content. But Imelda’s circumstances are slowly bankrupting the bank of despotism (oh the irony) and led to a cut back from one post a day to one every two days and for this I feel (ahhh not even the DQOS is immune from bloggers guilt) a vague explanation/apology was needed.

In many ways I wish I was a style blogger or a blogger that repackages other bloggers content, adding commentary, or a blogger that publishes press releases as news but I’m not. So all I ask (of new and old Imeldettes) is that we ride out the storm together – I promise you there will be a pot of gold, but just remember it's mine.

CALL OF THE WILD

He’s felt the ire of a Despotic Queen and fallen out of favour with a raven haired Scottish Queen but none of this fazes the blithe Aussie wunder-cobbler, Tristan “shit happens from time to time” Blair.

Nor should it…Blair is Australian footwear’s original trailblazer.

At a time when the local industry was bogged down in a quagmire of designer knock-off’s (not much has changed), Blair bravely presented consumers (and Buyers) with his alternative vision of affordable designer footwear.

Blair has been kind enough to give Imelda (and her beloved Imeldettes) a sneak peek at his 9^th collection.

For A/W 10 Blair continues his upward trajectory by drawing inspiration from a variety of sources ranging from the African landscape to the austerity of Victorian times.

As always, the Designer has remained true to his aesthetic of juxtaposing contrasts while for A/W 10 the designer examines “different ideas for heel shapes, from the architectural heel to the comfortable wedge to the sharp sleek stiletto”.

 

BLOGGING BEAUTY FINGERED IN DRUG SCANDAL

The Despotic Queen has just learnt that Melbourne based blogger Lady Melbourne has become embroiled in an Australasian blogging scandal.

In a report sighted by HRH, Melbourne has been fingered by Singaporean Blogging authorities for her un-ladylike behaviour at the recent Nuff Nang Asian Pacific Blogging Awards.

According to several unconfirmed reports Melbourne was sighted purchasing hard liquor from a Singaporean 7/11 prior to the awards ceremony (which due to the attendance of several underage bloggers was a 'DRY' event). Melbourne, a notorious cyber drunk is regularly photographed getting her Liza-on, but it’s the photograph (below) of the blogger ingesting a questionable ecstasy-like tablet that has sparked the investigation.

The news couldn’t have come at worse time for the chaste cyber beauty who was in Singapore collecting a (Nuff Nang) award for Best Fashion Blogger.

When contacted for a comment the a spokesperson for the Singaporean Blogging High Commission informed the Despotic Queen, “that the matter is under review”

The evening’s events remain unclear but what is known is that at some point Melbourne was admitted into a ‘clinic’. Alarming photographs obtained by Imelda reveal Melbourne (with shadowy ‘travel companion’ Lois Lane) slumped in a wheelchair awaiting medical attention. In other photographs Melbourne is seen self-administering a suspicious substance, orally. While in additional images, the blogger is surrounded by a cacophony of drug paraphernalia including syringes, intravenous drips and fame whoring hangers-on.

The information super highway is buzzing with surreptitious whispers that Melbourne’s Amy Winehouse-esque behaviour could see the blogger stripped of her award.

Imelda has learnt that the ‘incident’ has been bought to the attention of Australian blogging grand poo bah Darren Rowse (Problogger). Several days ago Rowse took to his Twitter account and tweeted, “Just reading about the Nuff Nang awards”.

That the allegations have reached Rowse should be a cause for concern (for Melbourne) as it suggests the matter may be referred before the Australian blogging high commission. If found guilty of behaviour unbecoming of her cyber alter ego, Melbourne could be stripped of her award and sentenced to 12 months of dial up broadband.

When contacted (by Imelda) a barely coherent Melbourne gargled “bitch, shut the f**k up before I throw my drink over you”Talking exclusively (to Imelda) Melbourne’s mother (known as Mother Melbourne) revealed she was ‘unnerved’ by her beautiful daughter’s behaviour.

Mother Melbourne also revealed that her daughter had made the acquaintance of several “creepy leathery Americans” while she was poolside at the Ritz Carlton. When questioned if these ‘leathery Americans’ were responsible for her daughter’s Pat Pong Road nails (pictured below) the steely Mother Melbourne broke down in tears.

“I can’t explain any of it” she sobbed, “I bought her up to be Lady Melbourne not (infamous drug mule, author and bogan beautician) Shappelle Corby”

While Melbourne’s behaviour (and nail work) is a chilling reminder of the dark side of cyber fame, other bloggers have suggested it’s all a publicity stunt.

Speaking off the record another high profile blogger (also in Singapore for the Nuff Nang Awards) speculated Melbourne could be “angling for some kinda Ralph/FHM deal” and that the leathery Americans are “well-known smut peddlers from the Girls Gone Wild franchise’ who were in Singapore to cast a spin-off series, ‘Girls Gone Web Wild’.

With the outcome of the Singaporean investigation weeks away, Imelda’s sources have confirmed Melbourne’s benefactor ‘His Lordship’ is mounting a counter offensive.

Sources close to Melbourne’s moneyed amour have conceded ‘His Lordship’ is ‘furious’ that Melbourne’s reputation could be tarnished by the allegations and is said to have convened a beachside ‘war council’ over the weekend that included a number of high flying Public Relations Executives.

Story still breaking…

THIS IS IT...ALMOST!

“I’m sorry Frauline Despotic but Frau Fritz Hippler passed away in 2002” “Oh” I replied, “but I have a (propaganda) film that needs editing and Karl (Rove) recommended Hippler. He says Hippler’s ‘Der ewige Jude’ is his favourite film.”

“I’m sorry. But as we told Frau (Bill) O’Reily, since Hippler and Theo van Gogh were called home, the ministry* is now recommending Geert Wilders. Frau Wilders’ is doing a superb job in Europe polluting the Islamic discourse with his sermon of hatred, Fitna”

“Oh yes, I think he’s done some work for Putin. Ok, thankyou Frauline Coulter”

Wilder wasn’t the easiest extremist to track down but when I did the news wasn’t good “Your Royal Highness” bork.bork.bork he sounded more like Chef from the Muppets than a dangerous militant, “I’d consider it an honour to cut your film, however Mrs Palin has enlisted my services (for her 2012 campaign) and I’m contractually forbidden to work for tyrants retired or otherwise. Bork.bork.bork. I hope you can understand”

Sheesh. When you need something done, like oh I don’t know, say having your husband’s political opponent murdered (on the down and low) it’s best to do it yourself - which is what Imelda did (not the killing part…well, not that’s ever been proven), cutting the video.

I’m no Hippler but Imelda thinks she’s done a snappy job nonetheless. I will warn you it’s a stretch long (hence the two parts) but there was 100-years of footwear to cover, and secondly, the vacuum noise might enrage you (as it did Imelda) but it ends around the 5min mark. Otherwise, enjoy.

*The Despotic Eight’s Ministry responsible for the Manipulation and Subjugation of Free Speech.

MICHETTI DANIELE WAS BORN TO SHOD!

It seemed nothing could interrupt Imelda’s orgy of self indulgence but HMAS Me-Me has docked for the day, so Imelda can step onto dry land and bump heels with Michetti Daniele.

Daniele you may recall tickled Imelda’s touchstone of tyranny when the handsome I-ti took out this year’s ‘Who is on Next’ award.

Sponsored by Vogue Italia, this prestigious award has been presented to future footwear greats like Nicholas Kirkwood, Chrissie Morris and Max Kibardin so needless to say it (and the winner) has the Despotic Queen’s full attention.

No overnight sensation, the 33-year old Daniele has been toiling away at his craft since finishing school.

Talking with the Despotic Queen, Daniele explained “After finishing high school for surveyors I immediately took my first steps in the shoemaking world by attending several specialisation (sic) courses”. As previously reported (by Imelda) Daniele was born into a ‘shoe making family’.  What wasn’t known was how instrumental Daniele was to the development of this family business.

“I personally participated in the growth of the company, from a family-run shoemaking concern to a successful men’s footwear business”, Daniele revealed. “From 1995 to 2005 I was Designer and Product Manager for collections where luxury, beauty and a traditional approach to innovation were essential to the work we did. Working closely alongside the sales network, I trained and matured in the skills that the company still has today”

Like a racy Mills and Boon novella, Daniele’s resume blows the haute winds of excitement up Imelda’s skirt. From 2005 to 2007 Daniele “created collections for the Alberto Guardiani label and, in the same period, in clothing, I worked with the Copen group with the licensed brands T-Skin, Alviero Martini, Mila Schon, Ferre and Alessandro Dell’ Acqua”.

Talking about his aesthetic Daniele’s said, “I have a penchant for an eclectic, vigorous style that stretches from luxury to extreme deconstruction, from bon ton to elegant sobriety, where the development of materials, colours and sensations is almost inexhaustible”

For the past 5 seasons the 33 year-old has earned his high fashion stripes working with Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent Men’s Accessories. But what Imelda didn’t know was that Daniele has also been working for Moncler Accessori, Alberto Fasciani and Raparo labels.

Daniele’s comprehensive experience in menswear will hold the designer in good stead for his newest role at Sergio Rossi. The venerable house of Rossi has recently announced that Daniele will be working ‘alongside’ newly appointed Creative Director Francesco Russo as the label’s new Men’s Accessories Supervisor.

With over 14 years experience in men’s footwear it came as a (pleasant) surprise that Daniele choose women’s footwear to launch his namesake brand.

Explaining the inspiration behind his S/S 10 collection, Daniele reveals “my starting point for the various themes in the collection, associated with occasions (private party), emotions (fashion soul, be glamour), dreams (walking on the moon), placed alongside the work of hands, tradition and craftsmanship in the methods, construction and interlacing that are the unmistakable hallmark of a luxury that is sophisticated but never ostentatious”.

Boldly passionate, the haute blooded Daniele also explained how he wants “every woman to be herself" and at the same time to "play with her image to interpret every aspect of her many-sided soul”

Appling his men’s wear eye to women’s footwear will prove to be a fortuitous move for the Italian designer; his debut collection is an exquisite marriage of luxury fabrics (crocodile, sting ray, snake) and precision tailoring.

Each shoe from Daniele’s debut collection is a tempered study of provocative femininity. The designer uses trims and embellishments to create a series of juxtaposing statements that simultaneously challenge and acquiesces to the established ideals of sophisticated footwear.

S/S 10 is shaping up to be prodigious season for independent designers like Daniele so Imelda says, start cuttin' those coupons!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

Above in all it’s camp-glory is your looksee at the first-ever Australian blogger/retailer collaboration. Snaps.

After a late night on the tear (with Brisbane’s velvet mafia) the Despotic Queen has a debilitating hang-over, so I’m going to keep this short n’ sweet and we'll debrief tomorrow.

This should give Imelda enough time to find a suitable way thank Amber and Matt Long (owners of luxury emporium Jean Brown) for choosing I(me)lda to be part of this historical event.

More pictures after the jump.