The enchanting collection, entitled Garden of Earthly Delights, features motifs like birds, butterflies roses and lilies, has been hand-crafted from vintage components gathered from around the world. Each line in the collection is a limited edition. The vintage components are in short supply and each is made in Australia by hand.

Here are a couple of the shots. If you can’t get enough the full set of shots is on our Tumblr. To order your own piece from the collection be quick and click here.

Beau Brummel Earrings, Neptunes Garden Black Necklace

Secret Love Earrings

Flamethrower Necklace Orange Divine Earrings Flame

Divine Black Earings

Jade Omen Earrings, Paradise Lost Necklace, Birdman ring and Winged Venus Ring, left hand

Flamethrower Necklace natural, Moth Moon Cuff

Parisian Street Society has just launched a fresh new online shop. Now the late-century French vintage wares that were only available to lucky Melbournians can be ordered from anywhere in the world.

Our advise: be decisive and don’t hesitate too long to snap up what you find there. It’s all genuine high-end luxury pieces that are difficult to find. And with the amount of press they are getting this could be a very quickly diminishing resource. Fair warning.

www.parisianstreetsociety.com.au

xx Kyra

The Hanna Bernhard cross necklace in the image below and the top image is available at Parisian Street Society, Melbourne. The be-jewelled cuffs above are also available. Shop 7, 101-105 Toorak Rd (South Yarra Arcade) Melbourne.

Styled by Editor at Large Emmanuelle Alt on Raquel Zimmermann. 

I’ve made a personal commitment to taking part in Buy Nothing New month. It’s not that I’m trying to ‘occupy Wall Street’, I just feel that as a society we could be a little more mindful of the types of purchases we make. This isn’t a suggestion that we abstain from shopping, just that perhaps we might consider buying sustainable, fair-trade or eco merchandise.

Over the weekend I was able to navigate my own rules and buy something ‘not new’ for recently engaged friends. Their engagement gift (wrapped in last week’s Le Monde) was a terrarium from Domain Flowers.  Planted in an old scotch decanter, the piece ticked the ‘nothing new’ box as far as I’m concerned.

Here are a few terrariums by Melbourne’s Miniscapes that I really admire:

Tomorrow is the National Swap Day, Buy-Nothing-Newers will be pleased to hear. For Green Fashionistas this is the biggest clothing swap of the year. The idea with the event is to bring something of value that for whatever reason you just don’t wear and swap it for something that you will. The last time I want I brought with me a Karen Walker tartan skirt (new with tags) that I had begun to feel sorry for. I just never wore it. It found an excited new owner, and I picked up a silk sheath that I’ve worn about 50 times or so. Everyone wins. Not the least the environment.

Here are the details:

If there isn’t one being held where you live then get your friends around for a private one. I did. Have a look at photos here, here and here.

Here’s how the professionals run it though; orderly and tidy for the first 5 minutes then a big chaotic fashion freak-out!

Happy swapping. I hope you find something old to give a new lease on life to. For Melburnians interested, see you at 6:30 sharp at he BMW Edge, I have some under-appreciated Margiela to throw into the fashion scrum.

Star Pia Miranda with bona-fide Hollywood A-lister Rose Byrne on the red carpet at The Classic in Melbourne.

Pybus PR is working alongside Limelight PR at the moment on the release of Surviving Georgia. Limelight is running the traditional PR and we are doing the film’s social media, like its Facebook page, Twitter and Blog. Surviving Georgia stars Pia Miranda, Holly Valance, Shane Jacobson, Spencer McLaren and Caroline O’Connor. Co-directed by Sandra Sciberras and Kate Whitebred, produced by Kate Whitebred and Spencer McLaren.

The film is being called a romantic comedy, but as pointed out by Citysearch reviewer  Tim Hunter it manages to transcend the expectations and traditional formula for that genre. I would call Surviving Georgia a coming-of-age tale that rather beautifully reminds us that there is hope for everyone, and that even the most broken of people and relationships can be fixed.

My special thanks goes to Jane Hayes whom I called on to style the star Pia Miranda and the Directors for the red carpet. Jane pulled some amazing vintage Chanel, Hermes and Balenciaga from our client Parisian Street Society to finnish off absolutely beautiful red carpet looks.

Here are a few shots from the red carpet, thanks to Cecylia, Stylus Muse and WOW People Magazine for sharing the images. Surviving Georgia opens nationally tomorrow.

Director/Producer Kate Whitebred wearing a Lisa Barron gown and vintage Channel bracelets from Parisian Street Society.

Pia Miranda, Director Sandra Sciberras and Jane Hayes.

Pia Miranda wore a Mathew Williamson dress with a vintage Balenciaga necklace and vintage Hermes cuff, both available at Parisian Street Society.

Pia wore a rare Balenciaga necklace circa 80's, gold-plated with turquoise enamel. Available at Parisian Street Society.

The event was covered by our A-list style bloggers, from left Cecylia, Iolanthe, Jane, Lisa and myself.

WIth Tobie Wallace who beautifully played Holly Valance's son. Watch this face!

My beautiful gown is by Madam Virtue & Co, jewellery by Ghost & Lola. Thank you to Nish for being the perfect date on the red carpet!

The Spirit of the Black Dress has been throwing the light of industry recognition on emerging designers since 2009. Whilst doing so it asks two things of its entrants, make it ecologically sustainable, and, keep it black. Selecting from talented designers the nation wide has always revealed some ingenious methodologies for approaching sustainability. And the black-only palette has helped keep the focus on the design credentials.

I have personally been a supporter of SOTBD since inception. A little flick back in our Tumblr and I found a few shots I took of my favourites from last year.

Alyana Eau & Pricilla Lim's remarkable piece with repurposed industrial tubing.

A sumptuous and cleverly constructed piece by Samantha Lilian Koval

Nathan Price of Limedrop with a piece he and his partner re-worked from old leather biker jackets, from memory. I still love it. I wonder where it is and if its for sale.

Cristina Tridente of Love Couture Madness with a very desirable piece of eco couture

Alex Trimmer is one of my favourite Australian designers. With his label Sosume he makes it its his business to only ever produce ethical garments. And they are so beautiful.

If Dan Jones can make his brand of glamour in ethical ways then no one has an excuse not to. A glamourous garment that is also mindful. Perfect.

As with last year, up to 1o submissions will be chosen to be professionally photographed and shown on the runway at a VIP industry event during the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival.

Heres the video of last years successful entries:

I have been personally very impressed with what the organisers of Spirit of the Black Dress have achieved each year. They present an exemplary event that honours the talent of the designers, the expectations of the fashion industry and the need for serious re-thinking for the environment’s sake. And they manage to do it all on a very humble budget.

I’ve been asked to be on the judging panel of the 2012 event, something I am honoured to do. I’d be intimidated by the task were I not sharing it with some of the brightest people in the fashion industry. They can’t be bribed, but its nice to know who they are none the less:

2012 Judging Panel:

Phoebes Garland of Garland and Garland Fashion

Jenny Bannister & Philip Boon of Fashion Torque

Sarah Gale of Fashionista Business Consultancy Group

Kyra Pybus of Pybus PR

The program will benefit from the astute guidance of Dean Hewitt and JC Lloyd-Southwell d’Anvers of Madam Virtue & Co. who have been appointed Patrons.

Submissions close Thursday 24^th of November 2011

Download the Submission Form here.

Download the Sustainability Guidelines here.

For more information go to www.thespiritoftheblackdress.com.au

The event has always had an extremely committed and talented team around it. The imagery the event produces is brilliant. I’ve had a bit of fun Googling up old SOTBD images, here’s a few from years past.

Kyra.

Here are a few highlights… Photography by The White Tree.

Whilst the event was themed on contemporary Parisian glamour, I couldn’t help myself – I had the team dressed in adorable French Maid costumes, complete with cheeky feather dusters. A little bit of irony and a nod to Louis Vuittons recent A/W showing in Paris.

My gown, a Luca Luca ruffled asymmetric sheath in lavender pink ruffles from the NYFW runway,  is thanks to Yahav at Paris 99 and the vintage Chanel bracelets and neckpiece I wore was loaned by my gorgeous client Shannyn at Parisian Street Society.

The ballroom of The Langham was filled with tiers of delectables that were each a French twist on the afternoon tea tradition by talented pastry chef Pierrick Boyer of Le Petit Gateau, which was served with a tea selection by the equally French tea merchant Madame Flavour. A dozen tables set with heavy silver and the weight of a thousand blooms, expertly set in place within giant cognac glasses.  The jaw dropping arrangements were donated for the fundraising event by my client, and one of Melbourne’s most respected and desired florists, Domain Flowers. Domain gave us a tiny taste of what they do for some of the most extravagant parties, weddings and corporate headquarters. Our sincere thanks goes to Domain for their generous support.

Opulent floral arrangements donated by Domain Flowers.

Early in the planning of the event I called on my friends JC and Dean at Madame Virtue & Co. for some authentically French inspiration. What they treated the guest to on the day was an immersive experience in true French couture from their own collection. The far wall of the ballroom was flanked with ten looks, each one hand stitched by the premiers couturiers in Paris, except for the most exceptionally detailed pieces, which were sewn and pinned by JC himself. Seeing true couture in the flesh is a rare treat.

A boxed pair of limited edition PRADA couture cuffs, generously donated by Madam Virtue & Co. The guests lined up to purchase raffle tickets to win these beauties. All funds raised were donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

The Emporium of French pop-up shops brought to us the feeling of bustling around the Parisian streets. Two of my gorgeous clients, Peony Melbourne Haute Parfumerie and Ghost & Lola,  set up shop in the Emporium for the day.

Peony Haute Parfumerie is a rather famous shop in Hawthorn that stocks the most sought-after artisanal luxury fragrances in the world. It’s lovely proprietor Jill installed a pop-up that was like a little bite of old Versailles. French toile walls, bottles of perfume balanced on ancient tomes, treasure boxes filled with macarons! Her customers were treated to their first experience of the very fragrance worn by Empress Josephine. After 200 years the elite fragrance house Rance has rebottled the original scent.

The event was supported by some of Melbourne’s most famously stylish media, including Phoebe Montague from Lady Melbourne (and what she wore from Parisian Street Society), Lisa Teh from Stylus Muse, Thom Whilton from Everyone’s Celebrity, Sarah Wilcocks from Style Melbourne, Iolanthe Gabrie form Ruby Slipper, Cecylia and Chian, Magda Gillner-Zaniewski, Editor/Publisher of Collection Magazine, Jane Hayes, The Age columnist Suzanne Carbone and the multi-talented  Leeyong Soo from Style Wilderness and City Weekly (click on the links to read their articles). Without their judicious support there would be no guests! And what kind of tea party would that be!?

Here are some of the fund-raising bon vivants in their Frenchie-best…

Jane Hayes of Jane Hayes Consulting with myself at the Photobooth by Image Superstore.

Event Producer Sha Anderson of Le Style with Cecylia Kee form Cecylia.com

Lisa Teh from Stylus Muse with Dean Hewitt and JC Lloyd-Southwell d'Anvers from Madam Virtue & Co.

Susan Su from I Heart Dress Up Parties with her very stylish friends.

Leeyong Soo, Chian Kee and Suzanna Zhang.

Dean Hewitt, the talented stylist from Madam Virtue & Co.

Susan Su, who loaned the sweet French Maid outfits for the event.

Trois chic Francophiles.

Myself with the dapper Thom Whilton. My dress is from Paris 99 and the Chanel jewellery was loaned to my by my client Shannyn at Parisian Street Society. Lucky me!

Lovers of fine chocolate and fine architecture admire chef Pierrick Boyer's hand-made chocolate Eiffel Tower.

A serious contender for the best-dressed prize!

At the popular French photobooth.

Yahav Ron from Paris 99 with Sha Anderson, who is dressed in stunning Lanvin thanks to Madam Virtue & Co.

The beautiful soloist.

Melbourne's most well-dressed men? Madam Virtue's Dean and JC.

Phoebe Montague, Chian Kee and my assistant extraordinaire, Cath Shelly.

Iolanthe Gabrie

Maison Guedin Candles Les Potagers

And the winner is….. !

A young lady who challenged the pack from the under-two yrs division!

A lovely mother-daughter team. It's hard to compete with that much too-cuteness !

  Many thanks to The Age, Broadsheet, Collection Magazine, Daily Addict, City Weekly, Agenda, High Tea Society, Lady Melbourne, Iolanthe Gabrie, Jane Hayes, Style Melbourne, Quiver and Everguide for helping spread the word leading up to the event. Because of the support tickets completely sold out and significant funds were raised for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Watch out for future Le Style events if you love all things French and chic – tickets go like hot cakes!

Biggest thank you to Nish!

Cecylia, Nish, Kyra and Yahav. Photo by Chian, courtesy of Cecylia.com

Bon nuit!