We will be back in September after the big Trade Fairs to report on all things stylish..

Mr Jason Grant lives, breaths and is pure style. Every inch of his amazing home has been intricately styled and every corner thought of. ♥

I look at these images and feel the immediate love he has for his own space and all of the beautiful things that live with him each day. After I looked at the article and slowly placed my dropped jaw back into place, I emailed Jason to say how stunned I was and that basically I would like to move in. Jason – Im still waiting for my answer…♥

Ok brace your selves here come the pics…. ♥

*stay tuned for my 5 mins with interview with Jason. ♥

My business is called The Darnell Collection Pty Ltd which is now permanently on display at The Fashion and Textile Gallery (FT Gallery).

I have two blogs: www.dreamingofdior@blogspot.com and www.thedarnellcollection@blogspot.com

My first book published by HarperCollins Australia, is called Dreaming of Dior. My second book, also published by HarperCollins Australia, will be called Dreaming of Chanel.

Question 2

The Darnell Collection came into being in February 2004 when it arrived from America. The FT Gallery opened in February 2010. Dreaming of Dior was published in November 2009 and Dreaming of Chanel will be available from 1 November 2010.

Question 3

I renamed my vintage clothing collection after my American godmother, Doris Darnell, in recognition of her seventy years of passionate collecting and preserving stories about the clothes and the donors.

The title Dreaming of Dior was inspired by text I had written for an LBD on exhibition. I read in one of my fashion history books that every woman in the 1950s dreamed of owning a Dior. My publisher saw that and … we finally had a title for the book.

Question 4

I am Curator of The Darnell Collection and The Fashion and Textile Gallery. I am also a fashion writer and have written my own book(s) and articles for magazines.

Question 5

I was a custodian of my collection first and now, after 6 years, I have graduated to Curator.

Question 6

The favourite part of what I do is my unofficial role (one that I have created!) as ambassador of vintage fashion and fashion history. I am working towards making this role official and would love to promote wool (a luxurious fibre so important to Australia’s history), fashion as a career (in all its guises from designer to educator to researcher) and Sydney as a fashion destination (working with Tourism NSW). I have the opportunity to travel around Australia and the world researching the history of fashion and promoting The Darnell Collection. I meet fascinating people and work with passionate fashion design students.

Question 7

I went to a liberal arts college in America, Hollins College (600 women, no men, and all from the south. I was considered a serious Yankee as I lived in Pennsylvania at the time) and graduated with a B.A. in Art History. I spent my ‘junior’ year in Paris where I studied French architecture, art, politics, literature and history. At Hollins my studies included French, Latin, art and art history and creative writing. I also worked as a college intern for Christie’s Auction House in Philadelphia.

When I graduated I went straight to NYC and worked for an Impressionist art dealer. For the next 6 years, I worked for art dealers in NYC, London, Monte Carlo and Paris.

In 1989, I moved to France and ran my own company making and selling decorative lampshades. The business grew so big I had distributors around the world attending gift fairs where orders were taken for my lampshades.

I sold the business when I moved to Australia in 1998. I opened an antiques shop in the Blue Mountains where I lived (and still do) and sold French and English country antiques, lighting and textiles. I sold the shop in 2006 to concentrate on the Darnell Collection.

Question 8

I live in the Blue Mountains and work in Surry Hills, Sydney. My collection and the Gallery are based in 8 Hill Street, Level 1, Surry Hills.

Question 9

As I LOVE what I do I work all the time. There is always something exciting to do, person to speak with, project to establish or book to write. I work at the Gallery in Sydney 3 days a week and from home the rest of the time if I am not travelling. My laptop is in the kitchen so as soon as I get up and while I have a cup of tea, I check my emails. I have a young daughter so I try to do as much with her when she is home, but work when she is at school and then get back to work when she goes to bed. At the moment what I do is all consuming, but I love it.

Question 10

The most rewarding thing in my career so far was knowing that my godmother, Doris, knew her beloved collection was as important to me as it had been for her when she passed away. Her dream had been to establish a permanent home for her collection in the US. This didn’t happen, but three years after receiving her bequest and by the time she passed away, I had established the collection in Australia as an important educational resource and had found it a permanent home. Doris passed away knowing the collection was in good hands. Doris also knew I was as passionate about preserving the collection as she was. When the collection was packed up and shipped off to Australia (all 1200 kilos of it), Doris had written me a letter saying how bereft she felt without the collection, but that she could enjoy knowing I had been happy to take it on.

It would make me very sad to think Doris had passed away never realising how much of an impact her collection was making in the fashion world over here and how receiving the collection has changed my life for the better.

Question 11

My favourite on-line sites are ones related to research and understanding the history of fashion.

I love the Powerhouse D*HUB online design resource centre. I can spend hours looking at the diverse and fascinating entries about fashion and textiles.

www.dhub.org

The London College of Fashion also has a great collection resource including 3000 wonderful images from Woolmark dating from the early 1950s to late 1970s.

www.fashion.arts.ac.uk

Here is an on-line resource I discovered by chance. It lits an incredible number of sources including fashion designers, associations and organisations, auction houses, blogs, books and dvds, and much, much more.

www.digital-librarian.com/fashion.html

Question 12

Queen Rania of Jordan. She is the perfect ambassador for women: she is beautiful, dresses stunningly and appropriately, works tirelessly for charitable causes and because of her position as queen can make a difference in the world.

I love the idea that with something special (for me it is my collection) people’s lives can be bettered or even changed for the best. The possibility that something one has can inspire, inform and educate. A collection like The Darnell Collection can offer so much to so many people. I could never imagine keeping my collection private. The possibilities it offers to promote fashion, inspire and educate future designers and give insight into social history and the changing roles men and women have played in fashion history is priceless!

Question 13

It was difficult to choose one person, but I will go with Lucile, Lady Duff Gordon. She was a designer whose most romantic and best (in my mind) styles happened between 1905 and 1912. Her collections always had romantic names like “Gowns of Emotions”. They were an extravaganza of sheer pastel organzas, bows and beads, ribbons and ruffles. She was also on board the Titanic when it sank and survived.

My question to her would be: “Your gowns were so feminine and soft, every young deb would dream of wearing one prior to 1912. Did the experience of being on board the Titanic and surviving alter the decadent styles you were so famous for? If so, how?”

Question 14

This is a tough one. I don’t have one particular favourite colour. I love soft pastel pink, but don’t often wear it. Can I say I love pastel colours?

Question 15

I love the 30s. It was a decade of such contradictions: the power of the silver screen and the seriously glamorous fashion that came out of that contrasted with depravity and war which meant mainstream fashion became structured and practical.

I also love all the important changes happening, the beginning of real social and workplace changes in the fashion industry. Like Madeline Vionnet offering her employees dental and medical help in house, paid maternity and sick leave and an in-house canteen so her employees ate properly. Like Chanel recognising a need to introduce an unstructured silhouette using soft, feminine and flattering wool jersey for day and evening wear for a more modern and independent woman. Like Hattie Carnegie, an American designer, whose drop dead gorgeous, slinky and lavish dresses were made with Hollywood in mind.

Question 16

My favourite place to live (perhaps when I retire) is England. I really miss the architecture, the history, the glorious countryside and the traditional way of life.

My favourite place to visit on holiday is Florence. The whiff of Prada’s Infusion D’iris as you walk beside elegant ladies along the Via del Corso looking at dreamy dresses in the windows of shops like Roberto Cavalli on your way to dinner on the terrace of the Excelsior Hotel overlooking the Arno dressed in something new bought from Valentino……hmmm – very dreamy! This is my plan for my birthday trip this July!

Question 17

My goal is to establish The Darnell Collection at The Fashion Gallery as THE destination in Australia for fashion exhibitions, lectures, research and just plain inspiration. My goal is to make it a place where people feel happy to meet, feel comfortable to explore and leave inspired and informed. My goal for The FT Gallery is for it to become a hub for people passionate about the history of fashion.

Another goal I have and one I have been working on for the past year with Prof. Adrian Franklin, a friend who is also a passionate collector, author and panelist on ABC TV’s Collectors, is to begin filming a television series on fashion filmed around the world.

My materialistic goal is to buy a vintage floaty, chiffon Valentino gown!!

Question 18

This refers to Question 17. I would like to be a Valentino gown from the late 70s – a beautiful pastel flowery, chiffon long gown with real jewels around the neck and perhaps a jewelled clasp on the waist which is worn to an elegant ball at Valentino’s chateau in France. Of course, the evening will include Krystal champagne drunk out of Baccarat flutes, an exquisite meal served on Limoges dinner plates, a live orchestra, candles, chandeliers, enormous vases of scented lilies and most importantly, a very dashing dinner companion dressed in black tie – by Valentino, naturally!! And yes, I saw the Valentino movie!

The Book of Love is a novel by Phillipa Fioretti.

‘Travel from Sydney to Rome in a whirlwind of vintage dresses and daring actions in this romantic comedy debut by Australian author Phillipa Fioretti.

An enchanting and stylish adventure about a Roman holiday gone wrong’. ♥

Before I go into the interview with Phillipa, I want to have a minute to explain how important this book has been to me personally. As Ive mentioned in other book reviews prior to this one, Im not normally akined to the writings of fiction. In fact I believe I can be quoted as saying ‘I just don’t read fiction- ever’, Id prefer to watch a movie.

Well this book has changed things, who would have thought. I recieved a forward copy of The Book Of Love as I plain and simply fell ‘in love’ with the cover. A shallow statement yes, but truthful. On seeing the cover I thought ‘well a lot of effort has gone into the beauty and detail of the cover so I can only imagine what is written’.

So after receiving my copy I unwrapped it to find this magnificent cover and an even more beautiful delicately illustrated and coloured inside sleeve.

In a nut shell the book is both riveting funny in part and keeps you reading for hours. Heres a short run down of what takes place…♣

Lily a queen of style in retro clothes, and Robbie, her boyfriend, run a second hand book shop in Paddington, Sydney.

In a shipment of old books from Nairobi, Robbie discovers a rare french book of ancient Roman erotica. With only four copies in existence, and valued at twenty million dollars, he is determined to sell it despite Lily’s suggestion to return it to the French government.

Days later , William, a dashing Russian employed by a London fine arts firm in London to retrieve stolen artworks arrives at the shop. Robbie refuses to hand over the book, and disappears, taking his and Lily’s life savings with him. And well, the rest you will have to read and find out. ♥

Interview with Phillipa Fioretti ♥

What is the name of your business/businesses/blog/website/Book?

My book is called The Book of Love.

For the blog I use my name, Phillipa Fioretti

When did you launch your business/businesses/blog/website/Book?

I started the blog a year ago and my book is published this month by Hachette Australia. There’ll be a couple of launches for the book, but the blog started very quietly  – with a cup of tea and fumbling attempts at HTML. I love blogging and the freedom it brings. I roam all over the place garnering images and ideas for it. I’d like to develop the site a bit further, but that requires a little more technical knowledge than I have now. I’ll get there, however!

How did you choose your name for the business/blog/website/Book?

My blog, phillipafioretti.com.au, is where people can find out a little more about my books and other activities, they can comment and browse through posts connected to writing, creativity, food, mythology, shoes, Italy, poems, vintage clothes, art images and more. It seemed logical to use my name to group it all under.

The title for my book refers to a rare book of ancient Roman erotica that is stolen and turns up in an antiquarian bookshop in Sydney. Lily, who owns the bookshop, and William who is after the book, get caught up in love throughout the book. So it’s a two-for-one title.

What is your current position/career? (where?)

I’m a writer and I work from home.

How many years have you been operating in your field/career?

I’ve been writing for four years and blogging for one.

What is the favourite part of what you do?

Retreating into my imagination

What did you study if you did, if not what other jobs have you had?

Archaeology, Anthropology and Philosophy in an Arts degree, Sculpture in a Visual Arts degree, and Museum Studies in a postgraduate diploma

Where are you located?

In my study – with the door shut.

How many hours a day would you say you work?

Between 4 and seven, depending on the day – during school holidays I tend to get less done because that study door just keeps getting opened.

What was the most rewarding thing that has happened in your career so far?

I love writing stories, and discovering that I love it has been hugely exciting for me. And of course, let’s not forget being offered a two-book contract by a major publisher. One of the best things about being published is working with people who know and love your book and want to help develop it. That makes it live, as opposed to being shut away in the bottom drawer for years. Friends and family can get a bit glassy eyed when the ‘book’ subject comes up!

Name your top 3 online stores or blogs/sites? and why?

The Sartorialist – because I like to see how real people put themselves together, Zodee – because they sell Omsa Italian hosiery and a blog called Little Augury. I find this a fascinating blog, it’s American and the blogger describes it as ‘truly eclectic. It may be interior design-my life long career. Style, design, architecture, social history, with talk about what links them all.’ I spend quite a bit of time there, browsing and exploring links.

Who is your mentor and why?

I don’t have a mentor, but I have had people in my life who have influenced me in positive ways. I’m fortunate to have parents who love to read, and who love to ‘look’ – by that I mean, in art galleries, museums, picture and photography books, films and magazines. And my partner is an insanely hard worker and has demonstrated to me what can be achieved if you put in the effort.

If you could meet anyone in the world alive or passed who would it be and what would you ask them?

I’d like to meet Maria Callas. I’d ask her about life and men, love, creativity, happiness, career and everything in-between.

What is your favourite colour?

I am drawn to blues and greens, but I also have a small fetish for rich earthy browns and ochres. I can’t wear earthy colours but they always catch my eye.

What is your favourite era – design &/or fashion wise?

Berlin between the wars

What is your favourite place in the world?

Anywhere I’m having a laugh with friends.

What is your goal for your business/blog/book in the next 12 months?

For my book – I hope it sells very well and readers enjoy it. I’m working on the sequel at the moment and feeling a little sad I’ll have to say goodbye to my characters once the sequel is finished. My goal beyond the sequel is to develop another group of characters with whom I can get passionately involved in and who beg me for a book of their own.

For my blog – I’d like more interaction with readers, and I’ll be continuing with posts on the themes in my books, and on all things that catch my eye and contribute to my writing life.

If you could be a vintage dress or outfit – which one would you be?  (this one is just for s a bit of fun)

Years ago I saw a photo taken in the nineteen thirties of a woman wearing a turban and a silk satin devore jacket in eggplant and chocolate shades with mandarin sleeves and I thought it was the most exquisite creation I’d ever seen. It whispered style, decadence, sensuality, and I wanted it badly.

But as I can’t have it, I’ll be it.

What are you watching on Tv or reading at the moment? (either or both)

I’m reading Peter Temple’s The Broken Shore and really enjoying his ear for Australian slang and banter. Police, like nurses, have this laconic black humour, so much of it is dark, quick and clever – I love it.

♥ Available at most book shops around Australia and online – April 2010.

The Hachette Book Group – Hachette Australia : www.hachette.com.au

What is the name of your business/businesses/blog/website?

www.dailyimprint.blogspot.com

When did you launch your business/businesses/blog/website?

June 2007

How did you choose your name for the business/blog/website?

I’d just been to the Sydney Writers’ Festival and many publishers spoke about their imprints – ie, the publishing divisions within the “house”. I liked the idea of using this word for its other meaning too – leaving a mark.

What is your current position/career? (where?)

I now have more hats than in my wardrobe. Deputy editor, real living magazine. Blogger, Daily Imprint. Contributor, Babyccino Kids. Mother to Mr Independent, Little C. And a writer – always a writer. I have so many notebooks filled with novels, poems, thoughts, dreams… not to mention scrapbooks filled with freelance writing work – travel features, film reviews and the like. Oh, and I’ve just started styling too!

How many years have you been operating in your field/career?

Well, I’ve been a storyteller and dreamer for as long as I can remember, and come to think of it a decorator too! But work-wise I did work experience for a financial news company in the last year of my arts degree and was offered a job. That was about 11 years ago. Since then I’ve worked as a finance reporter, online news broadcaster, medico-politics writer/sub-editor and arts writer. About four years ago I joined real living magazine and now I’m the deputy editor.

What is the favourite part of what you do?

I love that every day is different. I love that I meet passionate people. I love that I’m inspired every day. I don’t think you can ask for much more than that.

How many hours a day would you say you work?

More than I can count! I don’t really stop.

What was the most rewarding thing that has happened in your career so far?

Being made deputy editor of Real Living was a definite jump up in the air moment. Most days I pinch myself. I’m also always blown away with the people who agree to appear on Daily Imprint.

Name your top 3 online stores or blogs/sites? and why?

They tend to rotate. At the moment I’m loving my office husband’s newly created blog of his styling adventures -  www.mrjasongrant.blogspot.com; I love seeing what friend and former colleague Belinda Graham is up to at www.thehappyhomeblog.com and I’ve become hooked on Marcus Hay’s blog too – as I love getting an insight into the styling life in New York – www.marcushayfluffnstuff.blogspot.com

Who is your mentor and why?

Without a doubt, real living editor Deborah Bibby. If I can be half the woman she is – not only in terms of work, but style and her approach to life in general – then I will be a very happy person. She’s also very giving of her time and is always open and encouraging for people to pursue their dreams.

If you could meet anyone in the world alive or passed who would it be and what would you ask them?

It would be Ernest Hemmingway – and I’d ask him if I could come along for the journey in St Germain, Venice, Africa and Cuba.

What is your favourite colour?

Blue in all its permutations – indigo, teal, turquoise…

What is your favourite era – design &/or fashion wise?

I’m more of a live for today kinda gal. But I would love to be transported back to Paris in the 1920s and New York in the early 1960s – just for a week or two.

What is your favourite place in the world?

Walking along the sand on Bondi Beach at dawn, dreaming of New York City.

What is your goal for your business/blog in the next 12 months?

Now that would be telling, wouldn’t it! Let’s just say more amazing interviews, more behind the scenes, more of the good life in Bondi.

If you could be a super hero or cartoon character who would it be? (this one is just for s a bit of fun)

Top Cat

My interview with Natalie Walton has been one of the most interesting so far. While Natalie and I forged a friendship initially over a years worth of emails we finally met in person a few weeks ago. We picked North Bondi as our meeting place and had the company of her little boy (absolutely adorable) and chatted about how she manages to balance it all. We also talked of her up and coming projects and the day to day life of a deputy editor and how much she loves her work. Our Style Tree collage above is just a small snippet of the life and times of Natalie (deputy editor, wife, mother, friend etc).♥

♥ A must view is Natalie’s blog – www.dailyimprint.blogspot.com

♥ What is the name of your business/businesses? Skout Trade Fair, Skout, Kids Product Directory and  Trifle

When did you launch your business/businesses? Oct 2008, Nov 2008 and August 2009 respectively

How did you choose your name for the business? Ha ha ha … oh my gosh .. well – Skout … ummmm….. I am not sure really … I wanted to start a blog about kids “stuff” … so Scout was the name I liked…. But of course was taken then my gorg graphic designer suggested Scout with a K … very European !  Trifle was a name I chose in the car on the way to my sons rugby match out of town… its symbolizes the layers of different ingredients to make a whole… and also reminds me of celebrations- Christmas and the like… and crystal bowls !

How many years have you been operating in your field? I used to be a kidswear designer, owning my own company for 4 years.  While I loved it … it was a lot of hard work .. for very little financial return (as many designers can attest to) … so we sold that business and shortly after I started Skout to help other businesses !

What is the favourite part of what you do? Definitely the relationships I have formed with some of the most tralented and passionate people on the planet !

What did you study if you did, if not what other jobs have you had ? ha ha ha … OK .. this is funny … I studied a BA in Criminology and Education… then I went on to do my Masters in Public Policy (yawn!)

Where are you located? The most gorgeous place on earth .. Queenstown – New Zealand

How many hours a day would you say you work? Hmmmm …. not sure really …. We have 3 little ones .. so it is never consistent! I’m a creative by nature…. So generally when the passion and mood strikes me. Or when I have to ! .. like doing my GST ! grump.

Name your top 3 online stores or blogs/sites? and why?Trifle of course www.trifleshoppe.com papier mache magazine – www.papier-mache.com.au/ ummmmm…… Bloesem Kids – bkids.typepad.com

Who is your mentor and why? I don’t really have a mentor ….. my family is definitely my driving force though … to provide both an example to my kids- especially my daughter .. and of course to do my part in bringing us financial security.

If you could meet anyone in the world alive or passed who would it be and what would you ask them? My Great Great Grandmother…. I would ask her if she was well proud of the family that she had created …

What is your favourite colour? I am so boring – I like neutrals and white and black … but if I had to choose it would prob be red ?

What is your favourite place in the world? Home x

♥ What is your goal for your business in the next 12 months? World domination – mwah ha ha ha ha

♥ www.skouttradefair.com

&  ♥ www.trifleshoppe.com