Blue - A perfect hue for Spring

Blue is such a gorgeous colour for Spring - it epitomises blue skies, warmer days and the gorgeous hue's of the ocean... hmmm, you can almost feel that warm sun and taste the salty goodness of a fresh swim! Perhaps that's why blue is such a feel-good colour - it reminds us of so many happy things and in colour psychology, it's a colour for calming and optimism. I love that! And what a fabulous way to inject some happiness into your every day, directly through your wardrobe (especially great if you're stuck in an office and there's no chance of that summery swim! doh).

Yet despite the fabulous associations to this special colour, I always thought blue didn't suit me. I always believed it was a colour exclusive to blonde's with blue eyes and gorgeous luminous skin. So me, being of the green eyed brunette with pale skin variety, always steered clear. However I have since learnt, much to my excitement, that it's all in the hue! Who knew? (No rhyme intended!)

So it seems, mid blues are much more for me (think soft chambreys & duck egg blues), while those gorgeous blonde girls look stunning in cold, crispy blues. Though really, they could pretty much get away with any blue and still look fabulous (yes ok, I'm a bit jealous). And what about those fiery flame haired stunners out there - I'd suggest you go for a more saphire, gemstone blue, even more beautiful if you've got blue eyes!

So you see, there really is a blue out there for everyone (c'mon, who hasn't got a pair of blue denim jeans or 10 in their closet?), and with so many happy associations to this gorgeous, versatile and super summery colour, how can you resist? So what are my picks for this luscious colour? My faves are the Bless'ed are the Meek Urban Safari Dress, Tali Roth's Prom Night Dress and Shona Joy's Tiki Lace Frill Dress - all available at Ciao Meow for your wearing pleasure! So go, shop, what are you waiting for? Inject some colour happy therapy into your wardrobe, this very instant!

Happy shopping and ciao for now,
Ciao Meow xxx

Ciao Meow heads to Brisbane Fashion Festival

Well it was with much excitement that I frocked up and headed along to Brisbane Fashion Festival for the first Group Show, held in Brisbane City Hall. The venue itself was gorgeous and very grand, as were the attendees. Brisbane's fashion elite were out and boy was it fabulous fashion watching! Outfits varied from skinny jeans & cami's to cocktail frocks and long maxi dresses (somebordering on formal dresses)! All in all though, I am pleased to say Brisbanista's are on the whole, simply fabulous and if I do say so myself, very stylish!

So what did I wear? Well, it was a tough decision that came down to 2 Shona Joy Dresses - the Tahitian Affair Tank Dress and the Stranded Summer Tab Dress. In the end, the weather was a deciding factor - the Tank dress was to be worn back with a little black blazer, while the Summer Tab dress was to be worn on it's own. As Brisbane had a record breaking hot day for August, the Summer Tab dress won out! Not to mention I am very partial to a LBD. So I pared this deceptively simple dress back with some tan accessories - peep toe wedges, a leather cuff, Lisa Marinucci earrings and a vintage clutch. Make up was kept simple with a nice dark defined eye (actually was running extremely short of time, so had to be simple! Lucky it was my plan all along!). My dear friend and fellow fashion lover Mel, also attended and supportingly wore a gorgeous Ciao Meow dress, a Fleur Wood Vera Dress from a few seasons ago. With her blonde pixie cut and blue eye's she looked stunning, as usual. You can't beat a classic Fleur Wood.

So what about the show? Well it was glorious. Akira revealed his latest collection, which consisted of beautiful cobalt blue's, oranges and reds, mixed with blacks, creams and whites, long and flowing and draped to perfection. Feature flowers decorated the shoulders of these stunning models as they glided past in the sweetest red sandals. It was simply divine, as you'd expect from this talented designer. Then Carmague, a Brisbane boutique, showcased some of their best selling international designers including Dries Van Noten, Martin Margiela and more, which were of course, stunning, though a little more mature in taste. But fabulous none the less!

Then of course to conclude the show was Brisbane design duo, Easton Pearson. Now I am a huge fan to begin with and this show didn't disappoint. True to form, patterns, brights and kaftans ruled the evening and I was lost in a world of exotic poolside parties (well, that's where I was imagining wearing these delightful concoctions!). Gorgeous paisley prints, long flowing caftans, orange capri pants and leggings, ruffle dresses, printed singlets, bright waisted belts and embelished neckpieces draped loosley round the models, even hanging down their backs, stole the show for me. I was oohing and ahhing my little heart out!

All in all, it was a perfect evening, finished with a Napoleon Perdis gift bag (a nice new lip gloss in berry red) and a champagne at the Sebel bar (to conclude our fashion watch - my favourite was Kirsty Clements of Vogue Australia and the lovely ladies of Easton Pearson who looked divine in their own creations!) before ending the evening. My gorgeous Shona Joy dress held up very well in the style stakes, proving itself to be a modern take on a great classic - I was very proud to be representing Ciao Meow!

For some great pics of the show, visit the gallery at www.mbff.com.au. If you were there or are going to the other shows, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Enjoy and ciao for now,
Ciao Meow xxx

Hot new designer at Ciao Meow

Ciao Meow welcomes latest designer protige Tali Roth to the fashion line up! Featuring a first collection consisting solely of dresses (and oh what dresses!), this young designer hits the mark with this seasons trends. Featuring one shouldered frocks, body con jeresey dresses, flirty frills and splashes of vibrant 80's inspired colour, there's a little something for everyone in Tali's debut collection!

Ciao Meow loves to support new homegrown Aussie talent. We love seeing a new designer bring in a fresh take on seasonal trends, whilst adding their own individual style stamp. Why do we love this?? Because it brings us more choice when we shop and the opportunity to enjoy wearing something unique and simply gorgeous, and NOT seen on 100 other girls!

So check it out and tell us what you think! Better still, support this young emerging designer and treat yourself to a fabulous new frock - I guarentee, everyone will be asking who you're wearing and where you got it from!


Enjoy,
Ciao Meow xxx

Ciao Meow's New Blog

Welcome to the first Ciao Meow post!

It's exciting times at Ciao Meow - we've just relocated to the Sunshine Coast (Miss Ciao Meow needed a sea change!), we've got a newly refreshed homepage on the way (with some fab extra functions, including Gift Vouchers - ladies, Christmas is coming, it's time to drop hints!) and it's Spring (well, almost!). And with Spring comes warmer weather and gorgeous new arrivals in the world of ladies fashion! Ahhh, I love the start of a new season... and Spring just happens to be my favourite.

It's easy to see why, with the gorgeous bursts of colour arriving, fresh florals, bohemian luxe accessories, long flowing maxi dresses, silky loose Kaftans (I think this is my new favourite 'trend to try'! See pic) and fun flirty party frocks arriving from my favourite designers.

Be sure to check them out and stay tuned for more fashion updates. And I'd love to hear your thoughts on Spring Fashion - what are you coveting this Spring, favourite new trends, labels you love - be sure to leave your comments!

Ciao for now xxx