Frock! AW '10 New Stuff!

I'm ending my week by not doing the dishes and curling up on the couch with the new issue of ShopTilYouDrop (out Monday). I've read 46 pages so far and added 3 "must-have pieces" for the new season to my list, and, disregarding the fact that I won't be able to wear them for a few months, have that tingly feeling of anticipation like when you peel open a new notebook and promise yourself to fill the pages with gorgeous, meaningful, life-changing scribbles.

If you're over the heat they way you're over your gladiator sandals, plan to spend some part of the weekend indoors, preferably near the air-con, getting excited about your new season wardrobe. We've had a couple of A/W shoots so far, and are loving the socks off all the new pieces coming in. The fashion gods even smiled on us this week and went all wintery, sending us some rain to complement this season's pieces:

Ebony's lovely assistant Ella and our gorgeous model Ariella

And what pieces are they? I hear you ask. Well, you can check out the What's New page every day for new arrivals (new season Motel will be in next week for all you obsessives out there!), and you can also have a quick squiz below:

Mimosa Admiral Jacket, $229.95 This is one of the pricier items of the season (and yet it'll still hardly put a dent in your budget, particularly if you calculate a cost-per-wear-basis...) and damn it's cool. Structured, chic, but with that model-off-duty effortless cool which will look gosh darn fabulous any which way you style it.

Living Doll Heavy Metal Top, $59.95 sure it's a catwalk-copy but it's one of the coolest versions out there and definitely the best value! A simple shape means the amazing beading gets cebtre stage - feel all egyptian-princess meets-modern-rock-chic, and try to avoid contact with other people's bling. Or you might be attached to them all night.

Deer Ruby Leather Charm Bracelets, $19.95 ea You know how Nicole Richie always has layers of bohemian-style bracelets but always manages to look so chic? Well, she doesn't wear these bracelets exactly but that's only 'cos Deer Ruby is a new label. If she knew about it, she'd wear it. Look out for loads of mag editorial in the next few months and get in ahead of the fashion pack.

Sunny Girl Puff Sleeve Printed Dress $49.95 The best thing about summer is that you can throw on a dress and be dressed. the best thing about this dress, is that all you need to add is some opaques and boots. Oh, and it's on page 46 of the March issue of STYD, as part of the 'The Season's Key Looks' spread. Must-buy.

30% off today only!

You knew it was coming - time for another famous Frock You sale, and this time it's a corker: 30% off one day only (Wednesday 11th November)! If you've got the newsletter, you've already got a rundown of the most awesome buys - for kids, this summer is F-rockin', for bubs, it's all about prints, and for ladies? The (hot, steamy) sky's the limit - go nuts with neutrals, stock up on basics, get your Chrissy party frocks and shoes sorted, or just pick up some damn cool tops and swan around knowing you are the shiz. Or whatever it is kids are saying these days. To whit:

(does that makes sense? It sounds much nicer than "'ere, check this out, like", anyway. Oh and these are pieces not in this week's newsletter, cos you know, you've probably already seen those. and stuff. Prices below include the 30% discount)

One Teaspoon April Rose Fringed Tank $55.96 this is a nice fresh mauve - and not mauve like your mum's eyeshadow in 1985, more like a girly, swirled, pretty mauve in a loose fitting tank with fringing. Typically One Teaspoon (though that is a juxtaposition) it's so up-to-the-minute it's in a different time zone. One Teaspoon are not followers, they do their own thang and they do it with flair.



GRAB Button Through Stripe Top $48.96 this is a super cool piece you can throw on for casual days when you don't want to be a total dag, but can't really be arsed dressing up. Plus, it's stripey. It's kinda cropped and loose and lovely, so we've popped it over the GRAB Foil Jersey Seam Tank $27.96 which comes in a gorgeous peach shade (again, not peach circa 1983. We hope).

Sunny Girl Jewelled Dress $48.96 A fab party option, it's a new take on the LBD and has cute gemstone (well, plastic beads) detailing on the sides. Detachable straps mean you can have extra support if you need it, or you can go strapless and add a nice sheeny moisturiser or faux glow. Remember body glitter and stuff in the late 90's? I do. I loved it. And I have a tub of it I'm busting to use again - I found it for my Tinkerbell costume for Halloween. The early 90's have come around again, so surely the late 90's will be next? OMG will Britney be retro? But anyway, cute dress. And a bargain!

For the under-2's, onesies are so darn awesome - team them with chubby legs and cute little soft shoes and watch old ladies everywhere go "aaaw!". This 'sweet' print by Itch ($24.46) is a winner - bright, original and uber cute, you won't even notice food stains on this one!

And the over 2's can look suitably cool and brooding - let yer tshirt say it all, man. The Dragstar Tshirt by Munster ($27.96), teamed with skate shorts and a wicked hat, will rock the playground. And possibly the Kasbah.

Celeb Fashion Collections - Why?!

It's not news that for whatever deep-rooted biological and/or psychological reason, we've all been conditioned to want what celebs have, wear what they wear, pay use the products they are paid to tell us to use.

What is news, or at least a small ripple, is that finally the tide is turning and people are speaking up and saying "hang on, for the most part these celebs know bugger all. Why do we care so much?" Hurrah! Vogue editor Kirstie Clements was suitably horrified that Peaches Geldof was a 'reporter' for London Fashion Week, imparting such wisdom as "yeah i like the shorts and stuff. It's stuff I'd wear". Clements wrote, "is it only in the fashion world that people let uneducated morons have their say?" Fashion journalism might not oust political corruption or lead to world peace, but imagine being one of the articulate, educated writers who really know their stuff, working your bits off to cover show after show, only to have people skim over your words in order to see what Peaches and Pixie and ZanyStardust utter in their uber cool contemptoous way.

Not to mention being a designer. Imagine the years of work, training, the strenous creative process and ultimately the part you can play in social history (clothes maketh the man, yes?), only to have Linday Lohan come onboard, not as the 'face' of your brand but actually a creator, and a month later present a collection. To say she's no Kate Moss is pretty fair. We're talking about a chick who gave us Mean Girls and Leggings-as-pants.

LiLo came on board as Ungaro's 'artistic advisor' and the collection was kindly labelled by WWD as "cheesy and dated". Apparently the show also involved "glitter heart pasties". Um. To be fair, expectations probably weren't all that high to begin with, and to read that Lohan came out for her bow with tears in her eyes softens the snickers a little. At least she had the decency to be a bit embarrassed and admit the whole collection was a rushed job.

Maybe its a result of the GFC, but is our spend-and-consume-instant-gratification mindset slowly slowing down? Quality not quantity, dahlings. Can a product be judged on it's own merits, instead of the popularity of the celebrity endorsing it?

Speaking of celebrity endorsements, this gorgeous white dress has been given much love (and some editorial) by the classy ladies at Shoptilyoudrop magazine. Ok, so they're not really celebs, but they sure do know a thing or two about frocks:

Sunny Girl Cutout Lace Dress $49.95

New Spring Arrivals for Lady Frockers!

(NB: Little Frockers, watch this space (or get Mum to) - Munser, Missie Munster, Chilli Kids, Walnut, Baobab and Itch instore shortly!)

The last few weeks have been grey, dreary and rainy, but thankfully here at Frock HQ there are oodles of bright new Spring pieces to keep us from going nuts. Here's a few must-buys I thought I'd better alert you to before they sell out (Motel fans, take heed - many styles selling through at record rates despite being on the site less then a week!):

Sunny Girl Grey Boyfriend Blazer ($69.95): still a raging hot piece, the blazer is made lighter for spring, in a lovely shade of grey with a relaxed 'boyfriend' fit. Makes a pretty sundress that much more edgier (though grammatically dubious), or looks sexy and modern teamed with a tee and denim cutoffs. This version is a nice light linen and you can wear the sleeves cuffed to show off the cool stripey lining!

Living Doll V Neck Dress: this is a definite wardrobe staple - perfect for lazy summer days when it's too hot to care, for throwing over a bikini or accessorising with a belt/scarf/chunky bangles, it truly is an effortless piece that looks casual and chic at the same time. Plus it's only $34.95!

Motel Selina Dress ($110): I couldn't decide which Motel piece to put on here, as they are all really amazing this season, but I do like the bright blue skirt of the Selina dress (despite the name Selina making me think of the gummy Home & Away chick. Incidentally why is it called Home & Away? When are they ever 'Away'? Where are the scenes outside Summer Bay?) The jersey tank top and full skirt is flattering to pretty much everyone, unlike the skintight legging-jeans I saw a group of oversized bogan teenagers sporting in the local mall yesterday. OMG.

Two pieces from GRAB get a mention this week - the really really cool Ladder Detail Tank ($79.95), which has an edgy, rock chic style, and requires little else to make your outfit stand out, I'm thinking it's the perfect gigging top; and the chic Pointelle Wide Sleeve Knit ($89.95), which falls neatly into the 'dressy casual' category I like to pretend I invented to justify any expensive jeans that somehow end up in my wardrobe. Imagine this top with pale denim, a tan bag and heels - easy, simple and sophisticated.

A sweet little tee is a must for Spring, and French Kitty's Side Show Act Top ($49.95) has a cute bow at the neckline, giving it a nautical feel - but thankfully the pink and grey stripes make it more girly than yacht-y. Not that there's anything wrong with yacht-y, if it is even a word, but how many of us own a yacht on which to wear suitably nautical attire?

This week there'll be new arrivals from Blue Juice, Lucky 13 & Pink Stitch, so check the site daily and follow us on Twitter for instant updates! Plus, due to your overwhelming requests/demands, the Spring/Summer '09/10 catalogue is in the works, and should be available to view online mid-September. I'm wary of print versions as I am more than a bit anal about wasting paper and trees, but if we can find a decent printer we just might do a very limited print run...!

Frock You Autumn/Winter '09 Catalogue Sneaky Peek

It's been many long nights, cups of coffees and urgent phone calls in the making, but when Mat (yes, it's time to name and shame) stops planning his London trip and finishes the last bits'n'pieces of our inaugural, interactive e-catalogue, it'll be available for one and all in all it's glory. Here are some sneaky peek piccys (hint: this A/W is one of the best seasons ever. Recessionista-chic might be taking hold but it'll be easy to do with the clean lines, simple shapes and gorgeous detailing of these collections. Plus, one can never have enough coats. Ever.)

We shot the Country Weekend spread at Windleigh farm, in the late afternoon against a stunning background. Plus, it makes gumboots look damn cool. The idea is "ladylike charm" with lush knits, intricate details and rich textures. The above strapless dress by Motel is covered in red roses, looking striking with the simple black knit longline cardi by GRAB. The knit dress is also by GRAB and I have to admit I hated it at first, but then we put it in context and it has a real warmth (figuratively and literally), and super chic cut to it. I'll be putting my hand up for one!

The other piece everyone must have (welll, not everyone cos we won't stock six billion of them) is the Andriod denim trench below. It's super super super cool, classic yet modern, and one of those pieces people will stop you in the street to ask you where you got it.

The zip skirt is already instore here ($89.95) and if rock chic is your thang, this is definitely a must-have piece for your winter wardrobe. And you can wear it in summer, just ditch the tights! See, recessionista-shopping is as easy as that....the cute knit with it reminds me a little of a futuristic, Star Trek type piece, but is super soft and very delicate, making a cool contrast with the skirt. Anyway, it's about time fashion moved forward instead of rehashing old shapes. It will be available next week!

You may have noticed new winter stock hitting the store - new pieces will be added every day so check back. Hot sellers so far as the Lucky 13 Bandage Dress ($129.95_ which sold out of it's first run in a day but luckily lovely Irena at Lucky 13 expressed some more down to us, so we're all restocked, and One Teaspoon's 3/4 Holster Bodysuits, in grey or black - a fabulous basic for a streamlined silhouette and a bargain at $69.95!

Look out for more GRAB, French Kitty, Little Potty Red Shoes and Sunny Girl over the coming week!

Getting Frocked Up For Spring

I only realised today that apparently white shoes are a bit of a fashion faux pas, unless you are uber cool, which I'm not, which relegates them back to iffy status. However, my double strap white flats are damn awesome, so if I can't be uber cool, I'll just be, um....arts student indie? Too poor to afford shoe dye? At any rate, anything your Nanna did/had/wore will sell for a small fortune on ebay so IMO white shoes are, thus, cool again.


That has nothing to do with anything else, except it was my little lightbulb moment today. That, and that I should make the effort to go to the butcher to buy meat because supermarket meat is expensive and crap. Anyway, to today's topic: new stuff instore at FrockYou! I didn't do the whole company policy "wait two weeks and if your size doesn't sell out you can have it", I just accidentally drew on some stuff so was forced to keep it. I'm a bit chuffed that this Summer is going to be another boho luxe, maxi dress gladiator sandal loads of bangles and long necklaces kind of summer. Winter looks are always more polished, so I love, literally, letting my hair down and taking 2 mins to get dressed. S/S '08/09 has only just started to trickle instore, so here are my top picks of new lovely bits:




French Kitty Coconut Macaroon Dress ($64.95, XS-L) this is the one I drew on accidentally (ahem) becuase it's the perfect Summer little white dress (and not see through, bring on the pink knickers!) the print is little bluebirds and pink blossoms, and it just has that casual, sweet and a bit vintage air about it. Too bad I wont get to wear it for another good few months.....





Birds of a Feather Coquette Cocktail Top ($59.95, 8-12) not sure why it's a cocktail top, cos it's pretty lightweight and more casual, but it's totally adorable and very feminine AND you can wear it now with a cardi or layered up!






GRAB Tie Waist Dress ($49.95, S M L) This has been selling through the roof and is not even out yet! Pre sales have been massive so get in quick if you want one. Simple and effortless, the tshirt dress is back in a huge way this Summer (hurrah!) we're getting it in classic black but it also comes in lemon or purple.....



Nude Cactus Studded Flat ($139.95, 36-41) these are sooo comfy and a bit rock chic, which we all love! Studded detailing is another huge trend for the upcoming seasons, and you can wear these year round with denim or as a cool contrast to girly frocks!


Living Doll Jaffa Stripe Tee ($19.95, S M L) nothing says "I spend my summer in the French Riviera" more than a stripey tee (hey, we can all dream...!) and this one is such a great buy I might have to draw on it as well. The piped detail on the sleeves is really cool, yet the piece is still really classy. White capri pants optional.


Sunny Girl Grey Pocket Cardi ($39.95, S M L) it's all grey actually, not just the pockets. AND it doesn't have buttons. Wicked. Accesrise with a waist belt or a scarf, or go for the casual "loose" look (your clothes, not your reputation). I kept one for moi, and they have nearly sold out since Monday...

Sunny Girl Tiered Top ($34.95, 8-14) Get in the mood to party with this awesome (and cheap!!) structured top. Right on trend yet with a classic appeal, this top is honestly really striking and please don't buy all the size 8's because I want one for our next girl's night out.....

Little Frockers also have lots of new goodies to dribble over (or on). We've got some fab new labels coming on board over the coming months - Yunginz (kids footwear, a new Aussie label that are really well priced and well made), Sooki Baby (who don't have a huge range but what they do have is gorgeous, Charlotte has one of their winter coats and she wears it nonstop despite all and sundry wanting to touch it), Lucca P (girlswear with a boutique edge), and Baby Blend (organic tees from the USA, exclusive online in Aus to Frock You!). Plus Gabrial Saynte has been restocked (THE coolest kids tees ever, seriously, if/when I have a boy this is what he'll be wearing), the American Apparel Karate pants are back in stock (the amount we sell must mean that every child in Australia has a pair by now) and these little beauties:

Eco Peko are another new label to Frock You, selling gorgeous, practical organic tees and onesies. Each piece comes with some seeds to plant, encouraging kids to understand where food comes from and the importance of sustainability (I admit this won me over when they approached me!), and every bit of each garment is actually certified organic (in Aus every man and his dog can claim they are organic, becuase there are no strict guidelines, so always check out the company's background before paying organic prices...). The pieces are kimono style so you don't have to pull them over baby's head, and are available plain or embroidered (as pictured, $39.95) in sizes 0/3m, 3/6m and 6/12m. Beautiful clothes that don't cost the Earth, indeed!

Baobab is a firm fav of mine (and Charlotte's) for their simple design, quality garments and because I am a sucker for stripes! The girl's stripe dress is now available in pink for Spring ($48.95, sz 1-4) and the hoodies are also available in new colourways, including cool blue and grey for bubs ($48.95, 0/3m, 3/6m and 6/12m) - these are a winner for Spring as they are warm yet lightweight - for seriously cool tots only!


Am heading to the KidsInStyle show in Melbourne this weekend, and expect to pick up lots of lovely new bits and pieces to keep Little Frockers looking funky! Review of the show and sneaky peeks of new products to come next week...it's a hard job but someone's gotta do it!