FrockQ: Irena Geller, Lucky 13

FrockQ has an uber-quick chat with the uber-cool Irena Geller, designer of Lucky 13:

How long have you been with Lucky 13, and what's your position there?
12 years and I am the head designer.
What are your duties on an average working day?
Sourcing materials, fittings, coordinating ranges, emailing, going out to stores, communicating with customers via email and in person.
Who is the Lucky 13 customer? She is young and fearless and loves to experiment with new textures ands shapes and express her self through her clothing. She also loves mixing the pre-loved clothing with the new and definitely has her own individual style!
Where do you source your style inspiration for Lucky 13? From everywhere, music, books, people inspire me the most.
What are the key looks we can look forward to from Lucky 13 for Spring/Summer? Military with a soft distressed finish; Alice in Wonderland soft, drapey dresses; see-through and sheer finishes on everything.



And with that in mind, what's coming next from Lucky 13? Pieces like these, for starters:
 

New Bits: Birds of a Feather Winter '10

"Like a first kiss, Birds of a feather is a brand to fall in love with - flirty party frocks, dress tops and cute bottoms all in the sweetest, vintage-inspired prints for the blushingly romantic at heart." I didn't wirte that, the team at Birds did, but it sums up perfectly what the brand is about. If your buzzword is "pretty", this should be your first stop!

These pieces have just been uploaded today, and already us Frockers are frothing at the mouth to get our grubby little paws on them. Um, ew. Please be assured hand washing and regular use of antibacterial hand cleanser is a regular part of the day here at Frock HQ. Not in an OCD way, but still in a hygienic way. Promise.

So, what bits are our germ-free fingers clawing at? Me, I love the Pink to Make The Boys Wink Sweater ($89.95) which is really more purple than pink, but it has cute red buttons on the shoulder. It's the new version of last year's hugely popular Clicking Heels Sweater - one of those casual little pieces you can throw on with jeans and flats and instantly look done, but not overdone. Love it.

Ebony latched on to the Read Between the Lines Dress ($89.95) and wouldn't let go. Which is bad news for the rest of you, as we were only delivered limited sizes. It's stripey, has a bow, is mega comfy AND you can wear it year-round. Get in quick.

And Gen? Well, she's the type of gal who wears square glasses and berets and looks like a fashion blogger, though she's actually studying Law. But she's also the type of gal who loves simple layering pieces with their own personality ie, the Love Forever Top ($49.95). The cut is simple, but the print is arty enough to make others on campus a bit jealous. Mwahahaha.

Sooki Baby AW10

I just love SOoki Baby, and was suitably sademoticonface when my daughter grew out of it (currently they only do up to size 2).

BUT next season, we'll be stocking the brand new Sooki...yep, for Little Frockers 3-7! Woop woop!

For now, however, here are some of the very cutest bits from the new season range. We're loving it 'cos it's suitably infant-like (re: cute) but still seriously stylish (re: cool):

It's Raining On Me Padded Reversible Jacket, $49.95 - a cute, vintage-sttyle print on one side and awesome red-and-white stripes on the other. Jack (or perhaps more Meg) White, eat your heart out.

Hide & Seek Ruffle Bum Leggings, $26.95 - basic black goes with absolutely everything, the ruffles make it exra adorable.

Nan's Wallpaper Dress, $32.95 - love the funky retro print contrasted with the cute baby pink base! Fresh and light for winter, go for a totally vintage inspired looks with some little mary-jane soft shoes and a pretty hair bow! Naw!

The King Hooded Reversible Jacket, $49.95 - one side is ubercool black, the other is funky lime green and grey marle stripes. The whole thing is downright rad!

Boot Camp Snapsuit, $32.95 - military style is always awesome. And in this case, practical as well.

Superhero tshirt, $24.95 - what little boy (or girl, for that matter) hasn't thrown a towel over their shoulders, donned some swimming goggles and slipped their undies on over their trousers? At least this way, they can indulge their inner superhero and you can avoid tring to navigate a decked-out superman through the shopping centre.

Baby Teresa - Buy Once, Give Twice!

We've got a funky new label on board at Frock You - Baby Teresa, a Tasmanian label (woo!) launched just last month. The range consists of cute onesies and rompers, but with a difference: for each piece purchased, another is donated to a baby in need, anywhere in the world. Aaaw!

They come in nifty little gift boxes, and make an extra special gift becuase you're not only giving a gorgeous little outfit to a baby you know and love, but also to another who you don't know and doesn't know you, but will appreciate it just as much. And, if you know of or are involved in a charity that might benefit, get in touch with Baby Teresa's brilliant creators Kirsty and Sammie - they want to donate a Baby Teresa outfit to at least one baby in every country in the world!

The first range consists of two styles, Hieu and Lan, named after two Vietnamese orphans supported by Foundation Lotus Child. The idea is that a onesie, whether it be short or long sleeved, is basically an all-in-one outfit, so you have the opportunity to fully clothe a child in need. So simple, and so worthwhile!

Short sleeved onesies are $29.95, while long sleeved rompers are just $34.95. The feelgood factor, at risk of sounding like a Mastercard ad, is priceless.

Yunginz Buy 1 Get 1 Free Offer

Much in the same way you rarely hear "wow, those ugg boots look awesome with your muffin top", the words "Buy 1 Get 1 Free" don't often appear on one's retail radar - until kid's shoe label Yunginz decided it was time to shake things up a bit. It's pretty easy, just buy any new season style and choose from one of three giveaway styles, email/ph/fax your proof of purchase to Yunginz and they'll send you your free pair!

This is awesome in so many ways - the new season styles are really and truly cool, as well as being made from leather and having all the neccessary arch support and orthopaedic technicalities. I am so in love with the little Gladettes ($79.95), which are refreshingly free from glitter, pink, and random flowers/hearts/butterflies and are a definite catwalk look again this season. It'll look beautiful with the Freshbaked black and white striped jersey dress ($39.95). Girls can also pick up a classic pair of white Teardrop flats ($79.95) which can be worn year round, and are especially good as party/wedding/special occassion shoes. And not to be too suggestive, but a beautiful frock from Stella Bella's range just might make a ridiculously adorable outfit...

Boys are not left out either - the ever-popular Sandoze sandals ($35.95) are back (velcro strap over, plain and simple and look especially good with shorts and a tee, plus they're great for the beach); while the year-round Canvas skate shoes ($49.95) which come in green/blue and black/orange have been redone with an awesome Skull print! Team with a Monster Baby tee and get ready to rock!

You can see all the deets for the freebie offer on the Yunginz brand page. And yes, we can order i other styles if you need them (Yunginz are good like that) and we can also restock sold out sizes nice and quick!

Chip Chop Goes to Hollywood!

If you can ignore the little paragraph over there -----> that says self-promotion is limited to once a week, I just want to introduce you to the new season by one of my fav labels, Melbourne's Chip Chop. So, technically, it's not totally self-promotion, and by that assumption I'd be victorious if it came down to a lawsuit, Boston Legal style. At any rate, Chip Chop's last collection indpired by all things Pommy was a massive massive hit, picking up editorial in everything from Shoptilyoudrop to Harper's. This range promises no less, taking it's cue from the glitz and glam of Hollywood, tongue firmly in cheek.

For those of you who love the cotton canvas tote bags (they feel more like denim) you'll love the sparkly silver and bright pink print of the Le fame bag ($90) - I have the old school Love print on black in this style (sorry loves, it was a limited edition!) and I, well, love it to bits, as I can fit all neccessary equipment for taking a tot out for the day, or cramming paperwork/diaries/cameras/books for buying-slash-shopping trips to Melbourne. Or, for a party clutch that screams look at me but goives nothing away, the No Comment clutch looks a bit like a pencil case but has serious street cred. And at $40, it's a total steal.

Chip Chop has been one of our labels here at the Frock since we began, and it's been awesome to watch them grow. Hannah's talent for simple and totally effective tshirt prints is what really got them on the map - take this season's Waitress tee ($70)...read it and smirk!

My fave though is the Movie Lines tee ($70), not because it will encourage people to stare at your chest, but because it contains my favourite movie line of all time: "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn..."

Autumn/Winter '09 Catlaogue online now!

Finally, after a mountain of requests, thousands of emails and phone calls, one very busy weekend, too much time fiddling with photoshop, and yours truly nearly strangling several staff members (justified due to catalogue-related incidents, fyi, not random psychopathic attacks), the catalogue is finally online!

You can download it from our News page (which is always empty because I always forget to update it. Needless to say the next job going at the Frock will be for an "online marketing manager" which means you get to play on Facebook and Twitter all day). But I digress. Everything in the catalogue is click-to-buy, and in a weird twist because of the delay, alot of the items have now arrived instore which means you don't need to wait! You can go on the waiting list (just email us) for other must-haves throughout the catalogue which aren't instore yet.

There will also be limited print runs, but quite frankly I'm so pleased that it's finally available for public viewing that it will be a few days before I can be bothered fussing with it!

Enjoy our first Frockalogue, we hope you love it and hope it gives you some winter wardrobe inspiration!