Author Archives: gemmamay

4.4.2014

love | rachel zoe living in style launch x pierre winter fine jewels

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I die for Rachel Zoe. Fashion stylist, icon, businesswoman, mother, and wife. She is such an amazing inspiration and a style idol. Ever since I began watching her TV show The Rachel Zoe Project I have fallen in love with her life and career. Rachel also introduced me to an entirely different side to the fashion industry and opened up my eyes to a world beyond just styling and fashion PR. She actually gave me a sense of belonging, knowing that there is someone to look up to in this world of fashion – someone who is humble, insanely hard working and driven by passion and the love for what they do every day.

It was so lovely to have had the opportunity to attend the launch of her new jewellery line and “Living in Style” book launch at Pierre Winter Fine Jewels in Paddington last week. I was so excited to be able to play with shiny new things and try on what Rachel Zoe has created. The line is stunning. and full of vintage-inspired art deco pieces featuring fine stones, Swarovski crystals with a 14 karat gold plated finish. Each piece is true to her own style with no detail forgotten. Just turn over any piece and it features her logo – Its not showy, just a hidden reminder of who the piece is designed by.

My favourite piece from the jewellery line is the necklace is the last one in the pictures above. It’s a piece you could purchase now and still be wearing in 30 years time. That is an obvious reflection of Rachel as a designer and her own collection of beautiful vintage jewels. I really like that she doesn’t design things just to fit within a trend, she sees the value of investing in quality pieces.

I also love some of the things she has been saying about the launch of her book. That she isn’t necessarily judging your style and taste ( or lack of it ) but only wants to help you improve where you can. I’ve taken so many little tips and tricks from the book. I have to say it is well worth the read if you are trying to add a little style to your own world.

Pierre Winter Fine Jewels range this collection exclusively in Australia and if you are a fan of Rachel Zoe, or even just her style, it is well worth popping by, picking up the book and looking at the collection. Although I can almost guarantee you won’t be able to leave without making a piece of jewellery your own. 

xx

not all photos are my own | source portebello pr

talk to me | instagram @gemmalouise_may . twitter @gemmalouise_may . email [email protected]
3.24.2014

snap shot | a blow by blow visual of my shop til you drop feature

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Below you’ll find the text of my recent shop til you drop magazine feature and a visual snapshot of all the things I refer to within it. I know my messy collage of pics might be hard to follow but I guarantee if you like my style at all, if you click any link below you’ll come across something you love. Any questions at all feel free to contact me. Enjoy… 

I only wear…

How would you go committing to just one colour, one shape or one designer? Meet four women who say sticking to a signature look is the best style decision they ever made.

“I only wear… smock dresses.” Gemma Louise May

Okay we’ve all done some light style stalking in our time, but what began as admiration for some baggy styled dresses borrowed from a girlfriend’s wardrobe has turned into Gemma Louise’s personal style obsession. She adds at least one to her epic collection every week and declares the mighty smock to be the one essential every wardrobe needs. 

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Above – A collection of the smock dresses i own – clockwise from top left – shilla evolution monochrome tee dress . boohoo evelyn border geo print slip dress . sass and bide dress ( not current season ) . one teaspoon pinkie in black from general pants . mink pink smock dress . ruby sees all watch your back dress . one teaspoon pinkie in navy ( not current season ) . top shop petite strap back slip dress . top shop denim shift dress . steele bembe black mesh dress . sass and bide dress ( not current season) . lola vs harper dreams pu cut out panel dress . lola vs harper darkness stripe dress.

“Whether you’re a size 8 or 14, smocks are universally flattering and easy to dress-up or down with your accessories.” Don’t get hung up on the basicness of the cut – a smock can be casual, turn sexy, go to work. The devil’s in the detail, explains Gemma Louise who finds a million different spins on a smock in Viktoria and Woods, Ruby Sees All and Lola vs Harper ( and posts them on her own site, myblondecloset.com ) .

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Smocks I want to purchase this season amongst other items – country road boyfriend cardigan . finders keepers here comes the sun dress from the birdcage boutique . viktoria and woods smock dress .  zara jumper . faddoul the label smock dress . alice mccall agra dress . faddoul dress and tilda leather jacket . viktoria and wood santiago jumper . country road boyfriend cardigan . h and m denim smock . three of something sabbatical dress . finders keepers dress from the birdcage boutique . c & m camilla and marc take a look dress from the iconic . zara jumper . vickoria and woods jumper.

“Only my boyfriend swears all my dresses are the same,” she laughs. “Look for different sleeve lengths, intricate detailing on necklines and hems, texture, fabric that gives you a crisp structure or loose flow.”

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Another few new season pieces on my radar – zulu and zephyr sandstone jumper in marle . toi et moi une deux jumper . maurie and eve jumper . may the label jumper . zulu and zephyr drifter sweat dress in black . zulu and zephyr seascape dress . zara lace cami . mlm the label the villain smock dress . shilla sheer detail striped smock dress . bebe sydney rhythm swing dress . backstage clothing celia dress . zara oversized swing tee . scanlan and theodore crepe knit cylinder sweater . mlm the label vneck smock . zara dress . mlm the label stripe block mini tshirt dress.

This season, Gemma Louise is all about layering smocks with oversized knits and boyfriend cardigans, tie-dye and stripes. “We’re seeing a low v-neck style with lots of quilted detail, scuba fabrics and felt.” 

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A collection of shoes and bags I own.

An eclectic shoe and handbag collection gives each dress multiple personalities. She shortens the straps on her slouchy Alexander Wang cross-body to convert it into a handbag and suddenly a chambray dress is ready to go out late. She switches from Chanel ballet flats, to pumps, to animal print sandals, to converse sneakers – breathing new life into one dress in a matter of minutes. Because its so perfectly simple, the smock style works into any trend, especially sport-luxe, she says. “The rules of smock dressing are there are no rules!”

Feature from Shop til you Drop Magazine. 

Text by Dilvin Yasa. 

xx

photos are not my own | source as credited above

talk to me | instagram @gemmalouise_may . twitter @gemmalouise_may . email [email protected]
3.20.2014

love | river island for the iconic

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Tomorrow The Iconic will launch River Island with a shop-the-show concept whereby customers will be able to purchase hot off the runway and receive their order within 3 hours in Melb and Sydney. A very first at Melbourne Fashion Festival! The range is already online and if you dont think you can wait until tomorrow shop now and you order will arrive before mid-day. Way too tempting! 

View the range and shop the show live – here

xx

not all photos are my own | source the iconic 

talk to me | instagram @gemmalouise_may . twitter @gemmalouise_may . email [email protected]
3.19.2014

snap shot | the iconic magazine

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Even though i don’t love when summer comes to an end, i do love any excuse to shop. Case in point: autumn is here, winter is quickly approaching and there is no better time to start planning your new season closet.

When it comes to the cooler months, Australian online retailer THE ICONIC has you sorted. I spoke with Katerina Agiostratitis ; Fashion Editor of THE ICONIC Magazine who shared a little about her job, her personal style as well as advice on this seasons hottest trends and must-have pieces… 

Tell me about your job . What does an average day look like for you? 

I’m the fashion editor for THE ICONIC Magazine. This means I choose all the clothes, shoes and accessories that appear in the magazine. An average day would be anything from replying to loads of emails about shoot briefs, liaising with our creative team about upcoming shoots, casting models, organising shoot times, styling fashion stories, unpacking samples and viewing new collections.

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When did you realize you wanted to become a fashion editor  ?

I have always into fashion and all things beautiful. Even as a little girl I kept a scrapbook of fashion and beauty looks that I liked from an issue of Vogue my mum had bought.

How did you get into the industry ? 

I did work experience at DisneyGiRL Magazine during college. They loved my confidence and enthusiasm and asked me to take over the role of Fashion and Beauty Editor. I was in that role for almost five years while I studied.

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What advice do you have for young aspiring fashion editors and writers ?

Work experience! Internships! You need to get out there and be in the environment to see the process from beginning to end to understand the job and whats actually involved. It’s not all dress ups and glamorous photo shoots. On a normal day your hair is back in a ponytail, you’re speeding around in flats and usually sorting through hundreds of samples.

Describe the process you go through to pick what is in THE ICONIC magazine ?

We select all of our photo shoots, stories and themes in accordance to the season’s trends. For example, the winter issue will showcase lots of beautiful coats, check prints and leather. We also want to show off the best that’s going to be on the website. It’s all about getting people excited about what’s to come.

Who are some of your favourite designers ?

I love Australian brands such as Sass and Bide and Zimmerman and I am a sucker for overseas retailers, Zara and H & M. On THE ICONIC my favourite brands are Cameo, Keepsake The Label and Finders Keepers. They get it right every single season and make my job a dream.

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How would you define your personal style ?

It changes all the time. One day I’ll be in heels, boyfriend jeans and a blazer teamed with a statement necklace. The next day i’ll be wearing harem pants, a tee and sandals. Overall my style is quite polished.

What are the key trends you’ll be embracing this season ? 

We have the most amazing leather pieces coming online for winter ; think leather capes, sleek knee length skirts and leather slouch pants. 

Are there any particular pieces you’ve previewed which you can’t wait to get your hands on ? 

There is one amazing two tone leather and denim jacket from Finders Keepers that I can’t stop staring at. It will go with everything from pretty dresses to a pair of boyfriend jeans.

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What items does every girl need to own this season ? 

I think a girl should always have a few key pieces in her wardrobe no matter what season. These would include a great cut blaze, boyfriend jeans, silk camisoles in a variety of colours and great leather jacket.

And one last question. ( Finish this sentence. ) Fashion is … fun!

Be sure to check out THE ICONIC magazine online. 

Did you know ? Tomorrow THE ICONIC launches River Island at Melbourne Fashion Festival. Both brands will be launching a shop-the-show concept exclusively at VAMFF, whereby customers will be able to purchase hot off the runway and receive their orders via 3 hour courier delivery (for the first time ever in Melbourne) !! I told you they had you sorted ! 

xx

not all photos are my own | source the iconic website and magazine . cameo website, sass and bide website and zara website . all photographs ( items ) featured in this post are currently new season ( except for black and white photo in picture 2 – source zara website  ) and available to purchase at the iconic – here

talk to me | instagram @gemmalouise_may . twitter @gemmalouise_may . email [email protected]