I SPY Launch

The fridge is stocked, the stage is set, now all that's waiting is you! See you all tonight at the launch of I SPY/2. Make sure you bring your dancing shoes...Simon will be spinning tunes.

Cooler than Helvetica

If you've been following our tweeting and twitting you'd already know how much we love our I SPY Graphic Designer Matthew Mister. We would officially like to nominate him for graphic designer of the year. Check out his website...

www.matthewmister.com

Malt Whiskey Time

those lucky enough to nab invites to our launch party tomorrow night....will be drinking I SPY's tipple of choice, the delicious Canadian Club. Mmmm...

I SPY/2 Launches Tomorrow

After much toiling, snapping and preparing, the second series of I SPY will be launching tomorrow as part of the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. Just to give you an overview of the show:

The second series of I SPY, as part of the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival Exhibition, will once again take place in Melbourne, 14-21st March.

Screened across public screens at Federation Square, Alice Euphemia, City Library and Georges on Collins street level windows, five selected designers use digital cameras to capture and share the daily inspirations behind their fashion work.

Cura Cisse and Simon Winkler in 2010 bring together a new group of dynamic fashion creatives including; Yeojin Bae (Yeojin Bae), Dhini Pararajasingham (Dhini), Monika Tywanek (TV), Kate Rodgers (Dazed & Confused/Conde Nast UK) and Karla Way (Karla Way).

Each of the exhibitions images offer an insight into the ideas, colours and compositions that inspire the work of these contemporary fashion creatives.

The event takes place across four Melbourne inner city venues: Federation Square/Georges On Collins (street level windows)/City Library (Flinders Lane) and Alice Euphemia (6 35-37 Swanston St), with a special one of screening at Rooftop Cinema this Sunday 14th March 8.30pm.

I SPY Wears Prada

'You'd better know your cerulean from your turquoise if you want to work for Miranda Priestly, the glacially cruel fashionista who turns her magazine editorship into a reign of terror. Will earnest journalism graduate Andy sacrifice her dignity and integrity to be the best-dressed shit-kicker in New York?'

What better way to kick of the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival on Sunday. Come to the top of the Melbourne CBD skyline and watch a special viewing of The Devil Wears Prada at the lofty Rooftop Cinema, Curtain House, Swanston Street this Sunday 14th March.

And before the movie kicks of, see a special viewing of the second series of I SPY which will screen before this film at 8.30pm, as part of the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival Exhibition. For more information and to purchase tickets to the event see link below.

http://www.rooftopcinema.com.au/screening/80

The First Look at I SPY/2

Yeojin Bae, Monika Tywanek (TV), Kate Rodgers (Dazed & Confused magazine), Dhini Pararajasingham and Karla Way have created an incredible show for 2010's I SPY as part of this year's L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival.

We wanted to give you a quick peek of some of our favourite images from the show.

This year, I SPY has picked 8 inspiring images from the show and has turned them into collector cards. We're going to distribute the cards all around the city of Melbourne during fashion week, but to make sure you don't miss out we'll leave a permanant collection at our venue partner Alice Euphemia.

Enjoy...

Forum RSVP Reminder

Don't forget to book your space on the I SPY/2 LMFF City Library Forum.

Come hear how the I SPY series was created and the inspirations behind the images that make up the second in the tri-annual series. Each of the exhibition images offer an insight into the ideas, colours and compositions that inspire the work of contemporary designers Yeojin Bae (Yejoin Bae), Dhini Pararajasingham (Dhini), Monika Tywanek (TV), Kate Rogers (Dazed & Confused/Conde Nast) and Karla Way (Karla Way). This public talk allows even greater access to the creative process involved in these designers' work, discussing their original designs from conceptualisation to realisation.

Location: Seminar Room, City of Melbourne City Library, 253 Flinders Lane Melbourne 3000

RSVPs to attend the Forum can be made via email: libraryevents@melbourne.vic.gov.au or ph: (03) 9658 9500

That's Melbourne Featuring I SPY/2

I SPY/2 has made the listings of That's Melbourne. Check out all our show information here:

http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Whatson/Exhibitions/Art/Pages/e21a3721-5293-451d-9b01-07c1875fb9a2.aspx

1000 £ Bend Hosting I SPY/2 Launch Party

Today we can announce that uber cool inner-city Melbourne bar, 1000 £ Bend, will be hosting our exciting launch event to take place on the 13th of March 2010.

The bar which features a specialist cinema will be screening a selection of I SPY/2 images on the night, whilst guests drink on our yummy fashion week cocktails and take home a bag full of goodies.

1000 £ Bend is a hybrid venue which houses a café, gallery and cinema space. The bars Lightboxes which face out from the building’s Little Lonsdale Street will offer passers by even more places to see the exhibition.

I SPY will literally be taking over the whole of Melbourne this fashion festival!

Alexander McQueen Dies

We are devestated to learn that Alexander McQueen, such an incredible artist, has died today.

The 40-year-old designer, known as Lee, was widely regarded as one of the most talented of his generation.

McQueen was born in the East End of London on March 17, 1969. His father was a taxi driver and as a child he made dresses for his three sisters. As a teenager he apprenticed on Savile Row--where he made suits for Prince Charles and Mikhail Gorbachev --before attending Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.

It was his graduation collection that caught the eye of influential stylist Isabella Blow. The two became fast and dear friends until Blow committed suicide on May 7, 2007. McQueen dedicated his spring 2008 collection to her.

McQueen was named England's designer of the year four times between 1996 and 2003.

"On behalf of Lee McQueen's family, Alexander McQueen today announces the tragic news that Lee McQueen, the founder and designer of the Alexander McQueen brand has been found dead at his home," his office announced. "At this stage it is inappropriate to comment on this tragic news beyond saying that we are devastated and are sharing a sense of shock and grief with Lee's family.

Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman paid tribute to McQueen this afternoon: "Lee McQueen influenced a whole generation of designers. His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs. At one level he was a master of the fantastic, creating astounding fashions shows that mixed design, technology and performance and on another he was a modern day genius whose gothic aesthetic was adopted by women the world over. His death is the hugest loss to anyone who knew him and for very many who didn't."

Official LMFF 2010 Program Released

Hooray, the eagerly awaited LMFF official program has finally gone live. Check it out at link below.

http://www.lmff.com.au/lmff-2010-program/cultural-program

I SPY is listed in View and Action. Make sure you keep up with I SPY/2 latest developments through our twitter page: www.twitter.com/ispyexhibitions

Michelle Obama Tops Melbourne Fashion Festival's Guest List

Breaking news...Michelle Obama is set to be Guest of Honor at the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2010 when the Obama's touch down in Australia next month as part of their official visit to Australia in late March.

LMFF chairwoman Laura Anderson, who also hails from Chicago, hopes to entertain Mrs Obama at various LMFF events.

"Michelle's elegance, natural beauty and personal style fit beautifully with all that Melbourne has to offer," Mrs Anderson said.

The White House is considering all invitations, but has yet to decide on a travel itinerary for the Obama's. Well Michelle if you're reading this please note we'll definitely be keeping your name on the door list to our launch next month!


Other confirmed VIPs attending this year's LMFF 2010 include faces of the festival the Nervo Twins, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Kat Stewart, Erika Heynatz, Sibylla Deen, as well as international guests from Calvin Klein and Hermes Sellier.

London Fashion Week To Be Streamed Live

Us Melbournites need never miss out on the fun and frolics of London Fashion Week again as the British Fashion Council today announced that from the 19th of February a new digital initiative will see London Fashion Week streamed live online. Allowing international viewers unprecedented access to the latest LFW collections in real time.

Along with the streaming of LFW shows, the BFC will also present a series of fashion films online. Hussein Chalayan, a designer at the vanguard of integrating fashion and technology will present three of his most iconic films from the past decade and I SPY favourite Boudicca, another pioneer of the fashion film genre, will be showing a film from their archive.

To find out the LFW digital streaming schedule go to:

I SPY Exhibitions round up of the London College of Fashion's MA Show

Our London I SPY'er was out last night uncovering the fashion stars of tomorrow at the London College of Fashion's MA show. Held in the luxurious surrounds of the V & A museum in Kensington, fashion regulars Nicky Haslam, Hilary Alexander and media faves du jour Jo Wood and Paloma Faith were among the many stars who turned out to show support for the LCF students.

Young Li Lee, a designer from South Korea, was presented with the Highly Commended award by a panel of judges made up of fashion luminaries including Harold Tillman, chairman of the British Fashion Council, for her beautifully cut womenswear.

However it was German designer, Sven Hoppe's collection which was awarded Collection of the Year. His tailored menswear was inspired by his research into the Jews who were taken from Paris to Buchenwald Concentration Camp.

Our I SPY picks of the night went to Nicole Murray whose stunning, fringed dresses echoed classic 40's glamour, Hasan Hejazi's sensational disco bondage and Eliana Dimitriakopoulou's giant coloured furs-mega bling!

Hilary Alexander & Jo Wood (image Grazia)

Rumours are circulating that ASOS.com are already lining up some of the designers to create collaborations with. I SPY hopes we see some of Eliana's faux furs in affordable prices online soon....

I SPY 2-L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival Forum 17th March 2010

Forum: Get behind the work of leading fashion creatives and discover the inspiration at the heart of their forward-thinking designs in this L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival forum. Presented by Chimere Cisse and Simon Winkler, the curators behind the fashion photography exhibition series, I SPY.

Come hear how the I SPY series was created and the inspirations behind the images that make up the second in the tri-annual series. Each of the exhibition images offer an insight into the ideas, colours and compositions that inspire the work of contemporary designers Yeojin Bae (Yejoin Bae), Dhini Pararajasingham (Dhini), Monika Tywanek (TV), Kate Rogers (Dazed & Confused/Conde Nast) and Karla Way (Karla Way). This public talk allows even greater access to the creative process involved in these designers' work, discussing their original designs from conceptualisation to realisation.

Location: Seminar Room, City of Melbourne City Library, 253 Flinders Lane Melbourne 3000

RSVPs to attend the Forum can be made via email: libraryevents@melbourne.vic.gov.au or ph: (03) 9658 9500

I SPY - Two

The second series of I SPY will be launching at the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival on Saturday 13th March 2010. Get behind the work of leading fashion creatives and discover the inspiration at the heart of their forward-thinking designs in this tri-annual exhibition of photography, featuring contributions from local and international fashion and style leaders. Each of their images offer an insight into the ideas, colours and compositions that inspire the work of these contemporary designers.

This year curators Chimere Cisse and Simon Winkler bring together leading fashion creatives; Yeojin Bae (Yeojin Bae), Dhini Pararajasingham (Dhini), Monika Tywanek (TV), Kate Rodgers (Dazed & Confused/Conde Nast) and Karla Way (Karla Way).