Australia's Style Icons Part 2

Continuing our celebration of Australian style, we look at some of the great Aussie women establishing themselves as fashion icons...

PUBLIC FIGURES

QUENTIN BRYCE

In 2008 Quentin Bryce became Australia's 25th Governor General and the first woman to hold the position. So busy is her professional calendar that when averaged out, Bryce has attended more than one official engagement for every day she's been in office. With plenty of occasions to refine her personal style, she's made dressing to impress part of the job description, changing perceptions of the role of Governor General and becoming a much-watched fashionable figure. 

Her perpetual diary may be choc-a-block with social events but when the guestlists feature nothing but royalty, foreign dignitaries, politicians and highly-respected public figures, dressing appropriately is of paramount importance. Bryce is not aiming to shock or make a statement, she simply tries to look the best she can at every opportunity. It's little wonder that there are tribute pages on Tumblr, Pintrest and Zimio dedicated to her personal style. 

Signature Style Features: 3/4 or bracelet length sleeves, knee length skirts, definition at the waist e.g. a belt, jacket peplum; not afraid to have fun with colour.

Designers of Choice: Pia Du Pradal

The Look: Ladylike chic - 1950s fashion principles restyled for the successful woman. 

See more photos of Bryce's style at quentinbryce.tumblr.com

YASMIN SEWELL

Moving from Sydney to London in 1996, the twenty year old Yasmin Sewell embarked on what would become an impressive fashion career. Starting her own boutique in London's trendy Soho, she went on to hold buying positions at some of the fashion capital's most influential stores including Browns and Liberty. Now a freelance Fashion Consultant she has also become one of the most photographed street style stars. 

Signature Style Features: Masculine tailoring, strong shoulders, juxta poses pieces of tailoring with more casual sweatshirts and jeans; favours neutral tones - black, grey and beige.

Designers of Choice: Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, Acne, Preen Nicholas Kirkwood

The Look: 'Everyday's a Saturday' - weekend style dressed up with a feeling of French nonchalance.

See more examples of Sewell's style at wikifashion.com

CATE BLANCHETT

Born in Melbourne in 1969, Cate Blanchett's successful acting career has seen her command leading roles in many Hollywood blockbusters of which the Lord of the Rings series, the Aviator and the Curious Case of Benjamin Button are just a few examples. Earning herself international accolades including 3 Screen Actors Guild Awards, 3 Golden Globes, 2 Baftas and an Oscar plus many more nominations on top, she has become a familiar face and a relentlessly successful fashionable figure on red carpets around the world. 

What sets her apart from many of her contemporaries, is that she loves to take a risk on the red carpet. Compared to Nicole Kidman for example, a fellow Australian actress with whom she shares a slight physical resemblance in terms of their colouring, poise and stature, Blanchett's looks are always fashion forward. Kidman favours goddess-like gowns and yes, she always looks elegant but it's Blanchett that the fashion press are waiting to see. 

From the superhero/fetish-like Armani Prive gown she wore to the AACTA Awards in 2013 to her sugary yet sculptural Balenciaga creation at the the New York premier of Blue Jasmine to the gothic lace gown she wore to this month's Golden Globes, we wait with eager anticipation to see what and who she'll be wearing next. 

Signature Style Features: the element of surprise, uses her statuesque physique to carry strong shapes.

Designers of Choice: Armani, Balenciaga, Valentino, Givenchy

The Look: Fashion Forward Hollywood Goddess. 

See more of Blanchett's red carpet style at eonline.com

Australia's Style Icons Part 1

In honour of Australia Day, we're celebrating some of our Aussie icons of style, starting with...

THE DESIGNERS

COLETTE DINNEGAN
Born in South Africa, raised in New Zealand Collette Dinnegan cut her teeth on the Australian fashion scene. Launching her first store in Sydney in the early 1990s, in 1995 she became the first and only Australian designer to be invited to become a member of the Chambre Syndicale du Pret a Porter des Couturiers et des Createurs de Mode (the governors of the French fashion industry) and to show on the prestigious Paris schedule.

Jessica Gomes, May 2013

Starting out as lingerie brand, Dinnegan's ethereal whispers translated beautifully into deliciously feminine womenswear, with fine negligee-like dresses becoming her signature. Often featuring the prettiest of lace trims or exquisite embellishments, her gowns became a favourite with red carpet beauties, reinforcing her design credentials and inspiring a range of diffusion lines including most fittingly, Collette Dinnegan Bridal in 2007.

Taylor Swift, November 2011

In October last year, after 24 years building her label, Dinnegan announced she would be taking a step back from the industry. Her final collection for Collette Dinnegan showed in September 2013. She will however, continue with her diffusion lines Collette by Collette Dinnegan and Collette Dinnigan Enfant - something of a relief to her faithful followers, this new focus on more accessible ranges could open her up to a new market and inspire a whole new generation of Dinnegan devotees.

Dinnegan Signatures: figure flattering shapes, lavish lace, exquisite embellishments and feminine prints.

As Worn By: Nicole Kidman, Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, Miranda Kerr, Taylor Swift, Sarah Hyland and Delta Goodrem.

The Look: The Cinderella Story - 'girl-next-door' transforms into Hollywood golden girl.

See more at collettedinnegan.com

Nicole Kidman, 2012

SASS & BIDE

Sarah Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton have been creating their own brand of warrior women since 1999. What started out as a purely denim collection within two years had developed into a full ready-to-wear collection. Not only do Sass & Bide boast 20 stores throughout Australia and New Zealand, they label is stocked in 20 countries across the globe and in 2013 they opened their first international flagship store in New York.

Sass & Bide Signatures: body con shapes, heavy embellishments evocative of armoured plates, graphic lines, strong black and white colour palette with flashes of neon and metallic trims.

  

As Worn By: Beyonce, Rhianna, Jennifer Hawkins, Kim Kardashian.

   Heidi Middleton    

   (left) and Sarah        The Look: The Urban Amazonian - 21st century woman styles her own show 

 Jane Clarke (right)     of strength. 

Photo: vogue.com.au    

                                    See more at www.sassandbide.com

JOSH GOOT

Since his very first collection in 2005, Josh Goot has been making waves on the international fashion scene. With his label debuting at New York Fashion Week, positive reviews saw him make the cover of fashion bible Women's Wear Daily. British Vogue too was raving about him: "Every girl needs a little Josh Goot in her wardrobe," they exclaimed. His graphic style of sporty-chic was soon drawing crowds on the London catwalks before Goot returned to his roots, stealing the headlines at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in 2011.

Josh Goot Resort 2013

Goot Signatures: Clean silhouttes, body-con elements, sporty vibe, graphic prints, pops of colour against slick monochrome backgrounds.

As Worn By: Kim Kardashian, Miranda Kerr, Kate Bosworth, Jessica Mauboy, Lara Bingle.

The Look: The Optical Delight: bringing colour to world with a kaleidoscopic patterns and shapes.

See more at www.joshgoot.com

SAMANTHA WILLS

Jewellery designer Samantha Wills' aspirational blend of boho-beauty-meets-city-chic is attracting a cult following. Since the runaway success of her debut collection at Australian Fashion Week in 2004, Wills' has been busy building a brand that's as attractive as her eclectic designs.

Her move to New York has opened up a new world of opportunities with her stylish creations regularly decorating celebrities at red carpet and photographic events. 

Wills Signatures: boho colours and stones, ethnic influences, vintage details.

As Worn By: Vanessa Hudgens, Christina Milian, Lady Gaga

The Look: Upper Westside Boho Chic - boho babe dresses for city living, carrying her heritage in her jewellery.

See more at www.samanthawills.com