Un week-end à Paris avec Sussan

I fully intended on sharing with you the wonderful fashion festival that was the wedding I attended on the weekend before I was distracted with the latest Sussan catalogue that had arrived earlier today. I’m a big fan of catalogues. I love pouring over the luscious pages and being tantalised by the stylish promises of what awaits on the other side of the store door. I also love Sussan. Have done for years and contrary to what the young snippet behind the counter at the Sketches out-let store believes, it’s not “mumsie” at all! Quite the opposite and wash your mouth out for being so profane! I purchased my first notable outfit from Sussan when I was just 16 years old. It was a pair of fawn pleat-front, knee length shorts with a row of tortoise-shell-inspired buttons down the front and navy, fawn and white striped polo-neck skivvy with shoulder pads. I looked super sensational in it, and if I still had it, I would probably add a pair of neutral peep-toe heels and still look fabulous – even though I’ve long since given up on navy skivvies – clashes terribly with my freckles and pleat front anything.

I had just mentioned to my wonderful friend Mel, that I had been a bit disappointed on my last visit to my local store. Despite my best shopping intentions, nothing jumped out at me and demanded me to take it home. That was until I opened the 24-page Coco Chanel-Parisian inspired masterpiece and fell breathtakingly and irrevocably in love with each and every look, including those that I know by looking at them won’t suit me at all. If you have not yet received your copy of “A weekend in PARIS” - conveniently mailed to all Sussan VIP customers of whom I am one, then you MUST join now and procure one of your very own. Or better yet, go shopping. Aside from potentially winning a shop-a-holic trip of life-time to Paris that includes $2,000 spending money AND a $500 Sussan gift voucher, the latest and most dazzling collection promises pure perfection for the elegant Francophile style. I am particularly enamoured with the look on p14 consisting of a three quarter length sleeve jacket in bright red ($119.95), skinny black pants ($69.95) and black and white long-sleeve tee ($29.95). Unfortunately with my E cups the tee is never going to work, but I do have a long-sleeve tee in charcoal purchased from Sussan last year and the cute little striped top with drape neck feature on p6 would be a wonderful substitute. The boyfriend jacket over the cute little striped top is also adorable ($129.95) and the red and charcoal checked scarf on the same page ($39.95) is a definite must for those cold days. Even the weekend tunic ($79.95) and leggings ($49.95) on the next page has me walking dreamlike along the Champ de Élysées the arm in arm with Dr Love (such a better nickname than DH don't you think?). Not sure that’s going to be my kind of top – I can’t see the collar, but I love the way it’s glammed up with a chunky necklace. There is an adorable little coco jacket, albeit in black, on p8 that reminds me of the chanel-phase that whipped through Target a few years ago. I had two said jackets, a black and a cream one and I threw them out... silly MILLA! I’m thinking of hitting Savers to see if anyone else had the same idea. I’m also loving my new best friend, the jean ($89.95) and the glitzy ear-rings on p19 ($19.95). To finish it off, have a look at the stunning new white romance sleepwear line. No-body does sleepwear quite like Sussan.

You know what? If I was still a teenager I would cut out my favourite looks from this delectable little publication and paste them on my school file. And yes, that is me in my younger days in my favourite Sussan outfit!!! Don’t I look divine?

Check it out: http://www.sussan.com.au/

Colour me charcoal? Oh God no, not with my skin tone!

So we’ve just come out of yet another winter wonderland of greys, charcoals and blacks. As “black appears to be the new black“ on the London Fashion Festival catwalk, the same frosty hues are likely be back on deck in 2010. Whilst certainly dramatic (albeit way over-used people) these colours usually leave most of us with sallow complexions in a state of envy, contempt and morbid frustration. Just as knowing your body shape is an essential skill for any aspiring stylette, so too is knowing your skin tone. This will enable you to identify what colours work best for you, and what will only make you look like big sick dark void in the middle of a rainstorm.

According to my fabulous friend, Sarah who recently participated in a colour course, most skin tones take on a seasonal hue. Seasonal as in temperature not as in exposure to sunlight. With the exception of a few lucky little stylettes aka fabulous Sarah, your skin tone will either be warm or cold and as such certain colours will either complement or kill. To ensure you are in the colour know, there are courses available to identify which colours best suit your skin tone. For those of you lucky to be living in Melbourne, the one offered at CAE is by far the most cost-effective at a bargain $99, but be quick as it is currently only offered a few times a year. As for the others I Googled, they are bit pricey. If you are like me and plus two and paying threw the nose for child-care, the chances of you forking over $300 for four hours of colour, are as likely as you nipping into the Louis Vuitton store on Collins Street and buying a day bag or two.

So, invest in a copy of Trinny & Susannah’s “What not to wear will change your life” for a bit of colour guidance, or do it the old fashion way…trial and error…preferably before you buy.

CHECK IT OUT: As always, there are exceptions to every rule, so don’t be scared to compromise when you find a knock-out number that looks so hot, no-one will notice your pallid complexion. Just don’t make it a habit.


HOT TIP: The next time your are in your favourite store and are unsure what colours best suit your complexion, hold the fabric up against your skin and have a good look. Your facial skin tone will give you the best indication of what works and what looks downright scary. But, make sure the fitting rooms are well lit and against a neutral background because a coloured wall or curtain and bad lighting can distort the results. Most stores discreetly position mirrors throughout the shop front, which are usually under better light. So set up camp and away you go. Be prepared to make a few mistakes along the way but don’t worry, that’s why they invented eBay.