NEW YORK
I was recently asked by the Mandarin Oriental New York to share my ideal way to spend 24 hours in NYC which led me to re-visiting some of my favourite places in the Big Apple (even if only mentally.)
It also inspired me to pick up on my travel series again (which featured previously Paris, Italia, London and Tokyo) and you can find this print in my shop now by clicking here.
I took my inspiration from the beautiful Flatiron district - a definite MUST if you're in NYC - home of incredible eats (Shake Shack, Eataly, Taco Taco), Washington Square Park, and also the best place to start a walking tour of lower Manhattan;
East Village - SoHo - West Village - ending on the High Line / Meatpacking District.
View more of my faves in the shots below. (I don't think I've ever shared these...?)
Flatiron
Chrysler Building / Grand Central Station
Brooklyn
East Village
SoHo
West Village / High Line
Saks Fifth Avenue
Bryant Park / Around the World Fashion Magazines & Books
Views of Central Park from the Top of the Rock
HYFASHION AT GRAND HYATT MELBOURNE
HyFashion Stationery Suite, photographed by Gemma Watts
Brooke Meredith in Con Ilio for the Grand Hyatt Melbourne, photographed by Neiyo Sun
Brooke Meredith in Con Ilio for the Grand Hyatt Melbourne, photographed by Neiyo Sun
Designer, Con Ilio, and Brooke Meredith in Con Ilio for the Grand Hyatt Melbourne, photographed by Neiyo Sun
I recently had the honour of working with the incredibly luxurious Grand Hyatt Melbourne on their Spring fashion campaign, HYFASHION, in collaboration with Australian designer, Con Ilio;
celebrating the iconic beauty of the 'Paris' end of Collins St, Melbourne's premiere shopping precinct, and home of the hotel.
Incorporating the stunning pink 'Charlotte' gown with its hand embroidery and signature camouflage print designed by Con himself, we wanted to create the image of a bold and confident woman; the personification of Melbourne's celebrated fashion and design scene.
As a huge fan and admirer of Haute Couture, working with a designer championing the very specific and intricate methods of creating such gowns was a dream.
During the course of the promotion, guests can book a very special 'HY FASHION' package which includes, with a luxury stay at this beautiful hotel, an exclusive stationery suite (designed by me), High Tea for two in Collins Kitchen, and a one-on-one consultation with Con Ilio.
To book a stay at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne visit the website HERE.
POSTCARDS FROM ITALY
If Paris was hard to edit, Italy has to be even more so. Splitting my time between Tuscany and Venice meant so many varied and beautiful landscapes, but it was the incredible bursts of rendered colour that captured my attention.
As hard as it was, here are a few of my chosen faves that have me reaching for the paint charts...
ITALIA
Spending my last week abroad in glorious Italia.
My favourite thing about this country is the diversity of its scenery. One minute you're weaving through cobblestone streets, the next you're sipping Chianti in the Tuscan hills, before gliding down a Venetian canal!
Bellissima!
Mia signora is dessed in Dolce & Gabbana.
POSTCARDS FROM PARIS
Montmartre / Christian Dior
Barbie Exhibit at Les Arts Décaratifs
Montmartre / Bastille
Grand Trianon, Versailles
Café de Flore / Tour Eiffel
Monet's Garden, Giverny
Some of my favourites from Paris. How I even edited it down, I'll never know...
Also, see my previous post on Dior for some drool-worthy behind-scenes imagery.
BACK TO FAVART...
I first stayed at La Maison Favart a few years ago on my Honeymoon and I'm so happy to have been back here again on this current trip. On top of the marvelous exterior, there's just something so incredibly whimsical about this beautiful, boutique hotel. From the smoke-grey walls to the pink upholstery of the breakfast room, it's the perfect blend of Parisian charm!
But, somebody better pass me a croissant while I pack my bags...I've got a plane to catch *sniff*
FLOATING IN DIOR HEAVEN
Illustration based on the Lady Dior Pre-Fall 2014 Campaign, Photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino.
Illustration based on the Lady Dior Pre-Fall 2014 Campaign, Photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino.
I had originally intended this post to be something of a re-cap of my visit to the Christian Dior museum in Granville. The museum displays pieces from its archives, along with rotating exhibits - the current being 'Femmes en Dior' which includes 49 gowns and photographs of loyal, royal and celebrity clients and spokes models of the fashion house.
I was due to take an early train this morning, however the current transport strikes in Paris meant that it was cancelled, which was more than a disappointment.
So imagine my surprise, upon visiting instead the original Dior flagship store on Avenue Montaigne, to find a very special 'open house' at the Maison next door as part of the LVMH Journées Particulières event. Opening their doors to small groups for one weekend only, the beautiful spiral staircase led to rooms and rooms set up with displays from each area of the design house; couture, jewellery, accessories and parfums.
I can't even describe how incredible it was to see - and hear - each worker explain his or her process. I don't even speak French, but it was clear for everyone to see how each individual piece is created. I'm still pinching myself that I was able to have such an up-close experience with such a special design house and to see so many iconic pieces IRL.
It definitely more than made up for that missed train to Granville...
The illustration above is based on Christian Dior's Lady Dior Pre-Fall campaign from 2014, photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. One of my all-time favourites.
POSTCARDS FROM LONDON
Kensington
Chelsea
Notting Hill
Flowers of Liberty
A selection of my favourite images from my week in London; an explosion of pink and floral.
Spring fling at its finest!
