ET VOILÀ!

My very first large poster print 'PARIS' is now available to purchase! C'est excitant!

At A2, this beauty is double the size of my usual fine art prints, and features a trés jolie femme in a Parisian interior heaven. Printed on quality 200gsm paper, you have the double benefit of either framing your new gal, or taping her to the wall like your Dolly* posters of old! Just maybe not next to JTT. Or Johnny Depp. Or Patrick Swayze**.
(How far back to we dare to tread when it comes to our favourite dreamboats?) 

Get a slice of Paris for your wall now via birdyandme.bigcartel.com

*For those of you residing outside of Australia, and 1992, Dolly is a teen mag for girls.
A rite of passage for we Aussie ladies, you might say.

**You should definitely put it next to a poster of Patrick Swayze.

DIOR

Next in the Couture series is the always polished, and a little bit bold, Dior.
One of the major stand-outs of the show was the hair. The hair!
I feel like those glorious ponytails require a moment of quiet reflection, to ensure that they are fully appreciated.

One of the things that I LOVE about Dior, and especially since Raf Simons took the helm, is that each collection becomes a modern reflection on time.
Fashion is always re-inventing itself, and I feel like Raf's designs for Dior epitomise this notion.
While the last collection was influenced by a Marie-Antoinette-esque 18th Century silhouette, with large bustles and exaggerated waistlines, this season Dior have ventured a little further into the future/past and revealed a collection that is heavily inspired by the silhouettes of the 60s. Mod shift dresses and poodle skirts are given a contemporary reinterpretation through psychedelic appliqué, cut out waist panels, and shimmering pleats.

It was hard to choose just one look as they were all so incredibly different. So I went for two.

Image Credit: vogue.co.uk

VIKTOR + ROLF

The second illustration in my series of Couture looks is a whimsical beauty from Viktor + Rolf.
Never a pair to shy away from a dramatic silhouette, the SS/15 collection had it all.
I was so in love with this show from the moment it hit my feed.

Encased in huge structured 3D florals, with over-sized straw hats covering their milk maid braids, the models looked like ethereally zany garden gnomes floating down the runway.

While initially I put it down to yet another wonderfully insane "Alice" like offering from the duo, upon further investigation I discovered that the inspiration for the collection was, in fact, the landscape renderings of Vincent Van Gough, and named after thusly.
*Insert face palm here*
Being an art school graduate I should have been onto that far sooner than I was.

It was hard to choose my favourite look from 'Van Gough Girls' to draw, but this horizontal, gravity-defying dress was the winner as I thought it would have the most impact and make for an interesting shape on paper.
I hope I was right!

Image Credit: 1 + 3 - Peter Stigter / 2 + 4 - Philip Riches for Viktor + Rolf

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

Inspired by last week's series of Couture shows in Paris, I started illustrating some of my favourite looks from each one!
First up is the always incredible Giambattista Valli.

With a colour palette that resembled a twisted garden in full pastel bloom, the models glided down the runway in a sea of coral feathers, fairy floss pink, and bold yellow petals, their eyes covered in black veils creating an impacting sense of drama.

I don't think there's ever been a GV collection that I haven't loved. Valli is, after all, all about whimsy, drama and the most AMAZING textures I have ever seen. SS/15 was no exception.

Photo Credit: vogue.co.uk

PARIS

So, a few things happened last year;
I went on a honeymoon, I discovered Airb'n'b, and - I started to 'pin'.
I've had a pinterest account for a few years, but never really got into it - until now.
After spending time overseas in the most beautiful spaces, I found myself bitten severely by the interior bug. I fell in love with our surroundings, from quaint Parisian apartments to minimal Berlin lofts, and the vast and varied ways that interiors differ from city to city.

Paired with a recent burst of home renovations and DIY projects, I decided to focus all of this enthusiasm into a new series of works, depicting the home interiors of some of my favourite cities in the world.

First up is Paris. Because, well, Paris.

I think if I could live in any city in the world, interior-wise Paris would be it.
I go gaga for large windows and flower boxes. For filtered sunlight, white washed walls and parquet floors. For ceiling roses and cow hide rugs. For thick coffee table books and gorgeous vintage handbags. This, to me, is the ultimate space.

Stay tuned for the next city - again it's one of my most-loved in the world.
Do you have a favourite city when it comes to influential design?

Image Credits: Kelly Smith

FOREVER 21

Well, HELLO 2015! Where did you come from?
The holidays seem to have whizzed by so quickly and I'm finally back at my desk, excited to kick off the New Year by sharing my t-shirt collaboration with Forever 21!
It feels like *forever* ago (ba-doom-ching) that we began the design process on these babies, and it's so fun to finally see the finished products and be able to post about them.
Inspired by travel, fun, and frivolity, there's a t-shirt slice of Paris, NYC - even a little Wonderland!
So if, like Alice, you're suffering from a little post-holiday wanderlust, donning your favourite destination is as good a place to start as any.
Available now at www.forever21.com

SARA ET LE FRENCHIE

It's been a couple of years since our last collaboration, but I recently had the pleasure of working with the crazy talented Zanita Whittington again!

Our latest venture features the always stunning Sara Donaldson of Harper & Harley, a whole lot of paint splatters, and Archie the French Bulldog. Hence the Parisian spin on the title of this post! Isn't he just the cutest?

I had so much fun getting messy with these images.

To see behind the scenes footage of the shoot, check out episode 7 of Fashion Bloggers which is airing on the Style Network in Australia, along with E! in the US, UK and Asia.
You can also read more about Zanita and her vision for the shoot in her interview with Lucky Magazine here.

Credits:
Photography: Zanita Whittington
Illustration: Kelly Smith
Model: Sara Donaldson & Archie
Make-Up: Christabel Draffin
Hair: Frankie Endersbee
Styling: Sara Donaldson

CHRISTMAS LUST-HAVES

When it comes to Christmas, wishlists used to be so simple.

As kids we'd climb onto the local shopping-centre-Santa's lap and rattle off a long list while ticking off a handful of fingers representing all of our must-have toys; Barbie, Barbie Car, Barbie Dream House...et all.

However, as we get older this tradition gets a little harder. We no longer have the Big Fella in Red to divulge our secret yearnings to, and the price tag of each item also seems to grow along with our age.

So, instead of must-haves, we'll call them lust-haves; the items we'd ask for if Santa's budget was priceless - you know, if he was sitting on a gold throne with a diamond grill in his mouth.
Because when it comes to WISHlists, it's all about the dream, right?

I've also included a few fashionably affordable (read: more likely to appear under the tree) items!

Clock-wise from left:

1. Prada Candy Florale, EDT - PRADA
2. YSL Monogramme Mock-Croc Bag, SAINT LAURENT
3. Sacré-Coeur Silver Vase, LOVESTAR
4. Puss 'N' Boots Sunglasses in Smoke + Silver, PARED
5. Illustrated 'Merry Christmas' Cards, BIRDY & ME
6. Printed iPhone 6 Cover, LANVIN
7. Rockstud Heels, VALENTINO
8. 34 Blvd Candle Holder, DIPTYQUE
9. Classic Sheffield Watch, DANIEL WELLINGTON*
10. 'How to be Parisian' Book, RANDOM HOUSE

*You can also save 15% AND gain free shipping at danielwellington.com right now with code:
"holidaybirdyandme"

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE A CHRISTMAS SALE

A big guy in a red suit famously once said "Ho, Ho, Ho!"
'Tis the catch-cry of excited gift-givers the world over at this time of year, generally accompanied by a jolly disposition and a rosy cheek.

Christmas is my all-time-favourite holiday (have we gathered that get?)  and it's happening in exactly ONE MONTH. Yes, that's RIGHT.
To celebrate, and encourage, this merriment, I'm taking 25% off EVERYTHING in my shop until Dec 1st.
That includes my 2014 Christmas cards! Woo hoo! Just in time to get those holiday greetings sent off to overseas pen pals.
As an added extra, every print order placed between now and Dec 15th will include a FREE card. Gift sorted!

Shop now using the code XMAS2014 at: www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com

To ensure delivery by Christmas, please refer to the following order cut-off dates:
Australia - Dec 15th
International - Dec 5th
(The option for International delivery will be temporarily disabled after this date)

WHAT'S THE TIME, MR.WELLINGTON?

It's like the game. Get it?!

Already a huge fan of my tan/silver Classic Sheffield Lady, I've just added the black/silver to my collection, thanks to the lovely gang at Daniel Wellington.
As you might already know from previous posts, my wardrobe is fairly monochromatic at the best of times.
After wearing only silver for so long, I delved into the world of alternate metals and became a bit of a gold/rose gold convert.
However, with my recent Saint Laurent purchase of the Cassandre monogramme in mock croc and silver, this watch is now my new best friend!
I live for my new bag, affectionately known as "Cassie," and she accompanies me on most excursions these days.
Until now I haven't been wearing a watch as I find that I'm unable to bring myself to clash leathers. Enter Mr. Wellington.
Now it's me, Sheffield, and Cassie. Gals about town.

I'm also thrilled to be able to pass on this special code for you guys, just in time for Christmas.
Order any time piece from the Daniel Wellington website HERE before Christmas and save 15% with the code: holidaybirdyandme
Merry Christmas, Mr. Wellington!

Bag | Saint Laurent
Watch | Daniel Wellington*
Necklace | Lanvin
Sunglasses | Pared

*Gifted