By Sarah Willcocks
Once upon a time, some wise soul stated, “the best things in life are free”. So to have an appreciation for the finer things in life, that cost you a little more, would surely be “gilding the lily” (to use another cliché – possibly the prettiest ever conceived). To me a luxury does not have to come attached to an inhibitive price tag. Rather it entails something extraordinary with a higher level of quality, care and love put into its creation. Luxury is not disposable, mass produced or mundane. It is memorable, a potential future heirloom or simply something that makes life just a little more shiny. It could even be as simple yet elusive as that expertly crafted martini (with olives please) that arrives, well deserved, at the end of a long working week.
Affording luxury and the global financial climate of doom that we have had drummed into our consciousness are not mutually exclusive ideals. The suggestion that people will not sacrifice life’s little luxuries during hard economic times seems to be holding fast this time around – with lipstick and lingerie still the treats of choice. My mantra is to buy less but shop smarter. If you hunt for quality items that you adore, they are likely to last longer which helps your wallet and the environment in the long term. If you buy locally designed or made products this idea holds even more weight. This column will be dedicated to celebrating the luxuries that Australia produces exceptionally well, to applauding ingenious design and thoughtful craftsmanship.
In the midst of the GFC and with the seasons turning to grey, we could all be forgiven for feeling blue. Sometimes just knowing that there are talented humans out there, creating beautiful things, cheers me to no end. So I thought I’d start by introducing you to a few of my favourite things that brighten my day in hope you will also be inspired.
1. When life threatens to overwhelm, there is nothing nicer than crawling into a bed with crisp sheets and letting the doona insulate you from the world for a while. When that same bed looks like it has been stolen from a hotel room, then all the better. Nature and international adventure inspires Melbourne textile designer Tracie Ellie as she creates her Aura range of bed linen. This luxurious set, dubbed ‘Toubkal’, came about after her travels around Morocco and to the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains.
2. This ‘Gold Petal’ necklace by Mondo Design is a fusion of soft florals and hard metals. It features Swarovski crystals – a common feature of the label along with Czech and Japanese glass and vintage elements. To think designer Danielle Mondo, who has no formal training, began hand-making jewellery just because she and her friends could not find the pieces they desired.
3. Innocent Bystander’s 2008 Pink Muscat is such a luscious drop that I often give it as a gift when I don‘t succumb to temptation to imbibe it myself. The vibrant blush colour of the wine and its pretty watercolour logo on the label almost elevate this bottle to a work of art. Made from grapes grown along the Murray River, it’s also the perfect size to share…if you can bear it.
4. Marc Pascal turns a dab hand to ceramics, illustration and other artistic projects; but it was his ‘Eyoi Yoi’ lighting series that first entranced me. Featuring a flurry of stylised butterflies suspended on wires, the lamps flutter in the breeze and cast coloured pools of light on the walls. Each piece is handmade to order and the colours can be customised to taste. I’d make sure to place these confetti-like designs near an always open window.
5. “Let them eat cake” has commonly (and mistakenly) been attributed to the stylish Marie Antoinette. Regardless of the dubious origin of the quote, it sounds like a good idea to me. The cupcake craze shows no signs of abating and this creation by Sugadeaux is made all the more special as it is Pink Champagne flavoured of all things. Their cupcakes are super sweet, more like a dessert – try the Chai Latte or Turkish Delight flavours too.
6. I have been shamelessly raving about new designer Eva Huynh ever since she won an award at the NRA Fashion Awards in the student category. Her collection is inspired by the seaside, with its sea foam colours and scalloped detailing. The work that goes into each piece must be intensive. Now she’s jet-setting around the country and is soon to leave for Paris so get onto this young label before worldwide fame and fortune beckons.
Image Credits
1. Aura
2. Mondo
3. Innocent Bystander
4. 707
5. Sugadeaux
6. Christian Bowman http://fashionscene.com.
