Jen Hawkins

Recently I was delighted to be able to have a girl fashion talk with Jennifer Hawkins, the Face of MYER. A modern fun young lady with a truly professional take on her job- and how wonderful does she look in fashion. A great role model for other young women. She is young, pretty, very intellegent and with both those stilettos placed firmly on the ground. The coffee catch up went like this.

Q. What did the 10 year old Jen Hawkins dream she would be when she grew up?

I grew up with an older sister, and when I was younger, I wanted to do everything she did. I was a real girl's girl, so I'd hunt around in her wardrobe to wear all of her beautiful outfits and I started dancing at the age of five because she was a dancer. So I think I wanted to be either a dancer or a Barbie doll. Ha ha!

Q. What was the most momentous moment in your career?

There are a few moments that standout - being crowned Miss Universe was amazing. It was a fun, but a very intense year. Working on television, travelling the world, modeling, public speaking, working and living overseas, gave me some great skills to continue in the entertainment industry.

Also signing with Channel 7 for television work was exciting. And signing on to be an ambassador for three major companies, Myer, Covergirl and Lovable in 2007 was huge for me. I'm very grateful for what I have.

Q. What fashion brands do you personally love to wear?

DKNY is funky, and I like Juicy Couture and Country Road for casual wear.. I love Nicola Finetti, his range is very sophisticated and sexy. Leona Edmiston's girly day dresses and shoes are beautiful. Manning Cartel, have an amazing collection of fun day dresses and singlets. Marc Jacobs and Anya Hindmarsh are my pick for bags. Pucci is fantastic for cute summer dresses and scarves. I collect sunglasses and watches, some of my favorites are Dita and Tom Ford for sunglasses and Marc Jacobs for watches.

Q. What fashion accessory is your favourite for this autumn/winter?

1. Leather Jacket
2. A big tote, patent accessories are huge this winter so a big patent tote is a must.
3 Shoes! The shoe boot is very popular this winter and is great matched back with a dress and opaque’s. Knee high boots are an ongoing classic but have been updated in berry colors. Heels for winter are detailed, interesting heel shapes and metallic trims.
4 Scarves, from heavy woolen to wrap styles.
5. Coats are a must! From chic winter white woolen coats to a more light-weight trench for those early winter days before it gets too cold.

Q. With such a brilliant season ahead, what is your favourite colour for this season?

This season is about bright colours and metallics although there is a lot of black as well. It is great to brighten a black outfit with a shock of colour.

Q. You have such a great style, do you have the help of a stylist to choose your wardrobe and accessorize it ? Thanks!!

I love playing dress up and I do have my owe style which is quite simple, I love sexy chic , but I am fortunate enough to have met some amazing stylist and designers along the way so I ask for help if its a red carpet event etc. Hey who doesn't need a little help sometimes!!

Q. Whose style do you most admire and why?

I love Cameron Diaz for her casual, fun style. She puts a splash of colour in every now and then with accessories or shoes. I also like Nicole Richie and Kate Moss' thrown together style and I'd also like Naomi Campbell's shoes!

Q. Your favourite restaurant . Where in the world is it? and what do you order when you dine there?

Nobu New York, anything on the menu.
Il Bacaro Melbourne. Salt and pepper squid.
Kellys, Bondi Junction.. Chicken/ pumpkin salad.
Gelato in Italy..
Mexican food in Mexico, my favourite.

Q.How important is working out and or sport/exercise to you? and how much time is spent doing this exercise?

Exercise is so important for my sanity and happiness. I'm much more alive and bubbly when I have been for a walk or done a pilates session. I spend 4 or 5 days a week doing something active. I alternate between, running, walking, swimming, pilates, weights and yoga.

Q. Your favourite travel destination in the world?

Each country is beautiful in it own way. I have so many countries that I love, whether it be the people or culture or the country itself. I can't pick a favorite but I'll say I love Italy for their passion for life and food! San Francisco and New York for the lifestyle. London and Hong Kong for the fashion. I also loved Brazil, Ecuador, Czech Republic, Thailand and Mexico. India was really interesting too.

Q. Your favourite fragrance? Flower Bomb (Victor and Rolf), Burberry and Valentino.

What a fabulous girl, loves doing what she does as the Ambassador for MYER. I have worked with Jen and she is a true professional in every way - and what a beauty.

Di Cant for www.istylefashion.com.au.

Country Road

Country Road was one of the star collections at the LMFF in Melbourne recently

It was a very slick event, atop the Morell Bridge on the Yarra River in Melbourne.

This year, guests are invited into a sleek, sharp, sexy space where new shapes were paraded in a dramatic black tent incorporating an exciting water feature finale. Complete with polished high gloss finishes, the tent will open up to reveal the panoramic backdrop of the Yarra River and Melbourne sky line.

Country Road’s AW08 “Details That Count” collection makes a strong contemporary statement with a nod to the 60s’. Key silhouettes, styling and attention to detail contrast against textures, embellishment and mixing soft elements back to hard.

Black on black dominated back with highlight pops of deep orange, red and purple working off a neutral base. Country Road delivered a collection that is raw yet lady like, pretty yet tough with a naive 60’s feel that adds a softer edge to the range.

It was super sexy, sleek and a very exciting winter season from CR.

Check out the shots attached and go shopping to get these superb new looks in your wardrobe for Autumn winter 08, from your nearest Country Road store.

Di Cant
www.istylefashion.com.au