I bumped into my fave bunch of hyper alt hippies, otherwise known as the Melbourne Spank Girls (at least to me). Holly on the far right in the black t-shirt, has started to take photos for Melbourne Street Fashion and they are great. FYI the site is going through some maintenance at present though, but should be back better then ever soon.
I also bumped into the fabulous Simon and his very beautiful friend Kirsten. Looking chic in the neo goth head to toe black look, getting creative with broken hubcap neck pieces and $2 shop sunnies.
I also bumped into the ever Kawaii Super Kawaii Mama and met Violet LeBeaux celebrating Chinese New Year in China Town looking very much like Harajuku gals.
I love how Melbourne has all these subcultures of style. As much as I miss Japan and its amazing street fashion I must say Melbourne has it just as good. Sure there is a lot of influence from Japan, but I think there is still an original perspective to be found. SKM takes on a retro 1950's rockabilly style mixed in with notes from the Hime Gyaru Harajuku look. Every person featured in this post uses fashion as a form of expression in one form or another and I love it. I think its so much more interesting to dress this way then to dress in the paint by numbers style that so many other blogs feature. This year for me I want to start dressing and styling in a more "avant-garde" way, if that makes sense. In a way free from the influence of blogs and magazines but purely from the within, taking some influence from the street but in a way that is purely me and how I feel? Dressing/styling as an art and not purely about function.
haha cute. the spank girls remind me of me and my friends when I was in High school. Melbourne wasn't so tolerant of girls dressed differently back then. We we're practically spat on everywhere we went, except of course at festivals when it was 'cool' to have coloured hair and wear 'crazy' clothes.
ReplyDeleteHear hear! Although I think you always express style in your own way I'm excited to see 'avant-garde' Hayley!
ReplyDeleteThe streets of Melbourne are filled with wonderful, individual outfits, we're lucky to live in such a creative city.
Love the outfit, you're looking wonderful as always. I wonder how the girl in the middle of the very last picture does her hair... because I want it!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post.
<3lisa
Love these pics, and would love to see you more avant-garde in your dress and styling (if the mags will let you!)
ReplyDeleteBTW, La Carmina just did a post about the Spank! girls - I know you're friends with them, so you might be interested :) http://bit.ly/aqA49y
all such great styles! and so love your chloe -esk boots and dark lippy!
ReplyDeleteur so fucking cute hayley..
ReplyDeleterickyjamesflynn.blogspot.com
Love your outfit in this post Hayley.
ReplyDeleteSKM is such a doll!
I love it when people dress differently. It's so interesting.
I don't understand why people make fun or whisper or stare rudely when someone dares to dress different. They should be encouraging or complimenting.
I recently visited Melbourne for the first time (being from Perth) and loved the self expression and nonchalance that people have there. In Perth it is all about cookie cutter style (I too am guilty) and if you dress differently than you are judged.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog xx
Sadly, I live in a very style-challenged area.
ReplyDeleteBut I love all the looks/styles that this post showcases, even though I could never make them work for me. I am quite boring in terms of my clothes, but I love seeing what others do.
ahh how cool I love Kawaii Mamas tutorials for hair and make up so muuuuch :)
ReplyDeleteOh my when I see all this I am so desperate wanting spring / summer! Arrrrggg wnat to go outside without winter coat.
3 very different styles in this post! love it all.
ReplyDeletethe last paragraph about dressing without inhibitions is basically my new years resolution as well! hahaa! Cheers to that!
SWEEEET! SO cool. This is my favorite post in awhile.
ReplyDeleteThis is why Japanese fashion has always been so interesting to me (esp. Harajuku), because its more about CREATIVITY and self expression, not just doing what all the bloggers/magazines say. (although I don't deny that many Harajuku-jin follow magazines and trends! But still..)
Its encouraging to see there are other cities besides just Tokyo where people still do their own thing, but still look awesome and true to theirself.
And I say totally go for the avant garde. I've really wanted to do that myself as well as mixed with more extreme vintage choices, but if you feel even a tad bit constrained in Melbourne, you'll feel it 200 times more where I live. I hate it.
"I think its so much more interesting to dress this way then to dress in the paint by numbers style that so many other blogs feature. This year for me I want to start dressing and styling in a more "avant-garde" way"...this is like a red rag to a bull for me and got me thinking I may just take this challenge on myself, leave it with me and I will report back, thanks for the inspiration
ReplyDeleteSleekit x
I'm loving your whole fit head to toe.
ReplyDeletei think i have same alpha scarf..? love it.
ReplyDelete- i didn't wash it yet, did you? probably dry cleaning only, so the wool wont get soft...
ReplyDeleteI love those spank girls, I met some of them when I was selling at Sticky's Zine Fair. They are so out there and rad. <3
ReplyDeleteHi there,
ReplyDeleteAfter getting inspired by this post I tried to mix up my wardrobe this week. Obviously I'm a little bit longer in the tooth than the people you featured, but I had a fair crack at it all the same. Mixing colours, prints and textures.
Hope to come play again soon, thanks for the inspiration.
Sleekit x
www.sleekitone.blogspot.com
yeah, nice to see such different styles in one town :)
ReplyDeleteand wowwee, love the dark lipstick on you! you look hot! xx
aaaaahh SKM is SO gorgeous. I must start wearing my hair like that!
ReplyDeleteoh god i am absolutely in love with the 2nd picture
ReplyDeleteI heart melbourne
ReplyDeleteKirsten is stunning, I also love your pleated scarf (tdf!).
ReplyDeleteI am so excited I am off to Japan in a week, I have admired their style from afar but I finally get to see it and hopefully can come back with some awesome pieces
I love your monochromatic look here. You look amazing, and I want your booties!!
ReplyDeleteI also may be in love with the fabulous Simon!! And his coat!
I miss Melbourne!