Monday 19 December 2011

Do you need to clear out your wardrobe?


When you walk into out showroom you’re hit with a kaleidoscope of colour, the walls lined with clothing. We are often asked where it all comes from.

Our best pieces often come from  local fashionistas who update their wardrobes seasonally. We also have ladies who have lost lots of weight and their clothes no longer fit and women who are moving and can't take all their treasures with them.

If you are clearing out your wardrobe and would like your clothing, shoes, handbags or jewelry treasured by a new owner come visit us. We buy for all seasons all year round including children’s clothing and men’s wear.  You can make an appointment at our Fyshwick studio to go through your collection with Rebekah or you can simply drop it off with your name and number attached to be assessed.

Modern styles in natural fibres with no signs of wear are preferred. Most in demand are Trelise Cooper, Nicola Waite, Oroton, Loui Vuitton,  Lanvin, Dolce & Gabbanna, Armani and Mimco. The more current the item is, the more likely we are to be able to sell it so if you have items you currently are not wearing bring them in now rather than in a few seasons time! We buy all items outright, offering about 30% of our selling price. To get an idea of our price point drop into our Fyshwick store. 
For more details go to materialpleasures.com.au

We hope to see you soon! 

Saturday 17 December 2011

What's in store

Bags and accessories have been selling as soon as they go into the show room. I was told we had a Louis Vuitton bag last week but of course it sold before I even got a glimpse!
Here's what is in store at the moment:
Morrissey Bag
$65


DKNY


Midas Bag
$70
Leather

Mollini Heels
$40
Size 40



Wayne Cooper
$45

Tuesday 13 December 2011


NEW ARRIVALS Tuesday: looks like Santa has been here early, ho ho ho.  Hopefully you can sleigh into our flagship store at 3 Barrier Street, Fyshwick & pop one of these bargains into your Santa sack to keep you festive, merry & bright.


Paula Ryan, Tiffany Treloar, Oroton, Trelise Cooper, Pedro Garcia, Crea, Trenery, Nicola Waite, Kenzo, Paula Ryan, Jayson Brunsdon, DKNY, Donna Karan, Akira Isogawa, Lanvin, Camilla, Megan Park, Armani, Mia Mea, Max Mara, Easton Pearson, Sarah Pacini, Flannel, Max & Co.


OMG! where do I start? Not to mention the 400 garments with green dots that are 50% off!


Merry Christmas from the Material Pleasures' Team

Designer dresses in store this morning.



Royal Blue Lanvin Dress
Summer 2009
Here's a look at what's new in store, we have lots more including some Trelise Cooper. There is also heaps of stock marked down to half price.
Megan Park jacket
in charcoal grey with gold detail
Mia Mea Evening Coat

Camilla Kaftan

Easton Pearson top
Brand new with tags
Lanvin Dress
Summer 2009

Floral Kenzo kaftan 

Our online gift vouchers are up and running just in time for Christmas, they are available through materialpleasures.com.au

We are open until the Friday the 23rd Dec and reopening on the 3rd of January.

Sunday 11 December 2011

Hippy Market!






 Saturday afternoon I rushed out to the Canberra Environment Center to get a glimpse of their markets before they started to pack up. Material Pleasures is based on recycling and reusing so the markets were a great opportunity to see other Canberra businesses that are environmentally minded. 
Buppo & Wren
Buppo and Wren have some beautiful accessories for the home all made from recycled coffee bags and natural fibers such as jute, hemp and cotton. The stuffing or filler in the pillows is made from recycled plastic bottles with a 45x45cm pillow insert saving about 25 bottles from going to landfill. 
They will be at the Handmade markets this weekend, 17th and 18th of Dec at the National Convention Center. www.buppoandwren.com
Monique was in her element surrounded by like minded, eco friendly stall holders and green conscience shoppers . Her  pure beeswax candles are certified organic and the wax comes from the oldest bee sanctuary in the world, right here in Australia. I had no idea how many nasties can be found in candles from by-products of the meat packing industry to carcinogens, and lead ! To find out more go to organicbee.com.au

Gardners Ground Organic Wine
gardnersground.com.au
Herb and Jenny from the small town of Canowindra NSW showcased their organic wine. They purchased the 25 hectares their vines are now growing on 10 years ago, which was certified organic with no chemical exposure since 1996.
No artificial fertilizers are used on their all organic crops which produce fruit higher in antioxidants. Herb and Jenny are focusing on 'no added preservative' wine for future and have already produced an award winning 'no added preservative' Shiraz.

What is organic?  Admittedly all the terminoligy can get rather confusing.
The word organic actually means living, but in these terms relates more to the sustainable way the product is produced.
How does it really affect us and why does it matter? 
When you buy organic it means you are supporting a way of life that doesn't involve hazardous chemicals or pesticides. High levels of pesticide residue are poisonous and their is speculation that constant ingestion of lower levels of pesticide can cause cancer. Dr Theo Colborn found that some pesticides , even in tiny amounts can affect a developing child's intelligence (1).
 Studies on people with high exposure to pesticides such as farmers, manufacturers and crop dusters have proven high rates of a range of cancers (2). 


I was struggling to get a word in with the lovely lady at Raw Capers, her customers were so passionate and couldn't resist buying one of every thing they sampled! They had an awesome array of nibbles from chocolate drops to kale crackers (perfect for Christmas!).
We have all heard that chocolate is good for us or that it makes us happy and this is because of the cacao bean. In South America raw cacao has been used medicinally through out history with its high sources of magnesium, chromium , anti-oxidants and mood elevators such as serotonin. The Raw Organic Food Co brings you the benefits in an organic, higher quality form than that of the grocery store generics.
Raw Capers stocks in a range of outlets, for more information email rawcapers@gmail.com

(1) New Internationalist, interview with Dr Theo Colborn, WWF Global Toxics Initiative, May 2000, 17
(2) National Cancer Institute, 2007 Cancer Trends Report

Thursday 8 December 2011

Canberra based blogger Kathreen Ricketson

I've just come across this very clever, Canberra based blog 'Whip Up'.
 Kathreen Ricketson, blogger extraordinaire,  founded the site in 2006. She has quiet an amazing array of experiences including writing for Treehugger and Design*Sponge. She has designed for Art Monthly Australia, author of Whip Up Mini Quilts  and produces her own online magazine for creative kids 'Action Pack'. 

Action Pack is Kathreen's online
magazine for creative kiddies 7 to 12 years

"Whip up:
to prepare quickly. to create. to manufacture.to build. to invent. to conceive. to push.to upset. to incite. to provoke. to excite."


If your struggling this Christmas break to entertain the
little ones, check her out!
On her blog you can find recipes, knitting patterns, craft projects, book recommendations and some beautifully wholesome blog stories. She has contributing writers from all over the world.

I'm constantly being amazed by the creative undercurrent in Canberra. Who would have guessed we had such a talented author and crafter!

You can visit her blog at  http://whipup.net/ and check out her magazine at http://action-pack.com/



Tuesday 6 December 2011

What's in store this week



DKNY  Peach ribbon mules
Donna Karan New York Heels



Alex and Alex Heels

Via Condotti shoes and clutch
Made in Italy

Clutch by Cur Couturen


Monday 5 December 2011

'After 5' Style



What to wear is on the top of all ladies worries when you’re headed to an event where there will be lots of people you don’t know. – "What if I’m too dressed up?! What if I look too casual!!" It's always better to be over dressed than under dressed... Then you can say you have another event to go to afterwards that you're dressed up for!! Here are 3 types of looks for you to adapt and personalize for After 5 or cocktail events that will get your style mojo going. 


The Tailored Suit
Tailored pants are a great option that ladies tend to forget about. Once you have a great pair of pants that fit you well, the options are endless. It’s worth spending a little more to get quality fabric in the perfect cut for your figure so that you can simply pair them with a whole range of different tops and accessories.

Marchesa strapless top,
Net-a-Porter


Grace Hill evening pants
Jackets are fantastic for adding a bit a class to an outfit. There are so many shapes available from cropped and boxy to tailored and classic. Depending on your body shape and which style you choose, they are fantastic for nipping you in at the waist-(try a single button jacket), covering up shoulders for conservative events while remaining stylish and covering lumps and bumps that bias cut dresses often accentuate.
Jayson Brunston  dress jackets,
The Beauty Tutor

The Cocktail Dress
Cocktail dresses are the most popular outfit for after 5 events. There are endless options, and styles but a cocktail dress generally means a semi- formal dress that can be from above the knee to above the ankle in length.

Left to right: Mod cloth - Winter Waltz dress,  Jaicee Events blog , Lady Love Song Dress - Mod Cloth

 
The Maxi 
Maxi dresses are glamorous and easy to wear. They are very convenient as a one piece outfit, just select complimentary accessories and some heels and your outfit is complete. 
Maxi dresses are not as formal as a ball gown or a full formal dress. They are made in more casual fabrics rather than satin or lace. To avoid feeling overdressed choose a maxi with a bold print which scales down the formality.
Jovani dress - The Style Spy, Sonia Kruger dress - Myer


What ever you choose to wear be comfortable and confident. If you wear something that simply isn't you, it can ruin your evening by worrying constantly about how you look! Look for your favorite colours, and wear what you love.




Saturday 3 December 2011

New Shoes

We have a beautiful collection of shoes coming in store soon including these Dolce&Gabbana heels.

Dolce & Gabbana 

Thursday 1 December 2011

Our first sale of the season and new stock


As a special Christmas treat for our wonderful customers we have our first sale of the season on in store! We have a large selection of stock at half price - look for the spots on the tags.

We are overflowing with small sizes so for our skinny-minnies we have posted a bunch of stock on Ebay at bargain prices. Their are some very cute frocks that would be perfect for Christmas parties.
Here is a sneak peak of another batch of items that will be online about 8pm tonight:

FRENCH CONNECTION DRESS

WAYNE COOPER DRESS

VERONICA MAINE DRESS


Also, a little reminder that we do gift vouchers, so if you are struggling to think of the perfect gift for a friend - give the gift of retail therapy!! Or if you are one of our crazy Material Pleasures Addicts ( I call you this with much love!- You make working in the shop exciting) - recommend a voucher from friends or family. We will soon be able to arrange these online through materialpleasures.com.au

Just between you and me... Rebecca is away on a shopping spree again so their will be lots and lots of new goodies in store very soon ;)

Monday 28 November 2011

CIT Fashion Show 2011

Designer :Amy Taylor

Last Thursday we viewed the amazing talent on display at the CIT Fashion Show. The annual parade showcased the work of the 2011 Bachelor of Design(Fashion) students, each with their own amazing, extravagant style. The Bus Depot was full to the brim with Canberra's most creative, fashion obsessed personalities and we were all craning our  necks to get the best view of the beautiful garments on show. 
Designer :Alice Sutton


 CIT boasts graduates working under many successful industry leaders such as Sass and Bide, Alexander McQueen, Veronica Maine, and Kirrily Johnston. We wish the graduates all the best in their exciting careers!

Tahnee Crockford


Elizabeth Knight



Saturday 26 November 2011

Tips and tricks to buying online

A lot of people are turning to buying online to get the best prices and widest range of products... without even leaving the comfort of your lounge room. Ebay is one of the biggest and well known online shops worldwide but there is a bit of an art when it comes to finding and winning an item that you want so here are my tips to finding and winning your favourite brands or items:

1. Set up email alerts. You can enter your favourite brands, price range etc and when an item that matches what you want is posted, you will get an email from eBay with the item details.
Whenever you do a search on eBay an option to 'save this search' will appear below the search box. By following the prompts you can set up alerts via email.

2. Mobile bidding. Bid from your mobile phone and get notifications if you are out bid.
How to set up notifications

3. Avoid disappointment in the final moments of bidding. Watching the counter tick down in the final seconds of an auction is exciting if there are a few people bidding, but it can be so disappointing when your browser doesn't process your bid fast enough and you get outbid at the final moment. Decide before hand how much you would really be happy to pay for the item in store and bid accordingly, I have been pipped at the post many times! It's hard to not get carried away and pay more than you want so decide on what you think is a good price before the shopping adrenaline kicks in!


Happy bidding!!
Review top 
Bidding ends tonight
We have Sass and Bide, Armani, Bare by Rebecca Davies, Cooper st, Wayne Cooper, French Connection, Veronica Maine, Alannah Hill and more finishing within the next 2 days. FabricFirst
Whether your looking for work or play, you find
something you love at Material Pleasures ;)
Photography : Jiawa Liu
Make up : Chloe Gouneau
Model : Kathleen McKenna
It's only one month till Christmas and we're at the start of  the silly season with x-mas parties and work functions penciled in the diary. We have a heap of new stock in store for all your events and we have tonnes of small sizes so if you have any teeny- tiny friends or family bring them in for some retail therapy!

Zoe Wittner heels 

Wednesday 23 November 2011

Fashion Parade on Kingston Foreshore Thursday night

CIT Momentum 2011 - Creative Industries Showcase

CIT's expo for their creative industry courses is on at the Kingston Foreshore's Old Bus Depot until tomorrow. I definitely recommend having a look, the work on display is amazing.
On the upper floor they have static and computer displays of visual art, photography, interior design, building design, architectural drafting, graphic design and media open for viewing from 9.30 am to 4pm. On Thursday in the foreshore gallery they have presentations, talks, music performances and a Hamlet screen Production ( download their event itinery from their site here)

Tomorrow night the fashion graduates will be hosting a fashion parade at 7pm (This is a ticketed event , tix can be booked at http://www.outincanberra.com.au/products or through Department of the Exterior or Itrip, Iskip Braddon for $40 which includes entry to the after  party at Charlie Blacks, Manuka)

Static fashion display by the CIT graduates

Photography by Josie Cosgrove.
My snap shots don't do these amazing works justice - come check them out
 tomorrow at the Old Bus Depot Markets


Photography by Elanna Woods


Monday 21 November 2011

Lanvin Paris 2012 Spring/ Summer Collection

Check out Lanvin's super dramatic runway show : 




Material Pleasures in Vogue Magazine

Yep! You heard right!
We just about dropped the phone when we got a call from the Vogue Australia marketing team asking if we would like to be part of their editorial ad section in their magazine.
From January 2012 you will be seeing glimpses of Material Pleasures in the monthly fashion mag.
We are all a bit excited ;)


Friday 18 November 2011

Fleur Wood and Vintage picks

Close up of lace on Fleur Wood dress -
Fleur Wood is known for her beautiful
 luxurious fabrics and embroidery
Here are some of my favorite picks for the week. As always, new pretties are coming in thick and fast so come and visit us this week end :)

Quirky parrot brooch
Fleur Wood lace slip dress

Halter Neck 1950s swing dress
Back of pink vintage dress
with button feature