August 17th Blog

Well finally I hear you all saying - I know – I am the worst blogger, in fact I can’t even call myself a Blogger, it’s embarrassing, anyway I promise I am going to improve!
It has been so long since I wrote that I thought it would be best to start from now and work back.

Currently I am in Delhi for a few days with my great friend Susie Wong, my preferred travelling companion (no offense JD).

God do we laugh – it’s like an illness – I completely lost it in the airport yesterday trying to recount a story from our last trip to LA, couldn’t breathe, tears running down my face, people staring, thinking to themselves, should we help this girl, is she ok? Then realising I am just laughing joyfully!

Anyway – this photo is one of the reason’s I laugh so much with Sue – this device is what she has bought for us (one each thank goodness, some things you just shouldn’t share!) in case we come across a dodgy loo in the next week – I mean, it’s called the Whiz! Who sits down and thinks, then designs, then manufactures these things – I want to meet these people! Will tell you later how I go with the Whiz!!

The Whiz!

Sue and I are here in India to see my main factory to check on production as well as to find inspiration for Sue’s jewellery range. We have been friends for 25 years and laugh about the fact that we need to fly all the way to Delhi to catch up – but that’s life! How lucky are we that we can do it I say. Sue's currently painting in my hotel room while I am writing this blog – what a talent, I am in awe!

The past few weeks have been so busy. We have appointed a brilliant PR company in Sydney called Agent 25 and have the lovely Becc Naumovski as our PR girl who is going to be spreading the joy of Little Fuchsia all around Aust in the coming months. Becc came and spent a few days with us along with the very clever and gorgeous Daisy Wellington, local Adelaide girl who we luckily offered work experience too. Hopefully Daisy will come and help us with more styling and design imput in the coming months, a very talented girl indeed!

Daisy and Becc at the Photoshoot

Our Summer Shoot went brilliantly which you will all enjoy in the coming weeks by seeing Sara in shots of our new season range

Sara is such a joy to work with, so professional and talented as a model in front of the camera, it’s extraordinary watching her work. Sara also looks so relaxed in the range and to me epitomises the LF customer. Let alone the brilliant Jacqui Way, genius photographer – we have such a love and respect for each other and always share a good giggle! Days like this make me just love having my own business and confirm that I really have “followed my bliss” I know it sounds wanky but it’s true. I have so few days that I am stressed because I love what I do. I absolutely love working with both these girls as well as the rest of the team – Cherie on make up, Simmie on styling, Miss Jane on the iron, me – well making tea!

Group photo from the shoot Robyn and Jacqui Way

The week prior we had the Adelaide Magazine Shoot which you will all get to see in a few weeks. What I do want to share is the dress I am wearing is a stunning silk v neck dress with a flower print screened down the side – this was painted by my son Sam. I am very proud to be able to involve my children in the design process of the ranges – Sophe has also painted a gorgeous heart that we have screened onto a t-shirt – all coming in September.


The week prior we had the Reach Ball in Melbourne – the biggest fund raiser for the year – what a great night, it was an 80’s Prom theme – I totally embraced it, in fact JD even thought I looked good – think he might be blinded! Lucky me, I had my close girlfriends there to share the 80’s theme with – Abi drove 5 hours from the South East of SA just because she too like me was desperate to wear taffeta again and have big hair. I was a cross between Madonna and Joan Collins from Dynasty!

Getting Ready for the 80's!

The week prior, in the whirl wind of a 3 week school holiday I decided to move house! It is fantastic, thanks again to my trusty handy man Ben – and no he is not available yet – still a few jobs to finish – I feel like I am Ben’s PA – everyone wants him – I may have to change my mobile number just to screen calls for Ben the best handyman in the world! The best thing about the new house is I now have a dressing room – a whole room for my clothes which I have set up like a shop – I have a going out section dominated by sequins, black and fur! A black and stone section, neutrals accented with pink and soft greys and a nautical rack – every girls dream!

The Wardrobe!!

The week prior I spent in HKong at a trade fair and working on next winter. The handsome Ben Smith, women’s designer for Fletcher Jones joined me as we spent some time at retail together, visited factorties and for me did 3 hours of fittings for Fletcher Jones one Saturday afternoon.

Rob and Ben Smith in HKong

While in HKong I spent hours at Sham Shi Po the fabric and trim market, collecting ribbon references, buttons and sourcing all my fabrics for Winter 2011 – this is my most favourite part of what I do – the beginning of a new season, finding inspiration from colour, fabrics, people, past ranges that I have designed or been around. Next Winter for me is remembering one of my favourite collections that a dear friend Leanne Follet designed for Ellie B – this was a diffusion line for Sportsgirl – I loved it. Leanne was a very talented designer, strong in tailoring and sourcing beautiful prints and suiting’s from Italy. This was the time when Stella McCartney was just a new girl on the block designing for Chloe. She was the one that made us all wear suits again with soft silk shirts underneath -and guess what – we are ALL going to be wearing suits next winter – watch this space, I can’t wait! I am perfecting the slouch manstyle pant as we speak!

Hong Kong Fabric and Ribbon Markets

OK, over and out – will give full report from India next week – I promise!!

Happy Shopping Always