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Melbourne Central Millinery Workshops - on now

Though the weather seems to disagree, Spring Racing season is definitely hotting up. If you're keen to get your frock on and bets in, odds are you're after a stand-out hat to top off your look. This week at Melbourne Central two of the city's brightest new stars of bespoke millinery - Michelle Czech and Alexis Belcher - are creating individual millinery pieces for customers. The workshops will give shoppers a chance to be involved in the process and have a uniquely beautiful fascinator or hat to wear throughout the Racing Carnival. Details after the jump.

The Spirit of the Black Dress Gala; MSFW 2009

Though physically a small and cleanly laid out exhibition, The Spirit of the Black Dress was the result of bucket-loads of talent. 10 uber-impressive black dresses, each with their own unique twists, lined the room; while behind them, wall mounted, a dark and sensual portrait of each dress gave another perspective to the concept. The photographer was Christian Blanchard; a dapper young man with cheeky eyes, dishevelled hair, and a very bright future. Blanchard's folio of ad campaigns and magazine editorials is impressive; his work on the exhibition striking, aided by superb hair and make-up by Ashleigh Richards and Carl Reeves.

Wrapped by Housemouse installation

There's always something happening at Prahran hair salon Blondes to Brunettes. Last time it was afternoon tea with Nadia Pearse, designer from amazing eco label Made In Donald. This month it's something different entirely; a unique installation by award-winning Melbourne design team Housemouse.

Three mannequins capture the attention of passers-by as they stand in the window of Blondes To Brunettes, wearing nothing but creative and eye-catching hair styles. Each style was intricately crafted out of Wrapped By Housemouse 100% eco-friendly designer wrapping paper.

David Jones Spring/Summer 2009 Fashion Workshops

For those wanting to get a peek at the gorgeous Miranda Kerr in person, she'll be appearing in a number of fashion workshops as part of her role as ambassador for David Jones. The audience will be able to partake in a fashion question-and-answer session with Miranda, who will also spend some time signing autographs. Read on for days and times.

Alexi Freeman at State Of Design Festival

Melbourne's State Of Design festival is in full swing - and so far, we've not been disappointed. As we've been happily following the work of local design talent Alexi Freeman for some time, we thought we'd point out the label's presence on the festival calendar. Architecture and fashion collide in a collaboration between Alexi Freeman and Aaron Roberts of Room11, as part of the intriguing Cloud 19 exhibition:

"Focusing on the interconnected realms of both disciplines, the collaboration will explore the intersection of processes developed by both practices. The AFAR PROJECT #2 recontextualises the plaid motif in the ALEXI FREEMAN Spring Summer 09/10 collection, plays with the interplay of shadow and light and concepts relating to current room11 work."

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week Breakfast Series

While Fashionising.com's High Fashion, High Tea 2009 has your fashionable afternoon tea needs covered, those behind this year's MSFW (Melbourne Spring Fashion Week) think you might be after a spot of breakfast as well. So much so, they've organised an entire Melbourne Spring Fashion Week Breakfast Series aimed to not only stimulate your taste buds but you're brain too.

State of Design Festival 2009: Melbourne

Melbourne's State of Design Festival is almost upon us - and it's a perfect opportunity to step beyond the realms of fashion and explore other aspects of design, from architecture to technology to industrial design and everything in between. During the festival, Melbourne Open House will unlock some of the city's most magnificent architectural secrets; the festival's Speaker Series will host talks from over 20 influential people of the international design world; while This is Not a Design Market will cover a 2000 square meter warehouse space with fashion, jewellery, art, furniture and more. And those are just to name a few.

Afternoon Tea with Nadia Pearse of Made In Donald

Nadia Pearse is a designer to watch. The brains behind burgeoning label Made In Donald, her pieces are strictly limited and make to order. At a special afternoon tea event last month - presented by chic Prahran salon Blondes To Brunettes - Nadia spoke about the challenges of sustainable fashion; her many and varied influences; and her small home town of Donald, in which her garments are produced.

Lily Cole in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Model-turned-actors are a dime a dozen; but Lily Cole's unique looks and sparkling intellect mean she's not just another pretty face. At least, we're hopeful that the long-legged red-haired beauty will survive the transition from runway to screen long term. Lily's latest venture is The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus - here's a first look at Lily in the film.

Audrey Tautou as Coco's New Muse

Amelie actress Audrey Tautou has been cast as the infamous Chanel creator Coco Chanel. The film depicts Coco's early life as she adapted the fashion of her generation and into her own. The resemblance between Coco and Audrey is quite uncanny and she was cleverly cast as the famous designer who paved the way we look at fashion today. Coco's mannish take on the ladies suit can be seen in oversized boy blazers and wide legged trousers, and the quilted Chanel handbags that have been repeated and updated will never go out of style.

To maximise the franchise and promote the brand, Audrey Tautou also stars in the New Chanel No.5 Ad where she joins the fairytale world that Karl Lagerfeld continues for the brand in Coco's memory today.