Category Archives: Shop

Maison Martin Margiela Tabi Boots

When Margiela released the clear heeled Tabi Boots early last year I went from being a mere admirer of the style to realising how much I’d actually like to own a pair. They went on sale and I almost bought them then, but held out because I was about to embark on a trip to Japan. I saw them in person for the first time at the Margiela store in Omotesando, Tokyo and was awe-struck to see something so iconic in the flesh. They weren’t on sale in Japan yet so I left them behind, and by the time I got home I realised that my money would be better invested in the classic black heeled version instead. I searched compulsively online and could only turn up one store with my size in stock. They were full price.

So I waited.

I waited and waited and waited. For ten months I waited, and when they still hadn’t gone on sale and I still wanted them as desperately as the day I first saw them I knew I was being foolish. I e-mailed the store and the customer service team confirmed that they were never ever going to go on sale. They only had one pair left in my size. I mulled. There were still no other pairs I could find online in my size that had popped up for a better deal in the mean time. So what was I waiting for? I had already saved for so long for them and had enough money to pay for them. They were a no-risk purchase – there was nothing transient about the design or my desire for them.

So I bought them.
And I’m in love.

After quizzing several Tabi owners I’d drawn the conclusion that these were no ordinary shit-kicking boots like my Acne Pistols. The leather is infinitely soft, and the craftsmanship is delicate. They aren’t to be worn every day but (like most things that come with a hefty price-tag) if cared for, would last for years and should look better with wear.

I’ve only worn them once because since the weather’s cooled down in Melbourne I haven’t had anywhere nice to justify their wear. So I stare at them every day on my shelf and do not regret purchasing them for a moment. I’d like to thank the customer service team at the store I purchased them from – Totokaelo – their pre and after-sales communication has been excellent. Although the shipping is expensive to Australia I highly recommend shopping with them, it was truly one of the best online shopping experiences I’ve ever had.

Do you have an item you waited a very long time to buy? Was it worth the wait?

As I am wont to do each and every year on February the 13th, today I am celebrating my birthday. As I’ve turned 28, I’m offering all my lovely friends 28% off all ALICIA HANNAH NAOMI jewellery until the 28th of February. You can use the code TWENTYEIGHT to redeem this discount offer.

Thank you to Nadia for the gorgeous white birthday rose.
The Diptyque candle was a birthday gift from last year that’s still going strong.

Rick Owens Leather Wallet

The first of my 2013 wardrobe wish list items to be welcomed to my collection.
It’s too big to fit into my handbag as an everyday wallet, but the perfect evening option as I don’t need to carry a separate wallet inside.

In line with my anti-accumulation of meaningless stuff philosophy from 2012 I’d like to spend 2013 focusing on spending (or saving) my money on (or for) pieces I really need or want. I’ve found it’s easier to curb impulse shopping when you can say to yourself “if I buy this cheap thing now, then I will have to wait longer to afford this expensive thing I really want”. Some of the (kinds of) items I’d like to hold out for in 2013 are:

1 Stretch Leather Leggings – I’ve bought a total of FOUR pairs of stretch leather leggings online over the last two years and have had to send them back (or resell them) due to fit issues. I don’t know when I’ll really be able to secure my holy-grail pair since I almost definitely need to try them on in person first. I’m hanging out for a Rick Owens (pictured) or Helmut Lang pair this time around.

2 Classic Winter Coat – Melbourne is the best Australian city to live in if you love outerwear, but I still don’t own a really elegant and timeless winter coat. Wool or cashmere, mid-thigh in length, structured shoulders; with a nice big collar and maybe a belt. Okay I’m describing a very specific coat and I already have it on lay-by. It’s more beautiful than any other winter coat I’ve ever owned and I can’t wait to bring it home. For style reference, this Ann Demeulemeester coat ticks the same boxes.

3 Voluminous Winter Skirt – As part of a semi-recent interview with WWD, Yohji Yamamoto said “You don’t need to be too sexy. You are sexy enough.” The entire interview (with the sentiment fashion is shit) was fucking brilliant but this particular quote really resonated with me. I was always looking for a lower neckline or a higher hemline to assert my sexuality. Letting go of that delusion was very freeing and I immediately embraced the midi-skirt. For winter I’d like another midi-skirt, this time something with a little more volume. As well as finding joy in playing with a new proportion I’ll also have warmer knees, so it’s really win-win. This skirt by Jil Sander is a top contender.

4 Quirky Ankle Boots – How many pairs of ankle boots is too many? That’s a trick question, you can never have too many pairs of ankle boots. Now that I feel as though I have the basics in the bag, I would like to add a pair to the mix with a little more eccentricity. A pair of Margiela Tabi Boots or Guidi Asymmetric Wedges (pictured) would be warmly welcome.

5 Oversize Wallet/Clutch – I’ve been wanting an oversize wallet for a really long time but can’t seem to find one that suits all of my requirements AND fits into my handbag. The solution then, would be to have a style that also works like a clutch so when I’m going out I don’t need to bring my handbag at all. Marsèll (pictured) and Rick Owens both do styles that emulate this concept beautifully.

TOM FORD MARTINA SUNGLASSES

Thank you to my dear friends at Vision Direct for sending me these beautiful shades just in time for summer. I had a lot of trouble choosing from their very large range of sunglasses, but the team were wonderfully helpful and I couldn’t be happier with these Tom Ford sunglasses.