Monday, December 17, 2018

Christian Paul Watches - Havana Days Launch Event

So close to Christmas, so much going on! Last week Vivienne and I attended three events with this lovely pool party, launch event - HAVANA DAYS from Christian Paul sandwiched more or less in the middle. So what is Havana Days? It's inspired by lazy days in the Caribbean with a look back to the 1940s, elegant watches embracing the design ethos of the era; and limited edition leather accessories. Purses, luggage tags, passport holders and cosmetics bags which take a more modern twist on the Havana theme with bright colours and tropical motifs, Toucans, Parrots, Hibiscus flowers, Pineapples and Pink Flamingos; it's all very tropical. A gold pineapple also puts in an appearance on the face of their Myer exclusive watches.
Kent Johnson with Christian Paul CEO Zaid Alsulaibi and Vivienne Shui - Havana Days pool party Launch Event - Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney
Yours truly with Christian Paul CEO Zaid Alsulaibi and Vivienne on the right.
Of course the pool party launch was also Havana themed, cocktails, cakes and a grazing table of all the good things you like to eat while sipping on a lazy long drink. Fortunately I can work whist sipping cocktails and was able to engage Christian Paul CEO Zaid Alsulaibi to get the low down on the brand and Zaid delivered. Australian owned, Australian designed, customer and quality focused, looking to a long future in the watch industry. I was captivated by the stories of this relatively young brands desire to grow strong and some of the good fortune it's already seen - a fan engraved and presented one of the brands signature watches to celebrity Selena Gomez; she slipped it right on and; one Instagram later... it's always nice to be part of a success story. Now I haven't actually worn a watch for the better part of the last ten years so it was with great interest that I slipped on the 'Reid' watch from the range that I found in my goodie bag. It's one with rose gold and a tan leather strap. I have begun wearing it and it does feel like quality, and it does feel and look like a good dress watch, which is exactly what it is, and waterproof too; so if you fall in the pool at that pool party; the watch is going to be alright. Zaid was a wealth of information about the brand, 'Japanese movement' 'stainless not brass' 'assembled in China yes' 'it's about the right level of quality control at every stage'.  It all sounds very good and once again, Australian designed, Sydney - designed! So if I have piqued your interest you can check them out here - www.christianpaul.com.au/havana-days/
HAVANA DAYS by Christian Paul - Flat lay photo by Vivienne Shui - White Caviar Life
HAVANA DAYS by Christian Paul - Flat lay photo by Vivienne Shui - White Caviar Life
Ladies in white at the cocktail bar - Havana Days pool party Launch Event - Photographed by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney
The grazing table and some pool toys - Havana Days pool party Launch Event - Photographed by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney
Vivienne with a Cuban cocktail - Havana Days pool party Launch Event - Photographed by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney
Pink flamingo cup cakes and goodie bags - Havana Days pool party Launch Event - Photographed by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney
Presentation table for Havana Days pool party Launch Event - Photographed by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney
Watches and accessorises of the Havana Days pool party Launch Event - Photographed by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney
Limited edition leather goods accessorises - Havana Days pool party Launch Event - Photographed by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney
In the pool but not in the pool - Havana Days pool party Launch Event - Photographed by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney


Read Street Fashion Sydney's previous Watch Event Write-ups Here.

Telling Stories in Pictures all over the world..
Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863


Thursday, December 6, 2018

Costume & Millinery Graduate Exhibition 2018

Wow time really does fly by; was it really a year ago I attended the Fashion half of this Fashion and Costume Design showcase! Last night as you have already realised I attended the costume (and millinery) parade, a VIP event with canapes, sparkling wine, other guests and well wishers. I love costume design - I think it's in the family as my mum always made my dad's costumes for the stage shows he did for many years up in Brisbane. And fashion is really costume anyway! Quite a few of the designs were very much historically based fashion items so Q.E.D. - the one often does equal the other. The concept was to research a theatre character and then remake their costume; not all were historical bodice-rippers though; and I unfortunately missed grabbing a shot of the Mad Maxine/Feral Cheryl outfit. Loved the Picnic at Hanging Rock recreations (still love my own editorial photoshoot based on the same film) And without planing it at all, I did manage to come up with a series of portraits of the costume design students, with their pieces, on their models. So here we go, lots to see, beautiful work, hopefully all correctly attributed. Best of luck for your future - or should I say ' break a leg!' and thank you one and all for a wonderful evening.

Ophelia by Nastasja Caliendo Photo by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney.
Catherine Sykes with her Léon Bakst - Ballet Russes chief eunuch. Costume design - portrait by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney.
Catherine Sykes with her Ballet Russes chief eunuch costume.
Rebecca Ke - Costume design - portrait by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney.
Rebecca Ke - Legend of Zhen Huan
Sarah Howard - Costume design - portrait by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney.
Sarah Howard - the Alienist
Janelle Fischer - Costume design - portrait by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney.
Janelle Fischer - Dao Ma Dan - Beijing Opera
Alexa Lombard - Costume design - portrait by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney.
Alexa Lombard - Historical Costume
Master Dandelion - Costume design - portrait by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney.
Master Dandelion
Charlie Aplin and models - Costume design - portrait by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney.
Charlie Aplin (middle) with her 'Edwardian Walking Suit' (right). 
Ophelia by Nastasja Caliendo costume design student, portrait by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney.
Ophelia by Nastasja Caliendo
Telling Stories in Pictures all over the world..
Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863