10 year anniversary collection presentation held on Thursday 19th April at the Sydney Opera House.

This month LIFEwithBIRDs second Autumn Winter delivery drops into store. LIFEwithBIRDs colour palette this season has been taken from the urban landscape, with a range of taupe and stone greys through to granite, slate and shades of black. Highlight tones of deep burgundy and smoky blue are interspersed through the collection to provide a lift amongst the more muted pieces. The print this delivery ‘Penny Lane’ presents a rust toned abstract design of discarded pennies.

LIFEwithBIRD

LIFEwithBIRD describe their Autumn Winter offering as an aesthetic expression of the modern life. The collection has been developed from the reality if a harder working, faster paced existence creating a subsequent need for escapism and balance.

From this starting point, probably the most apparent results can be seen in silhouette. A balance between controlled forms with that of something looser and more relaxed creates a striking array of compositions across the collection. As has become an increasingly prominent factor within LIFEwithBIRD collections, layering and varying lengths again play a major part for Autumn Winter. The seasons colour palette has been taken from the urban landscape, with a range of chalk, taupe and stone greys through to granite, slate and shades of black. Highlight tones of deep burgundy, burnt gold and smoky blue are interspersed through the collection to provide a lift amongst the more muted pieces.

LIFEwithBIRD’s experience with prints shines through again, mirroring the collections focus on balance through handling seemingly chaotic patterns in a more controlled manor. The results are garments that appear understated in overall silhouette and composition yet possess thoroughly arresting elements within them. Night Cat is an abstract digital print of multicoloured flashes amid white animal prints. Penny Lane presents a rust toned abstract print of discarded pennies. Lastly, Runaway echoes elements of escape within the collections theme; an erratic digital print that reaches across the body yet is delivered in a monochrome palette of black and grey.

Fabrication is the notable development for this season, with an even greater focus on luxurious fabrics imported from Italy and Japan to create an extra element of depth throughout. A balance has been struck between natural fibres – cotton, linen and flax – and those of a far more high tech nature, such as Polyzonics plus wet look and enzyme finishes. Japanese sand washed Rayons sit with cashmere, liquid wet look polyester with Turkish thatched felt.

Leather accessories move away from the signature all black colour palette of previous seasons, with the introduction of a camel toned New Zealand leather. Both the black and camel are offered up in an oversized tote, casual bucket bag and a more compact clutch style, as well as simple purses and braided and skinny wrap belts.

LIFEwithBIRD have wasted no time in developing their minimal line of beautiful basics, L.W.B. LIFEwithBIRD CLASSICS, for what will only be its second season. Autumn Winter delivers a more rounded offering of varied fabrications and weights. Alongside the cropped tanks, slip dresses, and classic shirting appear peg leg pants, knitted sweaters, cardigans and jersey cowl tops.

Adding to the development is a far-reaching colour palette of burnt bold, porcelain, petrol blue, terracotta, flint grey and midnight black. Autumn Winter offers up a beautifully understated collection that stands alone in its own right yet has been designed to compliment and filter into the main collection, again providing a high quality addition to LIFEwitBIRD’s lifestyle approach.

LIFEwithBIRD

LIFEwithBIRD welcomes Melbourne based ALLY ELLEN available at our SOUTH YARRA and GPO stores.

Allys Ellen is a new Jewellery Label established in 2011 by aspiring designer Allys Phillips.

With a great interest in design from an early age, Phillips started creating her first pieces of jewellery for family and friends at the age of seven.

Pursuing this interest she went on to study Art and Design and later completed a Fashion and Textile Design Degree at the University of West England.

After graduating Phillips travelled extensively and later immigrated to Australia. Inspired by Melbourne's vibrant art and design scene, Phillips began to design jewellery again. Working from her home studio in Greville Street, Prahran, Phillips has immersed herself in Melbourne’s art and design culture.

Each collection encompassing of several limited edition designs, this guarantees the exclusivity and individuality of each item.

The Allys Ellen label is designed to go against the crowd, whilst remaining modern, innovative and wearable.

LIFEwithBIRD

22nd: GPO 10-8 / FITZROY & CHAPEL 10-6
23rd: GPO 10-9 / FITZROY & CHAPEL 10-8
24th: ALL STORES 10-6
25th: CLOSED
26th: GPO 9-6 / FITZROY & CHAPEL 10-6
27th: ALL STORES 11-5
28th: ALL STORES 10-6
29th: ALL STORES 10-6
30th: ALL STORES 10-8
31st: ALL STORES 10-6
1st: CLOSED
2nd: ALL STORES 11-5

LIFEwithBIRD

Welcome's KESTER BLACK jewellery, GAISCOIGNE & KING candles and RGB nail polishes to our online store.

Kester Black was established in 2009 by up and coming fashion designer Anna Ross. While studying a Bachelor of Fashion Design at Otago Polytechnic in New Zealand, Ross realised her flair and passion for designing jewellery, and so Kester Black was born.

Now based in Melbourne, Ross creates her pieces from her studio, an old converted prison, supplying stockists throughout both Australia and New Zealand.

Producing two collections each year, all of the jewellery produced is made from the highest quality materials and workmanship, utilising materials such as white gold, silver, minerals and hand carved wood.

Bronwyn Gascoigne & Dean King began the company in 2008 with a simple philosophy - to create something of high quality that is both beautiful & luxurious with as little impact on the environment as possible, and to keep it as local as possible.

They achieve this by using eco-soy wax that is sustainably farmed. All of the packaging is sourced and produced locally and we personally deliver orders to our Sydney customers. Not to mention that each and every candle is made to order, so there is virtually no waste at all in our production process. You can even re-use the glass!

Gascoigne & King candles are all hand made in our studio in Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia.

RGB is a product line dedicated solely to nail color and care. RGB creates nail color as an extension of one's wardrobe; we use color as an accessory. It started with the RGB Ten collection: ten iconic colors with a modern edge. Each shade is our sharp take on a classic with a straightforward name to match. While the classic ten will always remain the same, new colors are added seasonally. The chip-resistant and high shine formula is free of harmful chemicals. There is no Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP (dibutyl phthalate), Formaldehyde Resin, or Camphor in RGB products.

LIFEwithBIRD

20% OFF ALL STOCK

Exclusively at the LIFEwithBIRD online store

WEDNESDAY 30TH NOVEMBER
12PM - 12AM

Enter the draw to win a $500 LIFEwithBIRD wardrobe, simply LIKE and leave

your email address on the image above on LIFEwithBIRD's Facebook Wall.

Draw opens at 12pm and closes at 12am on Wednesday 30th.
Winner will be announced via Facebook

LIFEwithBIRD

AUS ONLY

LIFEwithBIRD

Advice From the Top

Bridget McCall

One half of LIFEwithBIRD

Bridget McCall ('Bird'), is an accomplished photographer and fashion stylist, she completed her studies in photography in Melbourne. Post graduation, Bridget pursued her interests in London, where she collaborated on magazine shoots for 'The Face' and 'i-D' magazines. Bridget returned to Australia as an agent for the Jade Jagger accessory line, before connecting with Nicholas to form LIFEwithBIRD.

What is your current role and who do you work for?

Bridget McCall Director, LIFEwithBIRD

What projects are you currently working on?

Winter 2012 launch and Summer 2012 collection development

what educational steps did you take to get you to where you are today?

I majored in Fashion Photography at PSC

Did you do any work experience along the way and was it a worthwhile experience?

A lot. I basically did anything and everything I could for three years with LMFF, assisting and styling overseas with The Face and iD Magazines, and working for two years monthly with Sportsgirl styling the monthly campaigns with some of Australia's top stylists and creatives

Is there anyone in particular in the industry who inspires you?

My friend Michelle Jank has always been inspirational. I worked with her on Sportsgirl ten years ago and I love her ambitious drive and creative take on all things she done with Ksubi, Acne, Undercover and so on. She's a special one.

Who has been an important mentor to you throughout your career?

My mum who was also in the Fashion Industry for a long time. She's been an incredible person to help anchor me when I get stressed about things and has helped me on the business front a lot too not just the creative.

Any last words of advice for aspiring designers?

Follow your dreams...

LIFEwithBIRD

LMFF Studio Visit

With Summer 2011, LIFEwithBIRD designers Nicholas Van Messner and Bridget McCall have created a collection around the central feeling of rejuvenation. Waking in the morning and feeling invigorated. By applying this initial reference to LIFEwithBIRD’s paired back design aesthetic we are presented with a refined collection filled with compelling examples of their minimalist approach.

The overall heightened feeling is translated through premium fabrics, trims, and finishes, producing an unassuming ease to the resulting creations. The silhouette is looser, playing with varying lengths and increased layering. LIFEwithBIRD’s signature soft tailoring and subtle shapes allude to the essence of the body without being too figurative, contrasting this again with notably oversized pieces. The result is an effortless shape with considered design details, all combined to create truly timeless looks.

As ever, print plays an important aspect while always being mindful to ground any notion of excess. A literal translation of this overall freshness is communicated with the inclusion of a digital hydrangea print in washed out shades of lilac, greys and flesh tones. Utilized sparingly on separates or as an all over print in dresses, it is this element that adds the even greater sense of luxury that is such a tangible element within the range.

Introduced for Spring 2011, the complementing minimals collection, L.W.B. LIFEwithBIRD CLASSICS, appears again for Summer with beautiful basics and further layering options designed to filter into the main collection. Sheer chiffon cropped tanks, pleated maxi skirts and cut away tops with flowing cape backs come in lilac and Blush to pair back with the more structured pieces within the main line.

Accessories again play a more prominent role, with strappy sandals in distressed nubuck leathers delivered in lilac and toffee, as well as a tougher wedge and washed out resin soles for a more architectural feel.

Once again LIFEwithBIRD’S unwavering knack for balancing subtle techniques with new approaches has constructed a wonderfully understated collection of considerable beauty.

LIFEwithBIRD Second Summer continues to deliver refined, understated beauty with an eclectic minimalism representing a contemporary take on 90s grunge. Ever present is a clear lean towards a long silhouette and a move towards a lower, more comfortable slouch waist. There is a strong injection of smoky grays, blues and caramel-tobacco hues.

LIFEwithBIRD introduce the World Mirror Print, a contrasting element of jagged shards and heavy discord in the colour combination. The Strangeness Print representing the heavens opening up, a heavenly vision of sunset reds, oranges smoky greys, blues and violet. Whilst LIFEwithBIRDs bags this season are made from beautiful New Zealand Leather, the oversized grain is hardened with mixed black & gunmetal fittings and hundreds of hand studded spikes!

LIFEwithBIRD L.W.B Classics provide a bright injection of colour making this delivery amazing!! Enjoy!

LIFEwithBIRD take on the notion of modern renewal for Spring Summer 2011/12. With a nod to the iconic era that was 90’s grunge, designers Nicholas Van Messner and Bridget McCall workshopped the idea of clothing that has been treasured and passed down, constantly reinvented by each new owner. By applying this initial reference to LIFEwithBIRD’s paired back design aesthetic we are presented with a refined collection of understated beauty and eclectic minimalism.

Continuing in the development of the more sophisticated and timeless direction that the label turned to last season, we are provided with an even deeper insight into this approach for Spring Summer. Silhouettes remain clean and fluid with a greater emphasis on longer lines, varying proportion and a notable increase in asymmetry. It is in these more abstract shapes that the emotion of this collection builds. Mottled yarn knits teamed with long, floating chiffon skirts, wistful cream dresses, and cropped Italian lambskin leather jackets over sheer maxi shirts with mid-length skirts create a sense of the abstract through challenging normal proportions with increased overlaying of contrasting garments.

The palette of the collection develops in stages, opening with a monotone offering of blacks, misty greys and lilac-whites with subtle flesh tones and metallic highlights. This warms up with smoky greys, blues and a strong injection of caramel coloured tobacco hues. A new bespoke fabric also adds depth to the colour offering; a contrast of monotones seen in a black and white English tweed with flashes of metallic through the fabric. Utilized to great effect in the ever-present tailoring aspect to each LIFEwithBIRD collection, it is this that that adds the even greater sense of luxury that is such a tangible element with this range.

As ever, print plays an important aspect to the LIFEwithBIRD collection while always being mindful to ground any notion of excess. The Requim print, a signature silk style of fragmented paint spots over a licorice backdrop, plays a prominent role in short dress styles, asymmetrical skirts and softly tailored shirting. The Strangeness print provides the strongest use of colour with a heavenly vision of sunset reds, oranges mixed with smoky greys, blues and violet, creating an eerily serene setting on lightweight dresses, mini skirts and loosely fitting shorts.

Accessories again play a more prominent role this season, with New Zealand washed lambskin used to create compact handbag styles, further emphasizing the labels inherent approach to creating classic designs that are then, however, characterized with the use of hardware and hundreds of hand studded spikes. Footwear makes a welcome return with a selection of sandals, heels, wedges and open toe ankle boots in distressed nubuck leathers, contrasted with faded lizard prints.

LIFEwithBIRD L.W.B CLASSICS

Having long been a label with a strong line in strong basics and layering options, Spring Summer 2011 will see the launch of LIFEwithBIRD’s new minimal collection, L.W.B. LIFEwithBIRD CLASSICS. Designed to coordinate and filter into the main line range, this offering will focus on providing refined, subtle garments that work to beautifully compliment any wardrobe.

Through the use of chiffons and soft cotton modal jersey, L.W.B. LIFEwithBIRD CLASSICS is a range of quiet serenity and subtle attraction. The colour palette remains largely monochrome in direction, with the addition of a refreshing sunset tone for Spring Summer on a range of loose shirting and a sheer maxi dress, ideal for layering and mixing proportions.

‘It’s a stand alone collection that can filter into any wardrobe as basic building blocks that are easy to wear’

On Wednesday 27th of April bright and early at 9AM, LIFEwithBIRD launched 'The Way' High Summer 2011.

The collection is about a feeling, an emotion of feeling rejuvenated, invigorated, Fresh!!!! It’s about waking up in the morning and feeling good. It is a renewal of sorts or new found innocense. It’s a direction of the senses and it’s this direction that evokes the name, The Way. It’s a path for some to follow. This heightened feeling translates through high-end fabrics, trims, and finishes and ultimately an understated aesthetic ease.

the event was proudly sponsored by Capi Soda, MAP, MAC, Redken and Jo Malone.

LIFEwithBIRD desingers Nick and Bird feature in Harpers Bazaar Australia article 'Designers in the House'.

On Wednesday the 9th of March LIFEwithBIRD presented ‘Inaudible Sounds’ an installation of sculptural works by Melbourne artist Roh Singh, LIFEwithBIRD also showcased their current collection Another Sound No.19’ which plays on the same philosophy of Roh Sings ‘Inaudible Sound’.

LIFEwithBIRD would also like to thank CAPI SODA and Yering Station for the sparkling Yarrabank Cuvee 2006, without their support the night would not of been such an amazing success!

This event is open to the public and will run until Sunday 30th March 2011. This event is free.

SHOP F05 LEVEL 1
MELBOURNE GPO
350 BOURKE STREET
MELBOURNE 3000
PH / 03 9486 0653