We're closing shop! Time for new adventures!

As this is going to be my last blog as Sorella Store, I make no apologies for the gushy content.

When I opened Sorella Store, I thought I knew what I was doing - starting a little boutique near to home stocking all my favourite labels (because really if you aren't going to carry all your fave labels, what's the point?!). Some things I got right, some things I didn't, and the learning curve was huge.

But when I think about what made Sorella Store a success, it actually has nothing to do with the business itself. It has everything to do with the people. The people I've met, the people I've worked with and the people who've supported me over the last five years.

Before I get into the 'goodbyes', there are some fashion wisdoms I feel I need to share.
* I will never wear MC Hammer pants again (that's a lie, I will but probably shouldn't)
* Any colour can be worn to weddings, it's all about how you carry yourself and the style (so unless you get married in a Vegas drive through chapel, dresses that only just cover your nether regions are NOT suitable for a wedding)
* Ignore labels and sizing- it's about fit and fabric.
* Fashion is meant to be fun. If it's not, you're doing it wrong.
* And finally, something my Mum taught me - just because you can, doesn't mean you should! (hhhhmmm I think there's something in that for us all)

And now for some thankyous and goodbyes:

To all the dedicated Sorella Store customers, you all rock! Thanks for shopping with us and telling your friends about us.

To Sarah and Kim, words can't express how much I appreciate you both, your incredible work and commitment to the store. Too much fun was had, and most certainly too much chocolate. I wouldn't have changed a minute of it. x

To all my new friends I made because of the shop, can't imagine life without you. Hope you hang around for my next adventures (there will be more than one!). You know who you are - love you lots. x

And finally to my family and dear friends.....I know you all thoughts I was nuts when I left the finance world to go into fashion, but you said nothing, brought me coffee and chocolate and champagne when required and supported me 100% over the last five years. Anytime you want to do something crazy and want help, I'm your girl. Love you with all my heart xx

My final words are be brave and follow your dreams, you never know what unexpected and fabulous paths they will take you down.

Love

Clare
xx

When I grow up.....

It's my birthday next Saturday. I will be 38. I'm a little shocked by this. When did that happen? I don't feel wise enough to be 38 because surely the closer I get to 40, the wiser I should be.
 I have no issues with getting older. I don't mind the laugh lines, I've laughed a lot so I deserve them. I don't mind that I can't pull all-nighters like I used to, I like Sunday breakfast too much. And I don't mind that I've already done some fashions twice, anyone else done pastels, jumpsuits and shoulder pads a couple of times?
 I still find myself saying " when I grow up". When I grow up, I'm going to be...... Luckily for me, when I was little and said 'when I grow up', I wanted to grow up to have a dress shop. Really the signs that I would have the shop were obvious. I clearly remember grabbing all my clothes out of my wardrobe, throwing them on the floor and dramatically throwing myself on top of them, declaring I had nothing to wear...to the Bluelight Disco when I was 12!
So as this is my last post as a 37 year old, here are some things I know: don't wear something just because it is fashion (my height and age stopped me from wearing baby doll dresses a LONG time ago); if you can't feel your toes, the heels are too high; if you can't feel your legs, the skinny jeans are too skinny; if you require assistance to get into a dress, you will never ever wear it; if you go shopping after a break up, after too much sugar or hungover, you will never ever wear whatever you buy; and just because you CAN wear it, doesn't mean you should.
My next post, at age 38, will no doubt be full of wise words, because I'll be closer to 40. But until then, here's a photo of me looking rather trendy in purple plaid (must have been in the 70's then). Not sure I'll be looking so fresh faced next Sunday after birthday shenanigans.
x

Sequins and black leather

This week I posed a question on facebook - what's your personal style? It sounds like a simple question and then you go to answer ....um...well..whatever is clean, or whatever I just bought, or whatever my friends haven't seen before....So then you really start thinking about it. I thought of keywords to describe my look and only came up with sequins, leather, and black. I've always thought I had a bit of a rock chick/glam rock kind of look. So I googled these images and unless I'm really starting to look like Alice Cooper/KISS/Poison....oh please say it ain't so!
 Then I started thinking about my style over the years and how it's morphed. I've done preppy and conservative (hard to believe), gothic (not so hard to believe), hippy (fleeting phase in my early 20's when I believed I knew EVERYTHING!)Has your style changed too? Does your style change according to your lifestyle at the time, or according to work, or according to what your friends are doing, or are you a Brad Pitt? Now before I say anything, let me set the record straight. I like Brad Pitt, the way a chocaholic might like chocolate. But he changes style according to his relationships. Is it because he isn't really into fashion and just goes with whatever his current girl says, or is it because he is just so into his current girl, he loves everything about her including her style? For example: when he was with Juliette Lewis, he was unshaven and grotty and grungy; then when he got together with Gwyneth, he went very cool and conservative and they got matching hair cuts; then along came Jen and he went all boho chic; now Angelina and he's uber-cool but with edge (stubble and beanies with suits).
 Sometimes you look at a piece of clothing and think, I could never wear that. If it's red patent pleather, that's probably a wise decision. But what about if you like the idea of a garment, but just not sure how to make it your style. I asked Kim to use one piece in the store this week and make a couple of different looks from it.
She grabbed a wrap dress and created a feminine look,
 a rock kind of look, and an edgy Winter look.

 You're all still googling images of Brad Pitt over the years aren't you? Enjoy! x

While I'm determined to write more often ( apparently 2 blogs in 12 months indicates I'm not taking blogging seriously enough), I'm keeping this one short. Not because I don't have a lot to say, whether you've met me or not, you know I'm never short for words. It's just that I'm on a mission. My fridge is full of Easter Eggs...little Lindt ones, medium sized Cadbury ones, and the divine Red Tulip bite-sized ones. I figure the quicker I eat them, then temptation is gone so I can actually walk past the fridge without hearing the Easter Egg call....... I hope your Easter is being spent with family and friends, enjoying a lovely long weekend, having fun and remembering all that's important. PS Wouldn't it be nice to get this egg for Easter? Oh yes, I'll take a Faberge over Cadbury any day! Happy Easter everyone x

Love you more than gold sequins!

This is a purely self indulgent post, I make no apologies for this. So feel free to stop reading and go about your day. I won't mind, in fact I won't even know. Over the last few weeks, I have been asked why I opened the shop and is it what I thought it would be. These seem like simple questions but in fact, it's actually been difficult for me to answer them. I love clothes, but more than that, I love shopping. I love the way good shopping makes you feel. Sadly, I even like grocery shopping. So when the opportunity came up for me to make some life changes and start my own business, it was an easy decision. Perhaps a completely unprepared decision, but an easy one all the same. What hasn't been easy, has been the learning curve (learning roller coaster more like it) and the 'interesting' retail market. What I thought was a good business model, has gone out the window. I've learnt that no amount of planning can really show you what to do. Gives you a guide or a rule book, but anyone who knows me, knows that I don't play by the rules. Rules are meant to be broken, especially in a market that needs to redefine itself. We are currently facing a retail market dominated by faceless internet shopping and even worse, no-service models by big chain and department stores. This is not the space I like to play in. I love that my local cafe knows my coffee order, frightenly they even know what time I'm likely to walk in (Predictable? Who me?). I like that I know my postie by name and his kids names for that matter. So naturally my business model is the same in the store - I want to get to know all our fashion lovers. I like that people drop by just for a coffee, or champagne, or even just a Friday afternoon dance! I like that the closing hour is 5.30 but some days we've been here until late into the night just having fun. Surely when so much of our life has been routine and regimented and regulated, shopping should still be that time when we indulge in fancy, day dream and plan amazing outfits for events we may or may not ever go to...... Maybe it's the new year, maybe it's because 2012 was such a difficult year for lots of people, but so many people I know are making huge life changes this year. Moving to Bali, starting new businesses, changing their lifestyle, working from home...I say DO IT!!! Bring on change, bring on being scared and excited, and bring on adventure! There will be mistakes made and challenges along the way, but when the risk pays off, there is nothing like it. And if you are about to jump on a new roller coaster ride, arm yourself with coffee, wine, chocolate and extremely supportive family and friends...especially if they come armed with the aforementioned coffee, wine and chocolate! The biggest thing I've learnt is that I can't do it all on my own. For a natural born control freak, that admission in itself is quite ground breaking. So to the amazing Sorella Store girls Kim and Sarah, couldn't have done it without you. Love you more than gold sequins! xx

PFW

We were lucky enough to attend the Ruth Tarvydas show at PFW. Ruth nevers fails to disappoint in her designs...in particular one green sequinny number which I have pictured here. Stunning, I have no where to wear it of course and suspect this may be too formal for my 'sequins to breakfast' this weekend (reference to my last post!).

Sarah, Kim and I went to the show and I LOVED watching all the fashion types in their 'this old thing' not-trying-too-hard ensembles...lots of sunnies at night too...very Anna Wintour in the front row. I, however, was like a kid in a shoe shop ( I know that's meant to be candy shop but I was a different kind of kid ok?). I couldn't stop smiling at everyone....apologies to the woman in the front row who thought I was on the slightly crackers side of life! Anyhoo, it occurred to me that some people take fashion VERY seriously....I get it...I guess. It's a career, a love, a livelihood....but it's also meant to be fun. So here's me and the Sorella Store girls doing our very best to pull our serious fashion faces ( I look like I'm taking my own pulse).

In all seriousness though, a big round of applause to everyone involved, in particular the stylists, many of whom volunteered their time for PFW. You did an outstanding job. Long hours and commitment paid off! If you have aspirations to be a stylist, or just want to know what's involved, head to our Facebook page for our Search for a Stylist Competition...you never know where it may lead! More happy photos of us at PFW. Even if one day I'm sitting front row with the celeb types at the Paris runway, I will still be smiling like a lunatic and taking lots of this-is-so-exciting photos....which is probably why I'll never be invited! ha ha

Sequins at breakfast

So I'm often heard saying that I would wear sequins at breakfast. And it's true. I actually wore my Angel Wings top to breakfast with friends last Sunday.

I have no idea where my love of all things sparkly came from, but I suspect after years in the corporate world, where sequins were frowned upon, I am rebelling. It's like glitter is ok at primary school, maybe ok at high school, but certainly not at university. Side note - I told a friend's four year daughter the other day, that I liked glitter as a kid. I'm too old to play with glitter now so I wear it instead! So back to sequins at breakfast, well, why not? Why do we save out best pieces for special occasions? These days, I am so tired at the end of the day, a special occasion is making it through dinner....with conversation.....and maybe red wine! So special for me is Sunday breakfast with friends. Now I'm not saying I would go head to toe in sequins, but let's face it, I'm not completely against the idea. Now that the cooler weather is on its way, why not rebel against all the dark clouds and add punches of colour to everything you wear - maybe this Owl of Eden necklace

, or add these red Miz Mooz boots

, or even match the Owl of Eden necklace with these teal Siren pumps?!

Hoping to see you in sequins at breakfast soon (if you aren't wearing them already!) xx

New local talent

This week I was fortunate enough to meet with a fabulous new local talent - Nat from 'Handmade by Nat'. I've been very excited about seeing her work because I knew it promised to have colour and incredible bead work. So imagine how happy I am to say that in a week, Sorella Store will be the exclusive stockist of 'Handmade by Nat'.....well until everyone realises how good her work is and tries to snap her up too! I've attached some pics of her work, but for more, check out the Sorella Store facebook page.

Sorella Store also carries local designers Sophie Kyron, Lavish, Paper Skye and we've just picked up gorgeous styles for next Summer from Zahir.

Supporting local talent is really important. We have an emerging and growing fashion industry in WA and it's inspiring to see new designers and new collections every season. The work that goes into each collection is mind-boggling; the design inspiration; the drawing and re-drawing of styles; sourcing fabrics and metals and stones and gems; meeting with agents; manufacture and production; sourcing stockists; fashion shows; media and marketing; and you are always work several seasons ahead! So big love from us to all the creative minds keeping us in amazing fashion. xx

Ipads are like drugs......

I was very spoilt by Father Christmas this year and got an IPad. Kind of scary though because technology and I don't usually agree...on anything.But I feel like this IPad and I really connect. It knows what I need - like Bubbles, and Mahjong, and lists....oh the lists I can write on my IPad are the stuff dreams are made of. And it pleasantly beeps to let me know that something on my list is due. And the apps are brilliant. I was a total app bah-humbug. Now I get it. And so I feel like IPad's are drugs. I can't stop myself,I'm even talking to it! And don't even get me started on Angry Birds!

Anyone else eat way too much over Christmas? I keep saying it's only once a year which is lucky because the leftovers seem to last all of January! But I planned my Christmas outfits very carefully this year.

So Christmas Day saw me in Manning Cartell pants, a White Verve top and Owl of Eden earrings. Very festive and colourful but loose enough to fit the obligatory pudding and home-made cassata.

Oh I think my IPad is calling me.......

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.
x

WA Fashion Talent

So it's PFF week which is extremely exciting for anyone involved in fashion - as a designer, retailer, stylist, buyer, or anyone who loves fashion! And it's a fabulous list of talented designers on display this week. The shows promise to be stunning.
What I'm personally excited about is the WA fashion talent, so many gorgeous models, stylists and designers, who are getting the accolades they deserve.

Just recently I was lucky enough to have Kim join the team at Sorella Store. Kim comes in on Saturdays and to be honest, makes me feel lazy! She just doesn't stop ( mind you I am nearly old enough to be her mother as she pointed out ha-ha!). But what Kim may not realise yet, is just how talented she is. She has been designing and making a dress for Sarah, who you've met if you come down to the store on Friday or Saturday. We basically gave Kim a heap of ideas, and just this week we've seen the finished product. And it is incredible! So Kim, when you are showing your creations on the Paris runway, we'll be cheering you on from the front row (very quietly and properly of course, it is Paris after all!).

For all the news and images from PFF, follow the official site...and every fashion blogger in Perth right now!
See you soon
x

Do you have two wardrobes?

Quite often I get asked why I don't stock 'work' clothes in the store. I'm guessing this means suits and tailored pieces. The thing is while I do have tops that could work back with corporate wear, and jackets that would be great for the office...truth is, I'm protesting against my now non-existent corporate wardrobe!
Huh? See I used to have a very corporate job, so corporate in fact that occasionally I'm stunned I even stayed so long. It was lots of grey and beige and even worse, greige! I used to resent spending money on work clothes because once you've worn them to work, they'll only ever be work clothes.
For example I wore lots of sweet tops under my suits but I could never bring myself to wear them outside of work. I guess because I never looked at them as just cute tops anymore. For example my favourite red top with little black bows printed all over it, became the top that I wore in the meeting when so-and-so asked for reports on the organic growth of the team that would lead to buy in of the corporate space that blah di blah blah blah!!
If I'm going to spend a small fortune on clothes I want to spend it on heels that make my legs look longer and stronger, jeans that are so good they warrant a bottom slap when my husband walks past, and a top that creates cleavage worthy of a 'are they real?' question. And I want to look at that whole outfit and not be reminded of a work day, but be reminded of the night I went out for quiet drinks with the girls, and came home at breakfast!
So that's why I hope you find the store stocked full of casual pieces for lazy Sunday breakfasts, simple and classy pieces for a dinner date, and amazing dresses for all those 'quiet' nights out!
xx

Latest love

This is Miss China Doll by Peeptoe. She's pretty, black patent, lacey and a great friend to take shopping.
Stay tuned for the next Miss from Peeptoe -arriving in store soon! xx

Perth has awesome style

And not only does Perth have a lot of style, it has style creators. As you may know, we are running a style comp in store right now. And I've been blown away by the choices women have made and the styles they've put together. Just when I think I've found every combination possible on how to wear something, someone comes in and shows me not one, but two, three or four different ways of wearing a piece. I love it!
And you know what else the comp has confirmed - we all like dressing up and feeling good about what we put together. You can really tell someone knows they have hit the mark with their styling - it's that kind of confident smile that says ' I rock, I'm hot and I know it - now you know it too'!
So if you haven't been in store lately and seen some of the entries, please check out Sorella Store on Facebook and choose your favourite styles. We have some amazing stylists in Perth (by career or just as a passion) - but it's always a bit scary putting your style out there for everyone to see. So a huge well done to everyone who has dared do something different and enter this competition. I've loved talking to all of you and have had fun playing photographer to your styles! xx

The perfect knickers!

There are things that I believe are universal to all women - and the search for the perfect knickers is one of them.
So often in the store I hear women say " of course I'm wearing the wrong knickers" or "I need my special knickers for this" or "with the right knickers, this would be great".
So what constitutes these 'right' knickers? And more importantly, where do you find them? Here's my request list - if you know where this perfect pair can be found, let me know!
* they need to come in every colour for every oufit possible
* they need to hold in a way that only Nancy Ganz, Spankz or Metalicus Girls Best Friend understands
* they need to look good on their own for.....well, the obvious I guess
* and they need to be accessible for everyday women, not just celebs who seem to have the magic knickers solution that no one else has
And don't even get me started on the perfect pair of bathers!
xx

PS Everyone enjoying the colder weather? I am - jeans, boots and boyfriend jackets! Might even throw in a scarf next week if it stays this way!

My picks for my wardrobe

It will come as no surprise to anyone that I have a fairly large wardrobe - well I actually have a room that is just for my clothes, shoes, assorted bags, hats, magazines. It's my haven. I quite often disappear in there for hours just to play dress ups.
So here are my picks so far for my Autumn/Winter wardrobe ( notice I say 'so far' -there will be more). Al, don't worry - it's all marketing babe!

This Winter it's all about glam, tailored lines, structured shapes, and fluid fabric whether wool, silk, or leather. And metalics haven't left either. Leading us straight into the fashions for next season - 70's tailoring, jumpsuits, metalics, bling...May have to renovate and extend the wardrobe! x

What's in your genes?

I'm always curious when someone says ' they have good genes'. Not of the demin variety either I'm thinking....although they might have that too. So what does having good genes mean? It seems to be something different for everyone. The teeny tiny girl wishes she had more height genes, the really tall girl wants shorter genes. The girl with curves wishes she was less like J Lo and more like Gisele. The girl who is straight up and down, wishes she had curves.
So is it a matter of good genes vs bad genes or just that we aren't happy with what we've got?
Well here's some jeans to make you happy - good genes or bad. The black jeans are almost like pants. They are tailored and straight leg and hug the right places while slimming hips ( I own a pair - the jeans and hips!) The blue pair are a more casual denim but with great stretch and the denim is so soft it's like wearing your jimmy jams out the house! Eighth Sin make amazing jeans - to work with your genes!

Winter is coming?? Really??

Apparently winter is coming...well at least winter styles are coming into store now. I know now that I have a shop I'm meant to submit to putting winter things out now. But I just can't. Who wants to try on a coat now? It feels like it is never going to get cold.
I'm always torn by the seasons. I love summer weather and everything it means for me - icecream at work, sleeping with the fan whirring in the background, long nights on the front veranda talking nonsense over frangelico on ice, crickets ( the sound of them, not the game - side note is a cricket a game if a flock of birds can easily fall asleep on the pitch in the middle of the game?) BUT here's my issue - I suit winter fashion better. Ok I have a tan to rival any ghost and black hair so I'll never be mistaken for a beach bunny. Then again winter means leather gloves, soft scarves, layering deluxe fabrics like wool and silk....
So here are my tips for winter styling: long full maxi skirts in suede, heavy silks, leather if you are game; tear drop shaped dresses where the front is shorter than the back; lots and lots of silk; soft wool blends; and tailored jackets in the softest fabrics.
So what I'm buying now to get me through until winter truly hits - anything that I can wear now, and layer as it gets cooler. Think maxis in prints now, covered up with cropped jackets in winter. Tunics with flat sandals now, with fitted tops, leggings and army boots in winter. Bright colours to go with all the black I'm usually in. Bling, lots of bling.
Must be ice-cream time.xx

MASSIVE SALE!!!

Now technically the sale doesn't start until next week but you know what - I'm just too excited! There are so many nice new pieces in store.
So it's my store, my rules. SALE STARTS NOW!!!
20% - 70% off everything in store!
All clothes, all bags, all accessories!
See you soon.
x

Christmas Cards by Samedog

Rory is the brains behind SameDog - he is the creator, designer, artist extraordinaire. And this year I have his Christmas cards in store! He has a great range, and I've selected a few to help you with your last minute Christmas presents. So when you race in to pick up that final Secret Santa, make sure you grab a Samedog Christmas card to complete the present. Here's some pics of Rory's work.
Rory also does beautiful photography and great t shirt designs - my faves are Gorilla Gardener, Cranky Cabbage, and any of the Tassie Tiger range. Great gift ideas for someone who wants a truly unique tee, print or card. Make sure you visit Rory's site www.samedog.com

And Merry Christmas everyone!
x

Living on a prayer!

Last night Al and I went to the Bon Jovi concert - one word - AWESOME!!! They have been rockin for 27 years now ( which sadly indicates my age) and they still know how to get a crowd screaming.
Mind you, the initial screams were for the man himself, Jon, when he first appeared on stage. Women were swooning and screaming 'I love you Jon' and men were punching the air with the devil horns. Hilarious! But we were all there for the music...and they didn't disappoint. They even did some Rolling Stones with Jon doing a sexy impersonation of Mick ( much sexier than Mick too!)I'll be there for you was a fave - I sang my little heart out until I had no voice left. Luckily it came back to me in time to sing the final song Living on a Prayer - just Jon and the crowd to begin with. Rock music done acapella - love it. And when they did Bad Medicine,I was a teenager again singing into my hairbrush and playing an outstanding air guitar...and don't even pretend you don't know what I'm talking about!
Tico was his usual rock legend on drums, Richie in his top hat and leather, Jon not looking a day older.... Mum reckons it's because he's nice looking...I think thousands of women last night would agree.
da na na your love is like bad medicine.....