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CHANGE YOUR SENSE OF SELF
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“What I truly
love about fashion is that it has the ability to change your sense
of self and make you feel like a million dollars if you are open to
it. As a lover of the arts, and of fashion, it is very satisfying to
have a creative outlet that made me happy as well as other people” -
Simonne |
 In your opinion, what really drives accessories trends? Is it seeing Sienna Miller with THAT bag. Is it particular designer or wider cultural forces? “I think celebrity culture and following has had a lot to do with the desire to get the ‘real thing’. We see women such as Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Chloe Sevigny and Mischa Barton as powerful style icons dictating the latest must haves. In fashion, designer brands have incredible marketing machines behind them. This coupled with designers using the rich and famous as vehicles to display their latest collections creates the ultimate billboard. There is no doubt that celebrities help set the latest fashion trends. Also, accessories, especially designer handbags, have become increasingly popular over the last few seasons. As the level and quality of design continues to improve, so too does the demand. We see today many large stores increasing their handbag departments to cope with the huge variety now on offer – we are even seeing “accessories for our accessories” such as bag charms, which allow us to personalise our pieces. In the last few years, fashion has been more about individuality and putting it together yourself and accessories play a huge role in this.” What’s your take on trends for 2007? What will we see this year? “I really love the season ahead. My favourite up and coming trends are: Leopard print accessories – the big leopard print bag, platform pumps or ballet flats, Think Louis Vuitton and Prada. Relaxed Layering – Oversized knits and flannels. Volume on top, skinny or mini on the bottom. Bell sleeved jackets and cinched in waists – A new take on 1940’s glam, this jacket silhouette looks great teamed back with long leather gloves. The revival of Green – The new season brings with it a rich new colour palette of greens that are neutral enough to wear with just about anything. Think Marc Jacobs and Tod’s bags. Plaid & Houndstooth – Gorgeous checks reappear in shift dresses, blouses and coats teamed with patent leather bags and platform wedges.”  Do you sometimes think of the idea/site as slightly superficial? In the sense of using something once and getting rid of it? “From the moment we launched, I have been completely overwhelmed with positive responses from women all over the country. In an industry where new styles emerge every week, a person can invest in a luxury hand bag only to realise a few months down the track that their darling is now deemed “last season”, replaced by the new season’s updated “it” bag. A borrowing model that gives Australian women access to the hottest fashion for short periods of time really makes sense not only financially, but it also allows variety. Today, the trend toward borrowing cannot be doubted. Not only can people borrow DVD’s, costumes and formalwear, but they have access to sports cars, golf clubs and now, designer fashion accessories. Australia is about to enter a ‘borrowing boom’. Borrowing gives people access to luxury products when they usually could not afford the full retail price. “ But borrowing could have a dark side…Have you ever had anything returned in less than mint condition? Have you ever had to send a Russian around to somebody’s house? “We try to instill in our members when they borrow something, to think of it as though they were borrowing something from their best friend or a family member – you would make sure that you took care of it right? We expect that all items borrowed from Love Me & Leave Me will be returned to us in a similar condition to how we originally sent them out.  To date, we have not encountered any serious issues as members seem to understand the necessary care for expensive designer accessories – so no need for the Russians!"
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