Although not officially part of the Fashion Week program, Gail Sorronda launched her upcoming Spring/Summer collection just up the road from the main Fashion Week venue.

Sorronda, who designed a collection for Designers For Target towards the end of last year, showed a collection of pieces in her favoured black-and-white - in fact there wasn’t a drop of colour amongst the lot.

Obviously this is a collection you buy as separates and mix-and-match with the rest of your wardrobe.

The collection had a very distinct “1940s Bette Davis in the boudoir” feel to it, complete with longline mesh robes with feathered trim and shoes that were reminiscent of those fluffy high-heeled slippers you see most cinematic sex kittens of Old Hollywood wear (and after all, isn’t that the look we’re all going for, especially for work. Nah, just kidding. I prefer a longer ballgown effect for work).

Gail Sorronda’s off-site event was hosted in conjunction with hair care company Terax, who gave every guest a 200ml tube of its cult conditioner, Original Crema. This fantastic product is scented with rice flower, shea, bergamot, and juniper and is the ultimate treatment for stressed hair. I picked up two tubes of Terax Original Crema, valued at $29.95 each, and am giving them away to the first two readers who email me and tell me in 25 words or less why their hair needs help.

By Caroline Warnes

When it comes to accessories such as bags and belts I am a big believer in buying from the mid-range.

I would argue that you can get away with cheap clothes, even cheap shoes. However really cheap bags and belts look… well… really cheap, and some of the high-end designer bags are just ludicrously overpriced. Especially when you’re paying four figures for a canvas bag just because it has a certain logo on it. Not naming any names. But I mean, come on, it’s canvas. I would never pay too much money for a canvas bag. OK I did once. But never again.

But when you buy from mid-range designers (that is, not dirt cheap and not overly expensive) you tend to get a quality item that will last for years (often in leather) without having to pay over $1000 for it.

New to the Australian accessories scene is Ceinture, which was started in 2007 by two Melbourne girls.

The prices for Ceinture’s bags and belts range from $99 to $499 which I think is reasonable for something you are going to use for years.

I love the Leah bag, pictured above - and because Ceinture is a small label it’s not a look you’re going to have to share with everyone else.

By Caroline Warnes

After Monday’s brush with short short hemlines at Nicola Finetti I was beginning to despair for the coming spring/summer season.

Now I am no prude but personally I am not amongst those who want to get their gams out on public display constantly during the warmer months - give me a hemline at the mid-thigh and below any day.

Thankfully, there was a tendency towards hemlines from the mid-thigh to just above the knee at today’s ready-to-wear show, which showcases smaller and emerging designers.

I was especially impressed with the the pieces from Verduci-Smith. Many of them were loose, caftan- or Grecian-inspired dresses that would be perfect for a night out after a day at the beach in summer (such as the one above).

By Caroline Warnes

Another label with an impressive collection at RAFW was Zayt by Melbourne designer Therese Moran.

The fitted panel skirt - pictured here in the eyecatching “firecracker” colour - is very hot and reminds me of the infamous Herve Leger bandage dress (although that being said I am unlikely to ever be able to rock a bandage dress, unless my love of food miraculously disappears sometime in the not-too-distant future). The skirt also comes in blue-violet and black.

Zayt’s spring/summer collection, which featured some pretty dresses and casual separates, will be in stores in August.

By Caroline Warnes

I’ve always been a big fan of Nicola Finetti’s clothes so was excited to be going to the runway showing of his new collection at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW), which started yesterday in Sydney.

However I have to say I was left somewhat disappointed by this new collection - there was really nothing that stood out to me in the show, with the exception of the large orange clutch pictured here (there was also an oversized black version).

The hemlines were mainly short - a little too short for my liking (although this was a spring/summer collection so short hemlines were to be expected) - and the colours were a little uninspired (mainly sea blues and greens, silvers and blacks and whites). Finetti also sent a number of little black dresses down the runway, which usually get me excited, but there was nothing in this bunch that really caught my eye. Ditto on the sea of of little white dresses he presented us with.

However this orange clutch was a definite standout and is on my must-have list…

Celebrity sightings (for those who are into that kind of thing)…

One of The Veronicas (don’t ask me which one) looking painfully thin

Megan Gale flanked by security guards

Dannii Minogue basking in the attention of photographers (you can tell she loves being photographed)

Actress Miranda Otto in the front row at Nicola Finetti

Model Miranda Kerr looking gorgeous front row at Kirrily Johnston. Yep, she is just as beautiful in real life.

One general observation…

Some young fashion types turned up in the shortest of short skirts and sky high heels. Yes, I know it’s a fashion event, but how uncomfortable must they have been? Sydney barely reach 18 degrees on the day and there’s an awful lot of standing and walking around involved. I nearly died in my (only moderately) high heels, nevermind the cold. It will be flat shoes for the rest of the week for me.

By Caroline Warnes

One of the more interesting designers I have come across so far at RAFW is Sara Phillips, a local designer showing only her second collection at the event.

Phillips, who used to design for Jayson Brunsdon, makes clothes that are both wearable and affordable.

I am in love with the black maxi dress - pictured below - which is comfortable enough to wear casually for day (with sandals or thongs) or dressed up for night (with killer heels and a skinny belt).

She also makes some really exceptional t-shirts in comfy cotton that are cut slightly longer than your average tee with a slight flare below the hips, to help disguise the problem area at the top of the thighs that so many of us suffer from.

Best of all, the range is extremely affordable, especially when compared to other local designers. The black Alice dress pictured below is the most expensive piece in the range, at $280, with prices starting from as little as $80.

The Sara Phillips range is currently stocked at two Sydney stores, The Graduate in the Strand Arcade and Euphoria in Kogorah.

Some more looks from Sara Phillips…

By Caroline Warnes

As video games go, the Grand Theft Auto series has been one of the most controversial of all times.

It has been widely criticised for glorifying violence (you move forward in the game by running over people, blowing up police cars and generally associating with the lower echelons of society), however it has just as many ardent fans as it does detractors.

No matter what your feelings are towards Grand Theft Auto’s themes and content, the latest instalment (Grand Theft Auto IV) is being hailed as nothing short of a masterpiece.

The visuals, gameplay and characters are developed to an almost cinematic level - the game attempts to transcend mere shoot-em-up violence. You play as Niko Bellic, a Bosnian refugee who arrives in America, only to become immersed in the world of organised crime.

What makes Grand Theft Auto IV different to its predecessors is that Niko seems to develop a level of self-awareness - sure, he’ll still go around causing mayhem, but the character has a certain depth that makes you wonder if he really likes doing it.

At any rate, Grand Theft Auto is still not a game for children (obviously) nor for the easily offended - you have been warned.

Click here to find offers on Grand Theft Auto games near you.

By Caroline Warnes

This week have another prize giveaway to celebrate Mother’s Day - 30 in-season double passes to the upcoming movie “Made Of Honour”, starring Patrick Dempsey (better known as McDreamy from television’s “Grey’s Anatomy”).

Dempsey stars as Tom, a handsome, successful ladies’ man who’s in no hurry to settle down.

It’s only when his best friend Hannah (Michelle Monaghan) goes overseas on a six-week business trip that Tom realises he’s in love with her, and makes up his mind to ask Hannah to marry him when she gets back.

The only hitch is that Hannah meets the man of her dreams overseas… and wants Tom to be her maid of honour at the wedding! You can watch a trailer for the movie below.

We have 30 double in-season passes to “Made Of Honour”. To be in the running to win, all you have to do is email competitions@lasoo.com.au with the word MOVIES in the subject line and tell us in 25 words or less why you or your mum would like to see this movie.

Entries close next Wednesday.

Competition terms and conditions

By Caroline Warnes

The winners of the kikki.K Mother’s Day prizes are:

kikki.K hamper: P. Cunningham, NSW.

Family Conversation Starters: T. Riddle, SA; K. Ciempka, NSW; G. Ross, VIC; S. Bigmore, VIC; C. McCormack, NSW.

As local designers go, Wayne Cooper is up there amongst my favourites - having been on the Australian fashion scene for over 20 years, it’s fair to say he’s well and truly stood the test of time.

His various labels throughout the years - including Brave, Wayne Cooper and Wayne by Wayne Cooper - have all been a bit rock-and-roll, a bit ladylike and always fun and colourful.

It’s been a busy few weeks for the Wayne Cooper label. The latest Spring/Summer collection will be shown next Monday on the first day of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in Sydney. The new collection is based around the theme “Ultraviolet” and pops with colours such as fuschia, violet and emerald, with pieces finished in zips, buckles and studs.

What’s more, the label has just opened its second Sydney standalone boutique on Sydney’s Oxford Street, which will stock pieces from the new collection (you can also find it in Myer stores nationally as well as boutiques in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth).

And last but definitely not least is the launch of Wayne Junior, the first childrenswear range for Wayne Cooper. I welcome the addition of kids’ clothing ranges from style-forward designers with open arms, given the lack of options for kids and tweens currently on the market (there are way too many underage Britney, Lindsay and Paris wannabes running around the streets for my liking).

The Wayne Junior label features the likes of sleeveless dresses, coats, tops, skirts and pants for girls, and jackets, jeans and t-shirts for boys. Pieces in the collection have the Wayne Cooper rock-and-roll edge without being provocative or inappropriate. Prices start from as little as $29.95.

By Caroline Warnes