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

When it comes to fashion, arguably nothing makes more of an impact on the trends of the day than movies.

However there are some fashion moments in film that remain memorable far beyond their run at the cinema. Take a look through shops today and you can still see the influence of certain movies years - or even decades - after their cinematic release.

In that spirit, here are some of my favourite fashion moments in movies, and clothes that are inspired by them…

Michelle Pfeiffer, Scarface

I spent the first couple of decades of my life not really getting the fascination with gangster movies. Then I saw Scarface on DVD - starring Michelle Pfieffer as resident gangster moll Elvira - and suddenly I started to understand.

In this film, everything from Pfeiffer’s blunt fringe to her white linen skirt suit screams raw sex appeal and glamour. But most of all, she rocks the maxi dress. And I’m not the only one who thinks so - top Australian designer Wayne Cooper is said to be heavily influenced by Scarface in many of his collections.

Luckily for me, maxi dresses are back this summer. I love them because they can either be dressed up for night time - with killer heels and oversized earrings - or down for day, with flat sandals and minimal accessories.

Most stores have maxi dresses in stock at the moment. Target has several and better yet is offering 20 perent off some dresses until November 21. I also like this floor-sweeping halter from Bardot.

Marie Antoniette

The recent Sofia Coppola version of Marie Antoinette, starring Kirsten Dunst, could be described as bizarre at best - the costumes were probably the most enjoyable part of the movie. It was hard not to drool over the elaborate and colourful 18th-century dresses and powdered wigs. Brocade fabrics made a small comeback after this movie was released.

I was browsing the Wheels & Doll Baby website recently and saw they actually have a range named after the famous French queen (click on the La Pin Up - Fashion section to check them out - the Marie Antoinette Bra Dress is pictured here). The satin fabric used in these pieces wouldn’t have looked out of place in the film.

A word of warning: Wheels & Doll Baby designs are pure rock and roll fantasy (celebrity fans include Debbie Harry) and are not for the faint-hearted or the demure!

Uma Thurman, Kill Bill

Was I the only one who wanted to be an elite assassin codenamed after a deadly snake after watching Uma Thurman slice and dice her way across two countries in Kill Bill? I also wanted a yellow tracksuit. For a microsecond. But then again I am easily influenced. In any case, if anyone could make a yellow tracksuit look fashionable, it was Uma starring as The Bride. She even looked good wearing a wedding dress whilst being shot in the chest to the duclet strains of Nancy Sinantra’s “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)”. She was just that cool in Kill Bill.

To get an identical yellow tracksuit, you’ll need to hit eBay, or you can find the creme de la creme of tracksuits - Juicy Couture - at Myer.

For something a little less “look at me, I’m wearing a yellow tracksuit”, the shoes Thurman wore throughout the movie were Asics Onitsuka Tigers and they can be found at several shoe retailers around the country. There is even a standalone store at Westfield Bondi Junction.

Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Come on - how could I not include that black dress of Breakfast at Tiffany’s? I’m going to go against the grain and say the movie itself isn’t a favourite of mine, however there’s no denying that Hepburn’s ankle-length black cocktail dress, pearl choker and cigarette holder ensemble as Holly Golightly is one of film’s most iconic fashion moments.

The original dress was made especially for Hepburn’s waspish 20-inch waist by Hubert de Givenchy (she was his design muse), however you don’t need to pay a fortune for a basic black cocktail dress. If you’re looking for versatility, you can’t go past the famous Sacha Drake Ultimate Black Dress. This little number can be worn 10 different ways - as a halter, one-shoulder, twisted halter or strapless dress, amongst others. Wouldn’t that take the headache out of coming up with exciting new outfits for the party season?

By Caroline Warnes