Category Archive

Last week I went to the opening of the first ever Sophie Lui boutique, 1256 High St, Armadale. By the time I got there the place with pumping, full of people milling around the floating racks of dresses and skirts. The designs are simple, geometrical, Asian influenced pieces and made primarily from black knit fabrics which has a flexible and flattering weave, they also have beautiful obi’s/belts of brightly patterned kimono fabric that add individuality to the piece. They are the perfect outfit to wear to work if you are going out for dinner or drinks that night but they are equally at home at a black tie event or the opera.

Here is some background on Sophie herself:
“Lui’s experiences have lead to a passion for the empowerment of women.
“I listen to what women want, what makes them feel good. I love it when my
customers are surprised by how beautiful they look.”
Sophie Lui’s eponymous label launched in November 2006 at the Crown Palladium
Ballroom in Melbourne.
The label is known for creating one-off pieces that become personal favourites,
all entirely designed and made in Melbourne.”

If you have time I encourage you to head on down to Armadale and have a look. Sophie and her partner Dale have experienced an intense few years getting their first business off the ground, I wish them the greatest success!

In other news, I returned home to find a package on my doorstep the other day…. and looky what was inside!

Fantasia goodies, two t-shirts, two programs, tickets, backstage passes, DVD’s of trailers, a ticket to opening night (if only I had had the dough to go?)… all covered with my illo and even in my fav colours (red and aqua!). I can’t wait to sit down and read the program… its full of some awesome, alternative flicks. How do you go on as an illustrator when you have already had your dream job?
Well, there is lots more happening and if my dwindling savings holds out there will be so much more to see!

Fantasia Film Festival 2007

The Fantasia Film Festival wrapped up yesterday. I must admit I got a huge kick out of watching some random interviews with directors, etc (available on the Fantasia Film website and on youtube) and seeing my illo, gigantic and hanging floating above them in the main street. The video I have included here is with the director of Tekkon Kinkreet, something I previously blogged about here and lamented at it most likely not being shown here in Melbourne… well it is! Check out the MIFF site for deets.

Was at Tequp last night and doing a bit of surfing with my nerdy buddies (hence the previous ‘Hard Gay’ post) and thought I’d check to see if one of “the best jobs I have ever, ever had the pleasure of being invited to do” was online yet and yes, yes, yes, it was! Check it out here.
I was invited to do an image for the Fantasia Festival in late March early April and to be honest I couldn’t really say it was work, it was my absolute pleasure, my research involved looking back on past festival posters and movies and drawing, drawing, drawing. If only all my jobs could be this wonderfully fulfilling!

“Fantasia Festival (Fantasia-fest, FanTasia, Fant-Asia) is North America’s premiere (and largest) genre film festival.[citation needed] It usually takes place in the month of July, in the city of Montreal. It is a place where distributors come to pick up genre films from around the world for North American release, and where fans come from all over North America to see films that normally would not even be screened on the Art House or repertory circuit for fear of low turnout” Wikipedia

I am actually extremely tempted to head on over there….. should !? (Takes magic eight ball key ring from pocket and shakes…..)…..

Then later on last night I decided to head over to South Melbourne to check out ‘Dr. Sketchy’s Anti Art School’. Strangely enough I had heard about this while in Tokyo after randomly meeting an old high school friend of mine … but don’t get me started on coincidences again…. suffice to say I was not disappointed.
Dr. Sketchy began in New York and probably the best way to describe it is like a life drawing class with personality. The models at Melbourne’s classes are generally from burlesque troupes, and they are not naked, they wear some FABULOUS costumes! the model we had, had some pretty awesome tattoos, including some cute as a button bows around her ankles.

It’s all very decadent and so much fun! I forgot how lovely it was to draw from real life and under the pressure of time. The model decided for the second half of the session that she would choose her next tattoo from our sketches and/or there would also be a First Prize (her garter), Second Prize (’Cry Baby’ DVD starring Johnny Depp) and Third Prize (Plastic Medal), which she would choose at the end of the session.
Much pressure filled scritching of pencils later and the model stood up, stretched and began floating around us looking at our work (she was wearing platforms, she seriously floated). Although I seriously coveted the Johnny Depp DVD I was ecstatic when she chose my work for her next tattoo. Sweet!

Ahhh! Me be happy.