Love Local – Fashion
Now more than ever we are seeking out long-lasting fashion that we love.
The conscious consumer supports local business and embraces ethical and sustainable fashion. The beauty of the slow fashion movement is that we all shall stand out in unique clothing and jewellery rather than looking like everyone else in mass produced, environmentally-damaging fast fashion. I’ve scoured the boutiques and found some stunning new, preloved and vintage clothing plus some very special new and antique jewels that stole my heart – and hopefully yours too.
You’ll certainly feel the love in this shoot – our models own Nirvana Life Macro Meals owner Melissa (personal trainer, Nirvana Life) and Raphael (local chef at Bang Bang) are newly engaged and planning an October wedding. Raph proposed to Mel in such a romantic way on New Year’s Day 2021 that this was my inspiration for the fashion editorial – let’s soak up some of that fresh young love as our models showcase some of my favourite fashion finds.
Raph wears white linen short sleeve shirt and natural linen pant from Okanui, ph 1800 652 684.
Mel wears We The Native Willow Cape, wethenative.com; Imagine Western belt from Belle Collective and Co, ph 0407 762 436; 18k yellow gold Boulder Opal pendant; 14k yellow gold Boulder Opal earrings from Opals Down Under, ph 5494 5400.
Sterling silver Boulder Opal bangle; 18k white gold Black Opal and diamond ring; 14k white gold Black Opal ring from Opals Down Under, ph 5494 5400.
14k white gold ring with Lightning Ridge Black Opal and diamonds, Opals Down Under, ph 5494 5400
18k white gold pendant with Queensland Boulder Opal and diamonds, Opals Down Under, ph 5494 5400
14k white gold ring with Lightning Ridge Black Opal and diamonds, Opals Down Under, ph 5494 5400
Raph wears white linen short sleeve shirt and Classic short shorts in Hibiscus red, Okanui, ph 1800 652 684
Mel wears Feline bra and brief in Hamilton from Matilda Cove
Mel and Raph wear Birkenstocks, Feet First Footwear, ph 5447 2211
“Nevaeh” pale teal Marquise Tourmaline and diamond ring in 18ct white gold, To Hold and to Have, ph 5477 0561.
Mel wears Bonita Mailott dusty rose rib from Matilda Cove
South Sea Pearl strand with yellow and white diamond and citrine pendant 18k white and yellow gold, 9k yellow gold and South Sea Pearl ring, 9k rose gold bangle, To Hold and To Have, ph 5477 0561
Ruby and diamond ring bezel set in 18k white and yellow gold, To Hold and To Have, ph 5477 0561
Maude sunglasses, Uncle George, ph 5474 5871
Red spinel and diamond 18k rose gold beaded drop earrings, To Hold and To Have, ph 5477 0561
Imagine silver western belt and silver Louenhide clutch, Belle Collective and Co, ph 0407 762 436
Morganite and yellow diamond pendant in 18k white and yellow gold, To Hold and To Have, ph 5477 0561
Saltwater Eco Tours offers a unique experience on board an historical timber sailing vessel, in the traditional waters of the local Kabi Kabi or “Saltwater People”.
Simon Thornalley is the Captain of the ‘Spray of the Coral Coast’ – a 100 year old classic 58ft gaff-rigged Huon pine ketch available for sunset cruises, private charters and cultural tours.
Raph wears short sleeve classic stripe shirt and Castaway walk short in navy from Okanui, ph 1800 652 684; and Midnight watch from Stone & Browne
Mel wears Morrison Maeve dress, Belle Collective and Co, ph 0407 762 436; Woow sunglasses, Hammond Optometry, ph 5476 2333; and woven bag, Uncle George, ph 5474 5871
Raph wears Mango logo T, Okanui, ph 1800 652 684
Mel wears Morrison Orla shirt dress red check, Gingers Boutique, ph 5373 6476; Ruby and diamond Art Deco 18ct white and yellow gold ring and Miriana Swarovski Crystal earrings, To Hold and To Have, ph 5477 0561
Ways to dress it…
Morrison Orla shirt dress red check, Gingers Boutique, ph 5373 6476
Print scarf, Uncle George, ph 5474 5871
Woow sunglasses, Hammond Optometry, ph 5476 2333
Straw hat, Uncle George, ph 5474 5871
Woven navy tote bag, Uncle George, ph 5474 5871
Bulibasha Babouche shoe, Meraki Thread Co
Galibelle Giovanna shoes with changeable straps, Hill Top Toes, ph 5442 9326
Mel wears Morrison dress, Gingers Boutique, ph 5373 6476; Opera length South Sea Pearl strand and South Sea Pearl and diamond enhancer pendant, To Hold and To Have, ph 5477 0561
Sterling silver, freshwater pearl and marcasite ring, To Hold and To Have, ph 5477 0561
World of Wacker polymer clay earrings @worldofwackerearrings
L.A Eyeworks frames, Hammond Optometry,
ph 5476 2333
Soa Lazing shoe, Hill Top Toes,
ph 5442 9326
Mel wears One of a Kind 70s style halter neck maxi dress and limited-edition earrings by Treasure Store, ph 0488 288 250
Raph wears Rhythm Classic short sleeve linen shirt and Jaquard Jam shorts, Meraki Thread Co
Mel wears vintage 80s floral dress and limited-edition earrings, Treasure Store
ph 0488 288 250; straw hat, Gingers Boutique, ph 5373 6476
Both wear watches from Stone & Browne
Wacoal Embrace Lace Woodrose mauve chalk soft cup bar, Ladybird Noosa, ph 5455 4070
Limited-edition earrings, Treasure Store, ph 0488 288 250
Rose Kroten shoe, Hill Top Toes, ph 5442 9326
Res Rei Anise frames, Eyes on Buderim, ph 5477 0293
Brave & True tote bag, Gingers Boutique, ph 5373 6476
Mel wears Keshet shorts and Salvation Jewellery earrings, Uncle George, ph 5474 5871. Gold circle bag, Belle Collective and Co, ph 0407 762 436; Ecco shoes, Feet First Footwear, ph 5447 2211.
Raph wears Okanui, ph 1800 652 684
Mel wears Ladli Australia top and linen pants, Uncle George, ph 5474 5871
Res Rei Ranuncolo Sunglasses,
Eyes on Buderim, ph 5477 0293
Salvation Jewellery earrings,
Uncle George, ph 5474 5871
Edwardian gold hinged bangle, fully hallmarked Birmingham 1912, Avenue J, ph 5444 4422
French handmade in platinum Art Deco style emerald cut green tourmaline, Avenue J, ph 5444 4422
Cam Cacatoe bag, Uncle George, ph 5474 5871
Gold circle bag, Belle Collective and Co, ph 0407 762 436
crunchies by Senorita Scrunchie, @senorita.scrunchie
Purple flower, Belle Collective and Co, ph 0407 762 436
Mel wears new and antique amethyst jewellery, Avenue J, ph 5444 4422
Mel wears Marie Jo Avero round shape bra, Ladybird Noosa, ph 5455 4070. Gold plate leaf earrings with matching gold plate leaf pendant and selection of unique and traditional gold bangles, Maleny Jewellers, ph 5494 3477
9ct yellow gold drop earrings set with garnet sapphire and diamonds, Maleny Jewellers, ph 5494 3477
9ct rose gold ring set with garnet and diamond halo, Maleny Jewellers, ph 5494 3477
Wacoal Embrace lace ebony Shifting Sands bra and brief, Ladybird Noosa, ph 5455 4070
9ct yellow gold cushion cut garnet with a bezel set diamond pendant, Maleny Jewellers, ph 5494 3477
Midnight Watch, Stone & Browne
Behind the Scenes
What happens on a shoot should stay on a shoot but I want to take you behind the scenes of a cracking day of fashion and fun.
Hair and makeup is always a buzz first thing in the morning and this shoot was super glamorous in the art deco inspired Boujee Blow Bar in Mooloolaba. The Giggle Bar delivered with lots of laughs (no booze required when you’re hopped up on caffeine from the local baristas on the Esplanade). Hair and makeup team Zarly and Charlie created a sultry vibe for some sexy couple shots with our newly-engaged models Raph and Mel. Mel is a personal trainer and Raph is a chef. Together they have a home delivered ready-to-eat macro meal company called Nirvana Life Meals so we had lots of banter about weddings and wellness. We shot on location at Boujee Blowbar and down the street at Avenue J Jeweller before we hot-stepped our way to take over The Wharf.
A quick lunch at Spero before a hair and makeup refresh with Zoe at Treasure Store. A more subtle sea swept look for our models to board the iconic Spray Of The Coral Coast – a 100 year old timber sailing boat with Captain Simon keeping the craziness in check. Photographer Charlotte of The Branding Bar Studio had to manoeuvre into some tricky spots to get the best angles amongst the rigging and sails of our Saltwater Eco Tours ship.
We were all shipshape, despite a very hot day with a reel of amazing fashion editorial pics for you to enjoy!
Creative Director: Carlie Wacker @worldofwacker
Photographer: Charlotte @thebrandingbar_studio
Hair and Makeup: Zoe Treasure Store 0488 288 250 and Zarly and Charlie Boujee Blow Bar @boujeeblowbar
Models: Melissa Donnelly @nirvanalife.meljade and Raphael Miragaia @nirvanalife.meals
Location: Saltwater Eco Tours @saltwaterecotours Mooloolaba Wharf @thewharfmooloolaba Boujee Blow Bar @boujeeblowbar
