Welcome to February! Taking time off to rest and reset over the summer break has given me the chance to reflect on the year that was and how very lucky we are to live in Australia. After what felt like a whirl wind end to 2022 for many of us, followed by a stint of first time Covid (for me) in the early weeks of this year, time spent outdoors has truly paved the way to a different kind of approach for 2023.
The year of the rabbit started with a coincidental and most unintentional book read grabbed on the go as we embarked on our family summer staycation. Titled “If God Was a Rabbit” By Sarah Winman. Best described as a love letter to true friendship, wit, humour, loss and new beginnings wrapped up in a bundle of warmth. I highly recommend you grab a copy and give it a read.
A great read, lots of rest and something new and somewhat different from the pressures of setting New Year Resolutions. Truth is resolutions have never really worked for me, I see them as a recipe for disappointments, but a word I can try ??♀️ I decided on a different approach and shift in mindset to help achieve personal goals. Have you ever tried a word for the year? You can see mine shared here.
Do you have a word for the year? I’d love for you to share yours with me on this page in the comments section below.
Our first Style Update for the year is brought to you by Pantones colour of the year Magenta. Pronounced Mah-Jen-Tah! A purplish-red-mauve to crimson colour combination. Magenta in all its shades of glory ticks many boxes, welcoming a friendly feeling of happiness. Learn how-to wear Magenta in our Welcome to Magentaverse piece. We cover the Back-to-Work Essentials you’ll want to know now and explore the Summers Best Accessories in 2023.
PS It’s my birthday month! Sharing a birthday month alongside cupid, and eccentric shy guy aka the husband is always a fun way to start February. It’s also a time to give thanks to you my awesome clients and readers. Welcome back and thank you for being here, I hope to continue to inspire your daily outfits during the year, while guiding you to a place of confidence and self-love.
Hope you enjoy this first edition for 2023 as much as we did in preparing it for you!
With Love & Style Always
Kerry K xo
Welcome to the Magentaverse!
Once a year, forecasters, artists and fashion designers alike, all eagerly await Pantone’s Colour of the Year. For 2023, the colour experts have deemed ‘Viva Magenta’ as the hue to dominate the next twelve months!
Leatrice Eisemna, Executive Director of Pantone Colour Institute, claims that the shade is rooted in nature and expresses new signal and strength. Viva Magenta is brave, fearless and empowering – a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration.
It is perceived that Viva magenta will help write a new narrative, encourage experimentation and self-expression without restraint. It welcomes anyone and everyone with the same verve for life and rebellious spirit.
From a pop of this vibrant pink in a mini bag, your favourite pumps or fresh manicure, to wearing the colour all over, 2023 is another year of dopamine dressing and embracing everything bright and brilliant.
Here’s how to wear Magenta in 2023
If you’re a curious soul and you’d like to learn more on the history of the ‘colour of the year’ and the selection process, check out this resource here.
Back to work – The Classic Monday to Friday Essentials
From a pop of neon among neutrals to classic white shirts, here’s our take on essential weekday workwear.
Anna Quan Antonella Top (Milk)
Elevate your every-day work closet with this tailored stand out. Cut in a versatile brushed cotton canvas, this top is offering a waistcoat with a difference. Complete with a square-neckline, this linen vest is as professional as it gets but still playful enough for the Summer time.
Forecast is a contemporary Australian women’s fashion label redefining traditional workwear, with a focus on sustainability. Their range will take you from office to day events and nightlife – versatility that is essential to the post-covid, hybrid work lifestyle. With a pop of neon orange, this elegant dress is the perfect statement piece for the office and after hours.
Curana’s Easy totes are expertly crafted from lightweight, buttery-soft Italian pebbled leather with no hardware or synthetic lining for a cleaner, more sustainable design. Its clean silhouette is so sleek for work and is paired with a unique double-handed design for easy hand carrying on your commute.
Anine Bing Oversied Mika Cotton-poplin shirt
A white button-up is an office workwear necessity and this best selling Mika shirt has been revamped this season with an oversized silhouette, flattering on all figures. Tuck one into a tailored pant or wear open like a jacket over your favourite midi dress or skirt!
Love is in the Air
Calling all teens, this one is for you!
Like so many other retro-film obsessions, rom-comcore is the latest fashion trend taking social media by storm! From Princess Diaries to 10 things I hate about you and 13 going on 30, people are loving the hyper-femininity of early 2000s fashion and looking to emulate their favourite fairytale muses.
Here’s 2 essentials to get the look:
Slip Dresses
Although technically a midi dress, this Andrea Iyamah dress mimics the elegant slip dresses seen in all 2000s rom-coms, complete with an extra romantic off the shoulder neckline. Frilly and feminine, this is the perfect dress for Valentines.
Top it with a Cardigan
Much like a slip dress, a cute cardigan is a staple of 2000s rom-com movies. To elevate this classic look for 2023, cropped versions and pin or tie up tops, are definitely the move. Here are two gorgeous options for different price ranges.
Summer’s Best Accessories – Jewellery That Will Be Everywhere in 2023
Jewellery is that final touch to your outfit for the day. In 2023, it’s all about inverting this process and repositioning your accessories from an afterthought to the heroes of your looks.
Timeless, classic or safe pieces always play a part in our wardrobes but I urge you this season to look at what’s trending! Here are the 3 trends for 2023 as seen in Elle Magazine that I’m loving.
Mermaid Core
Mermaidcore with its dreamy, oceanic and fanciful motifs is all the rage among designers this season. While pearls and seashell necklaces are commonplace in much-loved household names like Lovisa and Pandora, this trend is weaving its way into high-end names as well. A brand that executes Mermaidcore beautifully is Renato Cipullo, an eclectic fine jewellery brand with a distinct Italian flair, handcrafted in NYC. Their ‘Return to the Sea’ collection is simply stunning.
Modern Relics
We’ve already explored the rom-comcore trend which romanticses the early 2000s but now it’s time to really turn back the clock with jewellery that feels as if it’s from another era. Designers are starting to craft pieces that look as if they belong in an art or historical museum. This Medieval stone cuff bracelet which looks like it could originate from Ancient cities, is fittingly being sold by the Met Store.
Found Objects
From using seashells found on the beach to precious stone, the ‘found objects’ jewellery trend is all about using pieces of the world around you. This is definitely a trend to shop if you have an eclectic taste or prefer one-of-a-kind pieces. This stunning Wolf and Badger piece is made of recycled, gold-plated stainless steel and a vintage one-of-a-king red agate gemstone.
KK’s Hit List
I just had to include an item from the Pantone colour of the year and couldn’t look past their incredibly chic and sustainable sneaker range. Touting ‘a pair for a pair,’ every pair of sneakers purchased plants two trees, how cool is that?!
Stylish, sturdy and sustainable, truly no one else is doing reusable bottles like Frank Green! With so many colour finishes available in their award- winning design, you’re bound to find a style that you love – it will become a statement piece in its own right! Add a little sparkle to your daily office grind with a cup from their chrome range.
Versace 90s Vintage logo cat-eye sunglasses
Vintage is always in and these 90s inspired cat-eye glasses with gold hardware are just gorgeous! The narrower frames of cat eye have been popular among a-listers like Hailey Bieber and are not going anywhere for style 2023.