Bangkok – Part 2

I have made an amazing discovery. I have found the perfect evening dress for the tropics. For those in the north of Australia or anyone who travels to tropical climates you will understand the dilemma I am about to detail.

You see, I lived in Darwin for a year some years ago. Working in fashion, I found it a constant struggle to find a wardrobe of clothing that suited the humid conditions as well as the heavily air conditioned buildings you moved in and out of.

Labels from cooler climates use polyester chiffon as it seems light weight and cool, however its synthetic and traps the heat. Cotton is another popular fabric, but it is very hot. Rayon is also widely used, but it creases and is often fashioned into garments that make me look like a hippy backpacker (not really my style). I tried silk as I heard this worked well but it was expensive and also tended to cling when you sweat.

I had put together a little outfit before I left on holidays but I did not realise how it would change my world.

The Noosa Dress was the perfect mix of style, comfort and sophistication. The fabric is the perfect weight to drape the body but not cling, the styling was perfect for a dining Haute Cuising, noting popping out or riding up. The fabric is breathable and does not cling when you do break out in a tropical sweat. I could not get enough of how it felt and looked. Before I left home I had styled it with a hat and sunnies. No need on this occasion.

Sha-de Noosa Dress in Indigo, combined with an array of turquoise jewellery I have collected over the years, my Prada sunglasses and my wide brim panama-style hat.

A quick photo before our night out in Bangkok in my Sha-de Noosa Dress (RRP $129).

The Speakeasy- Muse Hotel Bangkok

We started the evening at a bar called Speakeasy in the Muse hotel. I felt like I had stepped back in time as I entered the bar. The atmosphere and decor made me feel like I had walked straight into a scene from the Great Gatsby. We were lucky enough to find a couple of empty bar stools that looked straight out over the city. We had a couple of cocktails as we stared out over Bangkok and soaked up the sounds of the bustling bar and the streets below.

We then went onto Gaggan, a progressive Indian restaurant also named in the top 50 in the world. It was outstanding. You MUST go!

The front entrance to Gagan.

The next stop on our honeymoon is Six Senses Samui, I look forward to sharing our favourite destination in Thailand with you!

Julia xx

(if you missed the first posts click here to catch up).

Spring Racing with Sha-de

Spring is here and it’s time to enjoy the sunshine, a glass of bubbles and the Spring Racing Carnival.

With two weeks to go until the Melbourne Cup, you’ve probably thought about the dress you will wear, what shoes you have to match and where you will go to buy a matching fascinator.

Have you spared a second to think about about how you will stop getting sunburnt on the day? We have a few tips for you whether you are making the pilgrimage to Flemington, meeting friends for lunch or going to an outdoor Melbourne Cup party.

Race day at Flemington

The Melbourne Cup is a great day out… and a long day, so it’s important to ensure you are prepared. We have chosen the Garbo dress from Reiss in Navy for a classic fit and a little structure to assist with holding everything exactly where it should be. Shoes are always a bone of contention and after many trips to the races, I still say a great pair of heels are worth a little pain. The pair we have chosen have a mesh lining covered with beading, this will provide airflow throughout the day.

A Sha-de Wrap is a great addition to your handbag. Melbourne weather can be very unpredictable, so the Wrap will keep the sun off your shoulders during the day or keep the chill off if the weather turns on you. We also recommend a small tube of sunscreen to allow you to top up during the day. Click here to view the Sha-de Truffle Wrap in our store.

 Cup Day with Friends

If you are going to spend Cup Day in a more relaxed setting, we have some great options for you. I’m not going to the Cup this year, my friend Nicole has invited me to her place for a BBQ.

I am planning to wear a new addition to my wardrobe: the Noosa Dress in Indigo. I love this dress for its flexibility: I’ve coupled it with some high heels and a jacket to wear to a dinner at my daughter’s school and I’ve dressed it down for afternoon drinks with friends.

On the day, I have a pair of wedges I previously purchased from Nine West that will elevate the dress and keep my toes comfortable for the day. It wouldn’t be Melbourne Cup without some form of hat. I haven’t decided on this part of the outfit yet, but if I had my way, it would be the Gucci Fedora pictured below (a girl can dream). I will add bit of bling with wood and silver bracelets (similar to the ones pictured below that I picked up in Manly a few years back).

This outfit will keep my shoulders, arms and back from getting burnt and allow me to enjoy the day.

All I need now is a hot tip….. any suggestions?

To view the Noosa Dress and our full collection, click here.

 

Enjoy cup day and remember to put on your sunscreen before you leave the house.

 

Sonia xx

 

What to wear…. on your honeymoon!

We have been busy working on the new range and now that we have turned to packaging up our little bundles of joy for you all it is time to shift my focus for a couple of weeks.

First of all I would like to tell you all that I am getting married…… This weekend in fact – talk about jamming a few major events into a short amount of time.

We are heading off to Thailand. It was not my first choice. We are both addicted to the snow (suits my pale skin just fine) but October in between seasons for snow in Northern and Southern hemisphere. My second choice was bike riding through France but again, it is a bit cold and wet.

I love Thailand, even though I am obviously not a ‘lie on the beach to get a tan’ kind of girl, it is an country of extremes: Busy cities, relaxing islands, amazing food, decadent restaurants, relaxing sleep by the pool time and all round I’m a million miles away from work and responsibility.

So what is a red head girl to wear on her honeymoon?

We are spending a few days in Bangkok then heading down to Luang Pranbang in Laos. Then up to spoil ourselves at Six Senses in Kou Samui. Hey it s a honeymoon so you have to make is special.

Six Senses Koh Samui

Well I sure am thanking my lucky stars that we have released our range just that little bit before we fly out as I have a full wardrobe perfect for semi tropical weather (click here to view the Sha-de Resort range).

From the flight over, dinner at some indulgent restaurants, cooking classes in Laos and general living it up in beautiful resorts I think I have it covered.

I have put together a few looks for you so you can see what I am going to wear and how I will combine my new Sha-de pieces with some on my favourites to look endlessly ‘amazing’ for my new husband and protect my super soft winter skin from the sun.

First outfit to think about is the flight over. I have flown a lot in my life, for work and holidays. Most people wear tracksuit pants or jeans (how uncomfortable). My go to garment for flying the last 2 years is my Sha-de cardigan. Bamboo is similar to merino in that it is moisture wicking, and creates its own micro-climate so if it is warm it cools you down and if you are cool it will trap the warmth to your body. You also finish your flight feeling fresh as the microbial benefits mean you don’t smell or feel clammy at the end of your fight (how often does this happen).

So this flight I am changing it up a bit. I have put together this cute outfit from the range. The Shelly leggings in indigo with their little foot covers will keep your toes warm and cozy. The Tamarama Doman in Cream Indigo will envelope you and allows for easy of movement (and bloating) and is not restrictive over the long flight. I will also take a truffle wrap to carry in my handbag at all times to wrap around my neck if it gets cool but also wrap around my shoulders once I get to Thailand if I get caught out in the sun.

Combine this with my favourite Prada sunglasses, my go to big red travel bag and I am ready for a celebratory champagne to start the holidays.

 Sha-de Tamarama Dolman in Cream/Indigo ($119.00), Sha-de Wrap in Truffle ($69.95), Sha-de Shelly Leggings ($69.00),my favourite red leather bag, silver ballet flats, chunky bangles and Prada sunglasses.  

That’s all for now, the next time you hear from me, I will be a married woman soaking up the delights of Bangkok!

Julia xx

Autumn with Sha-de

Autumn has arrived, but that doesn’t mean that it’s time to pack away the sunscreen and store your Sha-de. The sun is still strong in Autumn across Australia, especially between 11am and 4pm, and it’s a great time of year to get out and about and enjoy the cooler weather. Keeping this in mind, we thought we would give you some ideas on how to transition your Sha-de into your Autumn wardrobe.

Bamboo is a great fabric for changing weather conditions, keeping you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cool. If you are a Melbournian like us, layering is your best friend between April and September, and Sha-de’s are perfect for this.

Sha-de Cardigan

Combine your Sha-de Cardigan with a pair of dark jeans and some ankle boots for a day out with the girls. Add another layer of colour with a scarf and finish the look with a pair of great Category 3 sunglasses.

 

SHA-DE SCARLET CARDIGAN, TORY BURCH ANATOLIA SQUARE SCARF, KORAL 4 MONTH BLUE BLACK JEANS, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN TOTE BAG, SPURR RITA BIKER BOOTS, PRADA SUNGLASSES

Sha-de Shrug

The monochrome trend has been carried through this Autumn, so why not add a splash of colour to the look with your Sha-de. Cropped pants are back this season, with a focus on a relaxed fit, so be comfortable in style this Autumn.

SHA-DE BLUSH SHRUG, FRENCH CONNECTION CAPPED SLEEVE TOP, THE ICONIC TETRIS PANTS, SAINT LAURENT CLASSIC S123 SUNGLASSES, PHILLIP LIM PASHLI COLOURBLOCK SATCHEL BAG, GUCCI WOMEN’S INTERLOCKING G LEATHER STRAP WATCH, JC PENNY ANIMAL PRINT ENAMEL RING, DAVID YURMAN CABLE WRAP EARRINGS

 Sha-de Wrap

If you have a formal event on this Autumn, ward off the evening chill in the air with your Sha-de Wrap. We’ve paired it with a classic dress from Reiss and splurged with some gorgeous de le Renta shoes.

 

SHA-DE WRAP IN SCARLET, REISS VENICE FORMAL TAILORED DRESS, OSCAR DE LA RENTA BEADED MESH PUMPS, MICHAEL KORS WOMEN’S GOLD WATCH, SWAROVSKI GOLDEN SHADOW CRYSTAL PENDANT NECKLACE, ASPREY CURVED FRAME CLUTCH.

We’d love to hear (or see) how you’re transitioning your Sha-de this Autumn, so add a comment to this blog or why not post a pic on our Facebook page – we love seeing our customers wearing their Sha-de’s!

 

 

Like, Vote and WIN!!

Would you like a chance to win a garment from the Sha-de collection? Here is your chance!!

Like us on facebook and leave a comment with the name of your favourite garment in the competition post for your chance to win!

The competition runs from 10th October 2013 until 12pm AEDT 14th November 2013 – so vote now for your chance to win!

visit us: http://www.facebook.com/shadesunprotection

Sha-de in the Desert

Designer and creator of Sha-de, Julia Van Der Sommen, has just returned from a trade mission in Dubai, run by the Victorian Government. This trip gave Julia the perfect opportunity to road test our garments in desert conditions.

Julia is pictured wearing one of Sha-de’s prototype square neck tops on a 4WD trip through the desert. Julia said “it was great to get dressed and not have to think about applying sunscreen to my shoulders and arms. In those conditions, it’s so hot that the sunscreen starts to run and create a mess”.

Julia said “I’ve got fair skin, so I’m always having to be careful in the sun, so I was very conscious of covering up when I was in Dubai. I wore Sha-de clothing each day of the trip and did not get burnt.”

It wasn’t all desert tours and camel rides, there was a serious side to the trip. Throughout the week, there were a number of meetings and events geared at introducing Victorian businesses to the UAE community. Julia participated in seminars, a Women in International Business Forum, took part in a radio interview (which will be loaded on our website soon) and met a number of retailers.

The week-long trip culminated with a dinner held at the Atlantis the Palm hotel, with George Calombaris designing and preparing the menu.

On the flights, Julia wore a Sha-de cardigan (available in our online store). The cardigan is a great travel garment, as the bamboo insulates from changing temperatures and is very comfortable. The design allows you to wear the cardigan open or use the ties to close it when it gets colder. There are also finger loops perfect for covering your hands when the air conditioning kicks in.

It was great opportunity for Julia to show the Sha-de collection to a wider audience and wear Sha-de in conditions where the average UV rating reaches 10 (very high).

 

     Julia in the desert wearing Sha-de

 

Julia on the plane in her Sha-de cardigan

The Fountain of Youth Is….Tomatoes?

When I think of sunscreen, images of my childhood at the beach are conjured up. Dropping the sunscreen bottle head first into the sand, forever tainting the milky white cream with granules of sand. That sand scraping against my skin as mum rubbed the cream in with all her might, before I leapt into the ocean; only to have the sunscreen migrate from my forehead into my eyes. The next generation of kids may not know the feeling of having sunscreen caked onto their faces if Israeli cosmetics company, IBR, has anything to say about it.

The new photo protective dietary supplement developed by IBR is said to “build[ing] a natural sunscreen inside your skin” (VP of IBR, Liki Von Oppen-Bezalel).

Derived from non-GMO tomatoes, the active ingredients phytoene and phytofluene perform the same function as sunscreen by blocking UV light from penetrating the skin. Not only does phytofLORAL® act as a sunscreen, it releases antioxidants into the system that inhibit the free radicals causing skin damage and ageing.

Could we have finally found a fountain of youth in edible format? PhytofLORAL® is said to even out skin tone, increase suppleness and reduce dryness and redness. Oppen-Bezalel said “making skin tone and complexion more even is important because this reduces the perception of age”.

Will we be popping a pill instead of slopping on sunscreen in a few years – The only question now is, does it work?

Read the full article: http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Formulation-Science/Company-releases-anti-ageing-sun-protection-that-you-can-eat

Cycling Season – Top tips for avoiding the burn on your bike

Whether you are a weekend warrior, a daily commuter or just enjoy a leisurely pedal, it’s important to think about what you wear. Below are a list of top tips for protecting yourself so you can head out and enjoy your ride.

1. Dress to protect – A white t-shirt (like the one in the picture) provides a UPF of 5, so the chance of being burnt is high. Wear UPF50 clothing; or darker, tightly woven material to provide better protection (www.skincancer.org).
2. Cover your arms – 50% of skin cancers are found on the arms (www.skincancer.org). Sunscreen generally gives you 30+ protection, tightly woven fabric in darker colours can provide UPF50+ protection, no need to reapply during your ride.
3. Watch your head – You can get burnt through the vents in your helmet, so protect your head from the sun by applying sunscreen or wearing a bandana or cap underneath your helmet.
4. Avoid red stripes – When applying sunscreen, lift your sleeves and Knicks/shorts up, put sunscreen on, and then pull them back down – this will ensure you don’t miss a spot.
5. Wear sunnies with category 3 lenses – don’t forget to protect your eyes from UV rays as well as your body.

Style and Substance: Buying Sunglasses

Sunglasses are a must for summer, the question is which ones to buy and what to look for.

Why should you buy sunnies that have UV protection? UV rays can damage the skin of the eyelid, the cornea, lens and other parts of the eye. UV exposure also contributes to the development of particular types of cataracts and potentially, macular degeneration (Dr. Dennis Robertson, Ophthalmologist, Mayo Clinic). So wearing sunnies is not just about stopping the glare, but safeguarding your eyes for the future.

When I think of UV protection and sunglasses, an image of those wrap-around’s with the side windows comes into my mind, however, there are fashionable options for Summer 13/14.

When shopping for sunnies, Professor Stephen Dain, acting chair of the S-053 Sunglasses Committee for Standards Australia, suggests to look for:

1. A label with a lens category
2. A description of that category
3. The details of the importer and distributor

Look for a lens category of 3 or above, this provides the best protection for your eyes. All sunnies sold in Australia must be tested and labelled according to the Australia and New Zealand standard (AS/NZS 1067:200). Therefore, go through the information on the swing tag and look for the lens category and the importer and distributor information – this will let you know that the company is reputable and the rating is legitimate.

If a pair of sunnies does not have a lens category on it, it probably means that there is little or no UV protection. If the lens category is a 0 or 1, this will provide limited protection and are classed as Fashion Spectacles, not sunglasses.

A category 2 or 3 provides good UV protection and can be worn for driving, however, category 3 only allows 8-18% of light through, whereas category 2 allows 18-43% through.

A pair of category 4 sunglasses provide optimal UV protection and very high glare reduction; these sunnies should not be worn whilst driving and are usually worn for specific purposes (http://www.sova.com.au/products-information/85-about-sunglasses-lens-standards-.html).

Armed with this information, I had a search around the web for Summer 13/14 sunnies that met the above requirements. I was surprised at the number of sunglasses available that had a lens category of 3. From Cancer Council to Prada, I found a range of sunglasses from $39.95 to $410.

So when you head to the shops to purchase a new pair of sunnies, take a second to look at the label and give your eyes a little bit of love this summer.

How old is too old?

It is time to blow the dust off your sunscreen, ready for another warm spring. So find your sunscreen, whether it is in the medicine cupboard, under the front seat of the car, hiding in a beach bag or hibernating in your handbag, turn it over and check the expiry. If it is still within the expiration date, you are good to go. However, if your trusty sunscreen has expired, it is time to replace it with a newer model.

According to Dr Karen Burke, Dematologist, sunscreen is good for three years after purchase. Manufacturers test the shelf life of sunscreen by storing it at 40°C with 75 percent humidity; then at 40°C with 25 percent humidity; and then testing it at 0, 1, 2, and 3 months. If the sunscreen remains stable for three months in these laboratory conditions, it is the equivalent to three years in your medicine cabinet. If the sunscreen is any older than that, the molecules can start to clump or degrade and this will not give you the protection you need.

So, what can we do to ensure our sunscreen is up to scratch? Dr. Burke suggests writing the date of purchase on the tube with a permanent marker, this will serve as a reminder to replace it after three years. Keeping the sunscreen in a cool place also helps safeguard the composition of the liquid, ensuring it maintains its structure over this time. So find your sunscreen, check the date, replace if you need to and enjoy the sunshine!