The term “wearable” is a bit of a double edged sword in fashion realms. While it can often signify the ultimate compliment – clothes that translate seamlessly into real life – it can also be a subtle barb; clothes that are boring, banal and utterly without design quality. During RAFW there were two shows that struck us as being wearable in the best possible way, Gary Bigeni and Sara Phillips.

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Rugged up in coats and furs were we, the On the Streets of Sydney Team ready to keep you updated on day 2 of RAFW. But, in classic Sydney style, the weather changed, and what could have been a bleak and dismal day became a mildly tolerable one. Just as well, because we had Rachel Gilbert, Sara Philips, Miss Unkon, Carl Kapp, Amber and Thomas, Marnie Skillings, Kate Sylvester and more to go to. We kept in high spirits with blow-dry sessions at the Redken Tents and plenty of post-show dissection of looks (we loved the bike shorts at Sara Philips, we are desperate for the yellow maxi dress at Kate Sylvester, we would do anything for those fringed flares at Amber and Thomas). RAFW is definitely catching up to us. We’ve run around the city for off-site shows, snuck in a couple of classes at uni and time at work, we ran into superstars (and best friends) Gail Elliot and Yasmin Le Bon and got the chance to spend some quality blogging downtime with old friends like Zanita Whittington. And, hey, maybe we’re going a little crazy, but was that a snake on the runway at RTW Group 2? What an exciting day. We can’t wait to see what Day 3 throws up.

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The champagne may be flowing and the goodie bags may be filled with delicious lindt chocolate, but there is no rest for the wicked. RAFW is a workout, but a pleasurable one, and we here at On the Streets of Sydney are determined to work up a sweat. What we liked on day 1? The touches of gold (Gold Member Cream Blush and Silent Night Eye Shadow from NARS by Mecca Cosmetica) in the make up at Arnsdorf,  the double cuff jewellery at Kirrily Johnston, the colour palette at Morrison of rust, navy and crisp white (white is definitely a huge trend already at RAFW with every show from Gail Sorronda to Flannel showing white looks). The team here at On the Streets of Sydney have been busier than ever getting the exclusives for you. We got amongst it at Friend of Mine to get the best shot of blogger Alexandra Spencer’s stylings of bullet-buckle belts and assymetric super short hemlines. We queued up to get a peek at Lover‘s amazing 10th anniversary show, a divine vision of white, black and red all over. We stalked down some amazing street style from fashion-forward attendees. We’re exhausted that’s for sure. But the promise of even more amazing fashion tomorrow has us going again. Bring on day 2!

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Minimalism is having a bit of a moment, even here in maximalist, all or nothing Sydney. How else can you explain the spate of collections recently that feature the clean lines and cool simplicity of a minimalist palette, that mine the collections of everyone from Francisco Costa at Calvin Klein to Phoebe Philo at Celine for inspiration, and that fuse it all with a bit of Sydney sensuality. LIFEwithBIRD, the joint venture of Nicholas Van Messner and Bridget McCall, is all about capturing a little bit of that exciting energy that is the minimalist viewpoint.

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Surry Hills has long been the creative hub of Sydney. Hip, underground bars, quietly successful art galleries, and what is arguably some of the best coffee in town. But it also plays home to the street stylings of many a young, budding brand, from One Teaspoon to Wheels and Doll Baby, The Grand Social’s store Edition to the vintage delights of Sydney institutions like Grandma Takes A Trip and C’s Flashback. Estate of Mind is a new addition to this buzzing melange of boutiques and emporiums. With a focus on up and coming Australian designers and a darkly romantic mood - think skulls, waxy candles and exposed concrete floors - the store is an ode to the off-kilter, slightly bizarre heart of Surry Hills fashion.

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Fashion Designer Mary-Anne Pham has the kind of wardrobe that just makes you green with envy. Chanel clogs? Check. Balenciaga city bag? Check. A host of separates from every cool girl brand from Opening Ceremony to her own label, Piper Lane? Check, check, check. Her style reflects that modern jet-set melange: a refreshing collaboration between Sydney’s laid back sartorial sentiment and pieces from international heavyweights picked up on her travels to style destinations like Paris, New York and Milan.

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Any self-respecting Sydney Fashionista worth her Isabel Marant Ankle Boots has spent a pretty penny or two in The Corner Shop Paddington, one of the many boutiques in Belinda Seper’s Australian retail empire. Situated just off Oxford St on the sleepy shopping strip of William St – home to consignment stores to the stars Di Nuovo and Pelle, Australian designers Lucette and Natasha and Belinda Seper’s eponymous store; Belinda, The Corner Shop is an ode to all things hip and cool. With lashings of downtown New York, a touch of Parisienne aloofness and a smattering of London punk, the boutique has been moulding the style of Sydney bright young things for just under 10 years.

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Here at On the Streets of Sydney we like nothing more than celebrating everything young and creative about this city, primarily because we are a bunch of young creative types ourselves. And there is nothing more young and creative in fashion than the UTS graduate Fashion Show Preview, held on the 8^th December.

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Some things in life are just perfectly pretty. There is simply no other word to describe them. Rosewater macarons, fields of softly, softly lavender and sparkly ballet flats to name a few. Add to that list the Mrs. Press Dressing Room boutique on Paddington’s busy Oxford Street.

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In a world of same-old jewellery - hippie beads and too-cool crucifixes - it is refreshing to find a label that focuses on the unique and individual in design and construction. Enter TMOD, a label started in 2007 by former COFA classmates Georgie Swift and Milenka Osen.

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