When one think of flowers, you think colors, texture, pattern and the emotion that flower would emit. This goes the same to clothes that we wear everyday.

For me, when I think of flowers, I think of soft, flowing dresses that emits decadence and opulence to its wearer, the kind that you would see and swoon all over.

And not fits the bill better than Cathleen Jia, the new budding Melbourne designer whom invited me over for her collection launch showcase in Domain Flowers, a local florist in Melbourne that has one of the most intricate and intimate stores I have seen for a floral boutique.

With a floral boutique like Domain Flowers and a label like Cathleen Jia, it was a perfect match.

The venue was a simple and small size store off the Domain Road and you will never notice it as you pass by on tram or in a car but if you were to walk by the store, a glance into it will capture your heart.

As you walk in, flowers were in abundance but not crowded. A myriad of colors and shapes found in different corners from greens to velvet like pot of leaves and suede like flowers in shapes of fans, all which I forgot the names of.

And further in to the the mini counter that separates the back area, was glasses of bubbly and lemon infused water to cool down guests from the dry and balmy weather outside. Next to it were a tower of mini cupcakes by Cupcakes Central in colors as bright and vibrant as the flowers around it.

And while sipping on liquids and nipping on cupcakes, you will notice that the plants were more than just greens and nature. There were lace and crystals on the plants. A couple of tall branches were hanged with pearl bracelets and laced headbands, a head mannequin next to a pot of green fruits wearing a laced band and a full form mannequin in a silk green cocktail mini number as a sneak peek before the showcase begins.

Dozens of guests mingled on the floor as we wait with great excitement for the show to start. Guests vary from bloogers like Kim from Accidental Encounters, James of Ravishing Retail, Tish from Mister Mode, Kyra from PybusPR, Max from Maxxie Blog, and Cecylia from Cecylia.com to designers like Brahman from Elgar&Lyle, Adam Tsen of TSEN and Margery Daw  all whom are part of the glamorous fashion crowd of Melbourne.

Designer Cathleen Jia

With Designer Cathleen Jia

Cupcakes from Cupcake Central

Kyra of PybusPR

Domain Flowers

Thom of Couturing, Shu and Designer Adam Tsen of TSEN

Kim of Accidental Encounters

Em, Lisa of Couturing and Kim of Accidental Encounters

Guests at Domain Flowers

With Max of Maxxie Blog

Designer Adam Tsen of TSEN

Cathleen Jia's Evening Dress #2

Cathleen Jia's Evening Dress #2

Max of Maxxie Blog, Designer Brahman of Elgar&Lyle and Designer Margery Daw

Cecylia of Cecylia.com

IMG_5709

Cathleen Jia's LBD #1

Cathleen Jia's LBD #1

Cathleen Jia's Halter Neck Dress

Cathleen Jia's Halter Neck Dress

Gwanda, James of Ravishing Retail and Tish of Mister Mode

Tish from MisterMode, Gwanda and Kim fromAccidental Encounters

Cathleen Jia's LBD #2

Thom and Lisa of Couturing with Cathleen Jia

For the show, there were no runways or armies of models, there only one. She stood on the podium, wearing intricately and beautifully designed gowns in shades of green, grey and black. After a few minutes of posing in each dress to be photographed by almost a dozen photographers (including myself), she walks to the back and changes her dress and redo the hair before appearing in another look.

This is the first time that I had a show like this and it was different, in a good way. In this method, we get to observe and really look at the pieces and have plenty of time to snap our cameras away and it is intimate. I still remember when each dress came out, girls were giggling and chattering away about the beauty of the looks and how one would wear it.

Cathleen Jia’s collection were more focused on evening wear and cocktail dresses that would never cease to amaze. I particularly loved two looks that I think would look great on any kind of women. It was a LBD with lace neckline and knee-length and another LBD with a sheer back.

Both looks that I think looks as elegant as seeing Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Simple cut but with excellent movement on the hem of the dress.

And some good news to the ladies, Cathleen’s designs can be purchased online at her website or through contacting her and meeting at her studio where she stores her collection for ordering and viewing but that’s not all, she is also in plans of having stockist for her designs in Melbourne, which I am sure Fashionistas across the CBD would flock into them.

While this is only Cathleen’s second collection, it is a collection well done with a solid point of view and target audience. I was very content when I left the showcase after having such an amazing preview of it.

So a dozen of thank yous to Lisa and Thom from Couturing for bringing us this amazing event and for Cathleen (who is the sweetest doll) who sent such a personal invite that was hand drawn for me. I look forward to more amazing numbers coming from the label in near future.

And aside from that, special style note to Cecylia with the amazing Chloe lace dress and Kim with her YSL gold ring. You ladies rocked the day with those numbers. And to Brahman from Elgar & Lyle, I am in love with those necklaces! I need one soon!

[Updated]Another style note to what I wore for the event. I wore a multi contrast shirt and  bow tie from TOPMAN, cuff pants from ASOS, leather boots from ZARA and clutch from Sportsgirl.

For more information about Cathleen and her gorgeous designs, visit:

CATHLEEN JIA DESIGNS

So, till my next post!

Au Revoir!

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