Catherine Ruze Casting 2010

Catherine Ruze is looking for fresh faces in Perth. If you're between 15 and 30 years of age and think you could be part of Perth's new exciting modelling agency come on down and show us what you got.

When: 10 AM to 2 PM, Saturday,April 10 2010

Where: The Mercure Hotel, 10 Irwin St. Perth

Catherine Ruze models at Skattwalk 2010

Catherine Ruze's models kicked off the new year with a bang! Our talented models - Rebecca, Billie-Jean, Alice, Bronwyn, Farah, Keira-Jane and finally Cameron starred in Wonderland as part of Skattwalk 2010.

I must say rabbit eared Cameron was one of the most popular stars of the production. It was also amazing to see how talented the guys were not just as runway models but as 'actors'. Truly multi talented they were. Models (or should I say characters) must have been casted quite carefully as none of them looked nervous or out of place. Yes, it is regrettable but not all models are created equal. I'm proud to say they were absolutely fabulous and hair and make-up was pretty spectacular.

Catherine Ruze is expecting quite an exciting year in 2010. Official launch isn't too far away. Along with that, there are some special shows and collaborations lined up for local designers and models. Fashion modelling agency with difference, that is what Catherine Ruze is all about and our models in Skattwalk Wonderland showed just that.

Digital Prints by McQueen, Goot and Trotman

It is that crazy time of the year, partying hard and getting together with friends and family so that we can say at least we caught up with guys before the end of the year. It’s that time of the year when even seven or eight hours of sleep isn’t enough to recover from the wildness of the night before. While I’m still trying to get over this festivity fever I noticed something rather interesting.

Alexander McQueen's Spring 2010 Ready to Wear collection.

We've had printed tees as long as I can remember. However, having anything printed on stylish garments especially on luxury garments isn’t something one would expect from high fashion houses. I’m definitely very late in noticing this as Alexander McQueen presented to the world the most wild collection (surprise!) with wilder digital prints last season (ss collection). Actually, before I saw his amazing and intricate prints I witnessed Josh Goot’s digital prints during the fashion talk at Fremantle Arts Centre. Goot’s prints are geometrical and seem more mechanical while McQueen’s prints are downright wild.

Josh Goot's SS 2010 Collection.

I then saw Zoe Trotman’s cute digital prints in cotton jersey. Now I think about it we started having wild prints on tights as well.

Of course, these are early adopters and not really mainstream. It will be interesting to see how much of this will catch on in the year(s) to come, seeing as it took a year and a bit for major retailers to start mass producing gladiator sandals and Boho maxi dresses.

Zoe Trotman and her digital prints from Swan TAFE Graduation 2009.

Will it catch on? What do you think? Or maybe a better question would be ‘Will you wear it’?

Meet Mary Hardy

Catherine Ruze's Mary Hardy is a rare breed. She is pretty - well yes, as a model, that goes without saying? That said, not all models are pretty these days. She is intelligent - well yes, as models, girls don't have to be particularly smart or intelligent but she is a smart cookie alright. She is studying an Honors Degree at Curtin University and she is an established installation artist. She is multi-talented - well yes, for a soon to-be 21 year old, she has a bio that is as long as a Nobel Prize winner. She travelled all over the world and represented Australia as a member of the WA Children's Choir. She's been awarded the Commonwealth Learning Scholarship for excellence in Fine Arts. She is getting HDs in almost all areas which resulted in her earning the Dean's Commendation. The list goes on and on.

 Mary's installation work - all images from Mary's website

Since this is a fashion blog I must mention, she was the one of the finalists at the Fashion TV Diamond Model Awards for Perth. Wait for it now.. she is also running for Miss Universe 2010 as one of 57 contestants for the Perth final. 

Most importantly, however, she is a lovely and kind soul. She is always bubbly, enthusiastic and always out to help disadvantaged people. That is why she is working with a number of charity organisations, namely, Toybox and Breast Cancer Foundation.

Mary Hardy at Fashion TV Diamond Model Awards Heat 2 at Onyx Bar, Perth - Images by Style Discovery

She is quite something, isn't she? When I mention Miss Universe to my friends they all laugh because chances are all the girls who enter beauty pheasants are rather 'run of the mills' and who all hope for 'world peace'. I must admit I'm one of those cynics but Mary Hardy is a real thing. Genuine beauty with good heart. Catherine Ruze is proud to have Mary Hardy as a member of the team.

You could also support Mary Hardy by voting for her in the West. If you want to know more about Mary Hardy visit her website.

Balmain's 2010 Spring - more shoulder pads but get some laceups

Very first post for Catherine Ruze's blog has to be something special I thought. I could have gone for local news but I got distracted by Paris Fashion Week featuring Spring and Summer fashion for 2010. Yay. Well, we, Perthlings, are welcoming Spring 2009. It's annoying to think that what Christophe Decarnin presented for Balmain the other day won't be coming to our shores for another six to eight months also.

You know what I mean by 'coming to our shores'. His first big shoulder pads, gladiator sandals and   military jackets were such a huge commercial success that now we are seeing all different flavours of 'Balmain' in every big retail outlets around the country.

Looking at Mr. Decarnin's new releases he hasn't had enough of big shoulder pads or skinny jeans or military chic yet. If you thought skinny jeans should be packed away think again. Go out there and look for faded gray, olive coloured skinnies if you can. Shorts are brilliant too if you are suitably leggy.  I would also look for some tees to tear and shred to match the grungy look. The biggest investment you may have to make is a pair of solid lace-up boots - be it stiletto or Ann Demeulemeester style chunky heels.

That's only if Balmain is your cup of tea and you want to beat the 'crowd' before this covettable style becomes 'same all same all' across the city. These top models look utterly gorgeous but to my mind Christophe's style is truly effortless for a guy. It's so clear that he is feeling it himself and it's natural to him - putting together a show that is so his style for the moment. I'd love to steal boots, jeans and his hair style.

{images from Style.com}