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I’m getting married tomorrow!

MEL: HOT OR NOT is the decisive guide to Melbourne, but it’s also a diary for myself, my family and friends, detailing all of my comings and goings in my home town.

So it feels a bit strange to post a restaurant critique, a film review or an interview at the moment – as tomorrow is my wedding day. I’m going to have a new husband and a new name! I’m excited, nervous and feeling a little bit hyperactive and I just hope that the day goes smoothly for everyone.

And if you happen to see me flitting around the city in a long white strapless dress and the most expensive shoes I’ve ever owned, wave hello!

As for the blog, service will resume as per usual on Monday :–)

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HOT: Oak Off Chapel, Level 1/33 Simmons St, South Yarra

One of the things I love about Melbourne is that it’s a city that nurtures and encourages creativity. Maybe it’s because we don’t have fabulous weather all the time (though personally I love it) or pretty beaches to swim in, but Melburnians really seem to enjoy delving into their own creative headspace. The vibe of the inner city especially reminds me of a small-scale Prenzlauer Berg, Greenwich Village or Shoreditch.

In line with this attitude of supporting creative industries, Oak off Chapel is a 7-days-a-week fashion work and gallery space which has just opened in South Yarra. Housed in an abandoned warehouse and entered through a hideaway graffitied garage door cut-out, Oak off Chapel’s aim is to give emerging designers a space to create, collaborate, promote and sell their designs to the public.

The raw whitewashed walls contains studios, a fashion gallery from which clothing dangles from ropes and wires, a communal coffee lounge and a central meeting area which acts as a showroom for buyers and media. There’s even an in-house satellite office of fashion and lifestyle PR company, PRville.

Oak off Chapel is the idea of twenty-something streetwear designer Dave Brennan, who designs Chapter 11 Apparel, and his business partner Liam Magee. I met the very personable and enthusiastic Dave at the opening of the fashion gallery, which I attended with Poppy from Poppy Gets A Life and a throng of youngsters who were so hip it hurt.

In between drinks we strolled amongst the items on display, from menswear, womenswear, shoes and accessories. Here are some of my highlights:

I am an absolute sucker for winter coats. Especially structured coats which give a bit of an edge to a wardrobe staple. So I adore this coat from Swedish eco-couture designer Camilla Wellton – look at the detailing on the sleeves and the curved cut from the back is beautiful. Camilla has shown at Stockholm Fashion Week and is launching her capsule coats and jackets collection in Australia and New Zealand this year. To introduce the label to the market, Wellton’s 100% wool avant-garde outerwear will be placed in temporary installations promoted through social media, with orders taken via an Australian-centric e-boutique.

I Heard They Eat Cigarettes. Just because of the name! Founded as a boutique denim label, I Heard They Eat Cigarettes now also produces t-shirts, shoes and leather hoodies. Their jeans have a noticeable Balmain edge to them.

Design by Jude’s one-off hard-edged/pretty accessories. I particularly liked his bejewelled epaulettes but unfortunately the picture didn’t come out.

A cleverly draped and twisted dress with a distinct Japanese aesthetic by Kollate. Origami folds appear to define this label, which was previously sold by-appointment only.

The other brands available at Oak off Chapel include Sosume, Kosi Kosi, Small Time Crook, Chapter Eleven, St Lucia shoes, Tor Mathieson, Borsha and Sea Pony. You can check out more photos from the opening at the blog Lady Melbourne and Poppy Gets A Life.

You can be a fan of Oak Off Chapel on Facebook here.

• Oak off Chapel, Level 1/33 Simmons St, South Yarra +61 402 750 207
  

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HOT: Metlink Edible Garden, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, City Square, Swanston St, Melbourne

I wish the Metlink Edible Garden was a permanent fixture in Melbourne’s CBD.

Just for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (which is being held between 12-23 March), City Square has been transformed into a living, breathing biosystem. Australia’s largest gardening club The Digger’s Club have been responsible for planting 60 heirloom varieties in the raised garden beds resting on the normally concrete/dirt concourse.

The space spills with lush vegetation of herbs, vegetables and flowers and I even saw a fluttering butterfly in the arched trellises of beans (or it might have been a white cabbage moth,  but you get the picture). Unfortunately you can’t harvest crops from the garden, but you can see, touch and smell all the plants.

If you’re passing by you can receive a card flecked with seeds to plant at home.

In addition, every day there are demonstrations from The Digger’s Club and renowned Melbourne chefs, with topics covering anything from edible sculpture, how to make compost to pastry desserts.

The Metlink Edible Garden is only open until Friday 19 March. I hope all those plants find a good home…or get eaten!

• Metlink Edible Garden, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, City Square, Swanston St, Melbourne

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MELBOURNE Quick Tips

• Local Melbourne designer Argyro Gavalas holds a Showroom Sale for 'family & friends' 3 times each year with up to 80% off. The next sale is Friday 19 March 2010 10-8pm. Available are beautiful items from the new Autumn/Winter collection as well as brands: Sagome - designs for the Rubenesque Woman 16-22 Eshi - luxurious Loungewear Kikko - Australian Made Handbags and Accessories SOS - the After Party Shoe. Register here for an extra 15% off on the day. New stock is being added all the time. 284 Wellington St, Collingwood 03 9417 5975.
• Come along to the Fairfield Amphitheatre at dusk for this series of unique films screening as part of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival. Friday 22 January - Beautiful Thing; Saturday 23 January - I Can’t Think Straight; Friday 29 January - Chutney Popcorn; Saturday 30 January - Patrik 1.5. Fairfield Amphitheatre, Heidelberg Road, Fairfield.
• Celebrate the Year of the Tiger at this wonderfully vibrant Lunar New Year festival on Victoria Street on 24 January 11am-10pm. Victoria Street Abbotsford (between Church and Hoddle Streets)
• Shirt and Skirt Market is happening this Sunday 17 January from 10am to 4pm (Every third Sunday of the month). Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford
• Ohana Yoga runs yoga classes on the top of Eureka Tower with the best view of Melbourne. Wednesday 3 February - Wednesday 24 Febtuary 7-8am. $20 per person includes tea or coffe. Bookings 0424 397 498