DESIGNER FOCUS: SPELL & THE GYPSY COLLECTIVE

I've recently become infatuated with Spell & the Gypsy Collective.  I actually randomly discovered them through Instagram (find theirs below) and have been hooked ever since.  Started by Australia-based sisters Elizabeth and Isabella, part of the inspiration behind Spell was their 'enamoured feeling created when you combine feathers, leather and turquoise' (aka three of my favorite things).  Located in the small beachside town of Byron Bay (New South Wales Australia), the sister's design studio has since transformed into their boutique.  As if the 'Spell fairytale' couldn't get any more picturesque, here's the rest of their story:

In the 1960s and 70s their father was a leather craftsman and their mother was a potter, painter and wove brightly coloured threads on a loom.  It seems only natural that the sisters would end up here, in Byron Bay, living a creative passion that flows from their family.

Working in their design studio turned flagship boutique, there, the sisters channel their inner gypsy spirits, creating all manner of adornments, sharing their inspiration with their friends around the globe through their blog, 'Spell & the Gypsy Collective' - and so the cycle of inspiration continues....

I honestly love every single one of their lookbooks so much that I wanted to post all of them, but decided to showcase one that I continuously find particularly inspiring in such a rustic, raw and beautiful way, with a definite 60s/70s vibe:

Check out Spell & the Gypsy Collective's unique clothing, jewelry, accessories & home adornments here and don't forget to take a peek at their daily dose of inspiration on Instagram.

(IMAGE/STORY SOURCE: SPELL & THE GYPSY COLLECTIVE)

BOLD BEAUTY: ROBIN HOLZKEN (ELLE BELGIUM - MAY 2012)

Really stylish mix of pieces, prints, patterns and textures - incredible captures of model Robin Holzken, shot in Africa by Hicham Riad for the May 2012 issue of Elle Belgium.

MODEL: ROBIN HOLZKEN

PHOTOGRAPHY: HICHAM RIAD

STYLED BY: ANNE RABEUX

(IMAGE SOURCE: ELLE BELGIUM)

OUT OF AFRICA: 'FRESH FACE' LEANDRI TRUTER

Photographed by Marnus Meyer, these shots of 'fresh face' of Leandri Truter (from South Africa) are stunning - the messy hair offsets the simplicity of the photos while the shadows, lighting and subtle exposure showcase her insane cheekbones and all-around beauty.  I'm a sucker for black & white.

(IMAGE SOURCE: VARIOUS) 

HEAT WAVE: NATY CHABANENKO (ATALAR SPRING 2012 CAMPAIGN)

MODEL: NATY CHABANENKO

PHOTOGRAPHY: NIHAT ODABASI

STYLED BY: MERT ASIAN

(IMAGE SOURCE: ATALAR)

LIGHTEN UP: WE WERE [BORN TO DYE]