After the exit of my business partner I spent last year asking you what you are looking for in a retail out let. I wanted to establish why so many of you are choosing to shop online rather than in a retail store. And I came up with a few answers. What I heard most f you say, is the convenience. Yes that is true of online shopping, it arrives right at your doorstep and all you have to do is open the package. However, I think that there is a deeper reason, one that is not at the forefront of your mind but is hidden and it is that reason why you choose online. I think, you are fed up with poor customer service and if you are not getting the experience that retail therapy is supposed you give you, why then bother going to stores and dealing with uninterested staff? Particularly if you can get the same thing online and possibly cheaper! I know I hate shopping just because of that reason.

So, in light of that I have analysed what I can do better so that you can enjoy your shopping experience in my store. With the help of my mentor, I have come up with "the five senses". Nothing new, I know, but how lovely it is anyway. I spent the last two days moving stuff around the store, scrubbing the floors and thinking how I can deliver the five senses to you. Here is what I came up with:

The sense of smell-I have searched hard and long for the right scented candle to burn in my store and I finally found it in Byron Bay. Not only will the smell make you feel relaxed and lovely, it serves a special purpose for me. I light the candle for my mum whom I miss very much and who is looking over me each and every day.

The sense of  touch-this is experienced by touching my clothing. I choose my fabrics very carefully, 

always thinking how it will feel on the body and so I hope that you love the luxurious feel of silk and the comfortable feel of cotton and other blades.

The sense of sight-hopefully my store fulfils you sense of sight. I have had the store for three years now and I still love it. I hope you do too.

The sense of taste-ahh, chocolate. From now on if you need a chocolate fix just come to the store and get one.

The sense of hearing-the store music. The music will change depending on the time of day it is but it will always be representative of my brand.

So there you have it, the total experience in a retail outlet and combined with the lovely and helpful customer service there is now a reason for you to come and visit, but if you still cannot make it andneed something ASAP I do online sales sand free shipping right to your door.

Magdalena xx

Sometimes, to get the best shoots one must think outside the box and Cybelle does just that. 

For the first image we all climbed huge and steep rocks. It was quite a sight, to see a perfectly made model in exquisite clothes climb up the rocks followed by a camera crew, hair and make up artist and myself. 

That was followed by hanging out on the edge of the river bank and climbing trees. 

Cybele then decided she wanted a shot of the sunset. She wanted to get some hight, so off on to the bridge we went. Imogen had to hang out so far beyond the railing that I was afraid she would drop into the water, but she hang on and Cybele got the shot she wanted.

M x

Summer 2011/12 was inspired by a very good friend of mine, Olivia or Liv as friends call her. Liv is one of those people with whom you atomically feel comfortable with. She is her own person, independent and creative with a heart of gold. I met Olivia when I was in Fashion school. At that time she was studying fine arts. What connected us was skateboarding, yes, skateboarding. We were both skaters with our own boards and crew.

Over time Olivia pursued her love of travel, nature and healing while I continued on in the fashion world. We never lost touch and although our interests are vastly different we hold the same life principle, "do onto others as you'd have them do on to you", basically be nice to people around you. 

When Liv moved up to cairns in 2010 she invited me to come and visit. I had never experienced living on the land and in such beauty. It would have been very difficult not to have been inspired. She lived in a 2 bedroom wall less house  surrounded by her garden. To wake up in the mornings we swam in a near by river, collected vegetables from her garden and took long hot baths under the starts. For entertainment she sang songs. Magic.

There are a few key elements to Olivias style and dress sense. Anyone who knows her will know that she loves leopard print, lace and neutral colours. I used all those features but also added the bright colours of the tropical north queensland. The yellow for the sun, the blue for the water, the orange for the flowers and green for the rainforest. 

It gave me great please to design this collection and I am very happy to have started my online business with such positive collection. Thank you Liv for inspiring me,

Love M xx