COOL HUNTING

/ Fiona Killackey show nav

Fiona Killackey

Latest Stories

Max Wanger

Max Wanger

in Culture on 26 April 2011

Cover bands and Jordan almonds aside, the real make-or-break wedding detail comes down to the one thing that may even outlast the vows—the photos. One wedding photographer reinventing traditional wedding photography is Los Angeles-based lensman Max Wanger. With a confident eye, Wanger captures effortlessly elegant images of love-filled weddings,...

Kesh Continues

Kesh Continues

in Culture on 5 April 2011

Owing as much to '80s pop icons like Grace Jones and Madonna as she does to more contemporary influences (she counts M.I.A. and Jeremy Scott as friends), the eccentric style of 24-year-old British artist Kesh has the same "downtown" roots that has defined generations of young creative types. Having...

Tamara Fogle

Tamara Fogle

in Style on 28 February 2011

Feeling constrained as a freelance interiors stylist, Londoner Tamara Fogle abandoned editorial features in favor of following her own creative pursuit. What began simply as a desire to make "things" she liked, Fogle explains "now my job is a real reflection of me, and I love that fact." Steadily...

ALL Knitwear

ALL Knitwear

in Style on 25 February 2011

It's a rare thing these days to find a fashion label that truly stands out for originality and design. It's even less common to find one that is not only made locally but also made by hand by the name behind the brand. ALL Knitwear is lovingly made by...

Dagmar Rousset

Dagmar Rousset

in Style on 21 February 2011

"The main thing distinguishing Dagmar Rousset from other shops in Melbourne is that it's owned and managed by a fashion outsider–me!" the undeniably fashionable Julia Pound exclaims from her stunning Getrude Street boutique. "The other thing is that Melbourne is known for its love affair with black," she explains,...

Done With Electricity and John Entwistle

In an effort to cast light on the often unrecognized talents of tattooists in Australia and New Zealand, a small group of Melbourne artists recently banded together to publish two hardcover art books celebrating and highlighting some of area's best ink. John Entwistle, Tattooist: Melbourne, Australia honors one of...

The Thousands City Guides

The Thousands City Guides

in Tech on 14 September 2010

A handy guide to Australia's major metropolises for visitors and residents alike, The Thousands' new iPhone App covers each location's most enticing shops, restaurants, exhibitions, gigs and more. Created by Melbourne-based Right Angle Studio—who are also behind the arts-and-culture sites The Thousands, named for Australia's state postcodes—the City Guides...

Ali Barber

Ali Barber

in Style on 10 August 2010

With an estimated 300 languages spoken in London's East End, the area's bevy of subcultures each make their mark on England's bustling capital in different ways. While some East Asian residents create outrageously original styles by mixing traditional culture with modern London fashion, the finishing touch of a distinct...

Ink

Ink

in Design on 10 August 2010

At a moment when tattoos are so common that even full sleeves rarely trigger a second look from passersby, a new large-format 'zine called "Ink" captures the current shift in permanent art appreciation. The output of publishers KesselsKramer in collaboration with Swiss designers, HappyPets, the limited-edition book shares insight...

Melbourne Style

Melbourne Style

in Style on 9 August 2010

An effortlessly chic metropolis, Melbourne is fast catching up with its glitzy northern sister Sydney as a hotspot for cutting-edge boutiques, excellent art galleries and quality restaurants. The combined gallery, design studio and shop Melbourne Style is adding to this growing reputation, offering an attractive selection of locally designed...

Oh Comely Magazine

Oh Comely Magazine

in Culture on 26 July 2010

Committed to the promotion of "people and their quirks and their creativity, rather than money and what it can buy," the newly-launched magazine, Oh Comely aims to elicit conversation and communication about creativity today. The work of artists, writers and designers working from a studio in London's converted Biscuit...

The Modern House

The Modern House

in Travel on 23 July 2010

Finding a truly spectacular holiday home to buy or rent can be an impossibly difficult, time-consuming task. Architecture journalists Albert Hill and Matt Gibberd have changed that with The Modern House, a U.K.-based real estate site dedicated to design, decor and distinguished homes. Created in 2004, Hill (a former...

DIY Couture

DIY Couture

in Style on 20 July 2010

In the quest to sew a piece of well-fitting fashion for yourself, finding the right pattern can often be the most time-consuming part. To simplify this stress, DIY Couture offers straightforward advice for beginning sewers to skilled seamstresses alike. Created by a group of design-savvy, craft-loving creatives in London,...

One Minute Portraits

One Minute Portraits

in Culture on 19 July 2010

Perhaps Warhol was the first to open up the art world to the idea of fast art, smashing the notion that the quality of art is parallel to the time spent creating it. Granting more than just a nod to Warhol's ideology is UK artist, Benjamin Hammond. After years...

An Interview With Holly Fulton

Back in April, we introduced you to Holly Fulton, and the quickly-rising fashion designer's latest Spring/Summer collection. Following up on her recent successes and newest pieces, we sat down for a conversation with the young clothier to discuss her various influences. The Edinburgh native took the fashion world by storm...

Let's Dance

Let's Dance

in Culture on 24 May 2010

To help motivate Britons who might've indulged a little too heavily over winter, we rounded up three London gyms that make fitness more fun with dance-inspired classes—geared toward anyone who's ever had jazz-hands fantasies. Frame Aware that most look for a quick fix—or at the very least a painless...

Shadi Ghadirian

Shadi Ghadirian

in Culture on 21 April 2010

Capturing the contradictions in everyday life, Iranian photographer Shadi Ghadirian draws on her environment and culture to create her work. Born in 1974 in Tehran in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ghadirian "fell into photographing women" after completing a B.A. at Azad University. Soon after, Ghadirian gained an international...

Walton Creel: Deweaponizing The Gun

As mediums go, guns rarely figure into an artist's tools, but for Alabama-based Walton Creel they have become the weapon of choice for creating thought-provoking art. CH caught up with Creel to learn more about his series, "Deweaponizing the Gun." Growing up surrounded by the powerful weapon, Creel bought...

Vince Letterpress

Vince Letterpress

in Design on 2 October 2009

Meaghan Barbuto scoured eBay, bought a half-ton vintage letterpress machine, and spent weekends experimenting with wedding invites, business cards and greeting cards for friends and family. Deciding upon a name was simple; she dedicated Vince Letterpress as to her late grandfather. "It was important for me to highlight my...

Dizzee Rascal x Nike x Ben Drury: Air Max 90 Tongue N’ Cheek

Pairings between sportswear giants and hip hop stars regularly make style blog headlines these days, but few come from a genuine partnership like the latest collaboration between Nike, Dizzee Rascal and his longtime collaborator and digital distributor 7 Digital's creative director Ben Drury. Named the Nike Air Max 90...

Julia DeVille: Cineraria

Julia DeVille: Cineraria

in Design on 4 August 2009

Taxidermist, jewelry designer and artist Julia DeVille creates the type of wearable art rarely seen from other labels. Focused on working as a full-time artist, her exhibition "Cineraria" currently on display at Sophie Gannon Gallery in Richmond, Melbourne, is how deVille sees herself in the future. “I’ll still create...

Native Design

Native Design

in Design on 31 July 2009

According to David Brown, graphic designer and former president of the Art Center College of Design, "good design is a form of respect on the part of the producer for the person who will eventually spend hard-earned cash on the product, use the product [and] own the product." If...

We Make Magazines: An Interview with Andrew Losowsky

In spite of naysayers proclaiming the death of magazines year after year, the Colophon International Independent Magazine Biennale thrives on. Proving that in our increasingly digital age online publishing can co-exist with—and perhaps even increase the popularity of—this tangible vehicle for thought, We Make Magazines: Inside the Independents, a...

Bemodern: Interview with Paul Darragh

He may well have worked for some huge commercial names, but for New Zealand-born, New Yorker Bemodern (aka Paul Darragh) success results from freely creating art for yourself. Graphic designer by day and artist by night this 20-something is making heads turn at galleries from Melbourne to Manhattan. CH...

Interview with Designer Emerson Taymor

A recent UCLA graduate, Emerson Taymor has been making waves in the online ocean with his clever takes on everyday items. Part designer, part magician, the Cali-native effortlessly merges creative design with business acumen. CH caught up with the all-around creative talent for a better look at where he...

Elke Kramer: Miracles & Wonder

Given that she's one of Australia’s most respected and recognized accessories designers, Elke Kramer's announcement last month that she was branching out into a line of leather bags, scarves and belts is a welcome one. CH caught up with the designer, artist and all-round nice girl to chat about...

Photographer Mark Gambino

Photographer Mark Gambino

in Culture on 6 April 2009

Working full-time as an online editor and magazine writer, Melbourne-based Mark Gambino found himself the recipient of numerous after-work events. Finding little to converse about with drunken musicians and statuesque models, the 30-something photography enthusiast started snapping. The result is a candid look at the music festivals, fashion events...

Interview with Singer-Songwriter Kim Garrison

For Kim Garrison making a living playing music has been a difficult path but also one of the most rewarding. CH caught up with the California-native behind the hauntingly emotive vocals for a chat about moving to NYC, songs, summer and lip-synching. Have you always been in the music...

My Disco

My Disco

in Culture on 10 February 2009

Labeled everything from "post-hardcore/math rock," "minimalist Melbourne DIY" and "reductive art-rock," to put it simply, My Disco is a Melbourne-based trio that transform basic rock instruments into a chaotically organised synthesis of sound. Effortlessly fusing the spectacularly disciplined drumming of Rohan Rebeiro and the frenetic sharpness of guitarist Ben...

Hellovon: Migration Billboards

Hellovon: Migration Billboards

in Culture on 10 September 2008

Hellovon is a 26 year-old London based pencil perfectionist who takes the art of illustration to dizzying new heights — in this case literally. Hellovon's latest exhibition is called Migration and takes place in two parts, in two major cities, London and New York, over two months. Starting its...

An Interview with Christian Lander of Stuff White People Like

From a casual comedic conversation to a website boasting more than 30 miliion hits, PhD dropout and social commentary writer Christian Lander (pictured below) made rambling about stuff white people like into a full-time (not to mention lucrative) job. CH recently caught up with Lander to discuss the website,...

Bottom Half Nude Blog

Bottom Half Nude Blog

in Culture on 6 June 2008

It seems everyone's a part-time blogger these days and finding out exactly where to waste your office work time can be a difficult task. We thought we'd help you take out the frustration out of the guessing game by letting you in on the arrival of the hilarious Bottom...

Ecsostype Giveaway and Discount

A while back CH brought you news of the very slick and very beautiful Ecsotype leather bags, cleverly designed by French/Aussie duo Sabine and Christian Pound. Well, get excited because this dynamic powerhouse have just re-launched their website with a brand new operating system which not only makes it...

Hank and Matlok

Hank and Matlok

in Culture on 25 April 2008

Unconventional in every sense of the word, Melbourne duo Hank and Matlok are causing a stir down under with cutting-edge art, quirky prints and intelligent fashion. CH caught up with the duo during their recent exhibition at Robio to talk about art, beer and fashion. (Click images for detail.)...

Von Totebags and T-Shirts

Von Totebags and T-Shirts

in Style on 24 April 2008

Award-winning London based illustrator Von has long been a CH favorite so when he decided to launch a range of tees and totes we grabbed the chance to find out more. Why did you decide to brand into fashion now? As much as t-shirts have been done a million...

Toddy Pajamas

Toddy Pajamas

in Style on 16 April 2008

Australia-based and South Africa-born, Michelle Legge is the brains behind the brand new cutting-edge casual label Toddy. Taking a unique approach to the vanilla offerings of sleepwear and casual fashion, this debut designer is set for cult status with a line of innovative, stylish and above all else, comfortable...

Jon Krause

Jon Krause

in Culture on 14 April 2008

With a folio that includes some of the world's most reputable publications, Philadelphia native artist Jon Krause has been causing waves in the art world for intelligent illustration and cutting-edge creations. CH caught up with the Tyler School of Art graduate to discuss inspiration, online galleries and transformers. (More...

Gorman

Gorman

in Style on 8 April 2008

Gorman has become one of Australia's most respected labels, not only for their sharp styling pieces that miss the fad boat staying stylish season after season, but also for their stand for eco-friendly and sustainable fashion. Recently launching their new organics collection, Gorman's winning even more green hearts with...

Appaloosa

Appaloosa

in Culture on 7 April 2008

She may well have the backing of Chan Marshall (aka Cat Power) but Paris-native Anne-Laure can well and truly hold her own when it comes to delivering quality electronic-pop. Her debut EP, produced by Germany's Max Krefeld, is an eclectic mix of '80s beats, synth electronics and haunting, distinctive...

Four Creatives, One Studio: Kate Hurst, Elle Kramer, Fiona McGee and Matt Weston

Studios can often act as hubs for creativity, but what happens when you share a small space with four equally creative and artistic people? CH spent a day at the shared Sydney studio space of fashion designer Kate Hurst, jewelery designer Elke Kramer, filmmaker Fiona McGee and Matt Weston,...

An Horse

An Horse

in Culture on 27 March 2008

Leaving their hometown of Brisbane, Australia, two-piece band An Horse will tour the States from 17 April 2008 with good friends, the Canadian band Tegan and Sara. Created by Kate Cooper of Iron On and Damon Cox of Intercooler and Mary Trembles, An Horse have been rapidly making a...

Favorite Color

Favorite Color

in Culture on 18 February 2008

In a city like New York, it's virtually impossible to stand out and make your mark. Perhaps that's why the latest new motion graphics studio, Favorite Color, took their time in creating something completely unique. Located in Manhattan's Soho neighborhood and targeted toward broadcast and commercial projects, Favorite Color...

Baska-Jon Sweet Talk Chocolates

Finally there's a chocolate that will love us as much as we love it. (Well, at least the label will.) For future brides, gift basket companies and discerning-eyed males, the super cute, minimally-packaged Baska-Jon Sweet Talk range is a set of 24 bite-size milk chocolates with eight different cheekily...

Three Melbourne Bars

Three Melbourne Bars

in Food-Drink on 22 January 2008

With Australian summer in full swing, now is the time to check out some of Melbourne's new and notable bars. Whether you're a local or on holiday and whether you go for the movies or the eco-conscious vibe, they're all spots where the women glow and the men plunder....

Lumas Editions Gallery, Melbourne

Melbourne may well be miles from most of the world's cultural epicenters, but when it comes to appreciation of quality photographic art, Melbournians know their stuff. Perhaps that's why Lumas Editions decided to expand their global galleries by opening a Melbourne tangent just over a month ago. Located in...

Polly van der Glas Jewelry

Polly van der Glas Jewelry

in Style on 14 January 2008

Plenty are on the "let's recycle and reuse" bandwagon these days but few have looked at really reusing what we have quite like Melbourne-based jewelry designer Polly van der Glas. Sourcing her materials from friends and family who have been kind enough to offer (actual) parts of themselves, van...

Tariq Duff

Tariq Duff

in Culture on 21 December 2007

For most of us our holiday snaps involve a few tourist-ridden temples, the beach, cocktails, the inside of a hotel room and some candid "look-at-my-tan" poses. Yet for London-based Tariq Duff, the images captured during his travels of the world have led to the Bahrain-native exhibiting around the world...

This Charming Man

This Charming Man

in Style on 7 December 2007

Melbourne-based jewelry designer Edward Janssen is the man behind This Charming Man, an offbeat line of bracelets, rings and necklaces that toe an odd line between sinister and food-centric visual puns. Looking to stand out from the status quo, fans of This Charming Man can choose from a host...

Sniffanys

Sniffanys

in Tech on 6 December 2007

So, you're in love with your dog? Prove it, with what can only be described as doggy designer couture. Created by Australian Southern Highlands artisan Trudy Heathwood, Sniffanys feature sterling silver clasps and are bespoke dog collars made from precious metals, semi-precious gemstones and Swarovski crystals. Heathwood had the...

How to Hoola

How to Hoola

in Tech on 30 November 2007

Work off the turkey this season with one of the freshest books on the planet How to Hoola. The first in a series of "How To" flip books by new Aussie publisher RayPress, How to Hoola instructs the uncos of the world how to stand, squeeze and circulate their...