Michelle Leslie used to be behind bars. Now she's designing them

sportsgirl melbourne launch 2008/zimbio

Frockwriter was interested to spot a recent series of Tweets from Michelle Leslie, who reports that on November 12, the doors opened to a new Sydney bar whose interiors she has designed: The Winking Lizard at 28 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills (below). With its stark refectory tables, old metal chairs and murals by Sydney artist Ben Frost, the ambiance is, according to Leslie, “industrial and distressed”. To our eye, it's a little Left Bank bohemian - not to be at all confused, of course, with Third World prison common room. Leslie has more than a passing acquaintance with the latter, having spent three months in Bali’s notorious Kerobokan Prison in 2005 following her arrest in the possession of two ecstasy tablets. Five years on from her annus horribilis, the former model has reinvented herself as a creative consultant. With interior design studies under her belt from the Sydney Design School - and entertainment/marketing industry work with Peer Group Media, the company founded by her fiance Adam Zammit - Leslie has launched her own interior design and styling business called Curious & The Specimen. This follows a first foray into design with the Miyow & Barkley pet clothing and accessories line, launched in 2007 with friend Traci Griffith, the first range of which reportedly sold out. 

Michelle Leslie off the catwalk

Bumped into Michelle Leslie and Michael Azzollini outside the Akira show this morning. Here she is at the show, snapped by Herald photographer Steven Siewert.Leslie says she's not doing any shows at all this week - so much for all that speculation yesterday.But then perhaps her plans have changed...

One designer told me last night that Leslie had called his office on several occasions hoping to get into the brand's show, but that as much as the designer would have loved to have used her again - "She looks great, she's a great walker and she sells the clothes" - he already had a deal with Leslie's old agency to exclusively use their models. That's the agency which severed ties with Leslie after the Bali drama).

You gotta feel sorry for Leslie. Kate Moss was photographed - allegedly snorting cocaine - and her career has never looked back.

We're now at the first of the group events. These are called the Ready to Wear shows - a bunch of up-and-comers, many of whom are new to Fashion Week. It's a great entry level parade for MAFW - but some young labels think they're above them unfortunately.

Organisers claim Romance Was Born was offered a group show but they decided to stage a separate off-schedule event last night - and missed a lot of buyers and press, most of whom are here now.

Natasha Gan just sent out some ruffled teadresses. But Kate Hurst and Cybele are the biggest buzz new names of this show. Hurst included some black spray-on look skinny jeans - are they ever going away? - and pretty sundresses.

Hot new Sydney swim label Nookie is on now. Yes cute name. Lots of cutout swim shapes, searingly bright colours and yet more dresses.

The dress is still definitely having a moment. Michelle Leslie was in this show last year - I remember seeing the shots of her in Nookie.

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