MICHAEL HOCKEY NOW IN STORE!!!

Michael Hockey footwear has hit stores! Currently available at XCROSSX in Potts Point in Sydney, located at 107a Macleay Street. Phone ahead to ensure you don't miss out! +61 415 246 460 and speak to Leon. Check out the great display... Exclusive styles Pavement, Nomad and Stingray available now.

THE BEAUTIFUL GENIUS OF MINA MAZZINI

Mina Mazzini by Piero Gherardi 1966 2°

Lets take a moment to admire the genius of Mina Mazzini. A true diva, this Italian icon was WAY before her time, even diva Barbara Streisand herself references Mazzini as moulding modern music. Have a look at these pasta commercials from the 60's. Riddled with incredible Roman Haute Couture and a majority of it filmed on the roof of Central Station in Napoli.

Her voice is incredible, the frocks and make-up are amazing and the is location is truly spectacular.

Noted as being the first woman to shave off her eyebrows and sport the "sad eye" eyeliner and make-up, the shots to follow from the 70's also kill the theory that it should be eyes OR lips, not both.

LOVING ORANGE

Totally loving orange at the moment and fluro yellow. Great summer colours. I want this Huxley Orange belt teamed back with Hawaiian shirts with cut off sleeves and striped shorts...I like a polka dot scarf back with that too - massive into clashing patterns. And of course Michael Hockey Huaruche sandals in Tan. Then in winter i want it back with multicoloured melange knits, charcoal pants, a lead coloured leather jacket and the Michael Hockey Bruegel Boots....Available on-line at www.wolfandbadger.com (also a soon to be stockist of Michael Hockey footwear!)

Final pic coming soon! Stay tuned - they look amazing!

FALL/WINTER - ARTIST IN WAITING

So MICHAEL HOCKEY Fall/Winter collection has been designed and sampled! I cannot wait to show the world...I'm very excited I think its our best collection to date. What I'm even more excited about is photographing the campaign. I've been very lucky to recruit the skills of photographer Alessandro Luppi to capture the collection. Alessandro is an Italian photographer who was a model himself for 15 years. Check out his work atwww.alessandroluppi.com

Today we are casting the model. I can't give too much away about the concept, but I can show you the short list for the models.

Siran is a local model, half Indonesian half American and a relative newcommer with a fantastic fresh faced look.

Keerti has been modelling for 15 years and has been the face of many big brands including Kenzo and Pringle of Scotland.

Richard is a catwalk model from the States with a fantastic look.

Vote for your favourite - who would you like to see in MICHAEL HOCKEY????

HANDMADE

There is something very special about things that are handmade. In this day and age there are very few objects, garments, products that have a personal touch. People are too busy to make handmade cards or bake a birthday cake and when it comes to the clothing industry, fashion moves too quickly in the mainstream high street markets to allow for the time and care of an artists touch. Of course high end clothing labels demand the price tag for their wears as their work is meticulously handmade.

At MICHAEL HOCKEY we pride ourselves on our product being entirely handmade. Our lasts are hand carved, our uppers are hand cut and sewn, our soles are hand stitched and glued, our boxes are hand made and printed, our metal stamps are hand cut, even our shoe horns are hand made! We are passionate about keeping the skills of these artisans alive. We're even stamping it on our shoes so when you get your hands on them you can feel a little tingle that your keeping small business alive and supporting artisans across Indonesia.

MICHAEL HOCKEY LOVES RUBBER

Stewing with ideas for the next summer collection, I am determined to do some moulded rubber shoes. Everyone remembers the old 80's jelly sandals and how they have had a rehash, I think in part due to Melissa Australia's reinterpretation and modernisation of the moulded rubber shoe.

They are all over Asia, with the local men wearing brown funny styled versions.

Westwood has done it,

Margiela has done it,

CROCS almost KILLED IT!!! And shoe brand Native Shoes specialises in it. Luckily enough I am test driving a pair of native shoes in Lilac...

....but stay tuned for the MICHAEL HOCKEY version for next summer - guaranteed to be hot, hot, hot.