Cart Curator #41 - In collaboration with Paige Carmichael
Our first collaborator issue of the year, a Couture Week recap and a cheapy foundation rec.
Hi CC friends,
Welcome to our first collaborator issue of 2024!
We’re so excited to be bringing you today’s issue which is in collaboration with Australian creator Paige Carmichael, who splits her time between her hometown Noosa, and London (the dream).
To give you a bit of background in her own words:
“My background is working in marketing for global retail brands but recently I’ve dipped my toe in the influencer world. The thing I love most about what I do is connecting with a bloody great bunch of likeminded women. The community side is *chefs kiss* but actually making a living, that’s another story. I explained to my accountant recently that It’s essentially freelancing but your next paycheck depends on your popularity amongst strangers on the internet. She low key thinks I’m crazy for giving up corporate life but here we are.”
We love Paige’s down-to-earth content, where she shares both style recommendations and insights into her work and personal life, which varies from showing the trials and tribulations of having her first-ever home purchase flood before she could even move in (more on that later in the issue) and the reality of working for yourself as a creator.
We hope you enjoy this issue with Paige, and we will be back to regular programming next week!
Popshop
Our favourite pop culture or industry moment of the week.
Couture fashion week is one that usually flies just below our radar, but the SS24 Paris season has delivered both on and off the runway, with more iconic moments than we can count so on this occasion we felt very compelled to share a selection of our favourite shows and moments.
Maison Margiela
Firstly, let’s start with Maison Margiela, because where else. John Galliano was behind the collection as creative director for the brand, and the show felt nostalgic and kooky in the best way possible and the only way to describe it is fashion as art.
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A moment for the make-up by Pat McGrath, which is a masterpiece in itself. The literal definition of porcelain, glass skin. If you are tempted to try recreate this at home good luck because McGrath has confirmed that this look leans heavily towards SFX makeup.
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Beyond obsessed with Gwendoline Christie (think Game of Thrones) closing the show looking like a kooky old fashioned doll dressed in rubber. Can’t say that’s one we owned growing up.
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Jacquemus
Up next is Jacquemus, which if you learnt anything from our past review of their show at Versailles, founder and designer Simon sure knows how to put on a show even though this setting may not have been quite as grand as some of his others.
The show in the South of France felt like a celebration of it-girls, I mean the announcement of Kristin Davis as a Jacquemus girl felt unexpected but also makes total sense somehow and seeing her posing at the show she just looked right at home.
Kylie continues her rebrand to serious fashion girlie with this very on trend red look with fashion week accessory Stormi in tow.
Julia Roberts and Jack Harlow made for an unlikely pair in the front row but we are dying over the memes that have resulted.
The it-girls weren’t just in the audience, with a number of recognisable faces making it into the show - Gigi Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, Imaan Hammam, Vittoria Ceretti (Leo’s rumoured current GF…)..
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ALAÏA
This may have to be our favourite show of Paris Fashion Week with the entire collection emanating chic, elevated and sleek vibes (once you see it you’ll get what we’re on about). Creative directive Pieter Mulier said prior to the show that “This collection is about simplicity and purity, about less meaning more—about intimacy....It is a decision, a choice, not to minimize but to focus, to expand possibilities”.
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The movement of these pants has us (and seemingly Naomi) captivated.
The dress that quite literally defies gravity AKA a wool 3D print crafted around the body.
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Jean Paul Gaultier
You can’t do couture without Jean Paul Gautier and this fashion week saw Simone Rocha make her debut as guest couturier, which is recognisable in the whimsical, opulent and detail focused pieces.
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An iconic front row pairing (trio if you count Amelia Dimoldenberg).
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We just want to know how we haven’t seen more about this moment between ex besties/recently smoothed over (?) friends Kylie and Jordyn.
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It’s giving whimsical Tinkerbell in the best way possible.
Jean Paul Gaultier’s reaction says it all and why does this make us want to tear up?
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And back over to Paige! See you next week.
Add to Cart
What’s sitting in carts, or what’s been checked out.
A House!
The last thing I purchased was a house, a whole damn house. I’ve spent forever putting it off and thinking I can’t afford it and while I still can’t really afford it, the only thing that changed was the realisation I was probably going to be priced out of the suburb I grew up in if I didn’t plunge myself into debt sooner rather than later. Sounds bleak but it’s actually very exciting despite the fact that everything that could go wrong in the first home buying process did go wrong and now we are dealing with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damages. That’s another story. Yay adulthood!
If you’re interested in hearing more about this, Paige has vlogged the whole experience over on her YouTube.
On my wishlist is a new lounge, I learnt the hard way that you really should invest in your lounge and pay that little bit extra. No only is our current lounge way too small to fit myself and my partner, it now also has a lovely fake tan outline of me on one side. I’ve never sat on it with a tan on, it’s just rubbed off over time. I’m so embarrassed about it that we are currently saving up for this sofa - What I love most about it is that It’s large enough that my partner can’t touch me with his clammy feet while we are watching a movie.
Charles and Keith Cesia Metallic Accent Shoulder Bag
I love these Charles & Keith bags, they look so much more expensive than they are and the gold hardware is so weighty. I've worn mine at least a zillion times since I bought it mid last year. (I have the dark brown) and I'm getting the beige next.
See Paige wearing it here:
Beauty Counter
Prod of the week.
I’m very particular with what I put on my skin because at the ripe old age of 30 I still get hormonal acne on my face and neck. Because of this I’ve always splurged on foundation but it still didn’t feel quite right and with the cost of living skyrocketing I thought I’d give a more affordable alternative a go. I was recommended L’Oreal True Match Foundation by a lot of different people so I picked some up from Boots last time I was in London and was so impressed given that it cost me less than 10 pounds. It glides on and also hasn’t irritated my skin which is a big win!
One to Try
Recent openings and discoveries.
I really want to try Mariella Mexicantina in Noosa, I love finding new local gems outside of Hastings Street. Also, Dorian Restaurant in Notting Hill and Louie Coogee in Sydney are on my list as they are both around the corner from where I used to live and returning to these places makes me feel super nostalgic.
Lottery Win
A girl can dream.
If I won the lottery (highly unlikely because I’ve never purchased a lotto ticket), I would buy an itty bitty flat in London. This one would do nicely.
And to wear in the flat I would like to purchase with my winnings this entire edit from The Sleeper. There is something so extra about feathers on pyjamas and I’m here for it.
Consumables
What we’re consuming on repeat.
We worked with Paige before we introduced the consumables series, so we’ve taken it upon ourselves to share
We’re obsessed with Paige’s love for bougie hotels, and she regularly reviews her stays. You can find the series on her Instagram or TikTok, which includes Brisbane’s The Calile, Raffles in Dubai, an “affordable” London hotel and Sydney’s most expensive hotel.
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IYKYK
Super specific recs and niche hyper-fixations.
The only thing I’ve ever bought that I believe has straight up super powers is the Go-To Transformazing Sheet Mask. I swear on my new house purchase Nicole has nothing to do with this, I’m just a die-hard fan of this mask because it’s gotten me through many big brand events over the years. When my anxiety is at its worst I don’t sleep, not a wink, so always having these in my beauty cabinet helps me rest a little easier knowing it will make my face look good even if I feel like death on the inside.
If you’re new to Cart Curator, take a read of some of our recent editions.
Cart Curator #40 - The Hollywood Trade In
Cart Curator #39 - Thank you to all the Evil Gays
Cart Curator #38 - Our Favourite Season is Awards
Cart Curator #37 - Pandoro Pandemonium