Back in November (2010) I came home to find a beautiful vellum envelope in my letterbox. In it I found a cream postcard imprinted with bronze foil lettering which read “Heidi Middleton & Sarah-Jane Clarke invite you to Christmas drinks at the sass & bide Chapel Street boutique”.

I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited to receive a letter in my life. So much better than the bills I usually receive.

So, on Thursday 2nd December I entered the Chapel Street boutique which was already filling with other sass & bide enthusiasts – customers, media, Melbourne socialites and of course the always fabulous sass & bide crew. It was a sea of sass & bide clothing, old and new, all worn
superbly.

I chatted to the very lovely Lauren from the Melbourne Central boutique for awhile… then she asked me if I’d met SJ. I turned to my right to see a stunning beach blonde wearing an amazing petrol gray trench (which is in stores later this year – I want one!) and glittery blue dress. It was none other than Sarah-Jane Clarke. No joke, I nearly didn’t recognise her.

We’ve all seen the gorgeous photos of SJ (I hope you don’t mind if I call you that), but she really is something in person. She’s simply stunning, and so warm and friendly. I have to say, it’s great when you get to meet your fashion idols and they exceed your expectations.

I then chatted with the guys from Epicure, who catered the event, the sass & bide girls from the boutiques (who scarily know me a little too well) and met the absolutely fabulous Divya who works in communications at the head office in Sydney.

All in all it was a fabulous night and was an honour to be invited.

Pop in to sass & bide today to see the first drop of the new papa sucre AW11 collection.

Turtle xox

Photos by House of Turtle (apologies for quality – taken on my iPhone).