Overlooking the Indian Ocean on a cliff top plateau, Alila Villas Uluwatu is the perfect backdrop for your island escape. Internationally recognised for architectural design, each villa maximises space, texture and the views are plentiful.

With a contemporary design, each villa has blended the traditional Balinese intricacies of wood, rattan and stone. They have taken five stars to the entirety, with a spa offering relaxation and pampering. And with private pools and cabanas, we’ll be adding this escape to our bucket list sooner rather than later.

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It’s nice to know that we’re not the only ones with a warm-weather obsession. Based out of the hottest continent on the planet, African label Lalesso share our ethos for an endless summer and after discovering their current collection, it looks like they’ve found it. Started two years ago by Olivia Kennaway and Alice Heusser after an inspiring holiday to Lamu Island off the north coast of Kenya, Lalesso use soft flowing fabrics to create pieces that can withstand the heat.

Vibrant prints adorn playsuits, maxi-dresses, kaftans, short-shorts, loose skirts, high-waisted pants and mini-dresses; making it easy to see why Lalesso are quickly gaining a reputation for their summer only collections.

When the duo aren’t travelling the world for inspiration, they can be found splitting their time between their studios in Cape Town and Kenya. Although with an alfresco studio overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean on Diani Beach, they don’t need to go far to get inspired.

Lalesso work closely with the Kenyan community by supporting the talent of local artisans to create an ethical, fair-trade operation. From the beaded bracelets on the swing tags and hand-carved coconut buttons, to the Masai beading and brass work within their current collection; Lalesso aren’t just producing beautiful garments, they’re creating fair employment. And when you’re talking about a country where over half of the population live below the poverty line, it’s heartening to know that our fashion choices can make a real difference to an entire community.

Sheepskin boots have been synonymous with surf culture since the seventies, but unfortunately they haven’t had the same associations with style. So when we stumbled across the new shearling booties by California-based footwear label OeTZI3300, we were confused. They may look like the perfect shoe to slip on after a dip in the cold ocean, but there’s nothing slipper-like about them. Made out of the finest sheepskin shearling, these women’s booties have mega long leather laces so you can wear them laced up high or folded down over the ankles.

OeTZI3300 are quickly gaining a reputation as makers of some of the most comfortable shoes in the world. They use lightweight materials to provide a cushioned ride that gradually moulds to the shape of your feet. The cork footbed actually reduces bacterial build-up so you can wear them without socks to get a natural sensation of walking barefoot while getting maximum support. We know what we’ll be popping our feet into after our next early morning surf.

We’re not usually into labels that tell us that they’re designed to be worn ‘at the most exclusive beaches and hotspots of the summer’ but Myo are based in Como, Italy, so we’ll excuse them. Started earlier this year by brothers David and William Fattal, Myo is a new luxury brand of men’s resort wear that wouldn’t look out of place on Jude Law’s character in The Talented Mr Ripley.

These shorts are made for guys who don’t just wear boat shoes because they’re cool and hipster. They’re made for guys who wear boat shoes because at any given time they might be on a boat and goddamn it those decks can be slippery.
The ace of spades, footprints and harpoon gun motifs are not printed onto the board shorts and are instead woven into the Italian Jacquard fabric, making them super soft and super exxy. So if you’ve got some sweet cash money to spare, we suggest you pop your boat shoes on and go find yourself an exclusive beach.

Dane Renyolds is the best surfer in the world. He hasn’t won world titles, he hasn’t won comps and he doesn’t care. He has raw natural talent and creativity when it comes to surfing. No one can touch him. This creativity translates to other parts of his life. He is a free-thinking, lateral, creatively minded individual, writing a brilliant blog called Marine Layer Productions: complete with hipstamatic styled vids of surfing, lifestyle and general crazy shit.

An offshoot of his hugely successful blog is his online clothing store called Summer Teeth. Summer Teeth blends his awkward childish artwork and photography with old stock images: forming a collage/notepad style of designs, that the cool kids are going nuts for. T-shirt, towels and accessories are the order of the day. Check it out if you care, we know Dane doesn’t.

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Ever wondered what would happen if you threw a collection of dark photographic seascapes onto some whitewash plywood boards and added a hand-painted homage to beach and surf culture over the top? What about a bunch of beaten-up wetsuits sewn together to create a giant logo-covered patchwork doona?

Well, with photographer Ryan Heywood and artist Luke Taaffe teaming up for an exclusive show, you don’t have to wonder. Catch their show SURF CITY at the National Grid Gallery in Sydney from October 14 through to December 2.

I think it’s pretty obvious that we have one serious We Are Handsome addiction here at This Island Life Headquarters. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse, they have gone and added mini-dresses and leggings in alongside their signature one-pieces and string bikinis.

Their latest collection titled The Memoirs, features pieces adorned with owls, hot air balloons and even a sweet little ski chalet scene. But what we’re most excited about is their reinvention of the Arabian horse from their first collection and the mesmorising new wolf print.

The team used scale and colour to make the wolf feel warm so she would be more like a protector, rather than a hunter. Wolves don’t have a great reputation (just watch the movie Frozen) and are generally considered to be primal scavengers – but they actually have maternal skills that far outweigh those of most other animals, and that’s what inspired this print and the reason behind its name The Protector.

We popped into the Penthouse of the Ivy for the launch of Contiki’s Research Report 2011 – an annual report that looks into how travel trends are creating a new breed of traveller. Titled ‘Style Miles’, this year’s theme explores how food, fashion, music and the arts influence young Australians travelling overseas.

No longer content with an I ♥ NY tee, young travellers are now looking for cultural exchanges that will allow them to cultivate foreign experiences that they can then entrench into their everyday life back home. It was interesting to hear how Contiki use this information to shape their itineraries, providing bespoke journeys that couldn’t be further from the party reputation that Contiki once had.

New Zealand folk band Avalanche City provided the soundtrack for the night with a special intimate performance.

Michael Perry from Walk the Plank has returned home with a fresh container load of furniture that will form the centerpiece of an exclusive show at Sydney’s China Heights Gallery. Titled Casually Approaching Shore, Perry’s debut collection has been inspired by the concept of casual furniture, which he has transformed into classic handcrafted pieces for everyday use.

While living in Central Java, Perry has stayed true to this environmentally ethical ethos. He works exclusively with reclaimed and responsibly sourced materials like un-seaworthy fishing vessels found along the coast of the Java Sea. These pieces are shaped, refined and crafted into pieces that have their own personality with their own story to tell.

If you’re in Sydney this weekend, head down to China Heights Gallery on Friday 2nd of September from 5pm for opening night. We’ll save you a sundowner.

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James Marsden looks good, like real good. And it’s all thanks to Band of Outsiders. If you haven’t heard of this label before, here’s a little rundown. Based out of Los Angeles, Band of Outsiders does luxury preppy slash working-class hipster like nobody’s business.

The label is known for forgoing models over actors and this Polaroid-themed shoot is no different. Shot at The Gaylord Apartments in Koreatown, Los Angeles, the spring collection shows how to do Californian cool with chambray shirts, camel chinos, navy blazers, classic suits, tailored shorts and all-in-one ensembles.

Now I’ve never hooked-up with a tradie, but holy crap if my mechanic was hipstering it up like James Marsden is here in his blue overall looking outfit, baseball cap and round frames combo, I think I’d need a lie down (James Marsden included).

It was 1964 and Brigitte Bardot was at the height of her fame when images of her bikini-bod frolicking in Búzios circled the globe to put this seaside town on the map. As the story goes, Bardot flew into Rio de Janerio to see her Brazilian boyfriend Bob Zagury, but he wasn’t the only one happy to see her. The paparazzi had gotten wind of the couple’s secret rendezvous and Bardot couldn’t even venture out of Zagury’s beachside apartment.

She was about to fly back to Paris when she came up with a compromise that the media eventually agreed on. Zagury’s French photographer friend Denis Albanèse who was living in Rio at the time would journal Bardot’s vacation in Brazil and share the photos with the press if they agreed to leave her alone. The pair fled the city on Zagury’s yacht with the French photographer in tow and headed north to Búzios where they stayed for three months.

Búzios (pronounced boo-zee-ous) is a three hour drive from the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. If you take the glamour and glitz of Saint Tropez and mix it with the laid back vibe of Byron Bay, this is what you’d get. From the moment I arrived it was clear that the week I had here was never going to be long enough.

The peninsular is home to more than 20 beautiful beaches, so whether you’re into surfing, diving, sunbaking, skinny-dipping, paddle-boarding, eating or sailing – there’s a beach for everyone. And don’t even get me started on the shopping. Búzios is a holiday town for Brazil’s rich and fabulous crowd, and a regular stop on the itinerary for luxury cruise liners.

There were more bikini shops and designer boutiques than I knew what to do with, as well as vendors selling their clothes and jewellery down on the beach.

Wandering along the cobblestoned streets, it is obvious just how strong Bardot’s influence was on the town. In her honor, the municipality of Búzios commissioned local artist Christina Motta to create a statue of her that sits on the Orla Bardot.

Yes, that’s right, even the oceanfront promenade is named after the actress, as is the local cinema. And keeping her promise, Bardot authorised Denis Albanèse to release around 400 photos documenting her stay in Brazil, placing Búzios firmly on the map for decades to come.

Gili Trawangan in Indonesia has long been a party island destination for backpackers and young travellers alike. There are no police on the island, so Gili T governs itself. Mushroom milkshakes are proudly advertised and you’ll be offered weed, often before you get to your hotel. It’s just that kind of place.

The main harbour has more bars and restaurants than you could visit in a lifetime let alone in one trip, with loud music pumping out of varying quality stereo’s and sound systems. This can all get a bit much, but if you grab a bicycle and head north you’ll find some great relaxed bars on the beach; one of which is the uber-chilled surrounds of Gilinta.

Gilinta is your classic beach bar made from bamboo with wurongs and banana lounges littering the beach front. They also have a number of beach huts out the back if you’re a budget conscious traveller wanting a quiet place to stay.

While most bars in the area have an identi-kit feel, the boys behind the bar are the real draw card. Like a demon cross between rastas, hair metal gods and snorkeling beach bums, they will warmly welcome you to their humble bar and restaurant.

The bar and food menu is extensive and all of it is good: if sometimes a little misguided. Some of the cocktails aren’t even correct, but they all taste good and the food is top notch. Do yourself a favour and order the homemade spring rolls and a caipirinha. If you’re feeling adventurous, ask for a mushroom milkshake and get one of the boys to roll you the world’s biggest spliff; they will be more than happy to oblige.

If you do indulge, go for a snorkel BEFORE you tune in and drop out. The snorkling out the front is damn good with neon coloured tropical fish, sea snakes, reef sharks and huge turtles. All in all, you could waste a fair portion of your holiday at this little bar. The Gilinta boys may just have found the ultimate island life, they have certainly created the ultimate Island bar.

Ironically, I bought this Hengki Koentjoro piece before I went to Indonesia, but I’ll tell you, the $90 FedEx bill was well worth it. Based in Jakarta, the work of this Indonesian photographer says it all, so I’ll let his pictures do the talking.

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The last thing we expected to stumble across on Gili Trawangan was a boutique vintage clothing store. But tucked away from the main drag are some of the best vintage threads we’ve seen in a while. Vintage Delivery Store is the creation of Swedish couple Natalie and Johnny and their adorable 2 ½ year old son Noah, who sold their two vintage stores back home to relocate to the island of Gili Trawangan in Lombok, Indonesia, in search of an alternative lifestyle.

Every few months the pair head off on a buying trip somewhere around the world to source stock for the store and their loyal base of private customers. The store is an equal mix of women’s and men’s fashion, with cute vintage dresses, leather boots, vintage seventies posters, one-off tees and unique pieces like batik bikini tops from Thailand.

We bought leather lighter holders, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and a Guns N’ Roses poster for the boys at Gilinta and their entire collection of batik bikini tops. If you’re lucky enough to visit Gili Trawangan, this is one store that’s worth riding your little push bike to peruse.

My friend had been talking about the full moon party on Gili Trawangan for the last five months, but within 30 minutes of arriving at Villa Devatas that plan had gone to hell. We had only planned to stay one night before heading off to the Gilis at the crack of dawn, except that after a tour of our villa and the property, it was clear that the half a day we had there wasn’t going to be long enough.

Now when I say villa, I don’t mean just one. The place is a compound made up of four single story villas, all complete with indoor and outdoor showers, gigantic king-sized canopy beds, Bulgari bathroom products, day beds overlooking the tropical gardens and luxurious freestanding baths. If you think that sounds good, just wait until you see the main abode. Set away from the others, this two-story villa comes complete with its own private infinity pool, bathtub built around a boulder and outdoor conversation pit. The communal areas of the property surround one of the most amazing pools we have ever seen and include dining and living areas, a day spa, gym, pool room and media room.

Set along the Ayang River, the property has been designed with relaxation in mind. Round the clock nannies, chefs, drivers and housekeepers mean you can listen to the calming river acoustics as much as you like. You can even organise a private yoga lesson by the pool or a scuba lesson in it.

If you’re into beaches with blinding white sand and clear aqua water, then Balian is probably not your thing. But if you like consistently good surf, sparkly black sand, and the nasi campur of your dreams, then you’re going to want to pay Balian a little visit.

Located halfway between Kuta and Medewi, Balian still has that old-school Bali surfer vibe that many spots on the island seem to have lost. This river-mouth break is a swell magnet, with a sand and rock bottom. We were there for two days and it was 3-4 foot pretty much the entire time while the rest of the coast was flat. There are plenty of accommodation options and an array of restaurants and bars down on the beach, and you can even hire a board.

The reggae bar on the beach that didn’t actually play any reggae (unless you count a drunk local grabbing the mic to sing No Woman No Cry karaoke style), the two litres of gin, beach bonfires and midnight swims kept us amused at night. And when it was time to lay our heads, we stayed at Kubu Balian Beach Bungalows — a sweet little $35 a night place that had a deck half the size of my entire apartment and a pet duck called Honey.

I’ve got a problem with We Are Handsome. You see, when most designers release a new collection, it’s usually just a few pieces that will catch your attention. But not We Are Handsome. No, no. When they release a collection, every piece is as beautiful as the last, making it impossible to identify with just one or two swimsuits. And their latest work, titled The Aviary, is no different.

Moving away from their bold signature prints, designers Jeremy Somers and Indhra Chagoury have drawn inspiration from ancient mythologies, with each piece representing a different mythical bird. From the Russian Sirin and the Thai Kinaree, to the Persian Chamrosh and the Greek Phoenix, this is one collection you’re going to have a hard time making a decision on.

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With beachfront houses, bath tubs overflowing with beer, old-school cruiser bikes, late night skinny dips, spring breaks in Mexico and hot Californian surfer boys, Del Playa Drive sounds like more of a lifestyle than a street. Meaning ‘the ocean’ in Spanish, Del Playa Drive is a one-mile strip in Santa Barbara and the inspiration behind hot new label, Del Playa Drive.

Now, if I spent my college years living on a notorious party street, I’m pretty sure the only thing I would come away with would be four years worth of hangovers and a vague recollection of what summer looked like. But not Teena Zerefos. In between studying film at the University of California and living on the infamous strip, Teena was sketching outfits to wear to Coachella and painting motifs that would one day adorn her designs. Now based back in Sydney, Teena is giving us a taste of Californian-surfer-girl with her collection of lightweight sun dresses, organic cotton singlets and super comfy denim cut-offs.

This is beach and festival wear at its best. And I’m speaking from personal experience. I’ve been rocking the colourful tie-dye Carmen Caftan from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection over a black bikini down at Bondi and have been stopped numerous times by girls wanting to know where it’s from. It’s by Del Playa Drive, a name you won’t be forgetting any time soon.

After living out of a backpack for five weeks in hostel-style accommodation, I was in desperate need of some luxurious digs. Don’t get me wrong, its not like my own apartment isn’t nice. There’s just nothing like checking into a hotel suite with water views, fluffy robes, crisp white linen and a rooftop pool.

I’ve never been a fan of using hotel bath towels around the pool, so you can imagine my delight when upon check-in at Vibe Hotel, Rushcutters Bay, I was handed a fabulous summer towel to use poolside.

Taking cue from the dramatic colours we’re seeing on the catwalks of the international spring summer collections, its lime, purple and black hues won’t be going out of fashion any time soon. The designers of the Summer Vibe Towel must have read my mind, because standing in the hotel lobby, I realised I was already decked out in a bikini in the same colours as well as matching nails.

Now, I’ve got quite a few beach towels in rotation, but this baby has already become my number one swimming companion. And not just because of its high-quality, super absorbent cotton. The Summer Vibe Towel is also the perfect size — not too big and not too small, this towel really is just right.

When I went to pick up my tourist visa from the Brazilian Consulate, I was preparing for a confrontation of the bureaucratic kind, not of the arrestingly beautiful variety. But there, in front of me, was a collection of images titled ‘Strength and Beauty’ by Australian photographer David Prichard — images from the very country I was preparing to visit. And although I was yet to set foot in Brazil, I felt an immediate connection to the subjects and their surroundings.

I needed to know more, but this guy was old school. No portfolio, no blog, no Flickr account, no nothing. I imagine him as the kind of man who has little time for computers, heck – look at his photos, he clearly has more exciting things going on than his next blog post.

After getting in touch with Prichard, I discovered his images were from a small seaside town in Rio de Janeiro called Búzios, and they’re just the tip of the collection. Prichard’s been travelling to Brazil for almost twenty years and he’s currently working with the locals to produce a book on the area. And if his recent exhibition is anything to go by, it’s only a matter of time before Búzios finds its way into your next itinerary.