Whether it’s a cocktail with a mini umbrella on the plane, or an exotic duty free fragrance at the airport, everyone needs a little something to tip them into summer holiday mode. My ritual is a little different. It involves loading boring travel paraphernalia into one the most fabulous travel companions I’ve ever seen.

No, I’m not talking about my boyfriend and his pockets. I’m talking about an eel skin travel wallet that’ll transport you to the warm aqua waters of your destination before you even board the plane. Flash it at check-in and get ready to get into a lengthy discussion about your accessory. Tell them it’s by Sydney label Pratten and you might just get that upgrade.

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I am loving Sydney’s freshly opened Dear Pluto vintage store in Surry Hills, brought to you buy the bargain hunting duo whom previously ran the famed Hibernian House sales. It’s an absolute gem tucked away on a narrow laneway (off Devonshire Street) offering an impressive cross-section of goods.

Everything from dazzling shoes, hand-bags, sunglasses, jewellery and scarves to hand-picked attire for men and women are ready to be picked up for next to nothing. Being Darlinghurst-based, the appealing prices make this store so flock-worthy. Imagine prices sitting somewhere between an op-shop and a retail outlet. Most items will set you back $20 or under.

It’s hard to believe that a sans-style man could influence a whole crop of fashion designers, but then again we are talking about James ‘King of the Universe’ Cameron. Since the release of Avatar, the world of Pandora has become a popular muse for designers who aren’t afraid of a little colour palette experimentation.

So it’s no surprise that the latest collection from Sydney label Camilla, reveals an awe-inspiring ensemble of kaftans and thigh-exposing playsuits that are out of this world. Camilla brings the vibrancy of this fictional planet to life by pairing extravagant silk prints with shattered-crystal necklines. It looks like we’re in for a colourful summer Down Under.

Walk down any street in Surry Hills and not only will you find Sydney’s entire population of parking inspectors, you’ll spot hipsters carrying vintage backpacks from the nineties. Thankfully, there is now an alternative to looking like Elaine out of Seinfeld. Designer Rachael Ruddick creates luxurious calfskin backpacks for those drawn to beautifully made pieces, not geographical-based trends.

These soft and slouchy packs aren’t just aesthetically pleasing; they’re also extremely versatile. Swing one across your shoulder and work it duffel style or wear it unzipped as a backpack. Whichever way you come packing, you can be sure that this is one bag that won’t have an expiration date.

You don’t set aside precious wardrobe real estate for just anything. When storage is limited and your clothes collection is growing, drastic measures need to be taken. Gone are the days of buying dresses you’ll only wear once, you need pieces that can handle themselves in any situation. Something that’s just as comfortable sipping on cocktails as it is dining with your mother in-law. That’s where Sydney-based label Tato & Memi comes in.

These ladies make their dresses to be worn and judging by their current collection ‘Desert Lily’, we’ll be doing just that. Jersey, silk and lace is twisted and hand-painted to create a wearable collection of dresses in burnt oranges, olives and creams. Let’s just hope there’s a vacancy in your closet.

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The fashion Gods of the world blessed me with a sneak peek inside the forthcoming Made in Space Spring/Summer 2010 collection by Sydney fashion label Eleventh Commandment. Five months and 120 pieces later, the innovative line offers Australian made denim and apparel for both men and women including: jeans, chinos, tees, shorts, dresses, bodysuits, singlets and boardies.

I’m digging the assortment of fabrics and illustrations which designers Henry Holland and Joshua Oldfield experimented with to create a grungy, tasteful look. More importantly, groundbreaking subtle reinforced crutches and customised stitching means your denim won’t tear and you’ll never have to endure another tee or singlet losing its shape again. Catch the line hitting respectable boutiques around the nation this September.

With all the endless parades of feminine frocks at this years’ Australian Fashion Week, we were bowled over by the wonderfully named Song For The Mute. Melvin Tanaya and Lyna Ty’s second menswear collection subtly breaks the rules of traditional tailoring to create brave new silhouettes. Raw, fragile shirting and delicate, draped fisherman style pants are the antithesis of the usual male uniformity. I walked away from their showcase at the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney) with the dream to open my wardrobe and find the entire rack at my disposal.

Nothing gets me more excited than a good bow. Thankfully for me (and you), Sydney-based designer Jodie Etchells (aka Whiskers Lane) creates cute and crafty bows ready to garnish any hairstyle. Sourcing vintage fabrics, her one-off designs are available in funky patterns. You can also find some pretty neat felt brooches and crochet iPod nano cases in her online store.

Until Sydney’s tumultuous climate stops replicating Melbourne-esque four seasons in one day weather, one thing will remain certain: leather jackets in our wardrobes are essential. It doesn’t matter if summer is looming around the corner. You always need one, or many, and Cream on Crown Street (Surry Hills) and King Street (Newtown) is my hook-up of choice.

The retro leatherwear Gods stock custom-made jackets made from high-quality vintage leather in hoodie style, biker or traditional zip cut. They’re comfortably perfect for hitting up a gig, strolling romantically along the beach, rocking out on Guitar Hero or riding around town on your wheels, for real. Since the staff are always lovely and play impressive store soundtracks (The Smiths, The Shins, My Bloody Valentine et al), I urge you to pop into Cream for their broad range of vintage dresses, belts, boots, sunnies, bags, flannel shirts and jewellery, too.

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Just when I thought my favourite flip flops couldn’t get any better, Havaiana are still offering their thong straps laced with Swarovski crystals. I reckon the bling bling lover in you won’t mind forking out a little extra moolah if it means adding some sparkle to your Havis. Let’s face it: with a famous butter-soft sole, you won’t just be in Havaiana heaven, it’s now an excuse to wear your elite high-rolling Havis anywhere and everywhere. If you don’t want to hit up online sites, you can find them at Scoop in Sydney’s Westfield Bondi Junction.

If you thought that fashion and science had nothing in common, think again. Now we creative types have little time for heavy discussion about scientific facts, so we’ll get straight to the point. Emerging Sydney designer Dion Lee has interpreted ‘mitosis’, the process where cells divide, in an impressive first collection that’s already gaining a cult following. His wearable designs form cell-like constructions around the body, in blood orange, bone white, flesh pink and silver grey hues. If that’s the result of a molecular muse, it looks like science just got interesting.