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Dec 5

Bento Showcase

Jewellery by Edenborough Evans

This Friday and Saturday (the 9th and 10th of December) we’re hosting a showcase together with gorgeous jewellery label Edenborough Evans. For those two days, we’re both offering 20% off current season stock, (and in Bento’s case, a little more off previous season’s stock).

Where – one hundredth gallery, 49 Porter Street Prahran
When – Friday 9 December from 11am and Saturday 10 December from noon.

For those of you interstate and overseas, I’d hate for you to miss out! You can use  code SHOWCASE in our online store (click ‘shop’ above) for 20% off current season stock on those two days only. For previous season stock however, you’ll have to email me directly for prices or come and see us in person.

Look forward to getting to meet some of you!

Sam

Nov 22

Styling Ideas for Denim Shorts

What makes an outfit great?   Style?  Texture?  Most definitely.

But you know what makes your look different from the next person? The fact that it’s yours. Getting around in a cookie-cutter look doesn’t say much about you except that perhaps you’re a human photocopier. And after all, most of the fun of fashion is the opportunity share a little bit about you with the world, yes?

 At Bento, we believe in creating a wardrobe that is about you. Get the basics right, and it’s easy to inject a little of the season’s frivolity into your look and make it yours. Bento denim shorts have got the basic part covered for you (pun intended), so the next part is what makes them yours?  Our denim isn’t pre-worn and scuffed… that bit is up to you.

We have all had a favorite fashion staple we’ve built an entire outfit around, and we think our denim is destined to be one of those favorites!     In our humble opinion, the best bit about our shorts is their versatility.   They can be adorned with belts, rolled up, worn baggy/loose or tight and with the denim we use, goodness knows they’ll probably even outlive you.

We scoured the interweb and found some ladies with great style and some ideas you might like to interpret for your own take on this summer staple. Or as some of these ladies show us… transeasonal staple!

Oct 6

b.e.n.t.o

Just thought we’d clear a little something up… the little, luxe label that we’re feverishly working our socks off on is called Bento.

Not Bento Clothing.
Not This Is Bento.
Not Bento Fashion.
Just Bento.
Not ‘Just Bento’.
Bento.
That’s it.
Bento.

It’s named Bento after a bento box. It refers to the idea of a capsule, curated space of everything you need and want.

The reason our URL, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and so on profiles are named ‘thisisbento’ and not simply ‘bento’ is for the fairly mundane, but probably quite obvious reason that the word ‘bento’ is exceptionally popular around the world so the name is often already spoken for.

Other than being a lunchbox and a clothing label, Bento is also a database software, an enewsletter of neat things in Melbourne, a bar of the booze variety in Germany, a burger-asian-fusion (really) joint in NYC… and probably a stack of other things. Calling ourself thisisbento online means it’s easy for people to tell us from all the others.

If this is hard for you to get your head around, think of it like this:

Diane Von Furstenberg is often called DVF
Yves Saint Laurent is generally referred to as YSL
Lover is called loverthelabel online
Ashton Kutcher uses aplusk when cruising the interwebs

In summary: a url or username does not a brand make.

We only mention this because we’re consistently bemused when a photographer / stylist / store / PR agency / whatever writes to us saying how much they love This Is Bento… after all, how much can they love us if they can’t just look in the top left corner of the screen and see our logo?

Sep 6

Maxwell on Sale

In a few weeks our Spring/Summer collection will be hitting stores. Before then, we’re giving you the opportunity to own a piece of history (ahem) – first season Bento.

There are just five Maxwell jackets remaining in the whole wide world and today you can get your hands on one for just over $300 – shipped to your door anywhere in Australia (and just a little more overseas).

 

There are a couple in the check, shown above and three in black. Personally, I adore the black – it is (without getting too big a head) THE perfect jacket. Wear it to work, on the weekend and ultimately – over cocktail dresses, without looking like half a suit.

This jacket is warm – it’s made from Italian wool (the good oil) and wears beautifully. You won’t get the pilling you get with cheaper alternatives. Better yet, it was ethically made right here in Australia.

https://www.thegrandsocial.com.au/product/bento/tops/maxwell-jacket

 

Aug 9

1 Comment

Beauty And The Beholder

Bento friend and blogger extraordinare Lady Melbourne posted two tweets last week that really got us thinking and the conversation juice flowing:

“I think I was more fashion obsessed as a teen than I am now. You let go of things like always wearing makeup & heels as you get older. You?”

and

“It comes to mind b/c I’m sitting near two gorgeous young gals who have obviously thought about every last outfit detail.”

Casting our brains back to our teenage years (and pulling out a few photos to confirm) we’ve come to the conclusion that in their teens, women have more rigid views as to what constitutes beauty, and as such acceptable aesthetics (which extends to fashion). Indeed, any given Saturday at your local shopping strip or cafe will confirm this idea – 90% of women in the 15 – 25 age bracket look remarkably similar. Roughly the same length hair, same highlights, same makeup treatment and same few variations on a very specific range of looks. Of course there are exceptions to this rule – but that’s just the point – there’s a general “look” that is adopted.

This isn’t for a second to say that women of this age group lack imagination – we suspect it’s just a maturity thing. The media consistently reinforce this particular aesthetic as being ideal. Our theory is that as women mature they look to different references in fashion – beyond their immediate peer group and mainstream media. Over time they have access to a greater range of possibilities via travel, a wider breadth of media and have experienced many seasons of varying trends. They have greater expectations of the garments they buy in terms of durability and versatility. Moreover, they know themselves better – fashion (and beauty) purchases are more a function of their particular style, body shape and preferences than anything else.

But then, we may be biased. The Bento customer, whilst not normally defined by age bracket is almost always over 28. In fact, Bento set out to provide high quality timeless pieces for just this group.

What do you think though? Do you agree with Lady Melbourne? Do women become more lax in their standards on aesthetics as they age, or do they simply use different measures to define fashion and beauty?

 

 

Jun 17

Super Special Bento Offer

Next week, we’ll be opening our own online store with the Grand Social. As such, we have a very small amount of stock here that will go to the store.

As my personal thanks to everyone who supports me by reading this blog, I’m going to offer far-too-good-to-put-here prices on the following pieces. If there’s a Bento piece you’ve had your eye on, now would be the moment to pipe up. Send me an email to: samantha@thisisbento.com with the item(s) you’re interested in and I can tell you the prices. This offer is ONLY good until Sunday (19 June 2011).

Free shipping anywhere in Australia, small fee outside Australia.

Items available:

Louis V (RRP: $299.95) – Black (size 3), Grey (size 1, 2 and 3), Navy (size 1, 2 and 3)

Sophie Skirt (RRP: $399.95) – Black (size 2 and 3), Grey (size 1, 2 and 3)

Henry Trousers (RRP: $499.95) – Black (size 1, 2 and 3), Grey (size 1 and 2)

Hannah Blouse (RRP $329.95) – Black (size 1, 2 and 3), Pearl (size 1, 2 and 3)

Maxwell Jacket (RRP: $599.95) – Black (size 2, 3 and 4) and Check (size 2 and 3)

Apr 13

1 Comment

You’re Not Being Nice, Just A Waste Of Time

Je ne regret rien.

I’ve been considering having these words tattooed on my forearm.

For the record, anyone who thinks the fashion industry is tough has clearly never worked in senior management for a bank. I do not regret leaving. I believe in the potential of Bento and I love what I do.

Anyway, I’ve said it before and I’ll day it again. This industry is seriously lacking a major dose of respect and professionalism. Why make a tough job even tougher?

Whilst I’m clearly suffering from a case of a very bad day, please allow me a word of warning to those considering following in my footsteps:

Do not get hypnotised by the glamour. It’s not. It is in fact, a lot like hard work.

Jan 21

8 Comments

Poo

I’ve been having a substantial internal debate about whether or not to post about this, but what it comes down to is that this blog started as documentation of my journey from finance to fashion. It’s not supposed to be a corporate blog, it’s supposed to be a genuine, transparent look at what goes on behind the scenes.

So anyway. I was never the popular kid at school. I used to have this sort of love/hate relationship with birthdays where I loved the idea of parties but hated the disappointment of inviting people who just didn’t show up or would cancel. You’d think this is the sort of thing you grow out of, but fast forward 10 years and I tried to throw an extravagant New Years Eve party complete with gift bags and custom fireworks display… only to have no one but my best friend RSVP.

Now as you all well know, I’m 12 months new to the fashion industry. I completely respect and admire those who’ve worked in the field successfully for many years and I’d love to learn from them. As the sole PR and sales person for Bento, I hate how forced it feels that the only time I talk to many of these people is when I need to sell or pitch them something.

So I came up with an idea called “Breakfast with Bento”.

The thinking behind this plan was that once a month I’d invite a handful of bloggers, writers, stylists, boutique owners, etc. to breakfast. Rather than sell them stuff or try to get them to write about Bento, we’d just get to know each other. You know, networking. Without the wanky small talk charade where you do this funny social dance to try and get something out of each other.

Does that sound reasonable to you? It still sounds like a good idea to me.

The first of these breakfasts was to be held yesterday (Thursday) morning. Invitations went out weeks ago. On Monday this week, I had the perfect group of eight all confirmed. By Tuesday we were down to six. At close of business Wednesday that list had dropped off to four.

Yesterday morning I sat in a beautiful cafe in South Melbourne, having barely slept with nervous excitement, all ready to get to spend time with some people I really admire.

Then I tried hard not to die from embarrassment when only one person showed up. (Again, a thousand thank yous to that person).

I get that things happen and sometimes you can’t be where you need / want to be. I completely understand that. I can’t help, however, but think that what this sort of thing really comes down to is a case of priorities. After all, if I were Karl Largerfeld, I have a hard time imagining this would have happened.

And when you’ve given up your job, a six figure salary and certainty to pursue a dream, it really feels like poo to get all but stood up.

Jan 14

Bento Is Lovin’ Bloglovin’

Follow our blog with bloglovin.

Just a quickie – for those of you who use bloglovin’ you can now follow us using the service.

Yay!

Dec 24

Wee Fish Ewe A Merry X-Moose Panda Hippo Gnu Deer

I’ve always regarded Christmas as a time of significant reflection. Not just because of it’s proximity to the end of the year, but also for it’s origins and the opportunity to spend time with friends and family.

Now I’ve polished off my shopping and before I start scoffing rum balls, drinking bubbly and tearing wrapping off things I like to spend a moment just enjoying the fact I have possibly the world’s most wonderful husband, a hilarious and eccentric family and a spectacular collection of friends.

Not to mention all that has happened since last Christmas!

Here’s wishing you all a terrific festive season and much luck in the Boxing Day sales… ;)

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