ABOUT

 Hi Everyone,

I'm Carol Eckersley and I live in Yallingup in the beautiful southwest of Western Australia, the home of good wine and fabulous surf and beaches. Yallingup is a local aboriginal word meaning, "The Place of Love" and so yes - it is a very special place in my heart. I used to visit Yallingup in my teenage years while living in Perth, the capital of Western Australia and just for the record - the most isolated capital city in the world!

Now I am mother of two teenage boys and I live in an all male household along with a male Border Collie, Little Dude. My husband and I decided to move to Yallingup six years ago to give our kids a rural lovestyle with the Indian ocean and vineyards on their doorstep. They are surrounded by a pristine visually aesthetic natural environment where they can pursue all water sports and have an fantastic outdoor lifestyle.

Prior to motherhood I was a journalist/newsreader and worked in radio and television, including a stint on air presenting English news for a French radio station run by NBC in Paris. I also worked in a shoe shop in Mykonos, Greece and sailed the Atlantic twice in a 13 metre yacht with some mad Italians - much to the disapproval of most of my friends who thought I was throwing a good career away. But life can take you on some wonderful journeys - and if the opportunity arises to experience something different in regards to travel I have always been intrigued enough to try it.

Today I'm a little more settled, spending my time working as a photographer and writing my first book of fiction. I have always loved fashion and the country with iconic style in just about everything  - Italia -  seems like home when I am there. Interestingly, there is Italian in our ancestry - back on my maternal grandmother's side. My great great Grandfather was born in Venice. My grandmother Evelyn Florence (named after Firenze) was a fantastic millener and seamstriss with many commenting on her beautiful hats. Unfortunately she never had the opportunity to go Italy or Paris to experience what would have been a fashion dream for her. So I dedicate this site to my grandmother.

My biggest experience with fashion has been importing Gianni Versace garments into Australia. I imported both Black and White label (Black being the Haute Couture) and it was an interesting experience. I sold the clothes out of my own home. The Versace materials were extraordinarily beautiful - silk thicker than I had seen before and fresh wool jackets to die for. It was a wonderful experience and made me appreciate well made clothes.

My biggest advice about fashion is not to struck in the same old, same old. Have fun, try something new and you just might discover something new about yourself!  :0)