How on earth are we closing in on the mid-way point of this year? It feels like it was only yesterday when we were dressing for long and languid summer days by the beach here in Australia. Now we're only a few days out from the 2024 Met Gala (we'll be doing plenty of coverage here at RUSSH on both socials and our website), and a week out from our annual descending upon Sydney's Carriageworks for the AFW.

Of course, there's plenty of fashion news and style moments that have occurred this week on home soil (which we will get into below), but it's also worth mentioning that our editor-in-chief Jess Blanch just headed to Marseille for CHANEL's recent Cruise 2024/25 show at one of Le Corbusier's flagship midcentury building projects, and that our contributing editor Isabelle Truman was in New York this week at Ralph Lauren's headquarters for an intimate showing of their Fall/Holiday 2024 women’s show.

But if you're looking for fashion news a little closer to home, we've got you covered with all the fashion moments and news you might have missed this week, below...

MECCA expands its in-store recycling program to include fragrance bottles

MECCA has expanded on their in-store recycling program this week, allowing you to now drop off your empty glass fragrance bottles in their in-store TerraCycle bins. Since the launch of the recycling program in October 2019, MECCA customers across Australia and New Zealand have dropped off over a million hard-to-recycle empty beauty containers for recycling and successfully diverted them from landfill.

Find out more on the TerraCycle website.

Michael Hill open their Chadstone flagship in Melbourne

Michael Hill have hosted an intimate soiree this week in celebration of the opening of its new concept global flagship store at Chadstone. The evening was hosted by the jewellery brand's founders, and attended by friends of the brand like Anna Robards, Francesca Hung and Rebecca Harding, who had the opportunity to be the first to experience Michael Hill’s transformative new space, signature pieces and, of course, a few espresso martinis too.

Find out more on the Michael Hill website.

July unveils their custom Australian Olympic Team suitcase

Australian luggage brand July have unveiled their custom-designed suitcase today for the Australian Olympic Team's Paris 2024 games. Designed in Melbourne, July is the Australian team's official luggage supplier, and the newly unveiled suitcase design will be given to each athlete as they arrive in Paris. "We're so excited to support our Aussie athletes and ensure they have the best luggage on their Olympic journey," said Athan Didaskalou, founder of July.

Find out more on the July Instagram.

Camilla Franks and Saks Fifth Avenue celebrate a decade of partnership in New York

Australian label Camilla have celebrated 10 years of partnership wth Saks Fifth Avenue in New York this week with an intimate dinner at their exclusive restaurant, L’Avenue at Saks. Guests like Bambi Northwood Blyth and Afiya Bennett donned looks from the brand's most recent collection, WONDERKIND, inspired by head designer Franks's travels through The Netherlands and Belgium. Camilla have also installed an activation at the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store to celebrate their Royal Delft collection this month, including bespoke pieces of artwork that awaken the spirit of colouring the world.

Find out more on the Camilla website.

Imogen Jade and Jenny Kee AO collaborate as part of Campbelltown Arts Centre exhibitions

Emerging artist Imogen Jade is collaborating with fashion icon Jenny Kee AO to design and develop a silk scarf that celebrates and pays homage to their bold artistic styles and love of flora and fauna.

Facilitated by Little Orange Studio, the project speaks to Imogen’s passion for her work and ideas: “Seeing people wear the scarf will be amazing,” Jenny said of the collaboration. "I love creating with Imogen. She is spontaneous and free. She is JOY!"

Find out more on the Campbelltown Arts Center website.

bassike release Winter 24 campaign

An ode to the vibrancy, colour and nightlife of Japan – and the bassike founders' early travels to Tokyo – the latest campaign and collection from the Australian label encompasses elevated essentials in bold jewel-tones for Winter 2024. Fabrication is selected for warmth – featuring premium Italian leather, wool, cashmere and their signature 8oz Japanese denim.

Find out more on the bassike website.

 Longines release their Mini DolceVita campaign featuring Kate Winslet

Longines' 2023 Mini DolceVita timepiece is being enriched this year with new models that sport double tour straps in black, beige, red, orange or green Nappa leather. To highlight the new iterations, the brand has released a new campaign featuring House ambassador Kate Winslet set against a coastal backdrop and lensed by photographer Greg Williams.

For more information visit the Longines website.

Valentino highlights their Garavani VSLING Bag

Italian fashion house Valentino are celebrating their iconic Garavni VSLING bag, with its ultra-wearable shape, marked by seamless versatility and refined craftsmanship. Instantly recognisable for its iconic VLogo Signature, clean lines, 70s-inspired modernism, and pure shapes and volumes, it's both timeless and of-the-moment, a symbol of studied
craftsmanship while boasting contemporary appeal.

Find out more on the Valentino website.