Melbourne Spring Fashion Week - Vintage Fashion Talk

Candice sharing her passion for fashion

Well what a great start to Melbourne Spring Fashion Week! So far I've been to fashion exposed, the launch of Peter Alexander's Spring Collection (photo's to come) and most importantly a talk of Vintage Glamour by a fellow blogger, Candice DeVille.

Candice showing off some stunning pieces from her collection

Not only was this a great talk, it was also fantastic to see so many from the 'vintage community' come out to share, talk and most importantly support one another. A big hello to Nicole Jenkins owner of Circa Vintage, Kesenya from Alice Jeans, Nada Bos from Something Else Clothing and AK from Allan King Photography.

Apart from these amazing vintage ladies and gentlemen it was wonderful to see so many like minded people coming out to share the passion like this lady.....

So what were all doing there you many ask? As part of the “Slumber in the City” City series; Located at City Square, Swanston Street, between Collins Street and Flinders Lane, we indulged in some stunning sleepwear displayed by Circa Vintage.

Then watching the Peter Alexander sleepwear collection. And of course at 2pm – 3pm: Candice DeVille presented a workshop on vintage glamour, with a focus on sleepwear, and my favourite topic LINGERIE!

We also got to look at classic original pieces on Eszter and Marianne, which made me smile as Marianne was wearing a piece similiar to one of my newer additions.

Plus there was a nice look at how to wear and create a look using modern pieces. Because let's face it sometimes you have to get modern bits to create your look.

Overall a great start to fashion week, and a big thanks to Candice for a wonderful talk!

Vintage Swimwear and being beach ready

Considering I’m waking up in 7 degrees with an expected top of 11 it does feel slightly mad to be thinking and doing prep for swimwear. As I’ve mentioned before I’m part of the Circa Vintage fashion parade and yes I’m more than a little excited/nervous/thrilled to be part of it. Normally this time of year I rug up in my favorite shawls, stockings and gloves but as we are heading up north to parade in some stunning pieces I figured I’d better think SUMMER!

Now I am normally very pale, some call it peaches and cream but at this time of the year I feel almost transparent. So what to do? I can’t do the spray tan thing as I usually end up a strange color and let’s face it why ruin perfect English rose complexion. But I have found a little bottle of joy, it’s a moisturizer that has a very faint fake tan it which means the more you apply the darker you get, and it builds up over time. And if worst comes to the worst a bit of “star legs” a great spray I found for dancers and photography might just help. However my big issue is the cold, so everybody start thinking warm thoughts.

Plus there is a little bit of vintage maintance that I need to do (apart from packing like a crazy woman) like nails, nail and ensuring I have everything I need. A big thanks to Kendiedoll for offering her heated rollers while I’m up there…..if only I could take Terry!

However after all this the main piece of advice I can offer is to think beautiful. Just like lingerie the right pair of swimmers can make you feel a million dollars so find pieces you love and feel comfortable in. You don’t have to wear a string bikini to be a show stopper, these ladies in the photos above are proof of that.

If your interested in some of the pieces we will be wearing jump onto youtube.com and have a look at some of the images filmed of Candace and Nicole for the ABC’s Collectors program

The Amazing Ms Deville

We all know that I adore women who make this world just that bit better, hence my love of Amanda Palmer and Dita Von Teese. Well there is another amazing woman based in my home town of Melbourne that reminds me why I do what I do.

Her name is Candice Deville or to some Super Kawaii Mama. I first discovered Candice while looking for a good blog to read on vintage fashion and make up, however she has been writing since February 2008 as way to ‘share her unique sense of style and life perspective’ as Candice puts it. To find someone who not only writes about styles I love, but lives what she preaches it wasn’t long before I became and avid reader of her blog. And as Ms Firedoll can a test to I did turn into a bit of a star struck fan the first time I met her at Circa Nocturna in 2009.

With what can only be described as a passion for vintage fashion you can find so much more than images of pretty dresses on her site. What you will find is resources, inspiration, vlogs, and most of all a down to earth view on life with just the right amount of glamour. Apart from blogging Candice is a ‘multi-disciplinary artist specializing in style and vintage glamour’ in all aspects of life. Hence the night we met she had been modeling in Circa Nocturna.

And now a new website http://www.candicedeville.com.au/ to help showcase her talents as model, teacher and all round ambassador for glamour. So if you need to book a vintage show stopping beauty jump online and give her a bell. And apparently Candice will now also be out in the world with ‘vintage hair and makeup artistry to workshops, hosting events, presenting, writing and iconic vintage modeling’
I have to agree that ‘Candice DeVille is the whole glamorous package’

*Quotes and images from http://www.candicedeville.com.au/ and www.superkawaiimama.com

Amazing hats from Circa

My dear darling Kendiedoll has made me very jealous by attending the “the way we wear” vintage fair last weekend on the Gold Coast. Sadly due to Melbourne commitments I was unable to attend but I do thank her very much for these amazing photos of the event.

From the images it was clear to see why she went straight to Circa - Imported Vintage Hats and the fantastic Jacinta Saunders. During the trying on of stunning hats Kendiedoll put on a great red hat which matched her outfit and Jacinta kindly said - why don't you wear it to the wedding which Kendiedoll was attending in the church next to the fair. Needless to say Kendiedoll couldn't believe it and readily agreed. Then went to the wedding, the hat enhancing her outfit; and after Saturday I think Kendiedoll could happily start collecting these special hats. Jacinta also had these great little hats, that are easy to wear, absolutely finish off an outfit, many different colors and no two were the same.

Don’t these ladies look stunning in the Circa designs, ok so maybe some saving before June to buy some of these gems at the Melbourne fair.

Keep watching for more stunning designs from Circa once I upload the photos from kendidoll.

Doll house Photography

Ok so in the last few months/years I’ve amassed quite a wardrobe of retro items including lingerie, dresses, skirts, hat’s and even aprons….but what to do with them all. Yes I wear them out most days but I fancy doing something different. That was when it was suggested I visit the website of Helen McClean . Wow is all I’ll say.

Helen offers Pinup photo shoots where you get to play dress-ups, have your hair and make up done, then get to pose like a pinup for some amazing shots. So after looking amazing you also get a nice collection of photos. Now for anyone wanting to do this but don’t think you have the wardrobe Helen also offers her collection to you to try on and find your style. And guess which dress she has in her collection (as if I needed anymore of an excuse to book a session)

Yes that’s right the dress I’ve been hunting for from Bettie Page clothing. So I’m going to book in and I will post the results when I get them.

So grab a fork because a little cheesecake is coming your way.

In search of pretty

I admit I am a shopping addict at the best of times, and yes this is no exception. With the up and coming trip north for a fashion shoot it’s about time I made sure I had some options for myself. So with the promise of cupcakes, sparkles and maybe an afternoon wine I made the trek into the back streets of Melbourne. Ok so these backstreets come fully equipped with lights, cafes and sometimes parking maybe trek is the wrong world; stroll then.

First off to hit Chapel Street, now I love the area known as Windsor. Bit grubby but well worth it especially when you hit Chapel St Bazzar. This is on one of the best 2nd hand stores I've ever frequented. Its a maze of little stalls under one big roof, with everything from clothing to posters to furniture. My mission was for clothing, however I did come across these great photo's of Bettie Page, the Bunny Yeager /Irving Klaw girls. A bit on the pricey side so they made have to wait a couple of weeks before they come home, but cute none the less

Next was a surprise SKM had mentioned a new store she was getting a few pieces from (and designing for ) called Friends of Couture. Ok so nothing amazing yet, but what surprised me is that its 2 doors down from chapel st bazzar.

And guess who's dress was in the window. That's right Ms SKM's. Great stuff but sadly not the things I'm looking for so it was on to the next store. From there it was onto Greville Road to find Route 66. One of my fav little store's, but sadly also no joy but I will be heading to their city store next weekend as my name is on a few pieces that they didn't have my size in. However I did walk away with a great little black bowling shirt.


Then I struck gold when I hit Dangerfield. My best budd MiiKii and I discovered this store a couple of years ago, its now a franchisee but this one on Greville always seems to have great pieces compared to the others. So throwing caution to the wind (you gotta love up to 50% off sales) I picked up a tight 'wiggle dress' , little black double button satin skirt, and a very groovy little tee. Ok so maybe its not everyone's cup of tea but its this image above but in black and white. If you don't know who this is its Traci Lords from the movie Cry Baby. A movie I can only describe as part musical, part comdey, part romance and all fantastic. You gotta love a movie with Johnny Depp, Traci Lords and Rickie Lake.

Then it was time to jump on my bike and head to Brunswick/Gertrude Street in Fitzroy to drop in at Faster Pussycate and Circa.

As always wonderful window displays and great pieces. It was hard to hold back, especially since I was really wanted about 10 pairs of stockings and gloves. Sadly through time was short and I will have to go back next weekend for more looking and shopping.