A Very Good Day for Shopping

On a very chilly Melbourne morning I rugged up in my finest little black dress to brave the elements and hunt through a multitude of vintage/op shops and retro stores all in search of treasure. Organized by a friend of mine Allan a group of various collectors and lovers of all different era's of fashion we were to spend the day sharing our own 'hidden gems' of the second hand stores.

Needless to say we all had our own agenda of what we wanted to find. For myself and a couple of others it was vintage lingerie. Which although we may not of found it in huge numbers we did come across a couple of places that had some wonderful slips from the 50's and 60's. So of course it was a case of try on and then buy. I walked away with ........

Within the collection I managed to find an ivory silk number label and fabric suggest late 50's early 60's but has such a classic cut. Found at Retrostar in the Melbourne CBD. A great store above Swanston Street housing over 10,000 items which has all different era's in shoes, vintage clothing and accessories. From the 1940’s to the 1980’s, you will find vintage dresses, psychedelic prints, 70’s flares, western boots, vintage t-shirts, jeans or jackets.

Retrostar

Another great find, also from Retrostar was this super cute sage green number.

After Retrostar, it was off to other great stores like Shag, various op shops, Anonymous Posh and so many that I have lost track of all the names, and then off to Windsor and the Chapel Street Bazaar. Which is where I picked up this super stunning black number.

As well as another ivory number. It was very had to walk away from the couple of super cute 1950's prom dresses, but who know's maybe next time.

I even managed to pick up a vintage 1950's Van Raalte ivory slip (image to come) on the return mini trip on the sunday.

After a long day of hunting, finding and most of all making some really great new friends it was time for this little doll to bid farewell under the giant moon of Federation square and head home. So to all who came a big thank you for a great day! See you in 6 weeks for another day of hunting and laughs.

Makes me smile

I adore all types of fashion with my weakness for vintage, 1950's, rockabilly, goth, victorian and steampunk. Which is why the poster made me smile, at first I thought "no way" but then I thought about my fashion progression and thought "maybe?". Anyway this was good for a laugh, maybe next I'll try psychobilly and see what thats like as it rolls most of my passions into one.

MOVIE WATCH - NINE

It's movie time again, well what else are you meant to do when its 10 degrees outside except snuggle up with a good movie and a cup of tea? So I have decided to watch movies that are a) beautiful & b) set in another time period. This time it was Nine directed by Rob Marshall. I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to be seeing but the pretty pictures grabbed by attention.


So what's it about? Italian director Guido Contini is a week away from the start of filming of his latest movie, however he finds himself struggling to find meaning, purpose, and a script. Guido escapes to a seaside resort to get away from all the pressures of this production, as he thinks about the women who have shaped his life.


This is more musical than anything else, but wow what a visual masterpiece. You can see that creative team behind this has looked at the Italian movies of the 1950's and 1960's as the reference visually such greats as La Dolce Vita (1960) by Federico Fellini


Its's worth the watch if for no other reason to get lost in the music and costumes.

Whats the story?

My Grandmother (white dress & black hat), Aunt (other end with Big hat), Aunt (sitting on the ground),
and Mother (the baby) at my mothers christening

The story behind fashion has always interested me. Apart from the "how did they make it" question, for me there has always been why did it survive? Who's was it? What was its importance? Who wore it? Why? So after being at The Way We Wore and Wintersun it's got me looking at my true vintage pieces. While out and about I have been wearing a few Marcasite jewelry pieces that have been passed down in my family. Ok so no big thing you might say, but the 3 pieces I've been wearing come from 3 sisters. Boyce (my aunt), Nancy (my aunt) and Molly (my grandmother). Some of these pieces I've grown up playing with as Boyce would often let me play dress up with her jewelry, which may go someways to explain why I love the 1950's.

My Grandmother

My screw on earrings were from my Grandmother, in fact I don't think she actually got her ears pierced until I was little, which is why I used to 'play ladies' by wearing her clip on earrings as a little girl. My Grandmother always had a story behind her jewelry like her pearls from her trip to Japan. Which makes me wonder how many times these earrings went to dances and parties with her. Was she wearing them when she met my Grandfather??????

Auntie

My broach came from Auntie, a woman who was amazing in my eyes. She had friends all around the world, could always tell you a tale and also spent many years working in Buckley's (now David Jones) which meant she had the most amazing wardrobe. At least that's what I remember as a little kid. Again I wonder wear she used to wear this broach, as I know she would of been the life of the party when she was out.

My Aunt

And finally my ring from other Aunt. Sadly she passed away before I was born but this image above is one I grew up with as it used to hang in my Grandmothers house. In truth I think it was this image that made me want to know more about the time the 3 girls grew up in.

It seems weird and yet amazing to think that after all these years the 3 pieces are all together again, ok so the sisters might not be but there legacy lives on as the pieces have been pasted down to me. Which does make me ask the question why did these pieces survive? What was so special about them? Why did after the death of each sister did they get pasted onto the next, then to my mother and then to me? These are pieces I will treasure, forever and hopefully pass onto my daughters.

So next time you purchase a vintage piece spare a moment and think about its history, its journey and why its in your hands now.

Wintersun 2010 Swimsuit Parade

Just in case you haven't seen it here is a small movie on what us gal's got up to. Again a big thanks to everyone who supplied photos and I know there are more to come (better go check the mail lol)

I’d also like to say thanks for the great support team and for the lovely ladies at Lindy Charm School for helping arrange this event and the amazing team at Circa Vintage who selected, repaired and found all the stunning vintage pieces.

As well as all the models Sandy, Nicole, Laura, Candice, Tamara, Beverley, Izzy, Jasmine, Chrissy, Kesenya and Alannah for such a fun experiene. And the wonderful backstage team: Carly (hair and dressing), Nicole and Jodie (dressing) to ensure we all looked our best before we headed out on stage.

So have a watch, happy day dreaming

Official Wintersun 2010 Vintage Swimwear Parade

Just had to post this great youtube clip of all us gals done by Super Kawaii Mama

ICEBERG DEAD AHEAD!!!!

Ok so Melbourne may be cold but not that cold lol, but if you make your way to the Melbourne Museum you will find an iceberg as well as the Titanic Artefact Exhibition. Its currently running now up until October 17th 2010.

Once there you will Journey back to 1912 and experience Titanic's maiden voyage. It's a cross between creepy and wonderful as you explore detailed reconstructions of the ship’s interior. You can (if your want) have your photo taken in the Grand Staircase, which is amazing detailed and you really do feel like your steeping back onto the Ship. You can also get a glance at the First and Third Class cabins.

You discover how the ‘unsinkable’ ship met its fate. Including being able to touch an iceberg to get the sensation of just how cold the water may have been on that fateful night. There are also a large amount of personal items which have stood he test of time, water and deep sea pressure that I would never thought could be recovered like clothing and paper artefacts.

If you have ever had an interest in this ship then make your way to the exhibit and you'll be surprised at what you find.