New Years Resolutions...

My very sad vintage wardrobe...

It was the collapse of my wardrobe rail that signaled I could no longer ignor my fashion weakness. It had gone past something that could be hidden behind closed doors. So I decided to start the year a fresh and this means the dreaded wardrobe clear out. In my case it has been a rather drawn out affair. I started towards the end of last year and I am determined to get the job finished.

As a former fashion retail sales assistant I freely admit I can be a bit annal when it comes organising my wardrobe. So I can usually find what I am looking for, however when it is full of clutter things get hidden and forgotten.

It is amazing what treasures you can unearth when you start digging. That dress you wore on your 21st that holds happy memories, but has probably seen better days. The Ra Ra skirt that should be abandoned in a charity bin for someone else to treasure. (Alanna Hill made many of these in the early 2000's and I own two. The last time I wore one was to a 1920's costume party. The other I think I only wore once or twice, a bit of buyers remorse comes attached.) The over sized cardigans, although they can look fantastic on a tall slim model, do nothing for my hour glass figure. Not to mention chunky knit dress, my Zimmerman one was never really a good look for me.

So I will say goodbye to my wardrobe of yesteryear and hello to space and an uncreased blouse.

Now to tackel my drawers, no article of clothing is safe from my clutches...

Another year rolls by...

Welcome to 2013! I thought I start the year by having a look back at some of the events I went to in 2012 that for whatever reason didn't make it to my blog.

Moore Fashion

My friend Tess and I at the Dreamers Parade

It was a very wet night in November when the guests gathered to watch the Dreamers parade, packing out the Moores building. As part of the Fremantle Festival it showed off Fremantle’s fashion collective; Days of Yore, Love in Tokyo, Cocoon Textiles, The Siam Lady, Velvet Sushi, Megan Salmon and Pekho. 

Days of Yore

Love in Toyko

Days of Yore is an exquisite jewellery label, specialising in gorgeous necklaces and bangles and they didn’t disappoint. Love in Tokyo as always used silk with aplomb and Velvet Sushi had some beautiful light summer dresses. Overall it was a well put together show by stylist Hannah McGrath and a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Velvet Sushi

The Siam Lady

 

Megan Salmon

You can find most of the Fremantle Fashion Collective labels on High St, Fremantle.

Platform 2012

West Australian Institute of Fashion and Textiles - Polytechnic West Graduates Parade

Bridget Powell

The stage was covered in glass jars filled with tea lights, creating an eerie atmosphere. The show opened with some rather racy lingerie from Bridget Powell, followed by Madalin Frodsham's collection which would be more suited to Tokyo's youth culture, than conservative Perth.    

 

Doe Eyed Girls by Brittany Zajitz

 With Brittany Zajitz's collection I could see some potential, in terms of design and construction. However her colour palate and choice of fabric didn't work for me. Maroon with white is not a good combination. 

Unfortunately due to Perth's isolation, unless you can afford to go overseas for fabric, there just isn't the range or quality available. I can attest to this, as a former fashion student I found it very frustrating when I couldn't find what I wanted. You were constantly having to compromise and as a result you didn't always end up with the finished product you had in mind.  

Kimmie Hosaka

Emma Jean Design by Emma Ward

Michelle Olufson

 

CECE by Deng

Erin Louise by Erin Donnelly

Erin Louise by Erin Donnelly

Common themes were 1960's silhouettes, cowl necks and fringing. Colours went from one extreme to another from the very bright to the earthy. Erin Donnelly's collection was probably my favourite on the night. I didn't like everything, however there were some stand out pieces that I would have loved to add to my wardrobe.

  

Kathryn Casey

 

Isabelle Marie by Isabelle Davidson

Over all it was an enjoyable night. I had some friends say they enjoyed themselves more than at the parades for the fashion festival.Unfortunately I was suffering from sleep deprivation so I couldn't quite get into the swing of things.

If you would like any of the designers details let me know. I would be happy to pass them on to you!

Everyone needs to dress up sometimes...

 

I love to follow what our local designers are doing and try to as much as possible blog about Australian fashion. So it is a joy when a designer asks me to try on a few outfits to use on her facebook pages.

Last week Fenella Peacock and I spent an enjoyable afternoon styling looks using her current collection. These were some of the fruits of our labors... (In the interest of full admission, I do work for Fenella Peacock on her Facebook pages.)

Photo 2

Fenella Peacock Lovers Knot Sleeves Crop (A favourite in my wardrobe at the moment)
Fenella Peacock Censer Organza Dress
Fenella Peacock Spot Slip
Belt Coco and Lola

Shoes David Jones

 

 
Photo 3
Fenella Peacock Censer Organza Dress
Fenella Peacock Spot Slip

Banks & Bell headpiece worn as belt (my label)

Reveling in the Summer sun...

Summer is knocking on the door and I for one am reveling in the change of season. I can't wait for those long warm days, when you can kick back and enjoy a glass of wine on a Sunday afternoon. The change in weather also means new wardrobe possibilities present themselves. You no longer need to worry about bringing a jacket on a night out, because chances are your going to wish you had left it at home. Layering is a thing of the past, now is the time for a simple chic polished look.

I love it because I can wear a cute dress and a bright necklace and look fabulous. No effort required. Well, accept finding the perfect combination.... So in the interest of looking chic and put together, I have created some outfit options. Why not try these on for size...

Alice McCall S/S 2012 In Motion Dress

Chanel Rough Allure in Pirate

With...

Isson Sunglasses Edyth in Honey Rock


With...

Country Road Plait Belt

With...

Oroton Emeril Clutch

With...

Tony Bianco Egypt Ruby Kid Suede Shoes

Featured images from:

www.alicemccall.com

www.isson.com.au

www.countryroad.com.au

www.oroton.com

www.tonybianco.com.au

www.chanel.com 

 

 

Marcs Mini Silk Spot Pleated Skirt Dress

 With...

Isson Sunglasses Martha in Tortoise

With...

Totomoto Passion Flower Cluster Necklace

With...

Chanel Lipstick Rouge Coco in Paradis

With...

Country Road Skinny Belt

With...

Tony Bianco Shoes Sentani in Tan Monaco/Burnish Finish

Featured images from:

www.marcs.com.au

www.isson.com.au

www.totomoto-australia.com

www.chanel.com

www.countryroad.com.au

www.tonybianco.com.au

Top image I'm wearing..

Dress Gorman Chinese Checkers Dress

Necklace Sweet Dream

Shoes Zomp

Gorman Girl Strikes Again!

As many of my readers should know I love Gorman and am a self confessed Goman addict. So it should come as no surprise that I am in love with the capsule collection created in collaboration with artist Rhys Lee.

I am the proud owner of the gorgeous 'yes! skirt' (pictured wearing above). I love his use of colour, there are just so many outfit combinations to create and I have only just started!

Other looks that I love from the capsule collection include the 'droplet beaded dress' and 'sugarcube pocket dress'.

droplet beaded dress

sugarcube pocket dress

Trend alert! Waist-ed long skirts dominated the catwalks at the recent Paris Fashion Week. Go for bright colours and bold prints with pleating or gathering. I like Gorman's new 'systems of space skirt' and 'fruit salad skirt'. Finish off the look with a pair of 60's style round sunglasses, try them a bright colour to add a bit of an edge!

Gorman fruit salad skirt

Gorman Milly Sunglasses

Gorman systems of space skirt

Top image I'm  wearing:

Sunglasses Waiting for the Sun

Necklace Pigeonhole

Gorman silk shirt

Gorman Yes! skirt

Belt vintage

Ring Totomoto

Shoes from Zomp

Remaining images from: www.gormanshop.com.au

Perth comes alive with fashion and art, as the Perth Fashion Festival hits town...

Illustration by the talented Pippa McManus

The Perth Fashion Festival is less than a week away. Showcasing collections from local and interstate designers, it has become Perth's premier fashion event. As well as parades there are markets and pop-up shops and exhibitons. This year PPF have teamed up with URBAN WALKABOUT to create a Perth Fashion Festival edition showing the what's on hot spots during the festival.

At the PPF launch party. (Image courtesy of PPR)

This year will see Perth's windows come alive with colour. Perth retailers will be decorating their windows in celebration of Spring. Shoppers can vote on their favourite, with a chance to win a luxury Southern Safari cruise on the True North courtesy of North Star Cruises.

To vote for your favourite window click on the link: Vote

(Image courtesy of Ari Palassis)

Included in the line up is an exhibition hosted by Nells. Titled Miscellany it is a collection of eclectic artworks on paper and textile by local artist Ari Palassis. The exhibition will also feature soft sculpture mannequins and artworks by Georgia and Fenella Peacock. Miscellany runs from Friday 14th to Saturday 29th of September.

For further information please click on the link: Miscellany

With any luck I will attending some the runway events at this years Perth Fashion Festival as the fashion editor of local online magazine, The Starfish. For the latest updates follow me on Facebook.

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For further information on Perth Fashion Festival events please click on the link below

www.perthfashionfestival.com.au

Vintage, ain't all it's cracked up to be...

If you have been following my blog then you should know by now that I collect and make hats. I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you a few photo's I took for the lovey ladies at 'We love Perth', as guest blogger of the month of April. As you can probably gather I love dressing up!

After attending Fashion Talks this month my love of all things vintage has been reignited. I have also been slowly putting together another collection of headpieces, after suffering quite badly of designers block. So if all things go well, you will be seeing some more original creations for my millinery and headpiece label Banks & Bell.

Right now I am gearing up for the Perth Fashion Festival. I can't wait to find out what William St will have to offer this year...

Dreaming of couture...

Charlotte Smith and journalist Meri Fatin

Fashion Talks was a dream come true. Ever since I read Charlotte's book 'Dreaming of Dior', I wanted to know more about her amazing vintage clothing collection and the woman behind it all...

When Charlotte Smith inherited a collection of vintage clothing from her Pennsylvanian Quaker godmother, Doris Darnell, it changed her whole world. "I have a small shop in the Blue Mountains. When the crates arrived they blocked out the sun. It took three months to unpack everything", Charlotte.

What makes the Darnell Collection so unique, is that every garment has a story, a memory of who wore it, where they wore it, who made it, etc, creating a rich and vibrant social history of how women have changed over time.

Detail of Beryl Jents dress

Beryl Jents, Australia, circa late 1960's, silk

Everything in the collection has been donated, accept for pieces bought at auction to add to the story of an exhibition. It is now the largest private vintage clothing collection in Australia and boasts over 5,500 pieces. The collection has pieces from the Victorian era right up to the present day.

It includes three rare dresses dating from the early 1900's by Lucile. There are only 90 left in exsitence. Lucile designer, Lady Duff Gordon was a survivor of The Titanic and was the first designer to have fashion parades with manequins (live models). By 1922 she employed 300 people, with an in house doctor, dentist, a dining room with meals provided and paid maternity leave.

Vionnet Dress 1937

A vintage gem on display on the night was a dress by Vionnet. In the 1920's Vionnet pioneered the bias cut, revolutionising fashion by allowing the fabric to fall on the body to create shape, instead of creating the shape with garment its self. Vionnet was concerned about other designers copying her designs. She kept a photographic record of every garment, using mirrors to allow a camera to caputure all sides at once.
 

The Darnell Collection also includes pieces by Dior, Chanel, Gucci, Pucci, Prada and a whole lot more... I could have sat there all night listening to Charlotte talk about the collection. I got the feeling that what she shared just scratched the surface of the many varied stories that this collection has to offer.

Dior dress 2005 and Chanel suit circa 1960's, wool

For more information on the Darnell Collection

www.darnellcollection.com