Paper delight!

I recently went to the Arts Crafts and Antiques Fair at the Claremont Showgrounds. While I was there I came across some Australian Home Journal's from 1956 and 1957. The designs are just coming back into vogue (See Karen Walker in Myer and the latest catwalk collections at LV) . But the most fantastic thing is that the patterns were still enclosed!

The advertisements were also quite interesting, a mail order Camphor wood Glory Box and some rather quirky ads claiming to banish 'bad fat' with a pill (well some things never change!).

The Genie in the lamp...

Just lately I have become enamoured of turbans. I made this silver turban for a 1920's costume a few years ago. Originating from Asia and the Middle East, they became very fashionable during the 1940's, when the materials to produce hats were scarce.

All you needed was a scarf, wrap it, tie it and twist and you had a hat. I found a film just recently which showed how this was done. You can find it at http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=38179

Because of this film I have been experimenting with the turban look, but my mother thinks it makes me look like a washer woman and at times I am inclined to believe her!

The emerald goddess...

This hat is made for a show stopping entrance, I keep thinking of 'Hello Dolly' for some reason. Hmm, school musical coming back to haunt me?! It just didn't look right on a white background, so I thought I'd brighten it up with this Victorian Wallpaper, designed by William Morris. Alas it is just wrapping paper, I would love to paper my house with the real thing! You might also notice my lovely hat block currently modeling 'the emerald goddess'. It was another gift from Sally and Ian along with this hat! Thank you both so much! x

A neat solution...

The problem with having so many hats is how do you store them? Well I had looked everywhere for some vintage hat boxes, gave up and came across these at Spotlight. Eventually I want to cover them in some black and white flocked paper. For now they are just perfect (and full)! x

(P.S I was eventually given an old hat box by some friends, thank you Sally and Ian! It is filling up quickly, however there might be room for maybe one more!)

Cream from heaven!

This is my new vintage purchase and I simply love it! Made in the 1950's it is typical of the time, with its skull cap so it can sit on a jaunty angle. I think it was probably made by an amateur as the stitching and materials are not of the best quality. However that doesn't make it any less charming. When I wear it I feel like I'm in a Hitchcock film, like Grace Kelly in 'To Catch a Thief'.

One Top Hat...

When I say ‘Top Hat’ I am not just referring to the actual hat I am also referring to the 1935 film by the same name. 

Staring Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers it was the beginning of a long partnership between the two actors. This film epitomises the elegance and glamour of this age, with its dancing and singing numbers ‘Top Hat’ and ‘Isn’t this a lovely day’ (which you might recognise from a Fisher and Pikel ad a few years ago) by Irving Berlin.

‘Top Hat’ is a very light hearted comedy. However it is combination of the extravagant sets and the dance numbers that make it a film you can’t help but remember and love. On a side note Fred Astair said later that he disliked the top hat, white tie and tails, ironic since it was the top hat which made him famous!