What I actually wore #0029

Serial #: 0029
Date: 20/05/2009
Weather: 21°
Time Allowed: 5 minutes

It was early autumn the last time I wore this same velvet panelled skirt and wool top. I had a lunch date with a friend, and it was a lovely sunny day. This time I decided to lighten the dark base with a cosy beige cashmere cardigan I bought in a Vietnamese boutique, and shoes of a similar hue. The cardigan is quite a loose fit, so I brought my waist back into view with a plaited leather belt I’d bought on eBay.

I came home with rather a lot of souvenirs from Vietnam, and this cashmere cardigan was probably the most expensive. However, I have worn it so many times since it was definitely worth it – if you use the cost per wear ratio.

The silver filigree ring and ethnic earrings came from Ben Thanh market. This particular stall had a fabulous selection of inexpensive jewellery, but most of the silver was not sterling, being around 85% pure.

Cashmere, wool, velvet: perfect textiles for autumn.

Items:

Top: John Smedley
Cardigan: Italian-made, Vietnamese souvenir
Skirt: hand-made
Belt: Faith
Jewellery: Vietnamese souvenirs
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Shoes: Zoe Wittner

Gags, Bloopers and Other Assorted Tales of Tomfoolery

Click on image for larger version

I’ve a long-held secret ambition to emulate some of US Vogue’s jumping photoshoots. They are instilled with so much life, belying the amount of work that goes into their production. I have made several attempts, but it’s no easy trick, I can tell you. Nor does being a one-woman band aid me.

Here are just a couple of my unsuccessful attempts – plus a few more gags and bloopers that have occurred along the way.

#1–2 This was my very first shoot, back in the day when I was using my snappy camera on a 10-second timer. I had to press the shutter and rush back into position – I still thought it was worthwhile doing some jumping shots here. Considering the timing issues, these are pretty good, unlike #3 from my puffball shoot. Here I did have a remote shutter control in my hand, but the low light and slow shutter speed ensures I am only a blur.

I wasn’t jumping in my Skipping Girl shoot (#5–6), but still I managed to tip over several times. Another balancing act on heels: one leg in the air with a skipping rope dangling over my shoulders and a cheery grin plastered on my face – after I ran from the camera back into the set.

What are you gonna do when you find the backdrop, er, dropping…

#4 – A singularly useless shot. I was trying for a blur of blue, which would contrast prettily with the sharp geometrics of my dress. Only on this frame the flash went off, capturing a single (and uninteresting) one-fortieth of a second in time.

Here I am in #7, just tulle-ing around. What are you gonna do when you find the backdrop, er, dropping to the floor a moment before the shutter releases? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

There comes a point in every photoshoot when the model (#8) fools around, and shows the photographer (in this case herself) just what she thinks of her stupid and unrelenting demands.

#9 – Although the brief this time actually required fooling around, there is just a little too much chicken-wings are bug-eye here. I’m quite sure my great-grandmother would not at all approve of all this tomfoolery.

Right, back to work. My next trick will be climbing a step-ladder on a coffee table in heels. Actually, I think I have already done that…

Olive Oyl meets Wally

It’s been a while since Gingersnaps was featured on these pages, and I find things have changed a little.

How would you describe your style in general?

Olive Oyl – Popeye’s paramour – meets Where’s Wally chic. (Hehe!) That’s Waldo in the States, where I’ve just been.

I’m amused at the difference: last time it was ‘Casual with a bit of rock n roll and a touch of feminine’. But I am totally into your style inspiration, because I love stripes too!

How long did it take you to put this outfit together?

Not very long at all. I’m sure I was blearily groping around my drawers for something suitable to wear. I was going for appropriate office garb – black is always a safe choice. The cardigan was thrown on to insulate me against a cold chill, but the stripes liven up the whole outfit. I love the little embroidery on the pocket too. Of course, you always need a cardi in Melbourne.

And an umbrella! Where are the basic black items from?

The skirt and cardigan are both from Alannah Hill. The skirt is black with a faint mauve spot and mauve silk inserts, so it’s smart with a subtle twist. The top is by label Lush (actually an offshoot label called Hand in Glove, which is usually a bit prettier and more feminine); the fabric has a very faint floral pattern burnt into it, which gives it a point of difference too.

I know you like to often wear a bit of Alannah – you even used to work there.

Yes, definitely! The cardigan is a favourite; I adore wearing red and also stripes. Alannah Hill always makes tops, skirts and dresses in fantastic reds. I love her quirky designs; when I wear them I feel like I’m bringing a little bit of fantasy into my world.

The shoes were by Diana Ferrari – I say ‘were’ because they broke this weekend while I was riding my bike. Boo. And they’re such a handy pair that it was the second time I bought them.

You don’t wear a lot of jewellery, so I’m guessing that ring is special?

Yes, it’s from my boyfriend. It’s three black sapphires set in white gold. Between the sapphires are two diamonds. I love it – it’s very simple, classic and understated.

We took these photos last year, and Gingersnaps was proud to report she is still wearing that cardi. I’m more chuffed to learn of her new fashion icon: I hadn’t even mentioned to her that I have been plotting an Olive Oyl dress-up for a while. I think I have found my muse!

Thanks for sharing once again ’Snaps.

High-Low Shopping

In early spring last year – or perhaps even late winter – flicking through a shopping catalogue I spotted a completely frivolous and utterly fashionable garment that I had absolutely no need of. Of course that did not preclude my hankering for it.

The item in question was a pair of black sequin harem shorts by the label Bettina Liano, so needless to say they were exorbitantly priced (for a pair of shorts). I firmly put away this ridiculous passion and went on with my life, picking up various bargains in charity shops (my more usual milieu).

But as spring progressed, the Spring Racing Carnival drew closer and I began to ponder what to wear to the Caulfield Cup. Those dashing shorts returned to mind; I decided I would bedeck myself entirely in black and white. The clincher was a vintage black and white feather hat that I won at auction on eBay.

…I spotted a completely frivolous and utterly fashionable garment that I had absolutely no need of.

The cutest little sequinned harem shorts you ever did see… on the Bettina Liano catwalk at the MYER Spring Summer 2009/10 Collection Launch. (Ph: Gaye Gerard, from life.com. Click on image for larger version.) So I hied myself off to Bettina Liano in Little Collins St; made a beeline for the rack that held the shorts; tried them on; and immediately returned to the front counter, credit card held at the ready, and determinedly ignoring the fact that the shorts cost only $30 less than the ankle-length harem pants. The entire procedure took about seven minutes.

I was in an exceptionally buoyant mood as I pranced back up the street to my tramstop, swinging my bag. It was enormous, bright egg-yolk yellow with black trim, and extremely ostentatious considering the diminutive contents.

On the way, a print skirt caught my eye in the gaudy window of 7 Angels, a cheap and cheerful boutique positively jammed with racks from floor to ceiling, and barely enough space to squeeze between the circular racks on the floor. What the hey? I thought, and went inside. I wasn’t a snob – although my designer bag might be.

The skirt transpired to be rather nasty, and I lost interest after a closer look. Remarkably, however, I did find a nice little top: white, with a low back and a silver beaded halter-neck. It went perfectly with the shorts, and it was only $30. Bingo! I had my outfit sorted!

So I handed over the dosh and practically skipped all the way home, amused to have my designer tote flanked by a cheap plastic carry bag.

It was a pity after this that all my plans fell to ruin, with a tardy eBay seller not posting my hat in time, and the freezing weather both conspiring against me. They, however, are merely the slings and arrows of fashion fortune, and the shorts will have their day. But that’s another story.

Vogue 1947

Ph: Horst. Click on images to open larger versions.

This is the cover of the oldest fashion magazine I own: British Vogue, January 1947. And what an eye-catching cover it is. Minimal and striking, that amazing silhouette says more on its own than the hundred coverlines today’s magazines would plaster all over it. The photograph is by Horst P. Horst; look here for more beautiful examples of his work.

What I love about old fashion magazines are the illustrations, used copiously in the editorial as well as the ads. Below are just a few pages. The black and white ads are the quaintest. Have a closer look by clicking on the images.

(Left) Ph: Cecil Beaton; (right) ph: CoffinShoes and stockingsThe Way to Modern Loveliness