Blossom Gets Married

My sister Blossom and her husband look just like a classic wedding-cake topper!My sister Blossom was married very young, at sixteen. I absolutely love the faded colours of these mementoes, the now-vintage furnishings. Recently I asked her about her about these photos (possibly taken by a cousin or uncle), and she smiled reminiscently.

The dress was hired, which she has no regrets about. It’s a very modest gown, high-necked; the veil and pretty, lace-trimmed chiffon cloak are what lift it out of the ordinary. I remember admiring this photo (above) as a child; at the dusk falling turning her dress blue, and thinking it looked the epitome of romance. The newly minted couple look like the classic bride and groom that sit atop wedding cakes.

Showing off the heart-shaped cake. Why is dad lurking in the corner?

The couple look so happy cutting the cake. And oh look, there are Naughty Amelia-Jane’s parents on the far right, with her older brother and sister.Her cake, she tells me proudly, was heart-shaped, a detail which you can’t quite see in the photos. That’s just so sweet! I believe the casual little reception was held at our parents’ home, with our relatives in attendance. And that little toddler walking into the shot could just be me. 

I am happy to add that many years later the wedding glow hasn’t faded: they are still happily married.

The bridal couple with my parents. Is that me in the corner?

Wild Men in Tweed

In honour of the ManStyle exhibition I reviewed the other day, I bring you here four wild men with a penchant for tweed and silliness in the Scottish highlands. They appeared in British Vogue, c. 1990s, and were photographed by Hanspeter Schneider.

I love how they’ve thrown themselves right into the theme of the shoot, and have no reluctance at all at being photographed pulling faces. Their eccentric outfits work wonderfully with the picturesque background. It’s only a pity that I haven’t kept the whole editorial.

 

Modern Men and Period Peacocks

After I missed the last two fashion exhibitions held at the National Gallery of Victoria, I was a little disappointed that the next one was ManStyle, focusing on men’s fashion over last three centuries. Even direr, I saw, it would occupy the fashion and textile galleries until the end of the year.

However, I was actually pleasantly surprised to find this exhibition quite enjoyable. The exhibition is divided between the two galleries in the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia and NGV International with a focus on the rise of tailoring at the former gallery, and the ‘peacock male’ at the latter. It was fascinating to see the exquisitely embroidered 18th century garments, and marvel over the diminutive size of our ancestors. A modern man (should he choose to take unfair advantage) would make mincemeat of these period peacocks.

In fact, although men in the 18th century wore very colourful clothes, the last few decades were very well represented with outlandish garments. As works of design or art they are fascinating to examine, but I wonder how many men actually ordered these designer threads and wore them out and about. Certainly the interviews recorded with Australian men in the fashion and entertainment industry showed that although they were interested in looking stylish or in expressing their personality through fashion, few or none would have worn the more outrageous garments in the exhibition.

After watching these (albeit interesting) videos, I was left wondering about the psychology and sartorial choices of the Australian male who is not in the fashion or entertainment industry. I find the business attire of far less interest than leisure wear – yes, there is something to be said for the bespoke suit and fine cufflinks – but I wonder what do ordinary men wear to please themselves?

Undoubtedly there are some who take pride in an immaculate appearance, or showing off their prized vintage shoe collection, but I suspect the proud peacock is in actual fact almost extinct.

The exhibition is on until 27 Nov 2011.
Apologies, I omitted to take notes on the creators of each garment. 

Adventuring we will go

Lost

So off I fly tonight! Barcelona here I come, for five days. Then it’s off to Portugal for ten… and after that I’ll catch the ferry from Spain to Morocco, where I’ll spend 14 marvellous days. Undoubtedly I’ll be getting lost in those souqs more than once, snapping photos all the way.

Found

They will go adventuring with me overseas, and fortuitously they fit in perfectly with my holiday wardrobe of the same colours. I want to travel light and leave room in my baggage for souvenirs, so I'm taking just a few separates in these colours.

I hadn't intended to go for a nautical theme at all; it was just happenstance. And even more serendipitous that I came upon these cotton trousers in a charity shop earlier this week – for the bargain price of $5.

And just because I’ll be travelling for a month doesn’t mean I won’t be posting regularly so come back and visit. But first, wish me Bon Voyage! 

Grace in a Golden Dress

Ceil Chapman dress from Etsy store BabesinVintageland One of my long-time favourite Hitchcock movies is Rear Window. I have always found it so fascinating, watching with James Stewart the minutiae of all his neighbour’s lives, and the fact that all the action takes place in Stewart’s apartment. Of course Grace Kelly is also mesmerising.

Out of all her costumes in the film, I particularly love the golden yellow flower print dress. It reminds me of the golden wattle blossom, Australia’s official national floral emblem, and of glorious spring and summer days when the trees blooms.

Grace Kelly’s costumes were designed by the wonderfully talented Edith Head. Last year some of the original sketches, including one of this very dress, were sold at auction at Christie’s. The sketch (right) shows her carrying a straw sunhat, although it is not seen in the film. The expected price was £5,000–£7,000!

I often search on Etsy for vintage dresses like it, and was thrilled one day to actually find one. But my hopes were dashed when I saw that the dress was much tinier than I am (sans squishifying elastic girdles!). Someone else has since purchased this gorgeous 1950s Ceil Chapman dress. As for me, I must dream of finding another bigger one.