Jumpology

Alain Chamfort and Claire, ph. Pamela Hanson for French Vogue, c. 1990sI’m obviously not the only one who thinks jumping is so much fun. Some time in the 90s, French Vogue and Pamela Hanson took these photos in homage to Philip Halsman’s portraits of many comedians and celebrities jumping.

He commented, “When you ask a person to jump, his attention is mostly directed toward the act of jumping and the mask falls so that the real person appears.” [Wikipedia] This is so true! It’s extremely difficult to think about aesthetic placement of one’s hands, and aspects of composition, not to mention non-contorted facial expressions while one is mid-flight. There’s so little time, after all.

Halsman even developed a tongue-in-cheek philosophy of jump photography, called jumpology. I think I like him.

Enjoy French Vogue’s take on it.

Marlon Richard and Lucie de la Falaise, ph. Pamela Hanson for French Vogue, c. 1990sMarc Cholodenko and Annabelle D’Huart, ph. Pamela Hanson for French Vogue, c. 1990sAnthonis and Emmanuelle Alt, ph. Pamela Hanson for French Vogue, c. 1990sJean-Paul Gaultier, ph. Pamela Hanson for French Vogue, c. 1990sNadja and Antoine de Caunes, ph. Pamela Hanson for French Vogue, c. 1990s

It’s a Breeze

I love fashion editorials with jumping models. I love the notion of capturing by random chance the perfect photo of a body leaping into the air, of billowing fabric in motion – whether it’s humorous or beautiful. And what a thrill when it actually happens! Of course it’s not so easy when one is the model doing the leaping, with a remote timer in one’s hand. It is comical though.

For The Polka Dot Cure story about a white and pink polka dot scarf, I really wanted just a gentle ocean breeze wafting past, ruffling the edges of the scarf. Unfortunately my fan would not cooperate. I had to resort to flinging the scarf into the air in the two-second gap before the shutter clicks, with quite a few humorous results. (When I jump, I have to time it just right – it’s funniest when I lose my balance.)

Recently I was taking photos for a cotton candy flavoured story, which necessitated tossing an enormous scarf into the air. It was a very long roll of film, but I managed to get one or two perfect shots. You’ll have to wait to see those though. Stay tuned. 

A Spanish Spring

Holiday shopping is the best shopping you can do. Why? Because when faced with the terrible decision of whether to purchase some little tidbit or not, you can, with a clear conscience, ask yourself “when am I going to be in Barcelona/Sitges/Marrakesh/Saigon/Hong Kong/Dubai again?” and then you can quite happily go ahead and buy the thing. Of course, you might run into trouble when your bag starts getting fat and you still have miles to go.

Oh, you don’t know where Sitges is? I threw that in because that is where I sprang upon this delicious coil of lipstick red leather. Sitges is a little Spanish coastal resort town full of twisty streets and positively stuffed with tempting boutiques. Like most coastal resort towns it is quite expensive, but I managed to find some souvenir bargains. I don’t remember the name of this particular boutique, but I do recall I didn’t like much else in the shop (or maybe it was just outrageously expensive and I convinced myself I didn’t like it), except for this snakeskin bracelet. So the spring was sprung.

It looks like a little sculpture, doesn’t it? I don’t know how or with what the designer treated it, but it has quite a lot of tension in it that does not seem wholly due to its shape. If I stretch it out it – ahem, if you’ll excuse the pun – just springs back to its original form. Cute, si?

A MINI TRAVEL ALBUM

Secondhand Havens for Vintage Mavens

A whole outfit for less than $50: from the top, a wool beret, about $6; dot print blouse, $5; pure wool skirt, $10; leather and wood heels, $26

Once upon a time, I was the Op-Shopping Queen. True, it was a self-styled title, but I deserved it. All my friends would vouch for it as they gasped in awe over my brilliant vintage bargains. Nowadays I do more shopping online – why shop in Melbourne alone and risk swollen feet when the world is just a few clicks away?

Yesterday I suddenly decided to go back to my roots. I caught the bus to Abbotsford, one of my old hunting grounds. There are two Salvos stores there – secondhand havens for vintage mavens.

In the first store, I found a few pieces of vintage jewellery, including this marvelous tiara. I was a bit dubious at first – I mean, do I really need another tiara after all? But then I tried it on and hello: Princess! I also found an almost-periwinkle tee and a hot pink wide belt. Onwards, fashionistas!

I headed to the other Salvos, a matter of ten-minutes’ walk. There I hit a bonanza as soon as I stepped in the door and confronted another jewellery rack. An tribal neckpiece that jingled (I’d seen similar things in Vietnam), followed in quick succession by a hot pink tank with ribbon appliqué; a cherry print tank (adore!); a pair of red leather and wooden heeled shoes; a striped blue and grey marle knit – so soft and comfy; a cute little dot-printed fluttery-sleeved blouse in navy and white; a houndstooth pleated wool skirt (by Aussie schoolgirl icon Fletcher Jones), also in navy and white; an opera-length pewter-coloured bead necklace; a red wool beret … I think that’s everything. Oh yes, and a stack of DVDs, including Stephen Frears’ Dangerous Liaisons, which for some mysterious reason I had omitted to add to my collection already. [See a few more pics on the SNAP Facebook page.]

Two cotton tops – I prefer to buy natural materials, although I make exceptions for unique items, such as this faux leather candy pink belt

Enamel ring, heart brooch, necklace and blinged-out hairclipTwo cotton tanks – I adore the details: ribbon appliqué and a gorgeous retro cherry print in a trapeze cut

… I hope for one of those magical shopping trips that will shine in my memory and eventually ascend into glorious legend

This doesn’t happen every time I go op-shopping of course. This is why I call it ‘hope-shopping’ – I hope for one of those magical shopping trips that will shine in my memory and eventually ascend into glorious legend. Sometimes I come away with only one or two items – other times I go home with my tail between my legs. Or occasionally, I might just hit the jackpot (ching! ching! ching!) with one incredibly brilliant, amazing, jaw-dropping find – like the crazy enormous feather hat I bought in Sydney earlier this year. But when it’s such a haul as yesterday, it’s so satisfying to come home and lay out all my loot on the bed and gloat over it.

Tribal neckpiece with bells that go jingle, jangle; it is happily not too noisy in normal wearTortoiseshell and diamantés make a lovely combination in this gracefully-curved clip

Some of you reading this will be nodding and grinning, remembering your most recent prizes captured on your last thrifting excursion. Others of you will be bemused, confused, fluttering your eyelashes like vintage virgins – just like my old work friends who begged me to teach them my way. I promised to take these girls on a grand op-shopping tour one Saturday, and in preparation wrote a mini manual for them. And now I am going to share it with you …

An Op-Shopping Training Manual for Novices
(Authorised Revised Version)

Welcome, new trainees!

Please take time to read your instructions before your first training session. Feel free to print this out and study it carefully.

BEFOREHAND

• Start looking for ideas for your seasonal look in magazines – this will also give you ideas on how to style outfits, and put you ahead of the game when eyeing dubious items. Tag or rip out ideas.
• Do some ‘scouting’: go into shops to see what’s out there; check out what people are wearing on the streets that you like.
• Objectively assess your current wardrobe and make a list of what you need.
• Think about what things you are always wishing you had, or really want.

OPTIONAL

Before the big day, if there are any charity stores in your neighbourhood, you may like to take the time to check them out and familiarise yourself with the layout and atmosphere so that you do not suffer from ‘op-shock’ on the day of your first class.

Shopping with my sister in the burbs, I try on a vintage faux sealskin coat (too large and heavy)

ON THE DAY

• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that are easy to slip on and off.
• Wear a simple hairstyle that won’t be ruined with pulling things over your head (and bring a clip or hairtie to put your hair up when you become hot and bothered).
• Wear plain underwear that will to flatter anything you try on; skintone is best.
• If you wish to match a specific item, take it with you if not too cumbersome.
• Be prepared to sift through racks carefully; a gem can easily be hidden between garments of dubious quality and/or cleanliness. When exhaustion overtakes, an easy technique to employ is to run your hands, and eyes, along the edges of hanging garments to locate good quality or appealing fabric – this is a quick way to avoid the dross.
• Do not forget to check the accessories (shoes, bags, belts, scarves, jewellery etc); shoes and bags can be risky – check for odours etc.
• Before purchasing, examine items carefully for stains, damage, missing buttons, cleaning instructions etc. Garments can be washed, mended, dyed or altered to fit but you need to factor in that cost.

You may like to take an experienced thrift-shopper with you; in this case:

• Do not discount potential garments immediately – if in doubt, consult your guide.
• If you find yourself beginning to develop ‘op-shop blindness’ ie, you are suddenly overwhelmed with disgust at the sight and feel of the hideous trash before you, immediately call for your trainer, who will be able to calm you down and prevent a panic attack.
• Above all, you need to have VISION. This may take time to develop, so don’t be disheartened.

Vintage milk bottle and blankets just like the ones I had as a childKewpie doll style salt and pepper shakersCandlestick holders, lampshades and just what everyone needs: a pressed-flower drinks tray!

PRICES

After continued exposure, you will develop a finely-tuned sense of what things should cost. Different op-shops have different pricing structures, not only taking into account which charity the shop is supporting, but the locale, and the nous of the staff. Many times obscure designer gems can be found at ridiculously low prices, while some high street chain store rag is priced at $20. 

Suburban op-shops can hide treasures at dirt-cheap prices, but that does not always hold true. It is true, however, that inner-city thrift shops have been heavily picked-over, by the vultures of society who are depriving you of shopping joy, and thus the triumph is sweeter when you do manage to pounce on an irresistible piece.

My least favourite style of hat: 60s pillbox, but so hideous it must be tried on After the initial euphoria of finding your first bargain, you may start to become indignant at the ridiculous prices some op-shops will charge, or you may begin to notice the onset of symptoms of opshopus desperadus – in lay terms, an increasing desperation to buy something – anything!

… you may begin to notice the onset of symptoms of opshopus desperadus …

In these cases you need to weigh up the pros and cons: what would you be willing to pay retail for this item – or would you actually even consider buying it if you had to pay retail prices? Usually items are in the op-shop for a very good reason. Do you really need this item? A bargain is not a bargain if you’re not going to use it. On the other hand, a $5 designer jumper that may have shrunk a little hurts your pocket considerably less than the $200 equivalent, the colour of which looks disgusting on you (you didn’t notice that under the flattering lights of the boutique), and consequently never wear.

WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU

• Bottle of water
• Sustaining snacks
• Large, hopeful tote bag

Happy hunting!

The Princess and the Pea

The Princess and the Pea :: Wonder // W40 // No flashLast Sunday it was Father’s Day, and in the Melbourne burbs, the next day was Hard Rubbish Collection Day – another important date on the calendar.

Dad picked me up from the train station, and on the drive back to the ancestral estate, we passed a large stack of mattresses. Instantly, the old fairy tale of the Princess and the Pea sprang to mind, and I determined to find time that afternoon to return to photograph it.

Later, one of my nieces agreed to accompany me on the expedition, and we walked back for a mini photoshoot. I must admit, I was far more worried about the wobbly stack of mattresses toppling over than random mashed peas! 

Ouch! :: Lucas AB2 // Dylan // No flash