Stoker

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Trying to choose between a multitude of possible Halloween costumes is never easy, particularly as it begins to exponentially increase in popularity throughout the Southern Hemisphere. A few days ago I styled up five quick & easy options for inspiration - click here for a trip down "Memory Lane" - but decided to save my personal favourite to wear to a "Spooktacular" party in the River City on Friday: an homage to one of my literary heroines, Wilhemina "Mina" Harker from Bram Stoker's Dracula; best friend of the hellion's first victim, Lucy Westenra, wife of Van Helsing accomplice Jonathan Harker & only woman to recover from the curse of the vampire's soporific bite...

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Dress: Laura Ashley poly-blend & chiffon

Cape: Reject Shop polyester

Booties: Emerson @ Big W suede platforms

Necklace: Prouds silver fob

Pendant: Gift, silver

Hinged Bangle: Gift, vintage 1940s silver

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Seeing as my costume is based on the original 1897 Gothic novel rather than one of the many film interpretations, I donned this decidedly Victorian style dress from Laura Ashley with its empire-line cut, wide scooped neckline, chiffon capped sleeves & under bust bow detail & pair of sky-high, closed-toed suede platforms by Emerson @ Big W to truly evoke the era. 

Jewellery choices kept the vibe strong: a chunky, heart-shaped necklace nestled on my decolletage & vintage, moulded fleur-de-lis hinged bangle... both made out of silver, which any horror buff knows is DEADLY to vampires, due to its origins as the "metal of choice" for religious relics & the mysticism surrounding its purported "lunar" associations in European folklore.

Finally, of course, there was the amazing black cape that I picked up for the princely sum of $3 at my local Reject Shop... Sure, Mina is eventually cured of the urge to stalk the living & drain them of their lifeblood but for a while there, it seemed as though she was pure vampire, possessed of the ability to transform into a bat & soar through the air under the cover of darkness...

Do you believe in destiny?

That even the powers of time can be altered for a single purpose?

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Derby Darling

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Dress: Anthea Crawford neoprene & organza

Heels: Emerson @ Big W patent

Clutch: Fairmart chrome & vinyl

Cuff: Gian Paolo Maria from Lannah Dunn silver, semi-precious stone & crystal

Ring: Swarovski silver, semi-precious stone & crystal

Headpiece: Gift, satin & faux floral

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The Spring Racing Carnival is here again & one of the most prestigious events on the calendar is Derby Day, known for its distinctive black & white dress code & feature race boasting prize money of over one million dollars. Although I can't be in Melbourne for the event, I was lucky enough to attend a pre-Derby Day luncheon & fashion show full of inspirational monochromatic looks capable of turning even the most distinguished heads at Flemington! 

For such a special event I really pulled out all the stops, enhancing this amazing neoprene & organza 50s style dress (with bow at the back) from Anthea Crawford with a pair of shiny black patent closed-toe platforms by Emerson @ Big W & kitschy vinyl box clutch with chrome clasp & iconic Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's picture on each side. The entire effect was very whimsical & almost doll-like; a comparison I seem to receive regularly regardless of what I'm wearing! 

When it came to jewellery, these special 3oth-birthday-present pieces were ideal: the chunky silver cuff with an eclectic mix of inlaid semi-precious stones & crystals, handmade by Gian Paolo Maria in Paris & seemingly-matching Swarovski cocktail ring for a touch of daytime sparkle.

Of course, it wouldn't be Spring Racing without the headpiece - in this case a crown of black roses for texture & the illusion of height. 

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It goes without saying that November needn't be the only time of the year to dress up in exquisite frocks & don some fabulous heels... After all, Christmas is just around the corner & there's bound to be all manner of parties & events where something that-little-bit-extra-special is required! That being said, here are a few pictures of the look sans headpiece... & stay tuned over the coming days to check out how I style the dress with edgy accessories for Neil Diamond's Brisbane Concert...

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Style Statement

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Dress: Montique taffeta & brocade

Jacket: Montique brocade & taffeta

Heels: Novo glitter & suede

Clutch: Adorne satin

Bangles: Gift, gold, silver & diamante (from India)

Ring: Vintage, gold & diamond (once belonged to my Nanna)

Bow Ring: Victoria & Albert Museum gold & diamante

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Finally posting all of the pictures of an outfit I wore to attend a recent fashion blogger's fashion luncheon... This particular look is one of my all-time favourites & begins with a stunning taffeta dress from Montique in a vivid shade of teal with ruched sweetheart neckline, widening shoulder straps, just-below-the-knee hemline & 3D origami flower waist detail in contrasting brocade print. It was given to me as part of a set, to be worn with a three-quarter-sleeved, collared cropped bolero jacket in the aforementioned large-scale floral brocade. Together they make quite an elegant statement, as evidenced below: 

Rather than add black accessories to such a vibrant look, I donned a pair of glittery silver & chrome suede peeptoe platforms from Novo & carried a smooth, chrome satin box clutch with 1940s-style clip fastening from Adorne in keeping with the sophisticated styling. When it came to jewellery, once again I added sparkle but kept it classy, choosing a trio of mixed metal bangles that a dear friend sent me from India, a delicate gold ring with diamond setting that once belonged to my Nanna & an oversized, gold & diamante cocktail ring in the shape of a bow that I picked up at the Victoria & Albert Museum Gift Shop on a family trip to Europe. Scroll down to see the pieces in detail:

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