Australiana

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Dress: Anthea Crawford jacquard

Kimono: Tree of Life rayon & fringing

Heels: Bon Bons patent

Bag: Vera May patent

Thin Bangle: Tree of Life brass

Thick Bangle: Vintage, American brass

Ring: Creative Waves brass

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Three weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending yet another "Dancing Class with a Difference," where we learnt the steps to traditional Aussie Bush Dances like the Heel & Toe Polka, Blackwattle Reel, Gypsy Tap, Strip the Willow & Pride of Erin to the rambunctious sounds of a live "Bush Band." Based on folk dances from places like England, Ireland, Scotland & central Europe, the dances were rustically modified by Early Australian Settlers for the instruments found & fashioned in this wide brown land on the other side of the world...

But I digress.

First & foremost, this is a fashion blog & I should talk about the "Australiana" outfit I chose for the occasion, inspired in large part by costume designer Catherine Martin (otherwise known as director Baz Luhrmann's wife) & her work on the 2008 Hugh Jackman/Nicole Kidman movie, Australia.

Like Catherine, I eschewed being cliche in favour of focusing on what I believe to be the "essence" of the Australian bush - the at times vibrant & sun-bleached tones of the native floral as well as their starling, sculptural shapes - & incorporating these into my outfit. 

Scroll down to see some stimuli:

Colour palette decided, the dress was a no-brainer: it simply had to be this stunning, burgundy jacquard Anthea Crawford number with flattering portrait neckline; sophisticated yet with an ease of movement that would serve me well on the dance floor. 

Autumn weather dictated that some kind of jacket was required & this Tree of Life rayon kimono, intermittently covered with a large-scale floral print that is somewhat open to interpretation (roses, yes, but others... could they possible be Aussie natives?) was the perfect choice, providing a degree of warmth without being cumbersome & sitting underneath the dress' statement neckline. 

What's more, it even had fringed cuffs & hemline for a bit of added "swish" as I twirled.

Check it out below:

 

Black patent Mary Janes were chosen for both style & comfort - from experience, I now know that they stay on during even the most strenuous of dance steps - mixed with a green patent Vera May handbag to provide a "pop of colour" & pick up on the tiny hints of green in the leaves of the kimono's floral print.

Jewellery was kept to a minimum: a pair of brass bangles, one thin & plain, the other wider with a "twist" detail & a funky ring in an almost stylised flower shape with five differently patterned "prongs."

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But the bush hath moods & changes,

As the seasons rise & fall.

And the men who know the bush-land,

They are loyal through it all.

In Defense of the Bush - The Bulletin, 23 July 1892

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