Sylph

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Dress: Anthea Crawford brocade

Coat: Vintage, Chinese silk

Booties: Corelli @ Williams suede & neoprene

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier

Bag: Leona Edmiston vinyl with gold hardware

Brooch: Avon gold & diamante

Bangle: Gift, jade (from Chinese Markets)

Bracelet: Gift, jade (from Jade Dealer)

Headband: Gift, from China

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A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a ballet performance with a dear friend from interstate & after some technological issues, I am finally able to share the gorgeous outfit pictures!

La Syphide is the tale of foolish Scotsman James, who falls passionately & ardently in love with a beautiful sylph on the eve of his wedding to ingenue Effie, leaving her distraught & bewildered at the altar as he runs into the forest after his mysterious new love, only to have her die tragically in his arms as his spurned betrothed marries his best friend Gurn instead. The evocative & supernatural themes were fully explored in the lavish production, choreographed to haunting orchestral strains that stayed with you long after the final curtain.

Such a special occasion required an extra special ensemble & this brocade frock & vintage silk long coat combination was certainly that; the perfect mix of whimsy & sophistication. The navy & ink Anthea Crawford dress, with its slashed bateau neckline, below-the-knee hem & pleated waist with folded "bow" detail was the ideal base for the stunning royal blue & gold floral embroidered Chinese silk jacket with high Mandarin collar, multiple toggles & high, gold piped side splits. Check out the details below:

As usual, black accessories "anchored" the look - a pair of black suede & neoprene heeled booties from Corelli, matte 40 denier Razzamatazz tights & single-strap vinyl Leona Edmiston handbag with gold hardware. 

When it came to jewellery, I decided to go with a "more is more" approach, starting with a gold & green diamante butterfly brooch from Avon, pinned right on the pleating detail of the dress' half-bow. That way, when the coat fell open, there was a little glimpse of something twinkly...

In keeping with the oriental theme of the coat, I also donned some jade "arm candy" - a bangle brought back from the Chinese Night Markets & a green, puce & purple jade beaded bracelet purchased from a Jade Dealer by my younger brother Louis on a recent trip to China & given to me as a birthday gift. What I love about the beaded bracelet is the quality of the jade; so attune to the wearer that it will actually CHANGE COLOUR the more it is worn. This makes it a personal treasure that is truly unique to me. Scroll down for a closer look at each:

Finally, I completed the look with a faceted navy & gold beaded headband for that little extra touch of sparkle...

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