Hay Fever!

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Dress: Vintage, 1980s Gary Lenn of Sydney

Heels: Betts floral satin

Clutch: Betts floral satin

Cuff: Wallace Bishop silver

Hinged Bangle: Heathergems (from Pitlochry, Scotland)

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Had the pleasure of attending a matinee performance of Noel Coward's Hay Fever with a friend this week. In typical Coward fashion - he was also the author of such hilarious outings as Private Lives, Blithe Spirit & Easy Virtue - it was a cross between a comedy of manners (or rather, bad manners!) & a high-brow farce.

Written in 1924 & first performed in London in 1925, the play is set in an English country house & deals with the travails of the four eccentric members of the thespian Bliss family & the outrageous carry-on when they each invite a guest to spend the weekend. The self-indulgent, self-centred behaviour of the hosts - who effectively "pair off" with the wrong people - finally drives their guests to flee but by this time, the Blisses are so engaged in a family row that they scarcely even notice!

www.theguardian.co.uk

Despite being written 90 years ago, the themes explored in the production are still relevant today: the power & potency of youth & how women feel when its first blush is gone, the selfish & selfless reasons people fall in love & infatuation & finally, the emphasis that society places on looking as though you "have it all" but Coward is NEVER preachy - he makes his pointy clearly & concisely through shrewd observation shrouded in wit. And make no mistake, this wry brand of comedy still elicits laughter, with most of the audience in stitches throughout the performance, not least due to the stellar acting chops of seasoned performer Felicity Kendal of The Good Life & Rosemary & Thyme fame - what a joy to see her in person, so clearly relishing her role as "ageing ingenue" Judith Bliss! 

For such an occasion, I decided to wear something a little left-of-centre with a subtle art deco vibe - in this case a 1980s-does-1920s dress by Sydney designer Gary Lenn, given to me by a dear friend who knows how much I adore vintage clothing from all eras. The bright blue crepe fabric really draws the eye while the leaf-print lace details (a popular 1920s motif) at the shoulders & waist provide further visual interest & the pleated skirt catches the breeze & adds that touch of flounce that is perfect for the springtime. See below for close-ups:

To bring the almost 30 year old garment up to date for 2014, peeptoe platforms & a matching envelope clutch were added in a floral print satin that picks up on the blue of the crepe & adds in shades of pink, red & yellow. Keeping the accessories simple & sculptural, I added my silver cuff & a silver hinged bangle with pink, red & yellow Heathergem pendant attached for a further pop of colour.

For those of you who don't know about Heathergems - a company based in Pitlochry in the Scottish Highlands adept at harvesting, dyeing & compressing natural heather before fashioning it into unique & stunning jewellery pieces - click here to visit the website.  

"I love to see things as they are first, and then pretend that they're not." 

Words to live by, Noel. 

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Race That Stops A Nation

Melbourne Cup Day may be the most important & iconic day of the Spring Racing Carnival, but for many, it's more about the fashion than the fillies... 

I was lucky enough to be invited to a Brisbane function at Doomben Racecourse, rubbing shoulders with local celebrities & media personalities... while surreptitiously checking out their Cup Day ensembles, of course! 

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Dress: Anthea Crawford taffeta

Heels: Betts iridescent

Clutch: Adorne iridescent

Wrap: Millers brushed cotton

Hat: Vintage, Lucilla Illenden satin

Chunky Bangle: Vintage, American Brass

Thin Bangle: Du Monde brass

Rings: Vintage (belonged to my Nanna)

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Much like the first of my Crown Oaks Day ensembles, I decided to go with a sculptural taffeta dress from Anthea Crawford - with cascading waistline ruffle - in a stunning shade of lipstick red to play into the "Magic Carpet Ride" theme of the marquee, mixing it with a deep red satin vintage turban-style hat for something just that little bit unexpected in a sea of fascinators... 

Feeling that black patent may be too dark for the occasion, iridescent silver patent peeptoe platforms & a matching clutch in the shape of a large candy wrapper (... though has anyone noticed how much it looks like an iridescent version of the magic flying carpet from Disney's Aladdin?!) were chosen to enhance the sheen of the dress' fabric, match with the beads on the hat's brim & give a feeling of youthful opulence to the whole look. 

Jewellery was then added in the form of a pair of differently-sized brass bangles for that olde worlde Middle Eastern feel & vintage diamond & ruby rings that once belonged to my Nanna. 

A wide floral cotton wrap (the perfect weight for a warm November day in the Sunshine State) drew the divergent colours together, melding all of the elements to create a cohesive look that was pleasing to the eye. Scroll down for final outfit pics & to see how I have taken inspiration from Princess Mary regarding regal ways to wear a wrap:

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FINAL WORD:

The day in itself was a bittersweet occasion despite the fabulous fashion, with German stayer Protectionist's convincing win overshadowed by the collapse of front-runner Admire Rakti, who passed away in his stall minutes after the race & Araldo, who shattered his leg moments later when a small child got too close & spooked him by waving a flag. Tragic instances like these serve as a reminder that horse racing - a lauded avocation & part of this country's cultural identity - is a dangerous sport for both horses & jockeys & that the sacrifices often made in pursuit of this endeavour should not be underestimated or forgotten.

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Be Captivating at Crown Oaks

Crown Oaks Day is fast approaching on November 6, but there's still time to put together a show-stopping ensemble awash with colour & full of feminine accents! 

Traditionally known as "Ladies Day," the 3rd day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival is a time for women to connect & share in a day of beauty & indulgence while dressed in their most romantic looks, replete with delicate fabrics, tasteful shine, whimsical florals & subtle sparkle. The official flower of Crown Oaks Day is the pink rose & I have kept this in mind while styling up 2 different outfits - one more traditional; the other with a funky edge - perfect for any femme determined to have a flutter... 

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LOOK #1

Dress: Anthea Crawford taffeta

Heels: Betts floral satin

Clutch: Betts floral satin

Headband: Gift

Brooch: Gift

Cuff: Wallace Bishop silver

Bracelet: Vintage, Kellie's Antiques silver

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Taffeta is a timeless fabric that lends itself to any elegant occasion, particularly in this sumptuous shade of mauve & with the dress being such a classic silhouette - just look at that stunning half-bow detail at the waistline! - is an inspired choice for "Ladies Day." 

The sheen of the fabric is picked up in the jewellery, with a large silver & diamante flower-shaped brooch adding the perfect touch at the waist & complimenting the silver cuff & vintage bracelet with heart shaped locket & tiny key on my wrists. 

Seeing that the dress is plain rather than printed, it is important to bring in floral accents with accessories - in this case a pair of floral satin peeptoe platforms & matching clutch & a large-scale rose headband in a contrasting shade of pink to truly make a "girly" statement. 

After all, the Spring Racing Carnival comes but once a year, so why not make it special? 

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LOOK #2

Dress: City Chic satin & tulle

Heels: Emerson @ Big W patent

Clutch: Diana Ferrari patent

Hat: Vintage wool (from Paris Antique Store)

Necklace: Sussan

Cuffs: Lovisa rose gold

Ring: Antique Cameo, belonged to Aunty Emily

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This vivid floral print fit & flare dress with modified sweetheart neckline & tulle hemline underlay is a funky, vintage-inspired way to interpret the dress code & as such, I have played up this homage to the 1950s by adding a vintage wool beret rather than the expected fascinator. See below for a close-up:

I have also mixed my accessories - pairing peach-toned patent platforms (one of the hues found in dress' floral pattern) with a black patent clutch & blending a silver diamante & peach tone chunky flower statement necklace with rose gold cuffs for each arm & a vintage rose gold cameo ring that once belonged to my Aunty Emily. 

One of the best things about opting for pattern over plain is the fact that you can create visual interest by focusing on MULTIPLE different shades inherent in the print & matching each of your accessories to them, creating a jumble of items that shouldn't work in theory but just, well, DO! It can be liberating to take a chance with fashion & stand out from the crowd - for the right reasons - particularly when it comes to events such as Spring Racing where there are hundreds of pretty girls in (let's face it) the same style of dress, wearing the same type of shoe & carrying the same type of clutch... 

As style maven Coco Chanel once said:

Or if that's not inducement enough, here are some wise words from genius Albert Einstein:

On that note, here's a little sneak-peek of my Melbourne Cup outfit for tomorrow! 

More pictures to come, so stayed tuned!

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Flower Power

According to the vast majority of fashion magazines, pattern-on-pattern - & even pattern-mixing for the wildly adventurous among us - is the "in" thing for spring/summer... Avid readers of this blog have probably noticed that I have embraced this trend with gusto, wearing it in many different forms - dresses with matching jackets, tunics with matching maxi skirts & even tunics with matching happy pants... I know, I can hardly believe I went there either, but I'm glad I did! It's a great way to look "pulled together" for the hotter months with minimal effort - certainly the case with the following new season offerings from Flower Clothing. One is monochromatic & the other is vividly colourful, proving that this trend can work regardless of what the print actually IS - the only limit is your imagination!

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LOOK #1

Tunic: Flower elastane

Skirt: Flower elastane

Sandals: Portland patent & elastic

Bag: Novo patent

Necklace: Adorne

Cuff: Wallace Bishop silver

Ring: Georgini silver & onyx

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Comprising of a striking large print floral tunic with an asymmetrical "cocoon" shaped hemline & matching maxi skirt, the first look would work for a myriad of different occasions or events. I have styled it for a more casual, daytime event with a black mesh draped cardigan, black patent sandals & a boxy handbag but swapping them for a cropped leather jacket, pair of platform wedges & a clutch bag would have you ready for a night on the town in seconds. 

To enhance the striking black & off-white colour palette, I have finished the look with a chunky black beaded necklace (the perfect compliment to the tunic's scooped neckline), plain silver cuff & silver & black onyx ring, pictured in detail below: 

The best thing about long, flowing layers is the way they move when walking, dancing - or spinning around - as this next pictures proves...

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LOOK #2

Tunic: Flower mesh

Drape Cardigan: Flower mesh

Sandals: Soft Soul @ Myer

Bag: LouenHide leather

Bracelet: Tree of Life

Large Ring: Sportsgirl

Small Ring: Tree of Life

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This rainbow-patterned arc hem tunic with matching draped cardigan is a grey way to inject some colour into your existing wardrobe. The pieces can be worn together as a set for a luminous fashion statement or split up & styled with plainer pieces: the cardigan could be worn over a white dress or with jeans & a baby blue top while the tunic could be mixed with a white blazer or even a yellow scarf  for a "toned down" take on spring/summer brights. 

Such a "full on" look requires minimal accessories, so I have merely added a pair of white wedge sandals (with funky silver strap detail) & white shoulder bag. Furthermore, I have picked up some of the colours inherent in the print with bohemian jewellery in the form of a beaded red & blue bracelet & two silver & howlite (blue) rings of varying sizes. Scroll down to view them up-close: