It's Vintage, Darling!

In the recent year or two I have discovered the fun of second-hand shopping. Vintage & retro shops, antique outlets, thrift stores, St Vinnie's, Salvation Army's outlet, vintage sellers at weekend markets... As different as they may seem in terms of what they sell and their price tags, the interesting thing is that you often end up finding the same group of customers at these places. They are vintage shoppers, people who are constantly searching for that one-of-a-kind vintage dress or a pair of brand-new Yves Saint Laurent pumps.
Vintage stores are full of surprises. They stock everything from a 1920's compact mirror and a 1950's sundress to the 60's mini skirt and 1980's leather jacket. You can literally lose yourself among endless racks of clothes and shoes and jeweleries because every piece is so different. Every visit to a vintage store or a thrift shop is a treasure hunt. It's like going into a fashion museum and a style school that opens up a world of fashion history, fabrics and styles.
It is true that you are most likely to leave a shop empty handed. Many of the clothes are not so wearable and it takes a long time to find something you like. But that's where the fun is. And once you have experienced the thrill of making the first purchase, you just can't help but go back for more.

Hey Hey It's Yesterday - a charity shop that I have come to love. Sell mostly second-hand clothes and accessories as well as the odd pieces of cookware, books and albums. Goods are nicely arranged in clearly labeled sections. Accepts donation 7 days a week. Proceeds are dedicated to help the Friends of Brain Injured Children of Qld. Today I went to the Paddington Antiques Centre Vintage Fashion Weekend at the Paddington Antiques Centre. It is located in the former Plaza Theatre building, which gives the store a lovely historical atmosphere. They sell almost anything you can think of, furniture, jeweleries, buttons, musical instruments, artwork, clothing, kitchenware, cameras, etc.

Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones

Some people say hats are for bad hair days. The Cancer Council says they're for sun protection. Stephen Jones says they complete your outfit, express a statement and transform you into a character.Hats: An Anthology of Stephen Jones is a currently exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art, showcasing modern and historical hats and headpieces from the London's Victoria and Albert Museum and Stephen Jones's own collection. Here you can see a small selection from the exhibition. Jones's creations are such amazing work. I love how he has such a "British heart". He draws inspiration from the London underground, British passport, the Wimbledon tennis court, the uniform of the guards of the Buckingham Palace. He has the ability to put a paintbrush on a woman's head without making her look ridiculous. His work is so exciting and fun and has changed my perception of hats. Even though I absolutely enjoyed this exhibition, I still think they are missing one thing - a trencher hat!!A couple of hats featured in the exhibition:

John Galliano 2009 Spring RTW

Comme des Garcon 2007 Fall RTW

Sarah-Jessica Parker at Sex and the City Movie premiere

Where the outfit would not be completely without these exquisite headpieces:

Jean Paul Gaultier 2010 Spring Couture

Christian Dior 2010 Spring Couture

Marc Jacobs 2007 Spring RTW

Burberry Prorsum 2009 Spring RTW
(Has a fisherman hat ever looked that chic?!)

Chanel 2009 Spring Couture

Alexander McQueen 2008 Spring RTW

I always think fashion should be about fun. So go wear the biggest bow you have, put a bird on your head, wear colours that are not supposed to go together. Be adventurous. Go big. Have fun. Stand out.

And how can a weekend be complete without baking?

Banana and apple cinnamon muffins :)

The one and only Alexander McQueen

As we get excited for the New York Fashion Week, as we wait impatiently for the coming McQueen show in Paris fashion week in March, came the most shocking news of all: the death of Lee Alexander McQueen at the age of 40.

A genius. An inventor. An icon. A dream. A pioneer. A master.

Where do I start? I love the uniqueness of each and every single one of his collections. He has ideas that come from the outer space. He has the confidence to be stand out from the crowd. His shows are never a mere display of clothes. They are a extravaganza. His catwalk is his theatre. His collections are stories. Fairy tales. Ghost Stories. Science fictions. Fantasies. From the make-up, the crazy hair-dos, to the setting of the runway, his shows are simply AMAZING.

Fall 2008

Spring 2008

A weightless, fragile Kate Moss dancing in thin air in Fall 2006

I adore him for his most imaginative use of colours and textures, the extreme silhouettes of his design and his perfect tailoring skills. I will definitely miss his creations and his talents.
Just to share a few of my favourites from McQueen's work:

Spring 2010

Fall 2009

Spring 2009

Fall 2008 - The collection that made me fall in love with Alexander McQueen

Spring 2008

Fall 2007

Spring 2007

Fall 2006

Spring 2006

Fall 2005

Frocking Up

Fashion is transformative. It can give you glamour. It can give you power. It can show vulnerability. It can create drama. It turns a girl-next-door to a diva. And today I went to see an exhibition that demonstrated one of the most theatrical type of fashion - costume.


Frocking Up: The Art of the Costume Maker has been on display at Tony Gould Gallery QPAC since last year and I finally found time to pay my visit on its last day of exhibition. And I'm glad I did. It just shows the amazing ability of clothes to transform a performer/dancer/opera singer. A high-collar Victorian-styled gown in deep purple and royal blue for a Parisian seductive mistress. A ballet dress with tiny bronze bells attached on the body made especially for Tinker Bell. The extravagant robe in bright red and gold prints lined with faux fur for the King. A coat printed with presents, Christmas trees and sugar canes for the spirits in A Christmas Carol, who litereally wore Christmas on them. The costumes have almost done half the acting for them.

And talk about someone who knows the power of fashion:





You've gotta give it to her. That girl knows how to dress. And she wears Alexander McQueen!