Sydney Fifties Fair 2012 - Rose Seidler House

Well, here we are at wonderful Rose Seidler House, all dolled up and looking glamorous for the 2012 Sydney Fifties Fair. Brooke looking as much like Marilyn as ever, and me in my Jackie Kennedy-Audrey Hepburn inspired outfit.

 

 

Enjoying the afternoon sun with Bonnie Rose, Miss Chrissy, and Brooke Orchard

 

 

Georgio Rimi and Robyn Hayes - always picture perfect !

 

Evening wear fashion parade

 

This event is one of my very favourites on the vintage event calendar, mainly because it is all about the fashion, the decor and architecture, and mostly, for catching up with my Sydney friends whom I sometimes don't get to see for a whole year in between.

 

Everything 50's from sensational skirts to cowboys

 

 

Happy 10th wedding anniversary Paul and Gill !

 

It is so easy to find a perch and just enjoy the passing parade of colour and music and face wide smiles, and with this years weather a delightful 20degrees, the Fair could not have been more spring perfect.

 

 

 

Linpin Jimmy and Swingin Kitten infront of the iconic modernist house

 

Entertainment from the much adored Rechords, Scotty Baker, Limpin Jimmy and the Swingin Kitten, and fashion parades from the always stunningly dressed Pia Andersen had the crowd hanging around right until closing time - I was loath to tootle off to catch my plane home to Melbourne.

 

 

Loving the wonderful 50's mobile phone ! And Rosalie Benyon rocking Mexican 50's chic !

 

This years fair, in my humble opinion, was much better than other years I have been - and not just because the weather was kind ! Numbers were limited, so I wasn't about to freak out from agoraphobia and the heritage listed house and grounds were somewhat protected. It was easy to navigate events, house, activities and friendly catch ups, and the vast majority of patrons were passionate 50's lovers and dressed accordingly. So heavenly to be a part of a 2000-3000 strong crowd all dressed in vintage style ! Market stalls were also limited this year, and I did wonder how I could enjoy that aspect being culled, but it worked a treat really...all stalls were required to be authentic vintage and not reproduction, and I must say, I found that very refreshing - not that I have anything against repro stuff, but it was just fantastic to have a social event where everything - fashions, activities and stalls - were pure and original, as I am not aware of any other such event in Australia....do let me know if I am missing anything !

 

Miss Chrissy and best dressed lady award winner, Kitty Van Horne

 

 

So all in all, I will be locking the Sydney Fifties Fair 2013 on my calendar - this event is definatly a hit with me....and now, off to plan my outfit !!!!

 

My main squeeze, Craig, and I with my oh so 50's waterbottle !

 

 

End of the day and we are all shopped out !!! Till next year then !

 

 

Thankyou to Brooke Orchard, Robyn Hayes, Louise Wheelan and The Swingin Kitten for the use of their beautiful images taken on the day.

School Formal....

My precious niece Ciel recently enjoyed her school formal dance....and didnt she look wonderful!!!
 

 

Ciel has a bit of a thing for the 50's look, so with her formal coming up she put together a design for a dress that would reflect that....a trip with Aunty Sen (me) to Spotlight for some fabric, and a week of sewing, pattern adapting, tucking, unpicking and sewing again by Aunty Sen (me) gave us this beautiful result. A red dotted netting over a white 'slip' with red satin waist. Sun ray detailing in the strapless bodice, and a full tulle petticoat made of the same red netting and trimmed with white ribbon.

Looking a million dollars in her 50's inspired party frock....but then, Ciel would look a million dollars in a hessian sack !!! You rock girlfriend !!!

 

Flourless Choc Cake.....mmmmmmmm

280g quality dark chocolate

2/3 cup organic coconut oil

4 free range eggs

2/3 cup almond meal

2 tbsp cornflour

1. Heat up your oven to 180 degrees. Oil a spring cake tin and line with baking paper

2. Place chocolate and oil in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir as chocolate melts.

3. Remove from heat and whisk in eggs.

4. Stir in almond meal and cornflour, mixing well until combined and pour into prepared tin.

5. Bake for 20mins or until a skewer inserted in centre comes out with moist crumbs.

6. Remove from oven and refridgerate for 3 hours before turning out from tin.

7. Sprinkle with icing sugar if so desired

Yummy - and this is particularly nice served as a choc brownie dessert with cream or ice-cream.

Brooke Orchard Photography.....your ultimate pin up shot stop!

Fellow Vintage Lovers....I want to tell you all about the ultimate pin up and fashion photographer currently working in Melbourne. A woman with a passion for not only creating that authentic vintage look in print, but also with a passion for living the authentic vintage look in real life too..... The ever beautiful - inside and out - Ms Brooke Orchard........

 

Can you tell us about you and your photography business?

About me, well I like original, I like meaning, I like real, I like deep, I am a dreamer and I simply love creating beautiful images!!

Apart from my vintage inspired art I also like to photograph children, I love history so I often do children’s theme shoots that have a historical or fairytale element to them. People’s personalities, uniqueness and their individual journeys are of great fascination to me which I guess accounts for my passion for portrait photography. Whether I am shooting a beauty portrait or a real life character study, the element I’m seeking is always the same….feeling….mood….emotion & connection, it’s that small window of time the eye of the subject can convey to me something from deep within….capturing this is a real thrill! It’s the number one ingredient for a great portrait.

"My aspiration as a photographer is to create images that have strong visual impact, but they must also have soul!"

Brooke Orchard

Where are you based, and where do you travel to?

I am based in Point Cook and although I do often work from home I consider my studio to be anywhere really! Anywhere that I can achieve the quality of light I’m looking for dependent on the project at hand too of course. I’ll often shoot on location or at a client’s home!

I am happy to travel taking all things into consideration.

When did you start offering vintage photo shoot, and what was your inspiration behind doing so?

I originally started shooting vintage whilst studying photography, it was during this time that I got the notion to combine my love of imagery & vintage fashion and this was the content of most of my folios during that 4 years after which I graduated top of my class

My inspiration for ‘Vintage Fashion’ was born out of old movies, as a girl I would watch movies spanning from the 1930s- 60s. I absolutely fell in love with the way the women looked, so elegant, classy & feminine not to mention stylish! The 1950s silhouette I found particularly appealing, who could go past those hourglass curves? The look for me holds such a wonderful combination of contrasting qualities, it is both soft & feminine yet strong & striking at the same time then you have this delightful concoction of alluring sensuality softened by innocence & vulnerability ……. sweetly tempting!!

However it is only recently that I decided to offer this as part of my service to clients, for some reason I always regarded it as my personal work but people seem to love it so much so why not offer it?

"Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art"

Ralph Waldo Emerson

You offer packages which include hair & make-up, do you prepare your clients hair and  make-up yourself?I have hair/make-up stylists that I use for this although I sometimes help out with the make-up! I also work with The Lindy Charm School for Girls on occassion and can collaborate with the Misstresses on a session when they are in town.... (Melbourne)

Let me encourage my readers, if you are in the market for a shoot for yourself, a modeling folio, a gift for a loved one, or simply to feel good about yourself, then Brooke's multi National award winning service is for you, give her a call and you will most certainly be glad you did !

Brooke can be contacted via the details on her business facebook page:

Brooke Orchard Photography

Living Doll - Miss August

Living Dolls are mothers, nurses, models, photographers, graphic designers, grandmothers, students, teachers - infact you name it, they come from every walk of life but have this one thing in common - they love and live vintage !

And here is our fabulous Miss August, the divine Miss Dollie DeVille, Rockabilly Socialite !

What does 'vintage' mean to you?

Anything older then 20 years. I think that is the actual meaning anyway.

What was it that first prompted your interest in vintage culture?

 My grandmother played old music and piped it through the house every Sunday morning to wake us up for church. She also had a lot of pride for her vintage items in her home, like cut crystal glasses. She gave me appreciation for the older things in life.

What is your favourite era, and do you 'live it' every day?

In what ways? I love a lot of eras, from the 40s through 60s, but my heart belongs to the 50s. My husband and I have a home from 1954 that we took back in time and tried to make it as close as possible to what it would have looked like back in the day. We also both have a love affair with vintage clothing, and I wear something vintage everyday. The vintage lifestyle penetrates every aspect of our lives really, from cooking, cleaning and entertaining to who we have as close friends.

Tell us about your favourite item of vintage clothing, kitchenalia, music, furniture or whatever !

I love my collection of vintage Alfred Shaheen dresses, playsuits and pantsuits. They are beautiful, comfortable and very figure-flattering!

 

Can you share with us why vintage culture continues to hold such appeal for you?

It’s like an addiction that only gets worse with time, at least for us. We keep finding more reasons to love the rockabilly sub-culture, more things we want to collect, and more events we want to go to.

Do you have any tips for anyone starting out in the vintage scene?

Follow your heart! If you love it, go for it no matter what anyone says or thinks. Don’t let any negative Nellies spoil it for you.

Now is your chance to provide us with an overview of who you are and what you do.

Check out my blog The Rockabilly Socialite!

www.missdolliedeville.blogspot.com

or "like" me on facebook www.facebook.com/dolliedevilletherockabillysocialite to learn more about me and keep in touch with me! Also, check me out on TLC this fall!

 

Finally, what or who inspires you and why?

Betty Grable inspires me in many ways. She is fashionable, driven and a real lady! She will always be my favorite!

1960's outfit for a 60th birthday.....

My beautiful Mum recently celebrated her 60th, although she sure doesnt look that age ! The family got together for a surprise lunch at a darling nursery in the Warandyte Hills near Melbourne, and we had a glorious day of food, family and celebration. To my great shame I neglected to bring my camera, so I am unable to show you a picture of my Mum and extended family, but I did capture the outfit I wore to the event....another warm vintage wool creation of mine in very Joan Holloway style, shown below. May I just say how very special it is to celebrate momentous days with those you love...it is what creates memories, community, belonging and joy. A million thankyous to my sister Tanya who orchestrated the event, and even more thankyous to Mum for being a bastion of style, good taste, generosity and strength for as long as I can remember.

My favourite old broach with a few rhinestones missing !! Still looks terrific none the less !