The Devil of Detail

Highlighting my eclectic (okay, eccentric) sense of style, I have today come across the work of a very talented gentleman, whom I should like to ask to decorate my library. Mr Douglas Little of D.L & Co. Heralded as a "Modern Alchemist", Mr Little is a master of sensory pleasure and indulgence. Unencumbered by tight budgets and bottom lines, D.L has been free to style his creations as works of art from start to finish. His candles are hand milled with soy, maple and palm waxes, enabling them to burn with more purity and strength of fragrance. It is said that his candles are so soft and silky, that some customers have even been known to rub the wax into their skin as a solid perfume.

Initially famous for this range of candles with their unique and archaic fragrances, D.L&Co. is now sought after by some of the biggest names in the fashion business for his superior styling and decorating skills. Recently his work has been featured in House and Garden, with those vignettes then being re-created as windows for Bergdorf Goodmans, and I am in awe at the fantastic world he has created.

A selection of the images from the Gothic Splendor feature House & Garden November 2006

The re-created vignettes from the H&G images. Created by D.L & Co. for Bergdorf Goodman's. Click here to see more images and a Making Of featurette.

To my eyes, his products seem superior in every sense of the word. Not resorting to time worn marketing techniques of particular fonts or colour schemes to convey exclusivity, D.L has instead created a range of products that truly are exclusive. From the care and detail of the outer packaging to the museum worthy perfume vials, there is not one piece of these creations that would be leaving the house in the recycling. I think rather, that should I be so fortunate to be gifted with the fragrance below, it would instantly become one of my heirloom items.

Gingembre Candle

White chocolate death

An Invitation from D.L & Co.
"Within the dim, opulent parlors of D.L&Co. Detail, Craft and Imagination are all greeted with a tender, reverent embrace, and are coridally introduced to their lusty suitors. Obscure botanica, Victorian Surrealism and Ancient Charm; the fruits of their languid union are found here. We humbly invite you to lose yourselves in their subtle yet vitiginous splendor."

A man after my own heart Douglas Little is truly transforming the mundane into the magnificent.



*UPDATE* I've done a little sleuthing and if you are looking to make any of these magnificent pieces your own you can shop HERE for USA or HERE for Australia.



All images are courtesy of D.L & Co.
I have not be paid or solicited in any way to write this piece, I just love Mr Little's work. Should the good people at D.L& Co. see fit to bestow me with one of their magnificent pieces, it would be gratefully accepted. ;)

Arrgh Me Hearties!

It would be remiss of me not to remind you that today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. So break out the headscarves and skulls, and indulge in a bit of gratuitous Pirate chat. Besides, on what other day can you get away with calling your boss a "Scurvy Dog"?

Something a Little Different

Outfit details: Plaid dress - Review, Black top - Esprit, Opaques - Voodoo, Shoes- Luca & Marc, Earrings - Groove, Rose ring - Accessories.

As a Goth from way back, I'm always looking for opportunities to indulge this side of my personality. So heading out for dinner with my family was a great excuse. I have an addiction to dark colours, heavily textured fabrics (hmmm... velvet) macabre motifs and lots of shiny black. Generally I use all these elements in moderation, but occasionally a little excess is just right. I like to call this my "Sophisticated Gothic". I don't go in for oversized velvet skirts and peasant tops, I find them a tragically unflattering combination. As with any look, I like to take key elements and mix them up to create something uniquely me. Dressing in a formulaic manner, or subscribing to one specific subculture, would simply become too boring.

But probably one of the biggest shocks of this look will be the absence of the red lips! Yes, I do occasionally leave them behind. Truth be told, I was planning such a large and delicious dinner that I didn't want to worry about getting lipstick everywhere, and so I went with a very dark eye and super pale lip instead.

And while we are on the Something a Little Different Train....

For those of you in Melbourne, you'll be aware that Spring Fashion week is almost upon us. Amongst the slick, chic and high profile fashion shows on offer, is one gem that the true fashion innovators amongst you cannot miss. Worn Wild - an alternative designers showcase and market, will be making its debut at this 2008 Spring Fashion Week. Hosted at La di da at 577 Little Bourke Street on Sunday September the 7th from 1pm, this will be a fashion event like no other you have ever experienced. The event features the work of cutting edge local and interstate designers of rockabilly, raver, clubwear, cyber, corsetry, street style, emo, gothic, lolita, queer, vintage, burlesque, flower powered and fringe inspired fashion. You will even have the opportunity to try on items that are usually reserved for custom orders. So yes, I am very excited! And the icing on the cake? I am being dressed by one of the designers for the day to rocks their wares as only Super Kawaii Mama can! So see Daddy in the morning for Father's Day, then head on down to Worn Wild with me.

Fashion Is Where You Find It

Not all of my inspiration comes from movies or fashion pages. And while I love to see the everyday outfits of many of my friends in blogland, there is a wonderful overt sense of style I see in many artists work. I particularly love the pen work of Krystof Nemeth.

"Krysztof Nemeth is a Seattle based artist specializing in fetish, gothic, retro, and low-brow kulture pin-up illustration. For the past ten years, Krysztof has been making a name for himself creating saucy pin-up girls for everything from bands to burlesque troupes, gallery shows to rock shows, and clothing stores to private commissions." Taken from Krystof Nemeth's Charm School.

I love these women, with their curves, their outfits (or lack thereof) and that wicked look in their eye. Unlike so much of the modern photographed pin up work, I find these much less subjective of the subject (if that makes sense), and these gals much more self possessed. Now while I have no intention of replicating these looks to head out for milk at the supermarket, it is the little details Kriztof has included that could add some much needed sass to your day. Break out the pigtails, work some suspenders and wear gloves with short sleeves. You don't need to wear your underwear on the outside to be a fashion hero!

Swanky Panky

Yes, I am a bit late this week. Blame Earth Hour coming back to bite me, as our power was out for some days after a big storm here in Melbourne. But better late than never, and this week I have two lovely little items of glee for your delight.

Whilst I realise there is some controversy surrounding China and its human rights record at present, it has done nothing to dampen my enthusiasm for Chinese imagery. The more vintage the better. I just adore the old cigarette posters and the glamorous Old Shanghai feeling they evoke. So imagine my delight to discover these darling vintage style kits from Dumpling Dynasty. Fiona Hewitt's Wu & Wu company have produced these kits, and feature sewing kits, shoe shine kits, first aid kits and even pigtail kits! They have the cutest tin packaging, too beautiful to hide away in the cupboard. A good thing when you are looking for your first aid kit in a hurry. You can buy these online over at Strawberry Fool.


If you are looking for a bit of Pin Up pretty, these pins from Zombie Girl Hair Accessories will give you an edge. Part Beetle Juice, part playground chic , these are just the ticket for fancying up your do. If you don't have time to mess around with high maintenance hair, just pop it all up in a high pony and slip into one of these babies. I can't wait to get mine. Photos will be forthcoming.
The gorgeous model you see wearing the Flower Pin is the divine Bernie Dexter, who you may recognise from my previous post.

That's your lot for today. I am currently working on some larger feature posts for you all, so stay tuned for some of my secret How To's.

A Weekend in The Country

My Man had a big bike race this weekend, (well done baby!) so we packed up the car and headed out to "The Bush". Not quite up for camping, we stayed at a little hotel in town, where we even got more than one towel!

Time tramping around in the bush does somewhat limit ones fashion opportunities, but it did give me a chance to take my new gumboots for a test run. I love their skulls and roses print. It reminds me of days spent hiding from teachers on the back oval at school, listening to Guns N Roses on a walkman, with whichever Bad Boy I was in love with that week.

This week I am looking forward to one of my favorite Autumn tasks - unpacking all my Winter wardrobe goodies. Those hats, scarves, gloves and the like, that are packed away every Summer. I was lucky enough to inherit eleven pairs of gloves from my Grandmother a few months ago. Some lovely black beaded ones, little red wrist length ones and various ivory embellished pairs. The weather here is still in that in between phase, so my arm warmers are getting quite a work out at the moment too. I love their slouchy grey goodness, always making me feel just a little Eliza Dolittle. So between the boots and the gloves I say , "bring on Autumn". Oh, but I do think I may have to go shopping for a new umbrella now.

Jean Paul Gaultier corset umbrella from Sera of London

Daily Outfit

Nothing special today, just the usual dropping baby one at kinder and doing chores at home.
The temperature has dropped and the rain has started, and thankfully this outfit is surprisingly snug. I am a little limited in my fashion choices today as I am nursing my tattoo again after a long colouring session on Friday. (More pics to follow later tonight)
So I needed to pick something soft and stretchy, hence the yoga pants. Man I love these babies, the go so well with so many things and I love the flared cut of the leg. I wish I could get some more creative pictures for you all, but until my resident photographer improves a little, I'll have to stick to the remote control.

Todays Outfit

• Black rouched zip up top - PTO
• Goth skirt - Rapunzels closet
• Retro print cami - Antz Pants
• Black yoga pants - Miss Shop
• Black flat shoes - Pura Lopez
• Silver skull earrings ( I know skulls are SO last year, but I still love them)