Snow White Goes Hard Core

Some time ago, I was presented with a challenge by local fetish and bondage wear designer Peter Martin, to style his handcuff belt (named the Briannatron) in my own unique, Super Kawaii way. Each piece is personally made by Peter using top quality New Zealand leather, steel attachments and saddlery rivets. Buttery soft and sharp all at the same time.

Both myself and fellow Aussie blogger Esme and the Laneway, both took on the challenge to showcase his creation, shooting it with our own particular spin. I was so interested to see Peter's work worn in a different and unpredictable manner. All too often alternative designers and their wares are pidgeon holed as only being relevant to those with hardcore tastes. But look a little further, unleash your creativity, and explore a whole new fashion language just waiting for you to make it sing.

Outfit Details: Top - Miss Shop, Skirt - Boo Radley, Shoes - Urban Originals, Belt - Peter Martin, Gloves - Dents, Headband - USA Disney Store.

The Bold and the Beautiful

Outfit Details: Blue silk cocktail dress - Vintage Tina Varigos, Shoes - Valerie Stevens, Necklace - Vintage pearlized glass beads, Earrings - Diamond Studs, Fur - Vintage Mink, Diamonte hair comb, Lipstick - MAC Russian Red.

Now what am I all tizzied up for this time? Well, whilst I look for any excuse to break out the sequins and silk, it isn't something I do every Friday night as a rule. However last night saw the launch of Melbourne's newest modelling agency, The Alternative Modelling Agency. Founded by local gothic glamour queen, Samantha Shields, the agency is set to invigorate the local fashion scene with a new and vibrant style of personality. If you are sick to death (like me) of seeing your models underfed, homogenized and surly looking; you are sure to see more personality on the pages with Samantha's stable of beauties.

Last nights festivities began with Champagne and belly dancing before we moved onto the main event, an eclectic parade showcasing local alternative designers and the agency's new talent. I snuck in a few photos, but as I'm no keen fashion photographer they aren't the best, but I did want to share a little of the evening with you. You can read more about Samantha and the agency here in the Age.

After all that eye candy, those delicious cocktails and divine personalities, it was pumpkin time for me. Yes I was tempted to stay and party the night away, but with another round of cocktails scheduled with some delightful ladies for today, I chose to get my beauty sleep and do it all again. And that my friends, will be a story for tomorrow.

Wearing it Wild at Worn Wild

Yesterday saw the inauguration of the alternative fashion event Worn Wild, and wild it was! My intention was to bring you a single review of the day, but after meeting with so many creative designers in one day, I have so many gems that one post would not be enough to do them justice. So I'll bring you a series of interviews with my favorite designers and a look at their wares over the course of the next two weeks.

Me - Super Kawaii Mama dressed by Minikem

The event was held at La Di Da in Little Bourke street, the perfect venue with its retro chinoiserie decorations and well stocked bar. The brain child of Melissa Clare from Geomythik, this was the first fashion event I've seen in Australia with such a diverse collection of local, alternative fashion. In my usual manner I wanted to know as much as possible about this event from the inside, and so was kindly dressed by one of the designers for the day. Minikem outfitted me in a rather Gothic Lolita styled number, complete with tutu and corset. Although her designs range from the corporate to the extreme, I couldn't possibly tone it down for such an event. I know some of you were also planning to attend, but there is a strong chance you wouldn't have recognised me in this number.

One of the things that surprised me most about the day was the diversity of the crowd and the lack of attitude and angst. There is much more attitude to be encountered at the mainstream shows of Fashion Week, so in contrast Worn Wild was like being at one fabulously dressed party.

Samantha

Celeste, Brett and Sif the Ferret

Pink haired beauty

Rachelle and the darling Ruby




Kitty Elixir, Natalie, Samantha Doll, Howsie



Michael



Tall, dark and striking




Super Kawaii Mama, Miss Nic and her lovely assistant

Even if hard core alternative is not your thing, you couldn't help but be inspired by the colours, (yes, there were some amidst the sea of black) textures and craftsmanship of the garments. Each of the designers I spoke with had such a strong passion for their art which was clearly seen in the detail of each piece. There was whimsy and fantasy, the sharp and the strong, the dark and the dirty. My tip on the trend to watch is what I'm terming Erotic Baroque, strong silhouettes in luxe fabrics, worked in soft and gilded colours. Think Miss Haversham (Dickens) meets Marie Antionette - as played by Helena Bonhman Carter. I even saw a few little bird headdresses that Susie Bubble would have been proud of.

For a complete list of the days exhibitors visit the Worn Wild official site and be tempted by some spanking style.

Deco Desires

Please excuse the gratuitous portraits, but I was just so thrilled with this wonderful outfit. You can read more about it in the previous post, A Vintage Dream.

The occasion was the opening of the National Gallery of Victoria's Art Deco 1910 -1939. exhibition. And what a spectacular evening it was. From the illuminated and mirrored pillars at the entrance, to the jazzy band and vivacious crowd. I must admit, I would loved to have seen more people dressed for the occasion, it is rare to get a chance to break out this much glamor day to day, so when the invitation comes - to arms people!

The exhibition itself was just like living in a dream. Each piece resonated with history, but in a way that was not musty or patinaed with age, but bright and sparkling, like the young things whose lives they would have no doubt graced. Having seen the era reproduced on the silver screen is a wonderful romantic experience, but standing bathed in the glow of the lights of the old Strand Palace foyer, simply transforms you. Each minute scratch making the sense of history palpable, and as you catch your reflection in the multitude of mirrored surfaces, you feel yourself dissolving into a film strip of the past.

The exhibition is on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and we have never before seen anything like it on our shores. So do not miss it people! I'll be making sure that I take both my girls to see this as soon as possible. They may be only 4 and 11 months, but you are never to young to surround yourself by beauty and art.

You can find more images of the evening at The Vine . Or for more detailed information and a not to be missed peak at the exhibition, check out The Age online.

Image courtesy of The Vine

High Time for High Tea

Outfit Details:
Coat - Wool coat, unlabeled, Knitted Dress - Laura Ashley, Stretch Waist Cincher - Girl Express KMart ! (Can you believe it) Gloves - Vintage from Nana, Purple tights - Voodoo, Shoes - Hot Options, Hair Bow - By Super Kawaii Mama (Me!) on Etsy, Platinum Earrings - gift.

Today it was off for my first High Tea with the Melbourne High Tea Society at the Park Hyatt. What a gorgeous hotel. Full of the most divine Deco detailing, I just had to take a few outfit shots whilst wandering around before tea. I am meeting a fellow blogger here next week and after today's sneak peek, I think we may well be spending some time taking location shots here too.

While enjoying my champagne and scones, I chatted with the lovely Nicole of Circa Vintage. Circa Vintage is our premier vintage clothing store and is a head and shoulders above the rest. Nicole hand picks all the wears, and it must be at least 40 years old to classify as vintage. She also mends and restores all the garments before they go for sale. I am planning to head in for a visit later this week to pick up something special for an opening night I have coming up.

I so enjoyed meeting all the lovely members of The High Tea Society; an eclectic, engaging and welcoming group. If you have never 'taken' High Tea, I'd highly recommend getting together with either some of your best friends, or take the plunge and meet some of your favorite online acquaintances in real life. Whether its the scones or the company, it's bound to bring a ray of sunshine to your day.

Nicole and her charming husband Tim.

Goodbye May; Hello June

Here are some of my favorite things that happened in May.

Surprise packages from my Best Friend. Vintage story books to read to the girls. Playing dress ups with Miss Three. My Mothers Day flowers. My Mothers Day breakfast by Miss Three. Having a tea party with Miss Three dressed as Mulan. Taking the girls to 'outer space'. Playing Mulan with Miss Three. Watching Miss Three's art work develop with this picture of a snowman and a whale.

For those of you keeping up with the progress of my tattoo, I now only have one session left to go. After another 3 1/2 hours, my Koi fish now has some colour to him. There is pretty much only the peony and cherry blossoms to finish off. When choosing the colour for the blossoms, my artist brought me lots of lovely soft pink inks, very feminine. I, of course, have chosen to go with the hot pink and magenta instead.

Answers to the questions I have been asked so far are:

Yes, I spent ages researching just what I wanted.
I worked with the artist to custom design the image.
Yes, it is expensive.
Yes, it hurt but it has nothing on childbirth twice over - (and they weren't even natural births!) So no bitching from me.

On another note, I have a little housekeeping to do. Firstly, I have been having a problem with my emails where some have been indiscriminately sent to a junk folder I rarely check. If you have sent me mail and not heard back, I am sorry. Please don't think me rude. If you would like to send me a message, all mail should now be received.

Secondly, I have lots of new links to add, and many to tidy up. If I haven't linked to you and you would like your blog to appear here, drop me a line so I can check you out. I can't promise to add everyone, but if your site tickles my fancy and is relevant to my readers, I'll see what I can do.

There will be some new features and surprise's coming in June, and I can hardly wait to get started!

"Dreams come in a size too big,
so that we can grow into them."

-Josie Bisset

Mama's Night Out - In Which I Fall Just a Little Bit In Love.

My Mum, Dad and I.

Last night I headed out with my family to Manchester Lane in Melbourne. A small Jazz club with a wonderful little restaurant attached. My Mum, being a lover of all things Deco, had organized the evening to see a great 1930's style band, The Cairo Club.


With their fabulous band stands and fez wearing musicians, they really were all that Jazz. (Why do Fezs' keep on appearing in this blog?) And while both the food and the music were fabulous, what really made my evening was this dandy chap.

He strode into the room wearing a black, fur trimmed over coat and white opera gloves. As he arrive at his table, he removed his coat to reveal a beautiful old style tuxedo with white tie, matching waistcoat and a carnation in his button hole. Joining his companions, he laughed gaily, remarking wittily on some anecdote from his day. In a room where only myself and my table were 'dressed', he was a beacon of style. Others had earlier hit the dance floor, and while they could dance up a storm, they were wearing jeans?! I mean really, why would you go to all the effort to learn to Tango like Gomez Addams, then arrive in jeans and a wind cheater? So it was in this environment that I saw this Gentleman, and unable to contain my delight, promptly made my way over to his table to request his photograph.

After I had introduced myself and asked to take his photo for my blog, I was met with an, "Oh I'd be delighted!" that Noel Coward would have been proud of. He cut quite the rug with his various partners (only let down by their appalling choice of attire), and had me marveling at his mannerisms all night. It was almost as though he was out of his time, and had me enthralled with his authenticity as I overheard him commenting to his companions on the "Huns". And so I am just a little bit in love. Not with a man, but with a character, and all the wonderful fantasy he brought to our evening.

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)