I Am One of Your Biggest Fans

Tonight I gave Phrynne's arse a virtual squeeze goodbye at the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Costume Exhibition volunteer thank you drinks.

As an enormous fan of 1920s design I wasn't alone in feeling a wee bit melancholy about the exhibition's end this Sunday, where costume design genius Marion Boyce, and her team together with the National Trust Queensland, gave fans a chance to get very, very close to the exquisite works of art sported by Australia's infamous TV lady detective.

I put my hand up to holler and harangue visitors at the interactive exhibition, but largely succeeded in causing a number of near-death experiences.

I've lost count of the number of times when visitors approached me, thinking I was a statue.

Then I'd move.  Cue screaming.

Volunteers were asked to wear all black or white, or dress in period costume.  

I picked out some bits and pieces that sort of fitted the look of the era and no-one seemed to notice or care that I wasn't dressed in head-to-toe authentic 20s gear.

I found the 1930s green scalloped dress above at a huge antiques barn in Auckland, NZ, earlier this year ... it was lying on the floor and they asked $15 for it.  

Don't mind if I do.

The exhibition's costumes were chosen for their various attributes in purveying the fashion fantasy that most audiences have of the 1920s ... fine craftsmanship, the principles of haute couture, exotica and of course, glamour. 

Many of the pieces were much-loved original antiques, but largely, the costumes were made from scratch.

In fact, many pieces were once mere fragments of garments where some buttons or lace were salvaged, then the garment remade from scratch and lovingly reproduced.

It occurred to me that the design team not only needed bespoke tailoring and costuming skills, but they were also responsible for restoring glorious works of art, so that we the audience could fall in love with these exquisite treasures.

Armed with this information, one confused-looking patron still sidled up to me about ten minutes after she entered the exhibition and stated loudly "these dresses are all made in China aren't they?"

Me: (goldfish impression).

Aside from this stunning display of confused ignorance, it was a remarkable crowd that have passed through Phrynne's doors and I've never seen such an incredibly stylish and knowledgable crowd of gorgeous people gathered in one hot spot.

It's the first time any of the three season exhibitions have travelled to Brisbane and considering Miss Fisher's breaking hearts in 120 countries now, I thought it only fair to share the beauty of this exhibition with you.

Enjoy.

I snuck a selfie in Marion's workshop before morning crowds poured in and most probably before I rapped some poor dear over the knuckles with my steel ruler for touching something she oughtn't have (kidding jeez).

I tell you they're a brazen lot our friends of advancing years - I should know!

Best question: Is that your own outfit or have you just borrowed something off the mannequins for the day? (not kidding)

I decided that the thing missing from the exhibition was a proper knicker-fest.
So I decided to oblige.
My invitation to colleagues to "cop a feel of the fabrics" went down very well and I'm still smarting from a pinched arse.

'Scuse miss, your fly's undone.

 Fishnet sisters with Suzi and her holster.

Oh dear I seem about to stab gorgeous Pam in the chest. 

Goodnight sweet friends. xoxoxoxoox

Dressing Blind

You're forgiven for thinking I've been sewing in the dark, or at least choosing my colours while blindfolded.
In the case of this little number, surprisingly neither is the case.
It's my Franken-top, made of leftover cotton fabrics from other projects, using a pattern I op-shopped for 50 cents.
I'm so pleased with it and it's so comfortable, I've been wearing it every other day.

If only I paid as much attention to my roots as my sewing projects eh?

The Stylist and I went to see Maleficent just over a week ago, well before we needed to pile on lovely warm layers.
It's school holidays now, so we can operate at a slightly slower pace for the next fortnight.
After the screening at Southbank I took the lassie for a wander over the Brisbane River to have a sticky beak at Brisbane's heritage-listed Treasury Building.
It now operates as a casino and we couldn't go inside to check out the beautiful interior together because of age restrictions.
So we snapped off some pics and made a bee-line for the nearest stationery shop to top up our stocks, then escape the people-herding confines of the CBD.

If you're here in Oz, I hope you're enjoying the cold snap.
Welcome winter!
Linking up to Patti's Visible Monday.
Love, D x

How Very Grand!

As a highly fashionable, in-demand, stylish, social butterfly, my diary is rammed with appointments, invitations and A-list events where I score tons of free shit.
I often forget to tend to things boring people do like wash my hair, trim my pubes, pluck my brows and turn on the dishwasher.
So yesterday when The Stylist and I decided we needed to make a show of being super-ordinary and do something other than homework, colouring-in and ignoring the dirty washing pile, we dropped everything and went to see The Grand Budapest Hotel.
We couldn't make it to the premiere opening because I was soaking my bras that night so better late than never eh?

I had about two inches of regrowth to blitz on Friday night so thought I'd may as well put a few drops of pink hair dye in the conditioner.
I have a very short attention span and a bit of old-lady-memory-loss, which is an interesting combination - I often get quite a fright in the morning as I stumble to the loo after a night spent with the dye bottle.
Beats a hangover.

Ain't she cute?  And looking grown up? Eeeeek!

Wool beret - Etsy

1920s men's tailcoat - eBay

Red Nose Day tshirt and "Perfect" badge - gifts from fabulous Tralala!

"FREEK" necklace - custom made by Bones Couture

1980s earrings and 1950s ostrich-skin bag - second hand

Green necklace - market

Leggings - Black Milk

Boots - retail

Oh and the hair?  I mixed about a teaspoon of Manic Panic's Hot Hot Pink with a cup of conditioner and left it in for about 40 minutes.

I made the biggest roast pork in history with impressive crackling like leather straps and burnt my hand on the oven.  Worth it.

I wanted to look like a lobby boy and I think I could have pulled it off if it wasn't for the handbag.  

In other news, I finished off a dress for The Stylist.
Now we can be matching. 
The fabric is a cotton sheet and the pattern (dated 1974) - both from op shops.
It's a bit wide in the bodice and shoulders, but it's my first go in making something for the wee lassie in a while.
I wanted the dress to be big enough to wear in a couple of years if she wants, even if she ends up spray painting, studding or shredding it in ironic teen defiance.
I think the puffy sleeves are damn impressive.
I do love a puffy sleeve don't you?

Oh and this is the pattern (also dated 1974) I used to make these two frocks.
Clearly it was a very stylish year.