Counter Culture

Newtown Social Club, Brunswick St, Fitzroy

I like this, too,

On the street, once again, to practice my happy-snapping... mb

Fun and Games

Front

Back

Side - note the bright pink sequin shoulder features!

I made this costume today for a friend in Wellington (NZ) who's off to a "Fire & Ice" party as an Ice Princess - more specifically, "The Australian Ice Dancing Champions" - alongside her partner-in-crime who shall be dressed in a matching skater top and his own fitting black pants.  I hear they're practicing dance moves already... mb

Dark Romance

I've just listed a new black kaftan dress I made a few days ago - the fabric's beautiful, a chiffon embossed with velvet paisley.  There's also a matching tie belt (or scarf).  mb

It Might As Well Be Spring

Gorman, Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Madame Sousou, Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Summer's nearly here in Melbourne and I'm diligently continuing my photo exercises.  Here are a few from wandering around the neighbourhood this week in the sweet jasmine springtime air.  mb

Sublime Simplicity

This week I designed and made this custom order top for a client who liked the Cinnamon Sequined Silk Kaftan but wanted something a little different.  It's based on the basic kaftan design, but with one long side which floats as you walk.  I hear it will be making it's debut this Saturday night... mb

A Stitch in Time

Hand Embroidered Corset by Irenagasha on Etsy

I am speechless - this Etsy seller's traditionally handmade and embellished pieces are exquisite.  mb

Goodbye Sweet Vacation!

Yes, I really have been off yonder a bit lately:  Christchurch and Auckland in New Zealand, then New York, DC and Southern California.  Now I'm back home in Melbourne and - thanks to the folks at Handmade Spark, have realised it's high time I make my blog 'less work, more play', so here are a few snapshots from my travels... enjoy. mb

Recovery morning, after seeing the Pixies in Christchurch, NZ

My favourite beach, CA

Notorious & Notable: 20th Century Women of Style at the Museum of the City of New York, NYC

Revisiting my old high school!  CA

At Ease

I've started making variations of the classic kaftan dress - here's the first, made from French corded lace.  Perfect for over leggings and one of those rare things that scream style but are uber-comfy.  mb

Dark & Light

Surprise - more kaftans!  This one's a very light, pure silk crinkle-chiffon with a gorgeous bright pattern.  It also just so happens to be my favorite color, dark green... mb

Cinnamon with Sparkle

I found an entire bolt of this beautiful printed and sequined silk chiffon this week and simply couldn't resist!

Of course, I started with a gorgeous kaftan, which is now for sale in my Etsy shop.  A luxury evening wrap, long scarf and one-sleeve top are on the way... she's back! mb

Change of Season

Don't you just love a change of season!  I've been backwards and forwards with winter-to-summer and returning from fall-to-spring next month... it doesn't rain, it pours.  The key is to layer.

Here are a couple of outfits from Paul Smith A/W10 that caught my eye:

Death Comes Knocking

The Fortune Teller by theblackapple

Death Comes Knocking

As Death he rose to greet me

I turned, looked back.

He beckoned.

Fashion vs Style

Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess.
Edna Woolman Chase, Vogue Editor-in-Chief 1914-1952

Dear Rivington

I was wandering through the Lower East Side last night and stumbled upon Dear Rivington (I took this picture of their superb window display). 

I am taken by their style, it is so close to my own and brings back fond memories of my costume student days. 

Adventure after adventure in NYC... mb

Lashings of Leather

Who knew making things out of leather would be so easy?  I've spent the last two days on a handbag making course to see how I'd like it, well... do I ever!  These are pics of the bag I completed using all sorts of tools and techniques.  The textured leather flap over the front is glorious.

Can't wait to get moving on new designs - although not for another five weeks, vacation starts tomorrow (New York Fashion Week here I come!!) - will have plenty of fresh inspiration. mb

Print, Print... and Repeat.

I've always been fascinated by prints - it's still nearly impossible to drag me away from a fabric store - but how to preserve them?

Here are a couple of experiments of mine, sure to become birthday presents in coming weeks.  They're antique fabric print designs, transferred using watery black ink on artist tissue paper.  The effect is an antique look, as the paper dries with a slight ruffle and it's light weight means it absorbs the colour of the paper or board behind it.  More to come...

Oh, and yes these are new shelves in my revamped workroom!!  mb

Change of Season's on the Way...

Lady in Red

I've just added the last of my leather handbags for sale on Etsy, it's a gorgeous bright red, like 1950s lipstick.  The lining is from a local designer's end cuts, it's beautiful.  Last chance! mb

Par Avion

Who knew it would take three months to finish my workspace?!  I have a new wall, new paint, a shiny charcoal coat on the old wooden floor, mountains of storage shelves and a cunning floorspace setup.  Unpacking the last bits'n'pieces now, ready for action when I return from New York in October.

In the meantime, here's a little something I've been snapping up of late - custom stamps.  I bought a bookplate stamp for my 3 year old nephew so all his books are named in style, a beautifully stylized "Ex Libris [your name here]" for a friend's birthday and a sweet adaptation of a vintage "Air Mail / Par Avion" for my own letters (pictured above).  These were purchased via Etsy.

More from me soon, I promise!

Temptations in Blue

Change of season = time to shop... top of my list is a Karen Walker bag, great to travel with.  Also a couple of her gorgeous silk frill pieces:

To Knit or Not to Knit?

I first studied knitted apparel, prior to my fashion / costume degree and have recently been missing my old knitting machine.  Of course, have just finalised my new workroom plans today, sans knitting machine... but I think I need one.  Perhaps it's the weather cooling, or perhaps I'm simply lost without it.  So time for some slight rearranging then it's all hands on deck, watch this space. mb

Tulle and Lace

I've just returned from my holiday in New Zealand... time to get back to it.  Here's another of my notebook pages while I get busy in the workroom:

Treasury Mad

So I've been going crazy with the new Treasury East on Etsy.  What a great way to 'filter' the shopping experience for other users and let's face it - it's just addictive to page through (kind of like sitting down to read magazines).

I've curated the following... grab a cuppa:

• Industria 
• A Rose by Any Other Name...
• Poetry in Motion
• Tea in Style
• Could This Be Love?
• Ladies a Plate
• The Pony Express
• Gold Treasure Treasury
• DEATH
• Handmade Home

As Featured in Handmade Spark

 Thrilled to be featured in Handmade Spark today! See #6, below:

Handmade Home

Check out the list I just created on Etsy: Handmade Home.

Ideas

Always be passionate about ideas and communicating those ideas and discoveries to others in the things you make.  Charles Eames

High Impact Easy Dress-ing

Keeping in Simple

There is time for work and time for love.  That leaves no other time.  Coco Chanel

Workroom Revamp

I've decided if I'm spending this much time in my studio, I need to enjoy looking at it... so I'm completely revamping my workroom.  Starting with walls and floors, then moving to storage and office.  Here are some design spaces I like, for a kick start:

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Ponder This:

Only the individual taste, in the end, can truly create style or fashion, since it is not concerned with following in the wake of others.  Hence, whatever an individual taste may choose, be it a stepladder or a wicker basket, it must always be based on deep personal choice, a spiritual need that truly assesses and gives value to that particular ladder or basket.  The beauty of these things is somehow transmitted through the personality of the one who chooses.  It is in our selection, after all, that we betray our deepest selves, and the individualist can make us see the objects of his choice with new eyes, with his eyes.

 Thank you, Cecil Beaton

What to Pack for a Holiday