Esz, Kesenya, Me & Marianne – Photo by Nada

Making things look easy is hard work! Yesterday I gave the first of two lunch time session workshops for Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, and I have to tell you, pulling something like this together is no easy task.

Given that this blog and pretty much everything I do is a one woman show, I have to be super organised and multi talented to make it work. The last few weeks have really put me to the test to see just how much I can do and has also taught me that without a good team, there are some things that just can’t be achieved.

I’m sure that over the course of this week, you’ll be reading all about the highlights of MSFW, the shows, the clothes, the models; so I want to give you a different view into what goes on behind the scenes.  Here’s what it takes for me to put on a one hour session, and keep in mind this isn’t a whole production with multitudes of garments and models – that would take an army!

Firstly, you have to come up with your concepts.  This is the bit that most people enjoy the most, things like mood boards, topics, the imagination part.  Then you have to work out how you’re going to turn that into something that entertains and informs for a whole hour.

There is a set to stage, making sure that things look pretty and that it all works. That your guests are warm and dry and that everyone can see and hear what is happening. There is a mood and ambience to set, all of which require props, lighting and people to make it happen.

Given that what I’m presenting isn’t really a catwalk show I needed to come up with ways to illustrate what I’m talking about and make the hour more than just me on stage like a bump on a branch. So I’ve been pulling together several outfits, beautiful models, doing fittings, repairing garments, writing booklets and doing all the graphic design, DVD presentations… all sorts of things!

The long and short of it all is that I’ve been working about 14 plus hours a day for the last three weeks just to pull together a one hour session. It sounds like an insurmountable task, which on some days it does feel like, but one of the most fabulous things to come out of all this has been the great team of people who have pulled together to make it happen.

Esz, Nada, Me & Marianne – Photo by Kesenya

We’re a small crew, but the marvellous Nada has been helping me prepare models backstage, Kesenya of Alice Jean’s has become my “Adrianna” (only you Australians of a certain age will know what that means), and the wonderful Marianne from Esme & The Laneway and Esz from Kitty’s Drawings, put up their hands to show how beautifully vintage can be worn.

So with all that prep time in mind make sure you get down to see Thursdays session at 3.30pm in City Square! Now that we are officially in Spring the weather is bound put on a good turn out for us… (positive thinking works).

It was such a super busy day yesterday that I didn’t even get a chance to take any proper outfit shots of what I was wearing! But you can get a fair idea from these pics at least. It was…

1940’s Silk Taffeta Blouse – via Etsy

French Navy Wide Leg Pants – Made by Me

Shoes – Black faux snake skin lace ups by Kumfs

White floral headpiece- by Samantha Sultana

I’m thinking after the last few weeks that it might be time to bite the bullet and hire an intern…. any takers?

After much deliberation we have a winner of the Golden Ticket to come to The Stylist Says Workshop at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week with me.

Brand New Armour for this comment:

Dear SKM,
I’d love to come, mainly because I want to justify all of the hours spent looking up wonderful vintage blogs at work, and to revamp the daily outfits I wear to try and brighten up all of the dreary days as a glorified secretary!
I’d like to think that an afternoon spent in the presence of the ‘Oscar Wilde of our time’ (dapper, alluring, witty and damned charismatic), would be a present not just for me, but for our whole work place, as dressing well surely rubs off on those around us!
Thanks too for your great blog, which has sparked many a vintage-secretary inspired fashion moment.

Congratulations and let the dress ups begin!

*P.S: I am currently flat out preparing all sorts of Fashion Week treats and events, so bare with me on the slow posting. Fun in store!*

Keeping with the theme of Relaxation August, I’ve been trying to spend more time at home kicking back and taking it easy.  This is no easy task for me as I’m not particularly good at just chilling out, I always feel like I should be doing something more productive.

Today’s outfit is for those days when you just want to be super comfortable, hang out and possibly nap on the couch.  This is my tracksuit alternative.

Outfit Details

Pink Leopard Print Cardigan – Tempt

Navy & Pink Polka dot Scarf – The Tie Shop

Jeans with Vintage Button Closures – Designed and Made by Me

Black & White Spectators – Kumfs

Star Earrings – SIXX

Lipstick – Amethyst in Colour Rich by AVON

BIG NEWS!

Yep, that big! This time next week, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week will be getting it’s first dose of serious vintage glamour!  As part of the lunch time series at City Square, I’ve been asked to present a couple of workshops on The Vintage Glamour Look.

It is going to be some fun in the afternoon, that’s for sure. We’ve made this a free event so as many of you as are able to come can – all inclusive! Bring your mother, bring your daughter, bring your friends and even bring your man. There’ll be tips, tricks, models and beautiful clothes. You can find out more about the MSFW lunch series here.  I’ll be presenting as part of the Slumber in the City and Beauty and the Beach theme days, so just click on through to find all the details and see what else is on stage that day.

Remember, I’ll also be appearing as a special guest for Celebrity Stylist Philip Boon at The Stylist Says Workshop on Saturday 4th September. You can book tickets for that one here or you have one more day to leave me a comment on this post to WIN one!

So bring out your vintage best this MSFW and work the week in style!

It is that time of year again. The weather is still miserable, the wind still bites, but I’ll be darned if I’ll give in to it. I’m already yearning for the sun on my (sunscreen protected) skin and a scotch in hand, while the days get longer and the parties start to arrive. This is the same time of year I get restless with my wardrobe and start to listen to that little internal voice of inspiration that tells me what I want to be wearing in the coming months.  This time I’ve come over far more casual than I usually do and that can only be a good thing as I need a little more ‘relax’ in my current wardrobe.

Of course, because I always seem to be so far ahead of the curve, it isn’t likely you’ll see looks like this in store for a while yet, but when you do, you’ll know where it came from!

This time, for something different, I’m giving you more of a window to my world and adding the music I’m listening to as well! Just click to listen, and as usual, just click each image to see the details of the what and where’s of each outfit.

These Boots Were Made For Dancing

This isn’t your usual nightclub attire, but then it isn’t for your usual nightclub girl. It is for springtime evenings, house parties, kicking up your heels with friends, closing your eyes and jamming in your mind.

I’m currently dancing to Ezra Lee - Mean What I Say – Ezra Lee From his album “Can’t Stop a Freight Train” available on Prestone Records. I highly recommend you check out Ezra’s Myspace and get yourself a copy of this album!!

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Cocktails at the Saloon Bar

Tell me any eligible eye candy could miss you in this number! Loads of swank, licks of sexy and lots of lucky! Stretch those pins and start smouldering.

Propping up the bar in style to Reconsider Baby – Lowell Fulson.

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Fancy a Drink Cowboy?

I never thought a cowboy hat and I would ever see eye to eye, but after my photo shoot with Helen McLean I may just be having a little secret love affair. This is how you do Country style with an eye for City Chic. There’s nothing dusty about this!

Tipping my hat to That’s Alright Mama

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Country Princess

The perfect Day to Night party transition outfit. Just change up the top, swap your flower for a bejewelled bow, crimson lips and you’re good to go. You’ll already know that denim is huge for this season, and while double denim remains on the no go list for me, this is about the only way I’ll work anything close to it into my look. With a beautiful satin and denim bra top with vintage style.  Yes, it could be a little racy, but paired with a sequined cardigan its all lady out the outside but the business underneath!

Kicking back to Jackson – by Johnny Cash & June Carter a personal favourite!

You just never know where you’ll find fashion inspiration that captures you’re mood of the moment, but one thing is for sure; whatever you wear make sure it captures YOUR mood, not just the prevailing trends.  This is where you’ll find the best answers to your wardrobe dilemmas!