On Saturday August 2nd, Circa participated in an Art Deco fashion parade organised by Chris Horne, for the National Gallery of Victoria as part of their Art Deco exhibition. High Tea was held at Sofi’s, and quickly sold out - before we knew that we would be involved - otherwise I would have invited you all!

Here are some shots from the day - there were over thirty outfits in total, all are original to the period 1910 to 1939. The first seven outfits (one for each model) were the last ones out, and all are from the late 1930s. All garments and accessories are from the private collection of Chris Horne, my own or from Circa. More pics will be posted as they’re available!

Many thanks to Chris, for allowing us to be a part of this amazing event, and Doug Cloud for the photography. Click on each one to see the photo in full.

Yesterday we went off to see the inaugural Melbourne Open House - seven of the city’s best buildings, open to the public for the day, as part of the Melbourne International Design Festival that is now happening.

Judging by the crowds who joined us, it was a huge hit and hopefully they’ll do it again next year, perhaps with more buildings open for viewing. I’d like to see the ACMI Labyrinth which booked out quickly.

Photo by Charles Weetman, taken in the late ’30s. Collection State Library of Victoria

Built in 1932, the Manchester Unity Building was number one on our list of “want to sees” so we headed there first - good thing too! It took almost three hours of standing in a queue that snaked down Collins street and along a block of Swanston before we were allowed into the hallowed ornate elevator and onto the eleventh floor to see the art deco boardroom with the largest board table in the country.

I was particularly impressed by the Lalique glass top: around 5.5 metres long, all one piece and was put into the room before they built the roof on. Apparently it’s very gently lifted once a year, by many hands, who carefully clean underneath it and place it back. If there is a larger piece of Lalique glass any where in the world, I’d be surprised. Needless to say - it’s irreplaceable.

Photo courtesy mubb.com.au - the boardroom is available for events too.

I’m a member of a fabulous Livejournal community called Bygone Fashion where users post beautiful fashion vintage fashion photographs.

User oh_tsarevich posted today about women in drag - thought you might enjoy these sassy dames from the 1930s - for more, including Edwardian and flapper cross dressing, see the original post in Livejournal.

Marlene Dietrich

Celia and Peter Lorre

Clara Bow

Myrna Loy

Last Thursday we tizzied up and sashayed down to the National Gallery of Victoria for the opening night party of the Art Deco exhibition.

I’m wearing a 1930s silk satin gown with a *very* plunging neckline demurely held together with a diamante clasp, along with a velvet jacket of the era and two deco dress clips. Tim’s wearing an Anton’s jacket and waistcoat, vintage shirt and trousers (you’ll have to visualise the two toned brogues).

Circa was fortunate to have the opportunity to dress the fabulous Candice - aka Super Kawaii Mama - and dress we did! Candice spent the day luxuriating in glamourous style: hair, make up, manicure - all was perfect for the perfect frock. A 1930s silk velvet evening gown which could have been made for her, the fit was so good. The glamour ante was upped by the addition of the lushest 1930s pure white arctic fox fur stole and long white gloves. All eyes were on the most beautiful lady, she looked as if she’d stepped out of a Golden Era of Hollywood film. I meekly followed in her wake, beaming proudly…and took a few photos…

Peter Jago and Candice.

Greg and Heather Walters, with Candice.

And it was nice to see that I’m not the only one who considers Candice worthy of photographing - see The Vine and also Candice’s own blog Super Kawaii Mama Deco Dreams. I’m sure more will turn up in the social pages around the place - it almost seemed as if the photographers were queueing up to photograph her. Such is the need for glamour these days.

More photos from the evening can be seen here.

Last year I had a small role as a 1930s dressmaker in a documentary by Lesley Sharon Rosenthal called “Chapel of Chic” about the historical fashion industry based around Chapel Street.

The film has screened twice to aclaim and is scheduled for a third screening at ACMI on June 14th. I’m looking forward to seeing it at last, as I wasn’t able to make the last two.

Here is a still that Tim took on the day - in front of a beautiful vintage Terraplane - and above: gracing the publicity poster. I’m wearing a 1920s coat, fox fur and hat, as well as carrying several white blouses (my character was making a delivery to a Toorak customer).

We’re now in the final stage of photography for the book - a series of garments from the private collections of Circa and Dr Lynn Savery. We’re doing it one era at a time - last night was the 1920s but you’ve already seen lots of those, so here are some snapshots from our 1930-1939 shoot.

The gown in the forefront was featured at the recent NGV Art Deco launch.

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We’ve been in the Blue Mountains this week to photograph some select couture pieces from Charlotte Smith’s Darnell Collection. Here you can see Charlotte sharing a fabulous beaded 1920s silk gown with us.

Charlotte is featured on this evening’s ABC programme The Collectors
Charlotte Smith’s collection has been described as “two centuries of elegance”. Three years ago Charlotte became the custodian of her godmother Doris Darnell’s world-renowned collection of vintage clothing and accessories, the largest of it’s kind in Australia. Dior, Versace, this collection has it all and it’s a treat indeed for the couture loving prof when he joins Charlotte for some high-end fashion ‘time travelling’.

You can see some more snaps I took during the session here. (more…)

Part Six of the series on Loel Thomson’s Costume Collection.

Garments from the 1930s can be the hardest to find in good condition in Australia - items from the ’20s have been collectable for a long time, and those from the ‘forties and ‘fifties were (up until recently) readily available, but it’s the delicate and feminine flowing gowns and crepe day dresses from between the periods that have proved the most elusive.

The first outfit displayed here is particularly special to me, as Loel purchased it from Circa shortly after we opened in 2004. I had bought it earlier that year from a Perth lady who had closed down her Subiaco shop several years earlier. The dress and matching capelet is in excellent condition, and features it’s original bakelite buckle.

Accessories include a silver dress clip and fox fur. On the left you can see a mannequin in 1920s day wear (featured in previous post).

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Had a wonderful time at Loel Thomson’s Costume Collection yesterday - many thanks to Loel for sharing her collection, and everyone who could join me.

Took many photos, and it’s hard to choose which to post, so shall bring them to you in sections according to category. The first one is appropriate as we consider the impending Spring and Summer: swimwear. Loel has set up a collection of men’s and ladies swimwear from the turn of the twentieth century to the 1970s - I especially like the way she’s accessorised everything!

Come inside for closer shots of some of my favourite bathing suits. (more…)