Last week we turned Circa into a temporary photographic studio to take some shots for the book.

Where else to find the best in fabulous late sixties outfits but the wardrobe of DJ and go-go dancer extraordinaire Miss Emma Peel? She was gracious enough to let us borrow some of her most prized possessions, including a fabulous red silk outfit previously worn by Miss Tasmania circa 1970something (hard to miss in the first row below).

These are some happy snaps, taken while we were working: for the real photos you’ll have to wait for the book or see Miss Peel in action, wearing and accessorising these and others from her amazing wardrobe.

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…)

I’ve been furiously washing-ironing-mending to get some great new printed cotton frocks into the shop for the new season and wanted to share some of my favourites:

The Chili Dress!
Can you believe a 50s cotton printed with photo style chilis? This little beauty has everything: full skirt, cinched waist, spaghetti straps and a wonderful robust vintage cotton fabric. Size 10 (waist 28 inches), this one is looking for a lady on the tall side.

Needing something for that beachside BBQ? This early 60s swing dress is perfect to pop over your bikini. Nice and generous in cut, this is the closest you’ll find to a vintage “one size fits all”. Love the double pockets!

Always wanted your very own YSL Modrian Shift? Well, perhaps the original maker of this little number did too - probably no older than the early ’80s (vintage to some these days), this one isn’t actually printed, it’s pieces of coloured cotton sewn together. A small size, it’s looking for someone with slim hips; no larger than an eight.