Kelly Doust introduces readers to her wonderful world of reviving and customising vintage pieces, while bringing a modern and unique twist to wearing vintage clothes – Dita Von Teese
Costume Appreciation 101
Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo in The Artist
I went to see this at the Open Air Cinema a few nights ago and anticipated admiring the recreations of 1920s and early 30s-era screen style, but was unsure about a silent, black & white film enthralling for the full 100 minutes. But I adored The Artist, the new French film nominated to win a Golden Globe tonight, which is pure delight from start to finish. Featuring one of the best tap dance scenes in cinema history, it also gets my vote for best film ending ever.
But back to the vintage-look threads: costume designer Mark Bridges previously styled Mark Wahlberg and Heather Graham (aka Dirk Diggler and the memorable ‘Roller Girl’) as 1970s porn stars in Boogie Nights, and Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz’s as 60s drug dealers in suits and maxidresses for Blow. A good part of my enjoyment in each film came from soaking up the era-appropriate set design and costumes, and The Artist is no different. I was in danger of missing some excellent sight gags while off on a brain-tangent admiring the painstakingly-detailed frocks and embroidered cloches in this charming, clever film. And who knew a top hat and tails could be so very appealing?
Vintage lovers, you must watch this. Then opt for a spot of real-time fashion, forties-style with The Maltese Falcon and Notorious, two of my favourite old-Hollywood b&w flicks, which I’m currently digging out of the DVD cabinet. Watch the film trailer for The Artist here, and feel free to comment with your own favourite costume films. Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris was another recent favourite.
- ‘Peppy Miller’ – peppy by name, peppy by nature
'George Valentin' - eat your heart out, Clark Gable
Cocktail Couture
Come to this event in the Blue Mountains if you can – it’s for a good cause and a visit to the mountains always lifts the spirits, don’t you think? I’ll be attending in one of Charlotte’s precious frocks from The Darnell Collection. Can’t wait.
The countdown is on… competition closes Monday
A touch of Dior
You only have a few days to get your Minxy Vintage Treasure Hunt entries in, dearies. Here’s a few favourite recent entries (I do like the clothes displayed on real people, and more atmospheric shots… you look awesome, clever readers).
How ever will I pick a winner?
Best $6 ever spent
The Wonder Years
Nana got style... Edna & Irene in the '40s
That Green Dress
Peachy Dreams
Feather magic
Jessica Guthrie & me at the Minxy Vintage launch
The Sydney Antique Centre hosted a small soiree for us last Thursday night to celebrate the opening of Coco Repose’s 1900s-1980s clothing retrospective, and launch of Minxy Vintage over truffles, tea and champagne. To see more pictures taken by The Sunday Telegraph, click here.
The setting perfectly demonstrated how a little vintage goes a long way, and if there was a theme at all, it was feathers. I’ve always been intrigued by the use of feathers in vintage hairpieces and clothing, and as a design motif. Indeed, it was the shimmery emerald sheen of the feathers shown above which inspired the entire design of Minxy Vintage, keeping it rich and jewel-toned instead of illustrated with the pretty pastels seen in many other gorgeous vintage titles.
A feathery headpiece or strip of feathers added to a jacket or coat (as I’ve done with the 1960s-era black lace bed jacket shown above) is just the ticket for understated glam.
Feathered friends = instant party plumage.
Florence Broadhurst peacock feathers from Signature Prints
Vintage headgear on display at the Antique Centre
My dear friend Lisa & her Dad, sporting 1940s feather headpiece
My top 5 tips for incorporating vintage into a modern look
Revived 60s frock from Minxy Vintage
1. Pair a favoured vintage item with neutral separates or accessories. This adds vintage flavour and depth to an outfit, without going the whole shebang. It also works a treat for toning down way-out pieces.
2. Reference earlier eras in line with current fashion trends. For example, forgo current bold shoulder styles and Peter Pan-collared frocks in favour of real-deal forties items. In good condition, these look infinitely better than the chainstore rip-offs.
3. ‘Undo’ items from more prim, less-permissive eras with loose and easy tresses or accessories, and vice versa by dressing up more casual styles for modern glam.
4. Vintage shoes are the hardest accessories to make appear current. Only wear them if you have complete confidence rocking a vintage vibe.
5. It’s very modern to clash masculine and feminine, conservative and flamboyant – don’t wear a look head to toe, but rather mix up your references and highlight a mood with what you’re wearing.
Whatever you do, own it.
Swing into Spring
Attention swingers, from the experienced to the tentative: this event at the Balmain Town Hall next week will be brilliant, if the last one is anything to go by (for the Mid-Winter Warmer video, click here).
* Get swinging in the knockout dance contest hosted by Swingtime
* Prizes for best dressed ‘mid-century spring ensemble’ judged by yours truly
* Vintage frou from Coco Repose
* Decorate yourself at Vintage Allsorts‘ accessory parlour
* Culinary creativity provided by Love Grub Pop Up Bar and confectionary stall by Jepska
* Polish up your pomade with Atomic Life’s mens’ den
When: Saturday 8th October 2011
Where : Balmain Town Hall
Time : 7.00 – 11.30pm
Tickets : Pre sales $25 + booking fee, available online at Daisy Tickets or $30 at door (if available – sold out last time)
Coiffs and curls optional.
The Minxy Vintage Treasure Hunt has begun!
My best ever charity store score: 80s black suede Chanel pumps
Fab news, Crafty Minx readers: Murdoch Books – in association with Coco Repose and Vinnies – are offering a host of wonderful prizes to celebrate the launch of Minxy Vintage. Please visit the Minxy Vintage Treasure Hunt site to enter. You have until 31 October before the competition closes. I’ll be judging entries and keeping an eye on your latest finds, so get snapping!
The idea is to share some of your best & most favourite charity store / flea market / second-hand finds. Mine are these 1980s black suede Chanel pumps (shown above). I found them in a charity store in London’s Battersea for all of 8 pounds sterling. An old dear was popping them in the window while I walked past on my way to drinks with friends. Needless to say, I did a double-take and snapped them up at the speed of light. In immaculate condition when I found them, I doubt they’d been worn more than a couple of times – the damage you can see is all thanks to me, as they’ve been my best pair of shoes for nigh on a decade now. How can you not be bitten by the thrifting bug after such a rare find?
That said, the treasure hunt’s not about bagging designer bargains, but more of an entree into the idea of Minxy Vintage, which is all about how to customise good quality antique, vintage and retro finds. See my no-name 50s frocks below, which are also amongst my most prized possessions. Both have had some nifty repair work, and nips & tucks to make the fit of each sheer perfection.
And below is one of the frocks in the book; a cabbage roses Wiggle dress from the early 60s, which I wore to The Victoria Room one night (also where we shot many of the pictures in the book). Proof it’s possible to do vintage in a modern way, without looking too costume-y.
Stay tuned for the cream of the treasure hunt entries, which I’ll be sharing here and on Twitter & Facebook.
x
Welcome to the new look Crafty Minx!
As much as I adored the design those clever people at White Pixels came up with for The Crafty Minx, I am loving this new-look version. Time for a change… this one is based on my new book, designed by the lovely Tania Gomes at Murdoch Books. Hope you like it! x
Top ten tips for a DIY childrens’ party
We had a little shindig for Olive’s 3rd birthday yesterday. Here’s my top 10 tips for hosting a successful, vintage-inspired birthday party for kids:
1. Take it outside – pray to all your gods for good weather, throw open the doors and festoon the backyard with decorations and a cheerful 50s tablecloth or two. Or find a prime spot in a local park with access to shade, picnic tables and a playground. Stake out your colony with blankets and a radio tuned to hits.
2. Set a theme for the children – how about simply dress-ups? Easy on the grown-ups, and lenient enough to allow for princess, fairy and pirate fixations.
3. Bunting – festive, easy, cute… need I say more?
4. Be at one with the sugar content – there are times when fairy bread, cupcakes, lollies and chocolate are okay. This is one of them (adults won’t be complaining, either).
5. Keep it short, sweet and small – set a time limit of say, two hours, and only invite friends your children recognize. All-day affairs with squillions of guests are a modern, somewhat tiring phenomenon.
6. Old school games – pass the parcel, pin the tail on the donkey, What’s the time, Mr Wolf?, egg & spoon and 3-legged races are all oldies, but goodies. Pack a few extra prizes for cheering up teary kids who came last.
7. Alcohol – for the grown-ups, obviously; reward for spending their precious weekend watching a bunch of kids go nuts. Failsafe drinks? Champagne and Bloody Marys. And keep the number of guests without children to a minimum (your twenty-something co-worker might say they’d love to come but trust me, she’s just being polite).
8. Save your efforts until children are old enough to realise what’s going on. If you start with the first birthday, you’ll be over it by the time they hit 3, and that’s when the fun really starts.
9. Keep a list of who gave what – parents will appreciate a thoughtful note, saying thank you for the welcome doll/Lego/book/princess shoes they spent good time making or shopping for.
10. Goodie bags for all the kids – compensation for watching their host tear apart gifts with wild abandon, screaming ‘mine, mine, mine!’