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
Upcoming events for 2012
Visit the Events page to find some of the places I’ll be appearing at this year to speak about Minxy Vintage. Free styling sessions, workshops and champagne soirees aplenty… hope to see you at one or more.
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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
The Treasure Hunt is ON
Drive me Miss Daisy
I know I shouldn’t play favourites, but here’s three supercool new entries in the Minxy Vintage Treasure Hunt. Daisy’s a cutie, but you know what would make her a knockout? Some added 60s vintage beading at the neck and hem. Dee’s already snipped her off to a better length for pin-strutting. Watch out.
More, please… vicarious thrills for me, and fab prizes for you.
nutty clutch
Poodle please - Candy Jayne's customised skirt
L’ucello
L'ucello vintage ribbons
My friend Tyng told me about this divine-looking place – it’s on my list for a visit next time I’m down in Melbourne.
L’ucello is a vintage haberdashery selling old & new wares, as well as covet-worthy scarves from awe-inspiring French needlesmith Sophie Digard (also available at Calico & Ivy for Sydney and Perthsiders). Check out their beautiful range of paper ephemera, ribbons and other lovely bits & pieces at their blog here.
Delicious threads
Say it with meaning
Amanda's wedding dress
This is my gorgeous editor, Amanda Carmen Cromer (Amanda edited A Life in Frocks and just finished work on Minxy Vintage).
I’ll let her tell you about these images:
This was my grandmother’s 18th birthday frock, crafted in 1932 by their family seamstress. Silk, hand-stitched, and too big in the waist and bust for me, I had an open back created after taking in the fabric. She died aged 94, on my birthday – and I met my husband after her funeral, so I didn’t really think of wearing anything else!
Feeling vintage
Manning the book stall at the Coffs Harbour Vintage Fair
We’ve just returned from a few days in Coffs Harbour, where I was speaking at the Vintage Fashion Fair and reading from A Life in Frocks. Thank you to the lovely blog readers who travelled from near & far to say hello, and to organiser Jeanette Luke, owner of From Here to Eternity, for inviting me to attend.
If you’re in Sydney this weekend a couple of the same dealers – including Coco Repose – will be trading at Becky Sharp’s Vanity Fair vintage market, held from 10-5 at the Paddington RSL on Saturday. Go forth and plunder a fab frock or two…
From Here to Eternity's Vintage Swimsuit exhibition
Jess Guthrie's Coco Repose stall
Feathered friend in stunning fuscia, Coco Repose
Dolly Up
Do Dolly Up, love
Wool dress by Prue Acton in her prime
On the topic of hot vintage finds, I must mention Dolly Up on Cleveland St. Owner Erin Paige Hutchings is a dear, and has a great eye in particular for fab seventies pieces, stocking a load of cheesecloth kaftans and natural cotton and silk pieces in addition to the more commonly found polyester.
Her store’s been there for six years and offers an alterations service on ill-fitting items if you’ve no patience for popping in new zips, hemlines, etc. yourself (the sewing expertise comes from Erin’s beloved Gran – they make a great team). Erin also offers personal styling on the side… we came to the mutual conclusion that I must leave with a collectible Prue Acton frock today. Highly addictive.
Dolly Up
361 Cleveland St, Surry Hills
Tues-Fri 1pm-6pm, Sat 10.30am-5.30pm
Tel: 9699 8181
Sydney Antique Centre
1920s painting from Lou Murray Vintage, Sydney Antique Centre
You know when you find somewhere so darned fabulous for sourcing unusual items, you almost don’t want to go on about it, lest it become overrun and you’re no longer able to find the things you love? I’m usually more than happy to share, but confess I almost felt that way when visiting the Sydney Antique Centre recently.
This is, hands down, the best spot to pick up a fab vintage find in Sydney. It’s not a steal, because items have been edited down to a truly special collection, but the prices are reasonable and all the stalls together create a seriously fun browsing experience. It reminds me of other fave vintage dens – the Chapel St Bazaar in Melbourne, and Victory Theatre in the Blue Mountains’ Blackheath – all places I can find myself lost for hours in.
Coco Repose and Empire 47 are two top-notch vintage clothing stalls to make a beeline for. There’s also ample finds for blokes – this is the place to source a gift you won’t find anywhere else (and some things to treasure yourself, while you’re at it).
Sydney Antique Centre
531 South Dowling Street Surry Hills
NSW 2010 Australia
Tel: (02) 9361 3244
Two groovy mags and a Mad Men wedding
Check out these two new-ish magazine titles being published in the UK - Sew Hip and Cloth. With modern fabrics and fresh designs (featuring instructions on making everything from knickers to necklaces, and customising clothes to canny recycling) this is definitely craft for the younger, more fashion-loving Crafty Minx. Subscribe online or pick up copies in a decent newsagents’ (my all-time favourite store for the mag-obsessed is magnation).
And the woman surely responsible for driving a whole new generation towards revamped vintage, Christina Hendricks (oh Miss Holloway, are you trying to seduce us?) got hitched last year, and I’ve just seen the pics (I must have been living under a rock at the time). If you haven’t already, clock the to-die-for frock and vintage bridesmaids’ outfits, which are so mercifully stylish. We likey!
Cloth's latest issue
Coco Repose
Victorian jacket from Coco Repose
A while back I was flicking through The (Sydney) Magazine, and Megan Gale recommended Coco Repose as a great place to find high quality vintage clothing. I waited until I had a spare day up my sleeve to visit, and can attest: this is one of the most well-edited collections of vintage I’ve ever seen.
Owner Jessica Guthrie is lovely, and I’ve gone on to buy many items from her since – including this very rare silk jacket from the Victorian era.
Back of jacket button detail
I was going to play at fixing it, as the silk is so old it’s disintegrating, but can’t bring myself to touch it in case I ruin it. I’ve chosen to hang it on the picture rail as artwork instead – this is one item that doesn’t need reinvention.
Incredibly delicate lapel
Coco Repose
82 Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills
(02) 9356 4804