As a little thank you for being so lovely and reading Melbourne Fashionista I have 5 double passes to see The Ugly Truth  directed by Australian Robert Luketic ( Legally Blonde and 21) thanks to Sony Pictures.  All subscribers will automatically go into the draw. But you have to be a subscriber - so join up before 9pm Wednesday 29 July.  

Should be fun - I have to admit I am quite fond of Katherine Heigl - 27 dresses anyone?

The Ugly Truth

The battle of the sexes heats up in the romantic comedy The Ugly Truth.  Abby Richter (Katherine Heigl) is a romantically challenged morning show producer whose search for Mr. Perfect has left her hopelessly single. She’s in for a rude awakening when her bosses team her with Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler), a hardcore TV personality who promises to spill the ugly truth on what makes men and women tick. Only at the Movies! August 6.

Website: www.UglyTruth.com.au

Yesterday I went to the inaugural This is not a Design Market. It was a lovely clear day, great smells of yummy good, crowds of people and most importantly some amazing creative designs.  The venue was magnificent and meandering around the market was the best way to spend an lazy Sunday afternoon. I loved that I kept discovering more surprises and stalls around each corner. I snapped a few shots and also grabbed some lovely well dressed people, of which there were plenty.

Laura, 32, Patternmaker and Designer

I am here today helping my friend with her stall, Zaishu. I am wearing a Karen Walker trench and an Alpha 60 scarf. My snakeskin bangles are vintage. My shoes are from Zomp and my bag is from Mimco.

Laura, 23, Artist

I got my cardigan from my boyfriend who found it  at a clothing swap. My t-shirt is of a baby harp seal and my skirt is from Savers. I got my bag for $1 at the Camberwell Market and my scarf is from Scarlett and Sly. My shoes are from an op shop in Camberwell.

Nadine, 30, Designer

I am here today maning my stall. My label is Jeu de Tree (see below a picture of Jeu de Tree’s stall). I am wearing a jacket from Vasiliki, a Melbourne based label. My handbag is my own design. My top is from Bracewell and my skirt is from Veronica Maine which I got from the op shop. I got my glomesh purse from the op shop too.

As I mentioned yesterday the Alice Mccall Sale is on today and tommorrow. I went early today at 8am got a couple of great bargains and also snapped a few girls looking super cool.

Lauren, 27, Marketing Coordinator
My dress is from Shakuhachi and my leather jacket is from Top Shop. My leggings are from Supre and my necklace is Disney Couture. My bag is Chloe and my boots are from Mollini. My sunnies are vintage YSL.

Priyanka, 30, Design Assistant

My chain necklace is from Hello Gorgeous. My jacket is from overseas and my pants are turkish pants I bought from an arabic market overseas. My shoes are from Wittner and my handbag is by Spencer and Rutherford.

Natasha, 22, Public Relations

My shoes and head piece are from Thailand. My Jacket is from one of those cheap asian shops!

Kiara, 21, Student

My jacket is from Forever New and my playsuit is Sass and Bide. My shoes are from Sportsgirl and my bag is from Strandbags. One of my rings is from Mouche and I forget where the other one is from.

I got sent this flyer from Alice Mccall’s office and thought I might generously share the details of the Alice Mccall sale on tommorrow and Saturday!

As a bit of an Alice Mccall fan from way back - remember her delectable debut collection with the bow belts and the following summer and the frenzy that the Love is a drug dress created? - I always love her sales, especially her samples. You never know what kind of gems you can find!

If you haven’t already seen the striking posters around town by Studio Pip and Co,  just a note to check out the inaugural this is not a design market this weekend on Sunday 19 July 2009. A collaboration between event company Bigger Than Ten Bears and event and industrial designers, Moth Design looks to be a stunning event - check out some of the participants on their site. According to Studio Pip and Co, the name was chosen as the companies wanted a name that ’addressed design, design’s fashionable nature and explored and skirted around the ideas with abstract associations to design’.

 The event is planned to be so much more than just a market with its setting at The Factory a former non-ferrous metal workshop and amazing local stallholders from fashion to furniture and accessories. Some Melbourne fashion labels include OK OK, Limedrop and Leonard street.

Thanks Emilia from OK OK for the amazing images of the workshop.

Oh, and while I am on the subject today is the first day of the State of Design Festival. The State of Design Festival, an initiative of the Victorian State Government, will host over 100 interactive events, exhibitions, workshops and talks during 15 - 25 July. You can download the festival guide here. I am still quite overwhelmed by the multitude of amazing events on.

This is not a design market
Time: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Location: The Factory, 500 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
Cost: Free

Underwear as overwear trend is hardly a new theme, however in Paris at the Haute Couture shows last week John Galliano’s show for Dior was particularly inspired. Models walked the runway in various stages of undress showing peekaboo glimpses of beautiful 50s style lingerie. The shows was inspired by photographs taken behind the scenes of Mr Christian Dior himself backstage in the 1950s. Beautiful hourglass silhouettes were emphasised with tailored jackets, full skirts in vibrant shades of fuschia, orange, yellow and red. Here in Melbourne we too have a few underwear inspired pieces too beautiful to hide.

runway photos are from www.style.com

Ebony, 17, Student

I am wearing my old Bettina Liano jeans which I distressed myself. My top is from a flea market in Paris and my jacket belongs to my mum, she got it from Italy. I bought my shoes from the internet, they are called Minnetonka moccasins.

Olivia, 18, Student

My top is from Camilla and Marc. I got my skirt from Fat, it is by a label called Ode to no one. My jacket is by Wayne Cooper. My bag is from Chanel, my mum bought it for me when she was overseas. My boots are by Annapelle.

Last week I spoke to Jeff Baker from Fancy Pants Vintage in St Kilda. Fancy Pants only opened a few months ago, but already the store has some passionate regulars. Bright, colourful and inspiring there is nothing musty about Fancy Pants Vintage.

Jeff spoke to me about his passion for vintage fashion, favourite vintage piece and hopes of bringing back sharp dressing for guys…

Tell me about your background what lead you to open Fancy Pants Vintage?

My partner Tracey has been involved with vintage for around 12 years. She also owns Frocks and Slacks on Barkley Street in St Kilda. I myself have worked in vintage as well as music retail. Both of us are really passionate about vintage as it has such a history and it tells the story of popular culture over time. With Fancy Pants Vintage I hope we can reach a broader audience. It is interesting how this end of St Kilda is completely different.

What is the philosophy behind Fancy Pants Vintage?

We wanted Fancy Pants Vintage to be an approachable place and for people to be really comfortable in the store, sort of easing people into the idea of vintage clothing. Having worked in music retail I  found a lot of people, especially guys, get quite intimidated in stores especially if it is something different like independent records or vintage. Fancy Pants Vintage is not only for the person who wears head to toe vintage, but also for people to buy one highlight piece, for example a jacket or a hat. Even if it is the only vintage piece they wear it might completely set off everything else they are wearing.

I like the idea of harking back to the 1930s -50s where people took a real pride in their appearance and wanted to look sharp and interesting, before disposable fashion was around. During that time people actually took the time to choose a piece of clothing and decide to wear it. 

Who did the fit out for your store?

We did the fitout ourselves and it is broad mix of vintage furniture pieces. We didn’t want it to be from any particular period. There is a bit of a focus on guys stuff. We have re-issued soul/funk/jazz CD’s and vinyl records and a section of seasonal vintage football wear (scarves, shorts and jumpers) - just a few little psychological things to make people feel more comfortable.

Where do you find the pieces for Fancy Pants Vintage?

We travel all over the place, overseas, interstate and in the country sourcing vintage pieces. I spend a vast majority my time not just in the store but sourcing stock. We also have relationships with wholesale vintage sellers in the US and Europe from big companies to individuals. They know us so they know the kinds of things we look for. Being a vintage seller is kind of a lifestyle and is such a significant part of my life I am always on the lookout. I could be sitting on the beach and still be thinking about it!

What is your own favourite vintage clothing piece from your wardrobe?

I am a big fan of vintage denim jackets. You can pick up some fantastic ones. There is so much history behind most vintage pieces, not only with the clothing, for example its label, fabrication and style, but also with the actual piece itself and the individual who wore it. My favourites are the big e Levis jackets, I have about twenty. One of mine I found at the Camberwell market and has a hand painted unicorn on the back, which sounds really bizarre but actually looks great!

Levis is an amazing label as its boom took place in the depression, where there was a real need for practical clothing which was not super expensive and could last a long time. As a consequence Levis and Wrangler workwear in the 19th century went through a series of evolutions. For Levis the e on the red tab is a way of determining the period of the jacket. Prior to the 1970s the wording was all in upper case, post 1970s, the E changed whereas L, V, I and S still looked the same. People don’t realise how hard it is to find a big E tag. There are very few around in Australia as tariffs existed until the early 70s to protect local industry. So prior to that it was very expensive to get imported clothing here in Australia. During this period there was a lot of Australian manufacturing, which gave Australian companies the luxury to make good quality product as opposed to now where we get a lot of imported cheaper clothing.

Fancy Pants Vintage Clothing, 1/133-135 Fitzroy Street St Kilda Vic 3182 +613 9534 5888

White Suede

Shopping at White Suede yesterday I saw these amazing Rings Eclectic rings. White Suede is the only stockist of these rings in Australia which have been written about in Vogue and Harper Bazaar in the UK and US. These resin based cocktail rings are $199 each and decorated with swarovski crystals.

Bonds

Ruby and her three best friends styled themselves for the latest Bonds shoot, You, Your Tee, Your Style (see below) to encourage Australians everywhere to enter pictures of themselves wearing tees with their own unique twist, for their chance to star in the new Bonds Summer outdoor ad campaign - to enter people should upload their own individual and stylised images on www.bondstees.com.au. 

Sportsgirl

Sportsgirl have launched their new website. Posed to be a one stop shop with blogs, gossip, a forum and fashion news.

I got a question last week about formal dresses.

I have a formal coming up soon and I am looking for a dress which is not too expensive. I like vintage inspired styles especially black, white and lace. Are there any boutiques you can suggest?

I think formals are right up there with wedding attire dramas. So stressful! Throw in a budget - most people end up wearing their dress only once or maybe twice (though I think some girls at my school who were particularly popular with the boys - definitely not me - got a lot of use out of their dresses after going to numerous boy’s school formals around town… ) - and it is just stress all around.

If you are on a tight budget and have the time, scour the vintage shops and op shops around town.You never know whether you might find a gem at a vintage shop, for example Idaho Vintage , Fat Helen’s (I saw the above black sequin number for $35 at Fat Helen’s and yes it is still there as of now!), Ruby Red Dress, Shag, Shaperre the list goes on and on. I envision the above black sequin dress accessorised with a multitude of bracelets, perhaps a beautiful beaded low slung belt from Alannah Hill and long pearl necklaces.

If you aren’t at a big school or you can check what everyone else is wearing before hand, hence removing the possible disaster of seeing a fellow doppelganger at the formal, chain stores like Forever New and Sportsgirl always have some great value options. I found this nude mesh Sportsgirl number which you can accessorise up to the max with a glittery belt, headpiece, and long necklace- very twenties!

In terms of boutiques we are so lucky in Melbourne there are so many! Furthermore it is sale time at the moment so the boutiques around town have some great finds. I always love Green with Envy and To the Max for a beautiful dress.

Lady boutique is lovely (when I was last there Petrova, who owns the shop said that lots of girls get their formal dresses from her. Her things are quite feminine and girly). I found this gorgeous pink surprise, not white, black or lace, but quite striking so I couldn’t pass it by. Hoss always have some beautiful vintage inspired dresses, they also have a clearance store on Chapel Street and you can sometimes pick up a bargain. I found this Alice Mccall dress reduced from $399 to $150. Phillips on Chapel Street had this beautiful Camilla and Marc frock for $279 reduced from $559.

Ink is also great shop for dresses. For a splurge I am totally in love with this sequinned  number from Eileen Kirby - I can just imagine Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl wearing this with a beaded headband while urgently asking Chuck Bass if it is all just a game….

p.s. sorry the photos are not the best, didn’t have much time to fix then up - Master Chef is on!!!

A few boutiques around town

Green With Envy, 176 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121 and 268 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Vic 3000
LADY Boutique Shop 3, 237 Flinders Lane Melbourne (down Scott Alley), Melbourne, Vic 3000
Nicola,1091 High St, Armadale ,Victoria 3143
To the Max, 392 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria 3053
Hoss
Phillips, 246 Chapel Street, Prahran, Victoria
Cactus Jam
Hokey Curator, 773 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122
Ink

A few vintage shops
Fat Helen’s, 78 Chapel St, Windsor, Victoria 3181
Shag 130 Chapel St, Windsor, Victoria 3181 and Centre Way Arcade, Shop 20 Collins St., Melbourne, Victoria 3000 and 377 Brunswick St, North
Fitzroy, Victoria 3065
Shappere, 64 Chapel St, Windsor, Victoria 3181 and 191 Smith St, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065
Idaho Vintage, 11 Carlisle Street, St Kilda
Moutasche, 124 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065
Ruby Red Dress, 19c Carlisle St, St Kilda, Victoria 3182