Inside & Out

chic simplicity: global gathering: from how to spend it. (ft style mag)

2010-12-22T14:23:00.000+11:00

chic simplicity: global gathering: from how to spend it. (ft style mag)

modernist adornment: whoranging for art smith

2010-12-22T12:37:00.001+11:00

modernist adornment: whoranging for art smith

haute holiday forecast

2010-12-22T12:20:00.001+11:00

haute holiday forecast

2009-07-07T18:08:00.002+10:00

The beauty of imperfection

by Laura McWhinnie |

It’s embarrassing to admit, but Barbie’s recent anniversary got us thinking. Are we the only ones having trouble telling young starlets apart? You know the look: teeth get whiter, hair gets blonder, and dress sizes get smaller. Luckily, a backlash against this so called ‘perfectionism’ has been building, and we like it. Over the last few years, fashion houses have been turning to unconventional beauties like Charlotte Gainsbourg, Chloë Sevigny and Vanessa Paradis to inject quirky nonchalance into their brand. And finally we’re seeing a trend emerge with an edgy new wave of models, actors and socialites who are embracing gapped teeth, scars, prominent bone structure, freckles and birthmarks. So if you haven’t already realised your flaws are features, it’s about time you started working them to your advantage.

via Lost At E Minor

2009-06-06T17:10:00.002+10:00

Colorful and Unique Style by Whiteowl Images by Whiteowl. Click on images to enlarge.
Seen on
Simply Hue

Amber Gray, New York

2009-05-12T09:38:00.002+10:00

Originally from Northern California, Amber Gray attended the San Francisco Art Institute before relocating to New York City in 1999. She is now based in Manhattan, where she shoots for magazines such as Dansk, FQ, and Trace, and has shot for clients including GM Resorts, Discovery Channel, McDonald’s, and Montblanc. Of her photography, she says: ‘I like to portray strong, vexing characters that have something more behind their gaze. I am very inspired by music and the dramatic new wave characters of my childhood who conjured so many bizarre fantasies that still fuel my imagination to this day. That said, I am also a romantic that finds nature to be the ultimate inspiration’.
via Feature Shoot

2009-05-06T08:53:00.004+10:00

Aussie Bazaar Proves is Definitely Beautiful

Australia Bazaar Magazin

Luis Sanchis photography
via Frou Frou Fashionista and PIPELINE

Plus Size

2009-04-28T18:52:00.006+10:00

Via Amber Flickr photos

Amazing Spanish Designs

2009-04-28T18:36:00.005+10:00

http://www.d-due.com/product.html

Inspitations

2009-04-24T16:22:00.000+10:00

via: LeblogdeBetty
Bottega Venet
a
( L'officiel)

Kenzo dress ( Elle )

Stella Mc Cartney ( madame.lefigaro.fr)

Perfect Boyfriend jean by Sass & Bide

Pub Diesel

Pub Paul & Joe

Marlen Birger

Lacroix HC 2009 ( madame.lefigaro.fr)

For The 40+ Generation

2009-04-20T11:37:00.006+10:00

via: Let's Go To What's What

2009-04-20T11:27:00.002+10:00

TAFE students star at RAFW

One of the most hyped and well-attended shows of the London season is the showcase for graduates of Central St Martins – it’s where big designers go to find their new assistants, and where the ‘next big thing’ is spotted.

So it is in Sydney. Following in the footsteps of alumni Akira Isogawa and Michelle Jank, four graduates from the Fashion Design Studio Sydney Institute will present their debut collections at the fast approaching Rosemount Australian Fashion Week.
Seema Pun, Christian Lines, Soeli Pedrozo and Rachel Sherwood are ‘The Innovators’.

Four TAFE graduates follow Akira Isogawa and Michelle Jank to show at RAFW.

{Marie Antoinette Obsession}

2009-04-19T18:37:00.000+10:00

via architect design

via architect design

www.flickr.com/photos

Overview

here

Bob & Janpic on flick

via: lilidebretagne’s photos

some images via: the paris apartment

Marie Antoinette

2009-04-19T01:47:00.000+10:00

Annie Leibovitz shoots Marie Antoinette

2009-04-18T12:01:00.000+10:00

Via: Chris Everard Photography

2009-04-17T11:18:00.003+10:00

A Dream in Couture

Emily Blunt (from the Devil Wears Prada) dazzles in this photo shoot from the May issue of Vanity Fair.

This shoot is in anticipation of her new film where she plays the young Queen Victoria. British costume drama focusing on the early years of the monarch's reign and her romance with Prince Albert

The palette and the sets are just gorgeous...

Emily Blunt in Dior Haute Couture, photographed in Le Raincy, outside Paris

via: Paris Atelier

2009-04-07T17:04:00.000+10:00

Marie-Antoinette's shoes and a rare collection

This beautiful 18th-century bonnet belonged to Marie-Antoinette's daughter. Marie-Antoinette's duchesse satin shoe is to the right of the bonnet. The historical items are part of an astonishing museum-quality collection at a family chateau in the Loire Valley, France.

The former Queen of France's shoes and monogrammed and embroidered garters. At left is her daughter's bonnet. Click photos to enlarge.

Faded grandeur of 17th-century hand-stitched slippers. Wooden and ivory crucifixion figures of Christ and gold gilt angel wings are stuffed inside the shoes.

Via Paris Parfais

{I'm felling... Sexy today}

2009-04-06T18:50:00.002+10:00

Lingerie & Photography

Here's yet another talent in the world of photography, and as always, we feature their works that include high-fashion lingerie. The images in this post are by Swedish photographer Marcus Ohlsson, as shown in Swedish ELLE.

2009-04-05T11:17:00.002+10:00

Alexander McQueen Trashes Fashion with Killer Line for Fall ‘09

by Yuka Yoneda

Wake up and smell the rubbish, people!

That’s what king of couture, Alexander McQueen’s tantalizingly “trashy” production for Paris Fashion Week seemed to roar, leaving the audience with eyes wide and mouths aflutter. The show — which featured models that resembled creepy crossbreeds between a blow-up doll, Pinhead from Hellraiser, and Blythe (incidentally the postergirl for McQueen’s line with Target, but more on that later) sauntering among black heaps of junky old props from the designer’s past shows — sent uneasy waves through the crowd. Are the dead-on silhouettes of Dior’s New Look and Givenchy’s little black dress meant to poke fun at us? Why are the models wearing umbrellas and aluminum cans on their heads? What does it all mean?!!!

As you can probably guess, each component of the show, from the garbage to the blatant re-runs of looks that were popular in days past, was to be taken quite literally. With the economy and the environment simultaneously in ruins, the throwaway pattern of high fashion is under serious scrutiny. Oscar Wilde once said, “A fashion is merely a form of ugliness so unbearable that we are compelled to alter it every six months.” McQueen’s show certainly picked up on that. Expression-less models faded behind hideously large red lips as they paraded around in replicas of famous fashion looks as “The Beautiful People” by Marilyn Manson played in the background. It certainly made one wonder what kind of grotesque interior lay under all of that ravishing finery.

And ravishing it was. Despite all of his allusions to fashion as filth, there was no lack of breathtaking loveliness and straight-up sartorial skill in McQueen’s collection. As in past collections, the clothes themselves felt lurid and almost sinister. A showstopping crimson and ebony gown splashed with M.C. Escher’s bird print looked a lot like something that Jennifer Lopez wore in the psychological thriller The Cell. A rich, tangled tweed skirt suit that could have been right from the pages of a 1950s Vogue, and a bulbous orange and black harlequin cloud made perfect sense, strangely, alongside a black and white fur coat covered in too-huge houndstooth print and a stunning head-to-calf feathered ivory body covering.

And did I mention the hats?!!! Milliner Phillip Treacy whipped up something truly wicked for the show. Definitely the “cherries on top,” Treacy’s headgear was crafted from aluminum cans, plastic bags, saran wrap, a tire rim and tiny umbrellas — perfect compliments to McQueen’s theme. And you know how much we love recycled art! Bravo, Mr. Treacy, bravo!

When asked about the show’s concept, Mr. McQueen remarked, “This whole situation is such a cliché. The turnover of fashion is just so quick and so throwaway, and I think that is a big part of the problem. There is no longevity.” As we begin to shift our focus towards heirloom products that are inherently sustainable because people will use and love them for years to come, Mr. McQueen’s words echo what is beginning to form in many people’s minds. Is McQueen acting on his beliefs? Questionable — after all we have yet to see him vanguard the sustainable fabrics movement, and his recent collaboration with mass-marketer Target does not exactly align with the idea of long-lasting, high-quality products. Nevertheless, we hope that the controversial show will be a splash of cold water in the faces of fashionistas. One which they cannot recover from by simply reapplying their makeup.

+ Alexander McQueen

To see more images, click HERE >

Images via The New York Times

via inhabitat.

Collection 5 BurdaStyle Fashion

2009-03-20T10:07:00.001+11:00

Collection 5
BurdaStyle Fashion

Sidonie Variation

Our first variation on the Sidonie basic skirt pattern. A longer variation with a playful paper bag waist detail and ruffle on the hem shows off beautiful curves.

Photographer: Danielle St. Laurent

Model: Kim Matulova

2009-03-19T09:34:00.002+11:00

BURDA Patterns into Top Trends

via BURDA Style

Vintage inspirations

2009-03-17T20:59:00.002+11:00

Ahh, we're loving the high-waisted bikini bottoms - such a big trend in lingerie and swim this season! We discovered the new Norma Kamali swimwear collection thanks to the beautiful Captivate Me blog...don't you just love it?!? The designs are inspiring and lovely, and filled with 1940s glamour. In general we enjoy swimwear much more than we enjoy actually swimming - anyone agree with us on this?
We will be posting more swimwear this week since we have new swim arrivals from Fleur T and Mimi Holliday.

2009-03-03T02:03:00.001+11:00

Ravishing Ruffles!

Lately, I've been enchanted by the sophisticated look of strong ruffles around the neckline of gorgeous dresses and shrugs...

photography: nico, shrug: bonzie

shrug: bonzie, photography: tiffany & co

beautiful creations by elizabeth dye for the english dept

dress: jill lindsey, photography: michael thompson

photography: david shields, dress: jill lindsey

Posted by coco+kelley

2009-03-01T23:31:00.001+11:00

via oh joy

Chanel

via Macarena Gea

Madonna: Blame it on Rio

2009-02-28T23:09:00.002+11:00

Photographed by Steven Klein
Styled by Arianne Phillips

March 2009

via LOFT OF BEAUTY

2009-02-28T21:00:00.003+11:00

{marchesa fall 2009 rtw - new york}

The scaled-back fashion week events didn't stop Marchesa from creating a fairyland of "dream-woven dresses" at the Chelsea Art Museum with ribbons, silver roses, sequins, and swaths of tulle -- perhaps now more
than ever, is the perfect time for dreams . . .

via this is Glamorous

St. Lucia Bauble Rings

2009-02-24T07:38:00.001+11:00

I heart this
from here

Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer 2009 Review

2009-02-22T11:10:00.000+11:00

photo via POSHBOT.com

Chanel Paris Moscou Movie

2009-02-21T11:07:00.000+11:00

2009-02-21T00:51:00.003+11:00

Frou Frou Fashionista - Luxury Lingerie Blog

Fifi Chachnil Visits Faire Frou Frou!

viaFrou Frou Fashionista

Recycled Jewelry

2009-02-20T14:40:00.001+11:00

Brazilian designer, Mana Bernades works with teenagers and students in Brazil teaching jewelry making and creative re-use. She sees luxury in seemingly unusable materials using mini-flasks, PET bottles, phone cards, toothpicks, hair clips, plastic netting, pearls & silver to create unique, modern jewelry crafted by hand. By using recycled materials, the Mana collection demonstrates that re-use can be beautiful and this is done through collaborative education engaging young people to create beauty through eco-friendly design.

2009-02-20T14:26:00.001+11:00

This beautiful vintage necklace , belongs to Michel Jackson and you can bet on it, one of the articles to be going to be Auctioned. See detail here here

2009-02-19T13:55:00.004+11:00

This fragrance is one of my favourites, does any one know if I can buy it here in Melbourne?

Mimosa Perfume

Mimosa is the signature scent of Christiane Celle. Her first-ever perfume is a romantic, floral fragrance that is ultra feminine and playful, reminiscent of a southern breeze along the French Mediterranean in springtime. The opening note is refreshing with a splash of Grapefruit and Green Leaves. The heart of the fragrance is a beautiful combination of Mimosa, Rose, and Jasmine with a touch of Mandarin. The base note finishes with the warmth and sophistication of Sandalwood and Musk. This fragrance is soft and delicate yet spirited and energizing. People will notice you when you enter a room, and remember you from the unique scent that lingers after you leave. Make a lasting impression!

Chanel Paris-Moscou PreFall 2009:Focus on accessories

2009-02-19T10:53:00.001+11:00

Love this Jackets

2009-02-18T14:01:00.005+11:00

Larimeloom via Knack

What Lucia has to say,
... I am 21 and do most of the weaving, the sewing, the spinning, modeling and computer work...

Her INTERVIEW at Etsy

Also seen in Knack

salon 864 & boutique

2009-02-14T20:58:00.001+11:00

Fleur T - Powder Puff collection

via frou frou fashionista

Alexander McQueen is my favourite designer

2009-02-14T20:57:00.001+11:00

He is more them a Designer. Watching is shows is an incredible art experience. Best viewing it on full screen.

Charm & Chain Jewelry

2009-02-13T10:32:00.000+11:00

Every time I re-post some body else's post I blush of embarrassment but I can't help it this is too beautiful.

I was literally born in my parents shop, it was my playground, make up was also part of the transformation.
At the earliest ages of 2 and 3 years old I would stand on a stool supervising my mother buying from the sales men that would stop at our shop with enormous amounts of suitcases, it was like standing at Ali Baba's cage and I would advise my mother to buy, I would say "poncra" instead of "compra"(in portuguese)" for "to buy"

Then I grew up refashioning necklaces, earrings, hair clips, etc.
Having them sold at the shop, it was a nice filing seeing people wearing my creations, they didn't really know they were made by me.

Elizabeth from Peacock feathers
has an amazing blog, please visit it.

I know I go on about jewellery way too much, but this ring by Lavina G is making me crazy! It is so to-die-for, I can barely even stand it. A perfect glitzy bauble, it features a citrine stone and hand-painted enamel in 18k gold. From my new favorite site for jewelry, Charm & Chain. They have a very desirable selection of sparkly and colorful pieces by the likes of Gerard Yosca, Lizzy Fortunato and many more...

Top collage, clockwise from left: Three hearts necklace by Issy Solomon; Bejeweled necklace by Sequin; Multicolored midnight bow necklace by FALLON; Dangle teardrop earrings by Gerard Yosca; Audrey enamel bangles by Rachel Leigh

Bottom collage, clockwise from left: Starfish necklace by Sequin; Swarovski drop earrings by Martine Wester; Silver lace bead layered chain necklace by Nicole Romano; Minerva bracelet by Dori Csengeri; Gold hammered cuff by Gerard Yosca

Necklaces by Michelle Jank

2009-02-13T05:16:00.000+11:00

Via hokey
Melbourne, Australia

I really like these 'Handscape' rings, by dutch designer Zelda Beauchampet, how cute are these!:

Lizzie Fortunato

Lets re-cycle

2009-02-01T15:47:00.000+11:00

Along with the trend's of the day. worries about global worming and the debilitating economies it makes sense, more and more to selvage, recycle, re use, re stylish...

You might end up looking like you are wearing a parachute, but at list you know that you are saving the hearth but it is all part of the fun.

Worthy of mention, Jessica Espinoza, here by Paula Vidal who has similar views about reusing .

Srta ssi: exeso de creatividad ¡¡¡

Quiero mostrarles a mi amiga Jessica Espinoza que hace unas cosas geniales y con un sello personal muy definido. Ella ahora anda por la Europa ( entre Italia y España) abriendo su mente y produciendo sus ideas. Aqui van imagenes de sus propuestas de vestuario a partir de reutilización de materia prima textil, accesorios tambien en la onda del trashion, sus ilustraciones, serigrafias y hasta animación ¡¡¡¡ Muy completa ella. Visten sus blogs y flickr. Hay una cantidad tremenda de hacer creativo¡¡¡¡¡¡
vestuario con textiles reutilizados y aplicaciones de serigrafia.

Portamonedas y documentos

arriba y abajo: Portadocumentos donde utiliza la mancha de te como elemento visual... genial ¡¡

aBAJO: Ilustraciones con aplicaciones textiles .

Abajo: Arte y vestuario....................

Trough out you can see enormous amont of Paula's work like this sleevles felt wool

Vestuario ecologico Absoluto fieltro: Postales promocionales y un nuevo modelo de prenda

Estos son los 6 modelos de la colección. Solo se han realizado 2, los otros 4 estan en proceso. En el mes de junio comienza la produccion de estas prendas y complementos como: bufandas con botones, echarpes y bolsos en distintos formatos. En cuanto decoración se realizarán: cojines y alfombras, estas ultimas con las láminas textiles texturadas o tridimensionales.

I particularly like her shoulder bags mad of recycled materials, like the humble plastic bag

Bolsas de compras a pedido¡¡¡ Pronto ¡¡

Love for jewellery

2009-01-29T09:10:00.000+11:00

In My youth I made a lot of jewellery and it was a pleasure to see the pieces go out of the door, I always had a lot of pleasure to create them , wile other girls would be chasing boys I was on my little studio being busy.
Always liked to be a bit extravagant and loved to were lots of it. Still , lifts my spirit.

LUCINA FAIRTRADE JEWELRY
Lucina brings together the craftsmanship of artisans in developing countries to create gorgeously unique jewelry and accessories.

Style Trip To Masai Mara, Kenya

2009-01-24T21:36:00.000+11:00

Give safari-inspired pieces an update with
bright beading and a statement neckpiece.

Christian Dior Fall/Winter2008-09 Haute Couture fashion show in Paris by Galliano

2009-01-19T14:33:00.000+11:00

Eiffel tower inspired heels that were absolutely, in its entirety, striking.

Jeweled necklace, Etro

2009-01-18T00:36:00.000+11:00

I could see myself wearing this

Time Warp

2009-01-16T20:45:00.000+11:00

1950s

Joanne Massey, 35, lives in a recreation of a 1950s home in Stafford with her husband Kevin, 42, who works as a graphics application designer. Joanne is a housewife. She says:

I love nothing better than fastening my pinny round my waist and baking a cake for Kevin in my 1950s kitchen.

I put on some lovely Frank Sinatra music and am completely lost in my own little fantasy world. In our marriage, I am very much a lady and Kevin is the breadwinner and my protector.

Enlarge

Joanne Massey: 'Living like this makes me happier'

We've been married for 13 years and we're extremely happy because we both know our roles. There is none of the battling for equality that I see in so many marriages today.

What's wrong with wanting to be adored and spoiled? If I see a hat I like, I say 'Oh, we can't afford that' and Kevin says: 'You have it, I'll treat you.'

I don't even put petrol in our Ford Anglia car, which is 43 years old, because I think that is so unladylike. I ask Kevin to do it.

I make sure our home is immaculate, there is dinner on the table, and I look pretty to welcome my husband home.

My kitchen is an original 'English Rose' design, with units made from metal, which was very much the 'in thing' then.

We bought it from a family in Scotland who saw our advert in an antiques magazine.

They had it in their garage to keep tools in, so it needed renovation. I have an original Kenwood Mixer, the phone is bright pink Bakelite, and even my crockery is original 1950s.

Enlarge

Feel good: Debbie's lifestyle makes her feel 'as if I’m living in
one of those old-fashioned TV shows where everything is always wonderful'

We had the hall carpet made for us with an authentic swirling geometric pattern. I like to close the front door, pull off my gloves and know that I am in my own world.

I only ever wear 1950s clothing, such as tight pencil skirts, a white blouse and a wide belt.

Kevin wears 'modern' clothes for work, but at weekends he wears a smart suit and a trilby.

I admit I am in retreat from the 21st century. When I look at the reality of the world today, with all the violence, greed and materialism, I shudder. I don't want to live in that world.

Enlarge

Relaxed: Joanne thinks modern life is too hectic and likes to take her time

Neither of us drinks and our social life revolves around visiting like-minded friends for tea and cakes.

I try not to interact with the modern world too much at all. Shopping in supermarkets is an ordeal, and I only recently realised that Tony Blair is no longer Prime Minister as I don't read newspapers - they are just too distressing.

We do have a television set, but we hide it in a retro cabinet and only watch things like Miss Marple, Poirot and Foyle's War.

My obsession began as a teenager, when I loved old movies because they seemed to represent a halcyon time, when women were more feminine and men more protective.

Enlarge

Authentic: Joanne only ever wears 1950s clothing and her furniture is also from the era

I went to a grammar school and could have gone to university, but chose to work in a bank.

I was marking time until I met the right man. Kevin and I met in 1993 at a Fifties Convention, and we had an old-fashioned courtship before he proposed.

I was ecstatic, because I had found someone with the same passion for the period.

Today's society is all rush, rush, rush, whereas I like to take my time. I never leave the house without lipstick on, and I also like to help neighbours - collecting their pensions and doing shopping for them, just as women in the 1950s would do.

It may sound silly, but living like this really does make me happier - as though I'm existing in one of those old-fashioned TV shows where everything is always wonderful.

My despair at the modern world is one of the reasons why we haven't had children.

I would be terrified they would be offered drugs, or become the victims of violence.

Some women I meet ask me if I feel patronised by being a housewife and spending my time caring for Kevin, but I never would.

At work, he gets teased because he's the only one with home-made cakes and even home-made jam in his sandwiches.

But I often wonder if his colleagues aren't slightly jealous that he has a wife who devotes herself to his happiness. How many men these days can really say that?

1940s

Debbie Cleulow, 34, lives in Upper Tean in Staffordshire with her husband Martin, 38, who works for a JCB contractor. Debbie says:

When I see a girl walking down the street wearing next to nothing, I think: 'Why don't you have more respect for yourself?'

Other women may laugh at my determination to make my home perfect for my husband, Martin, but I enjoy spending my leisure time baking cakes and sewing.

Enlarge

Debbie Cleulow: 'I try to make my home perfect for my husband'

I really believe that women today have lost their way, with bingedrinking ladettes and children as young as 11 going out in tiny tops.

The age of innocence has been lost and it is such a shame. My idol is Ava Gardner and when I watch her films - as I do all the time - I think that so much has been lost from today's society.

I've made my home a shrine to the Forties, and I only ever wear clothes from that decade. Other people may laugh at me, but I really don't care.

I think I have a far happier marriage than many other people I meet, because we have strict demarcations in our roles.

I do all the cleaning, ironing, washing and cooking, and Martin puts up shelves and looks after the car. He's the breadwinner and I create a lovely - and loving - environment for him.

I met Martin when I was 17 - we lived in the same village - and he has been my only serious boyfriend.

It's so much more romantic only ever to have been in love with one man. My obsession with the 1940s really began through Martin, as he was already going to Forties events when we met.

I have spent so many happy hours sourcing retro furniture and kitchen gadgets for our home, and gradually we are eradicating every trace of the modern age.

Retro: Debbie and her husband attract plebty of attention when they leave the house

We have an old black Bakelite phone, I use a retro Swan kettle and a full 1940s dinner service which my parents bought for us from an antiques centre.

I inherited our oak bedroom suite from my grandparents. It's stamped with the 'CC41' utility mark, which shows it complies with the rationing of the time.

Likewise, some of my clothes are stamped with the same mark. I wear vintage dresses during the day, and for evenings and weekends I will dress up in the full glamour of satin evening dresses with high heels.

I wouldn't dream of leaving the house without gloves and a hat. When we go out, we do attract a lot of attention and some people laugh, but I think that is their problem.

We aren't friendly with anyone who doesn't share our love of the Forties. Some people might think I am hiding my head in the sand, harking back to an age that is long gone.

But to me, the 1940s was a time when people were much more friendly to each other - they really cared about their neighbours.

As it is, I hardly know the people who live next to us. Of course, I'm not such a Luddite that I don't use modern medicines and other comforts of modern life when I need to, but I find a genuine happiness in living in a time when life was simpler.

My job is to devote myself to Martin. He has a physical, stressful job and he loves coming home to a wife who looks pretty, has his meal ready in an immaculate house and has all the time in the world for him.

1930s

Diane Rowlands, 38, works parttime in a customer service centre. She lives with Martin, who is 40 and works in a warehouse. Diane says:

My love for the Thirties started with the music. As a teenager, I loved to listen to the big band sound and I would sit entranced for hours watching films starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. They were so glamorous.

Back then, the world just seemed a sunnier place, even though it was an austere time between the wars.

Enlarge

Diane Rowlands: 'Ideally, I’d spend all day in my pinny'

Women were these amazingly glamorous creatures, with their perfect hair and immaculate makeup, and they were treated with such respect by men.

Men and women knew their roles in society and there wasn't all this pressure on women to have to go out to work and try to be equal to men.

I do work part-time, but only because we need the money. However, we still have clearly defined roles in the home and I am the one who does most of the cooking and cleaning.

I adore baking cakes and if I had my way I would spend all of my days in my pinny, making my house look immaculate.

Martin and I spend hours sourcing clothes from the 1930s and I am always dressed in period costume.

I usually spend around £50 to £150 per item. I buy them from the internet and vintage clothing specialists, and I have wardrobes full of wonderful old clothes and items such as cloche hats and Mary-Jane shoes with T-bar straps.

At first I was a bit dubious about going out dressed in Thirties clothing, but I am totally used to it now.

Anyone for tea? Diane spends hours on the internet sourcing items for her 1930s lifestyle

Comments from strangers can be pretty bitchy, though, because people just don't like anything that's out of the ordinary.

The Thirties was a much more moral time and there was a real camaraderie between people.

I try to escape from where we are now and rarely read newspapers because I find today's world so depressing.

The pace of life today is so hectic and I think there is so much pressure on women to be like men. It is all wrong.

I love to wear dresses and skirts, look immaculate and be treated like a lady. My home is entirely decorated with 1930s furniture, wallpaper, carpets and ornaments.

Retreating to this world is our sanctuary.
See full post here
For more vintage living see here:retrolife World of Homemaking, Retro Renovation

Lizzie Fortunato Jewels Flower Necklaces

2009-01-12T10:58:00.000+11:00

Via A CUP OF JO Lizzie Fortunato Jewels

Lady Melbourne

2009-01-08T23:10:00.000+11:00

Purple chic

2009-01-07T13:32:00.002+11:00

Pictures Steven Klein

Chanel Pre-Fall 2009

2008-08-19T10:25:00.000+10:00

Chanel's Russian Winter: Pre-Fall 2009

image via Style Amour

via redcarpet

Fom silkworm to saree

2008-07-08T22:58:00.000+10:00

Los artesanos del sur de la India recolectan los gusanos en las moreras

El cultivo de la seda en India abarca 312.000 hectáreas

La sericultura es la combinación de los cuidados del hombre y el trabajo de un gusano

El hombre interviene en la metamorfosis del gusano para controlar su crecimiento y conseguir las condiciones optimas del hilo de seda. Antes de que salga la crisálida, los agricultores recogen y separan los capullos, dependiendo de su calidad.

Hilar el hilo es un proceso muy meticuloso. El trabajador separa manualmente los cientos de metros de hilo y los hace pasar por el carrete.

En una jornada laboral se apilan miles de metros de seda

El color lo obtienen principalmente de plantas y raíces. La mezcla de compuestos químicos con tintes naturales acostumbra a ser el proceso más habitual

El entramado que se utiliza para tejer el hilo es muy laborioso y complejo

Del gusano al saree. La cultura natural de la seda

¿Va todo como una seda para los artesanos del sur de la India? La fotógrafa Carme Esteve ha hecho un viaje a la artesanía de la seda y la confección de sarees en el distrito de Anantapur (estado de Andhra Pradesh-Sur este India). El reportaje ilustra el camino hasta que un saree existe y se pone a la venta: la plantación de moreras, la cría de gusanos, la formación de capullos, la hilatura del hilo, los tintes, los telares y, finalmente, la venta de los vestidos.

La industria de la seda y de los sarees es históricamente una de las más importantes de la India. Así y todo, actualmente, con la aparición de nuevas fibras sintéticas, el mercado de la seda ha disminuido. A la vez, la producción tradicional de seda, basada en la utilización masiva de mano de obra, disminuye a medida que los pequeños artesanos, atraídos por los ingresos de la industria urbana, abandonan progresivamente esta actividad.

Pero millones de personas dependen en la India de la vitalidad de este proceso artesanal para seguir teniendo trabajo. Cuando una persona planta una hectárea de moreras, pone en marcha 13 puestos de trabajo. ¿Que puede pasar si no se plantan más moreras?

En España, la indústria del cáñamo (una indústria que alimentaba a miles de familias) fue extinguida gracias al poder impuesto por la indústria del NYLON (Siglas de New York LONdres) cuyo auge y procedencia tuvieron la fuerza para declarar ilegal su cultivo. Ya que con el cáñamo se confeccionaba gran parte de lo que hoy se hace con nylon, pero a partir de unamateria prima natural. AGRO.

En el caso de la Seda, o en el caso del Cáñamo (y en tantos otros) se plantea el conflicto entre la evolución y la involución social, ya que la aplicación de la tecnología, que perjudica al bienestar social (o lo destruye), no es favorable a la humanidad. Comentarios?

Saca tus propias conclusiones.

Los vendedores inundan la ciudad de Bangalore, donde venden finalmente el saree. Los viajeros no se resisten y compran sarees y se detienen ante esta pasarela cotidiana de colores.

via AGRO

2008-01-19T14:45:00.001+11:00

Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2008

Christian Dior

John Galliano's spring haute couture collection for Christian Dior spoke volum

John Galliano's spring haute couture collection for Christian Dior spoke volumes. Volume in taffeta and satin bunched, swagged, bustled and draped. And volume in bright, saturated, pastel and jewel-tone colors.

The collection was full of drama with oversized toppers that resembled objets d'art more than hats, painterly prints, paillettes and embroidery. Gone was the delicacy and old-fashioned femininity of Galliano's fall collection. Instead of exaggerated waists, caricatures of silhouettes gone by, proportions were blown out in the opposite direction, ballooning away from the body with a structure belying the craftsmanship of the collection.

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Sidonie Variation

Our first variation on the Sidonie basic skirt pattern. A longer variation with a playful paper bag waist detail and ruffle on the hem shows off beautiful curves.

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Christian Dior