It seems vintage inspiration is the order of the day with a "return to gentle, classic and nostalgic" ladylike fashions using sentimental fabrics such as tulle and velvet. Fur is making a big splash too and leather is huge this season.
The era of vintage clothing most referenced by many designers were the 1920's with polished ladylike yet slightly masculine lines and the relaxed bohemian vibe of the 1970's.
The 80's are still big with pleat front pants and bigger shoulders (although not too Balmain proportions!). Slouchy layering is huge and animal print is everywhere.
...Chained to my desk upgrading the Bowerbird site (Hope you like the new look) and photographing new stock (still trying to get descriptions up etc but check out some for the new vintage dresses and things we have amassed on a our recent treasure hunts around the country...)
Anyhoo, while all this hard work was going on I also managed to download a bunch of fantastic songs from iTunes. (Thank you Apple Store for providing me with such a fun diversion - You have made purchasing that absurdly expensive iPhone worth it) .
Friday 11 December 2009 5pm to 9pm Saturday 12 december 2009 10am - 4pm
The Leichhardt Town Hall is the venue for Vanity Fair Markets - Sydney’s monthly undercover vintage markets where dealers from all over Australia offer bargain hunters vintage, antique, retro and designer label clothing, textiles, jewellery, fashion accessories ranging from exotic millinery to Sixties ‘winkle picker’ shoes, fashion drawings, buttons and bows, boudoir items and so much more....................
KIRRIBILLI FASHION MARKETS Kirribilli Fashion Market features approximately 90 outside stalls of new, second hand and vintage fashion and accessories, antiques and collectables, bric - a - brac and homewares.
The next Kirribilli Fashion Market date is December 13th. BRADFIELD PARK MILSON'S POINT
SURRY HILLS MARKETS First Saturday of every month, at the corner of Crown and Collins Sts, Surry Hills, in Shannon Reserve, regardless of weather. In wet weather, the market may be restricted to the paved area. Over Christmas and New Year, the normal schedule is maintained, so there will be Surry Hills Markets on 5 December 2009 and 2 January 2010. Come and enjoy
THE FINDERS KEEPERS SPRING / SUMMER INDEPENDENT DESIGN AND ART MARKETS CO-PRESENTED BY CARRIAGEWORKS
Revel in the simple joy of discovery and explore the best in new contemporary art and design at The Finders Keepers markets, a bi-annual event that showcases the work of emerging designers and artists from Sydney and around Australia.
With fresh designers, new artwork and original merchandise at every stall, the Spring/Summer installment of The Finders Keepers features over 70 stalls and free live music in the bar. Click here to check out the line up of local live musicians who will keep the stage busy and the vibe chilled all weekend.
Perfectly timed for finding unique Christmas gifts, The Finders Keepers are partnered with creative 'Three Things Project' by Oxfam, who will be present at the markets. The Finders Keepers merchandise also donates a percentage of the profits from their stall.
Of course, Bowerbird Vintage is a pretty good place to pick up a few great gift ideas too...or a fab frock for yourself. I will even give you a 15% discount on anything in store. Just type the promo code BBVBLOG into the promo field when you check out!
The lovely and super cluey Nicole Jenkins, costume designer, vintage clothing expert and owner of Circa Vintage Clothing in Melbourne has just released a gorgeous book on vintage fashion.
Nicole has been my "Go To" girl on all matters of vintage. Not only has she been extremely supportive of Bowerbird but also very helpful identifying era's on some of my pieces and offering advice when I ask for it.
Her knowledge of vintage is extraordinary and her taste is impeccable so I highly recommend you pick up a copy. It's filled with helpful hints, beautiful photo's and lots of great information about fashion throughout different era's.
"This book is the culmination of almost 30 years of studying, collecting and repairing vintage clothes, fuelled by a passion for the art of design and a humble respect for the dressmaking skills of a bygone era that brought such creative visions into reality"
You can purchase online at CARTERS for $49.95 plus delivery or ask for it at your local bookstore.
Perths Art Gallery of Western Australia is currently holding a vintage Barbie exhibition to celebrate the iconic dolls 50th birthday. The collection includes vintage Barbies from 1959-73 including Dior Inspired models, hippies and mod era dolls.
Vintage Barbie @ The Gallery is on display at the Art Gallery of Western Australia from Wednesday 23 September - Sunday 11 October 2009, 10am-5pm. Closed Tuesdays.
I often stumble across wonderful blogs inspired by vintage creativity that I feel compelled to write about on my own blog - the love needs to be shared around after all!
Today, I stumbled once again onto something wonderful...and not via my (work avoiding) cyber trawling and keyword googling methods that I usually get up to either.
Today, one of my very dear customers quietly mentioned that she would be putting up pictures on her blog of the 50's fair at Rose Siedler house that was on over the weekend (and which I forgot to tell you to diarise - I'm losing my touch!).
Having sold several of my favourite (Bowerbird) vintage dresses and vintage bags to her in the past I was more than a little curious to check out the site and to put a face to the name I knew so well. That's the downside to having an online store I'm afraid - no personal contact means I never get to see how the vintage dresses I sell are transformed by the women buying and wearing them. And sadly that's really the most fun.
I do get happy customers occasionally sending through pictures of themselves in their bowerbird vintage finery which is wonderful and a real thrill but I definitely miss the personal interaction and service that comes with owning a shop.
So, it turns out that my lovely customer, who is a Sydney journalist, writes a beautiful blog with tonnes of stunning photo's and bountiful information about all things vintage, thrifted, arty/crafty and creative. I Highly recommend that you drop by right here: A Wild Tea Party
I don't usually blog about technology but this is hard to ignore...not only because it looks pretty fab but also because there is stuff to win!
Samsung is launching a brand new camera ST500/ST550 with some very cool new gadgetry including a Tap & Take feature and two LCD screens.
For someone who loves taking a snap or two, this compact little camera might be on my Christmas list this year . The double LCD screens (on the front and back) lets you take a photo of yourself and your friends while watching the image. No self timers needed anymore and no more decapitations or blurry images ever again. Great for street fashion blogging too!
The Tap and Take technology means that you no longer have to use those pesky little buttons on top anymore. Simply tap the screen and it focuses and takes the picture for you. There are heaps of other techno features as well...take a look at the very cool Tap and Take website for more details.
Oh, and here's the good bit! If you sign up to the Tap and Take Twitter and the Tap and Take Facebook page, starting from tomorrow August 20th, you have the chance to win one for yourself.
Simply watch for clues posted on various Australian Blogs, including little ol' Bowerbird Vintage, then solve the (easy peasy) clues and you will have a Samsung Tap and Take of your very own!
