Sunday, July 31, 2016

EPITOME OF FLAIR - BREE HAYWORTH



Who are you?

I'm Bree, a mum of 2 beautiful girls (10 & 6), a housewife and vintage hair and make up artist on the Gold Coast.
Describe your fashion style:
I float between the mid 30s and mid 60s with a strong preference for the war time era of the late 30s to early 40s. I dress in a vintage style everyday and with 2 kids that means practical garments.
But when I visit a client to do hair and makeup I like to glam it up a bit, it's the perfect excuse to get a little more dolled up than usual.
Who is your fashion style icon and why?
I'll be honest I don't really have one.
Don't get me wrong I love to drool over old movies and dream about plundering the wardrobe department, but my is based on practicality more so than glamour so I tend to look to the everyday women of the 40s and 50s for fashion inspiration.
I made a few Swirl inspired dresses this past summer which proved to be very comfortable to wear while performing my housewife duties.
I used Simplicity 1692 for the bodice and changed the neckline, added a simple gathered skirt and pockets. You've gotta have pockets!!!!
Name your 5 essential fashion pieces:

I make almost all of my own clothes excluding a few cardigans and knit tops I've mostly found in op shops, undergarments and a couple t-shirts from Atomic Swag and Miss Lady Bug.
But these are my "can't live without" items:
1. A good pair of jeans is a must! I used Gertie's Butterick B5895 for these ones.

2. A gathered skirt....with pockets. Can be teamed with a tailored blouse, peasant top and more.

3. Cardigans. I LOVE cardigans!!! I have over 50 yet seem to wear the same half dozen or so.
4. Scarves. I pick them up from op shops for an absolute steal and they're perfect for covering pincurls while they set, or for those days when I don't have time (or engery) to style my hair.
Plus who doesn't love a 40s style turban!!

5. A "Bree Top"...or 20.
These are essentially a peasant top that I make from a knit fabric rather than cotton and are more fitted than the traditional peasant top to reduce bulk around my rather large bust. I made my first one a couple summers ago and found it to be so comfortable and versatile that I've now made 20.
Yep, 20!
They were named the "Bree Top" by a couple cheeky ladies in my sewing group on Facebook as a bit of a joke since I'd made so many (only 16 at that stage) but the name stuck and now I find it hilarious that there's women all around the world talking about Bree tops and looking for the pattern.


What is something surprising about you?
It's not all that surprising but I'm mostly a self taught sewer.
My mum and Nan taught me how to use a sewing machine as a young girl and I did attempt to make a few (terrible) items of clothing through my 20s, but I didn't really fall in love with sewing until I was 31 and I've been addicted since. I had a couple lessons with Marianne from Rockababy Couture who taught me to use an overlocker but I've really just learnt by making mistakes and pushing my skills with each new pattern I attempt. I've had a lot of guidance from Jayne Coyne (the Godmother of sewing) through our wonderful sewing group on Facebook, Those Darn Sew and Sews, and I find all her pearls of wisdom inspiring.
Do you have a favourite pattern? What is it?
I have many. If I find a pattern I love I tend to make it again and again (case and point the Bree Top).
But one I always turn to for 40s trousers or an A-line skirt is Simplicity 40s Retro 3688. I'm yet to make the blouse or jacket but I've made the trousers many many times and I just add pockets or widen the leg to mix it up. The skirt is super easy too and a few times I've joined the middle and side pattern pieces together to make a simple 2 gore skirt rather than a 6. And of course added pockets because, well, POCKETS!

Instagram @deadgorgeousmuah

Monday, July 25, 2016

EPITOME OF FLAIR - BETTIE BUTCHER


Who are you? 
Hey, I’m Bettie Butcher, 
I’m a Brissy gal who loves cats, VW beetles, horror and burgers.  
Back in 2010 I won the title of Miss Ink Australia and Miss Pinup Australian Tattoo Expo, but since then have focused on sharing my knowledge with the next generation of pinup enthusiasts.  I’m a “Bettie of all trades”, 
Since 2012 I have been teaching Vintage Styling and pinup essentials workshops with the Bombshell Academy in Brisbane, 
I organize and host various pinup and tattoo pageants in Queensland and I help organize the Rods and Rockabilly festivals with my artist partner, Rastra Lyall.

Describe your fashion style
I used to wear a lot of vintage in my younger days, but now my fashion is a mix of small independent Australian and international designers, with a lean towards the 60s and sometimes a bit of a darker flair.  
I adore bright colors and prints (in purples, green and organce) and shiny fabrics that stand out like lurex and latex.



Who is your favourite style icon & why?
Its a bit of mix of Fran Drescher (The Nanny), Peggy Bundy, and the iconic horror queens, Vampira, Elvira, Lily Munster, Morticia.  
I love everything horror but especially the fashion of these particular icons, low cut bustlines, flared sleeves, nipped waists (always corseted) and fishtail skirts are so flattering for ladies with curves, and still have the timeless class of “the little black dress”.  
But i also adore everything leopard print and catsuits, teamed with big hair.


Name your 5 essential fashion pieces
My corset collection – I have about 6 steel corsets at the moment, from plain satin through to a gorgeous custom skeleton corset by Sweet Carousel Corsetry, and I almost always will be wearing one under my garments.
Latex everything – I always have latex items in my collection as I just love the look and feel of the fabric even though they definitely are not a day to day item.
Drop earrings – as I have stretched ears, clip on earrings are a must and really pull an outfit together, I love to collect small designers who make unique resin earrings.
Comfortable shoes with “party feet” – you may see me in sky high heels, but you can guarantee I have party feet inserts and am always packing a pair of flats in my handbag.
Sun safety! including a parasol/umbrella, sunscreen and water - let me honest, we live in Queensland so its almost always sunny, but even when it isn't you can still get burnt and fatigued.

 Do you have a special prized fashion piece in your wardrobe?
My most prized piece would either be my custom Lily Munster dress made by Inez from Dark Spectre clothing (you may recall her Lady Skellington dress that went viral last halloween).  
She made the gown custom to my measurements specifically to shoot with my friends “Dragula” replica.
Or my skeleton corset, custom made by Sweet Carousel corsetry, it’s a long line black corset with white vinyl skeleton bones on the front, its the high back design with a super low sweetheart bustline and a gorgeous lilac lining.

What is something surprising about you?

I do a mean balloon animal and got my first motorbike at the age of 6.

Do you have a favourite sewing pattern? What is it?
I think it would be those cute sets, where it’s a playsuit (or a top and cute highwaisted shorts) with either a wrap skirt or open fronted skirt… 
perfect for the summer weather up here in Brisbane as they have a beachside kind of feel and you have the option of showing a bit of leg, or covering up with the wrap skirt.

Sunday, July 17, 2016

EPITOME OF FLAIR - EMMA PIXIE




 Who are you? 


I am Emma Pixie; 
A name which I earned for wearing lime green and purple zebra print capris in my late teens.

I studied Fashion Design on the Sunshine coast and ran a little label locally called Villa Villa Kula; my key inspiration coming from; you guessed it- Pippi Long Stocking. 
I was a punk, I was a doll, I was excited to be alive and just had to create a new look every day. Clothes were my life and they still are!

Too vivacious to be tamed I moved to London, the creative melting pot, where I studied Costume Design at Central Saint Martins; London University of the Arts. And after that had jobs assisting, designing, making and managing costumes in Opera.

 I loved my life in London, everyone I knew was a creative; a film maker, an artist, a musician, a model, an actor, a photographer, a writer; I felt that it was surely the place for me. But the winters were cold, the skies were grey and Facebook was overloaded with photos of friend’s on the beach and my family out on the boat; after four years I came home.


Back in Australia, things were very different. The theatre industry is minuscule in comparison and the competition for work incredibly ruthless. Being the peaceful loving person I am I decided to take a step away from the wigs, sequins and the rat race. 
I had a real desire to do something positive in my community so, 
I started work at Spinal Life Australia as a support worker for people who had suffered a spinal injury or have MS. 
A job which really gives you a reality check and is a job which I love.



I never lost my passion for dressing up though, my clients always look forward to seeing what I come dressed in on my next shift! It took a little while but I finally found my place in Brisbane; I met a lovely man with the same passion for clothes as me and through him I met the fabulous women of The Brisbane Vintage Mafia. 
And all of a sudden my creative desire was back in a big way!


Recently I have been sewing little traditional rag Dolls; which I call “Emma PoP’s”. 
Pop is the Dutch word for Doll, when I made my first one for my nephew that’s what he called it. You can see them on my FB page and very soon they will be available in Etsy.
I am also working in collaboration with an old friend to design for her children’s label Rockabilly Jr. Which we hope to officially launch this summer.





Describe your fashion style

When I go to get dressed I think about how I feel. Am I feeling like an Indian princess? 
A ghetto girl? A koala? Am I off to a 60’s cocktail party? Am I this season’s fashionista? 
A bus driver? A Harajuku girl? An office or school girl? A farm hand? An Opera singer? 
Have I just stepped out of a novel? … 
The world is your stage and when you dress for the stage my advice is to pick a theme and go all the way with it! 
And never, EVER mind what people might think or say, 
you are fabulous in every way!





Who is your favourite style icon & why?

I don’t actually have a style icon, my mother always said I like to swim against the tide...
 I’m inspired by life and everyone I know, all the images I see and all thing that I read.

As far as icons go I love and adore anyone who has the gusto to just be themselves in a judgmental world.





 Name your 5 essential fashion pieces


Sunday Social flower cluster earrings

A ring or two of sentimental value to remind me that I am Loved.
My Kitten De’Amor black satin pencil skirt to show off my booty- who doesn’t love a bum?!
My Alana Hill Red cropped Blazer
My no name Gold glitter heels with black velvet bow on the toe.






Do you have a special prized fashion piece in your wardrobe?

The first ‘Designer” piece I ever bought; A Cooper Street 60’s Mod style dress back in 2004. 
I saved and saved for this piece and still wear it today… 12 years on!















What is something surprising about you?

I actually love Social Science, the how’s and whys of people are just so fascinating to me.

Also, I’m a total tea addict. I go through 200 bags of Madura Premium Blend per month and that is not including the Green, Peppermint, Chamomile and Earl Grey… I’m not even kidding!! :-D





Do you have a favourite sewing pattern? What is it?

My mother’s 1970’s Knit Wit basic skirt Pattern. 
Off this one pattern you can cut 8 different sizes in three different styles; Multi Gore Skirt, Four Gore Straight Skirt, Four Gore Skirt with Flip -
My personal Favourite!.



My very old website; http://missbogard.wix.com/emmapop


The new kids wear label will be at www.Rockabillyjr.com.au in the mean time you can follow us on Instagram @rockabilly_jr


My personal handle is @coto_house and I post all sorts of bits and pieces from my life
 (WARNING: pictures of chickens ahead!). 
My Husband’s is @coto_design and he posts pics of cool mid-century architecture.





Sunday, July 10, 2016

EPITOME OF FLAIR - MIMSY GLEESON



Who are you?
Mimsy - trailer trash tattoo

Describe your fashion style
It depends what day of the week it is- but mainly suburban southside bogan.
Winter kills it for me though.


Who is your favourite style icon & why?
Aargh! Well, much like the last question it depends what mood I'm in! Anyone from A 50s movie, through to poison ivy from the cramps, sailor moon through to- psychobilly , Cute Chicano girls , to early 90s grunge/metal ... I'm sorry I'm just not that stylish/ or willing to be put in a category
😉






Name your 5 essential fashion pieces
Flanny, bandanna, cute flats, retro sunglasses, winged eyeliner, hoop earrings and a sassy attitude
😉
(oops that's 7!)



Do you have a special prized fashion piece in your wardrobe?
hmmmmm ..... Probably my 50s lucite kitten heels - that I never wear, and my same era, shell and rattan handbag.... My creepers that I've had forever ... , my leopard jackets and denim vests (especially the one with the iron maiden back patch) . Oh- and my hello kitty vans high tops😀

What is something surprising about you?
I'm thrifty- I hardly ever would pay retail - I don't own anything from fancy shmancy brand names, and in the past have sourced any of my vintage outfits at bargain prices- most of my basics everyday wear is from the op shop or Kmart.
I'm not from the "vintage mafia" train of thought- and don't judge anyone based on their purity as far as that goes- express yourself and just have fun.
To me, it's not about impressing anyone ..what you wear has no bearing on you as a person, it's an entirely personal thing- and we're all into different things-
I work with a lot of younger people who are into sorta metal /black only style and I love that too! Just wear whatever you're in the mood for... I go through full on "phases".
One week my philosophy might be "what would dita do", and the next I'm getting excited for rainbows and sparkles... (Well, always with the sparkles actually).
Quite often I do not dress "age appropriate" and I'm sure the "style police" would have a field day with me- but, shmeh...
In the words of the incredibly kawaii bei bad girl - just be cute, and don't worry!
🎀



Sunday, July 3, 2016

EPITOME OF FLAIR - KAT CREASEY


Who are you?
Kat Creasey
Hair and makeup stylist, event coordinator with vintage themed events doing my part to keep the culture Alive and thriving.
Describe your fashion style
Bright colourful 60s Lovin, Hawaii and tropical obsessed.


Who is your favourite style icon & why?
Tarina Tarantino - so much colour, talent and creativity in one person.
Name your 5 essential fashion pieces
Peddle pushers, cardigan, clip ons, bangles & hair scarves


Do you have a special prized fashion piece in your wardrobe?
My 1940s emerald green suit- I almost fell over when I found it and it fits like a glove
What is something surprising about you?
I'm the biggest 90s cartoon nerd- I loveeee kids cartoons and games


Do you have a favourite sewing pattern? What is it?
The easy pencil skirt!