Modern Love

Finally!  I got my turn to check out the wonderful Modern Love exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery!  I'm lucky I checked to see when this amazing exhibit finished, because I saw it on its final weekend at the start of February and I'm so glad I did!  My mum and I made a last minute trip to Bendigo to celebrate my birthday the day before.  We also had a lovely lunch, checked out some great shops and hit the woollen mills bargain back room on the way out of town.

I've loved seeing what other bloggers were drawn to in this exhibition, so here's what caught my attention!  It was wonderful to see high end couture up close, albeit behind glass and with 'dramatic' lighting.

This Carolina Herrera party dress from 1988 was the first thing I saw when we arrived.  I don't know whether it spoke to little 1988 Jen or present day Jen more!  I love spots, black and white with a big splash of yellow, and the square neckline is so very nice.

Not usually one for jumpsuits, I was surprised by how much this Norma Kamali evening jumpsuit grabbed me.  Very striking!  And sparkly!

Another Carolina Herrera!  Again, I'm not normally so into shirring, but the way it's been used to shape the bodice of this tulle gown is just lovely!

I adore this Vivienne Westwood tartan suit.  On the catwalk it was accessorised with sporran and woollen wrap, but with all that stripped away, the A line mini and structured blazer nipped in at the waist are really lovely!

I loved this Calvin Klein 'evening ensemble', the colour of the iridescent silk taffeta is just gorgeous and the exaggerated dimensions of what could be a very simple shirtwaist frock make it so fancy!

I'm not ashamed to admit I spent a good deal of time pressed up against the glass gazing at this Alexander McQueen peacock dress.  It is spectacular!   I love the cream and black contrast and the shredded tulle is frothy and delightful!  I think it is such a wonderful example of fashion as art.

I'm lucky that I live where I do, with exhibits like this just an hour away and then in the other direction I have Melbourne and all it has to offer as well.  With regular historical and modern fashion and costuming exhibitions available for my enjoyment and inspiration!  I'm looking forward to visiting the Melbourne Immigration Museum soon to see Faith Fashion Fusion - Muslim Women's Style in Australia.  It looks amazing!

Summer Capsule Wardrobe 2013/14

Last year (still getting used to that) I drew up some plans for a Summer Capsule Wardrobe.  A bundle of garments that all work together as well as being seasonally appropriate.  The wardrobe evolved a little as it all came together but the bones of it have stayed true to my original plan.  

A sleeveless chambray shirt.  This was one of the first garments I made for this project.  It very quickly became a wardrobe staple.  The pattern is BurdaStyle 10/2009 105 without the sleeves.  I used silver coloured buttons to fancy it up and they work beautifully with the chambray fabric. It fits just right, looks great tucked in and untucked, buttoned to the top or left open at the neck, I love it.

Navy high waisted shorts. These were a difficult make.  The fabric frays like mad and drove me crazy, I got the feeling these shorts didn't really want to be made.  I persevered though and they turned out quite cute.  Then the invisible zip busted.  So I replaced it with an exposed, indestructible metal zip.  The pattern is the same as for the November shorts, BurdaStyle 0/2011 111.

Wiksten tank dress.  This lightweight cotton fabric was in the bottom of a box at my local op shop.  I loved the massive bright floral print the moment I saw it.  It really needed a simple shape and the Wiksten tank dress is perfect.  I added an elastic casing at the waist, and lengthened the hem by 5cm.

Red Wiksten tank.  I made this tank for Red October.  The fabric is so light. It's perfect for hot weather.  Unfortunately it wasn't colourfast so it has faded a little, but it's still very red!  

Printed denim shorts.  The bottom of November's outfit, these have seen quite a bit of action so far this summer.  I was worried that the high lycra content would make them a bit saggy with wear but they're holding up very nicely.  They are comfy too, very successful!

White tee.  This plain white Elise Tee from December's outfit was another to quickly become a wardrobe staple.  It is casual, comfy, and goes with everything!

Navy button up tank.  Another from November's outfit.  This one has fitted in with so many of my outfits too.  I love wearing it with jeans, it's casual without being sloppy.  Comfortable and cool for summer!

Teal skirt.  This one was not originally part of the the plan.  Just like it was not originally part of December's outfit.  I'm thrilled with it though!  It fitted right in with the whole wardrobe.  This is one I can see transitioning well through all seasons.  It will be so cute with tights and cardigans when the weather cools down.

Coral tee.  This scoop necked, low backed tee was rescued from being an unsuccessful attempt at a bodysuit.  In hindsight, I really should have known it was a poor fabric choice, but the colour was so perfect!  No where near enough stretch for a bodysuit but just right for a tee!  

Coral elephant wrap skirt.  It took me a very long time to find the right fabric for this skirt.  The pattern is a 1970s Simplicity with a couple of different waistband and length options.  This shot doesn't show it off as well as it could, but it it lightweight and flows beautifully, and the wee elephants are so sweet!

There were a couple more garments that haven't made the final cut.  The bottom of my swimsuit turned out quite well, the top not so much, I can't really show off the bit that worked though because this is not that kind of blog!  I also have a wrap maxi dress that I don't consider to be up to standard, I'll get around to tweaking it at some stage to make it what I want.  I held out on posting in the hopes they would be sorted, but sometimes you have to know when to walk away.

These photos were taken in the surrounds of our camp site on a family camping trip during the summer school holidays.  I assure you, platforms and hair and frocks are not my usual camping attire and were packed back away for the rest of the holiday!