1920s Great Gatsby, Darnell Collection & Croquet!

            It was the last day of the Blue Mountains Roaring 20's Festival, so my friends and I decided we must drive up to Mt Tomah Botanic gardens to enjoy the jazz, play croquet (as one does..) look at accessories from the Darnell Collection and take tea. These ladies are from the Croquet Club and gave us tips on how to play. Very genteel...(I like the Dunlops with the tea dress, at least they aren't Nikes)                        AQuite a serious business indeed.

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There was quite an attractive blond lady wandering around the gardens, wearing an exquisite cream embroidered Chinese coat over trousers. We met up again in the book shop, looked at each other; I realised it was the lovely Charlotte Smith from the Darnell Collection. She recognised me from the various Vintage Fairs that we do. So we had a chat; all things Vintage of course! She had just had a fabulous time in Las Vegas with (part) of the Collection. And this being the last day here, was about to pack up her display. Good timing! 

The weather was closing in, but that didn't deter the picnickers in costume sitting around on rugs enjoying the jazz. (No photos sorry as my computer is playing up...its taken weeks to get around to this)

And the band played on!

We decided to look for lunch in one of the little villages, as the restuarant was full at Mt Tomah (should've packed a picnic...but the weather was "iffy")

Then stumbled upon these fabulous Vintage cars being unloaded and put under cover in the marquees. I was excited as I knew it could ONLY be something to do with The Great Gatsby.....and it was! However, being a Sunday, & awful weather, filming had stopped for the day. These were,as I found out later, the "pick-up" shots being done. 

This car looks just divine! Maybe some blokey car guy can enlighten us to what type it is?? This truck is literally "under wraps"

Here's a note from Baz; self explanatory

A family doing renovations were always being mistaken for part of the set!! But the houses around the Mt Wilson area are absolutely fabulous; its like a time warp, transported to England, or New England.

There were dozens of trucks, catering vans, marquees, tents, etc scattered all over the village, tucked away on various properties, down laneways. It was like a treasure hunt; alas no Leonardo or Baz.....

Great Gatsby Fashion Inspirations; Part 2

Continuing my theme of "Gatsby" as I have some lovely pieces that would easily pass into that Scott Fitzgerald era. Dont forget the "Flapper" parties and 1920's celebrations all through Feb in the Blue Mountains! A must visit!!
Above & below; hundreds of beads, handsewn onto this palest of green silk shell-top.

    
Below; a double layer of silk, handbeaded cami,which is bias-cut, and has spaghetti straps. 

Now this evening dress by Moss & Spy is just devine. Thousands of beads sewn onto ivory silk.

    Just 3 little pearl buttons at the back, bugle beads trim the straps and yoke

    Sheer divineness! I just love this dress. I can see Mia Farrow in it!                              (from the 70's Gatsby movie)

                    Cocktail length slipper-satin halter-neck dress

                         Close up of the handi-work in the bodice.

How cute is this hand crochered top? In buttercup yellow. Could be worn with  a fine silky knit underneath?

I have a pink version of this slip as well; can be worn as a slip or a day dress.

       Stunning bias-cut slipper-satin evening dress, with dropped cowl neck

Plunging back! No bras here girls!

Market bargains! This goes with that!

Had a fabulous day last Sunday at the markets, hunting & gathering for stock for MY market stall which is at Orange Grove each Saturday! Found so many great labels, and once I'd hung it all up I thought   "hmm, this goes with that goes with this" (I wasn't a stylist & merchandiser for nothing!) But thats another story!

       Yep, there's a 1960's ruffle negligee coat. Did I find some amazing stuff to sell!!

 Pieces ranging from 1950's to 1990's. Even a 2000's Tigerlily dress in there somewhere!

My bargain find of the decade would be the Chanel shoes!!! Complete in original box, price showing of $785,  mind you I paid muucchh less! They will be on my web-site soon.

Also (above) along with the wedge heel,platform Chanel shoes are a pair of Pucci sandals, with the iconic fabric to wrap around your ankles. A 1970s glomesh bag, a bespoke bag from NZ, a mini leather doctors style bag & a 1980's  lizard-skin "Merivale" style bag, but this one is from the USA.



  Crochered cardi goes with 1970's shirt (from Germany) It has a "french style" fabric print.

      Love this sun-dress! Nearly kept it...very 50's, very fitted with gorgeous full skirt.

         Pop a cream crochered lace shell top over the dress to make a different look.

 

        Or for a more "pretty preppy" look, add that lace cardi, which goes with everything! 

                                               
                            1960's dress, elastic waist, bubble hemline, chiffon                     

                  Add a 1950s/60s apricot bed jacket, satin binding and rouched sleeves

                Bed jacket looks perect over Betsey Johnson chiffon bias cut dress

 Ahh, there's that cardi again, or the pop-over lace top, and they all look pretty with the delicate floral print bias-cut dress.A definate "theme" is happening here.....

 Scored not one, but two Alannah Hill cardis! Here's one that looks great with the green ruffle-silk Witchery shirt.

      Now here's another Alannah Hill number; this time a gorgeous, bias-cut silk burn-  out velvet skirt. (I'm mad about "bias-cut" clothes; very flattering on the right body, and very retro!)  Worked it with a home-made raglan sleeve,velvet bolero.

 This box-style double-breasted jacket is from UK Top Shop. The pansy print has teeny-weeny skulls amongst them! Just love it; maybe another "keeper". Teamed it with a french label A-line dress thats very 60's. 

 Carla Zampatti....always love this label. I even worked for her for 3 years. But thats another blog to do!! This is a pure (Thai) silk in fuscia, major puffy-sleeves, wrap-around.

  Tried the lace pop-over with a pure silk-velvet Laura Ashley bias cut skirt, also it looks great with the olive-green organza ruffle skirt.

 1970s butterfly top; sequins on silk,not on cotton or rayon!Matched with the Laura Ashley 

This is the Parisian label "Lily Cube". Cute little 60's style dress, cut away shoulders and bound with the reverse of the same fabric.                                                          


What a fantastic haul of bargains I scooped up!
I find it really hard to go into mainstream shops, let alone pay the "normal" (aka "expensive") retail prices. So here I've demonstrated how individual one can look, at an excellent price!  

Now you'll have to buy these devine items from either my WEB SHOP or at the many MARKETS I do around Sydney, and country NSW. Every Saturday at Orange Grove Inner Sydney.

I will also be having a stall (as usual) at the Love Vintage Show in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane this year 2012.

                                  Happy hunting and gathering!