A day at the dressmaker

 

The Ripponlea Homestead

The station signage from the movie

Today I made my way to the costume exhibition of The Dressmaker held at Ripponlea estate in Melbourne Australia. The Dressmaker based on the acclaimed novel by Rosalie Ham is about the story of Tilly Dunnage (played by Kate Winslet ) a dressmaker and the town of Dungatar set in the 1950’s. Tilly returns to the town to find out about a missing link in her childhood memory. As the mystery unfolds she changes the town with one frock at a time. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie not only for the story line but also the finely executed couture in the film. The film is now an Australian classic and the costume designers Marion Boyce and Margot Wilson brought the Characters to life with their designs. 

Upon walking up to Ripponlea estate you are greeted by the train station sign in the movie “Dungatar” and a red carpet leads you into the exhibition. The grand entrance to the house you are greeted by the “red coat” that Tilly wears at the football match. It is truly stunning piece with a wide shawl collar and circular skirt made from a vintage red moire silk taffeta.

This would have to be one of my favourite pieces in the collection.

The rooms are filled with many other designs (see photos) all have matching hats gloves and bags as were styled in the movie. Though one room is a collection of vintage hats all on stands and you are transported in time to a 1940’s boutique.

There is also Tilly’s sewing room set up with the original sewing machine in which Kate Winslet learnt to sew with to be authentic to her character. The room is filled with patterns, fabric and sewing notions.

Tilly's sewing room recreated from the film.

The piece de resistance was the fairy tale ball gown which was a strapless boned bodice with a full skirt of a pastel mint silk netting embellished with Swarovski crystals and sequins.

On the bodice was a gold flower flower necklace that was sewn on to the front. This embellishment finished the whole design and brought the gown to have a Cinderella type effect. This gown was worn by the character Gertrude when she attends the footballers ball to impress her secret crush. 

I really don’t want to give away the whole exhibition as I do want you to find out the magic of the gowns and have the same wow factor I did. It was all very well executed and the costumes in real life were more amazing than on the cinema screen. The exhibition will be open every day for viewing till the 30^th of July at Ripponlea estate. 

Vintage 1950's hat display

Till next time,

Miss Apollo

xx

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The Dita Dream

 

             

For years now I have followed Dita Von Teese. I first stumbled upon her as I scoured the internet for vintage history in my early 20’s. I was starting my collection of Vintage lingerie at the time. I was fascinated not only by her burlesque work but also by her constant search for authenticity and love of fashion history. Through following Dita, it has lead me to other inspirational ideas and people who relate. I feel there are very little performers who devote so much time to their craft in the modern age.  Living in Australia I never thought that I would be able to get to see Dita preform but something that was on my bucket list to do. My mother surprised me with the tickets knowing how long I wanted to see her performance. 

The first question of course was what to wear to the queen of burlesque?

After pulling apart my wardrobe and pieces from my business (Apollo vintage). I decided on a classic black dress with Alannah Hill leopard heels and a matching clutch. Lastly to finish the ensemble I kept a piece of stock from my E-boutique a vintage 1950’s faux fur coat. A pre cocktail from home to calm the nerves of excitement, my partner and I then made our way to Dita.

Alannah Hill Heels

Held at the Melbourne Forum theatre, it set the perfect scene for old time glamour. The theatre was magical with all of its ornate furnishings and its beautiful statues that surrounded the stage.

The Forum Theatre Melbourne, Australia

After waiting in anticipation finally The Strip Strip Hooray show began and we were greeted by the joyful Murry Hill who was to be our presenter for the evening. The opening scene was Dita with her famous martini glass performance. It was exquisite and for of one to think how she danced so gracefully with no slipping on that glass structure amazes me. Her corset shone like the brightest stars in the clearest night sky. Her art is very refined and the movements are so graceful. There were four Dita performances in all throughout the night. I’m not going to detail them all as I don’t want to give away to her admirers the magic of it all.

Although I will say my favorite was the bird cage number, it was an array of pink, red and purple hues. The performance was not only in the most magically and personal favorite colours but with the two large feathered fans Dita danced with it was a beautiful example of the work from Sally Rand. Dita had made the fan dance her own but it was also very exciting to see Dita is keeping the dance still alive something that could be lost to history.

I would see Dita preform once more if I came across the opportunity again. Her work is all originally her own and executes each piece with perfection. I admire how Dita keeps alive the classic burlesque dances of the past for the current generations to come. This art will not be lost to history.

Till next time,

Miss Apollo
xx
 

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Vintage memories

                     
                     

My grandparents growing up were the most influential and inspirational people in my life. My parents worked long hard hours and my grandparents always were there to take care of me. I always felt in a way I grew up in the wrong era and could relate more to the baby boomer children than to those of my own generation. 

My grandparents circa 1955

My grandmother came from a wealthy Irish background and had settled in Melbourne in the 1880's. I came from a line of women who had strong dressmaking roots. They were perfectly wonderful at their craft, weather it was dressmaking for clients or making costumes for the children's dance concerts. My grandmother studied in this field and was fortunate enough through a connection, to work at high end boutiques in the prestigious Collins street in Melbourne, Australia. She transported me in to her glamourous world of fashion. Growing up she taught me about the fabrics, the styles and the appreciation of fashion. Her stories of the 1950's and the high society that would visit the boutiques which she was employed at and loved. She had to leave this career when she was married in 1956 as it was expected of women of this era. I know she always secretly missed it and she craved to be amongst that once more. Her passion for fashion could be seen every time there was an old movie or events like the Oscars were on TV. Her eyes lit up and she talked about the gowns with much enthusiasm. Nan would always finish her stories with "but that is how the rag trade is...it’s always been up and down". I feel this one line she would repeat as to confirm to herself that nothing lasts forever and she made the right choice to marry and start the family. Even to this day my grandmother is well ahead of her time and always looking to the current fashions for inspiration in her outfits. 

 

My grandfather and I at Apollo Beach, Australia.

My grandfather was born in Yorkshire, England. He came from a working class family. His father was a builder and it is rumoured he went to America to work on the empire state building and worked in Canada also. My Grandfather lost both of his parents during the second world war and grew up in an orphanage. Once he became 18 years old and the war had ended he boarded ship for a new life in Australia. He worked as a lumberjack in the 1940's and 1950's in the logging industry of the coastal area of Victoria. He met my grandmother during those days at a dance whist she was on holiday. My grandfather wrote to my grandmother every day before moving to Melbourne himself to be with her. My grandfather became a government driver. Growing up my grandfather told may stories from these by gone days and I listened in awe. He drove around the many wealthy, royals and rulers of the world. He had many stories on these characters from the 1950's to the 1970's. My grandfather was a sharp dressed man, he loved to wear a suit and had a wardrobe full of ties. He gave me also fashion advice "When I'm not sure how to place an outfit together I look to nature, the flowers the forests or creatures of the forest". So simple but the idea speaks volumes. I always asked my grandfather for advice and found him a wealth of knowledge on the world and history. He loved to listen to music from the 1950’s and 1960’s. The radio station “magic 693” was always on in the house as I played and let myself dream away. 

The combination of these two wonderful human beings planted the seeds of inspiration for my love of history and fashion. They are very much a part of my foundations of the woman I am today. I still hold these memories close to my heart with such fondness. They are the inspiration for me to spread my wings to begin my own new journey of opening my own e-boutique store Apollo vintage. I am very excited to start blogging about my new vintage

journey as it unfolds,

Till next time, 

Miss Apollo 
xx 

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