Showing posts with label Katelyn Aslett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Katelyn Aslett. Show all posts

Wednesday, 13 May 2009

Vintage Blue & Silver Shoe

Excellence in Queensland Design was celebrated last Wednesday evening as part of our state's 150th birthday. The event was held at Government House. I was fortunate to have been one of 200 (including partners) invited to attend.

The dress code was cocktail and lounge suit and I decided that a little vintage glamour would serve me well. Unfortunately, I couldn't take any photographs at the function as flash photography was strictly prohibited so I will have to show you what I wore sans model.



This is a vintage gown acquired from eBay a couple of years ago. It came from London and is probably from the 60s. Like most garments of the era, it is very well made and cut for a womanly shape. The dress was quite long but I asked Emily to cut and shorten it on the day. A little scarey to alter something so precious but I had total faith and Emily did a beautiful job. The dress does look better at the less formal, cocktail length.


The fitted waist-line features exquisite hand-beading and silver embroidery.

The silver shoes are not vintage. They were bought from the Tracey Mathers Shoe Studio at Pacific Fair a few years ago for my sister's wedding.



The evening was a mix and mingle cocktail party with plenty of champagne flowing. The Governor, Her Excellency Ms. Penelope Wensley AO was the most gracious hostess and a true patron of the arts. She worked the room and thanked us all personally for attending.

The personal highlight of my evening was meeting fashion designer Leigh Buchanan. For those who watched the Australian series of Project Runway, you will remember him as the runner-up in the competition. However, he was my favourite on the series and is just as much fun in person. He loved my "frock" and asked if he could touch the beading (of course!) and he did ask my husband if he could marry him. But alas (for Leigh) Voyt was already taken.

Other friends that were present included KT Doyle, Madeleine Brown and Katelyn Aslett.

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Sunday, 16 November 2008

DEBUT

 

This was my space at Debut in September. The dress on the mannequin is our "Divine Dinner Dress" and it is made of hemp/silk and the obi belt is printed with Permaset Aqua inks. They are water-based and solvent-free.

Lessons I learnt at the trade show: buyers don't really care if it's eco or not. Price (and of course, style) matters more. The fashion retail industry is feeling the economy slow down so designing a true Autumn/Winter collection was not a good idea.

We are now designing trans-seasonal pieces and are working on some lovely printed and stylish organic jersey pieces that will be available on an on-going basis. Of course, fabric prices have risen with the devaluation of the Australian dollar recently as almost all fabrics are imported. One has to counteract material costs with simpler tailoring.

I did enjoy meeting the other talented designers at Debut. One that particularly stood out was Katelyn Aslett. Katelyn sources vintage cardigans, dyes them and then hand-felts on beautiful collars, trims, flowers, etc. I was fortunate enough to acquire the beautiful cardigan seen here in the photo. This was her stand at Fashion Exposed.


 
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