Armageddon Expo & Jean Paul Gaultier

This weekend and the up and coming weeks is a great opportunity to see some wonderful garments and costumes.

This weekend we have the annual Armageddon Expo here in Melbourne, Australia. The Expo is for all who have a passion in pop culture, science fiction, horror, comics, games and cosplay. These science fiction expos are a great opportunity for people who like to cosplay.  I hear you ask, what is cosplay?  Cosplay is short for 'costume play', people wear a particular costume to show off their passion for a character, such as dressing up as the Doctor from Doctor Who or dressing up as your favorite super hero or anime character.  I always look forward to seeing attendees who are in costume.  Always amazed at the creativity.  I hope to put some photos up after the weekend.

Click here to see more details about Armageddon at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

The National Gallery of Victoria is also giving Australians the opportunity to view the creative work from designer Jean Paul Gaultier with the exhibition: The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk.   He has designed garments for television, catwalk shows, stage, pop stars and films.  

I hear that the famous cone shaped bra/corset worn by singer Madonna will be there.  That I'm looking forward to.  I am also hoping there are costumes from the movie 'Fifth Element', one of my favorites from him. 

Click here to see more details about the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition at The National Gallery of Victoria. 

Pattern Review - Kannik's Korner / Man's Shirt 1790 - 1830

I loved seeing the beautiful picnics in the movie 'Emma' (1996) and 'Sense & Sensibility' (1995). After much thought I decided many months ago I wanted to hold a Regency picnic and then the picnic to be held annually.

So before a picnic is to be held, one needs garments!  Dr. G, my husband needs a full Regency ensemble.  So to start at the beginning and the easiest of the patterns - the regency shirt. I'm not an experienced costumer, so this Kannik's Korner Regency Shirt was perfect to begin with.

The Pattern

Kannik's Korner  Pattern KK-4102 ©1996

Man's Shirt 1790 - 1830

First Quarter of the 19th Century - English Style

The 16 page instruction booklet explains in utmost detail what materials one needs, diagrams explaining how to layout the pattern on the fabric, also a complete step by step instructions on how to construct the shirt.  

I was really pleased how the instructions and illustrations were clear and understandable.  At the back of the booklet there are instructions on plain sewing techniques, for example a running stitch, back-stitch and over-handing.  I constructed this Regency Shirt by hand-sewing, and I must say it was a real joy and I have a more respect and understanding of historical garments 

Overall I was very pleased how this pattern turned our.  My husband said it is very comfortable to wear.  I rate this pattern 9/10.  

A Year In The Life of Downton Abbey - Book Review

A Year In The Life of Downton Abbey

Jessica Fellowes

2014 Headline Publishing Group

Hardback ISBN 978 1 4722 2053 0

We have another glorious published book on the wonderful British drama, Downton Abbey.  Written by Jessica Fellows, the niece of Lord Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey. 

This latest book covers the current 5th Season, which takes the viewer to the year 1924.  This publication is divided into months. Each month covers various subjects such as food, locations, props, Ealing Studios, hair and makeup and of course costumes.  I will focus on the costume section for this review. 

Spotlight on Costume is discussed in the chapter June: The London Season.  Costume designer Anna Mary Scott Robbins discusses her history with the show and the process of putting a collection together.  What input she puts in and even the actors have a little input as well.  We read why certain characters wear a particular outfit, where some items are obtained from. Also she discusses that many of the garments are made from scratch by the team of 10 she has. There is even historical mentions on garments.

Through out the book there are many beautiful colour photos of the garments featured in Season 5 of Downton Abbey. For those who like 1920's garments in Britain this book will be a must for their collection.

Love Desire & Riches The Fashion of Weddings

I had the great pleasure recently visiting The Fashion of Weddings Exhibition at Rippon Lea House & Gardens in Melbourne. 

Rippon Lea built back in the 1800's is currently showing a fashion exhibition of wedding dresses. Some of the selection of dresses are from celebrities, fashion houses such as Valentino, Maticevski and Akira. Also a lovely selection of wedding dresses from BBC dramas and local Australian TV shows, Greek royality and from the National Trust of Australia costume collection.

Marianne Dashwood wedding dress - Sense & Sensibility, worn by actress Kate Winslet

Wedding Veils

Miss Havisham wedding dresses - Great Expectations,

worn by Gillian Anderson and Helen Bonham Carter

Wedding dresses worn by Kylie Minogue in 'Kath & Kim' and 'Neighbours'

Also in the gardens of Rippon Lea one can see the Mr. Darcy sculpture that has come all the way from the UK.

This exhibition finishes on 2nd of November, it really is a must to see. 

Polyester and Pantyhose Silhouettes of the ‘Sixties, fashion exhibition

Last week I had the absolute pleasure of listening to the delightful Nicole Jenkins from Circa Vintage, talk about fashion in the 1960's. Especially focusing on the fashion houses here in Melbourne and talking about some of the 1960's items, which she brought along to the talk.

The talk was part of the fashion exhibition Polyester and Pantyhose Silhouettes of the Sixties brought to you by The Gallery, Arts and Cultural Centre, at Brighton Town Hall.

Nicole Jenkins talk was full of some amazing facts, anecdotes and information. Miss Jenkins showed so much passion and knowledge about her interest in fashion throughout the decades. I so got a buzz, that I felt I was transported back to the 60's.

Also I had the thrill to view some original 1960's clothes, beautifully displayed in the exhibition. I just couldn't get over the colour, which just popped out and was defiantly eye candy for the 1960's enthusiast.

The Polyester and Pantyhose Silhouettes of the ‘Sixties, fashion exhibition finishes on the 28th of September, 2014.  Click here for details. 

Journey of Costuming

For many years I loved the concept of costuming.  Costuming represents to me fun, creativity and in away a chance of travelling through time.

In the last year I have taken the plunge and overcome my fear of the humble sewing machine.  I gathered my small collection of sewing books, got out the dusty old Singer Sewing Machine and watched a few tutorials.  Now a year later, I proudly can say I am charging away making costumes.

So this blog is a journal for me, a journal for me to share what I have made, learnt and will experience.  Welcome to Dressed for any time.