Cool D.I.Y project

A very stylish friend of mine forwarded me this link for a super easy DIY cape:

Tutorial from 'P.S I made this' 

I will definitely be having a go at this one
x  Tahlia

Just thought I'd share with you a video I came across on how to refashion a sweater:

The design options are endless.  Its so much quicker than making something from scratch and you can really make it your own. 

'After 5' Style

What to wear is on the top of all ladies worries when you’re headed to an event where there will be lots of people you don’t know. – "What if I’m too dressed up?! What if I look toe casual!!" It’s always better to be over dressed than under dressed... Then you can say you have another event to go to afterwards that you’re dressed up for!! Here are 3 types of looks for you to adapt and personalize for After 5 or cocktail events that will get your style mojo going. 

The Tailored Suit

Tailored pants are a great option that ladies tend to forget about. Once you have a great pair of pants that fit you well, the options are endless. It’s worth spending a little more to get quality fabric in the perfect cut for your figure so that you can simply pair them with a whole range of different tops and accessories.

Marchesa strapless top,
Net-a-Porter

Grace Hill evening pants
Jackets are fantastic for adding a bit a class to an outfit. There are so many shapes available from cropped and boxy to tailored and classic. Depending on your body shape and which style you choose, they are fantastic for nipping you in at the waist-(try a single button jacket), covering up shoulders for conservative events while remaining stylish and covering lumps and bumps that bias cut dresses often accentuate.

Jayson Brunston  dress jackets, The Beauty Tutor

Jayson Brunston  dress jackets,
The Beauty Tutor

The Cocktail Dress

Cocktail dresses are the most popular outfit for after 5 events. There are endless options, and styles but a cocktail dress generally means a semi- formal dress that can be from above the knee to above the ankle in length.

Left to right: Mod cloth - Winter Waltz dress,  Jaicee Events blog , Lady Love Song Dress - Mod Cloth

 

The Maxi 

Maxi dresses are glamorous and easy to wear. They are very convenient as a one piece outfit, just select complimentary accessories and some heels and your outfit is complete. 

Maxi dresses are not as formal as a ball gown or a full formal dress. They are made in more casual fabrics rather than satin or lace. To avoid feeling overdressed choose a maxi with a bold print which scales down the formality. 

Jovani dress - The Style Spy, Sonia Kruger dress - Myer

Whatever you choose to wear be comfortable and confident. If you wear something that simply isn't you, it can ruin your evening by worrying constantly about how you look! Look for your favourite colours, and wear what you love.

Selvedge to Selvedge - CIT Fashion Grads create pattern making philosophy

Selvedge to Selvedge is a concept created and implemented by Alice Sutton and Amy Taylor, CIT 2012 Fashion Design graduates. Their pattern making philosophy experiments with using the whole yardage of fabric needed to produce the garment with zero waste. The effect of the concept on their designs for their labels (Edition and Aylor)  is an innovative and fresh look.

These young designers are not only supporting the growth of an environmentally conscious fashion industry but inventively making their mark on the future of fashion. 

Edition - Connect to Me Dress

Sample of  zero waste
 pattern making 

You can check out Alice and Amy's pattern making philosophy here:selvedge2selvedge.blogspot.com

Eco Christmas Market

As consumers we are becoming more ethical and aware of how we shop and live. The Eco Christmas Markets are all about giving a better way of living with an array of ethical, fair-trade, local, or up cycled beautiful things!

So if your looking for unusual or alternative gifts or just want to see what new and exciting environmentaly friendly products are out , then come check it out! 

The market is on Sat 10th Dec from 10-4pm at the Canberra Environment Center

  What's in store : vintage bikes, organic wine, recycled bottle cushions in eco-friendly fibers, fair trade bags, pots of mixed herbs and veggies and much more.

Photo shoot for Material Pleasures

I thought I would share with you some work I have been doing for Material Pleasures. Last Saturday I styled some shots for the store at what I thought was an un-used old train line... we had a few unexpected trains run past :/ 

Vintage dress

We finished the shoot safely though our very brave model Kathleen nearly broke her leg trying to balance on the rocky mound for the graffiti shots! 

Material Pleasures is a fashion addicts dream. They specialize in reselling pre-loved designer clothing for a fraction of the original price and their show room is HUGE!  I write for their blog as well to keep everyone updated on the new treasures that come in (the turnover is so fast! They get in about 500 new pieces every week!)  materialpleasuresgirl.blogspot.com

Camilla Kaftan

Jeannie Lynn Paske's Obsolete World: A Haunt To Watch Over

"They would not be so excluded"

 Next time your perusing the web looking for something interesting to indulge your eyes in, check out obsolete-world.blogspot.com  Jeannie creates these amazing, quirky illustrations.  

Jeannie Lynn Paske's Obsolete World: A Haunt To Watch Over:

'Long Absent Travelers'
I want one!

'Given the Chance'

 

Dorothy & Mr.Lee at the National Portrait Gallery Shop

Necklace packaging. Up-cycled from old tins and
decorated with ribbons, fabrics and old paper

Feather and lace necklace made from refashioned garments

Neck piece made from recycled  pearls and silk

Dorothy & Mr.Lee in the National Portrait Gallery Store!

The new jewellery collection is in the National Portrait Gallery Shop, you can visit them at  King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT . I would love your support to establish my line in the store so please pop in!

About the collection : each piece is unique , made from a variety of up cycled materials such as leather, silk, feathers, beads and pearls. There are only 7 in store and the styles will not be repeated.

MEPP: Free workshop on Styling 'You, Inside and Out"

I'm so proud to be a part of the  "Styling You ~ Inside & Out' workshop for Summer of Respect. 

Blog - MEPP: Summer of Respect:

As part of the Summer of Respect Events program, the Multicultural Women's Advocacy (MWA) along with MEPP will host a full day workshop "Styling You ~ Inside & Out' with a focus on confidence, self-worth, self-management, style and empowerment.

For more info go to meppproject.blogspot.com/2011/10/summer-of-respect or Summer of Respect on Facebook 

To secure your place for the workshop (limited to 15 places) RSVP to mepp.mwa@gmail.com 

.

Vintage Fair

On Saturday I frocked up and visited The Way We Wear Vintage Fair at Albert Hall . I had heard amazing things about these markets but have never been,  I was hooked as soon as I saw my first vintage lady. The lady at the door was dressed in the most devine 1950s style with hair and makeup styled to perfection!

Walking into the beautiful hall was like stepping into a time machine with a blur of fashion from the last 200 years. 

The stalls were all beautifully presented. My favorite was Coco Repose by Jessica Guthrie. Jessica has a polished selection of books, shoes, hats, dresses and lots of delicious little treasures. You can check out her pretties here.

The fairs are also held in Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast & Hobart. Lock in  29th-30th June in your diary for the next Canberra The Way We Wear Fair!'

For more details visit  thewaywewearfairs.com

Amazing changes

A little while ago I had the pleasure of meeting a group of women who are doing a course on exploring their passions and dreams for their future, and establishing themselves in their community.

Over two sessions I talked with them about style and confidence. I shared my believes that when you are dressing for YOU, wearing things that you love and have confidence in choosing how you present yourself to the world amazing things happen. 

The group was comprised of all ages, different cultures & backgrounds, mothers, students and professionals.

I saw these women again five weeks later at a cocktail party they had arranged to celebrate their achievements and I was totally amazed. They had taken a little sprinkle of my knowledge and encouragement and taken on their wardrobes with gusto. Each of them was so expressive and proud. Their style wasn’t dictated by trends; I could see they had created their looks with thought and passion from within. The most moving part for me was realising they are now proud and happy when they stand out from the crowd.

These ladies are now pursuing their dream careers in work placements, study and some have even already secured paid work.

Suitcase Love!

I am in love with old suitcases. A passion my partner doesn't share- When I set them up next to the couch as little side tables he thought I was moving out! He just doesn't get they are just as useful as a beautiful 'thing' to decorate your house with!.

DesignSponge

Painted suitcases at
ModernCountryStyle

Make Your Own Floral Suitcase
by Elsie
at A Beautiful Mess

Feathers Lace and Pearls

Here's a sneak peek of the new neck piece collection that will be hitting the shops soon. I had soo much fun creating them, I got out all my pretties- pearls,feathers , old copper zippers, laces and LOTS and LOTS of fabric! Each piece is a one-off and totally unique. Retail prices range from $80- $150.

White Au-Naturel Necklace

Powder Blue Weave Necklace

Like a Virgin Necklace

Rounded Renegade Necklace

Silk 'n Pearls Collar

The Blue Beast Necklace

I'll keep you posted on stockists :)

Like a Virgin Necklace

I've just started working on a new jewelry line with reworked textiles and came across many clever yet beautiful DIY weaving techniques and refashion inspiration.

Enjoy

x Tahlia

Annelise Albers woven washers necklace

 DIY Totorial at Honestly WTF

 DIY rope necklace by Honestly WTF via Refinery 29

Master the art of weaving on the Tying it all together channel on You Tube

Necklace made from tights at Smaggle Style

Take a leaf out of their book

Chicken's big day out!

I’ve just arrived back in Australia after a brief visit to Bali, Indonesia. Despite being criticized for it’s overwhelming tourist population altering its identity, I still found it to be a totally eye opening experience.

Toward the end of our stay, as we begrudgingly started to think about  going back home, I realized  I was going to miss the Balinese mentality the most. The kindness and curiosity, the lack of anger and frustration.

The first time I jumped in a taxi I wanted to just close my eyes and hope for the best. The weaving, dodging and lack of lines and signs on the roads and the constant tooting! If you beep your horn in Aus you can expect a finger sign and a scowl from the other car. In Bali it seemed road rage was non-existent. I started to realise what had originally looked like chaos was actually a very polite obliging system that accommodated for the crawling pace and narrow roads. Everyone was so confidant, they had so much trust.

The Balinese have such a jovial nature. When faced with hostility or wild western tourists going too far they reacted with a smile, a joke and their incredible hospitality.

Coconut!?

I’m more aware now of the needless anger and frustration when on our roads and am working on not letting other peoples anger affect me so much. We choose to be angry, just as we choose our thoughts that shape our point of view. 

x Tahlia

migration museum

Last week I found myself wandering through the Immigration Museum. It wasn’t something I intended to do, the amazing grandness of the building sucked me in and I was so glad it did, it far exceeded my expectations.

The exhibit was incredibly moving. It offered an insight to experiences I could never fully understand.

 I recently conducted a two day style and confidence workshop for an amazing group of women who have sought refuge in Australia. I’m so lucky to be a part of their journey in becoming independent, confidant and empowered women.

Immigrants have had an incredible impact on shaping Australia. Just look at the Coles Myer Group.  I discovered the founders were two Jewish brothers who faced exactly what today’s migrants experience. The business was originally comprised of door to door sales of buttons and fabric ...'not every one welcomed a Jewish hawker" . 

The challenges immigrants face are mind blowing. Leaving behind your family and friends, your job, everything you know and trust. Going to a country that speaks a different language, facing isolation, racism and the unknown, all for a chance of equal opportunity.

I was born here. I don’t feel  being born here gives anyone the entitlement to say who can come and who cannot , being born here simply means you’re lucky.

Ricardo Knitwear -
A Melbourne based  company  founded
by Polish migrant; Richard Charlupski
 who arrived in Au. in 1950 . He established his
business 8 yrs later.The company
was largely reliant on Italian migrants as Charlupski
believed they were the best in the industry.

Old fashioned life jacket in an immigration ship
display. (I'm not sure what year the set up was based on but
it was very eye opening. They had a horrific medical kit complete with
hack saw! Another eye opener was the toilet,
which was more like a wooden box with a hole on top; complete with sound effects)   

Simcha and Elcon Baevski
Founders of Myer

Melbourne's Lovely Buildings!

I've spent the last two days with my neck craned upwards, bewildered at the beautiful buildings that line Melbourne's streets. Their have been far too many near misses with lamp posts and pedestrians!!

Flinder's St Station