Ragdoll Photography

Our photographer this event is Shirin Carter from Ragdoll Photography...to check out more of Ragdolls work head to their facebook page...

Ragdoll Photography

A patchwork, a swath of colour, a kaleidoscope.
A lens full of colour and motion, faces, smiles and tears.

Ragdoll Photography is a small town, big time grip into the alter ego.
Based in Perth, Western Australia, Ragdoll Photography is a venture of Shirin Carter, an ex-journalist, and now a professional photographer.

Through targeting the inner superhero, fairy and rock goddess for pacifist fire, she is pulling the portrait to pieces and discovering new light and dark, colours and life within everyday people.

The next could be you.

Vintage Vixens & Vamps Fair II

Catching Up on the Local Scene

Cathing up on local and international events a couple of words in order. Thank you to Winifred and Bance for promoting our event! Next, a new monthly vintage market starts up on 24 April in Mt Lawley - find 'We Love Vintage' on Facebook and be part of this new north of the river initiative.

Vixen Refashionista

Two nights ago I was thinking about what to do with this 'gorgeous' 'Stitches' frock recently purchased from an op shop. My favourite fashions were in the 80's. Stuart Membery was my designer of choice but overall I liked the androgynous look, square, hanging, big, different. I was into punk fashion (minus the piercings), music and nightclubs - Adrians in Northbridge was my favourite. And prior to that David Bowie adorned my ears, I had every LP ... until an ex boyfriend took them all with him. I was remembering my favourite album, David Bowie Live and yesterday when I visited Hannah at Pigeonhole there it was playing on the iPod! Those were the days. But back to the dress, I liked the retro look of the fabric, reminded me of our 'family room' wallpaper in the 70's - brown, geometric, one feature wall with orange carpet! Beautiful .... my bedroom had the lime green feature wall, it's a wonder I slept. So I tried my hand at refashioning the dress into something I would wear now, 30 years later - and this is how it came out. The shoes were recently op shop purchased, the earrings are mine from the 80's, I made the little black wrap around skirt - I like the flexibility of wrap around, the leggings and t-shirt are from some suburban store - and my refashioned retro over thingy come dress. What do you think? (And my apologies for the photographs - my six year old daughter took them, we will have to find a better position next time that catches the light and gives her enough room to adjust the camera.) Refashioning anyone?

Red Feathers Sidewalk Show

Wow, I've just returned from the Red Feathers and a Hula Skirt Vintage Fashion Expose. Well done Melanie, Kerri and everyone involved for a sidewalk extravaganza. Champagne, nibbles, models, vintage clothing, music and entertainment, it really was terrific. Vintage fashion, upcycled, refashioned, sleepwear, evening wear and a plug for the environment, the show had it all. Truly well done. Unfortunately the battery was low on my camera but hopefully this one shot gives you some indication of the calibre of the evening.

Vintage Vixens and Vamps - Revamped

Maureen and I visited Kerri and Melanie of Red Feathers and a Hula Skirt yesterday. Very rich conversation, lots to ponder, the difficult part will be in narrowing down the ideas for our big event on May 23. This morning Melanie sent through a revamped poster - it is gorgeous. Maureen is off having it printed up and a 1000 will be distributed by the Poster Girls in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out for them and if you see one around let me know. Huge thanks to Melanie for lending a talented hand.

New Dress a Day Link

Had a fantastic conversation with Lara of Smith and Bird this morning. Talked textiles, refashioning, Swaperama, craft books, yarn bombing, the Mandurah Stretch Festival and Etsy. But the best thing to come out of our chit chat was the link Lara sent me http://newdressaday.wordpress.com/about/ Go to it. On the site you will find a woman who has committed to not buying new clothes for a whole year and at the same time wishes to get her creative juices flowing. She has set herself a budget of $1 a day with which to buy one used item of clothing which she then refashions. I started to look at all the photos but realised I could sit there all day and had to drag myself away. But I have signed up to get the daily posts. Very inspiring, now instead of continually being attracted to anything from the 80's in op shops I'm off to look for big and blousey! Making friends again with my Pfaff....

Red Feathers & A Hula Skirt

Last week, as I was on the streets I came across an incredibly colourful shop in Melville. Red Feathers is the creation of two women, Melanie and Kerri, and houses all sorts of delicious products as well as workshops and mini events. They support handmade, fair trade and sustainable goods, with a solid collection of vintage inspired fashion and products. They also have strong links with Living Smarties WA and we will be talking further later this week. On Tuesday 23 March they are holding a fashion expose and is open to anyone interested. And if you are interested in sewing, they run sewing and handcraft classes for adults and children. If you haven't already been into their shop then I thoroughly recommend that you do, it is a pleasure for all the senses.

International Shopping

Maureen and myself both have international trips on our schedule for 2010 - and will we make the most of them! On 22 March Maureen is off to one of the ultimate destinations for things chic, quirky, arty, funky, stylish .... New York! One of the venues she will visit is the Brooklyn Flea Market. "This great outdoor marketplace caters to bargain hunters, collectors, novice shoppers and anyone with an appetite." What an assortment and array of community eclectics. Look out for photos direct from New York into our facebook and blog, and make sure your diary is marked with our Vintage Vixens and Vamps event on 23 May in the Fremantle Town Hall. Stallholders are booking in, more information on them will be posted in the coming weeks.

Feeling Fab with Frugal Fashion Finesse

If you haven't seen the photos on our facebook page, then I heartily recommend that you do! Si (our Victorian Buyer) is on the hunt again this weekend for that quality fashion piece at a smidgeon of what can be purchased new. Make the most of yesteryear's quality and look your best today. In looking through some of the London and Milan websites (both cities we will be visiting for something really special) I came across the comment that "in dressing vintage, clothing items are old but the overall look needs to have a modern feel to it" otherwise we look like we're in a children's movie. It's how we put this with that, and obviously shoes and accessories play a big part. I love the quality of clothes of yesteryear, when I was in the job that paid the money I luxuriated in shopping in David Jones and George's in Melbourne, I miss the feel and look of those clothes, particularly the 80's and some of our Australian designers. But on 23 May I will have the chance to travel down memory lane again - and all under one roof! If you haven't been onto our facebook, get on to it and join up. Si will be posting photos of his purchases throughout the next few months, you can have immediate access to their viewing and post your own comments on their appeal.

Vintage Vixens & Vamps Launches!

Welcome to our birth announcement launching Vintage Vixens & Vamps events for 2010! The beautiful, historical, Art Deco Fremantle Town Hall has been booked for our first vintage fashion, sassy swishing, photo shooting, 'girls dressing up', inspired event.

12noon-5pm, Sunday 23 May will see 30 fabulous vintage stalls - fashion, accessories, recreations, fabrics and patterns. All set up inside the auditorium of the Fremantle Town Hall.

30 different Vintage stalls: You will see Perth's best vintage inspired stalls all under one roof with activities throughout the afternoon to make this one big fun day out for women of all ages. From quirky to classic join Maureen and Georgina at 1 pm as they introduce a select range of designer label vintage inspired fashion pieces and explore fashion combinations that match those of our London based sisters.

Try a little swishing for fun: At 2 pm our sassy swishing mini event is on. Raid the wardrobe and bring along 5 items destined for a new home. For $15 they can be exchanged for five other pre loved pieces, adding new spark and pizzazz to your signature look for a fraction of the price. Ever wanted to explore backstage and swan down the catwalk? Our first event offers that chance. Sashe down alleyways behind the stage, don your attire in backstage dressing rooms and strut your stuff under stage lighting across our royal red catwalk - with the audience esconced in luxurious parlour style seating upstairs at the back of the auditorium - a true performance experience - all with that sense of fun that only women can bring to a girly gathering.

Watch this space for updates on vintage fashion businesses taking part and join our facebook fan club to get the gaggle going.

For further information: Georgina 0417 949 179