VVV May 2011!

Sunday 29th May 2011

12pm - 5pm

The Vintage Vixens are back with a bigger and better event!

Stay tuned to be a part of the bruha!

For more information please email us at vintagevixengirls@gmail.com or check out our FACEBOOK PAGE

Thank you!

Thankyou to all who came, who supported our event, our volunteers, our event entertainers, our models, our stall holders and most of all YOU! Our customers. Thank you again and again. We had an amazing day and hope you did too.

If you have any feedback you'd like to share, any ideas or would like to know more about our events please email us at vintagevixengirls@gmail.com

Photos by Ragdoll Photography

Countdown...

Not long now my pretties! THIS SUNDAY Oct 17th at the Fremantle Town Hall (8 William Street Fremantle) from 12noon until 5pm our Vintage Vixens and Vamps Market will be on! With over 30 stalls packed full of vintage wares for your perusal.

Be sure to wear your best threads as Emma from Dropstitch will be there snapping happy for the blog!

Add your attendance on the Facebook events page to win free stuff on the day!

She Seldom Blushes

Fern from She Seldom Blushes gives us the run down on her boutique in the heart of Fremantle:

Having inherited the bargain-hunting, rummager-gatherer nature of her mother, Fern Vallesi has been fossicking through op-shops, garage sales and Sunday markets looking for the elusive bargain since she was in her early teens.

Since around the same time she has been making jewellery with her preloved finds... And in more recent years she began to wholesale these to boutiques in Perth under the label She Seldom Blushes.

Now She Seldom Blushes is a store in the Atwell Arcade in Fremantle stocking Fern’s jewellery, the jewellery of other local designers and other things she loves... including vintage clothing and accessories and gifts with a retro edge.

For more info check SSB out online on Facebook...

Beleza

Let me introduce Claire from Beleza, another one of our fabulous stallholders at this months event. You can quite often find Claire at the We Heart Vintage Market in Mount Lawley.
Her vintage swimsuits were recently featured on the catwalk during fashion week here in Perth!

"I come from a family of collectors. My brother collects gettoblasters and rap paraphernalia, my uncle collects musical instruments, records and he's a professor of northern soul music! My auntie collects and loves vintage fashion and is still wearing her hair in a beehive as she was when she was 20.

And then...there is my Mum and Dad...Well...where do I start? Really I never had a chance to be anything but a collector, who was I kidding?

Beleza is my collection of beautifully made, unique, interesting items.

My Mum and I travel far and wide across the globe in search of these things, so no two things are the same.

They always say " COPIES ARE NEVER AS GOOD "

Evans Modelling

Evans Modelling has come on board for our second Vintage Vixens Fair. We asked to Samanatha Nicholls the Events Manager to tell us a bit more about Evans.

Evans Modelling, The Teenage Self Esteem Centre offer programmes to Teenage students allowing them to develop valuable life skills for their future. In return for their effort we offer exciting rewards in Modelling with opportunities to perform parades and star in photo shoots

We also have a selection of platinum models that participate in various Charities in and around Perth. Our Models have given their time to the following events

- Hawaiian Iron Man Fundraiser

- Rocky Bay Model Search

- Star Light Day

- Leukaemia Foundation

- Multiple Fashion parades

Being involved with us opens up many doors in a multitude of industries. Recently one of our Platinum students was given the opportunity to host the Junior Rocky Bay competition at the Perth Town Hall. She has now been invited to go on set at channel 9 and has a huge possibility to continue as an apprentice.

Our main office is located in Morley.

Phone 9275 4000 or via contact@evansmodelling.com

Mention Vintage Vixens and Vamps and receive a free trial class at Evans Modelling in Morley.

Vintage Vixens & Vamps II

After so much fun in May we couldn't resist the beautiful historical backdrop of the Fremantle Town Hall for Vintage Vixens and Vamps II...so its on again!

Fremantle Town Hall

Sunday October 17th

12 noon - 5pm

$3 shopper fee

Join us for a fun afternoon celebrating with Perth's quality retro and vintage fashion at affordable prices!

Vintage Fashion Stalls

Gorgeous Cupcakes and Barista

Mini Events

Entertainment plus!

If you'd like to get involved in this fun event on the day as a VOLUNTEER (model or event assistant) conact Maureen at maureenmcdaniell2@hotmail.com or call 0408 941 481

If you're interested in becoming a STALLHOLDER request details by emailing Dee or Fern at vintagevixengirls@gmail.com or calling Fern on 0415 375 820 or Dee 0408 03 7896

Quality of Yesteryear

Look at this dress ... it is beautiful. Permanent pleats, the dress has weight, metal zipper, it will last forever .... exactly what clothing made today doesn't do - and neither does it generally do justice to the women we have grown into! Recently I purchased a mature woman's wardrobe of yesteryear .... they no longer fit her. I don't know her name, but all her clothing is marked with a 'J' ... a woman called J. As I sorted through the bags of items memories were stirred of my own clothing over the years. I used to make all my own clothing once, and then Target came to town and we all thought that to be 'hip' meant to wear clothing mass produced in Taiwan or Hong Kong (China wasn't on the scene then). And to be honest the quality and style of Target back then was good. But little by little we have all been hoodwinked, quality has deteriorated, each year style is a variation on the 'bag' look (I went for it in a big way for while), we all look remarkably the same and unfortunately black has taken over. It's time for a revolution. Can we recall what we looked like in colours that belonged to us, made us look gorgeous regardless of our body shape and size? I have started to remember and to notice. Have you ever bought an expensive item which looked fabulous on the shop mannequin only to don it at home and wonder why it didn't give the thrill you expected it to? And then have you ever bought something not quite what you would normally purchase and then found it really makes you sizzle? Colour and shape and our personalities, manufacturers can mass produce as much as they like but the truth is we aren't mass produced replicas of each other - we are all wonderfully unique!

From 23 - 27 June Vintage Vixens and Vamps will be at the Everywoman Expo in the Perth Convention Centre. We will have our range of vintage and recycled clothing and will be accompanied by She Seldom Blushes of Fremantle and Winifred and Bance of Inglewood. We are taking the style, grace, colour and quality of vintage and retro fashion to the women of Perth. Our recycled clothing is the best that we can source from hours of wracking through racks! In our op shop hunts we are looking for styles that suit our mature shapes, quality of local and European made labels and wherever possible - colour! We want to show you how, in combining the quality and style of Vintage and good recycled clothing you too can look fab on a frugal budget and rekindle feeling like the goddess you felt at 18 and are even more so at 38, 48 and older!

Vintage Cocktails

Well, our first big event is over ... what a blast! The next one is tentatively scheduled for Sunday 19 September but in the meantime we are taking vintage fashion, having fun, looking fab, and nurturing the environment out in the community. On Friday 18 June we have booked The Brass Monkey Glasshouse from 5.30 to 7.30 pm for vintage cocktails. Dress up in your favourite vintage or retro attire, or maybe simply showcase one iconic vintage item as the centrepiece of your style, or maybe come along in a completely new home grown replica of style from the past. Put your vintage inspired glad rags on, join us for a glass of bubbly and nibbles, be entertained and watch out for winning prizes. $25 pp. RSVPs are required. maureenmcdaniell2@hotmail.com or phone on 0408941481. This time I WILL have time to shop for a fabulous outfit before our event!

Get into the Groove

For those of you who aren't quite yet up to swishing, who are just tentatively dipping their toes into revamping their wardrobed with Vintage and recycled, and for those of you who are right into the whole thing, we want you to turn up on Sunday 23 May with one good quality piece of preloved but no longer coveted clothing to hand over. It will be used ... in our swishing event ... in our community events coming up ... in our next big event .. nothing is going to waste. And in return you go into the draw for a $100 shopping voucher with Winifred and Bance. $100 will nearly get the likes of my gorgeous faux fur I intend to wear everywhere, or, it will get you one great outfit. So what have you got to lose? Before you dash out the front door on Sunday grab that 'oldie but a goodie' and hand over when you walk in our front door.

Vintage Comes to Town!

One week to go and time to reveal our fabulous list of stalls participating. I personally give a great big thanks and welcome to ...

Winifred and Bance, Inglewood. Delilah was very accomodating with the Sunday Times photo shoot and yep we were disappointed that she wasn't mentioned in the final cut.

She Seldom Blushes, Fremantle. Fern has been wonderfully positive since the day I met her and helped out with the Community Paper photo shoot.

Broken Doll, Fremantle. Annette has been a trooper, also helping out with the Community Newspaper photo shoot.

Miss Betties, named after a chook but hey. Deb has been supportive from the beginning, I think this will be a big day out for her.

Smith and Bird, Mandurah. Lara, I knew from the Perth Markets, she's been fantastic with support, ideas and just bumping into each other.

Benswick Vintage. I made contact with Sarah and Connor after seeing their work at the Red Feathers Fashion Parade. It will be exciting to see more of it next Sunday!

Hey Joe Retro, anyone living around Fremantle would know Helen's shop on South St.

Kate Laurendi's Cupcakes, she tee'd up this time with friend Danica, get in quick they don't last long.

Two Timing, East Fremantle. Liz got all excited when she finally decided to join us.

Tumbleweed and Beleza, Marina and Claire have helped out with promotion, looking forward to meeting them.

Martha and Lilly, looking forward to the handbangs from Cindy and Kris.

Dark Nouveau Jewellery, Helen has been great at spreading the word among our alternative community.

Tania and Katherine's Vintage Clothing, interesting combination this one.

Lisa McDiarmid Jewellery, looking forward to her vinyl and cassette creations.

Sewanista, Malaga. Sandra has been wonderful with ideas, her connection with TCFWA and contacts. Watch out for her vintage buttons.

Anita Gadenne, upcycled and refashioned.

Red Feathers and a Hula Skirt, Melville. Mel and Kerrie have spread the word, spiced up our flyer and will be very active on the day. Watch out for Kerrie's fabrics and patterns.

Batty Bags, Just Hanging Around and N Gear. Had several interesting phone calls with Rose and Jan, look forward to seeing their ensemble.

Pom Pom Vintage, will be great to meet Nicolette.

Birdie Loves Pie, women's and men's vintage gear from Jeremy.

Leah Tarlo, retro gear she's been collecting for years.

Rebecca Gianetti, retro gear she's finally letting go of.

The Bean Runner, Fair Trade Coffee for a fair day's trading I think.

Morph Me, Genna and her daughter will be available to advise us all on those individual image tips.

Vintage Vixens and Vamps, local, national and international delights from Maureen and Georgina.

Next week is the culmination of 3 full months of creating this event from scratch. We have met some wonderful people along the way, wrestled with too many ideas and started to put together what comes next. My apologies for not capturing all the wonderful things about your stalls, my head is a little overloaded with putting together my own stall for this weeks Craft and Quilt Expo as well as completing as much as possible for our own event. I noticed the latest comment on our event is something about it being so exciting. I totally agree. We may not have got it all perfect but the momentum and enthusiasm is there, and as a Vintage Vixen I am looking forward to introducing other vixens into the stylish and sumptuous world of vintage and retro fashion so that they too may feel as fabulous as our vamps and ... what's the name for vamp men? Speaking of which we had a question during the course of our preparation asking if it was worthwhile for lads to come along? I can now confidently and enthusiastically say yes! So come along everyone, enjoy the day, have fun with Swishing, feast your eyes on the fashion parade, and walk out with a new wardrobe. And don't forget, if you come along with one quality item to hand over you go into the draw for $100 gift voucher with Winifred and Bance.

Best Swish in Town

Our Swishing mini event within the bigger VVV event on Sunday 23 May starts at 2.30 pm. 'Swishing' or more commonly known as clothesswapping is traditionally regarded as a fun and frugal way to refresh your wardrobe and at the same time make a small contribution to the life of our environment. We, at Vintage Vixens and Vamps, see it has a much bigger place, and for that reason are putting a lot of our acquisitions over the last few months and on the day into the 'pool' - just to make it that little bit more tempting and invite you all to get involved. Our VVV Swishing is just the first. Whilst our next big event will probably coincide with the Perth Fashion Festival in September we are looking forward to having some fun at the local level in between. Body shape based presentation and swish events .... Boho and American Chic swish events .... Swishing and Accessory events ... they are all in the pipeline as well as Vintage Cocktail Hours, Vintage Dinners and whatever else comes to our creative minds. For gals of all ages, I invite you to Swishhhh and play with adorning the beauty within. Swishing .... 5 quality used items no longer coveted .... $15 ..... swapped on the day with lovelies from all the other gals and the added temptation of additional indulgences from Vintage Vixens and Vamps!

Swishing Anyone?

Three weeks from today our exciting event will have started! We have three separate mini events during the afternoon the second of which is Swishing! For those of you not in the know, Swishing is the sassy name for a clotheswap. Hopefully many of you will have seen the recent television special highlighting how women can save thousands of dollars in their wardrobe purchases and the benefits of clotheswapping. How does it work? First of all you have a clear out of your wardrobe and put aside those gorgeous pieces you no longer wear. You then bring five of them along to Vintage Vixens and Vamps on Sunday 23 May, pay $15 to book them in and you get five buttons in return. All swishing items need to be booked in by 2.00 pm ready for the event at 2.30 pm. At 2.30 the swishing racks will be wheeled into the Atrium for you to source up to five items to spice up your wardrobe. Swishing items can include shirts, tops, coats, skirts, dresses, jumpers, cardigans, shoes, bags, jewellery …. fashion items that are in good condition and deserve the chance to create that feel good factor on someone else. Items that are not to the standard required and/or left over after the event will be included in items for sale in the VVV stall, part proceeds of which go to a charitable destination. So clear that wardrobe out, inject your individual element of intrigue and do your bit for the environment .... look fab with frugal!

Iconic Handbags from Martha and Lilly

Yesterday I was reminded that vintage doesn't have to be restricted to wearing the clothes, it can also be about taking an iconic piece and using it as the feature of an outfit. I am past the age where I can simply don a vintage piece and look fab and with my figure I suspect that the pieces that would look fab are the dresses worn by the curvy types like Marilyn Monroe - could get a gal in trouble. So my wardrobe is limited in terms of vintage pieces I can quickly don, feel great and look fab. What I do enjoy though is taking jewellery and accessories of yesteryear, giving my attire a particular era and showcasing them as my central piece of the day. Maureen returned from the States with a pair of gorgeous amber earrings which I quickly snaffled them up, and yesterday whilst I was waiting for a shop to open a woman came over and commented on them. I am truly inspired by vintage fashions worn with style. But what about all the women who simply don't fit the physical mould? Vintage accessories ... to be noticed. Cindy and Kris of Martha and Lilly fame join us for VVV on 23 May and will have their beautiful range of bags. Daybags, kiss clasp purses, movie bags, computer bags, and kindy trinkets, all individually designed and hand sewn in Fremantle, each bag is a one off, often made with recycled fabrics and clasps, never to be seen again. These purses are the centrepiece of any outfit and are sure to create a few gasps of admiration in whatever circles you move within.

Benswick Vintage

Introductions to Sarah and Connor's work came through a fashion parade by Red Feathers and a Hula Skirt in Melville. Benswick Vintage is recycled clothing business that offers a huge range of clothing that comes from a highly edited collection of op-shops and wardrobes. Most of the clothes have been altered by professionals to make each article a unique piece! Guys and gals will find something to inspire them from this dynamic partnership when they stage their creations at the Vintage Vixens and Vamps event platform in Fremantle on 23 May 2010.

Tumbleweed and Beleza

The names of two fantastic retro and vintage stalls coming in to Vintage Vixens and Vamps on 23 May. As these photos show their clothing ranges from high end pre 50's to popular 80's pieces. Tumbleweed is located in Armadale and both businesses trade through Sugar Blue Burlesque, Leederville Markets and the newly launched We Heart Vintage in the Velvet Lounge of the Flying Scotsman. Together with clothing they will have bags, hats, belts and vintage accessories. Marina will have some antique linen whilst Claire has a lovely collection of Murano glass and retro collectibles - they just hope they have the space to accommodate it all!

What Have Chooks Got to do with Vintage?

Miss Betties Vintage and Retro stall of course. Miss Bettie hails from Deborah Varga's chicken - BettieBird - who was the best chook and friend a gal could have hoped for! She is dearly departed these days - gone but not forgotten! Deb says she was a real character who would probably be rather pleased about the mini-empire built in her legacy.

The story behind the business begins with Deb as a quilter 20 years ago and in the process she fell in love with making aprons. She uses only the best quality 100% cotton vintage or American cotton fabric. All of her aprons are one-off originals, designed and made by her. She does special orders including children's aprons and makes her aprons 'Queen-sized' so they fit the ladies and the lads who like a few frills and ruffles in the kitchen! Her most popular apron is her 'cocktail' apron - which suits the more bedroom / burlesque orientated cook ..... entertainning! At Vintage Vixens and Vamps, Miss Betties will primarily have retro fashion items Deb have collected over a 25 year period and include clothing, bags & jewellery together with fabric, buttons and patterns for the 'do-it-yourself' fashionista! I have seen Deb's stall in action, be prepared to watch it whittle down very quickly!

What to Wear Today!

Woke up this morning, today's look floating around in the ethers. Alison Houtte of Hooti Couture talks of using vintage as the centre piece for dressing according to one's personality. In their fabulous book 'What do you want to be today?' Trinny and Susannah offer iconic vintage and retro looks for all of us to experiment with. Me? I'm beyond one look to my personality or one vintage era I like to reflect, I like to wax and wane according to how I am feeling! Very individual. Today ... I started with tiger and leopard print leggins courtesy of Maureen and New York, black A Line mid thigh skirt I had made, black op shop 60's style shirt, thick belt, 60's gilt metal necklace bought at a recent auction, recycled metal earrings purchased yesterday at Guildford Art on Swan, leopard print long scarf - a long ago gift from Italy - and black leather boots purchased in the 90's, again Italian. Italian shoes, I just can't resist. Bought these ones at an op shop on Wednesday, brand new, leather sole, beautiful ... but need a home, they are one size too big.

Stallholder Rollout

One more sleep then my little one is back at school and I can get busy! Everything is getting soooo exciting. Miss Betties, Benswick Vintage, Martha & Lilly, Tumbleweed and Beleza, Joe's Retro, Awoke on a Whale Heart, She Seldom Blushes, Smith & Bird .... plus a host of others ... just a few of the great names coming in to our Vintage Vixens and Vamps event. Starting tomorrow I will commence featuring stalls through facebook so look out for the pics.
And Maureen has returned! We spent yesterday afternoon enjoying all the goodies she brought back with her - we had a lot of fun playing dress ups! I'd upfashioned one of the men's shirts I love to wear and was complimented by a young male passenger riding in another car when we stopped at the traffic lights! Certainly politically incorrect but there are days when a bit of playful cheek just caps off how one is feeling. All good fun.

Out and About .... in Freo

Have been into Freo this morning. First up, met the lovely Jane at FreInfo - she also sits at the community notices desk in the Fremantle Library. A copy of our flyer is on the noticeboard and is included in the regular FreInfo email to over 660 email addresses. Jane was really helpful and very efficient, a big thankyou.

A couple of weeks ago I posted flyers at the 'Old Values' retro store in Fremantle, the Victoria Street Deli in Mosman Park, Breast Check in Mosman Park (my breasts are indebted to Alex and her team) and the 91 Seeds cafe on Marmion Street in Palmyra. Today I posted them at the South Fremantle Shopping Complex, The South Beach Cafe, The Meeting Place (and had a chat with Jenny), Tropicana, Hamilton Hill IGA and a busy cafe near Westgate Mall. If there is a public space that invites material, then I am filling it. And watch out Muzz Buzz girls, my favourite ones on Rockingham Road got their flyer this morning, I'm handing them out to anyone I meet along the way.

I then visited the local vintage and retro stores in Fremantle. This was a real pleasure, it is some time since I have been able to just meander through the town of my childhood and its looking pretty good, creative expression is really blooming there. First I visited Fi & Co at the back of New Editions bookshop. Then on to Seldom She Blushes where I met Fern who then introduced me to Annette of Broken Doll. Pop Ups at our event from both these ladies look promising. Then I visited Off the Wall and Pongee, no one home but I will return.

And in the midst of all this a call from the lovely Louise at Kwik Copy to say that the printing of our promotional material is underway and she will call me as soon as they are finished - how exciting!

I've returned home for a short break to see that the We Heart Vintage girls in Mt Lawley have tuned in on our facebook - fantastic. Am off again soon, Canning Highway here I come!