Antiques Galore!

This weekend saw the Australian Antiques & Art Dealers Association Melbourne fair come to the Royal Exhibition Building.

Ordinarily, this not the type of event I would normally attend - potential for far too much stuffiness for my liking - but I managed to score a free double pass, which saved a whopping $40! There was an incredible array of things on show, the majority of it waaaay out of my price range, some beautiful art deco furniture and a disturbing number of animal 'artifacts' for sale. There was quite a bit of carved ivory and I even saw a giant tortoise shell fire-screen - it was quite an amazing piece, but when I think of the magnificent creature that once lived inside, it makes me quite sad.

On a brighter note, here are some of the shiny, pretty things that caught my eye:

1930s 'Mischief' by Saville miniature perfume bottle
with glass top hat casing and hat box.

A stunning Art Deco dresser & matching covered stool.

Some gorgeous green accessories for the dresser...

A jewelled celluloid dance purse

More sparkling beauties

A stunning Art Deco mother-of-pearl purse

All the above items, except the Mischief top hat perfume bottle, are available from Online Antiques. As their name suggests, they only sell online, but they have a booth booked for the Melbourne Love Vintage Show in a few weeks time if you're interested in seeing some of these lovely items in 3D.

And to finish, here's one of the more unusual pieces on display...

Antique Japanese tortoiseshell harikata (artificial phallus)
with accessories. C. 1800, Early Meiji Period.

Yes, that is what it looks like, an antique sex toy!! According to the limited information I could find, they were mainly used by geisha's as a masturbatory tool for their own pleasure or for their secret encounters with female lovers. Can you imagine how many oldies got a shock when they saw this nestled amongst their precious antiques? Fantastic!

- Tamara

SNAP!!

I'm so excited! 

Take a look at my latest pattern purchase...

Simplicity 3761

Does it look familiar at all?

Henrietta Dress Coat by Bernie Dexter.

I've been wanting a coat dress for years, but Bernie Dexter's version is well out of my budget so I'm going to make my own. Sadly, Mdblm has already dubed it 'The Flasher Coat' - guess I should be pleased he's taking an interest.

-Tamara

A Touch of Grace

I had intended to post this piece yesterday but our internet decided to crap out, right at the last minute. I was nearly finished too. So, if it's all the same to you guys, let's just pretend it's Tuesday. OK? 

Yesterday, I took a trip to Bendigo to see the much publicised "Grace Kelly: Style Icon" exhibition, showing at the Bendigo Art Gallery.

Grace Kelly: Style Icon is arranged in to three sections - The Actress, The Bride, and The Princess. My favourite section, ‘The Actress’, looks at Kelly’s acting career and her film costumes. Three costumes designed by MGM’s designer, Helen Rose, for her role in High Society (1956) are on display, including a Grecian-style bathing robe and an exquisite embroidered chiffon evening gown.

The embroidered gown is owned by a private collector and is on loan to the gallery as part of the exhibition. It is one of Kelly's most well-known gowns and, along with other Helen Rose designs from High Society, was a gift from MGM for Kelly’s wedding trousseau.

Grace Kelly for Life magazine.

 © Philippe Halsman/Magnum Photos

Edith Head designed this stunning ice-blue satin gown, and matching coat, for Grace Kelly to wear to the premiere of The Country Girl (1954), and Grace chose to wear the same ensemble to the Oscars when she was nominated for 'Best Actress' for the film. She was then photographed in the same gown a week later for the cover of Life magazine. Don't you just love that she wasn't too precious to be photographed in the same gown more than once?

Although the bodice of this dress is fairly plain, it has the most beautiful, soft draping at the front waist; it's such a shame there wasn't a mirror set up in the exhibition display so you could see it a bit better. The other part of this dress you rarely see is the train. Thankfully, it is displayed in all its glory! Isn't it magnificent?!

My most favourite dress from 'The Actress' section of the exhibition would have to be the black chiffon cocktail dress worn by Grace in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Rear Window'. Sadly, it was way too dark to even try sneaking a pic and none of the detail has shown up in any of the images I've been able to find.

The stunningly simple rolled collar joins at the centre bust, winds under the bust line and continues out to the side seam. The collar fabric then appears to be run back across the bodice, creating a flattering V and drawing attention to the softly pleated, diamond-shaped panel in the front bodice. And then there's the skirt, oh the skirt!! It is made up of the finest knife-pleats you will ever see and, believe it or not, the hem is unfinished!

The sketch below gives you a better idea of the bodice detail, but this dress really does have to be seen in the fabric to be truly appreciated.

Sketch from: Edith Head - The Fifty Year Career of Hollywood's Greatest Costume Designer.

As for the rest of the exhibition; 'The Bride' outfits are beautifully tailored but were a tad boring for my taste; and 'The Princess' section features some crazy, colourful clothing from the 60s and 70s - think beaded kaftans - and a selection of hats, gloves, shoes and sunglasses. 

Grace Kelly's custom-made bridal shoes.

Grace Kelly: Style Icon is showing at the Bendigo Art Gallery until 17th June 2012.

-Tamara