Me with the very talented Robert Fritzlaff.
If you’ve been to see the Bendigo Galleries “Golden Age of Couture” exhibition, or be so privileged as to own your own, you will have a notion of what couture is really all about. However, if you really wish to get in touch with the craftsmanship behind the couture and see the pieces comes to life, then Shaping Elegance is for you. I was privileged enough to be invited to the launch party for this exceptional collection on Thursday night, and I can tell you it is both a feast for the eyes and the soul.
Unlike The Age’s review of Robert Fritzlaff’s exhibition, I can tell you that Como House is indeed the ideal setting for this collection. Rather than subjecting the gowns to a museum style exhibition, it instead lends itself to a more intimate setting. It allows the feeling of each room to imbue the gowns with life, as though each mannequin may at any moment rise, cocktail in hand to join the party. Adding to the life of the garments for me, was the pleasure of meeting several of the ladies for whom the gowns were made. Listening to their history first hand, the story of how one had purchased the fabric on instructions from Robert whilst holidaying in Paris with her husband. Hearing of how another particularly striking dress of a orange and peacock hued Liberty print was lovingly made for Robert’s wife on the occasion of christening one of their children. This exhibition cannot be compared to the often impersonal, however stunning, collections seen behind glass. It is filled with a sense of history and life that all vintage fashion enthusiasts long for.
Shaping Elegance provides a shorthand course in enduring style versus the throw away culture of this generation’s fast fashion. As you make your way through the evolution of the garments, courtesy of Robert’s talented illustration process, it becomes clear that you have entered a world seen only by the very few today. I won’t spoil the surprises for you, but suffice to say that I visited each garment time and time again, and on each occasion noted a new detail that made me gasp with pleasure.
I know I can’t tell you about all of this and not show you what I wore. In honor of the occasion I gave this new dress its first outing.
I urge you not to let this one pass you by, and should you have the opportunity, take your daughters, friends or neighbors; and experience first hand the glamour of couture and its power to transform fashion into art.
For a fun and fancy afternoon you can even book an afternoon tea in the gardens to compliment your tour of the collection. So get together a group of your fanciest friends and make it a day to remember. Click here to find details on exhibition packages.
Can’t wait to go! lovely dress BTW and your hair looks very sweet. xx
How cute are you?! I love that hair.
Great dress SKM! You look so appropriately glamorous as always – and the shoes! THE SHOES! More shots please
Thank you for the tip regarding the exhibition, how lucky you were to meet Mr Fritzlaff in the flesh. I’m putting a visit to Como House in my diary now!
Your hair looks amazing! So regal.
BTW, you have an award waiting for you on my humble little blog (www.circa1952.com). Swing by and get it when you can!
How fun!! And you look so gorgeous–that dress is just beautiful on you!
I love the fabric… so spot-on-retro! 
Lovely dress! And the exhibition sounds divine.
The exhibition sounds wonderful, oh well I am half a world away so it is not to be! Love the dress and hair – very Mad Men (is that being shown in Australia yet?)!
Floraposte: Thank you, that is exactly what I was going for. Love love love it!
Wanderlusting: Thanks so much, there is a tutorial in the works for this one, but it is a long one and much more advanced techniques.
Girl Japan: I can thank my friend for the photos this time. It is a rare day that I’m not doing them with a remote control in about two minutes flat!
Fleur: I just finished making the dress in time for the night. I’ll be posting more details about it when I get my “Making” section off the ground.
Casey: Isn’t the fabric perfect? As soon as I saw it I knew what the dress would look like. Tricky to sew though as it was very slippery.
Emer: Thank you, I’m honored.
vintage Verve: More gratuitous outfit and shoe shots to come.
Bucctopia: Don’t miss it! Robert is actuallyy speaking this weekend at the NGV and I’d highly recommend going if you can get along.
Wow – your hair looks great!
Spot on…. woo hoo, you look absolutely fabulous. The dress the hair and the last pose..
oooh – and a little birdy told me that your dress was actually made by your good self! Sigh! Beauty AND talent!
x VV
You dress is fabulous and Como house is such a beautiful place.
Wow you look amazing in that dress! ^^ The garment itself is beautiful but on you it’s astonishing! ^^ <3