My obvious love of lingerie comes through in this interview, and I was particularly interested to chat with Gok about that topic as he has his own line of shape wear that does larger sizes beautifully. Check it out at Simply Gok Wan.

There were a few other things we chatted about off camera, like our favourite vintage reproduction labels, (he loves Diva and Vivien of Holloway) and even what pomade he uses in his hair, (I recommended Atomic Life). There was so much we could have stayed and talked about, but it was a refreshing moment to chat to a fashion industry insider who is just as passionate as I am about the beauty on the inside being given every opportunity to shine without. Amazing work Gok, keep giving women what we need!

*Depending on how conservative your work place is, this post may be considered NSFW*

Having a really good secret is a sure fire way to put a smile on your face. And you know what they say about people who are always smiling don’t you.. So what’s my secret? My super swanky, super sexy suspenders.

When I first started wearing vintage, I was far too young to even consider this sort of thing, and no one I knew wore stockings. The day came that I was to graduate from those nasty ribbed navy school tights and I didn’t know what my options were. I drew up my courage and made my first foray into a lingerie shop, cheeks blushing and full of teenage bravado. I remember the sales assistant giving my this black lacy ensemble of bra, garter belt and teeny tiny knickers, while I smiled in what I thought was a very mature fashion and proceeded to the changing room. After about a good ten minutes she came back to enquire on my progress, with me fobbing her off with an “oh I wear these all the time” as the garter strap flicked up and hit me in my breathless face for the fifth time. I thought there was some big secret I hadn’t been let in on about how to wear these contraptions, and it was all so illicit that no one could tell me as I didn’t dare ask. But it wasn’t what I thought.

Now, with the benefit of years and hindsight, I realize that the myths surrounding garter belts come from two places. Our grandmothers who hated them and the advertising agencies and movie moguls who’ve conned us into their fantasies. I can only speak for myself, but my ‘suspending’ experiences have been far from torturous…. except for this one.

Lesson 1.
There are suspender belts for life and suspender belts for posing in only. Do not confuse the two.

The very first time I wore my ‘fancy’ new suspender belt from the mall, I experienced a number of unwanted sensations. That strung Christmas ham feeling as the thin, cheap lace of the waist band cut me two. That scratchy sensation from rough, badly trimmed edges; and worst of all, that horrible feeling when you feel a ‘snap’ and notice your stockings are now pooled around your ankles in a very unglamorous fashion.

Luckily, my love of vintage pushed me in the right direction. But rather than getting studious and doing my research, I took my young self out to the local op shop where I discovered my very first 1960’s girdle and suspenders. It wasn’t pretty, but I didn’t really care; after all this was a ‘scientific’ experiment! Here is what I learnt.

A girdle under a pencil skirt is better than any ‘suck you in’ bikini brief on the market.
A girdle (when the correct size) feels like a hug, all day long.
Those industrial strength metal suspender clips are the ONLY way to wear stockings!

Of course, filling my wardrobe with these beige, rubberized numbers was a very unattractive option; so over the years I searched high and low to find pretty vintage pieces with the same functionality.

A friend here in Melbourne with a well known Vintage emporium, heard me rummaging about in the pile of lingerie in her shop one day, bemoaning the lack of available and well fitting vintage styled lingerie. And it was that day she introduced me to Kiss Me Deadly. To make this long story short, once I had my hands on some Kiss Me Deadly suspender sets, I’ve never looked back.  These take me from my everyday, to my dance floor attire, to my super fancy occasions.  I’ve never lost a stocking, had seam creep or had any unfortunate dance floor incidents.  In fact the only dance floor incident I can relate, is being stopped by a group of ladies as I finished a particularly acrobatic number and being asked all about where I bought my fabulous underwear!

Of all the Kiss Me Deadly pieces, the Vargas dress and strapless Vargas dress get the most day to day wear in my ensembles. They are just so darned comfortable and secure, and I know that should I end up in an ambulance with very handsome paramedics, I won’t have a single worry about the state of my underwear.

As you may know, I’ve been honoured to have Kiss Me Deadly as a lovely sponsor of this blog for a while now and I shot this set of images for them last year.  But of course, never resting on their laurels they are always out to improve and create new pieces of fabulous frippery… which I had the pleasure of shooting just the other week!

And here they are, shot by pinup photographer extrordinare Helen McLean- the marvellous, pretty and practical pieces from Kiss Me Deadly!

(If you’re wondering why these are so strongly watermarked it is because these pics tend to get pinched and spread around all over the place without credits. So if you do want to use them, please just email for permission first.)

Because I’m so passionate about what goes on under your clothes to make them look even better on the outside, I’m always on the look out for the best and brightest in the underwear department. Not everything that is marketed as fabulous is really all it’s cracked up to be, and quite often it is the smaller, boutique players that really come up with the goods.  So I’m literally ‘putting my butt’ on the line in the aid of research at the moment, and have written a whole series of posts about ‘unmentionables’ for you. The good, the bad, the pinchy, the perfect. So if you have any particular questions, problems or are just curious as to what all the fuss is about; please do leave me a comment and I’ll do my very best to help you solve your dilemma.

]]> http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/2011/09/20/super-swanky-super-sexy-suspenders/feed/ 18 http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/2010/10/21/candice-deville-for-kiss-me-deadly/ http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/2010/10/21/candice-deville-for-kiss-me-deadly/#comments Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:34:29 +0000 Super Kawaii Mama http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/?p=6249 And now the moment I promised you….

Candice DeVille for Kiss Me Deadly – elegant lingerie for the Femme Fatale. Now available online!

The DeVille bra and brief, Vargas Longline Girdle, and Cervin stockings

The DeVille bra and brief, Peach alouette Cincher, and Cervin stockings.

The DeVille bra, Jezebel longline knickers, Ruby Van Doren Suspender belt, and Cervin stockings.

The Peach Vargas dress, Jolie briefs and Cervin stockings.

All these great images were shot here in Melbourne by Miss Kitty Photography with her excellent eye for vintage glamour.

Here’s the little clip we put together.. music courtesy of Ezra Lee “The Devil is a Dame” on Preston Records.

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A woman after my own heart, Catherine who created Kiss Me Deadly, knew that a woman cannot live by high street knickers alone, and so she set out to create something better. For any of you who wear stockings on a regular basis, you’ll know that you can’t just attach them to those ‘bedroom’ type of suspender sets you see in the mall. If you do this and try to go and buy groceries or pick up your children from school, a serious wardrobe malfunction will ensue!  And this is what I love about Kiss Me Deadly lingerie, it is designed with real life in mind.  Yes, it is stunningly beautiful, but it also WORKS!

The suspenders, for instance, are a six strap with good weight metal clips that grip your stockings firmly and sit smooth against the skin. The Vargas dresses smooth out all the bumps, hold it it and make you feel like a million dollars too.  Even the knickers have the perfect high waist and low leg cut that means they sit where they should without riding up or showing VPL. So I’m rather excited.

You may have noticed that Kiss Me Deadly is now a sponsor of the blog, but there is more to this that just me telling you about awesome underwear. Kiss Me Deadly have just opened their web shop which now means you can buy online, but they are also increasing their stockist in Australia. Guess who the new Australian face of Kiss Me Deadly is?….

I can’t show you the super secret pictures just yet, but I can tell you I have spent a lot of time recently lounging around in stunning suspenders, pants with bows and strokable silks… It’s all very exciting really!  Keep your eyes peeled because you may be about to see a whole lot more of me very soon!

Image by Miss Kitty

It was a great turn out this week to my first Melbourne Spring Fashion Week sessions on Vintage Glamour. The weather held back its dark clouds and although it was the coldest first day of Spring in twenty three years, we still managed to feel sunny on the inside.

I was fortunate to have three lovely friends on hand to photograph the days for me, so today’s post is photo heavy as I give you an inside look at my MSFW Vintage Glamour Extravaganza!

The beautiful Marianne making up. Images by Miss Kitty

My lovely assistant for the day, Hannah. Image by Miss Kitty

Images by Brooke Orchards

Images by Brooke Orchard

Images by Mr SKM

Many guests wanted to know about the various garments I displayed as a part of the presentation, so I’ve put together a brief source list to help you out.

• Waist Cinchers – Custom made to order right here in Australia at Vintage Charm by Kim
• Vintage styled lingerie with serious suspender clips – Kiss Me Deadly. Locally stocked by Circa Vintage Clothing
• Beautiful sleepwear and gowns – Samantha Sultana
• Floral headpieces (as worn on Tuesday)- Samantha Sultana
• First class vintage pieces as worn by the models and displayed in the cases – Circa Vintage Clothing in Melbourne

The good news is that more workshops are currently being tabled for the near future in Sydney so stay tuned for details!  In the meantime, if you’d like to book me for any workshops, events, one-on-one  advice or even classic pin up work; check out the Official Candice DeVille Website!

It has been such a huge weekend here, and it began for me on Friday with the Victorian heat of Miss Burlesque Australia where I was privileged to be a part of the judging panel. It was a night to see some of the up and coming Burlesque performers of Victoria work their shimmy and vie for the crown of Miss Burlesque Australia.

I did take a few photos at the event, (not many though as I was pretty busy), but I shot them on my new secret camera. I’m saving them to reveal all those details at the same time.

Given that I was there to specifically assess the entrants based on their styling criteria (amongst other things), it was only fitting that I wore something rather special myself. The evening’s gown is a 1930′s bias cut velvet gown, courtesy of Circa Vintage Clothing here in Melbourne.

I just adore this dress. I’ve been fortunate enough to model it a few times for different parades so I already knew that it fit like a glove. So much so that I’m planning to take a pattern from it and have it made up in several shades… too divine not to!

Outfit Details

Dress – 1930′s bias cut velvet, courtesy of Circa Vintage Clothing

Heels – Silver satin with diamonte detail, by Nina from NOVO

Earrings – Original 1930′s diamonte screw in posts, leaf design

Bracelet – Reproduction deco design by Fifth Avenue

Lipstick – Boots No. 7 Moulin Rouge

Nail colour – RED from The Face Shop

Some days are unforgettable. Unforgettable in the sense that you know you’ll be talking about them for years to come and that little snippets of that moment will colour decisions you make in the future. Last Thursday was one of those days.
Thanks to Nuffnang and Federation Square, I was given the opportunity to experience the Tim Burton Exhibition at ACMI. When they emailed to ask if I’d like to go, my response was only one word; “yes!” followed by many gratuitous exclamation marks.  Since my very first Beetlejuice Burton moment, I’ve been hooked on the colour, the style, the twisted carnival sensibilities of his productions.

So I raced around prepping up for the big night and (sadly) can only tell you what I wore as the greatest tragedy of the evening was only to be discovered the next day. Alicia and I had the unique opportunity to photograph some of the exhibition including posing with our favourite pieces, only to find that every single image was corrupted on the card! (One of those moments when you want to stab yourself in the eye with a fork.) So for those of you that care, I wore a black and charcoal striped hobble skirt over a tightly laced corset, black silk chiffon blouse and a midnight blue velvet tailcoat with silver buttons. Please engage imagination here.

Arriving at Federation Square as dusk becomes dark was an experience to behold. The pink cobbled pavement wends beneath your heels and carries you into the centre . There are students sitting close, chatting in plumes of smoke. Suit clad lads laughing over beer as a tall blonde flicks her hair and takes their order.  A crowd begins to gather in the shadow on the big screen with lap rugs and steaming coffee in paper cups, awaiting the upcoming streaming of Tim Burton’s Materslass. During Winter they are hosting a Solar Equation; a huge representation of a glowing pulsing sun, hovering in the darkness. I stood beneath it feeling like an extra in Dr. Who and wondering at the instant sense of community it created, as a crowd gathered beneath to take pictures and talk about the warm orange glow. I even videoed a little bit Fed Square Solar Equation

I had a quick jaunt around the ACMI store prior to meeting our chaperone, and found some serious reasons to take your credit card along, as they had a fantastic collection of Burton books and toys including Oyster Boy and Stainboy!

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Upon meeting our delightful ACMI host we were invited to one of the most coveted and thrilling highlights of the exhibition – The Masterclass with Tim Burton! I don’t think I’ve ever sat so close to the edge of my seat for a full hour and a half.  It was a moment where I tried to force my brain into record mode and hung on to every word, in spite of the waves of goose bumps threatening to topple me from my chair.

Heading into the exhibition in a haze of post-Burton chat honeymoon, gave the whole experience the sense of the historical and I knew then that this was something I’d never forget. Descending the stair case in a wash of scarlet lights, I turned to see one of the first things that had my heart in a handgrip. The full sized garden topiary from Edward Scissor hands. I was glad to be there in company and half dark or otherwise the tear that sprang to my eye would have made it into a complete stream.  For me, Edward Scissor Hands was a particularly powerful film, so to come face to face with such a stunning and beautiful symbol was almost a bit much. However, being the professional I am, I composed myself and went about the business of taking it all in so I can tell you about it now.

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I don’t wish to spoil the magic of the exhibition so I won’t tell you all the surprises and highlights, but I have to tell you that there is something so extraordinarily inspiring about this exhibition. Seeing the evolution not only of Tim’s work, but of the man himself- his life, his journey both emotionally and professionally, leaves you wanting to sketch till daybreak.  You don’t need to have an artistic bone in your body to appreciate Tim’s work, he’ll provide plenty of bones for you! (Ha!) It is music, song, touch, tears, dreams and nightmares.  It is all those parts of yourself that exist to give you a unique sense of self, and as such you’ll each take something different away from your experience.
Overwhelmingly, the first thing I wanted to do was arrange a date to take my daughters back to see it for themselves. At nearly three and just turned six, they already appreciate the humour, the dark and light, the love and tragedy of a Burton film. (Nightmare before Christmas gets great airplay at my house). It may be difficult to stop them from wanting to touch and feel, but the pay off in feeding their imaginations and letting them walk into a living fantasy is too great to deny them that opportunity.
To top off this amazing experience was a moment in which many of you will kick me over. Actually meeting Tim Burton and having not one memorable thing to say! I don’t often have fan girl moments, but this was something else. Other than saying something like, “I’m honoured”, was about as far as I got, as my brain lit up like a firecracker at the momentousness of it all. In fact, I am going in again tomorrow!  I took a little video snippet inside the Burton club to share with you, (it seems to be the only image of mine that survived!)

The Tim Burton Club at ACMI Fed Square in Melbourne from super kawaii mama on Vimeo.

Both ACMI and MoMa have done such an outstanding job putting this exhibition together that you MUST go and see it. And like I said on Twitter, even if you have to sell a kidney to get there – go and see this! After all, that would be a rather Burton-esque way to do it!

Awesome stuff-

Do you want to go to ACMI and see the Tim Burton Exhibition for yourself? Of course you do!!
I have 2 for 1 passes to give away! Just leave me a comment telling me why you need to go and see this for yourself – the best entries will get a 2 for 1 pass. ( Open to Australian Residents only)

It is not often I wish I was somewhere other than Melbourne, but the incredible Sugar Blue Burlesque troop have made me entirely jealous of the people of Perth.  Based over on the west coast of Australia (yes a very long way from here), Sugar Blue are Perth’s own burlesque beauties and what a talent!  Thankfully for me, they made a cameo appearance here at The Order of Melbourne last Saturday night, and it was a truly world class evening. In fact, I am so disappointed that I cannot give you dates for a big Australian tour, because they certainly should do a country wide extravaganza.  I’m thinking of organising a petition to talk them into it.

And here is why.  I don’t want to give you any spoilers of their delicious acts, so I’ve chosen some pics that should give you a taste of their talent without giving too much away.  The costumes were particularly superior and the narratives both surprising and delightful. There was not a moments pause as thesladies took the evening up a notch with each performance. You know that feeling when you are watching something and think to yourself, “It can’t get any better than this.” and then it does?!  Yep, that is the feeling I had as I stood stage side, snapping away in the hope of capturing the thrill that is Sugar Blue Burlesque.

I love my job!

Last Saturday was the day for the alternative fashion event of the year. Circa Nocturna is a yearly catwalk show held as part of LMFF that showcases goth, retro, rave, victoriana and all manner of alternative fashion.  It is a smorgasbord of black, lace, ruffles and plaid.  It has become one of my favorite LMFF events as it never fails to surprise with new talent as well as still having that raw, independent quality. Unlike almost everything else you’ll see as a part of fashion week, Circa Nocturna is far less trend driven, less seasonal and much more about fashion as a defining statement

This years line up included some old favorites as well as the launch of new ones, in particular my favorite Darling James by fellow Melbourne blogger HarbourMaster. Full of retro goodness but spiced up with shorter, flirty lengths and glimpses of neon tulle. Trashglam was another surprise that had old skool raver meets Harajuku Girl written all over it.

My perinial favorite Dolly Q did not disappoint with rococo looks, high fashion styling and delightful separates. Vanyanis showed an eclectic grouping of pieces than ran from the retro to the baroque with particularly dapper menswear so as not to be out done by blushing debutantes. Emilie Gray showed just what can be achieved with an update on simple vintage lines and produced a cohesive collection of highly wearable and affordable day wear. Beserk Clothing with their dark anime influences, lit up the catwalk with hot reds and electric blues, blinged out “Love &Hate” knuckle dusters, and the most awesome ‘maned’ legwarmers I’ve ever seen!

The evening was a showcase of paradox, defining what alternative fashion should be, what it should have left behind long before now and where it is headed. It seems that Circa Nocturna gets better with age, attracting more diverse designers, more polished collections and yet more things for me to covet.

If you’d like to find out more about any of the designs or designers seen in the gallery, check out the Official Circa Nocturna site.

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All the highlights of the evening are here for your viewing pleasure and inspiration. Just click on an image to see it enlarge and navigate from there. There are arrows at the bottom of the photos, but you need to change proof sheets from the main page.

Should you wish to use any of these images, please just email me for permission.

The darling Rosy Rabbit is heading to London to shake a tail feather for Burlesque week and in order to get there she is throwing an evening of daring delights.  I will not be missing this one as not only will Rosy demonstrating her legendary techniques, but will be featuring the talents of my most favorite local performers too!

Music dancing and even door prizes will make this an evening to remember,  so if you are in Melbourne the make sure to pre purchase your tickets now as you won’t want to miss it!

Now… What will I wear this time?!