There has been such an interest in retro lifestyle from mainstream media recently.  Just this weekend I was part of a feature in the regular News Ltd Sunday Magazine about those of us who choose to create our own vintage glam worlds. I’ve scanned the pages for you and uploaded them full sized, so if you click the images of each page you should be able to read the article.

Then, just the other week I was invited along into the studio at Radio Eastern to have a bit of a chat to Dee Copsey on her breakfast radio program, all about who I am and what I do.  I love chatting at the best of times, but it was such a relaxing interview that I could have gone on forever!

Anyway, most of you will know much of these things about me as regular readers of the blog, but if you feel like an excuse to kick back over a cup of coffee, have a little listen here, but I warn you.. I can talk!

Candice DeVille ECB intvw 24^7^10

I am so pleased to see a growing interest not only in vintage fashion, but also in people thinking about lifestyles outside of the mainstream. I hope this is only the beginning of people looking for more beautiful and interesting things in life!

There are some moments in history that you really wish you were there for. And there is a particular day back in 1956, in a small room with a few men that is one of those days for me. It was a day when the music gods smiled and placed four legends in the same room, at the same time, where they did what musicians do and had some fun playing together.

Sam Phillip’s legendary Sun Studio played host to this moment, on a day when Carl Perkins was in recording an album (that was to include ‘Blue Suede Shoes’), when Elvis Presley dropped by. Jerry Lee Lewis was also there as a session musician waiting for a chance to show off his killer piano boogie styling; the moment was completed by the entrance of none other than Johnny Cash.

In a moment of serendipity and foresight, someone thought to switch on the recording equipment as these legends jammed together, giving us a chance to hear the one and only time these four men ever played together. And it was magical.

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The Ultimate Jam Session, produced by Bold Jack Productions, is your chance to relive this historic moment in all its goosebump inducing, heart stopping glory. Fronted by James Blundell, Dave Larkin, Nick Barker and Ezra Lee, backed up and held together by the versatile Sun Studio Trio – Dave Folley, Steve Hadley and Shannon Bourne. These lads put together are pure joy. Last Friday night I had to opportunity to sit front and centre as the boys kicked off their show with a bang.  Now this isn’t your ‘tribute’ style of show replete with stereo typical costumes and bad wigs, but just unadulterated, first class Rock n Roll. They keep it simple, tight and let the music speak for itself.  They shake you to your core with riffs that move your body,  vocals that make women swoon and men holler.

As I sat there watching tendrils of smoke curl in the spotlight and listening to my passion come to life, my heart was in my mouth.  Like that rush of adrenaline and endorphins that hit you on the first date with a big crush. And it didn’t subside, not for one second.

But it is more than just great music, it is a journey to a musician’s heart. Behind the big names, behind the hype, behind the screaming fans; just four brilliant men playing up and playing around, letting themselves enjoy the music for the music’s sake.

It was The Day the Music Lived.

Come backstage and meet the men behind the show.

What a night!

Posing around with Ezra Lee and hearing all about his upcoming trip to Vegas to play with Jerry Lee Lewis. Go Ezra!

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Nick Barker approves of the Kitty Von Purr dress.

The show will be playing all over Melbourne and Australia regionally, before getting set for an even bigger season. You can find out when and where the next show is playing on The Ultimate Rock n Roll Jam Session Facebook page.

*Yes, I recorded this in six inch heels, with my little hand held camera in the near dark of stage side, trying not to get too distracted by lilting voices and sultry eye.. so bare with me – it’s just like being there!*

Wintersun was nothing if not a fabulous time for photo opportunities, and it seems that I got around quite a bit!  Here’s a look at some of the cameos I made during the week.

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Promoting Wintersun and Charm School in the Tweed Daily

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Wintersun lead story for Gold Coast news.

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Promoting the Wintersun vintage swimsuit parade organised by Nicole Jenkins of Circa Vintage Clothing and The Lindy Charm School for Girls in the Gold Coast Bulletin.

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Possibly my favorite swimsuit of the parade – and another shot of it here.

One of my all time favorite moments of the week posing it up in the laundromat with my darling friend Kesenya.

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Trying  really had to Lindy Hop with my friend Miss Carly!

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Working it in a 1950’s black lace swimsuit.

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Finding a 1930’s vibe in a sweet blue suit.

I still have a pile of photos and fun to share with you, not least of which are highlights from the great 1950’s Cake Bake Contest, my pick of the best of the bands and the very, very odd local colour! (Hint – it has feathers!)

* Please note – all images are property of The Tweed Daily and The Gold Coast Bulletin where stated and remain their property.*

My lovely friend Mistress Chrissy of  The Lindy Charm School for Girls was interviewed by ABC radio in Brisbane over the wekend to talk about vintage fashion and the upcoming heritage calendar.  I had to share this one with you.

Thank you to ABC Radio and Peter Scott for this piece.

“Remember the clothes you, your mum or grandmother wore in the fifties and sixties? What was worn on the Gold Coast?

It’s becoming more and more popular for people to collect or wear vintage fashions. The old clothes will be a feature this weekend at a fashion parade and next weekend at a fashion fair.

Christine Keepence (pictured) talked about what was so good about these fashions. Looking very striking in her forties maternity wear, she says one of the most important features of these fashions was that they were made to last.  Listen to Chrissie here, especially for the story she tells about the blue and white denim full-piece swim suit that can be seen hanging over the rail in the picture.

You can see the parade of vintage fashions at this weekend’s “The Way We Wear Fashion Fair” will be at the Greek Community Centre, Bundall on Saturday 15th May (12 noon – 6pm) and  Sunday 16th (10am – 3pm).”

Listen

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Over the last few outfit posts you will have seen a few extremely cute new additions to my wardrobe like this stunning purple cardigan and these bow bangles. Each of these pieces are by local Melbourne label Friends of Couture.  I absolutely love Friends of Couture and you will have seen me wearing their pieces for some time now, remember this little lamb cardigan? Occasionally you come across a collection that you think to yourself, ” Oh that is all so me, I just have to have it!”, well that is the way I feel about everything FOC does.  They have a brilliant knack of combining vintage inspirations with super cute detail and modern chic, which  is why when they invited me to review their latest collection, Paris After Dark, I jumped at the opportunity.

Jo Matheson, (chief designer) and Candice DeVille aka Super  Kawaii Mama

Nicole looks stunning in the “Little Red Ridinghood” dress is azure blue with the red striped Matelot top underneath.

Paris After Dark is the new Autumn Winter 2010 range by Friends of Coutures head designer Jo Matheson.  Inspired by the romance of vintage lines and a strong traditionally French colour palette, Jo has created something that is both wearable, collectable and very very head turning. The collection takes a journey from the flirty and feminine lines of sweet floral chiffon with a distinctly 1930’s flavour and meanders through to stunning, slightly puffed sleeved cardigan with beaded art deco detailing. I particularly love the Hotel DeVille cardigan in a soft, buttery cream wool with deep blue beading.  There are the iconic pieces that take wardrobe staples and give them just that much more punch by creating a strongly waisted silhouette and drenching you in azure blue; as well as classic boat necked tee’s with stripes that Gigi would have been proud to wear.

Jo Matheson is responsible for the beautiful Paris After Dark collection.

Hotel DeVille Cardigan (left) clearly must have been named after me! Little Drummer Girl cardigan (right).

The feminine detailing doesn’t stop at the figure flattering cuts, but continues through to corsages, bows (that can even be worn in the hair!), tulle skirts and the softest of soft cropped angora cardigans. (I don’t know about you, but the snuggle factor of angora wins me over every time.)  I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to find a local, accessible label that knows how to combine current trends with timeless classics in such a seamless way. For example, they’ve taken the military feel (so popular in that Balmain jacket) and managed to capture the essence of the style in soft, wearable cardigans that make the most of our assets without having to cash in any to buy them!

When I start to think about “Paris After Dark”, my mind drifts to Parisian bordellos (clearly I watch too many films), smoky eyed women in sumptuous fabrics, with kissable lips and strokable hips.  Jo has woven this intensity and edginess into some of the darker pieces in the range using velvet and sequins (bows!), strong shoulder lines and strategically placed zippers. While our Parisian girl by day may be all feminine pinks or jaunty stripes, at night her walk takes on just a little more wiggle in body con electric blue, violet and black.

Oh, and for those of you who have been drooling over my high waisted jeans… let me tell you, this collection has the most amazing pair of wide legged, high waisted black pants, Sartori.  With flat fronts, button detailing, even button on suspenders; when I tried these on, they fit like a glove and I even gave a little Squee in the dressing room.  You are going to LOVE them. ( Watch out for an outfit post with them next week.)

See them on the left? Awesome Sartori pants!

Friends of Couture pieces get my seal of approval for not only being infinitely stylish and cute, but also for their quality. I’ve worn some of their pieces over and over and over again in the last three years, washing the knit wear and popping it back on the next day, and they have kept their shape, their colour and their edge. I can’t say that for a lot of modern pieces in my wardrobe, especially not those others of a comparative price.

Yes, I could go on and on about how fab this range is, but you really must see it for yourself.  If you are in Melbourne you can head straight to the stores at:

225 Chapel street, Prahan

186 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Melbourne CBD 311 Swanston Street, Melbourne

And, because one can’t possibly not share something this good with the rest of the world, you can get your hands on some of these fantastic pieces for a ONE DAY ONLY 20% off Valentines Day Sale in the online store!! Just enter “bemyvalentine” at the coupon section at the checkout for 20% off on ALL stock!

***EDIT: Just to clarify they do sell online and will ship to ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! So get in there while the Aussie dollar is still a bargain!***

So yay for awesome new designs and a great big yay for special sales too!!