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!

And now.. I’d like you to meet Eddy!….

Candice - Hi Micheline, it’s been a pleasure to watch you work today. You were saying during your session that you never officially trained as a hair & makeup artisit. How did you start working in this field, was it trial and error?

Micheline- Well, pretty much I looked at myself and realised I could be doing a better job of my own hair and makeup, so I went out there and got any kind of eductional material I could get. The Kevin Aucon books, those really kind of helped me get to the core of those things I didn’t really get. I worked on my friends and I worked at a hair salon actually, and that’s where I got my start doing makeup for people, weddings and events. I had to use crappy makeup for it, so I had to hone my skills that way.

I really learned the most on myself then my friends.  When I moved to New York city and worked with MAC up there, I really got into the eduction system they had, (or used to have, it was really amazing).

C- You mentioned that your training in fine arts really helped you develop your makeup skills. Are there any specific rules that you’ve taken from your art back ground and applied to the makeup as theory?

M- I rarely ever use black to shade anything. I like using colour to give more depth and blendability. I like using multiple shades, like on someone’s cheeks to really give that definition. Almost like a painting; doing that with the skin, using different hues, having opalescent powders and stuff to give the skin like a blue or gold hue -that I really enjoy and it changes it up slightly.

So I think I definelty play with colour theory a lot.

C- You said that everyday your look takes an hour and a half minimum to achieve, so for people that say have a maximum of 20 minutes, half an hour to get ready, what are the keys things you’d say to them you must have?

M- The keys are foundation, concealer, powder, blush mascara lipgloss and then like a brow pencil.  Something to give you definition, even out your skin tone and give you a little colour. Put something on your lips and mascara makes a huge difference. I usually go for more a black brown when I don’t have eye makeup on because black is way too harsh.  If I don’t have time to do my hair, I’ll put it in a bandana or a scarf and pull it back and then maybe just fix my bangs.  So there is ways to menouvere around it, but when you want to wear your hair down or in a style you’ve got to make that committment for time and sometimes you just don’t have it. Scarves are my best friend when I’m lazy.

C- It seems to us too, that the pinup scene here is Australia is very different to the USA, as it is in the UK.  Since you’ve been here a few days now, what major differences have you noticed?

M- Well I see that there is definelty a lack of availability of real vintage here and I get that feel from talking to other people  so it’s really hard. I see a lot more girls wearing reproduction which is great becuase there is some many great reproduction brands out there.  They’re also mixing it with other pieces to kind of make it their own.  I feel like the style here is way more colourful and creative than it is in the States. It tends to be a little bit more purist there as far as things go and I feel like the girls here a bit more creative with the styles and the things that they’ll mix and their colour palettes.  Girls are way more bold with their style.

As far as the hair, I’ve noticed a lot of girls here with red hair! It seems to be a big thing this year because back in the States I noticed a lot of red hair too – that’s the thing now – red hair.

C- With the work that you’re doing with Pnup Girl Clothing and that whole scene, have you noticed that there is a a strong difference between say Classic pinup and more of the Neo Pinup?

M- Well I own purist products and I own reproduction. I kinda mix it up depending on how I feel that day.  To draw a line in the sand and say you have to be one or the other is really no way to go about it.  You know one day you could wear normal jeans and a little top, maybe a flower in your hair, and the next day maybe you want to wear high waisted jeans and like a vintage top or something. I like to mix it up personally, it’s hard to get real vintage. It also doesn’t necissarily fit the way you want it to.

It’s great with reproduction companies, especially with Pinup Girl Clothing, because I’m the Production Manager there, I really work on the fit and consistency of our products. Really making it fit and making it last and wear well is the most important things. Becasue we have so many different brands we offer a diverse selection for girls.  Our things cater for being a bit more sexy and girly than other brands that tend to go for the more 40′s, and I hate to say it, but a bit more ‘Matronly’ look. I like to cover my boobs too… but there’s a difference.

Things that fit the figure is the biggest thing.

C- Talking about fit and figure I kow there has been a lot of pressure of Pinup Girl Clothing to do more plus sized pieces, what are your thoughts on where you cut that of?

M- We used to do 3X and 4X before I even worked there, and the stuff just sat there, it took forever to sell.  The proof is in the pudding- girls can ask for it all they want but are they going to buy it? And that’s what it comes down to. We are dipping our toe in 3X and 4X, and if they buy it, awesome; but we are not going to change the cut and style of our dresses to fit different body types.

C- It seems that that is they only way to go about it. You can’t take a dress that you’re making in a sample size and just keep upsizing that rather than looking at what’s the foundation of f the body type that you’re trying to dress.

M – If you have a good grader it helps but changing the cut and style and fit of a dress isn’t somethng that we are going to be able to do becasue a lot of them are empire waist cuts for curver girls, but they are afraid of their figure. They are afraid  of tight fitting dresses. And that’s something they have to get away from. Just because you’re plus sized doesn’t mean that you can’t be sexy and wear something tht’s form fitting, cause a lot of times these loose fitting dresses make them look bigger and that’s what we’re trying to teach them about. Spanx are your best friend – even thin girls wear them!

We all have different body types and dressing for your shape is the most important thing. Everybody can have an hourglass figure, no matter what size you are. It’s all about making it look the way you need it to look.

C- Shopping options for us here in Australia are much more limited than in the States, so many of us spend  big part of our budget online. Other than shopping with Pinup Girl Clothing, do you have any favourite online stores?

M- Freddies of Pinewood in the UK. Their jeans are amazing! I love their jeanas, I love their crop tops. The quality is amazing and the style is really cool – that’s my favourite palce to shop online.  Another place that I shop on line is, well eBay is my best friend and of course eBay ship to Australia.  I’m so married to Pinup Girl; it’s my baby and working there with the team and Laura who’s the owner and head designer, it’s hard to stray away from that becasue I get to make what I love.

C- They’ve clearly put a lot of effort into the product development. Every single piece I’ve bought from them has been bang on. Seaming quality; where they know it’s going to be under duress…

M- And we have all of our own custom patterns and fabrics.  We spend a lot of time developing them. I drew one in the computer for two years to get it perfect and it’s launching this fall finally.

C- Just lastly, for aspiring Australan Pinup Girls, what is the number one piece of advice you’d give them?

M- Good hair and makeup, good photographer. That’s the grounds of becoming a good pinup girls and putting yourself out there.  Without those things it doesn’t matter how pretty you are, how perfect you are, if you don’t have those no-one is going to look good. Make sure you have a good photographer, make sure you have a great hair and makeup artist that is going to do you up; and make sure you have the right clothes that fit you well and make you feel sexy.

The best way to get that perfect picture is to practice in the mrror. Making those expressions and face and learning that when someone says “sexy!”, that you make the right face. Or  I need you to be intense, or I need you to smile. Having that ability to pull that out when they ask that of you is what makes a good model.

C- It really is a craft isn’t it. Not just about getting out there and smiling.

M- It is. It takes a lot of practice, tht’s the biggest thing.

C- Thank you so much for taking with us today, it has been an absolute pleasure.

M- Thank you! I love Australia, it’s so cool and thank you!

My Vintage Living Room

Last week I was honoured to join the renowned fashion writer Maggie Alderson and my local vintage clothing guru Nicole Jenkins, in a panel discussion on Paul Barclay’s show Australia Talks on ABC Radio National. While for many of you, like me, we are so immersed in vintage culture that we often forget that for the mainstream consumer, this influence is only a recent development.

Having been a treasure hunter and collector for the most part of my life, I’m one of the fortunate few who have amassed a collection of vintage paraphernalia before this recent trend took hold, pushing many pieces out of our reach financially.  But before the advent of this wonderful thing we like to call the World Wide Web, finding others who shared the passion only really occurred when at swap meets, or when I got chatting to antique store owners and ladies at the CWA.  Now, we’ve become a world wide community of crazy people obsessed with beautiful old things. Their collection, display, restoration and all consuming pursuit. What a wonderful thing it is.

It is because of this amazing community that we have the chance to share our stories, to have someone who understands the rush of finding that missing coffee canister to your Nallyware set. (N.B: I’m still looking for one of those…) It is this community that opens up a whole new world of treasure hunting possibilities as we trade 1930′s girdles across the Pacific, and trade those heartbreaking stories of love and loss.

While there is indeed a strong commercial element to the new ‘Vintage’ craze, (the bastardisation of the term simply for profiteering boils my blood) there is a silver lining. You won’t find me in high end vintage furniture stores eyeing off labels and forking over a months salary for something that is, at present, the height of chic. But you will find me, tape measure in hand, rummaging through boxes at a car boot sale in the country. You’ll find me with a dust mask and bug spray at the clearing of an old warehouse. And you’ll most certainly find me always up for a cup of tea and a chat to discuss the merits of a little old hand knit.

And that is why, oceans apart, Maggie, Nicole and myself all knew a kindred spirit when we heard one. Just as I recall dressing in my grandmothers knee high, hook and eye red suede boots as a 12 year old girl; I could imagine Maggie doing just the same and knew at that moment, exactly the measure of her passion.

It is these moments when you talk with someone, or when you leave me comments to tell me the stories of your finds and treasures, that bring to light that special warmth that is to be found in marvellous vintage. A pleasure shared in a pleasured double, and even though we now compete with many more for our special finds, I like to look at it as if our neighbourhood is growing. Fancy popping over for that cup of tea now?

To listen to Candice DeVille, Maggie Alderson and Nicole Jenkins on ABC Radio National talking vintage, just follow the link to the official podcast. Or you can download the podcast to listen to later here.

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On the scale of cool things to do, yesterday ranked right up there for me. I was privileged to spend a little time chatting with Jim Heath aka The Reverend Horton Heat as he and the band kick off their Australian tour.  After twenty five years in the music industry, The Rev (as they have affectionately become known) are claimed by many a music fan as one of their own. Psychobilly, Rockabilly, Hillbilly, Country… no one can agree where to pinpoint their sound, and this is but a part of their incredible appeal.

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Their latest album, Laughin’  & Crying With The Reverend Horton Heat, has become one of my regular pre-party albums. With some of the funniest lyrics you’ve ever heard, combined with a cracking pace and instantly recognisable guitar riffs; this is one album that burns itself into your brain and will give you a case of the D.T’s when it’s not on hand.  But ‘Laughin & Crying” is only part of the story when it comes to this tour.

Jim and his crew bring a red hot serving of slappin base, driving rhythm, and iconic vocals, leaving no doubt that these guys are every bit the legend that proceeds them. The evening covers highlights from their best of the best, ensuring that every moment is a hero moment; each punters grin wider than the next. And while you may think its all high octane, The Rev have a nack for picking just the right pace that even saw a little slow dancing by the bar and snogging in the corner. Frankly, it’s a bloody great night out with your mates, boots on and beer in hand. And if you don’t already know the words to each and every song, your trigger finger will be itching to hit up iTunes before you even make it back to the car.

DO NOT miss this one while they are here in Australia. I for one will be back at Billboard in Melbourne this Friday to see them again in true Texan style.

Tour dates and tickets details for The Reverend Horton Heat in Australia, can all be found here – along with the limited edition Tour Wine!

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And yes, here’s what you’ve been waiting for… a look at my audience with Jim “The Reverend Horton Heat” Heath!

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Just click to enlarge and read detail.

Thanks Peppermint. You put together a great mag and I’m honoured to be n such great company this month.

This October issue is currently in store now!

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!*

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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.*