It’s been a while since I featured some of my vintage hair and makeup work, but I’ve been having such a wonderful time working with vintage bridal hair and makeup recently.  Both the classically vintage and those that are more creative on their take.  I’m currently working on a few late 1920′s, early 30′s styled weddings; lots of Mad Men looks, and last year even worked on the most fantastic Halloween wedding production!

Here’s a look at some of my lovely ladies….

Late 1920's early 1930's hair and makeup look for a wedding client

Late 1920's early 30's vintage hair and makeup look for a Melbourne Wedding client

.

1960's hair and makeup for a Mad Men party client

1960's Mad Men party client Rear View of Hair

.

Hen's Party Pin Up Afternoon of 1940's vintage hair and makeup creations.

.

The Halloween wedding bride

The Halloween wedding bride

.

Dorothy hair and makeup for halloween wedding

Dorothy hair and makeup for halloween wedding

.

If you couldn’t already tell, I absolutely LOVE my job!  Helping people showcase their most glamorous selves is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding things in my life.  If you, or someone you know, would like a helping hand with their vintage hair and makeup looks or are planning a glamorous vintage wedding; make sure to drop me a line!

** Please note: All images are the work of and copyright to Candice DeVille Pty Ltd 2011 **

Image by The Dirty Story on Flickr

A good T.V series always hangs on not only a good plot but also the dynamism of its characters. We want to live vicariously through their adventures and indiscretions, to love one and hate another.  And just in the way writers build an unforgettable T.V Show, that is how you build a memorable wardrobe.

There is a temptation when creating a look relies on a strongly defined style, (vintage, rockabilly, punk, anything that has a name really) to fall into the trap of creating a ‘one size fit all’ costume for yourself. Yes, it is easy but not only does it not take much imagination, it also doesn’t allow you to showcase your personality, to wear your heart of your actual sleeve.  And this is where you can learn something from those clever script writers.

None of us are one dimensional. Our lives see us playing very different roles depending both on whom we are dealing with at any one time, the mood that we are in or what we do for a living. It is the ‘common ground’ area in these roles that has somehow become the dominate dressing style in most people’s personality. Hence the melange of mediocure business suits, the go to jeans and t shirts; it’s all just a bit too hard.

However, if you take a slight step back and think of each of your roles as having a personality all of their own, how you can begin to dress those characters for their roles, you’ll be one step closer to finding your own unique interpretation of the looks you love.

Maybe your day job sees you sitting behind a desk, making coffees and doing all sorts of admin. Is your secretary self more Maggie Gylenhall in Secretary or is she more of a Joan Holloway? Perhaps even a Peggy Olsen? Having a pre-created template like one of these characters is a great way to break the ice and ease yourself into developing the look that is right for you. For instance, you may start off all Maggie with pussy bow blouses and defined shoulders, but then find that it is the bows in the look that make you particularly happy.  You take this, build on the theme and them before you know it, you’ve created your very own work wear look that is truly your own.

One of the challenges for anyone wanting to dress differently is to do just that. To actually dress DIFFERENTLY. Differently to those within their social circle, within their family and to break the rules. And while this ‘devil may care’ attitude to your sartorial obligations may seem to be quite terrifying at first, your first successful attempt will be the most liberating thing in the world.

This is what makes us artists. To take a brush and paint the night sky the way we see it, just as it is to take a simple dress and put it into the situation we dream it can be.

Take a risk and colour outside the lines.

It seems my red and black woolen plaid dress last week was such a hit, I decided to try another.  There is something so inherently snugly and sexy about a form fitting plaid dress, and this one is no exception.  Last night I headed out to the Friends of Couture season launch party to check out all the latest offerings in their new Deep Into The Woods Winter range.  Admittedly, I snuck into store earlier in the week to pick up this outfit for the occasion.  I had lots of email after my last plaid dress posting asking where one could buy such an outfit, as the one I’d worn was from a few seasons ago.  This time however, the dress is hot off the designers sketch pad and hit the stores this week. (As soon as it is available online I’ll let you know) Meet the “Tales of Treachery” dress. This one is also sleeveless making it a good choice for layering, dressing up or down.

The dress shown in the Deep Into The Woods look book, worn with longer sleeves underneath.

Of course, it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t up the swank factor and add a big dose of vintage style. The shape of the dress was just begging for a 1960′s styling, so I paired it with the super soft, red angora “Hollywood Moment” cardi and one of my favorite brooches, for a bit of a Joan Holloway feel.  The dress comes with a skinny patent leather belt, but to up the wiggle factor, I introduced a wider elastic waist cinching belt to give it even more definition.

Outfit Details

Dress- “Tales of Treachery” from Friends of Couture‘s new Winter season

Cardigan – “Hollywood Moment” angora shrug from Friends of Couture ( and currently on sale in the online store!)

Brooch and Earrings- Vintage 1960′s

Stockings – Levante

Waist cinch belt – KMart

Shoes – Luca & Marc ( worn with red shoe clips- all the details on those coming up in the next post!)

Lipstick – Loreal Age Perfect True Red

Lashes – Eylure

Nail Polish – Red from The Face Shop ($3 bargain!)

The time has come to announce the big winner of our Mad Men Style Competition, and what a hard choice it was! In fact there were so many great entries that I have decided to have both a Ladies and Gentlemen’s winner!

Jen for her amazing Betty’s Day creation!

What an effort.  The hair styling, the perfect shoes, the demure look and the presentation. Congratulations Jen. There is a fabulous prize pack of vintage booty heading your way.

Perfect skinny suit and satchel, great shot, it looks like Jack is headed over to my place for a sneaky lunch time martini. Top notch job! Some appropriately masculine vintage booty will be crossing the Atlantic to make it to your door.

A BIG thank you to everyone who took the time and effort to enter the contest.  I hope this has been as much fun for you as it has for me.
This isn’t the end of the Mad Men treats, in fact SKM’s Mad Men Style Salon still has some tricks up it’s sleeve!

A Mad Men Style series would not be complete without a piece dedicated to the man who gives me shivers, the delectable Donald Draper.  And while I’m no expert in men’s fashion, I’ll do my best to break it down for you in straight forward terms.

Mr Don Draper is a curious cat. Brooding and serious with a hidden past, he is not the one dimensional womaniser he first appears to be. But aside from his well cocked eyebrow, there are a few key elements to Don Draper’s style that you can employ to make them weak at the knees.

We do occasionally see “sporty, casual Don”, but for the purposes of an iconic look, I’m concentrating on Professional Don. In an era when a man was not dressed without a hat, and smoking in the office wasn’t even queried, Don’s character relies on both for intrigue and mystery.

*  Smooth Hair

No respectable man would be seen without a short back and sides. You can achieve Don’s look first with the right cut, (yes, you ask for a “short back and sides”) and a healthy application of pomade.  Lucky for us, pomade has made a come back and can now be found at all good hair retailers in a variety of brands.  Make sure to keep a comb in your pocket to maintain that smooth coif after any lunch time rendezvous.

*Slim Grey Suit

There are finer details at work here in the tailoring to achieve that streamlined 60′s look, but the basics are to look for a single breasted suit with a collar “v” that is not too deep.  The “v” should end just below your pec’s, not above or way below.  The suit should be slim lined, not boxy and not waisted. The hem of the jacket should finish just below the crotch area of the pant, not sit higher on the waist.

*Skinny Tie

Not as skinny as the ties we wore in the 80′s, but more slim lined than your modern version, and certainly not in pink or any crazy patterns.  Stick to grey, charcoal and simple striped patterns. When tying the tie, make sure the tip of the tie ends just above the belt buckle in length, and the knot is a small or a four-in-hand knot. Stay away from Windsors or Fat Boys.

*  Pocket Square

Don’s character relies on small details to flesh out his look, a pocket square and cuff links are two of his trade marks. Stick to a plain white square sitting horizontally above the breast pocket flap.  As for cuff links, gold settings are much more era appropriate than silver or pewter finishes.

*  Fedora

What is a man without a hat? He can hide his seedy eyes the next day, give you a sly wink from underneath or doff it to you in passing. The art of the Fedora is an entire blog in itself, but for Don’s look, choose a fur felt Fedora with a taller crown and more shallow brim (as illustrated). Ideally in a mid grey with a darker wide band to match the suit.

*Black Shoes

Black, shiny, and a square round toe.  Nothing too pointy or super almond shaped for day time office wear. These are the shoes a man shines himself (or has shined if he is so lucky) and acts as an advertisement for just how well he is looked after at home. Subtle, but don’t head into the office with a scuffed pair or people will think your wife has left you!

Item Details

** So now you boys have one for yourselves, keep those contest entries coming! **