Image Copyright Keith Glennan

With Rosemont Australian Fashion Week in full swing, it is easy to forget just what a luxury real fashion is.  And by real fashion I don’t mean your Made in China and attach a designer label to it. I mean genuine made to measure, chosen in a private salon, couture. As in the heyday of Dior, Chanel and Schiaparelli, fashion was shown to a select group of clients in a salon setting. Mannequins modelling the garments up close and personal for madame to make her choice and put in her orders for the season. You would be hard pressed these days to find a designer that presents their range in such a manner, and even less likely to be invited to one such event.  That is unless you can get yourself to Melbourne next week.

Australia’s  celebrated and genuine couturier Robert Fritzlaff, will be showcasing decades of his work in just such an environment. Organised by the National Trust and hosted at the stunning Como House Ballroom, you have to rare opportunity to become a lady (or gentleman) of leisure and take in the beauty of Robert’s collections first hand.  With garments spanning the 1960′s through to the early 1980′s, this is a once in a lifetime chance to see a collection of historical couture in its natural habitat.  Even if you have already seen the exhibition, you will be treated to a selection of pieces that have not yet been available to the public and some that have been created especially for the occasion. Of course I do have a vested interest in seeing you there as I will be modelling the garments for the show! So when I tell you they are works of art, I know what I’m saying. The morning includes the Salon Show, High Tea and an audience with the designer, Robert Fritzlaff.  Hosted at 11am on Thursday 7th May, you need to get in quick to secure your place. Tickets are strictly limited and will be available for this one show only. Learn More and Book Here.

Image copyright Jeff Paine www.photograjph.com

I know some of you will be very curious as I haven’t mentioned my modeling work here much yet, but besides all my writing, this is my other”real job”.

And although it is a work under construction, should you wish to hire me for any occasions, I can be found here.

What a weekend! As I ease myself into the week needing many hours more sleep and a boat load of coffee, I can tell you it was all worth it. On Friday I got up at the crack of dawn to pack my suitcase, set my hair and get ready to fly to Sydney for the opening of the Vintage Show that evening. It was the sixth such occasion the show has been held, and by all accounts keeps on getting better each time. With around 80 exhibitors it was entirely impossible to get around each one on the opening evening, but like a kid in a candy shop I tried my darnedest.

The crowd on Friday evening was filled with vintage enthusiasts serious about their passion and eagle eyed in their selections. It was at your own peril that you would lay down any item you considered purchasing to rummage in your bag, as before you know it, it would be snaffled in a heart beat. I went with a shopping list in mind, attempting to remedy a few gaps in my working wardrobe.  You wouldn’t be looking for serious high end vintage garments, (think Chanel, Dior) at the show, but I did spot some excellent buys in accessories from these houses. A lovely pair of creamy satin Dior evening shoes with rhinestone buckles AND the original box? $130 please. Not too shabby if you ask me. (Note, I didn’t actually buy these for myself even though they were my size. I uncharacteristically stuck to my list!)

The Friday night saw me laden down and footsore by closing time, but rather pleased with myself and anticipating another day of vintage bliss. When it came to heading back on Saturday to tackle the rest of the stalls, I chose more sensible attire (flat shoes) and carried a large bag for my swag.  It may sound all very consumerist and indulgent, but I confess that I didn’t even spend all the cash I brought with me, such is the beauty of vintage shopping. Day two of the show was filled with lectures, demonstrations and dances.  I took the opportunity to interview a few key participants (just wait till you meet Mistress Christine), and extol the benefits of selling online to others.  After all, I can’t tell you about all this and then not let you know where to find them! It was also a lovely surprise to meet so many readers as I wandered around. I often wonder who you all are, and now I have a few more faces to put to names.

So with a suitcase full of goodies, I’ve made it back home to now to wash, sort and catalogue all my finds. I even found some extra special somethings to add to the Mad Men Competition prize pack! I’ll show you all of these pretties in another post, but for today here is a look at some of the tasty offerings that are to be found at such a show. All in all, if you live in Australia and vintage is your thing, then you had better start making plans to head to Sydney for the next one in October.

Choice picks

From Here to Eternity - I picked up a couple of lovely dresses from this great seller.

20th Century Froxx – Soon to be opening an online store. Currently on Myspace and eBay. I was cursing my ribs for being too big to fit into a stunning vintage Valentino suit dress they had on offer.

Empire 47 – Flash website, stunning dresses and great photography.

Ra Ra Superstar – eBay store. I found some fabulous dresses from these girls. Beautiful quality, excellent prices.

Online Antiques – Huge range of just about everything collectible, vintage and antique.

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.