Gary Harvey- Fashion With A Conscience

Each of these stunning dresses is inspired by vintage couture and made from recycled materials. Newspaper, trench coats, denim jeans, army jackets and even laundry bags.

To see more of Gary's stunning creations and to read about them visit the London Fashion week section on his website.

http://garyharveycreative.com/

Secret Garden Inspired Dress

I am a collector of many things, but vintage sewing patterns and old books are among my favourites. And the latest piece that I am working on for my portfolio is inspired by these two.

I found this 1953 girls dress pattern in an antique store, It was just so cute I couldnt resist. So I decided to use it as inspiration combined with one of my favourite books The Secret Garden. I have always loved the image on the cover of my 1956 edition, which I have made into an embroidery design that will be repeated along the hem of the dress.

New Finds And Snipets Of My Space

I have been a bad little blogger lately and im sorry for the decline in posts. I have been trying to work hard at producing some products and making preparations for my etsy store. There's just so much swirling around in my head, some days it feels like its going to pop.

Mum brought me The Handmade Marketplace It's a really great book filled with useful tips and the beautiful illustrations of Emily Martin (the black apple). I have been reading up  and steadily working my way towards opening shop. But Im a perfectionist,  I want everything to be perfect and I too easily keep get caught up in the details. My partner is always telling me off.
I'll keep you posted as things get closer.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Swap Cards

Swap cards are one of the many things that I collect. 

They are wonderful little treasures.

This set of 4 are among my favourites.

A Fashionable Gathering

Above are some of my favourite photos from Grimoire's 2nd anniversary party. I would love to raid these girls wardrobes. They are just soo dreamy. Beautiful head pieces, lace, layers, flowers and fur. Dainty darlings with rose coloured cheeks.

Photos sourced from Tokyo Fashion. Click to view in more detail.

Grimoire

Grimoire is the pioneering store behind Japan's Dolly kei fashion scene. A treasure trove of antiques sourced from around the globe. It's name is taken from an old book of magic. The shop has a strong atmosphere to it, decorated to appear like a girls home in the forest. Filled with such beautiful and eerie objects I believe I could get lost for hours.
Oh how I dream of going to Japan.

I recommend clicking on the pictures to view them in more detail.

 Pictures and information sourced from Style Arena and Tokyo Fashion.

Dolly Girls

The Japanese Dolly Kei fashion scene is my latest obsession. 

Such expression through fashion is just not present in the western world.

This style plays off the look of antique dolls. Old faded cloth, white porcelain, feminine yet a little creepy.

I imagine a beautiful young mystic living in the woods. Their home is an old cottage covered with vines, time and nature have reclaimed it. Draped in lace, cotton, leather and fur. She surrounds herself with dreams, books, antique dolls and mother nature.

Dolly Girls tend to exclusively wear antique and vintage clothing. Damaged pieces do not matter. Tears, fading, stains and imperfections are the markings of its past life and are therefore cherished. There is strong emphasis put on each and every detail. Beautiful and intricate. Layer upon layer of clothing and mementos. Each piece is special and full of meaning.

Inspiration is drawn from Eastern Europe during the middle ages, folk stories, fantasy, wizards, witchcraft, Renaissance, Marie Antoinette, Harry Potter, Narnia and fairy tales.

Images sourced from aliceetpeterpunk.blogspot.com

Tea Leaf Dreamings

Beautiful dreamy creams and tea stained tones. 

Lace, tule, ruffles and roses. 

Handmade romanitic fashion for the lady in us all.

♥ Vintage Opulence is one of my new favourite Etsy stores ♥

The Bright Blue Sky

A pretty little book I picked up today while thrift shopping with my mum.

Books

I finally gave in to the urge to rummage through my local thrift stores. Sadly they weren't as good as I had hoped. I did not find any nice fabrics or clothes but one in particular has a great selection of furniture and books. The main book in which I was searching for (Wuthering Heights) was not there but I discovered a giant pile of books which I was very tempted to take home. I adore books and do enjoy collecting them but I have so many which I have still not read so I felt naughty carting home another pile which would most likely sit there unread. There was this series of classics for young readers which I simply could not leave behind. They were a mere $4 and looked so nice. They are also full of beautiful illustrations.

So now I have another 16 stories to read.

Little Women

Tales of Poe

Mutiny on the Bounty

Messer Marco Pol

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Great Cases of Sherlock Holmes

Abe Lincoln Grows Up

Lost Horizon

Treasure Island

David Copperfield

The Call of the Wild

Madame Curie

The Happy Return

Jane Eyre

My Friend Flicka

Alone

Limbo

I feel as though I'm stuck in limbo lately. I'm in the midst of my first move and just don't know what to do with myself. Its hard for me to be productive with out making a big mess and mess is the opposite of what i need right now. So I've stopped sewing until I'm in my new place. I know that's silly especially since i just got a new over locker but I just cant be comfortable and in the zone when half my belongings are packed away in boxes.

Instead I've been framing some pics I'd like to hang on my new walls.

 This is one of my paintings, I found this frame ages ago and though it a perfect match but never could be bothered to unite the two.

 

This is a cute little poster I got with an issue of my favorite magazine Frankie.

I have also started on that mask I was ranting about. I think the base is almost finished, I might just bring out the cheeks and brow a little more. Over all I'm quite happy with it so far.

What do you think? 

 

Another crazy idea I've come up with recently is some hand painted brooches and fridge magnets. I just had a little much around the other night  and painted these two.

Good idea or bad idea?

I seem to enjoy painstakingly small projects.

Even though Ive stopped sewing for a couple of weeks I'm still planing new garments to create and collecting up new fabrics. I had a quick wander through the local vintage shops and collected up some new fabrics to work with. I have this really cute skirt planned out with little embroidered pockets.

During my browsing I spied this amazing picture hanging on the wall, I had never seen anything as cute before so I just had to buy it. Maybe she can hang up in my new sewing space and inspire me to create delicate little lacy things.

I hope you all have a wonderful week, time for me to get back to packing.