Living Doll - Miss May

Living Dolls are mothers, nurses, models, photographers, graphic designers, grandmothers, students, teachers - in fact you name it, they come from every walk of life but have this one thing in common - they love and live vintage !

Our Miss May is the effervescent, warm hearted super stunner, Miss Lucy Topp.......

What does 'vintage' mean to you?

To me vintage is something old with history, with a story. I love the romance

of wondering what kind of life and experiences a garment, a piece of furniture or

jewellery has had before me!

What was it that first prompted your interest in vintage culture?

When I was 10 years old, I lived next door to this amazing young lady... she lived in 50’s dresses every day, had a cool car.... she introduced me to Marilyn, Elvis and the Andrews Sisters. She made me my first polka dot skirt and taught me to swing dance!! I totally fell in love with this gorgeous creature and a passion for all things vintage was born! Her name is Joy Taylor and her label ‘Hot Couture’ makes dresses from original 50’s patterns.... we still love each other all these years later! xx

　

What is your favourite era, and do you 'live it' every day? In what ways?

This is so hard for me to answer as I love all era’s from the 20’s through to the 60’s and all appeal to me and inspire me for different reasons! If I had to choose one, I would say the 40’s... even though not as decadent as the 50’s... I love the ‘Mend and Make do’ mentality, the hairstyles and the simple red lips which I wear myself every day. I love that they were able to be glamorous with very little money, even drawing seams on the back of their legs if they had no stockings! I don’t LIVE one style of era, nor am I puritanical about dressing from head to toe in one decade... instead I am influenced by all in different ways on different days!

Tell us about your favourite item of vintage clothing, kitchenalia, music, furniture or whatever !

There are MANY vintage things I love.... but I would have to say the things that have been handed down through the family are my favourites! We have a vintage brooch that was my great, great Grandmothers.... it is known as ‘The Wedding Brooch’ and has been worn by all the Brides in our family. I have an old clock on my wall, that has chimed ever since I can remember... my parents found it in England in a country shed and had it restored... I have no idea what its value is... but the ‘Tick Tock’ is so comforting to me!! My Mothers pearls and my Great Auntie Hilly’s engagement ring from the 20’s.... my Grandma’s signet ring she got in 1920 for her tenth birthday.... these are priceless treasures to me and I wear them always. Otherwise, I have a huge passion for vintage brooches which I collect from everywhere! No matter what I am wearing, or the occasion I always pin one on to jazz up an outfit! xx

Can you share with us why vintage culture continues to hold such appeal for you?

I love the glamour and elegance of by gone era’s.... I think the world was more romantic and classy back then! I also adore the hair and makeup of the 40’s and 50’s and with my work as a Hair and Makeup Artist, I love taking my clients through the experience of transformation from modern day to Vintage Goddess!!

Do you have any tips for anyone starting out in the vintage scene?

Have fun with it!!! We are no longer living in these times.... but we can be inspired by them and bring elements of the glamour and elegance into our everyday! Whether that is curling your hair and pinning in a flower, wearing red lipstick and pearls or some seamed stockings..... just start somewhere and develop your own style around those influences!

Now is your chance to provide us with an overview of who you are and what you do. Tell my readers as much or as little as you like !!!!

Hello my lovelies! I am a Sydney based hair and makeup artist and I have been making gals glam fulltime for about 8 years now. I fell in love with makeup when my Mama gave me a red lipstick at the age of three and I have been playing with it ever since! I feel SO lucky to be doing what I love as a profession and I always say I ‘Get paid to play’!!! I do all sorts of hair and makeup and work in Bridal, Fashion, Studio and Event, but I have a real passion for and specialise in the looks of the 40’s and 50’s! I run workshops and private lessons to teach you how to perfect the Vintage Look... I do Hen’s Parties and of course I can glam you up for your event, shoot or party!

Please have a look at my Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lucy-Topp-Makeup/127145863995268

or my Website http://www.lucytoppmakeup.com.au/ to have a look at my work or send me an enquiry! I would LOVE to make you up! Xx

Finally, what or who inspires you and why?

So many things inspire me all the time! I love when I am dressed for a Vintage Event and a lovely old lady comes and shares with me her beauty secrets and how she used to do pin curls! Art inspires me, music inspires me.... the seasons and nature inspire me. Like minded, creative and strong women inspire me! I love that we all love and support each other along our paths! Thank you so much Miss Kesenya for asking me to share a bit about myself with your lovely readers! Mwah xxx Lucy

Living Doll - Miss April

Living Dolls are mothers, nurses, models, photographers, graphic designers, grandmothers, students, teachers - infact you name it, they come from every walk of life but have this one thing in common - they love and live vintage !

Meet Miss Carli - our adorable Living Doll for April - a beautiful woman inside and out....not to mention a wonderful vintage inspiration in every way!

What does vintage mean to you?

The Golden Age

What was it that first piqued my interest in vintage?

I found a 60’s velvet patchwork bedspread in my grandmothers cupboard when I was 13 and fell in love with it. That bedspread has followed me around for the last 20 years and still is on my bed all this time later. Around the same time I became obsessed with Ford Mustangs and still am.....anyone have a 66 they want to give me??

Favourite Era and do I live it every day?

I started in Vintage at age 16 with the late 1960’s and 70’s. Flared jeans, crocheted bags and gold lurex sent me all a flutter. Now in my 30’s, I have adopted the 50’s as my Era of choice. The 50’s dresses, flouncy petticoats and skirts suit my figure at this stage in my life. As I age gracefully I intend on moving back to the 1940’s where the tailored suits and skirts will suit my age bracket more than it does now.

As for living it everyday, I do in some way or another. If I am home doing housework, I may be in a t-shirt but my hair is in rollers and scarfed up a la Rosie Riveter style, red lippie on and a couple of bakelite bangles jingling away. If I am going out for the day I always dress up in complete vintage.

Favourite vintage item?

I collect a LOT of different items, due to being an antique dealer in the past....so I have quite a few treasured pieces. But I could never part with my Kewpie Doll Cleanser tin from the 20’s, my collection of 50’s novelty skirts and all my Vintage jewellery I have amassed over the years.

Why vintage culture continues to hold interest for me?

Where do I start? The clothing is divine, the crockery and household items designs were revolutionary and the famous people at the time have never been rivalled in terms of beauty and glamour...and never will be. You can purchase a vintage dress that is 70 years old and it will be in many cases, as vibrant as the day it was made. You could never say that anything made in this generation has been made to last.

It also doesn’t hurt my ego when complete strangers approach me constantly to tell me how wonderful I look

Tips and pointers for vintage newbies;

First and most important, to dress the era that suits you best.

Always match your shoes to your belt.

Hand moth ball thingies all thru your wardrobe!

Youtube is priceless with all the hair style information.

And please, never alter anything or rework a garment...if it doesn’t fit you, just put it back on the rack and let it wait for someone else who fits it perfectly.

Overall of me

:

I live in Castlemaine, Victoria, Hot Rod centre of Australia. Apart from being a glass artist, I have a gorgeous husband and 2 Princess daughters. I blog all things Vintage and Beauty at konadlicious.blogspot.com and all things glass at beadlicious.blogspot.com. I don’t like the term ‘purist’ but I do try to wear strictly Vintage... but an odd piece of reproduction has been known to creep into the wardrobe.

My favourite past time is scouring Antique stores, OP shops, Swap meets and Fairs for new beauties to add to our eccentric house. My collections include: pre 1940’s Advertising tins and boxes, Floral China Trios, Lucite Purses, 1950's Beaded Cardigans, Bakelite Jewellery and Atomic / Novelty clothing.

Who/what inspires and why?

My husband inspires me with his never ending flattery of how gorgeous I am, I’ll dress this way forever if it means a lifetime of sneaky pinches on the bum.

Anyone who isn’t afraid to step out of the normal to express their style inspires me and keeps me encouraged to keep true to myself, even tho it does get me an odd look or two every now and then. Past lovelies include Bettie Page and modern lovelies include Dita Von Teese.

Advancedstyle.blogspot.com is also extremely inspiring and proves that you can always look beautiful, not matter what your age

Living Doll - Miss March 2012

How can I begin to tell you how awesome this chick is???? Miss March is the ever captivating Becky Argent, and I am thinking I need to write up one of her sayings from this interview and pin it over my walk in wardrobe...."If I cant go vintage I go retro"......you're gonna love this gal !!!

What does 'vintage' mean to you?

Besides that I’ll probably love it….

Vintage means playing dress ups everyday!

I often wonder what the person that owned the particular item was like….was it a favourite dress that always made them feel happy when they wore it? Was it a gift from a charming gent? Was it a treasured item during the depression or war years? Occasionally I am very lucky to be given a special item that belonged to an aunt or grandmother of a friend – I guess folks like to think that someone appreciates it and it will have a great home. I’m starting to collect the stories that come along too…..like the 1940’s coffee cups stolen from and unnamed Grandmother’s place of work (circa 1946)or the mink coat that shall be forever known as “Aunty Sandra”. It would have been nice to meet the original Aunty Sandra. I feel like a have a responsibility to look after these gifts so that some will enjoy them when I’m no longer around

 

What was it that first prompted your interest in vintage culture?

Probably my Grandmother Hettie. As a pre-schooler we spent many hours playing dress ups in her jewellery box.

My lovely Mummy Goldie held onto her favourite dresses from the 50’s & 60’s. As a kid I always looked forward to being “grown up” enough to wear (or perhaps “fill out”)those dresses….I think I was 11 the first time I got to wear her “first Big Girl dress”that she purchased on a family holiday (when she was 14).

 What is your favourite era, and do you 'live it' every day? In what ways?

I’m not a purest- I wish I had that sort of dedication & time!…However, I do believe in re-using and recycling where-ever and when ever possible. I buy very few items brand spankin’ new….about the only things that haven’t been previously loved would be the majority my shoes (it’s so hard to find vintage shoes that fit), and my underpants! P.S.- thank goodness manufacturers have come to their senses and are producing big nanna pants again! There is something to be said for substantial coverage!

It’s not just about the clothes; cars, linen, knick-knacks, furniture…the works!

If I can’t go vintage I go retro.

Tell us about your favourite item of vintage clothing, kitchenalia, music, furniture or whatever !

Clothing-

I have so many great items….it’s hard to pick just one…..so here are some of my favourites

A black lace boned strapless Catalina 1950’s bathing suit- just too fabulous to get wet!

A dress my Mum, made for her teenage self in the late 1950’s- it’s a white cotton strapless number, with a full skirt that has hand painted baskets of fruit around the heam- truly an original.

A 1930’s black watered taffeta gown with a plunging back and a train- it’s pure glamour

And last but not least a late 1920’s silk chiffon and diamante dress I discovered balled up in a corner of a second hand shop, which has been pain-stakingly returned to its former glory.

I also have an obsession with all things Lucite and Bakelite – particularly purses, jewellery and egg beaters

Can you share with us why vintage culture continues to hold such appeal for you?

Where do I start! Uniqueness, fit, design, quality, style, history, the fact that it’s still wearable or working.

I think the fact that until fairly recently in history people respected what they had, it wasn’t such a throw away society which lead to a certainly level of frugalness and creativity. Things were made to & treated to last. It’s something that I really respect- they way, particularly woman in the home, were so inventive (unfortunately mostly through necessity & circumstances beyond their control) in their attempts to be fashionable and feel good about themselves- I think you’d agree when you feel like you look good then you feel much happier on the inside  – I mean can you imagine making your own mascara out of soot & Vaseline and curling your eyelashes with a tea spoon or making a “faux-straw” hat out of tightly rolled up newspapers?!

Do you have any tips for anyone starting out in the vintage scene?

·     Just have/wear/drive/appreciate what it is that YOU love, and love it for what it is….dent’s, scratches, moth holes, repairs ‘n all.

·     However, just ‘cos something was produced in 1959 does not necessarily make it great- it’s ok to be a little picky….

·     Don’t take it all too seriously (it’s not a competitive sport you know – it’s meant to be fun).

·     Don’t be afraid to mix up your decades (but, obviously not in the same outfit!)

·     Who says you can’t be all vintage all the time!

Now is your chance to provide us with an overview of who you are and what you do.

Becky Argent- Research Scientist/Glamour Girl….not always in even proportions.

Finally, what or who inspires you and why?

 Can you have too much inspiration! Inspiration is everywhere… It’s overwhelming at times…

Living Doll - Miss February

Living Dolls are mothers, nurses, models, photographers, graphic designers, grandmothers, students, teachers - infact you name it, they come from every walk of life but have this one thing in common - they love and live vintage !

OK Girls and Guys, hold onto your vintage hats....this months Living Doll is none other than My Little Rockabillies Kat Creasy, about to share her wonderous insights on life, passion and vintage love !!! And I couldnt choose from all her amazing photographs, so have gone over my usual quota of three - just so you could all continue to be inspired.........

What does 'vintage' mean to you?

 It means a passion i havent found in anything else, it is my whole world

 What was it that first prompted your interest in vintage culture?

My Parents love for classic cars rubbed off onto me at an early age, and i felt i needed to find a scene that would accept my fair skin and red hair- that was far from normal in Byron Bay

What is your favourite era, and do you 'live it' every day? In what ways?

 Everything i involve myself in, my friends, home,business and the way i dress reflects the 1940's and 50s. I personally prefer fashion wise the 1940s, i collect crepe dresses-and tailored suits

Tell us about your favourite item of vintage clothing, kitchenalia, music, furniture or whatever !

 I have this white floral dress that an elderly lady of 89 gave to me after seeing me on the collectors- she said that she knew i would treasure it, and i have! its my absolute favourite, it fits me perfectly and i was over the moon when i got the phone call from her.

Can you share with us why vintage culture continues to hold such appeal for you?

I think because i was so accepted straight away- even when i didnt when i didnt know anything about it, people took me under their wing and showed me whats what, my obsession with 50's atomic everything- jewellery, clothing and furniture has become a part of me- im totally and utterly in love with it.

Do you have any tips for anyone starting out?

All i can suggest is research like crazy- i wish i knew what i know now when i first started, i missed out on alot of bargains because i had no idea what things were worth and how collectable they were- and be yourself, find your on style and keep going until you feel comfortable in your own skin, what do you truly love about it all and the passion will remain for you.

 

Now is your chance to provide us with an overview of who you are and what you do.

 My I own 'My LittleRockabilly' which is a jewellery, accessories and makeup artistry label based in brisbane! I write a column for Australian Classic Car magazine 'Cruzin' called kat's kulture supporting designers within the rockabilly scene. And a Pin Up Column in International magazine 'Pinup America' I play Guitar, Bass and I Sing in our Brisbane based band "them lonesome bones"

I am an avid vintage collector, kustom kulture enthusiast and i obsessed with anything Atomic, Space Age, Western, Rockabilly, Horror,Psychobilly, Pin Ups, Hot Rods,street machines, Tiki & Burlesque. I dont like the simple things in life..i like fun excitement and travels, experiencing new things and gaining opportunities to fulfill my love for this kulture in any way shape and form that i can.. I adore meeting people with similar interests and making new friends

Finally, what or who inspires you and why?

This might sound crazy, but art deco and shabby chic bedrooms do. I could spend hours looking at boudoir pink, black and red 30's-50's bedrooms, queen anne dressers, i feel it rubs off onto me fashion wise and with my jewellery label- i love the elegance of it all.

Living Doll - Miss January

Living Dolls are mothers, nurses, models, photographers, graphic designers, grandmothers, students, teachers - infact you name it, they come from every walk of life but have this one thing in common - they love and live vintage !

Our beautiful Miss January 2012 is my ever adorable friend, Trish Blair with her unique and wonderful take on vintage, sewing and styling !!

What does Vintage mean to you?

Vintage means to me anything that’s from the70’s and older.

What was it that first prompted your interest in Vintage Culture?

My first brush with the 50’s came through my grandmother, she travelled to the states during that time. She always carried an old fashioned purse and a bamboo handled knitting bag and wore a coat with a brooch! She had the amazing Barsony style lamp in her home – It was a gorgeous lady in a canoe, with red and white shade – she gave me some lovely printed 50’s fabric – boats with moody colours – teal, black and purple and some jewellery that she bought there. I think since she died I have found myself drawn to 50’s things.

I have been shopping in op shops since I was a student (I studied Fashion Design) because it was very cheap – those days are gone! In Wellington, New Zealand where I grew up, there was a great local op shop that I would visit. From there I amassed had the most amazing handbag, hat and hatpin collection from the 50’s and 60’s. Unfortunately when I moved to Australia, with a suit case and my sewing machine in ’92, I had to leave it all behind.

Since moving to Sydney, I was invited to the 50’s fair for the first time back in 1998! I loved it and have gone pretty much every year since, even with a month old baby in a sling! This has really sparked my interest. We didn’t really have a rockabilly scene in Wellington (and anyway – I hung out with Goths in the 80’s!). I was amazed by the commitment to the look and the authenticity.

What is your favourite era, and do you 'live it' every day? In what ways?

I love the Fifties and am learning about the Forties.

I adore Mid-Century design, the architecture, the atomic legs on the furniture, the lucite handbags, the big dresses, tiki style and the graphic art. Post war optimism and energy sparked an incredible time for design – and the possibilities and creativity seemed endless.

No I don’t live it every day! I don’t have the time to do the full hair and make-up – I work and have two kids! I also struggle with getting the hair right (James at Sterling Hair did my hair the day of these photos). I do try to incorporate a vintage piece in my outfit everyday whether it’s a brooch or a necklace.

Our home is decorated in an eclectic way with items from many eras scattered throughout from 50’s and 60’s retro, Australiana, Kiwiana, PNG tribal, too, I would rather be practical than a purist. My husband doesn’t mind my creativity – as long as he gets his boy toys - we compromise

.

Tell us about your favourite item of vintage clothing, kitchenalia, music, furniture or whatever!

I think it has to be my collection of Vintage Sewing patterns they are so inspiring. I have a good number that I use as inspiration for my sewing projects. I usually have to alter the pattern to fit and it is a challenge to find fabric to use – I search op shops and Ebay for genuine fabric – or use what is widely available in fabric shops, some of the stretch sateen prints are lovely, are easy to sew, and you can get a nice fit easily. I don’t really have a problem with making "new" vintage – some vintage garments get quite tired looking, and many are tiny! Finding garments in my size is even harder, sewing is more affordable.

Can you share with us why vintage culture continues to hold such appeal for you?

As a bit of a textiles nerd the diversity of the designs, in textiles and clothing, are especially so interesting to me – and seem to be of endless variety. As a designer – my eyes are always hungry to see something new. The fabrics such as 40’s tropical florals and 50’s atomic prints on barkcloth, the painterly floral cottons, the ugly but beautiful mottled browns and olives of vintage scarves, they really float my boat!

Do you have any tips for anyone starting out in the vintage scene?

I think follow your heart. I think if you love something, whether it’s a style or a look, don’t worry about what others think. You will not please everybody, – so you might as well enjoy yourself!

Now is your chance to provide us with an overview of who you are and what you do.

I am married to an Aussie and we have two kids. We are doing up our 60’s designed house in Sydney’s North. I hate cooking but I love to sew. I recently started blogging over at www.quietvintagesewing.wordpress.com – I love connecting with people who like vintage and or sewing – I hope you take a look sometime.

My twitter handle is trishblairsews and I try and put up a little snap every day of vintage pieces around the house. I just do it to amuse myself.

It’s a dream of mine to produce a range of patterns for vintage clothing. Things that are hard to find, but appealing and beautiful, and in your size!

Finally, what or who inspires you and why?

Audrey Hepburn – such style and such compassion. I am also inspired by Mena Trott of www.thesewweekly.com check out her vintage style!

Living Doll - Miss December

Living Dolls are mothers, nurses, models, photographers, graphic designers, grandmothers, students, teachers - infact you name it, they come from every walk of life but have this one thing in common - they love and live vintage !

Just in time for the festive season, our 100% adorable Miss December, Rosalie Beynon, shares her  insights on life and living with the inspirational upbeat attitude all her friends have come to know her for. We love you Rosealie !!

What does 'vintage' mean to you?

My life has always revolved around ‘vintage’.  It meant decent clothes and fantastic things as a child and as an adult, it is the ability to surround myself with the nostalgic vibe I love.  I’m not really the modern type and wearing, living and breathing vintage means that I am being true to myself and not trying to be somebody out of the next Vogue magazine.

What was it that first prompted your interest in vintage culture?

When I was a child, my mother would buy a lot of our clothes from op-shops and the like.  Whilst shopping, she would keep an eye out for pieces that pre-dated the 1970s because as she told me, “Trends always come back into fashion, especially midi-length skirts”.  Her other influence was the trunk that was chock full of fabric…silks, velvets, brocades, cottons, endless types that fascinated me completely.  The textures, colours and the originality of them all were heaven to me then as they are now.

An aunt was also a great influence in that she provided me with a dress-up box of vintage clothing and told me, “Don’t mix patterns, black is always a safe option and learn to mend and make your own clothes.” 

This early passion for clothing was alongside an education of early movies, books, Art Deco architecture, cars and music, which formed my appreciation of the aesthetics of the 1920s to‘60s.

 

What is your favourite era, and do you 'live it' every day? In what ways? 

The late 1940s through to the late‘50s is my favourite era…the full skirts that create glamour, the wiggle dresses that show off what women are all about, wearing matching shoes and handbags, adding a hat as an exclamation mark…

I wear something from this timeframe every day, whether it be a piece of clothing or a combo of Bakelite bangles and brooch always listening to the music of the time!

 In Summer I am drawn to the cotton dresses and skirts of the 1950s, they provide the comfort needed in our climate and always put me in a good mindset for the day.  How can you not feel happy wearing a bold floral or colourful novelty pattern!  1940s suits and coats are divine for Winter.  A tailored fit, beautifully weighted wool sometimes with the perfect detail, all finished off with gloves and a spectator (sports oxford) shoe…luxury!

 

Tell us about your favourite item of vintage clothing, kitchenalia, music, furniture or whatever !

Oh where do I start!?

The easy choice is my 1920s Art Deco wedding ring, a handmade piece with an old mine cut diamond.  It is a truly original ring that speaks volumes of the workmanship that one does not always see these days.

My other equally favourite item is the 1950s gown that my Mum bought for my first ball.  I found it of all places, in Hunters and Collectors which was a leather and Doc Marten shop in Auckland.  Made of a cream silk brocade, sitting on the shoulders, it crosses over at the bust, sits wide and flat at the waist and is completed by yards upon yards of skirt.  An elegant gown that I still love swanning around in.

Can you share with us why vintage culture continues to hold such appeal for you? 

Aesthetics…  We no longer all ‘dress’ for everyday and up for an occasion, build houses that are extraordinary or have lawns, learn to dance in pairs to great music, drive cars with the glint of fresh chrome, respect our elders and take pride in every little thing in our lives. 

I abhor the lack of manners and attitude that has permeated everyday life.  And for goodness sake, pull your pants up boys and put some clothes on girls!!! 

Do you have any tips for anyone starting out in the vintage scene?

Make use of the internet to look into all aspects of what takes your fancy and don’t be shy to say “Hi”.  If you see someone wearing a look you like, ask them about it, it is always an honour to be complimented on an outfit.  Pop along to the markets/fairs, vintage clothing shops and those that do good reproductions.  Strike up a conversation with the shop guys and gals, they’re usually a friendly bunch.  Keep an eye out for gigs marketed as Rockabilly and Swing, there will always be people dancing and if that isn’t your thing, the music should still be worth checking out.

Most of all, be comfortable with whatever you put on in the morning and don’t sweat the small stuff…who cares if you’re wearing a 1930s gown with Doc Martens!

Now is your chance to provide us with an overview of who you are and what you do.

I am a housewife who loves to relax at home with my daughter in our beautiful backyard.  I’m usually found dressed to fit some theme for the day, whether it be Hawaiian, Mexican or just plain let us get dirty denim.  Handy with a sewing needle, I have a pile of alterations that I like to do at a leisurely pace…no need to rush in my day!

My evenings are spent with my wonderful husband, with a glass of red in hand and a smile on my face as I watch him playing with our daughter.

I have the most wonderful friends who share my passion for vintage and we all love to do the same things, markets, sewing, reading and good ol’ fashioned BBQ’s and get togethers. 

Finally, what or who inspires you and why?

My family and friends are my daily inspirations.  How can you not be inspired seeing the world 24/7 alongside your child!  My husband is an old-fashioned guy; He works for his family and his hobbies and I still love dressing up for him.  My friends look fantastic on a daily basis and if that didn’t keep me on my toes then an intervention would be needed!  There is nothing like sharing a fabulous buy with a friend who completely understands where you’re coming from aesthetically.

Most of all, I’m inspired by the everyday…there is beauty all around us, I’m just lucky I get to sit back and enjoy it!