Thank you for your support in 2009

The last custom order for 2009 was collected yesterday, a halter top made from Atomic print bark cloth (pictured).

I would like to thank everyone who supported my business this year, both online and in person. I have made some beautiful garments and worked with many wonderful people.

Thank you also to my retailers:

i dream a highway
Thread Den
Dagmar Rousett
Leeloo
Meet Me At Mikes
Five Boroughs
Heaven and Hell
Get Go Retro
Out of the Closet
Route 66
Midnight Black

I would like to wish everyone a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

Peta x

We have a winner!

To ensure a fair competition, the lovely Lissanne from Sorted! chose a winner for her book giveaway, SORTED! The ultimate guide to organising your life - once and for all.

Retro Age, please contact me by email with your postal address!

Curious about the custom made side of Peta Pledger?

If you have been wondering why I have'nt added any new designs to my online store lately, it's because all of my time has been taken up by two things. The first one is being a mum and the second thing is custom made dress orders.

The 'Peta Pledger' label comprises of a small clothing label, but is primarily a made to measure service. As I handmake each garment myself, I have had very little time to devote to the label...but with a bit of extra hard work and luck, that will start to change soon!

I bumped into Justine, the editor of MixTape zine at the Melbourne International Film Festival earlier this year, and after a quick chat about what I was up to, Justine thought that some people may be interested about the processes involved in getting a custom made garment.

You can read the article in the latest issue of MixTape zine and it is available from here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY for someone who needs to get SORTED!

Before I met Lissanne Oliver 9 years ago, I was a hoarder. From shoes to magazines, fabric that I would never use, to gifts that were given to me that did not suit me or my personality.

As a person who has a parent with OCD, I was very lucky to meet her as she has re-trained my brain to think twice before keeping something.

Lissanne's company, SORTED! specialises in Organising & Decluttering people's homes, offices and anywhere else that needs a 'spring clean'.

Her company do not encourage "chucking stuff in the bin", they encourage recycling, reusing and giving unwanted goods to charity.

As this year has been one of the busiest years of my life, I am finding that everywhere I go in my home and studio, I am surrounded by imbaratz (junk, in Maltese). So I am taking a few hours this weekend to refer to my personal saviour, Lissanne's book titled Sorted! The ultimate guide to organising your life - once and for all and getting organised before the harsh Summer heat wave hits us here in Australia.

I have one copy of Sorted! to give away to one lucky blog reader who signs up to the SORTED! mailing list and leaves a comment on my blog, outlining why you should win this book.

The SORTED! newsletter is not spammy and is filled with useful tips including eco-friendly ways to wrangle your clutter.

Things that make me happy # 4 - Dancefloor memories

From the very first time I went to an alternative/indie club (Melbourne circa early 90's), I was hooked, it was such a happy time in my life and it was a time when you could walk down Lygon Street in Carlton on a Saturday night dressed in full goth regalia and not be afraid of getting beaten or chased, sure people jeered, but it was all in fun.

I also felt that I was part of an important time in 'clubland'. Sure, our generation did'nt change the face of the Melbourne music scene or anything like that, but what we saw for the first time was the bringing down of subcultural barriers....and a few hybrids emerged too!

More about that another time. I remember looking around the dancefloor at Clockwork Orange at the Chevron while this song was playing and felt happy and a little amazed at the different "subcultures" that were on the dancefloor smiling and dancing to this. If only the whole world could be that way...

'Sara's shirts on SALE until October 31st!

I have reduced all of the 'Sara' shirts in my online store until the 31st of October, shipping is free and please note that sizes 10, 12 and 14 have sold out.

If you are after a shirt and you can't see your size, please contact me and I will locate one for you via one of my retailers.

Skip straight to the shirt section by clicking here.

Studio Clearance section in my Etsy shop!

Do you know about the studio clearance section in my Etsy shop?

I will be adding new items daily and have reduced all commercial sewing patterns to USD$6 - yay!

A message from Rude Health in St Kilda...

Below is an email I received from Julia the owner of my stockist in St Kilda.

DAGMAR ROUSSET (née Rude Health)

We have a new name! Why? Well, a few people found Rude Health offensive, perplexing or just plain moronic. Thankfully, many people loved it (which made me feel a bit less lonely on my usually sparsely inhabited wavelength). Some people also thought our logo - the very cool smoking pig by Nate Trapnell, aka the Southpaw - was in some way condoning smoking. (I was actually going for irony, but I can see how people could get the wrong end of the stick!)

So I decided to re-name my shoppe Dagmar Rousset.

Dagmar - a girl’s name of German/Scandinavian origin - always brings to mind an impossibly elegant screen siren languidly reclining on a chaise longue caressing a cigarette holder between her long, delicate fingers (oops, there I go again, promoting the ingestion of noxious substances!) .

Rousset, because I am a lifelong Francophile and devoted promoter of the French language. In fact, the reason why my shop is closed for much of the week (much to the annoyance of my customers) is because I am teaching le français to eager young minds at university.

Who is Dagmar Rousset? She is everything I hope to be one day: fearless, elegant, and shamelessly eccentric.

Bisous,
Julia

I personally disagree with Julia on the last bit, I think she is already fearless, elegant, and shamelessly eccentric.

Sesame Street: Mad Men

While looking for some vintage Sesame Street clips to show my son this morning, I stumbled across this and just had to share it with you!

Interview with me on Handmade News

Heather Folkner runs a lovely Etsy store called Sugar Plum Ferret, she also writes for the world's biggest craft related blog, Handmade News.

I was recently interviewed by Heather and the article is up today, you can read it here.

I would like to say thank you to Heather and the team at Handmade News for your support.

Read my interview with Leeloo!

The lovely people at Leeloo have posted a Leeloo Designer interview with me today, you can read it here.

milkbars, laundromats & urban beauty - tomorrow!

If you are like me and go weak at the knees for anything related to the milk bars of yesterday, don't miss this upcoming photographic exhibition titled milkbars, laundromats & urban beauty.

Featuring the photographic talents of Gemma Jones, Eamo Donnelly, Miikel Doomernik and co-owner of Arthur's Circus - Natalie Jeffcott.

The exhibition is part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival and also celebrates Arthur's Circus' 2nd year in business. Opening night is Tuesday 22 September from 6 - 8pm . They will be extending their hours for the duration of the festival.

Keep an eye on the Arthur's Circus blog for opening time information.

Arthur's Circus is located at 631 Queensberry Street in North Melbourne, Victoria.

Non-wedding dress looks charming

When Sally and I sat down for our first consultation, the first thing she said was something like, "I know you don't make wedding dresses but...". As I generally don't make wedding or bridesmaid dresses, I was hesitant at first, but in the end was really glad that I took on this project.

Sally chose an existing design from my online folio and I have to say, this was one of the most stress free and delightful projects I have ever worked on.

Throughout the construction of the dress, we nicknamed it the "non-wedding dress" as I know that I would have suffered from anxiety if I attached the word "wedding" to it.

We chose 100% Polyester Cream coloured Shantung and used 100% Viscose lining. We decided against 100% Silk as Sally wanted to keep creasing to a minimum. A white petticoat was worn underneath and our original idea of a sash, ribbon or self covered belt was discarded on the wedding day, which I think worked well.

Sally's sister Claire accompanied Sally to all of her fittings which was great as it was good to have a third person to help with fitting and styling decisions.

Red shoes and her mothers re-worked wedding veil completed the outfit beautifully.

Sally, thank you so much for choosing me to make your "non-wedding dress", you looked as perfect as I imagined on your wedding day and I look forward to seeing more photos soon!

Do you own a Peta Pledger garment?

Over the years, I have made at least 1,000 items bearing the Peta Pledger label, but where are they all?

If you own either a custom made or store bought Peta Pledger garment, I want a photo of you!

To thank you, I will post a little gift to you and it would be appreciated if you could tell me whether the photo can be uploaded onto photo sharing sites such as my Flickr page or if you prefer that I keep the photo private.

All photos uploaded will only have your first name or your online avatar name if you prefer.

So dig up those shirts, skirts and dresses and use this call out as an opportunity to dress up and take some nice photos of yourself if you don't already have any.

Note: your privacy is important to me and I will not share your email or postal address (for the free gift) with anybody.

Send your photos to: petapledger@gmail.com

Photo credit: Lea wears black shantung custom made 'Buffy' dress with matching belt.

Philip Glass - Sesame Street - Geometry of Circles

Simone Walsh Handmade Jewellery (or Jewelry!)

One of the best things about Etsy is the creative friends I have made, here in Australia and around the world.

I "met" Simone Walsh from NSW, Australia through the Etsy forums about 2 years ago. Her Elvis Presley cufflinks, were the first thing that caught my eye and I have been a big fan of her handmade, sterling silver jewellery ever since.

Simone is currently offering a 15% discount off all sales made from her online store. Enter the code redesign2 at the checkout to apply the discount - note that the offer is valid until Sunday the 23rd of August 2009.

If you wish to buy in USD please click here.

You can also follow Simone Walsh on Twitter.

Photo: Sterling Silver Swallow Earrings (my favorite item!).

1930s Futuristic Fashion Predictions

Two of my friends have posted this on Facebook, and I have loved watching it both times.

I just had to share it with you today - enjoy!

Handmade in Melbourne book

I am proud to announce that I am one of the 200 artisans chosen for the 2009 edition of Handmade in Melbourne.

Without trying to sound like a speech acceptance from an Awards show, I would like to thank the three people that helped me with my submission, Juanita for the words, Nicole for the photo and one of my model's, Beth, who also did her own styling.

To be in the same book as designers & artisans that I look up to and admire is a real honour. I am not going to make a list as there are too many and I would be disappointed if I left anyone out.

Please check out the Handmade in Melbourne website, where you can also pick up your own copy of the book.

Studio Sale this Saturday!

I will be selling a whole bunch of fabric, vintage sewing patterns and a small selection of clothing.

All shirts and skirts will be $60 on the day.

Blog Love from the Blue Mountains, NSW

Thank you so much forget me not for the sweet blog post about my clothing.

I am looking forward to visiting your Etsy store soon!

Bluebird Espresso in Collingwood, have you been yet?

I lived on Lygon Street on Carlton for the first 25 years of my life. It was a great place to grow up as it had a wonderful variety of small businesses run by people of assorted nationalities. The Lebansese barber shop on Elgin street, FuLu's Chinese restaurant on Rathdowne street and I particularly remember the Continental (Italian) Milk Bar, run by the Greco family on Lygon street.

My mum would shop there at least once a week and I remember Mr Greco, his wife and children coming around from the counter to pick me up and say hi. I would get a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a cone and that's all I remember, but the hospitality is still very clear in my mind (so is the crush I had on Mr Greco's son Luciano in the early 1980's, I thought he was very Simon Le Bon).

Bluebird Espresso at 134 Johnston Street in Collingwood has been open for 3 months or so now and is gaining a loyal following. The welcoming nature of the staff there reminds me of an old Lygon street cafe, where the owner would sit down for a chat during quieter times.

The coffee is amazing and the menu is simple yet delicious. My buddy and I went there today and I had the Ricotta & Honey on toasted Turkish bread, it was perfection on a plate. The ricotta was fresh, the texture was perfect and the honey tasted like it came straight from a farm, not factory.

My buddy had a toasted sandwich, made with Turkish bread filled with fresh tomato, bocconcini and ham that looked so good even I was tempted to try it! (I don't eat pork or pork products).

Bluebird Espresso is open from 8am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday and is only a short walk from Victoria Park train station.

When you do pop in, tell the handsome owner/barista that Peta Pledger sent you.

*Photo originally uploaded to Flickr by paintergirl.

Because the simple frocks in life are often the best...

The reason this blog post bears this title, is because I was pleasantly surprised that my client for this garment, Juanita chose to wear the dress with minimal jewellery and minimal tizz. The result? Perfect for the occasion it was made for!

Juanita supplied the shot blue/purple 100% pure silk for this dress. Upon advice from the retailer she bought it from, I did not pre-shrink the fabric and I did not use any water or steam during the construction and pressing process.

I lined the bodice in blue 100% Viscose for comfort and the skirt in a matching bemsilk lining.

After alot of consideration and discussions with other dressmakers, I decided not to bone the bodice as I wanted to avoid that bridesmaid/1980's party frock look. The bodice is fused in a medium weight iron on (I can hear some of you gasp at that) interfacing and the invisible zip is in the centre back.

We agreed on a rounded 'collar' around the top of the dress and decided against a matching belt.

The Paper Plane sterling silver necklace is by Australian jewellery designer and maker, Victoria Mason. Please check out her site, her work is delightful.

I love this photo so much...

I am always amazed at how gorgeous each and every one of my friends are.

This photo is of my friend Gemma. I love the way one of her tattoos is peeking out.

Gemma Vendetta spotted wearing Peta Pledger!

Gorgeous SA based pin up model, Gemma Vendetta wearing a Peta Pledger 'Frankie' top.

Photography Copyright: Mandi Whitten

Model: Gemma Vendetta

Sonny & Coco Market this Sunday!

Come and say hi, I'll be selling some stock, vintage patterns, fabrics and accessories!

Today is my birthday, so I am having a SALE!

It is also the end of the financial year, so to celebrate, I am having a huge ONE day SALE in my online store.

SALE ends midnight. x

Some of my dresses were used in this tv commercial...

www.janome.com.au

Rude Health has arrived in St Kilda!

Announcing my newest stockist and fab new store located in St Kilda!

Rude Health stocks a wonderful mix of clothing, homewares and accessories with something for everyone.

From delicious clothing by Hot Couture to futuristic and Japanese inspired dresses by Sydney's Donna Sgro, Rude Health is a sweet boutique located at 17 Irwell Street in St Kilda.

Everything stocked at Rude Health is 100% Sweatshop Free and Made in Australia.

Please click on their website for trading hours.

Rude Health Facebook fan page click here.

Where are your 'Sara' shirts, Peta?

The answer to that question, is my Etsy store.

I have marked them down to USD$55 from today until June 30 (end of financial year and my birthday).

So please forgive the yucky photo above and go and take a look!

Benefit for Angie Rehe - THIS SUNDAY

Please click on the flyer above for details.

This post is not sponsored by a telco

An old friend of mine posted this music video on his Facebook page last night and commented about how the song is in his all time top 10.

When I clicked on the YouTube clip and saw the song for the first time in what feels like forever, it brought on a huge surge of emotion. Songs that can do that are great are'nt they?

The song is Days Go By by Dirty Vegas and you can watch the clip and hear the song here.

Set aside 5 minutes today and physically call up an old friend and say hi, even if you are "facebook friends" or "myspace friends"; pick up the phone and have a chat, don't be afraid to tell them that you love them too...

Photo credit: Troutlily Designs

Here is my "number one", who's yours?

OK, so I am coming to the end of my break and thought it would be fun to do a Top 5 hotties list.

Here is mine:

Nikki Sixx (bass player from Motley Crue)

Elvis Presley

Johnny Depp

Liam Gallagher (lead singer of Oasis)

Matt Dillon

The image of Nikki is one from the early 1980's - I found it while scouring the internet for an image and fell in love.

So tell me, who are your "Top 5"?

Sonny & Coco Market this Sunday

I am going to have a stall at the upcoming Sonny & Coco market this Sunday.

As I have been taking a short break to hang out with Bastien, I won't have many new Peta Pledger items to sell. However, I am very excited to announce that I will selling some beautiful Vintage clothing, fabric and sewing patterns at my stall.

Please come down and say hi, details are on the flyer.

Things that make me Happy # 3 - Xanadu

In the mid-nineties my best and and I would throw wonderful parties every June to celebrate my birthday and to have a mid-year catch up with our friends and family.

Not one to be shy to stand infront of a crowd, I mimed to this song via the karaoke function on our stereo - in Maltese.

My friends literally fell to the floor with laughter and my friend Anni - who is half Maltese too, still requests that I sing it for her to this very day.

I love this movie, I still love and listen to the soundtrack regularly and I hope you enjoy this song too.

Support the Melbourne Museum of Printing

If you are in Melbourne, please go down to the Melbourne Museum of Printing fundraiser and help keep the doors open and the presses rolling.

The print industry is close to my heart as I worked in it from 2000 until I went on maternity leave in late 2006.

Weigel's Cowboy

While searching for a 1950s dress on ebay, this pattern appeared in the search results.

At first I had to look twice as I could not believe my eyes, but after 1 bid, it was mine. I spent the whole week feeling as though I had won Tattslotto.

I don't let myself collect many things, but I do collect vintage sewing patterns, I have a modest sized collection and I never tire of looking at them.

Weigel's patterns are my favorite to collect, the illustrations are simple and I adore the fact that they are Australian.

If you happen to have a box of vintage sewing patterns in the attic and you want to send them my way, I will reward you with Haighs chocolate!

Teer in that Sassy Red Dress!!

I blogged about this dress in this post:

http://petapledger.blogspot.com/2008/12/last-week-my-friend-and-model-teer.html

I finally have a full shot of the dress to share with you. Teer is currently working on her own .com but for now you can view her online modelling folio here.

Photo credit: Scott James Prebble

Studio Sale!

This Saturday, the 2nd of May, I am holding a Studio Sale along with fellow Melbourne Crafters, Anna Laura, Jodie Nicholson, Kate Boulton, Rachel Francis and Samantha Sultana.

The sale will be held on Level 2, 37 Swanston Street in Melbourne (on the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane) from 9am until 5pm.

We will be selling a wide range of new products, seconds, samples and overstock. Also, fabrics, craft supplies, sewing patterns and much more.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Hansel and Gretel by Lotte Reiniger

Thank you so much to Pip from Meet Me Mikes for posting this on their blog today - I am in love!

I went shopping at Meet Me At Mikes and look at what I bought!

On Thursday, I, along with a group of wonderfully talented designers and models (including 2 of the chicks that run Thread Den), filmed a tv commercial. I am not sure if I am allowed to say anything yet, but I will blog about it as soon as it 'goes live'.

It was important to me to wear locally made clothing and accessories for the shoot, so.... I went SHOPPING!!

I bought a gorgeous red hand knitted in Australia cardigan by Cul Desac from one one my stockists, I Dream A Highway in Northcote.

My dress was a Hawaiian Barkcloth one made by me, so I needed some accessories to compliment the outfit. Next stop, Meet Me At Mikes!

I bought a gorgeous necklace with some sweet birds on it, a copy of Pip's new book Meet Me At Mikes and a beautiful Swallow brooch. The swallow brooch is super special as Pip's partner and boyfriend Cam hand carves them - exquisite!

If you are in Melbourne and have'nt already, please do check out the three stores I have mentioned in this post, you are sure to find yourself a handmade piece of wonderful goodness!!

'Sara' shirt in Ice Skating check

This is one of two new 'Sara' shirts that I made about 2 months ago.

Up until recently, my computer was hardly working so blogging meant going to the library and hoping that a computer was free.

Anyway, here is one of two new 'Sara' shirts, available in Australian size 8 to 22. It is made from 65% Polyester/35% Viscose giving it great wash n' wearability.

This shirt is available from Thread Den in North Melbourne and I Dream A Highway in Northcote.

It is great for both Spring and Autumn and looks gorgeous under a vest or pinafore.

I have listed a couple in my Etsy store and hope to add more over the next week.

Have you been to Five Boroughs?

Five Boroughs in Brunswick East, Victoria is a delightful shop run by Steph & Kyle. The shop is filled with beautiful handmade and hand screenprinted bags, homewares and decorative art.

My brooches are stocked there as well as Rewind coffee, which you must check out!

Please visit this beautiful store and ask to see their in-house produced range.

My dress is featured on thisnext.com today!

The lovely Angela D'Alton from one of my online stockists, leeloo.com.au sent me this link today.

You can buy this dress from: www.leeloo.com.au as well as my online store.

Do-Re-Mi + dancing in the train station

My friend Alexandra sent this link to me this morning, I have no doubt it is to advertise something, but it's worth watching it to the very end.

When Paula called me about Marie Claire...

This news is old, as my computer was on it's way out when this news happened and trying to do anything on it was a nightmare!

In late January this year, I got a phone call from Paula Delley asking me if I would consider loaning her some dresses for an upcoming shoot to accompany an article being written about her Pinup Workshop by Marie Claire magazine.

Paula wanted to re-create 3 vintage pinup images and my job was to help replicate the outfits. The first one was a Hawaiian style frock, for which I loaned her a 'Lucky Diamonds' dress.

The next image was easy, Paula simply loaned a petticoat that I had I in stock and used it as an outer skirt.

However, the final dress - well that dress kept me awake for 3 nights. Paula emailed a photo to me (you can see the image on the top right hand side of the article page) and I had to replicate that dress in exact detail, the problem was it is a dark photo and I had to do a little guess work. OK, making the dress was easy, but this was Marie Claire! My mind went completely blank and with other dressmaking orders baking up, I had to get my act together fast.

For the outer, I chose a beautiful Italian Crepe from Clegs, $59.95mt and a dream to sew. The lining was 100% viscose adding weight and slink to the dress.

I combined a store bought pattern, a 1970's pattern and my own pattern making to create a really luxurious gown.

Paula was happy with the dress and I am happy for Paula to have been featured in an international fashion magazine...I have a feeling this is not the last time we'll be seeing Paula in the glossies.

Note: All photos and text in the image above are owned by Marie Claire Australia and Paula Delley.

Sarah Lea Cheesecake fans read on...

I first met Sarah in 2004, at a rehearsal for Route 66's Peek A Boo parade - she was admiring one of my gingham belts.

Since that day, Sarah and I have become good friends, she is warm, sincere and is always a great listener. Her advice is sound and she always makes you feel like you are worth a million dollars.

Sarah's alter ego, Sarah Lea Cheesecake is a sexy, talented, hard working Burlesque performer currently based in Melbourne. Photographers have queued up to photograph her in the well loved Pinup style and she has modeled for clothing labels such as Route 66 and my own label, Peta Pledger.

Earlier this year, Sarah finally completed her much anticipated website, which can be viewed by clicking here.

To keep up to date on upcoming performances and to view a comprehensive collection of live action photos, visit her Facebook page.

Things that make me Happy # 2 - Johnny O'Keefe

There us something absolutely magical about Australian music. Growing up in the 1980's, music shows always put an emphasis on Australian music.

Watching music video programs now is always a mixture of American Hip Hop, R & B more Hip Hop and more American *insert genre here*.

My mum is a Johnny O'Keefe fan and I remember feeling awestruck everytime I saw him on tv or listened him on the radio.

Whenever I hear this song, I have to sing it really loud and if you have heard me sing...well...

Thread Den is having a House & Garden Party

20% off storewide, including Peta Pledger clothing & accessories.

Three of my dresses in MX today!

Thank you Paula Delley for using three of my dresses (and Beth's petticoat) as part of your truely wonderful MX newspaper photoshoot.

Hot Couture - Handmade in South Australia

I will be going to the annual Kustom Kulture Weekend festival in Adelaide tomorrow.

One label I am excited about trying on is Hot Couture.

Joy Taylor, the woman behind the label, not only shares a passion for vintage clothing with me, but she also shares her birthday with me.

I recently sent Joy a 5 question quiz:

1. What is your name and your location?Hot Couture Adelaide South Australia.

2. What kind of handmade clothing do you make and what is your inspiration?
I make retro 50's inspired garments mostly frocks. My inspiration is from old original patterns.

3. Do you plan on expanding the business in the future? If so, what are your goals?
I would like to expand but I will just go with the flow and see what happens. I would love a shop in Melbourne or Sydney eventually.

4. What are you favorite fabrics to work with and do you have a favorite thing that you like to make?I love my cotton fabric with a slight stretch it works so well and fits beautifully. My bardot with the matching belt.

5. Name 3 of your favorite Australian designers (established designers are welcome).
Peta Pledger and not just because this is going back to her. I like retrospc'd as well and myself haha!

Please visit this wonderful Australian made label at www.hotcouture.com.au and their MySpace page: www.myspace.com/hotcoutureaustralia

If you live in South Australia....

Come and say hello to me this Saturday, the 14th of March at Kustom Kulture Weekend.

I will be going over with photographer Paula Delley and Rachel of childrenswear label Lil' Misfit.

See Gemma's wonderful flyer for details.

Viva La Moda online magazine

Gilbea, a fellow Etsy seller from Pamplona, Spain sent me a link to this lovely new online magazine.

Viva La Moda focuses on handmade clothing, accessories and art.

My 'Buffy' dress in yellow Hawaiian barkcloth has been featured in the 'Get Chuck's Look' section.

As I am experiencing internet problems at the moment, I have not had a chance to read through the whole magazine, but I really like what I have seen so far!

Rachel's birthday dress and the anxiety of...

making the perfect dress for her. We discussed her 'birthday' dress in great length for many months and after one failed attempt, we came up with this one.

The dress is made from 100% cotton Hawaiian barkcloth and is fully lined with tailor's quality viscose. The pencil skirt is perfect for Rachel's bombshell figure as she has height and a wonderful figure 8 shape.

I made the dress with regular straps, and Rachel made mock ties for variation using some spare fabric. I kept the neckline modest as Rachel wanted a 'spillproof' garment.

On the night, many compliments were shared and lots of fun was had.

To see the dress in full, click here.

Things that make me Happy # 1 - Ladybugs Picnic

When Bastien was a baby, I used to sing this to him in the car, but it was such a long time that I saw the clip, that I struggled to remember the words...and then I discovered YouTube...

This song is sung/written/animated by Pixar's Bud Luckey, lyrics by Don Hadley. It was featured on Sesame Street in the late 1970's/early 1980's.

Origin of Style Name - 'Lucky Diamonds'

With Melbourne being such a small city, where almost everyone seems connected, my customers get a chuckle when they know the person that a particular garment design was named after.

'Lucky Diamonds' was born in Hepburn Springs at a Royal Crown Revue show in November 2007.

I made the first 'Lucky Diamonds' dress for my friend Dani Diamond - not her real surname, but an alias she has used for years. Her adorable boyfriend Anthony, was wearing a beautiful shirt that had little diamonds embroidered on the cuffs.

As the band played, I observed how happy and in love the pair of them were, they were laughing and dancing and yes, there was alot of gazing into one anothers eyes.

It was at that moment in time, that the name of the dress came to me, Lucky - because I felt that they were so lucky to find one another's perfect match (they plan to marry in 2010) and Diamonds - both because of the little diamonds on his shirt and the coincidence that it is also her nickname.

My latest Lucky Diamonds dress is available from my online store here.

Would you like the hairstyle to go with that dress?

If I was given $50 everytime one of my custom order clients asked if I knew of a freelance pin up hairstylist, I would be writing this blog from my apartment in NYC.

My friend Betsy is a talented vintage inspired hairstylist. She does'nt do haircuts or perms, just great pin up, rockabilly, 1950's and 1960's inspired hairstyles.

Based in Northcote, Victoria, Stylette is a new business run by Beth. Her business has grown after a huge demand for her services has turned into a small business.

She has done styling for weddings, pin up photoshoots, rockabilly fashion photoshoots and for gals just wanting an extra special look for a night out.

For appointments contact Beth via email: stylettehair@gmail.com

Photo credit: Nicole Reed (ashotaway.com)

Peta's hair styled by Beth, make up done by Dani (2006)

Pretty in Pink Angelique

My latest creation is a one of a kind 'Angelique' dress made from Pink and White check in Poly/Viscose.

The skirt is full circle and is photographed with an underskirt underneath. This dress is unlined with just a top facing and has an invisible zip in the side seam.

As with my other 'Angelique' dresses, the shoulder straps are made from velvet ribbon and the dress comes with a 2" wide fabric covered belt.

This dress is a size 10 and is available from Thread Den in North Melbourne.

Michi Girl

Michi Girl is a daily newsletter that features the current weather and something cool.

Thank you so much to the team at Michi Girl for including my dress today as part of the 'Melbourne' weather forecast.

I apologise that this post is short, my apprentice, Bastien is playing trains close to some very expensive fabric!!

Stray Cats are coming!

If you are going to see Stray Cats play on their farewell tour in 2009 and live in or a visiting Melbourne, drop in to Thread Den and treat yourself to something new to wear!

Over the next month or two, I will be doing weekly shipments of new dresses, skirts and shirts so drop in and say hi to the wonderful team there.

All the details are on the poster.

Thank you to Nicole Reed of ashotaway.com for photographing and creating this beautiful flyer!

Mixtape zine mini - interview

You can check out the 4 x 4 interview with me here.

The sun glasses are vintage polaroid and the tee is a limited run Gemma Jones print - ace!