Thank you for the shout out Paula!

Here is an interview with Paula Delley shot early last year.

If you are interested in buying a leopard print skirt like one she is wearing in the interview, send me a message!

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.

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.

It's a DRESS, not a top!

Your backstage pass and black sunglasses
Make you look just like a queen
Even the fans, they know your face
From all of the magazines, but
Do you love me?
Kiss - Do you Love Me

On the day of shooting this dress, I got a call from photographer, Paula Delley asking if I minded if model Ava wore black capri pants with the strapless leopard print top. "I did'nt give you a strapless leopard print top" I replied. After a little more chat, I realised that she meant this dress!

The 'Backstage Pass' dress will form part of a retrospective collection I am planning for 2009.

It is made from 95% Cotton and 5% Spandex, it has a whopping 50cm invisible zip in the centre back to allow easy, um, removal. Unlike most of my dresses, I have left this dress unlined as it's more of a metal gig dress than an afternoon tea dress. *wink*

2009 will mark 20 years since I started 'sewing school' (I left high school in 1988 to do the Clothing & Craft course that Melbourne College of Textiles was offering at the time). I was mad about hard rock and heavy metal and wished with all my heart to be as cool as the girls in all of the music videos.

Now, I know some people will scold me for the name of this dress and perhaps find my inspiration a little distastful, but I feel that I must add, that while my best friend and I sat in our seats waiting for the band to come on, women wearing tiny skirts and dresses, killer high heels and sky scraper hair queued up to meet these bands, I never saw a woman being dragged backstage.

So, in the upcoming months, I am going to make pieces inspired by the very thing that made me want to start sewing, rock n' roll.

*Noteworthy people who did this course with me are Jodii Ruggero (who runs successful Pattern and Dressmaking company Thursday's Child), Anthony Pitturino and Jacob Luppino (who collectively run couture house J'Aton).

Full Skirt and The Modern Pin Up

Last week saw the launch of Paula Delley's photography book, The Modern Pinup.

It features well know pin up models such as Sarah Lea Cheesecake, Miss T, Ava Jinx and Kelly Ann Doll.

When Paula made an appointment with me about her dress, I went into panic mode before she arrived..."me?" I asked myself, "she has asked ME to make her dress?", knowing what a special occassion this was for both Paula, the Australian Pin Up/Burlesque and Kustom Kulture scene.

When asked if she had an idea of what she was after, Paula expressed an interest in a pencil skirted dress. I took one look at her beautiful face and figure and decided that for the night, a 1950's style evening dress with petticoat and full circle skirt was in order.

The final design is a collaboration of both of our ideas, this is what we came up with.

The dress is made from Poly/Viscose, the one I use is weighty, however, light enough to allow the skirt to swoosh.

The bodice is half lined with 100% Viscose lining and has a sweetheart neckline and plunging V at the back (see my Flickr account for more photos).

Pink & black was the theme so we made a 7cm wide pink sash to compliment the Pink 1950's style underskirt/petticoat.

If you are looking for a great photographer or someone that will help you unleash the Pinup Girl/Boy in you, contact Paula about her 'Pinup For A Day' shoots that she offers.

The Modern Pinup is available from www.pauladelley.com, Faster Pussycat in Melbourne and The Outre Gallery.

'Emma' gets some love from Mikes

Meet Me At Mikes Blog Love is Good Love. Not only is it always an honour (check out their blog and you'll see why), but finding people that cross promote and support other like-minded shops and designers can be quite a rarity in the clothing industry, but it is not the case in the "handmade" scene.

Guest blogger McCranky featured my Burgundy Hawaiian Barkcloth 'Emma' skirt on their blog this week, you can see the post here.

Thank you so much guys, I have sent a courier in to the store, bearing a gift today!

Peta Pledger exclusive pieces now available at Leeloo

I am excited to announce that Australian online store, Leeloo will be stocking one of a kind dresses and limited edition shirts and skirts made exclusively for their store!

The dress in this post is a beautiful Sea Green Hawaiian Barkcloth, the dress is fully lined in 100% Viscose and has an invisible zip closure.

To see the entire range of photos taken by Paula Delley and modelled by Sarah Lea Cheesecake, visit my Flickr page.

Paula Delley photoshoot featuring Sarah Lea Cheesecake!

Last week, I called Melbourne photographer Paula Delley and asked her to help me out with some photos featuring the garments that I will be selling at http://www.leeloo.com.au/.

With only a few days notice, Paula organised a beautiful shoot, using Burlesque superstar and pin up model, Sarah Lea Cheesecake.

The outfit that is in this photo will not be sold at Leeloo, the skirt is for sale in my Etsy store...I will do a Leeloo post on my launch date, which is Tuesday the 19th of August.

Keep an eye on my Flickr account for the whole collection of photographs!