Downtown

It's days like this that leave me wishing we lived in town again.  I miss the huge variety of different people (the North Shore isn't exactly known for its diversity), I miss the cafes and I miss just being able to walk down to the local shops.  Country life is great too of course and has many, many benefits but occasionally the grass (or concrete I suppose) looks a little more inviting on the other side.  Anyway although we had a lovely afternoon of exploring downtown Auckland, the real aim of our mission was to check out the Vintage Fashion museum exhibition.  What a fantastic and altogether unique location for such an event!  These gigantic, eery old Silo's make such a great exhibition space, although probably less appealing to those with claustrophobia.  As for the clothes themselves, hmmm they didn't particularly blow my socks off.  I mean yes, there were some beauties in the mix, particularly the blue 50s  El Jay frock, but on the whole it was a little sparse.  From what I understand a number of garments where being photographed at the time we were there so perhaps that's why there were so many naked mannequins. I'm glad we went of course, especially because I think it's important to support these events so that they can grow and educate more of the public, but it wasn't quite what I had hoped.  All in all we had a great day though, so no regrets there!

 

Four handmade kiddo clothing labels

Before Ayana was born we spent a small fortune on all organic, natural coloured (we didn't know the gender yet) newborn clothing.  I couldn't stand the idea of dressing our precious little bundle in chemical seeped, sweat shop clothing from The Baby Factory.  Then we realised how fast these small humans grow!  It felt like she needed new clothes every two weeks and that was getting pretty expensive!  So I made the most of sales and hunted out what ever cotton clothes I could.  The problem is that it didn't feel good and started weighing on my conscious.  Not only did I feel like I could never explain to Ayana why it is alright for people in slave labour conditions to work 18 hours a day to make the clothing we wear, but I also realised how many amazingly talented locals are struggling to make ends meet with their own lovingly hand crafting clothes.  As it turns out it doesn't cost a  whole lot more to buy locally, it just requires a bit of forethought because you have to do you're homework and track them down!  Here are a few that I have discovered over the past year.  Tell me these aren't so much cuter than all that store bought crap...

OlI E LUI

I discovered this little label when I stumbled upon their stall at the Wellington markets.  I barely had a baby bump yet but really couldn't resist... over a year later and she was finally big enough to actually be able to wear them!  From memory they are made by a sweet mama from Gisborne.

IDLE WILD

These handmade kiddo clothes are the creation of two very talented ladies from Wellington.  All the fabrics have been hand dyed and printed with non toxic colours and are so stinking cute that I'm really wishing they would make some in adult sizes! I only discovered them very recently but something tells me they're going to be a favourite!

OLLIE

Oh where would we be without Facebook?  Somebody suggested I check them out because they were having a sale on these cute pinafores. Sadly there were none left in Ayana's size but I fell in love with them all the same.  I think I'm going to start making these sweet little bibs a 'baby present' staple, seeing as how everybody around us seem to be breeding at the moment!

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Ooo how cute is this shop?  There's really nothing here I don't want but those capes are really something else!  I love how everything is re-purposed  and made from vintage or old fabrics.

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P.S If you haven't checked out FELT then you should.  So many great New Zealand handmade sellers.

Vintage Chloe at dusk

 

These images were shot the other night a sunset by my uber talented photographer and partner in crime Nic Fletcher (yup that's him in the last shot there).   I am wearing one of my grandmothers vintage Chloe dresses, isn't it amazing!  What I love so much about these photos is that they were totally impromptu.  There is no fancy lighting, no photoshopping,  no special hair and make up (in fact not a speck of make up at all)... it's a nice reminder about simply seizing the moment sometimes.
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P.S If you want to get in contact with Nic regarding photography work you can drop me a line at info{at}dashfieldvintage.com

Frock Friday: Emilio Pucci

 

Label: Emilio Pucci
Made in:  Italy
Decade:  1960's
What's the story: This super cute psychedelic number is one of the many pieces that were given to me by my grandmother Doris.  Judging by the condition it is in I would say that she probably never got aorund to actually wearing it.  It was in the wardrobe for a long time because it didn't quite fit, so I was thrilled when I tried it on the other day and suddenly it was perfect!
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