Nine More Sleeps

And its my wedding day! I promise that in a couple more weeks I'll no longer have weddings on the brain. But in the meantime here are a few inspiring images and a trip down memory lane.

Jean Seberg; Joanna Woodward & Paul Newman; Elizabeth Taylor and Spencer Tracy in Father of the Bride; Ava Gardner & Frank Sinatra; Audrey Hepburn & Mel Ferrer; and Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart.

The Road Less Travelled

Now that the Oscar's pics are beamed around the world within seconds and the celebs are styled by professionals within an inch, red carpet dressing has actually become more fraught than ever. People decry that the result is super safe dressing, but when actresses do pick something a little left of centre, they often have imaginary rocks thrown at them.
Last night, however, the panel at my wee Oscars party were most excited by the sartorial turn from non-star and three time Oscar winner Sandy Powell. Sandy - who won the Best Costume category for Young Victoria - demonstrated her fashion credentials by taking the road less travelled, and the results were gorgeous. Snaps to her for eschewing diamonds in favour of colourful bangles and a chignon in favour of a beret. And I've got no idea who created her divine dress, but the Art Deco style pattern and colours were enthralling.

But now to my faves among the stars ...

Carey Mulligan was an edgy glamour girl in a jewel encrusted Prada.

Maggie pulled off bold colour and prints with aplomb in Dries Van Noten.

Rachel McAdams was so, so pretty in Elie Saab. The print was large but the colour muted, and the crossover strapless bodice was really flattering on her petite frame.

And Avatar star Zoe Saldana has divided the universe in her 2010 Givenchy gown. Some say that it was a pouffy mess but whenever the camera was on her I couldn't avert my eyes. I think she looked beautiful.

Nicole Richie went for sophisticated 70s style glam in Reem Acra ... so refreshing to see someone not wearing a strapless gown.

And while, disappointingly, there were no showstopping vintage numbers on the carpet, I did notice that vintage lover Marisa Tomei opted for an early 80s Halston for the Vanity Fair after party. This look is sublime on her.

It was funny to hear how often my little panel disagreed on frocks last night. What were your favourites?

One more sleep ...

Until the Oscars red carpet, my Oscars party and the annual pick the winner comp is finally decided. What a suitable time to reminisce about the Academy Awards of days gone by, when the stars sat around dinner tables and got sloshed, the 24 hour media onslaught meant you didn't know who won immediately, and when Hollywood costume designers made frocks for the stars both on and off set.

Vivien Leigh wore Irene when she collected her statue for Gone with the Wind in 1939; Olivia de Havilland looked a treat in Orr Kelly for The Heiress in 1949 (great film, by the way); and Audrey made her first public outing in Givenchy, when she won for Roman Holiday in 1954.

Fingers crossed that not everyone plays it safe in 2010 and we see a few stars shine like they can afford to.

Crushing on vintage lingerie

Doesn't MTV VJ and sometime model Ruby Rose look gorgeous in this vintage bra, courtesy of Sydney's The Vintage Clothing Shop. She appears in an editorial, photographed by Todd Barry, in the April issue of Aussie Vogue.

I honed in on this image immediately as my interest in vintage lingerie has been piqued, just as underwear as outerwear has exploded on the international catwalks.

Some months ago I purchased a brand new corset to wear under my wedding dress but - thankfully for my ribs - I've managed to lose a few kilos in recent months and, provided I can avoid too many cakes over the next fortnight - I think I can discard the corset and spare my frame.

But during my dress rehearsal last weekend I noticed there was still something not quite right about my silhouette. The reality is that vintage clothes often call for vintage lingerie and the bust on my beloved dress is somewhat torpedo in shape, in line with 1950s fashion. So at the eleventh hour I went hunting for a bullet bra, which aren't that easy to find.

Here is the one I did find however, and have ordered from Ballyhoo Vintage. The one saving grace is that it is relatively easy to find small sizes in vintage because, despite all genetic evidence to the contrary, I have grown up with nary a bosom in sight.

Nothing screams 1940s or 1950s quite like the bullet bra as by the 1960s the style was well and truly on the out. Fingers crossed this fairly subdued example gives me oomph in all the right places. Ballyhoo Vintage stocks a heap of new old stock, so if you are a little bit squeamish about wearing someones discarded smalls but like vintage styles, they are worth checking out. I absolutely adore the classic peach pink colour of vintage lingerie, which you can see in these examples from the 30s and 40s.

And this blue satin teddy looks like it would feel absolutely luxurious between sheets.

Slips are having a renaissance this season, the likes of which hasn't been seen since the 1990s. To me a classic negligee or cami never goes out of style, and the no fuss lingerie of the past appeals for its femininity and simplicity. Well, except for some of those pelvis crunching girdles.

One modern label that has caught my fancy with its retro sensibility is Lonely by Lonely Hearts. Lonely Hearts is a quirky fashion line from New Zealand, and their second collection of yummy silk lingerie has me salivating. Their bras are very 1930s in look and come in pastel ice cream shades that would look great under a sheer blouse.

Check out these great editorials from Oyster, 1am and Harper's Bazaar.

Meanwhile I'll keep you updated on my bullet bra experiment. I'm not expecting to look like Jane Russell or Jayne Mansfield. Maybe just Lana Turner lite ... with a breast reduction.

A Wonderland of Couture

It is such a pity that Tim Burton's new Alice in Wonderland film has been getting lukewarm reviews.
But despite the negative press, the film release is prompting many to revisit Carroll's wonderful world.
Blogger Denisebrain reminded me about this fantastical Alice inspired 2004Vogue editorial, shot by Annie Leibovitz. Natalia Vodianova plays the charming innocent clad in blue, surrounded by some of contemporary fashions greatest names including Galliano, Lagerfeld and Gaultier, all delightedly hamming it up for the camera. Although I don't think Largerfeld ever has to ham it up. That man must have come out of the womb flamboyant.
Enjoy!

Hawaiian Pretties

My obsession with Hawaiian frocks continues unabated and April at 1000 Dresses is killing me with prettiness this week by uploading four amazing mid century sarong dresses to her Etsy shop. What a gorgeous array of prints, from the pink paisley loveliness of the 50s Shaheen at top, to the Japanese influenced cherry blossom sweetness at bottom.

Hommage to Dior

The UK's Vintage for Goodwood Festival - which celebrates five decades of British pop culture - sounds like it will be a blast, and the inaugural shindig had its media launch today with pop star Lily Allen rolled out as ambassador. The famous 1957 photograph of Dior's house models collected around a ladder was recreated, with Lily and others all frocked up in vintage finery. Very cute.

Lily has recently announced she is quitting the music business (again?) and is planning to open a vintage clothing shop with her sister. She says ladies will be able to rent high-end vintage pieces at their store - named Lucy in Disguise - for the fraction of the cost of buying. It sounds like a great idea and Lily must have some entrepreneurial nous, as she has certainly been successful as a singer. But I can't help be a little bit skeptical as Lily seems to quit music as often as elite boxers retire and then show up in the ring again when their cash runs out.

Remember when Lily first showed up on the scene in thrifted prom dresses and trainers? I thought she looked fresh and original, even though I haven't been caught dead in trainers since 1997. It has been interesting to watch her slim down, get a chic haircut and befriend Karl Lagerfeld. It must say something about how high fashion seduces.

Personally I'm a bit indifferent to Lily, maybe because I'm seen her live show and it was decidedly average. But dear readers, feel free to hose me down and declare your undying love.

Meantime I am just a little bit jealous of her new venture. If I wasn't busy writing press releases and cold calling journalists then I would rather fancy a life of travelling out and about sourcing high end vintage pieces. I'm positive more than a few would find their permanent homes in my heaving closet.

Photos courtesy Wire Image.