Sewing a Christmas Dress

With all the upcoming Christmas functions I decided I wanted a Christmassy dress! I had a bit of a hunt around online as, of course, I wanted something a bit retro, but couldn't find anything that I loved.
It was my husband that suggested I make something...
Now, I haven't made anything since high school, except a couple of cushion covers. And I started a dress last year, but I lost my motivation. This time, however, I was motivated with a date looming of just over a week.

So, I chose some funky fabric.

 

And a pattern (nice and simple)

And got to work.

Whenever I wasn't sure what a term used in the instructions meant or had to do something like insert a zip, I used good old Doctor Google to help out. There are some really helpful people out there putting up video tips - thank you.

When I could see it was coming together, I decided to add a contrasting bow and make a matching headband.

And here is the finished outfit!

So now to look for a dressmaking course I think, so I can move onto something more complicated.

Friday Photo

Friday Photo

Photo by Whiskey & Rye Photography

Here's a pic from our recent photoshoot at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore.

Singapore holiday and photoshoot

I have been a bit quiet lately as I have been on holiday in Singapore. It is a great place for a short break and in particular if you like shopping - though not of the vintage kind! We did see a couple of shop signs that said they sold antiques and vintage goods, but they were only open by appointment.

We stayed at the Raffles Hotel which is just fabulous, and you get the feeling you are stepping back in time. It is also a lovely haven from the noise and hubub of all the tourists.

The Raffles Hotel

Relaxing with a Singapore Sling.

A lot of famous people have stayed at the Raffles over it's 125 years and there are some suites named after those who have stayed there. Of course, I was interested in the Ava Gardner suite.

The rooms are amazing and we spent a bit of time taking some wonderful photos there.

Our bedroom

....as well as in the grounds....

....and the main building...

The temperature made things a bit challenging outside and we had to duck back into the airconditioned comfort of our room a couple of times to freshen up.

We had a really enjoyable time and got some great photos (you can see more in the coming days on our Facebook page). I'm looking forward to another holiday and location shoot next year!

Friday Photo

Happy Halloween!

Friday Photo

The team at Whiskey & Rye Photography.

Friday Photo

Play around with your props and see what poses you can come up with!

How to brand yourself. An introduction for pinups and models.

There's a lot of talk around these days about the importance of branding yourself. I think this is particularly relevant to pinups and models as YOU really ARE the brand.

What does your brand say?

Your brand is a story that you tell about yourself. Everything you share online influences how others see you. Most models have separate personal and professional accounts so that their private life can be kept separate.

Know your style

You may already know your style or you may still be finding it. Are you a cheesecake pinup? Or a saucy pinup? Whatever it is make sure it is something you are comfortable with, and if something doesn't fit with your brand - don't do it.
Your style should be reflected in your avatar/cover page, so whenever someone visits, they can quickly see what you are about.

Be professional from the start

If you are starting a Facebook page or blog or some other form of modelling page to get exposure, be professional from the start. Don't post photos on your professional page showing you drunk or flipping the bird! Always be thinking that a potential employer might be looking at your page and start out as you intend to go on.

Post only your best photos

If you do a tfp shoot and the photographer gives you all the photos - you don't have to post them all! Not all of the shots are going to be flattering, so don't use them. It's ok to use behind the scenes photos or selfies, just make sure they are flattering.

The perceptions of others

A big part of your brand is how others see you. How do you behave at a shoot? Do you turn up on time, act professionally and speak of others in a professional manner? There's no point in spending lots of money and time on building a professional looking website/portfolio if you don't act professionally.

Do you have any tips about branding or using social media?

Friday Photo

Photo  by Whiskey and Rye Photography

Do I look cool, calm and collected? It was actually over 40 degrees (100 F) on this day! I must remember to plan all my latex shoots in the cooler months!

How to overcome your nerves and fears when having a photoshoot.

We have a lot of ladies that say "I'm nervous" or "I've never done this before" when they visit us for a photoshoot.
First of all, let me say that this is quite normal. It's not unusual to feel anxious or nervous when you are doing something for the first time and it can even be a good thing. Nerves can help you focus on what's important and when you are done you will feel a great sense of achievement!

You should ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable before the shoot, so that you know what to expect.
 - Who will be there?
 - What should I bring?
 - Will someone help me with posing?

I like to make sure the client has all the information she needs beforehand. Don't feel like any question is a silly one!
You can also check out my "How to prepare for your photoshoot" article for more information.

Here are some common concerns people have;

"I don't know how to pose."

I don't expect you to, and that's why I am here!
I really enjoy helping ladies with their poses and giving advice on how to use props and seeing the wonderful pictures that are the results of our work together. I like to know beforehand what your ideas are and I do a lot of research to find poses that will suit you, your outfit and your theme.



Assisting with posing ideas.

"I need to lose some weight."

It seems there are many women that are unhappy with their bodies, even professional models. We are here to show you in your best light and know the best lighting, posing and angles that will flatter you. And any pictures you are not happy with can easily be deleted!

"Do you use Photoshop?"

Make sure you discuss this with your photographer so that you are comfortable with the level of retouching that will be done. We like to use retouching to make you look like you at your best, but any degree of 'Hollywood enhancements' are possible - just ask!

"Does boudoir mean I have to go nude?/I'm not sure if I want to go nude?"

Boudoir is French for a lady's private bedroom, sitting room or dressing room. Boudoir photography aims to create an erotic or semi-nude portrait where the nudity is generally implied rather than explicit. It is totally up to you what you choose to reveal.

Boudoir style photoshoot

You can have some fun with 'implied' nudity, where placement of props, fabric or limbs hides the fact that you are actually still wearing your underwear/swimwear.

'Implied' nudity!

If you decide you want to try this, make sure you are comfortable with the photographer and know who else will be there. At Whiskey & Rye I am always there to assist with posing and to help you feel comfortable.

I hope this has answered some of your questions. If you have any others, please let me know.

Personal style and confidence

I wanted to talk about personal style and reactions of others. I am saddened to hear stories from a number of ladies - pinups and those who chose to dress in other styles - of rude or cruel reactions from others. I don't expect these sorts of reactions and I have never gotten them.

Quite often I will receive positive comments about some aspect of my attire as I go about my regular, daily activities - maybe my dress or hat or jewellery. Even in my local pub a lady rushed up to me asking where I got my handbag from as she wanted to get one just like it for her daughter.

The 'must have' handbag!

My style also makes me memorable! At a recent work related seminar the photographer snapped a picture of me and told me how she loved my style and remembered me from the previous year as my outfits were always lovely.

On the cover of a seminar brochure.

My work colleagues are also positive about my vintage/retro style. A couple of my insterstate colleagues have even saved newspaper clippings about vintage/retro stores and events I might be interested in.

Photographers are also keen to snap me and hubby when we are out on the town!

Here I am with my husband - notice how we got more than just a headshot!

Your style can be a great way for people to connect with you and begin a conversation. This happened recently at a travel writing course that I am attending. A lady who noticed my attire thought I might be interested in a photographer she knew of from New York - Ari Seth Cohen - who photographs 'stylish and creative older folks'. The following week she even brought in a copy of one of his books for me to look at! Now I am following his work and it is really inspirational.

So, if you think you will stand out by choosing to wear your own style - you will! Wear it with confidence and a smile and look for the positives and hopefully you will be lucky like me!

What are your experiences? I'd love to hear about them.

Friday Photo

Zeezee. Photo by Whiskey and Rye Photography

Motion capture.

Adventures with Makeup

Last week I was lucky enough to be able to attend three full days of workshops with Jos Brands for Kryolan Professional Makeup.
Jos has been creating and teaching makeup artistry for many years and he is such an inspiration as he is so passionate about makeup and sharing his knowledge. You can see some of his work on his website.

Day One

The first day was dedicated to bodypainting. This is something I have not done before but wanted to find out what was involved. I like to take an opportunity to learn something new, or at least try something out to see if I want to pursue it, as I recently discussed on my post about stretching.

First up, we saw a runway show demonstrating some of the different techniques and products available, then Jos gave us some demonstrations. In the afternoon we had a chance to play with the products on live models, which was a great opportunity to try out different techniques such as airbrushing and freehand painting. Kryolan have some amazing products including a new body paint which will not rub off onto fabric, so can be worn under clothes as you can see in the above picture of the model with the jacket.
This experience has inspired me to find out more about this artform as a creative medium, as the limits are really just your imagination!

Here I am with our model.

Day Two

The focus of day two was Avante Garde and Editorial makeup. Again we were treated to a runway show illustrating different techniques and products.

Jos did a demonstration of airbrush makeup and shared a lot of useful information on the theory behind the latest high definition makeup.

Again we had an opportunity to experiment with the products, and here is a pic of me and my lovely model.

Day Three

Day three was special effects makeup! The effects demonstrated on this day were amazing as you can see! So many different techniques and products are available to achieve theatrical and realistic looking wounds.

The highlight of the day was when I was a model for Jos for the demonstration of a blister. The effect was so real, even close up.

I wanted to try to create a bruise, and think it was not too bad for my first attempt!

With Halloween just around the corner, keep an eye out and you might spot some of these techniques in some upcoming photos! Do you have any suggestions for something you would like to see?

Friday photo

Happy Friday the 13th!

Book Review - Million Dollar Mermaid

I recently decided to start reading biographies of vintage Hollywood stars and first on my list was Esther Williams!
I'm sure most of you have heard of Esther Williams - "America's mermaid" - the competitive swimmer turned MGM movie star of the 40s and 50s. She passed away on 6th June this year at the age of 91.

This wonderful autobiography was filled with personal stories right from her childhood to her fourth marriage to Edward Bell.
Esther began competitive swimming as a teen and missed out on going to the 1940 Olympics as they were cancelled due to the outbreak of war. Her first big break came when she starred in the Aquacade alongside Johnny Weismuller who would chase her around the pool at the end of the show sans swimming trunks! After that she reluctantly signed with MGM, and the rest is history!
She shared lots of behind the scenes stories that told so much of how Hollywood operated  back then and of the stars that she worked and socialised with including Lucille Ball, Marlene Dietrich, Ricardo Montalban, Gene Kelly and Joan Crawford. My favourite chapters include how she met Clark Gable and how he was the first one to call her 'mermaid', and how she came back from having broken several vertabrae in a scene in Million Dollar Mermaid when she took a dive with a crown on her head.

It was really interesting to read how her childhood shaped her decisions as she looked back on her life with the benefit of hindsight.  Unfortunately, as happened to so many Hollywood starlets, one of her husbands spent all of her money on gambling, alcohol and bad business decisions and all her years of moviemaking amounted to was a BIG tax bill!

I had trouble putting this book down and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the heyday of Hollywood.

Friday Photo

Bringing some vintage style to the pole! Costume by Vintage Suits by Mary.

Friday Photo

Going for a bit of a 'South Pacific' feel with the colour filters on this pic, though not quite as over the top as the movie!

Vintage Makeup - The Mystery of Rachel

Last week I wrote about my vintage purchases at a local market including some unopened face powders with my name on. Rachel was the name of a popular colour of face powder in the early to mid 20th century. But how did it come to be called that? I wanted to find out.

As is often the case with these sorts of things there are several possible stories!
The first I found in one of my makeup reference books - Retro Makeup.

Excerpt from Retro Makeup by Lauren Rennells

Elizabeth-Rachel Felix. Portrait by Joseph Kriehuber
Source: Wikipedia

This account came up a number of times in my research. But then I read about another Rachel - Sarah Rachel Russell (or Leverson), also known as ‘Madame Rachel’ (?1814 - 12 October 1880). It seems (as well as being involved in prostitution, fraud and blackmail) she sold cosmetics and toilet requisites in the 1860s, often making exaggerated or fraudulent claims. One product was a personal mixture of face powders.

Madame Rachel
Source: The Library of Nineteenth-Century Photography

Both interesting stories and I guess we will never be sure which is the true source of the name.
Anyway, as colour film and television came along, more shades of face powders were needed. Extra shades of Rachel were added such as Rachel No.1, Rachel No.2, Special Rachel and as seen here - Rose Rachel.

Friday Photo

It's important to choose appropriate props for your shoot, but they should complement the model, not dominate the picture.

Vintage shopping adventures

Polka Dot Vintage Markets and Antiques and Collectibles Fair

You never know what you will find at these markets, and it is often not what you are looking for, or is that what you are not looking for?!

Unfortunately I find that a lot of the 'vintage' clothes are from the 80s or 90s. If you are my age or older, you know that the 90s was only 'ten years ago' and does not qualify as vintage! What I am looking for is something nice and colourful from the sixties or classy from the 50s! They are there, but you have to look hard. This is one cute 60s dress I found at one of these markets not long ago.

The other problem I have when looking at vintage clothes is I am always drawn straight to the lurex! I think I must have been a magpie in a former life, because I love all the shinyness! I have to keep reminding myself I have enough lurex dresses!

What did I buy?

1950s manicure set - unused

 How many of you remember your grandma having one of these?

Unopened face powders. 

I couldn't resist these as they all had my name on! Rachel was the name of a popular colour of face powder in the early to mid 20th century.

Coffee Table Books

I love flicking through old coffee table books. There are loads of wonderful black and white pictures of the Hollywood stars. It's just not the same looking up stuff on IMDB!

 Cigarette cards

The subject of these cigarette cards is 'Film and Stage Beauties' and, as you can see, the pictures are just wonderful! It does make you wonder how many packets of cigarettes someone had to smoke to get the whole set.

Upcycled clock

I used to love playing Scrabble, although I suspect Dad might have let me win sometimes!
This unique clock is from NovelTea Vintage, who also make wonderful things from old tea cups and saucers.

What's your favourite vintage purchase?