Kiss Me, Simone

A nurse, a nurse, my kingdom for a nurse!

2012-07-07T23:33:00.000-07:00

Its been a crazy week, my Mother broke her wrist on the same day that her Husband, Cliff, went into hospital for a hip replacement... And while I could take all this very seriously, I decided it would be much more fun to be a little silly!
Today we broke Cliff out of hospital. Of course my main duty was chauffer, since neither of them can drive a manual. I really dont like driving, and thats why I dont have a car, so I had to drive Cliffs car and I had to take the tunnel, Ugh! So, to take my mind off it and to give the folks a giggle, I played dress ups!

... and who doesnt like a nurse?

My Inspiration? Nurse Ratched for the hair...

and the Louis Vuitton Nurses of course!

Marc Jacobs took his inspiration from Richard Prince, who I also adore, for his creepy take on pulp art...

...and since we are on the subject of creepy nurses, this photoshoot from Interview magazine is amazing...

Click here to see the rest of the set.

And finally, proof that I took it all the way to the hospital, a rather awkward photo...

A little something I forgot to mention about stockings.

2012-06-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

What does Denier, Gauge, and Needle mean?

Opps! I forgot to mention this in my earlier post about stockings! If you want to know more about stockings you can read about them here.

Basically denier, gauge and needle refer to the sheerness and density of the weave of the stockings.

Denier is the most common term and its still used today on modern stockings and tights. It refers to the thickness of a single thread of the yarn used. 15 denier was the original minimum thickness used, although you can get 5 denier stockings. 15 denier stockings are ultra sheer and they can also be referred to as “dress sheers”, they aren’t generally considered strong enough for day to day wear. Vintage stockings for everyday wear generally start at 30 denier, and they use multifilament thread.

Gauge and Needle are simply different ways of measuring the same thing, they measure the number of stitches in 1 ½ inches of stocking. 60 gauge equals 474 needle. So the higher the gauge the tighter the knit, its like thread count in sheets, the tighter the knit the stronger the stockings.

In dress sheers there are 3 very common combinations used, 15 denier and 51 gauge, 15 denier and 54 gauge, 15 denier and 60 gauge. With 60 gauge stockings considered the most prized, the most luxurious.

I’m going to be very honest here, I really can’t tell the difference. I’ve heard people say the 60 gauge isn’t as sheer but it feels much silkier and firmer on the leg. I’ve taken a photo of three different stockings for you, to see if you can tell which is which, but unfortunately with the autofocus on my camera its a little difficult, but see what you think...

The bottom pair 60’s, the middle 54’s and the top 51’s. All are 15 denier vintage stockings but not the same brand or age so that probably affects things too.

Tell me you love my new black diamond heels, because I adore them!!

...and what do you wear for the Diamond Jubilee?

2012-06-03T01:13:00.000-07:00

What does one wear for Lovely Liz's Diamond Jubilee?

I heart the Union Jack Shoes of course!


And a period apropriate dress wouldn't hurt! Our Queen Maj accended the throne in 1952, so this looks about right...


Of course with the right dress, you must wear the right lingerie!

Probably best if you keep your clothes on though...

Haha, procrastination over, its back to the sewing for me, I hope you enjoyed that!

Simone

But I don't have a thing to wear! Wardrobe planing with some 1960's advice.

2012-05-27T09:00:00.001-07:00

Winter is Coming! No, I haven't watched too much Game of Thrones, here in sunny West Australia, its getting chilly. And I haven't got a thing to wear, I swear!

I'm desperately trying to halt the flurry of new season spending and credit card singing and I'm taking advice from my 1960's textbook on style, and I'm wardrobe planning.

"Have you ever looked in your closet and said "I haven't anything to wear?" Of course, you had something - your closet wasn't empty. What you really meant was that you didn't have a suitable item for a certain occasion"

Oh, right, yeah...

So, I'm taking the "Dress" challenge because...

"A wise girl knows that, three and three can equal nine, clothing outfits"

Sure, I knew that... but to make things a little harder, I'm not going to use any black clothing items (I wear black all day at work, so I'm not so keen on wearing it for play) and I want every outfit to look as different as possible, no-one needs to know that I'm wearing the same three skirts and the same three cardigans every day!

So the items I chose for my 3 and 3:

Cardigan 1. A little bit of preppy argyle from Cue, I love it and its wool so its warm!
Cardigan 2. An old favourite my Faster Pussycat Cardi.
Cardigan 3. Something I bought last summer on Etsy, a mid-century vintage beaded number, its an Angora and Lambs Wool blend and fully lined, Yummy!

Skirt 1. I've had this for about 5 years and I wear it all the time, a vintage navy leather pencil skirt I found on Ebay.
Skirt 2. A bit of green boucle from West Australian fashionista Suzi Homemaker.
Skirt 3. I bought yesterday from Good Sammy's for $13, its pure wool and a-line with front pockets. All kinds of practical I'm just not sure how it fits with my existing wardrobe...

1.

OK, I started off with something easy, as I've worn this before.

The top is a lovely piece of vintage pink nylon with a seersucker effect that I bought at Memory Lane.
The shoes are from Wittner, I bought them for $22 on sale, and they hurt like a bitch after only a few hours shopping, oh I hate you Wittner!!
The handbag was a bit of a splash out purchase from Alannah Hill, worth every penny.

...and red is always a great highlight right?

2.

Oh, so proud of myself, I bought these vintage shoes at a market last year and I've never worn them, they are olive green with an orange insert, but look, they go with my new little orange hat - only $12 at Love Couture.
The shirt is embroidered Chinese silk and the handbag is from Forever New.

Damn it, no earrings, surely a fashion faux pas already...

3.

So... this skirt doesn't go with my usual look, So I went all Navajo I understand its in right now?

With knee high leather boots, wool skirt, wool cardi and unbelievably warm wool scarf from the Country Road clearance outlet. If you wanna go do Peyote in the desert, I'm totally ready...

4.

Another tried and true favourite outfit, I got the tartan bustier from the Cotton On Clearance for $2! I doesn't fit well, but under a cardi, you can hardly tell!

My slime bag is from Dangerfield and the Union Jack shoes my Mum bought for me in the UK, love you Mum!

5.

Mmm... not sure about this one, is the pussy bow scarf to much? Not sure about the bracelets either... I really should bring those creepers out more often though!

6.

I was trying to channel Ralph Lauren, I think there is something kinda Ralph about this skirt... but those shoes? Really? Purple?

FAIL

7.

Ah... and then things continue to go down hill, the cardi, skirt and leopard print singlet - that I made - yay! Too easy, they go together just dandy.
The massive mint green vintage earrings? No!
Pink glitter wedges? HELL NO!
Jesus!

8.

Hold on, I think I'm back on track, this lovely vintage nylon top is all pin tucks and diamante's and it just arrived from the US yesterday. I love you etsy! Teamed with my Kiss Me Quick torsollette, worn throughout, its just dishy!

Oh and I cant forget my Marc by Marc Jacob heels, bought on sale of course!

9.

Here we have it folks, absolute and irrefutable proof that 3 and 3 does not make 9, three and three makes 6! because this skirt and this cardi are never, ever going to go together!!

So its all justifiable, the unending wardrobe choices, the bargain hunting and vintage stalking, the "I've got nothing to wear" dilemmas...

My next problem? What am I going to wear to church...

Pasties were pointier in the 60's

2012-04-05T07:50:00.000-07:00

A little bit of fun from Squire Magazine June 1965

DIY - Showgirl Stockings!

2012-02-29T00:37:00.000-08:00

This is one for all the crafty people and the DIY burlesque ladies.

Prompted by a question posted on a burlesque forum, Where can you get showgirl stockings, the type that appear to have no band around the top and come all the way up under your butt?

I actually don’t know where you can buy them, but I know how to make them!

In fact I've been making them for years, it’s a great way to resurrect a pair of fishnet tights that have... err... given out, in the crotch, it happens to us all! Or, because stockings don’t come in the variety of colours that tights do, you can have some crazy patterned or coloured stockings that no-one else has.

These are some that I made a long time ago, but they are still my favourites!

The Tutorial

Step 1. Choose your tights!

I havent tried working with opaques or stockings, the ladder factor does concern me, but since these are showgirl tights, fishnets are definitely the go. If you’re really tall and you want them to gather a little or roll down at the top, buy the biggest size you can get, you can always make them shorter.

Step 2. Get cutting.

Cut just below the crotch, use sharp scissors and long snips. Too easy.

Step 3. Choose your elastic.

I use what I call "knicker" elastic; there are heaps of different kinds available. Elastic that stretches further feels thicker and quickly returns to shape, like the black one I chose is going to fit firmer around the thigh. So its more secure. I also chose some vintage silver lame elastic, just for fun.

Step 4. Cut the elastic.

to judge the length just wrap the elastic around your thigh, you don’t want it too tight, just what feels comfortable. Add 2cm for overlap and cut 2 lengths. Then you want to sew the ends together to make circles of elastic. This bit I find is easier said than done.

Step 5. Get stitching.

Pot the elastic around the top of your tights, stretch them out and pin them down at regular intervals, this helps you to get the gathering even. I sew it on twice to get a better finish, so, sew it on first frilly side down the leg.

Just use a basic zigzag stitch.

Once you've done that, turn the frill up and sew again.

And ta-da! You’re done! You can add bows or pompom's or diamantes’ to your heart’s content but I'll leave that up to your discretion!

* EDIT*

Due to popular request, from all the non-sewing lasses, you can now buy showgirl stockings here!

Stockings - More than you ever wanted to know!

2011-11-28T01:30:00.000-08:00

Stockings 101

I have an admission to make, I have a stocking fetish... Only a little one, only about 60 pairs at the moment – it has been over 100, I’m in recovery!

Just a small part of the collection!

I have noticed that the art of wearing stockings is a dying one, so I thought I might try to educate anyone who might be interested. Plus its getting too hot to wear them here so I have to prolong the pleasure somehow, and talking about them is nearly as good as wearing them.

Firstly, stockings go up to mid-thigh and stop there, they need garters to hold them up, if they go all the way up to the waist they are pantihose or tights. I’ve noticed that pantihose is a term usually used for plain sheers (see-through) and tights for opaques (not see-through) and patterns.

I’m going to ignore hold-up’s (horrid things) they generally have a silicone band and hold themselves up by gripping the flesh. Ugh!

So, here we go, everything a pin-up lass or boudoir belle needs to know about wearing, buying and looking after stockings

Wearing stockings – Garter belts and girdles.

I’ve noticed a whole heap of mainstream lingerie ranges coming out with garter belts, otherwise known as suspender belts or “suspies”, beware, beware and be careful what you buy!

Modern suspenders tend to have very small or narrow garter clips, quite often made of plastic. They are very pretty and perfectly suitable if you only intend to wear them for 30mins or so... If your looking for all day/evening wear, these baby’s will drive you crazy, unhooking themselves at all the inappropriate moments.

Look for wide, retro style clips with a metal hook and a rubbery tab for best results.

Don’t fall for plastic boning. Lots of modern garters, like cheap bustier’s, are made with thin plastic boning, you might think they’re going to hold you in and give you a pretty shape and they probably will, while you stand in the fitting room. Just don’t sit down, ever. Plastic boning changes its shape, causing strange divots and bumps and digging into the skin, not good, not comfortable either. I stick on the safe side and don’t trust any boning; I rip it out if I have too!

For comfort and ease choose retro shaped garter belts, sitting on the waist, they have thick bands and fit tight. I recommend 6 garter clips for the best result but 4 is fine, more than 6 and your heading into fetish territory which is perfectly fine if that’s where you want to go!

Personally, for day to day wear, I go for the roll-on girdle every time. Stretchy, flattering and foolproof! A girdle is basically a tight stretchy skirt, but really short. You can get panty girdles and shorty ones, in modern jargon we’re talking “shapewear”. I’m not just blowing smoke here but my “More than a Date” girdle is the best I’ve ever worn, I designed it because I knew what I was looking for and plenty of lasses have agreed with me on this one. Comfortable, flattering, keeps your stockings up and your seams straight! Perfect!

“Roll – on” means there are no hooks or zips, you fold the top half over the bottom half, step in, and pull up. Rolling the top half back up again to your waist. Fastenings are bulky, roll-ons are smooth.

Putting them on

Please for the love of nylon, don’t put your toe in the top end and pull, I’ve seen it done, the world is full of heathens!! Put your thumbs into the opening and gather the stocking up with your fingers until you reach the toe and then slip your wee foot in.

If your wearing seams, make sure you keep the seam straight as you gather, as your pulling the stocking up your leg, keep your little fingers on the seam so you can position it up the back of your leg as you go. Then check your handy work in a mirror, you’ll get good at it over time!

When putting on super fine and full fashioned stockings its always recommended that you wear gloves to avoid snagging them on your nails.

When wearing full fashioned stockings I find its easier if your legs are freshly shaven and well moisturised, the stockings cling to your legs and stay up better, but you will need to get your seams straight the first time, because they are hard to move!

Stockings can make your feet slippery in your shoes, spraying the bottom of your stockinged feet with hairspray can help with this.

When your happy with your seams, its time to clip them in place. There is no easy way to do the back garter clips, I’ve heard people recommend sitting down for it, but I do it standing, see how you go. Always keep your clips and straps straight. Twisted clips will dig into your skin like a bitch! Trust me, I have scars, I learnt the hard way.

Oh, and wear your knickers over your suspender belt! Its smoother under your clothes, its easier to go to the bathroom and in the boudoir or the back of the car, you can keep the stockings on but get those panties off, hot!

In the 1950’s sweater girls liked to wear their stockings inside out – to make the seams more prominent – its not a fashion that translates, please wear your stockings the right way in, fuzzy edges go on the inside.

Also, if your wearing a mock Cuban or French heels, the detail goes on the heel, over your achilles, not half way up your calf. I’ve argued with models over this, trust me I’m right, read the next part on vintage stockings and you’ll see why.

Stockings too long? I have this problem all the time, roll the tops down before you clip them into place.

Buying Stockings

There are heaps of places to buy stockings if you know where to look!

In desperation, there are always the adult shops, the quality is poor and the price is high, so only if your desperate. They primarily stock Leg Avenue and Music Legs here in Australia, choose Leg Avenue over Music Legs, but they are both pretty bad.

Lingerie stores generally have something, the ranges are small and the quality mimics the quality of the lingerie they sell.

Department stores vary, sometimes they are great, sometimes they aren’t. It just depends whats in vogue. Prices are generally high.

I buy 99% of my stockings online from the UK. I don’t know why but they are so much cheaper in the UK and the ranges are amazing. I’m currently addicted to www.stockingsHQ.com and I totally recommend them, range is great, service is great, price is great!

I buy my vintage stockings online too, but I’m not telling you where!

Vintage and Full Fashioned Stockings

If you want to get that period look right or for the touch of fine nylon, you want full fashioned stockings. They are oh so sexy, but they are not easy, or cheap, you’ve been warned...

Full Fashioned Stockings debuted in the 1939 Worlds Fair, they were made of the latest discovery from DuPont, Nylon. Nylon stockings went into production slowly and there availability was severely hampered by WWII, owning them was restricted to movie stars and wealthy socialites. Attributing to their cult status I’m sure. They are still in production to this day, made on the same machines, the same way.

Prior to this time ladies mostly wore silk and knitted cotton stockings, and they fastened them with garters (not a garter belt, but garters like those tossed at weddings, bands around the thigh). So if you want to reproduce a 20’s or 30’s look, sheer nylon is not the way to go, its something that really bothers me in period films and TV...

Gingers Snaps!

Full Fashioned stockings are non-stretch, they are woven flat and shaped like a woman’s leg, then they are stitched down the back. They don’t feel anything like modern stockings. The non-stretch quality does produce two “problems”, bagging at the knees and wrinkling at the ankles. I actually savour both of these qualities as proof of “the real thing”. You might not!

Dolly wears a rather trashed pair of modern FF stockings with a cuban heel

There are several other qualities known only in true full fashioned stockings, they have a reinforced toe, foot and heel. Heel shapes can vary, the most common are French or point heels and Cuban or square finished heels.

They have small “spider tracks” on either side of the seam where stitches have been dropped or added to create shape. Also, at the welt (the reinforced top) there is a “key hole” finish at the seam, the hole goes on the inside. Some stockings are stamped on the welt, this goes on the outside of the left thigh.

If you want to really impress me (of course I have admirers who want to send me stockings, ha!) The holy grail for me is nude, black foot stockings with a large key hole, preferably vintage, Cuban heel, in a 9... just so you know!

Whats Blackfoot? Its when the reinforced toe, foot, heel and the stitching in the seam, are in black. Also known as high contrast.

How does vintage sizing work? Vintage stockings are generally sized 8 through to 11, this corresponds to the length of your foot in inches. You should get them a little bigger to allow room for your toes to move, or you’ll rip straight through them. When you put them on, leave a bit of length at the toe, kind of like putting on a condom... oh dear... Vintage sellers will often also list the length of the stockings, vintage stockings are really short, so check this if your tall. They may also be described as “Opera Length” That also means long. Coloured bands at the welt, can indicate extra length or width, or as with my black ones with hot pink bands, it means they are genuine Schiaparelli!

Be careful when buying vintage, I don’t think sellers lie, they just don’t know. They often list FF stockings as 1930’s or 1940’s. 1930’s is impossible, 1940’s is very unlikely. FF stockings still accounted for 5% of the stocking market in Britain in the 1970’s! But if they still look like FF stockings, and the price is right, buy them! One thing I really look for is the texture of the stocking itself, it should be smooth not crepe. These crepe finish stockings are known as mesh stockings, they are later in date, and not as nice. So many pin-up girls buy crepe finished or matte finished faux FF stockings for photo shoots, ladies, you can do better!

RHT: Means reinforced heel and toe, seamless, they are a fetish all of their own, just not one that’s really fashionable right now, maybe you can bring it back!

Mesh RHT stockings from the 60/70's

Stockings marked “irregulars” or “imperfects” are just that, the factories that still make FF stockings often sell off irregulars now just as they did in the past. I’ve never bought them but I have a friend who has and couldn’t find any problems with them. They are often much cheaper new, although vintage sellers tend to ignore this.

Washing Stockings

Ok, this is my big flaw with my stockings, I often just chuck them in the wash with everything else, usually I’ll add the luxury of a delicate cycle and a wash bag... This is criminal, and just plain lazy!!

Even worse I do know how to wash them properly, so today I’m washing 2 pairs of vintage stockings, properly!

I always believe in washing vintage stockings before wear, they can be so delicate and I don’t want them to just fall apart due to a build up of dust in the fibres, plus any spring I can put in them is good!

Today I’m trialling a delicate wash solution from The Laundress, I got this from www.dirtyprettythings.com, they also sell Cervin Stockings at a good price, yummy!

To avoid snagging your stockings you can hand wash them with gloves on, or put them in a jar, like I do! Shake and rinse, easy!

When drying, don’t hang them on the line, they snag on the pegs and flap around grabbing anything else they can get. The vintage method is to roll them up in a fluffy towel OR press between 2 towels with a rolling pin! I don’t own a rolling pin (shock, horror) so I tried the first method. It was pretty good, but they still felt a little damp to me, so I’ve hung over a rail in the bathroom!

...and I think thats it! Possibly everything I know about stockings! I hope it was useful!

Salon de Salope!

2011-11-14T05:01:00.000-08:00

Ah kittens, I know, I’ve been gone, I’ve treated you mean, alas, how you must have missed me!

I jest of course! It has been awhile though, I managed to exhaust myself, get sick and spend every hour that I wasn’t at my day job asleep. How dull...

But let me tell you about a little something I did before the Eveready bunny ran out of batteries.

My little self and the luscious Lady Jade of Suzi Homemaker put together a wee pop-up shop called Salon De Salope as part of a little West Australian event called Outskirts. Of course we cohorts – no show without punch – There was a photobooth form David Woolley, Cupcakes from Clara Cupcakes, Millinery from Arnavez Lindsay, Handbags from Martha and Lilly, Artwork from Bonnie Boogaard, Fashion from Fallen Feathers, Rope bondage performances by K42, Burlesque from Samantha Diamond and Vivianne Marlowe, A pastie making workshop from yours truly and a vintage hair and makeup workshop!!

Tell me, is it possible to do more in 2 days?

My little stall

Birdies and the fabulous birdcage!

Our Feisty Window Dispay!

Miss Diamond's Performance - Amazing photo from David Woolley

The innocence of children!

Focusing on the Fabulous!

2011-06-26T23:59:00.000-07:00

Firstly I’d like to say a Big CONGRATULATIONS to Kelly Ann Doll for getting first runner up in Miss Burlesque Australia, love you kitten, can’t wait to see some footage of your show!!

Now, in the last few months I’ve made a big effort to get out in the world and be open to new experiences and try new things and work really damn hard on the label. There have been a few triumphs and there have been quite a few failures. It seems that being a good person and expecting others to be the same, doesn’t necessarily work out and that my natural state of “creative hermit” does have allot of merits. But I’m not giving up on you old world and today we focus on the fabulous!

My turn as burlesque debutant, Tipsy Bubble and getting my boobs out onstage!

I’d wanted to do it for years, but I’d not performed for so long and I’d accepted my back stage role as “designer” that crossing the divide was terribly difficult to contemplate. But folks there is a bridge between the worlds of “crew” and “talent” and baby I crossed it! I also got to give a big “f#ck you” to my ex-husband who so kindly pointed out that those burlesque girls are “allot slimmer than you”. Hmph!

I’d like to say thank you to the lovely Samantha Diamond for all her encouragement and coaching and my new name, and to Black Cherry for having me! If your in Sydney, go to Black Cherry, so much fun and soo much bang for your buck!

So what can I say? First things first, its all preparation, rehearsals and forking out the cash. Getting all feathered and sparkly doesn’t come cheap! From false eyelashes to getting grip put on my stilettos I have to say appreciate more and more all the work performers go to to create their acts.

I’d also like to highly recommend Jo Weldon’s work, “The Burlesque Handbook” its brilliant, the woman is fantastic, everyone get down on your knees before her!

Of course I made my own costume, and of course I put all my orders and everyone else’s requests before my own and soo it all got done at the last minute. I love a deadline! This is me, at the awesome Petty Cash Cafe finishing my pasties, on the day!!

Then it was on to the show, and to stage fright and too many nervous ladies in one very small space! I think one of the best things about working in this sort of environment is the people you meet, and there were some lovely gals, I dint get to see their performances because I was on near the very end, but everyone was so encouraging and sweet that it was a total honour to be a part of it all.

The things I learnt:

#1 Take your watch off you silly goose, a glove pull that reveals a very masculine watch is just rather odd!

#2 Bring something to put on back stage over or instead of your costume, because...

#3 You can’t sit down in a dress covered in balloons and feathers.

#4 Getting stage fright and breaking out in a sweat in a dress covered in feathers is really uncomfortable and leads to a paranoia that your going to get onstage with feathers stuck to your armpits. And other places.

Finally I’d like to mention the real performers of the night Mark Winmill and Lillian Starr, if you get the chance to see them, do it! Mark came up to me back stage and said lovely things about my performance and all I could think was “Oh my god, the gorgeous man is speaking to me!” ... “Oh my god, I think he’s saying something nice” ... “Oh my god Simone stop gawking and say something back!!” Oh and Lillian’s “Cherry Pie” routine is an absolute show stopper!

So, I did it! All the way down to pasties and a g-string! Loardy! Since I don’t have a photo of the final reveal, you’ll have to make do with this one, the morning after, no make up and no editing, but you do get to see my fabulous pasties!!

Designing For Kelly Ann Doll

2011-06-20T22:56:00.000-07:00

That glorious pocket rocket, Miss Kelly Ann Doll is the reigning Miss Burlesque Victoria and this weekend she competes for the national title! Woohoo! Of course, she will be wearing Kiss Me Quick!

I’ve been designing costumes for Kelly for about 5 years, she’s amazing to work with, and although I feel I’ve failed her occasionally, she loves me still... Kelly is so tiny that sometimes my overtly theatrical style swamps her and I’ve learnt to pull it back, allot!

Bless her, she’s always found a way to style whatever I give her to work with. Its one of the things I love about working in burlesque that’s different from any work I’ve done as a costume designer, I’m not creating the full look, I create pieces that evolve with the star. They morph into different outfits, with different pairings, stockings, hats and gloves are added, and rhinestones applied. Glorious girliness!

I think her current pieces represent some of the best work I’ve ever done, and she makes them look amazing!

This is the number that won her, her current title, watch it, its unbelievably hot:

I designed the bra and knickers, they are unaltered by the star, in hand beaded Cambodian lace! You can get a better look at it here, as she poses for the Sunday Age!

And yesterday another little piece for her costume this weekend (to add to the outfit on the left) flew on its way to her...

Drool over Kelly a little more on her facebook

If your interested in getting your own custom Kiss Me Quick piece, email me!

Some of kelly’s previous costumes:

In an emerald green bustle and matching bra.

Kelly is in a KMQ custom pussy bow playsuit, on the left!


In high waisted knickers and matching bra, I had to take the knickers in twice, she is so tiny!!

Chas Ray Krider and "The Story of the Eye"

2011-06-11T23:15:00.000-07:00

Ah... two things that seem to be bound in my mind... they live in a world thats both sexy, fascinating and revolting. Its like a scab, you want to leave it alone, but its working some irresistible pull on your subconscious...

I’m talking about the photographic work of Chas Ray Krider and the book “The story of the eye” by Georges Bataille. Treading the line where erotica meets art, beauty takes second place.

The Story of the Eye:

I read an excerpt from this book many years ago in “Another Magazine” in 2005. For a start it was a strange thing to put in a magazine, its quite an explicit pornographic work, its morals are muddy to say the least. I’d love to tell you that the erotic scenes are not alluring in the slightest way, yet that would be a lie... They are not politically correct, filled with debasement, torture, filth, and madness... The part where they wrench the mind is that place where the body and the mind of the reader act apart, separated, do you dare to admit the turn on? I will concede that that happens less and less as the story goes on, but its a trap, an appeal to your animal instincts, an unwrapping or your modern mind to the basest of human emotion? Yes, it does that...

"Now in the corner of the hallway there was a saucer of milk for the cat. "Milk is for pussy, isnt it?" Said Simone. "Do you dare me to sit in the saucer?"

"I dare you" I answered, almost brethless."

...and thats the cleanest quote I could find!

It also goes on and on about Eyes and Eggs and Testicals. It uses my name in vain.

But let’s be honest, there is something weird about eggs. Do you remember that scene in Angel Heart, where Robert De Niro’s character eats the eggs? Not to mention that people lose their eyes and get suffocated by their own genitalia in that movie...

Chas Ray Krider:

Ok, next to all that Mr Krider is a pussy cat! I adore his work, adore it, with reverence. A very important part of his work is that point where I think “I dont really like that” its some part of the scene that’s just vaguely disturbing... I did read a blog comment somewhere that went something along the lines of “what is it about sex in motels thats 30% erotic and 70% depressing?”. I like that comment, I empathise.

I recently found his second book “Do not Disturb” in a second hand bookshop in Sydney. I’m glad he still has the same effect on me, I felt slightly dirty about purchasing it, its like buying condoms, just ever so slightly ergh!

Of course I love the vintage lingerie he uses, and the retro styled surrounds, but so many people do those things. What’s so special here?

Its the waiting, the stillness, the blank faces, is that boredom in her eyes?

Flesh available, mind abstracted.

Has money been transacted?

Links to little pieces of my own history that I’m not going to tell you about. Girl has her secrets.

The Demise and the Revival of independent retailers, service and quality.

2011-04-07T07:43:00.000-07:00

Tonight I actually sat down for a spot of telly, this is something I rarely do and I’ve been a little inspired, or maybe educated is the right word? Anyhow it got me to thinking! The program that got me here was ABC’s “Turning back time: the high street” and I’ve come in on the tail end but... The show featured a small town in the UK that has lost its high street. You know the look, all those boarded up and disused shops, such a shame! So they turned back time and every week they recreated a high street, complete with shops and shopkeepers, from eras through time. From Victorian times through to the 1970’s.

This episode was the 1960’s! Oh so cute, milk bars and mods and beehives, fabulous! Sadly though the 1960’s saw the demise of specialist retailers, with the advent of mass produced product and self service particularly in the form of the modern convenience store, tens of thousands of people lost their incomes. Particularly bakers, butchers and dressmakers, people who offered personalised service and quality couldn’t compete with cheap prices. Alas, people haven’t changed, in this small town the customers lamented the demise of these services yet they still put their money where their mouths were and bought the cheap mass produced product. Shame! Why do we not value quality and service?

Yet I named this blog with hope – the revival! Many of you don’t know but I also have a full time job, I manage a tea shop! Its a wonderful thriving business selling quality products with fabulous service and a social atmosphere. Yes, that old fashioned business model can work today. Also in the area where I work, the charming suburb of Claremont (where the average wage is twice the national average) we have a fantastic butcher, not only is the meat amazing, and the pies to die for, but the staff are lovely and they wear those cute retro blue and white striped aprons, I love that! Also we have what might be the best shoe repair store in Australia, oh yes they are that good, Danny’s shoe repair in Claremont. Go there, shoes come back like new, I swear to god!!

This leads me to praise and shout out to my fellow ladies of the independent australian fashion army, beautiful individual products that fight the mass market. Please visit these sites and wear their products with pride!!

Hot Couture – www.hotcouture.com.au

Suzi Homemaker – www.suzihomemaker.com.au

Moxie Minx - www.moxieminx.com.au

Peta Pledger - www.petapledger.com

Miss Hussy Clothing - www.misshussy.bigcartel.com

RIP Tex, with all my love...

2011-04-04T20:58:00.000-07:00

I read somewhere that grief is wanting something you cant have... I just wanted my dog to live forever, is it really that much to ask?

This is a tribute to Tex, who died last Tuesday the 29^th of March at approximately 5:15pm. He was 14yrs old, give or take, and for 5 months he’d suffered from a Squamous Cell Carcinoma. He fought bravely but in the end I couldn’t watch him suffer anymore. He spent his last night in bed with me and I carried him to the vet when he wouldn’t walk anymore.

I still listen for the sound of his claws tapping on the wooden floor boards, on sunny afternoons I still expect him to be lounging outside and I still leave the door open for him. For 14 years he was always there and always mine to come home to... Now without our hour long walks in the evening I just don’t know what to do with myself.

I miss you terribly Tex...

At the river, swiming with his mates in his last weeks...

When we first moved to Perth, a big house and a great yard and still I dont think he was impressed.

Chasing Trains

Chasing Ducks

Tex art...

In my dirty washing, I think he'd been missing me while I was at work.

Chasing ducks by moonlight.

Marchesa Casati - Dedication to a Muse

2011-02-11T22:40:00.000-08:00

Well, its been a week or two between posts, not that I've run out of ideas, far from it, but a dedicated lingerie diva can get lost under the work load that is Valentines Day - Ah Me!

I've re-opened my etsy store in this time, with some ready to post items and I will be dedicating myself to cleaning out my vast fabric and embellishment stash and creating lots of new limited edition goodies for you!
Kiss Me Quick on Etsy

Now, with the rush all but over my thoughts turn to new products and a new collection, and a little book that landed on my door step weeks ago. "Infinite Variety - The Life and Legend of the Marchesa Casati"

Of course I'm not the first to be inspired by the legendary muse, as a living work of art she commissioned hundreds of works, all featuring her own visage. After death she continues this legend, and she has been heavily represented in fashion. Not least, John Galliano dedicated his 1998 spring/summer haute couture collection for Dior to her.

If you don’t know her, I recommend you find out. She was a flame haired eccentric, once Italy's wealthiest woman she died in poverty in London. Her decadence, flamboyance and excessiveness were unrivalled. Her ambition? "To be a living work of art".

Of course aside from all her exhibitionism (Cheetah’s on diamond leashes, live snakes as necklaces, nude gold painted servants etc) its her style that I'm drawn too. Its theatricality, and the constant symbols she maintained throughout her life, Her red hair, her dark kohl laden eyes, her veils, her pearls, her fondness for white, black, violet and gold...

Vintage Magazine Love

2011-01-18T07:25:00.000-08:00

Many years ago I chanced upon a copy of a magazine called "Movie Merry-Go -Round" from 1936. Stuffed in a basket full of old bits of tat in a dusty old bookshop long gone – I saw it and fell in love. Its filled with page after page of cheesecake, burlesque beauties and film stills from the time, a plethora of feathers fur and tap panties!

Its one of my favourite things to flick through but unfortunately is slowly falling apart and crumbling away. So I thought I should scan some of the images for posterity and to share with other like minded individuals. Enjoy!

Movie Merry-Go Round

15 cents in September 1936

Originally purchased at Dymock's Book Arcade and Railway Bookstalls - George St Sydney

"I wear genuine silk stockings," Advises Adrienne. "A girls all wet if she hasn't sense enough to keep out of the rayon"

"Did your new boy friend like you in this costume?"
"Yes it was love at fur's sight"

Catherine knows a girl who bought a book about nudists - and she read it from cover to uncover"

"The sky's the limit with this dance", murmurs Myrtle, "it ends with a balloon ascension"

"These men in the audience don't seem to know much about women."
"Well we ought to be able to give them a few pointers"

This one is my favourite! Ginger Rogers - "These are my own brand of elastic garters," gaggs Ginger. "I call them 'Cookies' because they're Gingers Snaps"

Rock and Roll Faux Fringe

2011-01-17T04:28:00.000-08:00

I always get asked how I do this, and this is how I learn't!

Burlesque event of the month

2011-01-17T01:19:00.000-08:00

Burlesque Royale, in Sydney and Melbourne! One show has already sold out so, get your tickets! Alas, its on the other side of the country for me so someone will have to send me a review. Of course some of these performers I’ve seen before and even worked with, so I know how good they are... Wishing them all the best for a great night! Oh and think of KMQ when you open those goodie bags!