Bowerbird Vintage

Bowerbird update and beautiful retro inspired swimwear!

2011-11-14T21:24:00.006+11:00

It's been a while since I posted anything because things have been so hectic.

So many things have changed recently. The big news is that the lovely Kim from Vintage on Bay has taken over Bowerbird Vintage now and has the site looking amazing with some truly gorgeous vintage dresses, party frocks, hats and accessories. You must visit!

Kim will also take over the blogging duties soon to discuss all things vintage. I'll make the occasional guess appearance :)

Another great retro inspired site you must check out is Betty Diamond. Betty Diamond designer, Helen Hooper creates the most beautiful retro inspired swimwear. The material and the halter neck, boy leg styles are simply so flattering and the best part is they suit the womanly figure perfectly. It's so hard to find gorgeous, plus sized swimsuits.

Well done Helen. We Love!

Beautiful online store at Vintage on Bay

2011-08-29T11:09:00.003+10:00

This store has some of the most wonderful vintage dresses.
check out VINTAGE ON BAY

Vintage Inspiration

2011-05-09T09:08:00.013+10:00

I know she's everywhere these days and cited as just about every fashion editor, blogger and clothes crazy girls inspiration, but I really love Alexa Chung's style. Of course it helps to have an exquisite face, whip thin body and amazingly long legs - She can basically wear whatever she likes and still look gorgeous and completely fashion forward (to women anyway, my male friends think she might benefit from a good feed)

She does do vintage spendidly and has a knack for the old/new mashup like no-one else. I love her penchant for Peter-pan collars and MaryJane's and some of the vintage dresses she has whipped out this year at various photo ops have been seriously fabulous. Let's have a looky:

Vogue Australia

2011-02-04T18:27:00.003+11:00

You simply must check out the amazing kaleidoscope of colour madness that is March Vogue. A little crazy...A little vintage circa 1970's and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
We adore!

Ann Leibovitz - A Photographer's Life 1990 -2005 Exhibition At The MCA

2011-01-05T09:56:00.003+11:00

A SUMMER MUST SEE FOR ALL FASHION LOVERS AND BUDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Summertime in Sydney is full of exciting artistic & cultural events and I'm always excited when a new exhibition comes to the MCA as it is my favourite art venue in the city.

Right now the Annie Leibovitz expose is showing so get your fashionable butts down to Circular Key asap:

"Following a record-breaking tour of the US and Europe, this hugely popular exhibition showcases commercial, documentary and personal works selected by the artist.

The exhibition brings together almost 200 iconic images of famous public figures together with personal photographs of her family and close friends. At the heart of the exhibition, Leibovitz’s personal photography documents scenes from her life, including the birth and childhood of her three daughters, and vacations, reunions, and rites of passage with her parents, her extended family and close friends"

Admission Details:
Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s Life 1990–2005
Organised by the Brooklyn Museum,
19 November 2010– 27 March 2011.

Admission $15, concessions $10
MCA Members free
Children 12 years and under free
Family (2 adults and 3 children aged 13-17) $40

Creatively Christmas Shopping

2010-11-26T08:22:00.005+11:00

You simply have to find your way to the Finders Keepers markets next weekend, Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th of December at the Carriage works in Eveleigh, Sydeny. A treasure Trove of handmade fabuluousness from some of the best young designers in the country!
Visit: www.thefinderskeepers.com

And for all you vintage fashion lovers looking for a vintage party frock to wear to your Christmas parties, "The way We Were" fair is on the following weekend, Friday night, 10th of December and all day Saturday & Sunday 11th/12th of December
Visit www.thewaywewearfairs.com for more information

Vintage Fashion Fair at Rose Seidler House

2010-07-28T09:23:00.004+10:00

The fabulous Fifties Fair at historic Rose Seidler House in Wahroonga, Sydney is on again next month.
Fashion Parades, vintage fashion market stalls, DJs & dancing, vehicle displays, variety shows, hair and makeup school and best dressed competitions will be part of the line up.

Get into the groove and dress up in your finest 50s threads, this is one of the most fun days of the year for anyone who adores vintage fashion and other finery.

Specialist collectors and dealers will sell fabulous 50s pieces including household gadgets, toys, jewellery, knick-knacks, books, clothing and furniture.

You can also tour the amazing Rose Seidler House on the day. A 1950's minimalist masterpiece.

For further information and a full program check out the Historic Houses Trust website

Rose Seidler House
Sunday 29 August
10.00am — 5.00pm

General $20 | Conc/member $15 | Family $55

Location: 71 Clissold Road, Wahroonga, NSW 2076

Contact: 02 8239 2211

We also have a couple of double passes to give away to anyone who spends over $150.00 at Bowerbird Vintage

Vintage Fashion Runway Inspirations

2010-07-08T14:53:00.010+10:00

(Dior's Fall Collections)

Once again the feminine silhouette's of bygone era's are reigning supreme on the international runways this season. Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Prada and even Collette Dinnigan are presenting the most ravishing vintage style dresses, skirts and jackets.

We die!

Above: Collette's Spring 2010 Range. An ode to the vintage dress circa: 1950's

Above: Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton. His Fall Range is super sweet 1930's & 1950's vintage suits and vintage dresses. Pristine!
Below: And his Resort Collections are also a picture of vintage elegance.

Vintage Fashion Alert!

2010-05-27T21:01:00.002+10:00

Australian Made - One Hundred Years of Fashion is showing at Melbourne National Gallery for all our southern sisters (or visitors!) who are die hard vintage fashion enthusiasts.
May 28 to 23 January 2011

A stunning collection of Australian vintage fashions and vintage accessories from the 1850's to the 1950's.

Check at NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA for more information.

To Die For!

Bowerbird Vintage Fashion Features!

2010-03-24T18:24:00.009+11:00

It's always wonderful to get a some media limelight and this month Bowerbird Vintage has three little 'shout-outs' for vintage fashion finds.

We are featured in April's In-Style magazine as a go-to website for well priced vintage frocks. We even get have a featured dress in the editorial!

I buy In-style religiously each month. I love the layout and the celebrity endorsement's of all those coveted designer labels - so it's nice to get a little recognition from one of my mags.

We are also mentioned in OK Magazine's annual ECO issue this week which is a tribute to all things green, sustainable and environmentally sound. They have listed us as a great website to grab some fab vintage finds. Thanks OK!

And finally, the new edition of Peppermint Magazine, one of my absolute favourite magazines (it even smells devine...printed on recycled paper!) has featured three of our dresses and two vintage Glomesh bags in their "Garden Party Glamour" article.

This beautifully edited mag is a must read for anyone interested in a sustainable lifestyle. They consistently feature amazing fashion and accessories from up and coming designers doing fabulous things with natural fibres and recycled fabrics, as well as vintage fashion and handcrafted treasures.

Designers Still in Love with Vintage Fashion!

2010-02-24T13:15:00.010+11:00

My weekly fashion fix Grazia magazine has done a round up of New York Fashion Week and declares "the death of modernity".

It seems vintage inspiration is the order of the day with a "return to gentle, classic and nostalgic" ladylike fashions using sentimental fabrics such as tulle and velvet. Fur is making a big splash too and leather is huge this season.

The era of vintage clothing most referenced by many designers were the 1920's with polished ladylike yet slightly masculine lines and the relaxed bohemian vibe of the 1970's.

The 80's are still big with pleat front pants and bigger shoulders (although not too Balmain proportions!). Slouchy layering is huge and animal print is everywhere.

Fabulous new for us vintage fashion junkies!

This Week I've Been...

2010-01-08T14:37:00.010+11:00

...Chained to my desk upgrading the Bowerbird site (Hope you like the new look) and photographing new stock (still trying to get descriptions up etc but check out some for the new vintage dresses and things we have amassed on a our recent treasure hunts around the country...)

Anyhoo, while all this hard work was going on I also managed to download a bunch of fantastic songs from iTunes. (Thank you Apple Store for providing me with such a fun diversion - You have made purchasing that absurdly expensive iPhone worth it) .

Top of the play list at the moment is Kate Miller-Heidkes Caught In The Crowd and Mumford & Sons Little Lion Man as well as the entire Juno Movie Sountrack and a bunch of rock'n golden oldies including Dillion, Dire Straits, Leonard Cohen and Jeff Buckley.

Music makes everything easier ;->

Have a Safe and Happy Christmas...

2009-12-24T13:45:00.001+11:00

And may 2010 be your best year yet!

Vintage Shopping Extravaganza!

2009-12-02T14:10:00.004+11:00

I thought I'd share a few markets and other fab events that might help out with your Christmas shopping...

Vanity Fair Vintage Fashion Market
Antique, vintage, retro & designer clothing,
Jewellery, millinery, fashion accessories,
Fashion art, buttons and bows, linen and lace

Friday 11 December 2009 5pm to 9pm
Saturday 12 december 2009 10am - 4pm

The Leichhardt Town Hall is the venue for Vanity Fair Markets - Sydney’s monthly undercover vintage markets where dealers from all over Australia offer bargain hunters vintage, antique, retro and designer label clothing, textiles, jewellery, fashion accessories ranging from exotic millinery to Sixties ‘winkle picker’ shoes, fashion drawings, buttons and bows, boudoir items and so much more....................

Check out VANITY FAIR Website

KIRRIBILLI FASHION MARKETS
Kirribilli Fashion Market features approximately 90 outside stalls of new, second hand and vintage fashion and accessories, antiques and collectables, bric - a - brac and homewares.

The next Kirribilli Fashion Market date is December 13th.
BRADFIELD PARK
MILSON'S POINT

MORE INFO OM KIRRIBILLI MARKETS HERE

SURRY HILLS MARKETS
First Saturday of every month, at the corner of Crown and Collins Sts, Surry Hills, in Shannon Reserve, regardless of weather. In wet weather, the market may be restricted to the paved area. Over Christmas and New Year, the normal schedule is maintained, so there will be Surry Hills Markets on 5 December 2009 and 2 January 2010. Come and enjoy

CHECK IT OUT HERE

THE FINDERS KEEPERS
SPRING / SUMMER INDEPENDENT DESIGN AND ART MARKETS
CO-PRESENTED BY CARRIAGEWORKS

Revel in the simple joy of discovery and explore the best in new contemporary art and design at The Finders Keepers markets, a bi-annual event that showcases the work of emerging designers and artists from Sydney and around Australia.

With fresh designers, new artwork and original merchandise at every stall, the Spring/Summer installment of The Finders Keepers features over 70 stalls and free live music in the bar. Click here to check out the line up of local live musicians who will keep the stage busy and the vibe chilled all weekend.

Perfectly timed for finding unique Christmas gifts, The Finders Keepers are partnered with creative 'Three Things Project' by Oxfam, who will be present at the markets. The Finders Keepers merchandise also donates a percentage of the profits from their stall.

Check out Carriage Works Here

Of course, Bowerbird Vintage is a pretty good place to pick up a few great gift ideas too...or a fab frock for yourself. I will even give you a 15% discount on anything in store. Just type the promo code BBVBLOG into the promo field when you check out!

:-)

Love Vintage - The book Has Arrived!

2009-10-30T11:53:00.003+11:00

The lovely and super cluey Nicole Jenkins, costume designer, vintage clothing expert and owner of Circa Vintage Clothing in Melbourne has just released a gorgeous book on vintage fashion.

Nicole has been my "Go To" girl on all matters of vintage. Not only has she been extremely supportive of Bowerbird but also very helpful identifying era's on some of my pieces and offering advice when I ask for it.

Her knowledge of vintage is extraordinary and her taste is impeccable so I highly recommend you pick up a copy. It's filled with helpful hints, beautiful photo's and lots of great information about fashion throughout different era's.

"This book is the culmination of almost 30 years of studying, collecting and repairing vintage clothes, fuelled by a passion for the art of design and a humble respect for the dressmaking skills of a bygone era that brought such creative visions into reality"

You can purchase online at CARTERS for $49.95 plus delivery or ask for it at your local bookstore.

Vintage Barbie Exhibition in Perth

2009-09-30T07:35:00.003+10:00

Perths Art Gallery of Western Australia is currently holding a vintage Barbie exhibition to celebrate the iconic dolls 50th birthday. The collection includes vintage Barbies from 1959-73 including Dior Inspired models, hippies and mod era dolls.

Vintage Barbie @ The Gallery is on display at the Art Gallery of Western Australia from Wednesday 23 September - Sunday 11 October 2009, 10am-5pm. Closed Tuesdays.

For more info, visit the Art Gallery of WA

A Vintage Muse

2009-08-25T22:14:00.007+10:00

I often stumble across wonderful blogs inspired by vintage creativity that I feel compelled to write about on my own blog - the love needs to be shared around after all!

Today, I stumbled once again onto something wonderful...and not via my (work avoiding) cyber trawling and keyword googling methods that I usually get up to either.

Today, one of my very dear customers quietly mentioned that she would be putting up pictures on her blog of the 50's fair at Rose Siedler house that was on over the weekend (and which I forgot to tell you to diarise - I'm losing my touch!).

Having sold several of my favourite (Bowerbird) vintage dresses and vintage bags to her in the past I was more than a little curious to check out the site and to put a face to the name I knew so well. That's the downside to having an online store I'm afraid - no personal contact means I never get to see how the vintage dresses I sell are transformed by the women buying and wearing them. And sadly that's really the most fun.

I do get happy customers occasionally sending through pictures of themselves in their bowerbird vintage finery which is wonderful and a real thrill but I definitely miss the personal interaction and service that comes with owning a shop.

So, it turns out that my lovely customer, who is a Sydney journalist, writes a beautiful blog with tonnes of stunning photo's and bountiful information about all things vintage, thrifted, arty/crafty and creative. I Highly recommend that you drop by right here: A Wild Tea Party

Oh, and yes, she rocks a vintage dress!

Samsung Tap & Take Fun!

2009-08-19T14:59:00.008+10:00

I don't usually blog about technology but this is hard to ignore...not only because it looks pretty fab but also because there is stuff to win!

Samsung is launching a brand new camera ST500/ST550 with some very cool new gadgetry including a Tap & Take feature and two LCD screens.

For someone who loves taking a snap or two, this compact little camera might be on my Christmas list this year . The double LCD screens (on the front and back) lets you take a photo of yourself and your friends while watching the image. No self timers needed anymore and no more decapitations or blurry images ever again. Great for street fashion blogging too!

The Tap and Take technology means that you no longer have to use those pesky little buttons on top anymore. Simply tap the screen and it focuses and takes the picture for you. There are heaps of other techno features as well...take a look at the very cool Tap and Take website for more details.

Oh, and here's the good bit! If you sign up to the Tap and Take Twitter and the Tap and Take Facebook page, starting from tomorrow August 20th, you have the chance to win one for yourself.

Simply watch for clues posted on various Australian Blogs, including little ol' Bowerbird Vintage, then solve the (easy peasy) clues and you will have a Samsung Tap and Take of your very own!

30 Days of Fashion Fun!

2009-08-19T13:32:00.004+10:00

It was such a hit last year that ACP magazines are doing it again this September!

30 days of Fashion & Beauty will run throughout September and promises to be another fashion highlight for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane!

The entire month is jam packed with competitions, exclusive offers, fashion and beauty workshops, talks by your favourite fashion magazine editors, runway shows and much more.

The event is also aiming to raise $30,000 in 30 days for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC), a global breast cancer research charity. Just by donating to this worthwhile cause you could win yourself any number of fashion packs, including a Bobbi Brown make-up box, Pandora jewellery or stunning Akira Osawaga dress.

Check out the events calendar for a full listing of what's on each day of September.

Vintage Fashion at Sydeny Design 09

2009-07-21T07:42:00.004+10:00

The Powerhouse Museums annual International Design Festival is on again from the 1st of August until the 16th of August. This year it is jam packed with fantastic workshops, exhibitions and talk from experts in all design fields including fashion. In fact, there are a number of vintage fashion events that will definitely weasel me away from my fixed position in front of the fireplace.

What looks to be a seriously unmissable workshop for any vintage clothing collector is the seminar on conservation & restoration of vintage fashion and accessories on the 2nd of August. Experts will be giving advice on preserving, storing precious textiles and garments, and restoring beading and fabrics in vintage dresses and the like.

Also for budding fashion designers is the From Trash to Treasure workshops which explain the process of creating fashion from what would otherwise be waste. The first workshop focuses on “upcycling” of discarded materials through textile manipulation and rich embellishment. Reworking vintage clothing is a passion of mine so I will definitely be booking a spot for this one.

There is a myriad of other fashion related workshops and exhibitions too so I suggest you jump online at the PowerHouse and take a look for yourself.

Of course, if markets are your thing then I highly recommend the Young Blood Design Markets at the end of the festival on the 14th-16th of August. These are one of my favourite markets in Sydney and are usually only on twice a year. You can meet and buy direct from the best design talent in the country including fashion, furniture, jewellery, graphics, landscape and lighting designer to name a just a few.

Vintage Swimwear!

2009-07-05T16:15:00.003+10:00

I know it's not exactly sun baking or swimming weather here in Sydney at present but if you love a vintage aesthetic and you are daydreaming about warmer weather (like me!) you should get yourself along to the Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour to see the new Exposed! The Story of Swimwear exhibition which is on right now until early October. Check out the ANMM web site for further details.

Sublime vintage swimwear and a history of popular culture and design influence. Oh, and it's free!

Thanks to the lovely Nicole at Circa Vintage for giving me the heads up!

Oh, to be free as a birdie

2009-06-28T16:00:00.009+10:00

I've sadly become a terrible blogger...I used to be so good - sometimes I'd even blog 2 or 3 times a day about various going-ons. Now, it's more like 2 or 3 times a month. And I miss the lovely blogger community and just taking the time to sit down and have a little wander around all my favourites and other cyber haunts like Etsy and Madeit.

Life has gotten in the way! Businesses to run, studies to attend to and husbands to nag (not really...o.k sometimes...he likes it though...)

I'm always startled it's Friday - then the weekend flies by in a blink and away we go again.

I know! that's everybody elses life as well.

So, lets take 5 minutes out of our hectic day and look at pretty things...with birdies on them

...like these:

Someone...please buy me a handmade lamp from the Etsy store The Owls are Hunting

Made from reclaimed and vintage materials from the 60's, 70's and 80's

I'm in love...

or, I'd also be happy with adorable handmade little scarf from MINGUS. Who also makes lovely vintage inspired bits and pieces from reclaimed and recycled fabrics

and finally...

You can snap this little cotton tee up from Erin Jane at Strawberry Jam - home of all things handmade and vintage inspired...

It's that time again...

2009-06-04T21:27:00.005+10:00

Yep, we are off on a vintage treasure hunt! Coasting down south this time with plenty of scheduled stops at my favourite vintage collectors and suppliers then back via the Snowy Mountians (Ski season opens this weekend!!!). I love a road trip - and after finally finishing off my Multi Media project for my Masters degree I feel like I deserve a bit of a break.

Actually, we have a lot of ground to cover and lots of vintage fashion and accessories to purchase in 9 days so it might be kind of hectic but hey, I've already bags'd the passenger seat (I'm dangerous driving long distances - I have a tendency to nod off as soon as I get onto the open road...makes for a long trip with 227 roadside stops doing star jumps to wake myself up!). Anyway, have lots of gorgeous new fashion mags for when I'm awake. Yes - I'm great company on road trips! I do share my crossword puzzles though...and my chocolate brownies.

One thing I hope to get time to do is visit the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. I'm very excited about the Vanity Fair Portraits 1913-2008 exhibition that starts tomorrow and runs to August 30. I've always loved the amazing celebrity portraits in VF and can't wait to see some of the vintage photography on display from the likes of Florance Vadamm. also on display are photographs by Mario Testino, Annie Lebovitz and Bruce Weber. Surely we can't miss that!

See you in a week and a half

Vintage Appeal - 1980's style

2009-05-15T18:11:00.021+10:00

Hooray...vintage fashion is most definitely here to stay. With the passing of Rosemount fashion week and the latest winter trends from NY, Paris and Milan being showcased for their next season ...it is official – a vintage aesthetic is still the stand out design favourite with many of the top fashion houses both here and overseas.

Louis Vuitton does 80's glamour perfectly

Most notably, the 1980’s is having a huge moment with serious shoulder pads popping up everywhere and body con dresses in fluoro colours a catwalk fave! I’m thrilled. I’ve always loved the 80’s – the fashion, movies and music (maybe because that’s where I spent my teens and am ever so slightly nostalgic). It was such a fun era though and required a complete disregard for taste and rules. All you needed was attitude and confidence...the more colourful and flamboyant the outfit the better and nothing was too OTT. Obviously, there a many things best left behind, most notably blue eye shadow, bubblegum jeans and spiral perms (all of which I am guilty of wearing – occasionally at the same time!)

The great thing about referencing a fashion era is that designers now cleverly deconstruct the look. Shoulder pads for instance were often simply a matter of sewing in huge foam pads, giving the garment an often boxy, rather unfinished look. The current trend for power dressing and a sharp shoulder is all about amazing nips, tucks, pleats and rolls in amazing fabrics. It’s definitely OTT, but it’s also art – just look at some of the dresses and jackets from the likes of Balmain, Givenchy, Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana – the beauty lies in the details.

Having said that, I have been collecting authentic 80’s for a few years now, particularly disco frocks and sun dresses in mad colours and prints with plenty of frills. For every trashy, poorly made garment from that era there are still a myriad of fabulous designer frocks in great condition to be found.

Unfortunately, during the 90’s when fashion took a turn towards boring and safe and I went travelling for a few years, I stupidly discarded many of my glorious 80’s wardrobe including high waisted cut off denim shorts (although I’m quite sure I would not wear these now even though I weigh less than I did then...no one needs to see a 36 year old women in tiny shorts) , a black leather pencil skirt, a leather biker jacket, a few man style jackets and a black silk tuxedo suit that would just be so perfect right now...sigh!

Beautiful Balmain get it oh-so-right!

A few little VINTAGE FASHION gems to add to your Blog Roll...

2009-04-25T14:09:00.017+10:00

Being the vintage mad, Internet obsessed woman that I am, spending time trawling like minded blogs and web sites is part of my morning ritual.

Of course nothing is fabulous if it is not shared with others right?

So, perhaps you have time to check these little gems out...?

I've only just stumbled across this London based site.
This amazing vintage on line magazine is a must for any vintage fan. Choc full of information about vintage fashion, beauty, and interior style secrets...It's definitely worth adding to your favourites!

"Whether you want to find the hottest vintage action By Location or By Decade, if you have a vintage piece ready to be revamped in our exclusive Make and Mend section, or even if you want to steal the style from our 100 Vintage Queens, we’ve got more vintage style advice and gossip than you could wave a Mark Cross overnight bag at! So if you bask in Bakelite and frolic in frills, our dedicated team of vintage-obsessed writers and gurus are making it their mission to bring you all that’s fabulous in the vintage world"

I know I've mentioned WARDROBE REMIX before but this Flickr site really is a brilliant photographic ode to the art of thrifting and a how to guide for all those gals who want to know how to wear their vintage and look fabulously cool and right on trend!

I love trawling through the photo's ...great for a daily dose of inspiration!

VINTAGE VERVE

A wonderful little blog by a vintage mad girl living in the vintage capital of Australia...Melbourne of course!

And speaking of Melbourne...

One of my favourite bloggers and go to girl for all things lady-like and vintage inspired...
LADY MELBOURNE is one of those wonderfully chic gals who just makes everything look good!