I won a double pass to go to Sydney Living Museums's event; Mayhem, last night at Elizabeth Bay House!
The event was themed around the celebration of the end of the war in 1945. I've been to the house once or twice before, and it is so well looked after, with beautifully decorated rooms that are so detailed, it feels like you've really stepped back in time when you're there.
sydneylivingmuseums.com.au
sydneylivingmuseums.com.au
www.freshcatering.com.au
What we wore........ we both wanted to wear these 40's dresses that we've had stored away in our cupboards for a while, and this was the perfect occasion!
Vintage 1940's straw hat - Etsy
French vintage 1940's dress - bought through Facebook
Bangle - Bread & Butter Vintage at Sydney Rock n Roll Markets
Miss L Fire heels
The dress I wore was maybe early 40's because of the longer length and round belt buckle. The print is unusual, it has a stamp print with paisley style flowers.
Vintage 1940's dress - Etsy
Vintage 1940's corde bag - Sydney Rock n Roll Markets
Hair flower - from Hawaii
Shoes - Retrospec'd wedges
There were around 20 dealers and I was surprised at the volume of items for sale including dresses, handbags, lots of jewellery and hats. There was also a large rack of very old pieces, Edwardian-1940's coats and dresses that were absolutely charming and i'll be honest, I was a little afraid to touch them as they were so delicate.
There was a 1940's theme to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of WW2.
What I wore: Retrospec'd 1940's reproduction knit
1930's/1940's vintage brooch from Vintage & Collectables Fair
Country Road skirt from an op-shop
Clark's shoes from Green's Footwear Cronulla
And now for some of the things we bought, all at very reasonable prices!
The Lady Luck Festival at Katoomba returned again for 2015, held at The Carrington Hotel. Katoomba is the main town of the Blue Mountains, popular with tourists for its stunning mountains (the Three Sisters especially), Scenic World, bush-walking trails and cafés.
The first thing we checked out was the vintage cars and cafés! I actually forgot to go and have lunch inside the fabulous Paragon café which is the most beautiful Art Deco establishment right on the main street. Maybe next time.
Main street
The ultimate 1950's Drive-In food
There are a few antique stores in Katoomba that we checked out. If you're looking for Art Deco-style furniture you're in the right place! Unfortunately, there wasn't much in the way of vintage fashion, just expensive jewellery and many, many, vintage knick-knacks. Pat Capocci and Danny and the Cosmic Tremors played sets throughout the day and it was nice to hear them whilst walking around the main street.
The cocktail party began at 7pm, with champagne and finger food (pastries). Ladies were dressed up and men looked dapper in shirts and ties, suspenders and suits. The winners of the best-dressed competition looked stunning; the winning lady wore a mint green 1950's frock with rhinestones and the male wore an amazing military suit including a 1940's army cap. The party was a lot of fun, less crowded than last year. I could actually see the bands play this time and I enjoyed myself a bit more and got to dance a little too.
The Grand Dining Room at The Carrington
Fire Down Below
Jordan C. Thomas was fantastic to dance to. I also felt like I was in Back to the Future when Marty attends the 1950's enchantment under the sea prom
The Detonators - some good rockabilly tunes until the singer started growling in their heavier rock songs
Here is a video I took from the night! The Sydney Swing Katz performed 2 or 3 routines with many aerials and I filmed a tiny bit of the dancing competition too. >>>>>>>>
Dress - Handmade from 1953 pattern
Bag - 1950's from Etsy
Necklace - 1950's from The Way We Wear Vintage Fair
Shoes - ReMix
Dress - Retrospec'd
Earrings - Avon
Shoes - ReMix (great for dancing, very comfortable)
Goood morning, good morning, it's great to stay up late! Mum and I LOVE breakfast and we were both looking forward to breakfast at The Carrington. It didn't disappoint. With coffee, tea, juice, pastries, fruit and more, you can't go wrong.
Like a Wes Anderson set! I love these colours.
Dress - Late 1950's from Etsy
Earrings - Forbidden Charm on Etsy
A beautiful hotel both inside and outside including the front garden
After taking our time eating breakfast and breathing in the non-humid mountain air (*cough* Sydney), we began our trip home.
The Art Gallery of NSW held a 50's themed event for its exhibition Pop to Popism. The gallery will continue through the decades weekly until the 1980's - every Wednesday after normal hours.
Promotional banner featuring In the Car, 1963
We were keen to see the exhibition above all so we went on a guided tour to hear background stories of some artworks and the inspiration behind them. Photos weren't permitted but I have to bring up a collection in particular that stuck with me - Home Beautiful: Bringing the War Home, 1967-72.
Home Beautiful, Martha Rosler
A collision between the Vietnam War and the perfect 1950's family home... brought to the living room by the television
Straight after the exhibition we listened to a talk by Claudia Chan Shaw and Sarah Doyle discussing many aspects of the 195o's... the allure of the modern 1950's revival, collecting vintage clothing, cars, and personal stories.
Claudia Chan Shaw and Sarah Doyle speak
Elvis in the building
Coffee time
Vive L'Empereur, 1891
Dress - handmade using vintage pattern
"Joseph Calderazzo on guitar with backing vocalists Dan Markovena and Evelyn Duprai"
Some of these musicians will be back next week for Art After Hours goes retro: Mods vs Hippies.
