Thursday, August 27, 2009

Blogging my bobby socks off

Last weekend the rockin' 50s fair was held at Rose Seidler House in Wahroonga, Sydney. The house – built in 1948 by Harry Seidler – is an icon of modernity. The grounds were filled with 50s clad kats who had come to celebrate the fashion, the music and the architecture of the 1950s.


There were stalls selling memorabilia, anything from clothes to needle holders. This kept me busy for hours. Here's some of my favourite pieces:

Monday, August 24, 2009

Seventeen (magazine) in the 50s

A while back, I found a 1957 January edition of Seventeen magazine at the 50s fair in Sydney. The illustration styles, fashion spreads and fabric patterns, made my decision to purchase easy.

Flicking through the magazine I'm enjoying the differences between editorial illustration – with it's looser line work and off register colour blocks – and fashion illustration – which is a literal interpretation of the clothing pieces, and the models (example above). Cool Daddio!

The spread below is about the "High-flying fashion" of the "Blouson look". In this illustration, it's all about the air mail colours.An advert for Kay Junior, a division of Kay Windsor frocks (below). It seems crease resistant washable cotton makes you see double. This spread used photography.
The red hatched apple illustration is from an article called "Schnitzing Party" – Eight teens tell about a party based on old Pennsylvania Dutch customs.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

I'm in stitches

Today I popped in to the Stitches and Craft show in search of fabrics and odds and ends (www.stitchesandcraft.com.au). Amongst the many traditional scrap booking and patchwork stands was a new area called Incubator, where contemporary designers could show their wears. The were some great hand made fabric prints, stationery, knits and jewellery to buy. Simple shapes and patterns printed in one colour on a neutral coloured fabric were selling really well.

After walking the three levels a few times, It's time to sit down, rest, and start riffling through my purchases.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Capertee


Well, it has been a while since my last post. I would like to thank some home renovations and a country break for occupying my time for the past month or so.

The cabin was in a top spot, and I mean a TOP spot, looking across the Capertee Valley. The winter weather gave the landscape some spectacular colours and light.

The photo above was taken from the cabin. I love the carpet like texture of the rolling hills and the curvy bark pattern on the tree. It's time to get drawing!