A few days away...
I go to Adelaide once a year for business and personal reasons. DH sometimes comes, but sometimes doesn't, depending on his responsibilities, obligations and demands. This year he could. I suggested we call into Melbourne for a day or so, on the way, so I could buy some stash and look at the Gaultier exhibition.
This trip was spontaneously planned, so apologies to anyone in Melbourne - I did not have time to let anyone know, and not much time there in any case to meet you. Next time - Melbourne is only a short flight away from Newcastle :). It takes longer to get into Melbourne from the Tullamarine Airport than it does to fly there :).
Stash was purchased from three discount shops on Sydney Road, Brunswick. These were Anne's Discount Fabrics @ 363 Sydney Road, Brunswick Fabrics @ 383 Sydney Road, and Unique Fabrics @ 396 Sydney Road.
I purchased viscose knits in colours that suited me :
Thick plain cotton knits (some with lycra) for winter:
And some three patterned knits, also in cotton (some with lycra):
Some lovely linen:
Plus a small amount of wool, I bought 1.2 thinking it would be good for the popular Rachel Comey skirt (V1247).
*****
We also visited the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition that is currently showing at the National Gallery of Victoria.
This was an immersive exhibition with the dummies appearing to come to life and talk. DH worked out how - there is a projector projecting the images onto the mannequins, presumably with sound track.
Phone photos seemed to be allowed. Gaultier "Himself" welcomed you to the show - you can't see it here on a moment in time photo, but the eyes and mouths of these mannequins appeared to open and close. Quite a few of the exhibits were staged this way.
Gaultier has plundered so many ideas and made them his - in this picture you can see the "Can Can dress" - the ruffled petticoat is on the outside, with the inside showing multiple images of kicking legs. Behind this you can see one of his men's suits - just look at the cut and hang - perfect. His workshop certainly knows what it is doing.
Well, after this immersive experience, it was time to fly off to quiet, quaint Adelaide...
*****
The piece de resistance awaited in little old Adelaide, the small city in the provinces, frequently scorned but much loved by all of us who have lived there. It's such a nice place to live in - small, easy to get around, friendly.
The Art Gallery of South Australia is currently collaborating with the Musee les Arts decoratifs and is hosting an exhibition called "Fashion Icons". Ninety outfits are currently on exhibition - according to a friendly gallery guide, two had their own passports, but he had no idea how or why! Adelaide's exhibition was a lot more conventional than the interactive Gaultier exhibition, but then this was a story of high couture and it's evolution into forms we currently know - how couture has merged and morphed with RTW. Gaultier of course was a lot more streetwise and entered the scene during this trajectory, and plunders from the street and the mass, from old techniques and historical clothing including corsets, and utilising new materials. The Fashion Icons exhibition traces the main ideas that would also have influenced Gaultier, through the 50's to today.
For those of you interested in the details of this exhibition, here is a pdf catalogue I found on the internet:
http://www.lastminute.com.au/dms/site/adelaide-barossa/fashion-icons.pdf?cid=social:t:lmau:retail:to:SM8019 .
There is also a dedicated site hosted by the AGSA about the exhibition that can be found here: http://fashionicons.com.au/
There is also a dedicated site hosted by the AGSA about the exhibition that can be found here: http://fashionicons.com.au/
Unfortunately, I could not take any photos as this was not allowed. There are some on the internet, so just to give you a flavour:
And a Christian Lacroix dress I have always wanted to see:
Before I go, I just want to share with you this thought. Most of us who sew at home tend to be overly critical of ourselves, and even think of ourselves as lesser beings in the fashion hierarchy. Not so - the fashion world in Paris lists the four levels as Haute Couture, Couture, Paper patterns and Dressmaking (US!!!!) and Pret a Porter (Ready to wear).
Do have a lovely weekend everyone, wherever you are.
Sarah Liz.
Nice fabric haul Sarah. Bet you really enjoyed the exhibit.
ReplyDeleteThank you Faye, and yes I did :)
DeleteThanks for sharing! Seeing those garments up close must have been amazing!
ReplyDeleteLovely fabrics too. Really love the linens and the prints!
Thank you - and yes, it's always fantastic getting a little close up on these sorts of garments isn't it?
DeleteI would totally wear that last dress posted. Thank goodness I don't have an occasion, or I'd be inclined to reproduce it.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I can imagine you doing that Marjorie :)
DeleteSounds like the perfect break, you have some lovely fabric to add to your stash and lots of inspiration too. I like your last comment. Your right we should see ourselves as sitting above RTW and perhaps inspiring to couture rather than comparing ourselves to RTW and comparing and settling to be as good as RTW - when with unique choices of fabric, pattern and persnal fit we are already better.
ReplyDeleteI did have a lovely break - and I quite agree with your thoughts :)
DeleteSuch a nice trip! Thanks for sharing those exhibit pictures, wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAnd of course fabric is the best souvenir to bring home ;)
Isn't it just Marianne? Yes, we do get exhibitions here - but often I so envy you all in Europe who have so much more to access. Still, our weather is good - we can't have it all, can we? :)
DeleteWhat an excellent few days!
ReplyDeleteHaven't been to those shops for some time. Must get on my bike! Also looking forward to the Gaultier exhibition soon.
Yes, great shops to visit, glad I reminded you of their existence :)
DeleteWhat an excellent post about a lovely trip, Sarah Liz. Your stash purchases have me salivating, the Gaultier looks fun and exciting, and the Fashion Icons is a show I would adore. Thank you for sharing with us all. Love the last quote and I know what you mean: sometimes I feel I am dressing 'cheaply' by making my clothes to fit myself. But now I know I am on the hierarchy, and not at the bottom!
ReplyDeleteI thought you would enjoy Fashion Icons :)
DeleteWhat an interesting few days for you. Thanks for those extra fabric shops in Melbourne. Last time I was in Melbourne I tried to find one on Sydney Street but couldn't find any... it's a long street and I was out of time.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to Melbourne in a couple of weeks with a friend from Adelaide. We are going to Gaultier but I didn't know about the Adelaide show. Shame she won't be there for me to get there too.
We custom make clothes for ourselves so, agreed, it has to be better than RTW...
It gets quite confusing trying to find the shops, as Sydney Rd is quite long. You need to be near the first Victoria St/Sydney Rd intersection - the Victoria Rd closest to Melbourne.
DeleteLovely fabrics. I'm looking forward to see what you make with them. I'm enjoying the exhibits vicariously! Perhaps that should be virtually! I was interested to read in one of my books that there are different 'blocks' for different markets - like the different levels in the fashion hierarchy.
ReplyDeleteVirturally and vicariously perhaps? Yes, different markets have different sizes - 10 for upmarket is quite different from 10 for downmarket RTW.
Deletenice color choices, can't wait to see you in the prints we rarely see you in print lol!
ReplyDeleteHelen
Hello Helen - no, I don't wear prints often, mostly because they don't like me!
DeleteSo happy you and hubby got to enjoy a trip away.. always so nice.. and what lovely fabrics you found.. Know you will make some lovely garments .. Happy sewing.
ReplyDeleteYes, a break away is sometimes needed :)
DeleteThanks. I live only a couple of hours away from M elbourne and didn't know about any of those shops or the show ! Sounds like you had a lovely break.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I could let you know about the shops :)
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ReplyDeleteOh man how I wish the Gaultier exhibit was showing at the gallery when I was there! Thank you for sharing some pictures of what looks like a most divine exhibit!
ReplyDeleteAs for the fabric...drooooooooool. =) Since I'm on a fast, I have to get my fix from everyone else's purchases!
I was thinking of you while I was there - thinking about how much you would have liked it!
DeleteHmm, if you need to get a fix from my purchases - I better qet some more :)
This is a wonderful post! Thank you for taking us along and explaining the exhibitions to us. What a wonderful time you and your husband enjoyed together. And what nice additions you've got for your stash! Look forward to seeing what you make.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa - I'm glad you enjoyed it:) The stash will probably sit quietly for a while until the right moments arrive :)
DeleteWhat fabulous fabrics. I think i will duck down to Melbourne to see the Gaultier exhibition and maybe duck to those fabric stores. I really like Adelaide my son lived there when he was in the army such a lovely city. Enjoy
ReplyDeleteThank you Mandy - do enjoy yourself if you go :).
DeleteI enjoyed this post and thank you for sharing some detail of the exhibition.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a lovely break and ohh... I love all your pretty fabrics :)
It was a pleasure, and thank you Hana :)
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