Reborn Again

I've got a few days where I'm not scheduled every minute so am taking the chance to catch up with blogging, tidying & contemplating in general where I'm headed.  I know I'm winding things down for the year & making plans for the coming year & I know I'm determined to have fun for the rest of the year.

Apart from Shirley I have two other jobs so that's three, & none of them pay, in fact two of them cost me money to do.  Some people may think that's crazy but I have to do what I'm passionate about & what I enjoy & at this point in time these things are more important.  Although that said, I think I need a job, haha. Just  couple of days a week would be good, doing what though I do not know, any offers, haha.

Something a bit different for the music selection for this post but Alina has been very cool letting me use her music for my little videos & other helpful things.  Not only is she  talented singer but also writes articles for New York Times & has books published, an interesting person worth checking out for yourself.  Basically she rocks & 'Shirley' loves women who rock.  (Take note of this it will be important later)

Just did the last shoot for this year, a capsule summer collection.  I really wanted the focus to be on fun & wanted a stress free shoot which is what I got thanks to the dream team of tog Josie Richardson   http://josierichardson.squarespace.com/& models Lara Cresser & Heloise - Laure Ruinard (who also did the make up).  And talk about the universe providing...I lost my hair stylist as I had to change days at the last minute & once we got to the location a hairdresser just happened to be there & was happy to help out. She did a great job to, so thanks to Carly Hammond for stepping in then & there.

To top it off we had a fantastic location which really made the whole experience stress free & enjoyable, at Kobblers  https://www.facebook.com/KobblersBardon?fref=ts a cool little joint in the heart of Bardon with the best chocolate milkshakes & coffee.  It really has a great vibe thanks in great part to the owner Scott & is a lot more than  coffee shop.  And thanks to Kat & Kat with assisting us as well.

Here's some behind the scenes shots I took with my crappay little camera, I didn't take many....

We shot with film again & I am cannot wait to get the images back.  Also big thanks to Tattooed Zombie Accessories for providing us with fun bit & bobs.  https://www.facebook.com/tattooedzombieaccessories

Next up for 'Shirley' is the Kustom Krafts market coming up on the 16 th of December at the Sandgate RSL club & it's gonna be big & big fun.   https://www.facebook.com/events/117635981727183/?fref=ts

So if you are looking for a great day out & great shopping....see you there.

KIll KIll Kill

You Are Here.......

Wowsers, I haven't updated for a while, life gets very busy & since I've started a tumblr http://shirleyfracture.tumblr.com/  it's been a lot quicker to post a photo now & then but I prefer this blog for longer posts & for passing on info.  And please enjoy this little musical selection while we catch up.  It is something I just love love love & he is playing in my neck of the woods about now so get out & see him if you can.

So....starting up a business is hard.  Doing it with no funds is harder & being a fashion label .........well, you get the drift.  Since starting up under the name Shirley Fracture Couture a couple of years ago, I don't know how I managed to pull out three collections from thin air & get them onto the ground.  I have designs & ideas coming out the wahzoo, that is not the problem, that is in fact all I have & therefore is my strength & has enabled me to achieve what I have done with little to no resources.

So....the prospect of coming up with another collection for Spring Summer 2012/13 was daunting to say the least & I was feeling pretty exhausted by this point & just didn't see how I could pull another collection out of thin air.  But I just had to pull up my super stylish socks (yes, I did some socks, I'll include a photo of said socks) & deal with it.  Hence Shirley Fracture Couture S/S 12/13 Rewind Collection was born.

Photo of said socks................

Yes there are new designs, perhaps just not so many as previous collections & I have reworked some previous designs that needed  more attention or were simply just favourites.  A photo shoot was organised, photographer, check,  two models, check, hair, check, make up, check, two assistants, check, yay, how great to be organised.  Then for various reasons, people began dropping out like crazy, mostly last minute, scramble like a mad woman to get it re-organised.  Then we turn up to the location to find it has been double booked, then in the middle of the shoot they wanted to close it down............but we prevailed & got it done.

I have to say I have never had so many dramas around one shoot before but the photos are great.  We shot with film which was a new or old experience, depending which way you look at it.  So a big thank you to Josie Richardson Photography, Heloise Laure Ruinard & Cammie Nott Models, Meghan Bell MUA & Willis Lim Shoot Assistant.  A great little team to work with, that was the easy part.  A selection of the results is below.

Next I participated in Junkie Couture II held by Reverse Garbage & SFC was on the runway opening night & the exhibition of the couture is on until the 27th, so if you are in Brisbane go check it out, you can buy stuff as well, from the exhibition & the warehouse (I have my eye on some boxes).  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151044748681817&set=a.10150650635641817.388370.104330471816&type=1&theater

Junkie Couture II runway.















And next up for SFC is Kustom Krafts https://www.facebook.com/events/440894672621462/  market where I will be having a stall.  It will be at the beautiful re-furbished Sandgate hall on the 30th of Sept.  Anyway, you can check out the link for all the info. but I'm really looking forward to it & would love to meet you all face to face.  No doubt you will also get a fabulous bargain as I will really want you to get your 'shirley' on.

Phew, I shouldn't leave it so long next time that it is turning into a novel.  Actually I would like to know if you don't mind reading a longer post like this or if you would rather shorter more regular posts????????????????

Cheerio for now.  Get regular SFC updates here https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shirley-Fracture-Couture/144102495613713  & to get your SFC on literally, go here http://www.shirleyfracture.com.au/ & if you are a twitterer, https://twitter.com/shirleyfracture .  XX

Count Us Down Iggy.............

And the winner is..............

With multiple entries Xanthe Alton Edwards, these babies are coming your way real soon.  And these tight pants will definately give you extra shake appeal.

And thanks so much to those who entered.  XX

Drawn On The Fourth Of July

It's give away time .........& what a great way to kick it off with Lenny & Prince, enjoy the listening while you're doing the reading & the looking.
Thought we'd do something to help our American friends celebrate their getting of Independence  way back in the 1700's.  So we're celebrating the red white & blue 'Shirley 'style.

What you can win is a pair of these awesomely wicked 70 denier, one size,  Rock Your World US Leggings.

And how you win is easy, just follow this blog & leave a comment below.  You can have extra entries if you also follow on facebook  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shirley-Fracture-Couture/144102495613713 &
on twitter  https://twitter.com/#!/shirleyfracture  & on tumblr .http://shirleyfracture.tumblr.com/ .

That's up to four chances to win & we will check that you have followed.  The winner will be drawn 7pm Brisbane Australia time on, you guessed it, the fourth of July.  Good luck dahlinks.  

Legs Legs Legs

It's getting chilly now here in Australia, time to pull on those tights & leggings.  This post is dedicated to just that.  These are all Shirley Fracture Couture.  Put some pep in your winter wardrobe, plain black legs everywhere all the time is just boring & looks like a uniform out there that everyone is wearing.  Don't be afraid to be  fashion leader, you will be noticed wearing these. And please enjoy the musical accompaniment, something different for you.

CURRENTLY UPDATING WEB STORE BUT ANYTHING YOU WANT THAT ISN'T IN IT CONTACT ME VIA ANY OF THESE LINKS & I'LL  ADD IT TO THE WEBSTORE FOR YOU IF IT'S IN STOCK OR I WILL TAKE YOUR ORDER & MAKE IT BUT PLEASE REMEMBER THESE ARE LIMITED,  HAND PAINTED ITEMS & MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN EXACT COLOURS BUT I WILL DO MY VERY BEST TO GIVE YOU WHAT YOU WANT

contact@shirleyfracture.com      shirleyfracturecouture.bigcartel.com/     instagram.com/shirleyfracture/  facebook.com/shirleyfracture/

  

So a bit of a selection from past & present collections, hope you see something you like.  There are tights & leggings, 50 denier, 70 denier, 120 denier, cotton blend.  Can be styled so many ways to look awesome but beware, people will want to touch your legs.

#rock #women #fashion #inspire #mamy #love #brisbane #parade #collection #A/W 2012 #fractured

A couple of months ago I got an email that got me excited.  Fashion Society Brisbane  http://www.fashionsociety.com.au/  invited me or should I say , my label Shirley Fracture Couture, along with three other Brisbane designers/labels, to be involved in a fashion parade.  But this was not just a parade like the ones we see every week(as lovely as some are), this was an event the likes of which Brisbane had not seen before or within memory at least.  And speaking of memory, Memory International were bringing Ruth Flowers aka Mamy Rock to The Met night club in Fortitude Valley & Fashion Society  were starting the event with a fashion parade.

I really wanted to be involved but at first didn't know how I could make it happen.  There were the logistics, the costs, the timing.......it wouldn't be easy but could I do it?  'Shirleys' theme for 2012 is 'women who rock' as 'Shirley' does & Mamy Rock is a huge inspiration to me.  She is hugely popular the world over & is the words oldest DJ.  She began this career in later life after the death of her husband, deciding she didn't want to just sit at home alone & fade away & through her close relationship with her grandson. Find out more about her here  http://www.mamyrock.com/home.htm

But....I was going to Melbourne for my nephews wedding & then on to Adelaide to catch up with friends & so wouldn't even be here....bad timing.  Plus the cost of the trip to Melbourne while trying to get my Autumn/Winter 2012 collection done.  Although I was flattered to be asked, after weighing it all up, I had to decline the gig.  But thank goodness the gorgeous Leila (who knew how much I wanted this) from Fashion Society wouldn't take no for an answer & came up with creative options & ideas  that allowed me, after a bit of re-arranging, to say a big fat yes.  Adelaide was out, I was coming straight back to Brisbane & arriving back the day before the show, I had to get everything ready weeks ahead of time before I left for Melbourne.  (Adelaide, I will see you later in the year.)
Luckily my work experience assistant had just started the fortnight before I was due to leave & was on hand to help me get everything organised & retain my sanity.  Was it all worth it, Hell Yes.  Was it perfect? It was perfectly what is was.  Was it a success?  All indications are positive.  Would I do it again? Absolutely.  I am so very impressed by Leila from Fashion Society & the effort she put in on my behalf & to make it possible for me to be involved.  It was her vision to take the opportunity to highlight & promote local Brisbane labels at this, Ruth Flowers very first gig in Australia in a way that R O C K E D.

The parade was kicked off by Dirty Mob, who were great & really started the night off with a bang.https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dirty-Mob/80936140950

Other labels featured were newbie Faith & Lola, Speak No Ink & Black Milk.  Of course I will say that Shirley Fracture Couture ruled the runway with it's inherent  theatricality & quirkiness.  The models really shone in their outfits & had a lot of fun with it.  The crowds reaction to 'Shirley' was fantastic & it was exciting to be amongst it all, the atmosphere was electric.  For my part, it was a bit of a retrospective as well  a preview of the latest collection for Autumn/Winter 2012, 'Fractured'.  Oh & my logo on the giant screen.........friken' awesome.

So not my usual Friday night these days.  The parade began at 11 pm then Mamy Rock was on after midnight & I now had a shoe full of beer from getting stuck in the middle of a fight on the stairs, the venue was absolutely packed.  I'm glad I was able to hang in there & this was helped in the end by security following me about with a chair ( I learnt from the Dresden Dolls gig to request seating as I can't stand around for hours on end anymore, as sad as that makes me, I have to face reality).

Then just after 2 am, when I was ensconced on one of the very comfy sofas in the VIP room the woman herself, Ruth Flowers/ Mamy Rock appeared amidst flashes from cameras & surrounded by the buzzing throng of her entourage.  It was like this before she went on also, people taking photos & interviews etc it seemed never ending & I wondered how she really felt about it all & indeed how she managed it all.  She was in the middle of a world tour, she had just celebrated her 69th birthday but I have to say, I think she has been 69 for a while now.  I now also think I know why she wears those big dark glasses but she is well practised at striking a pose.  

Yes this is her job & she is used to it but I however, am not & it is quite confronting to be surrounded by people & cameras flashing etc & I hate having my photo taken at the best of times, hence, I look a bit like  deer in the headlights. But it was so worth it, she grabbed my hand & cuddled in & I have to say, her hands are so soft & she is so cuddly you just want to cuddle her any way.  She asked me to stay sitting with her on the comfy sofa & I really wanted to but thought I would probably be lynched by those waiting to have their photo taken with her.  Anyway, that is the result of all that & I know there will be some really awful ones out there as I know I had stupid looks on my face & didn't know which camera & what direction I was supposed to be looking, hopefully they will be deleted.

My usual photographer Josie Richardson was there also so there will be a few more shots to come of the parade itself.  I look forward to seeing what she has captured.  Overall it was fucking brilliant & I really enjoyed doing a joint parade with other labels, all the pressure isn't on you.  In the beginning, it wasn't easy giving up creative control to someone else but I just had to take a deep breath & go with the flow. So far everything I've done, I've managed every stage from concept of the design in my head to styling & photographing a collection so, it was a good experience for me to learn about something new & to learn more about myself in the process. I would definitely do it again & I firmly believe Brisbane fashion needs to be presented more creatively like this & needs more confidence in itself & it's place in the world.

 It is certainly Shirley Fractures' raison d'etre to be bold, to be fearless.  'Fashion for the fearless....' for sure.   If you wear 'Shirley' you will be noticed & are the kind of person who dares to be different & is more interested in the aesthetics of fashion than what is 'in fashion'.  It usually works out that Shirley Fracture is ahead of the trends & is always in style as the designs are based on classic styles & traditions but with a twist.  It is not mass produced.  It is created by hand, custom made to suit the customers requirements for individuality, is limited edition & in these ways is truly 'couture'.

Well this has turned into an epic but I hope you enjoyed my little story.  Before I go, it is Shirley Fractures  birthday this month, it was a year ago the label was offiically launched & I'm looking for ideas of how to celebrate....any ideas or anything you want to see 'Shirley' doing, let me know.  Until next time....  SHIRLEY FRACTURE COUTURE ROCKS..loves women who ROCK, like Mamy Rock who as 'the worlds oldest DJ' is 'Still Rocking' & if you are reading this then YOU ROCK.    XX