Shirley is happy to announce her first giveaway here. What you may win is a pair of 'Rock Your World-Dom Lives Large' 70 D leggings, one size fits up to a 16.
How you may win is simple, just follow this blog & then leave a comment below this post . If you are a follower already just leave a comment under this post.
Spring here in the southern hemisphere & true to form the first few days have been gorgeous, sunny & mild with a little spring rain. Please enjoy the music choice while reading, it's from the last century & dedicated to ma boys, especially Brendan (you'll see why when you read further). I'm up early so take this opportunity to do a quick blog which I have been neglecting terribly. Damn, maybe I should have taken the dog for a walk. A woman walking her dog just won $15,000 from the tele, I had entered, haha. OK, I'm back.........
And I'm getting ready to launch the Spring/Summer Collection 2011/12 for 'Shirley'. Getting a bit snowed under with all the admin./behind the scenes work that needs to be done & would really like a helper. I would love to have a parade but just don't think I can swing it this time. There's enough to do organising the upcoming photo shoot which will again be shot by the amazing Josie Richardson( see pics. above) towards the end of this month. I'd also love to do a little video. And I actually have to finish the making of the collection.
This season there will be leggings & tights but expect to see a lot more colour. There will still be upcycled slips plus there will also be the addition of some denim(see pic. below) & some designs that hark back to our roots.
I'm excited to be able to share it with you soon & hope you will like what you see.
On other 'Shirley' news, you can now buy Shirley Fracture Couture at Red Cordial Boutique in Elizabeth Arcade, Elizabeth St., Brisbane city & at the fabulous new Pony Boy Parlour, Albert St., Brunswick in Melbourne.
And he hasn't announced it publicly & probably won't, but am so excited for Brendan Nicholl -Caddell, designer of 'Shirley's' logo who has just won the Little Archie for portrait in Melbourne. He is super talented & watch out for that name in the future, it's just the beginning for him. Love ya B.
OK gorgeous people, must away & get some work done. Catch you soon. XX
So this is appropriate music to read this blog post by. The magical Carry Nation provided entertainment to the people at the Valley Laneway Markets in Winn Lane yesterday. A very pleasant surprise.
'Shirley' was in attendance, gorgeous blue sky, Flamingo Cafe close to hand for fuel & it was just a really pleasant vibe. I've done other markets before & in recent times in fact, where there was no vibe except that I wanted to stick hot pokers in my brain to alleviate the boredom by early afternoon. And the people....well, I think I could have stuck hot pokers in my brain & they wouldn't have cared. The folks in this laneway are the opposite, they are friendly & helpful.
True to form of late however, it was pretty quiet, evidently there were a lot of other things on (but isn't there always....) which is a shame as I put a lot of effort into preparing & so on & 'Shirley' really needs a break at the moment. That said, I think I would give it another go.
Hmmmm, amusing poster out on the street.
Ha, I laugh but maybe it's too close to being real to be funny. Becoming a nanny state & all. What next will be legislated?, as the rest of us are apparently adults who are not capable of making our own decisions...anyway, that is another post me thinks.
There were some coppers there making us market goers fell safe & secure, ha ha.
It's actually a greyer day today but I've a friend up from Lismore & it sound like she is outside gardening. Also it must be time for.....well, brunch , as it turns out & I should probably get dressed as well. The doggers have just come in to check on what I'm doing so........
Before I go I can give you an exciting little hint....there may be a super sale at 'Shirley Fracture Couture' shortly with very generous discounts.
I always find in interesting to see what others are creating when I go to do markets, & folks are doing some really great work. And I know a lot of people really appreciate what they are looking at for the creativity & effort that's gone in & just the plain gorgeousness. So please support your local art makers. You always get something unique & creative. Instead of going out to some faceless large company who has plenty of doh, if you need to get a gift for someone, check out the alternative. We are just as convenient to shop from, & actually provide a better service, we have a lot more invested, ie., our blood sweat & tears & probably our soul which we've sold to the devil to buy paint & fabric etc. hahaha.
OK, I'll get off my soap box now. Have a great weekend guys & dolls. XX
I used a Patti Smith song for the first part of the AW 2011 parade, it wasn't this one but I think this is better to read by. I know the weekend has come & gone, which is when I said I'd post the rest of this story but.....these things happen. Here's the next installment.
RESTING PLACE continued. :
Shirley approached a snotty old woman who told her that this was just how it was & always had been. But Shirley rented the room now & she wanted her privacy. As they had not been told differently, they intended to keep making their exits through Shirley's room. He had told her the rent was $50 a night. Housing was scarce. She knew that. This was ridiculous.
After inspecting the contents of her wallet, she was verging on hysteria. Shirley had run out of options. She found him in his cabin & he took her to meet the landlady. Another old person. Shirley didn't like her chances. She found her to be different from the others however. Mentally & physically busy. Constantly moving. When she did stop you could still see the movement of blood pumping. Veins pulsing under skin translucent. Secrets worth keeping inside that skull. Shirley told her of the situation with the room. The landlady's face filled with suspicion.. Shirley could see it rising from her throat until it came out of her ears like steam, She mumbled 'two or five, two.....'as she took off at speed. Two being the least expensive. Shirley found out why.
The landlady led them to the back garden. Half way along the path stood a small Tudor style building. Originally the laundry for the main house & living quarters for the staff, A happy, loving couple had lived there since being married forty-seven years earlier. Council wanted it demolished & the cafe next door wanted to extend their car parking. After a long battle, they are never short, the building, along with the rest, was heritage listed. Assured of life continuing. The woman had stopped talking. Shirley could see her mind still moving. She was going to offer it to Shirley. Then said the old couple had recently died & it was already taken. Why was she lying.....
Something fantastic to listen to while you are reading. I used this music for the second part of the fashion parade at 'Shirleys' launch party in April. These boys are divine.
If you are new to the life of Shirley, you will have missed the origin story but can catch up by reading earlier blog posts 'Nervous Now' & 'Part 2'. I know some of you have been waiting patiently for the next installment so I thought I had better get started. After the unfortunate events at Shirley's home; the break & enter & the intruder; Shirley has sought new accommodation.
Her story reinforces how glad I am not to have to rent on the private rental market. Living in a housing co-operative has its' own unique challenges & speaking plainly, can be a pain in the arse at times but ultimately, it beats renting & Shirleys' adventures drive this home.
So, here is the next bit. I will add to & finish it over the weekend. This is a story in development, it is on the run. It is called 'Resting Place'.
RESTING PLACE by Kathleen Dittmar
Shirley decided to stay. She didn't know why. He had found it for her. A room in a rambling, once opulent, old home. It fronted the interstate highway. A 24 hour blue neon cafe to the left. Barren, neglected field to the right. City skyline visible in the distance. Her room was at the front of the house. Long & narrow. Part of the original old ballroom. Including veranda, built in. Swishing taffeta ghost noises. Potent place with its' high ceilings, highly ornate & dusty colours.
Her possessions were few now. Three television sets, a stereo, records & books in high piles on the floor. Old blue glass kerosene lamp & some outdated clothes. Shirley would send for the rest when she was settled.
There was the dinner set inherited from her great Aunt Shirl & more in storage. Possessions had become less important to Shirley, the having of them & the getting of them.
He lived in a rented cabin in a row of log cabins on the lower level of the old estates grounds. It seemed like a good place to hide. Shirley stood alone taking in her new room when the back wall seemed to move. She watched, still somewhat numb, as a panel in the wall slid aside. A ramp appeared & an old woman in a wheelchair rolled down it, through Shirleys' room & out her door. Next an old man started down, cane in hand. Gaping hole in her room now revealed the rest of the ballroom. It's floor elevated. It didn't want to be separated from her side of the room. It once was one & the house was alive. In there were old people. Gray haired, floral dresses, piss stained pants their uniform.
What & why.
To Be Continued. ........
So it starts & will continue over the weekend if you are keen to read what happens next. XX
When I first started this blog, I said it would be above all honest, whether you liked it or not & I don't know if I've been really true to that. Because it's attached to my business I've felt the need to put forward a certain face.
Well I just wanted to say that while some really great things have happened & I've worked really hard...it is fucking hard & most of the time I feel like I'm talking to myself & don't know what the fuck I'm doing.
OK well I feel a bit better I got that out. Now there are some pictures that aren't particularly pretty but they are real & come from me. XX
It's been super busy around this way of late & I've been neglecting the old blog. 'Shirley' has been working day & night & needs to play for sure.
There have been a few notices & articles & I'm tickled pink. The reaction to the AW 2011collection has been great. The latest is this one http://www.biscuitmagazine.com It's a great on-line magazine & we have 'Tea & a Biccie'.
The recent photo shoot with Josie Richardson of http://www.josierichardson.com went really well & I'll see the final results over the weekend. This is a wee taste above featuring the beautiful Heloise-Laure Ruinard & Kahlo Angelus.
Oh & there is a bit of a promotion on 'Shirley's' facebook page, discounts on leggings, good timing 'cos it's getting chilly.
