All About, Ins & Outs

Hey there gorgeous people.  .  So it's March already..yep, master of stating the obvious, but we got here so fast.  It's been a good start to the year.  Lets summarise.  You know Shirley loves to ROCK & women who ROCK is tending to be a theme for this year.  I know a few personally but  have come across some new ones professionally who are not only talented but are inspirational & gorgewah.


I wanted to put together a video of some of my gorgeous photos from previous shoots  but the music accompanying it is really important to me.  So began a rather frustrating process until one day late last year I happened upon Alina Simone, specifically this track http://alinasimone.bandcamp.com/track/beautiful-machine  which I fell in love with & was pleasantly surprised to learn the woman herself is a really cool & lovely person.  Bam music dilemma over, after weeks of trying to contact people to find out about copyright to use songs & getting no replies, I had the music & I couldn't be happier about the result.

So I've put together three little videos now & they display the images beautifully although my video making skills could benefit from some experience. I'm planning on doing more videos this year to highlight some local women who ROCK.  

Then something serendipitous happened.  I've loved Amanda Palmer http://blog.amandapalmer.net/  for quite some time now & who should be connected to her but Alina Simone.  They are friends & have worked together in the past.  Both inspirational women to me.  I love to see people doing what they love & being successful at it, it makes me really happy.  Amanda is a solo artist but also in a band The Dresden Dolls http://www.dresdendolls.com/ who toured Oz & N.Z. in the new year.  So it was in early January, I spotted photos of Amanda Palmer sitting up in a tree playing one of her ninja gigs at Occupy Melbourne, in Melbourne of course.  

One of my first thoughts was 'get out of that tree crazy lady, you'll snag your leggings', ha ha.  Luckily photographer Francesco Vicenzi was on hand, his work is amazing check it out here, http://www.francescovicenzi.eu/eng/pensieri/  , & luckily he seemed to like the 'Walk This Way' leggings, get them here,  http://shirleyfracturecouture.bigcartel.com/product/walk-this-way-legging as he took  few shots focused on them.  Thanks so much Vicenzo.

I was so fricken' excited when I saw these photos, & I think they must have been comfy as Amanda wore them for the rest of the day & even out onto the stage that night.  These next photos were taken by lovely drum prodigy Lisa Waters who got to spent the day hanging out with Brian Viglione.  Thanks Lisa. blog..http://withmywatercolors.tumblr.com/

I've also been searching this year for a work experience assistant.  There is so much work to do there is no way I can do it all on my own anymore.  This was no easy task either.  I interviewed some really great young women & after a couple of false starts, I think I have found a keeper with super assistant Kaylee.  There's her leggies above,  in a sample pair of purple leggings she took a liking to.  

It has been difficult to say the least, to get my business, this business of 'Shirley', off to a flying start.  I've been working hard on my label for over year now, I couldn't tell you how many hours, a lot.  And I absolutely don't mind the work, I am passionate about what I'm doing & am happy to work hard to achieve my dreams.

  With that end in mind I also launched a crowd funding project to try & get some finance to fund the next collection & keep the business growing.  I  won't reach my target at this rate so please pledge even a dollar & share with all you know.  I really need this but it's worth a try right?  If the target isn't reached none of the pledges are given, or taken for that matter.   Please have a look  http://www.pozible.com/index.php/archive/index/4886/description/0/0  Wowser, just realised it's half over, eeek.

So I now find myself on the countdown to my nephews wedding in Melbourne next week.  While there I can't wait to pop into Pony Boy Parlour who stock 'Shirley' meet the lovely owners & check it all out.https://www.facebook.com/ponyboyparlour.  

Until then I'm madly trying to get the winter collection ready as when I get back from my leetle trip I'm joining Ruth Flowers,  Mamy Rock at the Met here in Brisbane, March 30 th.  Yeah baby, woo hoo.  Love her.  Another woman who ROCKS well & truly.    'Shirley' will be participating in a fashion show  along side Mamy Rock & I'll be showing a bit of a retrospective along with previewing  the latest Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection.  If you are in Brisbane I really hope you come along.  It's going to be a wild night.  I'll certainly keep you updated.  

Well it's been a great start to the year yes?  I'm really excited to show you  the winter collection as well.  I'm  very happy with it, I think each collection gets better than the last & will be shooting it after the Mamy Rock gig.  OK so that's the news for now, really looking forward to what comes next.  With some of the things that have happened this year so far I've thought 'yay, my hard work is starting to pay off' ,  there is still such  long way to go but I'm enjoying the trip.  XX

Inside Scoop - The Dirt

Have you seen this gorgewah Skull Stud Maxi dress?  Looks great on the equally gorgewah model, Lara, right?

It is hand dyed, hand painted, has hand sewn ribbon detail & is an up-cycled vintage slip & is only $85.  Some of you think that's reasonable right?  Some of you are probably thinking 'only'.... that's expensive, right?  Well maybe reserve your opinion until you have read this.

It probably took me an hour & a half to find the slip, good quality vintage items are getting harder to find & are at the same time getting more expensive, especially as I like to find ones that have never been worn.  Some still have original tags attached & fewer even come in their original packaging.


Next is the design process.  Sometimes I may look at something & within 5 minutes have the design down & know exactly how I want it to look.  At other times, it may be something I mull over for months & that develops slowly with adjustments made along the way.  Ideas added, subtracted . For the sake of this exercise we'll say 1 hour.

Then there is the cost of the fabric dye, the fabric paints & the ribbon.  Doing the actual dying probably takes 40 minutes, the painting of the design onto the garment, 1 & a 1/2 hours & the hand sewing of the ribbon, another 2 hours. Ta daaaa, done right?  No not quite yet.

Next it has to be photographed, which for one look, if I push the photographer along, half an hour.  But before that there is the models hair & makeup, styling of the shot, setting up the shot.....oh I nearly forgot, deciding on the location which involves scouting a location &, travelling time,  but I'm not even going to try & attribute a time value to all that.

So the photo is in the bag, done right.  No no, don't be so anxious.  Next is the loading & listing of the item to the web store, a time consuming task.  There is the description, the details eg, size, oh, hang on, convert vintage size to modern size first, postage costs, wait, work out the weight of the parcel to be, what part of the world is it going to, how much it would be if posted with another item.  Now you can load the photos once you have re sized them of course.  Let's be generous & say that little process takes 20 minutes.

I also like to post new items to facebook as well but that doesn't take long right?  Probably not, if facebook is working smoothly & people don't have any questions that is.

So there it is our gorgeous Skull Stud maxi dress for $85.  Lets break it down, materials cost around $45.  What is the average wage these days? Around $33 per hour, minimum rate around $15.  Well let's say $20 per hour, that's fair right? In total that's nearly 7 hours which is $140.  Total $185 dollars.  Yes I've rounded  up the hours but I hadn't yet mentioned the fees involved in a sale, IE., paypal or bank fees & other associated costs like webpage & domain fees, transport costs, time in labelling & packaging etc & so on.

Most artists & crafters & makers of things by hand know that you never get paid for all the hours you put in, most other occupations do though.  But hey, we love what we do & nothing makes me happier than seeing people wearing my creations.

So keeping all this in mind & also armed with the knowledge that 'Shirley' garments are either limited edition or one offs, this is not mass produced off the rack here, I 'm thinking $85 for this dress is not reasonable, is not expensive, it is in fact inexpensive & the purchaser ends up with a  cool, unique garment that they won't run into someone else wearing.  XX

  

Shirley Rocks 2012 by Kathleen Dittmar on Pozible

Shirley Rocks 2012 by Kathleen Dittmar on Pozible

You can pledge & you can pledge & you can pledge, everybody can pledge & share share share. Just click on link above & show some love. XX

Goodbye Hello

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8heAmM6-q8

If you feel so inclined to click on this link above you won't be disappoited, one of the great things that happened this year of 2011 was my discovering Alina Simone & this song is filled with heart & soul & guts & beauty. And I think the same can be said for the woman herself.

Another great thing about 2011 was all the fantastic people I got to work with on shoots for 'Shirley'. There's two of them to the left there & more below.

It has been a challenging year filled with a lot of hard work. I've learned a lot of new things, about business, computers, myself. I love to learn but some lessons come easier than others.

I'll be glad to say goodbye to 2011 knowing that I have done my very best & I'll be happy to see 2012 which will be jammed

packed with exciting new projects.

I fully expect to work just as hard if not harder. Some of the old challenges will remain(I am stuck with myself & my own physical limitations) & there will be new ones to overcome. But I'm confident it is going to be a big year for 'Shirley'.

I really appreciate those of you who have supported me in 2011, whether it be following this blog, buying something, selling something, words of encouragement etc., it all means a lot to me & helps keep me going.

I'll be taking on a work experience assistant & look forward to interviewing & meeting everyone.

Of course there's the designing & execution of the Winter 2012 collection. Video projects, fashion parades like this town has never seen before & a huge trip to Melbourne & Adelaide in March/April & on it goes.

Here's me with my number one supporter who is always by my side. So... much love & cheers to you & now to go celebrate the year that was & to welcome the year to come. XX

Work It

Wow...what a year 2011 has been right?  I know it has a been a big year for 'Shirley' & 2012 is set to be huge.

So much exciting stuff planned for the new year & there is just so much to do I can no longer do it on my own.
That said,  I am looking for a work experience assistant.  If you are studying or just completed studies or are wanting to build your resume' for example & need experience for your career.......it is not  paid position but there will be some opportunities for remuneration.

If you want a career in any of these-  fashion, business management, retail & sales, marketing & pr, event management, stylist


If you have any of the following skills - computer skills, administrative, overlocking, video, photography, hair & make up, research, grant applications, networking




A willingness to muck in & help out where needed will put you in good stead.  A vehicle is desirable but not necessary.


                                                       plus much more


Of course you don't have to have all of these things & one of the important aspects is that you can be flexible & creative & have a sharp mind, & that you suit the work environment that is 'Shirley' world.

The location is Paddington in Brisbane & is poodle friendly.  There are also sometimes foster dogs that stay with us until they are adopted.  So if you are allergic or don't like dogs then the position is not for you.

Behind the scenes............some of the tasks you may have to perform.  Sheltering photographers in the rain, giving models a thorough soaking, public events such as markets............helping out at photo shoots & the view from the office, not bad hey?

If you aren't afraid of hard work, want to have fun, be involved in exciting projects,  then please send an email to introduce yourself & tell me something about you.   Include your contact details & send  to this address work@shirleyfracture.com.au 

This little piggy

Yes I attended some markets on Sunday at West End.  The experience should have been like this.....& by the way, man Iggy is looking good.

Unfortunately it was more like this...................

  I tried my peeps, I tried.

Some images for you of the day which I got through with a little help from my friends, you know who you are & I thank you from the heart of my bottom.

That pretty much sums it up. I am in no way negative about the market itself, it is a great idea & the woman in charge was lovely but it just didn't work out for me on the day & I ain't gonna bullshit ya.   XX 

#crazy#season#sexy#party#frocks#shirley#rocks

Yeah Yeah.

All dresses above available at  http://www.shirleyfracture.com.au

the two above are available at Pony Boy Parlour, Albert St, Brunswick, Melbourne.

Show Stopper Party Popper.  XX