Recycle in Style: Canberra Antiques Centre

Funky, young and exciting are not necessarily synonymous with antique shopping, but in a corner of Fyshwick, I discovered, Canberra Antiques Centre is not your typical stuffy dealer.

To the soundtrack of "You Can Leave Your Hat On" I sashayed around the Retro clothing area, stopping to check out the many vintage dress patterns for sale, marveled at the wonderful collection of glasswares and figurines... and then, peering around the corner to spy the Jet Age area... hello dolly...

The centre is a showcase to a dozen collectors who each present their own take on antiques with a unique display, some with clothing, fabrics, lighting, some with rustic antiques and others with ornate elegant furniture. Owner, Doug Mulley, who is a passionate collector of more traditional antique furniture and items tells me "our target buyers are a younger market now, we still get older clients coming through, but we find that younger people are more comfortable with our range of exciting collections - and music", this in reference to his refusal to play classical music, opting instead for a bit of modern rock!

Great style and sass here...

...and here's what I couldn't leave without... a very kitschy owl oven mitt, some loverly vintage buttons and a retro belt buckle, a tie (for me!) and a vintage vogue dress pattern circa 1960's... stay tuned for that one on Ninaribena Makes.

Canberra Antiques Centre is on Townsville st Fyshwick.

Reinventing the silhouette: Corr Blimey

When the talented designers of Canberra fashion label Corr Blimey met at Fashion school in 1999, they immediately hated each other, this turned into a burning passion which fuelled their partnership. I spoke with Louisa de Smet and Steve Wright about their work in fashion...

images from the Northern Lights collection

"We fought for 6 months about what to name the label", eventually launching Corr Blimey in 2001. "We don't always see eye to eye on everything, but we are definitely in sync. Steve and I work so well together it's rather scary" says Louisa, "we can be working completely apart for days, then come together and discover we were thinking exactly the same ideas"

Images from the Orinuno collection

How would you describe the Corr Blimey Style?: "Corr Blimey is unusual and fashion forward. The style of the label is very much pushing the boundaries of wearable fashio. Asking consumers to question the status quo of garments. Reinventing silhouettes and structure. We enjoy experimenting with the fabric. Creating functional, clever garments."

Images from the Orinuno collection.

What inspires your work? "We are inspired by many different things, for example, I am always inspired by history and the search for the new unanswered question" says Steve, "Louisa is often inspired by the organic shapes of nature, the spohisticated way plants, rocks, animals and landscapes evolve through time." Louisa adds "I see fabric in nature all the time. I have a real passion for vegetable, Cabbages, lettuces and brociflower are my favourites. The Natural world is and endless palette."

"Our different influences mesh our designs together to enhance the silhouettes and strengthen chosen themes"

What is your greatest achievement to date? "We have done countless fashion events including fashion week in 2002 but, a designer is there to make people happy and if we can see someone on the street who looks amazing in our clothes then...job done"

"Launching our Orinuno collection in 2007 was fantastic, we had so much positive feedback. It was really satisfying to see our creations being appreciated."

Need it? You can get your hands on Corr Blimey fashion at Clothing Store Online and at the Young Blood Designer markets at the Powerhouse during the Sydney Design Festival (in April) or drop them and email info@corrblimey.com.au. Furthermore, checkout their full portfolio online here and their latest work on their Myspace page.

So What's next? "we are currently designing our new collection and I think it's going to be one of our best (but I have to say that!) inspired by structure and form and the meeting of nature and humanity...lots of stripes"

Well I can't wait, can you?

Ninaribena makes...

After some consideration about whether to include my personal creative projects on Canberra's Got Style, I have decided to create a separate blog for such things... so do check out Ninaribena Makes... for more about the things I get up to in my spare time!

(Insert shameless self promotion) have a look at my handbags for sale now on Ginger Knits. Canberra's Got Style readers will get 5% off when you enter the code CGS5%.

And click here to find out how to win $50 to spend at Ginger Knits. (end shameless self promotion)

Real Estate Rooms: Deakin

Spotted! This Deakin home on Allhomes looked oddly familiar to me. Then when I got to the interior shots, I recognised instantly the hide rug I had sold, via Cite, to the lovely owners (soon to be moving it would seem).

A stunning home, check it out here... 4 Carmichael St Deakin.

Festival of Canberra: don't miss...

Canberra Festival will be showcasing events across Canberra from 8th to 16th March... here are a couple of the big ones you might want to know about...

Celebrate in the Park, its all set to happen on Monday 10th at Stage 88, Commonweath Park with local acts Ashleigh Mannix, Andi and George plus 'big names' Human Nature, Ricki Lee and Mental As Anything. There will also be the 'Little Big Top' for the littlies with Jay L'gaia (mmmm) performing playschool favourites! Also carnival rides, activities and a gargantuan Birthday cake to share, then top it all off with the Fireworks show from 9:10pm. Check out the program of events here.

And the Indie music festival Saturday 8th, from 11am, at the Basement, details here.

Wardrobe Refashion Friday: easy skirt

Wardrobe Refashion: Project 1

I have had this fabric in my stash for about a year, I love the oriental look to it and with the zingy colour I fell in love instantly. I bought enough of it to make a dress, but worried that it would be a 'bit much', so finally I have made a simple skirt which I can now wear to death.

I think it looks pretty awesome with my DKNY top (thrifted) and little red Ebay shoes (from my hubby)... cute!

Happy Canberra Day long weekend!

2 weeks to Easter: Bruno's Truffels

Although the supermarkets will have us believe that we needed to buy easter eggs and hot cross buns from early January, every year I ignore them until shocked that Easter is, in fact, only days away and all the eggs left have those finger holes poked into them.

Well not this year... I paid a timely visit to Canberra's easter time institution Bruno's Truffels, where Bruno and his team of chocolatiers are madly preparing for the mayhem of the annual stampede - yes people, ques out the door should be expected, so get in EARLY!

HUGE chocolate bunnies, Bilbys, Truffels, filled eggs, honey almond nougat eggs and more more more! And my goodness the lunch rolls and coffee were good, so stop in for a bite too.

Bruno's Truffels is at Mawson Place, Mawson.

In a rut?: Show me the style!

For personal stylist Samantha West, helping people discover how to make the most of what they've got is second nature. She's been in the Beauty, Fashion and Visual Merchandising businesses for over 25 years, and Show Me the Style "has been powering ahead for 18 months."

"My own personal style is always changing; it really depends on my mood, where I'm going and who I'm meeting with. In saying that, it is always polished with attention to detail - Classic with an edge".

Offering services from personal shopping and wardrobe consultation, through to special events make-up and even visual merchandising, Samantha is in the business to hear her clients tell her that she has changed their lives and that they feel so much more confident and happy...

A happy client before and after.

"to discover each individual's style you need to spend some time with the person and ask lots of questions, look at their body shape, face shape, colouring and lifestyle"

If you are in a style stalemate, contact Samantha West by email twest@bigpond.com and check out her website www.showmethestyle.com.au

Style Files: Cupcakes are so hot right now

Have you noticed... cupcakes are the new black? Everywhere I go there are adorable cupcakes, cupcake mixes, cupcake books, cupcake soaps, knitted and crocheted cupcakes, cupcakes on t-shirts, aprons and everything you will ever need to make or display your cupcakes. And so, it only follows that a cupcake store, Cherryseed resides at Gininderra Village, right next door to The Style Emporium.

Cherryseed boutique cupcake specialists, gorgeous simple, lovely.

Cupcakey goodness via The Shopping Sherpa

Assorted cupcakery items from Wheel and Barrow, Canberra Centre.

Whisk and Pin cupcake, pancake and cookie mixes; cookie cutters; and 500 Cupcakes (available everywhere)

Happy cupcakes Canberra!

Sow What?: Styling in the garden

Tucked into the back of uber cool store Don't Tell Phyliss is this tiny boutique plant nursery and home to Sow What urban landscape design practice. Soon to undergo a major restructure, Sow What products will soon be intergrated throughout Unit Concepts (Braddon) and Don't tell Phyliss (Kingston) giving owner and principal designer Melanie Neist more time to do what she loves best... designing hot courtyards, baclonies and living interior and exteriorscapes for Canberra's homes and commercial spaces.

Plants stocked are "different to the run-of-the-mill offerings" says Mel of her sculptural and often striking forms. With quirky touches like plants in delicate teacups and in the coolest hanging bird feeder, anything goes.

So what are the garden trends in Canberra right now? "Gardens are getting smaller so we find ourselves specialising in small gardens: balconies and courtyards for the most part. And clients want double duty from their gardens, so we are designing alot of edible gardens, with herbs and dwarf fruit trees which are fantastic for smaller spaces."

And on the drawing board right now are designs for 2 exhibition gardens for Gardening Australia's exhibit at the My Place Expo, currently traveling the country, the expo will be in Canberra April 5 and 6.

Look out for some new high end show-stopping products for your garden toward the end of the year, but for now Sow What are having a moving sale... don't tell Phyliss ;-)