Strike A Pose: with Lee Lin Chin

As part of the huge Vivid Photography Festival, starting today, I wanted to show you one show I will be sure not to miss... It is Strike A Pose: With Lee Lin Chin.

"Strike a Pose …with Lee Lin Chin is a vibrant photographic exhibition of 75 images that showcase the Australian fashion scene of the 1960s and 1970s – the celebrities, the trends and influences.

Co-curatored by Lee Lin Chin, SBS World News Presenter, host of Fashionista and fashion guru, the exhibition explores the key defining influences that shaped our Australian style, and the colourful events that are fixtures on the fashion follower’s social calendar. Posed fashion shoots are juxtaposed with images of exuberant street culture."

Starts today at the National Archives, Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes, Canberra.

Vivid: National Photography Festival

Vivid: National Photography Festival will be held for the first time in Canberra from 11 July to 12 October 2008. It will be Australia’s largest photography festival, and it's right on our door step.

Fifty venues are collaborating to present more than 100 exhibitions – on both contemporary and historical themes – celebrating the role of photography in Australian life and history.

Pierre Cardin Fashion Parade at Canberra Theatre Centre, 1967 NAA: A1500, K17370.Exhibition: “Strike a Pose … with Lee Lin Chin” at the National Archives of Australia.
Melita Dahl R_Scan, 2006 Courtesy of Conny Dietzschold Gallery, Sydney. Exhibition: “Parade: manufacturing selves in photography” at The Australian National University School of Art

At the core of Vivid are simultaneous photographic exhibitions at the National Gallery of Australia, National Archives of Australia, National Library of Australia, National Museum of Australia, Australian War Memorial, National Film and Sound Archive, Australian National University, Canberra Museum and Gallery and Old Parliament House.

Andreas Smetana Fuji ACMP Collection 10 Exhibition: “The Fuji ACMP Australian Photographer’s Collection” at The Showcase Gallery

Doug Spowart Untitled Exhibition: “Pinhole - Australia” Parliament House

As well as a vast range of exhibitions, there will be an international conference, dramatic projections of photographs on to landmark buildings, a trade show, master classes, seminars, talks and tours and a range of events for photographers, photographic historians and everyone with an interest in, or love of, photography.

Joan Crawford in Dancing Lady, 1933. Directed by Robert Z. Leonard, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, USA. Taussig Collection, NFSA 748083. Exhibition: “Shooting Stars: Women from the Taussig Collection”National Film and Sound Archive
Eve Conroy Brayshaw’s hut Exhibition: “Mountain Huts by Night” Bungendore Wood Works Gallery

It's all happening right here and it starts tomorrow and is on until 20th October.
For a full run down of all 100+ exhibitions visit the Vivid webpage here.

Winter Warming Wednesday: Yellow inspiration

L-R, top to bottom: Painted dresser, Burda Style Magazine; Art Card, Rarified Framing Gallery; Chai Tea in silk bags, T2 Canberra Centre; Inspiration Board, Ninaribena; Baby Tilda's nursery, Apartment Therapy; Celine handbag, Burda Magazine - similar style at Carmen Steffens, Canberra Centre; Cover shot, Inside Out magazine renovating issue; Fabric from Addicted to Fabric;

DFO: Sneak a peek

*** UPDATE: DFO will be hosting a VIP preview on September 11th and will open to the public the following day ***

I received a sneaky email which leaked the exciting line-up of retail therapists coming soon to DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) in Fyshwick, due to open mid August. Can Canberra handle two outlet shopping towns? Will this lead to the demise of Brand Depot? Don't ask me, but maybe I can get you as keen as I am to check it out...

For Hot shoes and handbags: Steve Madden ; Kate Hill; and Rubi Shoes

For fab fashion Lili; and Mossman

Super chic Oroton; and hot homewares at Made In Japan

But there is so much more: Street style from Max Power, Industrie and Frat House. Shoes from Tony Bianco, Sketchers, Scooter, Birkenstock, Sandler and Novo.

Homewares from Form Home, Bay Leather Republic, Villa & Hut, Freedom and Beacon Lighting. More fashion from Garfunkle, Dotti, The entire Cotton On group (including Cotton On Body and Factorie, both new to Canberra), Table 8, Cue, Portmans, Witchery, Dianna Ferrari and the list goes on and on and on... I hope there's plenty of free parking!

Calling Canberran Designers: Experiment

Canberra's Exodus Clothing is searching for creative types to enter The Exodus Experiment, a free competition designed to uncover new local artistic talent.

Eight winning graphics will be placed on t-shirts to form the first collection of 'Experiment', a t-shirt label that will showcase Canberra's artists to the nation. This label will be stocked Australia wide and give Canberra's budding creatives some national exposure.

As well as the chance to kickstart a creative career, each of the eight winning pieces will also be rewarded with a $500 Exodus voucher. Multiple entries are accepted, as an entrant may win more than once.
The winning entries will be published in The Canberra Times. The Exodus Experiment is open to all residents in the ACT and surrounding regions. Competition ends July 25.

So get designing you talented people!

Vanessa Amorosi and I

OMG just came home from the Vanessa Amorosi show at Southern Cross Club. Very talented gal - really rocking it these days with a new look and some sexy rock style and even perfectly channeling the one and only Janis Joplin for "A piece Of My Heart". Support act Michael Paynter is a new little hottie on the scene too, his new single "Closer" was released yesterday.

But what I'm slightly giddy over is the moment when she strutted over to ME and held the mic to ME to sing a line in "Absolutely Everybody" - I think I did well, and witnesses tell me she hugged me... I don't recall! Aaaiiiieeee! Great show... love Nina [blushing] x
Check out the clip for Vanessa's latest single and new look here.
And Michael Paynter's site here.

Addicted To Fabric: Weekend sale

My favourite place in Canberra to buy fabric is on sale this weekend. Addicted to Fabric (and let's face it... I am), is gearing up for a hot weekend...

Stockists of Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry, Kokka, Echino, Michael Miller, Moda, and more, A2F are offering 20 % off fabrics, 50% off patterns and $8/m for a huge range of patchwork fabrics on Saturday and Sunday.

Heloooo, I'm so there. Addicted To Fabric, Dundas Court, Phillip.

Have a fab weekend, Nina x

Don't miss this: Vintage Fashion Fair

"Life's too short to wear ordinary clothes"

So here's your chance. This weekend "The way we wear" fairs brings together all of 'the best' dealers from around Australia at Canberra's historic Albert Hall for the best vintage clothing, accessories, fashion ephemera, jewellery and more.

So what can we expect? The history of Albert Hall has inspired the organisers... "Art Deco fashion parades will be a highlight with fabulous 20s and 30s outfits. But, as always with The Way We Wear Fairs, there will be dealers from all round the country selling everything from 18th century to 1970s"

*edited 7/7/08 to add these images taken at the event

The Way We Wear Autumn Vintage: Fashion & Textile fair
Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July 10-4 at Albert Hall.

Wishing Wednesday: Baby vintage caravan

Ever since I visited Canberra's National Museum of Australia and fell deeply in love with this gorgeous pink baby vintage caravan, right there on display, I have secretly yearned to overhaul the design of a caravan of my own - or help a caravan manufacturer to see the light of day...because honestly, new caravans are U.G.L.Y (you aint got no alibi). Most make me hyperventilate with their ghastliness.

Up until then, knowing how they just are, I have never coveted the humble caravan, never felt need to stay in a little hovel on wheels. But lately I've been yearning to get stuck into a project like this...

... I could take this manky caravan...

...wave my magic wand, and turn it into this stying diva (as seen on Design Shimmer)...

It could be my lovely plaything...I could be convinced to go 'camping', although, I would probably want to LIVE in it... now where will I put my shoe collection?
Seriously though, if anyone wants to buy this one for me... as a project, I would be quite grateful...I wish.

Oops I Did It Again!

Hello ladies... some new shoes followed me home yesterday. But don't they look a bit gorgeous with my thrifted handbag and thrifted old-suits-patchwork picnic rug. If the weather wasn't quite so windy and wet, I'd be off to get some cheeses, bread and wine for a fully adult-like picnic.

They are remarkably comfortable and stable, but don't tell anyone I got them at FSW (Queanbeyan), just between you and me, they have a pretty great range of peep toe prettys right now for $50 a pair.