Who uses veils anyway?

Well, I'm hoping the answer is brides because this week I have been making veils & other delicious headpieces & millinery for the Complete Weddings Hollywood Glamour shoot.

It was like L'oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival all over again, except everything I made had to be different & from beautiful materials, as this was the real deal, not just a walk down the catwalk.

After a whirlwind trip to Clegs & Maria's Beads (formerly Maria George ), I spent Monday at school in Wizard of Oz land. It's really coming together beautifully, but it's so soon!

The rest of the week was spent with my head down in my studio designing & creating lovely headwear for the shoot on Thursday. It was at the Italianate Villa Quat Quatta in Ripponlea.

So here are my beauties.

And better yet most are available in my Etsy store, made to order in just a couple of weeks.

Adelaide Blusher with Diamante comb

 Minnie Silk Organza Headband

 One of a kind Juliette Vintage Beaded lace Fascinator

Sylvia Metallic Lace Bandeau

I cannot wait to see the results in the magazine come October.

And what's more, they asked to keep everything until after their shoot in Daylesford next week.

Then I have some more pieces to put together for the Prima Ballerina shoot mid June.

They are all designed, so I'll worry about making them next week.

Everything's Coming Up Roses

It's all happening. And I mean all happening.

On Sunday I decided to put out some feelers about do a photo shoot of my -not existent - new pieces for my- almost existing- new website.
I emailed a make up artist, a photographer, a venue & a professional model, letting them know what I as thinking & also telling them this is a shoe string budget project, because I have no money. Thanks to the tax man stealing it all.

But that's another story.

Within 24 hours everyone got back to me saying they would love to be involved, & pretty much for nothing.
I was so excited & a little scared. Now I might have to actually stop planning & do something.

The next thing I know I'm getting a call from Complete Wedding Magazine to see if I was to be in their advotorial shoots coming up.
This is unfortunately no a free gig, but potentially LOADS of exposure.
I can have four featured images in 2 of the upcoming shoots & also further product can be added to other themes & sections if they don't already have millinery.

I've choosen Hollywood Glamour & Prima Ballerina.
Not the pressure is on as one is on the 30th & the other is mid June.
Eeeek! But we all know I work will under pressure.
So a little bit of inspiration to get the creative juices flowing.

Ready. Steady, GO!

Not much to post today, because I've been working on my new website most of this week.

I'm meeting with a graphic designer next week to work on a logo & then I need get more samples happening & to do a photo shoot…
The list is endless.

But I'm really happy with Squarespace as a starting point.
Might have been a really good idea to watch the demo video before spending a day trying to construct a site blind'. It's been a massive learning curve.
When my new site is launched the blog will be there too, so I hope you'll join us.

SO what else have I been doing this week, except dealing with sawdust as the kitchen project drags on into it's 7th month.

Wizard Witches

Here's a little taster

Wicked Witch of the West 

Glinda the Good of the North

And that's it for this week.

This weekend is full of Vintagey things to do in Melbourne

Swing Patrol Meet the Scene Ball 

 Melbourne Love Vintage Show

and don't forget the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal, they do such an amazing job helping others, so please help them make it possible.

Have a great weekend wherever you are & whatever you do.

There is a season- change, change, change

Is anyone else like me when it comes to the change in seasons?
I love the the approach of a new season.



There comes a point where I actually can't wait for the weather to turn & the anticipation of a ' new' home aesthetic, a ' new' menu & a 'new' wardrobe.

Obviously it's not all really new, but bringing out the quilts & throws, the darker bed linen,


eating soup & slow cooked meals


& changing over my summer to winter wardrobe is something I really enjoy.


The changing of seasons, the moving on of time.
I relish it, rather than mourn for those warm summer evenings & the day light lingering til late.
It's like I have all these new clothes.
Last seasons stuff is pulled out of the wardrobes & drawers, sorted in to types, t shirts, shirts, dresses, light cardigans, pants, & the things I haven't worn much or are looking a bit tired & out of fashion get sorted into the store or donate piles.
Then I open up my trunk & under bed storage & pull out the next seasons clothes.
Once again it's sorted in to piles for hanging or folding, some might be returned to a bag because I don't want to wear it this season, but not ready to part with yet, others join the donate pile.


It's at this point that I can assess what actual new stuff I need.


This year that day was tinged with sadness, as I unpacked all my winter woollies I found some little beastie had been having a really good nibble at the wool cardigans I bought at the end of last winter.


I was so annoyed. Those space bags are supposed to save your clothes from beasties, but somehow they got in & chewed through perfectly good knitwear. They couldn't have chosen an old, pilled, misshappen piece.
But that's what happens with change.

Sometimes it's anticipated & exciting. Sometimes it's filled with apprehension & dread. Sometimes it's everything we expected & more, sometimes we're left disappointed & disillusioned.

So it is with Empireroom.
Change, change & more change.



Originally I had planned for it to be vintage patterns, trims & handmade accessories business, but I just never got around to the accessories.
Maybe millinery, maybe lingerie, maybe swimwear, maybe wedding dresses.
I did enough research, bought enough books, pinned a ridiculous amount on Pinterest, but the making never happened. There was always something else to do.

The patterns & trims puddled along, selling intermittently, but I wasn't passionate about it. I was more passionate about acquiring the said pretties & not selling them.

And then came the change.
The new costume model at school, that freed me up to take on some other work, in what is usually full time costumes for 3 months.
And the opportunity fell in my lap.



That of making all the headpieces for most of the designers in the Red Carpet Runway Parade for L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival.
I had no time to stop & think about being nervous, well maybe for 15minutes I had a panic about whose gowns I was accessorising, but I really just had to find a way to get it done.
And I enjoyed it. And I was inspired. And the pieces were pretty good.

And suddenly everything shifted. There was a huge change in my perspective.
Ok, so two months down the track I still haven't sold anything, but everything is working towards change. A website, a shop, samples, photos, logos & when that first sale comes in it will mark the start of something new, to quote High School Musical, which was the catalyst for all this change.
And the change of seasons makes me think of additional items to add to my range. Gorgeous capes & wraps to keep you warm at a winter wedding.


Change is good.
It's cathartic, it's challenging, it's scary. But it's also exciting, exhilarating & motivating.
Try it.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
And photos edited with my new Snapseep App.

Don't forget to sign up if you love this post.

And check us out at
Www.empireroom.com.au
Www.etsy.com/shop/empireroom
Www.facebook.com/empireroom
Www.twitter.com/empireroom_aust

Fonts & fascinators & 7 fabric dresses

Where did this last week go?

I have so many things I want to get on to, but there are never enough hours.

I've been on a 'make Empireroom look professional' jag recently.
I have these gorgeous head pieces & now everything else needs to look just as gorgeous, to get them out there & selling.
There's so much involved.
A new font & logo, better pictures, a new website with online shop, more samples for the range, sourcing materials. and then there is the business side of things.

I've been doing Marie Forleo's B-School which has opened up so many resources & information I feel a little like a duck. Serenely gliding over the water, with my little legs going like the blazes under the surface. There is a lot to digest in only 8 weeks, but i have learned so much about how to run an online business.

On the creative side, this has been happening.
Some more silk flowers with left over wedding petals.

A new blusher veil, in several different fabrics, this is crystal tulle.

Miz Mimi sporting last week's silk flower blusher.

A box of gorgeous crystal samples & some lace that I've been thinking of including in some 1920's bandaeaus

More petals & layered vintage motifs. I got these motifs in a huge garbage bag of dirty vintage lace from Job Warehouse years ago. They've been in the trims box at school since making lots of 1930's lingerie for 42nd Street in 2006. 

After all this time they suddenly spoke to me & said they were destined for bridal head pieces. And I think I agree with their destiny. I have stiffened them & layered  three on top of each other, all individually trimmed & with some beaded & gold thread they will look amazing

I also pick up this adorable Regency pattern & want to try the frilled wrap in silk & lace.

Of course the obsession with Wizard of Oz continues.

Glinda  & the Wicked Witch of the West  have hit the forefront & I'm so excited for their costumes now. 

Glinda was so hard because there are such strong images of her costume already out there. 

The MGM fairy floss pink  1930's fairy princess, the Meringue wedding dress of Wicked & the recent Great & Powerful Oz Glinda in slinky medieval inspired dresses.

I wanted my Glinda to be different & when the suggested wedding dress from Les Mis did not fit our actress, I was so happy to return to the drawing board.

Our Glinda will be wearing a dress of blue & gold brocade with 6 layers  of Organza, blue brocade, Glitter organza, blue tulle, gold spider web fabric in her skirt & silk shot chiffon sleeve drapes.

This was the inspiration.

 Our Wicked Witch also need to be equally spectacular. 

No ugly dowdy version. I loved that Wicked made her beautiful, paving the way to move beyond warts & pointed noses.

When I saw this 1890's dress on Pinterest I knew this was the foundation of the design. Majestic, elegant & powerful.

 Coupled with this pattern in my collection, I delved into the fabric store room & grabbed every textured scrap of fabric I could find. Lots of the pieces are from Chicago 2 years ago. I also like the feather trimming in the recent Oz incarnation & luckily I still had some Babette trim from Beauty & the Beast. Every single pattern piece is a different fabric, from sheer lace under sleeve, 3D flower fabric over sleeves, red & black lace overlay front panel, stretch cotton brocade bodice, lurex thread sleeve caps, crushed taffeta over skirt, red glitter tulle front under skirt & a removable black & red feather stand up collar.

Here is a little mock up with the scraps after cutting. 

If you liked what you read here don't forget to sign up to keep hearing from us 

or follow us on Twitter,  Facebook, Pinterest or Etsy

And stay tuned for the new website COMING SOON.

Wizard of Oz takes over my life

I love it when I get so excited about a project I just can't stop working on it.
The Wizard of Oz has become just that. I have had so many Ah-Ha moments in the last week.

Today I'm supposed to be working on Empireroom Designs, but I just can't stop researching Wizard. One idea just flows onto the next & I find myself back at the computer Googling & eBaying like my life depended on it.

I have really been struggling with the concept for the Cowardly Lion.
Tinman & Scarecrow got sorted last week after I came across come YouTube videos for the London Production. Be blown away by Dorothy's miraculous dress change at 1.39.

After watching some of their 135 videos, it all just fell into place & with some tweaking & trial paint effects there were the designs. See last weeks blog.

But the Lion hasn't been sitting easy with me. It's the whole idea that even though he's Cowardly, he is still a Lion & no-one has a problem with that. I felt the need to make him a little more person-ish, a bit more accessible, harking back to Wicked story lines,  but I didn't want him to be lame.
So here's my inspiration over many weeks & months

I really liked this Lion mane, but I didn't want our Lion to be in a full fur suit.

I also loved the Lion from the TinMan mini series, but it still wasn't quite right.

Then I found this gorgeous fraidy cat from the Carousel Theatre For Young People. I really connect with his human-ness, but it wasn't my vision.

Then when I was supposed to be packing up to leave school at 4pm yesterday, it came to me.

Perhaps not a blinding flash, but certainly ideas started tumbling. I raced up to the storeroom to seek out the leather surcoat that Merlin wore in Pendragon. A lovely burnished brown leather, aged behind the back of a 4WD.

Then I thought about jodphur pants that would give the effect of the Lions muscular legs without being a fur suit & ridiculously hot. 

I 

 Once I got home, I took of my rain sodden leather shoes in favor of my good ole Teddy bear slippers. And then I remembered seeing some monsters slippers online.

Add some fur trim fingerless gloves, a stringy mane from my first picture & hey presto, I had a Lion design I was pretty happy with.

Then I tried looking at crows again. Nothing in any productions really inspired me, but when I saw this adorable mini raven costume I was done.

Our three crows will wear a black hoodie with attached peaked beak, felt winglets & feathers,  black baggy rough edged shorts, long orange & black stripe socks, & oversized  bird feet slipppers.

They will be so comfy! 

Next time I'll share my amazing transforming Poppies into Snowflakes & the delectable Jitterbugs.

Stay tuned for more Empireroom bridal millinery. Silk bows are on the horizon.

Oh yeah…. Jennifer Hawkins wore one of my Teardrop veils for her Hen's night last weekend. 

No business like Show Business

It's been a big week of creativity & culling.
I spent a lot of last week rearranging my workroom.

In my line of work it's impossible to throw anything out. 
You never know when you will need that piece of fabric, trim, cardigan, button, tool. So you have a ridiculously large stash of everything.

But with the new focus on millinery & accessories I decided a large amount of fabric could move to the garage, freeing up space for millinery supplies to be a hand.

Being a professional hoarder often means your work space can get out of hand, but my semi New Years resolution, to clean up after every project has stuck. I'm finding it liberating to pack everything away & have my work table & sewing space clear every few days or weeks. 

In my creativity this week I designed lots of costumes for the Wizard of Oz, 

made a year 12 formal dress 

& designed a new bridal comb to add to the collection.

The lovely Miz Mimi also joined our little team at Empireroom. You'll see her sporting our upcoming designs.

Don't forget to join our list at Empireroom.