I'm afraid I didn't get an pics from Friday or Saturday, they went past in a blur.
Sunday blossomed into a warm sunny day, perfect for the Gatsby Picnic, the apex of the weekend.
Picnickers reclined under gazebos, taking high tea or drinking Champagne cocktails and enjoying the music, atmosphere and aerobatic display.
Enjoying the picnic with Nick and charming Ellen.
Promenading on the lawn with Sharon in her gorgeous 30s cruise ensemble.
Chatting with new friend Simone.
Group shot of us Deco Darlings.
Me and Mum both wearing original 30's cotton lace dresses which we adore =)
Red checkers' fantastic display.
A much enjoyed day, a quick change and off to the revelry of 'Cheerio to Deco' at The Club.
Aah what a busy few weeks since Deco! Gently laundering and pressing my precious vintage garments and relaxing after the rush and bustle of a glorious weekend.
The weekend started for us on Thursday night with drinkies at the magnificent Hawke's Bay Club for Leisurely lounging event. We were all decked out in our best lounging pyjamas, smoking jackets and boudoir caps for a lovely laid-back event in a superb setting.
The Hawke's Bay Club was established in 1863 and is the only remaining club to still retain a Gentlemen only membership. The Billiards room is the only to remain of the original Club building, it was demolished in 1904 and rebuilt as it stands today in 1906.
The Hawke's Bay Club.
A few pics from our enjoyable evening.
Mum, Me and Vic.
Wearing my new original 1920s silk pyjamas.
I fell in love with the shaded green stripes and the lovely monogram detail, unfortunately not my own, but that would be too uncanny ;)
It's that bustling time of year again, the race to prepare is over and the weekend has most certainly begun.
I am of course referring to the Geon Art Deco weekend festivities in Napier "the Art Deco capital of the world", in New Zealand.
As some of you may know both Napier and its twin city Hastings were devastated by an earthquake in 1931. From the rubble of destructed buildings, Napier and Hastings rose from the ashes, replacing the lost old-fashioned buildings with modern architectural building befitting of this era.
Once a year in February, in memory of the earthquake, Napier holds a week-long festival celebrating the rebuilding of the city in Art Deco style.
The city is filled with revellers dressed in appropriate fashions of the era, going to cocktail nights, balls or watching events such as 'The soap box derby'. Vintage cars from the 20's and 30's are parked along the Marine Parade.
The festivities of the weekend culminate in 'The Gatsby Picnic'.
Appropriately themed and decorated gazebos line a grassy avenue, under which picnickers enjoy their afternoon teas or promenade along the green to the sound of small bands and quartets like the 'twin city stompers' playing popular songs of the twenties and thirties. Spectators stand in awe as 'The Red Checkers' do a fantastic aerobatic display, employing some amazing manoeuvres.
In my first post I mentioned my Miss Lemon/Cat among the pigeons jersey project, which I finished some time ago, but didn't wear due to some minor alterations I wished to make.
I have finally got around to completing them and taken it for an afternoon picnic outing to the river paired with white pleated shorts and a sporty tilted whimsy crocheted by my talented mother.
Sitting on a log eating Melon, what could be more relaxing.
Last week I attended a High Tea event held at the lovely Oruawharo homestead.
I had been sewing like a mad thing in the weeks leading up to this event in order to complete my frock.
The lovely lemon honey coloured rayon fabric was too nice for such a plain dress and as it was several sizes too big I decided to refashion it into a charming, frilly garden party frock.
Before.
After.
The sheer accent fabric I chose to use for the sleeves etc. turned out to be hell-ish to work with especially as I had planned on an embroidered scallop edge.
I used an iron tear-away stabiliser, which worked a treat, but I had to be very very very careful when tearing it off!
A sleeve while in progress.
I also made Mum a detachable collar and jabot to go with her blue polka dot dress, which completed effect I am quite pleased about!
And here it is!
Well that's all for now! A friend has some more pics, but has yet to send me copies, I will post them when I do so you can see all the lovely thing others were wearing too!
Oooh I have been rather remiss in regards of posting lately haven't I?
I have several projects on the go at the moment so do watch this space!
I promised you all pics of the midwinter Art Deco weekend didn't I? So here they are!
My Parents with a few of our friends and acquaintances at one of the evening events.
Me wearing the jersey I made for 'Make and Mend.
One of my more recent acquisitions an original late 20s/early 30s rayon crepe dress. It has the sweetest pattern of pearly white leaves and yellowy orange spots on a pencil blue background.
A friend decided they wanted to try giving this pic some effects.
Me and parents looking a tad tired at one of the brunches.
I'm afraid I don't have any pics of me wearing the 'Cat among the pigeons' sweater I mentioned in my first post and have now completed knitting.
I want to make a few minor alterations to it and then I will get some piccies.
That's all for now!
I shall try to be more regular in my posting and show you all as I progress on my current projects.
regards,
M.
