Finders Keepers Markets this Friday!

Time really has whooshed right past us here at G&J HQ - can 6 whole months really have passed so quickly?! Apparently so, yes - because it's Finders Keepers time again!

WHAT: 

Sydney Finders Keepers Markets

WHERE: 

Australian Technology Park
Exhibition Hall, Locomotive Street
Eveleigh
(Entry via Henderson Road)

For those of you who have visited in previous years - this is across the tracks from Carriageworks!

WHEN:

Friday 6th December from 6pm - 10pm
Saturday 7th December from 10am - 5pm

COST:

$2

We are really pleased to be part of this amazing event once again - please stop by and say hello if you are visiting! We have a rather plum spot against the far right wall under the windows. AND we are next to the changerooms so we will be able to see all of you trying on our finery - something we rarely get the chance to witness with an online business!

As always there are countless incredibly talented designers and artisans taking part and these selections are just a handful of the stalls we hope to check out...

And not to mention all the amazing produce, pickles and assorted foodery from the Farmers Lane stalls and amazing music lineup!

If we were visiting, we would turn up first thing Saturday morning to be serenaded by the selections from Jack Shit and take a gander before the crowds descend.

See you all there!

xo
g&j

Three Cheers...

Today would have been my fathers 70th birthday; I am in Melbourne, staying with his wife in their home to celebrate regardless. There will be much laughter and gladness through the tears, along with copious cake and champagne.

At the Yarra Boathouse in Melbourne, 2008

My father passed away last September; just shy of his 69th birthday and not a day passes by where he doesn't slip into my thoughts at some point. As he was a musician, my family and I and every one of those who loved him (and there were many) are fortunate to have the most beautiful and resonate mementos to remember him by. His poetry put to music remains behind on this earth forever; tender wisps of a life that was.

As a young session musician before the beard and long hair, 1960s

In those last days before he dropped the body, his dear friend Guy Blackman of Chapter Music (you can read his heartfelt tribute in Mess + Noise here) was a constant bedside companion finalising the details of what would become a posthumous retrospective of collected recordings from a lifetime of songs; In The Doorway of the Dawn. It is an immeasurable comfort to have these to conjure him beside me at any time.

In the EMI Studios in 1970 aged 27, recording with his band Tully

Grief is a curious emotion. It seems foolish to revel in sadness, but in the sadness of remembering is the unmitigated joy of memory. And so I do find myself going for long walks listening to his music and remembering.

... that he loved Anne of Green Gables, telling me only a few years ago that there really was no better instructive work for young women than Anne... helping my brother and I try to save many an injured sparrow found on our walks by the Cooks River and the heartbreak of so many not making it through the night... his getting up before dawn to collect the songs of the elusive Blackbird in the back streets of Melbourne...  our tramps through the overgrown weeds beneath some overpass beside the Yarra River, trying to find those elusive dandelions he loved so dearly to uproot and take home... practicing violin in my grandmothers garage and the look on his face as he clapped, overjoyed that I had finally mastered the tricky Bach Allegro from Book 8... our jaunts around Melbourne chasing the best piece of chocolate cake... the elaborate rigging of traps along the most vulnerable areas of our childhood home in the hope of ensnaring unsuspecting intruders... singing to us as we were trying to sleep as children... that in the past few years we had begun to inexplicably greet each other in French 'bonjour papa!' bonjour ma fille!...

Kidding around at dinner with me, 2008

Nobody cast a shadow quite as long, or commanded a room with as much panache. Many will remember and cherish his warmth; his big hugs, his considered wisdom, his quiet authority. 

And so today on his 70th I remember him again - three cheers papa!
xo
rabia

Fancy bras and knickers

As I did my laundry this week I reflected with some sadness on the fact I don't have nearly as many pairs of colourful, fancy knickers as I once did. And don't even get me started on lingerie sets! It feels like a long time since I left the house with perfectly matching underwear. And more's the pity.
Why has this happened?? There are some practical answers - a smaller disposable income floats quickly to the top of the list - but really; I need to redress this issue. And quickly.

If (when, when!) I ever open a bricks and mortar shop, alongside my own bits and bobs I would most definitely want lingerie in there. Floaty, deliciously silky pieces in gasp-inducing brights and prints. Because nothing matches that feeling of beautiful fabric close to your skin; the flash of lace beneath a sheer blouse; that secret knowledge that underneath your clothes you look bloody fantastic.

Despite the fact I haven't bought any special lingerie for myself in some time, I spend an inordinate amount of time meandering and jinking through the internet looking at fancy bras and knickers. So, if I had a bunch of dollars to spend on lingerie right now, this is where I would be going....

1. Miss Crofton
Oh, you Londoners have it good! Miss Crofton is Georgia Campbell, an East Londoner with a wonderful eye for colour and form. If you're a local she has a regular stall at the Broadway Market in East London every Saturday from 9-5. For the rest of us, she has a nifty online shop. Enter at your own (financial) risk; I am keen on every single piece.

Delightful Delicacy Set / $96

Picture Perfect Bra and Knickers / $63 & $45

2. Katerina Nis
Stylish Sydney gal Katerina Nis recently launched her Boardwalk Taffy collection of lingerie confections and I've been quietly coveting several of these colourful pieces. That gorgeous silk Confetti Camisole will be mine. One day.

Cherry Soda Bloomers / $54

Confetti Camisole / $74

3. Lonely Hearts
This NZ label has just introduced underwire to their staple pieces, which is great news for us ladies who have an ample bosom, yet would still like to waltz down the street in a soft cup. And those highwaisted knickers in that most fantastic Forest Green. Stop it! Can't wait to visit their store in Auckland one day.

Sabel Highwaisted brief and Full Cup bra / $70 & $89

Anouk Underwire Midline Bra / $99

4. The Slipperie
For many years I have been a fan of online Vintage boutique Wildfell Hall.  I did small whoops of joy when I discovered that the effortlessly stylish owner Amy had opened The Slipperie; a vintage shop dedicated to slips, lingerie and all things lounge. I see many pairs of tap shorts in my future...

Vintage Silk Tap Shorts / from $36

1930s Rayon Slip / $75

And the best of Etsy...

Marianna Giordana
French born, Australian-based Lingerie designer Marianna Giordana uses lace in a most spectacularly sensual way.

Chantilly Lace Bra / $126

Sandmaiden Sleepwear
Whoever said that comfort was the antithesis of sexy clearly hadn't visited this store!

Bamboo Flounce Panties / $53

DDSL Girls
This collective make some pretty smashing pieces - this velvet set has me swooning!

Dominion Burgundy Velvet and Lace Set / $77

Have any other reccomendations? We'd love to hear them!
xo
rabia

Howards End

I got an early start on my passionate, romantic love for all things Edwardian. I was already an ardent fan of the carrot-topped Anne Of Green Gables (and therefore all things puffed-sleeved and early 1900s) when my mum asked my brother and a 9 year old me if we would like to go for a walk by the River or to go and see a film. If anything, this question says much of our love for walking; but on this occasion, we chose the film. Off we trotted to the city to the bright shiny lights of the George Street cinema complex.
The film we watched that Sunday afternoon was Howards End; the Merchant Ivory film adaptation of the E.M. Forster novel...

That afternoon would go down as a seminal moment in my childhood. This was no Anne-with-an-'e', this was something completely different - this was the murky world of adults; of lies, corruption, beauty, longing and ultimately death. I vividly remember with crushing terror the climactic scene where the bookcase slowly falls on Leonard Bast - the final moments of an already broken man; the gorgeous scene where Leonard walks through the night to see the countryside and finds dawn in a field of bluebells; the fiery shrewish pride of Helen Schlegal (a young Helena Bonham Carter) with her messy, curly pouffe of Gibson Girl hair; the thwarted kindness of her sister Margaret (a radiant Emma Thompson).

I really related to this - walking and walking and walking all for the hope of walking through a field of flowers. I hear you Leonard!

Leonard and Helen making out in a row boat. The epitome of a romantic fantasy!

Margaret as played by Emma Thompson sees Howards End for the first time

Helen reading in the window of Howards End

Time hasn't wearied my love. A few years ago I rediscovered this film and was again awestruck by its beauty, it's delicate pacing and exultant praise for nature. Yet, seeing the film through an adults eyes I found myself more keenly appalled at the wretched desperation of the English class system and the inherent social disabilities that came with being a woman in this era.

I have since re-watched this film many times. The opening sequence that slowly follows the train of Ruth Wilcox's dress moving through the long grass in the inky mauve twilight of midsummer as she walks towards Howards End is one of the most beautiful, quiet and moving scenes I have ever seen.

Vanessa Redgrave as the aging matriarch Ruth Wilcox in the films opening scene.

If you're yet to see this film, it I couldn't reccomend it highly enough.

xo
rabia

For The Love of...Via Tania & The Tomorrow Music Orchestra

It's been a while between 'for the love of...' posts here on the blog. But this is perhaps one of the most deserving we have written so far.

You may remember hair and makeup doyen Tania Bowers from one of our 'The Talent' posts here on the Blog back in January when we interviewed her following her tireless and faultless efforts on our G&J collection shoots. And between the hair and makeup talk you may have picked up on a couple of anecdotes she told us about being on tour. 'On tour?' you ask...

Because quadruple-threat Tania is also an incredibly talented musician under the guise of Via Tania.

After moving back home to Oz from the US some years ago and popping out a wee little bundle of joy, Tania revisited some of the work she recorded back in Chicago years ago that was never released and realised it was time to get back on that horse and finish that record!

To try and make sure this happens - and to make sure every hard-working musician in that Orchestra that has so far contributed their time for free gets paid - she has launched an Indiegogo crowd funding campaign. The way I see it, this is a pretty simple way to pre-order the record (um, also available on vinyl; awesome) and get a few sweet perks along with it. Like this awesome signed poster designed by London based artist Zakee Shariff...

The accompanying campaign video is one of the SWEETEST things you will ever watch in your life, and I can't recommend it highly enough...everything you see from the blankets to the figurines was made by Tania!



Beyond making quirky ethereal folk/pop, making up everyone's lashes and hair to perfection and being a kick-ass mum, Tania is also one of the loveliest and most humble people you will ever meet and more than most deserves our support. So get over there, have a listen and pre-order yourselves an album!

xo
rabia

Ginny & Jude Bridal

Wedding season is upon us! As spring creeps into the air and the freesias and jasmine burst forth, all things wedding generally emerge form the shadowy depths of winter also.

As many of you know - through personal experience - we quite love making a special piece for a wedding. We have had the priviledge of making a number of pieces for some dear friends over the years...

Alexis and Blake - I made a matching Boutonniere for Blake to match Alexis' floral headpiece.

Exra and Brooke - when Brooke got her dress altered, I incorporated the pieces of lace that were removed into the headpiece.

Tenille and Jesse - a birdcage veil made from original 1950s silk veiling really completes this look.

Recently we revamped the bridal section of our online boutique...more finishing options, some stunning new photos and some truly stellar new designs:

Delilah comb with veil - $165 // La Mer earrings- $45

Fleur floral comb in blush and ecru - $105

Sweet 16 floral comb - $95 // La Mer earrings - $45

Sweet Piorette haircomb - $120 // La Mer earrings - $45

Riverina dress in silk/linen - $280 // Sinamay Bow headpiece - $85 // Riverina coral earrings - $40

For most weddings, we have had to customise something specially - so take these as a starting off point to form some ideas of what we could make for your wedding. Send us an email at letters@ginnyandjude.com and we can start working on a beautiful piece together...

xo
g&j

Flax Flowers and Linen

Recently we have been busy sampling for our Summer collection. As the rain beats down and the wind weaves its way under doors and through cracks, we have been holidaying in a land of sheer silks, floaty cotton, dreamy broderie anglais and crisp, crisp linen.

This summer we are using 100% natural fabrics and this got us thinking about how natural fibers are created. Over the next few weeks we will delve into the outdoorsy and sometimes exotic delights  of cotton and silk, but first we will look at Linen.

Flax Flower print from Panteek

Linen starts its story as the humble Flax, a plant that also gives us the wonderful Linseed. The stems of the Flax plant go through quite a complex process including retting, scutching and heckling (GREAT words!) to remove the outer straw-like fibers from the stalk. Eventually what is left are the strong and straight threads that are woven into fabrics and the like.

 

 

Field of Flax by Richard Hugo

Linen has been used since ancient times with fibers found in prehistoric caves dating back 30 000 years. In ancient Eygypt, mummies were wrapped in linen to signify purity and as a display of wealth.
We derive the word 'line' from the straight nature of the linen fibre and use the word flaxen to describe blonde tresses resembling the unbleached retted linen fibres. Lingerie too takes its name from the fact undergarments were traditionally made from the finest linen.

Far stronger and more durable than cotton, the highest and smoothest grades of linen are made into finely woven damasks, whilst the roughest fibres become commercial twine and rope.
Today the majority of flax/linen production is still derived from Eastern Europe and China, but the finest grades still come from Western Europe, specifically Ireland, Italy and Belgium where the linen production industries have a long and rich history.

And Ceil Chapman would know!

We have chosen linen for our Summer collection because of it's luxurious weight, it's slight sheen and its magnificent ability to drape stiffly. It is also a great fabric to wear in hot weather; breathing well and being spectacularly resistant to perspiration. The linens we have chosen are blended with Cotton or Silk to improve elasticity and crease resistance. We have swing skirts made in floral print cotton/linens, wiggle skirts made in thick colour-block linen and a dress made in the finest silk/linen, with a fabulous gathered tulip skirt.

We can't wait to show you!

xo
g&j

Our most re-pinned

As I'm sure you are all aware by now, I quite LOVE Pinterest. I love rolling through the pins of the boards I follow - feeling inspired and taken away from everything for a small minute.

I recently discovered by accident our most repinned image...

By Christine Chitnis / Repinned a staggering 4828 times!!

This simple image of a white-washed cottage with a vibrant rambling flower garden was pinned to our Home board from Pia Jane Bijkerk's beautiful blog from a guest post by writer/photographer Christine Chitnis. She describes wandering the farms and coast of New England in a quietly evocative way that really resonated with me at the time. I was particularly struck by the art on the verandah wall - a wonderfully eccentric touch - and the messy exuberance of the garden.

And it clearly resonated with many others - 4828 others to be exact! I love the fact this simple image has generated so much inspiration and conversation about what it is to have a 'home' with those who have repinned and liked this image.

xo
rabia

Pinterest Picks #16

Over on Pinterest we have a rather modest eleven boards - we try to keep the boards fairly broad. And our favourite board? Our Table board.
This is by far our most vague board - we pin to this board anything that could be put on a table. Flowers? Check. Food? Check. Odd decorative ornaments? You bet.

And so today, we give you a selection from our Table board...

 

 

All photos sourced from our Pinterest Table board