All things must pass...

All things must pass...and this brilliant, bright Summer has quietly slipped into Autumn.

And so to clear the decks for the next season of G&J sartorial wonders, we must have an end of season sale...!!

What is left of the stunning La Luna collection is now on sale with juicy mark-downs storewide.

La Luna was our first collection using exclusively natural fabrics - silks, linens and cottons - and we know it is our highest quality collection to date. As always our clothing is designed to take you through the seasons and years; the designs will still seem as classic and timless as when you first laid eyes on them!

And who said 'summer' was only for Summer! The collared shirts work wonderfully under a jumper, with the contrast collars adding that little pop of colour to your winter outfit...the the La Luna wiggle skirts are perfect Fall work-wear paired with stockings...

Click through and treat yourself to something beautiful...

xo
g&j

Best ever shorts

When I decided to make shorts for the Summer 2013 collection, I was pretty sure it would be a risk that wouldn't entirely pay off.
There are so many variables with shorts (or pants for that matter)...they must be a flattering cut around the tummy...not too tight on the legs...roomy enough to not ride up ones derriere...
And I wanted them to be cartwheel ready at any moment!

So you can imagine how elated I felt during the sampling process when I realised that they were actually the best shorts ever! But would anyone else think so?? I couldn't be sure...

I have my Great-Grandmother to thank for the inspiration, and my pattern-maker for getting it so right because these humble and yet entirely fantastic shorts have been our best selling item of clothing ever!!

My beautiful Great-Grandmother outside her house in Rosebery

We have just one pair left. It is a size 10. Do they have your name on them??
 http://www.ginnyandjude.com/store/p11/High-waisted_Shorts_-_Rosebery_Shorts_with_Button_Down_Detail.html

xo
rabia

new year = new website and a GIGANTIC sale to celebrate!

We have been pretty darn reclusive recently. For a Summer on the eastern seaboard we haven't really gotten out of the house nearly as often as we should have...

The reason is; we've been rather busy!
As we mentioned in our New Years post, 2013 marks five years since we released our first collection and we have a number of special things in the works, kicking off with a brand new website and *newly* incorporated online shop...

Even this here twoshoes blog has had a scrub up! I think we can all agree floating in amongst these candy floss clouds is rather wonderful.

To celebrate this re-launch, we are offering a whopping 40% off everything from our most recent SS2013/14 La Luna collection. And yes, that includes the jewellery. Madness! This runs for 5 days only - one day for every year since our first collection! Don't miss out - we will never offer our jewellery or our divine Silk/Linen Riverina dress at such a discount ever *EVER* again.

Some examples....

Hop to it lovelies!
xo
g&j

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

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