There was a lot to swoon over at the the Von Follies by Dita Von Teese for Target show. Delicate lace masks, jewelled riding crops, glittering sequin capes – the accoutrements of the boudoir; sometimes sweet, sometimes saucy, but always with a great sense of play.
Alicia and I both dressed in harnesses for the occasion, which seems appropriate given Dita’s affinity for fetish-wear. The crowd was sartorially more diverse than other shows I’ve attended at LMFF this year, with victory rolls, candy-coloured hair and corsets all present and accounted for.
And on the catwalk, a dazzling array of lacy underthings, marabou stoles and heels made to strut in. Let’s wear nothing but kimonos and wisps of silk (and oh, a rhinestone-studded mask!), it will be every bit as lovely as you can imagine.
This is what I wore last night – first to the launch of CAVE, the new exhibition by the Melbourne Metal Collective, and then to see Dita Von Teese walk the runway at L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival.
It’s autumn and the perfect climate for subtle touches of leather. In this case, a leather bustier worn with a crepe-thin cotton tank, cut low at the sides and a leather harness (my second) by Scanlan and Theodore. Normally I wouldn’t call a harness subtle, but here in Melbourne, where the uniform is, was, and always will be black, nobody so much as raises an eyebrow.
I’m in Melbourne until Thursday, and my presence here is indebted to a few people I should mention. First, the lovely girls from AMPR who accredited me to attend the shows. Next, to Rekorderlig Cider and the Red Island Marketing team, who very kindly paid for my flights. And finally to Sportsgirl, who selected me as their official LMFF blogger – you’ll be able to read my wrap-up of the week over at their blog from next week.
Wearing: leather harness and wrap skirt by Scanlan and Theodore, tank by Friedrich Gray, leather bustier by One Teaspoon, heels by Alexander Wang.
Recently, I invested in (another) pair of leather leggings. They’re stretch leather, soft to the touch, the perfect length. Naturally, I haven’t stopped wearing them.
Leather leggings by Zara, Alexander Wang Iman sandals, knitted jumper by Sportsgirl, necklace by Occulter.
Some snippets from my Instagram feed (you can connect with me via the username animalorchestra).
Going from the top: my new Natalia Brilli leather-covered Nolex watch, the regular Sunday set-up with my laptop, taking the skull obsession to new heights with double the Karen Walker, and my Audrey Kawasaki-inspired tattoo in full bloom.
Day skirt, $355
Petite top, $190
Drop shorts, $355
No words necessary, except: get in my wardrobe now.
