Set back number two

oh dear,



we have had another slight set back.

Just when Jennie is starting to look a little less green, my darling daughter fractures her foot on the first day of the school holidays!

She has to keep off her foot for another two weeks, so it looks like I will be hanging out at kindergarten making paper plate people instead of sampling the new ranges.

Maybe if my paper plate people are any good I'll get Jennie to photograph them and we can sell them?

And just incase you thought something is terribly wrong with Jennies photography, I took this snap of Ava and her sore foot. Can't you tell?

Stay tuned.........

Go the mighty Nutcrackers!

We love Melbourne......


Sunshine and Ballet one day
Rain and footy the next


On Wednesday I took Ava Sunshine to the Australian Ballet's Nutcracker. Boy oh boy what a visual feast. Tulle and sequins on the beautiful ballerinas, tights and thigh high boots for the oh so fit young men. 

And on the subject of fit young men, GO SAINTS! (or Collingwood,  if you're that way inclined!)


So in between all this excitement we're off to check out a couple of shops in Yarraville, so keep a look out.

When we do open our doors, we'll be offering not only demi-couture womens and childrens wear, green objects of desire but also Jennie's photographic skills. We hope you'll enjoy!

Set back number one

Day 21

Miss Congeniality

Jennie ill. Not with anything serious, just disgusting. But enjoying the drugs.
We will have to halt looking for a shop for at least two months , while she endures triple doses of antibiotics and all the lovely side effects that entails.
On the bright side(and I'm sure there is one) I have longer to get the two ranges together, finish the business plan and source stock.
And it looks like the shop might end up in Yarraville, Melbourne's best kept secret.

Above is a photo from my very last Cicciolina range that I have re titled 'why you shouldn't try to go back to work when your new baby is waking you up every 40 mins through the night'.

Somebody did love this dress and bought it for their 18th birthday party. Bless her whoever she is.

But I am very glad that Ava now sleeps now and I can spend a little more time on each design. I don't miss having to design and sew a range in a week.

Good things come to those that wait.

Stay tuned.......

I have a vision......

Day15

........Getting the feel of the shop together. While not wanting to give too much away, the vision board has helped to give a feel for what we are trying to achieve. This stays in front of me to keep me inspired while completing feasibility studies, break even analysis, cooking dinner, between ballet and kindy drop-offs, entertaining five year olds, dragging the sewing machine to the kitchen table, and desperately trying to come up with catchy blogs, to drum up enthusiasm for a business that doesn't exist yet. To whet your appetite, here is our vision board and more delectable Cicciolina pieces. Jennie will photograph the new range as it develops, with the lovely house models Bianca MIranda and Ava Sunshine.

Nobody puts Baby in the corner!

Day 13

I stayed up way beyond my bed time last night.

I couldn't help myself.

Flicking from channel to channel- I hit Gold!

Dirty Dancing was just starting.

A film I had so despised growing up presented itself to me as a revelation.

Everything that was good about  80's and 50's fashion all wrapped up in Patrick Swayzes more than capable, exceptionally toned arms.

High cut long sleeve leotards,crimped hair pulled up tight with enormous scunchies, sheer black stockings and of course full circle skirts.

Here comes summer 2010.

Bring it on.

Stay tuned..........

Many Moons Ago

So so long ago, way back in the olden days, so far back young folk have only heard whispers and rumors, there was a cult label called Cicciolina.

Cicciolina was a beautiful demi-couture women's wear label specialising in one off party/cocktail dresses. We used vintage fabrics and hand beading to create sumptuose dresses for It Girls and It Girl wanna bees.

After 5 years maternity leave, I can't wait to start again!

Here are shots from Cicciolinas last range. Spring Summer 2004.

New range coming soon.............

GIN & GINGERSNAPS

The title I have given our new little girls party dress range.

Designed while helping my daughter make ginger snaps and discovering the joys of an afternoon Gin.

Have you tried working from home with an energetic, attention seeking pre schooler?

NO WASTE FASHION

It is a known fact that I have no waist. But that's not what is important.

Waste in garment manufacturing is a problem. So much fabric is thrown out. Not to mention the terrible habit some people seem to still seem to be inflicted with. BUYING CHEAP DISPOSABLE CLOTHING.

Stop it now.

Live with less. Investment buy. Buy with a conscience.

Sunshine & Daydreams and Cicciolina will use all our fabric and manufacture locally. The garments are to be worn over many years, and handed down or given away to be loved another day.

When we open flagship store Sunshine and Daydreams later this year we will support  other locally made quality designers, as well as especially selected vintage and recycle pieces. And look out for luxury green essentials.

Stay tuned for more........ 

A taste of summer