Dress: Leah May
Tight: Voodoo
Shoes: Wittner
I’ve been a big fan of the lovely Leah-May since I discovered her gorgeous vintage-inspired fashions on Etsy a few months ago.
Since my first breathless click-through to her shop I’ve had the opportunity to meet Leah-May in person, and can quite honestly say she’s the most wonderfully interesting person. I just want to tuck her up in my pocket and bring her out at parties to show her off.
Sadly for me, she’s about to embark upon another Great Adventure on the other side of the world, so I’ll have to content myself with showing off her beautiful dresses instead.
This classy black dress is a variation on her basic custom-made dress and I knew it would have to be mine after seeing Leah wearing her own (red!) version at the launch of the Leah-May Winter Collection.
(apologies for the blurry photo!)
I asked for little cap-sleeves and had Leah swap out the high boat-neck for my favourite wide-scoop neck:
and had her make the back with a deep-v which will be lovely and breezy come summer:
The circle skirt is crying out for a crinoline, but I haven’t quite got around to sourcing one yet:
The process of having a custom-made dress from Leah was incredibly easy. We didn’t have to tweak the neckline, back, or hem length at all – Leah somehow managed to hit the nail on the head right from the get-go
The new winter range is to die for, I must say. If I weren’t on my self-imposed spending-ban I would have bought the winterberry capelet on the spot. Not to mention the Forever Summer 60’s Dress. I’m looking forward to getting lots of wear out of my new Leah-May dress, it’s such a versatile template with which to play with colour and accessories.
Speaking of accessories, what do you think of the brooch I’m wearing?
brooch: CatRabbit
Eons ago I was moaning about having missed out on an amazing brooch I’d seen on Georgie Love but procrastinated too long in buying.
Amazingly Catrabbit – who’s since become a good friend – discovered one hidden in her studio, and gifted it to me as a birthday present! What a wonderful surprise!
For great petticoats, check out Spunkarella Pettiskirts – either on line, or they are occasionally at the Rose street markets. There’s also a shop on Smith st (Just near the cnr of Johnston) that stocks full petticoats perfect for circle skirts – I forget what they’re called but
they stock vintage style wear. Unfortunately the online store where I bought my 4 petticoats *blush* is no longer in business. Vivien of Holloway & Pinup boutique also sell them!
Oh, I think I know that one. Vicious Venus? Thanks for that, Tracy
You look scrumptious!
Thankyou, Cilla!
here’s some links:
http://www.rockabillypinup.co.uk/petticoats-c-7.html
http://www.vivienofholloway.com/en/category/Petticoats/
http://spunkerella.com/category_7/Pettiflirts-TeenAdults.htm
For a couple of great makers of custom vintage style clothing, check out Hellpixie (on FB) & Peta Pledger.
Wonderful, thanks Tracy – I’ll check ’em out!
You are so adorable! Both the dress and brooch and gorgeous. And it looks like the perfect dress for twirling in! Love it. x
It’s AWESOME for twirling!
lovely 🙂
Thanks Candice 🙂
That really is a good vintage(-y dress)! 🙂
Thanks Veronica! I think it’s kind of wonderful
Lilli, what a dress! I love the modifications you made to it! I am, however, wondering if you’re able to wear a bra with the plunging back “v” or if the sleeves droop. I once had a dress made that was more or less like this one, and had to deal with the bra strap showing and sleeves that kept falling. I can only imagine how wonderful yours will look with a crinoline! I love the brooch! It’s a perfect complement to this dress!
Surprisingly I haven’t had any trouble with bra-strap exposure – I was actually amazed when I saw how much of my back was exposed that there wasn’t a cheeky flash of bra-strap to boot, but no far so good. I can’t vouch for the shoulders yet because I’ve been wearing it with a cardigan (SO COLD in Melbourne!) but the fabric’s a good stiff cotton drill, so it’s not floppy and I don’t anticipate having a problem 🙂
What a beautiful dress. I really should invest in a custom made dress. The dresses that I buy all tend to be ill fitting somewhere to fit the (as you call it) “Rack of Doom” in. I really like the neckline and what you did at the back – beautiful. Also its a very Melbourne-ite colour 😉
Ah, you should Claire! It’s very much worth it.
love that dress, love it so much I just ordered one. It is SO beautiful. thank you for posting about it.
I am SO GLAD! Leah May’s a doll too – enjoy dealing with her and I hope you love the dress 🙂
It’s just so sweet and demure. I love it and it’s perfect (in my opinion) for both summer and winter-with a coat…