Top: The Cause Melbourne
Skirt: Madame Tay
Shoes: Chie Mihara
So, I think I mentioned that I went to the A+ Market a month or so ago, and despite supposedly just going along for a looksee I managed to walk away with a couple of awesome pieces, including this fabulous wax-print pencil skirt.
Madame Tay is a hobby clothing project from four women in Vietnam, Senegal, Canada, and right here in Melbourne Australia. They produce handmade, artisan clothing from small business tailors and craftspeople in Vietnam and Senegal. They’re keen to expand their range into plus-sizes, and their stall at A+ was a first foray in what I hope will become an integral part of their business.
I made a bee-line for their stand as soon as I spotted it (Prints! Colours!) and they had a wonderful variety of skirts, tops and dresses on offer in a variety of sizes. And because they do their own tailoring each of the pieces is highly adjustable. The side seams on my skirt have a good two inches of spare fabric, meaning that it could be very easily taken out for wider hips or a bigger bottom.
The fabric’s quite muted for a wax print, with deep plums, mustards and a jewel-like blue, but the thing that made this piece the one (among many!) that I decided I HAD to have was the glittery gold elements into the geometric print.
That, and the fact that when I put it on I realised that the team at Madame Tay had even included my favourite thing: a feature back! 
I wore it with the wool blend batwing top that I bought at The Cause Melbourne, and this dainty little necklace from Totally Jewel. The colour of the stone picks up the colours in the skirt, and the geometric casing perfectly fits with the triangular print on the skirt.
Want! What size do they go up to?
All the sizes! You pretty much email them and they make to fit, although the off-the-rack pieces at A+ went up to about a 26, I think!
I LOVE that top – it’s gorgeous and that skirt is so pretty! The detail in the back is such a cute surprise.
Thanks Ashley! The top’s really versatile – I love how it looks with skirts. And anything with a feature back is just automatically my favorite thing 🙂
That feature pleating really tips that skirt into a serious wow piece! You look fantastic.
I went to Hoi An in 2007 (the famous tailor district of Vietnam) and I tell you, it was amazing! Clothes stitched to your exact measurements.
Oh, I’d LOVE to do that one day! Did you find the quality was good?
It was best to ‘try’ a tailor first with a small item to check their quality. So I had a simple top fashioned at one, found it lacking in quality and moved on to the next (there are dozens along certain strips). Struck gold the next round and spent a significant sum!
The initial fitting consult was … Ummmm … Not for the shy. Down to knickers and measured EVERYWHERE with lots of well meaning ‘so pale!’ remarks about my body.
But from there? Take in a picture of what you want, or even an item you love and they’ll replicate it. I had shoes made to measure and went overboard I must admit! I popped it all in a big box and had it shipped back via snail mail.
Good advice! Thanks Narny 🙂
Love this look 🙂
Thank you!
Gorgeous fabric in that skirt – no wonder you had to have it!
Also, I wondered if the stars on your arm hold particular significance besides your love of all things astral? I like their understated placement. PS – if it’s too personal you don’t have to answer, just curious 😉
They do! The name on my birth certificate is “Lian”, which means “The Graceful Willow” in Chinese, and the constellation on my arm is the Chinese constellation of the willow. It symbolizes strength through flexibility, and resilience through deep roots.
Thank you for sharing Lilli – that’s a lovely sentiment!
Thanks Lilli for posting about Madame Tay. I just bought a wax print boxy tee from them yesterday and I LOVE it! I can’t wait until they get more in stock- must have more!