Frock Porn

Now that I am recovered from jet lag, the Annual Winter Bug has got me in its grips. Thank goodness I did my family Christmas shopping before I went to NZ.  It is just Mr Wolf to buy for now, and though it is hard to think of something REALLY good to get him, a slab of Guinness and a kilo of crisps also keeps him happy. 

So, while this blog might be slow at getting all silly and fun for Christmas, I have something equally scrummy to look at....FROCK PORN !

We know you like it. 

Don't pretend you don't. 

There is something for everyone.

Whilst visiting family I was lucky enough to attend a talk by Leimomi Oakes.  (gorgeous name don't you think? Pronounced leigh-mou-mee). Leimomi is a historial designer, museum professional, and very likeable speaker. She is also a swing dancer and Really Nice Person.

Leimomi with passer-by-dog
My brother's girlfriend, Ness, was modelling a dress for her, so I got to go backstage and help out. We arrived late, but got her hooked, laced, buckled, pinned, strapped and tied in record time. 

There is a LOT going on under there, and we are not talking too many chocolate biscuits

Leimomi had created outfits that spanned several centuries to demonstrate the influence of eastern design on western clothing. She made the bloomers, petticoats, slips, corsets, dresses, trains, jackets and buttons. 
Then she decorated them.

One hundred zillion miles of seams

After the lighthearted and educational talk, we had ourselves an impromtu photoshoot in the gardens at Lower Hutt Horticultural Centre. While Leimomi said she had had her "dream day", my afternoon was pretty wonderful too. After all, mucking around taking pictures of girls having fun in big poofy dresses is my idea of a good time!

by fluke, (and a wee bit of stalking) we managed to get a white pigeon to act out the part of a dove

Some passerbys were thrilled to see the dresses and see the girls acting up in them. One Dad sat for ages while his little girl was transfixed (I am sure it had nothing to do with the impressive cleavages on display!)

Ness was modelling the Juno dress, more information about it's inspiration and construction can be found here.

For more photos of all the dresses go to Leimomi's beautiful blog, rightly named The Dreamstress. If you are interested in fashion history, sewing construction and lovely pretty things you will adore it!

The End