Call it destiny, decades away. I’ve often felt that I had been raised in an era that lacks glamour and elegance, which is only today viewed on the red carpet of the Oscars. From a number of afternoons spent delving within the depths of a jewelry box belonging to my namesake and grandmother, I vividly picture these carefree moments spent playing dress up and now see that it has manifested into my current reality.
Throughout my youth into adulthood, it seemed foreign, almost ludicrous, to direct my attention away from a life paved in authenticity. For me, I find you just have to surround yourself with stories. That’s how I feel when I garnish myself in a dated vintage ensemble. I feel, as if, I am providing a poetic homage to the influential women of yesteryear, gifting new life to a ritzy rhinestone brooch, pretentious yet practical dress or millinery design. Nonetheless, I’ve taken a wardrobe which showcases an infinite amount of history to the steadfast of today’s modern style, with each piece I wear sharing a story.
Matching my sentimental heart is this authentic wool dress by Johnathan Logan of 1944, one of the largest ready-to-wear design companies for women’s dresses. His designs captured both elegance and classy motifs, with many of Johnathan Logan dresses becoming collections for fourteen diverse consumer groups. Made of dated fabric, each ruche, curve and pleat drapes perfectly in every way during afternoon spent wine tasting in historic St. Helena at Beringer Vineyard.
Jonathan Logan 1940’s Day-wear Dress c/o Park Place Vintage. Authentic Accessories available on Etsy. Suede Pump (similar here, here & here). MAC Cosmetic ‘Chili’ Matte Lipstick
What makes a gemstone so alluring? Perhaps, it’s the endowing historical implementation one carries as they are among the rarest and most desired since the beginning of time—through novels, paintings, and jewelry. Much like the green light in The Great Gatsby, a variety of symbolic meanings has been attributed to gemstones. Meanings vary slightly depending on the time period, the culture, and the combinations of gemstones.
This beauty is easily found through one of Costa Rica’s finest designer-artists experimenting with an array of precious gemstones and metal details, Phyllis Warman Founder of Phyllis Warman Jewelry Design. I had the privilege of interviewing Phyllis for VRAI Magazine where I uncovered how a journey to the cultural atmosphere of Costa Rica 12 years ago provided her a diverse lifestyle of tranquility and new career.
There is something rural, yet symbolic of blending both nature and elegance within the world of fashion. Phyllis’s designs perfectly curates an enhance vibrational alignment where she uses the most alluring antique and vintage buttons to create a world apart from anything you’ve seen before. Many of these buttons date back to the 1800s holding a quality worth cherishing. I am fortunate to showcase an irresistibly shiny, polished onyx gem bracelet designed by designer-artist, Phyllis Warman.
When you look at onyx closely, you may instantly notice there is a complexity and depth to its darkness perhaps dark glamour of richness. Today, I play off this motif of wearing an authentic black velvet sheath by Tabak paired with a black veil with floral infused rhinestone crystals to provide an image that lurks mystery and glamour.
I invite you all to expand your horizon and travel wearing the Natural Handmade Gemstone Jewelry of Phyllis Warman by visiting phylliswarmanjewelry.com
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Onyx Gemstone Bracelet with Antique Button c/o Phyllis Warman Jewelry
Authentic Black Velvet Sheath by Tabak of California
Floral Rhinestone Infused Veil (similar on Etsy)
Natori Feather Escape Thigh-High Nylons
Marble Gloss in ‘Eartha’ c/o Ultra-Vixen Cosmetics
Kate Spade Patent Licorice Pumps
Spring, the Milliners busiest season of the year. Beginning by restocking any dwindling supplies from previous months and choosing materials for current designs, a Millinery studio begins bursting with deliveries of vintage flowers, lacy netting and unshaped straw.
For the start of the season, I find it the best time to pull together your best daywear ensembles and mark the months ahead with Carla Murley, Owner and Milliner at Murley & Co. Millinery. In her bayside suburb studio of Beaumaris, Carla annually produces one of the largest ranges of ready-to-wear and hire millinery available in Melbourne. I encourage you to view her premier designs on Instagram (here) consisting of six years within the industry, editorial features in both Vogue Australia and The Age, not to mention she has been named one of Melbourne’s “Top Ten Milliners” by the Herald Sun.
Through a successful career as a Milliner her aesthetic carries a strong graphic design, mixed with playful organic shapes and textures as seen in today’s design “Miss Tatiana”. From the large vintage hand crocheted brim to it’s satin center base, Carla focuses on using sustainable and man-made materials. While other designs tend to exude bright colors, floral crowns and sculpted bows.
From the moment I discovered Carla’s Millinery talent and design portfolio, I envisioned how I might garnish such beauty. I started with a 1950s-inspired Wiggle dress by Muxxn in the royal hue of blue and found it to complement the unique style of Murley & Co. A pearl floral brooch, rhinestone earrings and satin Lewisette evening bag with matching gloves keeps such an ensemble elegant, yet timeless. You may also notice my eye to detail as the brooch design clearly marries the pattern on the millinery design and the pear tree blossoms. It’s the simplest details that create a world of timeless elegance to spring millinery.
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‘Miss Tatiana’ Vintage Lace Brim Hat c/o Murley & Co Millinery
1950’s Inspired Wiggle Dress, Muxxn (Similar here & here)
Pearl Brooch & Earrings (Similar Styles Sold on Etsy)
Donna Karan Hosiery, Sold at Bloomingdales
Marble Gloss in ‘Eartha’ c/o Ultra-Vixen Cosmetics
Kate Spade New York D’Orsay Pump (similar here & here) 
richinlovefashion.com 