Royal Fashion Minute: Royal Ascot and...THE HATS!!

Royal Fashion Minute: Royal Ascot and...THE HATS!!

Hat KRAZEEEEEE...

Color Happy: Royal Ascot attendees in their finest--Imagine being THE ONE friend in the group who decided to wear black! Oooops!

Well kiddies, it's Royal Ascot!! What, pray tell, may that mean? The Royal Ascot is one of Europe's most famous race meetings, dating back to 1711!! It's a MAJAH event in the British social calendar (didn't realize there were still such things as "Social Calendars"). Press coverage of the attendees usually exceeds the actual races themselves and so of course, I have to give my "Nick V Two Cents". There are always some colorful outfits, dresses, and especially THE HATS!!! It's all about those hats!!! The theme for dressing to the Royal Ascot is "Dress To Be Noticed" darlings. The British Royals always attend and arrive each day in their horse-drawn carriages (of course they do!). So, speaking of the Royals...

HM Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: Day One (Left) and Day Two (Right)--The Queen usually loves a bold bright color but for the Royal Ascot, she has chosen more elegant subdued pastels. I actually really like the pink hat it has a softness to it that you don't always see with the Queen. I also love that his boutonniere matches her hat!

Princesses Beatrice(L) and Eugenie (R): Speaking of subdued, these two royals decided to "tone down" their ever-so-fabulous "Prince William and Kate Wedding" Haute Couture ensembles (who can ever forget THAT Philip Treacy hat worn by Beatrice)...and went for a more "delicate" route for the Royal Ascots. I actually wished they would have stayed more FAB-U-LOUS as opposed to BORING.

Mrs. Urs Schwarzenbach, Francesca with Sophie, Countess of Wessex: Chic and Chic. Francesca (L) is the wife of Urs Schwarzenbach, multi-millionaire (worth 900 Million Euro back in 2005) Swiss financier living in the UK. He has his own Polo Team and is a big sponsor and supporter of horses and racing. He also own properties all over the UK--HUGE estates , my kiddies...Mrs. Schwarzenbach also happens to be a former Miss Australia (Love that!)

Best at the Royal Ascot:

Welsh Opera Star Katherine Jenkins and her TV-presenter boyfriend Gethin Jones: These two look so gorgeous! What a handsome couple, and so well-dressed! Love the deep-fire red dress and that over-the-top hat! I just feel (a little bit) bad for the woman behind her who cannot see a DARN thing because of THAT hat!!!

Danish-born Fashion Designer (and DIVA!) Isabell Kristensen: OK, this woman IS FIERCE! Three words: You GO Girl! She's a very stylish fashion designer who does mostly Custom Designs for the very wealthy from her Couture Boutiques in London and Monaco (of course!). I have no idea who is funding her and her design business, but really WHO CARES...when you look like that! She has now become a Royal Ascot fixture for her oh-so-amazing hats. And this is what she wore LAST YEAR:

I absolutely LOVE her!

The "Ascot Wacky" Awards Goes To:

Yellow Explosion

It's like this woman went to the UK version of Michael's Arts and Craft Store and this is what she came up with! Now, if she would have also found an OVERSIZED Bee and glued it in the middle of it, then...and maybe then...I would have given her a "You Go Girl" high-five!

Well, at least these two women kind of tried. But there's something about the hats--and their ensembles (it could be the badly sewn armhole princess seam on the purple dress!!)-that well, looks a little "pedestrian" and certainly, NOT Royal. But I give them a couple--just a couple-points for trying...

But THE WORST...

OK, both of these women are Royal Ascot MESSES!! What is that on the right? It's like her 19 year old gay nephew who's "studying fashion" made it for her!! Seriously. But it's the woman on the left who takes the cake. Someone should have stopped her after her fifth flute of Champagne! What is she trying to give here--in terms of her look? It is a cross between a cheap "Miss Great Britain" National Costume for the "Miss World" Pageant and... Captain Stubing of "Love Boat". Who. Does. That?
And now, May I Present you...The Gays:

My "GayDar" Just Busted: Three lovely men at the Royal Ascot

Never to be outdone are my precious Royal Ascot Gays (allegedly). I'm going to London in a few weeks and I hope, really hope... that I will run into these three boys as I step over people to get to Harrods and Topshop and Buckingham Palace. I think there are three 75 year old women in the UK right now looking for their "missing" hats.

Virgin Australia Fashion Festival (VAMFF) 2017

Virgin Australia Fashion Festival (VAMFF) 2017

Wednesday 16th March

Front row on the runway, we're loving all the shoes! Everything nice feels like plastic to me. Btw how do you clean flurry shoes? Set on the Next Runway was the UK Show (hence the unusual diversity in skin colour), in the great outdoors! It's five degrees warmer than outside in the hall and so we were glad to be outside. A warm but gloomy day - my kinda day! There's been a heat wave lately.

My favorite item? A navy blazer with white lines. Something practical. I've never bought anything I've seen on runway, I've been inspired by a couple headpieces though. Wedding runway is what I really love.

We came upon the UK Show on tickettek and were delighted to discover it was free! We rarely buy tickets for runway, preferring the performing arts, also I don't get as much value out if it as others. There were also other runways that you could get tickets for if you know someone.

The cheapest runway tickets are $65 though with Optus $45, and there would be other clubs offering discounts too. Only the premium shows have showbags, even at $40 I didn't find it worth it as I wouldn't use most of the products. But if you love runway and the products $30-40 is my ideal price.

The UK show was interesting, while I've never been to the UK I was under the impression that they had asians and Muslims too and not just people who are either black or white? Though we all know runway/media represents the ideal and not the average. After all if you were happy with the way you are, we can't sell you things that will make you "runway ready".

Front row on the runway, first and second row received different showbags, the second smaller and I'm not sure what's inside. We loved that there was two different bags, one for her and one for him! He rarely ever gets anything in the bags :P As they're always for girls.

My perception of Next? Another H&M.

What an awesome idea to spice up a denim jacket! Pins, sequins, pompoms and cheap beads. It's amazing how something so easy can we so awesome.

Fairy floss! In a few shades of purple, I do love purple!

Those three girls spent the entire evening taking pictures of themselves and each other. Though the event was designed to indulge camwhores. I'm surrounded by girls kissed the air and a sea of cameras. I've yet to take many pic as I'm not a selfie person and was deeply offended yesterday when the camera guy at Ted's asked if I mainly took selfies, as my primary use for the camera. 

Trending - Monochrome 

Something strange, new and wonderful I discovered is that I don't experience outfit envy at mainstream events. Sure I love your dress, but on you and not me. I'm more of a ballgown kinda person.

While we had a glimpse of the next big thing, 360 camera for now they're settling on gifs/animations, though I still prefer polaroids. I feel so lost, I was born in the wrong century and have nothing in common with anyone around me...

Plenty of photo ops with swings, a mirror room, tinsel background. A beer bar, the professor's second favorite. We didn't get into the VIP one this year, but I'm working on it! I mightn't like fashion nor approve though we love being invited places!

The official coffee sponsor, powering the event.

Priceline's four shipping container pop up has transformed into a building! Inside you could get your hair or makeup done, and a new photo area with prints! The latest trends is a roving camera but before that gifs, I prefer Polaroids. Unlike last year there were no showbags, only premium runway ones. So if you're in it for the freebies it's probably not worth going. 

Outside there's $2/$5 cash only vending machines. Being 8pm when we got there a lot of things were sold out. There was mainly nude by nature products and two french ones. There was Neutrogeana sunscreen too! At $5 everything was of good value.

The main venue, though there were shows outside and in the car park too.

There were two food trucks, the majority of which are more expensive than in-stores, convenience fee. Burgers and Vietnamese tonight. Skipping dinner for now we went straight to dessert with a $22 platter from Burch and purchase.

Two tubes (smaller than normal) a cake pop and wheel. Loved the ginger and passionfruit tube! A classic and best seller. The cake pop was a pop of salted caramel encased in a ball of white chocolate. Though the highlight and event exclusive was the B&P x Lavazza Coffee Wheel: coffee marshmallow and hazelnut cream sandwiched between chocolate cookies, dipped in Lavazza Prontissimo crunchy milk chocolate.

In this picture there is a screen, live from the show inside.

The gardens of fake grass was a very nice touch and upgrade from last year (just concrete blocks), simple but cheap deco - milk crates with plastic the tops lit inside with battery operated twinkle lights! Damn overhead street style lighting meant stupid yellow glow. This is why you go early and make full use of natural lighting.

What's new? Seating. Live screening on facebook. Priceline's vending machine.
What's gone? Free showbags from Priceline. More interactive activities.
When's the next show? September MSFW at City Square.

Did you go to fashion week? What were your highlights?

Hello Goodbye Fashion Week

Hello Goodbye Fashion Week

Tuesday 14th March

We finally got around to checking out the gallery!

Sometimes leaving the house and interacting with people really sucks. We had one of those situations today. You know you suck at customer service when despite solving their problem you made them cry. 

Passionfruit Ginger Crumble $8

Vanilla custard, fresh banana, traditional butter 

burst biscuit, passionfuit cream, ginger oat topping

After a trip to the office/my safe place we went for ice cream, ginger & passion-fruit frozen custard, yum! I loved the tanginess of the passion fruit cream paired with NY cheese cake like crumbs and freshness of the ginger. At $8 it seems to be the standard for desserts these days, though I think they should be priced around $6. Service was excellent! I always seem to get the same waiter and he's very warm and friendly. The A is a reference to a show I used to like (too many filler episodes and the game was reset multiple times that now no one cares who A is).

Over to South Wharf for a Tuesday Dinner at Bangpop. Tuesday Special - $10 pad thai (save $6). We discovered this special last time, though we were already set on what we'd order. On this visit we didn't see it advertised on the wharf side.

Wednesday

Set on the Next Runway was the UK show, in the great outdoors! It's five degrees warmer than outside in the hall and so we were glad to be outside. A warm but gloomy day - my kinda day! Its been a heat wave lately. This was during fashion week outside the museum.

Back to main street for dinner, Oppa Korean. Somewhere new. Cheap and delicious though cash only. Quite amazing that they were open till 11pm on a Thursday night, we have mixed feelings about how it felt like a Wednesday out there. Review coming soon.

Friday

An afternoon with the dentist, a clean, scans and check cost $180! It hurts and now I can feel the gaps between my teeth. Why is life so painful?

Wrapping up the main and last fashion week of the festival, Myer hosted a runway. A small event as David Jones was a partner. Outside you could get your hair and makeup done, but as we came straight from the dentist we didn't have any time for exploring. Inside there was drinks, coffee, ice cream and a nail bar. We hit everything inside, yay! A full post is coming up soon.

Opened on May 28, 1878 at the Opera Comique HMS Pinafore is one of the most popular Gilbert and Sullivan operas! A "timeless social satire of everything from the ruling classes and institutions (and any kind of class system) to patriotism, politicians and the public
service, ... and the heroic (and sometimes pompous) nature of serious opera". 

A top 3/5 Gilbert and Sullivan classic along with pirates, gondoliers (saw last year with grandpa and the mikado (which was amazing). The classic baby swap in social ranking. Captain and the bf - visual plot hole is that the girl and her guy are similar age while the captain is her father... All three main couples get their happy ending of course. Sir Joseph marries his cousin. It's the Regency era. I love main girl's white empire dress! Heavily beaded. Great show, one that we can't wait to see again next month.

Saturday

By 2pm on a Saturday in our small little town all the restaurants were closed and shops were closing up. Only the iga was open. Rustica's opening up here within the year and we can't wait to add life to the town !

There is no sincerer love than the love of food - Mama Marija

On this particular Saturday we're heading over to market and lunch. Enjoy it while you still can! Because we've got more dental surgery coming up followed by a month on the liquid diet.

Conveniently we're in time for end of day deals! As we forget this was happening (in between shows and dental hell) we didn't bring bags or a Granny market trolley. But you'll need those, also a husband to help hold stuff while dive in. Bring cash, small notes.

Sunday

We went for a local dinner, over at the next town, we were going to go for Huxtaburger but they were out of chicken so we went for souvalakis instead. Any recommendations for Hawthorn/Glenferrie?

Ya Mena $11.50 & Chips $3.50 = $15

Soft sov wrap with my favourite chicken honey mustard, coriander (just a touch) and caramelized onions! It was perfect. This is the same one I had last time. For $15 I had a sov (bigger than Jimmy's) paired with feta/oregano fries it was a meal. Crispy chips, for $3.50 it's quite a good deal for chips (if you want fries, McD is down the street) especially as you have the option for them plain or with thee feta/oregano. They come in three sizes, the smallest is my medium. Medium is to be shared between two.