P E T E R P A N .

Apologies in advance for going missing for nearly a week. Things here are moving so quickly and I feel like I'm finally getting on top of my work, amongst juggling new projects, ideas and travel plans. This could be because I've recently hired a new assistant. Her name is Hayley and she's an incredibly hard worker and extremely efficient, so it's becoming easier to manage the store and keep up with everything. I am flat out teaching her the ropes so hopefully she can manage the store when I go on a buying trip to the US in the next few months.

I also just escaped for a little holiday in Sydney over the weekend and have come back feeling refreshed and inspired to move even faster. Upon my return I was so happy to see one of my little DIY ideas had finally been finished. Like every other girl, I've always been in love with peter pan collars but they're so hard to find, so I thought why not make them yourself? I've wanted to make these for so long and I couldn't be happier with how they've turned out. Here is a sneak peek of the adorable vintage knits I have coming for the store tomorrow afternoon, customized with vintage lace, crochet and doily peter pan collars. Some even have a cute doily front pocket finished off with a little vintage button! All one off designs so no two are ever the same, which after all is what makes vintage so beautifully special. I hope you love :)

K I N G S O F C A R N A B Y .

(images via Spook Magazine)

After launching my e-store it was only natural to progress to the next exciting stage for Gary Pepper Vintage, which is incorporating up and coming designers into the "Shop New" section of the store. Ideally I'm aiming to carry smaller designers who can offer my customers something special, not mass-produced and something you can't find at many other places. After months of scouring through lookbook after lookbook, Kings of Carnaby was the breath of fresh air I was desperately searching for and I was so taken by their A/W look book that it only took me a few days before I placed an order for the store.

Kings of Carnaby is a Melbourne based fashion label who "Take inspiration from that of the 1960's English mod era, the collections reflect an elegant, preppy, mod chic look with a modern Melbourne twist". Created by Nick Tologlou and Micael Lamacchia, their items can be described as cute, feminine, and extremely on-trend, with no shortage of pretty pleats, playful frills and peter pans collars. What I love the most about KOC is they've clearly drawn inspiration from vintage past loves but blended them seamlessly with current trends, making them perfect for every Gary Pepper Girl.

This was my first time I'd ever placed a wholesale order with a designer so to be honest I really had no idea what I was doing! It was nerve racking investing money into something new but exhilarating to be learning on my feet again. Luckily Nick from KOC was kind (and patient) enough to walk me through it, calming my nerves and making sure I understood the entire buying process. This is definitely the direction I would like to my store so I can only hope I can continue to expand this "Shop New" section, and of course that you all like what you see!

Pictured above are the new winter dresses arriving in store tomorrow night at 7pm AEST - Falls Dress, Julibee Dress, Vanna Velvet Dress in Maroon and Emerald Green and the Nikola Dress. Prices start at $179 AUD and all items are available in sizes 6 - 14. Be sure to visit the Kings Of Carnaby site here, and follow their Facebook page here to stay up to date with all of their exciting news. Just wait until you see their Spring/Summer range too. Super, super cute and my cup of tea.

R U B Y .

(images via Ruby)

I really wanted to share the Ruby AW 11 lookbook with you all. Ruby is a NZ brand which only popped up on my radar a few months ago and I've been smitten ever since. I'm constantly looking at their AW look book which is styled absolutely perfectly and overflowing with so much winter outfit inspiration for these cold and chilly months ahead. I don't know why people tend to dress in black during winter (maybe to suit the dull and dreary days?) but I love how Ruby have kept things bright, beautiful and unbelievably feminine with a super soft colour palette and interesting mix of textures and layers. I would happily wear every outfit in this look book from top to toe, and may have already bought myself a little something to add to my beloved shoe collection. Please say hello to Bianca, the newest addition to my little family and fully equipped with a wooden platform and gold mirror heel.

You can shop the Ruby Boutique here, and remember all prices are shown in NZ dollars so be sure to convert them to your currency first. My Bianca heels were listed for $399 NZD so I couldn't jump quicker at them when I discovered they were really $290 in AUD! It's like a constant sale, but not really?

T A K E T W O .

(Zara Top, Vintage Skirt/Necklace/Bag, Charlotte Olympia Boots)

This is basically one of the outfits I wore during RAFW but the completed version I had in my head. I felt a little overdressed when I paired this Zara top with my full circle skirt and lightweight cardi so I opted to keep it simple and dress it down with leather shorts instead. Still, I couldn't help but feel like my outfit was half finished so when a suitable occasion came up I jumped at the opportunity to wear it again, but styled with the pieces I had in mind in the first place. Kind of felt a little desperate over this top when I saw it for the first time. Let's just say I waited (or lurked) around during the Zara Sydney opening for an entire hour, waiting to see if anyone was going to put it back in my size. Yes, I was that crazy lady eying off anyone else with the same top in their hand and trying to casually see what size they might of had. Zara will do that to you.. and I don't know why I just told you all that.. Surely I couldn't be the only one who has ever done that, right?

Wishing you all a very wonderful and sun filled weekend. Which version of this outfit did you like better?

O L D & N E W .

How adorable are these button bobby pins and hair elastics? They're new but at the same time old, as each one has been handmade from different vintage fabrics lying around my office. I never like to waste anything around here so I have about 40kg of excess vintage fabric which are cut offs from all of the dresses and skirts we hem shorter. I have so many ideas of what I would like to do with the fabric but there is never enough hours in the day. Recently I've been inspired to get these ideas into motion and luckily enough I found a little old lady who has the time to help me. Can't wait to show you the other items I have coming for the store but for now please enjoy a sneak peek of my new hair accessories, which will be landing in store early next week and constantly changing in vintage prints and colours. Bobby pins are $10 a set and hair elastics are $12 a set so be sure to add a few to your order before you checkout! I promise you'll look "cute as a button" in them :)