VJ the gypsy @ 50.

The delightfully stylish and bohemian queen of Melbourne's fashionable events scene, Valentina Jovanoska, marked her 50th anniversary with a decadent Gypsy themed soiree this past weekend. Gathering a coterie of her nearest and dearest to a richly bedecked Romany realm, in a North Melbourne warehouse, a rousing celebration certainly ensued.  From the liberal libations and abundant delectable morsels, to the decadent decor and marvellous music, no detail was left awry.

With our love and best wishes to you dear Valentina on this marvellous milestone marked in such a beautifully auspicious mode.

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Nic-nak's from the Castle #37

A few new Nic-Nak's at the Castle.  These wonderfull silver fruit for the recent Cambodian jaunt, in a Japanese flea market find lacquer wear bowl, with this beautiful new addition, a polychromatic glazed ceramic tile depicting a Mogul Prince falconing on horseback.

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200 Years of Australian Fashion opening.

A wonderful new exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria's Ian Potter Centre launched last night.  Titled "200 Years of Australian Fashion", it is a survey of the fashionable modes of Australia from the early colonial settlement days right through to our current designers du jour. A buzzing throng of some 700 fashionistas and supporters crammed the gallery foyer in Federation Square eager to be first to see this cleverly curated show.  

Nic-Nak Castles own Mr Brown was thrilled to be included, with one of his graphically printed outfits from the 1980's, produced under the moniker of Plain Jane, lined up in the FDC (Fashion Design Council) section of the exhibition.  Showing with a luminous line up of the likes of Jenny Kee, Linda Jackson, Jenny Bannister, Dion Lee, Toni Maticevski and many, many others

As with any fantastic opening event, the people and sociability do tend to stifle the exhibition as a whole.  So another visit in a less frenetic environment is require for true appreciation of this spectacular that has been many years in the making.  We wholeheartedly encourage a tour of this comprehensive extravaganza of Australia's fanciest modes.

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