a relationship in plaster

I took this photo a few years ago when I saw these two old mannequins clearly conversing with one another. They were part of my mother's (Sophie van Rood) 'Banana Room' collection. This was their last conversation. I sometimes wonder if they have stayed in touch from their different and no doubt widespread posts now...

from Paris Vogue 1974

Wow! I have a large pile of French and English Vogues dating from 1974. Some of them are falling apart at the bindings, they have been leafed through so much; and then moved from one place to the next over the last 35 years. (I have moved with all my things about 18 times in this period I think.) I have used them ruthlessly at times as the pillars of shelves or they have been left in cardboard boxes in the shadows of their former selves. They are fantastic, and I love them. I don't look at them very often these days, but today decided its time to dip in again..(stay tuned)

mannequin chat

These two mannequins were definitely having a communicative moment

inspiration from a fifties clasp

Above is the clasp that I inherited from my mother, one part of a fabulous necklace she used to wear in the early sixties when we were on vacation. Its full of crystal and big costume pearl drops.
The image at the top is the necklace I made, which is being worn by my mannequin who is called 'Cruella'. (she always looks so good in everything, even though she's so cruel...) She's also wearing a mid nineteenth century cami, probably from a glory box (its in flawless condition, never been worn) a piece from my mother (Sophie van Rood, The Banana Room, Adelaide 1974-1998) vast antique and vintage fashion and costume collection. So the necklace which I have named 'Dusk Devi', is part of my 'Devi' series, which I began showing at the 'Sentience' exhibition. (with Zlatka, the wondrous knitwear artist, at fortyfivedownstairs, in Flinders Lane, Melbourne, March 2008 - part of L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival)

Art Deco box

Yes, I think this is an appropriate place to start. I inherited a very large collection of costume and design items from my mother. And not only many of the objects from it in life; but I realize more and more that I absorbed everything she gathered and hunted and inherited herself from her rich cultural life, by osmosis and I imagine: DNA. So I'm very very lucky. And I have a big responsibility, not only to my family, but to all interested in, or passionate about beautiful things, to pass on this extraordinary legacy. And that's why I'm inbetween things. I have been making jewellery for years and years. I still love to make jewellery. But I also paint and draw. And I also design and create logos, design styles and images for other people, including my own 'house'.
So here we are. I've finally started this blog, and hope it brings you as much inspiration and creativity as it brings me.