KIM KNEIPP
Another rainy, winter’s day and I’m feeling the chill. I’m off to Melbourne to buy some eco house paint then on to see clients to return some of their altered wears. Working under the moniker of Frockerphiliac, I run a sustainable design and personal styling service. I have recently pledged to go a year without even op-shopping. I blog at www.thesustainablestylist.com
Raised in the tropics, Melbourne’s cold streets still feel like the Steppes, and I’m wearing a Tzar-esqe black fur hat that sits high on the head, hovering low to top lid. The macramé sides fall to entangle with the black, knotted, bead-scarf draping down my neck. My dress is also black and knife-pleated to on-knee. (An op-shop skirt refashioned by me).
Tones of caramel peek out from the gaps – the collar of a crumpled linen, button-front shirt and the warm, slubbed-sucrose tones of a thrifted blazer – clean cut with 40’s-style vertical yokes that flow to form sleeve. These layers are belted at waist by a handful of strip-cut, chocolate-coloured leather, knotted and hanging long from a circle of silver. Coated in three-quarter length chocolate wool with large, vintage buttons on three tiers of angled welt pockets, this ensemble has military overtones with flapper fanfare. Black low-heeled, laced ankle boots, black ribbed tights and a single gold bracelet help set the scene.
Worn from Daylesford, to Melbourne, then to Daylesford again, Monday 30th August 2010.
