All posts tagged: events

Taking tea and talking about tea fashions at Premier House

Monday was the much anticipated (at least by me) afternoon tea charity fundraiser for Save the Children at Premier House, where I gave a talk about the history of tea, and the way it has influenced fashion. It was a fabulous day: the event completely sold out resulting in a sizeable donation for Save the Children, the sun shone brightly all morning, Premier House looked wonderful, and so did my models. I wore Japonisme, the chintz pet made its ‘soft debut’, Julie debuted as a model in the Raspberry Swirl, Chiara looked beyond amazing in Ninon (as always), and I also debuted a new 1900s tea gown that I haven’t told you about yet.  Lots of excitement! With everything I do, there are so many people to acknowledge.  Save the Children for having the event of course, my models for being gorgeous and supportive and keeping me calm and putting up with my running around like a crazy women during the dressing.  Most of all, there are the people who contributed and supported in the …

Tea Parties, me, the Prime Minister’s residence and a very good cause

In addition to all the stuff I am doing like teaching and sewing, I have a very exciting event coming up. On Monday the 11th of June I am donating my time as the featured speaker at Save the Children’s annual fundraiser – an afternoon tea at Premier House. Yes, Premier House! That’s the Prime Minister’s residence!  It’s like speaking at the White House or 10 Downing Street!  (well, the White House or 10 Downing St in a country with 4 million people, but still!) I am, needless to say, looking forward to it. As it is an afternoon tea, I’m going to speak on the fashions related to tea: the links between the tea trade and the trade in Eastern textiles, the introduction ‘afternoon tea’, and of course, tea gowns! The official invite says: Join textile historian Leimomi Oakes for afternoon tea and an informative and amusing history of tea and the fashions that tea inspired.  The talk will cover the introduction of tea into Europe in the 17th century, the invention of ‘afternoon …

Dancing on the Titanic

The Ghosts of the Titanic Ball was last night, and it was fabulous.  We had the best time.  It was held at Breaker Bay Hall, which is this adorable little 1950s community hall along the coast in Wellington.  It has a lovely wood floor, and a itsy-bitsy stage with a mural depicting the scene outside the hall. Here are just a few pictures.  I didn’t get that many because I was busy arranging music/refilling the punch bowl/calling dances/greeting people/dancing/posing/teaching. Alas, I didn’t finish the Luna Moth dress in time to wear it.  I debated between the Laurel dress and vintage tails, and actually took both to the hall to get dressed there.  When it came time to get dressed, I realised I’d forgotten a shirt and bowtie for the tails, so the dress it was! Though I didn’t manage to get a new dress made for myself, I did make two new costumes for other women: a simple mauve-grey overtunic to go with a purple dress I made years ago, and a fabulous gold sheath …