Some of you may have followed the updates on social media. In true “me” style, I chose the week that the Hunter Region was hit by an East coast low weather event to fit-out and move into the new space. Needless to say, I was damp for about 7 days straight. Things like painting walls took longer than expected, and organising the logistics of moving fittings, stock, getting materials delivered, etc was all kinds of fun (I’m using the sarcasm font, in case you didn’t notice!)
Special mention must go to my husband and Dad, who quite literally slaved alongside me so I could meet my self-imposed opening deadline. Real heroes don’t wear capes! Husbo painted like a boss, then contended with the unique walls (which, in my humble opinion, are incredibly atmospheric and create a beautifully vintage-inspired vibe) to get all the racks installed. Dad turned an oddly shaped triangular room into my new workspace for creating the Miskonduct Klothing in-house collection. He had his fair share of fun with the walls too.
The boutique features 12-foot ceilings, with stunning molded cornices, floor-to-ceiling glass frontage which lets in loads of natural light, and our customary luxe-feel fitting rooms complete with faux-fur floor rugs, velvet curtains, and embossed wallpaper; because why do things half-assed when you can use your full ass? 😉 We are also fully air-conditioned, so no matter what’s going on outside we’ll be perfectly temperate inside!
You may have already driven past the space. One of the reasons I chose this location is because of how easy it is to find! We’re on the main road through Mayfield, towards the east end, as you’re heading to Newcastle. Our new address is:
Miskonduct Klothing
51 Maitland Road
MAYFIELD NSW 2304
Our hours of operation are:
Tuesday to Friday
9am-5pm
Saturday
9am-3pm
Sunday to Monday
Closed
Whilst working on fitting the space out, I was also madly ordering stock and making a couple of new pieces for the Miskonduct Klothing collection, so there’s loads of new goodies to tempt yourself with! I’m slowly getting them uploaded to the website, but let’s be honest; nothing quite tops coming in store, playing dress-ups, and finding your new favourite outfit!
I can’t wait to see all our lovely local customers in store. It will be fabulous to catch up with you all after such a long hiatus.
]]>I’ve found a beautiful location in the east end of Mayfield that is perfect for sharing all the fabulousness (did I just make up a word?!) that Miskonduct Klothing has to offer. It’s also got some space for me to set up my studio, so I can continue to offer our in-house, limited-edition collection of exclusive Miskonduct Klothing designs.
For the next couple of weeks, it will be work, work, and more work while I get the shop fitted out to perfection and move the business from my home studio (aka the garage!) and into the new space. I aim to be open by mid-July and will absolutely be celebrating with a grand opening!! If you haven’t already, you should sign up to our email list so you don’t miss the invitation. Here’s the link. Oh, and make sure you’re following us on our socials!
Our new Morpeth location will continue as is. I have built a fantastic relationship with the team at Uniquely Collective, who created a beautiful collaboration of small businesses that have supported each other through some of the absolute worst times small business could endure. Miskonduct would, quite literally, not be here today without this collection of unique humans and businesses (hence the name!) I’d like to give a huge and heartfelt shout-out to Linda, the brains behind Uniquely Collective; as well as my amazing bestie Mel, who just about forced me to trial the concept. I haven’t looked back. She was right. There, I put it in writing!
To make life easy for you all, here’s the address for both our locations.
Morpeth Store – open now!
Miskonduct @ Uniquely Collective
5/142 Swan Street
Morpeth, NSW 2321
Mayfield Store – opening mid-July!
Miskonduct Klothing
51 Maitland Road
Mayfield, NSW 2304
Yeah, that’s right! Two locations!! Expanding Miskonduct Klothing was one of my goals when I first took over the business, five years ago. Several considerable obstacles have slowed me down, but they certainly haven’t stopped me. I can’t tell you what an achievement this is for me. The mantra “when nothing goes right, go left” has definitely helped me keep moving forward, even if it’s been in a bit of a zig-zag line sometimes!
Anyway, I have walls to paint! I’ll let you all know when the Mayfield store goes live. Can’t wait to catch up with you all!!
Until then….
Alice XX
]]>We've curated our top 5 beauty tips to help you perfect your vintage inspired makeup look. These are all tried and tested so we know they work!
Join the dots to create the perfect line for your lips. This technique takes the pressure out of creating one perfectly formed line by giving you smaller sections to work with.
Nothing quite ruins your look like a bit of rogue lippy on the teeth! This one is an oldie, but a goldie that works every single time.
Getting those flicks just right isn't rocket science when you know this trick. Start with the wing and work your way into the corner of your eye. This way you're working with the wing shape you've created, not the one you lucked into!
You don't have to be blessed with full brows to create a shapely style. Simply create the shape you want and blend well. (Pro Tip: Make sure your brow pencil or pomade is the right shade for your brows and skin tone!)
False lashes can be too much drama to bother with if you don't know these two hacks.
Step 1. Trim your falsies to the length of your lash line
Step 2. Wrap your falsies around a brow pencil or eyeshadow brush to help them curve to your eye shape more easily.
These tips should certainly have you well on your way to perfecting your pinup or retro look, however the best piece of advice we can give is the old adage "practice makes perfect".
Add the finishing touches to your complete look with a vintage inspired hairstyle. Check out our blog 4 Vintage Hair Styles You Can Do Right Now
'til next time,
Alice
]]>Although the weather threatened to dampen our afternoon, we were so fortunate that it held out! Overcast skies and a refreshing breeze were extremely welcome after the hot days we’ve had recently.
Our afternoon started with a glass of bubbles and a chat with our guest of honour, Rebecca Skehan, creative genius behind Cherry Bomb Vintage Couture. Bec had brought along samples of the soon-to-be-launched Mae Noir Collection as well as her newest design, the La Rosa Lace Overlay Skirt. The pictures of these pieces just don’t do them justice! (and Cherry Bomb VC photography is always spectacular). The Mae leopard print fabric used for the Brigitte Dress has so much stretch and the quality is second to none. The solid black cotton sateen of the Veronica Pencil Dress is a super-luxe quality that pulls you in in all the right places.
What I’m loving about the new collection from Cherry Bomb Vintage Couture is the versatility of the pieces. Bec has worked to create a collection of pieces that can be mixed and matched. Essentially, you end up with a Cherry Bomb capsule wardrobe! (aka Heaven!!) The Veronica Pencil Dress is a stunning LBD all on its own. Teamed with the Audrey Bolero in Mae Noir you have a sharp twinset that could quite comfortable find its way into the boardroom, while the addition of the La Rosa Lace Overlay Skirt (pictured below with the Veronica Dress in Bombshell red) turns your frock into an instant cocktail winner. All pieces will be available to purchase as separates, so you can create your own unique Cherry Bomb inspired look. (We also think the La Rosa Skirt over capri pants would be a killer look!)
But I digress! After bubbly, our first course was presented. Delightfully tiny finger sandwiches and mini pinwheel wraps all with delicious gourmet fillings arrived, a trio of miniature quiches with the most delectable flavours, and freshly baked scones with all the trimmings. Food prepared by someone else always tastes better, and when it’s perfectly bite-sized it’s even better! Our mismatched vintage tea service was an absolute delight to enjoy endless cups of tea from. Some of our guests even chose their seat so their frock matched their cup. Adorable!
The second course brought more sweet treats, with gluten free cherry ripe inspired slice, miniature lemon meringue tarts and tiny caramel tarts. Seasonal fresh fruit with chocolate dipping sauce and a final cup of tea to cleanse the palate finished things off to perfection. Chaddies on Regent and The Blind Baker really outdid themselves! Everyone was so impressed with the quality of the food and the service was second-to-none.
We whiled away the afternoon indulging ourselves with “just one more piece”, because it looked “so lonely” on the tray (#excuses) Despite the variety of people who joined us, everyone got along famously. We talked holidays, kids, fashion, music, hair & makeup. All the big issues! Bec also shared the story behind her manufacturing team in Vietnam. An amazing and inspirational family business with a passion for workers rights, fair pay, and their orphanage. I will be dedicating another blog to this story soon.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and I have no doubt all went home feeling relaxed. When the afternoon slowly came to an end, we said our goodbyes and I caught the phrase “see you at the next one” on more than one occasion!
So, I guess that settles it. We will most certainly be holding another Very Vintage High Tea. Dates are yet to be set, but I think we’ll do the next one on a weekend day which will allow those of you 9-5ers to join us next time! Make sure you’ve signed up to our email list so you don’t miss the invitation!
‘til next time,
Alice X
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But I digress….
Lesley Knope celebrates her closest gal pals once a year on “Galentine’s Day”, which falls on February 13th, a day before that other made-up holiday in which we celebrate romantic love. It’s all about showering your bestie (or besties! It’s hard to pick just one, am I right?!) with love and attention, showing her just how much she and her friendship means to you with meaningful gifts, events and champagne (obviously).
Lesley Knope, despite being a fictional character, is someone that really resonates with us here at Miskonduct Klothing. She works hard to achieve her goals, she believes strongly in equality, she supports rather than competes with the sisterhood and she loves waffles!
So we decided this year to share Galentine’s Day with our beautiful customers and spread some serious girl-empowering love!
Ways to Celebrate Galentine’s Day
Get your besties together for an indulgent breakfast featuring All. The. Calories. (side note – calories don’t count on Galentine’s Day 😉)
Hit the beach with your favourite gals and spend the day relaxing in the sun and surf. Don’t forget the sunscreen and keep it classy with a Beyond the Sea Swimwear swimsuit!
There’s only one thing better than hanging with your bestie, and that’s hanging with your bestie while eating cheese and wine! Grab a bottle of your favourite drop, buy way more cheese than you’ll ever need and get amongst it.
Head to your beautician and book in some serious pampering time with your bestie. Mani, Pedi, Facial, whatever takes your fancy!
Is Galentine’s Day just for Gals?
In the show, Galentine's Day is explained as a day of ladies celebrating ladies. However, Lesley Knope, the grandmother of Galentine’s Day, is a feminist who believes in equality for all. Galentine’s Day is a celebration of friendship – those people who stick by your side through thick and thin – irrespective of romantic ties. It’s a day dedicated to showing the most important people in your life how much you care about them. In the age of inclusion, we think that Galentine's Day can (and should) extend beyond it's original description. If that person is your big brother, little sister, best mate from high school, your Mum or Dad, your pal from work who keeps your sane, whoever it is, it’s a day to celebrate with them.
Do I have to get a gift?
Of course not! But there’s nothing quite like the pleasant surprise of receiving an unexpected gift, so why not?!
To celebrate Galentine’s Day in all it’s cheesy, corny, pure goodness Miskonduct Klothing has an offer to help you spoil your best gal-pal! Our “but 1, get the 2nd one ½ price*” offer is pumping until Sunday 17th February 2019. PLUS, we’re also putting every person who places an order into the draw to win a Miskonduct Klothing Gift Voucher valued at $100**, because we want to shower our customers with love and appreciation too.
‘til next time,
Alice X
* ½ price applied to item of equal or lesser value
** Your email address will be recorded as your entry into the Gift Voucher draw. Winner of the $100 Gift Voucher will be drawn on Monday 18th February. Winner will be notified by email. Gift Voucher will be emailed to winner and can be used in store and online. Online orders will be automatically entered. In store orders will need to record their email address on the entry form.
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But first, let’s reflect…..
It’s been one and a half years since I took over here at Miskonduct Klothing and despite the relatively short time it has been epic! With major construction upheaval in the city of Newcastle just 6 months into the gig, Miskonduct’s future was suddenly very tenuous. After another 6 months of working my butt off to keep this amazing business alive I made the decision to move to a shopping centre – cue the Westfield campaign! We committed to 3 months in Westfield, Kotara and very quickly decided to extended this by another 3 months. The increase in foot traffic and exposure for the Miskonduct brand was fantastic. We reconnected with so many customers who hadn’t seen us since Tighes Hill days as well as met dozens of new people who had never heard of us.
After 6 months at Westfield in a temporary capacity I was approached to discuss a permanent lease in the centre. After much discussion, negotiations, and everything else that goes on when committing to a contract of this magnitude I finally decided Westfield just isn’t the right place for Miskonduct Klothing. Working 60 hours a week to commit to the centre trading hours did not give me a good work/life balance, and the very corporate nature of a lease with Westfield is just not how I see myself doing business.
At this point I do want to make it very clear that working with the Westfield crew has not been horrible. Quite the opposite! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Kotara team, every single one of whom has made me feel super welcome. Nothing is too much hassle for these guys and gals! The people I’ve got to know working at other stores have all been lovely, and (get ready for a small business truth bomb) the isolation that I have sometimes felt since becoming a small business owner has been far less since coming to Kotara. There is a real community feel here amongst the employees and I am really going to miss it!
…which has definitely influenced my decision on “where to now”.
Let me cast your mind back to that ‘fresh start’ comment I mentioned earlier. The decision to leave Westfield meant I also needed to decide if I was going back to Hunter St. The feedback from customers since our temporary move to Kotara has indicated that the Hunter St location is a bit of a hassle to get to. Personally, I’m not confident that Newcastle has recovered yet from the damage to visitation that the Light Rail Construction project has brought about. I’m also keenly aware of the rampant development going on in both the East and West End of Newcastle, which continues to disrupt the viability of small businesses. So, Miskonduct will not be moving back to our Hunter St home.
Tough decision out of the way, I am now super excited to announce that we have found our “forever home” (well, foreseeable future home) in the delightful suburb of New Lambton! From Monday 4th of February you can get your Miskonduct fix at New Lambton Village Courtyard on Regent St, New Lambton. The long-time home of Chaddies on Regent café, the Blind Baker bakery, and gift and homewares boutique The Wandering Peacock, as well as boutique womenswear store Papango.
The proximity to food and coffee is a definite bonus, and not only because I am a big fan of both! One of the things that has consistently come up when chatting with customers about the good ol’ days at Tighes Hill was how much everyone loved the mix of café and fashion. Now, I just don’t have another business venture in me right now (yep, even my seemingly endless energy can run low!) so discovering an empty boutique right next door to a café and overlooking a courtyard dining area is a pretty spectacular compromise, I think!
Not only this, but upon inspecting the property and indicating to the real estate agent that I would like to proceed with a lease, the owner of Chaddies (Jo) immediately popped out to our table and welcomed us! We then visited Karina at The Wandering Peacock and Kim and Sharon at Papango to let them know Miskonduct was coming to town. These delightful women instantly welcomed us, told us they were available if we had any questions at all and reassured us that the Courtyard was a great little spot for boutique businesses. Such a lovely little community that I cannot wait to spend more time with.
Now that the cat is out of the bag, I’d be ever so grateful if you could spread the news. As with every other massive decision I’ve made relating to this business it’s happening in a matter of days!! Miskonduct has had a lot of changes over the past 6 months and I am really keen to settle into the one spot and focus on bringing to you all the things you love about Miskonduct Klothing.
Stay tuned for more updates. We have some new labels we’ll be bringing into the mix this year, some you’ll definitely know and others you’ll be glad you get to know. But that is for another blog! For now, the important dates to remember are:
Sunday 27th January 2019 – Last day of trade at Westfield, Kotara
Monday 28th January 2019 – Alice gets a sleep-in!
Monday 4th February 2019 – Grand Opening at Regent St, New Lambton (Unless we’re ready sooner than that!)
Of course, website orders can still be placed and I will continue to process these as quick as possible. The pick up in store option will still be active on the website, but collection won’t be available until we open the doors at Regent St. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions!
‘til next time,
Alice X
]]>Miskonduct Klothing hasn't been immune to this disruption. We've done a lot of work on keeping our website up-to-date so that customers can shop online and avoid the hassle of getting into the city. We've also invested a stack of energy into our travelling pop-up shop, making sure we're at locations that are easy for our customers to get to. If you can't come to us, we've tried hard to come to you!
As part of the pop-up shop project, we've decided to temporarily relocate our boutique to Westfield Kotara. It's the first opportunity we've had to make a semi-permanent move that is longer than 4 days! I can tell you now, I am so happy not to have to set up and pack up the shop within the same week. It's been exhausting!!
Enough of the "Debbie Downer" news though...Here's why we chose to move to Westfield Kotara! Despite the centre currently undergoing it's own revitalization (Trust me, I have lost many hours of sleep worrying that we were jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire!!) Westfield Kotara still ticks many boxes in terms of shopper-experience. There are hundreds of carparks available, which are free for the first 3 hours, plus a huge variety of fashion stores for guys, gals and kids. Not to mention beauty services, cafe's and a gorgeous rooftop entertainment precinct. As parking and accessibility has been such a massive blocker for people getting into Newcastle, we thought a centre like Westfield Kotara would address many of these issues.
Unfortunately, we've had to close the Hunter St boutique temporarily. Again, something I have lost countless hours of sleep over! Of course, we know this will disrupt some of you. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes, and hope you can understand why we've had to make this decision.
We look forward to seeing you at our new location in Westfield Kotara and can't wait to help you find your new favourite frock! You can find us on Level 2, opposite Sheike and Swarovski. Best parking to get to us is off Lexington Parade.
'til next time,
Alice X
p.s. We'd be super grateful if you could share the news with your friends and family!
]]>If getting into Newcastle to visit us in-store is proving to be too much effort, (Don't worry, we get it. The Light Rail construction is making it really difficult to get around!) then take a detour out to the Hunter Region's shiniest new shopping mall - Stockland Green Hills, in East Maitland. It has everything you could possibly want out of a shopping mall - including Miskonduct Klothing! But only for a limited time.
We'll be there from Thursday 26th through to Sunday 29th July on the ground floor, out the front of Darrell Lea and the Australian Geographic Shop. We'll have a stack of new frocks to show you, as well as some of our fabulous footwear and accessories! Here's a teaser.....
For our interstate friends, don't despair! We are hitting the road to join the fun at Greazefest, Brisbane from Saturday 4th - Sunday 5th August!
We can't wait to chase the sun - it's been way too cold in Newcastle this Winter! We'll be bringing all our gorgeous frocks and matching accessories along for the ride. Like this one adorable outfit.....
Our Newcastle Boutique will be open during these trips, so if you're heading into the city you can still get your fill of Miskonduct goodness. Of course, our online boutique is open 24/7 so you can always do your shopping without even leaving the house!
We've got a stack more events and pop-up shops coming, with a stint at Westfield Kotara, Chromefest, Blast From the Past and Hunter Elvis Festival all in the pipelines. Make sure you sign up to our email list so you don't miss out on any of the news!
'til next time,
Alice X
]]>As you can probably guess, I am not what you’d call a “Winter Person”. I know Winter People. I even live with one of them! My son sleeps with a fan on and the window open all year ‘round. He happily trots about in shorts and t-shirt. You know it’s particularly cold when he puts a hoodie on. Winter People just don’t feel the cold, or if they do they love it!
(Beautiful, but Brrrr......!)
I am not one of those people. As soon as the temperature drops I start to feel it and it’s just about impossible for me to warm up until Spring hits!
It’s not all doom and gloom though. I happen to love winter fashion, even if I can’t feel my toes for the entire season. Nothing quite beats that snuggly feeling of being properly rugged up.
I’m sure I’m not the only person with a heightened sensitivity to the cold, so I thought I’d put together a few of my tips for keeping toasty during Winter while still remaining true to your vintage heart.
Winter Essentials
The first step is putting together a bit of a capsule wardrobe of what I consider to be winter essentials. A capsule wardrobe is a selection of staple garments that can be worked in with seasonal styles – classic pieces that never lose their usefulness. In keeping with the vintage vibe we love here at Miskonduct Klothing, these pieces all have a mid-century, retro element to them.
Bolero
A long-sleeved bolero cardigan is a must-have for your winter wardrobe. Boleros are great for adding a bit of extra warmth without losing the shape of your fit and flare dresses.
Opaque tights
Nothing quite says Winter like a thick pair of opaque tights. Staple colours like black and navy are a must, but you can also get creative with colours and textures to create a really unique winter look. Paired with boots, this is about as toasty warm as you can get without putting on a pair of tracky dacks!
Petticoat
Investing in a quality petticoat is essential if you’re going to rock a vintage inspired look. They give fullness and shape to your flared skirts, and the added bonus is that they give you extra layers to keep you warm through the cooler months!
High Waisted Pants
Having a pants option in your winter vintage wardrobe opens up so many new outfit opportunities. Apart from the obvious fact that they cover your legs entirely, a high waisted pant is also a comfortable but still flattering, variation on the vintage look.
Long sleeved dress
For those occasions when only a dress will do. A long-sleeved frock in a quality fabric gives you something to wear to a winter wedding, race day or cocktail event. Style with a combination of the above suggestions to really stay snug!
Skirt
A skirt in a solid colour is a wardrobe basic any time of year. For a winter option you want heavier fabrics, or a really full skirt with lots of pleats to allow room for that petticoat underneath.
Coat
Something versatile, but devastatingly attractive. A block colour that will go with lots of different colourways is a great starting point. Personally, I don’t think there’s such a thing as too many coats, but if you’re looking for starter-staples then keep it simple.
Putting it all together...
Ok, so now you’ve got your winter capsule wardrobe under control the next step is to work them into your repertoire! Here are a few styling suggestions that show you how to incorporate these pieces into outfits for different occasions you may encounter this Winter.
Winter Work Days
Work days need something a little professional, but who doesn’t want to be comfy as well? It’s time for your high waisted pants to take centre stage! Style with a fitted top and add your bolero for extra warmth. Throw on a patterned scarf (lightweight fabric that can be worn indoors as well as outside) and a pair of heels to give a polished finish to your vintage inspired work look.
Try the look:
Featured here are the Charlie High Waisted Pants, Celine Top, Maggie Bolero and Spectator Heels with Paradiso Bag.
Winter Wedding Wonderland
This may come as a surprise, but not everyone wants to get married in Spring! Sometimes an occasion that calls for something a bit special crops up in the cooler months. Here’s where your long-sleeved frock comes in handy. Something with sleeves that’s also made from a heavier fabric is just the thing for keeping warm. Style with opaque tights and heels. Add a shawl or capelet for another layer of warmth. The added bonus? This look will tick all the boxes for Winter race days too. Just add a felt hat for the perfect “members only” look.
Try the look:
We've styled the Marianne Twinset with black opaque tights, our Smitten Heel and Annie Faux Fur Cape, both in black.
Winter Weekender
Heading out for lunch? Drinks with the girls? Dinner with the family? Your winter skirt sure is going to come in handy! Style with a cute coloured cardigan, patterned tights and boots (ankle or knee-high, depending on what suits your shape) and your petticoat for extra warmth and a proper retro vibe. Add a splash of contrasting colour to brighten your look and enjoy your weekend!
Try the look:
Featured here is the Jackie Skirt with Wylie Cardigan. We've added the Basket Weave Tights in black, Emily Handbag in coral, and T-Strap Pump in black. You can always pop on your petticoat underneath for extra warmth with this look too!
Never a dull moment!
What I love most about the winter vintage look is that it’s always vibrant and bright. There are so many fun patterns and awesome colours you can work into your wardrobe that it’s almost impossible to suffer from the winter blues!!
Now you have the basics for a vintage inspired winter wardrobe you can get creative with adding elements like hats and berets, scarves, different coats and gloves! Post your vintage inspired winter looks below and share your tried and true tips for staying warm this Winter.
‘til next time,
Alice X
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However…..You want that look right now, don’t you?
With a few basic skills (and I mean a few) and the right tools you can turn out a vintage inspired hairstyle in as much time as it takes to make a coffee!
I want to share with you my four favourite “beginner” styles, all of which are tried and tested, because I too was a beginner once (and still consider myself quite the novice despite several years of practice)!
The best thing about each of these styles is that they are as quick to do as they are easy. Even if you’re a seasoned vintage hair stylist I have no doubt you’ll still appreciate these swift ‘dos.
This one is my “go to” style when I am massively short on time and need a “done” look! All it takes is a pintail comb and a bobby pin. If you’ve got a few more minutes, grab a wide barrelled curling wand and loosely curl the ends of your hair for a bit of extra body and movement.
Style this look:
This is a really simple, yet polished hairstyle that would look great with the Riley Dress in black to create a vintage-esque, very office-appropriate look.
Victory rolls – gah! Super hard, soooo time-consuming. Am I right? Maybe not? This tutorial by Rebecca, guest blogger at A Beautiful Mess, puts to bed once and for all the myth that victory rolls are impossible. The key with this swift and simple style is to embrace the mess and go with a relaxed style that looks all the better for the fly-aways and bits of hair that didn’t quite make it into the roll.
The trick to rolling your hair is to wrap the end of the section you want to roll around your first two fingers to create a loop. Pinch the loop between your fingers and start rolling towards your head. The direction can change depending on what style you’re creating, but for Victory Rolls you want to roll inwards towards the middle of your head so that the roll pops up on top of your head.
The best bit about this style is that you’ve just learned one of the staple skills for vintage styling. Knowing how to successfully roll your hair opens up a whole world of new styles!
Style this look:
Victory Rolls are as vintage-hair as it gets. Style your look with any one of our Cherry Bomb Vintage Couture dresses for a knockout vintage look that will have you standing out from the crowd for all the right reasons.
I stumbled across this look a couple of years ago when I found Polish blogger Marlenka’s website. It’s so easy to do, I can whip it up in the bathroom just before opening the shop and you’d never know I’d walked in 5 minutes earlier with a mop of unkempt hair on my head! As with most vintage styles, it works best with unwashed hair.
You’ll Need:
Loosely tease your hair, then scoop it up into a high ponytail, leaving the front section out for later. Secure with your hair elastic. Grab the end of your ponytail and start rolling it up, towards the top of your ponytail.
Secure the roll with bobby pins, then fan the roll out and secure the sides with bobby pins. You may also want to smooth the roll out a little so there’s no crazy fly-aways or lumps and bumps. Blast with hairspray for good measure.
With the front section of hair you left out of the ponytail sweep it across to one side and tuck behind your ear. If you’re feeling adventurous, use your new-found victory roll skills and roll the front section of hair back into a swept-back barrel curl. Add a flower, or tie a bandana in your hair.
Style this look:
A fit and flare frock is the perfect choice for such a sweet hairstyle. The Lana Dress, with it's scoop neckline, fitted bodice, and pleated full skirt will be just right!
Technically, my final vintage hairstyle is actually 6. Yep, I can’t count, and you get a bonus round!
YouTube vlogger, Vintagious, takes you through 6 distinct styles, all focusing on different ways of working with the front section of your hair. Most of these you can do in about 1 minute! As she mentions in her video, it helps if you’ve already curled your hair as this gives you a bit more body to work with and also makes your hair a bit easier to manipulate. However, even if you haven’t done this these styles will work.
Like I mentioned earlier in this blog, unwashed hair is easiest to work with. If your hair is too soft and slippery throw on a bit of dry shampoo or some hairspray just to gunk it up a little bit and get a bit more control.
Style this look:
Get your rockabilly on and style with the Kay Capri Pant in pink spot, an off-shoulder gypsy top and killer heels!
All of these styles look great on their own. However, as you develop your vintage hair styling skills you can start to incorporate these elements into more elaborate styles. A well-styled 'do really does step up your vintage fashion game, so get some supplies, get yourself in front of a mirror and start practicing!
I'd love to see your finished hairstyles so be sure to tag #miskonduct on Instagram or post your pics to our Facebook feed.
If you have any tips or tricks you've learned we'd love to hear about them in the comments below, and don't forget to check out our blog Top 5 Tips to Perfect Your Vintage Look where we share our favourite makeup tips!
'til next time,
Alice X
]]>The Entrance, Central Coast will be transformed once again into a retro-lovin' guy and gal's wonderland. With one of the biggest hotrod Show ‘n’ Shine’s in NSW (Australia? Quite possibly!) you’re guaranteed to get your fill of fabulous cars. They start rolling in on Friday, roll out for a cruise on Saturday afternoon and then the winners are announced on Sunday!
Flanking the hotrod display is a stack of retro and vintage inspired market stalls with some of the best selections of true vintage and reproduction items you can get your hands on. From 50’s memorabilia, car-enthusiast collectables and retro fashion there is something for everyone. You’ll also find a vast selection of food stalls to keep you well-fed and hydrated throughout the day.
Live entertainment is pumping all weekend long, with two outdoor stages devoted to bringing you the best of Rock n Roll from live acts such as The Rattlesnakes and Bad Luck Kitty, DJ Vinnie and DJ George Galea will be pumping all the classics and the one and only Si Cranstoun will be performing a special set on Sunday afternoon. You’ll also be treated to performances by Sydney’s Swing Katz plus the crowning of the 2017 Miss Pinup Doll Australia on Saturday. Miskonduct Klothing is a proud sponsor of Pinup Doll Australia, and we’ll be hosting a Meet n Greet with the Dolls on Sunday morning from 9.30am, so be sure to head in early on Sunday and visit us at our stall in the Plaza Markets.
All this entertainment is FREE, but if you still haven’t had enough retro revival fun you can book into any number of the ticketed events held at clubs and pubs in the area. The whole town really does get on board for this event.
Hot on the heels of ChromeFest is our Melbourne Cup Fashion Show, held in conjunction with The Clarendon Hotel’s Vintage Garden Party. The perfect excuse to frock up and feel fabulous! Ticket price includes:
Held in the outdoor beer garden, beautifully themed as a vintage-inspired garden party, it’s the perfect way to spend a Tuesday afternoon enjoying the atmosphere and the “race that stops a nation”!
Click here for tickets.
More than just a market, Sydney Rock n Roll & Alternative Markets are the perfect combination of music festival and markets. Held in Manning House at Sydney’s iconic Sydney University, market stalls fill three levels with live music upstairs at Manning Bar and DJ’s outside in the garden.
You’ll find a vast selection of vintage collectables, vinyl, comics and memorabilia, as well as fashion representing just about every alternative sub-culture you can think of. From popular brands, to unique and handmade you’ll need all the time you can manage to take in what’s on offer!
Punters are encouraged to bring their vintage cars and bikes (contact the organizer in advance to book your car park http://rocknrollmarket.com.au/vehicle-displays ) and you can also book into the beginners’ dance class first thing in the morning (for a small fee).
Then there’s the live music. Organiser, Tiffany Palmer, works tirelessly to create unique, fresh lineups for every market, but the Christmas Edition is nothing short of stellar. Sydney Punk Rock icons The Hard Ons share the stage with Rockabilly powerhouse Hanks Jalopy Demons and The Keiron McDonald Combo as well as Indie Rock influencer Kim Salmon. For a cover charge of less than $10 for the day that’s money well spent in my book! Plus, kids under 12 get free entry. That’s right folks, it’s a kid-friendly show! A great opportunity to get the kids into some real music that encourages them to dance to their own tune. How good is that?
In addition to all of the above, we’ll keep the doors open at the Newcastle Boutique, so you can still pop in for your pretty-dress-fix any day of the week! Leah, Kate & I will be only too happy to help you.
‘til next time,
Alice X
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So, tell me? Do you ever feel like it would be easier to find a real unicorn than find a swimsuit that you felt good in? Your quest is over my friend, because Miskonduct Klothing has just become exclusive stockists for Beyond the Sea Swimwear in the Newcastle Region!
Beyond the Sea Swimwear is a boutique brand that was established in 2011 by Sydney-based designer Kylie Van Wanrooy, a pattern maker with over 20 years’ experience. Kylie started her beautiful swimwear label after her own fruitless search for functional swimwear that was also flattering to real body types. We sure are glad she did because now we get to showcase gorgeous swimwear that you can actually feel good in!
Swimwear designer Kylie Van Wanrooy
Kylie’s designs draw inspiration from the fashion of bygone eras when pinups had curves and swimwear left a little to the imagination. Her collection of swimwear is designed to give great support for curvaceous women, with clever design tricks to accentuate the bits you love, while downplaying the bits you’d rather forget about. She offers her designs in a variety of fun, stylish fabrics that you can really express yourself with, and she uses real sized women to model her designs!
From the super flattering high waisted Betty Boyleg Shorts to Tankini’s with built in underwire support and one pieces with carefully placed ruching and panelling, there is literally something to suit every body shape.
Kylie uses only the best quality Lycra materials and each piece is fully lined, offering you comfort and support. All Beyond the Sea Swimwear pieces are proudly designed and made right here in Australia, so you’re not only supporting a local designer, but also a local industry. You can’t get much more home-grown than that!
You just can’t go past the Ruby Rouched One Piece. The Garden Party print features blue roses against a turquoise green background which is just so pretty. The classic swimsuit cut is so flattering, with contoured cup for bust support and low rise cut at the hip to create a tasteful and comfortable swimsuit that gives you support and coverage where you need it. The rouched front panel creates a slimming effect at the waistline while the halter neckline gives a lovely full shape to the bust line. Ruby is a lovely swimsuit that will look great sipping cocktails by the pool in a tropical island paradise, or just taking the kids for a dip at your local pool. (I know which location I’d prefer!)
For those of you that love to mix n match the Betty Boyleg is hard to ignore. The high waisted cut gives you coverage over your lower stomach, which if you’re anything like me rarely sees the light of day! The boyleg cut gives full coverage in the derriere and ruching along the side seams allows you to slightly lengthen or shorten as you feel with adorable bow ties at the end.
Betty Boyleg can be matched with any of the tanks (we love the leopard lounge one!) or bikini tops. Whatever suits your mood!
Coming soon!
Kylie is getting ready launch her Spring/Summer collection and we can’t wait to see what she has in store for us. We did get a sneak peek at one new design and instantly fell in love! You’ll be seeing the Lolita bikini set in Checkmate print in store and online very soon.
The adorable Lolita bikini features a crop top style tankini top with contoured cup support and gathering in the centre of the bustline. Beyond the Sea Swimwear’s signature high waisted boyleg bottoms have been given a super feminine upgrade with the addition of lacy frills at the hip. You’re going to find so many reasons to get to the beach this summer with this unique swimsuit in your summer wardrobe.
The bit I love most about Beyond the Sea Swimwear’s collection is that all pieces are available as separates, which means you can mix and match your tops and bottoms to create a truly unique swimwear set that suits you perfectly.
You can view Miskonduct Klothing’s full collection of Beyond the Sea Swimwear here. Stay tuned for updates on when the Lolita Bikini hits our store!
‘til next time,
Alice X
]]>Introducing me – Alice – the new owner of Miskonduct Klothing. I’m so excited to be taking the reins here at Miskonduct HQ and I can’t wait to share this journey with all you wonderfully loyal Miskonduct supporters. But first, I wanted to share with you a little bit about me and why Miskonduct Klothing is a dream come true!
I’ve always had “a thing” for beautiful, yet unique clothing; I can’t ever remember a time when I wanted to fit in. Ask my Mum, and she’ll tell you plenty of tales of self-styled Alice from the age of 2! (Apparently I had a thing for miss-matched socks. Dad was not a fan!) My journey into vintage inspired fashion happened a little bit by accident, and certainly many years after my miss-matched socks stage. Really, I have my love of jewellery design and making to thank for my discovery of mid-century fashion.
It’s been a rare time in my life when I haven’t had a creative outlet of some sort, be that making clothes for my new baby (back when he was new – he’s 17 now!), various painting projects, learning how to découpage, knit, play the guitar, you name it I’ve probably decided at one stage or another to teach myself how! When I finally decided I was going to learn to make jewellery I had no idea just how much I would fall in love with it!
Over the years I’ve developed my own jewellery style, improving my skills all the time. I seemed to gravitate towards what I now know to be the rockabilly culture so cherries, dice, skulls, anything a little bit off-beat and a whole lot cool caught my attention. People started asking me to make things for them, and then they wanted to pay me for my work – what?! My little hobby slowly evolved into a business! While this was happening I was also immersing myself into the rockabilly and vintage scene, quickly falling in love with the fashion, the music, and the amazing people that make up this vibrant community. Big dresses, big hair, big bling – what’s not to love, right?!
I created my brand, Bobby Trouble, a handmade jewellery and accessories label that I’ve devoted the last 5 years of my life to. Some of you might even know me from events such as Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival, Greazefest or Chromefest. I’ve met some wonderful people through Bobby Trouble, both clients and colleagues. Many of whom I am grateful to call my friends.
(photo credit: Edwina Richards - Renew Newcastle)
About a year ago I embarked on a venture with one such friend, Lesley of Lesley’s Little Shop. We created a collaborative brand called The Pinup Parlour and setup shop in Hunter Street Mall. After about a year of trading out of a friend’s shop we had the opportunity to move into The Emporium and create our very own shop space! Newcastle people will be familiar with what The Emporium is, but for those who aren’t The Emporium is a retail space through Renew Newcastle. A project that works with landlords of empty commercial space and local Creatives to activate empty space in the short-term allowing creative people a work and/or retail space and giving landlords surety that their investment is being looked after while they find the next commercial tenant. It’s a win-win situation in many ways and one we were excited to jump on board with!
(photo credit: Edwina Richards - Renew Newcastle)
The Emporium was a beautiful space for our shop. Located in the historical David Jones building at the entrance to Hunter Street Mall, we had great exposure and were in a great position to share our unique, limited edition creations with the locals. Alas, the building sold and the new landlords were not as understanding of the Renew Newcastle model as our former landlords had been. Within 3 months of moving The Pinup Parlour to The Emporium the whole retail operation was shut down. Needless to say, we were devastated but tried to focus on the positive and find a new location. The old adage “when one door closes, another one opens” was uttered several times! Never in a million years could I have guessed how very true this saying would become!
One night, while trawling the web for a new retail shopfront I allowed myself a short break to check my Facebook (you know, when you’re completely over what you’re doing and pretend you’ll just “quickly check” Facebook, to find yourself an hour later still flicking through your feed? Yeah, that!) Lo and behold, a post from Miskonduct Klothing – the icon of Newcastle vintage fashion – pops up in my feed. Emma is selling her business!! Whaaaaaaat?!!! Why? How? Hang on a minute. I’m looking for a shopfront for my vintage fashion business. This is perfect!!
I quickly contacted Emma and she told me she’d call the next day. Being a woman of her word, she did and we hit it off almost instantly. Emma needed to sell, but wanted her business baby to go to someone who would love it and nurture it as much as she had. I needed a home for my mini-business, and wanted to achieve similar outcomes to that which Emma had hoped for Miskonduct. Could the two possibly go hand in hand? Heck yeah they could!
Boring business bits happened, like things solicitors and accountants do for loads of money so you don’t have to do the boring business bits (money well spent, in my humble opinion!) and here we are, saying farewell to Emma and hello me!
Miskonduct Klothing is a fabulous brand that embraces vintage fashion for all shapes and sizes. Emma has curated a stunning collection of clothing suitable for special events to be worn by special women. I love what Emma has created and can guarantee that the service and selection you have come to expect from Miskonduct Klothing will stay.
We’re going to take everything you love about Miskonduct and turn it into an empire of awesome. Based on the foundations of vintage inspired fashion for every body that Emma has devoted seven years of her life to creating, Miskonduct Klothing is ready to jump to the next phase with more variety of styles available in store, a host of styling classes from winged eyeliner for beginners to advanced vintage hair styling, an improved online shopping experience and loads more face-to-face time at events around Australia – and that’s just in our first year!
With my handmade background and passion for unique and slightly quirky styling I plan on incorporating a whole new concept into the Miskonduct Klothing brand allowing you to shop for both special occasion and everyday wear, classic vintage styling and quirky post-modern pinup style. Whether it be a look Audrey Hepburn would love, or something Cherry Dollface would be right at home in you’ll find something to suit whatever mood you’re in (because let’s face it, when it comes to expressing your unique self through fashion it’s all about what you feel like wearing, isn’t it?)
Vintage-Inspired Style Post Modern Pinup
I hope sharing a bit of my story has given you some insight into what makes me tick. I look forward to getting to know you all either in store in our beautiful boutique on Newcastle’s historic Hunter Street, or as part of our vast online community – Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and through our website blog. If you haven’t already, sign up to our email list or join us by clicking on the social media links. I’d love to hear from you, so please drop me a line any time, or just say hi & tell me what you love about Miskonduct in the comments below. Stay tuned for the next blog post in which I’m going to share with you my style icons and how they’ve influenced not only my fashion choices, but my lifestyle choices too.
‘til next time!
Alice X
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There was something very special about the way women presented themselves during the 1940's and 1950's. Women of those days were elegant, well presented and feminine. They had a very refined, put together look.
The accompanying style of ladies hair and makeup always matched their outfit. Well groomed perfection was achieved with porcelain skin, bright red lipstick, and strong arched, yet well defined eyebrows.
We can now re-create these looks. There are many books, information on the internet and also an abundance of Youtube tutorials, offering step by step instructions on how to do your own hair and make-up.
For the past 3 years MisKonduct Klothing has offered a styling service to their wonderful customers. Many hair and makeup workshops have been held to teach you the basics so you can recreate these styles for yourself at home.
Whether you wish to look the part with victory rolls and pincurls, or waves and hairflowers, we are here to help you. To perfect those perfect wings and of course that sultry red pout.
Classes are held on a Sunday afternoon and set into 2 parts, of course always with a glass of bubbles in hand (not me of course, thats not until afterwards). I like to take you through some basic hair styles helping you along the way. Showing you how you can easily achieve a basic pinup or vintage style for an everyday look.
After this we break for a bit, have some more bubbles and nibbles and lots of giggles, and the best part shopping! Who doesn't love to shop with their girlfriends. Especially when you have the boutique to yourself.
For the second part it is makeup. Here I shall take you through the basics of an everyday 40s makeup. Yes we even go through the tips for the dreaded winged eyeliner. Everyone is always worried about this part. But really, every single person always leaves with perfect wings, and that sexy red pout.
So whether you grab some girlfriends and come along have fun and giggles, leave looking spectacular then go out for dinner. Or come on your own, (we always look after you) you will be sure to leave having a fabulous time and making new friends with other like minded ladies.
For the rest of the year we have a few dates set aside ready for our next series of workshops.
The next one shall be held on the 23rd August at 2.30pm. More details shall be posted on both Miskonduct Klothing and Style by Divine facebook and Instagram pages in the coming days.
The other 2 shall be October 18th and December 6th (both to be confirmed).
If you have been thinking about doing one of our workshops, please get in contact. Places are limited and always fill fast. You can either contact me via this page on any of my contact details or email sales@miskonduct.com or ring the shop on 49613909.
We hope to see you soon! xxx
]]>Literally anything that could be pinned on, was. I am fortunate enough to have been given originals, my mother’s that she wore in the 50s and even luckier to have my Nannas from the 30s. But I do have my fair share of quirky reproduction as well. These I wear on a daily basis, on scarves, blouses and have even pinned onto jumpers or my overalls. Occasionally I have pinned them into my hair.
Today brooches are starting to make a comeback, even in some of the mainstream shops. At MisKonduct we have a quite a large range to choose from. The vintage reproduction range is made from coloured rhinestones, they are quite popular and authentic looking as well.
Some of these are able to be doubled as hair clips or added to a chain for a necklace. The coloured crystals give them that true vintage feel, some of the brooches are almost an authentic replica of marcasite or aurora borealis There is also the quirky Erstwilder collection. These are very popular for all age groups.
They are fun and colourful and are lovingly designed in Australia. Made from a resin, hand assembled and hand painted. Inspiration is taken from the vintage, retro, rockabilly and pinup scenes. Some of the ranges are limited edition, making them a collector’s piece. At an average price of $30 they are a perfect added accessory or even gift idea.
Find our collection of brooches here ....> http://www.miskonduct.com/search?q=brooch
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