Journal
Does Marie Kondo understand clothing with emotional baggage?
The season has started changing and it's normally about now that you would be moving Summer for Winter or Winter for Summer depending on which hemisphere you're in.
You've been at home, so you've had time...right?!
Are you Marie Kondo'd out or are you yet to face up to the challenge of sorting out your wardrobe?
In your heart, you know what should stay and what should go but easier said than done.
Marie doesn't know that you are holding on to that Stuart Membery outfit because you wore it to the RAT Party in1984 or that you're keeping that gold crushed velvet bodysuit because you wore it to Kylie Minogue's Rhythm of Love tour in 1991.
Marie doesn't know the emotional bond you hold with the jersey cowl neck top and 2 inch rise jeans that you wore to see The Go-Betweens in 2002 or the Marianne Faithful inspired lace dress you wore to All Tomorrow's Parties in 2009?
Ask yourself:
Do you wear it (when did you last wear it)?
Does it fit you?
Do you feel great in it?
Does it need mending /repairing?
Do you have space to store it?
If you're feeling hesitant, put the bag of things you have sorted to go, in the garage or boot of your car but sit on it for a couple of weeks before moving them on. Just to be sure.
Make some cash or credit by taking them to a recycling boutique like SWOP, Goodbyes or Mutual Muse or if you're super keen, take some snaps and post them on Marketplace or one of the many Facebook groups or simply donate them.
This is also a great time to consider the choices you make when shopping. It's usually the fast fashion pieces that go to the out pile first. No judgement here! We've all done it as it's often the easy way out but re-training our shopping habits is part of the Arnsdorf philosophy.
Shop less, buy better. We all have those days when something new will cheer us up or we need a reward but we can still shop with purpose. Run through the same checklist: does it suit you, do you feel great in it? This is also why we offer our extraordinary free tailoring service, to make sure that it is perfect for you from the word go.
If you need more help sorting, watch this video by Melbourne stylist Sally MacKinnon.
Tell Us Your WHF Secrets ;)
We've reached out to women in the Arnsdorf community to reveal their personal tips on how to work from home in style and comfort while staying healthy, sane and engaged.
What is your name and and what do you do? My name is Janelle Watson-Evans and I have my own interior design and decoration business based on the Gold Coast. I do all sorts of things from residential and commercial decorating and design, to styling and production design and set decorating. I am also a wannabe screenwriterand have spent extra time during this lockdown to work further on my scripts and my short film projects.
What is your connection to Arnsdorf? I am a client. I was introduced to Arnsdorf by the wonderful Thea via her Instagram feed. I was so excited to discover the brand which ticked a number of boxes for me in that it is not only a carefully curated collection of ‘classic with a twist’ garments, but it also has the added attraction of being thoughtful and sustainable. I was really taken with the ‘Transparency’ component of the brand also.
Thea and I had followed similar paths in that we were both progressive fashion retailers in Queensland during the eighties and nineties, and it was lovely to connect again after all these years.
Janelle with artist Scott Redford standing in front of his artwork at the Institute of Modern Art Brisbane, 1983.
What are you doing to stay active?
I have for a number of years worked from home within my own business, so things haven’t changed a great deal for me in a way. However, one of the things that I do miss is the ability to go to the Gym and connect with my training friends. While house bound I have discovered an abundance of amazing ‘go to’ routines via Youtube.
My daughter Della and I have been absolutely loving Yoga With Adriene, a Californian beauty who has a plethora of varied videos for all sorts of yoga practice and her voice and manner are so relaxing.
You could of course, spend hours scrolling through the hundreds of viewing options and the other day I found myself doing an old Jane Fonda gentle aerobics workout video from the 1980’s which was an absolute hoot! I just wish I’d have had the pastel coloured G String leotard, big hair and matching leg warmers to have really felt part of the action.
Are you reading a great book or do you have a favourite podcast?
I have read a couple of light and lovely popular ones during this period as part of my bookclub selection: Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens - lots of imagery of nature and birds wrapped around a tale of the mysterious ‘Marsh Girl’ at the centre of the novel, and If You WantTo Make God Laugh by Bianca Marais, the story of three women in post-Apartheid South Africa of the mid nineties. Both nice easy reads.
I am a big listener of podcasts anyway and because of my interest in screenwriting my ‘go to’ is Scriptnotes by Hollywood screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin, highly recommended for anyone aspiring to write for film and television.
My creative lifestyle interior design ‘go to’ right now is More Than One Thing by Athena Calderone of Eyeswoon. It really explores the idea of being a ‘multi-hyphenate creative’. Someone who does not follow a typical career path and who works across a variety of creative disciplines. This really resonates with me as I feel like that’s what I have done and I aspire to keep on doing.
What about food? Are you cooking or are you addicted to a particular snack at the moment?
My daughter Della and I have been obsessed with cooking during this lockdown and Della in particular has been on a constant baking mission with a range of yummy vegan delights. I can seriously feel the waist line thickening and hoping that this does not compromise my ability to fit into my gorgeous cream hemp Mira trousers which were a little on the tight side. I adore the silhouette of these trousers and I have a black pair also. They are perfect for our Queensland winters and I am looking forward to wearing them again this season.
Janelle wears the Mira Trousers in Black
Are you motivated to 'dress' for the day or are you repeating outfits? What are your go-to pieces?
We have been having the most seriously amazing weather here on the Gold Coast during this lockdown period which I have to say has been a fantastic mood enhancer for us during this difficult time. It’s been warm enough to literally swan around in a pair of shorts and a bikini top, although with the broadening of the waist line, I’m glad we are in isolation.
However, I do really value getting ‘dressed’ and the other day I put out an Insta challenge to post a pic dressed in a favourite outfit in your favourite part of your home interior. I really love the idea of fashion and interiors colliding and I try to show this occasionally on my Instagram feed. I am fascinated with the history of modernist interior design and fashion, and have always been interested in how they intersect.
Getting dressed and doing your hair and makeup just makes you feel better about yourself and the world.
Janelle with her daughter Della. Janelle is wearing the Blanca Blouse and The Mira Trousers in Black
Have you been pleasantly surprised by engaging in something you normally wouldn’t?
I never thought I’d be seduced by it, but TikTok apart from being a massive time waster is highly addictive.
Like we need another app or more screen time in our lives right?
But I have particularly enjoyed seeing every day people particularly front line health workers letting their hair down via some very special 15 second group dance routines. I think this is definitely a worthy guilty pleasure during these difficult days.
What songs are you feeling right now?
I am loving more than ever, listening to old favourites and discovering some new things that move me. What would we do without Spotify?
I have pretty eclectic taste in music ranging from pretty pop featuring lots of female vocals,1980’s new wave, to1990’s club classics and psychedelic sounds. This pretty well sums up my go to Spotify playlist for right now...
Stay well from all of us here at Arnsdorf X
"It's Hard to be a Diamond in a Rhinestone World" Dolly Parton
If you're like us, you are slamming that list of movies you have always been meaning to watch. Now is our chance!
Sure, there are your options like Netflix and Stan. Have you tried MUBI? It's a little more arthouse, a little more obscure with some classics through to recent releases. They are currently showing Mike Nichols' The Graduate starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft. It's a vintage classic with the unforgettable soundtrack featuring Simon & Garfunkel. MUBI also to like to focus on contemporary and are currently screening the 2019 release by Chilean director Camilla Jose Donoso.
The Australian Centre for Moving Image (ACMI) have also come to the rescue with a free double screening every Wednesday night!
Each Tuesday, Kristi Matheson the Director of ACMI's Film Programmes announces their selection via Instagram with links for both films for the following night.
ACMI then encourage you to tweet in, post viewing to open up a discussion on the films.
Tonight are two incredible films by powerhouse American screenwriter and film director Kelly Reichardt.
"Set under the vast Montana skies, Reichardt's sixth feature Certain Women paints a delicate portrait of the lives of four women" played by Kristen Stewart, Michelle Williams, Lily Gladstone and Laura Dern. This film was a highlight at MIFF in 2016.
The second film is Meek's Cutoff. "Settlers travelling through the Oregon dessert in 1845 find themselves stranded in harsh conditions" and stars Michelle Williams, Bruce Greenwood, Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan. Go to the ACMI website for the film links here.
She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
.
We have restocked our beautiful Blanca Blouse and in sizes 4 to 16. Cut from a double layer 100% Organic Cotton, it is semi fitted through the bodice which finishes at high hip. The classic boat neck is centred with contrast hand covered oval shaped dome buttons in black. The clincher? Those stunning sleeves that are full enough for the right amount of drama but that sit back just on your wrist so you can live uninhibited.
We make each piece in our Ethical Clothing Australia certified factory located in Melbourne. Each garment is sewn by one of our incredible machinists that have over 20 years industry experience.
Book a Virtual Appointment!
Make a time to chat to one our experienced stylists Thea or Anna about anything Arnsdorf related.
It's a 15 minute hook up via FaceTime:)
Maybe you have a question about the fabric or fit of a particular style?
Maybe you would like some styling tips on an Arnsdorf piece you already have in your wardrobe?
Hit the booking button to make a time. Please reply to this email if your best time is not available and we will do our best to accomodate.
We'd love to see you!
Tell us your WFH secrets;)
The Arnsdorf Team reveal their personal tips on how to work from home in style and comfort while staying healthy, sane and engaged.
Thea Basiliou - Manager Retail Operations
#thea.basiliou.shop
Thea is wearing the Pearl Top in Cream
What are you doing to stay active?
We've had some stunning days so enjoying walks through Collingwood, Fitzroy and up to Carlton and Exhibition gardens and also through Fitzroy North to Merri Creek. I feel lucky that we live in such a beautiful neighbourhood with so many parks, private flower gardens and fruit trees.
I'm doing a 30 day online yoga challenge with Adriene which has been fun and also free which is amazing.
Are you reading a great book or do you have a favourite podcast?
As usual I'm trying to do everything haha!
I have nearly finished reading Year of the Monkey by Patti Smith which is not as great as some her previous books but still very engaging. I finished an audio book called Art Sex Music by Cosey Fanni Tutti which was incredible! I have started another audio book which is a classic - The Go-Between by LP Hartley.
The only regular podcast I listen to is the Business ofFashion which very informative but I am obsessed with Dolly Parton's America. What an amazing woman!
Otherwise, I've been slamming movies and mostly vintage including Hitchcock's Marnie and Vertigo, The Women, Don't Look Now, Al Pacino in The Panic in Needle Park, John Cassavetes' Faces plus docos on Johnny Cash and Joan Didion.
I've also started watching Unorthodox on Netflix which is very interesting.
What about food. Are you cooking or are you addicted to a particular snack at the moment?
I've been baking just a little too often for our waistlines! My regulars are banana bread, carrot cake and blueberry muffins.
My go-to dinners are various combination of brown rice bowls inspired by Terror Twilight! Otherwise seafood paella, stuffed capsicums or a big chunky vegetable soup are favourites.
Are you motivated to 'dress' for the day or are you repeating outfits? What are your go-to pieces?
I'm still taking on most days on with an 'outfit'. I guess it's the way I express myself and sets my mood for the day. If I'm going for a walk, I'll put on a nice dress with maybe a hat and always a lipstick. I'm enjoying mixing casual tees and sweats from Aries and Bianca Chandon with my fashion pieces to dress them down a little.
My favourite pieces atm are a mix of Arnsdorf, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, JW Anderson, Martine Rose, Lee Mathews and Mara Hoffman.
I've packed away the heels for now and loving my Teva Hurricane Sandals or my AriesxSuicoke Sandals.
Have you been pleasantly surprised by engaging in something you normally wouldn't?
I am obsessed with the Country Music series currently screening on SBS! I have quite a diverse taste in music leaning mostly to punk and never considered myself a country music fan apart from maybe some Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline so it's been fun learning the history of it all.
What songs are you feeling right now?
Listen to my Spotify playlist here.