The Fashion of Fabulous Miss Phyrne Fisher

"Occasion dressing was fundamental to a woman of Miss Fisher's status.

It was a point of etiquette to wear appropriate outfits for every occasion."

Every day is an occasion.  I have never understood why people think otherwise.  If you know me a little then you know I "occasion" dress A LOT.  This occasion had a special reason so of course I was going to dress in homage to Miss Fisher.

In case you don't know who (the honourable) Phyrne Fisher is... she is the main character in Australian author Kerry Greenwood's series of detective novels set in 1920's Melbourne and very successfully adapted for television by Deb Cox and Fiona Eagger.

Read more here.

I am wearing a vintage floor length green & cream chevron striped dress from one of my favourite op-shops, Over The Top Vintage, which I hiked up and belted to resemble a 'flapper' drop waist dress (but is askew due to rushing around!), worn over vintage cream silk lace hemmed pants, accessorised with my vintage purple Cossack hat, an ostrich feather boa and an absolutely delicious teal Chinese coat (Manchu style?) from another favourite op-shop, Recycology plus linen gold shimmer plimsolls. 

Phyrne Fisher is my kind of (fictional) role model!  

Fierce, fearless, intelligent, sensual, sexual, deceptively laidback, sharp as a tack, multi-talented, multi-faceted, cultured, streetwise, noble, ethical, logical, practical, independent, glamourous, a feminist, feminine and fashionable!

In the TV series she is played by the wonderful Essie Davis who imbues her character with the right amount of insouciance and nonchalance and sass... in her era, Phryne would have been both a Renaissance Woman and an upstart, a rebel with class... and the wonderful costumes by costume designer Marion Bryce manifest her personality.

 Phyrne Fisher's costume from Season 3 ep 1 'Death Defying Feats'

MORE images after the jump.

The exhibition started March 15th and is on til June 19th 2016 at the Old Government house in Parramatta, (NSW, Australia), which is a marvellous backdrop for the period costumes.  The garments are in various rooms throughout the building and showcased amongst the detailed recreated sets... giving visitors a glimpse in to Phyrne's glamorous life, the show and also that of 1920's society (lounging about at home required gowns and heeled slippers... none of this lackadaisical trackies business and don't start me on leggings. Quelle horreur.)

I do wish the lighting was brighter(but ahhh tis ambient I suppose, also as contrast for the scenes from the show playing on the walls, showing the garments in their usage glory) and the volunteer ushers more knowledgeable of the general history of fashion and how fashion is a barometer of the times but that's just a petty gripe.  

It is all a lovely experience, a light immersion in to a bygone era and a behind the scenes look at what it takes to bring a spectacular character to life.

There are also two dress-up rooms, interactive fun solving a crime and a chance to design your own dress!
...for the tactile, there is also the pleasure of being able to stroke swatches of fabric, luxurious and transporting!

Old Government House also has a restaurant and a shop, which stocks delightful products, from show merchandise to general items (jewellery, stationary, memorabilia, bags, garments, feather boas!)... and I have to say, extremely cheap!
Not overblown museum prices as one would expect (everything is on sale too, at the shop and on the site) plus Over The Top Vintage has a well stocked rack of vintage garments on site.

I do hope you are able to get to this year's exhibition, if not then put it in your diary NOW for next year!  Exhibition website here.

Thank you to The National Trust for their kind invitation to visit the exhibition, it was my absolute pleasure... and Phyrne is a kindred spirit :)

(click on each image to see large view and slideshow)