When I was a young grad, fresh out of uni, I used to do walk up to Nicolangela’s delightful Greville Street shop (which is no longer) and peer inside longingly, just like Holly Golightly drinking her coffee outside Tiffany’s. The store was a treasure chest of beautiful dresses designed and made in Melbourne, from sleek slinky gowns to feminine 50s style frocks. However, I’d always have to leave disappointed – I couldn’t really afford the dresses on my meagre budget and never had special occasions to justify the purchase.
Switch forward five years, and hello to the benefits of having a steady income. When Nicolangela announced they were having a 50% off everything, I didn’t think twice before taking a hop, skip and jump to GPO. I even had a reasonable excuse – next year I’m attending five weddings, four of them in four consecutive weeks and some of them with overlapping guests lists. Like a Hollywood celeb, I couldn’t be seen in the same outfit twice (gasp) and certainly not within the same week!
Nicolangela does clothes that suit my style – elegant, sexy, polished and feminine. If I had a wedding or event to attend every week of the year I could easily buy up the whole shop. Most of their designs come in a rainbow array of colours and I personally veer towards the bright jewel tones. The lovely Bianca helped me try on half a dozen dresses before I finally settled on three very different outfits.
‘Willow’ a Betty Draper-esque dress with a cowl neckline and full skirt with handpainted silk.
‘Anna’ a sexy traffic-stopping scarlet cocktail dress.
‘Camilla’ a sweetly bowed silk dress in a deep blue.
Now I have a whole coterie of wedding outfits, all sorted in a lunch hour and without breaking the bank. If you too need a dressy outfit, Nicolangela is on sale still – get in quick!
PS I’ve had some questions about my red shoes – they are by Georgina Goodman, which I bought heavily discounted at the Scanlan & Theodore clearance store.
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Nicolangela, Level 1, Shop F174, Melbourne’s GPO, 350 Bourke St, Melbourne +61 3 9639 3530
Looking good JK!
Oh, Camilla is gorgeous – and in red I think would be especially voluptuous… might have to make the trip!
Ellie´s last blog ..On my way
Hi Ellie
Camilla comes in lots of other colours, so they must do it in red. Bianca the shop assistant was blonde and her olive green version really suited her. On the other hand, I was trying on teal, brown and black. It also comes in a full length and with a slightly different neckline, a more gathered halterneck version. Happy shopping!
Jetsetting Joyce
Ok. Im sold. Im heading down if I can squeeze time in.
Twitter: jeroxie
| December 21, 2009, 12:44 pm
Great – tell them I sent you
Jetsetting Joyce
You look gorgeous Joyce – these shots are very Susie Bubble but without the weird clothes! So question is which one are you wearing to my wedding?!
Gourmet Chick´s last blog ..Bluebird
Twitter: msgourmetchick
| December 21, 2009, 10:13 pm
Thanks Miss Gourmet Chick!
RM took the shots and I don’t think he’s ever heard of Susie Bubble (neither have I) so will send him her site. I haven’t decided which dress to wear to which wedding yet – but it will be a precise logistical exercise to ensure that there’s no overlap of guests.
Jetsetting Joyce
I have a limited edition color of a Nicolangela gown too! Unfortunately paid full price -_- and waiting for a chance to wear, haha.. Mine is the ‘x’ style neck with the brooch in the middle. Color is called ‘charcoal’.
Twitter: akisalove
| December 22, 2009, 10:53 am