Love Desire & Riches exhibition with Mr Darcy!!!

Sometimes, when life tips over into being just a bit too shit for too long, you need a day with your mum. For lots of little cumulative reasons I've had a rough couple of weeks which you absolutely don't need to hear me whinge about, but things have turned the corner, thanks to a fabulous weekend away with my honey and besties, and then yesterday a lovely day with the aforementioned mum. My parents live a couple of hours away now, but were visiting Melbs yesterday (to see BOB DYLAN - as you do!) so mum and I arranged a little magical mystery tour over to the other side of town to see the Love, Desire and Riches exhibition at Rippon Lea mansion. Rippon Lea is an amazing estate in the south eastern suburbs built in the mid 1800's and I can't remember ever going before. Maybe as a child, but I certainly don't remember it. It featured heavily in the Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries TV series (well worth trying to source if you're not from Australian - the costumes are spectacular). It is extraordinary that the grounds haven't been slowly taken over by suburban development, but it's part of the National Trust now so is safe forever. The exhibition is on the fashion of weddings, and has been beautifully curated and presented. It's on until the end of September, and for $15 I think it's a bargain well worth checking out if you're in town before then.

The dresses were amazing, ranging from real wedding dresses from the 1800's until now, plus wedding gowns from TV and film. There was even an entire room devoted to various incarnations of Miss Havisham. The collection was housed in the mansion, and it was so lovely to check out the amazing house as well as the frocks. My camera took some surprisingly good shots, considering the low light and my mediocre skills - I wish I'd taken more now.

Early on my inner bogan squealed with delight at seeing Charlene's wedding dress from Neighbours, AND Epponnee-Rae's dress from Kath and Kim. Both characters were of course played by our own Kylie Minogue (just about 25 years apart!). Below is Epponnee-Rae's marvellous mullet dress. Priceless. My mother had to drag me away I was cackling that loud.

I can't remember who these dresses were worn by (Australian socialites I think) but I was very taken with the hooded dress on the right - it's from the 60's and made from an amazing pleated fabric.

This beautiful dress is by Akira Isogawa, a contemporary Japanese-Australian designer known for his amazing draping and avant-garde designs.

I know these are a little blurred, but I was taken with the unbelievably fine detail of the scalloped edges, hand bound in silk.

I'm fairly sure this was from a film - I love the look of all those tiny buttons - imagine making the button holes!

 This was the dress worn by Gwyneth Paltrow in the film Emma.

I'm fairly certain this was the dress worn by Kate Winslett in the film Sense and Sensibility, as the character Marianne. The metal embroidery around the neckline was spectacular.

This dress was worn by Meryl Streep in the Isabel Allende film the House of Spirits. It was one of my favourites - the draping is to die for, and it's impossible to see from the picture but it is TINY. Meryl must be miniature.

This is a dress by Australian designer Colette Dinnigan. Obviously aimed more at the attention seeking bride, but the crystal detailing was magnificent.

I loved this stylish 40's gown - those sleeves! In the background you can see Meryl's little frock again.

Best door handle ever.

Now did I or did I not mention Mr Darcy? We were told to 'make sure we visited Mr Darcy' at the entrance. Intrigued we strolled through the grounds and caught a glimpse....

 Hahahahahaha! How fab is he? Hilarious!

So a lovely day that cheered me up immensely - I even got to debut a new winter frock that has turned out to be a surprise success. More on that another day.....

Has anyone else seen this exhibition?