Ruby Chew's exhibition.

If you haven't heard of Ruby Chew chances are it won't be long and you will have. I met Ruby over a year ago through Stavroula who was working for Hot Couture at the time. Ruby is one of Adelaide's up and coming young talents.

When Ruby came to me last year and asked if I would design a frock for her to wear to her very first exhibition I was thrilled. Not only because Ruby looked very much like a Hot Couture girl being very curvaceous with long fabulous dark hair, I was also interested in her art work. We got to the exhibition a little late only to find that every thing I wanted to buy had been sold. Seriously, Ruby's paintings are so beautiful and I really felt as though I had missed out.  Not this time though, I intend to get there before it even opens next Friday night. Hot Couture has made her outfit again this year which makes us very proud, I called into Ruby's studio yesterday and I can tell you there are some very special pieces in this exhibition. The one in the photo above is of Stav and I have to say she has captured her perfectly. The show is next Friday the 5th August at the Magazine Gallery in Adelaide starts at 6pm. Something I am very much looking forward to. Did I mention Ruby is about one of the sweetest girls around. See you there. XXX Joy

New website is on the way.

Not long now till we launch the Hot Couture website. We have really taken our time and thought this one out which is something I rarely do. My five year plan was to open a shop in Brunswick Melbourne or even East End of Rundle but with so many stores closing down and online shopping taking off I decided that it was just too big a risk.
So I have put lots of time and money into this new site. Sven our lovely photographer has passed on all of the photo's to AJ at Xtrashiny and now the fun begins. Making all of the garments was incredibly time consuming but with Izi and Williams help we have an amazing collection that is not only pattern perfect but beautifully executed as well. I'm in love with all of the designs, on the day of the shoot Cat Fanto and Jen Rossiter bought 4 garments between them and it hasn't stopped there so they must be good. I can't even believe that five years ago I was starting up Hot Couture for a bit of fun and extra pocket money and now it has turned into an amazing and wonderful business. I wake up every morning excited about what will happen next at H.C.H.Q.

To launch the website Harmony Nicholas has edited one of the photo's from her shoot, it will be in the next Deadbeat magazine so that is something to look forward to. In the meantime here is a photo of one of my favourites from the new website.

Behind the scenes fun at our H.C. shoot.

Shoot for the website

On the weekend I had the pleasure of working with some of the most talented and professional people in the business. Not only was it fun, but they were all very easy to get along with. Jen Rossiter has worked on most of my shoots, Jen does all the hair and make up. I met Jen years ago at Anifex in Adelaide just before she opened her shop Polkadot in Croydon. Jen works on pretty much every film made here in S.A. and is the top of her game, she is also the face behind Paper Doll Pin Up's and like me has a love of vintage styling. Sven was our very handsome and extremely easy to get along with photographer, how he shot 40 garments in one day to me is astounding, I kept saying I would take some out but Sven insisted and he was right we managed to get through them all. I had a look at the shots last night and they are stunning. William Lazootin who I met through my daughter Gypsy is another great talent, he has been making most of the new patterns here at H.C.H.Q and we are very happy to have him. The most important part of any collection is to have the patterns right and he has nailed it. We thought Willy was only going to stay for a few weeks but he seems to have made Hot Couture his home for a while for which I am eternally grateful. Not only is he the best pattern maker I've ever come across but he has a wicked sense of humour and working with him all day is a breeze. Ginger Taylor is our beautiful model and also my very lovely daughter, we were so proud of how she worked those heels all day and didn't complain once.
AJ from Xstrashiny insisted on one model for continuity and I have to say it turned out pretty darn nice. Cat Fanto helped Jen out and was a pleasure to have on hand all day.
It was a very long day for me and I couldn't have possibly done it without everyones help. We had a great day at Silverback studio's and the professionalism of everyone involved really shows in the photo's. A lot of the frocks have been inspired by clothes I wore myself that were old 50's original's. The wedding frock is my favourite, Ginger thought I would cry when she dressed up as a bride but I think I will save that for the real deal. AJ and Natalie have assured me the website won't take long once they have the photo's so watch this space. Thanks again to the A Team for all your wonderful work on the weekend. XXX Joy

Hot Couture Shoot

I'm leaving on a jet plane....................!

William, Izi and I have all been working too hard of late. We've been getting all the garments ready for the new website and we haven't had time to scratch ourselves, no really we haven't. We love Hot Couture but it's time for a break, so I'm off to Sydney to spend some time with my kids Gypsy, Eddy and Ginger. I can't wait my brain has been completely about getting everything perfect and making sure we have covered all bases with our clothing line. We have a few surprises in store that we can't wait to share. William is holding the fort while I'm away so don't worry your orders will still be on time. Izi is taking a well deserved break when I get back. Then we will all be fresh and happy for the onslaught ( positive thinking ) when the website is launched at the end of the month. The shoot is on the 9th and we have the very fabulous Sven Kovak taking the photographs this time round. Jen Rossiter from Paper Doll Pinup fame is doing make up and hair. Adam J and Natalie at Xtra Shiny have been wonderful working with us on the concept and design of the new website. Have a look at one of their creations  www.suitco.com.au it is spectacular. That's why we're a bit excited, the first time round we thought we had a good idea of what you want and now with a few years behind us were pretty sure we have nailed it. I can't wait to have dinner at Porteno's on Sat night and catch up with family and friends. I'm meeting up with our girl Stav on Monday and Lucy Topp to boot, Yay! Have a lovely weekend. XXX Joy