HOLY SMOKIN' HOT MUMMA!

Aloha Guys n' Gals!
So sorry about the late blog entry, Joy and I have had a couple of rough days, but we are so so excited to share an amazing bunch of photos by Paperdoll Pinups, featuring one of our most loyal and beautiful Hot Couture followers, Tania Poropat!
Paperdoll Pinups is a great little Adelaide company founded by the immensely talented make-up artist and hairdresser, Jennifer Rossiter. They specialise in Pin-up and vintage styled photography, and let me tell you, from what I've seen, Jen and her creative team produce the most amazing stuff. Check out their Facebook  link here. Jen and her team, consisting of two photographers, the talented man about town Sven Kovac, and Denise Hojdyssek are obviously fabulous at what they do. Just take a look at what they've created with Tania, who is decked out looking super beautiful in Hot Couture (as every gal should be in my opinion!)

Just loungin', generally being fab

Rinso! Oooh!

Who looks this hot when cleaning... Only Tania. Sigh.

It's a hard life being this beautiful. Aaaah.

See what I mean folks!? AMAZING STUFF right!? These were taken by Sven Kovac a couple of weeks ago, with the trusty (and busty) Joy Taylor on hand for laughs and comic relief. Everyone had a swell time on the shoot, and doesn't it show!? Now, if you want the opportunity to look as beautiful as Tania, just go to Jen's site or to the Paperdoll Pinups Facebook, you know it's got to be good when even I, (who absolutely DETESTS being photographed) wants a series done!

Now, my children... NEXT WEEK I will have Paperdoll Pinup photos featuring the ridiculously photogenic, ex Hot Couturette, STAVROULA.
Clearly Stav looks amazing from the moment she wakes up, and probably vomits glitter, but wait until you see what Jen and Sven have done with her. 'Tis sure to blow your mind!
Stay tuned my lovely ones!

Thanks for reading tootsies!
Lots o' love and sunshine,
Marie :)

Flood Appeal Thank You! xoxo

Hello Hot Couture Lovelies!

Last week Australia experienced one of the worst natural disasters in its history. The QLD floods saw many lives lost and left thousands homeless. Here at Hot Couture, the amazingly generous Joy Taylor chose to donate 100% of last weeks sales to those in need. When she told me this, I was so taken aback with her generosity, and I'm sure you are too. The aftermath of this disaster will prove long and severe, so if you're in a position to help in any way, please do. I ask you to do whatever you can, from monetary donations, to small messages of support, hope and love; and to those who have already given so much, Thank You.

On a much brighter note, we at HC headquarters had some fun in the sun shooting our ridiculously cute Monday Special!
T'was a morning of play (and some work), with the lovely Sven Kovac and ever-so-foxy Ginger Taylor! Joy was a supreme photographic assistant, falling in the sand every ten seconds, and apparently, I can't jump in a photo without looking like a royal ham. Needless to say, there were laughs a'plenty, which seems to be the case whenever a Taylor is in earshot! Here are some behind the scenes shots for your enjoyment! Now kids, Remember to check out the Hot Couture Facebook profile to view the Monday Spesh and other random happenings!

Hunky photographers, always harassing models.

Best, and most professional photographic team out!

Well folks, thats a wrap for this week, but stay tuned, because next week we'll have some fab photos from Paperdoll Pinups, featuring one of our favourite hot couturettes, Tania Poropat! Woot! xoxo

P.S. To make a donation to the victims of the QLD flood crisis, go to:

http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html

And remember, its not only humans who have been greatly affected by the floods, the RSPCA QLD need supplies for affected livestock, domestic animals and wildlife. Please don't forget our furry friends.

https://donate.rspcaqld.org.au/flood/

Goodbye Stav, Hello Marie

Greetings and salutations most beautiful followers of Hot Couture!

Firstly, allow me to introduce myself, I’m Marie, Joy’s brand new go-to-gal, filling in for the incredibly talented and well-organised Stavroula!

Joy and I are currently undertaking the 10 step program: How to Live Without Stavroula, and are making steady progress, as you can see from our photos.

Prior to 10 Step Program

Success!

I know, I know, they’re big shoes to fill, but someone’s gotta do it. And hey, I’ve been her best pal for over a decade, so hopefully some of her brilliance has rubbed off!

Guys n’ gals, I cannot tell you how fun my first day working for HC and the lovely Ms. Taylor has been. I feel like the luckiest gal in the world right now. We had a little initiation breakfast with the photographic genius that is Mr. Sven Kovac, then we made our way to Woorabinda lake to take photos of the Monday Special, which, unsurprisingly, is pretty damn special!

Ah, life is hard. Spending a day beside a beautiful lake wearing ‘A Frock Called Wanda’ (tee hee!) being photographed by a hunk… Sign me up for life!

Well lovelies, I must depart and continue working, but I would love to hear any suggestions or comments from our fabulous customers! Feel free to email me on: marietotsikas@gmail.com anytime you like!

I think this is the beginning of something beautiful, kids. 

P.S. For more of the talented Sven Kovac, visit www.svenkovac.com.

We will miss our girl Stav.

Our girl Stav has scored an amazing job in Sydney with an Animation company. If you asked me if we will miss her the answer is a BIG yes! Personally and professionally. 

It's a sad and happy day here at H.C.H.Q. I met Stav just over a year ago after she had styled a shoot with Merge magazine. Stav wanted to return the clothes and I suggested we have coffee. I was only with her for 5 minutes before I realised she had to work for us, I had no idea in what capacity so I told Stav if she could think of a job she was hired. Stav has made so much difference to Hot Couture, setting up our blog, our Monday Special  organising my office and just making H.C. so much more than it was. 

She came in like a whirlwind and lit up our studio, with her pink one day, yellow the next, hair. 

Stirling will never be the same again, neither will we. I had a look back over the blog the last year and we have had so much fun it has been a year we will never forget that's for sure. We knew Stav would be leaving us as her gorgeous and incredibly talented boyfriend Aaron managed to get into A.F.T.A.S in Sydney, no easy task. Watch out for that boy he is on his way up and Stav will be right there beside him making a name for herself. We couldn't be happier for them and we all wish her and Aaron every success. Of course it will mean more trips to Sydney to buy fabric, I already have two kids to visit and now I feel like I have one more. We will miss you Stav thank you so much for everything, you have been a bright light in our lives, I never ever thought you could possibly make me cry but I'm all teary right now. 

Good luck, knock em dead kid.............I know you surely will with your fashion. I don't even know if Sydney is quite ready for you. There isn't a kinder, more thoughtful and more genuine gal on this planet and I LOVE you Stavroula. XXXX Joy P.S. I always wanted a Greek kid.

Goodbye Stav!

Hot Couture Christmas Party

Twas the night before Christmas, well it was the week before actually. I took my girls out for a wonderful dinner at our local pub. Greta and Stav have been so much support to me all year and it was the least I could do. We had loads of champagne and good food to boot and when we had finished the girls treated me to desert down the road at another fab restaurant. My fave part of the night was giving the girls their presents, I had spent all day in the city looking for just the right thing. I found the best Stav present in Borders, when I saw the sparkly red stilleto's I knew I had to buy them for her. I wasn't quite sure what they did but I knew they did something so I purchased them. They turned out to be speakers for her Mac, perfect. Greta was harder I went to all the stores where I thought I would find something just as perfect. In the end I stumbled on this fabulous cushion with retro cartoons all about sewing, hilarious. The girls loved their presents but were most impressed with the piggy key rings that not only lit up but oinked as well. It was only a small party but it was a good one. I have loved every minute of this year working with my fabulously talented girls. Thanks girls and thank you to all our wonderful customers, we have so many now that come back again and again. In fact next year we are starting up our customer of the month. Can't wait for that one. See you in 2011 have a great Christmas full of surprises and most of all stay safe. Love and hugs Joy.........XXX

Hot Couture Christmas Party

Artist Ruby Chew in Hot Couture!

Visual artist and fabulous friend of Hot Couture, the oh-so-lovely Ruby Chew had her Graduate Show at the the Norwood Central School Of Art on Friday. Her paintings are incredibly beautiful in the flesh: the way she paints eyes is spookily accurate, making her subjects appear like they're really looking at you. It should be weird but it's totally not, simply because they're so beautifully executed! The internet piccies really don't do her paintings justice, you'll just have to see what she's capable of in person at the gallery!

Gloria, Kane, Ruby, Oil on Canvas. 

We wish we took a full length photo of Ruby in her Hot Couture dress but the gallery was packed, surprise surprise!! She's definitely going places and making a strong and positive impact on the Adelaide art scene - it also helps that she's a thoughtful, articulate and incredibly personable young maiden with the world at her peep toe pumps. And we love a woman who matches her dress with her art!

Check out her blog to track the progress of her work. I realise I sound totes preachy but she shore is a special gal! 

xxx love Stav

H.C.H.Q welcomes Meg Costello..

We are so happy to have the very lovely Meg Costello with us here at Hot Couture. Below is a photo of Meg with one of her designs and my personal favourite from her graduation parade.
Meg started today and I have to say the day didn't turn out as planned but what day here ever does.
Meg started making up skirts in the morning and by lunchtime we were off to the city to catch up with Peter Alexander. It wasn't planned we had just heard that he was going to be at his new store and that was that we were gone.
 Peter is a bit of a hero of mine I bought his very first range of PJ's for my 3 kids in leopard print. He started cutting pyjama's for his friends on his mums kitchen table, with her sewing and pretending to be his receptionist. You have to admire that. He has gone on to become one of Australia's most successful designers and he deserves every bit of it. I had a photo of the three kids in his first lot of PJ's that I gave to him and he was genuinely pleased.
I knew he was a good guy, all of the money from his calendar goes the the RSPCA, so we had to buy one for Ginger who sadly couldn't come with us.
We managed lunch and a even coffee with a friend we ran into. All up I think Meg may have enjoyed her very first day, I know I did. Meg even managed to finish the skirts once we got back to the studio. Hopefully next week will be just as much fun. Like I've always said if it ain't fun I'm not doing it anymore. I really love our little team. XXX Joy

New Hot Couture girl.