Chaps & Chappettes - The Chap Olympiad 2013

Well what sweltering weather it has been here in London.  I'm sat here in my flat eating some watermelons to try and cool down and keeping myself out of the suns rays.  The air is so still and apparently it is going to continue like this for the next couple of weeks!  Amazing when I'm not working, haha.

This Saturday gone was once again that time of year where all (well most) of the chaps and chappettes of London and afar gathered together for the event that always makes it into my diary.  The one and only Chap Olympiads.  There's nothing like it.

I missed a few games this year having only turned up mid afternoon and so didn't take as many photos as I usually would.  It did mean that I spent more time with friends and less time running around.  It was a jolly good time!

Having a good catch up with the lovely Sophie.

The girls with the picnic, the strawberries and the smuggled Gin!

Something was happening with some tarts and knocking them out of the opponents cake slice.

Horse-Play... Make as you will.

My outfit for the day...

A newly acquired vintage hat from Sweden

My again new Match necklace by the fabulous Luxulite

Clear Lucite repro handbag from Miss L Fire

Cropped top from Urban Outfitters

Vintage skirt with plaited red belt

Sunnies also from same Sweden trip

This was the hats first outing and well it was quite appropriate with the sun and I absolutely fell in love with it.  And best of all... It only cost me 20kronos/£2 from the flea market at Live & Rockin' which I visited recently held in Sweden!  It's so versatile as I can adorn it with all kinds of accessories and colours to match my outfits!  Dream hat if ever I had one.

Briefcase Phalanx

Bread-roll Basketball

My attempt at a sneak photo of The Vintage News chaps at work but my parasol got in the way!

I loved that this year they had a vintage photo-booth on site!

Here I am with the gorgeous Alice :) 

The much needed said parasol put into good use.

Of course things got a little pyramidy as the event went into the night...

There were many a photographers there; professional & amateur, as well as plenty of press as usual.  It gets international coverage nowadays you know!  I had my photo taken by several people and found this lovely vibrant copy by Soul Stealer Photography.  Hope he doesn't mind my using it!

I'm already looking forward to next year.  Hope you can join me there in 2014 for what is sure to be a spectacular 10th year anniversary for the Olympiad!

Pip pip!
Alison xxx

Oh What The Chap?!

As promised, I am catching up on myself with a little writing.  A couple of weekends ago it was once again time for the fabulousness that was The Chap Olympiad 2012.  What with it being the year of the Olympics, Chap went all sporting on us and made the event a two-dayer.  Now, we all know the importance of choosing the right outfit for any event; let alone a double dayer!  So I thought I would start the post with my outfits and hair.

Day One

One of my bespoke pieces which I had made for me especially last summer.  It was in fact its first ever outing even though it has been sitting in my wardrobe for nearly the past year.  I did bring it to Sweden with me last summer but never actually got round to wearing it as I took so much with me to choose from.  Then the weather was just not that great here and no event  good enough called for it's reveal.  That was until The Chap Olympiad!  I'm sure if the outfit had a mind of its own it would be pretty pleased as it received so many compliments and photo requests.  The outfit is in fact a two-piece and not a dress as it may seem at first glance.  The top half is in the style of a halter style waistcoat with a cut-out waist and waistband fastened by a single vintage button.  On either sides are openings again fastened by some vintage buttons with the front closing using concealed hook and eyes.  The skirt is of the circle style.  I had the fabric sourced with my specification and the pattern is a 1940s one.  I thought it may have been a little too summery but the weather turned out to be just A-Ok that day.

The outfit was finished off with a pair of tiki style wedges and my lovely Miss L Fire reproduction lucite 'Jitterbug' handbag which was also very well received.  Most thought it was an original.  How I wish it was but kudos to MLF!

Here's a back/side view - photo borrowed from here.  You will also find a couple more of moi, plus some other lovely people from the event at the link.

Day Two
So onto my second outfit at The Chap do.  Another bespoke number with an oriental theme.  You may recall a previous post about this particular dress being made for me.  I had it made to order especially for my sisters wedding back in February this year.  This was one of the two amazing dresses; the other which I posted a photo of recently here.

This is my version of a cheongsam dress with the style of In the Mood for Love and 2046 in mind.  The style and setting in both of these films has really embedded itself into my heart.  I had the dress made so that it was more fitted to the body than they are usually made.  The length kept long to mid-calf with high side splits on both sides.  I had to give full body measurements from head to toe (so to speak) which gave me amazing results.  It fits like a glove as bespoke should with the most amazing finishes.  It is not until you come up close will you realise the dress is not of true vintage origin.  The mark of a dress well made I say!  I definitely have more of these lovelies with my name on it to be made soon :)

Accessorised with Pimms and wellies for the great British summer!

Onto Hair.  I spent the evening before the weekend setting it into rollers as I do and spent the morning styling the 'do' before anything else happened whilst eating a breakfast of fruit, crumble, yogurt and honey.  Such work has to be put in I kept the same style for the whole weekend (just like in the good ol' days) managing to keep it in good order when I slept on it.  Only change was the hair accessory.  It really is so much easier to style other peoples hair.  At least you see can what you are doing without having to stop and check with a two way mirror every other turn.  I was very happy with the results I have to say.  These styles doesn't seem to take me any less time the more I create them but more that they seem to come out better each time.

 Thank you to my lovely Beck for taking all these photos for me.

Last but not least... The events photos and videos!

Order of the day

Tristan - The Master of Ceremonies 

In the bar...

Tipple?

Umbrella Jousting  

 

Ironing Board Surfing... As you do.

Free Scones from our neighboring table party.

The Heavy Weights

The Best Victoria Sponge apparently!

Promo Chaps

The lovely Beck & Alice

Musical mayhem

Dancing was had.

Gorgeous Hat and Outfit spotted. 

Mr.B The Gentleman Rhymer doing his ditties for our entertainment!

The only way to behave when you hear Mr.B

Beck sporting her 99 proudly whilst modeling my hair flowers with a dash of cuteness.

A Chap showing some prowess... but that is surely foul play?

Tug of Hair...

turned for the worst.

Luckily nurses were on hand with some Gin!

Ladies line up for Bounders

As do the Chaps

And that's how it's done as expertly shown by Miss Minna!

Nurse now has the job of saving the ladies from Atters!

Briefcase Phalanx

The Last Dance as the sun comes down over what was The Chap Olympiad 2012

Well, that was that.  A wonderful but very tiring weekend with all Chaps and Chappest.  I'm not sure two days of such sporting activities was good for my health.  The bar was far to close to hand!

Righto, what next?  Swweeeeddeeeennnnnnnnnnn!  The A-Bombers Old Style Weekend to be precise.  In a weeks time (I already started counting down the days) I shall have landed in Goteborg.  Yay!  I also just spotted the Caezars are playing.  Double yay!

Until my next post.  Toodle-loo,

Alison xxx

Dancing feet!  Another photo borrowed from here.

Summer Lovin'

I cannot begin to express how excited I am about this summer :D

First off, I have another tattoo appointment very very soon.  Let's say it's a little birthday present to myself.  I won't tell you what I am getting, this I will leave as a surprise.  I will tell you that it will be on my ribs/waist area and again, it will be tattooed by the amazing Valerie Vargas at Frith Street Tattoo.  You might have heard of her ;)  It won't be as showy as my last piece because of where it will be.  But then again, I do show my mid-drift quite a lot!  In a discreet kinda way.

This was taken straight after my arm was finished which took around

six hours over two sessions.  It was worth every needle prick!

I wanted something that had somewhat a boudoir feel, I had pictured a 1940s style wallpaper perhaps.  I thought long and hard on the idea to make sure the look was perfect.  You see, because I like fleeting between looks of the 1920s style through to 40s glamour and 50s rockabilly pin-up I wanted my design to reflect and compliment all of these looks.  I love the contrast of soft femininity with the idea of having a half sleeve which is quite bold.  I recently wore a cute navy polka dot blouse with capped sleeves and it was the exact look I was going for.  The 40s mini polka dots with the tattoo next to one another.

I went to Valerie with a vintage perfume bottle, some roses, pearls and feather plumes.  With all that in mind she drew my tattoo for me.  We made some quick changes on the day and I absolutely love it.  So much so, I wish to repeat the feather plumes for a future design sometime later.  Something even bigger!  My new tattoo will be revealed soon :)

Now, onto the other things I am excited about??

The Chap Olympiad organised by The Chap magazine peeps.

This is 'Sports Day' for the eccentric.  Full of old-fashioned activities and entertainment for all to enjoy whether you are competing or not.  2011 will be my third attendance at The Olympiad, having wanted to attend but could never before than.  If I remember rightly, it has been going for around five or six years now.

Other event news.

I shall also be attending not One, but Two Hot Rod/Rockabilly weekenders this summer.  This will also be on weekends back to back so I shall be squeezing all the fun-ness together!  Like one giant Hot Rod Rockin' Fairground ride :P

The First Weekender will be very close to home...

The Hot Rod Hayride

This will be their 7th year.  It's such a shame I didn't discover it earlier as I was living where I am now last summer too.  I will just have to make up for lost time.  The best thing about it being so close to home... no tents involved.  All the fun but with home comforts and glamour intact.  There will be Drag Races, Vintage Stalls, Burlesque and lots and lots of Music.  Exactly what I like!

The Second Weekender... not so close to home.  Abroad in fact.

A-Bombers Old Style Weekend in Sweden

This is their 16th year and still going strong.  I shall be going with Malin and Magnus and will hopefully be seeing some familiar faces too from my visit back in March.

What more can I say but Shake, Rattle 'n' Roll!!

This may sound silly but I am already thinking about what to wear.  Well, I am trying to plan for my summer wardrobe ahead.  I'm simply killing two birds with one stone as they say.  I will be bringing to you photographic evidence as I snap.  If anyone reading happens to be attending these events, do come and say a Hi.  I would love to have a natter :)

These are the main occupants of my summer days.  That is apart from plans for my birthday which are still in the making.  What exciting things is everyone getting up to? xxx