Lights Camera Fashion – Kanari Pinku

The day has arrived, and it's been a long wait. What am I talking about? I'm talking about Lights Camera Fashion, a group exhibit hosted by incube8r. This exhibit has been in the itinerary for near on six months. The doll took a few months to make, and social distancing delayed things along the way. But we got through that alright, and incube8r is now able to open their doors for exhibits (Yay!). 

The theme of this exhibit is fashion, and the artists involved were invited to use art to intepret the fashion industry. My play on fashion came from multiple sources. I'd been reading books about Akira Isogawa and Romance Was Born, which became a mental visual source of inspiration for me. I also had the film Pretty in Pink heavily on the brain. If you're not familiar with this story – girl on wrong side of the tracks makes good with her rags, but chooses wrong boy from right side of the tracks (Yeah! I'm a Duckette – if this confuses you, you'll need to watch the film to be 'un' confused). I named the doll Kanari Pinku, which basically translates to Pretty Pink.

I've made a one off fashion art doll for this exhibit. Materials include fabric, clay, wire, thread, paint, yarn, acetate, and hobby fill. The doll is truly a one of a kind as her clay face has no mould. I've used a variety of techniques to make this doll. She has wire armature inside. Her clothes have been embroidered and spray painted. Her synthetic weft hair has been hand stitched and styled (and spray painted). Plus the doll comes with her own star stand (also spray painted). My proudest point of this doll is her kimono which is also a hoodie. Now I only wish this kimono came in my size.

If you're about Melbourne I recommend visiting incube8r, not only to check out Lights Camera Fashion, but to also explore the onsite shop offerings from local artists. Make a day of it in Fitzroy.

Two Sloths, a Dog and a Delicious Project

{ My Poppet }

It has been a period of neat things happening around here. To start things off I would like to share with you my latest tutorial offering over at My Poppet. I tell you it's a delicious treat of a project.

The latest issue of the Australian magazine, Handmade, has landed and two months in a row I've been a cover girl. Well, to be exact my designs are making the cover. In this issue you will find Frilly Tilly, a dog with long floppy ears and an adorable expression.

{ Melissa G Sloths x Leonard St }

Additionally, if you visit the Leonard St Fitzroy store, you will find a pair of sloth friends hanging out by a bench in their Leonard St ensemble, drinking coffee and gabbing about their weekend plans in Melbourne.

For more information about my handcrafted Leonard St Sloths check out the Press Release. And, if you happen to be in the Melbourne and Fitzroy area, say hello to the sloths.

Leonard St Sloths in Fitzroy

At last! I can show you the very project that has kept me so very busy the past few weeks. I have created two, super loveable sloths for the Australian fashion label – Leonard St. 

These limited edition, collectable sloths are on display in the Leonard St Fitzroy store and are also available for sale. 

Leonard St – Fitzroy
132 Gertrude St
Fitzroy VIC 3065

Store Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 6pm 
Sunday: 11am – 4pm


A few facts about these sloths:

• The sloths are made using a varied combination of doll making techniques, including hand stitching, needle felting and armature.
• Both new and upcycled materials (Leonard St fabric offcuts) have gone into the making. The most prominent material used is felt.
• The sloth dolls have armature, meaning they can be posed. Even the sloths' claws have armature.
• The sloths are 95% hand sewn.
• The sloths' clothing has been loosely inspired by Leonard St designs.
• From conception to, pattern making and right down to the final stitch, the sloth project took 48 working hours. That's 24 working hours for each sloth.

Each sloth comes with:

• Certificate of authenticity.
• Miniature accessories – a bag and felt crafted coffee cup.
• Box packaging, with a window view of the sloth inside.

Visit Leonard Street in Fitzroy and say hello to the sloths on display. For more information about these sloths and commissions send me an email.