WHO IS SHIRLEY BARRY?

Recently unreleased archival footage of the incredibly talented and popular Shirley Barry has emerged from the archives.

Lisa Defazio host of the youtube channel Have You Got a Minute that shines a light on passionate people and their interests has just revealed she is the custodian of this incredible legacy.

Details of how she came to get the footage remains unclear what is evident however is that she is onto something truly significant as for as our Australian cultural heritage is concerned.

Shirley Barry, it is believed was raised in a typical outer suburb of Melbourne, during her hay day as one of the medias most loved hosts and entertainers she rubbed shoulders with all of the networks most significant icons. Shirley reigned supreme as on the Australias most respected female entertainers of the late 60s through to the 90s. As her show was stated she was the Royal Standard in variety entertainment.

Shirley Barry as she first appeared on Australian TV

Then in the late 90s Ms Barry all but disappeared from view, it was rumoured that the break down in her eighth marriage, weight gain and the loss of her time share apartment at Club Mulwala was the final straw.

Defazio claims she discovered the footage spanning Shirley's entire 40-year history while rummaging through a charity store. An avid vintage collector this could be possible but the fact that this footage could be discarded defies belief.

Shirley's Mother and sister seen here on board a flight toasting to the Ansett Airlines sponsorship of the show.

Companies lined up to get endorsement deals with Shirley thus was the calibre of her influence.

There is currently a bidding war raging between the ABC and the ill fated channel 9 over the rights to not only the Shirley Barry Variety Show but also never been released tell all interviews. The footage has programs like The Project, The Circle and the talent at the ABC running scared as Shirley threatens a return.

Heralded a feminist icon and regarded not only for her sharp with and feisty attitude her take no prisoners approach to life Ms Barry was more akin to her male colleges of the time. Shirley stood toe to toe with them all. With most of her peers now retired she could be on the verge of a comeback and is about to prove that She who laughs lasts laughs loudest.

Defazio is guarded when asked about her plans of the footage.

Newly appointed ABC art critic Mx Rasberry Curtains has met with Ms Defazio for an interview on Have You Got a Minute - discussing the cultural significance of Shirley's role in Australian entertainment. This endorsement alone speaks volumes. Ms Curtains suggests you subscribe to the youTube channel to keep abreast of developments.

Mean while Ahn Do is trying to gain access to Shirley hoping to use her status as leverage for his Brush with Fame series. The Project, Laurence Mooney and Working Dog and Princess Productions have all put forward collaborative offers to Lisa to access the material.

It seems ironic that Shirley Barry an unconventional yet brilliant woman from an age now perceived as archaic could stand to revolutionise this uninspired media landscape of political correctness and ever expanding fragmented inclusion and reemerge as a pivotal dynamic force.

For the time being, we are being drip feed snippets of Shirley via Instagram, facebook and youTube.
Let's just hope the world is ready for it.

Melbourne Vintage Curated.

I have been shopping Vintage stores in Melbourne for over 25 years and some are a standout!

Looking for 80's and 90's retro?
A great mix of old school and cool to be found at American Vintage.
I am talking Kylie Minogue early neighbours and Molly from a Country Practice, Molly Ringwold and Shannen Doherty of 90210 fame.

Cute Kylie in cut offs riding nice and high.

Kylie - rockin' it in the oversize jacket and batwing sleeve leather jacket!

Molly - there are no words that can describe her look but I will say fuchsia was a definitive shade of pink at the time. 

                   Molly Ringwald 'Pretty in Pink' the 80's film is a fashion experience - a great blog has her entire wardrobe from the film here. 

Bad girl Shannen in here signature highwaist pants, lace bodysuit and choker. 

Cool Western boots and looks with attitude? 60's and 80's specifically.
Iconic footwear and looks at Vintage Soul.

This vintage steadfast specialises in Tex Mex think Uma Thurman in Even Cowgirls get the Blues.
A huge collection of Western style boots, from amazing snakeskin originals to some 80's hightop retro sneakers.

The very lovely Uma Thurman looking perfect here.

Wonderful lifestyle vintage?
60's, 70's, 80's and 90's.
A whole lot of goodness at Hunter Gatherer.

These ladies shop there for sure!

 I may have found some perfect 99 styles from my fave store Hunter Gatherer.

Everything from tea cups to canisters, a cross pollinated selection of brilliant vintage a something for everyone shop. This is possibly the best handpicked vintage stock you will find in Melbourne. I never leave here empty handed - ever!

Dapper Dan's, Ladies and Gentile Men?
1940's and refinement.
Suits and selected elegance at Circa Vintage.

A wonderful treasure trove of apparel awaits - you can thank me later and remember it doesn't have to look like a costume...How to get it right!

MY Nervous breakdown ::: Featuring a Diet of Constant Shit

My nervous breakdown might come in the form of a stand up routine...

I mean why not?

Normal is neutered - and here is THE question...

Why are we so busy trying to be normal?

Oh my normal is quite extraordinary, quite well formed, quirky and self effacing it is the decade for that isn't it?

The 70's was a time for sexual revolution and role reversal or at least challenging your role as a man or woman - so my nervous break down then (had I been an adult then) might have involved a lesbian phase and a feminist book being published.

 The 80's...hmmm the drugs could have took me but I am not that self destructive so perhaps some in your face 'Vagina Monologue - esque - Fuck You' to the world.

Ladies your va-ja-jay is not that interesting.

The 90's Expressionistic but warm at heart, some giant disturbing art instillation or show? Some bizarre stuff for the sake of being truly ground breaking and avant garde.

The 00's Safe very safe - an ironic poem and some sad faceless dolls - oh yeah I did that, but this below is just as bad...ah the malaise.

The thing is
I am getting over something, processing something.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Psychological Violence.

Crime Scene Investigation

It all sounds good doesn't it? Good if it doesn't apply to you. But when there are files and fall out its shit. It's a buffet of shit. Would you like a shit roll, a shit baguette or a shit croissant with shit sprinkles and a steaming hot turd on the side? Yeah its a bit like that.

I don't take anti depressants oh no no no I am far to good for that, no I am too real. Episodes and snippets of complete denial or at least keeping up appearances is the drug of choice for me. Face full of make up, washed and appearing to be functioning. Even better be creative, funny and popular.

Refusing to curl and wither my firm grip on denial and coping mechanism - humour might just be the thing to bring to the fore.

Fuck it! There is an inner battle, continue to parade the existence or call it.
But I am no Debbie Downer - I dislike them and refuse to be one myself, my creativity and humour has keep the drugs and down fall at bay, perhaps its time I turn it, perhaps the depleting can become the tool to invigorate me.

In an ideal scenario my insecurities fall away, my will to please is put aside, I allow the words and the feeling linked to those feces encrusted experiences to be shared and regale my personal experiences.

The flames, the betrayal, my denial. Ultimately my ability, yes my ability. My ability to laugh at myself to laugh at my flaws, my shortcomings, it's actually not about other parties involved. I do not seek revenge and respect peoples privacy - this is no backlash. This is not bitter or vengeful I have seen expression and comedy like that it is anything but appealing.

As an artist and expressive creative my life and my work have always revealed where I am at.

Perhaps comedy is next...
or I could be come the next Nigella,
stay tuned.

Memphis Design 1980's Style ::: National Gallery Of Victoria

Recently I went to the NGV and laughed at myself when I came across these perfect examples of Memphis Design. The movement was at its height during the 1980's it was seen everywhere and I loved it. I would have thought I had died and gone to heaven if owned this chair and book shelf. To me they epitomise the look. Colourful, restrained yet gaudy, childish yet intelligent, functional art.

'First Chair' by Michele De Lucchi 1983. Bookshelf 'The King' by Ettore Sottsass 1981.

Memphis design exploded onto and into every facet of design - it was like a showbag 

vomited on everything; fashion, restaurants, nightclubs, music clips and every available 

page and design element imaginable. I still have some very lurid giant earrings that I
covet that are true to the design aesthetic.

As I continued through the gallery musing on the direct evidence and influence of
Bauhaus and Mid century design that led to Memphis I came across the following
pieces that are way off the mark in the timeline and were clearly anomalies at their
time - that scream 80's Memphis Design to me. I found it quite interesting and thought
I would share. 

                        

The details of this mirror simply read : England manufacturer 1810

                                                               

This mirror looks every bit an 1980's spectacular.

Christopher DRESSER designer Tea service 1879

Christoper DRESSER designer Letter rack 1881

The ball elements and sense of scale on the silverware above are 100% Memphis

to me.

Joseph CSAKY Abstract sculpture 1919 cast 1960 3/6

Although this sculpture does have some deco feel it could just have easily sat in an

80's Memphis theme.

Barbara HEPWORTH Eidos 1947

This gorgeous piece almost crosses over to pop art and sits on the fence, mid century/Memphis?

Jacob EPSTEIN Sunflower 1912-13

Classic sunburst element here. 

I also came across this stunning portrait simply entitled Girl in Black I found her image 

completely compelling and very intriguing, interestingly I thought she would be 

amazing during any decade. Her hair and clothing could be reflective of so many eras.

Gerald leslie BROCKHURST Girl in Black 1930's

Style and design can definitely transcend time and peal throughout the global consciousness in a seemingly erratic way filtering through again and again during different times and trends, like a beautiful key aesthetic that wont go away.

What Does Your Brand Smell Like?

A BRAND?

A brand should be a clear statement.

Laser focused intent.

Not vague, unfocused or unclear.

Your brand must be consistent.

Your brand no matter what it might be must be CLEAR FOCUSED CONSISTENT. The focus on a brand or label is often the target audience or demo graphic - this is the tried and tested formulaic standard.

This is not clear enough. Your brand, label or 'signature' must personify what your business, product or service is.

Lets explore that notion in more detail : Personify

per·son·i·fy/pərˈsänəˌfī/

Verb:

Represent (a quality or concept) by a figure in human form. Attribute a personal nature or human characteristics to (something nonhuman). Your label must practically breathe. It must be 3 dimentional today. Its more than a notion of a type of person, of a particular age leading a specific lifestyle. That is very rudimentary and might have stood its ground in the less sophisticated past - as delightful and uncomplicated as they may have been. Although there are some very clear leads and exacting if not perfect examples that were set which I will address later in this piece, lets first explore the idea of your 'brand' personified. Is your brand a woman or a man, is it short or tall, muscular, fair, manicured? Does it sink or swim, is it rugged or refined, whats their garden like? Think about it. What would your brands rituals be? Up at 6am to work a farm or ski? Is it dutiful and kind? Is it sexy and svelte, chubby and cute. Where and how does it walk - or indeed strut? Perhaps it rides?  To have a totally Clear, Focused, Consistent vision you would want to entertain your labels diet. This may sound at first ludicrous but the more exacting you are with this the more precise your message will be and the more successful your marketing message will be. Ever met someone who is inconsistent, someone who cant hang their hat on one idea or thing...confusing isn't it? No matter how patient, kind and clever you might be it does your head in. Its hard work. What about the consistent person - what do they offer you? I am not talking about bland or boring - but you know who they are, what they are about, what motivates them what makes them shake! What makes them shake quake and want to copulate? You must know these things. Lets flick back to iconic 1970's advertising. What did this guy eat drink and do? I can tell you know he didn't use men's grooming products, would never even consider sushi, live in a modernist home or care what his postcode or zip code was. But we can imagine what is important to him and what his rituals might be... and... we can even imagine his smell! Earthy, sexy.  Get it?

WORK WEAR IN THE AIR - FLY WITH ME!

Uniforms aren't what they used to be. Just ask Emilio Pucci about this sensible work helmet hat thingy he designed to preserve the hair styles of the flight attendant of the 1960's.

 

60's fetish boots and PVC a plenty - now that's flying... OK we have well established my love for the vintage so lets go through it.

1940's
These women were largely influenced by their role and association in the military - dignified restraint quite beautiful.

Air India 1946

1950's
With a hangover from the bombshell's of the 1940's the 50's uniforms sport a more unabashed and figure hugging uniform, unmistakeably sexy yet modest and refined.

Swinging 60's! Oh la laaahhh...

70's questionable hair and gusset hugging shorts worn with low slung belts and ultra cool boots and fabrics so harsh they'll double as industrial abrasives!

 

1980's...More horrific than bad turbulence with a vomiting child seated next to you - shudder/cringe.

Nordair early 80's

I hope counseling was provided after these ladies suffered the trauma of wearing these outfits.

1990's Apparently prints were in. Not bad things are turning very corporate at this point.

2000's - Today...

Things have certainly settled down a bit now and I think it all works but I think I might have to buck the system.

What I really want to wear in my invisible jet...

The correct way to wear gold accessories and I just adore her body the ultimate feminine.

I think I will petition the airlines today - get in touch with Richard Branson and have a face to face.

I am a fashion designer and surely he needs uniforms for his Virgin Galactic Team...ohhh I will take inspiration from here must dash off to contact 'Richo'

Ciao Ciao and air kisses darlings!