Summer 2020 - All Wrapped Up

Where does the time go! 

We're already in March and the start of a new decade and it has been a busy 3 months here at MCD HQ. Wrapping up the summer season and taking a moment to reflect on some of the amazing one-off outfits that have been created for clients and the ever growing community of our MCD women in a few ready to wear pieces.

Kerrie

My first creation for a new decade was for Kerrie who attended the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo on the Gold Coast. Her amazing outfit and styled by her as she so beautifully always does, saw her take home the Magic Millions Polo Runner Up sash. So super proud of her efforts and making her custom made MCD outfit come to life.

The end product of any custom made is admired but so much planning and time is spent beforehand sourcing fabric, finalising style specifics and creating the perfect final look.

Though what is the process for a custom made piece you may ask?

Kerrie’s inspiration from the trending 80’s silhouettes and features was where the style began. Her love for the shirt style dress evolved to incorporate the drop waist skirt that was a feature we had used and drew inspiration from her winning Stradbroke Cup Day outfit. The trending exaggerated sleeve and fitted long cuff  was another aspect we incorporated into the design to create balance and also complimented the use of fabric as a point of interest. 

The fabric choice on any MCD designs is never taken lightly and one of the most challenging parts of curating a custom made outfit. At times you find the perfect print or colour tone though it may not be the right fabric composite to execute the final look. Having experience and expertise of over 30 years of dressmaking assists in combating this challenge and like in this case with Kerrie's fabric. Kerrie sourced the beautiful Italian linen which worked beautifully for the skirt but didn't have the structure for the bodice. Additional extra fabric was added to give the silhouette and we decided to create a component of illusion dressing by so cleverly utilising the stripe to be cut on the cross to draw the eye down the body in a flattering angled line.  

The following weekend saw Kerrie attend The Star Magic Millions Races. A very prestigious summer race event on the Gold Coast that is renowned for it's bright colours and high level of executed fashion.

Kerrie’s outfit was a beautiful style born from making use of an unusual designer brocade fabric in a vibrant pink and white thistle like print. Combining both existing signature styles with a fresh new take, of statement sleeve and a squared low backline. The final look was certainly a standout, with a contrasted emerald green and texture white headpiece by Allport Millinery. Undoubtedly, this fresh new look placed Kerrie in Top 10 at Pacific Fair Fashions on The Field.

Brenda

Brenda attended a local country race meet on the same day as Magic Million’s Raceday! She wore a fresh custom take on our signature style ‘Lilla’ to a local race meet that was also a joint celebration of a  blue themed family members 21st birthday. 

The fabric was a stand by I had sourced a few months back and perfect colour tones for what Brenda needed. We opted to contrast the print with a white organza for a fresh and summer look! Brenda was so pleased with the end result especially with the stretch in the fabric and feel of the silky satin fabric.

Brenda & her daughter Zoe - Both wearing custom Milva Carucci Designs outfits

 Sally

Sally purchased our ‘Rosa’ dress from our summer ready to wear collection. The beautiful shade of pink variegated and green detail brocade fabric had a stunning glitz finish that demands attention! In a classic A-line style and knotted circular flared sleeve was a feature that dress Sally to make this dress her own! With a real art of being able to match her outfits  with the perfect matching accessories and winning style led her to win Champion of the Day.

Sally wearing her Ready To Wear ‘Rosa’ Dress

Emma

Ironically on the same weekend my other client Emma also placed in her age group.

Her beautiful fabric was sourced by Emma herself and she engaged with my  expertise on choosing a style that would fit and flatter her body shape. I suggested a flare skirt to show off the extent and  beauty of the bold print to it fullest! Emma loved Our signature puffy sleeve with an added cuff and the back style of Kerrie Magic Millions bodice. 

Emma wearing custom made MCD dress and winning

Thoughts and inspiration become  curated ideas that is something that forms and fits every woman's silhouette. By creating a piece that is individual, a style that is uniquely you, a custom made dress is something like no other. 

Milva xx

Interested in finding out more about your own custom made outfit?

76 WHITE BOOTS ALL IN A ROW

Dust, livestock, denim jeans, Akubra's, cowboy boots, the smell of dagwood dogs cooking and the sound of the showman's banter....... 

These are the familiar sights, smells and sounds of the annually held Mareeba Rodeo that encompasses the township of Mareeba for 3 weeks of festivities and events. With the Mareeba & District Rodeo Association founded in 1949, this is an important event for the community to not only allow local's an occasion to look forward to yearly though also allowing travelers to experience the highlights that the Mareeba Rodeo provides!

With rodeo's being prominently a male dominated sport in the early years, in 1959 the Mareeba Rodeo Queen Competition started to allow the ladies to have their involvement also. The Rodeo Queen competition is open to residents of the Mareeba region with entrants between the age 16 to 25 years. Entrants are judged on personality, general knowledge, appearance, general conversation skills, deportment, speech and manners and given 5 questions relating to the Mareeba Rodeo. The community involvement continues within the region as local business and clubs are invited to sponsor or put an entrant forward. Each year a Rodeo Queen, Rodeo Princess and Miss Popularity are crowned at the Friday night downtown parade where local business can also showcase their craft, services with an array of floats, machinery and local clubs! As part of entering the competition, it is compulsory for all entrants to wear a 'Western Style' outfit comprising of a skirt and is worn to the variety of festival events.

2016 Rodeo Queen competition winner's 

(c) Queen Sarah Bensted in custom Milva Carucci Designs
(r) Miss Personality Angel Pulverenti also in custom Milva Carucci Designs

Source: Peter Roy Photography
 

In 2010, I embarked on the journey to be involved in making the rodeo entrant's custom outfits. At the time, I was working part time as a postal officer and operating my part time alterations/dressmaking business. Being my first year to do anything like this, I was apprehensive and not sure how to undertake the challenge of ensuring 13 girls looked individual, bringing out their true personality, all whilst working to style a look that would compliment white western boots and hat. For most of the entrants, the go to option of a basic vest, white shirt and straight skirt combination was decided upon, customising each with a different fabric combinations. One or two, took the plunge to change from the previously dominated white under shirt to a contrasting colour with one entrant even opting for a check dress! 

From this experience my ideas started to roll in for the following year and my confidence grew with operating my business and juggling a part time job too! Over the past 7 years I have had the pleasure to work with 76 entrants in addition to a handful of Cowpoke entrants and junior cowgirls and cowboys. Working with each entrant, my creativity has really shone through to highlight the confidence of each entrant when they wore their design, allowing their personality to be truly expressed!  Each and every girl has made the experience so far very memorable and as each year progresses their confidence to step outside the 'traditional box' has been ever growing! 

This year by far has been the most adventurous for entrants! Conscious of what changes previous years girl's have made in addition to really creating a different overall look, they were more than happy to take any advice or ideas!

This opportunity has allowed Milva Carucci Designs to further it's community involvement in addition to integrating creativity and latest trends for new and exciting pieces! Having such a fantastic, ever growing relationship and community involvement is value I hold quite highly!  I look forward to working with next year's entrant's in creating the perfect personality shining piece! 

Milva 

2010 entrants 

2011 entrants 

2011 winners - trio in Milva Carucci Designs 

Queen - Eliza Michael
Princess - Keir Tilse
Miss Personality - Rachel Arancio

2012 entrants

2013 entrants 

2013 winners - both in Milva Carucci Designs

Queen - Alessia Aloia
Princess - Lisa Nastasi

2014 entrants

2015 entrants 

2016 entrants

2016 Rodeo Queen winner
Sarah Bensted

Source: Peter Roy Photography