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What do you get when you combine Glory Days, Hendrick's Gin, second anniversaries, cucumbers, Hollywood and Gatsby picnics? Why the Glory Days Cucumber Cinema presented for your amusement and pleasure by Hendrick's Gin of course! Rose Jackson, Creative Director at Glory Days explains. Our latest magazine has a Hollywood theme and when we were thinking about how to bring the glamour that Tinstletown oozes to life for the Gatsby Picnic at Art Deco weekend, we thought of one of our partners, Hendrick's Gin. For those of you who don't know, Hendrick's is a most unusual gin made with infusions of cucumber and rose petals. It's a glamorous tipple and the fit was a natural one. When they agreed to work with us on our gazbeo my mind went racing, thinking about all the fun one can get up to with the humble cucumber and Cucumber Cinema was born! 
Cucumber carving on the red carpet seemed like the perfect activity for a sunny Sunday afternoon and we knew that with the prizes we were planning on offering, including the much coveted Cucumber Trophy, Hendrick's cocktail books and playing cards and Glory Days magazines, guests of the Cucumber Cinema would get into the spirit wholeheartedly. But it didn't happen without a little effort. On Sunday morning bright and early, we rolled out the red carpet (well we very nearly didn't as the red carpet had been left behind in Auckland... but that is another story entirely!), popped up our brand spanking new-ish gazebo and created a Hollywood-worthy Cucumber Cinema set for guests of Glory Days to come and enjoy gin, cucumber carving, music and magazines in the sun. In the end, we had a delightful range of carvings including cars, canoes and cloche hat wearing ladies.
For those that haven't been to Art Deco Weekend before, you won't be familiar with the Gatsby Picnic held on the Sunday alongside the gorgeous yet treacherous Napier beachfront. This offers anyone with a gazebo, an alarm clock (the best spots are snapped up by 6am), and a gang of strong people the chance to set up their very own slice of Deco-themed life for the day. Prizes are awarded for the best looking ones so people go all out bringing their finest china, dantiest sandwiches and heaviest outdoor furniture to scoop the win!  Last year we held an Opium Den themed tent which very nearly killed Claire and I (and not because we got carried away chasing the dragon I assure you!). My preference is to always buy vintage or second-hand but I learned the hard way that there are some things you just need to buy brand new, a gazebo being one of them! We only discovered on the beach front last year at 5 in the morning (who knew such a time existed) that not only had I forgot the canopy for the secondhand gazebo, but also that many of the parts were rusted and broken when we tried to put the construction together. Deciding that caffinated sustenance was needed to finish the task, we left our sad excuse for a gazebo for an hour to get some of that much needed liquid morning wakeup juice. Unfortunately the wind was rather fierce last year and we decided over coffee that if, on our return, the treacherous excuse for a tent had blown off to fairer shores we would weep heartily, abandon the whole idea and go home.
Much to our surprise, the Frankenstein frame was still up on our return but as we approached we had a crew of gazebo constructors run towards us with tales of how ours had got airborne, had very nearly taken off into the drink and had required a group effort to rescue and secure. I will repeat the moral of the story once again... mainly for my own benefit. There are some things you just need to buy brand new, a gazebo being one of them!
Anyway, onwards and upwards! We learnt our lesson wholeheartedly last year and this year was a much more pleasant affair! Aside form the Cucumber Cinema, we also held a good old fashioned raffle draw to win one of two fabulous prizes, the Hendricks Hamper containing a range of delicious goodies that pair perfectly with gin (which we will be giving away to other lucky Glory Days readers shortly!), and a Hendrick's tea set, apparently very collectible and worth a small fortune on the ebay market.
Throughout the day we were serenaded by the ukulele group that pitched up next to us, the infamous gorilla hunt called in for a rest on the directors chair and there were photo opportunities galore, the full set of which you can view on our Facebook page. All in all a wonderful day and the perfect way to celebrate our second anniversary! Thank you to Hendrick's Gin for being a great drink and for making such wonderful partners, our guests for visiting and taking up the cucumber carving challenge with such gusto and everyone who dropped in and said hello!
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Another year, another fabulous step back in time to the jazz age, as the Glory Days team raced around Tremains Art Deco Weekend 2015, getting up at dawn and going to bed well after dusk, to get up to all sorts of fun and frolics with some of the 40,000 other attendees in sunny Napier. This is my forth time attending Deco, and it still gives me a thrill to drive down Tennyson St on the first day, cruising past people who are getting into the spirit by donning their deco finery and admiring that fabulous architecture that was bestowed on the city following such a disasterous natural event. This year we hosted a range of activities throughout the weekend. First up the Glory Days Pamper Parlour joined forces with Jones Hair Boutique on Thursday and Friday to offer ladies deco style makeovers to match their elegant ensembles. On Saturday afternoon we excitedly prepared our photographic equipment, bundled up our prizes and headed towards the gorgeous Sound Shell for the Glory Days Costume and Coiffure Competition which we were very proud to sponsor. This is one of the most hotly contested events of the weekend and the huge crowd gathered to view beautiful deco era outfits were not disappointed.
We caught up with Bertie, compere extraordinaire and iconic Napier public figure, before the show and managed to snap a quick selfie before staking our place to play paparazzi at the side of the stage.
The competiton consists of sections including Mens and Womens Original outfits, Reproduction outfits, Childrens and Bathing Belles. I particularly love to see the originals every year, it is hugely inspirational for a vintage fashion fanatic to see 80 to 100 year old garments brought out of their tissue and padding to be worn again. Deco era clothing in particular looks fabulous on a body, as it is normally heavily beaded dresses or gossamer thin bias cut silk georgette styles which look magical with a breeze catching it or sunlight glinting off the sparkles while they get paraded in front of the crowds. A sweet little sailor girl won the children's section and the teen competition was scooped by a young lady in a lovely 20s style drop waist dress. The reproduction class was divided into ladies and gentlemen, the lady's was won by Judy in a pale blue ensemble with matching accessories and second prize went to the designer at Tam Sin who spent three weeks attaching beaded fringe to her self-made dress! Nick was resplendent in an "apricot" (read pink) suit with matching boater and took the mens section.
Next was the originals section and there was a fabulous range of outfits on display from both ladies and gents. One of the things I really love about the Costume and Coiffure Competition is that all people - young, old, curvy, thin, tall and small - give it a go. The winner was Sara Klotz de Aguilar, a pianist and singer based in California who was wearing a dress from the Chicago World Fair which was held in 1933! She was also awarded best in show which was no surprise given the time and distance that both herself and her dress had travelled.
The group section was really fun to watch, and the winners were decked out in their finest undergarments with coordinating hats, that were supplied by one of their mothers who has a serious vintage clothing collection. Last but not least, the Bathing Belles took to the stage and had a great time hamming it up for the crowds who chose the winner by a clap-o-meter vote.
Despite the heat and wind, we had a fantastic time at the competition and loved the chance to get involved with one of our favourite events on the weekends calendar. You can find lots more pictures on our facebook page.
On Sunday we hosted the Glory Days Cucumber Cinema Gazebo at the Gatsby picnic, presented for our guests amusement and pleasure by Hendricks Gin. "Cucumber Cinema?" I hear you say.... look out for our post later this week to find out exactly what was involved!  Image courtesy of Mandi Lynn Photography On the eve of the 27th Tremains Art Deco Weekend, Glory Days' commercial editor Claire Gormly shares her tried and true tips to help art deco weekend novices prepare sartorially for the upcoming festivities.
Once a year there is a roaring trade in gloves, hats and stoles as scores of deco devotees stockpile their outfits in preparation for the annual Tremains Art Deco Weekend - four days devoted to the 1920s and 30s. Even though I am a seasoned Decoite now, I still remember my first time and will attempt to guide you through the biggest hurdle of the weekend –what to pack to look your best! Bear in mind that in order to survive four-days of vintage immersion and wall to wall events, you will need to bring along at least three complete outfits including shoes and accessories. However, I recommend pulling together five separate ensembles if you can – three for daytime and two for evening. And if you like to cut a rug, you will need at least two outfits which are comfortable and easy to dance in. Napier is traditionally scorching at this time of year – so leave the fur for the evening and aim for cotton or silk. Wide brimmed hats are totally-era appropriate and I recommend packing lightweight summer outfits. This is where eras don’t matter so much and a cute pair of shorts paired with a cotton vintage style shirt should easily suffice. Don't forget the parasol or the sunscreen! Don't have any authentic vintage from the period? Real vintage is great but what can you do if you don’t have it? Don’t worry – the 1930s style is easy to replicate. Try to get your hands on a long bias cut slinky dress or slip and voila your evening outfit is sorted. Or find a cute pussy bow blouse and team it with some wide legged pants – very French Riviera a la 1932. The key is in the accessories. Make sure you have ample gloves, bangles, long bead necklaces and Mary Jane or T-bar shoes –these can be secured very cheaply at your local op shop. Google 1920s or 1930s women and try to recreate their looks. Words For The Wise: Avoid the modern take on 'flapper'. Real flappers did not have skirts THAT short, and feather boas were only worn by showgirls or streetwalkers. If you want to do flapper authentically, opt for a dropped waist dress that comes to your knees (the 1980s did these well), throw on a long beaded necklace and you're good to go. When it comes to hair and makeup, the best thing to consult is YouTube on how to achieve Marcel or finger-waves, and learn how to fake ‘bob’ your hair. It is the best way to finish an outfit. Alternatively book in with the Glory Days girls at the Pamper Parlour if you need that professional touch. As a rule of thumb, when it comes to makeup, dark red lipstick and minimal eye makeup is the key, alternated with dark smoky eyes for nighttime. Remember - there is no embarrassment in taking lots of suitcases to Deco, just don’t break a nail lugging them around! |
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