Well, I'll be charmed...

Glory Days guest vintage style reporter, Lady Kittyhawk of Debonaire Do's fame, got to experience Miss Chrissy and The Lindy Charm School first hand, when she paid New Zealand a visit recently.

New Zealand was lucky to have one of Australia's top vintage stylists visiting our shores over the last few weeks, 
presenting at the Craft & Quilt Fairs and hosting private styling workshops at 19 Black in Hamilton and Kabella Baby in Christchurch.

When you meet Chrissy you can see she is truly passionate about the bygone era; a true vintage fashionista, who looks impeccable no matter what she's wearing. When Chrissy stepped out onto the Lindy Charm School custom stage in a stunning vintage Paku Moo gown, we knew we were in for a treat!

There were three presentations during the day at the Quilt and Craft Fair - Glamour Retained, Making Do & Mending and Shape Shifters (shapes through the decades and the importance of undergarments). Chrissy presented with enviable style and grace, and the audience came away with so many great tips and real insight into vintage fashion and style. She is also in possession of real charm and wit, and she loves the Kiwi accent!

The historical information about fashion and style really came to life with the use of local models, who wore the vintage garments while Chrissy explained each piece and shared some really gorgeous stories about the past owners of the garments and their provenance.

The Making Do & Mending presentation was brilliant at showing the audience in real time how to rework clothing into something special. The section on the importance of undergarments was a great reminder to consider where a woman's true waist sits and how a good girdle fitted correctly can accentuate curves to their full potential. She asked for a volunteer from the packed audience, and a woman came forward to be fitted with a vintage waist cincher. Her measurements were taken 'before' and 'after' and the delighted lady was cinched in 3 inches - she looked fantastic!

The Lindy Charm School also had lots of styling goodies up for grabs on the merch table, from hair styling essentials like the must have 'setting lotion' to hair flowers, to the Charm School makeup range. 

One-on-one styling sessions were in full swing in Hamilton in between the presentations, where Chrissy showed attendees how to tie a turban, and a fantastic 'how to' Victory Roll style. 

Glory Days contributor, and blogger The Sweet Painted Lady (pictured below), was one of the models in the Hamilton lineup, saying "I really enjoyed it, Chrissy is passionate about what she does and it shows. I left feeling re-inspired!"

Missed your chance to meet Miss Chrissy? Like her on Facebook, check out her range of makeup and styling tools on her website, and keep an eye out on Glory Days for her next visit to our shores!