Friday 28 March 2014

Hell Bunny & Vintage Reproduction

Dress is Hell Bunny ("Melanie") | shoes are from Italy (brand unknown) | bag is vintage | socks are from Tutuanna

Hello everyone! Have you all had a good week so far? I had to get this Hell Bunny dress after seeing Katie (aka Amelia) from Junebugs and Georgia Peaches looking so amazing in it! These are some photos taken quickly before uni the other day - the package enclosing this dress arrived at 8am in the morning while all my housemates were still asleep, and its arrival woke them all up (they were oh so happy), but I was far too excited to feel guilty. I just love the cutout, white piping and the buttons!

Hell Bunny does run large so although this dress is a size small, it's a tiny bit too big for my bust and I will have to adjust this with some sewing, but that's no big deal. It's also not this fluro-green in real life, I'm not sure why my camera has made it look so bright! Also note: I'm wearing a petticoat underneath, but the skirt is still pretty voluminous without one. However, I can't vouch for the ethics of the production as the tag says "made in China" and it's hard to find any more information on it other than that. Does anybody know of good vintage-reproduction companies that aren't prohibitively expensive but can probably guarantee that their manufacturers are being paid a decent wage? I'm really into this style of dress right now and would like to add a few to my wardrobe!







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34 comments:

  1. Woweee you look amazing in this!

    Rachel

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  2. WHEEEEE you look smokin' hawt in this dress. I love Hell Bunny. Not sure about the ethics though but since you are the cleverest person ever I am sure you could make a few more to add to your collection! Watched your circle skirt dress tutorial the other day and you have inspired me muchly to get crackin' on some sewing. xx.

    Kirsten | kirstenlearns.com

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  3. Wow you look so beautiful! I love the dress!

    www.violetdaffodils.blogspot.co.uk
    xx

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  4. I looked about and you're right, there is nothing out there made in Australia or England that is not crazy expensive.

    I bought a few things from SelectFashion UK lately that were made in England and they were under £15, so there is manufacturing going on here at least. Just not much.

    Trying Etsy now.

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  5. I love that dress! Look at your tiny little waist.
    Have an amazing day :)
    http://sheseeksvictoria.wordpress.com

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  6. I've been admiring this dress forever, but on modcloth where it's been named 'soda shop sweetie dress', but 'melanie' is just as fitting :3. I empathise with your struggle to find vintage reproduction that has been ethically made.

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  7. The cut-out on that dress is great, have you tried sewing something like that yourself?? I know you're a talented sewer, and I could definitely see this style of dress in your hungry caterpillar fabric or something unique. I've seen the Hell Bunny dresses on AliExpress so I'm more or less sure that it's been made in a sweatshop of sorts, but it's really really hard to find ethical retailers nowadays.. I know Powderpuff Boutique has Aussie-made pinup clothing BUT they're definitely not cheap!

    Thank you so much for the bow by the way, I wore it with one of my cream dresses today and it just popped so nicely :)

    Demi
    http://carbonchic.com.au

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  8. Try Collectif. I got a Hell Bunny dress too and they are massive, I had to take it in

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    Replies
    1. Yes Collectif are great! thank you so much for the suggestion!

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  9. This dress is fabulous! It looks wonderful on you! ^__^

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  10. very cute dress, but skip sock is ballerinas. it can make you look shorter:))

    fashion blog http://www.sheistheone.ch/

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  11. There are a lot of shops that make their own dresses, but the dress prices are not nearly as cheap as Hell Bunny. But you should consider making some of your own vintage styled dresses. I know there is an online site that doesn't craft lessons. There was one for a cute vintage dress, that you could modify. If might be a cool thing to take a look at (or maybe this is something you already know how to do?)
    http://www.craftsy.com/class/Sew-Retro-Perfect-Fit-Bombshell-Dress/29?_ct=sbqii-sqjuweho-qbb&_ctp=29,35

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    Replies
    1. I just noticed shortly after posting that my shirt from Rock Steady (now Steady Clothing) I think their prices for the "fancy" dresses are about the same as Hell Bunny? I think other than clothing being made in China, Hell Bunny keeps prices so low by doing little marketing. They mostly just do wholesale.
      http://www.steadyclothing.com/

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    2. Steady clothing are aweeesome. Thank you thank you thank you! :D

      Ahh I am such a cheapskate, I know that I couldn't make myself pay $35 for those lessons! But I do have a lot of vintage patterns, So I really should be learning how to sew using patterns!! I really think that's what I need to do next :)

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  12. cute cute dress! :) i love it! : )
    Irene Wibowo

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  13. Looks so so gorgeous on you. I'm a huge fan of Hell Bunny. I think in-house brands like Collectif -- which is way more expensive -- make it easier to know whether something is produced ethically, but this can be difficult to find out, sometimes.

    xox Sammi
    www.thesoubrettebrunette.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. No way, it's not too bad! My Hell Bunny dress ended up being $90 for me, so this is reasonably on par! Thank you so much for sharing them with me you gorgeous thing :)

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  14. I love hellbunny! When I went to Camden during a trip to London my friend was shocked at how far away I could spot hellbunny dresses from!
    If you want to know where your clothes are being produced I'd say etsy would be a good place to look for vintage type dresses :)

    http://maria-in-wonderland.tumblr.com/

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  15. Aha! Just stumbled across a site where everything is made in England and is reasonably priced. Might be some use to someone

    http://ladyvlondon.com/made-in-london/

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    Replies
    1. oooh, I've actually bought from ladyvlondon before, but at the time all their stuff wasn't made in England. I'm happy to see they've fully made the switch now! Their dresses are lovely :) Thanks for reminding me about them!

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  16. I loooove this dress.... you look so beautiful!!! <3 I have half the day off work today so I can finally use the computer! ahahah :)

    you're the best. xoxox

    love, polly :)

    pollybland.com

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  17. OMG that is so gorgeous! Love it! I'm wondering about websites too. It would be great to own some pieces like this :)

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  18. How amazing is this dress?! I especially love the color and the fact that it's polka dots <3

    Chamomile Dealer

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  19. What an awesome dress! It sucks that it's a little big, but it doesn't look awfully too big. Such a fun color and that neckline is great. You look fantastic!

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  20. Oh, you are too darling for words in this!

    As for more ethical brands with vintage looks- Mata Traders seems to have some retro inspired styles and I think (but am not sure) that eShakti is a company that seems to pay its workers decent wages. All of their stuff is made to order, is very retro and 50s inspired and reasonably priced.

    Also, I would like to email you about someting, but can't find your contact info?

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    Replies
    1. I do know Mata Traders! :) And eShakti doesn't ship stuff to australia, I think :| which is annoying! My email is listed here :) http://www.pineneedlecollective.com/p/sponsor-pineneedle-collective.html

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  21. LOVE those socks and shoes!!!

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  22. I adore this dress! I am curious, where did you make your purchase for it? I browsed around, and saw a decent price for it from hot topic, but it appears theirs may be quite a bit shorter? I like the length of the one you are modeling much more!

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    Replies
    1. Ebay, I just googled melanie hell bunny :) :)

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    2. I mean, "searched" melanie hell bunny.. er... haha

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  23. You look seriously stunning in this dress! And the socks are absolutely adorable. You and Katie both pull off this dress so well, I'm starting to think I might need one, though I was apprehensive about it because of my bust.

    xoxo
    June
    junebugsandgeorgiapeaches.com

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    Replies
    1. Do it, and then we'll all meet up together one day (somehow!) and be triplets!

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  24. This is embarrasing to admit, but I'm a new fan of your blog & have read back to here... just wanted to share, Betty Le Bon Bon, incase you don't already know. Vintage/pin up inspired skirts and dresses, I THINK made in Perth. They have instagram and facebook. You can help choose the fabric you like, AND they have a lay by system, which is probably an amazing thing for a Uni student like yourself. I'm not 100% on the ethics behind the company, but I get the feeling it's pretty spot on. Also, powderpuff boutique? Pretty much a one woman show, an ex-Adelaidian (like myself), who made the move to Melbourne for her son to attend an Autism specialised school. I don't know all the details, again, but it appears she makes the fabrics and makes all dresses/skirts/tops etc from patterns she has made herself.AND finally, I would add my friend's Mum's label, Hot Couture. They have a facebook with sample sales often - and since you're on the smaller side, you could probably get a bargain. Made here in the Adelaide hills - I've been to her workshop and it's amazing. :) xx

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    1. Haha oh wow, that's so cool that you read all the way back to here!! Good on you ;) That must have taken a fair bit of time! I really actually appreciate it :)

      Thank you so much for letting me know about those three companies! The only other place I really knew about for ethically-produced pin-up style clothes was Pin Up Girl Clothing (whose material is still all imported, and not all are made in America), but the shipping costs always put me off! Locally-made is way better and these stores are GORGEOUS!!! Ahh. I am going to have no money... ;__;

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