A very happy (non-official) long weekend for all my Melbourne readers, as you’ve no doubt been luxuriating on your couches watching catchup on iView after visiting many coffee shops and having multiple long lunches/dinners/breakfasts with your pals to ring in the Cup festival and start of party season. Or at least, that’s what we’ve been doing. Despite all this lazing around, I’ve still had time to poke my head in at a few events – including a little daytime soiree held by Dear Gladys at an apartment development display suite called Mr Smith, on High Street in Northcote.

I’m so glad to see marketing groups like Knight Frank (and more recently, Mirvac) get on board with guerrilla marketing by using their display suites proactively – such as having High Street Northcote vintage faves Dear Gladys create a pop-up shop with cupcakes and champagne on their premises for a few hours, inviting clients from their database to visit – and perhaps become well-versed in purchasing property off-the-plan while they’re at it. This is a terrific way of showing off the lively lifestyle of the area the developer is looking to sell in, garnering support from the local trading community, and harnessing the power of social media to promote goings-on. So, high five Mr Smith/Knight Frank. We look forward to seeing your Twitter and Instagram handles as you develop in this area further. Here are a few happy snaps of the soiree (starting with a canary yellow belle of the ball above, modelling a vintage gown you can make your own from Dear Gladys).

Dear Gladys populated the black and white display suite with vintage dresses, floral displays, sweeties and bubbles.

Yours truly with Mel Westwood, head bird at Dear Gladys on High Street in Northcote. Please note my Melissa glittering golden shoes on their very first wear. I am beyond excited that I found these eccentric high-steppers on sale in my size. I’m also wearing my favourite silk Gorman shirtdress with its cheeky leopard print.

A Dear Gladys house model looking very Mad Men, and showing how vintage fashion should be done. Preferably, with a flower crown and golden midi-heels.