Have your velvet, your way!
Now taking orders for the new Sea Gypsy Luxe collection.

 

I'm off to Vietnam on a velvet mission, to work on my new Sea Gypsy Luxe Collection. The Velvet range in particular has been so popular, but due to the luxurious and decadent nature of the fabric, it was always an exclusive limited run and I was unable to offer all styles in all colours. It is the most gorgeous, best quality in the world silk velvet, and it's utterly utterly divine.

This time I am determined to get you ladies exactly what you want! So I am taking pre-orders for Sea Gypsy Luxe Velvet starting from today.

All of the styles are available in all sizes from XS to XXL, but please remember when ordering that these sizes do run small. I wear a size Large in all of these pieces. Best to go up one size form your usual to be safe.

Although everything is currently sold out, I have left the collection up on the website so you can browse all of the items and really get a feel for the pieces before ordering.

I am delighted to be able to expand to offer the full range of shades available in the most gorgeous Vietnamese Silk Velvet. You'll see the full colour chart further down the page.

I will be doing a restock of my very favourite shades but to be sure to get what you want, you need to pre-order. So for example, I won't be stocking any black this time around but if you would like to place an order I can have it made for you - and yes, you can order black. It's the only colour not on the chart as I don't have a sample, but you can order it if you really want to... take a look at what will be available below and click on the links to view full descriptions on the product pages. Remember, everything is sold out now and I will be doing a restock, but if you want a particular size of colour then you need to pre-order.

 

Sea Gypsy Luxe Velvet Opera Coat $350 and Sea Gypsy Luxe Velvet Duster $250

Sea Gypsy Luxe Velvet Kimono Jacket $195

 

Sea Gypsy Luxe Velvet Jacket $195 and Sea Gypsy Luxe Velvet Jacket with tie $195

 

Sea Gypsy Luxe Velvet Lounge Pants $180 and Sea Gypsy Luxe Velvet High Waisted Lounge Pants $180

There are a fabulous 25 shades to choose from, take a look at the colour chart below and please get in touch with any questions. This really is the most stunning velvet in the world. Not like the crushed velvet you get in the shops. It's full name is French Frosted Velvet and it is made from the most sumptuous silk. When you touch it you will really be able to feel the amazing quality - which is what makes these pieces truly Luxe.

How to make a Pre-Order

After weeks upon weeks of busyness, hurting my back and markets and festivals I was feeling worn out and stretched pretty thin. We've all been there, just going through the motions and living life without passion. Not really present in the moment and disconnected from it all.

Well I am pleased to say that my mojo is back! My house has had a brand new coat of pretty pink paint, and I have finally had time to rest and really play with all of the pretty things that have made their way online over the past several months. I've unpacked my shell dingly dangles from my last trip overseas, and after a year of living in this house I am finally feeling at home. Full of inspiration, I've had the dye pot bubbling on the stove and I've re-worked, re-dyed and re-imagined some of your favourite broderie anglais pieces - and I've fallen in love with them all over again.

 

  

Spring Gypsy Baby Doll Dress and the Spring Gypsy Pippa Petticoat

This re-imagined collection will be live on the website from 7pm Friday

 

I am so excited to give these pieces a fresh look and a new lease on life. I can't wait to share them with you! I'm away in Vietnam working on my gorgeous Sea Gypsy Luxe Velvet & Silk Collection, so the revamped Spring Gypsy Collection will go online at 7pm Friday 23rd March. Here's a sneek peek so you can get a feel for the pieces and plan your purchases.

These pieces are fab for ladies in the Northern Hemisphere heading into spring, but will work just as well for the Aussie chicks in Autumn who love to layer.

For those who are looking for tips on layering Sea Gypsy pieces I'll be doing a new blog post featuring some of my favourite items in the next month or so... watch this space!

 

 

Spring Gypsy Betsy Bloomers and Spring Gypsy Peggy Pinafore

Special Introductory Sale Price - 7 days only!

The new Spring Collection will have a sneaky special discount for the first 7 days while I am away, to say a huge thank you to you all. So that's 7 days from Friday 23rd March and all of the links in this blog will be live then too.

I hope you love this collection just as much as I do! I'm feeling rejuvenated and inspired and can't wait to start working on designing some new pieces. These super sweet matching hand-dyed broderie anglais bags will be going out free with every purchase from the Spring Gypsy range - while stocks last!

 

 

That's the great thing about Sea Gypsy pieces - they mix and match like nobody's business. A piece from a previous collection can link into new ideas for future projects, and my wardrobe is always fun and throwing out new combos. I am always inspired by how you all put things together, coming up with combos I never would have dreamed of but are oh-so good.

Hugs, Daniela xx

P.S. I've got a few extra surprises in store, so if you haven't already then make sure you are signed up to the newsletter to be the first to know! Oh, and don't forget our new competition... simply share a picture of you in your Sea Gypsy Luxe Velvet on social media with using the hashtag #seagypsyvelvet. Don't forget to tag me @seagypsyau and the winner will receive a $100 Sea Gypsy Gift Card.

If you'd like to order a bespoke piece of gorgeous Silk Velvet, now if your chance to have your velvet, your way. Simply send me a message while I am here in Vietnam and I can get your custom order underway.

 

The Denim dresses are finally here. I was inspired in so many different ways when creating these pieces. I wanted to share the back story with you all, so you can really see where my ideas came from and why they mean so much to me. Threads or strands of ideas coming together over time, to finally be woven into the Prairie Gypsy Denim Collection.

The first whisper of an idea, or the first of these threads was formed when looking at some very old photos. In particular, this photo of me when I was about 10, wearing a denim pinafore. I immediately felt nostalgic for the times I'd play Little House on the Prairie in that dress and needed to re-create the look. There was also a wonderful book that captured my imagination at the same time named Seven Little Australians that told the story of seven spirited and mischievous kids living in the Australian bush with their stern army captain father and their flighty fun stepmother. They would be always out on adventures and getting in trouble for destroying their clothes and having to sit by the fire and darn and patch them.

 

   

 

 

Secondly, I have also been inspired by our lovely friend Helen, whom I secretly call Farm Girl. She lives in rural Victoria with her 2 children and a posse of pets and animals and I'm sure so many of you who are in the Sea Gypsy Sisters group also love seeing her pics of her in Sea Gypsy clothing and her scruffy farm boots, collecting eggs or tending her sheep or creating something special with her children. She radiates all that is wholesome and genuine and shows how the dresses are part of her everyday life.

The idea was cemented when I came across a fabulous market stall in Thailand. It was filled with vintage denim dresses, and I bought the only three out of hundreds that fit me. I knew they had to make a comeback.  I also needed a substitute for a great pair of well-worn jeans as I have reached the stage that comfort wins over cuteness every time and shopping for jeans is a nightmare I no longer care to face. I love denim, and I love to look cute. There had to be a way to make it work!

So, everything fell into place and the result is the Prairie Gypsy Denim Collection of dresses, but it also includes a super cute Moon Top and Denim Prairie Jacket. I needed something comfy, versatile and warm to wear over the winter months that could also be layered. Under my dresses I wear warm body hugging bright coloured woollen jumpers and pantaloons and its great the way denim goes with anything. I'm also loving mixing in other Sea Gypsy pieces; the Flannie Bloomers look so cute poking out the bottom of the Walkabout Dress.

What I love the most about the denim is that it is hard wearing and hides stains and can be worn for well over a week like jeans before washing. The pieces will look even better once they have that love-worn look. 

 

 

Getting back to the tapestry of ideas that helped form this collection, and the story of the Seven Little Australians mending their clothes and sewing patches by the fire. It really resonates with me on so many levels. The way I despise ‘fast fashion’ and the modern throw away attitude so many have to clothes. I love to upcycle and mend my clothing, giving it a new lease of life in the process. Over the years I have kept so many scraps and pieces of fabric. When a favourite dress, nighty is too worn to wear I can't bear to part with it so have hung onto them and added them to my fabric stash which is also full of pieces of fabric I’ve collected on my travels. I am loving adding little patches to the denim piece....it could be a piece of my son's old weathered flannel shirt, maybe an Indian cushion that's so tattered that I can't let go, or a frill from the bottom of an old pair of PJ's sewn onto a jacket for fun. It's a great way to up-cycle them and take a little piece of the past with you.

 

 

 

I have put together some little starter kits of patches that I would love to share with you.... Pieces of old nighties and hand embroidered tribal pieces and bits of hand dyed doilies and lace. You really don't have to be a great sewer as the more roughly and simply hand sewn they are the cuter they will be. The patches can also be cut off and changed or added to over time, and of course can be saved to use to mend any holes of threadbare areas that your denim may develop over time… and I really do hope that these pieces are loved and worn by you, day in and day out and develop those soft tattered spots over the years. The range is meant to be lived in. I am also hoping you can use some of your collected favourite bits of material; some memories to weave together in your own denim story. I can’t wait to see what you come up with and hope we all get to share our ideas and inspirations and a few great stories from the past too. I think fabric, like music, can so easily bring up memories so why throw them out....better to upcycle them into something new to be enjoyed for a years to come.

How will you tell your denim story?

Hugs, Daniela xx

 

 

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As you all know, I spend some time each year overseas working on designs and sourcing the most divine organic cotton and linen, scouring markets for the prettiest silk and lace. I spend a lot of time and energy finding embellishments, vintage fabrics and the cutest boho trims, as well as working with tailors and seamstresses to bring my designs to life. I've become something of a seasoned traveller over the years; it's second nature, as natural as breathing. I love the colour and the thrill of sourcing materials, but I also love the locals, the street food and the little back alleys, and of course the cute kittens! So many people ask me advice on what to pack or how to feel comfortable when I travel... so here are my Top Tips for Traveling - Sea Gypsy Style!

 

1. LESS is definitely MORE....for sure.

I never regret packing too little ...never, but almost always regret packing too much.  When I travel I like to move around, and lugging a huge suitcase or back pack can be such a struggle. I love packing light – it’s very freeing! Over the years I’ve learned not to stress too much about the little things, and I have really streamlined my packing list. You can pretty much get anything you need in most countries these days and often way cheaper than in Oz, So why break your back carrying all that stuff?

One rule I try to live by is no more than 2 of anything if going to a hot country. It’s so easy to wash in the sink and clothing dries overnight. Always pack a washing line; a length of plastic rope to hang across a room or on a balcony. and don't forget the pegs! So that’s two pairs of undies (or pack the old horrible ones and chuck them as you go), two light dresses, two bottoms, light pants or shorts (at least one pair of longs as it's great for preventing mozzie attacks in the evenings). I often bring white as mozzies hate white and I couldn't care less if it gets less white-looking. It can always go in the dye pot when I get home! Most of the clothing I make is designed to be scrunched, so it’s perfect for traveling – very suitcase friendly and great to mix and match.

One super light wool pashmina lives at the bottom of the bag for those freezing flights, trains or broken air con in rooms. This can be used when needing to look respectful whilst visiting temples, too. I always bring a cute sarong to lay across the bed to make it feel homey or to wear as a wrap, use as a towel or wear on the beach… but mostly a security blanket for those cheapo rooms that don't provide a top sheet.

 

Lugging shoes is a pain, as are sore feet...so yeah bring the cute Birkenstocks but I have learned the hard way that good foot support is critical for happiness. If you are spending a day exploring, whether it’s a temple, the rainforest or the markets and back alleys, then good walking shoes / sandals are a must. Ugly as they may be, the absolute best shoes I have for back street wandering are my Keens. I adore them and don't care if I look like every other traveller... after all, that is what I am there to do: travel.

  

Even though I always pack light, I ALWAYS bring a spare set of clothes in my carry-on bag in case my luggage gets lost, along with my wool pashmina, a notepad and pen to record any sudden bursts of inspiration and a paperback book to read on the long journey.

 

2.Stuff the Make Up

I’m serious. It melts off anyway. I bring coconut oil that can be used for a myriad of things, oil pulling, moisturiser, anti-frizz or keeping the plaits at bay. So its toothbrush, travel size organic shampoo and conditioner (as I hate chemist brands), my soap container with a small natural soap which can be used for washing clothes too, and a small pot of coconut oil. A travel sized Tangle Teaser hair brush - not only the best ever hair brush invented that doesn't make your hair frizz but also so small and compact. A few comfy hair bands for the above mentioned plaits and I couldn't stand not having at least 2 flower clips that can be used to create a bazillion styles, keep your hair up and add to the tropical ambiance.

I bring a small bottle of Tea Tree oil for cuts or mozzie bites. I usually don't bring any meds as the local Chemist have everything you need at the cheapest ever price and if I do get sick...it's their kind of sick and the local chemist knows exactly how to get me back on track.

 3.Travel Documents & Money

A photo copy of your passport and itinerary...not kept with your passport.

At least 2 Credit/travel Cards kept separately, one in your wallet and one in your back pack or suitcase (just in case) and I like to split my money too....(just in case). Best card to get....after so many years and so much research is NOT a travel card...they are rip offs....Citibank is the only international card that doesn't double dip, so yeah you pay the fee in local currency when withdrawing money but you won't be slammed at home with the $15 bank fees. Also take out the maximum amount of cash so you are not always paying the withdrawal fee time and time again. Never exchange at the airport before leaving, rates are rubbish.

Let your banks know that you are travelling because they often put a stop on your card due to security reasons if they see a withdrawal from overseas. Maybe even put your daily limit.

 

4. Live like a local

When looking for a place to stay, hotels further away from the man tourist areas will offer a more authentic experience, as well as save you money. I much prefer being further out than being smack bang in the middle with all the other tourists. It’s quieter, and often much friendlier, and I am free to do things at my own pace.

   

No matter where you go or who you meet, always be polite...you are a visitor in their country and they are doing their best to speak English. Treat others as you wish to be treated; show a little kindness and it will be returned to you. I always make great connections with the people I meet when I am traveling, some only for a few moments, some for many years. I often return to the same areas and and it is wonderful to rekindle those connections, and to be remembered fondly.

 

 

When it comes to food, it’s always a good idea to avoid the tourist traps and eat where the locals eat. Street food is often cleaner than restaurants where you can’t see the kitchen. First, you should know that the best street food vendors usually specialise in one dish. The best part is that you see them prepare it in front of you. If you haven’t seen them cook it – don’t eat it! Only eat HOT fried food. Be adventurous and explore beyond cities into the fringes and back alleys, where places specialising in particular cuisines can often be found.  

5. Most of all, get out there and have fun!

Plan ahead, but not too much. Allow a little room for a change of plan should a serendipitous notion enter your head. Be free to change your mind, go with the flow and experience everything that your chosen destination has to offer.

Don't be afraid... The world is a wonderful place.

Hugs, Daniella xx

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I am up at 4am listening to Crowded House on RAGE (one of those all night MTV type shows), can’t sleep! It is one of the first wintry weekends Melbourne has had all year and definitely my first taste of cold since moving into the new beach house. The air is chilly and brisk and so I am sitting here buried in paisley patterned blankets dreaming about being back at Confest.

 

Confest is a hippie festival that takes place in the NSW bush every Easter. I hadn’t been back in 3 or so years and boy did I need to return back “home”.

 

I first heard of this mystical, magical place of freedom, love and expression almost 20 years ago… a hippie paradise straight from the 60’s that I had always dreamed and yearned for.

 

After many years of trying to keep my head above water in a soulless world that places too much emphasis on money and the status quo, I knew there had to be more.

 

I loved flea markets and boho looks, bare feet and freedom, but I wanted to find a place where this was an actual real and existing culture, not just an ‘ideal’ I had painted in my head. My heart ached, longing to discover my tribe. For me it was like finding Nirvana. And by some great sort of magic, I discovered Confest. I ran away from my mainstream life, gave up every creature comfort and security, and with a shining cohort – (a blonde curly-haired lad from England) – we mutually decided to become nonconformists, completely immersing ourselves into the hippie culture which is still a huge part of who I am today.

 

The road to Confest is beautiful. You drive and drive past desolate, lonely, funny-named towns, where nothing but a tumbleweed could have rolled by for hours. The endless Australian landscape stretches far and wide, at times you may not face a curve in the road for what feels like hours, and so you just watch the pavement shimmer yellow in the dusty, barren heat.

 

The sun burnt orange fields keep rolling past, dotted with all sorts of road kill and carcasses. It reminds me to put my foot down to arrive at Confest before it gets dark, as dusk attracts hundreds of kangaroos who seem to spring towards your car from all angles. Even driving at 120 in my van feels slow, I always know when I am getting close as my heart twinges with excitement, I almost forget to breathe. But with huge blue open skies, fairy floss clouds and eagles soaring above, what else to do but wind down the window and sing at the top of your lungs.

 

When you pull into Confest, you are quick to realise that this isn’t some lavish, big-budgeted festival. First of all there’s barely a sign, if you blink you could miss the entrance. For a festival that attracts more than 6000 people, from the road all you can see is a dusty road and some scraggly faraway tress, a rusty gate with an old broken walkie talkie attached and a bedraggled flag..... and then eventually after you drive deeper into the festival, you arrive at the welcome tent.

 

This has lots of smiling colourful folk, volunteers and Confest Stalwarts who run to welcome you, pull you out of your van and give you the biggest hug. Your weary legs almost buckle as someone whispers in your ear… “Welcome Home”.

 

You could be scared off at this point as Confest is a clothing optional affair....not a full blown nudie land… but a hippie nature free and fun type nakedness...it's natural there and beautiful and boy was it a huge learning curve for me. It was the place that allowed me to accept my body as it is and grow to love my body and feel free from within. It also forces you to question all the things you’ve previously been taught about nudity. The natural human body on its own is not harmful nor is it sexual, yet from such a young age we are taught to cover up, our parents might have even covered our eyes if there was ever a naked person. We live in a world where if people see a photo of a woman’s nipple, and organ used to feed a baby, they immediately report it and feel so offended. Yet, videos containing violence which show people injured and bleeding and in pain are often freely shared on the internet, sometimes without a single person batting an eyelid.

 

As John Lennon once said,  " We live in a world where we have to hide away to make love, while violence is practiced in broad daylight ".  We seem to have place such a stigma and shame around nudity, it doesn't really make much sense.  At Confest, there is nothing more heart-warming and beautiful than witnessing so many people of all ages and sizes feeling so confident and wandering freely and happily around in their organic form.  Absolutely rocking their Birthday suits!  It is fully empowering, strengthening, liberating and reminds us we are human. If we feel confronted when we see a naked body, yet not at all confronted if we witness a brawl or people hurting one another then perhaps it's time to have a good hard look at ourselves.  The human body is beautiful and nothing to be ashamed about.

Confest hosts the most head spinning array of wonderful, weird and definitely wild Workshops. More workshops than you can possibly imagine. Yoga, meditation, chanting, dancing, tantra, sensual massage, laughing classes, cuddle workshops, kissing workshops, how to overcome trauma, how to move past fear and believe in yourself, compassionate communication, curly hair workshops, you name it, they’ll have it.

 

It’s no surprise that everyone wanders around barefoot, arms open with a huge smile on their face. The workshops send you into an upwards spiral of self-love and total heart-expansion. Including love tunnels which guide you through a wall of people who kiss you on the cheek and tell you everything they love about you. People walk out of the love tunnel with tears streaming down their face, conceding that they’ve never been told they are beautiful or felt that sense of unconditional love before.

 

Rainbow children with matted hair run around collecting sticks and leaving tiny Easter eggs at the foot of your tent to wake up to. The Arts Village attracts hundreds of people baring their bits to mother nature. Dancing around the bonfire naked, melting into the mud bath, splashing about in the river, doing massage trains in the spa or singing in the sauna… everywhere you look there are people embracing one another, embodying their inner child, laughing uncontrollably and waking up to their inner power. It is a beautiful thing to both witness and be a part of.

 

Having my Sea Gypsy Stall there was a great cosy pastel base and meant that so many friends and fellow market gypsies I hadn’t seen in a while could visit me. A lot of them still remember me as Heidi from the days that I used to host the Naked Bike Ride. We drank wine, laughed until it hurt, sang songs and mostly, simply remembered how much LOVE there is in the world.

 

 

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There’s something about getting dirty that I can’t help but love. Or perhaps it’s less about getting dirty but more about not worrying about staying perfectly clean. Coming home with messed-up hair and couple of splotches on my clothes means that I’m really getting out there, having adventures and living life to the fullest. Romping around nature is part of the fun, and one of the secret ingredients that makes outdoor play days so special.

I have always had these tomboyish tendencies, much to the dismay of my immaculately dressed Italian family. I grew up in the ‘60s, which was not far away from the perfectionistic ‘50s, and I remember always struggling to fit within the fashion standards of the era. Throughout my childhood, my beautiful mum was always perfectly coiffed and impeccably dressed. She would never be caught out looking frumpy in her nightie or without makeup. I can still remember her careful primping each day and the need she felt to look her best, no matter the occasion.

As for us kids, keeping up appearances was definitely important. We always had to look spic and span when going out, whether to the doctors or the city or out visiting friends. We had our Sunday best to wear to on these occasions—beautiful pieces of clothing painstakingly hand-crafted by my mum or grandma. It was our one and only special outfit and we always had to take extra care not to spoil it. They were taken care of immaculately, always darned and washed and looked after. I grew up knowing I'd be in huge trouble if I got dirty or ripped or ruined anything.

I can still remember how uncomfortable I was those Sunday mornings, getting ready for church and visiting friends. It felt like a nightmare wearing those itchy clothes and having to stand still so as not to get them messed up. Even for school we had a uniform that had to be pristine and ironed and pressed and in perfect condition… socks pulled up, shoes polished every morning, hair pulled back in tight tidy plaits or pigtails, ties and hats and gloves… Absolute torture for a budding little tomboy like me.

No matter how much I enjoyed the beauty and colour and prettiness that come with being well dressed, I detested the pressure to be ladylike, and to keep prim and clean all the time. It grated on me being told to keep my shoes on or not to mess up my hair. I just wanted to to do cartwheels and climb trees and not brush my hair for days. Sitting still and looking perfect did not make my heart sing like fun and adventure and frolicking did.

But fortunately, I got a glimmer of another way to live. We had a beautiful tradition of family picnics, when carloads of cousins and aunties and uncles would all head off to some wild place for the day. On those days I got to wear my Snoopy sweatshirt and Levi’s jeans, without a care in the world for how pretty and perfect they looked. It wouldn't matter as much if I got dirty or scuffed my shoes or jeans… I was free. The feeling was incredible. Racing around in the bush, playing in creeks with stick and stones, climbing trees, huddling around a campfire after dark… I couldn’t imagine anything better. And in those rare moments, for the first time in my life, I got to escape the echo of the perfection and truly feel like myself.

These experiences are exactly what led me to create Sea Gypsy. As I grew older I realized that pretty clothes are wonderful, but not if they stop you living. Of course I wanted to wear clothes that looked gorgeous, but it was important to me that it was not a problem getting a little stain something on them or wearing them for an afternoon in the garden. I wanted to be able to tear them while climbing a tree without shedding a tear and even sometimes sleep in them.

And now that I have more beautiful Sea Gypsy pieces than I could ever have dreamed, my favourite clothes still remain those that have been the most well loved and well worn. The patches and mending that keep them together is what makes me love them more. All those signs of wear are no different than the so-called “imperfections” that make us ladies who we truly are as well. To me, they’re like those smile wrinkles or sunspots or sparkly gray hairs that we all experience as a result of years of having fun. Those little details are what makes us special and real and alive. They are signs that we have lived and loved… and they are precious reminders to me of the beauty of adventuring.

Which is why I’ve specifically designed each Sea Gypsy items to be washed and worn over and over and over again. In some ways they truly get better with age. The colours fade and they get torn and tattered, but I see that as opportunity to help them transform into something new and even more lovely. Dye them once more, tie a knot where that tiny rip is, add a flower scrunchy or a sweet lacey patch to where you dropped oily pasta on them. The possibilities are endless.

So breathe easy with your Sea Gypsy clothes… They’re made for that. Enjoy them, wear them to death, sleep in them, get them filthy. Bleach them, hang them in the sun, roll on the sand and take them on every adventure your heart desires. Throw them together even if they might not match and add a ribbon a little flower when they need it.

And as much as we can still feel like those little girls wanting to please our mums and behave and stay clean, I believe there is a way to look pretty and feel amazing. I deserve that and you do, too. Times have changed and we’re able to truly be ourselves like never before. And my true self isn’t happy unless she is free.



I'm skipping and jumping today! The soft winter sun has made a starring performance, brightening up the world all around me. Even better… I've been getting the chance to share the new Sea Gypsy collection—our prettiest ever—with my favourite gals. After months of sweating in back-alley warehouses filled to the brim with fabric, and scouring crowded Chinatown to find that particular lace trim, our newest comfy little gems are finally here.

This collection is not only about having something sweet and comfy to wear, it's also the fulfillment of a long time dream for me. Many years ago I worked in offices and shops where we had to wear stockings, tight suits and even tighter shoes. I always felt so uncomfortable putting on a fake face for the world, and the actual experience of going through my day like that was a nightmare. My clothes itched, pantyhose drove me nuts, synthetic materials gave me thrush, and I had constant blisters on my feet.

It was then that the dream came to me very very clearly… In the future, my life and my clothing was going to be as comfortable as possible. I dreamt that all of us would be able to go to work in our pyjamas. Since then my goal has been to live in surrounded by cosiness at all times, and to create clothing that is nurturing for the soul. I envisioned soft textures and hand-dyed non-toxic colours, all faded and washed many times until they are part of us. No fussing and paying top dollar for clothing that felt like a straight jacket.

I launched Sea Gypsy to make my dream come true, and to help women enjoy comfort and fun and play in their day-to-day lives. This season, more than ever, I’ve made sure to focus on bringing you lovely pieces that you’ll never want to take off. Our new pantaloons and bloomers are made for wearing out or for staying in, to be layered under dresses with slouchy tops that look cute as button but can be worn to bed too. I made sure we used only the prettiest of fabrics with the loveliest details. I fully believe there’s nothing more fun than to be out and about in such pretty things, adventuring your way through the world, but to be so comfortable at the same time.

Introducing the latest additions to the Sea Gypsy collection…. Can’t wait to hear what you think. Comment below and let me know which ones are your new favourite!

 

Spring Gypsy Flannie Bloomers

 
I proudly admit I created these soft flannelette pants as a very sneaky way of wearing my pyjamas out. I decided I looked so cute in PJ’s that I tried to figure out a way to blend my love of bloomers and all things old fashioned with the softness of brushed cotton that I cherish in my favourite nightwear.

I am loving wearing these under dresses like my pastel pink Prairie Gypsy Laura Dress or just with a shirt such as the Classic Gypsy Andrea shirt. I quite literally haven't taken them off in two weeks. When it's cold I wear them under things, or all by themselves in warmer weather. They’re ridiculously versatile and come in two different sizes.

These bloomers are similar to the Prairie Gypsy pants—loose and comfy pantaloons with a wide leg, accented by frills that are so flattering. Plus two deep side pockets for all your treasures and a little sweet low front pocket with an adorable frill too. Their elastic soft waist and flat front means they sit beautifully while keeping you extra comfy.

It took me so long to find the perfect flannelette cotton for these cute little bloomers. I was close to cutting up my old flannelette sheets for these, but luckily after months of searching this divine fabric appeared at the very back of a tiny store behind a market in Bangkok. The soft flannelette is not too thick, and it’s just barely brushed with the sweetest lilac and blue flowers. Well worth the effort and time it took to get it perfect!

 

 
Spring Gypsy Kitty Bloomers

 
These are named Kitty Bloomers because I really feel as sweet and adorable as a newborn kitten in these pantaloons. These are the same exact shape as the Spring Gypsy Flannie Bloomers but made of the finest loveliest printed cotton instead of flannelette.

I searched high and low for the prettiest softest cotton fabric in the loveliest florals and pastel colours. Sadly I was only able to find limited quantities of this divine fabric, so I wasn’t able to make as many pairs as I would have liked... but I just had to use these divine patterns when I got the chance.

They have deep side pockets and a cute frilled pocket low on the leg that's sweet as can be. The frills of course is what makes them so special. I wear them under dresses or with a shirt and they are ridiculously cute either way.

These come in the softest pink, mauve and aqua, and the flower pattern is so romantic and vintage. They are 100% natural cotton and are available in two sizes.

CLICK TO VIEW SPRING GYPSY KITTY BLOOMERS

 

So excited for these because they are our prettiest and most feminine pantaloons ever! The idea for these has been in my thoughts and dreams for a long time. I was inspired by Little House on the Prairie and Picnic at Hanging Rock, two of my childhood favourite books that always bring back feelings of olden-days nostalgia. Putting on these cute-as-a-button pantaloons make me feel like I am living in a romantic novel.

I designed the cut of these to feel like pyjamas but added two layers of ruffled lace to doll them up a bit… and I think it worked, because these look adorable. I absolutely love the way that the ribbons on these flutter in the breeze as I play outdoors. It turns out my obsession with ribbons and cotton eyelet lace just never seems to fade, no matter how old I get. Who says you can’t stay girly as you age?

To create these lovelies, I searched high and low for the most beautiful cotton and lace to make these and hand-picked a few different patterns. Sadly, I was only able to find limited fabric quantities, so we only a few in each size and pattern. Fortunately, with three (!!) different sizes there is something to fit everyone. And with an elastic soft waist and flat front they’re absolutely divine to wear. Not to mention the two deep side pockets and sweet layers of eyelet lace… I’ve gone gaga for these.

CLICK TO VIEW SPRING GYPSY KNICKER BOCKERS

Hi my sweet darlings!

There’s no place like home, and as hard as it may be to put the brakes on adventuring, even this gypsy’s wandering soul needs to return to the nest every once in awhile. After flitting about in Thailand and Italy for the last three months, it was certainly a shock to return to chilly Melbourne in the middle of an icy cold winter, but I’m taking full advantage of that cozy indoors feeling while it’s here. There’s nothing like a bit of cool weather to make you want to sidle up by the fire, dig into the craft pile, and start creating something beautiful to warm your soul.

And while a traveller’s life is exciting and ever changing, there are some disadvantages to spending so much time on the road. Every time you return somewhere it takes a whole heap of effort to settle back into the familiar rhythms. There’s nothing like cleaning up three months of cobwebs and dust bunnies to remind you how much love and energy it takes to make a house a home. I’ve been keeping busy trying to breathe some life back into this place after all this time. Meanwhile my poor aching body is in shock with the dramatic swing from Thai summer to Australian winter and I often find myself missing those delicious massages and fruit shakes I became accustomed to over the last few months. Oh, the luxuries we take for granted!

Fortunately I’ve been through this cycle before and was wise enough to get a few bits and bobs together before I left home three months ago. The house was stocked with all the essentials I can’t live without, like coffee and longlife milk. And I’m fortunate to have a strong support network: a lovely mother who brought over a pot of delicious soup; a wonderful neighbour who pruned all my roses and mowed the lawn; long-distance calls with Mambo to keep me warm on chilly winter nights. It’s easy to feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

With Mambo still in Thailand for another month, I’ve been trying to keep myself busy, enjoying a rare moment of alone time while also throwing myself into projects to make the weeks pass faster. It’s a fabulous feeling to sit at home on my own on a cold winter’s evening, sorting through scraps of lace and bits of ribbon, dreaming about what I’m going to create next. I’ve found that all my best ideas come from these quiet moments of reflection, where I get to go deep into a creative space and play with all the gorgeous materials I’ve collected over the years. It’s days like these that helped birth Sea Gypsy so long ago, and that still shape the heart and soul of the collection to this day.

So as I sit here amongst all the pretty things I’ve picked up to share with you, I am relishing the chance to settle down and reconnect once again with all my lovely sisters across the world. Thank you so much for keeping me such good company on my travels. I hold you so dear to my heart and am so appreciative of your friendship. Sea Gypsy wouldn’t be what it is without this lovely community of women, and it’s been beautiful to watch us all come together to support each other everyday on our Sea Gypsy Sisters Facebook group. The love, generosity, and insight that are flowing from that group has just about made my heart melt.

And now that a few new goodies like our gorgeous floral pantaloons and bloomers are almost ready to go, it’s getting hard to contain my excitement. I just can't wait to show you what I have been sweating over for the last few months. It’s been a true labour of love, but I know it will be worth every second when I get to see the photos of my dear sisters living fabulously in their new treasures.

If you want to be the first to know when the new lovelies are available, make sure you’ve joined our group and signed up for our newsletter, where I’ll be sharing the happy news.

Hope you’re having a lovely day, wherever you may be in the world.

Love and kisses,
Daniela

Hello my beautiful sisters... so good to see you again.

What a whirlwind these last few weeks have been. Though I have been back in Thailand for over a week now, my heart still remains in Italy, where I just spent the last three weeks.

For me it was an emotional time as my family originates from Italy and I grew up with all their stories, feeling as much a part of Italian culture as I did Australian. I had not been to Italy in many years and it was touching to feel such a sense of home, despite the passage of so much time.

It was also the first time I was to meet my darling Mambo's family and see the places he loves and where he grew up. Yes, there were tears... What a delight to be surrounded by such, warm and incredibly open-hearted people. (Though it's a pity about the five kilograms of extra weight I'm bringing home, thanks to all the beautiful meals they prepared for us – not to mention all the pizza, pasta, gelato and wine that I couldn't seem to resist while out and about!)


I often describe Italy as like a Disneyland for adults, with all the intoxicating sensations that abound there. There is such beauty in the ancient architecture where ghosts of centuries past still linger. Not to mention the colourful bundles of flowers hanging out of balconies, noisy lunch time trattorias, incredibly sexy guys and gals on cruising by on chic little Vespas, and outrageously charming waiters that leave you grinning from ear to ear... I fell in love with Italy over and over again, every single day.

The most touching was going home to Verona, where my father was born and where I spent many childhood summers. I have only one auntie left there, who is 90 and still so full of life, truly wise and loving even beyond her numerous years. Showing Mambo my father's town was a delight, and the memories of my late father kept flooding back, bringing brought tears to my eyes. This enchanted ancient city inspired Shakespeare to write Romeo and Juliet, and I can see why. It is truly the city of lovers, unbelievably clean and endearingly small, with bridges and castles and stunning little boutiques and romantic cafes dotting the landscape.

My days were spent smiling as I passed lovers kissing in doorways and holding hand in lovely little parks, locals buying bread and calling out to each other across crowded piazzas, children singing songs and bursting with the joy of youth, divinely elegant ladies with their equally pampered pooches.

The whole experience left me longing for the old-school European glamour that we so often forget about in modern-day Melbourne. All throughout my trip, I found stolen moments to jot down little notes of inspiration, sketch out designs, and collect colourful trinkets and photos to use as the basis of our new Sea Gypsy range. I'm so excited to bring a touch of Italian romance into your wardrobe in our next collection. It's going to be divine and I can't wait to see what you think.

And so, with a smile on my face, a delightfully full belly, a head spinning with fashion inspiration, and a wistful feeling in my heart, I said goodbye to Italy once more. And although it may be awhile before we meet again, I'm so excited to be bringing a little European spirit and Italian charm back to Melbourne with me just in time for next season. Big things are coming and I can't wait to share them with you. ♡


Love and kisses,
Daniela xx