Fashion Kulcha - January Workshops

The stars have aligned and the PCYC is on board! Fashion Kulcha workshops are taking place in Sydney and Marrickville in January! Bookings are essential as places are limited. If you are aged 10-17 and love fashion, modeling, or hair and make-up, you will LOVE Fashion Kulcha!

Fashion Kulcha

Do you know someone aged between 8-17 who loves fashion, modeling, and hair and face artistry? Well I'm dusting off my teacher's hat and I'm bringing Fashion Kulcha to Sydney. Before I can start taking enrollments I need to find a couple of venues. It doesn't need to be fancy. It could be a hall, classroom, dance studio or salon. I'm looking for two spaces, each for a week in January, and possibly continuing on for one night a week throughout the year. This magical space will also need to big enough for a class of 14 students.

If you know of any such space please send me an email. I'd love to hear from you! Let's get this dream up an running :)

angela@angelawhite.com.au

Light vs Fear

found on http://favim.com/image/54072/

Oh my oh my, what a HUGE week I'm having! My brain is going bananas! That little voice inside my head is having a frenzy and won't shut-up, so... (now that the full-moon has passed) I find that the best way to regain calm and serenity is to put my head into words (and maybe someone else will get a giggle out of my internal dialogue dramas)!


This week I am feeling TERRIFIED!!! This wonderful Universe of ours has been tuning in to the Lala channel and I am being bombarded with top quality opportunities! My doorbell is ringing and each time I open it to see who's there it seems another ridiculously awesome opportunity is awaiting! Dr Alban's hit song from the 90's 'Sing Hallelujah' is playing in my head and if I knew how to do an Irish jig I would be river dancing up my lane way several times a day! Thank you Universe! You have been listening! Now it seems all I need to do is keep my head on straight and deliver the goods.


The time has come where I need to step things up a notch. All of the dreams I've been manifesting are coming true, and this move to Sydney is really developing into what I'd hoped it would. I'm finally working in film and have been working as a sewer on Baz Luhrmann's new movie 'Gatsby'. When I entered the workroom I almost fell down the stairs as I was overwhelmed by all of the glitz and glamor you would expect from any Catherine Martin designed show! I've been pinching myself every day as I'd drive into Fox Studios to go to work, and then be given the most exquisite bundles of fabrics and trims to turn into some of the most beautiful garments I've ever produced! I was in heaven... and I was working on a project that Leonardo Di Caprio would be starring in! Whooo hoooooo!!!!


My contract on 'Gatsby' was only a short one (as I was filing in for someone), but they liked my work so much that they're getting me to make things for them from home. What a compliment!


I've also scored some sewing work on another film I'd been aiming for which is the movie version of 'The Sapphires'. 'The Sapphires' were a group of four indigenous sisters who (back in the late 1960's) were Australia's answer to 'The Supremes'. I saw who was cast yesterday and it's going to be a fantastic Australian film. I'm very pleased to be working on such a production.


I also had a successful interview yesterday with Anthony Phillips, who is one of the best costume makers in the country. He's another person I've been aiming to work with as he produces the costumes in many of the big musical shows such as 'Mary Poppins' and 'Phantom of the Opera'. I'm starting a two week trial with him next week.


I'm not only amazed by these opportunities I'm getting, but also by how nice everyone is. I seem to be attracting so many good people into my life right now. Something is going on with my mojo and I like it (I hope it stays this way)!


So with all of these positive things happening right now, you may wonder how I even have the time to be getting myself into a tither over anything. It's really strange though... On Sunday night I was working away I was thinking about everything that's going on and I was terrified! All of these feelings of fear and angst were creeping in as I realized what a huge week I have ahead and how important it is for me to succeed. This is it! Judgement Day.... Yikes!


Im realizing that these are the moments when many people might just decide to back off a little and continue living within their means. Sometimes I envy people who are satisfied by cruising through life. It would certainly be less stressful! For me this isn't an option right now and this is what I have next to my bed to remind me of what I'm striving for:

"Our deepest fear 
is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are 
powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, 
that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you NOT to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are born to manifest the 
glory of God that is within us.

It's not just within some of us;

It's in everyone!

And as we let our own light shine, 
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated by our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Nelson Mandella  - 1994 Inaugural Speech
Written by Marianne Williamson


So how are you living your life? Are you shining and sharing your light with others? Or are you living in darkness? Maybe you're a bit lazy and it's just easier that way? Maybe someone dark has influenced or wounded you and you're shrinking? How do you choose to live your life?

Photo by Morgan Roberts

Well for me, now that I've written this down I can see that my intention is clear and this week will be a breeze! I'm sure I'll continue having moments of vulnerability, and I really wish Skype would create online hugs! I really need my mum this week, but I am lucky enough to be blessed with wonderful friends and I live in a country with cheap phone calls so that's what I'm doing to get by!


Thank you for reading and have a wonderful week! 
Love and light


Angie Lala xx

ALPHAMAMA EP Launch

"Among the vast ocean of mainstream, middle of the road personalities there stands one woman: a fearless creative force who is passionate about music, life and people. ALPHAMAMA is not your run of the mill singer. She is a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial artist who is dedicated to growing not only her own profile, but also the urban music scene in Australia. She is a producer, arranger, musician, stylist, hair/make-up artist, promoter, booking agent and manager packaged in a hot one-woman dynamo!"

After hanging out with Anita 'ALPHAMAMA' Meiruntu, I've delightfully discovered that she is all that her website describes and more! I was first introduced to ALPHAMAMA through a mutual friend at one of her jam session evenings and I knew right away that this was one woman who I wanted to work with!

Her musical talent and style is phenomenal! The atmosphere she creates at her shows is divine, and her fashion sense is out of sight! Sifting through her wardrobe was like a treasure hunt for me! So much colour, sparkle and pizzaz!!!! She combines glamor with killer kicks and an ode to her Indonesian heritage! The perfect pallet for me to work with!


This Wednesday evening you will be able to see the fruits of our collaboration as well as experience the world of ALPHAMAMA!


Don’t miss the launch of ALPHAMAMA’S self-titled EP on 13 July, at Tone,
16 Wentworth Avenue Surry Hills, Sydney.

Featuring special guest performances by Kween G, Ngaiire, Milan and Mirrah, the show starts at 7.30pm.

Keeping it 'Ethical' for U-Turn

As an artist who cares deeply for the health and well-being of our glorious planet, I was thrilled to be invited to collaborate with U-Turn Recycled Fashion. U-Turn supply me with bags full of discarded crocheted tablecloths and have given me the freedom to 'create' to my heart's content!

A collection of these garments and many others are available at U-Turn Recycled Fashion, 10 Hall Street Bondi Beach. They'll be a great wardrobe investment all year round as these pieces can look great over leggings and layers, or over a bikini!

Happy, sunny winter everyone!

Angie xxx

The Happiness Project - Am I there yet?

Love yourself at EVERY age!

Wow! What an interesting seven months I've had! I just took some time to read my original post for 'The Happiness Project', and it seems that I've been so busy cultivating happiness I haven't even had time to sit down and write! I've noticed quite a few people around me this past week commenting on my attitude and 'glow', so I thought it was a good time to take a step back and look at what I've been doing...


After reading and reflecting on where I was seven months ago, I've certainly progressed in my journey towards clarity and happiness. There's an excitement building up inside of me and I can feel that I'm heading in the right direction, and I'm noticing the people around me are changing too. As I promised in my original post, I have made some big life changes and have been putting the effort into my daily work, and as a result many wonderful things have been blossoming!


Now that I'm thinking about this, I want to have a look at what changes I've made, and see what's been happening:

• In November I went to Sydney to celebrate my 31st birthday! I'd been feeling so miserable (and confused) after my overseas trip I thought it was important to spend time celebrating my birthday the way I wanted to. It was wonderful! I made myself a dress and had a fabulous fancy dinner with three of my best friends! While I was in Sydney I started to investigate jobs and accommodation... just incase I decided to move there. It was all a catalyst in 'making things happen' as by the time I headed home I'd already landed myself a job at a bridal studio and had (unknowingly) made contact with the person who found me my flat!

• When I returned to Hobart I was recommended a life changing book called 'Homecoming' by John Bradshaw. This book took me through an incredible 'inner-child healing' process. I spent the weekend on my own reading, writing and pouring over old photographs. It was joyous, heartbreaking, heart warming, and relieving to reconnect with myself as a child again. I really did relive many moments and was delighted to remembered how funny and cute I was as a seven year old and was shocked at how awful I was to myself as a teenager! I truly believe this process healed many pains and hang-ups within me, which has been the catalyst in so many doors now opening in both my heart and my life, and being filled with so much warm love, energy, and light!

• By December I'd made the move to Sydney! I had decided it was time to accept that this city was right for me. It had been calling me for years and oh my, what a reception! I can honestly say that my move to Sydney has been blessed and so incredibly easy. I found a fantastic, affordable place to call home within two weeks, and have found an abundance of both costume and fashion opportunities! I am finally feeling calm, happy and content. A combination of emotions I don't remember feeling in my life ever!

I've found that by caring about myself enough to DO things which make me happy (the focus is on the word DO rather than simply consuming for happiness), I've landed myself the life I'd been wishing for. I finally want the life I have! And to my surprise I didn't have to travel to the other side of the globe to get it. I've found that as long as I'm doing what I love, and doing it with love, then I'm attracting loving people into my life! I've been reading about it books for years, and I've slowly been taking action to transform my life into what I've always wanted, and sure enough, I'm surrounded by loving, supportive, creative people!


After reading all of this one might think 'Well, she's made it!', but I really see myself standing on even ground now. This is just the start!

Puppy LOVE

It's been so delightful to have so many positive affirmations running through my head today and I would really like to share a few of them:

Love yourself at every age.

There can never be too much awesomeness in your life as awesome attracts awesome!

I deserve to be loved :)

Thank you for reading,

Angie-Lala-Love XO

'Something They Can Hold' Music Video and East Coast Tour

The video has been released and the tour is about to begin, and Emma Dean has been exclusively dressed by Angela White Costume & Couture! It was such a beautiful process working on this video and it was so wonderful to return to my butoh roots! Amazing song! Amazing cast and crew! Amazing opportunity to create! I hope you enjoy it!

If you're on the east coast of Australia then book tickets without hesitation! You can also vote for Emma in Triple J Unearthed. Just click here and follow the links!


Hope to see you at the show!


Angie xx

"I LOVE EARTH!" Angela White - Ethical Couture

This dress has been created using three dresses and some jewelry.

Since I began my studies in 2006, I became more aware of the detrimental effects the fashion industry is having on the planet. Teenage girls are some of the highest consumers and as a result the clothing industry is churning out disposable fashion. Seasons and trends are turning over faster than ever and if you go into any of the low budget fashion outlet stores, you will find mountains of discarded clothing which will never be worn.

What a waste! What happens to this clothing? It doesn't break down and disintegrate so where does it go? If you think about the process of creating these wasteful garments, there are an astounding amount of negatives which effects our mother Earth. 

Think about: 

• The effects on the over farmed land and the surrounding environment. 
• The industrial effects on the planet when producing synthetic materials.
• The human labor. Do we really know if these clothes were made ethically?
• And of course the disposal of waste products, unsold stock and unwanted clothes.

Now I'm no expert in this area but these are some of the ethical issues which caused the light bulb in my head to switch on and say "Hey! Enough is enough!"

Since 2006 I've been very keen on the idea of recycling pre-loved and vintage fashion, to create new, wearable, original garments! It occurred to me one day that there is so much beautiful fabric out there, just waiting to be transformed into something that can be worn again!

Many of my theatre shows have been created from recycled materials and clothing. 

Mina's dress from 'Dracula' was created from a shower curtain, bridal scraps and garden hose.

The leather used in Polly's corset (Right) and Kat's skirt (centre) came from a furniture factory's off-cuts.
Polly's skirt is made from lace curtains.
Kat's skirt is made from fabric scraps and various pieces of clothing.

The entire cast of 'Macbeth' were dressed in costumes created from recycled items.

Miranda's dress from 'The Tempest' was created in less than two hours and involved three dresses.

I enjoy creating with recycled garments as it's often a much faster process. When recycling I start with a base garment and then structure the features around that, so it eliminates most of the pattern making, which is good when my client is working on a tight budget!

If you would like your very own piece of 'Angela White - Ethical Couture' then please contact me! Send me an email and let's get started!

Give our dear planet some LOVE! She sure needs it!

Angie xx

'Be My Valentine?'

Photography: Anne Charlesworth; Styling: Abekan Kigbo; Design and Styling: Angela White; MUA:
Raelene Kennedy; Model: Charis Uppal

On Valentine's Day I was lucky enough to be spending the afternoon with four fabulous ladies and oh boy did we create something wonderful! About a month earlier, the incredibly talented Anne Charlesworth contacted me from Prague! She was coming to Sydney and wanted to collaborate.  After looking at her portfolio of work, I quickly decided that this was one opportunity I couldn't let slip by! I gathered my posse of sassy ladies and had a fabulous evening of antipasto and hand claps and giggles as we wove our imaginations (and wardrobes) together to create this styling sensation! It was so wonderful to work with this styling team again. 


Abekan 'Regae' Kigbo is such an inspiration to me! She has the most divine collection of heels and an exquisite sense of style! Her ideas compliment my designs perfectly as she injects her own burst of colour, texture and sheer glamor to our shoots!


My long time friend Raelene Kennedy is (in my opinion) Napoleon Academy's shinning star of 2010! Since graduation Raelene has continuously delivered the goods, always creating a cutting edge, glamorous look!


We were also lucky enough to be styling Charis Uppal! This young lady continuously blows me away with her adventurous spirit and her incredibly long legs!


I'm so incredibly grateful to Anne and her amazing vision and photography and editing skills! This is certainly one of my favorite shoots! 

Enjoy!

'Be My Valentine?' Photographer: Anne Charlesworth; Stylist: Abekin Kigbo; Designer and Stylist: Angela White; MUA: Raelene Keneddy; Model: Charis Uppal

'Sapphires' National and International Tour

Sydney is being so kind to me! I've only been here for eight weeks and I am so incredibly grateful for how fabulous my working life has been here! I certainly seem to have found the place for me (right now) and for the first time in my life (since I was a kid) I'm feeling happy and content! 


An incredible thing happened to me a couple of weeks ago! Belvoir Street Theatre called me asking me to come in to work on one of their shows. The first day I could go in for them happened to be Australia Day and they were incredibly pleased that I happily went in to work for them on a public holiday!


I walked into the room and it was a whirlwind of colour, sequins and feathers! I LOVED it! I was working with the most delightful team of people too. Judy Tanner is just wonderful! She's the head of the costume department at Belvoir and full of healthy gourmet salad ideas and an equally healthy glow of positivity!


I was also sewing alongside the designer of the show (Tim Chappel). Tim had just got back from living in LA for 14 years and I was just full of questions about life there and how he got his foot in the door. Oh my lordy I almost fell off my chair when he told me that he was one of the designers of 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'! He had seriously made my day and I told him so! 


"Tim! You've made my day! Meeting you has just made my day!" and I think my true excitement and adoration may have made his day too!

An image from 'Priscilla' the stage show.

I had a truly fantastic couple of weeks at Belvoir and was totally in my element cutting and sewing some of the gorgeous costumes in 'Sapphires'! 


In short, 'Sapphires' is a true story and a musical about four indigenous sisters who travelled to Vietnam to entertain the troupes in the late 1960's. I'm really looking forward to seeing the show and seeing the girls in action!

Here's a clip from the 2010 tour. I adore this sound and style of performance!

So here is the tour schedule so click on the links to purchase your tickets:


Canberra
Canberra Theatre Centre
Wednesday, February 9th - Saturday, February 12th.


Penrith
Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre
Tuesday, February 15th - Saturday, February 19th.


London
Barbican Theatre
Wednesday, March 2nd - Saturday, March 12th.


Go get your tickets now!
Angie xx

TAS Arts Trail 2011

As many of you know, I am a very proud Tasmanian! My homeland is perfect and the most beautiful place in the world, and I'll be the first person to advertise that! Even though most of my artistic career has been taking place off the island I still like to be referred to as a Tasmanian Artist, and how honored I feel to have my art included in the 2011 TAS Arts Trail!


The TAS Arts Trail is taking place in the shop windows of Elizabeth Street in Hobart's CBD and starts on Friday 14th of January until Sunday the 23rd. My work will be exhibited along with over 40 other local artists! Click on the link above and check out the website for details and a map!

Bondage Bridal
Photography by Morgan Roberts
Models: Katie and Emilie Hollins

Happy art appreciation people!


Angie xx