Cinderella in Prada Tea Dress

If someone said to you, “Your life is the theme for a formal Ball. What outfit most defines you?” would you know how to answer? When asked this last week, my instinctive response was Prada! But apparently that was about as helpful as the suggestion in the book, "If I'm so wonderful, why am I still single?" to sit in café  windows, and every time a man walks in, look up and smile.

This fashion exposé  in E! True Hollywood style was revealed over afternoon tea at Al & Cathy’s. Even before the Mariage Frères tea was fully infused, Cathy had launched into an indepth précis of Australia's version of Cannes Film Festival; the Daylesford Book Ball. Each year, ten books get the Red Carpet treatment, with guests dressing up as their favourite characters.  Then she paused (for dramatic effect), before announcing that Tweed Tea and Wellies has been chosen to star in Daylesford’s Book Ball 2012. So this is what Fame feels like!

Audrey Tautou, Cannes Film Festival 2012

So the Cinderella question posed by my loyal Tweedettes, “What should we wear to the Ball?” Obviously the answer is head-to-toe Prada… but looking at Cathy’s confused face, I sensed more specific guidance was needed. Two days later after seeing photos of quintessentially chic Audrey Tautou in the most beautiful Prada Tea Dress with full pleated skirt and embroidered bodice, at Cannes Film Festival 2012… inspiration struck. Tea Dresses!

Ulyana Sergeenko, Russian fashion designer ,

I've been a Tea Dress fanista since my 20’s; even wore one in Liberty of London fabric as bridesmaid at former Jospehite nun, Sister Sonia’s heavenly garden wedding. For me, the vintage inspired, curve-flattering tea dress with fitted bodice, cinched-in waist and hourglass silhouette conjure up beautiful images of simpler times, afternoon tea parties, Tea Dances and Doris Day swirling around the dance floor singing Tea for Two. Tea Dances back in the 1950’s were the later day equivalent of match.com; even Mother and Father first met and fell truly madly deeply in love whilst waltzing at a Tea Dance in the Thames Memorial Hall. I still have the Tea Dress that Mother wore that day; it’s my favourite outfit for Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley.

Thank goodness 1950’s culture is coming back in style (thanks largely to Mad Men, Ulyana Sergeenko and Dior). Cause with hips the width of a classic Buick Cadillac, I rock the Tea Dress.  So maybe Tea Dresses represent a modern day Cinderella moment.  With a Pulitzer Prize, handsome Prince or Press conference not too far, far away. One can hope.

Now if Prada also made glass slippers... I'd be married before midnight.

 Is that helpful Cathy?

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