Dayna's Blog

Holidays, walks and who knows what


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Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries Series 3 Costume Exhibition at Rippon Lea Estate

It’s the post (some of) you have been waiting for! (Please don’t get freaked out by the word count; it’s largely from the photo captions.)

This one’s for all the people who like looking at my photos from my previous Miss Fisher’s costume exhibition post. (And for any lady looking for gorgeous, fashionable, and sassy costume ideas for a 1920’s party and who doesn’t just want to go as a flapper.)

For the rest of my patient followers, I’m sorry if this one bores you to tears. I hope you’re Miss Fisher fans, too?

I bought our tickets prior to the exhibition opening in May, and have only just gotten around to going! Shame on me. Luckily it turned out to be a lovely day to visit. The driveway up to the Rippon Lea mansion was bursting with colour and looked more attractive than ever!

I love the driveway at Rippon Lea Estate

I love the driveway at Rippon Lea Estate

Good thing we had prepaid tickets – even though there wasn’t (at this point) a queue out the door, the staff were telling other visitor arriving behind us that they had to wait before being admitted if they hadn’t purchased their tickets online. But there was a cafe set up in the old stables around the corner, so I guess waiting there was nicer than standing around out the front.

The ticket booth was out the front of the mansion this year, if you hadn't prepaid

The ticket booth was out the front of the mansion this year, if you hadn’t prepaid

After we heard the usual “Don’t touch the costumes. No flash photography.” speech, we were let loose to wander and sigh over Marion Boyce’s creations to our hearts content. And there was a lot of ooh-ing and aah-ing going on.

I started in the conservatory, where the tennis outfits from Episode 7 “Game, Set & Murder” were displayed.

Phryne's tennis outfits

Phryne’s tennis outfits

Your blogger, hard at work in the conservatory, trying to photograph every detail - photo by @s_powell

Your blogger, hard at work in the conservatory, trying to photograph every detail – photo by @s_powell

Phryne’s Tennis Coat & Tennis Outfit, Episode 7 “Game, Set & Murder”

Detective Inspector Jack Robinson’s Tennis Outfit, also from Episode 7 “Game, Set & Murder”

The American tennis player, Angela’s, St Tropez inspired outfit from Episode 7 “Game, Set & Murder”

Angela’s Tennis Soiree Dress from Episode 7 “Game, Set & Murder”

Blue Sequin Teal Sheer Dress, worn by ‘Pearl’ (aka the victim) in episode 1 “Death Defying Feats”

Dr Elizabeth MacMillan’s Tuxedo, worn in Episode 8 “Death do us Part”

Phryne’s “Smokey” Dress worn in Episode 4 “Blood and Money”

Phryne’s dress “The Italian” worn in Episode 3 “Murder & Mozzarella”

Phryne’s Liquid Flame Dress from Episode 7, “Game, Set & Murder”

Pharynx’s Gold Beaded Dress worn in Episode 8 “Death do us Part”

Aunt Prudence’s Grand Hotel Dress, worn in Episode 6 “Death at the Grand”

Cec ‘n’ Bert and spoils of war (i.e. props)

Bert’s Outfit

Cec’s Outfit

Jack’s Suit

Phryne’s Detective Outfit

There were Dot, Phryne and Aunt P’s costumes in the next room, which was set up to look like Phryne’s living room…

Dot’s Peach Theatre Dress, worn in Episode 1 “Death Defying Feats”

Phryne’s Italian Blouse, worn in Episode 3 “Murder & Mozzarella”

Phryne’s Pebble Coat, worn in Episode 6 “Death at the Grand”

Phryne’s Coral Dream Coat, worn in Episode 2 “Murder & the Maiden”

Phryne’s Maroon Spot Fill Coat, worn in Episode 5 “Death & Hysteria”

Phyrne’s Chinoise Coat, worn in Episode 2 “Murder & the Maiden”

Aunt Prudence’s Floral Dress, worn in Episode 5 “Death & Hysteria”

The next room was devoted to Phryne’s costumes worn in Episode 1 “Death Defying Feats”

Phryne’s Imperial Blue Embroidered Kimono, worn in Episode 1 “Death Defying Feats”

Phryne’s Mermaid Coat, worn in Episode 1 “Death Defying Feats”

Phryne’s Mermaid Costume, worn in Episode 1 “Death Defying Feats”

Phryne’s Black and Gold Lace Dress, worn in Episode 1 “Death Defying Feats”

Phryne’s Lace Tabard, worn in Episode 1 “Death Defying Feats”

Leaving Episode 1 and moving upstairs…

Phryne’s Twilight Ruffle Dress (one of my favourite ensembles!), worn in Episode 5, “Death & Hysteria”

Phryne’s Antique Olive Dinner Frock, worn in Episode 6 “Death at the Grand”

It wasn’t just room after room of costumes… In one of the back corner rooms upstairs, visitors were invited to draw their own costume designs for Phryne…

A chance to design your own costume for Miss Phryne Fisher

A chance to design your own costume for Miss Phryne Fisher

…and in the next room we discovered a mock-up of the sewing/designing workroom, and some of the stories behind what goes into making these fabulous creations.

Phryne’s Chinoise Coat, worn in Episode 1 “Death Defying Feats”

Pharynx’s House Coat, worn in Episode 7 “Game, Set & Murder”

Phryne’s Mint Tabard Dress, worn in Episode 1 “Death Defying Feats”

Phryne’s Lace Bolero (Not yet worn in series!)

Phryne's Lace Bolero - Turquoise silk needle lace with vintage silk ribbon (not worn yet)

Phryne’s Lace Bolero – Turquoise silk needle lace with vintage silk ribbon (not worn yet)

Phryne’s Funeral Coat, worn in Episode 3 “Murder & Mozzarella”

Phryne’s Morning “Muppet” Set, worn in Episode 7 “Game, Set & Murder” and dressing table

Phryne’s Silk Kimono, worn in Episode 7, “Game, Set & Murder” and bathroom items

Medicinal supplies from the 1920’s, on display in the hallway

Medicinal supplies of the 1920's - #MFMM Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries Series 3 Costume Exhibition

Phryne’s Day Ensemble, worn in Episode 8 “Death do us Part”

Constable Hugh Collins Police Uniform, courtesy of the Victorian Police Museum

And there, in the final room for the day, was a display of a selection of Phryne’s accessories, from the private collection of Marion Boyce.

Items in the first display case:

Items in the second display case:

Somewhat mind-blowing to think this was just a selection of Phryne’s accessories. Imagine how much more there is!

If you are a fan of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (#MFMM) and have a chance to see the costume exhibition – hopefully they take it on tour, like last time – I think it’s well worth it, and our tickets were not expensive at $20 each. If it doesn’t tour to your part of the world, I hope my post has brought you some satisfaction.

If you haven’t seen my other posts on the previous MFMM costume exhibition or Rippon Lea Estate, why not take a moment to check them out now? I’ve also posted about the (rather smaller) Doctor Blake costume exhibition that was on display in Ballarat last June (2014).

: )


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Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries exhibition, Rippon Lea Estate, VIC – 24 Nov 2013

Did you know that not only has the Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries exhibition at Rippon Lea Estate been extended to 1 December 2013 (due to popular demand) but also that photography is now permitted?!

Well, WE didn’t! At least, not until we looked it up today (for the first part) and not until we arrived there (for the second part)!!

To explain, my younger sister and her fiancé are visiting from interstate for the weekend and, having seen my previous post on Rippon Lea and being a Miss Fisher fan, asked if we could visit Rippon Lea today.

Had I but known photography was now allowed we would definitely have taken proper cameras – instead, these are pics from Stephen and my iPhones. Apologies for the quality, but I hope you enjoy them all the same if you are unable to attend the exhibition for yourself.

: )


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Rippon Lea House & Gardens – Oct 2013

Rippon Lea – another in the ‘Haven’t you been there yet?’ places now ticked off our to-do list!

Lawn side of the mansion

Lawn-side of Rippon Lea mansion

Frederick Sargood certainly left a fantastic mansion and beautifully designed grounds. The whole of the estate is currently managed by the National Trust.

The prompt for this visit was the current exhibition of some of the costumes used in Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries. The second of the TV series based on the books by Kerry Greenwood is currently being shown on ABC1 of a Friday night – the traditional who-dunnit time slot. Rippon Lea is used in a number of the television episodes as different locations, depending on which part view of the mansion is being filmed. Very clever. Also, I would say,  the reason, why the costumes are being exhibited there.

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries on ABC TV – “Who says crime doesn’t play?”

We chose to visit on a Saturday, which meant we a) had a chance at parking within 1km of the entrance gate and b) were able to wander into the mansion to see the costumes when we arrived, instead of being allocated a set entry time. Had we gone the following day, when Kerry Greenwood was attending a high tea there, I can only imagine the nightmare that parking would have been and battling the crowds that came to flood the mansion and grounds to see her and the costumes – despite the prediction of showers through the day. I’m a fan of the books and TV series… but I’m quite averse to crowds.

Not unexpectedly, photography was not allowed inside the mansion, but believe me when I say the place is very grand. The photos on the website are better than mine would have been anyway. As for the costumes (mostly gowns and hats for the lead character, Miss Phryne Fisher), it was very interesting to see them up close. To really appreciate them as fashion though, watch the TV series!

Phryne Fisher

Essie Davis as Phryne Fisher

We re-emerged into a bright sunny (warm!) day to explore the grounds. I’d been told that Rippon Lea is a popular location for weddings and I have now seen exactly why.

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We wandered around, exploring the different areas of the grounds – the fernery, orchard, windmill, the ponds/lakes, and yet we didn’t see everything. I guess we’ll just have to go back again!

With a picnic next time!
: )