New Zealand fashion and lifestyle blog

Frock stars

Mandi Lynn of A La Mode Photographic Boutique in Wellington opened its doors recently with everything from a cupcake bake-off and vintage hair and makeup styling, right through to burlesque….

Nestled in the eclectic Jackson St shopping district in Petone, Wellington, A La Mode Photographic Boutique opened its new doors with a launch party that included every indulgence a lady could desire, from a cupcake bake-off and vintage hair and makeup styling, to glove peeling and burlesque performances, all served up with a cup of perfectly made tea on the side.

Gorgeous owner Mandi Lynn had several reasons to celebrate.

After a successful first year in business, A La Mode had outgrown its original premises and as luck would have it, a new space became available just a few doors down, which is flooded in natural light and provides room for a brand new makeup bar. Mandi has also just won a slew of national photographic accolades at the NZIPP Iris Awards and recently had her work featured on Vogue Italia’s website.

Below: vintage make-up lessons at the studio opening party.

Below: The Tea Vixens.

Below: Pin-up cupcakes.

Below: Glove peeling.

Mandi photographs everyone; "Chubby Bubbies, Marvelous Mummies, Delicious Daddies, Voluptuous Vixens, and Blushing Brides we LOVE shooting them all!" and has created an environment where inner and outer beauty are drawn out of her subjects and celebrated.

Forget wagon wheels, 80’s eyeliner and his and hers denim duds – Mandi produces seriously stunning portraits, whether people want to play at being a pin-up, hold a family photo bonding session or capture those extra special moments on their big day.

Below: Frockability School tutors.

And as if awards and new studios and Vogue coverage wasn’t enough, Mandi has combined her talents with two other entrepreneurial ladies to create the Frockabilly Finishing School. Born from a desire to empower women and impart wisdom from a bygone era, the school is launching its first six-week course on the 27th October, at the revamped A La Mode studio.

Teachers Mandi, Grace Hammersley-Myers (Miss Burlesque New Zealand 2010 and dance instructor) and Claire Gormly (vintage makeup artist and owner of The Vanity Case) will help navigate small classes of women aged 13 to 79, through such lady-like arts as scintillating small talk, impeccable table manners, walking daintily in heels and perfect photo posing.

Mandi and Grace.

To book a place and begin the journey towards looking and feeling frocking fabulous, go to www.lamode.co.nz or http://frockabilly.blogspot.com.

If the overflowing launch party was any indication, spaces will be extremely limited!

All photos courtesy of Mandi Lynn
By Rose Jackson, 4 October 2011


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