Postcards from LuLu - A Designer's Pilgrimage Part 2 - Italy Inspires

Ah Italy.
Florence is the starting point in the Italian tour and elegant design is everywhere you turn.
There is an undenying and long history of taking pride in visual expression.
Repetition and fine detail seem to be a re-occurring theme...

Pictured above left; La Cerchiata( Latticework) where a long line of holm oaks have been pruned to form a continuous tunnel. This was cultivated between 1612 and 1614.
Above Right - Street lamp Pestoia Train Station, Florence

Vasca dell'Isola (Island Pond) , Florence

Chandelier and view of Florence at Knight's Lodge, Boboli Gardens


Boboli Gardens, Florence

Boboli Gardens Ceiling Amphitheatre M.Buontalenti's Grotto

Obika Mozzarella Bar (Above) is located inside the historic Palazzo Tornabuoni, in the elegant Via Tornabuoni, a famous street which is very well known by fashion lovers, looks like Louise loved this cafe spot too...

Florentine Artisan's hand-made cotton Guipure lace.
A souvenir from Florence to take back for a one-off House of Snowball design for next season.
Repetition and fine detail...
Ah Firenze.

Day to Day Creative Happenings at HOS Coventry St

While daughter and other half to the design team, Kristie Coakley is holding the fort at Coventry St boutique in South Melbourne and finding inspiration in the day to day happenings and creations...

Winter Solace; Dressing with Peplums, Belts, Collars, Cuffs and Hats.

To get this look:

Lemon Mairzy Doats Collar

Lemon Roll Iced Cuffs




Classic Wool/ Silk Detatchable Peplum
worn on the shoulders as a draped collar
over Classic Stone Midi Wool Dress with
Silk Navy Self-Covered Belt.



To see more on our e-boutique click here

Postcards from LuLu - A Designer's Pilgrimage Part 1 - Ireland

One of House of Snowball's designers, Louise Coakley, is currently on a designer's pilgrimage around Europe collecting fabrics and inspiration for the next House of Snowball collection.
Join this blog to get "hot off the iphone" updates of what she is being inspired by and maybe you might get some clues about the unborn House of Snowball collection...

First stop IRELAND!

ON THE HUNT FOR IRISH LACES AND LEPRECHAUNS, WITH A FEW HISTORY LESSONS IN BETWEEN...

Ballynahinch Castle - View from our room.

Beautiful filigree wrought iron church gate in Dublin laneway 

Gaiety Theatre. Dublin - some 'old worlde' charm...

A beautiful cotton floral toile, first souvenir to take home...

House of Snowball on 60 minutes; Black Caviar at Royal Ascot

See the 60 minutes feature on Black Caviar going to Royal Ascot with Liz Hayes interviewing Black Caviar owners, including Jill Taylor as she wears House of Snowball hats and outfits.
Liz Hayes talks to trainer Peter Moody and watches Black Caviar make history at the Diamond Jubilee Stakes in London on 23rd June 2012.

See; http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/videoindex.aspx for the full story.

Click on the 'Black Beauty' story on the right dated 25th June 2012.

Above: Jill Taylor (centre) being interviewed by Liz Hayes at Royal Ascot in the
Royal Enclosure wearing House of Snowball, Yellow and White Royal Ascot Raceday
Dress and custom-made Silk Organza Hat.

Above; Jill Taylor (second left) and Black Caviar ladies talking to Liz Hayes (centre) for
60 minutes in London a few days before Royal Ascot. Jill wears House of Snowball Yellow
Vintage Guipure Lace Jacket and is filmed trying on House of Snowball Lilac & Plum
Wide Brim Royal Ascot Hat.

Above: House of Snowball Royal Ascot dress, jacket and hat worn by Jill Taylor (left),
with husband David and his mother being interviewed on 60 minutes before Black
Caviar's winning race.

HOUSE OF SNOWBALL MEETS THE QUEEN AT ROYAL ASCOT!!!!!

Black Caviar owners being presented with the winning trophy by the Queen!

Jill Taylor (on right of the queen holding the trophy) looked simply divine, in her House of Snowball Lemon and White Wiggle Dress with custom made wide brim silk organza hat.

Jill's dress was custom designed and hand-made by the House of Snowball mother and daughter team, Louise and Kristie Coakley. Her gorgeous wide brim silk hat was hand-crafted by Kristie Coakley.

Above: Detail of the dress.

"Lady in Lemon and White Wiggle Dress"

Vintage white cotton organdy broderie anglais eyelet and daisy lace, over yellow and taupe cottons. Lemon silk organza draped straps with white silk organza edged neckline and hand-detailed yellow piping behind scalloped daisy trim lace on bust.

Yellow silk satin chameause lining with boning and hand finished zip.

Scalloped hem skirt with self-covered yellow silk belt.

"Lady in Lemon and White Hat" in progress... hand-made sinamay base with wide brim. White and lemon silk organza flouced and bagged out layers with hand-crafted yellow and white petals and vintage cotton drippy lace center.

HOUSE OF SNOWBALL at ROYAL ASCOT!!!

House of Snowball goes Cou-Cou--Couture over Black Caviar
By Paul Rowe 

The creative team at exclusive House of Snowball boutique, South Melbourne, have been burning the midnight oil over the past month, in preparation for this weeks Royal Ascot racing extravaganza, featuring the mighty mare Black Caviar in the Golden Jubilee Stakes!

A collection of 10 gorgeous ladies, comprising of Black Caviar owners and admirers and ranging in age from 18 to 70, has joined the party who have flown to London this week specifically to watch their magnificent horse have her crack at equine immortality. They will all be wearing House of Snowball outfits that have been custom-designed and created for the momentous occasion, this Saturday. 

One of Black Caviar's owners, the glamorous Jill Taylor, will be dressed head-to-toe in House of Snowball finery, with her custom-designed couture detailed dress, jacket and hand-crafted hat, sure to make the Royal Ascot faithful stand up and take notice. After meeting Prince Charles and Camilla earlier this week, rumour has it that Jill has been diligently practicing her curtsy in anticipation of accepting the winners trophy from Her Majesty the Queen!

The collection of garments we've created for show at Royal Ascot this weekend, will feature a broad range of our unique House of Snowball design aesthetic. Race style 'Wiggle' dresses and full 50's inspired petticoat skirts, vintage hand-dyed and appliqued laces and couture detailing will be the order of the day, all in complimenting, on trend spring colours, to excite the discerning and fashion-forward International racing crowd.

The race will be shown in Australia tonight live at 12.45am Eastern Standard time.

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Black Caviar Shines in House of Snowball

House of Snowball has been at the races again... but this time it was with Black Caviar! 


Wearing a gorgeous House of Snowball Fiorella Dress, Jill Taylor, one of the stylish ladies who owns Black Caviar, proudly walked the beautiful mare out to win her 21st consecutive race in Morphetville, Adelaide.

Stunning Jill also wore a specially designed French butter silk brocade and hand-dyed steel silk hat by House of Snowball.


Jill's gorgeous daughters are sporting Abbie Walsh rosette headbands purchased from House of Snowball, perfect winning outfits!


Look out for House of Snowball in the Black Caviar party at Royal Ascot... Goodluck!