Galadys Gillycuddy

You go galah!

I must say I had expected our time in Australia to be completely taken up with extreme makeovers.  This is the land of the cork hat and the ugg boot after all.

So far I have been pleasantly mistaken. Our feathered friends firmly secure the Aus in Ausome (creative spelling aside).
 
Galadys Gillycuddy, formerly of Mullinbimby, was more than happy to frock it up for our cameras. If we manage to dig up eleven more models we could have a sublime monthly calendar! Extra points for matching your dress and shoes with your complexion Galadys. Brava!

Dressing like a Local

From left to right: Shi Shi LaRue, Bjorn Flugelhorn, Elery Fantina, Andelora Dulliswinkle, Polonius H. Probiscus

 

The seasoned traveller knows that all attempts should be made to blend into the landscape of the country he is visiting. As I always say, When in Tittybong…

And so, when the esteemed members of the board were invited to Miss Marvetta Malloy’s Melbourne residence for supper, we did our best to arrive attired as expected. I dare say Marvetta was rather taken aback by our efforts! Bjorn Flugelhorn fell so in love with his Crocodilian costume he declared it may replace his knitted one-piece as his signature look. Fashion has never had a fickler mistress than our dear Mr. Flugehorn.

Miss Primo Penguin: Marvetta Malloy

Bjorn Flugelhorn crowns our champion

It only seems fitting that something as extravagant as a Penguin Parade should culminate in some sort of best-dressed glory, and so the Institute of Animal Haberdashery board members quickly came up with the Primo Penguin title.

The Primo Penguin crown celebrates poise, grace and handsome headgear, and this year’s obvious winner was Miss Marvetta Malloy of Maroochydore!

Marvetta was not just awarded this stunning spectacle of a tiara, but offered a place on the travelling board of the Institute of Animal Haberdashery, filling in for one Mr. Stinky Winkerbean whose ripeness was considered a threat to the fragile Australian ecosystem.

Australian Odyssey: The Penguin Parade

Nothing like a God-given tuxedo paired with a fancy hat!

We at the Institute are currently docked Down Under. So far, our Australian Odyssey has been one Bacchanalian bonanza after another. Don't fret, we are snapping lots of pictures.


Having moored in Melbourne, our first stop on our journey was the Phillip Island Penguin Parade where we were greeted with a fanfare unknown to Queen Elizabeth II herself (or so I posit). The entire park was closed to the rif raf for the evening so that our feathered friends could exhibit their very particular flair for haberdashery. The over the top spectacle left us with no doubt as to why these are called Fairy Penguins!

The Past was Beautiful!

Founding Members of The Institute of Animal Haberdashery

Ladies and Gentlemen, the last few days I have become obsessed with the past (a condition brought on by an Australian internet connection, the butterchurn of broadband). I have unearthed for your ocular satisfaction the only known image of the founding members of The Institute of Animal Haberdashery and General Fanciness.

What a splendid looking bunch!!!

Stinky Winkerbean

What is that smell?

How to explain the living and breathing bouquet that is Stinky Winkerbean? Let’s start with a base of curdled milk and pig’s droppings. Next we’ll add a few undertones: sneakers worn sockless, day-old scotch breath and a six-week-worn plaster cast. A top-note of doritos and a hint of vanilla and there you have it. The essence of a mad man.

The concept of taking minutes during board meetings was invented for members of Mr. Winkerbean’s ilk. He can keep up to date on motions without the risk of being inhaled.

Winkerbean lives in a well-ventilated room at the back of the Institute. No one has ever dared visit him. He is used primarily for testing new fragrances on. If you can smell them over his stench, they must be perfectly potent.

Tonight at The Nightery: Kid n’ Hay!

Masters of the Barnyard Beat

Tonight at the Institute Nightery we are ecstatic to welcome legendary duo, Kid n’ Hay.

Don’t let their Yo MTV Raps! style fool you, these guys are straight-up adult contemporary all the way. Just the way I love it.

In fact, I once saw Kid n’ Hay play a quadruple bill with Michael McDonald, John Tesh and Kenny G. Ah, the Rapture!