Donny Galella Downton Abbey Fashion Interview

Donny Galella Downton Abbey Fashion Interview

Top 10 Tips To Get That Downton Abbey Style

1. Embrace Lace: Lace has proven to stand the test of fashion time and continues to reamin stylish, elegant and chic. Whether you go for a lace dress, top or skirt, there is a lace option for every age, body shape and budget. This season one of the hottest lace looks is black lace with nude underlay, it's sexy yet elegant.
2.Hat Up: Hats really do top off your outfit and add that perfect finishing touch. Not only does a cute cloche style hat look fabulous but it will also keep your head warm in the cooler months. Be sure to choose a warm fabric such as felt or wool for the cooler months. If you're heading to the horse races during autumn or winter carnival then a hat is an absolute must. You can find hats in stores like Forever New, large department stores or get one at a milliner.
3.Be Wise and Accessories: Add a strand or two of long beads or pearls to your outfit, a statement necklace is a great way to give your outfit some extra sparkle. Stores like Lovissa, Colette, Diva and Equip have a massive range of super affordable accessories.
4.Gloves: Nothing oozes glamour more than a pair of gloves. The Crawley sisters often wore long satin gloves. For a modern twist go for a short or mid length pair of leather gloves. Celebs like Adele and Kim Kardashian have been snapped sporting leather gloves. Plus they'll keep your digits warm in winter.
5.Hair: The Crawley sisters pretty much always wore their hair up in softly curled hair styles. Women of the era with shorter hair often wore their hair in flapper style finger wave bobs. Full eye brows were also very on trend and it is something that is making a strong comeback today. Super model Cara Delevingne is certainly leading the way when it comes to full brows.
6.Shimmer and Sparkle: The Crawley sisters often wore shinny shimmery fabrics, outfits with embellishment, embroidery and dresses with exquisite beaded necklines. Not only does this look amazing but it's a great way to accentuate your best assets. For women who are self-conscious about their lower body, a beaded neckline will ensure all the focus remains up north. You don't have to limit this trend to just clothes, so many stores have sparkly shoes, bags and belts.
7.Get Skirted: The Crawley sisters often wore long skirts. Today we are seeing a rise in the -midi' skirt length, a length that sits mid-calf. This longer skirt is extra demure and is great for ladies who may be self-conscious about their legs. My biggest tip here is always pair a midi skirt with nude pair of heels to help elongate the length of our legs.
8.Shoes: Heels were traditionally mid height and the t bar strap or Mary Jane were the shoe styles of choice. Patent was also a popular finish and has made a sharp come back over the past couple of years. For a modern twist, go for a platform style T-bar in a patent finish. Check out Wittner, Novo and Betts for affordable options.
9.Art Deco Influences: The Crawley sisters sometimes wore outfits that were Art Deco inspired. My tip is go retro chic with an elegant shift dress, with an Art Deco symmetrical pattern or lace detail and pair it with a long beaded necklace.
10.Fake It: Luxe fur trims were extremely popular in the early 1930's real fur. Forget real fur and simply buy a super affordable faux fur removable collar (or source one from a vintage shop) and add this to your favourite jacket or coat. It will instantly add a dramatic glamour to your wardrobe and not to mention keep your neck warm.

Interview with Donny Galella

Question: What do you love most about the Downton Abbey style?

Donny Galella: I love it! It's elegant, opulent, and feminine and has gorgeous detail, as well. I love Downton Abbey and the fashion!


Question: When recreating the a Downton Abbey Style which designers and stores do you look to first?

Donny Galella: It really does depend as there are three sisters and all three of those sisters have a slightly different take on the style.

Lady Mary, the eldest sister, is a little more opulent using embellishments and broidery which we are seeing lots of that in the stores such as Forever New which has beautiful dresses with embellishments and their dresses are around $130 which is really good.

The middle sister, Edith, is a little more classic and wears lace which is one thing we're seeing lots and lots of in the stores. Alannah Hill has a lot of beautiful vintage looking laces. The best thing about this season is the black lace with the nude underlay which takes a modern, sexy twist on the 1920's lace.

Then, the baby sister, little Lady Sybil is a little bit more edgy and takes a few more risks and she wears a lot of the empire style which we're seeing comeback in empire style dresses in the stores. Empire is quite flattering and as a stylist I tell women to always show off the most narrow part of your body, under your bust or your waist and empire is quite good at doing that and it is really flattering on all body shapes.


Question: Which Downton Abbey characters style do you admire, most?

Donny Galella: I'd have to lean towards Lady Mary; she has total class and elegance, I love the opulence and over the top embellishments. I don't want to spoil it but in Downton Abbey Season 3 she gets married and it's worth watching the entire season just to see her wedding dress!


Question: What are the key colours to Downton Abbey Style?

Donny Galella: They kept it safe with tones back then so there are lots of nudes, creams, whites, navy, black then the berry tones such as merlot and dark green, forest colours. The good thing is that a lot of those colours are in right now because we are going into our Winter season and we're seeing lots of beautiful merlot and deep green tones which is good because they're colours a lot of women can pull off, as well.

Question: Why do you think vintage trends seem to be making a comeback to high street fashion?

Donny Galella: Downton Abbey has really captivated our hearts. Fashion went through a stage where everything was getting short with the micro mini and skin was being exposed as Lady Gaga was taking fashion to this crazy, new level. Now, Downton Abbey has come along it showed that being classy and elegant is beautiful and timeless without resorting to flashing skin and legs; you can look demure and elegant whilst covering up. To extend that look at the Royals, Princess Mary and Catherine Middleton are very demure, lady like and elegant. We are seeing a massive return on the Red Carpet whether that is the Logies, Oscars or Globes as women are returning to being more demure on the carpet with the return of the long sleeves and high neck/low back. Downton Abbey is having a halo effect on fashion.


Question: How can we all incorporate that vintage touch into our wardrobe?

Donny Galella: If you do not have the budget to go and buy a beautiful embellished dress then just do accessories such as a beautiful hair comb from Alannah Hill or purchase a beautiful lace top or a nice pair of shoes. You can think about how you can bring accessories to your wardrobe that have a beautiful vintage and art deco feel such as anything in the beautiful symmetrical prints which are making a big comeback.


Question: Are accessories key to creating the -right' look?

Donny Galella: Accessories always finish off your outfit so if you can add a Downton Abbey style beautiful cloche style hat, a beret, a broach or a cute pair of art deco earrings. To get the Downton Abbey vintage look you don't have to spend a lot.


Question: Can any women pull off the Downton Abbey Style?

Donny Galella: Yes, there are different degrees of how much. If you're a little more fashion forward go all out with the art deco drop waist dress with a broach and gorgeous shoes. Or, if you just want a little taste, then have a cute hat with a nice clutch or art deco earrings. There is a large scale of options with the Downton Abbey Style.


Question: How can men replicate this style?
Donny Galella: I think so, the Downton Abbey guys have a very polished look, with beautiful sharp tailoring and layers. Think about the hunting season when the men of Downton Abbey have their beautiful tweed on (pants, jacket and vests). Guys can definitely re-create the Downton Abbey style.

Downton Abbey Season 3

Cast: Michelle Dockery, Dan Stevens, Shirley MacLaine, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern
Director: Brian Percival
Genre: TV, Drama
Rated: PG

The Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning TV series Downton Abbey returns for a third season, ready to captivate Australian audiences once again with its much-loved cast. Preparations for the wedding of Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Matthew (Dan Stevens) bring new characters to the Crawley estate, with a grand entrance by Cora's thoroughly modern mother Martha Levinson (Shirley MacLaine), causing a stir both above and below the stairs.

Set in 1920 during England's recovery from the Great War, Season Three promises a new age for those at Downton Abbey. But while the family prepare for the wedding, the foundations and future of Downton Abbey are threatened by financial crisis. Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) learns that the house is in grave jeopardy after the collapse of investments made with his wife's (Elizabeth McGovern) fortune and fights to maintain the home at all costs. But in the wake of World War I, nothing is assured, and even the Crawleys may be faced with a new battle to safeguard their beloved Downton.

Season Three is the best season yet, captivating us all over again, with commanding characters, exquisite costumes, and enthralling drama. The lives and loves of the Crawley family and servants are laid bare, as passion, ambition and heartache govern their lives.


Special Features:
Downton Abbey in 1920
The Men of Downton Abbey
Lady Mary's Wedding Day
Lady Edith's Wedding Day
Interview with Shirley MacLaine
Behind the Scenes
A Journey To The Highlands: A making of featurette

Bonus Disc:
Includes five featurettes not seen on Australian TV:
Fellowes
Newbies
Shirley
Timelapse
Weddings

Plus two bonus:
Smash Season 1 Pilot
The Doctor Blake Mysteries Season 1, Episode 3


Downton Abbey Season 3
RRP: $44.95
Blu-ray RRP: $49.95


Interview by Brooke Hunter