Men dig Vintage!

A month ago I styled a photo shoot that was themed "vintage." I had to find a location, pretty much the day of. The Greek came up with this amazing spot, part motel part small efficiency houses. It was sketchy at best, but the manager was very accommodating and super cool. (and had an endless supply of Kool mild's as well as PBR!!)
My main concern, besides the bright lights, stressed out spats and general commotion we caused was that the locals wouldn't find our fashion too interesting. Lets face it; in an age of low cut tops, tight jeans, spanks as pants...vintage dresses aren't what most would call sexy or hot, right?

WRONG!!!!!!!! These people went gaga over the models clothing. Same thing at my store, more men come in, because of my window displays, wishing their women would dress up in such finery, vintage lingerie, gloves, hats. Its truly quite amazing! Men have a very fine appreciation for lady like fashion.



Just look at Mad men. Those girdles and bra sets drive most men I know insane.



It translate to fragrance too. More often than not, I hear "Chanel No. 5" as the favorite scent of hot blooded men. I have it, wear it, love it, but frankly it's my "professional, take me serious scent" the go to scent for weddings, funerals, interviews..non invasive its the no brainer choice when I am not in a familiar element. I never think of it as a sexy, come hither scent, but I am obviously mistaken. Marilyn Monroe, famously answered that the only thing she wore to bed was "Chanel No. 5" A lesson to be learned!


Lets go back to vintage lingerie! Dita von Teese, clearly understands what men love. Yes her shows are more over the top, but look at her in her everyday wear. Don't you wonder what she is wearing underneath? I'm betting its not a thong!

wHICH BRINGS US TO THE FALL dIOR SHOW.
No bring surprise that i ADORE this whole collection. Leopard print has NEVER looked so good!

and anyone who knows me, knows that i definitely love wearing lingerie as clothing! Okay, perhaps NOT when I pick my children up from catholic school, but certainly when the Greek and I go out!

They point is not to take it so literally. Of course wearing a sheer slip and garters and a bra peeking out is way much. But donning a vintage slip as a skirt is quite beautiful!


We will be adding some DIVINE lingerie on Sunday, so do check back. In the meantime:

dig up some of your boudoir pieces!!!

Great Depression Fashion

It's no secret that I am in love with the fashion from the 1920's and 30's. Not only the glamorous imagery from the movies and socialites, but what the actual "person in the street" was wearing. Drop waisted dresses, jaunty cloches, over sized tweed coats with fur collars, knee socks and Mary Jane's; all these things are considered "regular attire" to me.



Even the men's clothes I covet!! Their rolled jeans, oxfords, workman boots, overalls,newspaper boy caps...I wear it all! Its not uncommon that people remark I was born in the wrong era!!!




The whole thought of the Great Depression is magical to me, it always has been. Growing up I heard frequent stories from my Grandfather Rudy and grandmother, Virgie, about their lives during that era. Perhaps it was more magical hearing about it rather than living it but they always sounded like they were having so much fun, everyone was in the same boat so it wasn't as if they were alone in their struggles.
Often I find myself comparing today's economy and times to the Great depression. Everyone is going through similar hardships, fears and tough times. I figure if my grandparents muscled through it with 8 children and one working adult than we can certainly breeze through these times with only 2 children!


I know I am not alone in my comparisons. Just recently i read about the New York store: "the 1929." The 1929 is an upscale boutique that cuts out the middle man to sell top fashion at market depreciated prices. the concept isn't new, but the reference to the great depression and where we are at now in our economy is brilliant. According to the NY Daily News, they have a "soup kitchen" in the basement too!

Ralph Lauren's spring 2010 collection has that same vibe. The Great Depression fashion! I love it, love it, love it!!!!!!!!!! Totally do-able!
Ripped overalls? oh hell yaeh! Just add a silk top, jeweled heels and a couple of rhinestone bracelets...or a velvet blazer and that old pashmina from a few years back.


I love this suspender with cinched, leather belt, waist look!

Vintage jean jacket coupled with floral 30's vintage jacket and wedges? J'adore!

Socks and oxfords with a sweet floral suit? The bee's knees!!!!!

I am sooo digging out all my "Katie Holmes" inspired ripped jeans!!!!!

I'm Going To Stop Pretending That I Didn't Break Your Heart

Chaos Magazine the RED issue 2209

Take a look at our styling in the RED issue of Chaos Magazine.
photography: Christian O'Grady
Model: Jerilyn Jordan

Editorial in Sept. issue of Ouch Magazine

We dig Ouch magazine and were super excited to have them publish this editorial we di with photographer: Josh Band, hair and make up artist: Sophia Contoguris and model: Sara Kuzminski. Styling by kelly Johnson.
Check out their website, the magazine is in print!!!!

40 Winks

Just saw this amazing hotel via Miss Fleur DeGuerre's twitter page. I seriously doubt I would ever catch 40 winks here. Divine!
40 Winks
From their site: "4 0 W i N K S is being launched to help give photographers, stylists, art directors, designers, buyers, models and anyone in the creative and fashion industries somewhere fun and different to stay when they are in London for work or pleasure."
Indeed!

The divine Dita..

Bovine!

Hectic times, just finished a 48 hr film competition....redoing website and getting used to the summer.
I am sooo looking forward to Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland film! I happen to have a major style crush on Helen Bonham Carter. I know, shocking!





I found this hiliarious site devoted to Helena. Here are a few of their "teachings!"

Be yourself.
Shed the corsets.
Don't give a damn about other people's thoughts.
Styling your hair into Mrs. Lovett's unique hair-dos, applying dark make-up and dancing around singing 'The Worst Pies in London' is perfectly normal for any Helenaist.
All good things come to those who can wait.
If you are British and royal, you might enjoy Royal Marine. (though ofcourse it tastes of where ever it's been)
Crucio your enemies (You have to mean it!)
Kill first. Ask questions later.
Being sent to Azkaban is cool.
Stick to priest.
Taking a whole bottle of xanax might be too much.
Candy-stripe a cancer ward, it's not your problem.
Before defeating a group of young teenage wizards in the department of mysteries, always be courteous enough to ask "how's mum and dad?"
Combs are superfluous.
Bovine is the greatest word in history.
Not knowing what plugholes are for is okay.
Multitasking is not a neccessity.
Having a bad memory isn't something to be ashamed of.
Using words like 'bovine' is nifty, especially when sleep-talking.
When ordering lawyer, you'd better have something else though to follow, since noone should swallow it twice.
It has to be grocer, it's green.
The trouble with poet is 'ow do you know it's deceased?
It's not lying when you simply forgot to mention she wasn't dead.
If one of your nostrils is larger than the other, that is okay.
You should strive to be a gay man at heart.
The worst co-stars are mechanical talking fish.
The best kind of whore is a musical whore.

thoughts....

gardenia's spilt from her lips. the heady fragrance crushed her tears and masked the silence. she stood. Poised. Ready to leap from her perch. Dusty rays of light reflected from mirrors. nothing was sacred.

ZAFTIG DAMES, have we got frocks for you!!!

Sublime vintage and modern frocks in 'plus sizes" (we loathe that word, hence our swanky switch to "zaftig dames") Come in and take a look as we have also added oodles of new frocks and frills.
Chi-Chi and the Greek

My favorite is the Abella Paris, wool shift! Check out the sleeves!!!!!

George Barbier

I absolutely adore the fashion of the late teens, early twenties!

Seduction...

Studio 54, Tina Chow, Donna Summer, Mick and Bianca, Jerry and Bryan, Blondie, Opium perfume, Halston.....ahhhh I adore the mid 70's early 80's when it was all about eyeshadow, seduction, silk dresses and decadence!