Google goodness. Edith Head's 116 Birthday.

Edith Head designed fashions worn by Grace Kelly for the film Rear Window (1954)

Audrey Hepburn, Edith's muse.

Edith Head's book Dress For Success.

A sketch for Lucille Ball.

Edith Head (October 28, 1897 – October 24, 1981) was an American costume designer who won eight Academy Awards, more than any other woman.

Edith Head From Wikipedia

90s Grunge Is Back

From Seattle garages to Tampa's Ybor City where I saw my first Sonic Youth concert, gazing in awe mosh pit center at girl-crush badass Kim Gordon the godmother of cool.

Two decades later...





According to 2013's catwalks; the 90s are back. I noticed first hints of it last year. When designers like Christopher Kane sent his models wearing a casual-cool finish. Kane was quoted; “I don’t want some big beehive or loads of roses sticking out” "It’s got to be a laid-back, cool, and modern“ "She’s a really youthful, nonchalant girl, listening to Nirvana,” “She doesn't care too much.”



Kristopher Kane



YSL



I really like the way designers from around the world picked up on that look this season, like Dries Van Noten at Paris Spring Fashion Week. The pretty girl style with a touch of grunge.

Dries Van Noten









Be creative, add a touch of vintage and embrace your inner grunge girl.

Plaid & velvet dress worn with Dr. Martens boots and fishnet.



Dress available at Figure 8 Studio



Oxblood Dr. Martens Mary Janes on etsy



Always a classic.

Pendleton Wool Skirt on etsy



Contempo Sheer Dress on etsy



Scooter Romper on etsy.



Cute shortalls at wanelo



Pendleton Jacket on etsy.

For the guys or unisex.



Plaid pants on etsy.



Sonia Rykiel skirt on etsy.

L.A. Frock Stars on the Smithsonian Channel

The show is about The Way We Wore; one of Hollywood's hottest vintage stores, Doris Raymond treasure hunter extraordinaire and her team's adventures styling the glamorous.

She begins by describing her experiences in the business and explains that vintage clothing is at least one generation old. Such a good thing to keep in mind and for anyone who is entering the field to learn.

Among the celebs who have used her services are; Angelina Jolie, Renee Zellweger and Katie Holmes.

In the Premiere episode cameras follow Doris as she shops for the store at the Santa Monica Vintage Fashion Expo where she finds a McQueen, one of my favorite designers, and a Pauline Trigère.

I think many of us could sympathize when Doris stated she is able to go from the 'emotional high' of finding something to 'business mode' realizing sometimes a piece is just not worth taking a chance on, specially when there are questionable issues, alterations, no documentation indicating provenance, etc... She details such issues with a 30s altered Chanel dress and a Poiret.
Having found myself in those predicaments in more than one occasion, although Im sort of still kicking myself over a Ceil Chapman.

Back at the store, the gorgeous Dita von Teese drops by wearing this 50s New Look Dior.



von Teese models several amazing designs Doris had selected for her. I loved the 50's Little black velvet beaded Dior with the underpinnings.

A quick screen shot of that dress. Impeccable workmanship!



Dita only wears vintage and says that one of her favorite things about it is each garment's history. Some people say they do not wear vintage because someone else wore it. I have always felt that in reality when you buy something off the rack someone has probably tried it on or wore it somewhere and returned it!

One of the best features of the show I feel are the educational bios of each design featured. Many of these fashion industry programs do not show the garments in detail, they concentrate on the celebrity they are styling or the drama...so far thankfully L.A. Frock Stars is not so much about "reality tv drama" but about the business and the emphasis is on the vintage clothing. You dont see the stylist quickly rifling through a rack of clothing or a camera panning above a packed garment rack. Oh no! The garments in this show take center stage. They are carefully photographed and researched and the celeb models the garments.

I recorded the second episode titled 'The Awards Season' this episode is about the shop's busiest time of the year. When celebs, designers, stylists are all vying for attention and Doris shows what a pro she is at this. She has a kind, loving yet firm professional touch that I admire. She also knows her clients well.

Linda Ramone, Johnny Ramone's widow, was featured in this episode where she finds the beautiful dress she wore to the Grammy s in 2012.



If you love vintage fashion as much as I do, I highly recommend this wonderful show. Its the EPITOME Of Eye Candy! Yum!

If the Smithsonian channel is not on your lineup you may watch them online or if you missed the first couple of episodes and you wish to get caught up they are playing re-runs.

Try searching on tvguide dot com/listings

or

smithsonianchannel dot com

Fashion Trends are fleeting but Vintage Clothing is Forever!

Depression Era cuties on ebay

I imagine, worn by a Femme Fatale on stage with a matching slip, specially the second one because of the nibbles. But look at the details, those pockets....Oh my!
*~SWOON!~*

They are not perfect but I could not resist writing about them.

If I had a brick and mortar shop I would use them for display in a heart beat.

Sold.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Mojud Stockings ad ~ 1951

Project Runway Season 10 Finale

We have been so busy at Figure 8 Studio I almost did not get to watch, much less review, my favorite fashion show but the night of the finale I put everything on hold.

This season I truly loved all the finalists.

Christopher was a personal favorite. He was consistently strong from the beginning and very creative with his fabrics. However, I was sad that he struggled towards the end. I also did not particularly care the way he turned into an ungracious meanie after Dmitry was announced the winner. It was extremely unflattering. I am hoping it is due to his immaturity and hope to see more from him.

Second from the left, Christopher's XRay dress, he was the only one to design his own fabric.

I loved his jacket and the finale dress.

☯✴❋

I feel Melissa really evolved. I'm glad that she listened to the advice about editing the jacket by removing the cuffs and by adding the blood orange dress for a pop of color to her collection.

She is a master at working leather. I really loved the draped collars. The makeup and hair on the models was top notch.

I did not care for the hobbled white dress.

☯✴❋

Dmitry at times I felt needed editing, too many fringes, too much crystal. I didn't get the white pants with the crystal encrusted bib sheer top. I loved the cut of the pants and feel with an edited top those pants may have been the highlight of his show. I also did not care for the fringed jacket.

Dmitry's cut out jacket was probably my favorite piece the entire season. I am glad he repeated it in white although it did not have the same dramatic effect for me in that color.

I am also on the fence about the white cut-out dress. I think it could have looked better shorter but perhaps it was intended to appeal to a mature client.

I did not care for the make up used on Dmitry's models. I felt it took attention away from his designs. Maybe it was his way of injecting youth to his line.

☯✴❋

I adored Fabio and his designs! He started out as my second favorite but towards the end I thought he was going to win.

His collection was a breath of fresh air. The best critique I have read about them is that the fabric flows over the body like water. Pieces I would be honored to own and I do not wear pastels. They are luminous, comfortable yet sophisticated. I also like that the pieces look like they could be easily mixed and matched. Fabio makes me want to see more from him.

He called his collection "Cosmic Tribalism" but I saw 40s inspired in these pants which I loved.

☯✴❋

I am sure it was very difficult for the judges.

Congratulations Dmitry.