SweetNaomi ReCreations : Fashion

Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts

Monday, March 7, 2022

A Scrumptious Project for Spring 2022

Every once in awhile, I get asked to design something

that really is special.

Recently, I was asked to take a basic little dress

and re-design it for a special event -
a wedding vow reaffirming ceremony.

The dress as it looked.

Pinterest Inspiration

* So, this dress is leather and very different fabrics

than I would be working with. However, the concept

of the shirt's layers and asymmetry was the

beginning of some inspiration.

I had one piece of this lovely beaded detail which
would perfectly pair with the beaded crown.

And, I was all set to start the re-designing!

Re-aligned the under-slip and added the
♡ Lovely Detailing. ♡

Then I cut off the bottom tier of the skirt.
And, added length to the under-skirt.

I realized that the middle tier seam was never going to look

right. It was going to have to go!

This meant removing the entire skirt to remake it.

Much better!
Next step was adding the (curtain) sheer skirt fabric.
This was very assymetrical and would become
a train at the back of the dress.

Now, for the fun part!

The tiny hand-cut fabric flower buds - each one
with bits of multi-color yarn strands.

Some of the detail work could be sewn
on by machine . . .

. . . but much of it would be hand-sewn.

A few views of the skirt and train:

Introducing, my favorite Spring 2022 Project:

This was a fantastic and fun project.

From concept to finish, it was totally enjoyable.

I describe this dress as "ethereal" -

Delicately lovely with a fairy-land mystique.

Congratulations!

Thursday, June 3, 2021

Roaring 20's Trivia: KNEES

Remember the movie, Chicago?

It may not be historically accurate to a fault.
But, it is a Hollywood depiction of the Flappers and the time of the Roaring 20's. So, let's dive right in by listening to the first few lines of the song, "All that Jazz":

"Come on babe, why don't we paint the town?

And all that jazz.

I'm gonna rouge my knees and roll my stockings down

And all that jazz."

Ok. What's the deal about "rouged knees"?

. . . Well, I had to find out!

Here are a few quotes from what I found:

"That’s not just a weird lyric — it was a major fad during the Roaring Twenties to rouge one’s knees. While dress hems would hit flappers below the knees, that part of the leg would usually expose itself while they Charlestoned inside dance halls. So by rouging them and rolling their stockings down, it only brought more attention to that illicit flash of skin."

"The 'flappers' were wearing skirts shorter than ever before (hemlines just under the knee were the ’20s version of a miniskirt), they were rolling down their stocking below the knee or giving up on them altogether, and knee rouging became just another way to attract attention to an area of the female body that had never been as visible before."

Then, apparently, it went even one step farther.

The girls even painted pictures on their knees.

"Rebellious girls in the 1920s wanted to anger and shock their Victorian-era parents, so not only would they bare their knees with short dresses, but they would also paint pictures to make sure an onlooker didn't miss their risque hem length. Rolled stockings became a fad with the shorter hemlines, and girls would go get roses, butterflies, ocean scenes, or their dogs' faces painted on their knees to further push their boundaries."

So, to sum this all up (in 1920's slang)

Having rouged or painted knees. . .

Seems to have been the "bee's knees"

__________________________________________________________________

Research:

https://www.livingly.com/Flappers+Loved+This+Surprising+Act+of+Fashion+Rebellion

https://www.simplemost.com/1920s-beauty-trends

https://www.odditycentral.com/news/hand-painted-knees-a-forgotten-beauty-trend-of-the-1920s.html

Thursday, October 29, 2020

This is Me

This is a story about what goes on in my head. It may be interesting to somebody and probably really, really boring to the masses. Yesterday, Russ and I took a long walk and I voiced what was on my mind. Finally, making - what was for me - a tough decision.

He told me that I should write it down as a "catharsis".

Here goes: It all started in March when we went into "stay at home" mode. My regular visits to the beach were suddenly literally "illegal"! Traveling was impossible, or at best extremely restricted. So we hunkered down. That time was really weird for most everyone! I got busy sewing - some for charitable efforts, but also planning a collection for a Fall Fashion Show.

The first Fall Fashion Fiesta was back in November, 2012.

(https://mexiconaomi.blogspot.com/p/fashion-shows.html).

I sorted through my stash in what I call my "hoarder closet". This is basically an entire room filled with shelves and hanging racks of reclaimed pieces of clothing and fabric. I decided on a theme for a 2020 Fashion Show. It would be the Roaring 20's with bits of Art Nouveau and Art Deco design. I went online, purchasing a few specific pieces to supplement my stash.

Over the course of the hot summer months, I studied the styles, trends and patterns of the 1920's. The Gatsby era and the time of the "flappers" - described best as "young fashionable women known for their wild style, drinking and denial of social norms of the era."

In researching this fashion history, I learned some fun facts and trivia. Using a vintage pattern, I designed the typical 1920's style "one hour dress" (yes, it took me several hours!)

I found directions for the iconic cloche hat and the quintessential 1920's Cocoon Coat designed by the French designer, Paul Poiret.

By early October, I had a collection that overwhelmed our spare bedroom (which has not had any occupants since January). I have made almost 30 outfits, at least a dozen hats, a load of small purses and bags and a selection of feathery headbands.

Now it was time to invite the support crew and models that I need.

This is where my brain gets all bungled up.

Two major character flaws I have are 1) I am stubborn and, 2) I am a "people-pleaser" in the sense that I am (probably, perhaps, just maybe) overly concerned with external input. My decisions often ebb and flow like the tide of the Sea!

My brain debates with itself, reading and listening to every opinion and trying to see a way to please everyone while not going completely bonkers myself. Such an irksome way to operate.

In sending out requests, I received a dozen positives. "Yes, it sounds fun!" Yay! "Yes let's do this." I am getting totally excited at this point. I will have the best show yet! And, everywhere I am reading opinions that we MUST get back to real life. This living with a "virus-dread" hanging over our head is simply NOT right!

Then, I receive a few other responses.

"Not doing groups right now. I'm a little worried about flu season.

I have to pass. Sorry."

"I'm not going out in public right now.

This weekend I lost two people I knew."

"I’m sorry Naomi, I’ll have to pass on this one.

We’re trying not to work if it’s going to be

a big crowd, at least until things get a little better."

"This has been a rise and fall of emotions.

I don't want to just give up and just say

'OK We can't do this' - but I think it's for the best for now.

No social gatherings."

I complain about my uncertainties to my daughter who lives in California. She laughingly tells me, "Mom, you do realize we are still in the middle of this pandemic, right?"

Back to that other character flaw.... I am stubborn!

I tell one of my close friends and collaborator that I want to show people my collection! I want people to SEE what I have been working on for the last 7 months. But, we agree that perhaps this may not be the right time. And, I knew it was time to cancel for 2020.

I am already planning for 2021.

Trying to embrace the idea of 'flexible'.

Besides, the 1920's style was an entire DECADE of Fashion!

I am sure that my brain will not let me believe I made the right decision. I will definitely find myself in that spare room browsing through the outfits, gazing at purses, hats and headbands. I will second-guess myself a hundred times. Because . . . This is me.

I know that almost everything is more important than this decision! However, Thank You to everyone who supports my crazy Fashion-Show Addiction.

See you soon.

Maybe I will just replay the YouTube video of 2020 Virtual Fashion Show*

*my summer project a collaboration featuring 38 models from near and far.

Saturday, August 8, 2020

2020 Summer Sewing

I have been working on a collection of outfits for my
2020 Fall Fashion Fiesta

The collection will highlight the theme of the Roaring 20's with a a bit of Art Deco included. I am pretty excited about what I have already been able to work on, since spending so much more time "en casa" these days...

My closet "stash" of outfits ready and waiting is slowly growing. About a week ago, I went and looked through all of the hangers... and there were actually things I already had forgotten that I had made!

Today I thought I would share a post about how I re-design an outfit.
"Follow-Along-While-I-Work"

I found this beaded silk top on Ebay. Ordered it.

When it arrived it was even more beautiful than I had expected.

However, the neckline was way too high.

Besides looking dated and "old" I imagine it would also be uncomfortable and scratchy, too.

I decided to remove the high neck first.

I remembered that recently
I received a donation of some fantastic pieces
of jewelry. I sorted through what
I had over at my studio,
and came back with a few
that may work.

Then, started messing around with the necklaces.

Not bad.

Then I tried this one and I think this is it!

Perhaps it is too "blingy" bright, tho.

I turned it wrong side out and the gold is muted a bit.

Yes. This is what I want...

and, it will look great with the colors in some of my other designs!

A few hours of hand-sewing later,

an almost finished top.

The next step will be designing the skirt which is being created from a set of drapes that also were a donation from one of my clients. She thought the fabric was too interesting to just throw away when she replaced her window coverings.

I agree. . . And, I LOVE it when people think of me!

Tomorrow I will tackle the skirt.