Blonde Ambition Bellydance

This is a little late in posting, but Sabah and Lauren, the two loveable blondes of The Bellydance Superstars are joining forces for a mini tour with a new venture called The Blonde Ambition Belly Dance Tour!  They were just in Arizona (sorry for being late on the ball), and now they are on their way to Dallas and Austin, Texas to show the south how it's done!  Offering both workshops and dazzling performances, they are certainly worth catching.  And of course, featuring costumes made by yours truly, so don't miss it!

The most interesting part about their tour, is that unlike more traditional belly dance shows, Sabah and Lauren defy any preconceived notion of what it means to be an American belly dancer. It is a roller coaster mix of styles that blend vintage and contemporary interpretations of movement and music, creating a truly unique experience filled with highly theatrical vignettes. Each performance is distinct and features outstanding local talent and community interaction.  Love it.

Dottie's Delights in the Press!

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to our launch party, it was such a blast!  The place was packed, the Pop-Up Shop looks amazing, the food and drinks were delicious, and the hot models on pedestals didn't hurt either! I really wish I was able to talk to everyone, those two hours really do just fly by.  As promised here are some photo highlights from the event:

The six of us, enjoying our successes!  From left to right: Jonnie Rettele of Nonnie Threads, Leah Fagan of Peloton, Stephanie Kuhr (me!) of Dottie's Delights, Donaldo Smith of Killian Gui, Miriam Cecilia Carlson of m.c.c. and Christina Fan of C/Fan

The Pop-Up Shop filled with merchandise from the CFI alumni

Some examples of our work.

My  model was so cute!  She had the pin-up nailed!  This is Maddison, generously provided by Ford Modeling Agency

All of these photos have been pulled from the wonderful press coverage of the event.  Please check them out!

NBC Chicago: Photos by Billy Rood of Fig Media

WBEZ Chicago Public Radio: Interview and slideshow by Erica Hunter

Second City Style 

Ryan M. Beshel:  The Bowtie Memoirs (Check him out!  Of course I am in love with his 1950's reporter-esque fashion sense!  I'm sure you ladies agree!)

[from left to right: Stephanie Kuhr (me, again!), Ryan M. Beshel, Leah Fagan]

Anna Allen: Chicago's Got Style

Two Page amazing article by Jason Rowley on the Chicago Fashion as well as featuring the 2010 CFI Designers: Stockyard Magazine

Meghan Turner for Style Admirer

 

Thank you to everyone again!  Please keep an eye out for Dottie's Delights everywhere, and don't forget about our trunk show this Saturday, same place - 900 N. Michigan Avenue 5th floor - from noon until 8pm!  

And if you can't make it out, and you are still itching for a custom piece of lingerie, you can always send an email to: here

Launch Party Tomorrow!

Don't forget!  The CFI Launch Party is tomorrow!!  I know, it's crept up so fast!  Buy those tickets today, because you won't be able to get them at the door!  Come tomorrow to meet me and the other 2010 designers in residence, see sneak previews of what our lines are really all about, and celebrate all of the alumni successes while shopping their lines at the pop-up shop!  Kate Boggiano, Audey, Anna Hovet, Furio, Zamarie and more!  Plus, complimentary food and drinks generously provided by Svedka Vodka!  So, please come and show support for the Chicago Fashion Incubator, because it really is a fantastic non-profit organization and who doesn't love a good fashion benefit?  P.S. I will be all decked out, 50's pin-up style!  I encourage everyone else to do the same!  ;)  BUY TICKETS HERE!

If you are interested in getting a custom lingerie set from me, or a personalized bra fitting, corset fitting, bridal lingerie consultation, please come to our more intimate 2010 Designer Trunk Show on March 20th from noon-8pm!  The Launch Party is more of a meet and greet and celebration, but if you want to get into business, the trunk show is where to be.  Remember, all of these events are taking place at the luxurious 900 Shops, located on 900 N. Michigan, 5th floor.  There are two stores: the Pop-Up Shop, which will be open every Thursday through Sunday for one month, and the Event space next door, which houses all of the trunk shows, fashion shows, and other special happenings of all the Incubator participants.  Check out the entire calendar of events:

http://www.explorechicago.org

(please click image to read details)

Vegas Barbie Shoot!

Another really cool event I will be participating while at Viva Las Vegas: The Ultimate Photo Shoot Experience with Mitzi & Co.!  They have the amazing Barbie Suite at the Palms, and are booking appointments for Friday, April 2nd and Sunday April 4th!  Behold all of the glory:

 

  

  

Can you imagine all the fantasticness that Mitzi will be able to produce in this setting?  I think I will go into sensory overload here.  Not only do you receive the best set of photos you've ever taken, you are also pampered to the extreme -- a CUSTOM MADE Barbie-style outfit (made by yours truly, or several other designers if you're not feeling in a lingerie mood), yours to KEEP!  As well as perfect pin-up hair and make-up by Miss Rockwell DeVil and Chris Colucci, several wardrobe changes with plenty of stock to choose from, food and beverages, and a Mitzi & Co. goodie bag full of delightfulness!  You will never feel more glamorous.  I believe there are still a few spots open, but they may already be fully booked, so if you are interested you'd better move fast and see if she can squeeze you in!  :)

Take one guess as to which outfit I am most excited to be contributing to this extravaganza.....(answers and photos to be included following the event)

You should also look for her on Myspace for the most up to minute updates!

Vintage Store Finds

So, I was out with friends the other day, meandering around just north of the milwaukee/ashland/division intersection and we happened across this strange little antique shop.  The building was deliciously old with dark wood and large storefront windows.  This alone would have been enough to entice me in, but then they go and have an entire array of vintage fabric yardage on display!  Almost all of it from the 40s through 60s!  It was the middle of the afternoon on a weekday, and yet they weren't exactly open until a very charming older gentleman came over and asked if we would like to go in (but he had to go around as he didn't actual have keys to the front door).  The inside of the store was just as much of a dream, with a large trunk full of more fabrics and oodles of vintage patterns, as well as all the other wonderful knick knacks that you hope for in a idiosyncratic antique shop.  I hadn't spent money in awhile so I decided to splurge and buy at least a few cuts of fabric (I mean, how could I NOT!).  So, crappy photo and all, but in person absolutely splendid!

 

These are both beloved 1940's rayon (which is collectable, and why it wasn't exactly cheap)...they feel amazing and being a sucker for great patterns, polka dots (dottie's delights, after all), and PINK, I was in love!  Who knows what I will actually make with these, but that is a whole different story......