I am soo excited to finally be able to announce a fabulous event that I have been dreaming of for ages! It just so happens we were able to pull it off just in time for Valentine's Day with some amazing sponsors to boot!
We are partnering up with Benefit Cosmetics to take over the entire 9th floor event space at Macy's on State Street and we are going BIG!
In celebration of the Lily Collection, my official debut collection which is coming out this spring, we are putting together 3 different classic pin-up vignettes and transforming guests head-to-toe with luxury pin-up glamour for your very own professional fashion photoshoot! One vignette to suit every personality: the ultra girlie all pink set, the Bettie Page inspired "bad girl" scene, and the more classic elegance boudoir set (think natural sexy getting ready in the mirror of your vanity style)!
This is open to everyone, we are a super sweet all girl team and will make you look your best in a warm and welcoming environment! No modeling experience necessary! *But* if you ARE interested in modeling, you are more than welcome to sign one of our model releases and we would love to post your photos with appreciation and/or submit to publication with pin-up magazines! Otherwise, those photos are for your eyes only (or at least only the ones *you* chose to share with, feisty lady!)
There are so many extra goodies and perks to this event, I hardly know where to begin!
Details:
* three amazing pinup sets and personalities to choose from
* photo retouching on site and you go home with your very own glam keepsake!
* possible magazine submission for aspiring models
* fun and comfy environment for everyone
* cupcakes! baked goodies and treats
* swanky swag bags and surprised gifts
$225 per 2 hour session. Appointments taken from 10am-8pm
(includes one look/set, one take home photo, and digital proofs. additional sets, looks or photos can be requested for an additional charge.)
Special price on photo shoot with purchase of a custom lingerie set!
RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!
$100 deposit
#312.781.5264 OR dottiesdelights@gmail.com
My goodness and my apologies! I can't believe it's been so long since my last post! Much of it of course has to do with all of the winter holidays, which I hope were exceedingly grand for all of you! The blog may have been a little quiet, but things were still bustling over on the facebook page. Are you a fan yet? You certainly should be if you don't want to miss out on any of the action. Special secret posts, exclusive previews, event ideas and your chance to give me feedback and input on new design ideas! What's not to like?
So, in line with all of this, I thought I would create a post based on some of favorites from other blogs and pretty things to follow online. As much as I love having this venue for posting long-winded updates and photo stories, it has never been, nor will it ever likely be, a daily updated feast of information. There are plenty of other online who do this and do it well!
The former is run by the darling Ms. Treacle Tart, who gives wonderful personalized account of her views in the lingerie world. I like her blog because she keeps things easy to read, for both lingerie beginners and enthusiasts alike, and loves to keep the dialog open with her readers! Ms. Tart is a total independent voice, without a store or line or pre-existing tie to the industry, so she makes a point to focus on product reviews and cute little informative guides on wearing lingerie. She also seeks out guest posts for some of the most thoughtful and definitively expert advice (including the extra lovely What Should a Busty Lady Look for in a Bra? or a post on Boudoir photography session basics) and tends to feature small independent lingerie labels -- which you know we love!!
Case in point: Ms. Tart makes it easy for us: instead of having to choose a favorite she has created a blog post highlighting the top 20 blog posts of 2010! Gracious!)
Now, the latter comes from the grand luxury boutique in Los Angeles, Faire Frou Frou, (ohmygoodness, have you seen their chandelier and mirrors??) the blog takes the fabulous high end tastes of the store and brings it to another level with a plethora of posts on fashion magazine spreads, unique fluffy burlesque accessories to spoil yourself with, gift guides, and in-depth highlights on brands you might not have otherwise heard of. Alison Rubke, one of the owners of this mother-daughter team, is a sweetheart and you can tell she is passionate about what she does and it shows through her carefully curated product choices! One of my favorite recent examples is this post highlighting a Madison Magazine spread on the lovely Ms. Dita Von Teese:
follow the links in the blog post for credits, more photos and Dita's interview link
Speaking of some awesome lingerie-rich high fashion magazine spreads, I've been really digging the heavy 60's vibe that's been popping up a lot this year. Vintage styles are always coming around here and there, and I will be the first to admit and I am not one to care too much about fickle fashion trending. But I've always been a fan of the smoldering 60's heavy eyeliner look, and I'm happy to see it being done well again and again:
And since we're on the topic of 60's style year-in-review, I have to mention two music videos. I don't have much of an opinion on Beyonce normally, but I do love the styling to Why Don't You Love Me?
And though it doesn't actually include any lingerie, you have to love the vintage styling of CeeLo's video:
OK. Now that I have my mainstream guilty pleasures out of the way. Back to the bloggers.
Being as this is a women's lingerie designer blog, at first thought, you may think a men's based following like The Selvedge Yard would be out of place. But then you think a little more, and it of course makes sense. Men love lingerie just as much as we do. And this blog is such a treasure of vintage images and well-researched little history lessons of things you are actually interested in, like pin-up girls and the origin of everything from New Years to Sailor Jerry to every great film icon. It is not exclusively for vintage things, but it is heavily inspired by such.
Just a few of the many reasons why Dottie's Delights fans would love a poke around The Selvedge Yard:
A wonderful post on Janyne Mansfield's Palace (oh, I'm not supposed to like the decorating in this place? oops.)
Phew! Alright folks. Well, this was going to include a few more people (though gosh, I wouldn't even know where to begin with the general vintage women's fashion blogs...so many good ones!), but this seems to be long enough as is, so hopefully it will hold you over until next time! Perhaps I will do a part two, if I can squeeze it in, but in the meantime, feel free to comment about any of your favorite blog reads or other ways to pass the online time!
Stephanie's intern Kelsey here to fill you all in on how amazing the CFI Fashion Focus show was!!!
First off I'd like to say just how great the tent and everyone in it looked!! There were appetizers and drinks, mingling and fun.
(Photo Courtesy of Toni Pescatore)
(Photo Courtesy of Toni Pescatore)
Besides putting lookbooks and business cards into each gift bag (pictured on each chair), my only job for the evening was to be on 'belly button' patrol. These girl's were supposed to wear the foundations up on the natural waist, which unforunately some did not do, making their belly buttons show. But since there were already dressers provided for the show I was unable to be backstage, therefore, unable to catch that mistake. Just an inch or two higher and oh, the difference it makes! How frustrating!
The bowler hats were work of the shows stylist, but after the suggestion of a little veil for the white lingerie, Stephanie was able to contact another talented local artist: Love, Lulu Mae who ever so graciously let us borrow a few of her amazing hair pieces for not only the bride but also the two pink burlesque twins...she is so sweet and her work is AMAZING!!!!!
In celebration for the amazing Fashion Focus show we premiered last night, Dottie's Delights is also celebrating the launch of a very brand new website launch! Take a peek at the lovely layout put together by the ever talented Brad Nagle! And don't worry, photo of the new Lily 2011 collection will be up very shortly, as well as other little tweaks and fine-tuning, PLUS a more detailed blog post all about the excitement of the our runway presentation and evening recaps!!
I am so excited to announce that Dottie's Delights will be launching the first official collection -- called The Lily Collection for Spring 2011 -- to premiere at Fashion Focus Chicago on October 19th, 2010 kicking off the festivites at Millenium Park! View the entire line-up of events here.
The Official Fashion Focus website will launch very shortly with full details and links to tickets for all shows, but I wanted to give the heads up here first that you can reserve FREE general admission tickets to see my collection -- along with fellow current and alumni designers of The Chicago Fashion Incubator -- presented by Macy's and Chicago Social Magazine. Tickets will go fast, so secure yours now!
What sort of pieces can you expect to see from me? Well, as a matter of fact, I am releasing a teaser shot from the Lily Collection look book to give you a little idea:
Expect a continuation of the Dottie's Delights classic pieces that have become so popular in the custom world for vamps, brides, and everyday pin-ups, but new and improved with some exciting new additions! Please enjoy and I will see you October 19th! :)
I bet most of you are already arranging plans for tomorrow night, why not come celebrate Chicago's First Fashion's Night Out? That's right! Tomorrow, Friday September 10th, 2010 Macy's on State Street is joining in on the fun New York started last year and the Chicago Fashion Incubator designers are participating!
From 11am to 1pm all six designers will be hard at work at the Randolph/State Street window, watch the creative process in action as it transforms right in front of your eyes! The work will continue throughout the day and the resulting product will stay on display all weekend, so make sure to stop by to take a peek.
But that's not all! From 6pm to 11pm is the real shopping extravaganza throughout Macy's -- I will be set up on the 3rd floor with the other women's wear designers from the CFI, as well as other important local Chicago designers! Come get a sneak peek at new samples and trunk show specials, or learn of all the possibilities custom foundation wear has to offer! Don't worry, the man in your life is not forgotten, as our 2 resident menswear designers will be well represented on the 1st floor men's department as well. Do I even need to mention the FREE drinks, FUN music and a FABULOUS photo booth that will be available for making all your nights memories stay alive? And of course, MORE! A night definitely not to be missed!
Hope to see you all and be ready to let loose and kick off your weekend at Macy's First Fashion's Night Out!
I wanted to thank everyone who came out for an amazing time for the Don Julio Loft experience! The space was hot -- in more ways than one! There was such a packed crowd, the air conditioning definitely felt a little lacking, but I suppose that just adds to the sexy summer vibe of a posh tequila event!
So, as a recap, one of the highlights of the 3-day celebration was each of the Chicago Fashion Incubator designers creating a look based one of the 5 bottles of Don Julio's tequila varieties, plus one based on the man himself. I of course chose the 1942 bottle, which is one of the higher end options and a perfect year to lend itself to a vintage style designer. I set out to work researching lingerie ads and other specific sources for lingerie styles that came out in the year 1942. With the help of one of my interns, Anna Raben, we were able to find some beautiful examples:
I actually started with a one piece design in a various browns with red and gold accents, but ultimately I didn't like the direction it was going, so the night before the event, I scrapped it and started again. I may have finished with only 2 hours to spare [read: sleep], but I was a lot more pleased with the final outcome:
This piece focused more on the elegance and sophistication of the 1942 variety, picking up the "brilliant golden hue" in the dupioni silk base fabric and the lace colors were inspired by some of the flavor notes. If you look really close, you can see the shape of the bottle imitated in the accents of the vanilla colored lace, as well as the top stitching on the bottom of the bra cups. And of course, 1942 is one of their spicier tequilas in the line, perfect for sipping on it's own, and I don't think there's much spicer than a sexy piece of lingerie on a hot summer night. ;) For more info on this fine liquor, please visit donjulio.com
The three days featured a media preview and opening night gala, with these tequila inspired garments in main focus. The second day was a highly exclusive VIP dinner for Chicago celebrities and socialites, and the final day was the full blow-up with a full fashion show and performance by Shiny Toy Guns. And boy was it packed!
We stayed in the wild hubub that is the backstage at a fashion show: answering questions, prepping the assistants, approving shoes, and making final alterations, while the models went in for hair and make up.
Thanks to Ford Modeling Agency, we had some damn fine ladies to rock that runway:
That's me on the right, wearing a dress by Bettie Page. All the lingerie is Dottie's Delights, not the dress!
The liquor was flowing, the amazing hors d'oeuvre were making the rounds, Shiny Toy Guns rocked the house, and people were definitely having a good time, even with a sweat bead here and there.
Oh, and did I mention the photobooth?
The Six of us: The Chicago Fashion Incubator Designers 2010!
The party went on all night long, and even as the crowds finally started to thin, fun and dancing continued! I love this photo.
There was so much more happening at these events, including DJ's, artists, live screen printing, a fantastic local jewlery artist on disply....so if you weren't able to make it you really missed out! Be sure to grab the latest copy of Chicago Social magazine to get the full highlights! Thank you so much to everyone involved!!
