Please join us on April 1st from 3-8pm for the first of two very exciting events to pamper your girlie side at The 900 Shops.
A lovely afternoon Dottie's Delights and Miriam Cecilia Trunk Show with complimentary manicures by Mario Tricoci. Browse the latest collections while enjoying snacks and sipping on signature faux cocktails inspired by each of the designers.
We will have the full Lily Collection available for purchase, including garter belts, girdle skirts, and high waisted sheer panties plus free bra fittings for your very own custom made-to-order brassiere!
Purchase a $5 raffle ticket for your chance to win some fab prizes including:
*50 minute Swedish massage from Mario Tricoci (valued at $78)
If you are a Dottie’s fan, that must mean your love for vintage doesn’t end at lingerie, am I right? How about vintage cartoons featuring the lifestyle of the fabulous dolled up beauties and the playboys of the most infamous era in American history? Would it excite you to know that it all started here, in our beloved Chicago half a century ago with the help of the playboy of the time, Hugh M. Hefner? I happen to be a huge fan of Playboy and thought I would share with you part of the history that made this magazine so famous in the men’s magazine world.
After reading his biography titled, Mr. Playboy: Hugh Hefner and the American Dream, I learned that Hefner, also known as Hef, loved to make light of sexuality, especially during the sexual revolution happening back in the 50’s and 60’s. So when he started up a revolutionary magazine called Playboy, he gathered up some friends and went to work, first in his home, then at the first Playboy headquarters at 11 E. Superior Street in downtown Chicago. The cartoons have been making history ever since. I took the liberty of choosing a handful of cartoons by these talented fellas to share with you so enjoy!
LeRoy Neiman, who was a long time friend of Hef from the days of working at Carson Pirie Scott, was one of the major Playboy humorists. He created the infamous Femlin, the pixie female who is always dressed in her long back gloves, black stockings and high heels.
“Femlin” made such a name for herself with the magazine that to this day, every issue of Playboy displays this little beloved icon.
Jack Cole was first published in Playboy in 1954. His cartoons are well-known for its gag style with voluptuous, full-figured women, often accompanied by an old ‘geezer.’
A popular series published on several occasions was “Females by Cole,” drawn in black ink similar to Shel Silverstein’s style
Shel Silverstein, who met Hef at back in 1956, is acknowledged for his most well-known contribution to Playboy magazine is his comic epic. It was a travel series which Hef summed up as “Shel’s humanity.”
Playboy's Silverstein Around the World travel series compiles Shel's worldly cartoons with his signature line drawings which were an instant success and became a staple to Playboy
Gahan Wilson’s work, also published in every issue of Playboy, has a bit more grim humor than most others in the magazine; however it’s still just as important. Gahan Wilson: 50 Years of Playboy Cartoonsis a great book to add to any artistic collection.
Gahan Wilson’s lab-coated modern day “Victor Frankenstein” and his alien creatures, ghastly green ghouls and vampires all poke fun at the ironic moments in life
Erich Sokol’s flirty little ladies always getting themselves into sticky situations
Al Stine’s sexually adventurous roomies mix up their under-garments after a frisky party
Gardener Rea John Dempsey
If you want to see more Playboy cartoons, you definitely want to check out the 366 page book Playboy: The Cartoons, filled cover to cover with tons of work straight from the magazine from the last half century! Hef’s biography is also a very good read. I didn’t think too much of it until I saw it sitting on the shelf at the local library and couldn’t put it down after reading page one. Most of these humorists are still publishing in Playboy today so if you want a good laugh, go get one of the magazine rack!
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! :)
