Making tutu’s for professional ballet companies and other behind the scene peeks

I worked in theater and costumes BM (before marriage) and one of my favorite jobs was at the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company in Seattle, WA. I loved being back stage watching the ballerinas dance and hearing their shoes strike the stage. I was enthralled with the dancers during warm up and, completely entranced as I watch them dance en pointe. I worked up in the … Continue reading Making tutu’s for professional ballet companies and other behind the scene peeks

JillyJanuary 15, 2015January 13, 20153 Comments

History

The Importance of Home Ec. with #Simplicity Sewing Patterns

Remember girls: If you don’t take Home Ec you won’t have the Know-How Look, you’ll hang your head in shame and won’t get a date for the Jr. Prom. Caution: High levels of hokey acting, but oh so charming. Plus, an interesting behind the scenes look at Simplicity sewing pattern drafting. Worth the time! Enjoy. Continue reading The Importance of Home Ec. with #Simplicity Sewing Patterns

JillyJuly 2, 2014July 1, 201410 Comments

History

Born on this day – Paul Iribe June 18, 1883

If you’re like me and love looking through vintage fashion illustration either on Pinterest, around the web or in (gasp!) a book you most likely have seen Paul Iribe. Paul Iribe was a fashion illustrator and collaborated with some of the top designers of his day. He worked with Paul Poiret, Coco Chanel (they were also lovers, he died rather suddenly and some alleged he … Continue reading Born on this day – Paul Iribe June 18, 1883

JillyJune 18, 2014June 15, 20143 Comments

History

How to wear a slip

Slips. Why don’t we wear slips? And, really with Madame Liz has inspiration, you think every woman in the world would be slipping into a slip. That’s how you wear a slip! Here’s a little video from the ’40’s of the great slip. There is so much to love here. The music is perfect, the choreography is Balanchine worthy and, the camera work is amazing. Oh … Continue reading How to wear a slip

JillyJune 11, 2014June 8, 201413 Comments

History

Vogue Covers – Then & Now: It’s not about art anymore

If you haven’t heard Kim Kardashian made it on to the cover of Vogue magazine April issue (with Kanye right behind her). The cover has generated more negative comments then one can shake a tube of lipstick at. (Full disclosure, I’m not a fan of any of the Kardashians, nor of reality television. ) The photo spread was done by Annie Leibovitz but her signature … Continue reading Vogue Covers – Then & Now: It’s not about art anymore

JillyMarch 26, 2014March 22, 20145 Comments

History

Born on this day – Christian Dior

Christian Dior, always a favorite among the sewing and fashion set, was born January 21, 1905 in Normandy, France. For fashion historians and lovers of vintage style Dior is best known for his “New Look” which emerged right after World War Two. The “New Look” was presented in 1947 and was seen as a fashion revolution that brought women out of the boxy, rationed designs from the war years into voluptuous, excessive glamour. Dior is cited as being the designer who brought fashion back to Paris with his “New Look”. Continue reading “Born on this day – Christian Dior”