Recap: Dandylicious Fashion Show

On June 1st, I participated in the 'Dandy-licious' fashion show, hosted by the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco as part of their popular Friday Nights series, in partnership with the East Bay Express. The show was held in conjunction with the DeYoung's current exhibition, 'The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier, From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk', running until August 18th. The exhibit is astounding and not to be missed!

It was such a pleasure to work with Dark Garden Corsetry (who provided the stunning corsets, of course) and Duchess Clothier (who contributed the snappy suits)!

Here's a video of the show:

Photographs also appeared in the East Bay Express, and on SF Indie Fashion.

Here are some great photos taken by Joel Aron. He's so talented, it's crazy. Except for two vintage top hats (as noted), I made all the hats that appeared in the show, and on the heads of many supporters in the audience.

The following photos show the models and crew getting ready before the show. With such a talented photographer, and such a pretty group of folks, even the candid shots are gorgeous.

 

Jeffrey (left) wears a lovely vintage top hat. My husband John (right) sports my brand new 'Clive' style hat in Panama straw.

John was a big help in finding the right hat to go with each outfit. Here, he tries a new 'Blake' fedora on a happy model.

 

 My new ladies 'Dee' fedora went well with a 'Dollymop' brand corset from Dark Garden.

 

 Something great (among many great things) about Dark Garden corsets is they look just as beautiful from the back!

 

This vest-fronted corset, made by Sarah of Dark Garden for her beau Erik, was the stunner of the show for me. I'm still floored by it.

 

Christopher wears a black 'Neville' bowler hat. He liked it so much, he wants to buy one to keep.

 Pre-show rehearsal. I brought a variety of 'Neville' bowlers and 'Drake' fedoras for the show.

 

Autumn Adamme, Proprietress of Dark Garden, wears a vintage top hat and white pique tuxedo vest corset. Her chic and inventiveness know no bounds.

 

The classic styling of Duchess suits were great in combination with the corsets and hats. 

The following photos are from the stage show itself. It was so much fun to see everything come together, and really exciting to see so many of my hats on heads in one place!

I haven't named this wide-brimmed Cab Calloway style fedora yet, worn by Raymond (2nd from right). I made it especially for the show with Raymond in mind, but I like it so much I'm thinking about adding it to my Spring/Summer 2013 collection.

Daniel (far right) models a 'Kingston' fedora. Watch out for those in Fall/Winter 2012. And I can't get over how cute Ben was with that fan.

And finally, a portrait that Joel took that night of one of the MCs from the show, wearing a 'Maman Brigitte' top hat.

There were hundreds and hundreds of people in the audience, and everyone involved with putting the show together was delighted with the result. Thanks again to all of our gorgeous models, and to the DeYoung Museum and the East Bay Express for helping make this great event happen!

Thinking About Summer

I'm thinking of organizing a game of croquet and picnic in Golden Gate Park in September. Pim's cup, little sandwiches, everybody in whites. Who's in?

Stephen Jones 'Hats, An Anthology' Gala

My husband John and I just returned from New York, where we went to the gala opening party for Stephen Jones' museum exhibit 'Hats, An Anthology' at Bard Graduate Center.

It was a quick trip, we were there for just about 36 hours, to go to the party and do a few business-related errands.

The party was super fun, we met Stephen Jones and lots of other nice and interesting people. So great to see so many people turn out for hats! We had the chance to talk with Aliona Kononova, the winner of Stephen Jones and Vogue's recent Talenthouse millinery competition and her charming husband Igor, we really liked them and hope to keep in touch. 

On our way in, our photo was taken by legendary fashion photographer Bill Cunningham. The spread of his shots from that night appeared in the New York Times yesterday. We're near the center-left, about halfway down, John's wearing a brown fedora and I'm in a yellow top hat, both made specially to wear during the trip. Mine was made to match a yellow and black Dollymop corset, custom made for me for the event by Dark Garden.

I hope to make it back to New York before the exhibit closes next April to spend lots more time viewing the show and to scope out some new retailers for my work. It's not clear whether the exhibit will travel further- this may be your last chance to see it so you'd better go while you can, if you can. If you're unable to make it to New York, the exhibit catalog is also fantastic.

Fall / Winter 2010 / 2011

Last fall / winter, I approached each hat I made as its own piece of art, but without much thought to an overall plan for design for the season. I'm shifting gears now, planning a themed collection for F/W 2010/11.

I'm in the final planning stages now, I've got my shapes lined up, and am now choosing colors and trims.

Also starting to think about putting together a hat and fashion show for the collection.

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Easter Bonnet Competition- April 4

Don't miss it!

The Sisters 31st Anniversary Party - Sisters Through the Looking Glass
Venue: Dolores Park
19th Street and Dolores
San Francisco CA 94110
Children's Easter 11am
Main Event 12pm-4pm

Join the Sisters as we celebrate our 31st Anniversary with perennial favorites like the Hunky Jesus Contest and the Easter Bonnet Contest - this year with an Alice in Wonderland twist!
Featuring Live Entertainment: Jeb Havens, Ejector, Adonisaurus, Silver Swans, Cockatelia, Ethel Merman, The Cast of Some THING, Nellie Bear, Special Guest MC Trauma Flintstone, and MORE!
• An Official Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Production

Hat Day at Bouquets to Art, April 23

I'm super excited about going to Hat Day at Bouquets to Art!

Every year they do an amazing event at the De Young Museum in San Francisco, where floral designers create displays inspired by pieces of art in the museum, and they're shown together. People also wear all kinds of crazy flower-related fashions, and fashions made of flowers. And they have a hat day with a hat contest. This year's hat day is on Friday April 23. I hope to see you there!

You can look a photos of past Bouquets to Art here and here.