The Post-Prom Post

Well, the first annual Vintage Madison Vintage Prom was on Saturday night and it was great. After several stressful weeks of shopping, decorating, advertising, and worrying that no one would show up-- I finally got to chill out and enjoy the fruits of my labor. We had a great turn out and it seemed like everyone had a fantastic time. Many strangers came up to me and said "You guys have to do this again next year!!". . . I think we will.
One of the best parts was the photo booth created by Voltaic Visual photography. Here are a few of the shots. . . you can see all of them here.

Me and my ladies

the "Prom Committee"

Me and Josh

Our Prom King and Queen (winners of the "best dressed" contest)

Another awesome feature was the "Cha Cha Chapel"-- a hair & make-up salon on wheels! Our friend Alice of Cha Cha Hair Salon offered pre-prom coifs for $20 and make-up makeovers for $15. Unfortunately, I was too busy to get done up, but the ladies who did looked amazing!

So now that Prom is over, we're discussing our next event. . . which probably won't be until the Fall. For now I'm excited to get back to "normal"- my website and etsy store have been so neglected!

XO,

Jess

Prom Fever

So, I'm in the final stages of Vintage Prom planning. . . It's only 3 weeks away! (and just 4 days from now, we'll be setting up the Pre-Prom Pop Up Shop) I'm really busy but really excited- it's going to be a lot of fun! Even my mom is getting in the spirit-- Last week I got a letter from her with some photos. . . This is my mom at her prom in 1971:

 Notice how she and her bff are basically wearing the same dress but in two different colors- cute! And I LOVE the white gloves!
Also, she sent me a pic of my Aunt Jean before Prom-- Must have been 1968 or 69.

Pretty in Pink! Classy. And again with the gloves. . . I need to find a pair.

So, I haven't settled on a dress to wear yet-- I'm still considering a few from my collection, as well as searching etsy. . . Ideally, I'd love a tea-length tulle number from the late 50s/early 60s. I'll tell you what I will NOT be wearing-- this hideous silver Cinderella gown that I rocked 11 years ago at my own Prom.

Ok, maybe hideous isn't the right word-- ill fitting? yes. my style? no, not at all. I remember frantically dragging my mother through shop after shop in the mall the day before prom looking for a dress (of course it was slim picking that late in the game-- why didn't Etsy exist back then?) because I had just decided to go to prom a day or so earlier. I didn't want to. I was too cool. . .it might hurt my "image". But my swell friends (most of whom had boyfriends, I did not) talked me into it. So I went. And I do remember having a good time. But now I am SUPER excited to have a second chance. I'll do it right this time. . . hot date, great dress, and I can order drinks at the bar instead of taking swigs of Southern Comfort from the same flask as 12 other people!

XO,

Jess

So, once again I find myself apologizing for the lack of posts. . . I have been incredibly busy, plus we are FINALLY getting some decent Spring weather, so I've been outside as much as possible. Last week, however, I got to take a break from my hectic schedule to celebrate my 29th birthday. I can't believe my 20's are almost over. . . It really, really flew by fast. But, enough lamenting my fleeting youth. . . My birthday was lovely, thanks to my friends and my sweetheart, Josh. Somehow, he managed to plan a "surprise party" and I didn't find out about it until the day before!  Not bad, for someone who can never keep a secret. Luckily, the weather was nice so we grilled a feast of seafood, veggies, steak, and of course (this is Wisconsin)-- brats.  And my friend Kylie put together a pinata filled with candy, mini bottles and "adult" goodies.
The next day Josh and I went for a lovely drive out of the city. . . We were looking for thrift stores but didn't find many that were open. Oh well, the scenery was great!

Busy, busy

My poor blog has been so neglected lately! I've been so busy protesting and getting ready for Prom that I haven't had time for much else. . . well, except for a little shopping and lots of creative projects! Yesterday there was yet another pro-worker's rights rally at the Capitol (looks like there will be one every Saturday for a while. . .) and I finally got around to making t-shirts to sell! I call them Solidari-tees!

I printed about 20 of these and took them to the Capitol with me-- they were very popular! Of course, a lot of people are capitalizing on this event, and I feel a little bit guilty about making money off a cause that I'm so passionate about. But, they were the only "unique" (non-mass produced) shirts for sale, and I was selling them very cheap-- It's all about spreading the message!
Also, in preparation for the Vintage Madison Pop-up Shop and Prom  I'm making t-shirts. . . haven't started printing them yet, but here are the designs.

We're also getting buttons made with the first design!

Finally, with what little time and creative energy I've had left lately I've been working on this line of collaged/painted suitcases. The first one is finished and up for sale on Etsy.. . .

The good thing about Winter is that it keeps me indoors and crafting. . . but now it's finally starting to feel like Spring. I'm super excited to bring my bike out from hibernation, put away my wool coats and feel the sun on my face! I just hope I can still be productive.

XO,

Jess

It's Prom Season!

So, in case I haven't mentioned it yet-- I'm planning a big event for this Spring. It's a vintage-themed prom. It will be the third event that I've planned with the other Vintage Madison ladies, at the same venue as the Fall Fashion Show that we held back in September. I'm so excited because I think people will really get into the whole theme-- asking a date "to prom", finding the right vintage dress, going out to dinner beforehand, dancing the night away. . .
Last week we started working on our advertising campaign by having a Prom-themed photo shoot. Our talented friend Alice Ezrow did the hair and make-up, inspired by outfits from three decades: the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's. I put together this lookbook and included some "real" vintage prom pics that I found online. Enjoy!

Open publication - Free publishing - More vintage

Weekly Wishlist: Spring Dreamin'

Well, there's another huge blizzard passing through the Midwest today. And I have to walk to work in a few minutes. Guess I have the Winter blahs. . . and there's still at least 2 more months of snow and cold ahead!
Needless to say, I'm already daydreaming of sunny Spring days, open-toed shoes, short dresses (without leggings!) and no more need for scarves, hats, gloves and snow boots. Here are a few items I found that made me smile.

MY LADY OF THE FUCHSIAS dress by SwaneeGrace

Vintage Bantam Green Floral Overnight Bag by Plaid Pony

Secret Garden Art Cocktail Ring by Schmooks

Vintage Copper Strappy Sandals by JessJamesJake

Oh well. . . for now I'm going to revisit my post "10 Things to Look Forward to this Winter" that I wrote in November, to remind myself that Winter has its perks.

XO,

Jess

Dior Couture 2011: Modern Art with a Vintage Twist

I just stumbled upon pictures from the Christian Dior Couture show in Paris this week, via Jezebel. All I can say is WOW. Even though we're knee-deep in a worldwide economic recession, it's refreshing to see extravagant, over-the-top works of art in the form of fashion. Couture has never been made for practical purposes-- most of us will never own a piece of couture, but it is inspiring to see fashion pushed to its limits, and raised to the level of fine art.
That being said, the recent Dior show of couture pieces created by designer John Galliano is inspiring to say the least. It caught my eye primarily because of the obvious reference to mid-century fashion. Familiar silhouettes from the 1940's and 50's have been given new life with incredible modern fabrics and colors, as well as slightly futuristic-looking structure.

This article from style.com gives an interesting insight into Galliano's influences, mainly the illustrator René Gruau, who worked for Dior in the forties and fifties. Looking closely at the fabric he used, you can see how the patterns, colors, and textures mimic an illustrator's graphite and pastel drawings. Galliano himself started his career as a fashion illustrator before turning to design.

 

Heavenly. 

What do you think?

XO,

Jess