Dress Me

help save Sadie, she is cold!

I keep looking at my poor, naked dress form and I feel the need to clothe her (her name is Sadie -- I don't know why), but I'm not feeling inspired lately. Maybe it's all this rain casting its doom and gloom. Jeans and my oldest, softest sweatshirt have become my best friends as of late, though I'm desperately trying to catch spring fever.

me (left) and WendyB (right) in our matching "gangsta" vests

side view and back view of wendy's vest (on "Sadie")

two-tone kid mohair scarf I knitted

I made a cool "gangsta" vest for jewelry designer WendyB recently and I knitted a scarf for a friend. What now? I do have some very unique kelly green fabric lying around. It's cotton/nylon/metal and it's extremely innovative, but not the easiest fabric to work with as I have already made a suit a couple of years ago in the turquoise color. Still, I might give it another shot. Any ideas/suggestions are welcome!

Sylvia Williams models my cotton/nylon/metal jacket and mini

Vintage Advantage

As I mentioned in Thursday’s post, I went to an amazing vintage boutique called FROCK, down in Nolita. I promised to share a little bit more about this fabulous treasure chest of couture and high-end vintage apparel.

shop owner, Evan Ross with jewelry designer, WendyB

(both in vintage shades available at FROCK)

First of all, the space is great and I really appreciate how everything is sectioned off by color! According to owner Evan Ross, that is how most people prefer to shop and it forces them to see all of the beautiful pieces that they may have passed over if they were just looking in one particular section, like cocktail attire or sweaters, for example. This makes perfect sense to me. I color code my closet. Well, I actually section off categories first (i.e. jackets, dresses, skirts, pants, etc.) and then I arrange by color. Anal much?

View looking toward the back of the shop

Anyway, Evan is extremely knowledgeable and extremely helpful. I highly recommend paying him a visit and allowing him to pull out some wonderful pieces and style you. As I perused the racks, I happened upon a fantastic Louis Feraud dress. The fabric and the volume spoke to me and even though I knew it would be “too much dress” for me, I simply HAD to try it on! Evan was excited to see it and quickly accessorized me with the perfect red belt and Lucite necklace (an absolutely magnificent piece that I already had my eye on!). Below is the final result…

Dress: Louis Feraud Couture, 1982: $1,550

Belt: red snakeskin, circa 1980: $150

Lucite Necklace from the 50's: $1,100

Shoes: in dressing room at Frock

I’m so in love with this shop and I am interested more than ever in vintage merchandise. I am very disappointed in what’s happening with fashion as of late (with the exception of couture and some other great ready-to-wear designers). I think vintage is newer (in concept) and more interesting than anything you will see in SAKS. In fact, many high-end designers actually purchase vintage pieces and copy them (exactly) for their collections. Then, of course, the moderately priced labels copy the high-end designers and the budget chains eventually copy the moderate labels and suddenly, we see a version of this beautiful Feraud dress in Target! OK, I’m feeling ill. Let’s get back to FROCK…

I had such a lovely visit and became very intrigued by this wonderful little shop, so I asked Evan Ross to answer some questions I could share with all of you…

STACY: How long have you been in business?
EVAN: I’ve been in business now for 7 years -- one and a half as a showroom and the rest as retail.

STACY: Can you give a brief little background as to how you got involved with vintage merchandise?
EVAN: I got into vintage a long time ago starting in high school and then even more in college when I was a "club kid". The collection at the showroom/store started to grow when I was collecting pieces and using pieces during my 11 years as a stylist. I used the pieces for advertising, music videos, celebrity purposes, etc.

STACY: Where do you get most of your product?
EVAN: Pieces come from all resources: private collections, auctions, scouring out of the way places around the globe and from vintage dealers.

STACY: Who are some of your best customers and some famous ones too?
EVAN: The best customers are those with an individual sense of style and an appreciation for quality. At FROCK our vintage wears are for those looking for what we call modern vintage. It is timeless vintage -- clothing that doesn't look like costume. It’s indicative of an era, but not pigeonholed to that era. Some famous clients are Patricia Field, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and the Olsen twins.

STACY: Do you think vintage has gained popularity in the last several years?
EVAN: Vintage has been popular since the "Sex and the City Era", but has seen a resurgence once again as of late. People are interested in individual style. With everything so mass market and produced, vintage clothing affords the wearer to exhibit singular style. You'll never end up on the “who wore it best list” because you'll be the only one. Vintage at FROCK's level also affords the wearer the chance to wear clothing of a certain quality that would be at an unattainable price point in the present day.

Wendy Brandes in vintage Bottega Veneta shades she purchased at FROCK

FROCK is located at in New York City at 170 Elizabeth Street between Spring and Kenmare. They offer a range of apparel, handbags, jewelry and accessories from the 50's through 80's. Also, FROCK carries Linda Derector’s collection of vintage sunglasses (as pictured on WendyB above and on Evan & Wendy in the first photo).

FROCK
170 Elizabeth Street
NY, NY 10012
212.594.5380
Frocknyc.com

Love for Lanvin

I know that I promised in yesterday’s post to write more about the amazing vintage shop in Nolita called Frock, but I wanted to get a little more information from owner Evan Ross, so that will have to wait for now. Look for that in a couple of days. But, don’t fret my taffetadarlings, I’ve got some good stuff today!

Rachel Mabel (left), Stacy Lomman (right) in Lanvin Fall 2010

here are the same pieces on the runway, Lanvin Fall 2010

(remember, these models are 6" taller than us!)

I met up with my friend, accessory designer Rachel Mabel, this afternoon to view and try on the new Lanvin collection at a trunk show at Barney’s. Rachel is a total Barney’s girl and a very loyal Lanvin customer. I, on the other hand, am a very loyal Lanvin FAN. Customer? Not at the moment. Let’s see what happens with the economy this year… Anyway, it’s still a total blast trying on the pieces from the runway (or squishing into them in my case).

lace dress on me

same dress on model in Lanvin's Fall 2010 show (why can't I have her legs?)

The Fall 2010 collection that Alber Elbaz created for Lanvin is magnificent. To actually see the dresses in person, feel the fabrics, look at the detail, admire the workmanship… ah… it’s indescribable. The color choices are dark and saturated; aubergine, slate and green so dark it looks black. Even though there is stretch built into most of the fabrics, the qualities are so heavy and so tightly knit that the elastane offers little help in terms of getting the garment onto the body, but it does allow for movement once you’re in it! I happen to love the heavy fabrics. I feel securely “tucked in” – kind of like a little sausage! Also, the fabrics lend themselves to the raw cut edges that Elbaz is fond of using.

Lanvin feather trim dress on Sasha Pivovarova and on me (right-- obviously)

Rachel tried on a couple of spring pieces as well and fell in love with one of Lanvin’s bags. I had my eye on a giant Celine bag on the main floor, so I stopped to show Rachel on our way out. We scanned some of the jewelry displays and made our way toward the exit. Then we spotted her… Donatella… in the flesh! Ms. Versace is so tiny, it’s a wonder we even noticed her at all! She is like a little doll and I contemplated putting her in my pocket and taking her home. I pulled out my camera and her P.A. (or Barney’s personal shopper… who knows) caught my eye and shook his head when I asked if I could snap a photo. No problem. I put my camera away. He then felt compelled to add, “She’s shopping, just let her enjoy her day.” Oh snap!

Rachel looking sweet in Lanvin

Vest Friends

I had a great day yesterday despite the annoying phone call I had with a so-called customer service individual which resulted in me thanking them for their tremendous lack of help and abruptly slamming down the phone. Well, it was a cordless so I pressed the END button really hard! At least I made my pal, jewelry designer, Wendy Brandes laugh! I was with Ms. Brandes at the time because I went over to her place to drop off her custom "gangsta vest" that I made for her.

WendyB models in her "gangsta" vest and vintage patchwork clutch

A few months ago, I was wearing this piece out for drinks with the girls and WendyB took a liking to it. So, she and I paid a visit to the amazing B&J Fabrics and selected some beautiful pinstripe in order to make her a duplicate vest. I made a muslin first and we had a fitting, then I adjusted the muslin and we had another fitting. Finally, I drafted the paper pattern and cut into the fabric... no turning back now! I was quite happy with the results and so was Wendy. We decided to go out on the town in our matching ensembles (you know, like those annoying husbands and wives that dress alike, or identical twins that don't have their own identity!).

Stacy Lomman (me) & WendyB in our matching "gangsta vests"

First stop was to visit a very cool and very chic vintage shop on Elizabeth Street in Nolita called FROCK. Amazing! Wendy happens to be friendly with owner Evan Ross who treated us like the celebrities and socialites who frequent this little gem of a shop. But, more on that tomorrow! Later, my talented designer friend, Tatyana joined the party and the four of us had a nibble and some cocktails at "Delicatessen." Note: Order the truffle, parmesan fries!!

Evan Ross & WendyB

UPDATE 3-26: I had to show the inside of WendyB's vest... the lining is fantastic...it's hard to see, but it's a stripe twill pattern. Good choice Wendy!

Faye...

Faye Dunaway, 1969

When I was a teenager, I went through a Warren Beatty phase. I watched every film I could: Splendor in the Grass, Reds, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Shampoo and even Ishtar, which I didn’t think was as bad as everyone said it was! By the time Bugsy rolled into theatres, I was over him. Perhaps my most favorite Beatty film was Bonnie & Clyde, but I think that has a lot to do with the gorgeous and talented Faye Dunaway.

Dunaway, 1970

Faye was so glamorous, that she made it seem okay and maybe even a little cool to be a bank robber. I started wearing berets immediately after I saw the film. Although she was admittedly fashionable, the real Bonnie Parker wasn’t quite as stunning as Ms. Dunaway in her scarves, slim skirts and pretty little, fine gauge sweaters.

Faye as notorious bank robber, Bonnie Parker

Faye Dunaway & Warren Beatty in Bonnie & Clyde, 1967

the real Clyde Barrow & Bonnie Parker, 1933

I admit, Dunaway scared me a little in Mommie Dearest, where she plays the abusive Joan Crawford (“NO WIRE HANGERS!”), but Faye makes a pretty elegant crazy bitch. She even managed to look somewhat attractive in her performance as a drunk in Barfly – she certainly looked better than her co-star, Mickey Rourke (and that was BEFORE his plastic surgery).

Faye in Mommie Dearest, 1981

Faye Dunaway & Mickey Rourke in Barfly 1987

At nearly 70 years old, Faye still looks great today. She is truly a woman of style and taste.

Dunaway in 2008

Not Your Typical Nunn...

As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of the music of the late 70’s and the 80’s – not the top forty crap, of course! So many interesting bands emerged during that era like; Talking Heads, Ramones, The Clash, Bauhaus, Roxy Music, The Stranglers, The Smiths, etc. MTV hit the airwaves in 1981 and The Buggles, “Video Killed the Radio Star” made history as the first music video shown.

Berlin lead singer, Terri Nunn with her signature hairstyle

Videos changed everything. Image became as important as the music (today it’s even more so) and people started to adopt the styles of their favorite artists. Women were extremely influential with performers like Debbie Harry, Chrissie Hynde, Joan Jett, Siouxsie Sioux, Dale Bozzio (aka “the original Lady Gaga”), The Go Go’s and, of course, Madonna leading the way.

Terri Nunn, 1984

Back in the day, Terri Nunn was the coolest of cool in my book. The gorgeous Nunn is the lead singer of the band “Berlin,” known to most for their hit single “Take My Breath Away” in the film Top Gun. Ironically, this happens to be my LEAST favorite song! Why is it that bands I like only gain mainstream popularity when they release an average and uninspired tune? Anyway, the band hail from Orange County, CA and formed in 1979. They released their first single, “A Matter of Time” in 1980, and then in 1982, their controversial song “Sex (I’m A…)” was actually banned by some radio stations. I’m sure it would be considered quite tame by today’s standards!

The band in 1986 (Terri Nunn, Rob Brill & John Crawford)

In 1986, my awesome sister took me to see Berlin for my birthday. Because they were not well known, they were playing at a gym in a little college near our town in Pennsylvania. It was incredible. We were sitting on the bleachers watching the opening act when I noticed a very attractive man with cool hair over my right shoulder. I would know that spiky hairdo anywhere! It was John Crawford, the bassist for Berlin – just sitting there watching the warm up band! Unfortunately, I couldn’t muster up the courage to say hello to him before he slipped away out the side door to go get ready. That would never happen today! I’m not exactly the shy young kid I used to be.

one of my all time favorites!

Terri and the boys took the stage and she looked and sounded amazing. That’s what is so great about Berlin -- they have super style and talent. Ms. Nunn has pipes beyond belief. Just listen for yourself…

very cool "Bonnie & Clyde" style video

What Would You Do?

Gucci

Like most women, I love to shop! I never run out of things that I want; boots that I "need" even though I have more than enough, another chunky ring or cuff bracelet because they're "different" from the many I already own, a gorgeous, fine gauge sweater because the yarn and the workmanship are to die for, and I should know because I was a sweater designer... you get the picture. I always wish I were independently wealthy and had unlimited funds! But, what if I had, say... $10,000 to spend on one item? It would actually be a difficult task. I would probably choose one of the following, but I'm not sure which! What would you do?

Gucci dress, Spring 2010: $9,600

Bottega Veneta oxidized silver moire 30th anniversary "knot" clutch: $7,960

Pasquale Fabrizio "glass slipper" stiletto: $7,500

Wendy Brandes 18K gold, citrine & pink sapphire ring: $10,000

True Colors...

What a gorgeous day in NYC! It is the first official day of spring and it actually feels like it! I'm ready to shed the winter layers and break out the spring wardrobe. I'm thinking this season I may add some color! I know, I know that's just crazy talk for me, but I just might step outside of my neutral zone. I do have a royal blue Margiela dress that I wear once in a while when I'm feeling bold, so perhaps I'll add to that so it isn't alone in my closet (since of course, I color code everything). Last year, the Proenza Schouler boys showed some vibrant pieces on the runway and these beauties are now hitting the stores for Spring 2010...