NEW Tunics & Jackets!

I've been busy and here's the proof:-)  Head over to Etsy and take a peek.

New salvaged denim Jackets

Size Xtra Large, loads of vintage fabric, trim and embroidery

Size Large, Psychadelic 70's fabric, Sashiko stitched patching, vintage '60s & '70s trimmings galore

Size M-Large
Soft, stretchy pale green, fitted with vintage '60s & 70's trimmings

Eco Shabby Grunge T Tunics

Get your Kicks!

Crazy Quilting Stitched Appliques and a ruffled sleeve

Bronco Fan Wear, Sizes Lg and XL/1X

Swooning in a Big Way - Martin Margiela F/W Couture '14

Time for another Maison Martin Margiela post!  I am always blown away by MMM first from an aesthetic perspective and secondly because their long-standing philosophy has been to up cycle or repurpose fabrics.  This new collection uses bits of antique garments and their own samples to stunning effect.  Also incorporated are mid century "Japanese Souvenir" Bomber Jackets sourced from around the globe.  You know how much I love a good patchwork…..

Skirt is patchwork of embroidery samples and took 80 hrs. to make! 

Again, embroidery samples and the cashmere coat is patched together samples from trade shows.

Part of the bomber jacket is from 1945 and the skirt is constructed of embroider samples in metal

Part of the bodice is from antique - 1870! - french embroideries acquired at auction.

Here's the runway video too. 

Fashion Week '14 - LIBERTINE

see all the pics on Style.com 

I haven't done a fashion show review in some time but today's the day.  Libertine has always been an inspiration since back in the early, up cycled vintage screened jackets day and this FW '14 collection did not let me down.  And really, Libertine was an Eco Fashion pioneer we just didn't realize it at the time, did we?

SO. much. FUN. 

I am in love with the myriad vintage-style coats embellished in crazy ways.  The Marilyn granny punk from Look 16, above, was a stand out - the coat is just perfection.  

Enjoy some more...

 60s style ski jacket shape is an all time favorite silhouette

absolutely gorgeous.  would never get tired of this.

spiderwebs!!

An Inside Look

A snap of current inspiration pics tacked to the studio walls.  I can never get enough of vintage patterns partly because the illustrations are so lovely.

love the punky haircut  & 2 yrs ago Isabel Marant

raw sketches

QUOTidienne - RIP Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer we love you.

“That’s what life is all about: Let’s have a party. Let’s have it tonight.”

"Despite the forecast, live like it's spring."

 Click for other fantastic words to live by, courtesy of the indomitable Ms. Pulitzer.

Heavenly rack of Lilly P

 


 My favorites are always the wild 1960s Lillys -

How could one possibly have a bad day in this dress?

Defining Neutral

My friend, John Knott, a notable Houston furniture designer and artist extraordinaire, says silver is his beige.  He mentioned this one day when we were looking at his metallic silver-painted brick  fireplace and I realized that silver has always been a neutral for me too.  Any shade of silver from gunmetal to chrome will do.  I'm pathologically allergic to bronze, brass and most gold colors!  They just rub me wrong for some reason.  Ok, so I think leopard is a neutral also, but that's another post...

see - look how neutral that little leopard candle looks with the Pronghorn skull and antique Navaho pottery!

At any rate - I finally found an everyday purse that I love - a SILVER Calvin Klein number snagged for a song at Marshalls.  It's the perfect NEUTRAL!   Here is a celebration of a few silvers (mostly chrome I guess!) in my life.....

the purse on my favorite Deco physician's cabinet

chrome industrial kitchen shelving - the most heavy duty shelving you can get

favorite deco lamp with weird mother-of-pearl shade w/ chrome bands

chrome in it's best incarnation - deco frames

I've collected 40s/50s chrome cocktail shakers and coffee pots for ages!  LOVE them

heavy on the silver.....

The fabulous charcoal 50s looking barkcloth in the lamp photo is a wonderful fabric done by MelinaMade, a little company in California that hand-silkscreens vintage 50s prints.  She has a small collection and every print is great!  I've had that one, Charcoal Boomerang, for over 10 years and still adore it.  An acquaintance on Etsy makes pillows from some of Melina's fabrics too, along with original barkcloth. 

Find her here:  Atomic Livin' Home!    
Thanks for hanging in for this long post:-)

70s studded denim shirt!

on Etsy

Someone's selling this unbelievable gem on Etsy right now.... you could have it!  Too small for me otherwise I wouldn't be sharing:-)

Back!

Crazy!  Things have been wonderful lately.  I shipped a large order to a new lifestyle gallery/boutique (left) in Avalon, New Jersey a few weeks ago! The name is Summer Studio and I don't think their website is up yet, but I'll share that when it is.  I sent women's t-shirts and tanks, customized organic cotton bags appliqued w/ "AVALON" on it, bibs and a selection of cotton goodies for little ones.  Of course everything featured vintage or recycled t-shirt fabric appliques.  Sales have already started and they have only had their soft opening so far!

Avalon is an awesome beachy town on the coast of NJ.

AVALON BEACH

Doesn't it look charming!?

Here are some photos of Summer Studio.  The one up top is of the kids' space. 

I've started making hats now too;  it's really fun.  I will post good photos of them soon!

Summer has hit Houston in it's usual hot and very muggy way.  Ugh.  Steamy, steamy.  The pools open at Memorial Day and then we'll have some relief!

Boutique labels arrived!

So excited - my new "Jag & Nevie boutique" labels arrived. They're stealthy and sleek. I hate OVER labeling! Too Gucci-fied. Don't you think true luxury is mysterious?
The boutique line features our more time-consuming items - the dresses, rompers and some of the adult t-shirts. So fun!

A new dress in the works, but until then....

Right now I'm working on a fun little sundress for girlies size 2T on up. It's a white spaghetti strap number made by a cooperative in Guatemala and I'm dolling it up - OF COURSE! - with flippy panels of wild vintage 60s prints. Friends (thanks April, Ann!) & family (merci buckets Miss!) have been so generous lately with donations of crazy fabrics. I confess I'm actually overwhelmed with a huge stack of fantastic choices. What a joyful conundrum;-)

Until I finish the sample I'll have to leave you with just this photo. It's about my favorite design so far - - -

I hear too much arguing - time to referee the monkeys....