DRESScapade™

 

It's been a while since I have engaged with this digital space. Since my last post so much has happened; A global pandemic, an election cycle, I've produced another holiday card, curating dresses for the 55,000 Dresses collection and so much more.

I have started a YOUTUBE Channel and web series called DRESScapade™ ----> Episode 3 will drop this weekend and every Saturday for the remainder of the year!

Enjoy the trailer below.

For those of you who are new to this space or returning after my long absence Thank you for being here! I am Lisa Graystone, Sustainable Wardrobe Stylist and your guide on this DRESScapade™. A dress escapade and fashion adventure that will travel through fashion history, style sustainability, address inclusivity in the fashion industry, wardrobe styling tips, designer profiles, costuming and re-styling pieces of fashions past to creatively keep them in your closet and out of the landfill. I have spent over 10 years in the Vintage re-sale and wardrobe styling industry and have been a student of fashion my entire life. I care about our environment and the impact the fast fashion industry has on it. I want to help you make a wardrobe shift into creative and compassionate consumption. You can dress authentically, "follow trends" AND be kind to mother earth. I am currently curating the 55,000 dress collection for sale and pieces from the collection will be a frequent feature on this DRESScapade™. Some of the items featured will also be available for purchase!

You Ready?

Designer Profile: Jack Horwitz

"Born in London, UK, 1 January 1892, Jacob Horwitz immigrated to the U.S. with his family when he was a child. After graduating in 1910 he opened a grocery with a friend in Manhattan. As a member of the National Guard, he was called into service in 1916 to quell Pancho Villa along the Mexican border, but by the time he had returned the grocery business had gone bankrupt. After returning from serving in the U.S. army during World War I, Horwitz went into business again with a partner, this time making shirtwaists (blouses) and shirtwaist dresses. By 1925 they had formed the company Horwitz and Duberman.

Image of the designer and his signature from a 1951 Pattern Package.

In the 1930s, Horwitz became a pioneer in the field of Junior wear (along with department store owner Irving Sorger and French designer Jacques Heim). Until the 1930s teenagers and collegiate aged girls adjusted ready-made adult-sized dresses to fit their smaller frames, but Junior sized clothing was designed in youthful styles specifically for the smaller framed, shorter-waisted younger woman. Horwitz, who considered himself a manufacturer and stylist, not a designer, hired young women to design the clothes. His first label ‘Judy ‘n Jill’, which was in business from the late 1930s to the late 1950s, was carried by stores across the U.S. Another line he launched in 1939 was branded ‘Deanna Durbin’, after the popular teenage singing actress.

New York Times

Horwitz was awarded the Coty Award in 1947 for his role in creating the Junior market.  In the early 1950s Horwitz bought out his partner Duberman, and the company became known as Jack Horwitz Associates. He retired from his own company by 1960, and died in 1992 at the age of 100." - Source: Fashion's Hall of Obscurity.

 The designer Shannon Rodgers worked as a designer for this fashion house, the labels feature "From the Jack Horwitz Custom Collection by Shannon Rodgers.

I have a dress available that I have curated from the 55,000 Dresses Collection.

1950's Jack Horwitz / Shannon Rodgers evening dress. A floral print fabric adorned with gold metallic threading with an overlay of black mesh, it gives the illusion of fish net stockings. The skirt is full and shown with a petticoat (not included)A sexy deep V in the back with a double bow detail, metal zipper and spaghetti straps complete the design.

B = 36"

W = 29"

H = open

L = 48" from top of straps to hem

*Tip: Die to the semi-sheer nature of the floral fabric, add a colored slip and/or petticoat to change the look of the dress to re-style it in a different way.

Jack Horwitz Associated Inc. was active in the 1950s. The designer Shannon Rodgers worked as a designer for this fashion house, the labels feature "From the Jack Horwitz Custom Collection by Shannon Rodgers"

*Dry Cleaned

*Complimentary US Shipping

$180

Click to SHOP

Check This Out

I’m back .... again. Blogging and I have a love/hate relationship. Well, more like a I don’t have time to prioritize writing in this space, but I should. 

I was checking out the style at the Cannes film festival and fell in love with this jacket worn by Ashlee Simpson and designed by Antonio Berardi for his Fall 2019 collection. 

 I also love it styled both ways!

The look as presented in the Fall collection.

For those of you who follow my social media I am forever tying to inspire and educate about the fact that fashions past is ALWAYS present and in a cyclical industry how could it not be? Looking back I remembered 2 other  amazing black and white checked jackets I adore.

Gianni Versace Fall/Winter 1992

Also, the jacket that was part of the costumes for the 1953 film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” worn by Jane Russell’s character. The wardrobe was designed by Travilla. 

It now resides in the Star costume collection at Western Costume company.

When checking out your personal style remember you can look back to the past AND  be stylish in the present. 

Which jacket do you prefer? 

It's Not Easy Being Green

Sustainable editor at large for VOGUE Australia and ethical fashion activist.

It's not easy being green was a phrase I first heard in relation to Kermit the Frog, but it also applies to myself and countless others who are putting forth effort for a sustainable lifestyle. My focus on fashion is 2 fold.

1) I am passionate about fashion and personal style as a form of expression, language and art form.

2) The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, behind fossil fuels. FACT!

In our fast paced, disposable culture I don't know how much the average person stops to think about their environmental impact as they get dressed in the morning and/or shop for clothes.

Think about the message above today and every day!

This is not about complete anti-consumption but looking at what you have, re-style what you own, be mindful of what you consume and who you consume it from. Look at a supply chain and see if your ethics are in line with how the garments are produced. Also consider  the environmental impact of your fashion choices knowing that the fashion industry is the SECOND most polluting industry in the world, behind fossil fuels who is the obvious first. 

How can you make a change?

1) Shop and Wear Vintage 

2) Shop Contemporary Second Hand (Thrift)

3) Re-Style what you have in your closet (get things tailored, remove sleeves, etc.) and make them "new" to you. Wear what is hanging in your closet with tags still on it. 

4) Shop from ethical brands who are environmentally friendly (using sustainable materials) and who have ethical production (fair wages, good working conditions, don't use child labor, etc). 

This is a great start to Sustainable Style and moving away from a throw away culture mindset. 

 LG  ♻️ 

Reference This: 1987 X 2018

I love when I spot a reference or nod to fashions past. Let's face it, the industry is a cyclical one. Knowing this I am always baffled when someone would pass over vintage or look at pieces from fashions past as something less than and clamor to grab the newest cheaply made garment from a sweatshop from a foreign land or anything with a designer label on it.

I took my daughter to her first ever concert for her 10th birthday and we saw Katy Perry on her Witness Tour. Check out my gratitude post to her HERE.

My daughter was captivated by the music, lights, props, choreography, dancers and most of all the costumes. This was her absolute favorite

So much so that she chose to sing the same song Katy sang wearing this costume and asked for a replica for her school talent show. Remember me mentioning she is 10? I being the frustrated costumer living in a stylist and writer mom's body I agreed to make her one, in a 10 year old appropriate way. Stay tuned for that DIY tribute look and talent show video coming soon.

After studying the costume elements for my own upcoming creation it struck me that I have seen this before, or the spirit of this before in 1987.

This is an image of supermodel Linda Evangelista wearing CHANEL in 1987 in VOGUE UK (Photographer: Hans Feurer)

The texture of the dress in this photograph, the side sleeve ruffles and cascading leg ruffle made the connection for me. Not a replica obviously but it has the same spirit in my mind. Elements of her Witness tour was VERY 80's and I wouldn't be surprised to know that this image was part of the mood board of Katy's costume designer, Nguyen Cong Tri. This plus two other pieces were custom made in Vietnam in conjunction with the designer and Katy's stylist.

Do you see the reference?

Evening Ruffle: Then & Now

Fashion is constantly changing and evolving. Sometimes it goes to an extreme one season and paired down the next. It also varies from era to era with traces of fashion's past always present in today's collections.

1980's

This is how an evening ruffle was done in the 80's - nothing at all understated, major volume, extreme ruffle layers. Nothing was really understated about the 80's, big hair, bold colors and volume/embellished evening wear.

Shop this 1980's 'Bonny Fashion' Gown HERE $150

2018

With the spaghetti straps gone, the ruffle is minimized for cocktail hour with this Badgley Mischka dress

SHOP - $670

So what's your evening ruffle style? EXTREME 80's or Understated 2018?

Dress DIY

Anyone who has visited me recently knows that I have a stack of fashion magazines piled up beside my bed waiting to be read. If I have time I enjoy pouring over them for both image and article. This image in particular from the Dolce and Gabbana  Palermo 2017/18 eye wear campaign leaped off of the page. 

I love the simple 'Little black dress' and the mix and match array of adornments on the front bodice and back sleeve.

After realizing that I don't quite have the money for a Dolce Dress and I likely wouldn't fit into one if I did it inspired my DIY side. I immediately recalled that I do indeed have a black dress of similar silhouette and a wide array of Vintage brooches to work with to create my very own version of this look.

Time for a Dress DIY

I dug into my Evolution Vintage brooch stash and was able to find some interesting (and similar pieces) as seen in the ad.

I chose one of my many EV Black Dresses and pinned the brooches on in a similar way/

This DIY dress will be available soon for sale with or without the brooches. Individual Vintage brooches are also for sale in this lot or separately. 

Remember creativity doesn't always require consumption. Think about what you have on hand that you can add to or transform in some way. If you don't have materials on hand how can you acquire them second hand or re-purpose something to suit your style? 

What can you use in your own closet to DIY this or any designer look that inspires you?

Get The Look: Carrie Chic

Carrie's Closet

It is no secret that one of my all time fashion icons is the character of Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. It should also be noted that the actress who portrays Carrie, Sarah Jessica Parker is equally as fascinating and iconic from a style perspective.

In 6 seasons Carrie (via stylist Pat Fields) served us up some amazing and inspirational looks: Her Vintage looks are some of my favorites - see them HERE

In season 6, Carries "Date Night" look I adore. Now is your chance to replicate the spirit of her look using a mix of Vintage and Contemporary pieces.

Re-Create the look:

Who What Wear White Bootie $34.99

Velvet Jacket Free People - $129

Vintage Ruffled Gown - Evolution Vintage $150

Red Corset / Amazon  -$20

Vintage Multi-Strand Necklace

You can use any variation of the above to achieve Carrie's look. 

Get Carried away with your personal style!!

Dream Dress: Yellow

Linda Evangelista 1995 In John Galliano for DIOR

Every girl has a dream gown, or in my case dream gownS. I wanted to talk about this color of yellow in relation o the now "Vintage" John Galliano gown Supermodel Linda Evangelista wore in his S/S 1995 show and again on the cover of Harpers Bazaar. He let her keep the gown which is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

 “Oh, my God, this is a fairy-tale dress, and I get to wear it on the cover of and take it to the next level.” (as told to Bazaar)

"I couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful dress. I’m not even a yellow person, but wearing this was one of the most sensational things that has ever happened to me. I loved everything about it. It was sophisticated, it was flirty, it was fun. It was retro, it was modern. I do love a full-on gown where you get to see the ankle. It had every element for me."

Approximately 45 years earlier someone else had their yellow tulle gown moment. This piece if from the collection of collector Paul Brockmann, part of his 55,000 dress collection.

 Now you can have you 1950's Yellow tulle gown moment. Shop this amazing Vintage gown HERE

 Fashion has clear daily functionality but there is also a fantasy component that I have never been able to ignore.