A Creative Victory: VVB

I love to connect with other women who share my interests and appreciation of fashion, creation and art in general. I am grateful, through technology to have been able to connect with fellow artisan and eBoutique owner Brande Wilkerson of Victory Vintage Boutique and Design Studio (or VVB). I have personally shopped  for Vintage via VVB for my own closet and am currently waiting on a fabulous Custom feather creation from her design studio to arrive! 

Vintage Hat SOLD

Creative individuals always inspire me and this includes Brande, a busy MOMpreneur with 2 girls and a budding creative business in Austin Arkansas. She is a happy, positive person who I am thrilled to feature. I'm all about one's creative evolution and over the past 3 years I have seen Brande's passion for Fashion's past evolve into this haute hybrid of Vintage, Re-styled, uniquely inspired pieces from full gowns to hair accessories.  She does a lot of her own artistic portraiture, modelling and photography too. She styles her images, does theatrical makeup and sets the scenes to bring her visions to life. She has an affinity for Vintage wedding gown re-inventions and by the look of her images some really amazing friends (models), though she primarily models her creations and Vintage wares. Shes a one woman show like I am and for that alone I have a ton of respect for her and the hours it takes to run a creative business and also be a good mother.

I asked her to tell me about the Evolution of her business. I wanted to know where she started and where she thinks she is heading ...

Brande explained to me, "My business Victory Vintage Boutique started in year 2000 when I inherited a group of amazing billowing chiffon peignoirs from my grandma. I was on the hunt for more like these and found them! I went looking for the things I loved and started selling some of them online and learned there was a market out there for beautiful vintage garments like the ones I loved. I started selling online that year and became a Powerseller within 9 months! I was selling and shipping amazing vintage dresses, accessories and party gowns around the world!"

In the last 2 years I have expanded to open my Etsy Design Studio which offers one of a kind hand made designs, gowns, headpieces and hats. Many made from discarded vintage millinery ,trims and vintage fabric remnants that came into my hands that were just too beautiful to toss. This was the birth of the VVB dream gowns line of altered vintage wedding gowns and headpieces. I look forward to growing and expanding my design work, and evolving my collections into unique wearable creations as inspiration come into my hands! The future for VVB is wide open!

I love that she pushes the boundaries and follows the vision that is uniquely HER's. She draws her inspiration from several sources. She told me, "Many factors inspire my designs. I am an art buff, and my mother is an art teacher so it has always been in my life & blood! Recently I have been hugely inspired by the Art Nouveau period of art history. Some of my favorite artists are Alphonse Mucha, Gasper Camps,Walter Crane and Georges de Feure. Their amazing work inspired the "Fine Art Inspired collection" of gowns & headpieces for VVB. I offer these creations in my Etsy Design Studio. We offer these pieces for rental for photo shoots as well."

Who is the VVB woman? Brande says, "The VVB woman is a creative and uninhibited creature! She is confident in expressing herself through creative style and glamorous fashion design! She is also not as interested in the trends as what inspires her and makes her unique!"

Her FAV piece from her most recent collection is the Huldah Headpiece ($225)

A floral, faux fur creation. 

Available HERE 

"I think its my favorite because of the vintage element with the fox fur stole that drapes the shoulders.The colors and earthy and flattering on everyone and the dramatic feel of this brings a magestic queenly feel when you wear it. The gown styled with with is also from our collection of altered vintage slip dresses. Its made with a ecru collar and embellished with trimmings from a vintage wedding veil"

Giant Pansy $195

The VVB 2 cents on Style: "Wear what best defines you! Trends are fun to embrace and try but only choose the ones you like and add your own twist to make it yours. Reinvent your style by your own definitions each season..that way YOU own the trends!"

The sky is really the limit for Brande and VVB. I'm excited to see where her creative inspiration will lead her next.

Are you a VVB Woman?

 What's your FAV piece from her collections?

Leave your comments below!

CONNECT with VVB:

Facebook

Twitter

Ebay Store

Etsy Design Studio

Web Site

BLOG

Get Your Sparkle On: Pink Sugar Crystals

Jeweled Phone Case - My new MUST HAVE Accessory!

Facebook has seriously been an invaluable Social Networking tool. I get to see the current lives of people past, keep in touch with family and meet amazing people like Christina Bias, of Pink Sugar Crystals. She became a fan of Evolution Vintage and this is how I found her. She is my Sparkle Sister who graciously gifted me with a custom creation, a jeweled iPhone case with my personal "L" monogram (exactly the way I sign it). She bedazzles her butt off on everything she can get her hands on; phone cases, lamp shades, lighter cases, jewelry, and MORE! She is a hard working MOMpreneur who's studio is in Portland, Oregon.

The Bling Beauty: Christina Bias

I caught up with Christina taking a break from painstakingly creating my FAB phone case to chat about Pink Sugar Crystals. 

LG: Tell my readers about Pink Sugar Crystals and what inspired you to start your business?

CB: An esthetician by trade, I've always had a love for fashion and beauty. Have all ways been artsy and crafty. When I became a stay at home mom, I thought of a way to raise my child and work from home. After designing my first cellular phone case I became addicted and Pink Sugar Crystals was born. Going strong 2 years and I fall more and more in love everyday with what I do. My amazing customers keep my creativity going and I love them all. 

LG: Where does your love for sparkle and shine come from?

CB: Every since I was a little girl, I would wear all my mother's jewelry. The more sparkles the better.

LG:  What products do you add sparkle too? Is there anything you won't bling?

CB: There is no accessory or item that I wont try to adorn with crystals or charms. I am always open for a challenge.

LG: Can you explain the quality of crystals/stones that you use? 

CB: custom designed pieces are created with only Swarovski Crystals as they have the most brilliance. What makes Swarovski Crystals so brilliant as they are considered "fully leaded" at 32% unlike Czech fired-glass and acrylic rhinestones. 

British Standard for crystal: 

Fine crystal - 6% to 10% lead oxide 

Lead crystal - 10% to 24% lead oxide 

Fully leaded crystal - 24% or more lead oxide 

Precision cut and polished, Swarovski crystals are faceted in the same way that diamonds are faceted or cut. The absolute best in man made glass-lead oxide crystals. 

LG: Do you take custom orders? who would a reader go about submitting one?

CB: Custom orders are the most exciting because, much like an architech designing a custom home, I take pride in working with the customer to create a piece of art made not only by me, but also by the customer. E-mail custom requests.

I'm Obsessed with my case!!

LG: Tell us about your process. What goes into making a "Pink Sugar Crystals" Item? What is your turn around time for orders?

CB: Trade secret of Pink Sugar Crystals and my own personal mantra: Lots of Love, Passion And Patience. Turn around time can vary depending on the type of item being customized. Cellular phone cases usually require, on average, 3 weeks or less to complete.

LG: Please share a DIY TIP For my readers.

CB: If your are working with hard surfaces, I would highly recommend E6000 as an industrial strength adhesive. 

I have to say I am personally OBSESSED with my custom case and suggest EVERYONE get their sparkle on!

A Fab phone case ranges from $75.00-$360.00 depending on the size/type of crystals and custom design.

CONNECT with Christina via

E-mail

ETSY

FACEBOOK

Fabulous! Shout out to my girl Jensine for the RAD manicure XXO

Perceptions of a Stay-At-Home Style Maven

I have customized my career as a MOMpreneur writer AND owner/stylist of an on-line Vintage eBoutique. I spend my days multi-tasking; making fashions past my clients fashion futures, changing diapers, writing and domestic diva duties. My wardrobe must be fashion flexible and have enough variety to adapt to my fast paced mommy-hood mosaic. Working from home is no excuse to swap your skirt for sweatpants or trade your stilettos for sneakers. You daily perform the ultimate balancing act; work of a full time mother and MOMpreneur. You must therefore be able to balance your style between functional and “Fashion”. You don’t have to work from home or even have children to feel the rush of panic wash over you as the sun rises, peers through your binds as you quickly contemplate the day ahead with its tight schedules, deadlines and responsibilities.

Tips to trump the “I have no time” AM dilemma:

•On your way out the door jump into a colored pump instead of a ballet flat to add that extra element to your look. The pop of color and extra height can add another dimension to your look.


•Always have Style Staples on hand should you find "nothing to wear" as you enter your closet. A wrap dress, black pencil skirt, well fitting white shirt, tailored blazer, a wide legged trouser, a dark wash jean, and your go to comfy but chic shoe. Functional mix-and-match items that fit you and are ready to wear.


•Add accessories to enhance your “I over-slept and don’t want to be late” look. A fab cocktail ring or a great statement piece necklace is a quick way to CHIC.


•ALWAYS have a pair of stylish sunnies available in your rush out the door or carry a backup pair in your purse. Being chic en route to your office, school or meeting is an important element to your overall look.

The stylish working mamma maven’s I know utilize a wide range of accessories to complement their style staples and create their own unique looks. One sticks to a demur color pallet of black’s and grey tones but uses her choice of fabulous jewelry (layering and mixing) along with her love for shoes to maintain her personal style in and out of the office. Another always opts for elements to take her from corporate to cocktail hour. Ditching her “day” bag in the car and opting for a clutch, losing the blazer and adding bangles is a fast way to transform and be ready for whatever life has in store during the day or night.

In my personal attempt to maintain my style and taste level while working in my home I have been known to have what I call "deviation days". Ever felt like a human blotation device and opted for yoga pants? Thought that the baby barf on your FAV bed time tank could be the new must have print for fall? I have and am thankful that the majority of my latest wardrobe malfunctions and fashion faux pas take place within the walls of my home office and are not the public displays they once were. Gone are the days of the cubicle coffee stained dress or my blown blazer button in the boardroom.

My personal style is a direct reflection of my personality, moods and multi-tasking mommy status. I express emotions through fashion and feel dressing is an essential part of my daily routine, like eating or brushing my teeth. Although my office is in my home I feel it is essential to always stay true to my personal style even when it is only my 9 week old and my 3.5 year old looking. I do after all have to face by biggest critic every day; MYSELF. Your perception is your reality regardless of your circumstances, employment status, job title, salary, office location or field of expertise. Do you want to be successful? It all starts with making your style vision a reality, looking the part and THEN getting down to business.

Photograph by Mario Testino

**This was my entry for ROUND 1 of the LUCKY MAGAZINE contributing writer competition -- Please VOTE for my entry! 4 days left until Challenge #2 - Stay Tuned!!**