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?

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!!

Hot Mesh

I love fashion because it is forever changing, evolving and there is truly something for everyone. I don't personally adhere to trends but I do enjoy watching the new collections at Fashion Week when it comes around twice a year. Currently Fashion week in Paris is in full swing, showing Spring/Summer 2018 looks.

DIOR S/S 2018

I noticed two collections, Dior and Saint Laurent (formerly YSL) both showed some Hot Mesh .. Black with dotted prints.

YSL S/S 2018

It reminded me how designers have to look back to go forward and this dress that I procured from the 55,000 Dress Collection of Mr. Paul Brockmann.

It was designed by Nolan Miller, the costume designer of the 80's hit show DYNASTY. Who remembers that show? Glamour, drama and all the over the top 80's garments that we are now coming to adore once more.

I used to watch Dallas with my grandmother and as a young girl the character Alexis Carrington was always a style icon with her cage veils, diamonds and gowns. Sassy and Fabulous!

The Noalan Miller dress was designed as part of a collection for Saks Fifth Avenue and is MAJOR Hot Mesh .... complete with velvet dots, bows and a layered skirt.

SHOP: $180

Color Your World

I live, work and dream in color. I exist and grow in rainbows. 

I am inspired by color, by vibrancy in the world, radiant energies, passionate people.

I am constantly in a state of bewilderment as I look around. I look in gratitude of course but also in awe of how and why people don't encourage each other to shine their light as bright as they can. I am astonished at why more people don't help each other grow and express their unique color pallet. I for one am so exhausted seeing every ones public armor painted and camouflaged beige.

Shoe Story: 

SJP Collection FAWN in Ochre and Pink Satin. Also "Louise" in Blue Satin.

I chose to use images of my favorite colorful shoes to illustrate my point. I am not paid, thanked, compensated, treated or encouraged to promote this shoe collection, this candy or anything I share in my physical or digital life. I share what I love for the sake of sharing it. I expose the world of my unique colors in hopes it will inspire you to do the same. It doesn't have to take the form of social media over sharing, but just authenticity to every person that you encounter. You are amazing and the world needs exactly who you are in this moment, colors, flaws and all.

"The universe is my palette. I paint a glorious picture and step into it" - Alan Cohen 

Today's color pallet of blues, pinks and yellows. All looks available via EVOLUTION VINTAGE

Tee For Two: Seanese

The t-shirt has made such an evolution over the years. According to Wiki 'The T-shirt evolved from undergarments used in the 19th century. First, the one-piece union suit underwear was cut into separate top and bottom garments, with the top long enough to tuck under the waistband of the bottoms. With and without buttons, they were adopted by miners and stevedores during the late 19th century as a convenient covering for hot environments.

As slip-on garments without buttons, the earliest T-shirt dates back to sometime between the 1898 Spanish–American War and 1913, when the U.S. Navy began issuing them as undergarments."

It's come a long way baby and now is popular for amazing graphics in both design (art) and phrases. 

T-shirt: Don't Tell My Mother

Shoe; SJP Collection Daphne Pump

Bracelet: Betsy Johnson

The styling and context to which one wears a t-shirt has also changed and evolved. I wanted to share several ways to wear a T-shirt using two of my new FAV's from the SEANESE line. Sean's line is new and special to me because Sean has a giant personality and he has chosen graphic tees to express himself and his unique "sayings". Sean also has Down Syndrome and has struggled with speech and hearing issues for his entire life. Growing up his speech was only clear to those who spent a lot of time around him and some had joked that he had his own language. The name "Seanese" is a tongue in cheek and clever name for his collection of tees, caps, bags and other items that have his "sayings" on them.

Sean with my son Blake

You may recognize Sean from the Emmy award winning show Born This Way on AE

My two FAV's are "Don't Tell My Mother" and "No Spoilers".  I wanted to show you how I wear them and style them on a smaller model in hopes of expanding your view on the versatility of a t-shirt.

T-shirt

Shoes: SJP Collection Fawn 70MM in Candy Satin

Denim: Lucky Brand Reese Boyfriend Jean

Worn off the shoulder (tug to expand the neck)

Shown Here off the shoulder, rolled up sleeve with a side knot. Statement jewels and track pants.

Because everyone wears heels, fishnets and track pants. They don't but clearly should.

My XL Tee on my size SM model is the perfect shirt dress.

Or belted with a Vintage gold tone fish scale metallic belt and printed flats and fishnets.

I wear the tee with a colored blazer (Forever 21 a million seasons ago), Lucky Brand Denim & SJP TARTT Mary Jane

The shirts come in all sizes and several colorways, women's, men's, kids and babies too! 

What is your FAV way to wear a graphic t-shirt?

Sparkle Into Fall

When I collect the treasures of Fashion's past for my tiny eBoutique EVOLUTION VINTAGE I always look for unique pieces that can be re-styled / re-worn in a modern way. We can be modern, express ourselves in an authentic way and also be gentle on the earth by wearing these textiles and not letting them end up in the land fill.

This black and blue sequin top was once a dance/performance piece for band, a dance troop or the like. Now it is re-styled here with distressed denim and a heel to be worn out for cocktails or an evening event. Pair with a blazer or moto jacket to reflect your unique style sensibilities. Don't let the initial intention of a garment limit your styling possibilities.

BUY IT

Sparkle and Shine right through the fall season and beyond!

Winter Garden: 2016

Harpers Bazaar - Alexi Lubomirski

Dolce and Gabbana dress, $7,995, and scarf, $495, 877-DGUSA. Tiffany & Co. earrings, $16,000 and ring, $40,000

There is nothing more chic to me than floral prints in the winter. There is also nothing more unaffordable than the Dolce and Gabbana dress pictured above. Fear not dear readers as I have found a few fabulous alternatives, both contemporary and vintage.  Reese Witherspoon in the new issue of Harpers Bazaar is a real vision in this floral frock and I truly love the image. Which winter garden print is your favorite?

Shabby Apple: $129 *Pre-Order: Available Feb 26*

Vintage 1970's via Evolution Vintage

Vintage Poppy Print Dress - Evolution Vintage

Dress To Express

Looking inward is SO important, in fact it is the foundation of your existence really. It is a practice that we should all do a lot more. There is just so much outside noise that distracts us. To live an externally motivated life is to rob yourself of who YOU are and what authentically motivates you. We cannot anticipate the reaction from the outside world to who we are internally so I think this may be why so many people never really try.

Buy this brand 

Wear this label

Follow the trends (or the herd)

Many of us are to easily accepting of marketing, branding, and exterior pressures to be "something" or "someone". What if we looked to the exterior ONLY to express what is on the inside. I use fashion in this way. Many would have a chuckle or a nice eye roll when I say that Fashion to me is another language. I use clothing and styling to express who I am and how I am feeling in the moment.

On a daily basis I dress to express. It is literally an outward manifestation of who I authentically am on the inside. I don't care about labels, prices, trends or eras. I wear what I like and only what I am instinctually drawn too. When asked to describe my style in one word: Authentic.

What I Wore - (left): Promesa Harem Pant Jumpsuit (Thrifted Stretch Belt - no label)

SJP Collection FAWN in Yellow (Ochre) Satin - Bloomingdales Zappos Couture

Evolution Vintage Burnout Tee in White

My Cousin (pictured R)

Black CACHE Jumpsuit

Evolution Vintage 70's Black Hat

BCBG Metallic Cut Out Heels.

When is the last time you purchased something that you authentically loved or were naturally drawn too and DIDN'T make an excuse about not having somewhere to wear it? or it being too expensive? or any other issue?

Many of the outward roadblocks in style and in life we create for ourselves. Trust me, no one gives a shit really what you are doing, even though many of us perceive that they do. Toady's assignment, head to your closet's and whatever you instinctually FEEL like wearing, or strikes you as beautiful put it on. Wear it in the house, go to the grocery store, out to dinner or vacuum in it, who cares. There is NO excuse not to DRESS TO EXPRESS... 

Share your images with me on Intagram: @evolutionvtg

Hashtag #DressToExpress