Mock the Crop

SHOP

Fashion is all about innovation, changing what has came before and creating what we have never seen. It is almost summer but we are still getting wet, foggy, mornings here on the coast of California.

This dress is perfect for such a morning and all seasons beyond. It is a soft stretch fabric from the 1980's and in a Mock Crop Layered silhouette. I had a hard time describing this piece. The top is over sized and boxy, with a front pocket and long sleeves over a fitted under layer that is attached to the skirt. The dress also has pockets which is a major selling point for me. When I was trying to describe it I recalled the CHANEL 2014 S/S Haute Couture collection showing similar silhouette.

I wonder what Karl called it?

I call it Unique and Fabulous! Don't be afraid to Mock the Crop ladies! You could take a page out of Karl Lagerfeld's book and style the Vintage Grey dress with sneakers.

Get the details on the Evolution Vintage offering HERE.

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?

All Aboard The Blake Birthday Express

All Aboard ... Here is your ticket into Blake's 6th Chuggington Train Themed Birthday Party!

All of my DIY parties and events begin with s custom created invitation. This year it was a ticket to board the train.

WARDROBE

To me the wardrobe for my themed parties are my first consideration. I design and create my parties around may families wardrobe. This theme was a little more laid back and let's be honest, all "Train Themed" parties call for denim, stripes, bandana's and a fun hat or two.

My husband in pin stripes and a conductors hat and I in my overalls, Rail Road tee and scarf

The man of the hour in full force denim overalls and a white dress shirt. He did have a white/blue train hat on but with his sensory issues hats don't last too long.

 Hi sister had her own take on what she would wear on the Rail Road, Pin stripes, pink and a denim overall style romper!

FOOD 

 Gluten Free Pizza is always a big hit for Bake!

 The food was displayed in train cars, with a train in the front and being pulled down the train track table cloth used on the counter top.

Mini rail road pop corns in themed boxes

"Chugga Chugga" time at the Fueling station for both child and adult - Champagne and fruit infused water! (I created the sign using the Chuggington logo)

His cake was GF chocolate adorned with all edible elements, all except the train. The tracks were made from sour licorice and GF pretzels. The little pond is blue sugar crystals surrounded by chocolate chips.

DECOR 

The outdoor tablescape center piece was colored gumballs and old school hubba bubba in mason jars surrounded by Chuggington train characters and vintage wooded train whistles.

The plates were RXR Railroad signs and each of the guest received a wooden train whistle with their place setting (and Gift Bag).

 I used a Railroad crossing decal and added black paper board and gold plates as lights for a themed train crossing wall display.

A total staple at my events is some kind of photo back drop!

 I created a train car prop for photos. I used large cardboard boxes and wrapped them with table cloths. The interior has images of buttons and dials much like the inside of a train. It was a windy day but I attempted white balloons / "Steam" coming from the front stack. Of course it is train car #6

I used apple boxes and created single train cars in the colors of the different Chuggington characters. I had set up an outdoor theatre for a film but has to take it into my garage due to wind and lighting issues. The kids used the carts as drive in movie seats!

Movie Time! 

Then playing in Disney train tents!!

GUEST GIFTS

Guests could cruise by the Baggage Claim and grab their gift bags - Themed train cartons that contained: Train Conductor Hats, Bandana, Train shaped crayons, and more ...

Blake had a traintastic day!