Kahlo's Kloset: Inspired

I have always been drawn to wild prints, unique textiles, over the top jewelry and headpieces/hats.  Recently my affinity for these things makes me think a lot of one of my SHEro's: Frida Kahlo. Fashion is just another way I have always felt connected to her.  I always admired her style as the only rules she adhered to were those of her own creation. 

She was very multi-faceted and her style ran the gamut from androgynous to historically haute, wearing traditional dresses/costumes of Mexico. She celebrated her heritage at a time when it was not so chic to do so and her counterparts in Mexico were heavily influenced by European fashion trends of the 1920's and 30's.

She also celebrated who she was, in a raw way by choosing not to remove her facial hair or mono brow. She spent a lot of time alone due to the physical aftermath of a teenage accident and lifetime of associated health concerns. She expressed herself and feelings through not only her passionate paintings but her adornment as well (clothing/accessories)

I wanted to showcase some of Frida's looks and how she STILL influences fashion.  If you want to see her Kloset LIVE you have time to get to Mexico before the exhibition closes on November 22, 2013.

Her parade of long, traditional Mexican dresses was three fold based on my research.  She, always a rebel loved to wear the traditional Tehuana 'costumes' as a non verbal announcement of her leftist identification with the underclass (she had Communist views), also as a symbol of power and will as according to legend Tehuana women were the real figures of authority in their society. Diego (her husband and love of her life) adored this traditional dress. She also wished to hide one of her legs that was atrophied and underdeveloped due to a bout of Polio at age 6.

Her accessories were as bold and bright as her garments and I read somewhere that you could 'hear" Frida coming before you could see her due to the layered necklaces and bracelets. Her styling philosophy was obviously 'more is more' and did not shy away from wearing fist fulls of rings, stacks of necklaces or multiple flowers and ribbons atop her head.

Photo: Miguel Tovar

Necklaces - C. 1932 On display

Her influence on fashion remains strong today with MANY fashion editorials styled in the spirit of Kahlo. Her style has definitely had an impact on me.

 A hand made Vintage dress a-la-Frida. PURCHASE

 Gwen very Frida Fab!

Images: Fredrik Wannerstedt for DV Mode 

 Monica Bellucci - March 2013 Harpers Bazaar Ukraine

 Claudia Schiffer, German VOGUE, Photographed by Karl Lagerfeld

Giovanna Battaglia in Dolce andGabbana FW13 at MET Gala

Does FRIDA Inspire you?

Let Kahlo inspire your 'Kloset'

Vintage Caftan - $38

Vintage Printed Hostess Gown - $75

Vintage Bead and Lion Pendant Necklace  - $48

Vintage Gold Tone Rope Necklace ~ $34

Vintage bright printed maxi dress ~ $70

Vintage cocktail ring - $60

Inner Peace: My wish for you

I think that inner peace is something that we all want deep down. It is something that I try to work toward each day. The symptoms listed here are what I strive to have, although I have a LONG way to go. I think more than acquiring these symptoms I am enjoying the journey along the way. Sometimes my biggest flaws or perceived shortcomings are the best opportunity for growth and give me much joy in hindsight. Being able to overcome personal obstacles or make improvements to oneself is sometimes the greatest achievement. Humble pie is on the menu and sometimes bitter sweet, it is a dish I have grown to enjoy. I see growth some from accountability and humility.  My thought and wish for tonight is that each of you reading this post will flourish with one, several or ALL of these symptoms.  Take your own path and reach your own version of "Inner Peace". Stop and take time to enjoy the small triumphs among the tragedies of life. Take a moment to ponder a world where everyone is working toward the symptoms listed here, on their own paths and in their own ways. I like to think they they are .... (Click on image to enlarge)

Strip Strip Hooray: My Review

Illustration by David Downton

I spent Friday June 28th in the beautiful city of San Francisco with one of my best gal pal's. After a 3 hour marathon shop for fabulous Vintage we went to the Fillmore to see the Variety show: Strip Strip Hooray! Featuring Burlesque beauty and Style Maven Dita Von Teese.

I was not sure what to expect as it was my first show. I have to say it was indeed a show full of variety and a real feast for the eyes.

First a quick history lesson about Burlesque:

"Bon Ton Burlesquers - 365 days ahead of them all." Poster of U.S. burlesque show, 1898, showing a woman in outfit with low neckline and short skirts holding a number of upper-class men "On the string". Color lithograph (wiki)

Victorian Burlesque: "Victorian burlesque, sometimes known as "travesty" or "extravaganza",was popular in London theatres between the 1830s and the 1890s. It took the form of musical theatre parody in which a well-known opera, play or ballet was adapted into a broad comic play, usually a musical play, often risqué in style, mocking the theatrical and musical conventions and styles of the original work, and quoting or pastiching text or music from the original work." (wiki)

American Burlesque: American burlesque shows were simply a version of Victorian Burlesque, in the beginning. The transition from the Victorian version to the strip tease was gradual. By the 1930's the burlesque shows would have up to 6 strippers, an MC and comic acts. There were also 'strip stars' like Gypsy Rose Lee and famous names who graced the burlesque stage in a comedic capacity early  in their careers like Mae West, Abbot and Costello, Sophie Tucker and Red Skelton.

Gypsy Rose Lee

Where does Dita come in? She started this resurgence of Burlesque in 1992 (Neo-Burlesque). Since then she has been the driving force behind the "Neo-Burlesque" movement, the face of Cointreau, a muse of the worlds top fashion/shoe designers and a designer in her own right. She has several products from books, lingerie, perfume and much more. Visit her website

What I love about Dita is that she seems to be an authentic artist. There is no "team" driving her image, she's got her Louboutin clad foot on the gas with respect to her hair,makeup, and personal styling. There is no glam squad or stylist, she does it all on her own. No one does GLAMOUR like Dita anymore, which I simply ADORE.

People have a strong reaction to Dita, one way or the other. I went to the show with high expectations and they were actually exceeded.  The venue (Fillmore, SF) was a perfect setting for this show. The stage was GORGEOUS draped in cobalt Velvet curtains and the ceilings dripping with crystal chandeliers. 

Our view of the stage

The host for the variety show is NYC based entertainer MC Murry Hill who was the evening's king of wit and ad lib. A hilarious guide through the pasty parade. 

The cast included:

 Miss Dirty Martini , a voluptuous vixen who rocked the stage from NYC and boy can she twirl her tassels. Prince Poppycock is a powdered rock-operatic dandy who had a fabulous wig, 

Catherine D'Lish in her sassy spiderweb

 Lada Nikolska the ravishing Russian rocked the stage on a rouge velvet lip couch.

A studly gent named 'Romeo' who ended up in a fedora and fishnets. 

The lil Selene Luna who at 3'10" is a RockNRoll pasty powerhouse. 

Dita's Vontourage(Erica Holland & Donna Hood)- two blond babes attending to Dita and her discarded wardrobe during her acts.

Last but not least the grande dame of Burlesque, DVT.

I LOVED the costumes, props and acts. It is sincerely hard to pick a favourite but I loved the Bird Cage act with the feathered fan dance and the Asian inspired "Opium Den" acts the best. Each act was amazing with something that would appeal to every taste.

Her acts are each set to amazing music, new takes on old sexy favourites including one song Dita recorded/performed which was a May West ditty for her famous Martini Glass routine.

It was a true variety show in all senses of the word. I felt transported back in time too, back to the days of feathers and fishnets, whiskey, jazz and a good ole fashioned strip tease, well, strip Teese in this case. I was not surprised to see the audience was primarily made up of women, stylish ones. I chuckled to think of what a difference time has made, the old burlesque shows from days gone by where men were the ONLY occupants of shows 'like these'.  Maybe these women were there to soak up the overall glitz and glamour that is missing in our society? or to be inspired to slap on the jeweled pasties and give the tassels a whirl? or they came out simply to be entertained. Regardless of the reason they came, I sure left inspired and excited to take my husband to the next show.

Bravo Dita, for not only making women proud to showcase their sexuality, regardless of their size or shape but for keeping what was fabulous from our cultures past, current and present. 

Strip Strip Hooray!!!

Dita & I post show (Thanks to the House of Kat Swank for the Fab Feathers)

See the show in CHICAGO JULY 11-13

TICKETS HERE

And the winner is ...

Illustration By Sandra Suy - pg.120

I had posted recently about the sweet and stylish series "The Time Traveling Fashionista" by Bianca Turetsky

I originally got the series for my 10 year old step daughter, Danica to enjoy and she recently read the first book, "On Board The Titanic", here's her review:

"When I first started reading this book I thought it was a really good book. Then I thought, I'm glad my step mom got this for me. The character of Louise was a good character. At the beginning I thought it was cool that her best friend was not a big fan of vintage but Louise chose to love it and wear it anyway. When she got the pink dress I thought that the smell of the ocean breeze was a clue about how she traveled to the Titanic. 

When Louise was on the Titanic the book got a little more interesting. It was cool that it took a while to find out that she was on the Titanic.  I also learned about some fashion designers in the book and how Vintage clothes looked back then and they were really cool. I am looking forward to reading the next books!"

I had asked you, dear readers what your favorite period in fashion was and why. I was seriously hard pressed to choose a winner as all the replies were well written and made me want to go back in time.

Danica has chosen the winner .... DAWN for this submission:

"I LOVE the 1920s and 1930s....The time of prohibition, Gangsters, Flappers, ART DECO, Speakeasies, Beaded dresses, Bobbed hair, Bandeau's and no brassieres, lipstick, makeup, red rougey cheeks, Bee's Knee's, jewelry, long beads, Clara Bow, Louise Brooks........OHHHHHHH I LOVE the 1920s and 1930s.....can you tell?"

CONGRATS! and thank you all for the submissions!!!

Meet the author at the Titanic Museum (Pigeon Forge Branch) Get your books signed and visit the over 400 Titanic Artifacts at the museum.

Dates: July 04, 2013 to July 07, 2013

Time: 12:00 p.m.

Venue: Titanic Museum (Pigeon Forge branch)

Address: 2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

The House of Kat Swank

The designer - Kat Swank 

(wearing ENVY headdress custom designed for Coutney Love)

Kat Swank is the Headmistress of headbands and unique headdresses. Her fabulous feathered creations also extend into wristlets, belts, cuffs, chokers and caplets. She has created her brand in 2009 based on her love of the past and her visions of the present. She mixes her high end materials, old and new to create some of the most amazing pieces that I have ever seen or had the pleasure of wearing (see image below)! Many of the pieces are custom made for her clients, which I adore!

ME - Wearing The 'Joanna' Headdress ~ $647

What I love about her pieces is that they are unique, custom, a collision of fashions past and current fantasy AND that many of them are multi-functional, designed to be worn several ways! She specializes in pieces that can be worn on your wedding day and be styled into your regular wardrobe, for events, cocktails or just because you are fabulous!

The 5-in-1 SWANKY! $65

Her work has made it's way into several mag's, books and blogs like; The first issue of LOVE UK, Rolling Stone, SPIN Magazine, Relapse and in the book The Goddess Guide 2: The Goddess Experience by Giselle Scanlon. and Love My Dress Wedding Blog. After a recent hiatus she has collected her creative energies and is BACK!

 SPIN - March 2010 - Courtney Love Wearing a custom Kat Swank Headpiece & Her 5-in-1 Swanky wristlet

Kat and I chatted about her designs and her business recently,

Kat Swank Capelet ~ $237

 LISA: Who and what inspires you? and your designs?

KAT: Many things inspire me- antique & vintage clothing from the 20's-40's, mourning garments covered in antique jet beads from the late 1800's, images of silent film stars and old Hollywood glamour, big name houses & designers like Dior, Elie Saab (be still my heart- I LOVE HIM), Zuhair Murad, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Marchesa. There's nothing better for an artist than a good muse: Daphne Guinness, Isabella Blow, Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, Jane Birkin, Lucia Santos, Zelda Fitzgerald. My 5 year old daughter is an inspiration to me in the way that she wears what she wants, when she wants, and feels wonderful doing it!

Model wearing taxidermy Sparrow Headdress (SOLD)

Basically, I'm a very visual person, and I tend to react most emotionally to things that are old and beautiful. I really gravitate towards the quality and texture of handmade antique garments, accessories, furniture and even old houses. I love taking something vintage or antique that's a little beat up, disassembling it and reassembling it into something new, current and functional.

 LISA: Explain your design process

KAT: My design process is very organic. Sometimes my inspiration comes strictly from the colors and the textures of the materials themselves. Other times I'm inspired by the person whom I'm designing for. I particularly love custom work for brides and for editorial for that very reason. I spend time on pinterest and flipping through fashion mags for inspiration. 

Mini-Alana Headdress Featured in ETSY Weddings

LISA: Who is the Kat Swank Client?

KAT: So far, The House of Kat Swank client has varied! I create one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces, so I cater to the discerning, unique woman who appreciates art and heirloom quality couture. Currently the bulk of my business is bespoke bridal. I've also created several pieces for Courtney Love of the band Hole,

Magenta Madness" Headdress

 I made a fantastic headdress for Florence of Florence & The Machine (I'm still waiting to see her wear it in the press). 

Courtney Love Wearing House of Kat Swank in Milan with  Designer Roberto Cavalli

LISA: What are your plans for the KS brand?

KAT: I lost my little brother David tragically in Dec. 2010, so I really had to take a break after that and focus on family for awhile. I didn't stop working completely on The House of Kat Swank, but I certainly slowed things to a crawl and took time to heal. During that hiatus I helped to launch a nonprofit for Veterans who are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) from the recent wars in Iraq & Afghanistan. My brother suffered from PTS from his time in the Army, serving in Iraq, and unfortunately he came back from the war in body, but not in spirit. He never recovered from what he saw and did over there. I took a break from the business in order to focus on healing and to help other veterans and families of veterans who are struggling with similar ordeals. Also, I'm a single mompreneur! So I've been working to achieve balance over the past 2 years, and I've now reached a point where I'm ready to focus all of my creative energy on The House of Kat Swank! Currently I'm preparing to launch a new line in 2014. I'm working with someone locally who will be taking some of the business and marketing side of The House off of my back, which will allow me to devote the bulk of my time and energy on the creative process.

RED - $1,117  & Ostrich Feather Capelet - $325- Image: Saulo Photography

LISA:  If you had one piece of style advice for my readers what would it be?

KAT: My biggest and best advice is just to go with what feels good to you. Originally being from a small, Midwestern town outside of Chicago, I spent many, many years battling my desire to be unique against the desire to fit in with the crowd. At this point in life I'm happy to say that I wear what I want, when I want! Focus on creating your own sense of style rather than being a slave to transient fashion. One of my favorite style icons to watch is Daphne Guinness, and there's a quote of hers that comes to mind, "In this world, just to be yourself, that's the true luxury". Just be yourself!

Marie Antoinette Fascinator - $235

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