A JUMP Start

1973

My closet is an eclectic mix of shapes, colors, textures and decades. Of all of the pieces I have a soft spot when for a Jumpsuit when I dress.  I have several and am always on the hunt for really special pieces. When you have this fashion moment it can Jump Start you to a whole other style dimension.  The Jumpsuit has a history of over 90 years. The tricky part about this one piece wonder is the fit in the 'crotch' - getting an accurate waist-crotch measurement will sincerely help you if in an on-line quest for a jumpsuit. The word  “Jumpsuit” originated from the utilitarian, one piece garments worn by aviators and parachutists, hence the word 'jump'. It came to represent any garment that was one piece with arms and legs, used by astronauts, mechanics, women workers in WWII, race car drivers to rock stars and some of the most stylish women on the planet as the garment evolved.

According to VOGUE (Italia) the Jumpsuit made it's debut in 1919 as a futuristic garment cut from one pieces of material (African Canvas), a Russian designer followed suit in 1923 with the famous designer Elsa Schiaparelli in the early 1930's designed them, like this one that is now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

In America the jumpsuit was a functional garment for women starting in WWI (1914-1918) who were working in the factories.

This jump start caused the suit to evolve into the current and chic piece that it is today.  You can see the jumpsuit through fashion history as both a functional and fashionable garment. 

A-la 'Rosie the Riveter' women during WWII (1939-1945) wore utilitarian work one piece jumpsuits in factories across North America. The functional side of the jumpsuit:

Workers in Boeing Plant during WWII

It was worn through the 1930's also in a fashionable cpacity.

1939

The late 30's-1940's gal took to the beach in her jumpsuit as beach / lounge wear. 

Bette Davis in Swimsuit / Joan Blondell in beach suit

1950's

                                                            Elizabeth Taylor

1960's

Helmet Newton Image - 1966

The jumpsuit made a HUGE resurgence in the 1970's and 1980's

70's Polyester Polka Dot Jumpsuit ~ $65

VOGUE 1971

Jerry Hall

70's Printed Jumpsuit ~ $85

1980's

Cherie Curry and Joan Jett

80's Liquid Metal - Animal Print Jumpsuit ~ $75

80's AJ Bari Polka Dot Jumpsuit ~ $80

80's Metallic Top Jumpsuit ~ $60

1990's

 Gianni Versace Jeweled and Bell bottom suits!

S/S 1991

2000's

 Gwen & Iman

MYTH: Jumpsuits are only for tall girls. WRONG: They can be worn by all women regardless of shape or size. The correct cut, draping and fit for your body type is the only issue. Waist/Crotch measurement needs to be accurate. Avoiding the dreaded camel-toe is key!

SJP in Elie Saab2013

Miley Cyrus

GQ 2011

Petra Nemkova

 Rachel Zoe

Vogue Italia 2010

Are You ready for your JUMP start?

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