Stash Studios

Noir and Noir.

My preference for designers with a penchant for black shall remain unshaken in these technicolor times. founders & followers Atelier feature on Devastee (above) was the perfect new share for this All Hallows Eve.

And tomorrow, we celebrate All Hallows as we head out to Austin to see the latest designs of our favorite local Atelier, Blackmail by Gail Chovan.

Whatever you are doing this week, hope it's a scream!

Watch Me.

The 1940s Benrus Sky Chief is a vintage American pilots watch. The Benrus was the official pilot timepiece for those who flew for Delta, KLM, NWA, and TWA. The internet has been abuzz about this watch since Cool Hunter did a recent feature. And I happened to find one available here for about half the quoted price. 

I keep my eye on vintage watch faces because when I find the right one in working condition, I want to make my own leather band. But in searching, I also found some cool classic French aviator's watches and a solid selection of vintage military, including Breitling, Laco, and Auricoste.

Jalouse.

We began the week with Keith Richards, let's close it with some style inspiration by Alexandra Richards from Jalouse, November 2010. Shot by Mason Poole. Styled by Jennifer Eymère. Same issue as Erin Wasson.

Vintage is the New Black.

Found inspiration here.

Noir Ohio.

Vintage is the New Black is run by the same gal who has Noir Ohio, a pretty hip ebay vintage gig. I really just can't bring myself rerun the 80s as far as fashion is concerned. I'd prefer to bridge directly from elements of the 70s to denim, leather, tees, and good boots. However, there are days that I want her black leather shorts, knee socks, and platform heels something fierce.

I recently read a great piece about women 40 and over making their own rules for fashion here.

Best quote from Yvette Quiazon...

"I think at any age you need to work with what you have. I also think you can work on what you have. This means staying healthy and taking good care of yourself inside and out. I have seen plenty of 20-year-old women looking atrocious in a mini-skirt and plenty of 60-year-old women looking chic and fabulous in a mini-skirt. There somehow seems to be age dressing rules, but instead I think there should be three body-dressing rules for women of all ages. Rule one: Use a good mirror. Rule two: Have common sense. Rule three: If you don't feel good in it, you won’t look good." 

Loomstate

Liking the look and feel of Loomstate. Launched in New York City in 2004 by designer Rogan Gregory and Scott Mackinlay Hahn, Loomstate was founded as a casual brand dedicated to creating demand for certified organic cotton using socially and environmentally responsible methods of production.

Have a great weekend.

Happily Ever After

I'm a sucker for wry humor. myPetsQuare is a groovy little startup fashion house based in Australia, sold in Paris and LA. Below are some of their inspirations.

Tiny Human Hearts and Ribcages

Lillian Crowe is an artist. Inspired by museum relics and curious stories. And photos of Crowe in studio - taken by Amy Angelo - drew me into her curious story.  No need to retell it. Find the whole thing here.

The Time is Noir

The countdown is on. Just moments until showtime. Gail Chovan will be presenting her latest collection at Blackmail Boutique on S Congress in Austin. I've seen several of the pieces over the pasts few weeks and found it difficult to leave them behind. Even if you don't make the show, I encourage you to stop by for a visit with this talented atelier and her fabulous team.

My husband and I shot the shop when we were in town for meetings but the one photo I wish I had taken was of Gail painstakingly hand-embroiderying a French poem onto one of the garments. That poem got a lot of milage as it traveled the days with Gail.  As one customer aptly put it, that dress would have to be a zillion dollars. Yes, and this is what you get when you buy hand-made goods. Dedication to a vision that you just don't find in mass market.

So, if you can work leather and silks and deconstructed and black and linen and laces and hand-sewn French-inspired fashions, this is the place for you. Also, her jewelry is incredibly well-edited from rock-n-roll to sleek modern cool. This is almost the only place I buy jewelry these days.

Best to Gail and her team!

 

Superfine

Seeing these yesterday made me start jonsing to dive into my extra lambskin leather stash and add panels to a few pairs of jeans. Your better option would be Superfine jeans. Read more on the London-based rock-n-roll inspired designer here.

The above shots are of Dree Hemingway who was featured in the designers' Wonderland 2010 Autumn Lookbook as shot by Jan Welters.

The final shots above are of a favorite female vocalist - Alison Mosshart, known for her work with The Kills and The Dead Weather. Superfine indeed.