La Dolce Vita

As promised, I'm sharing a bit more of my leopard lined dress that I mentioned in my last post. Thank God I don't have to pay Roberto Cavalli any royalties for his patent absurd claim on the invention of leopard print!

busy Wendy Brandes poses with one her pooches, Henry, on their way out for a walk

The lovely and talented jewelry designer, WendyB (whose Cleopatra earrings are featured in the Sex in the City 2 film -- click here to find out where you can purchase these glorious dangles) for whom I designed this dress, offered to pose for a photo op. Doesn't she look divine? It's so rewarding to see my pieces on beautiful people (well, ALL of my clients are beautiful!).

chatting with her publicist

As most of you are aware, Wendy is an extremely busy woman, but she is one of the most glamorous people I know.  I've never seen her without a perfect pout -- I mean, her lipstick never moves.  I'm beginning to think she had it tattooed on like Michael Jackson's eyeliner, except that the color changes occasionally.  MAC cosmetics should seriously hire her as their spokesperson... if she could squeeze it into her schedule.

multitasking... getting dressed, reading the Style section of the Times while on the phone (and I think she may have been chewing gum!) 

Gigi needed attention too...

Can A Leopard Change Its Spots?

Roberto Cavalli, Spring 2007

Photo Credit: Firstview

I was at a little party last night and happened to have one of my new pieces with me to show my friend. The dress just happens to have silk charmeuse lining – leopard print. More on the dress in a couple of days, but in the meantime, I thought I would share a funny, little story.

my leopard lined dress

One of the girls at the shin-ding (and I can’t mention any names here), said, “Oh, we did an interview with Roberto Cavalli and he apparently told the writer that he invented leopard print.” We all chuckled at the idea of “inventing” something that has existed for centuries, not to mention a leopard is an actual animal so I don’t think anyone can really be credited with the invention of leopard print.

Norman Norell leopard bodice dress, 1949

Photo Credit: from the book "Couture" by Caroline Rennolds Milbank

 

Dolce & Gabbana leopard print dress, 2009

(left to right: Scarlett Johansson, Whitney Housten, Madonna)

“I need more of an ego,” I commented after we all decided it took a very egocentric individual to credit themselves with something so grand. “I am convinced I would be a more successful designer if I were just a delusional, self-absorbed diva, who felt that the world revolved around me,” I said.

Versace, 1991-1992

Photo Credit: Irving Penn for the book VERSACE for F.I.T. 1992-93

Now, I don’t have a problem with Cavalli, in fact, I like a lot of his work. I think some of it borders on the excessive, or tacky, but it all comes down to personal taste. He is a unique visionary, I’ll give him that. But, let’s be real; leopard print, pattern, skin, whatever, has been around for ages. Deal with it Roberto.

Final Reveal...

So the answer to the "Add it Up" post and the "Missing Ingredient" is below...

Sheer/Shimmer Nylon Knit with Nude and Blush Color Tulle and Shell Pink "Honeycomb" Skirt

Front View Bodice with Heat Transfer Gold Metal Paillettes 

  

 

Back View Bodice

Missing Ingredients

These are the last components to the recipe in my last post...

Stay tuned for the final garment reveal...

Add It Up!

I have a tendency to start things and not finish.  I guess that I lack follow-through.  But, I like to think that I have so many ideas spinning around in my head that I'm just so anxious to move on and dive into a new project.  I also have a serious disease called "perfectionism."  It's not fatal and many creative types suffer from this affliction.  This disease is partly to blame for my lack of follow-through; I get a bit caught up in the details and executing my garments to the highest standards.  I always say, "I'd be obsessive if I didn't get bored so quickly."  This is my motto.

Anyway, that said, I am starting yet another new piece! I know, I know my taffetadarlings, I haven't revealed the final products from my last few posts. Well, there is a good reason for that. They are not yet complete! I promise you will see them soon. Meanwhile, what happens when you take photo #1, add it to photo #2 and sprinkle in photo #3? Stay tuned to find out!

Violent Femmes can "Add it Up."  Can you?

A-dress-ing Matters

Another dress in progress...

Silk/Wool/Nylon Tweed

with Leather Trim

Tease Two

OK my taffetadarlings, here is a peek at another new piece!
Somewhere on the Upper East Side, a jacket starts to take shape...

Double Face Wool

Sleeve Cap Detail

Sneak Peek

I promised last week to post some of the new styles I've been working on lately.  Life happens and I keep getting sidetracked, so I'm not as far along as I had hoped.  But, here's a little preview my taffetadarlings...

Silk Double Knit