Just Say NO To Bunnies And Chicks!

Same message, new year.

Happy Easter!

my bunny Miles (Netherland Dwarf)

May 1999 - May 2008

It's that time of year again... baskets, bonnets, pretty dresses and pastels.  Cadbury, Peeps, egg hunts and the smell of fresh cut grass.  Spring is in the air.  And, of course, Easter time means bunnies and chicks.  I thought it would be fitting to repost my Easter piece from last year because I still have the same message...

Original post from 4.4.2010

little "Miss Miles" (I thought she was a boy when I first got her and never bothered to change her name!)

 
Since it is Easter and I am a bunny person, I wanted to remember my dear little pet "Miles" who passed away nearly three years ago at the ripe old age of nine. What is that in bunny years anyway? I ADORED my little pipsqueak more than anything and spoiled her rotten. I miss her everyday :-(
 

she was trained so well - she could jump for her treats!

 
Many people feel that Easter is an appropriate time to purchase little fluffy chicks or baby bunnies for their little ones, but they don't take the time to research and understand that these animals require just as much love, attention and care as a dog or cat.  A lot of times, children are excited and fascinated with their new pets for a few days and quickly become bored and ignore the animals, or even worse, neglect them.
 

Miles lounging in one of her beds

 
 

Miles lounging in my bed!

 
As if animal cruelty isn't rampant enough, every year around this time an overwhelming number Easter "bunnies" are abandoned or harmed.  If you know anybody who is considering buying a rabbit as a gift, please let them know about this and maybe they will reconsider.  They should really look into rescuing a poor little fluff ball that needs a home as opposed to purchasing a brand new, shiny one.
 

I didn't get her as a gift... I just did really annoying things to her which she tolerated (against her will!)

Sorry to get all "preachy," this is just something near and dear to my heart.

my sweetie

UPDATE: WendyB kindly sent me this article from the Wall St. Journal. Thanks Wendy!!

Great Minds Think Alike

As a designer, I like to be unique.  I always hated to be copied, even as a young girl.  So, most of the time I don't like to see other designers or other people doing similar things to me.  "Be an individual," I scream in my head!  But, there are those rare instances when an idea or design occurs simultaneously for two people, and that is a different story entirely.  In that case, I enjoy a type of camaraderie and I feel a certain sense of validity, as if to say, "See, I am right.  I knew I had a good idea!" 

Left: Rick Owens, Fall 2012 / Right: Stacy Lomman, Fall 2012

When I saw this piece from Rick Owens on the runway the same season as my "Mod Collection" (Fall 2012), I experienced that feeling.  The two looks are very different, yet they're kind of the same.  I love that about design -- two people can have a similar vision, yet the way it's translated is completely different.  But, that's exactly what design is, at least in terms of fashion.  Everything has been done already.  Nothing is really being invented anymore, so it's all about the individuals' point of view and interpretation of an idea.

Butt Cleavage Anyone?

black evening dress, Thierry Mulger, circa 1995

While doing a little research for the students in my class, I came across this incredible photo of a Mugler dress.  It got me thinking about the ridiculous new dress code CBS tried to enforce at this years' Grammy Awards.  Let's see that again (and click here if you want to read my Oscar post)...

Please be sure that buttocks and female breasts are adequately covered.  Thong type costumes are problematic.  Please avoid exposing bare fleshy under curves of the buttocks and buttock crack.  Bare sides or under curvature of the breasts is also problematic.  Please avoid sheer see-through clothing that could possibly expose female breast nipples.

So, obviously this dress would be banned.  However, I think it would be great for a black tie event, don't you?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope it's a good one my taffetadarlings!  And remember, don't pull an "Oscar Pistorius" today no matter how much your mate drives you insane! 

STACY LOMMAN - SPRING '13

A Burka For The Grammy Awards?

 

Jerry Seinfeld is offended as a comedian and a Jew!

I don't know if the new Grammy "dress code" offends me more as a designer or as a woman.  It also worries me that we are taking censorship too far in this country.  France is REALLY going to think we're uptight now!  For those of you who have not heard yet, skin is taboo.  After the insane memo enforcing the "very covered up" new dress code for the Grammys circulated, I was hoping the artists would all band together and wear burkas to the show.  I mean, Lady Gaga's done it multiple times...

See, a burka can be sexy and stylish! 

Here is exactly what the memo said (source, Daily Beast):

Please be sure that buttocks and female breasts are adequately covered.  Thong type costumes are problematic.  Please avoid exposing bare fleshy under curves of the buttocks and buttock crack.  Bare sides or under curvature of the breasts is also problematic.  Please avoid sheer see-through clothing that could possibly expose female breast nipples.

 STACY LOMMAN wool/mohair cape, Fall 2011
Boob violation!!!

I'm speechless and disgusted. The choice in wording is both hilarious and pathetic. At least they said please three times, I guess. I agree that nobody really wants to see "plumber's crack," but there shouldn't be a law prohibiting it.  Maybe Joan Rivers and her "fashion police" could be in charge of those offenders, but that's as far as it needs to go.

 

Let Duluth Trading Co. take care of your plumber's crack!

Seriously, there are much more important things to be concerned about in this country other than a bit of "side boob."  And there are lots of places to see side boob, full boob and full monty!  Has CBS ever heard of Playboy magazine, R-rated films or strip clubs?  If parents don't want their children to see a little cleavage, then don't let them watch the Grammys.  Or R-rated films.  Freedom of expression works both ways -- anybody can express their dislike by changing a channel and choosing not to watch.  It's not mandatory.  

 

STACY LOMMAN silver cocktail dress, special edition

Boob violation #2 

I could go on and on about this topic, but instead I will just leave you with this funny (and flattering!!) tweet from my friend Scott...

Scott Bliss ‏@wsblissjr

Famed designer @stacylomman says the grammy's dress code is "disgusting". "what the hell is happening to this country?" #wewantsideboob ;)

 

Here Scott, some side boob AND front boob!!

STACY LOMMAN polyurethane/elastic mesh dress with hot pink lining, Spring 2012

This dress would be BANNED from the Grammys!!

2013 "SAG" Awards

I'm a couple of days behind with this post, but I like to think of it as just being fashionably late!  A few weeks ago we saw a host of actresses taking "the plunge," so to speak, wearing cleavage revealing dresses.  On Sunday, at the 2013 Golden Globes, strapless was the neckline of choice, but many of Hollywood's elite stuck with a deep V.  The plunging V is like the chocolate soufflé of tops -- it can be magnificent (and sooo sexy) or it can be somewhat of a disaster.  It's a delicate balance.

Julianne Moore in Chanel couture

I'm a fan of the lovely Julianne Moore and she steps outside of the typical fashion box, which I like, but she just fell a little flat this time.  Yes, pun intended.  She may have won the award for best actress, but the "SAG" meant something else to me.  I just wish the bodice of the dress actually fit her.  Where was the highly skilled and highly sought after Ghost Tailor, Jean when you needed her?  She could have saved the day!  Perhaps she was busy altering dresses for other starlets or for my bestie/neighbor/blogger/award-winning jewelry designer, Wendy Brandes!

January Jones vs. random man with napkin?  Yah, I vote for him too.

In any case, Julianne is NOT on my best-dressed list and neither is poor January Jones.  I'm not going to say much about her since it's all been said already, so I'll just express my thoughts through pictures.

Sigourney Weaver in Lanvin

Sigourney Weaver earned herself a "fashion felony" and, in my opinion, looked like a black pillow sham and satin sheet.  I don't think I've ever seen Lanvin look so bad.  She is so statuesque, it was just the wrong dress for her. 

Kelly Osbourne

Mrs.Slocombe (Molly Sudgen)

I hate to pick on these ladies for not quite getting it right, so I blame their stylists for not having the taste level required or simply not having the cojones to tell their employers when they look like crap.  I do have to wonder about the background and the taste level of some of these, so called, stylists nowadays.  Seems to me, when Kelly Osbourne is in a position of commenting on and critiquing fashion, the world has gone crazy!

Golden Globes Post #2

STACY LOMMAN - Spring 2013

Photo: Shane LaVancher
copyright Stacy Lomman, 2012

I've already done a post on the Golden Globes which concentrated on the humor rather than the fashion because the humor was far better.  However, being a designer, I felt compelled and perhaps obligated to share my two cents.  Right off the bat, I'm going to give Anne Hathaway a shout out because she looked very pretty but, more importantly, she was wearing a corset and skirt combo and not a dress.  I could have loaned her this look from my spring '13 collection...

two piece ensemble from my spring '13 collection

 lace up (back) corset top and mermaid skirt in brocade

Photo: Shane LaVancher

Model: Stepanie Doggett

Anne Hathaway in Chanel two piece ensemble

Photo credit: Getty

Overall, I didn't see anything that took my breath away or that was risky or even ugly enough to cause a buzz.  For once, I just want to see somebody break the mold.  All of these actresses look interchangeable.  I'm bored.  And Claire Danes is gorgeous and talented, but she shows me no real sense of style.  I think she wore the same dress as last year at the Oscars, just in a different color!

Okay, maybe the dress is fairly different, but they're both pretty much a drapey blob of solid color.

(left): Danes in Versace at the 2013 Golden Globes / (right): Danes wearing Lanvin in February, 2012 at the Oscars.

I was happy to see celebs showing off some skin, after all, why not?  They invest enough time and money into personal trainers, personal chefs, life coaches, spa treatments, colonics, etc. -- don't you think they should flaunt their efforts? 

Eva Longoria pulls a "Jolie" with a high slit

Photo credit: Getty

One of the skintastic trends to grace the red carpet last night was the plunging neckline.  I heard so much chatter about this on Twitter during the show, I was surprised by the amount of people who found it to be distasteful.  Well, I wholeheartedly disagree, thank you very little!  I've been designing pieces like that since I was a teenager.

STACY LOMMAN, Spring 2012

black sheer cocktail dress with plunging neckline and hot pink lining

Photo: Randy Brooke 

Model: Katja

Katharine McPhee in Theyskens Theory

Photo credit: Getty

We also saw a lot of skin through sheer fabrics including lace, a la Jennifer Lopez.  I'll be the first to say that I'm not a fan of hers, but the dress looked great.  And, like the plunging necklines, JLo's dress was the recipient of a swarm of nasty tweets.  I'm beginning to think that people don't like to see other people looking good.  Ah, women can be so catty.  I, for one, feel just the opposite and it's a good thing too because I can't afford to be that way in my business -- I wouldn't sell any dresses!

JLo in Zuhair Murad looking smart with Casper Smart

Photo credit: Getty

To wrap it up, I'll list some of my best and worst dressed for your entertainment...

I loved Kate Hudson in McQueen, but was very disappointed with her hair.  Pull it up!  It would be more sophisticated that way and it wouldn't cover up the gorgeous detail on the front yoke.  Shame on her stylist!

Photo: Getty

Best dressed couple.  Daniel Craig in Tom Ford and Rachel Weisz in Louis Vuitton.

Chic, stylish and unique. 

Photo credit: Getty

Most fun!  Helena Bonham Carter in Dolce & Gabanna with a fun clutch (WendyB you MUST get this!) and Tim Burton.

Photo credit: Getty

Worst dressed: Giulianorexic, oops I meant, Giuliana Rancic in Celia Kritharioti

sorry, but she looks like a head on a stick

Photo credit: Getty