Plaid Is Rad

Plaid and I have not always had the best relationship.  In fact, we started off on the wrong foot back when I was in grade school, but shortly thereafter, I came to appreciate it's beauty.  I think the main problem all those years ago was that my plaids had also been my sister's plaids at one point.  Like most families, we passed down clothes that were in good condition to the younger siblings when the older outgrew them.  In our case, the younger sibling was (and still is!) me. However, my sister and I did dress my little brother in a pilgrim outfit that had belonged to me for Halloween one year!  But, that was an exception.  

me (left) and my big sister, Kim (right)

my expression clearly says, "Aren't her pants ridiculous?  And aren't my favorite buckle shoes fabulous?"

I remember a particular pair of red plaid pants that my sister wore; I was really bothered by the flared silhouette.  I don't know any other four year old who thinks this way, but I've always been odd unique.  So, when the famous plaid pantalones were passed down to me a few years later, I resented them.  I tried everything to get out of wearing them. I puffed out my gut to pretend they were too tight, pulled them up to my armpits to try to make them into high waters -- but my mom wasn't buying what I was selling, and these pants ended up in my life for way too long.

I call this picture "THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PLAID PANTS"

A few years later... that's me again on the left, but this time I'm "wearing the pants."  I was already mixing stripe and plaid patterns-- so ahead of my time.

It took me quite a while to warm up to plaid, but thanks to my interest in punk music as a teen, I not only warmed up, I fell in love.  Plaid suddenly looked cool, edgy and dare I say... sexy!  In fact, I've been wanting to recreate and modernize (of course!) a pair of those old red tartans for a long time!  And now, all of a sudden, plaid is all the rage in fashion -- largely due to Dries Van Noten's  influence in the industry. The King of Print and Pattern showed a grunge-inspired collection for Spring 2013, and plaid never looked so fresh. Shortly thereafter, The MET embraced a punk theme for its annual gala in May, and plaid spread like wildfire.  Even Spaceball One has "gone to plaid."  See for yourself... 

 

"They've gone to plaid!"

As a designer and an individual, I never follow trend.  I always allow my personal style and taste level dictate what I design and wear.  I strive to create flattering, innovative, high quality items and if they happen to be "on trend" well, that's just fine.  This is exactly the case with my Fall 2013 Edwardian/Goth-inspired collection.  I was lucky enough to work with the famous Harris Tweed mill whose incomparable fabrics come in so many beautiful patterns.  When I saw a swatch of their purple/navy/green plaid, I had to have it.  

STACY LOMMAN : FALL 2013

I've been getting such a great reaction to my tartan and leather trimmed suit that I decided to make a corset in the same pattern.  The new piece will debut on the runway next week at the Chicago Gold Coast Fashion Award Show where I will be presenting my Fall 2013 collection along with seven other up-and-coming designers.  Stay tuned...

Coney Island High

Sadly, it's been at least a decade since the awesome punk club, Coney Island High on St. Mark's Place, shut down so I have to get my Coney Island fix at... well... Coney Island! Though you won't see The Misfits, Fleshtones, Beasties, The Donnas or even the Ramone boys -- you will see The Wonder Wheel, Cyclone, Nathan's Hot Dogs and Zoltar!  

Zoltar will tell you your fortune

It's been far too long since my bestie/partner in crime, Wendy Brandes and I visited the famous Brooklyn amusement park, so we made a promise to get there at least once this summer.  And, I'm happy to report this past Tuesday, we kept our promise!  

The famous Wonder Wheel

The journey started well before we actually arrived at the park -- it's at least an hour subway ride from our Manhattan hood and, like our last trip, it was eventful!  This time, our train ride included a slightly crazy woman who asked us at least one hundred times, "Is this Ocean Parkway?"  We answered every time with the appropriate number of stops left until she reached her destination, so we were a little taken aback when we finally reached Ocean Parkway and she mumbled, "God bless you... dumb bitches" as she debarked. No good deed goes unpunished.

Wendy waits in line!

Anyway, it was a picture perfect day and we were glad to spend some quality time on the beach before hitting the rides.  Okay, I didn't go on any rides.  But, I did support Wendy while she braved the giant Wonder Wheel -- in one of the swinging cars, nonetheless.  No stationary cars for Badass Wendy!  I have less than a stomach of steel and, therefore, cannot handle anything that spins quicker than the merry-go-round.  I made a valiant effort last time on the Tilt-A-Whirl and I thought they needed to rename it the "Whirl and Hurl."  I would also vote for the "Vomit Comet" instead of the Cyclone.  But, I digress...

my kind of ride!  

The history, the beach and the company were the most important components of the visit to me.  Oh, and the outfits!  My stylish mom, Suzette, had recently sent me a few vintage pics of some NYC landmarks including, Coney Island. So, I was in the mood to create a circa 1900 vibe with my ensemble.  I think I did pretty well!

vintage pic of Coney Island, circa 1900

Coney Island outfit

Dress: 'S MaxMara

Bag: Francesco Biasia

Sneaks: Steve Madden

Hat: Coney Island Boardwalk

Bracelet: Ozbek for Pollini 

Wendy wore an edgy outfit and looked adorable and ready to conquer both the beach AND the Wonder Wheel -- that's saying a lot!  Oh, and we both got "inked" (a.k.a. airbrushed) by the same guy, Roy, who inked us three years ago!  I opted for two bunnies (in honor of my baby, "Miles Rabbit," who I miss dearly) and Wendy got a dragon (she is the girl with the dragon tattoo).

super stylish WendyB

At the end of a fun-filled day, we decided that we would try to make one more trip out to Coney Island for our 'high' this summer, so stay tuned...

Harris Tweed Gets Feminine

 

STACY LOMMAN : FALL 2013

Harris Tweed plaid blazer with leather trim and pant

They call themselves the "Guardians of The Orb."  Established in 1993 through an act of Parliament, The Harris Tweed Authority is an organization responsible for promoting and maintaining the authenticity, standard and reputation of the world famous Harris Tweed cloth which can only be defined as: 

"Handwoven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the Outer Hebrides, and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides."   

STACY LOMMAN : FALL 2013

Harris Tweed navy jacket with feather sleeves and pant

In the early 1900's Harris Tweed was highly sought after among the upper class of the Outer Hebrides and, over the decades, it has been embraced by the world.  To say that this fabric is special would be an understatement -- it is exceptional.  In today's world of mass manufacturing, it is extremely rare and most definitely refreshing to encounter such integrity, attention to quality and unwavering standards.  I consider my garments held to the same standards, so Harris Tweed seemed like the perfect fit and I felt quite fortunate to be able to work with this world famous cloth.

STACY LOMMAN : FALL 2013

Harris Tweed houndstooth coat with silver lizard buckle closure

Harris Tweed is typically used in menswear but, when styled the right way, it crosses over nicely into the women's arena.  I have always appreciated the structure of a men's jacket and the strength associated with men's suiting -- it definitely influences me as a designer.  So, when I started working with Harris Tweed last season, I was thrilled.  

STACY LOMMAN : FALL 2013

Harris Tweed herringbone vest and pant

I had an Edwardian theme in mind for Fall 2013 before putting pen to paper.  I looked through the Harris Tweed patterns, made my selections and started sketching.  This is, hands down, the most fun part of the design process for me!  I incorporated additional fabrics from other mills in the mix along with Harris Tweed and, as I sketched and played with the swatches, the initial Edwardian inspiration morphed into a slightly Gothic collection -- which I love.  The result is a group of mysterious, luxurious and strong pieces that straddle the line between masculine and feminine.

STACY LOMMAN: FALL 2013

wool check corset and wool plaid skirt

STACY LOMMAN : FALL 2013

brocade corset and silk/cashmere "bustle" skirt

STACY LOMMAN : FALL 2013

cotton moiré tuxedo jacket and satin pant

There Will Always Be Creeps!

creep·er

 [kree-per] 

noun

1.

a person or thing that creeps.

2.

Botany - a plant that grows upon or just beneath the surface of the ground, or upon any other surface, sending out rootlets from the stem, as ivy and couch grass.

3.

Often, a one-piece garment for an infant, the lower portion resembling briefs and having snaps or buttons across the crotch for convenience in diapering.

4.

Chiefly Northeastern U.S. a spiked iron plate worn on the shoe to prevent slipping on ice, rock, etc.

5.

Also called cradle Automotive - a flat framework on casters, on which a mechanic lies while workingunder an automobile or the like.

STACY LOMMAN : SPRING 2013

So, that's what Dictionary.com has to say.  But, they are forgetting about something... SHOES!  The "brothel creeper," as they are technically known, has been around since the early 1950's and showed up again in the mid/late seventies on some of the coolest musicians of our time (i.e. Clash, Pistols...).  I wrote about Creepers a few years ago and it seems as though, suddenly, they are everywhere nowadays.  I kind of like seeing them on teens who have no idea of their heritage, but I worry that it's just a matter of time before  the "trickle down effect" happens and we start to see them in Target or WalMart.  God forbid!!

July 2013: me -- wearing the same outfit as above photo

In any case, I am not concerned if they are "all the rage" or super obscure, I wear them and have worn them for years.  I even used a personal pair in the photo shoot for my Spring 2013 Rockabilly-inspired collection.  Creepers are not new to high fashion or the catwalks -- designers like Nathan Jenden and Galliano have used them in their shows.  And if they're good enough for Dior...

...and once again wearing them in 2009

Jacket: Belstaff

Sunnies: Ferre

Shoes: Creeps!

Are We Not Men? We Are DEVO!

DEVO - Photo: Robert Matheu, copyright 1981

I will never forget the first time I saw DEVO.  It was much like the first time I saw The Cramps' Lux Interior "Tear This Damn Place Up" in 1981 on Urgh! A Music War!  With jaws agape, my sister and I were speechless, intrigued, shocked and energized all at the same time. They just don't make bands like these anymore!

Lux Interior almost loses his pants and has a very special relationship with the microphone

Maybe DEVO wasn't quite as raunchy, but cracking a whip to eliminate articles of clothing from a woman, piece by piece, was seriously pushing the envelope back in 1980.  Who were these strange guys in black Bermudas and sleeveless turtlenecks with red flower pots -- as I used to refer to them before I found out that "energy dome" was the proper term -- on their heads?  Were they not men?  Not exactly.  They were (and still are) DEVO.  And they were (and still are) COOL.  

It's almost impossible to find the original video, but this is just as good (even without the babe!)

Sadly, drummer Alan Myers died from brain cancer on June 24th at the young age of 58. Alan joined the band in 1976 and eventually left in 1986 due to the increased use of electronic drums.  Like a true artist, Myers was not fulfilled creatively so he had to seek it out elsewhere. Apparently, bandmate Gerald Casale pleaded with Myers, who he referred to as the 'human metronome' not to leave, but to no avail. 

Myers' time with DEVO was the most creative portion of the band's career -- in my opinion!  He was a huge part of what made that DEVO sound so distinctive and innovative.  He contributed to many memorable tunes like: Uncontrollable Urge, Gut Feeling, Freedom of Choice, Gates of Steel, Beautiful World and, of course, Whip It!

One of my all-time favs.  And Alan helped make this a Beautiful World!

R.I.P. Alan, you will be missed.  I'm going to wear my old DEVO tee shirt this weekend to honor you!

Happy Father's Day!

To all the great dads out there... especially mine!

For Suzette...

Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful and stylish mom, Suzette!  And to all of you strong, sexy, awesome mothers -- thank you for doing what you do!  Have a great day!