Tattered Rouge

Riche Perfume Sample Give Away and Review

2011-10-31T11:59:00.000-07:00

My recently debuted perfume, Riche' has been reviewed by Monica Miller, the Perfume Pharmer. What a treat to read her perceptions of this perfume. Read about it here:

Exotica Perfumery Noir Perfumes Gale Bez Signature Scent ~
Riche’ Review and Interview with Artist Gale Bez

Be sure to leave a comment on Monica's blog post....this will enter you into her drawing for a sample of my Riche' Perfume.

Fine Papers and Fine Perfumes

2011-09-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

I love fine art papers almost as much as I love creating natural perfumes! The materials of these two have intersected as I work on designing packaging for several of my perfumes, including my recently debuted perfume, Riche'.

Wedding Style - LOVE

2011-09-06T10:23:00.000-07:00

Sheer Rose to adorn your hair.
Rhinestones with silk wrist ties available from:
Lily Fleur

Treasuries!!

2011-07-21T10:44:00.000-07:00

....an inescapable beauty.

2011-05-29T10:08:00.000-07:00

Every now and then a tasty visual collection makes my heart go thump-a-thump.
This is one of those:

Get Your Countess On!

2011-05-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

While preparing for a power model shoot this coming weekend, waves of inspiration are kicking me into high gear. Ms. Muse is in dah house..........

New Black Countess earrings available in my Tattered Rouge store.

Dramatic, sexy shoulder sweepers. Spoiler - not demure!

Lily Fleur BabyDoll Wedding Dress

2011-05-08T06:56:00.000-07:00

The newest at my Lily Fleur Wedding Style store. The BabyDoll.

Check back to see my wedding dresses as they arrive

One Step Beyond Madness

2011-03-16T18:19:00.000-07:00

Ballet Noir is coming to Tattered Rouge.

....so excited!!

Midnight Garden Collection

2011-03-05T15:02:00.000-08:00

Neck Fleur Adorn

available in my Tattered Rouge store.

Boldini at His Best!

2011-02-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

He is an artist who was in demand...his portraits of women were quite fashionable and sensual for the era. He painted many famous women, among them the fabled Marchesa Luisa Casati. She was notorious, eccentric and a celebrity, setting trends among the beau monde. This is Marchesa with her grayhounds.

...and one of my favorites, painted by Giovani Boldini,

La Femme en Rouge.

Armoured Strolling Trousseau and Rocker Glam

2011-01-23T08:37:00.000-08:00

A little something I designed and then created with the help of my art partner, Brad-man. We debuted this and a shorty punk style metal armour piece at a wearable arts runway show.

Protective glamour - aluminum body armour.

The models were my two daughters. The above pic is my oldest daughter - she not only wore the breastplate with grace...she also walked the runway with an 8ft long aluminum plate train behind her. You can see the construction in the girdle around her hips.

Rocker Glam Stage Wear Hat

Customer Spotlight

2010-12-22T09:38:00.000-08:00

From time to time, our customers share photos of their purchases from Tattered Rouge. Today, we bring to you images from Stacy D'Andre. She wore our black sequin beret as part of her skate costume in the Adult ISI Championships in Las Vegas 2010. She skated to the music, "Hey, Big Spender" and told us, it was super fun.

Thanks Stacy! Luv your costume and look at that adorable smile. Great photos!

In The Midnight Garden - New Jewelry Series

2010-12-12T13:12:00.000-08:00

Each of these one of a kind jewelry designs are available in my Tattered Rouge Store.

Homage to The Black Swan

2010-12-03T18:17:00.000-08:00

Sex, Obsession, Ballet, Twisted Fairytale

What more could a girl want - lol? After viewing the trailer for this movie, I'm left with the understanding that this is not a fairytale for children. This twisty allegory about transformation is a dark cautionary tale of "be careful of what you desire". Created for adults, this movie is more in keeping with the terrifying tales of the Brothers Grimm (which probably should never be read to children). It's the dark, disturbing counterpoint to our beloved, white feathered maiden, the Queen of Swan Lake.

It's not often that I am mad with anticipation to see a movie...the usual fare of Hollywood Happy Meals nauseates. In the case of Black Swan, waiting another week to see this movie is cutting crossly into my mental functioning. My little inner ballerina (who actually owns a pair of satin ribboned black toe shoes) is acting out...incessantly, loudly pounding against the floors in her en pointe toe blocks.

To calm myself and temper my 'waiting some more' disappointment, I turn to hand sewing today which usually has a centering effect. I reach back to comforting childhood memories of the women in my family gathering each evening to talk quietly and sew. Didn't see this coming, but was it a surprise? no......... What began life yesterday, as a simple little black on black frou-frou cuff became today an elegant homage to a Black Swan ballerina queen. As per usual, my artistic output is a divining rod interpreting the heart of my matter.

Black Swan Cuff

Introducing Rock'n The Noir Scene @ Etsy

2010-11-19T08:56:00.000-08:00

Rock'n The Noir Scene

For some time, I've felt there was a need for an Etsy team dedicated to artists who create art and fashion designs that have a noir attitude and style. Recent changes made at Etsy, now allows sellers an easier way to set up new teams.

So I dived in! (Not without some experience as I had developed and managed The New Romantic Market at the now defunct online sales venue, 1000Markets.) I drafted the central Noir Scene thematic team concept, typed up the descriptive text, fleshed out the support graphics and plugged it all into the new etsy team set-up format. Easy peasy - thank you Etsy! Then I sent out 'join this new team' invitations to the many noir-esque etsy sellers whose work I have admired for such a long time.

To say I am delightfully overwhelmed with the positive response from the team invitations would be an understatement. The response has been strong! So away we go........ I'm so looking forward to what our group Noir effort will achieve. There definitely is marketing impact and lobbying power within a larger group.

Stop by for a visit. You will fall in love with the work of our crew! Check out the fun treasuries: Holiday Gift Guides One and Two and our Stocking Stuffers.

Once Upon a Wintered Dream

2010-11-13T07:36:00.000-08:00

Here's a bit of etsy treasury eyecandy that I recently curated. So-o-o-o trying to distract myself from the coming Wintery chill-out-cool-down weather.

Gift Guide - A Snow Queen Treasury

2010-11-13T07:21:00.000-08:00

Our Snow Queen Cuff has been included in this lovely treasury created by OWD Jewelry.

Tattered Earrings with Haunting Pasts

2010-11-13T07:10:00.000-08:00

After such a long hiatus from my Tattered Rouge blogging, I am attempting to reform my wayward proclivities. My (pre-New Year) good intentions are to "regularly" entertain you with snippets of our art making and will bring on reviews and interviews with interesting creative peeps.

We'll jump start this proposal with a selection of new Tattered Rouge earring designs. Each of these earring designs are inclusive of vintage bits and pieces, which lends to their twice-told visual tale.

Magazine Street Earrings

Figment of the Imagination Earrings

Dark of the Moon Lace Earrings

The Fatal Moment Earrings

Cloud Parfum

2010-09-06T14:46:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit - GBZ

.....ascending to the clouds, taking in their vapours as your own. Cloud Parfum

A floating dream world where soaring aloft is possible, in a timeless poise of held breath and shivering child-like emotional intensity. Ever so delicate...this perfume drifts cloud-like across your skin, invoking an unbearable lightness.....

White rose touched by violet and green leaf, surrounded by soft citrus, gathering to the rarified, finely drawn aromatic, boronia.

Our newest perfume release, available at Exotica Perfumery.

Astonished At Taking Time To Smell The Roses

2010-08-18T13:42:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit - cc by Miuki

Usually I'm not one for signing up for giveaways, leaving comments on blogs to be entered into this happening or that contest for a freebie. I appreciate the offers being promoted, but taking time to physically engage is just not the best use of my end to end work days. I can barely get my own biz stuff done each day, as it is.....so I just don't....sign up!

Why I answered this offer? "Send an email to receive a sample of an Incense Cedar Leaf Oil distilled by Robert Seidel at Essential Oil." Because I am voraciously devouring information about natural perfumery materials to increase my nose/scent vocabulary and further develop my understanding of the magical alchemy of creating perfumes. Because I am smitten!! Literally, physically, goofy grin on my face - smitten!! .....by the art of natural perfume blending.

Who would have thought? I'm a happy, fulfilled visual artist - have been busily creating and selling for years. Although I've had a serious love affair with perfume most of my life, it never crossed my mind that I might fall into utter, screaming-free-falling love with perfume blending. Not only am I perfumer mad, I'm now on the hunt for the rare, the outstanding, the sublime!

I can see myself in succeeding years, muttering away.... a little old wild haired, silver-headed lady standing at the doors of her perfume armoire, sifting through her collection of unusual and exotic perfumery materials, choosing arcane, precious ingredients for her next perfume.

As of last week, I'd not found a cedar oil that rocked my world. Cedar is a very powerful aromatic that I find can quickly take over and ruin a perfume. I have samples and bottles of various cedars from a number of suppliers and to date have incorporated cedar oil into only one of my perfumes. Lightly and sparingly, I mixed it into an oriental blend and it worked, sort of...... It composed well enough with the other perfume materials, but didn't quite give the blend the omph-bump that I hoped to bring to the bouquet and nose.

Enter this Incense Cedar by Seidel! Well......!!

From the first moment I opened this little bottle and took in the initial whiff - I was knocked back, blown away. HERE is what I had been searching for in a cedar essential oil. Multi-layered, sparkling, complex, yet sensual with a blissfully satisfying pitch. This amazing EO opens with rounded tones of hazy spiced incense, but does not overwhelm in any way. Layers of scent sleekly peel away, evolving to reveal a gentle sweet green pine. The piney terpenes are evident from the first intake of scent, but are mellow and softened throughout the entire drydown by the surrounding halo of incense-esque cedar notes.

This oil is sublime!! Already, in beginning to test it in my oriental fumes and ambree' accord, it is proving to be the missing note. Thank you Robert for distilling this EO beauty and offering it as a sample!

The only place I would beg for more from this oil is that it last a bit longer. On my skin it's somewhat shortlived. But hey, I'm presently traversing daily heat indexes of 101-105. Not much of anything has a chance of long life on my body during these summer dog days. Once the Incense Cedar settles in with the fixitive properties in my blends, I hope it will extend and breathe. We'll see...........

The lesson for me in this experience is to slow down and smell the roses (or cedar, in this case). Had I not taken the time to email for this giveaway I would have missed out on discovering what may well become one of the important building blocks for my perfumes.

Introducing!! Noir Fumes for the Vamp in You.

2010-07-28T08:28:00.000-07:00

Noir Fumes is open! Come experience the magic of our dark, decadent perfumes.

We're decadent, decayed.....a trip on rails to the underside. Our eccentricities are now yours for the having. Possess the jaded oddities and perfumed creations of Sweet Noir.

Twisty bits with a proclivity toward the darkly romantic - Natural, botanical 'fumes'. Scentual items handcrafted with the finest essential oils, resinous materials, absolutes, wildcrafted plant tinctures and other earth naturals. We are a small artisan perfumery creating limited edition and custom couture perfumes. You will never find synthetic chemicals in our perfumes.

Noir Fumes offers a steamy, sexy, vamped up arsenal of womanly and male body scents. All fresh, all natural botanical perfumes and body scents. We're all about expanding your scentual pleasures. Visit our store to pick out your sweet sexy juice fume:

Ink - Power Male Fume
Acid - Female Potion Fume
Fleshpot - Decadent Perfume
Ringmaster - Male Body Fume
Fatale - Perfume Seduction
Tease - Playful Decadent Fume
Wire - Masculine Scent Fume
Possessed - UnNatural Dark Perfume

Gypsy Life

2010-07-12T07:37:00.000-07:00

Our adventure has begun...we are now officially nomadic! We've embarked on an off the hook - life on the road expedition.

If you wondered where I've been lately and why there's been no new postings to this blog, I've been downsizing/packing up our joint household accumulation of too many years. OMG and OW!! Never, never again, do I want to have to wade through this several months long task!

We've donated to charity, given to likely needfuls, shared with friends, gifted our lovely helpful neighbors, thrown out and finally successfully downsized the collected debris of our life. Into storage have gone the keepers and our daily lifestyle has become a lightly balanced, streamlined zen existance. The most amazing observation? To date, we don't miss even one shred of what has been saved to storage (well....except maybe my baby grand piano). However, le grand babe cannot come along on our present travels. There will plenty of time for her when we are no longer road warrior travelers. ...and we miss our dishwasher - even with only two plates, two cups and so on - dishwashing is still a blah chore.

Tired of the stagnant status quo, disillusioned by the damage to our smalltown arts community, executed by self important local politicos (whom, of course, when they read this will turn our words into one more useful diatribe of verbal garbage). .....and ready for personal change, we made the decision to accomplish a major lifestyle overhaul.

For years, we've casually wondered if we could make a life on the road as full-time RV-ers, combining our mutual wanderlusties with our professions of art making and classic car love. I'm delighted to report that we've leveraged Brad's biz (classic auto restoration) into an over the road - on site with his clients undertaking and of course, our online arts biz can travel anywhere - as long as we have access to the internets and shipping points.

Our first stopping place is the southland of ancient magnolias, crepe myrtle, rampant kudzu and fresh foods farmer's markets found along roadsides and in almost every little town. Local culture and dialect are beginning to work their magic on us. "Yessir" and "Yes'm" are beginning to fall like honeyed buttercakes out of our mouths. What a refreshing change to experience the genteel southern society we've heard about all our lives. Their legendary southern hospitality and good manners are alive and well!

Today brings week number two of a Studebaker Avanti teardown - the first phase in a complete body off - frame up restoration job. In between attending to the tasks of our online businesses, I run car parts, hold and hand off tools where needed, bring drinking fluids and arrange lunches as Brad disassembles the car.

Now that we've landed for awhile and are mostly settled in, I'm beginning to mentally restructure the future face and shape of our online selling presence. Just over the horizon, a new line of be-jeweled silver jewelry is winking at and beckoning to me and a luscious line of new couture apparel/accessories are waiting in the wings to take shape.

Stay tuned to our travel saga, as we bring new art work and news of our adventures to you from our various ports of call across the country!

SCORE!!

2010-05-07T07:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, while surfing etsy.com to find items for a new treasury collection, I came across a vintage cut crystal and silver perfume bottle. My heart stood still when I saw it. I sucked my breath in, holding it - in a flash I knew this bottle was going to join my collection of antique perfume bottles. There was just something about it's antiquity, the shabby, dinged, discolored silver against the sparkle of the cut crystal...... I was utterly helpless, all I could do is say "Come home to Mama, little perfume bottle."

Some finds are just like this....must have, must hold, I want to give you a good home and love you!

A Spring Beauty

2010-04-18T13:03:00.000-07:00

An Introduction

2010-04-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

I've been a herbal garden mama for a very long time. I bought one of the first printings of Rodale's Herb Book (Yup! This will date me - lol) and applied it's wisdom to tending all my herb babies. My interest in gardening in general and herbs slowly evolved into a love affair with capturing the scents of the garden. For a number of years, I've been a closet perfumer, tincturing any and every growing thing, plus some inanimate things. Slowly I've worked my way through a hands on knowledge of the various perfume materials, essential oils and such. Enfleuraging to capture the scent of my garden flowers has been a joy.

Finally, I've stepped out of the smelly closet to begin to offer my all natural perfumes blends publically. Check out our new perfume website where you may find news of our perfumery adventures and new scent releases as they are available. Don't miss our perfumery blog - this is where much of the day to day action will be posted.

Perfumes:
Shimmer
Choco Samba - chocolate, coffee, men.....all are better when rich!

http://bez-arts.comhttp://bez-arts.com/

Business Name Provenance

2010-04-09T13:01:00.000-07:00

All Images copyright reserved

Several people have asked where the business name comes from for Tattered Rouge, my apparel and accessory line. This is how it came about..... I knew I wanted a name evocative of no apologies women who are fearless, who radiate their inner beauty, yet may be considered fallen (or are women who contemplate being fallen).

As I worked on and developed the style and designs of this line, my thoughts kept returning to a woman I had the pleasure to know some thirty years ago. She has remained strong in my memory as one of my heroines! She was a smart, kind, funny, older woman who lived her later years in the Occidental Hotel. A historic hotel in Wyo that gained fame from the western book representation by author Owen Wister as, "The place where the Virginian got his man".

At the time I knew this lovely woman, I was operating Silver Star, my first art gallery in one of the ground floor retail spaces of the old Occ' building, just a few doors down from the entrance of the hotel. Every few days or so, this woman would pop into the gallery for a visit, on her way to or from shopping, visiting friends or refreshing the flower arrangements in her church. She was endearing, with great stories about her life past and present, with full galloping rails of laughter and a non-judgemental, open accepting nature. Nothing perturbed or affronted her sense of propriety. In her view all creatures were equal and most sins could be forgiven.

In bits and pieces, as I learned her life story my admiration for her grew. She had lived a long and quite interesting life. She didn't shy away or retire from the events and encounters that would have caused a grab for the smelling salts in most of her lady-fied contemporaries. She was an adventurer, as comfortable in mans' trousers and boots astride a horse, as she was in the constraining corsets, girdles and dresses she was expected to wear.

She never told me directly, how she knew about the trade of working girls. I think she was sensitive to my still young, somewhat naive knowledge of the world. But from time to time, she shared first hand stories about these woman, regaling me with off the hook hilarious accounts and then quietly sharing other recollections that were profoundly sad and touching.

I had the grace of spending time with her for two years before her family gathered her into their bosom for safe-keeping. She was 92 when she left the Occidental. Because her eye sight was failing and her hands tremored, her daily application of makeup was a casualty. Her stiletto eyebrows, white powdered skin with bright rose red rouged cheeks and red stained lips had a tattered, ragged, yet hauntingly beautiful appearance. I can still hear her laughing trill of “Oh my darling!” as she pulled me into warm hugs, greeting me upon her arrival in the gallery.

She impacted my life in many ways. The sheer ebulliance of her personality and the depth of her humanistic beliefs have wrapped softly around me and in some measure have been a guiding touch stone. My business name is in honor and celebration of this courageous, wonderful woman who was an example of how life can be lived. Fully with no apologies, no regrets. Tattered Rouge....a little wicked, a bit wanton, but thrillingly, divinely bold, glamorous and beautiful!

An Intelligent Edge to Marketing and Branding

2010-04-05T12:27:00.000-07:00

All image rights copyright reserved

Recently, I received an ignoble knuckle rapping for voicing my opinion about a specific word I use in my descriptive marketing text for Tattered Rouge. At first, I was shocked by the knuckler's strong tone of voice, then puzzled by the vehemence of the response....now I am simply left with an " in bad taste/poor judgement" reflux. However, the incident has given me food for thought about the present culture of fashion design worldwide.

The word used to rap my good senses was "couture" and in debate is its wide spread usage among designers to describe their work.

Let me give you a little back story about couture. A very long time ago with the highest goals in mind, a group was formed in France by clothing and textile business owners, along with designers to promote and develop excellence in fashion style and apparel and accoutrement. This organization, the Fédération Française de la Couture, was established in 1868.

As defined by the Federation, the French term "haute couture" means "high" or "elegant." However, "couture" literally means "sewing," but has over time, come to indicate the business of designing, creating, and selling custom-made with fittings, primarily one of a kind fashionable women's clothes.

The Federation became an organizing and regulating body, proffering invitation only to fashion houses deemed worthy of inclusion within the "haute" group. Meaning: excellent garment construction, use of high quality fabrics, trims, hand wrought embellishments, apparel fittings and a certain level of recognizable artistic design skill was (and is still) required for admittance.

When "Haute Couture" the term, was coined by the Federation and this design concept was born, 142 years ago, it was a glorious new entity...very fitting for the era and the growing importance of fashionable clothing among modern thinking women. Quite an energetic and brilliant undertaking, this concept grew to be a leading arbiter of wearable style trends and was the main driving fashion force over the next 100 years. Through comandeering and regulating usage of the term "haute couture" the Fédération Française de la Couture became the deciding voice of high fashion.

What an exciting time it must have been, to be part of one of the great fashion houses. Can you imagine creating fine lace or embellishment work for the House of Dior or working with the artistic brilliance of Paul Poiret? Sadly, haute couture and the couture arts have lost much of their allure and fashion sovereignty these past 50 years. Due to the necessary high cost of hand created designer couture clothing, only a small percentage of fashion buyers can or will buy these beautiful treasures. In recent years, even designers are electing to no longer produce costly runway shows or have scaled back their shows, due to not enough viable income return. Add the recent uncertain economic fluctuations, and the advent of small business designers who are able to directly reach their customer base (with competitive pricing) sans approval from fashion councils or federations, and you find the demand for high fashion is impacted and declining.

This decline especially saddens me as I am a lover of the hand created, the couturier arts, luxe art jewels and the amazing, outrageous presentations of the fashion runways. If the present market place would support even 80% of my delightful vices, this is the only type of work I would produce in my studio. Oh how I bemoan the diminishment of haute and couture.

To combat this devaluation of wearable art fashions, I decided to include the word "couture" in the name of my apparel and accessory line. Yes, it would seem as though I am self-defining my work as worthy of this descriptive word, but my use of the word couture is well supported and documented by my satisfied buyers. In addition, my work meets the widely accepted criteria standards that define the word couture. ...not only this, but I have a very large contingent of French ancestory in my family - several hundred years worth, (if this counts for anything - lol.)

In the rabidly competitive business of fashion, business owners have to be smart in how they package their product, in how they reach their target market and in how they engender perceived value for their businesses. I create well made with couturier sewing techniques, primarily one of a kind, wearable art. If the use of the word couture gives me a marketing edge, this in my opinion, is an intelligent application of marketing and branding.

I'm proud to be an Indie Designer who has the opportunity in my small way to offer couture level wearable art to my buyers. While I will never use the term Haute Couture to describe my work, not only in respect of the work done by the Fédération Française de la Couture, but also because my work does not fit within the category of haute coutre. I will however, with full confidence continue to integrate the word couture into my business branding. ...and no amount of dramatic knuckle rapping will deter my business growth and evolution.

Artist Interview Series - Choklit Chanteuse

2010-03-17T12:39:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm bringing to you one of my very favorite artists. She has elegant style, she has presence, is amazingly visionary in her presentation. .....and she sings!

Photo Credit - Revel
Photos provided by Choklit Chanteuse. All rights reserved.

(You may not download or use these images without permission.)

Please meet Choklit Chanteuse.
How did you get started making your artworks?

I've always been a craftista - I made and sold beaded jewelry at crafts fairs as a young girl, and I've loved to sew, and in particular, to sew Victorian and Edwardian costumes, for as long as I can recall. I remember spending hours hand-stitching tiny bustled and beribboned ball-gowns for my dollhouse dolls. It seemed inevitable that I should rediscover the costume community as an adult.

The first time I tried sewing in human-scale was for an incredible San Francisco event called the Edwardian Ball, which happens every January. I bought my first corset, and I made a full colorful tart costume for myself, including silk bloomers and bustle, feathered hair fascinator, and beaded jewelry ~ and I was totally hooked. I had to find a way to share my love of making luxe period-inspired things, but I knew I didn't have the time, training, or patience to pull off making full costumes for people. I decided to think smaller and focus on the accessories... and Adornments for Tarts was born.

What's your arts/design background?

I'm completely self-taught, though I was lucky to be born to very artsy parents - a woodworker father and art teacher mother. They believed in exposing me to the arts early and often, and took me to various museums and shows, traveled with me, and encouraged me to be creative in everything I did. But neither of them actually sew, so I taught myself through trial and error. I have endless patience for small and meticulous hand-work, which is a must for the designs I've created.

What's your favorite art history period?
Art Nouveau is the first period that comes to mind - I could live in a Mucha painting. The muted but rich colors, nods to the natural world, flowing shapes, and feminine forms are absolutely delicious to me. I love the Arts and Crafts movement, the whole philosophy of a return to hand-crafted, unique, and functional art as a rebellion against mass production. The current handmade movement strikes me as the modern equivalent, and I'm excited to be part of it.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Oh, so many lovely things! I'm absolutely inspired by the textures and colors and quality of my materials - sometimes I wonder if I didn't start all this just so I could buy excessive amounts of luxurious ribbons and shiny things.

I'm inspired by my dearest friends and family, the people I love who surround me, many of whom are just as shameless about their appreciation for ridiculously fine costuming as I am, and who endlessly inspire me to new heights of beauty in the things I make by being so inventive, gorgeous, and stunningly creative themselves.

I also sing in a rock band, so I'm inspired by constantly coming up with new things to wear on-stage as a tribal neo-Victorian quirky rock diva.

I'm inspired by soiled doves and seductive mermaids, sideshow freaks and street thieves, by secretive alchemists and elegant dandies, by traveling minstrels and ladies of ill repute, by gypsy puppeteers and mad poets, burlesque dancers and absinthe drinkers and airship pirates and workshop tinkerers.

What is the favorite piece you've made and why is it your favorite?

I have a design, named Absinthe, which is my favorite. It was one of my very early designs, and made to go with a full green silken and chiffon gown. I embellished the dress with antique beaded trim, and made the cuffs and the collar with the same trim to match, all in shades of olive, bronze, and gold. I even made green beaded strands to drape across the bare shoulders. Everything was absolutely stunning, and looked perfect together. And the absinthe theme transported me ~ the ensemble was actually worn for the first time at a Victorian Absinthe New Year's Eve soiree, back when drinking absinthe was still daring and edgy.

Unfortunately the antique beaded trim was limited, so I had to use different trim for the Absinthe design I plan to list in the shop, but the delightful feeling remains every time I see it ~ of sumptuousness, inspiration, excess, and just a tiny taste of recklessness.

Who's on your short list of favorite apparel/accessory designers and artists?

I have a feature on my blog called CoutureLust where I interview the designers that inspire me. The last few designers featured include VECONA, Black Lotus, SkinGraft, Amoelbarocco, Blasphemina's Closet, Scoundrelle's Keep, and coming soon, Quaintrelle. I love designers who push the boundaries.

Choklit and her two favorite dandies.

(Photo Credit M. Mendelson - Innercamera.com)

Where would you like to be with your work and your business in 5 years time?

Adornments for Tarts is not a full-time business for me, in fact, it's much more a labor of love. I work full-time in a career and also sing in a rock band, both of which are incredibly time-consuming, so I can't spend the time on the jewelry-making that I'd like to. But I love putting pretty things into the world, and I can't imagine giving it up. I'd love to be able to make enough money with my jewelry to break even on the luxurious and expensive supplies that I seem unable to resist working with. I'd also love to do more custom work - designing and matching accessories for particularly special costumes or weddings. And I dream of getting my work featured in the fine art photography of a few select favorite photographers - Darla Teagarden (http://darlateagarden.com), Kate O'Brien (http://kateobriencreative.com), 666 Photography (http://666photography.com), Aesthetic Alchemy (http://aestheticalchemy.com), among others. I'd also love to be able to vend at and attend some of the amazing costume events that happen further afield - Dances of Vice in New York City, for one... although I do love my local events like the Edwardian Ball (http://edwardianball.com) and the Handcar Regatta (http://handcarregatta.com)!

Thank You ALICE Magazine

2010-02-25T11:22:00.000-08:00

Alice Magazine, a UK based publication has honored us today by naming Tattered Rouge - Blog of the Day. WOW!!!

So awesome and a big thank you to Kathleen Opium and co.... We luv you!!

We've Been Featured!

2010-02-24T15:31:00.000-08:00

Flowers and a huge, delighted thank you goes out to Zoie at Gilliauna!

She's featured our Fatal Attraction store on her attractive and very engaging blog.
See the article here - The Meandering Musings of a Consummate Shopper.

Alice's Tea Gown

2010-02-20T10:47:00.000-08:00

It's Alice Through the Looking Glass Time and I'm not immune to the Alice mania-rave. With great anticipation, I look forward to Tim Burton's upcoming movie release, his adaptation of our beloved Alice. Super talented Burton never fails to inspire...his productions deliver the goods. His movies open up our imaginations to his fantasy filled, tweaky visual world. One has only to see a snippet of his movie trailers, to see Burton's visual stamp - no one else crafts a movie style or script quite like him.

Shop for this gown at:
Tattered Rouge or le enchantement

Alice, the story was written and originally copywrited in 1865 by English author, the Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (he was also a mathematician at Christ Church, England). He penned his story under the pseudonym, Lewis Carroll. At it's debut, Alice was a sensation, quickly sold out and was/is loved by children and adults, alike. This book has remained so popular, worldwide, that it's never been out of print. Two of the original printing readers were a delighted Queen Victoria and a young Oscar Wilde.

Photo Credit - CC Faldaroo
What better pairing than this "down the rabbit hole" adventure by Rev.Carroll and the inventive imagery of Mr. Burton? If you've seen any of the earlier Burton films, then you know you're in for a wild and wicked visual treat. Such as the ghost inhabited Beetlejuice, the doomed love story of Edward Scissorhands, Batman with Joker ala Jack Nicholson or The Corpse Bride, and let us not forget Sweeney Todd.

So, Alice, it is! On May 5th, you'll find me in a darkened theatre, eyes glued to an immense full color screen, listening to Dolby stero surrond sound while my sense are inundated by Tim Burton's movie making magic. Oh, yes...don't forget the 3D glasses. My, oh my, do my artist eyes love the movies!

Meanwhile, to take the edge off the movie debut wait, my imaginings have been whipped into a whirl of creativity. How about this little froth of a slip dress - my Alice's Tea Gown? A piece designed to make The Queen of Hearts, oh so-o-o-o jealous.

"Off with her head!" ....after all, we're all mad here.

Belle Noir Black and White Wedding Accessory

2010-01-28T10:43:00.000-08:00

Glamorous, elegant sophistication! This veiling with black rose is designed for the woman who folllows her own style muse and is not afraid to be a trend setter. Belle Noir is available through my online retail stores.

Say Hello To Lily Fleur

2010-01-05T13:56:00.000-08:00

Sinfully Romantic

Sweetly Decadent

Luxe all the way through...

LILY FLEUR

Fairytale Wedding

Couture

Adornments
Perfumes

Solstice Evergreen Cuff Bracelet

2009-12-07T11:36:00.000-08:00

Available at Tattered Rouge and le enchantement.

Winter Collection - Recent Additions

2009-11-23T13:47:00.000-08:00

Available at le enchantement and at Tattered Rouge.

Need a Santa Helper??

2009-11-21T06:49:00.000-08:00

Find the perfect Holiday Gift at 1000 Markets!
We're very pleased to have our work included in this Christmas Collection.

Old Hollywood Glamour

2009-11-16T17:27:00.000-08:00

The New Romantic Holiday Gift Guide is Here!
Gale Bez, editor/art director

Read the first issue of The New Romantic Market E-zine. A quarterly publication dedicated to the elegant romantic lifestyle.

Perfect Little Black Sequin Beret

2009-10-30T21:50:00.001-07:00

Available @ tatteredrouge

Parisian Chic Retro Glamour

2009-10-28T16:58:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit - GBZ and C. Rose

The first teaser piece of apparel in my Holiday Shimmer Collection has been posted in my stores. This designer created couture ensemble is available for purchase as separate pieces or as one set. Inspired by the glamorous 1920's through 1940's eras....Parisian nightclubs and Berlin cabaret lifestyles.

Charming and retro unique, this one of a kind Parisian style is the absolute definition of decadent glamour. Available at Tattered Rouge and le enchantement.

The Journey of a Perfume Devotee

2009-10-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit - GBez

Read about my transition from synthetic chemical perfumes to
using only natural materials to blend my perfumes.

Announcing the debut of our first all natural
Shimmer Perfume Oil
Ready Now for Holiday Gift Giving

Our Winter Holiday Collection

2009-09-03T11:46:00.001-07:00

Photo Credit - GBZ

Debut date is October, kiddos.

Mark your calendars and come round for a visit.
You'll find wonderful and glamorous in our stores!

Sparkle Rocks - Art Jewelry
Sinfully Decadent Accessories
Elegant Party Couture

Photo Credit - GBZ
This year we are releasing a limited edition Couture Perfume
with our Winter Holiday Collection.

le enchantement
SHIMMER
Perfume Oil

Hand blended with all natural essential oils, botanic tinctures and jojoba oil.
(You will never find synthetic scent chemicals in our perfumes.)
Perfume oils are long lasting and so smoothing good for your skin.
__________ _ __________

Our Holiday Collections are all about glamour, sparkle and shine. We're shimmering with loveliness! Your holiday wearables and gifts do not have to be boring. They also don't have to be bought at a discount store.

Because of tight personal and gift shopping budgets, we've decided to offer as a part of our regular holiday collection, a special collection of very affordable trinkets, treasures and wearable beauties.

Everything in this collection is priced at $50 and under, with many pieces falling in the $25 range. Very affordable designer items - quite unique, all hand created in the seasonable hot, haute fashion colors! Let us help you trounce your Christmas shopping 'light in the pocket book' dilemma.

The Rest of the Story

2009-08-17T09:01:00.001-07:00

Photo Credit - Stephanie Sherwood

Go here to see the rest of the story about The Steam Belle Cuff

Wild Rose Tatters - Demoiselle Couture Collection

2009-08-14T10:22:00.001-07:00

Photo Credits - GBZ
Tatters wild rose - Waspie with separate cake layer skirt.
Teaser Images - New collection to soon debut at Tattered Rouge

Black velvet lycra stretch fabric wraps around the hip for wearing comfort.
Layers of sheer fabrics fall from pale lavender pink underskirt. Cake layers are
embroidered black netlace and black sheers with vintage pink pleated
lingerie textile and a sheer pink georgette side flounce.

Front zip waspie (easy to get in and out of) with multi-layers of over-sewn textile strips that fall in a tattered uneven bottom edge. Boned under layer wasp with elastic hook belt to nip in waist.
Guimpure frog closure at waspie center top between breasts.

Wild Rose Tatters
Sexy, sweet, tempting and tart glamour dressing!

Exquisite Evening Glamour

2009-08-06T08:08:00.000-07:00

August Moon

2009-08-05T11:59:00.001-07:00

Graphic Credit - Gbz

Excerpt from Wikipedia

The Moon Festival is a long lived festival celebrated by Chinese people and Vietnamese people (even though they celebrate it differently), dating back over 3,000 years to moon worship in China's Shang Dynasty.

Ch'ang-O, according to Chinese legend is the moon goddess who resides on the moon. On Mid-Autumn day, the full moon night of the 8th lunar month, an altar is set up on the open air facing the moon to worship her. New pastries are put on the altar for Her to bless. She endows her worshipers with beauty.

It is a date that parallels the autumn and spring Equinoxes of the solar calendar, when the moon is supposedly at its fullest and roundest. The traditional food of this festival are the many different varieties of mooncake, which are given as gifts during this time.

The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is one of the two most important holidays in the Chinese calendar, the other being the Chinese New Year, and is a legal holiday in several countries. Farmers celebrate the end of the summer harvesting season on this date. Traditionally, on this day, Chinese family members and friends will gather to admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon, and eat moon cakes and pomeloes together.

Moon cakes may have lotus cream filings or fruit jam fillings, even nuts.

Modern Moon Cake Gift Box

Traditional Moon Cake Gift Container
Photo Credits: aveoree, Popoever, pphaomtom, Prettydaisie, Bret Arnett

Hopeless? Nope!!

2009-07-30T10:19:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit - GBZ

Yes, I admit it! I am a 'hopeful romantic'.

Notice I didn't write 'hopeless' romantic, the customary descriptive phrase applied to dreamers. I proudly wear a mantle of infinite colors, textures, materials and inspiration, which I refer to as my "dreaming canvas".

The term "hopeless romantic" has never been in my vernacular. It implies that a romantic is somehow pathetic, unrealistic, a rose colored glasses wearing dreamer who will never amount to anything nor ever find what they are seeking.

Au contraire.....!

Artists have always been dreamers who have led the way toward new social thought, altered perceptions and most of all hopeful imagining. We are known for our unique way of seeing and interpreting our worlds. It's our imagination, hopefulness and ability to sweat it out alone in our studios that makes these dreams a reality. Many times, the end result of our dreaming helps bring needed change to the world.

In order to function on a day to day basis, I have to be pragmatic, down to earth, in touch with reality. But how I walk through my life? As an artist...constantly gathering the worldly wealth of visual, tactile, aural, olfactory and intellectual bounty into my dreamer consciousness.

I choose to surround myself with beauty and visual romance. I intentionally protect my daily work time and lead a determined peaceful existence. My choice of looking forward into the future of possibilities rather than ticking off on my fingers wrongs done is the strength that carries my day.

The idea of being an "Agony Auntie" whose everyday is filled with drama and intrigue is an anathema to me. I prefer being a "hopeful romantic" who dreams of....

Implementing effective communication, creating beauty filled art pieces that may inspire, this is important to me. I cry for the woes of the world, but don't dwell, incapacitated in the midst of negative, backward looking hand-wringing.

Yes I am proud to be a "hopeful romantic" as I sit here working, with a freshly cut bouquet of scented roses in a beautiful vase next to me. Roses placed right at nose level where I can inhale their exquisite fragrance and see their delicate lavender shaded beauty.

It's my choice to be a dreaming romantic. It's also a self defining choice to be hopeless or hopeful.

A Study of Ice Roses

2009-07-29T05:12:00.000-07:00

Rose en Hiver

Photo credit - Raphael Goetter
CC BY 2.0

While searching for an image of a perfect pink rose, I found myself mesmerized by the beauty of these ice roses. The above crystaline pink rose was dusted by first frost. Photographer, Raphael Goetter caught this suspended moment in early morning light before the heat of the sun melted away the delicate ice layer. A spectacular beauty!

Photo Credit - Somerslea

CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

As I continued my image search, more ice roses appeared in my browser and I thought, "why not?" What better time to post a study of ice roses...in the deep hot days of summer when we all need a cool-down.

Rose Petal Ice Cream
Photo Credit - Quintana Roo

CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Delicato rime.
Photo Credit - sramses177

CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Asleep Sweet Briar

Photo Credit - Andrew Stenning

CC BY-NC 2.0

Rose Shape Amuse
Photo Credit - Spushnik

CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Beauty's Last Breath
Photo Credit -AndreaTX

CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Rose Room at the Ice Hotel, Sweden
Photo Credit - Findfado

CC BY-ND 2.0

Pinks on ice.
Photo Credit - T Chays

Iced white rose snow.
Photo credit - kidron rids

Photo Credit - Alchemilka

Announcing the Opening of Atelier Maji

2009-07-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

Atelier Maji is open for business!

One of the artistic pursuits near and dear to my heart is graphic design and especially now with the digital revolution in set-up and printing app's. It's so much easier to do the set-up now - luv it! Due to interest from a number of peeps who've called on me to give them a hand with their business branding and graphics, I decided to open a digital delivery graphics business on Etsy.

These are a few samples of what you'll find in my etsy store.

Flourish - Client Highlights

2009-06-27T22:37:00.000-07:00

We're delighted to bring to you our first client highlight featuring Dev, who's shown wearing our Black Countess Fringe Earrings. Thank you, Dev, you look absolutely stunning in your new earrings.

"What attracted me to these earrings was their design. Lace has historically been an elegant touch for women and to see that could be mixed in with a modern edge is great and definitely a new take on an old tradition.

There is something very glamorous about the shape of the earrings that Gale makes. I wanted to purchase something with modern elegance and also a bit of flair. I tend to go to many gallery openings and receptions and am always looking for accessories that stand out. When I came across these I knew they would be very unique and different from anything anyone else would be wearing. I had to have them!"

"I'm an artist who resides in Baltimore. I constantly attend different functions, gallery exhibitions and openings so its always important for me to look my best. I look for unique little finds like the earrings seen here. I'm also currently a student and do some modeling on the side. I'm always on the move, traveling from coast to coast, seeing what's new in the art scene. During my travels, I collect curiosities."

Cotton Candy Haute Hot

2009-06-27T22:33:00.000-07:00

Treasury created by Gale @ Tattered Rouge

At The Movies - Part 2

2009-06-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

Video Created by Bez Art Studio

Wearable Art Market @ 1000 Markets.com

2009-06-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

Video created by Bez Art Studio

Don't Miss This Party!

2009-05-31T17:04:00.000-07:00

Dior Style Lace Neck-piece by Gale at le enchantment....

Read about the party right here:
http://www.1000markets.com/groups/newromantic/blog_posts

The party location: http://www.1000markets.com/forums/444

The Whisper of Love Wedding Neck Piece

2009-05-29T08:47:00.000-07:00

After a very busy few weeks, I've finally completed my "Villeta Inspirations" piece. A neck piece created with layers of Venice Lace, freshwater pearls and sheer rose color chiffon. Romantic enough for a bride and elegant enough for a fancy dress ball

Villeta Masterpieces and Inspirations

2009-05-16T07:07:00.000-07:00

Adrian Villeta, artist, photographer, visual poet has a profound understanding of elegant romanticism. His exquisite portraiture reflects a refined visual sensibility and the eye of a connoisseur. His work is an elegant, romantic celebration of women. Read about Adrian and view selections of his artwork at
The New Romantic Market

Click on image to see the Villeta inspired artworks of the NRM artists.

A Fine Mothers Day

2009-05-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

Sitting here on the patio, enjoying the morning birdsong, watching Indigo Buntings, Red Cardinals, woodpeckers and this year's first crop of baby sparrows at the feeder, I stretch and embrace the day. The sweet scent of blossoming black locust wafts it's motes through the early day air. This evening when their sensual fragrance intensifies, I'll gather these succulent flowers for my first enfleurage of the season.

The opening of bright yellow flags greet me in the garden today, their delicate beauty gently swaying in the breeze. Columbine in all shapes and hues bring color to banks of shade garden ferns. Spring May days....it doesn't get any better.

Two phone calls arrive from my daughters and grand children sharing lovely Mothers Day wishes. Then we put in our annual call to my dear little Mama, who is 92 this year, still active, still engaged with life. I'm so grateful we've all descended from the strength of her genetics.

Puttering about in my garden, planting herbs and new rose bushes, filling the summer water pond with its tinkly waterfall and then sitting for a moment to share snuffles with our Ms. Patou puppy while sipping a cup of aromatic Columbian bean coffee...all this makes me happy and contented. It's the simple, seemingly small moments in life that sometimes have the greatest meaning. Life is good.....very good.

The Garden.....preserves my sanity, expands my soul,
helps me remember what is important.

Happy Mothers Day.

Ah-h-h-h Spring!

2009-05-01T09:01:00.000-07:00

Interview Series - Princess Portal

2009-04-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

This interview is with Princess Skye, who authors an wonderful blog, The Princess Portal. Whether you're a modern princess or more of a fairytale princess, you will enjoy her inspirations. Here's to those of us who choose to believe in love, fairy tales and happy ever after endings.....

What brought you to create the Princess Portal Blog? I've always been fascinated with Royalty and Fairy tales and the ideal of a traditional 'Princess.' Aside from the beautiful clothes, jewels and palaces, I wanted to write about what it means to be a Princess at heart, with a love of beauty, romance and virtues such as kindness, grace and self confidence. The Princess Portal gives me a chance to share my adventures as well as Princess Lessons on how to connect with this ideal, and through it I've met some amazing and inspirational people!

Who makes up your blog reader/viewership? Princess portal readers vary in age from 12 to 60 and anywhere in between, although most readers are female and in their late teens or early twenties, I aim to write content that is relevant and interesting to women of any age with the belief that all girls are Princesses.

What's your favorite art history or fashion history period? I love the decadence of the Rococo period and the elegant and sentimental art of the Victorian era. I also have a fondness for Medieval style as re-interpreted by the Pre Raphaelite artists.

Where does your personal inspiration come from? I'm constantly inspired by the world around me, real life experiences, conversations and events give me cause to write on a subject that is close to heart, but I also like to look at examples of brave and beautiful women in history and literature. Some of my posts are features on fairy tale and legendary Princesses and I also love to share a few of the magical books I come across.

Who's on your short list of favorite creative individuals, such as designers, artists, writer, musicians? This list could get pretty large, so I'll just mention a few who are particularly close to my heart: Alfred Lord Tennyson, Peter S. Beagle, Diana Wynne Jones, Macoto, Kinuko Y. Craft, Yann Tiersen, Emilie Simon, Alannah Hill.

The New Romantic Market

2009-04-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to announce the opening of a new marketplace at 1000 Markets.com

The New Romantic Market.

This market is all about lifestyle elements that appeal to the modern romantic sensibility. You'll find an integrated, yet diverse collection of artworks; everything to fill, adorn and wrap around the lifestyles of peeps who love to indulge in and surround themselves with hand created art.

We offer the best of the best!

Interview Series - Wiggle Perfume

2009-04-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

I completely relate to Nani's business/life philosophy. Here's an excerpt from her shop intro:

"The wiggle is about pushing back against the notion that all our parts are meant to be hard and flat and angular. It's about realizing how much power there is to be found in the curvy jiggly bits. It's about spending less time in the gym and more time in the bedroom. It's about relaxing and letting the good outweigh the bad. Rock what ya got!

Mae West knew about the wiggle, Marilyn understood...a little wiggle makes the world go 'round."

http://wiggleperfume.etsy.com

Photos provided by Wiggle Perfume.
All rights reserved by Wiggle Perfume.
(You may not download or use these images
in any manner without permission.)

How did you get started making your perfumes and body products?
I have an Aspergian obsession with fragrance. I used to scour the shops of Little Five Points, in Atlanta, for new oils and incense. My collection threatened to take over the house (it’s even worse now!). And then I found Etsy. After about a year of pestering some really lovely and patient soapers for custom scents (sheepish thanks to Gudonyatoo and 4th Ave Soap Co.), I got it in my head that I might want to start my own bath and body business, which seemed ridiculous since I knew nothing about it and I had my hands full with my accessories shop at the time. I couldn’t shake the idea, and I spent months and months googling and reading and experimenting (with many a spectacular flop) until I had a small core of products I felt really good about. It’s just taken on a life of its own from there, I have maybe twenty different scents in the line now, with more in the works.

What's your arts/design background?
I suppose my official title would have to be “poseur”. I’ve dabbled in several different media with consistently average results. Still, I think it’s very important to be surrounded by art and beauty, especially in our homogenized, beige, strip mall world. I’m married to a fantastic tattooist, and we’re extremely fortunate to have talented friends who’ve given us bits of their work over the years. Our home is a crazy hodgepodge of different colors and styles, but each piece has a story.
I do enjoy working with fabric and knits, mostly finding new ways to festoon perfectly functional items with flowers and ruffles. I’ve also figured out that my label design and product photos can be a great creative outlet. I’m a terrible photographer, though. My husband, who actually knows what an f-stop is and which button on the camera controls it, has tried time and again to teach me, but I just shoot and tweek until I get what I want.

What's your favorite art or fashion history period?
So many! I love anything 1920s or depression era, and I’ve got a new love for the late 50s and early 60s which bothers me because it’s so darn trendy right now, but I can’t help myself. I love the comically innocent ribaldry of the silent-movie era, along with art nouveau and antique advertisements (though I’m no fan of that industry). The 70s will always hold a certain mystique for me, I love classic rock and have unspeakably naughty thoughts about going back in time (armed with lots of penicillin) and crawling into the middle of a Led Zeppelin/Monty Python sandwich. ;-)

Where does your inspiration come from?
I suppose if I had to pin it down, I’d say I’m inspired most by relationships. Life is so crazy, and our priorities are completely out of whack, we pay more attention to the love lives of emaciated and plastic-propped celebrities than our own. At the end of the day, what really matters is the person snuggled up next to you. My work is the product of a desire to help women to enjoy their lives, their bodies, and their mates to the fullest. You don’t have to be perfect to have a great sex life. You don’t have to wait until you fit back into those jeans before you take a little time to make yourself feel good. Women have so many obligations, it’s easy to put yourself on the back burner, but sometimes all it takes is a nice bath and that “so-totally-you” perfume to remind you that there’s a sexy broad under the baby puke and traffic grime. I realize that my contribution is a small and frivolous one, but enough small things can make a big difference, right?

What is the favorite item (perfume?) you've made and why is it your favorite?
I suck at favorites! My tastes are spastically eclectic, and I’ve never been able narrow down a favorite color, movie, or band. I always wanted to be one of those women with a signature scent, but it will never happen. I will always love Honeysuckle Sweet Tea for being the thing that got so stuck in my head that I had to learn to make perfume so I could have it. I have a new project in the works that will be very dear to me if I can ever get it pulled together. Nadine, which will be my first premium perfume, is based around the darn-hard-to-find Indian musk I used to wear during a very memorable time in my life. I finally got my hands on a production-sized bottle of the stuff (though not for cheap!) and have blended it with other scents that bring back memories of that era.

Who's on your short list of favorite designers and artists?
It’ll be hard to keep this short! First and foremost, I’m an Etsy junkie. Perhaps “Handmade Militant” is a more accurate term. I LOVE MaisyBrownReproRetro, Louise Black, and Boring Sidney. I’ve coveted Irene Suchocki’s photos for a long time. I finally bought a print for my sister, but have yet to splurge for myself. And one of these days I will own Madeleine’s “How I Got My Stutter” print. I own a few small pieces from dollfacedesign that I absolutely love. I should mention, of course, that my husband, Isreal Caine, is one of my favorite artists, I wear his work around every day. Mike Pinochi, in the bay area, is one of my all-time favorite tattooists, and my dear friend Julia makes some beautiful things with beads, glass eyes, and animal parts.
As far as the mainstream goes, I’m fond of Nannette Lepore and Marc Jacobs, though I never spend that much on clothes.

Where would you like to be with your work and your business in 5 years time?
I wish I had a more coherent answer for this question. There have been so many twists and surprises in the last few years, many of my plans are a bit up in the air. I suppose I hope most to still be in business. There is legislation in the works right now that would impose the same regulations, including a proposed $2000 annual registration fee, on indie cosmetic businesses and big companies alike. While I fully support consumer safety measures, I find it ironic that the people who got into this field to offer an alternative to the toxin- and synthetic-laden products on the drugstore shelves will be the most hindered, while the people importing melamine-laced cosmetics from overseas will easily be able to find and afford loopholes.
I don’t ever want to stop making perfumes, I even dream about my work. This business has introduced me to so many wonderful people. I hear so much talk about how technology alienates people and impersonalizes our society, but I’ve found the opposite to be true. I love connecting with the people who enjoy my efforts and feel as strongly as I do that joy, heart, and character is what makes a woman desirable. I suppose you could say I’ve climbed up on a literal soapbox, and I hope to stay a while.

Romantic Wedding Jewelry

2009-03-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

Here's a selection of pieces from our Wedding Collection:

New Black Countess Lace Earrings

2009-03-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

Interview Series - Marilynda Gallery

2009-03-13T08:48:00.000-07:00

When I discovered these gorgeous boudoir style mirrors, I immediately contacted the artists, Marilyn and Lynda, co-creaters of the Marilynda Gallery.

They use unwanted and unloved costume jewelry and fashion it into one-of-a-kind pieces that are both functional and eye-catching . . . the ultimate in beautiful recycling!

Photos provided by Marilynda Gallery.
All rights reserved by Marilynda Gallery.
(You may not download or use these images
in any manner without permission.)

How did you get started making your artworks?
For the past decade, we've attended a yearly Mother-Daughter Get-Away Weekend. And every year we are asked to bring a hat we've made following a certain theme, i.e. "most embarrassing moment", "a person you most respect", "if you could have ANYTHING in the whole world, what would it be?" . . . you get the idea. So at the get go, we're all in "creative mode". In addition, each weekend features a craft project.

One year we were asked to bring old jewelry we didn't wear anymore and some wire cutters and needle nose pliers. Our craft area looked like a pirate's treasure chest - there were plates filled with old and broken jewelry separated into color groups - what fun! And so our passion for creating recycled jeweled hand mirrors began . . .

What’s your arts/design background?
Neither of us has had formal education in art or design. Mom (Marilyn) was one of nine kids and not having many toys made her use her imagination.
“Poverty stimulated my creative juices – match boxes made great doll beds, empty wooded thread spools were perfect for tables and we girls used to fight over who got the leftover oatmeal boxes; you can make wonderful things with oatmeal boxes,” she remembers.
Later in life when Mom was a Cub Scout den mother with a 50-cent per kid program budget, she had to get real creative to keep a dozen 8-year-old boys occupied during pack meetings.
“Trying to come up with a Mother’s Day gift on that lean budget meant pulling out all the stops on creativity.”

As for Lynda, she followed right along in Marilyn’s wake.
“I started hand sewing doll clothes until I begged Mom to teach me to sew on her sewing machine, a vintage Singer, when I was 9. After doll clothes came clothes for me – lots of clothes. Mom and I used to “team sew” a lot . . . one would be at the sewing machine and one would be at the ironing board. We used to produce outfits in a couple hours – it was great!

And always my goal was for my creation to look “handmade” not “homemade” – like it came from a custom boutique where I was its best customer. I even made my own wedding dress after studying bridal magazines and then combining two patterns into a single bridal design. That dress was one of my best efforts!
But after I got married, had kids and became a stay-at-home mom, I started making home accessories. I especially loved making scrap quilts that used up my vast fabric stash in new and beautiful ways.”

What is your favorite art history period?
Both love the Art Deco period – that sleek, understated, quiet drama. Lynda appreciates the period’s symmetry in design and its spare use of color. She is also drawn to Shaker design where form follows function, where every design detail has a reason for being.
Marilyn also likes Greek Revival and Oriental styles, but at different times finds her zany side coming out in her attraction to anything bold, colorful and whimsical.
“At those times I’m in my ‘violate the borders’ mode . . . you know . . . color outside the lines!”

Where does your inspiration come from and what is your favorite piece?
When creating our hand mirrors, we first go through our jewelry stash to see what piece catches our eye – that becomes the focal point upon which we craft the design. We then make up “kits” with pieces that compliment that focal piece. Each mirror’s design evolves from there. If we get stuck, we look at each other’s pieces and tweak here or add on there. We help each other out of design ruts because our perspectives are so different.
“Mom loves experimenting with different color combinations inspired by nature, an animal or that lady in her condo complex with the great dye job!” One of her favorite mirrors was inspired by the whimsical design style of Mary Engelbreit and her use of bold colors and polka dots. (See mirror M000286 on page 5 of our “Sold” gallery on our website www.marilyndagallery.com ).
Lynda’s favorite designs feature the tones, hues and textures of a single color complimented by a metal, be it gold, silver, copper or pewter.
“I’m a BIG fan of pearls, all colors, all shapes, fake or real. They’re featured in a lot of my designs. Right now I’m really into the color aqua. I love how you can cool it down or warm it up depending upon which metal you pair it with. Aqua is used throughout my house, my wardrobe and even in my garden, but there it is called verdigris, you know, weathered copper!” (See mirror M000271 on page 6 of our “Sold” gallery on our website www.marilyndagallery.com ).

Where would you like to be with your work and your business in 5 years time?
We really enjoy each other’s company; we feed off each other’s creative energy and our strengths complement each other. We’re having a lot of fun with Marilynda Gallery and our line of jeweled hand mirrors. We’re working on expanding our product line to include some jewelry options and perhaps feature our designs on paper goods. We’re playing with a lot of things because we like to keep the creativity flowing; some may flop, but some may work and the satisfaction comes as a result of continuing to try.

One of our goals is to branch out into more custom work, encouraging customers to send us jewelry they’ve inherited that is too dated to wear but too beautiful and meaningful to toss or donate. We can do gorgeous things with Great-Aunt Millie’s triple strand crystal necklace and matching clip-on earrings! Fashioning these treasures into a custom heirloom hand mirror keeps them in the family and gives them new and useful life.

We’d really like to take advantage of the world market with online selling. There are a lot of people who might like our creations but don’t know about us and we know Etsy is a wonderful way to get the word out. However, we still want that personal contact that takes place at arts and crafts shows, so we will continue to travel the show circuit. We really feel being around creative people stimulates creativity, plus it’s fun! When that fun stops, we’ll go on to other things, hopefully together - mother and daughter.

I Do - I Do - I Do Wedding Planner

2009-03-10T11:48:00.000-07:00

Getting married? Need advice and scheduling planners? Are you looking for fresh, modern styled wedding accoutrement?

Beautiful apparel, accessories, jewelry, photo keepers, invitation suites, journals, Save the Day Announcements, wedding planners and more.......

Check this out. You won't be disappointed:
http://www.1000markets.com/blog_posts/4298

Black Countess Earrings

2009-03-04T14:44:00.001-08:00

The first in our new line of black lace earrings.
Available here:
Tattered Rouge
or
1000 Markets

Visit Our E-Zine

2009-03-02T07:10:00.001-08:00

(click on cover)

Interview with Bohemian Whimsey

2009-03-02T06:40:00.000-08:00

Next up on my artist interview series is Sirvart Dermenjian, the creator of Bohemian Whimsey. Her work is inspired by Victorian classicism and by the rich refined colors and details seen in Baroque era paintings. Sirvart has also joined the magic circle of Courtney Love Etsy sellers. Her work is just glorious!

Q. How did you get started making your artworks?

A. Since I was a young girl I've expressed the desire to become a fashion designer but when that wasn't destined to happen the next best thing was to design jewelry. I was always attracted to shiny sparkly objects, much like the crow. Over the years I have accumulated enough beads and lace that jewelry design became inevitable.

Q. What is your art/design background? A. I don't have a formal design background but I have always appreciated the care and time put in designing couture clothes and jewelry. For me couture design is an art form in itself.

Q. What's your favorite art history period? Where does your inspiration come from? A. My inspiration comes from my love for the Victorian and Baroque art and cultural movements. The amount of details and vivid colors used in both era's clothes and architecture can seem quite whimsical at times. I took that approach to introduce and incorporate those elements into my jewelry.

Q. Who's on your short list of favorite apparel/accessory designers and artists? A. There are too many to name but I'd say my two favorites are Tracy Reese and Marchesa for their feminine and flirty designs. And as far as accessories, you don't have to look outside Etsy for amazing accessory designers.

Q.Where would you like to be with your work and your business in 5 years time? A. In a constant hum of creativity !

Floating in a Sea of Crimson Roses

2009-02-24T08:04:00.000-08:00

This week my workspace is covered with yardages and cuttings and snippets of rose color fabrics. Pearls, beads and gorgeous silky fiber strands wait in the wings to become added fine adornments for this blossoming swell of crimson fleur. I am surrounded by a floating sea of roses, resplendent as any Princess Briar Rose fairytale love bower.

I find myself in a romance bewitched mood. The shimmering crimson satins and sheer organzas forming into open red roses offer a visual voice of love. Once again, I am seduced by my materials...this particular hue of deep rose red is irresistable, immensely pleasing to my eye. The blue/red color glows, evocative of the life blood coursing through of our body. This color is complete, radiant.

____________________ __ ___________________

..........And speaking of roses.
Another gorgeous treasury collection by Totusmel

Scheherezade

2009-02-17T20:09:00.000-08:00

Scheherezade...most precious pearl of the hareem, storyteller of One Thousand and One Nights, adored Sultane of Persia.

This is her cuff, created in royal colors of purple and gold. Available at le Enchantement.

Interview With Michelle Renee

2009-02-15T09:34:00.000-08:00

I am always on the look-out for talented designers and artists and when I came across Michelle Renee Art and her beautiful artworks, I knew I had to feature her in my interview series. Enjoy, enjoy!

How did I get started... Art has always been my biggest interest as far back as I can remember. My sister (Izabellah@etsy.com,IzabellaBlue.typepad.com) and I started making corsets around 1990 and we had a go at trying to make a living at it for about 3 years. We ate a lot of toast and top ramen! We did pretty well near the end and had a lot of local publicity but we ended up burning out over the stress and moved on to other things. I continued on with college and some graphic design but have always struggled with balancing creativity and the real world and blending them together. I have worked with textiles, colored pencils, metals, jewelry and paint. I love them all and am now trying to blend them together this time with a little boot-camp experience of life under my belt.

I can narrow down my favorite art history period down to about the last 2000 years. But even then I have been inspired by cave paintings too. The renaissance is a huge source of inspiration for me as with any rebirth or awakening occurrences! I really like french rococo design, art nouveau, deco and some pop art. The impressionists intrigue me because they were more interested in capturing the essence of of life and the unseen things mixed with aesthetic beauty. Bonnard is probably one of my favorite painters during that period. He utilized colors like no other. His repetivie paintings of the woman in the bath are brilliant similar to pointillism and dot matrix.

My short list of favorite designers and artists is quite long but I will keep it short. I usually tend to gravitate towards artists who struggled with the process of creating and with their relationship with the Almighty and life itself (Not to say all of the following do). From the past; I like Emile Galle, Bonnard, Van Gogh, Durer, Parker, Giocometti and Botticelli. From the present; I like Ivy Long~ Edera Jewelry, Eclettica, Chris Cornell, Jonquil, Dina Mackney and Linea Paolo. There are so many I can't keep them straight.

From the past, the present and the future; I love the Master Designer of life itself and the one who started the whole creative process in the first place, He is my all time favorite and inspiration. My favorite pieces that I have made in the recent past were first a corset called "On Earth As It Is In Heaven." That was a day of clarity and I was praying when I made it and it just came together. I "knew" I was making it for a special occasion for someone and it turned out that a man bought it for his fiance for their wedding night. My other surprise favorite was a crown that I was "experimenting" with called "Love Rules". When I listed it on Etsy I had doubts about it but I added it just for the heck of it. I was going to call it "Love Rules the Kingdom" but something told me not to. I ignored the urge and it came on even stronger so I went along. Later, I was feeling discouraged and was going in to start removing items and my computer went haywire and would not let me make any changes. It was very odd. A few days later, Courtney Love started shopping on Etsy and discovered Love Rules. On February 18, the debut of Katie Grand's LOVE MAGAZINE will be out in the UK and Court MIGHT be wearing the crown in one of the pictures. I am crossing my fingers. She has been soooo sweet and generous to me and has actually changed the direction of my life. I love her new song called "Letter To God" It is beautiful.

In 5 years?? For the longest time, it was difficult to imagine where I could be in 5 years because I was having the hardest time even dealing with the present. I finally feel like I can look ahead with some hope. My goal is to be able to quit all or some of my three jobs and create but always in servitude to the Master Designer.

Another Treasury - The Darkness

2009-02-13T11:38:00.000-08:00

Such nice friends...I'm thrilled to be included in their beautiful collections. This treasury was created by Pamela of Totusmel Tats.

Bling Find of the Month

2009-02-11T16:03:00.000-08:00

For all you Dark Queens...how about this gorgeous tiara? Vintage and unique!, it's either black cut glass beadwork on the wire frame or real jet. It will eventually be up for sale in my Tattered Rouge shop once I've repaired and re-designed it into a very wearable piece.

Our Boudoir Doll

2009-02-11T15:41:00.000-08:00

I've named her Mae West...the resemblance is uncanny, but her true nature is more like mine than the always beautifully turned out Ms. Mae.

This dolly is chipped in places, is beat up, banged and dented and has surely been dragged around, many times. Her little nose has been worn short by all her hard living and she's missing an arm (and both legs).

She definitely has a history and she looks just like I feel most days - lol.

She's wearing a faded pink satin dress with a black and pink dot point de sprit netting overdress and her flat half wrap head cover is made of the same materials. The hair does not seem to be human hair. Her body is cotton stuffing filled cloth.

Perhaps some of you readers will know more about her as a Boudoir Doll than I do. I haven't found any makers marks or signatures. Please comment and share with us whatever you might know about her age, her maker or any other pertinent info.

.....and no, sorry, she isn't for sale. I'm far too attached to her tattered wonderful-ness, but as the de-lovely Mae-Mae would say, "Come on up and see me sometime."

New Treasury - The Most Stunning Finds

2009-02-11T10:24:00.000-08:00

Brought to you today by V Silcox Designs. A stunning collection of etsy beauties.

Under The Influence

2009-02-10T16:39:00.000-08:00

She was under the influence... a beautiful, noir, decadent influence. Her expressionist stylings were strange and exotic, original in a fateful way. Her inclinations coalesced, dreamlike within her splendid night on night persona. With sloe eyed allure, she tossed off the judgement of society, resonating only to the call of her exquisite femme fatale mystique. She was under the influence...an irresistible indulgence of sublime dark repletion.

This noir styled piece is created with new and vintage materials. Long tying ribbons allow you to wear this piece as an enticing wrist cuff or at the throat as a glamour jabot. Primarily hand sewn, it is created in black and old gold colors. It's noir vintage charm is paired with a modern fashionista style vibe.

Available at Tattered Rouge

New Treasury - Dream of the Tatterdemallion

2009-02-02T16:56:00.000-08:00

Thank you dear fellow Steamteam member,
Choklit Chanteuse for including
our cuff in your beautiful etsy treasury.

Interview with Totusmel

2009-02-02T10:55:00.002-08:00

Please meet Pamela Quevedo. I first became acquainted with her Totusmel Tats shop and wonderful tatting work through etsy and then had the pleasant opportunity to get to know her as a fellow etsy Steamteam member.

Breaking News!! One of Pam's masks is to be featured on the popular TV show, Gossip Girl. Click the link to see the show preview. Way to go, Totusmel!

I have the distinction of owning one of her very first (if not the first) tatted masks. This unique piece now resides in my collection of wonderfully recherche and beautiful artworks.

How did you get started in tatting?
I simply grew bored of knitting & crochet. I wanted to do something other people weren't already doing. I searched and I found tatting. I taught myself to needle tat after I failed to learn the more traditional shuttle tatting.

What's your arts/design background?
I don't have a design background, but I do come from an artistic and creative family. Both my brothers are artists and my grandmother was an amazing seamstress, painter and doll maker. I've dabbled in my fair share of the arts as well. I have an AA in theatre, I draw, knit, crochet as well as tat, though the tatting has taken over.

What's your favorite art history period?
I don't have a favorite period really. Obviously my tatting favors an Edwardian or Victorian time period, but my taste in art is rather, well...bizarre. I like art that is a little dark, and a little twisted with just a touch of romance and fantasy.

Where does your inspiration come from?
I try to base my designs on antique patterns and then make them wearable. I also love trying to replicate metal designs in lace and I get my fair share of inspiration from off the wall requests. My first mask was created after someone asked for a mask with lace you could see through which she ultimately changed her mind about.

What is the favorite piece you've made and why is it your favorite?
It changes all the time. I am currently loving my mask line partly because it's brought me so much attention, but also because few people have even tried to tat a mask before.

Who's on your short list of favorite apparel/accessory designers' and artists?
I wish I had a good answer for this, but I just buy what I like regardless of who created it most of the time. I don't really follow anyone's work too closely, though I have tons of favorite artists on etsy.

Where would you like to be with your work and your business in 5 years time?
Honestly, right where I am right now. Of course I wouldn't mind a little more fame or a few celebrities walking around with my pieces, but I am happy with the flow of business. I still have time to create new pieces as well as remake old ones at this point.

She Was a Black Eyed Bumper Car

2009-01-31T20:53:00.001-08:00

Had a bit of fun with this beauty.....

She had her elegance, she had a verve, her innocent come-hither enticed. But her vibe? It was glorious train wreck, all the way.

She was irresistible, rigged out in full torn and tattered beauty...princess of midnight swag, queen of the temptress hush. She was a black eyed bumper car, who's hot mess impact would crash fire your well-gamed desire.

Long double black ribbons tie in pretty twin bows, giving wear versatility.
You may tie on this piece as a cuff or as a choker jabot.

Available at Tattered Rouge

From Ashes to Stars

2009-01-29T11:44:00.000-08:00

Ash Glamour Cuff

Noir dream...from across the galaxy descends the decay of stars, falling, falling. All to a charcoaled haze it ends, one more closure in the book of fate. Sight diminished, I fall, spiraling into dreams of blithe erasure. Against night tinge, the slipstream of aerials shimmer my skin with light shifting motes...the ash of stars, the unbound memory of a universe.

Blacks on deepened plum, sooty gray countered by dazzle of a light filled star...the noir romance of this gorgeous cuff will smolder on your wrist.

Sweet Valentine Love

2009-01-27T10:32:00.000-08:00

A new bit of frou-frou for your romantic inclinations....a Golden Rose' Sweetheart.

Lady Sarah Textile Cuff

2009-01-25T15:20:00.000-08:00

Muse to artists and writers, darling of Paris stage and theatre. Night after night, Lady Sarah brought the world to her feet. Fearless in her affections, she enchanted her adoring lovers. In an age of feminine repression, she was a dauntless free spirit, true only to her glorious self.

There has only been one Lady Sarah Bernhardt. We dedicate this wristlet to her and her legendary life. Available at le enchantement

le Frou-Frou

2009-01-23T13:44:00.000-08:00

This is our new collection of Lovely Decay Roses and Lace Chokers. A limited edition collection, each choker is one of a kind, due to the vintage jewels and trims.

Wear a piece of our 'wanton neck napery'. Contact us today for your custom design choker.

Interview With Cafe Baudelaire

2009-01-22T22:17:00.000-08:00

Since discovering Cafe Baudelaire last year, I've become a devoted fan. Wendy Paula Patterson, Designer, Illustrator and artist extraordinaire creates romantic,whimsical collage prints, inspired by a passion for French vintage and antique ephemera.

How did you get started making your artworks? I have always loved to draw and paint and make crafts since I was a child, I never wanted to do anything else except perhaps ride horses!

What's your arts/design background? I was born in England but after moving to Australia with my parents as a teenager I studied Graphic Art and Design in Adelaide. I was apprenticed to one of South Australia's leading packaging designers, Wytt Morro & Son.

Beautiful packaging has always been a passion of mine although initially my ambition was to be a childrens book illustrator. I am an avid collector of beautiful packaging. I sometimes buy a product simply for the package it is in! I have worked as a Packaging Designer and Illustrator in Adelaide, Holland, London and Sydney. Some years ago I began freelance illustration for a Sydney based Greeting Card Company and I now work full time as a freelance Illustrator & Designer specializing in the greeting card industry.

What's your favorite art history period? I love the Renaissance, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Impressionists. When I lived in London I had a wonderful time visiting the Art Galleries and would try to master the different techniques.

Where does your inspiration come from? My inspiration comes from the world of the past, the fashion, the art and styles from my favourite periods like the French Renaissance and Victorian England. I am inspired by nature, books, art, beautiful ephemera and packaging. A visit to an old book shop or finding a gorgeous vintage French button card can inspire a whole new range of designs.

What is the favorite piece you've made and why is it your favorite? I really do not have a favourite, I love a piece as I am working on it until the next idea comes along!

Who's on your short list of favorite designers and artists? Mucca, Rembrandt, Monet and many wonderful etsy artists like Art and Ghosts.

Where would you like to be with your work and your business in 5 years time? I would love to have my own bricks and mortar shop but my real desire would be a home in France and earning enough money to enjoy creating without worrying about the next bill coming in! I am still working on my website, my computer genius son has been putting it all together for me. I hope to have that working well this year with a direct shopping link this coming year.

Pay a visit to Wendy at Cafe Baudelaire to see and buy her amazing artistic creations.

She Was The Toast of Paris

2009-01-21T11:54:00.000-08:00

Josephine Baker.
(Text cited from Wikipedia)

She was born Freda Josephine McDonald on 3 June, 1906 in East St. Louis, the daughter of Carrie McDonald. Baker's true ethnic background is unknown. Her father's identity is debated among historians. Nevertheless her estate credits vaudeville drummer Eddie Carson as her natural father, but according to a biography written by her foster son Jean-Claude Baker: "… (Josephine Baker's) father was identified (on the birth certificate) simply as "Edw" … I think Josephine's father was white — so did Josephine, so did her family … people in St. Louis say that (Josephine's mother) had worked for a German family (around the time she became pregnant). (Carrie) let people think Eddie Carson was the father, and Carson played along … (but) Josephine knew better.^"

Her mother, Carrie, was adopted in Little Rock, AK in 1886 by Richard and Elvira McDonald, both of whom were former slaves of both African and Native American descent. When Josephine was 8 she was sent to work for a white woman who abused her and burned Josephine's hands when she put to much soap in the laundry. She later went to work for another woman who treated her fairly.

Baker dropped out of school at the age of 12, and started her career as a dancer and street performer by the age of 13. She entered vaudeville joining the St. Louis Chorus at 15. She then headed to New York City during the Harlem Renaissance, performing at the Plantation Club and in the chorus of the popular Broadway revues Shuffle Along (1921) and The Chocolate Dandies (1924). She performed as the last dancer in a chorus line, a position in which the dancer traditionally performed in a comic manner, as if they were unable to remember the dance, until the encore, at which point they would not only perform it correctly, but with additional complexity. She was then billed as "the highest-paid chorus girl in vaudeville."

On October 2, 1925, she opened in Paris at the Théatre des Champs-Élysées, where she became an instant success for her erotic dancing and for appearing practically nude on stage. After a successful tour of Europe, she reneged on her contract and returned to France to star at the Folies Bergères, setting the standard for her future acts. She performed the Danse sauvage, wearing a costume consisting of a skirt made of a string of artificial bananas. Baker's success coincided (1925) with the Exposition des Arts Décoratifs, which gave us the term "Art Deco", and also with a renewal of interest in ethnic forms of art, including African. Baker represented one aspect of this fashion.

In later shows in Paris she was often accompanied on stage by her pet cheetah, Chiquita, who was adorned with a diamond collar. The cheetah frequently escaped into the orchestra pit, where it terrorized the musicians, adding another element of excitement to the show.

After a short while she was the most successful American entertainer working in France. Ernest Hemingway called her "… the most sensational woman anyone ever saw." In addition to being a musical star, Baker also starred in three films which found success only in Europe: the silent film Siren of the Tropics (1927), Zouzou (1934) and Princesse Tam Tam (1935). Although Baker is often credited as a movie star, her starring roles ended with Princesse Tamtam in 1935.

At this time she also scored her greatest song hit, "J'ai deux amours" (1931) and became a muse for contemporary authors, painters, designers, and sculptors including Langston Hughes, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso, and Christian Dior.

Under the management of Giuseppe Pepito Abatino — a Sicilian former stonemason who passed himself off as a Sicilian count — Baker's stage and public persona, as well as her singing voice, went through a significant transformation. In 1934 she took the lead in a revival of Jacques Offenbach's 1875 opera La créole at the Théâtre Marigny in the Champs-Élysées of Paris, which premiered in December of that year for a six month run. In preparation for her performances she went through months of training with a vocal coach.

In the words of Shirley Bassey, who has cited Baker as her primary influence, "… she went from a 'petite danseuse sauvage' with a decent voice to 'la grande diva magnifique' … I swear in all my life I have never seen, and probably never shall see again, such a spectacular singer and performer."

2009-01-21T11:16:00.001-08:00

Jewelry From Our Victoriana Fantasy Collection

2009-01-21T11:09:00.000-08:00

Over The Legal Bling LImit

2009-01-21T11:03:00.000-08:00

Our bling and vintage trim finds of the month.

1920s Deco design crystal rhinestone brooch
Triangular Chevron rhinestone clip
Green glass jewel clip (1 of a pair)
Vintage black net trims with sequins, jet beadwork

Magnificent Crystal Rhinestone Brooch (1960's)

Doll Face

2009-01-21T10:49:00.000-08:00

Vintage Opulence Interview

2009-01-21T08:13:00.000-08:00

This is the first interview in what will be an ongoing series of feature articles. I"ll be sharing news and creative intimacies from some of my favorite designers and artists who create artistic apparel and accessories.

Today's interview is with Sarah, owner and designer/artist of Vintage Opulence: http://www.vintageopulence.etsy.com

She's an English lady from the rocky coast of North Cornwall, now living in the Southern United States, who is trained in biochemistry.

In her own words: "I've held a variety of weird and wonderful jobs before finally discovering I could make a living doing something that I wake up in the mornings and am glad to get out of bed to do. Not really at home in the modern world, I have a love all all things vintage, clothing, lingerie, music, dance, decor, etc...etc...

How did you start creating your vintage lingerie?
I bought vintage pieces cheaply from thrift stores or online and started experimenting with colour through the use of fabric dyes. By using trims and notions and other adornments found I could truly transform a plain dull white garment into something pretty. I had been doing it with my own clothing for years. I enjoy the process as much as the end result, it’s a kind of journey and you are never really sure how it will end. When the things I created started to sell that was a truly amazing moment.

What inspired you to start making vintage lingerie?
A love of bygone eras...the glamour, attention to detail, luxurious fabrics, the way that vintage lingerie truly emphasizes the feminine curves and wonder of women. Also, as with a lot of things, not being able to find the sorts of lingerie and other items that I personally wanted available to buy. It’s also about transformation, on a number of levels. Transformation that comes from viewingfilms, websites, the inside my own head.

How are these pieces crafted and how long does it take to make these pieces?
I take a plain white piece of fabric or anexisting garment and dye it. I hand dye all the lace trim and embellishments to match/contrast. Then a lot of sewing ensues, possibly some deconstruction, redyeing, further embellishment, until I get the piece just right. It might take a day, maybe a week to complete. I also might set it down if I'm not feeling the flow and pick it up again a week or so later, to come at it with fresh eyes,

How did you learn to make these pieces?
Self taught. My grandmother was an avid dressmaker, who also taught needlework classes. Although I didn’t know her long enough for her to impart her wisdom to me, I suppose it must be in the blood. I also deconstruct...break down pictures of designs and patterns, pieces that I like the look of until I can understand how they are put together. This and a lot of experimentation, a passion for what I do, and a little bit of luck :)

Why do you think vintage lingerie differs from the modern pieces crafted today? Is it due in part to the up-rise of the burlesque scene or something else?
I think it is in large part to do with the rise of the burlesque scene, I also think it is to do with a kind of re-empowerment by women - for women. Without going into this too deeply (as this could be a whole other essay) it’s a sort of stepping away from the glamour ideal of the 80’s/90’s. A rejection of spandex and neon pink micro g-strings, an embracing the idea of dressing sensually for your own pleasure, rather than to titillate or conform to a male ideal of what is sexy. Whilst I know there are men who find vintage lingerie and all the trappings alluring, I do believe (and from having read forums to this effect and from having spoken to men on the subject) that this is more a thing women do for themselves,

There is a sense of self pleasure that comes from seeking out a unique vintage piece and a deeper sensual involvement. Factory mass-produced standard white polyester doesn’t have, in anyway, the same ability to please the senses as slipping into something silk with intricately formed lace trim.

I could go on..............

How do you feel when wearing vintage lingerie?
Beautiful, mysterious, unique, sometimes powerful, sometimes vulnerable. Mostly, whatever I want to feel, which is the real wonder!

Buy your vintage and vintage inspired lingerie items at:
http://www.vintageopulence.etsy.com

Lace and Ice

2009-01-21T08:11:00.000-08:00

MissGaylee was so gracious to include our Bluette Cuff
in her beautiful etsy treasury collection.
Thank You!!!

Moon Roses

2009-01-21T08:02:00.000-08:00

In the deepest forests, there is a rare rose that blooms only at night.

Der Weimar Cabaret Culture, circa 1920s

2009-01-21T07:46:00.000-08:00

In the 1920s, Friedrichstrasse was the sight of the original Wintergarten, Berlin's famous cabaret, at the Central Hotel.

Der Blaue Engel (The Blue Angel), a film
starring the legendary chanteuse and movie star,
Marlene Dietrich was based on nightlife at
the Wintergarten.

Marlene

The Weisse Maus, the White Mouse was perhaps one of the most genuine cabarets of 1920s Berlin, starring the infamous Anita Berber. This striking redhead was the darling of Berlin nightlife. Not only a daring exotic stage dancer and silent film star, she was a fashion trend setter. After closing her shows at night, she was known to go out in her sumptuous mink coats, utterly naked underneath.

Photo from the White Mouse club

For those seeking the darker side of Berlin's nightlife, the White Mouse offered up! Anita's stage performances would nightly bring down the house. Stark naked except for flashing bits of jewelry, she would dance...her undulating body enthralling her decadent pleasure seeking audiences.

Violette

2009-01-21T07:41:00.000-08:00

This millinery piece is named for Violetta Valéry, the tragic heroine of Verdi's opera, La Traviata. Violetta was a famed Parisian courtesan who gave up everything for love, and at the end of the opera she also gave up her life, gathered in the arms of her lover, Alfredo.

Manhattan

2009-01-21T07:39:00.000-08:00

From our daughter!
She's a talented puss....deathmaustudio.com

Family Backstories

2009-01-21T07:30:00.000-08:00

This 1920's beauty comes from my treasure trove of photos. Tucked away in an old Russell Stover Valentine candy box are years of my family ephemera. This photo was taken by my Father....one of his many racey (pre-my mother) girlfriends.

The story as told to me by my Aunt... When Dad met Mom, his girlfriends were quickly relegated to being items of his past. He was head over heels smitten with Cathie, as he called her!! Now this did not stop all those girlfriends from trying to reconnect with Dad. He was quite the popular guy. More of these family photos tell his story of being a dark wavy haired, gangster styled dapper dresser. So handsome in his striped double breasted suits, cigars and fedora. I still have his suits hanging with my collection of vintage apparel. He was the real thing - a 1920's gangsta hottie!

I remember as a young girl being fascinated by this photo. When I would ask my Mother, "Who is this person?" I would get a terse one sentence response. "Oh that was one of your Father's girlfriends. " Try as I might, I could never get any further information about this intriguing woman on the back of an ostrich.

LOL! Of course, years later, I came to understand my Mother's tight-lipped disapproval, yet to this day, this photo remains one of my favorites.

Our Vintage Rose

2009-01-21T07:27:00.000-08:00

Available at Tattered Rouge

Oo-La-La My French Garters Are Showing

2009-01-21T07:19:00.000-08:00

Although the genes inherited from my Scottish Protestant heritage try to keep the tightest rein on the genes from my far too worldly French lineage, the simmering stew of these two disparate factions is never far from boiling over. This makes an interesting walk along a quivering tightrope where I never know quite what will happen if I dip too far into either side of my familial sensibilities.

Today, I'm feeling quite in love with Paris. Thinking of the Moulin Rouge, cafe' creme' at Les Deux Magots, my beloved Louvre and Le Marais, Lautrec and his La Fee Verte.

(Click Pic)

Bluette Cuff For A Chanteuse

2009-01-21T07:02:00.000-08:00

Dark, smokey blue/black wristlet cuff with low-key silver lame' to catch out the nightlight, points of sparkling blue in vintage rhinestone crystal. Silk velvet burn-out, silver gray taffeta, black point d'sprit lace, bronze micro tulle, hand dyed aqua blue chiffon. Three filigree design button closure.

Available at Tattered Rouge.

Tattered Rouge

Riche Perfume Sample Give Away and Review

Exotica Perfumery Noir Perfumes Gale Bez Signature Scent ~ Riche’ Review and Interview with Artist Gale Bez

Fine Papers and Fine Perfumes

Wedding Style - LOVE

Treasuries!!

....an inescapable beauty.

Get Your Countess On!

Lily Fleur BabyDoll Wedding Dress

One Step Beyond Madness

Midnight Garden Collection

Boldini at His Best!

Armoured Strolling Trousseau and Rocker Glam

Customer Spotlight

In The Midnight Garden - New Jewelry Series

Homage to The Black Swan

Introducing Rock'n The Noir Scene @ Etsy

Once Upon a Wintered Dream

Gift Guide - A Snow Queen Treasury

Tattered Earrings with Haunting Pasts

Cloud Parfum

Astonished At Taking Time To Smell The Roses

Introducing!! Noir Fumes for the Vamp in You.

Gypsy Life

SCORE!!

A Spring Beauty

An Introduction

Business Name Provenance

An Intelligent Edge to Marketing and Branding

Artist Interview Series - Choklit Chanteuse

Thank You ALICE Magazine

We've Been Featured!

Alice's Tea Gown

Belle Noir Black and White Wedding Accessory

Say Hello To Lily Fleur

Solstice Evergreen Cuff Bracelet

Winter Collection - Recent Additions

Need a Santa Helper??

Old Hollywood Glamour

Perfect Little Black Sequin Beret

Parisian Chic Retro Glamour

The Journey of a Perfume Devotee

Our Winter Holiday Collection

The Rest of the Story

Wild Rose Tatters - Demoiselle Couture Collection

Exquisite Evening Glamour

August Moon

Hopeless? Nope!!

A Study of Ice Roses

Announcing the Opening of Atelier Maji

Flourish - Client Highlights

Cotton Candy Haute Hot

At The Movies - Part 2

Wearable Art Market @ 1000 Markets.com

Don't Miss This Party!

The Whisper of Love Wedding Neck Piece

Villeta Masterpieces and Inspirations

A Fine Mothers Day

Ah-h-h-h Spring!

Interview Series - Princess Portal

The New Romantic Market

Interview Series - Wiggle Perfume

Romantic Wedding Jewelry

New Black Countess Lace Earrings

Interview Series - Marilynda Gallery

I Do - I Do - I Do Wedding Planner

Black Countess Earrings

Visit Our E-Zine

Interview with Bohemian Whimsey

Floating in a Sea of Crimson Roses

Scheherezade

Interview With Michelle Renee

Another Treasury - The Darkness

Bling Find of the Month

Our Boudoir Doll

New Treasury - The Most Stunning Finds

Under The Influence

New Treasury - Dream of the Tatterdemallion

Interview with Totusmel

She Was a Black Eyed Bumper Car

Exotica Perfumery Noir Perfumes Gale Bez Signature Scent ~
Riche’ Review and Interview with Artist Gale Bez