For the love of it

It's a thin line between love and irresponsible consumption.  As an avid follower of fashion, I often feel convicted when my blood rushes at first sight of a smart silhouette or pattern.  Or when my head throws itself back in ecstasy when an ensemble comes together.  Or when my breath goes staccato as I touch the shoulder of a vintage gem shoved between the $3.49 rack of a thrift store.  Or how I coo lovingly at the garment in my lap as I repair it...You get the idea.

I feel like those things shouldn't matter so much to me...but that is passion, and this is what I do.  

Recently, I have been exposed to the culture of luxury consumption on a scale which forced me to question my place in this industry.  I have always referred to modern designer lines as a means of educating myself, not as a standard.  The people who actually invested thousands in these labels and trends were foreign to me.  I now interact with and understand the spirits that consume on this level and was freaked out the moment the price tags stopped shocking me.  I have looked at $900 garments and considered them "good deals".  Wow.


Outside of the impoverished and naked, no one "needs" clothes.  We all indulge our desire to look good and peacock when we go shopping.  In light of this, I no longer judge and encourage those who love fashion to proudly partake in new designer collections as your wallets allow.  Just don't forget that vintage designer pieces are artisan made, iconic, less expensive and will love you for life. 


That is all.

Vintage Videos

Want to see a series of high energy, low quality, voice delayed videos of me talking crazy about vintage clothing and accessories?  I knew you did!  That's why I'm sharing these throw-back YouTube clips from the Oak Street era.  

Your welcome, Sweetie!

Vintage Hats

Random Buys

Random Buys

Men's Vintage for Women

Vintage Handbags

Vintage Suits

1890s to 1940s Vintage Garments

Eye Been Framed Trunk Show

BE THERE.

Vintage Eyewear

Tuesday, November 15th

8PM to 10PM

Mid-City, New Orleans

Email, call or comment for more info.

757.753.1114

confessapparel@gmail.com

7 Tips for Blending Vintage and Modern Clothing

1.  Think in layers from essential wear on up.

Great chefs know that a fantastic dish consists of complimentary and delicious layers.  As you dress, assess your silhouette at every stage.  With pre 60s vintage dresses in particular, a strong foundation is important.

2.  Research the styling from different eras.

Vintage is a broad term that encompasses all things 25 years or older.  Even though most decades of fashion have strong visual themes, there are many obscure looks and concepts to be uncovered.  Watch films, rifle through photos and advertisements from various periods for inspiration.

  

Christian Dior skirt from 2 piece suit, Vivienne Tam wrap sweater, vintage Dior hat, Eye Been Framed browline glasses, Ancestral Art jewelry, Chanel pumps and vintage corset.  

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3.  Consider the details of vintage and modern ensembles.

Outfits are art.  Use the same eye exercised when viewing a painting to ponder the individual elements of a look and how they relate to one another.

4.  Fit is everything. 

Don’t compromise fit for style; especially when wearing vintage clothing. 

5.  Think accessories.

Jewelry, gloves, hats, shoes, handbag, scarves, glasses, hand fan, parasol, legwarmers, belt, fascinator and countless other accessories are great tools when creating a look from various periods.  

DeWeese vintage terry cloth cardigan, "Jazz Fest" mini wrap skirt, Eye Been Framed cateye glasses, Ancestral Art jewelry, vintage corset and Chanel pumps.  

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6.  Have fun.
Do you remember paper dolls?  Constructing endless outfits using stiff icons?  Invoke that spirit of play when putting your wardrobe together.  Set a time for you and your imagination to go through your clothes and have a ball.  Music and wine are optional.

7.  Follow Confess Apparel’s blog.

Clearly, for information like this from a woman dedicated to helping everyone look their best.

Spectacular Spectacles

 Eyewear is to an outfit as the bass is to music.  They anchor the harmonic structure of an ensemble while possessing the ability to rock out on their own. 

The color, finish, shape and lenses unassumingly restructure the wearer’s face and shift the viewer’s focus making glasses my favorite little accessory.

Butcher or Artist?

I’ve been spectacle dependent since the age of 12 and felt early on that awesome rims were imperative.  After years of lackluster satisfaction with mid-range designer sets that prematurely shed their accents or fell apart, I found Eye Been Framed; a French Quarter based business that sells DEADSTOCK vintage glasses from the 1950s to the late 80s.  Hallelujah. 

Eye Been Framed is a treasure trove of reasonably priced, unworn eyewear in styles that make the modern mock-ups appear shameful.  Each pair is like a finely tuned custom Cadillac.  They are the epitome of face jewelry that make believers, and junkies, out of all who witness the collection first hand. 

With modern designer labels recreating cat-eyes, aviators, exaggerated 80s style and browline glasses, the fashion savvy now have options.  You can spend considerably more investing in replicas that were mass produced for inflated profit margins and global markets OR you can purchase the vintage originals that were artisan built to last out of sheer innovation.   

To attend the next Eye Been Framed party and view this incredible collection, contact me. 

"It" Took The Snap Out of My Garters.

"It" 1927 Silent Film

Pleated Skirt at Natural Waist Belted with Sweater,

 T Straps, Scarf and Beret

Clara Bow

"IT" is that quality possessed by some which draws all others with its magnetic force. With "IT" you win all men if you are a woman—and all women if you are a man. "IT" can be a quality of the mind as well as a physical attraction."

Elinor Glyn

Opening Title of the 1927 film "It"

And so "It" begins.  The 1927 romantic comedy that made me fall in love with 20s fashion.  Watching Clara Bow bounce around bra-less as Betty Lou Spence, manipulating wealthy playboys, and defending fatherless infants changed how I regarded the decade’s daywear for good.  Her silhouettes were far from cylindrical; Bow's slim bodices and delicately pleated skirts met at or slightly below her natural waist highlighting her adorable figure.  

In one of my favorite scenes Betty convinces socialite Monty to take her to the Ritz after finding out her object of affection would be in attendance.  To prepare, Bow’s character resourcefully removes the sleeves and collar from her work dress, wraps a tulle scarf around her neck and pins an enormous floral arrangement at her waist.  Blatantly underdressed but well equipped with sheer sex appeal, Betty Lou catches the eye of Mr. Waltham, her employer and owner of the world’s largest department store, in spite of the highbrow blonde with whom he is dining. 

As a working class shopgirl simply brimming with "It", Clara's wardrobe was simple compared to the decadent productions of the era.  Nonetheless, the role catapulted her to an iconic status and immortalized her as the first "It" girl.

Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes

Graphic prints, fringe and a mean pompadour

      

Mobile necklace, luxe textured jacket and fortune cookie fascinator

Often shoeless, always sexy, performer extraordinaire Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes is effortlessly one of THE hottest entertainers to surface in the last few years.  She brilliantly blends haute couture, vintage, ethnic and whimsical elements to yield a unique style that matches her amazing voice.  I love the way she plays with color in a restrained manner; her look is always so intentional and glamorous yet youthful and never overdone. 

Make the Noisettes a staple in your auditory diet.  Check out this live performance of Atticus from their sophomore album "Wild Young Hearts".  

You're welcome.

To Be Young At Heart

Me and Nyela

Runway-side seats at Chanel Spring/Summer 2011 show

How often do you allow your imagination to run wild without limitations or expectations?

Marcia, Aaliyah and Christopher

Wedding with teddy bear groom

When was the last time you REALLY played?

One can learn a lot from kids engaged in unbridled activity.

As adults, we feel compelled to "do" something "productive" throughout our day; stealing moments from ourselves, for ourselves and fighting the guilt that ensues.
This widely accepted cycle can be stifling and limit the opportunities that result from openness, clarity and the sheer joy of being. “Being” itself has been hijacked and transformed into an elitist concept that glorifies “self” rather than sheds ego. This adds to our list of things to “do” and so we continue.

To conclude this entry with a recommendation of any kind would be counter-productive.

*glass raised*

Here's to you and your journey.

Beer and Vintage Clothes

`

Place du Jeu de Balle Flea Market

Brussels, Belgium

During my recent visit to Brussels I found Shangri-La, in the form of the Place du Jeu de Balle flea market, ensconced in a charming plaza. I arrived at 6:45am jet lagged and exhausted yet within 5 yards (4.57 meters) and with less than 30% of the vendors in place I acquired my first piece; a pair of antique 14k framed eyeglasses in the original case.

"Maison du Lynx; Bruxelles, Belgium"

14kg Antique Eyeglasses

While rummaging through an extensive collection of old buttons, I noticed the first of many clothing vendors setting up her wares in a neighboring plot. I quickly eased my way to her racks and combed through the few carefully selected garments after a warm greeting. As I shopped a 30 something, intelligently clad man appears and strikes a conversation with the merchant in French. He shared that he owns a small clothing shop in Berlin and is in Brussels acquiring new merchandise. As he spoke, like any professional clothing hound would, he watched me gather my finds and began to dig in the wake of my pickings. We exchanged a kind glance acknowledging one another's presence and moved on.

Vintage Ostrich feather Hand Fan with

Mother of Pearl and Brass Hardware

As I meandered through the tables, racks and rugs of world-class, bad-ass bric-a-brac and clothing, I would notice him either paces in front or behind making very few purchases. Upon approaching what would be one of my final stops, I observed him at the table winding down from his search empty handed. He looks at me and states in English “The woman running this booth is across the street at the café. If you need anything talk to her” as he points in her direction and walks away. While scanning through his rejects, I unearth a bias cut 1930s sheer silk georgette house gown in pristine condition. I promptly and unashamedly try it on over my outfit examining every fine detail and finalize the sale. Dress in hand and elated, I begin to walk away and hear from across the plaza “I HATE YOU!” The voice led me to the mortified but friendly face of my fellow buyer seated with a small group staring directly at me. I gently smiled and waved walking away half confused yet flattered.

"Wylco Geneve"

1930s House Gown

Sénica Naturals Photo Shoot

Sénica Naturals Photo Shoot November 2010

Wardrobe Stylist

The above project was a fun challenge. I was hired by the owner of Sénica Naturals to dress twelve models representing myriad sizes and ages in a lifestyle photo shoot for her product line. The challenge? Create the looks in five days, working solely from the inventory of my petite store of vintage originals and the clients personal wardrobes.

These photos are great examples of how to don vintage in a way that doesn't evoke images of a specific era. I used garments from the 50s through the 80s to produce a cohesive, natural and timeless feel.

Visit the site via hyperlink to view the full shoot and browse through her amazing selection of natural skin and hair care products.

Wear a Hat.

Those of you who know me personally understand how out-of-touch I am with television and movie sensations. Recently, my blissful oblivion regarding the royal wedding was shattered by a hat. A simple, unassuming hat that was perfectly positioned on the head of Kate Middleton for The Derby at Epsom Downs made me swoon and rifle through the endless photos of this extremely well dressed and accessorized woman.

Hats that were traditionally worn at the crown of one's head are moved toward the brow line and tilted. Every head and face is unique so situate your topper based on your proportions. Always regard the ensemble you are accessorizing and how the overall shapes compliment one another.

Something old. Something new.

photo by Saphira Contreras

First Photo Shoot (Me)

Oh, nostalgia...what a great business to be in. It has a way of convincing you to consider everything sacred and heightens reflective states. In this spirit, I want to chronicle the journey of the brand I love so dearly through photos highlighting special in-store moments and clients looking fabulous in the goods we've provided.

For those of you that have witnessed the evolution of Confess Apparel first hand, I thank you. From its humble beginnings behind a Mid-City washateria, to the Oak Street location we occupied for a year, Confess has endured and transitioned into an innovative styling business that reflects the culture developed in our stores and the personal service our clients received.

Oak Street will be missed. The greater community outlying this commercial corridor is diverse and close-knit lending to a colorful array of guests that graced Confess daily. It was a pleasure meeting and working with the residents and myriad visitors that traveled our narrow, meter maid-ridden street.

Dress-up Contest (Me and Contestants)

For those that stopped in on my off days, you made the acquaintance of Dylan. Here he is making the hallowed "stoop" look cooler than necessary...

Cigarette Break (Dylan)

The merchants on Oak Street were part of its allure. Despite sensationalized arguments over sandwiches, we banded together to promote and support one another.

Glamour Break (Zoe)

Po-Boy Festival 2010

Oak Street Family (Anthony)

Some of my favorite days were the slow ones where I could really focus in on a specific clients needs...or play any willing opponent in chess.

Chess (Jerk & Jon's Jonathan Hamilton, model and children)

Many great partnerships have been formed with artists, stylists and vendors that provide complimentary goods or services over the years. They have encouraged and inspired me.

Eyebeenframed.com Trunk Show (Allisyn)

Carnival Couture Headdresses (Me, Lola and Henry)

Outside of retail, Confess has styled vintage ensembles at fashion shows...

CWM Foundation Fashion Show 2010 (Model)

and provided wardrobe for photo shoots from the sophisticated...

New Orleans Magazine December 2010 Issue (Model)

to the surreal.

Pretty Doe Dairy "Goato" Shoot (Amy & Nina)

Last, but far from least, a few of my favorite snap shots boasting customer purchases.  

Wedding Dress (Nicole)

2 of the 3 pieces in his late-60s suit (Johannes)

NO(la)MORECHAINS blogger in her 80s shirt dress (Dorothy)

Black & White Checkered Tweed Coat with velvet cuffs and collar (Amanda)

Dress (Ruby Rage)

Lingerie (Ms. Naomi )

Good times and more on the horizon. Thanks for playing your part.

Dress-up Contestant 9

Contestant Number 9

Lianna

Dress-up Contestant 8

Contestant Number 8

Elizabeth

Dress-up Contestant 7

Contestant Number 7

Jackie

Dress-up Contestant 6

Contestant Number 6

Andi

Dress-up Contestant 5

Contestant Number 5

Amber

Dress-up Contestant 4

Contestant Number 4

Rasha

Dress-up Contestant 3

Contestant Number 3

Toi

Dress-up Contestant 2

Contestant Number 2

Tina