FW Part 5: Alexandra Grecco

Last but certainly not least we have a rather familiar face around these parts, Alexandra Grecco! She first popped up here last year when I had the pleasure of modeling her line of cheeky rompers and has since made a few more appearances (she is the other bum in The Loved One pictures)! This beautiful and motivated women is another one of my buddies who will no doubt be rocketing to fashion stardom in the coming years! Alexandra has just launched her latest line of scrumptious creations and I once again had the pleasure of playing dress-up and stuffing my face (I think it was a bit more of a smashing onto my face) with extravagant pastries. Landon also got involved and snapped these pictures of her decadent designs!

1. What was your first fashion-related creation?

Well, it was a paper shoe, or shall I say "bootie", with stapled seams. I was six, and I gave them to my sister for her baptism ceremony thinking she may need shoes for the event. To make them fancy I added a cross in pencil and called them "lordy boots". The craftsmanship was breathtakingly beautiful (har har har).

Sadly, they went unworn.

2. What or Who inspires you?

Lots of things! I get really inspired when watching some of my favorite films like, Valerie and Her Week of Wonders, Lolita, Pandora's Box, Rosemary's Baby and Badlands. Lot's of 70's horror films too.

Sexy ladies inspire me. Briggitte Bardot, Anna Karina, Ann Margaret, Hannah Metz.

Traveling and getting out the city for the weekend is necessary for good inspiration as well. Music, hikes, books, train rides, crisp autumn, all that good stuff!

3. Biggest sartorial blunder?

Probably when I styled my bedsheets into a gown and wore it to school.







4. If you had to have a uniform for this season what would it look like?

Naked with some floral hats. Maybe a velvet blazer, too.






5. Any words of wisdom for people wishing to follow in your footsteps?

Plan as much as you can before you start, and ask lots of questions! Set goals for yourself and set up the proper funds. Lists really help too on an everyday basis, BORING! But true...





Alexandra's Shop!
Alexandra's Website!
Alexandra's Blog!

That's it for this round of fashion week interviews! I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did! I hope more that you discovered a few new names to keep your eye on but most of all I hope that you find the perfect something created by these talented women to make your very own one day (now I am fist pumping and saying "support independent business! handmade yeah!"). If you know of a designing lady that you think I should interview for next fashion week let me know! I've already spied a few ladies that I'd love to get on board for next time. To the amazing young women that I interviewed: Thank you so much for your time, I wish you all the very best! You are all so incredibly talented and I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to watch your businesses blossom!

In Review: Elvia / Nicole / Tara-Lynn / Kathryn

FW Part 4: Kathryn Blackmore

In each of these interviews I've had an incredibly difficult time picking pictorial accompaniment as all of these ladies have an abundance of inspiring images. It was exceptionally hard for me to not post Kathryn's entire flickr collection! Kathryn Blackmore is a designer, illustrator and purveyor of the most delicious looking jewelry I've ever seen! She is most certainly one to keep a close eye on. 

1. What was your first fashion-related creation?

Back in my school days, I made a full-length dress consisting of leather panels and a handwoven bodice. Back then I thought it was great, although thinking about it now it was truly awful.





2. What or Who inspires you?

I find Alber Elbaz inspiring both as a designer and an individual.

The inspiration for my work depends on my mood, although I can always rely on natural history, traditional crafts and a personal collection of vintage finds.

Lately I have been finding inspiration in the form of medieval imagery, dreamy landscapes and Baroque art.



3. Biggest sartorial blunder?

Oh dear, I think a recurring sartorial blunder is over wearing my clothes. I have a habit of growing attached to items until they fall apart!



4. If you had to have a uniform for this season what would it look like?

I’d be very happy in a uniform of button-down shirts, preferably in silk, paired with slim-cut trousers, lace-up boots and one of the vintage mesh collars I scored this summer.





5. Any words of wisdom for people wishing to follow in your footsteps?

For anyone who has been thinking about setting up a blog or business, what are you waiting for? Making plans is great. Putting them into action is so much better!



Kathryn's Shop
Kathryn's Blog
Kathryn's Website
Kathryn's Flickr

Up Next, Alexandra Grecco of Gluda Finds Lulu!

FW Part 3: Tara-Lynn

Up next we have 1/4 of what may be the cutest family to ever walk this planet. Tara-Lynn is an entrepreneur, a designer, a knitter, a mother and an inspiration! I've been following Tara-Lynn around the internet since our Livejournal days almost six years ago (is that right? Man, the time, it flies) and have been consistently charmed by her personality, her family, her screen-shots of favourite movies, her knack for hunting down incredible vintage photographs and her deliciously cozy knits! I have, like an absolute creep, thought many times how badly I wished she and her little crew lived nearer to me for the epic hang-outs and slumber parties that would no doubt take place.

1. What was your first fashion-related creation?

As a little girl I was always playing dress up, as all little girls do. I had a dress-up box that my aunt had contributed some of her clothing to. She had all these really outrageous wigs and crazy 1970's lingerie, negligee's and slips. The ballet Swan Lake, being the inspiration at the time, was the model for the outfits I would create. One outfit in particular consisted of a red frilly negligee, worn with frilly underpants as a swan feather head piece, paired with these red strappy high heels (of course all worn over top of my clothing!). Sadly, the dress up box no longer exists, but I am left with a handful of photos to remember ... 

(I want to see these photos so bad! - H)

2.What or Who inspires you?

I truly admire a girl with her own authentic style, one who looks timeless, and can put together a mix of modern and vintage. I really love a mix of patterns and colors that do not adhere to conventions, but somehow look great. Creative girls with the ability to sew, make patterns and who will take risks. I find I am always coming back to ballerinas, especially those from the Ballet Russes, 1940's and 1950's ballerinas photographed by Gjon Mili. The dancers evoked so much artistic style while hardly wearing a thing. Edie Sedgwick is a great example of someone who took the style of the ballerina, those infamous black tights! Anais Nin, always an inspiration. The writer Colette, Jean Rhys and the chorus girls of the early 1900's. I'm drawn to the rebellious bad girl. Girls of today that I am really inspired by, friends like Sam Purdy, Isabelle Hayes, Hannah Metz and bloggers such as Kennedy Holmes, Francesca Zmetra, Erin Perez Hagstrom, Jessica, Anja Verdugo and Siri Thorson. Every one of these girls has a truly original and sincerely dedicated sense of their own style.

3. Biggest sartorial blunder?

No regrets, I would rather take a risk than not. I am positive I have had a few blunders, or just wrong outfit choices, but I do feel it really all leads to something good in the end. Maybe I tend to give a little too much sometimes, for instance maybe I didn't need to wear a Kimono to the campfire.

4. If you had to have a uniform for this season what would it look like?

At the moment, I fantasize about a uniform that would include pretty vintage party dresses, skirts with mismatched blouses, patterned and brightly colored tights paired with inconvenient shoes that pinch your toes. This kind of uniform is meant for wearing out dancing, spilling drinks on, going to art galleries, shows to feel especially happy in.

5. Any words of wisdom for people wishing to follow in your footsteps?

Don't do it! Following in someones footsteps would only be boring and untruthful. Do your own thing, its way more fun and unpredictable.

Illustration by Jason Lee

Tara-Lynn's Shop
Tara-Lynn's Blog
Tara-Lynn's Flickr

*Edited to add: Mention Hannah & Landon when you place an order at Tara's shop and receive a free Norfolk Knitted Bow! I've got one that I wear all the time!

Jason Lee's Art
Jason Lee's Shop

Up Next, Kathryn of The Vamoose!

FW Part 2: Nicole Eymard

It is no secret that I have a bit of a fangirl style crush on this next lady, but can you blame me? To me Nicole Eymard is sartorial perfection! She is truly one-of-a-kind and manages to make full ensembles (matching nails, lips, eyes, hats, bags, shoes, the whole shebang) look utterly effortless. She's just sent her new line down the runway and is presently prepping goodies to fill her shop with (starting with those most delectable shoes pictured below). I'm waiting with bated breath to see this girl rocket to fashion stardom.

1. What was your first fashion-related creation?

Beaded flowers that I would make into necklaces and bracelets.



2. What or Who inspires you?

In daily life: Animals, plants, movies, music the endless possibilities/surprises of vintage and antique items, museums, colors, fabrics, poetry, and history.

Online: Hannah.

Designers: Schiaparelli, Prada, Christopher Kane, Marc Jacobs.





3. Biggest sartorial blunder?

The "ghetto" look when I was in middle school.



4. If you had to have a uniform for this season what would it look like?

Actually...a uniform! I'm going to be wearing jumpers (american dress jumpers, not sweaters) with 1930s floral and leafy printed ties and bow ties, with a suit jacket and fur collar. Lots of fur, lots of crocodile (bags, shoes, clothing). I bought a walrus skin doctor bag. Basically I will look like a British school child swamped with taxidermy. Mix in Elizabethan, and Native American elements for entire fall wardrobe.

5. Any words of wisdom for people wishing to follow in your footsteps?

Dressing: Nothing is more important than knowing what looks good on you and what represents you properly. No one benefits from walking around amongst clones. Comfort doesn't mean ugly. I personally dress in a favorite outfit everyday because when I was little I thought you were stuck with the outfit you were wearing when you died. Always wear something that represents something alive (ex: floral prints, dog brooch).

Career-wise: Always stay true to (and work your way towards) what will make you happy. A dream job doesn't always pay well.



Nicole's Website
Nicole's Blog
Nicole's Line
Nicole's Ebay Shop (keep your eye on this one as I hear she's about to start loading it up with some of her vintage treasures!)

Up next, Tara-Lynn of Stay Fancy Free!

FW Part 1: Elvia Lahman

It is with great pride and pleasure that I introduce you to a most beloved companion and partner of mine, Elvia Lahman! Elvia has been in the vintage business for over fifteen years and has worked the vintage department of companies including American Rag, Urban Outfitters and American Apparel (where she was my boss). She has provided me with endless amounts of inspiration, laughs, food and made me the muscular broad that I am today (that is, until a giant crate fell on me and she took over the heavy lifting for awhile and stole all my awesome muscle powers). She is, simply put, amazing. It's so tempting to launch into a long-winded entry detailing generosity, humor, imagination and determination but I'll let you find that out on your own!

1. What was your first fashion-related creation?

6th grade, I didn’t like shopping at the mall where my family did most their shopping. I would go to the junkie swap-meets with my brother, who was a mechanic looking for car parts. I would buy vintage remnant fabric for 50 cents a yard. It wasn’t vintage back then, well it was, but the word "vintage" wasn’t used like it is now. Just old. I liked old stuff, I still do. My mom had one of those super old timey pedal sewing machines not because it was that long ago (ahem) but because momma was so old timey Mexico. She grew up in a tiny town without toilets or electricity. She just felt more comfortable sewing on it than the electric ones. I learned how sew on it as well but I was much more modern than she and bought a used 60’s turquoise one at the swap-meet (1982). The pedal sewing machine hurt my dainty ankles too much. Anyhoo, I made a full calf length skirt from an old 50’s pattern (Black with green paisley print, 60’s. I had a green beret that matched the green in the fabric perfectly). I thought I was so cool and super 5-0 looking (not at all)! After that I was nonstop. Mini skirts from 70’s plaid pants and a billion more full skirts. Lately, when I go through the wool skirts, I think I spot my homemade ones.

2. What or Who inspires you?

Old things. I can’t explain it but I get really excited about stuff! Pumpkins too. I think it’s the details when it comes to clothing, like a double stitch instead of a single stitch, funny little pockets that are slanted, buttons, METAL ZIPPERS, bias cuts, prints, conservative lady looks, big hair, music with a beat that I can dance to, old department store catalogs and girlie mags ( Wink, Cabaret, Mr., Frederick’s of Hollywood). Movies like The Women, (1939, not 2009!)  Blue Velvet and Pillow Talk that changed my life as a teen and pointed me to the very spot I’m at now. I think "inspire" and "like" are the same for me! My brain works really fast when it comes to ideas (usually). I think my brain gets excited therefore I get inspired? Does that make sense? Also, Hannah Metz. Finding things for her to wear and get excited for! My husband, a Barber, who encourages me and is as crazy into old stuff and shopping as I am. Bouncing ideas and continuing to add onto them until they explode then my mind explodes and gets worn out like I actually already lived it.

3. Biggest sartorial blunder?

Too many but I feel it’s a good thing. Super tight outfits that I busted out of without wearing underwear and the time I was proud that I wore my work-out clothes and no make-up to the bank.

4. If you had to have a uniform for this season what would it look like?

Every year for fall it’s the same for me. The idea of what I WANT to wear everyday... (although I don’t and sometimes can’t because of my job digging and getting dirty and being on my feet all day)

Picture this:

I’m a suburban housewife. It’s overcast and just a tad bit cool. Black short sleeve cashmere sweater, pencil tan, black and blue plaid side zipped skirt just over the knee, short camel cashmere jacket, no buttons with some funny little brooch(es), black elbow length gloves with a dangling bracelet, super amazing hat sitting tilted towards the left side of my head, one of my Jenette bras, the Sheer Delight pantie (part of the TLO collection), 2” basic pointed black heels (50’s/60’s NOT KITTEN just practical). My Suburban Country Lady Bag. My hair big and bouncy, NARS nude lipstick, my regular eyeliner and mascara'd eyes, heavy on the brows but not à la Crawford, (Joan that is). Vintage hands (hehehe) and million dollar red nail polish. Ok, now top it off w/ a gin gimlet straight up.

5. Any words of wisdom for people wishing to follow in your footsteps?

My footsteps are hard to follow. You don’t want to follow me and if you are I will have to kill you.

Listen, watch and learn. You’re not the first nor was I. You have to learn to get in line. Also, vintage makes you crazy. Really! Most “true” vintage people are slightly off. It’s the love of vintage that makes us that way.

Man, Elvia, I miss you so bad! 

up next: Nicole of Fashion Forestry!

filling your drawers

I finally added a video to our Kickstarter project page! Initially I had intended to do a friendly introduction to our line but after multiple failed attempts I admitted defeat and did the next best thing - whipped my head around and flapped my arms in slow motion to the tune of Deceptacon (har har har) by Le Tigre.

We have 3,011 to go and 24 days left! My fingers are crossed so hard that some fashion week miracle will occur and we'll pull through and reach our goal! Speaking of fashion week, while I don't think I'll be attending any of the official events I am planning on hosting a mini "fashion week" of my own here! I've lined up interviews with some inspiring creative buddies working in the industry (starting with my mysterious partner Elvia) to share with you (really looking forward to this)!

I promise a refreshingly "hannah-free" blog when this Kickstarter project is through! O_O More paintings, less pantless me pleading for help!

she saw the water-lily bloom

A few more while at the cottage! This is my first moment of solitude since coming home and I'm spending it splayed across an air mattress (more comfortable than our dilapidated sofa) watching Wuthering Heights (1970, Timothy Dalton is such a babe in this) and plotting a cheese and pasta filled dinner.

If you should happen to be in the city for upcoming fashion festivities and would like a break from the glitz and glam send me an email and join me for some leisure activities (activities include balancing out the air mattress with our bottoms, watching period dramas, eating cheese and pulling the split ends off of our hair).

ps. just in case! Thank you so much for all the help with our project so far! I very much hope to be a busy lady by months end sewing together brooches and sticking loads of goodies in the post!