Costumer's Guild West

As a new official member of the Costumer's Guild West I was able to attend the annual meeting/fashion show on October 8, 2013.

I really miss costumes, the theater and interesting people.

Darth Vaders mother

The fashion show was a delightful mix of historically correct garments and fantasy costumes.

Civil War era

Life size American doll

Mardi Gras costume

Sack back gown

Edwardian era ( ? )

In addition to the meeting and the fashion show members brought in some historical and fanciful reticules.

Ostrich egg reticule made by an CGW member

Two unique reticules from the 1930s

Another interesting antique reticule

This was a display of a recreated military uniform. Although the materials were new the methods used to recreate the uniform were original. I think it is a Russian uniform but, I misplaced my notes on all the interesting costumes at this annual meeting/fashion show :(

The gold braid on the jacket and the feather plume of the helmet were most impressive.

The meeting and the members of Costumer's Guild West were very interesting.

I am looking forward to many more memorable events...

and maybe even wearing a costume!

Free Idea

Free People is one of my favorite brands because of its' boho, hand crafted, casual look. 

Unfortunately the prices are not casual...

this sweatshirt with trims was $88.

So I purchased a $15.60 light weight sweatshirt from Forever 21...

and my next trip to the fabric district in LA I selected a bunch of trims.

( I took the sweatshirt with me to be certain that trims looked good and it took about 35 minutes to select all the different trims that still worked together ).

Approximately $22 in trims.

Laid out the trims and then began the nightly ritual of hand sewing on some trims while watching Hulu on my computer.

Had to edit my trims when I realized the trims would go past my elbow. 

Unfortunately I neglected to try on the Free People sweatshirt so I don't know how high the trims went up the sleeve.

I really am lovin' my finished trimmed sweatshirt. 

Thanks Free People for the free idea!

Fashion Week at the Bellevue Collection

 Had been planning and plotting my escape to Seattle, Washington for weeks when I realized departing a day early would put me in town for the first night of Fashion Week at the Bellevue Collection.

I bought a ticket for the opening night fashion show and lucked out with a great seat.

A surprisingly large crowd turned out for the fashion show.
 Outside the venue were displays of fashions and accessories by local Washington designers.
There was also complimentary beer and wine.

The energy and enthusiasm of these up and coming designers made for a spirited pre-show environment ( the complimentary beer and wine may have also helped )

Most designers already had well established businesses so the skill level was very high.

Hats by Boring Sidney Hats
www.boringsidney.com

 These hats were phenomenal and the designer showed up at my next stop; Hat Camp!

The designer/milliner Belle McCluskey

Finally it was time for the show and I took my awesome, great seat.
Eleven independent designers presented their lines and I saw about 100 fashions parade down the runway!

Below are some highlights; 

Ozen Company by Aykut Ozen

Trina Pierre byTrina Pierre

Paychi Guh by Paychi Karen Guh

Paychi Guh by Paychi Karen Guh

Corban Harper by Corban Harper

Erin Roby by Erin Roby

Lia Pal by Liuba Palanciuc

Sarsen by Heather Blanchard

After the energetic, high volume runway show all the 11 designers came out to thunderous applause and the winner was announced...

Aykut Ozen was named the top designer.

Getting my fashion fix from a live show rather than a magazine is always more enjoyable.

My one night at Bellevue Fashion Week was a great success.

Destination: Hat Camp

My first morning in Washington I boarded a ferry to Vashon Island for adventures unknown at
Hat Camp.

Hat Camp was at Camp Burton, a rustic looking place until you looked out the side of camp along the water's edge...

the view and amenities were all 5 star resort. 

This was definitely not camping!

Not knowing exactly what to expect at Hat Camp I was blown away by how informative at every level all the lectures, demonstrations and evening round table discussions were for beginners to established milliners.

Wayne Wichern, creator of Hat Camp

Great lectures, demonstrations, resource suggestions. and tips on creating hats and the business of millinery.

Lecture and demo on using indigo dye. 

It was amazingly cool to see the items turn from green to blue when the dye oxidized in the air.

Three meals a day served in a beautiful dining space overlooking the water.

Simply gorgeous.

More demos and techniques by experienced milliners and hat makers. 

Priceless!

Feather facts and manipulation by Lynn McMasters who has obviously been obsessed with feathers forever!

( and also informed me my beautiful seagull feathers I have been collecting are illegal!! and I could be fined if I use any in my hats )

Feathers, and ribbons and felts; oh my!

Fabulous vintage and modern hats here,

there,

and everywhere!

In all honesty 4 days and 3 nights of Hat Camp was a lot for a novice like me. 

But the breathtaking beauty of the surroundings, the immensely nice people I met and the inspiring examples of all the great millinery artists made it a truly monumental event.

I LOVED HAT CAMP !!!!