Project Runway

Dreamy Dames!, there's no need to wait for the next episode of Project Runway 5 before we decide who's our favorite designer.

The most girly and bunny-esque designer is undoubtedly our adorable Kelli Martin (pictured above). She is creative and cool, she's fun and flirty. She loves details as much as we do and she's often inspired by Betsey Johnson and Thierry Mugler... wow, SWANKY! She went to fashion school in L.A. but applied her knowledge in her native Portland, Oregon where she has designed guitars, clothing and even opened her own shop called Black Market, a boutique that carries everything from Japanese frilly dresses to Gothic nylons for a mysterious and seductive night. We wish Kelli the sweetest of luck and believe in her abilities to create the most vintage inspired, jaunty burlesque and modish pin-up dresses a network fashion show has ever seen... just observe her grocery store creation where she used bleached vacuum bags that created a green, marbleized skirt, thumbtacks that took care of the waistline, coffee filters as the chest decor and not shown is the notebook spiral that closed the back of the dress and other perky details.

Good Luck Ms. Kelli Chic. We enjoy your Oeuvre d'art!

Farewell: Dorian Leigh

Once the photo shoot was over, this picture became one of Dorian Leigh's most popular images. There she was: a slender Texas girl in New York with a light complexion and short hair.
But as she stood in front of the camera -- what the lens captured was unequivocal -- a statuesque dame with uncanny elegance, a mystical gentlewoman with striking blue eyes and a demoiselle who simply helped shape the Golden Age of Haute Couture, attractively.
Unfortunately, for the world, Ms Dorian Leigh is no longer alive. She passed away at a Virginia nursing home at the age of 91 on Monday, July 7.
We adore Dorian because in the middle of her fame and excessive salary ($300,000 was way much for a model in the 1940's), she wanted to help her sister, Suzy Parker, rise to fame as well. So she helped catapult Suzy's career and the joy she expressed when her little sister landed her first major contract, was also shared when Suzy overshadowed her own career and became the highest paid model for Coco Chanel and eventually far, far more popular that Dorian.
But regardless of Suzy's fame, Dorian was on the cover of some of the world's most important fashion and beauty magazines and served as a muse for many of the photographers and artists of the time. Then she became an icon for Revlon cosmetics.
Described as a woman with "intoxicating sensuality" and "sexy without saying a word", she had five failed marriages and numerous lovers...but best of all, she spoke openly and candidly about her affairs, without the fear of societal critique.
She lived a long, happy life, opened up her own modeling agency in Paris and raised five children.
Rest in peace, Ms. Dorian Leigh. In your honor, we will make it a point to buy more Revlon Make-Up.

Timeless Vixens: Be glad!

By the looks of bashful Betsy (pictured in black lingerie above) she has no idea which dress she'll be wearing to the Opera tonight. And our beloved Bridgette has arrived to the pageant without her swanky cocktail dress for the post-show soiree...

Oh no! What is a woman to do when her closet is full of fashionable fabrics and gorgeous garments but nothing seems convincing?

The answer is simple -- shop some more! But not just anywhere.

I have discovered a truly enjoyable shopping experience: a website that sells real vintage dresses from pre-1930's to the 70's. The featured pieces are so, very exquisite and intricately perfect.

As it turns out, the dealer not only sells her collection online, she posts new arrivals weekly and when asked (quite frequently, I imagine) she travels to people's homes for private sale appointments.

There are very many things I want to purchase from this website, including the mod hourglass black dress (pictured above), which sells for $370.00 or the Lilac Ruffle Chifon dress with the pink bows that is guaranteed to cause sensation anywhere. Unfortunately for us, the dress has been sold (sigh). The lucky Chanteuse purchased it for $380.00.

But be chipper - there are a multitude of great finds like a dress with sequined sparrows, a 1950's pair of blue suede spike heels, Andy Warhol inspired short dresses, Victorian beaded and metal mesh purses -- and my very favorite (besides the Couture Mariano Fortuny green silk gown): a 1960's Pauline Trigere Tweed Coat.

Check out the website ... and happy shopping!

www.timelessvixen.com