fuschia velvet ruffle suspenders!

suspender-wings

Black suspender-wings with black cotton lace, black satin ribbon, and black prism beads from bust line to shoulder blades. Brass hardware, adjustable length.
Separate, so can be worn as singles, criss-cross front or back, or open (as shown).

still suspended

the traveler

navy polka dot surplus cotton knit with champagne satin ruched derriere panel. convertible straps (halter, criss-cross, or open back) with upcycled brown suede ties.

Whatever Hat You Like

I recently found this gorgeous hat for $15 at a consignment shop in the Sierra Foothills! It is wool. It is from the 20's. I love it.
The best things about current fashion's ode to Art Deco aesthetics are that:
1) It's Art Deco (beautiful), and
2) Hats!

I have a bit of a hat fetish, and as a result have more hats than I can really wear (an oddly perfect reflection of my life!).

Here is WHY I have a hat fetish. When I see a person wearing a lovely hat with confidence, I feel a sense of victory inside! I feel like:
"Yeah, this world is crazy, and everything is unknown, but we can get dressed up and put on an awesome hat and have a sense of humor about it!" Hats are optimistic, whether they're practical or no. When I wear a hat I feel like I'm inviting my neighbors over for muffins and black coffee at 8 AM, like I'm going to the train station in the 30's to meet my love after 5 years apart, like I'm going to the harbor to work on the ship deck, like I'm a double secret agent for England and South Africa, like I just won the right to vote and I'm marching to the polls. I wear them for myself, and because I like to invite people into possibilities. Wearing a hat is winking back at life.

the tower

dramatic, elegant floor length halter dress. made with a luxuriant and filmy textured surplus black tencel knit, lined entirely along neck, sides, and back opening with ivory victorian lace...

the tower

with beautiful open back...

new moon dress

The new moon dress hugs your curves and moves comfortably with your body. I make dresses that I like to wear: super sexy, classy, feel good on, playful, and unique.
This dress is made from surplus black tencel knit and acid washed stretch denim. The upper part is convertible and can be worn in many ways: halter, cap sleeve, criss-cross in the back, or open back, wrapped to tie in front, or tied in back in generous bow above the derriere. See the 2 previous posts for pictures of the back.
Countless friends have tried it on, and they have each looked amazing in it!
I love seeing women rock their silohuettes!
I am making 20 new moon dresses to order, in custom colors and fabrics, for $120. To make this custom dress for you, I simply require your measurements.
Contact me at laurelfine@gmail.com, if you need a slinky dress for fall or winter wear!

new moon dress: criss cross back

new moon dress: open back

caboose skirt

caboose skirt

high-waisted pencil skirt with hidden back zip and sculpted ruffle down back center line. made from surplus olive/grey stretch demin blend.

chantilly

restructured vintage fisherman sweater, ruffle lined shawl collar, lace lined short sleeves with visible ruching detail at shoulders. hips at low hip, hugs waist.

poncho de creme

wool poncho with high neckline, black line embroidery on front, lined with champagne satin.

wings

Victorian drawer handle, black glass, copper, crystal beads, brass chain link with copper chain

brass seahorse with turquoise disk, rhodite & crystal

the captain's key

a WWII ship key, victorian drawer handle, suede from an old skirt

copper, moonstone & pearl

the shield

victorian drawer decoration, copper chain with crystal, glass and moonstone beads with
double chain.

land legs

Living by the ocean and finding salt, sand and seaweed on everything makes me feel like a sea creature or a sailor or a mermaid. I love the things the ocean washes in, and they way she wears them down. I dream of pearls, of icy treasure chests overgrown with coral, dolphin ghosts, and underwater string music. I've been collecting victorian hardware, broken crystal chandelier drops, pearls, and moonstone beads for a few months. I've made some earrings, necklaces and belts fit for everyday royalty! I make things to be worn to the most extravagant occasions of my dreams, and then end up wearing them out for tacos, picnics, and work! For those who love graceful retro, poetic exageration, and surprising proportions: you might like some of these creations! Here are a few pictures from my "land legs" series. For mermaids who go out to dinner and sailors who climb trees from time to time...

tower dress with captain's key belt & Piper's vintage hat