A Few Fashion Show Pics

I'm so excited!!! We're supposed to have our first truly warm day here in Chicago, 77 degrees. Rain is in the forecast...again :/ Oh well, the blooming trees, tulips, and daffodils have all been spectacular.

I met a friend for lunch yesterday. She took a few pictures of some of my pieces that I had in the annual Haute Couture Club of Chicago fashion show. Our professional pictures have not yet come back, so until then, I thought I would share my friend's pictures just to give you an idea of the day. More will come :)

This is the Style Arc Grace Trans-Seasonal Jacket that I shared with you HERE. I wore the jacket with my Closet Case Patterns Ginger Jeans. The bag is my Poppins Bag. I also made a coordinating umbrella. 

I made an umbrella last year, and loved how it turned out. You can see that post HERE. Now that I have a new bag, I thought a matching umbrella would be nice too. 

I lined the umbrella with a remnant that picked up all the colors in the bag.

I made this jacket some time ago. It is the Sewaholic Robson Coat. The coat was made for the Sews News sew along. You can see all of those posts HERE. I had not finished putting in the buttonholes, and the jacket had languished in the closet for all this time. So, I decided to get it out, finish it, and put it in the show. I have since worn it 3 times!!!  

This dress was made last December. It's the Pattern Union Sumekko Dress. I blogged about it HERE. Absolutely love this pattern. It only has 1 seam!!! The pattern comes with 3 different stencils that you can then use to paint on your fabric. I have that on my list for this summer.

Once the professional pictures have been made available, I'll share my complete collection of garments that I had in the show. If by chance you would like to attend the show, it's always the 1st Sunday of  May, so mark your calendars for next year!

Having a closet of wonderful me made outfits is just the best! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Rhonda

Tuesday Check In

The fashion show for the Haute Couture Club of Chicago was wonderful. I so enjoyed the day! A couple of highlights...

I had the opportunity to meet Mary Ellen of Mary Ellen Sews. Such a delight. For some reason, I thought that she was maybe 5 feet tall, but she is model like in stature. So lovely. Sadly, the day was quite busy and I only had a few moments to talk. Be sure to check out her blog if you have not. I know you will enjoy getting to know her. She has family living in the Chicagoland area, so I am hoping that she will return, sooner than later.

This was just the best!!!...

A young man by the name of Emmanuel designed the cover of our program book. He is working on a bachelor's degree in Fashion Illustration and Design at the Illinois Institute of Art. 

As I was going around to each table, saying hello, and thanking everyone for coming to the show, one of the ladies commented on how lovely the booklet was and that it was actually frameable. She had gone over and asked Emmanuel if he would sign the cover, which he did. Hmmm, that gave me an idea. I decided that this was a moment for him, so I brought him up on stage during my opening remarks and introduced him. After the show was over, I had a few moments to sit down with him. He told me that at one point he was going to get up to leave, he turned around, and there was a line waiting for his autograph. I LOVED it!!!! 

I have yet to post anything, but I did sign up for Me Made May this year.  

My plan is not to post a picture each and everyday. Once a week is fine. My primary goal is to weed out my closet and keep just the items that I truly love...and wear. So far it is going fairly well. I have packed up a number of items that I am going to put in our neighborhood garage sale in a few weeks. If they don't sell, they are headed for the resale shop. But, I plan to purge quite a few more pieces. Look for an upcoming closet post. I've cleaned out my drawers, and oh my does it ever feel good. When you see them, you are probably going to gasp at my collection of scarves and gloves, but I do wear them, so a large collection is fine if it is used. 

I haven't participated in Me Made May for a few years. In the past, when I have, I've learned a lot about myself, as well as my wardrobe. I'm interested to see the revelations that come from this experience. Be sure to pop over to Zoe's blog to see her Me Made May progress. If you are on Instagram, check out all the fun photos of the Me Made participants. You can find them HERE. And last, but not least, check out the podcast that Zoe did with the gals of Love to Sew , and hear her thoughts on Me Made May.    

I will be announcing a fun giveaway tomorrow. We haven't had one for a while, so it's time :) And I will also begin a new segment on using a basic t-shirt pattern and reconstructing/redesigning it into so many fun styles. I think you'll love it. I hope so anyway. 

Have a wonderful day!
 Rhonda

Fashion Show Sunday!

Happy Sunday!

Today is Fashion Show Sunday for the Haute Couture Club of Chicago! Always a fun, and crazy day :) So much work goes in to pulling off this show. We are not professionals, so making it all come together is quite an undertaking. I think there will be about 90 garments in the show, all made by our members. So many come to our show because they love the fact that we are real women, in real clothes, and then the icing on the cake is that we made those clothes.

I thought I would just give you a quick glimpse of what I will have in the show. You've seen most of it before.

My denim, hoodless, Waffle Patterns Pepernoot coat with a little skirt and striped shirt. I love this skirt. The pattern in the fabric is airplanes, locomotives, and steamships ;) I have a pair of red boots that I will wear with the outfit.

Love this saved lining skirt. The fabric was found in an old fur coat. I especially like the name that was embroidered, Jetta Jones.  

This skirt was made with a piece of vintage brocade from Hawaii. Great big pockets on the sides add interest and fun. I have a pair of black and white striped shoes that I will wear with this outfit.

I made this outfit to wear to a summer wedding last year. The fabric is from Tessutti Fabrics in Australia. Such an amazing piece of silk.

I think we will have 8 umbrellas in the show. We will all come out at the same time for full impact. Should be fun.

And finally, my Stephen Burrows inspired coat. My colors are not as vibrant as the original coat. I will get better pictures and share more about the coat in tomorrow's post. What a fun project to do. The lining is a piece of fabric that the Haute Couture club had made for our 60th anniversary.  

And finally, a fun pair of floaty pants that I will pair with a purple knit velvet top. Hopefully I will be able to get a picture of me in the pants so you can get a better idea of what they look like.

Have  fabulous day!

Rhonda

Fascinator and Fashion Show Fun

The Haute Couture Club of Chicago will host its annual fashion show on Sunday, May 7, 2017. It's always a fun event!

What makes the event especially nice is how so many members pitch in to help. I was given a sneak peak of our table decorations, so I thought I would share, tempt, whatever the case may be :)

Now, this is just a small sampling. Each is a full size hat/fascinator. There will be 22 in all. And...even better, everyone who attends the show will have the opportunity to win one, or more!

The hats will be raffled off. Tickets are a steal!!!
$2.00 per ticket
$8.00 for 10 tickets
$15.00 for 20 tickets

So for just a mere $2.00, you could actually take home a custom made piece.  

We are especially excited as we will also showcase the designs of 3 specially chosen fashion design students from The Illinois Institute of Art who will be the recipients of our scholarship awards. 

If you would like to attend the show, ticket information can be found HERE. It's always fun to be around others who sew :)  

Monday Morning Inspiration/Oscar de la Renta Resort 2017

Last week, I told you about a book that I was reading, Gary, The Most American of All American Cities. I found the book to be extremely interesting, and enlightening. Rather than watch the Grammy Awards last night, I finished my book. How are you when you finish a book that you have thoroughly enjoyed? Maybe you're like me, I close the book, hold it for a moment, turn it over and re-read the back cover, hold it in my hands for a few moments longer as I ponder what I've just read, and then rather sadly say goodbye. Isn't it wonderful though when you read something that really touches you? Now the search is on for the next great read :)


I've been sharing quite a bit of lace inspiration recently. The Haute Couture Club of Chicago will have a lace challenge at our next meeting. What usually takes place is our speaker will have about 45 minutes to give their presentation. Then we move into the challenge. Everyone who participates will have made something that they feel fits the criteria of the challenge. They put on their garment and then explain what they have done. It's always a lot of fun to see what everyone has made. So I am hoping that with all the inspiration that I've found, we'll have some knock out pieces for our fashion show which will be Sunday, May 7, 2017.

When I was looking for a fashion show of the Valentino 2017 Resort Collection last week, I stumbled upon the Oscar de la Renta Resort Collection. It's a beauty! This collection also showcases a number of lace pieces that I thought were especially lovely.

The collection mixes tweeds with lace and little sweaters. Love the peek-a-boo lace near the hem.

Lace godets add an airy touch to a tweed dress.

Love this little flapper inspired lace cocktail dress. Perfect combination of 2 laces and feathers.

This dress has applied lace on the tulle. The back of the bodice is lace.

Lace insets in the jacket.

Crochet is also a form of lace.

Love the combination of the stretch lace tee with the pieced skirt. 

I left the last 2 images in their larger size so you could really see the application of the lace. So pretty.

If you would like to see more still pictures from the collection, you can find them HERE at Vogue.com. 

There are many other pieces that are especially pretty, and there's nothing better than actually seeing the clothes move, so I've included the fashion show below. It's not too long :) 



Hope you enjoyed the show!
Have a great week!!!
Rhonda

Not Your Grandmother's Lace

A number of years ago, in order to encourage our members to sew, and create for our annual fashion show, we began having sewing challenges for our Haute Couture members. It's always fun to see what everyone creates. 

This year's show is shaping up to be fun and exciting. If by chance you are in Chicago the first part of May, we would love to have you attend. The show will be on Sunday May 7, 2017. More info on the location and show in another post.

Our next challenge is entitled, "Not Your Grandmother's Lace." Participants are welcomed to make anything they wish from lace, but it doesn't need to a traditional version of lace. Our fashion show chair is encouraging everyone to think bold. 

Since we all love to sew, create, and be inspired, I thought I would do a lace post not only for our members, but for anyone who happens to pop by the blog :)

I lost the link to this jacket, so if anyone knows the designer, please let me know. I love the idea of appliqued lace and velvet over tweed.

From Turkish designer Yildirim Mayruk, the unexpected interior lace accent on this coat makes for a spectacular presentation.  

Not so much out of the box, but just a touch of lace along the bottom of this skirt really makes the look a complete ensemble.

From Bebe, manipulating lace to form a pattern makes a simple silhouette eye catching.

I believe the designer of this jacket is Armani. A twist on a princess line seam with the inset lace makes this jacket so special. 

I was unable to find a credit for this lace skirt. The see through length of this skirt makes it drop dead sexy and yet the wearer is completely covered.

From Pamella Roland, an entire jumpsuit of lace. This could be paired with a denim or linen jacket and worn in a more casual fashion.

Love the lacy shoulder and how it was pulled together with the extension of the sleeve.  

Another Pamella Roland design. Macrame sleeves make this jumpsuit really pop.

Although not traditional lace, the weaving on this Thakoon design invites the eye to focus. 

From Monique Lhuillier, this simple lace dress really pops with this fabulous jacket.

What a spectacular combination from Dior, suede, lace and fur!

Give a trench coat an unexpected twist with a lace skirt.

For something very unexpected, a sweatshirt made of lace. Love the lace extensions on the coat too!

                               

I was unable to find the designer of this skirt, but I love the twist on a granny square!

I don't think that many of us would be so bold as to wear this piece without something underneath!!! From Lanvin, this crocheted and interlaced top is truly unexpected.

From Jean Louis Sabaji. Lace leaves created in various sizes give the illusion of leaves falling in fall. 

Another take on the same idea from Giambattista Valli.

If you would like to give the leaf idea a try, HERE'S an easy way to create leaves with 3-dimensional design fabric paint. 

And finally, lace and feathers from Chanel. Talk about an unexpected top with a pair of jeans!

I'm looking forward to seeing what our members create. The challenge won't take place until March. So for those of you in Haute Couture, fire up those machines and get creating! Hopefully I've inspired all of you to think a little differently about lace as well.

Have a wonderful day!
Rhonda

Monday Morning Inspiration/Bryan K. Osburn

This past Saturday I had the awesome opportunity to reconnect with the incredibly talented Bryan K. Osburn. He was our featured speaker at this month's Haute Couture meeting. 

We both studied at Ray College of Design more years ago than either of us can believe. He has not lost his charm. I came up to reintroduce myself after so many years, and before I could say anything, he asked, "How have you done it? You look exactly the same." So sweet :) 

When I first met Bryan, he was an 18 year old kid that oozed talent. What initially impressed me was his incredible artistic ability. The man could draw and design the most beautiful clothes! When we graduated, he was named Designer of the Year, and with that title, he went on to New York and continued his studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology. From there he has traveled the world and created beautiful clothes for many famous names including Diana Ross. 

He is now back in Chicago, designing incredible pieces that impart an escape to a world of fantasy. I thought that you too might enjoy seeing some of his incredible work.

Bryan brought this gown with him. He loves fabric and mixing unexpected trims that create drama.  

Here's the gown in color.

The following pieces are from the same collection.

We also had the opportunity to see the jacket below. It's gorgeous. Lined in pink. Look closely and you'll see the broach at center front. Bryan loves to comb through resale shops and antique stores for incredible pieces. What so many of us marveled at was how he has the talent to strategically place a piece so that it truly accents the garment rather than over power or take away from the design.

The jacket above shown in progress below.

Incredible drama!

He also brought the gown pictured below with him. I had the opportunity to try on the coat. An amazing piece.

A ruched sleeve in detail.

Love this gown.

He enjoys mixing unexpected fabrics. Love the plaid taffeta with the lace gown!

For a number of years, Bryan worked for many of the top bridal firms in New York, ultimately venturing out on his own. 

During Bryan's talk, he showed how his garments are just as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. He's a true artist. 

What a wonderful opportunity it was for me to reconnect with Bryan. I hope that you too have enjoyed seeing some of his amazing work. If you would like to see more, you can find his webpage HERE. You can also find him on Facebook, just search for Bryan K. Osburn.

Have a wonderful week!
Rhonda