Step into my parlor…

Most people know me to be a bit of a coffee addict, however I managed to become quite the connaisseur of tea while living in New Orleans many years ago.  Instead of engaging in our usual afternoon cocktail hour, my friends and I would occasionally organize fabulous tea parties.  Inspired by the fine English tradition of afternoon tea, these little get-togethers were a way to relax with the simple pleasures of a fine beverage and good conversation.

Tea Time top and skirt

The “Tea Time” style group is dedicated to the diverse personalities that made up my little tea parties.  The top and skirt embrace the tradition of English plaid contrasted with London 1970’s punk style.  The matching pillbox hat has classic vintage allure with the spooky twist of a Kustom Voodoo skull flower.  The “Tea Time” necklace is a captivating piece comprised of a skeleton key pendant accentuated by a ruby red rosary style chain.

Tea Time hat and necklace

From my tea party to yours, wishing you all the best in 2014!

 

 

 

Go ahead, be a tease.

Unlike much of today’s fashion, vintage wardrobe maintained a delightful balance between sex appeal and class.  I fell in love with retro fashion many years ago upon realizing that the perfect dress resembles a magic potion.  The right outfit can instill confidence in the lucky lady who wears it as well as mesmerize those who lay their eyes upon her.  The appeal of retro style for me has always been the flirtatious, feminine nature.  Fashion has gone through some treacherous phases, but mid-century chic still holds true as the era of celebrating classic curves and seductive silhouettes.

Tease dress - Mini HearsesOur new “Tease” dress was designed to put the wiggle in your walk and ensure that you will be the belle of the ball.  This sassy little number is a triple threat complete with a sweetheart neckline, bold contrast belt, and stretch twill pencil skirt.  You can’t go wrong with the winning combination of vibrant colors, polka-dots, and spooky prints!  Our “Vegas Vixen Flower” hair clip is a delightful accessory and looks smashing when paired with the “Movie Monsters” colorway.

Tease dress - Movie MonstersWhile on the subject of being a tease, be sure to check out our awesome interview with burlesque bad girl, Little Miss Risk.  We had a blast discussing her role in the horror hit “American Mary”, antique erotica, and why she should be on a hidden camera show.

Mermaid

In closing, just remember what someone wise once said, “If you’ve got it, flaunt it”!

♥Rebecca

A peek into the decadent world of Little Miss Risk…

Header

Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing Tristan Risk.  For those of you who haven’t discovered her yet, you’ll want to set aside some quality time to scope out her ridiculously fun website.  Famous for her smart mouth, seductive stage performances, and insightful writing, Little Miss Risk is a fascinating character.  Hailing from Vancouver, she’s a delightful combination of all things sultry and spooky, with a hint of comedy that will knock you on your ass.  A talented darling of the stage and screen, Tristan also spends her days as a Corsetier, model, blogger, and all around connoisseur of mischief.

I was familiar with Little Miss Risk’s work through the burlesque community, but really developed a crush on her recently after viewing the horror hit “American Mary”.  My favorite character in the movie was the charismatic Beatress, so when the credits rolled by, I was delighted to learn that the actress portraying her was none other than the astonishing Tristan Risk.  It was then that I decided that I must get all of the gorgeously gory details on the girl who has so effortlessly captivated audiences worldwide.

1. What’s a average day like for Little Miss Risk?

It depends on season. If it’s winter that means waking under the cover of darkness and if I’m at home, feeding my crows outside. Daily routines include yoga, seawall run or gym time, at least one sojourn though East Van daily. Regular activities in a day can include a photo or film shoot, performance where (spoiler alert) I wind up in a state of undress, or learning a ridiculous life skill like hanging from my hair or bending a nail with my ass. Usually coffee and smiles are involved throughout the day.

Lunch

2. What qualities do you think make a great entertainer? What sets you apart from other performers?

It might seem redundant, but one of the best qualities an entertainer can possess is the DESIRE to entertain. I see a lot of performances that aren’t authentic because the person behind them is hiding behind large costumes or props when they aren’t giving their whole heart. A great entertainer is present, and is sharing the moment with their audience. Creating that special bond between exhibitionist and voyeur rather than a performer thinking about laundry and an audience member texting.

I think what differentiates me from other performers is my arts bleed across one another. My visual art gets into my costume concept, if I’m shooting film, I try to appear naked in it, I use my body to tell stories and create visual art as a kinetic sculpture. I think the inability to compartmentalize it and to still have a sense of humour in whatever my project is serves as a pretty good signature of style.

3. You’re somewhat of a Vancouver historian. What’s it like living there?

I was born and bred in Vancouver. I have never lived anywhere else in my life. Yet I’ve travelled fairly extensively over the years as a performer and have seen much of Europe, North America, The South Pacific and Asia. And every time I have to say I adore coming home to Vancouver. We are spoiled by all the gorgeous  natural surroundings of mountain and ocean, and while keeping some of our original architecture of ‘old school’ Vancouver becomes a challenge, it’s still a wonderful place to live. Add to that the the general public is fairly attractive, in good health, and smokes a lot of pot, it truly is Lotus Land. I really encourage anyone who’s not come to check it out. But don’t trust the travel guides – hit me up and I’ll direct you to the things you HAVE to see!

Window

4. Who are some of your favorite burlesque stars?

Of the Legends? I’m a fan of Tura Satana (who also graced screen and burlesque stage as well), Dusty Summers, the first nude magician, and Satan’s Angel who first spun fire tassels! From the new school I’ve tremendous respect for Dita Von Teese and Catherine D’Lish for bringing the ‘show’ back to ‘showgirl’, my ladies in Sweet Soul Burlesque, Melody Mangler, and Burgundy Brixx from the Vancouver crew. I adore many of the NYC ladies, and Eve Champagne and Tronicat in Germany! Much love! But I’m amazed at the new and fresh talent. Especially here in Vancouver where I’ve heard our burlesque scene is likened to what Seattle was to Grunge music. I’m always surprised and impressed with all the high concept art performances, the merging of sideshow/fetish/magic/tribal styles and the drive that all these performers have. It’s very humbling to be around.

5. You were incredible as the character ‘Beatress’ in the movie ‘American Mary’! What was it like playing that role?

At the risk of sounding like I went too far down the rabbit hole, I feel a lot of myself is in Beatress. Fragments and portions of my personality. Some of them twisted into parodies, but it’s still there, and with Beatress I feel she was an extension of some of these personality facets. Playing her was such fun, since everyone liked the character, and more than a few crew were walking on eggshells around me until I realized they were trying to be polite and not stare – they thought the fx make up was my real face! But getting to twirl around set crooning like Beatress and making people laugh on set was the most fun! For my first major film role I feel lucky to have hit the jackpot.

6. The Soska Sisters are a pretty intense duo. Any fun stories you’d like to share?

The Soska sisters are divine creations. I’d have never had half of the opportunities I’d have been offered if not for them taking a chance an casting an unknown ecdysiast in the role of Beatress. I also recognize that a role like THAT does not always come into one’s lap. So let me start this by stating that I am very grateful for the chance to play Beatress and have two such gifted and kind friends. As for one of our fun moments was we ‘discovered’ a hidden pool at this hotel we were staying at. There was one main one, and then other one that you practically required a sherpa guide to get to, but this other had a hot tub. So another friend of mine was there with us and we dressed like mermaids and had a mermaid party in the hotel pool. The looks we got trucking the tails down the hall, over our shoulders were priceless, not to mention the puddle-trails that followed us to our room. I’m pretty sure they knew it was us, but the hotel security footage from that must be priceless…

I also have a bad habit of delivering them ‘stripper coffee’ as I tend to be a (annoying) morning person. It usually means I wake up two hours before anyone else, go get coffee, then knock on the door and when they answer, be topless. Again, the hotel security footage would be solid gold here.

Mermaid

7. Little Miss Risk is a wonderful balance of sex appeal, humour and horror influence. What are some of the things that inspire you the most?

Antique erotica (trust me, humans exhausted all options WAY before the Internet) and taking from forbidden and taboo subjects of the past. Old school Alice Cooper is as big an influence as Zigfield and Dita. I’ve a fascination with myth and folklore and a lot of myths and legends inter wired into cyberpunk concepts often meet in my brain. I have a collection of vintage brooches which I like to arrange amidst tarot cards to see if one can influence the other and then I can bring them to life onstage. 🙂 I’m pretty sure too that I’m not the only one guilty of having a large collection of coffee table books with art and artists that inspire me as well….

8. What is something about you that people may be surprised to learn?

That I like to surf. I don’t do it often, and I’m not terribly good at it, but when I get the chance I like to ride the waves. I also plan to get a professional mermaid tail made so I can have tail when travelling! I also have a terrible compulsion to doodle raccoons pushing wheelbarrows as well.

9. If you could travel in time, when and where would you go?

1888 – Montermarte, Paris

1925 – Paris

1978 – CBGB’s, New York City

1945 – The Cave Supper club, Vancouver

1986 – Vancouver, at a Skinny Puppy recording session

10. What are some of your favorite magic tricks?

I love quick change magic, and Pepper’s Ghost, which is one of the hardest illusions to recreate since it’s so fundamental that the venue be set up properly for it. One of my favourite magicians, and good friends, Dr.T, has shown infinite patience with me, usually when we do our duo stuff. He’s done the Fringe circuit for a few years, and I always find myself clapping like a five year old when I see him do his acts.

Ghost

11. I’ve heard that you began performing by accident.  I know there must be a great story…please elaborate!

Oh lord, it’s true! I emcee’d my first show when I was seven for my granddad’s church show… after getting the stage and a taste of the mic, I never looked back. I got into burlesque entirely by accident. A friend was having a party for her boyfriend and wanted someone to jump out of a cake and do a Marilyn Monroe striptease thing. I volunteered to do it (the cake was the most ghetto cardboard/sparkle/glue gun affair that you can imagine). Apparently it was a hit, and he asked me to ‘open’ for their band the following week. Since then it’s been difficult keeping me off of a stage and clothes on, but I’ve not heard any complaints yet.

12. I absolutely love reading your blog!  What post was the most fun to write?

It’s like trying to pick who’s your favourite among your children. I do rather like throwing down on burlesque or Vancouver history and any chance I get to write about my favourite RPGs and their relevance to my current state of affairs makes me smile. And when in doubt, post photos of yourself or people/things/places that inspire you.

13.  Any exciting projects on the horizon that you would like to talk about?

Ooh, well I’ve got three films being released come 2014, which is pretty exciting for me. One is Astron 6’s The Editor, and two short films, one is a secret and the other is Jill Sixx’s The Callgirl where I’m also with Laurence Harvey (of Human Centipede 2/3). Very stoked about all of these and looking forward to doing a few more films come 2014… Not sure when I can spill the beans on those, but there’s three projects lined up so fingers crossed I can let you know sooner than later. I’m also working on a coffee table book with Shimona Henry that I’m hoping to release next fall so things are coming down the pipe all over!

I could have gone on forever asking Little Miss Risk a million questions, but she had some trouble to start and I couldn’t bear to interrupt.  If you’re in the mood for some sassy tweets you can track her down at @littlemissrisk.  For burlesque bookings she can be reached at sweetsoulburlesque@gmail.com.  Love letters can be emailed to littlemissrisk@gmail.com

Special thanks to Shimona Henry for the beautiful images!

From Finland with love!

Several years ago I had the pleasure of visiting the enchanting country of Finland.  My intention was to eventually travel to Denmark and Sweden, yet that plan was derailed as I found myself inexplicably drawn to the city of Helsinki.

Menagerie

I had such an incredible time discovering all of the Helsinki’s nuances and was grateful for my dear friend Judi as she was an excellent tour guide!  Whether I was wandering the cobblestone streets or hiking through countryside, I was spellbound by everything Helsinki had to offer.

Uspenskin Katedraali

The “Helsinki Honey” dress is my tribute to the city that stole my heart.  I brought quite a few outfits with me to Finland, but there was one particular silhouette that transitioned best from daytime exploring to nighttime trouble making.  Offered in three vibrant colorways, “Helsinki Honey” makes a great accomplice on your next adventure!

Helsinki Honey Royal Skulls

I recently had the honor of appearing on the Hollywood Noir makeup website!  I have been a fan of Ashley’s work for quite some time and had a blast talking shop with her.  If you haven’t checked out the Hollywood Noir YouTube channel I highly recommend it as she posts some of the most articulate and creative tutorials I have stumbled upon!

Until next time…näkemiin!

♥Rebecca

Luck be a lady tonight!

When I moved to Las Vegas in 2003, I never imagined that I would still be living here a decade later.  I had spent several years hopping around from one place to the next and didn’t plan on settling down anytime soon.  I’ve always loved to travel, but even when I’m having the time of my life on an exotic trip, a part of me is always a little homesick for Sin City.


I remember visiting Vegas as a kid and falling in love with the bright lights of the strip and the Flamingo hotel in particular.  I still recall looking out of the car window as we passed the gaudy pink accented structure, knowing that one day I would come back to explore all of its mysteries and nuances.  I had also developed a fascination with showgirls, so it was a particularly wonderful experience when my dad took me to see a show featuring statuesque dancers draped in feathers and rhinestone jewels.  Even as a child I knew I was witnessing something amazing that I would never forget.

 

Vegas is a decadent city and is always evolving.  For people like myself who feel a close association with the “good old days”, it’s a bittersweet experience to watch the transformation that occurs daily in this unusual town.  As much as I love seeing new and exquisite attractions, I still long for the era of seductive lounge acts and stylish chorus girls.  As a lover of the retro lifestyle, it’s these images that come to mind and inspire me constantly.

I’m incredibly thrilled to introduce the “Casino Queen” dress and “Showgirl Flower” hair clip!  I had so much fun designing a silhouette that embodied my affection for Vegas.  I’ve always been a fan of halter dresses, especially those which feature sarong style skirts.  The festive colors in the “Key To My Heart” print look stunning with the combination of pink shades in the “Showgirl Flower” hair clip.  Whether you are strutting down the glittering streets of my town or strolling the avenues of yours, this ensemble will take you back to a simpler time when big bands dominated the airwaves and curve hugging skirts graced the runways.

 

Foxy Moxie!

mox·ie 

noun \ˈmäk-sē\

Force of character, determination, or nerve.

 As a designer, I depend greatly upon many talented people to help make my creations come to life.  The photographers I work with capture timeless imagery.  The makeup and hair artists I have the pleasure of knowing can take a beautiful girl and find unique ways to bring out her best assets.  Last but not least, I am forever indebted to my incredible models.  When I compose a look, I always imagine that the model is a living doll.  One could even say that the model is the vehicle by which everything comes together.

I have worked with many amazing women over the years.  Sometimes I fall so head over heels that I name dresses after them!  The latest darling to steal my heart goes by the name of  Moxie Macabre.

Painting by Moxie Macabre

Moxie is one of the most interesting creatures I have ever encountered.  Besides being drop dead gorgeous, she is a seamstress, comic book junkie, and accomplished artist.  She is an avid antique hunter and lives to play dress up.  Moxie is also incredibly sweet and funny, which makes our photo shoot adventures even more fabulous.  Our most recent shoot took place at Atomic Liquors here in Las Vegas and we had a blast!  The dynamic photography team Square Shooting was there to snap some awesome images in one of Sin City’s coolest historical hotspots.

When I first came across the multi-colored argyle fabric, I knew that I had to design something adorable and vibrant.  I immediately imagined how cute the colors would look on lovely Moxie and it was all downhill from there!  Before I knew it, the“Foxy Moxie” dress was stitched up and ready for playtime.  The a-line silhouette is perfect for summer and I couldn’t pass up adding a chic retro kitty cameo.  I discovered some beautifully detailed sugar skull beads and made the new“Sugar Skull” flower hair clips.  These spooky little flowers add a generous splash of pigment to any outfit and look especially gorgeous when both colors are worn together.

I hope you’ve fallen desperately in love with “Foxy Moxie”. Next stop is the “Casino Queen” dress which will be available in a couple of weeks!  As always, thanks for the support!

♥Rebecca

 

 

 

Mele Kalikimaka – it’s Christmas in June!

“Girl Friday” is back in a fantastic new colorway!  We paired the adorable “Mini Hearses” print with some sweet polka-dots for a new twist on a classic look.  I’ve been a fan of vintage suits for many years, and this top and skirt look amazing together. I also like mixing these lively separates with my favorite basic pieces for a splash of color that will light up any room.

Our “Smitten Kitten” necklace is such a cute and versatile piece!  I was heartbroken when we sold out of the “Meet Me in Paris” necklace, so it’s quite a treat to have another retro kitty necklace available.  The chain features beautiful, multi-faceted hot pink beads which compliment the cameo with flirty, feline finesse.

 We had a great time shooting this set with Tina Tokyo , Pretty Little Things by Candice Marie, and the folks from Radiant Inc.  Burlesque sensation Cha Cha Velour let us play in her awesome house which has one of the coolest retro tiki bars I’ve ever seen.  Stay tuned for more gorgeous images of fun, new items!  We’ll be adding some adorable summer dresses to the site in a couple of weeks…can’t wait!!!

“Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?”

Warm weather is yet again making an appearance and I’m already thinking about where I should travel for my next vacation!  Since I have WAY too much going on right now to justify an extended trip, I spend a lot of time thinking about exotic destinations.  In keeping with our theme of French inspired fashion, our newest ensemble is brought to you by the captivating city of Bordeaux, France.

 

Famous for its incredible wine, architecture, and appreciation for the arts, Bordeaux is truly unique.  A marvelous city rich in history and culture, it’s no wonder that people flock here for the amazing sight seeing and second to none shopping.  Bordeaux is home to some of the world’s most incredible museums and can also brag about having one of Europe’s most desirable climates.

Our new “Bordeaux” dress and matching pillbox hat are the perfect pieces to celebrate spring.  I love mixing prints and the damask/houndstooth combination was too good to pass up!  This dress has amazing lines that accentuate every body type, topped of with flirty eyelet lace and ribbon detail.  I absolutely LOVE the pink Russian netting on the hat as it creates beautiful texture when paired with sleek feathers.

 

Dare to be decadent!

Our newest item, the “Antoinette” hat,  is inspired by none other than French queen Marie Antoinette.  Of Austrian birth, she married into royalty at the tender age of fourteen as it was hoped that her union to Louis-Auguste, the Dauphin of France, would mend relations between their two countries.  The young queen became infamous after being accused of spending France into ruin with her shopping sprees, gambling, and lavish lifestyle.  Upon further inspection, it is evident to many that history (and an angry mob) did this lady quite a disservice.  While she really was a bit of a fashionista, much of the “criminal behavior” she was blamed for was nothing more than misguided accusations.  In many ways, Marie Antoinette was a political pawn, a mere child trying to live up to the expectations of those around her.  In later years she became more politically active as well as frugal, however she did not exude much power and was unable to revive her tarnished reputation.

I’m not sure why I have always been drawn to this tragic historical character.  Maybe it’s my fondness for misfits or desire to uncover truths hidden beneath thick layers of conjecture and rumor.  There are many resources available which offer a variety of perspectives, many of which are quite intriguing.  Sofia Coppola also released a film in 2006 that is rather delightful, and while it does take some artistic liberties, the sets and costuming are reason enough to see it.

Here are a few of my favorite Marie Antoinette facts:

The king and queen were philanthropists.

She never actually said the famous quote, “Let them eat cake”.

It is believed that Marie Antoinette had Habsburg jaw, a genetic defect often caused by generations of intermarrying.

Although her husband banned the play “The Marriage of Figaro”, which promoted egalitarianism, the Queen loved it and is the reason it was able to be viewed in packed theaters.

She enjoyed canine company, and it is even recounted to have approached the guillotine holding her dear pet papillon, whose life was spared after the queen met her terrible fate.

Be shameless…

Our new “Shameless” dress is here and she is a beauty!  Inspired by the one and only Mae West, this dress will set the stage for an evening full of excitement!

Mae West knew how to cause a scene.  She was loud, explicit, humorous, and erotic.  Hailing from Brooklyn, Mae began performing at the age of five and never looked back.  Inspired by belly dancing and Vaudeville, she spent her entire life perfecting her character, willing to travel anywhere at anytime when an opportunity arose.

Mae was not only an actress, but also an accomplished screenwriter and playwright.  Her plays dealt with hot button issues; “The Drag” ended up being banned on Broadway for dealing with homosexuality.  No stranger to criticism from censors, she was arrested along with the entire cast and crew of her production “Sex” after the theater was raided by city officials.  In a time when women were fighting to have their inalienable rights recognized, she pushed the envelope every chance she got, paving the way for the many female entertainers who followed her lead.

The “Shameless” dress is my homage to the late, great Mae West. Designed to show off your best assets, this dress is fiercely unapologetic. In true West fashion you will dominate the room in this little number, leaving a trail of broken hearts behind you!

Pair the “Shameless” dress with the “Lafayette” necklace and draw a little extra attention to the super sexy neckline.  We will have the “Antoinette” hat available in the next couple of weeks; message us if you would like to preorder and we’ll ship it for free as soon as it arrives!