Sour Faces!

One of the cool things about making art is being an artist, hanging out with other artists, and collaborating to make "Art!" My neighbor Justin is a filmmaker, whose latest project I had the pleasure of being a part of. He's posted a rough cut here, enjoy!

Foresight: Thrift Store Find of the Week

I bought this set over the summer... Hand embroidered placemats and napkins for $1.50.

On quitting your day job...

This is my obligatory apologetic (and lame) excuse for not posting in three weeks (sorry, Mom). For more details, see this NYT article about freelancing, to which my only reply is "...and?" I don't mean to sound jaded, it's just that I woke up at 6am yesterday and trudged through the slush to do other people's laundry. Yup, I'm living my very own American dream. That being said, Jennifer, a volunteer mom backstage at the CSO (I finally understand why the industry calls them "child wranglers"), has reminded me how cool it really is. Today she explained how different and fascinating it is for her as a "fly on the wall" backstage, watching how everyone and everything works. Jennifer, the other parents, and their kids have a really lovely excitement and curiosity, which is refreshing when the rest of us are feeling like it's just another show. It's been a long time since someone asked me if I was "getting excited" about opening night...

Silk Stockings in My Wingtips

I've been thinking a lot about the balance of masculine/feminine style in fashion. I often wear a variety of men's clothes and accessories; neckties and high heels have become a classic combination for me. My genderbending style quirk was called out by a group of high school students I'm working with, who were somewhere between unsettled and totally weirded out by the chick in the men's dress jacket and shoes. A week later, a friend and I were out shopping when she declared that she found the term "boyfriend jeans" heteronormative. I keep seeing ladies in men's clothing on The Sartorialist and can't help but to find them attractive. Hmm... wearing genderqueer clothes. Weird? Political? Sexy? Maybe all three. It's something that doesn't happen onstage too often (in a non-Twelfth Night or Rocky Horror Picture Show way), which leaves the only canvas for experimentation to be my own personal wardrobe. Having an undeniably feminine figure, I'm always going to be the chick in the men's dress jacket and shoes. (I did discover a men's large Brooks Brothers wool sweater in my closet that doubles as an adorable, cozy dress when paired with leggings. Yay!) Please experiment, and send pictures. 

In my wanderings, I came across this fabulous website documenting the beauty in androgyny and genderqueer identities. The above photo is borrowed from it. 

Smart Chaps

I love this. 

A Fabulous Whitney

Someone sent me this... apparently, Whitney Blake, a film actor in the 1960s (I guess they still said actress then) is credited for popularizing and feminizing the otherwise stuffy Englishmen name of Whitney. Ain't she cute? I love the sweetheart neckline on her swim suit and the great Mod print on her beach chair. 

Apron Collection, Part Three

Thanks, Mom!

Shameless.

I did it. I Googled myself. Well, my quasi-business name, whitneythings. And this badass chick was the first hit. If it can't be me, I'm sure glad it's the fabulous Ms. Whitney and her unbelievable style. 

Apron Collection, Part Two

Embrace the rick-rack and rejoice. 

The Classics.

I, as a friend once put it, seriously have the "vintage jonesin'" and it's manifested here, and pretty much in every corner of my apartment. I usually go for the cutesy, kitschy vintage with a healthy dose of the more sartorial, clean-cut vintage (I have more ties than my guy friends). I'd also like to extol the classics. A baby blue pork pie hat is vintage, a brown fedora is classic. Vintage is a funky oddity, a lost treasure from the past carefully reintegrated into a contemporary aesthetic. Classic never got lost, has simply held up (and maybe adapted a bit) to changing taste. An example? Converse All-Stars (I know you have a pair) and Levi's jeans (I have at least four). Vintage you show off, classic you wear everyday. 

Apron Collection, Part One

In honor of Thanksgiving, a celebration of all the cute vintage aprons in the world (well, in my kitchen). And yes, that's totally a pear giving a high-five to a strawberry. 

Thrift Store Find of the Week

I'm having a Thanksgiving dinner party, and I am totally geeking out about it. I have lists and charts and menus everywhere. I went thrifting to find funky placemats and gravy boats, and I found this awesome table runner. It's just so... perfect. And all mine for $1.80. 

Creative Revolution!

Creative types everywhere rejoice. This reminds me of a teacher in high school commenting after the opening of my design debut, "Everything was beautiful, but why theatre? Why don't you become a doctor or something where you use your brain? You're so smart!" Yup. And people think I left early because I'm brilliant... it was more like running out of a room before I threw up. 

Watch this, pass it on.

Because it's cool.

Last night, I announced that I was booked until March and those dangling fresh projects best step back and turn around. I got an offer for a play this morning which I turned down (though I was tempted). And then. And then. A friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend called, in need of a costume for her son's school play and out of ideas. Her five-year-old needs to be a blowfish by next Wednesday. Adorable. Amazing. I am so in. Yes, one needs to make important theatre, tell relevant stories, practice one's craft, make a living, keep a resume impressive. But sometimes it's way cooler to make a five-year-old into a blowfish. 

(photo from Telegraph archives)

Sigh...

More fashion porn from the fabulous Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Enjoy.

My Favorite Person of the Day

My darling Becky. I am now closer to making peace with Halloween.

Urban Inspiration

Every time I visit a city, new or old, near or far, I perceive it as if I might live there some day (I mean, why not?). I think it's because of this that the first places I seek out are farmer's markets, used bookstores, coffee shops that pull their own shots, and all the other things that make me the artsy urban cliche I am. I try to see where I would and could fit in, how much my purple coat sticks out in the crowd.

I have an upcoming project with the fabulous Theatre Mir that deals with urban environments and development. Thus, I am presenting the question; in what ways does a city's architecture (literal and figurative) create its own unique style? There's the obvious elemental concerns (everyone in Chicago owns a parka and rain boots). Then there's the... edginess of New York? preppy-ness of Boston? showiness of Nashville? I don't have an answer, but I've been searching for throughlines of fashion and architecture. The photo above is a fence on the Upper East Side that would translate beautifully to a textile pattern. I'm going to start collecting more of these images...

Full disclosure: I'm wearing a vest and blogging at a coffeeshop in Cambridge, Mass. I need to stop now. 

A Toast to St. Catherine!

I'll be there celebrating, will you?

(St. Catherine is the patron saint of milliners!)

Judgment Day

Today was my first day of shooting for my first film. Nervous, exciting, all that. We're filming a portion set in the Civil War (like the research I posted) and we're using reenactors as extras. These guys seriously know their stuff. In the costume world, lack of time always forces one to fake it, and it usually goes unnoticed. Reenactors notice, reenactors know.

Often in the industry, we have a historical costume that is put on a modern actor (not used to wearing it) to present to a modern audience (not used to seeing it) and they have to safely do cartwheels through the aisle. Clearly, we have to sacrifice the authentic for the functional and aesthetic. Reenactment folks bring a whole new level of authenticity to the table. They special order historically accurate fabrics. One gentleman hand stitches all of this own garments. They know every date, battle, button and they have guns. I was terrified. 

I was met with appraising eyes, I got lots of criticism, and a few compliments (whew). It was a long day with plenty of waiting around, so I asked questions and got lectures and lessons about... everything. Even if my costumes (ahem... period dress) didn't quite win them over, I think I did. It was kind of wonderful having authorities on site to help make choices and give input. At the end of the day, I had a deeper respect for the reenactment community. And on my way out, one kind soul said, "Ya know, I could never deal with actors and run around all day with a smile, I think you're pretty good at faking it." Victory! 

A Little DIY Humor

I'm all for the DIY movement, though I've only stuck my feet in the proverbial pool. Although, there's this weird tension between DIY folks and old-school craftspeople, and being a little bit of both can be a bit awkward. Now, I'm an equal-opportunity critic, but my biggest beef with the DIY community is taking themselves too seriously (it's on par with self-righteous bicyclists). Again, I dig DIY (AND ride a bike), but you can't tell me you're a serious crafter because you knit and felt vaginas or screenprint owls with umbrellas on aprons. It's all adorable, clever and fun, but let's keep a little humor about this, eh? 

http://www.regretsy.com/

An Excellent Idea

Think about all those empty storefronts on Chicago Avenue and so many artkids to fill them...

Check it out.

Almost here...

It's true, a lot of costume folk roll their eyes at Halloween, I do too. It's hard explaining to your friends why you can't magically produce four adult-size bar-friendly Ninja Turtle costumes in an hour for $5. And JoAnn Fabrics? Forget it. 

However, working with children more and more has helped my Halloween-Scrooge attitude. In fact, making costumes for kids is now one of my favorite things ever. Here are the rough sketches for a couple of current projects. 

The Best Part!

I have a confession to make... not only is my job cooler than yours, but it's way nerdier. See, the art and fashion part is all a cover-up for the research part. Sigh. The point of the pie, the cheesiest chip. You find yourself looking for and really needing strange specific little bits. Sometimes I can badger friends and strangers (what bands did you listen to in high school? what do you wear on high holy days?). Sometimes, I'm Googling and flipping through every book in desperation (a 1930s Hungarian postal worker? French turn-of-the-century chambermaids?). It's fantastic, and I could do it forever. 

I'm getting things together to work on my first film project (!) and I keep finding these great photos. The project is partially set in the Civil War, and I'm finding the research to be well-documented and plentiful (sadly, wars lead to good research). How often do you see snapshots of Lincoln?  

Use it or Lose it.

I forget that most people didn't grow up in a house full of antiques.  And in regards to anything pretty and old, it seems most people have a sense of wonder that borders on fear. As in, afraid to breathe too hard anywhere near something that was made before 1960. Often, this is not a bad thing, as lots of things should be preserved and carefully handled. However, some things need to live out their intended purpose. Like this vintage (maybe Victorian?) black glass trim I bought at an auction. Oh the look of horror, "you're going to sew that onto a hat? But it's a hundred years old!". Well, yes. I am going to (lovingly) sew that onto a hat. What good will it do me sitting in a box? You buy a new pretty dress, you wear it out (and maybe avoid red wine). You buy an old pretty dress (or trim or tea towel), you do the same. I might as well show it off and put a little history on that hat. Plus, it ultimately makes my hat cooler than yours. 

Plaid-on-Plaid Moment #2

And now I've apparently taken up posting pictures of my crotch online.

Estate Auction Find of My Life

I've been out of town again, helping out my parents with an auction (and their garden!). Needless to say, this box lot of seventeen 1950s and early 1960s glasses is perhaps the coolest thing ever. They are all manufactured by Art Craft and in great shape. The rhinestone arrangements and aluminum frames are stunning. I was showing them off to a fellow bespectacled style nerd who said, "Yeah, there's like LensCrafters cat-eye, then there's like punch-you-in-the-face cat-eye!" Looks like I'm going to have to get some lenses put into these babies so I can start punching people in the face (metaphorically, of course). Best part? I got the whole lot for $5. 

Once Upon A Time...

In honor of Labor Day, I got a lot of work done. I went to see a run of "1001" at DePaul, and it's shaping up to be a clever devil. I made a dent on my enormous personal project list; alterations, birthday cards, favors for friends, etc. And even though my other projects turned out adorable, this is by far the coolest thing I made today. 

I used to work at Bubbles Academy, a children's enrichment center, and one of the lovely ladies there thought it would be so cool if we had a giant ancient-looking storybook to use as a prop. Well, I thought that was pretty cool too and took on the project. It was easier than I thought, and easier still now that I've already made one. A friend wants to make one for his niece, and I think it's a terrific gift for an imaginative kid.

I just made the cover so the teachers could change out the story inside, but it would be really cool to make personalized pages or mount an existing book inside. I started with a 1/2 inch-thickness sheet of black foam core (about $6 at Blick) and used a razor blade to cut it to size (mine is really big, 42''x36'', so it can be read to a class). I marked off a four-inch section in the middle and scored both lengths to serve as the spine, and reinforced it with duct tape. I used rubber cement to attach a purple taffeta lining, wrapping it around the edges and onto the other side (be sure to leave wiggle room so your book can open and close!). Then, I mounted the outside with some green leather I had laying around (yes, I do have huge pieces of leather and I know that's weird, but fabric or vinyl or wallpaper or lots of things would work too). I used a little E6000 (it's toxic, be careful) to make sure everything was super stuck. Inside, I stitched ribbons along the spine so that teachers can tie in their story pages. To finish, I pounded in upholstery tacks ($2 at Home Depot), added the brown leather bands, distressed the leather with a sanding block, and lettered the title with acrylic paint (note the sexy drop shadow). 

I don't mean to show off, but I think maybe kids would read more if they had enchanted storybooks laying around...

The Bee's Knees

I'm a total sucker for vintage cotton prints. They remind me of guestroom bedsheets at Grandma's house and sweet little aprons, it's something comforting and homey. One of my favorite little history facts is feedsack dresses. Flour, animal feed, and other grains used to come packaged in a patterned cotton sack, which women would then use to clothe their families. Cool, huh? And people think I'm weird for reusing Ziploc bags. 

One can find vintage fabrics at garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores and of course online. For those less inclined for the hunt, Repro Depot has great reprints of vintage fabrics.

I have a bad habit of buying a yard of fabric just because I like it, with no particular project in mind. Of course, I now have tubs of fabric waiting to be turned into... anything. I was sorting through some supplies this weekend, and I found all of these cute cotton prints I'd forgotten about. This is definitely going to be another kitchen addition; napkins? aprons? dishcloths? Maybe all three!

Speaking of Badass Brides...

So I have a grudge against wedding gowns. They're over the top, they feed into this whole storybook princess crap, you spend lots of money on something you wear once and are supposed to treasure forever. Kind of weird. And don't even get me started on the whole blushing bride shrouded in white idea. Okay, okay, my feminism is showing, but really. 

Back in the day, you just got married in your fanciest dress. Or you bought/made a new fanciest dress, which you'd wear over and over (and, it could be you favorite color!)

Now, check this out... THAT is how people should think of wedding gowns, as a fabulous party dress to have fun in. 

Yellow Flower Found!

I finished the little fascinator for my friend's wedding and it's so sweet. She's only seen parts of it so far, but I think it's totally her style. I love that she's putting these personal little touches into her wedding just to make her happy; like yellow shoes and a sassy little veil. I think that with big events and traditions, people too often get caught up in what they are "supposed" to do, and not what the want to do. So cheers for yellow shoes and a funky fascinator, and all the best to my dear friend rockin' down the aisle. 

A Lovely Little Window

Today was cleaning day. A reclaim-my-house sort of day. Days like this make me remember how cute my apartment is. Like this curtain I made a few months ago. 

My friend and I have become big fans of the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, Il. I was admiring the ladies' handkerchieves, all the cute embroidery and patterns and fancy edges. Impulsively, I bought a dozen, took them home and decided to find a way to show them off. I tacked them together and hung them up. The sun looks so pretty coming through, and it blows back and forth in a lovely way. It fits with my vintage-y kitchen, and I get compliments all the time!

Bounty of the North

I'm back in Chicago and starting to get into full swing with "1001" at DePaul. It's weird to be back at my school as a quasi-adult professional, but it's a great project. The play is a sort of mash-up of contemporary hipster-y grad students in New York and a fantastical Arabian Nights storybook. Pretty cool, huh? I've been scouring the Chicago fabric market before I make my Mood order, and once again Devon delivers. Yeah, Devon Avenue, way up north and specifically, the Indian/Pakistani neighborhood that hovers just west of Western. Besides the great food (the whole street smells like curry!) and tunes (even a pasty girl like me can bust a move), there are endless fabric stores and sari shops. Sari fabric is usually one 6-yard length, not too wide, in any color or pattern you can think of, with one end of the length having a big chunk of decoration. The colors are so beautiful, and the polyester sari fabric totally looks like silk on stage. I also picked up a salwar kameez, a type of women's pantsuit, and found all sorts of things to return for. I also love getting star treatment and haggling with the shopkeepers, it keeps the transaction friendly and personable. I concluded our shopping trip with a popsicle. Overall, not a bad day at work.

Fashion Porn

Oh. My. God. Check out the duds in Leslie Hindman Auctioneers' upcoming Vintage Couture and Accessories sale. Every girl needs a take-me-out dress, but these might knock out your date altogether. 

I also visited the Isabel Toledo (the fabulous designer who did Michelle Obama's inauguration outfit) exhibit at the Museum at FIT in New York. Talk about inspiring, I keep dreaming of making myself a copy of her apron dress, which is SUCH a Whitney dress anyway. So many projects. I technically have all this time now (I left my day job!) but somehow time and creativity are inversely proportional. Sigh. 

Glamour on Seventh Avenue

I've been in New York City for the last few days, seeing some friends and doing some shopping. This is where you say, oh, poor Whitney, shopping in New York, life must be tough. Allow me to explain (costumers everywhere understand) that this is my job. Sure, it would be lovely to flit in and out of a shop here and there, have a long lunch and then head out. Nope. Not even a little bit. More like lugging a huge shoulder bag filled with paperwork while negotiating Midtown Manhattan on a ninety-five degree day in high heels and a (new, adorable Zachary's Smile) little flippy dress, while keeping a professional eye and a smile. Just another day at work. On the plus side, I was a swatching machine and found lots of great fabrics for "1001" at DePaul. I also stocked up on some millinery supplies and, well, indulged in a Fat Witch brownie. Mmm.

A Little Old-School Embroidery

I have the hots for my friend's dish towels. It's true. Her grandma embroidered these great flour sack towels with strawberries and apples and puppies and they are just so cute.

 My mom found me these great potholders at the thrift store (actually, The Community Clothes Closet I mentioned a few posts ago). It got me thinking about embroidery and how colorful and vintage-y it is. And how easy it is... hmm... maybe I need to start taking a needle to some of my plainer kitchen towels. Embroidery floss is cheap, and it's a total fake-it-til-you-make-it kind of craft (my favorite!). Why stop at fruits and vegetables? I might have to start adding trees and bicycles and birds and naked ladies (my favorite!) to everything I own. I love the (free!) old school patterns at Needlecrafter (especially the animals) and the more contemporary patterns at Urban Threads. I've been looking at the beautiful embroidery traditions in Mexico and India, too. Happy stitching!

Color Schemin'

I've been known to complain that there just aren't enough colors; you're designing your characters' palettes only to realize that there are no colors available to you that are quite right. Even when (and perhaps especially) you render in paint, where there are theoretically limitless options. I'm always struggling with color, and falling in and out of love of one or another. Color is fantastic when it's good and terrible when it's not good (like saba nigiri). After contemplating a heirloom tomato I'd brought home from the farmer's market last summer, a friend of mine noted the gorgeous colors produced by nature, and that any manufactured likeness would just be wrong or not nearly as amazing. I've been testing this theory, and see his point, but I've also seen some exceptions. These are some great fruits-of-the-earth color palettes; let's contemplate. 

Small Town Shopping

I'm visiting my parents and their small, mostly agrarian community in Upstate New York. And it is so fabulous. A person can breathe real air and eat real vegetables and see real stars. The little towns around here are a bit surreal; two-block downtowns with beautiful old storefronts, only half full, with diners and antique shops. 

The preferred thrift store of my mother is The Community Clothes Closet, and just a few steps away from the farmer's market. This shop is now a Saturday morning tradition. It is run by a beautiful, sweet old woman who is genuinely delighted to have you there and to be there herself. She comments on how beautiful all of your findings are, is always curious to know what you're going to do with them, why you selected them and practically gives them to you. I got a set of four hand-tatted linen placemats with matching napkins (in a cool deco-y pink color) today for $0.50. Really. 

Now I have a real belief that anything used or vintage or antique should be respected, not only for their value, but for their experience. Sure, my funky 1950s cocktail dress may be quite the hit at an opening night. But, a girl's gotta respect that that dress has been out dancing and drinking and has seen all sorts of parties before it ever got to me. So many thrifting experiences are in the move-the-most-junk vein that finding that moment of respect for a pair of vintage potholders (how much chicken soup did they see? how many pies did they take out of the oven?) never happens. The woman at The Community Clothes Closet encourages the wonder in the world of thrifting, which makes the treasure hunt all the more rewarding. 

Thrift Store Find of the Week

A funky, fabulous 1960s (?) hat with this great Venezia label. $2.50. 

The Yellow Flower Hunt, Part II

More options, less flowery, again at Tinsel Trading. Awesome. 

Cutting in line

I always have a mental list of all of my projects, some I need to do (Nick needs undershirts, Brian's jacket needs to be aged), some I want to do (paint that old bookcase, sass up my messenger bag), and some I dream of doing (taking apart my favorite summer dress to make a pattern, patching and embossing that leather chair).  And then, it happens. Some little idea just takes over your brain and you can think of nothing else until you satisfy that urge. It's the line-jumper projects that get you into trouble. Everything else on the list is demoted, once again, for these pesky budgers. They always look simple enough, and perhaps you already have the supplies on hand, and you're sure you'll be done before dinner. Not so. 

This simple project from Sew, Mama, Sew, suggested for kids, but currently fermenting in my mind, reminds me of Tibetan prayer flags in a really fun, whimsical way. Watch out, world, and prepare to be decorated. 

Plaid-on-Plaid Moment #1

Okay, so this might sound a bit weird, but my brother is a good lookin' kid. He's in town, and I've been admiring his style. I couldn't help but note this plaid-on-plaid moment, one of the best kinds.

The Problem Child

While some single gals focus on their cats, and others on their houseplants, I prefer a more creative, frustrating and potentially hazardous distraction of the crafting variety. And, like cats and plants, sometimes you have a high maintenance project on your hands. Sometimes you craft yourself into a corner. Sometimes you do both. I made this little straw cocktail hat two years ago and it sits, unfinished and ignored. Maybe I just haven't found the perfect trim. Maybe a friend's off-handed remark about it looking like a hat for a funeral made me harbor negative energy toward it. Whatever the case, I'm pulling it from its place of shame in hopes of some inspiration. 

Yellow Flower Hunt, Part I

So a very dear friend of mine is getting married come September, and she wanted a funky vintage-inspired hat with a little veil to replace the whole shrouded-in-white bit. And she really wants a yellow flower on it. Mission: to find the best yellow, funky, vintage-inspired wedding flower in the world. Of course, I started at Tinsel Trading...

Thrift Store Find of the Week

A real wool Deerstalker hat! As modeled by Mr. Holmes. Great condition, British-made and smelling very much like moth balls. $3. Awesome.