violet folklore » mainstream fashion

A Feast for the Eyes

Amber of Violet Folklore — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0000

From Sasha

Just for kicks, I decided to assemble the pictures that have been fascinating me this week. I am hardly the consistent kind of person who could keep an actual "Lookbook", but I was intrigued by what caught my eye during this one particular period of time!

First, this snapshot of Anita Pallenberg, Queen of the Rolling Stone entourage. I love her next-to-nothing outfit accented with the huge leather belt. I spend most of my summers in a (way sloppier) version of her shorts and t-shirt get-up, and just looking at this reminds me that warm days will come again soon!I love the old cars in the background, too.. and the intriguing children's book in her hand.

My band, Sasha and the Shamrocks, has been covering "White Rabbit" by The Jefferson Airplane, and it is the most fun I have ever had with a cover song. Of course I can't sing like Grace Slick, but it feels so good just to try. I hear she wrote "White Rabbit" after spending twelve hours on acid listening to "Sketches of Spain" by Miles Davis. How cool is that? I love her kick-ass attitude, so evident in her voice, and in this picture:

I have been fretting over what I am going to do when summer comes and I can't wear my favorite hat, which is made of wool. Then I saw this… vintage Balenciaga. Sign me up!

This week I was compelled, seemingly randomly, to search for images of Solveig Donmartin, most famous for her role as Marion in the film Wings of Desire. In the course of my hunt I discovered that she passed away a few years ago from a heart attack at the absurdly young age of 45. I have felt slightly haunted by the news ever since. For those of you who have somehow missed Wings of Desire, it is German director Wim Wenders most well-known film, and probably one of the most accessible and popular "art films" of all time. The main premise, that angels exist among us, invisible, listening to all of our thoughts (and occasionally sympathizing), is handled with incredible imagination and tenderness. Here's to Solveig, who never used a body double in the film, but trained for eight weeks straight to master the art of the flying trapeze on her own.

I never, ever tire of the film Marie Antoinette. I love this candid shot of Kirstin Dunst on the set:

I am not quite the follower of runway fashion that I feel I should be… I get to overwhelmed, and honestly, I don't like much modern fashion, except couture. Then I stumbled on this, from the Chanel 2009 collection– yum! (Maybe this is couture, I dunno, but I'd sure wear it to a party!):

As a girl who played with plastic horses instead of dolls, I am somewhat shocked that I am newly obsessed with our friend Blythe. She's been around for years, but the amazing custom outfits and scenes that people are designing these days are bowling me over with creativity and sheer cuteness. Those big eyes! Who can resist?

This from the Etsy seller Neuart:

And a random vagrant hippie Blythe from Goggle image search:

Yum yum yum, I am curious to see how all if this will play out in my Spring wardrobe. Maybe I'll get an eye enlargement? (joking!) Here's to Looking…

Snowed In: Arts & Crafts With the Fam

Amber of Violet Folklore — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:25:00 +0000

From Amber

Last Friday, during one of the many snowstorms that have beset the Sierra Mountains lately (bringing a sense of normalcy back to us NorCal folks who had been experiencing some 70+ degree weather during December and January), my little family decided to snuggle up around the coffee table and have some craftsy time. Our materials were simple- magazines, construction paper, scissors, glue, and stickers.

But first I had to snap this picture out the bathroom window. When this magnificent oak tree is both leafless and snowless its branches look like witch's hair:

The blue jars were scored by Graham at a yard sale, and I found this beautiful piece at a thrift store. I always buy pressed flower pieces at thrift stores, and this one is by far the most spectacular. It sorta takes arts & crafts time to a new level. I wish I could meet its creator just to say thanks:

Here's Graham working on a collage. His sweet 70s Adidas track suit was also thrifted by me:

The finished product:

Mycelia was hard at work on a Valentine's card for our one-year-old friend Sadhira:

But had to jump up to make a silly face when she saw the camera in my hand:

As for me, I finally decided to take Diana's advice and start working on a Look Book. I love the idea of having a collection of my favorite clothing images, and was curious to see if anything unexpected would be revealed in the process. I still don't know what kind of book or binder I'll use or how I'll organize the pictures, but here are the images I ended up with:

And, yes, something very unexpected did indeed arise. I would never think of myself as someone who could or would even want to rock a "biker chic" look, but I adored both of these outfits. There is little black, one leather jacket that I've never worn, and zero metal in my wardrobe, but I just may start moving in that direction (although I may need to become a wee bit taller and blonder to really pull it off):

This shirt is much more my plaid-loving style. Both of these images were in the same Lucky magazine, and the top is Tommy Hilfiger. The woman on the right is actually his wife and looks great in her clothes, but I have to say that the woman on the left has made the shirt look *amazing* with the contrasting-yet-similarly-patterened skirt and the black belt and boots. I adore this outfit! I like seeing how each woman wore the long scarf tie in a different way. I thrifted a black and white checked vintage top with a similar Ascot tie and am looking forward to wearing it this summer:

This image is immediately applicable to my current wardrobe, because I have a number of cape/poncho things that I think would look great with a casual knit beanie and big hobo bag:

These ones are the dream pieces/outfits. A babydoll pea coat combines two of my favorite looks (going back to childhood) and the long tight sweater over a long flowy skirt is something I would never have thought to put together but absolutely love:

The aftermath:

I also used this lazy day as an opportunity to finally take some pictures of the book National Geographic Fashion, which I got from the Sacramento Library. It's so neat to see what people have worn all over the world throughout time and, of course, the pictures and descriptions are unparalleled:

A French family in 1911, photographer unknown:

I love this one. She is so regal. A Maori woman in 1921, photograph by The Tesla Studios:

A Nordic family in 1971, taken by George F. Mobley:

An indonesian mother in Java, 1907. Photo by Eliza R. Scidmore:

This image is so incredible. These are Alaskan natives wearing actual wolf heads for a ceremonial ritual. Photo taken by Carl J. Loman in 1910:

There are more modern pictures in the book too. Here's hoping National Geographic doesn't sue me! I'm just getting people interested in checking out their book :-)

Hope you're staying warm wherever you are, perhaps daydreaming by the fire of bundling up in that Maori's woman's spectacular outfit…

Violet Folklore Style Sirens- The Sassiest Girls In Our Myspace World

Amber of Violet Folklore — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:00:00 +0000

From Sasha at Violet Folklore

Our friends on our Violet Folklore Myspace are the epitome of courageous style and unchained creativity. Check out some of the amazing ladies who have been rocking our world this week!!!

Nicole, East South of England

Nicole has the uncanny ability to create both style and amazing character in her photographs. In fact, sometimes she seems to live in an alternate universe! And can we talk about how awesome this outfit is, with the unlikely yet perfect pairing of a formal sweater/suit/tie top with utterly casual shorts and shoes?!?!?

Violet Folklore: How would you describe your style?

Nicole: I don't know to be honest. I like to be creative or I try it, haha :)

VF: What are your favorite kinds of vintage clothing?

Nicole: Vintage hats or shoes

VF: What are you listening to right now?

Nicole: Fall for you – Secondhand Serenade

Janet, Minnesota

With her unworldly blond tresses and fondness for the dreamiest of color palettes, one might wonder if Janet is in fact a land-locked mermaid! In this picture, Janet takes interior decorating to new levels…

Violet Folklore: How would you describe your style?

Janet: Different. Some people like it, some people don't. I don't even know what to say because it can be so different from one day to the next, haha. One day I could just be wearing my dad's old sweats with my mom's old sailor sweater, and the next day I might be wearing tights, a skirt and a sweater vest with another one of my mom's sweaters on top. But it must be good, because I was voted best dressed in my class 4 years ago! Hehe :)
VF: What's your favorite item of vintage clothing?

Janet: I love all of my mom's old jackets, vests, and sweaters. She was born in the 50's and we are also born Germany. So many of her clothes are a treasure to me, especially because they're so different and one-of-a-kind around where I live.
VF: What are you listening to right now?

Janet: Currently, Car Crash by Josh Rouse. My overall playlist at the moment is a mixture of the soundtracks from Grey's Anatomy, Garden State, Wicker Park, Juno, and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. (With a little Tokyo Police Club, Foxy Shazam, and Architecture in Helsinki thrown in of course!)

Michelle, California

Now this is a first: a girl who channels Audrey Hepburn through the filter of bohemian style! Michelle has a classic beauty that works well with a range of vintage fashions, including this fierce outfit here. And on top of that, she has natural ringlets! Could you die?

Violet Folklore: How would you describe your style?

Michelle: Hippie/Indie

VF: What's your favorite item of vintage clothing in your closet?

Michelle: My 70's turquoise mini dress and moccasin boots

VF: What are you listening to right now?

Michelle: Devendra Banhart "Hey Mama Wolf"

Angela, New Jersey

Angela's style is a combination of diverse influences, but she always pulls her looks off effortlessly. She has a true artist's eye for color and lines, and this gorgeous girl never takes a dull picture! She jumped right out at me, even in thumbnail size…

Violet Folklore: How would you describe your style?

Angela: I would describe my style as a string of varying styles, ranging from:
random thrift store clothes from NY … alot of 70's 80s and 90s attire…
I really love tribal clothes, things with nice native pattern…
And I love leather jackets, I hardly wear pants anymore because i love to wear tights like the Edie Sedgwick era… And also I love animal print!

VF: What's your favorite item of vintage clothing in your closet?

Angela:Well, I still own old 80s blouses and hats from my grandma, and I raid my mom's closet sometimes; she has alot of things from the 80s that I still wear from time to time. (I'm SO bad at this!)

VF: What are you listening to right now?

Angela:I'm listening to, (I hope music wise haha), alot of the Velvet Underground, David Bowie, Grizzly Bear and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs nowadays.

Kristina, California and Russia

Kristina is a a fabulous mix of irresistible femininity and tough street style– think Brigitte Bardot in an Adidas track suit. Her beautiful, expressive features would be right at home on the silver screen, and her exceptionally rad attitude doesn't hurt one bit.

Violet Folklore: How would you describe your style?

Kristina: I try to keep it simple

VF: What's your favorite item of vintage clothing in your closet?

Kristina: A pair of black Manolo Blahniks I found at some thrift store the other day. They are a bit too pointy, but oh well. I've also been getting a lot of à la 70's granny sweaters lately. Can't help it, they are so cozy

VF: What are you listening to right now?

Kristina: Edith Piaf, Justice, Ladytron

Chelle, Chicago

Chelle has pretty much the cutest smile I have ever seen. Add amazing hair, a yellow dress, striped socks, and bam! it's pure magic. This girl should copyright herself!

Violet Folklore: How would you describe your style?

Chelle: Antiqueish!

VF: What's your favorite item of vintage clothing in your closet?

Chelle: I have two, a dress from the 70's with a bunch of ruffles around the neck and a green mini sundress that buttons up the front.

VF: What are you listening to right now?

Chelle: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Sisters

Wendy Mae, Kansas

Wendy Mae is in love with color, and she knows how to use it, dammit! This outfit is basically a Willy Wonka candy factory! And can we talk about those EYES???

Violet Folklore: How would you describe your style?

Wendy Mae: I suppose my style is very mix and match. I do a lot of thrift store shopping, but can also find something in almost any store that i can work into an outfit. I love bright colors, patterns, and layering.

VF: What's your favorite item of vintage clothing in your closet?

Wendy Mae: That would be a dress I recently acquired, which I'm guessing is 70's? It is a basic, knee length dress, but the pattern is so fun! Jungle animals in blue, purple, pink and green!

VF: What are you listening to right now?

Wendy Mae: I'm stuck on the Magnetic Fields T. Rex right now.

Ashley, North Carolina

Any girl who takes a self-portrait with possum is alright by me. Then, of course, there is her consummate sense of style, which combines all the best elements of the past 60 years… Ashley was kind enough to answer my interview questions at length, like a true poet!

Violet Folklore: Could you tell us a little about where you live?

Ashley: I've lived in the same small town for that long. Taylorsville, North Carolina. It smells of apple trees, tobacco, sweet old men chewing tobacco, their embroidered aproned, blue-white haired wives baking apple pies while chewing tobacco, and cow manure. It's soul food for the nose, really.

VF: How would you describe your style?

Ashley: My closet is your grandma's closet. From 60 years ago til now. She's a hip lady. You should really spend more time with her. Make some banana bread…play canasta….

VF: What's your favorite item of vintage clothing in your closet?

Ashley: The only piece of clothing left in Grandma's house after she died was a camel-colored knit-cable sweater. It's lost two buttons, but goes with everything and is like layering with a permanent grandma hug. Dead Grandma Sweater will never part from me. Also, my boyfriend found a scarf on the street and brought it home to me. It's different shades of pink and black paisley and with black fringe, riddled with holes and the previous owner's scent, but the sweetest (smelling) gift I've ever received.

VF: What are you listening to right now?

Ashley: I've got a special place for the blues. Memphis Minnie, Big Bill Broonzy, etc… Songs you'd spend a hot summer night in a lacy slip, sweating and dancing with your lover to. More recently, early garage/mod stuff. The Easybeats, Small Faces, all the classics in, around, and between…$2 records from the record store used bin…

Thanks to all our Style Sirens! Girls, you inspire us to no end!

Back To The Land, Well Dressed Rich Folk Style

Amber of Violet Folklore — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0000

From Amber at Violet Folklore

While skimming through a fashion magazine the other day at one of my favorite little natural foods cafes (aside from their great food, I also love the copious amounts of free fashion magazines the lovely ladies behind the counter leave out for me to take. Oh, I wasn't supposed to take those? Well, hey, a broke mama's gotta get her fix somehow) I came across this photo, and literally gasped:

And then asked myself, "WTF? A major fashion house is trying to pull on my heartstrings with bucolic images of a multigenerational homesteading family dressed in spectacularly out-of-my-league upper class clothing!? And it's WORKING!?"

Know what I mean?

Who do I have to sleep with to get into this family? Although it looks like the men are already outnumbered:

Plaid maxi dress? Yes please! Gotta carry my chicken feed and gather up my herbs and roots in something. (Now here's a better ratio for snagging me a strapping young lad):

Apparently Sasha's not the only fashion lover dreaming of pastures as verdant as her bank account right now.

Oh, and to tie this even further in with Sasha's previous post- apparently this campaign was inspired by Madonna and her chickens (I'm just telling you what I heard…).

And p.s.

Don't the blazers/dresses in the first picture above look just like this vintage Pendleton blazer we have in the shop right now?

I could just walk right into that peasant fairy tale, git me a pair of those AMAZING plaid tights, and ride off into the sunset with my new heir-to-the-family-fortune farm boy…

Join Our Club

Amber of Violet Folklore — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:00:00 +0000

From Sasha at Violet Folklore

What is it with me lately? Though I consider my ideal (modern) fashion era to be somewhere around 1963 or 1964 (think the Space Age dreaming of the Sexual Revolution), lately my tastes have taken a strange turn. Like a lovesick fool, I am falling all over myself in a nearly embarrassing way for vintage clothing from the 1980s that exudes a preppy, posh snobbery– the more gold chains, equestrian references, and red plaid, the better!!! The weirdest thing is, although I didn't notice it at first, when I looked at all of my favorite scores I noticed that single every piece just HAPPENS to have the word "Club" in the brand name! Two Hunt Club scores in one day, and then this, the Ultimate:

Beverly Hills Polo Club shirt, circa 1989

Weird, eh? The economy is tanking, and my own financial portfolio has never consisted of more than some really great, well, receipts (round trip plane ticket to Australia to follow The Cure, anyone?)– even during the most booming of times. I've never owned a horse or a new car, and the only club I've ever been in was French Club in high school. Am I inadvertently applying a New Age "Power of Positive Thinking" philosophy to my fashion choices (as in, if I dress rich, I will BE rich, a la the Law of Attraction)? Or am I looking at my bucolic surroundings with the eye of someone who has been reading a LOT of fashion magazines lately, and deciding that I want to be a "Country Gentlewoman" instead of a hick? (I do truly love the articles that show up in Vogue that feature so-and-so flitting effortlessly about their estate in the English countryside dressed in tweed and burnished leather…!)

Really, though, the strongest contender for this change in my taste is something infinitely more embarrassing to admit. Once a week Chris and I go over to our TV-owning friend's house for a very important date: pizza, beer and, well…

Gossip Girl.

C'mon ladies, you know what I'm talking about. I will vouch for the solid writing (I call it Jane Austen in fast forward), but what would the show be without Chuck Bass and his amazing outfits?

Um, yeah. And although I find most of the ladies getups to be WAY to modern for my tastes, sometimes Blair Waldorf, queen of the preppies, hits the nail right on the head:

With the red lace tights?!?! Oh no she didn't!

Well, my secret is out now. A bit surprising, if you know me and my (lazy) socialist ways at all. But come to think of it, this isn't the very first time a hardcore preppy look has bowled me over. Does anyone remember this?:

Yes, that's Audrey Horne in Twin Peaks. She makes quite an argument for wool sweater and plaid skirts. It's an argument that has been made for many decades now, and I was lucky to score some amazing pleated wool skirts from the 60s this weekend.. you'll see em in the store soon, if I can bear to part with them…

Meanwhile I love how Amber rocks this brown hounds-tooth sweater (you know how I feel about the hounds-tooth!) that I found last week. So distinguished! So sophisticated!

You won't find me fox hunting or puffing on a pipe in a wood-paneled library any time soon (at least, by my best guess…. and definitely no on the fox hunting!), but if you see me dressing Above My Station, please be understanding. These clothes are just coming to me, and I can't fight my destiny. I am putting the Club back in Country.

Madonna, naturally

P.S. Dear Universe, I need a riding hat, and I need it now.

xoxo

Sasha