moovmint

Well, that weekend definitely did not go as planned. On top of the cold that I was already battling, Friday night's supper gave me a horrid case of foodpoisoning (is there really any other kind?) that I'm still recovering from. Times like those make me wish that I was the organized type and had pre-written posts ready to publish at the push of a button. But really, I tend to just go around the Internets, see something I like, and post it right there and then. Like these boots. Oh, these boots. Now, these say they're 'Converse style', and thus I assume that the designer didn't use actual Converse shoes as the base. At any rate, I did try on a pair of Converse brand knee highs last time I was at a mall in the States, and was slightly disappointed that they didn't have my exact size. But only slightly, because the zipper that went up the back and the too-bright white shoelaces were slightly unseemly. And by 'slightly', I mean 'really'. But these hand-dyed and hand-appliqued boots from Portland-based label moovmint solve both of those problems. While my favorite pair, Silver Queen (on the left), creates another problem of price, a few of the other pairs are much more wallet friendly (such as Feathered Feet on the right), especially considering the cost of materials and time involved in embellishing each shoe. If I could have my way, these shoes would get their own night on the town, accompanied by a gorgeous Bonzie tulle skirt. Or a Frayed Spanned Dress from mono. Did I mention that all items in the monoshop are now 50% off? Sigh. If only I hadn't bought so many bagels in Brooklyn...

Interview with Bonzie

At least since my high school years, I have loved anything and everything Irish. It is in part because of this that I was drawn to a wee Etsy shop called Bonzie, just over two years ago. At the time, I was still finding my style, and every tattered and detailed piece I saw just resounded so much with me, that I began to collect 'Bonzie' pieces whenever I could afford it. I'm sure I drove the designer, Bonzie, slightly batty with my incessant emails on new ideas I had for custom pieces, and ideas I had in general for the label. Now, 'Bonzie' has grown by leaps and bounds, now existing as a duo of niece Bonzie (above right) and aunt Ger (above left). Their distinctive style and bridal appeal has garnered them virtually pages and pages of media attention, both in print and online. And, for myself, all those emails and their success inspired me to become a part of the fashion world in some way, the result of which is what you're reading here. I am quite honoured to finally post an interview here with my dear friend Bonzie. So, grab yourself a cup of tea, and be whisked away to the green world of Bonzieland...

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What is the very first piece you remember designing?

This is an easy one!! I used to be in a local dance/majorette group when I was younger and my friends and I used to practice around our area when we were outdoors playing around. I thought we clearly needed some costumes to rock out, so I borrowed/took an old pair of curtains from my mom's and made little cheer uniforms for me and the girls! They were hideous but delightful all at in one go!

Do you and Ger wear your own designs?

We tend to wear our own work when we are going to events such as weddings or fashions shows, etc. Most of our range is special occasion wear, so I wouldn't be inclined to rock it at the local Walmart. But we both love the art of dress up and it's always exciting to be going somewhere that we can indulge in our love of fashion. We recently attended a fundraiser Burlesque event, so we had an absolute ball getting dollied up for that. In fact, I think half of the gals there were rocking our work so that was very handy. :)

What are your most treasured pieces of clothing?

Ger and I often make each other little surprises! I created a one of a kind jacket for Ger for her birthday this year and it's got a lot of intricate detailing on it - it's one of Ger's favourite pieces. Ger is constantly making me accessories for special events. Once she knows what outfit I'm wearing, it's always a given that she will turn up with a wee surprise right before I go. It's a lovely touch and always makes an outfit.

What type of formal fashion training do the two of you have?

I have an honors degree in Fashion Design from The National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland. Internationally renowned Milliner Philip Tracey studied there also! It's an awesome course and really hones the design aspect of fashion. Ger studied fashion in Cork City, Ireland, where she learned the technical aspect of fashion design. We both tend to compliment each other from both sides of the spectrum.

Did you always intend to specialize in bridal wear?

Not necessarily Steff, we adore working in lace, ruffles, intricate detailing. Our work has a very Victorian aesthetic which tends to lend beautifully to romance and all things bridal. It's also a very rewarding market to be working in. We get to meet some really special brides and be a part of their special day. For us, the best part of the job is by far the email we get after the wedding to show us their bridal snaps. This is always such a joy.

What are your greatest inspirations while working? Does living in Ireland affect your work in any way?

Ireland is extremely majestic and romantic in areas. There is still a lot of evidence of the past which really helps to transport your imagination as a designer. Inspiration comes from everywhere though, a song, a movie, a streetscape. I think as a designer your brain acts like a subconscious recorder. Little details register all day long in a bank of ideas, which come spilling out when you're putting pen to paper.

Just over two years ago, I was your ninth sale on Etsy. Today you've sold nearly 1000 items from your shop. Did you ever dream you would receive such a great response?

A single answer Steff, NO! At the time of setting up my store on Etsy, I had settled into an office job in town, totally disheartened with the fashion industry and wondering if I would ever get a break. It was such a tough market to get a job in once I graduated, and after years of trying this and that I had resigned myself to the fact that I would be working a 9-5 office job forevermore.

Then I discovered Etsy! I really just joined up so I could keep up my fashion purely as a hobby and so I wouldn't totally lose everything I had learned in college. I would have been lost without it. I thought that I would maybe sell 2 items a month and this would be awesome. I was totally taken aback by the response on the site and couldn't get over how supportive the online community were of our work. It got so busy in the first few months that Ger and I decided to become a double act and this was the best decision we ever made. It's been going from strength to strength and we are constantly learning and adapting to the market. We both genuinely love what we do and count our blessing every day that we were given a break right when we needed it most. Folks like you, Steff, who have been supporting our work from the start have been the catalyst for moving forward and growing as a label.

What are your thoughts on the huge amount of media attention that 'Bonzie' has gotten within in the last year and a half?

The media attention has been absolutely awesome! It's so vital for us to have a presence online and in the media. We are based in a small town down the South of Ireland where the fashion industry is mostly non-existent. The media have been so supportive of our work and we are so chuffed to be featured in publications around the world. It makes us feel like we are not totally out of the loop and opens up opportunities for designers who are not residing in fashion capitals and industry areas.

How did the gig of your monthly column in Belle Armoire come about?

We were approached by the editor of the magazine, Jenny Doh, to create a regular column in the magazine. It's been a joy writing and creating for the gals of Stampington and Co. They are genuinely some of the nicest gals we have met online and we hope to have them come visit us in Ireland some day too. They have been very supportive of our work and really a genuine pleasure to work with.

What do you do in your free time, if you have any?

Free time is hard to come by, but, as we develop our brand and settle into a routine with our label, we are enjoying a bit more spare time that we used to have in the beginning. I enjoy/have to get to the gym regularly - I have typical Irish curves which need taming on a regular basis! Ger also loves Yoga and working out too. We both love movies and travel, and I spend a lot of time online enjoying research and development.

What is a typical daily running-around outfit for you?

Lately I have stocked up on a few pairs of flat thigh high boots which rock with tunic style dresses. I like to layer these up with tulle petticoats peaking out underneath and an asymmetrical cardigan. Quirky tights are a must too! Ger is also rocking this particular look lately as well. We tend to always be on the same page where style is concerned so we swap and share accessories and shoes, etc.

What is your most favorite 'Bonzie' piece that you have made?

My favorite item to create is the tattered corsets. I think they best sum up what our label is about and best showcase our brand. Sadly, these are more intricate time consuming items which only make an appearance every now and again, while the more regular wraps and boleros take over. I think our most favorite one of these corsets was the cream tattered corset that we created last year (pictured to the right). It remains to this day just a real pleasure to look back on.

Who would you most like to create an outfit for?

I really adore folks with a very eccentric independent approach to self styling. We have created items for both Imogen Heap and Courtney Love, who are both very cool and individual in terms of fashion styling. It would be awesome to create something for a Tim Burton character, that would really be an indulgence and an honor. I would LOVE to create something for my idol Vivienne Westwood, but something tells me she has plenty of outfits in her own wardrobe for that one! I adore Amy from Evanescence, and would so relish an opportunity to dress her for one of her mind-blowing videos.

Any future plans in the works for 'Bonzie'?

Always a lot of plans in Bonzie land Steff, some that will never see the light of day, but it's good to dream and set goals. Here's a wee list of a few items on the cards for 2010:

*A new Etsy shop in collaboration with my brother, who is a Grafitti Artiste. It will be urban style accessories and quite a big change from our Victorian sensibilities.

*We are involved in a new book which will be out in 2010 called "Where Women Create". It's a book about craft and design studios, and we are super excited to be involved in such an awesome project.

*We have been invited to showcase our work at a high end boutique in Limerick City here in Ireland called Tippe Canoe. We will be working towards putting a small capsule collection of the more specialized Bonzie pieces here.

*We are hoping to win a place at a local Artist Collective Studios here in Waterford called Workhouse Studios. An old Irish Mill has been converted into studios and they are adding a fashion department into the mix, so fingers crossed we will be able to apply for a residency there.

*It's always good to expand on our inventory in terms of machinery, etc. and try to grow our brand, so we will be applying to local artistic grant agencies in the New Year to try and help with some funding for improving our brand. It's always tough to compete with commercial brands when we are working as Independents, so it's important to try and attract some funding for expanding our label and growing our little company.

*New collections and new photoshoots for our Bonzie store are always looming, so it will be important to keep on top of this too.

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Now that's a fashionable story of the Little Engine That Could. If you're looking for the perfect piece to complete your wedding or special event outfit, or simply a gorgeous piece to feel fabulous in, you really must check out the Bonzie Etsy shop. And to have the first look at all the updates on this ever-growing and unstoppable label, check out the Bonzie blog.

As promised, Holiday Dress Up Time.

This, my dears, is a scheduled post. I'm away at a concert that could possibly ruin the rest of 2009 for me. But who knows, I could be surprised and have my once unshakeable faith in four particular musicians completely restored. Although, with the rest of 2009 being fairly blah for me, for lack of a better word, might as well end it in a similar fashion. Alas, while I am away (either crying or rejoicing), here is the result of my very hastily put together holiday-themed photo shoot. As these are outfits meant for parties held in warm houses, I don't have the usual layers, scarves, and shoes. I'd probably accessorize a couple of these slightly with my kjoo black choker or my Quillinan cuff and/or neckpiece.

It was not until the last photo that I realized my two-bit camera could capture the Christmasy feeling of my living room, so sorry for the rather sombre looking photos until that point. Also, my 2-week bout of sickness has meant that I may not be getting to wear any of these outfits pre-Christmas, but we shall see what I can manage for New Years.

First up: Those glorious harem-style Vivienne Westwood Anglomania pants that I got for an absolutely steal on eBay. Take note that I had to put one leg on the pole of the dress form, so it looks a tad funny. At first I thought that I would only wear tops over top of the pants, such as in the first photo on the left, with my Liza Rietz top (the silver/white flash in the middle is the dress form underneath - the silk is a bit sheer in front with a camera flash). However, when I changed the form into a white American Apparel tank top and tucked it in to show off the inner layer of the pants and the asymmetrical closure, I decided that I liked the look of that better. At least on the dress form.

From left to right: Liza Rietz Triangle Blouse; Bonzie Le Coquette Ruffle Scarf; Bonzie neck adornment; Bonzie wrap; Supayana drapey jersey cardigan (Surprised by the colour? Well, you can see a bit of the tag still attached - I just don't get around to wearing reds very often! It's a shame I gave away the dark purple version of this...)

Next up: My first high-waisted skirt, the lovely Steampunk High-Waisted skirt in black taffeta by PINaR ERIS. This piece has two sets of D-rings in the front and back, so it can be tacked up in a few different ways or left to be a floor length skirt. The first picture shows it from the side with front and back tacked all the way up, and the rest have the back partially down (can be let down longer).

From left to right: AA tank alone; Bonzie Le Coquette Ruffle Scarf; Bonzie wrap; Bonzie Velvet Ochre Bolero.

And lastly, the newest and brightest jewel in my closet, a custom creation from Attila Design. This was originally intended to be that fabulous convertible dress with tons of snaps. However, mid-way through the order, both Tiina and I decided to alter the order in the interest of Tiina's time and fingers, and my digital dollars. In the end, this is what Tiina sent me. I hadn't seen any pictures of the finished dress before it came. And when it did, opening up the package brought tears to my eyes. These pictures don't really capture the beauty of the fabric or this piece as a whole. And I could experiment for hours as to all the ways I could wear this with the straps, removable sleeves, and hook and d-rings at the side and bottom hem. It's perfection. (The first photo is with it worn long, the second is of the back.) I'd likely wear this totally by itself, but if I wore it cinched up short, I might also wear it with leggings or my black straight leg jeans.

Wardrobe as History

I just read a rather sad article by Jean Nathan in the December (US) Vogue about trying to discover who the woman was behind a blue tulle-and-sequin dress (as well as a collection of gorgeous dresses) on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Although the woman, Thelma Chrysler Foy, had been in Vogue in 1941, both the curator of the exhibit and the woman's own granddaughter didn't seem to know much about Foy. After some digging, it turns out that Foy was "a socialite of pluperfect taste, who amassed a matchless array of possessions as well as clothing," and who perhaps was not entirely happy with her role. However, with her death in 1957 and the auctioning off of her grand possessions, Foy obviously quickly faded from public memory. As Nathan writes, "I had fantasized a perfect - and perfectly fulfilling - life for this sparkling swan. Perhaps she had fantasized the same for herself, and believed that dress - all the dresses - would get her there."

This article makes me have four separate thoughts. First of all, I wonder whether fashion blogging is being used as or will become a direct/indirect instrument for some to ensure they and their possessions are remembered in posterity. Secondly, I do hope that I don't ever think owning certain dresses/clothes will bring me fulfilling life (although they do help some days seem more fulfilling!). Thirdly, I wonder if anyone would want to find out who the person was that owned my clothes once I'm gone. And lastly, if I found some motivation and got my own label started, I'd love to have the tag inside each piece be a fabric version of an old-school library card, where one could sign and date each time they wore the piece, to provide a history for both the piece and the wearer. What do you think?

Photos via Bonzie's Flickr of my 2nd ever purchase from Bonzie, a custom-ordered romantic and tattered bolero with "Memories..." embroidered on the right arm (above), to match my 1st ever purchase from Bonzie, a custom-ordered pair of tattered spats to wear over flats (below). Fitting, are they not?

Fashion for the tired

What I learned this week: Working 8am - 4pm somehow makes me incredibly tired, and pushes my posting to the back burner. You'd think working 6am - 2pm or 6pm - 2am would be worse, but tis not the case with me. Hmm...Anyhow, here are three of my recent favorites on Etsy.

1) Wool pullover waist coat with mock cummerbund by Russell T Miller. I'm having a hard time being okay with the Christmas present(s) I've bought my man. I know this one wouldn't be a good pick for him, unless we moved to Amsterdam or somewhere. But, nevertheless, I think this piece is so sharp.

2) Charcoal Dark Gray Knitted Cowl with long Fringe by label of hope. I have tons and tons of tops from Hope to get me through the winter months, and I love that she's broken into the knitting world too.

3) Victorian Lady Bridal Coat by Bonzie. I can't count the number of times I've wished I could have another wedding just because of Bonzie bridal pieces. This lovely number can be made in a variety of colours though, so I'm quite tempted to order one up just because every Bonzie piece is spectacular. And no one has fulfilled my want of a custom glam coat yet. Sigh.

Ruffle therapy

I really really really want to rant and rave about how horrible malls are and how much I utterly loathe mass-produced clothing. Really. All I will say is, next time a bra falls apart, I will strongly consider simply mail ordering the most similar one from Victoria's Secret, and hope that it fits. Or perhaps I should order an elastic bra from Patricia Ayres, as I know I'll at least feel fabulous and secure (I think she's taken it down from her shop, so, sorry, no link). In the meantime, I need some ruffles to calm me down. The 1st photo is via DeSmitten, and I have absolutely no idea what it is or where it's originally from. But the mall would've redeemed itself slightly if I had found this lovely piece. The 2nd photo is Bonzie's winterized version of the Le Coquette Ruffled Scarf. And the 3rd photo is a hood-less hoodie from rose la biche's new winter collection.

Okay, I'm a bit better now. Perhaps I should purchase those Gemma Degara ruffled gloves...

Oh lovely day

I just received the best news today! The most beautiful custom skirt that was not meant to be mine has finally arrived safe and sound back in Ireland! You may remember that I sadly parted with this Bonzie piece back in July, and was quite devastated when I discovered that it was seemingly lost in mail land forever. But now some woman is going to be very very happy and exceptionally lucky to get to wear this gorgeous skirt.

In other Bonzie news, gift certificates are now available in their Etsy shop! Oh, this would've saved me some cash last Christmas (since I bought myself a LOT of Bonzie pieces around this time last year)! I think I shall wear my Bonzie Le Coquette Ruffled Scarf in celebration of this wonderful Bonzified day.

As promised, Dress Up Time.

My man is at work and I have the day off, so I thought I'd finally post some photos starring my wonderful new ArtLab pieces, plus some old(er) favorites. Changing my outfit more than once causes me to work up a frightful sweat, so you'll have to be content with my dress form standing in as the model. You can see my shadow in a few of the pictures though, so don't complain (please). You'll probably get the gist of it from the picture descriptions, but all but 2 of the pieces are handmade pieces bought directly from the designer, with all but 2 of the handmade pieces purchased on Etsy.

First up: the lovely ArtLab Space Odyssey dress, styled with various harnesses/accessories. From left to right: ArtLab Space Odyssey harness; ArtLab Couture Bib Noir; ArtLab Clinical White Harness No. 1; Norwegian Wood Elastic Harness; ArtLab Charlie Chaplin Couture Bib.

All the rest will feature the versatile ArtLab Military Skirt No. 1, as well as a basic white American Apparel ribbed tank. As pictured on the dress form, the outfits look mostly spring/summery. However, I would be wearing these over leggings, pants, jeans, or other skirts, and with armwarmers, mittens, and more/non-white underlayers (ie. tank tops, t-shirts, and long-sleeve shirts, especially my trusty treehouse 28 basics). My dress form only has one leg and no arms, so you'll have to use your imagination to fill these details in.

Basic outfit with one accessory. From left to right: Quillinan The Forgotten with Zip Neckpiece; Bonzie Le Coquette Ruffled Scarf; hier apparel Boldt Canvas Carapace; drapey vest by Covet. You can also kinda see my extra-high black monochrome Chucks in the 2nd photo.

Adding one more layer (except for the 1st photo - tank top missing). From left to right: ArtLab Charlie Chaplin Couture Bib; hier apparel Golden Mean Peasant Shift; hier apparel Vock Canvas Armour; Liza Rietz half circle tunic in black.

Adding an accessory. The first two photos feature the Liza Rietz waffle tucked tunic in herringbone, with the ArtLab Couture Bib Noir on the left, and the Attila Design Cown Neck Scarf on the right. The last photo features the ArtLab Andromache's Deconstruction Blanc dress with the ArtLab Couture Bib Noir.

This group features the ArtLab Bustle of Lysistrata, plus an accessory. From left to right: Las Lopez Wood Nymph Point Lace Shawl/Scarf; Attila Design Cowl Neck Scarf; hier apparel Boldt Canvas Carapace.

These are full outfits (minus the leggings/pants/mittens) that I would wear. The black top underneath is the complexgeometries two face dress, and the hoody is The Hoody (a.k.a. the Alexandra Groover 5-hooded hoody). The first two photos feature the ArtLab Clinical White Harness No. 1 over top the cg dress, with the Las Lopez Wood Nymph Point Lace Shawl/Scarf in the second photo. The last photo has the ArtLab Bustle of Lysistata instead of the Clinical White Harness No. 1.

And here are the two looks you would see me most often in, as I tend to be a creature of habit when it comes to throwing on an outfit quick. The first look (and probably the worst picture I snapped all morning) is the ArtLab Andromache's Deconstruction Noir, with The Hoody. The second look (and probably the best picture I snapped all morning) is the complexgeometries two face dress, ArtLab Clinical White Harness No. 1, Las Lopez Cobwebs Shawl/scarf, and my Yokoo East Hampton tote in pumpkin spice and charcoal grey.

Now I have to put all those clothes back in my closet/on their pile. Sigh.