The Cat's Pyjamas!

So StyleHearts, I have a lovely plan for kicking off the labor day weekend. The Art Deco Society of Los Angeles holds an annual Art Deco Festival, (a weekend homage to one of my most fave periods), on none other than the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Art Deco is a design style that spans from the 1910's through the 1930's. 

And I for the first time EVER, will be there! The kickoff events will be a Welcome Cocktail Party and a Bon Voyage Pajama Party! Of course, this calls for some serious sewing and some fabulous research to be done! So I share with you the fruits of my initial labor.

In researching pajamas of the period I found that there are not only fabulous samplings of lingerie and pj's to pull from, as pictured above, but a whole category of pyjamas I knew nothing about!  Beach Pyjamas! Fabulous, beyond wide leg, lounging pant sets and leisure jumpsuits for the beach and created by Ms. Coco Chanel herself! 

Murder! I've got so many great choices. Maybe I'll go with more of a hostess pajama. Perhaps a little gold lame, a lace turban, the works! Or perhaps I'll go whacky and wear a cat suit! After all a girl wouldn't want to get the high hat at an ace romp! That would be all wet.

Ruby Does SweetLeigh!

One of the most amazing singers and performers you will ever see local L.A. rock goddess Ruby Friedman Facebooked me with a quick note saying, "I remember you sew!" I replied with a "Why yes Ruby, I do!" Ruby of Ruby Friedman Orchestra needed me to do a fabulous rehab on an ill fitting 70's maxi she had vintaged for a show in London the following week. Uh, yeah!  Right up my alley!

First things first Gorgeous Ruby happens to have a perfect hourglass figure. The dress had it going on in the waist but was falling short in the hips and bust line. So we needed to solve that problem while makin' it a little more rock n' roll. I removed the zipper, and converted the top closure into a double key hole with long ties. Then I edged the keyholes out with some fabric salvage from what was formerly a sash belt. 

To make the dress a little more comfortable for sitting and mic acrobatics, I reworked the underskirt and replaced the zipper to keep it fitted but wearable for the stage. Then we decided to make the underskirt a mini to both keep her from melting under stage lights and show off Ruby's fab legs. In the end it was about keeping it rock and roll updating the whole look.

Pretty fab in the end, made even more fab when Ruby pulled out these killer Jeffrey Campbell shoes she decided to wear with the dress. I refrained from saying "I die." The girl is a Rockstar all the way.

Field Trip: La Bomba in Long Beach!

Hello Darling Dolls! Sorry I have been away so long! I've been working hard making the Frida Collection and starting Bridal goodies for y'all! I had to share a recent field trip I had in Long Beach during the much hyped Carmaggedon here in Los Angeles (the weekend closure of a the 405 Freeway that connects the coast line from north of California to LAX airport).

Carmaggedon turned out to be pretty cool for a couple of reasons. Angelenos and Southern Californians stayed home! No crazy traffic neighbors interacting with each other and people operating on a very local scale for a change!

I however took advantage of the much locally hyped  $4 JetBlue "Over the 405" special promotion where there were two round trip flights between Long Beach Airport and Burbank Airport just north of Hollywood. My mom accompanied me on a short day trip to Long Beach for the hell of it! We had a very fab and fancy lunch at Gladstones followed by my mad dash to the famous 4th Street's vintage shopping!

I had heard the stories about La Bomba, but man oh man was I psyched to actually get there! Not only is this store impeccable, well organized, color coded and absolutely inviting in every way, the staff is Super cool, friendly and let's face it quite dashing!

 

Nothing excited me more than the fact that I actually happened upon La Bomba the one weekend a month that they have The Pile open in the back yard. Literally a small mountain of goodies that you sort through taller than me!

The proprieter requests that you remove your shoes to climb the pile, i was wearing a dress and just ill prepared but next time I will have my climbing gear!

Man oh man did i find some fabulous dresses and fabrics to SweetLeigh ReFashion for the Frida Collection! Stay tuned for fab millinery and accessories from my haul! In the meantime GO TO La Bomba! It is for lack of a better term, the Bomb!

SweetLeigh Goes to Silverlake!

Hi Fashionistas! There is no news like good news! SweetLeigh has a new home for the Summer! I'll be vending at Silverlake Art/Craft & Vintage the second Saturday of the month, starting July 9th! Make sure to come visit me and check out my new projects and merchandise!

ReVitalize - ReVintage - ReFashion!

SweetLeigh is my love of treasure hunting/thrifting and creating combined. I make original and unique accessories  and clothing from found treasures and sustainable materials. Check out my inspiration board on Tumblr for more about my inspirations and i'll be posting on the process of creating fabulous baubles and bits too!

SILVER LAKE ART* CRAFT & VINTAGE

The market is the second Saturday of every month 10AM - 4PM 

                          LOCATED AT: MICHELTORENA STREETELEMENTARY SCHOOL1511 
                          MICHELTORENA  STREET(CROSS ST. SUNSET BLVD.) LA CA 90026


Can't wait to see you in Silverlake Fashionistas! 
          
XO , 
Vanessa Leigh

Indie Daze!

My trip to New York last month not only introduced me to fabulous bloggers but fabulous independent designers! I caught the Finale runway show at Full Figured Fashion week and found a few new favorite indie designers! This is the first in a series of focus on my fellow Independent fashion designers rocking plus size fashion!




Rachel Kacenjar, creator, designer of Cupcake & Cuddlebunny and Sweetooth Couture 

Rachel Kacenjar Photo Credit Closet Riots on Tumblr

Rachel Kacenjar photo credit Lynn Ischay The Plain Dealer

Rachel's first company, Cupcake & Cuddlebunny is right up my alley with fabulous vintage size 14-28. Charming vintage finds and modified precious wardrobe must haves!

Cupcake & Cuddlebunny Etsy  Listing:  Fondant Gllitter Dress

Sweetooth Couture was easily one of my favorites at Full Figured Fashion week. In 2009 Rachel met the demand of her customers with more modern clubwear and party options. She makes both ready to wear sizes 14-28 and in addition makes one of a kind custom pieces as well as custom sizes if her sizing chart doesn't suit you. Now that's what I'm talking about!

   

 All of the above photos are from the Sweetooth Couture website unless otherwise credited. Check out http://www.etsy.com/shop/cuddlebunny as well. Cheers to modern, youthful fashion for women of size by women of size! Cheers Rachel!