Pink Poison

Posted on November 29, 2015 by Rebecca Edwards

I recently had the pleasure of working with the insanely talented Tristan Risk. As you may already know, she is one of my favorite debaucherous darlings and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to outfit her in something special. I have been wanting to pattern a burlesque bustle skirt for some time, so creating a custom creation for Little Miss Risk made perfect sense.

I also threw in an exclusive Swarovski bat necklace and the Vegas inspired “Showgirl Flower” hair clip. Tristan added a couple of her own pieces to the ensemble and the result is nothing short of exquisite. I am eternally grateful to Shimona Henry of Pin-Up Perfection Photography for documenting this delightful collaboration. Swing by her site to witness some truly awe inspiring imagery.

Bewitching trepidation

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Rebecca Edwards

“There is no beauty without some strangeness.”
~Edgar Allan Poe

Ever since I can remember, I have been slightly obsessed with Edgar Allan Poe. Somewhere between the morose romanticism and engaging storytelling, I fell down the rabbit hole that is the magical world of one of the 19th century’s most prolific writers.

Although recognized more for his literary criticism during his lifetime, Poe’s writing spins gothic tales of tragedy, insanity, and magnificient macabre. No stranger to misfortune himself, perhaps Poe used his work to deal with many of the complex issues surrounding his own life. In addition to brilliant prose, Poe was also known for developing intuitive “scientific” theories and had a love for cryptography. I believe that Poe possessed a unique combination of attributes which add a delicious spin to his works, making them detective stories as well as spine tingling tales of terror.

I’ve wanted to create an Edgar Allan Poe inspired group for some time. Last winter I spent many hours searching for the ideal fabrics, drafting bustle patterns, and collecting a myriad of vintage findings in order to put together a trio of beautifully melancholy couture looks. I was so happy to find that The Velveteen Rabbit was the perfect backdrop for my concept. I recruited the insanely talented team at Radiant Inc. to capture some incredible images of spooky beauties Moxie Macabre and Annalee Belle.

If you are a fan of Poe, I highly recommend you check out “Tales of the Macabre” illustrated by Benjamin Lacombe. This book has some ghoulishly gorgeous artwork accompanying favorite works by the grim genius. We’re currently redesigning the gallery on our site, so if you’d like to see more photos from this shoot, take a peek here.

Step into my parlor…

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Rebecca Edwards

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.

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.

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

Go ahead, be a tease.

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Rebecca Edwards

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.

Our 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.

While 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.

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

♥Rebecca

From Finland with love!

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Rebecca Edwards

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.

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.

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!

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!

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Rebecca Edwards

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!

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Rebecca Edwards

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!

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Rebecca Edwards

“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?”

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Rebecca Edwards

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!

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Rebecca Edwards

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.