The Moldy Doily

90210 B I G -FINALE!

It's always a super feeling of relief when you get to see the last amazing episode of the T.V. show you work on finally hit the screen.  All those long hours trying to make things last minute, getting the right sizes, getting everyone dressed for camera...then being able to watch every departments hard work come together.  This last season was full of parties, trips, and amazing locations.  One of the best moments this season was being down on the coastline near Palos Verdes, watching the sun hit the stunning scenery, colorful chiffons floating in the wind, and a real live elephant walking by.  

The last days of shooting are always bittersweet, most of us on the crew are exhausted and yet ecstatic to see all of this drama enfold.  This particular day was beyond surreal.  Gillian Zinser looked absolutely stunning.  She was a real trooper wearing this elaborate (and heavy!) beaded Indian outfit.  

The day before shooting was not void of drama either... my awesome crew stayed in the office gathering all of the background clothes, loading the truck, finishing alterations and creating two dresses for Naomi Clark.  We had fallen in love with a vintage DIOR Indian inspired cocktail dress, but were unable to use it because we needed two dresses for the actress.  With the help of my genius seamstress Seda, we took some gorgeous Indian silk fabric and made a "Naomi" like modern design.  Watching her dance around the beach in that dress was worth all the long hours!

Here's the original DIOR one we had fallen in love with...

And here's the robin egg blue green one that she wears 

Did I mention that Miss Annalynne McCord could wear a paper bag and would still look stunning?  She can enter the dressing room minus makeup and still work the model poses and sell any dress.  

Manish (Raj) and director Mrs. Sinclair party down on the last days of shooting!

gorgeous Shenae Grimes (Annie) laying in the grass in between takes

Michael Steger got some babysitting practice on set the last day.  He was a real natural with the director's daughter.

I always get a little choked up on the last days of shooting.  You work so many hours on set with these people (crew & actors) that they become your close knit family.  As the scenes start to roll, and eventually wrap...and each individual actor completes their season, the director and crew will announce- "Ladies and gentleman...that is a wrap for _Mr/Miss________ for season 3 90210"  And perhaps it's my lack of sleep at that point which makes me so nostalgic as they shoot their final scene and everyone claps for each actor as they set off for hiatus.  It has been a really magical season, and I can't wait to watch the final episode tonight!

Hippie-lore

The past few weeks I have been shopping for bohemian and gypsy  things for an upcoming episode. I discovered some incredible one of a kind pieces over at Golyester ----here in Los Angeles

Golyester
Vintage Clothing and Textiles
Specializing in 1900-1960′s
136 S. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA
323.931.1339

 There are so many unique pieces on my WISH list over there.  Every single piece seems to have it's own magical history and story to tell.  So if you ever wonder what gift to get me- any jewelry item in that place is fine by me!

 

My good friend LAURA KRANITZ works at Golyester and also makes incredible head pieces- like these ones which we are using for an up coming 90210 episode!

here's a little sneak peek where some of my bohemian finds will be found on this season's 90210

I'm BACK!

My dearest friends, I am sorry for the long pause and huge delay in posting!  I started back to work in mid June and have been on the fast track to zero sleep and 80 hour work weeks.  I must admit that I am truly grateful for this incredible opportunity and obsessed with my new job.  It's great working with a fabulous creative team every day and getting fashion puzzles solved on the daily. The commute is the only downer.  Usually it's about an hour every morning and 45 minutes when I am leaving. If any of you have any great suggestions for cool designers, awesome ebay or etsy listings or things you think would look great on the screen feel free to let me know. We are already getting ready for episode 5, time is just flying by. This is going to be a fun season!

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

silly stuff! XO

Rocking the BOAT

  don't forget to tune in- tonight! This 90210 episode "Don't Rock the Boat" features some good fashion frocks-like this rad Keith Haring print strapless number the D.J. Sasha wears...designed by Luxury Jones. Adrianna has a sweet embroidered navy number from Theory and Annie is sporting a nautical stripe tank by L.A.M.B and a giant white hat.  The kids join Teddy on his family Yacht for a party.

We are also starting a 90210 twitter page so that you can see who created most of the looks found on the show 90210 Costume CREW

stay golden

this past week we spent the afternoon at the beach taking new show promo pics.  The weather was perfect, the waves were golden, the lighting was magical and everyone was sitting in the sand chatting. 

Check out the new surfer girl to join the cast she's so RAD!  "Ivy" is her screen name- and she plays "one of the guys"- daughter of a bohemian music industry mom.

 

Mr. Frank Helmer styling at the beach with multiple pairs of sunglasses.

Tonight our 2nd episode airs! I am excited to see how it all looks on film

Frank took this pic of me at "magic hour"

But it might be hard to top the original 90210 beach promo pics-  right?  

Don't forget to check out the new episode Tues 15th at 8:00

90210 goes back to school

As you all know by now, I have spent my summer working on the new 90210, as assistant costume designer to Frank Helmer.  We have an amazing crew this year and are really excited about the debut this Tues on the CW.  So many fittings, so many trips to the stores/boutiques in L.A. so many alterations, so much FLAIR!  And now the pay off is to finally get to see it all appear on the screen- with music.  There are all new sets, new shooting locations (incredible views) and new cast members added to the mix.  And the end result really captures the fantasy of living in California

I have always been in love with the dreamy lighting in California, driving at sunset alongside giant palm trees backlit by a Los Angeles landscape.  Something about the perpetually nice weather and access to beaches and surreal settings has always made me happy to live here.  This new season is really going to be fun to watch, because the writers have finally captured the essence of high school- drama-comedy and of course tragedy.  Ha.

  

check out listing times here: 90210 at CW

MAKE it WORK!

In my retail days on MELROSE, I met a lot of fascinating characters. The street was full of creative people looking to make a bigger move and make things happen. I remember working the vintage buying counter and chatting up a designer named Sweet P. She had successfully made the leap into clothing production, and had lots of retro-inspired halter dresses. This was the swing heyday and she was cashing in. Over the years we would talk at the buying counter as she left her own line to work for BEBE. She was always an inspiration, for her drive and her sweet marriage to artist Sage Vaughn. At the other end of my retail block was a young sexy designer named Rami Kashou. He was re-working vintage and hand detailing bleached out t-shirts in a way that transalated to big bucks.

I was lucky enough to befriend both and through the years run into them at all sorts of places. Rami quit his day job and began making exquisite one of a kind pieces for all sorts of stars. I photograped his first collection look book out in Palos Verdes. It was stunning- his draped designs against a coastal cliff loaded with mustard seed plants and a Michealangelo replica chapel. I knew then that he was destined for great things.
He always supported my fashion endeavors as well and came out to my runway shows. If I had a dollar for every friend who formed a crush on him, I'd be sitting pretty on a pile of cash.

After opening my shop I came into contact with the new age darling Elisa of Hunger World. Her designs had passed into my hands over the years as a vintage/designer buyer. Chloe S. and Tara had sold some of her better pieces as well as the lovely Melissa Auf Dermaur of HOLE. Her fascination with nature and puppets-was evident in her dance costume pieces. She would often paint on top of her hand sewn tops and tea stained items. I remember her saying she liked to pour the fabrics with oils that were tranquil and sew them directly on the body. Her work has graced the pages of many magazines... and inspired other younger designers DIY designs like Molly Stern and Liz McClean. I recall her being featured as one of the Beautiful People in Paper one year- looking like a pixie fairie. The model Naomi Campbell was featured once wearing HUNGERWORLD in a boxing ring (Either the FACE or I.D.) , the leggy model was in a boxing ring sweating in a torn and tied Jiminez piece.

This season 4 of PROJECT RUNWAY all of these 3 designers will compete on the BRAVO show.

I think the drama (A Hippie-fairie, a surf motorcycle maven, and a draping pro)

+ the combined effort of talents will make for great t.v.

sweet p. doing her thing-

Rami and his designs

** I plan on posting some of my favorite photos saved of these designers work, in the weeks to come!
GOOD LUCK you guys

Runway Time...again

Well...the new season of Project Runway has officially begun. As you may know I watch about two hours of t.v. a week. Unless of course I am in Ohio (home) or at a hotel. I am excited however to watch Bravo this season because two L.A. designers I know are on this time. Bradley- the darling of Echo Park and Alison from RUN RIOT label. I think so far they are both strong contenders with a humble approach to design. In honor of fashion runway- tonight I dedicate my blog to the new FALL line by Christian Dior, something inspiring for the kids.
There is something so devious about this new collection. The colors are straight out of a cosmic cartoon--Part Mommy Dearest meets Knights of the Round Table. Nothing like a suit of metal and a Titanic decadent glass headpiece to command attention. How he combines the 40's with gothic medieval temptress is beyond me. Cleopatra wishes she was around to participate in this seasons best

Model Lily Cole emerges like a mermaid creature---buried in treasure

you can't ask for more drama than this...

The colorful pod dresses are part sea monster meets playing cards

Doesn't it look like Galliano is getting ready to go fencing on another planet??

(all phones taken by Marcio Madeira (long shots) and detailed photos by Olivier CClaisse

Petticoat Junction

Woke up today-from crazy dreams...I had been to an elaborate estate sale and had my hands on fancy costumes, joined a pageant and purchased a home. As the sleep left my eyes of course none of this was true. However Cynthia called shortly after to inform me that the ESTATE of creative genius of TV --pioneer Paul Henning (The George Burns & Gracie Allen Show, Love That Bob, Petticoat Junction) was having a sale. The ad lists T.V. memorobilia, vintage jewelry, furniture etc... We debated going just to check out the luxurious place and seeing the Beverly Hillbilly fans, but have opted not too. Here are some of the things that flashed by in my sleep
DREAM title: ESTATE SALES and GOOD TIMES

I found this old picture of Niki- I had made this insane scarf Show Pony neck thing and made her model it. Doesn't she look so young here? I found this right before I fell asleep while cleaning

Chcek the penny saver for details about the Estate SALE. I've lost my copy- but hurry cause it's today.