Temperley London Looks to Hitchcock's Muse

“Fashion changes, but style endures.”

                               -Coco Chanel

As always, February marks the beginning of fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan, and Paris as designers unveil their fall looks. One of my all-time favorite collections was Temperley London. Each piece was designed to perfection and inspired by the style of Tippi Hedren, Alfred Hitchcock's muse and star of "The Birds." The collection was feminine, yet with a slight edge. Alice Temperley, who has admitted to being obsessed with the romance and glamour of old movies, said, "It's from a bygone era, but we all secretly want to look like that." Her high-waisted, full skirts, and tailored coats were cleverly styled with leather gloves, pointed-toe heels, and silk scarves. The show notes concluded by stating, “[Temperley's woman] today is an alpha female with a darker side but still luxuriously chic and ultra feminine, whose wish is to live life to the fullest.”

Another collection that caught my eye was Emilia Wickstead, shown at The Connaught Hotel. She's only been showing at London Fashion Week since 2011, but still managed to combine plaids, florals, and pleats with pristine tailoring. 

This week, I designed and sewed a dress unlike anything I've made before. I usually gather or pleat the bottom half of my dresses, but chose to do an a-line skirt this time. The red piping at the waist and arms brings out the red in the floral print. I lined the sheer, top fabric, combined it with a black twill for the bottom of the dress, and added an invisible zipper on the side.


MADE IN KANSAS 

Paris of the Plains: Fashion Woes

"Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman."

                                                                                       -Coco Chanel

                                                             

Kansas City has been referred to as the "Paris of the Plains" since the 1920s, when journalist Edward Morrow wrote, "If you want to see some sin, forget Paris and head to Kansas City." He was referring to its rebellious spirit and creative culture during the jazz age that resembled the glamourous City of Light. Kansas City is also chock full of boulevards and fountains like Paris and Rome, but unlike the two European cities, its metropolitan area is currently lacking when it comes to fashion sense. Declared the 10th worst dressed city by Travel and Leisure, some Kansas Citians exude more goat couture than haute couture. Baggy sweat pants tucked into your leather boots or Chiefs gear 17 sizes too large just isn't a good look for anyone. Rest assured, we're not alone. Dallas, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Orlando, Anchorage, and five others were declared to be more fashionably challenged than Kansas City.

Christopher Swetala from GQ magazine wrote, "How does a city that fathered its own style of jazz back in the 1930s dress with such little manly swagger? Yeah, you're a laidback town, part of that real America, and sure, eating sauce-covered burnt ends and pork ribs can be messy. But let's grow up." Swetala ended his article with some advice to Kansas City residents, "Hey, we get it: Going out for a pitcher and beef-on-bun doesn't require a jazzy suit, but no matter how you swing it, oversized and billowy ain't cool."

When the time comes to rank the worst dressed cities of 2013, let's cross our fingers in hopes that Travel and Leisure will factor in the hipsters of Lawrence and Crossroads Arts District dwellers when casting their votes. Where the city lacks in style, it does make up for with its unparalleled jazz scene, world famous barbecue, and, most importantly, friendly Midwesterners. Jack Stack anyone? (I'm suddenly craving some cheesy corn bake.)

It is very unusual for me to find an appealing textile at a local Kansas City store, but I did pick up a black and light pink polka dot fabric and pink chiffon to make this versatile dress. It took some time to get the fit just right, but turned out well. I had enough leftover fabric to also make a skirt. My only regret is that I didn't add pockets.

MADE IN KANSAS