The Art of Color Workshop

The Art of Color Workshop on September 19th was a huge success. Friends came from all over the area to see how a spin of the color wheel could brighten their day (and Fall wardrobe!)  There was tea and fresh figs to share. Color is mood food.  Just as we have food that feeds our bodies, color feeds our emotions. Carol Klesow, international color teacher of Aura-Soma and AuraJin assisted the  class. I really look forward to working with her again!

The Art of Color

Here's a preview of my trip to New York!

On my recent trip to New York City, I was excited to be able to attend American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The exhibit was drawn from the newly established Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at the Met.  American Woman examines different perceptions of the modern American woman from the 1890s to the 1940s and how they have affected the way American women are seen today. It interested me to see how the American Woman reinvented her femininity, especially thorough her dress.

More from my visit to come!

Story Contest rules reminder!

Just as a reminder, here are the rules again for those that may have forgotten:

How has a dress, a pair of shoes, or a jacket,  shaped or added magic to your life? Our goal is to find out how fashion has added more fun or made a difference in your life. 

Guidelines
Share a story and express yourself in 1000 words or less.
Include an interpreted image of the item in a photo or sketch, if possible.
Please submit your story under one of the following themes:

• Special Occasion Wear
• Wedding Dress
• Everyday Dress
• Shoes
• Accessories (hats, scarves, purses, etc.)
• T-shirt
• Jeans
• Bathing Suit
• Suit
• Jacket/Sweater
• Jewelry
• Costumes
• Other

To Submit your story, please e-mail it to blog@thewardrobe.com along with the image.
The winning stories will be shared here on our blog, If Our Clothes Could Talk. monthly Prize is (1) $50 giftcard to The Wardrobe, and your story will be displayed at the wardrobe in downtown Davis!

Announcing The Wardrobe's new continuing story contest!

Fashion tells a story about where we have been, where we are, and where we are going.  Four years ago when Heather Caswell was writing a script for a fashion show at the El Macero Country Club, she found herself saying "If our clothes could talk...they have met presidents, attended Academy Awards and even won Emmys.  Over the years she has felt like she has been married 1000 times because each time she dresses a bride, she gets to share part in her journey.

 The Wardrobe's If Our Clothes Could Talk short story contest has taken on a life of its own. There was such good energy at the party last Friday that The Wardrobe has decided to continue an ongoing story contest announcing a winner each month.  The monthly winner will win a $50 gift card and a copy of DJ Heather's "If Our Clothes Could Talk" Elecrtro Swing music compilation.  In the future, our fabulous designers will sometimes contribute to the prizes as well.

So keep writing, reading and voting on your favorites. Come by The Wardrobe to see the winning stories each month!

Short Story Contest Winners

Top Story & Best Special Occasion: Ann Murray Paige

Best Sweater/Jacket & Most Creative: Eve Bessier

 

Best Wedding Dress: Joy Policar

Best Everyday Dress: Nicole Coombe

Best Pants: Kim Anger

Best Jewelry: Ashley Mariano

Best Costume: Sean Christopher

Best Other: Kaitlin Ball

Best Shoes: Mabel Yang

Best T-Shirt: Susan Lee

Best Accessory: Connie Ulasewicz

Reader's Choice: Robin Kozloff

Join us Friday, July 23rd, for our Fashion Party:

The Two Dollar Treasure

 By J.K.

On this two dollar clothing sale day the thrift store was jammed. I sidestepped a woman pushing a loaded shopping cart and bumped into a colorful display rack of scarves and hats. One scarf caught my eye with its unusual design of ice skaters in 18th-century costumes. At first glance it somehow looked French to me. As I carefully unfolded it, I saw two words in the middle of the design: “Joies d’Hiver”: Joys of Winter. Two more words at the bottom of the scarf made me catch my breath: “Hermès Paris.” A white care tag in French and English proclaimed that this item was made in France of 100% silk. I carefully examined the scarf for stains, rips, holes, snags, hanging threads and other imperfections. I found absolutely none. It was in excellent condition. The hand-rolled reverse hem was perfectly stitched on all four sides in matching colored thread. Obviously this scarf had never been worn.

“It’s probably fake”, I thought. Taking my find home posthaste, I googled my way through an assortment of web sites, acquiring a crash course on Hermès scarves in the process. I already knew that they were, like the Rolex and the Rolls Royce, iconic status symbols. Queen Elizabeth has been filmed and photographed wearing her extensive collection of Hermès scarves while walking her Corgis or sipping tea in the royal family’s private quarters at Buckingham Palace. Hermès scarf designs vary greatly in motif and color and are often re-issued. Artists submit new creations to the House every six months. From an artist’s sketchpad to the final inspection can take as long as two years and include as many as 40 artisans. No wonder retail value for this luxury accessory currently averages around $450.

“Joies d’Hiver” was designed by the artist Joachim Metz and issued in 1992-93 in several color combinations. E-Bay does not currently offer this particular scarf for sale, which according to several websites is considered one of the most popular and sought-after Hermès designs. I discovered next that my scarf was printed onto silk jacquard, a unique process invented by the Frenchman Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1801. The Jacquard technique weaves into silk fabric a small, slightly raised repeat design, which on my scarf is a miniature skating couple. Re-issues of “Joies d’Hiver” were printed on plain silk twill instead of jacquard, making my find even more valuable.

Although I’ve had offers, I don’t intend to sell or wear my treasure. How could any amount of money equal the rush of pleasure I experience every time I think about or look at my authentic and perfect Hermès scarf … found in a thrift store for two dollars!