The millinery arts are alive and well in Hollywood, CA as evidenced by the dizzying Hollywood Legacy fashion show that took place this past October in association with LA Fashion Week. From the classic elegant designs of veteran milliner, Louise Green, to the sassy playful looks of new designer (Project Runway - Season 8), Mondo Guerra; there was something for everyone!

Louise Green

Mondo Guerra

Enjoy some highlights of this amazing show. . .

Although this video is marked on YouTube as the Spring, 2011 show, it is the Fall, 2011 show.

The Millinery Guild

Hollywood, California, United States

The Millinery Guild of Southern California is a membership group of Professional Milliners organized to foster interest in Hats, Millinery and Hat Wearing through Lectures, Instructional Workshops and a variety of classes in all aspects of traditional and contemporary millinery. We will sponsor activities, sales, Fashion Shows and charity events.

It is inspiring to see what this guild of 14 millinery designers has been inspired to organize. This was the guild's 2nd runway show, and I hope to see more such events in Southern Cal, as well as other US locations. It is time for the fashion world to recognize the importance of millinery contributions, as well as time for us to again recognize the importance of and fun in framing our most important assets, the true seat of our unique selves. Why would we pay more attention to the style at our feet than the style about our faces and heads? The mind boggles.

Watch out for those mouse traps!

Best,

Hannelore's of Alexandria, Virginia

We had the pleasure of meeting Hannelore Karpinski and Pamela Vito of Hannelore's of Old Towne while in New York for International Bridal Week. Hannelore's Boutique services the bridal needs of Alexandria, Virginia and the greater Washington DC area.

Eight Breeziway designs were ordered at the show, and they are now on their way to Hannelore's. We understand that the headpieces will be worn by their staff this upcoming Saturday in conjunction with the trunk show of Italian designer, Peter Lagner.



If you are in that area, please, do stop by for this event. Let them and us know what you think of the Breeziway style on hand (or should I say, on head?)!

Best,

Hannelore's of Alexandria, Virginia

Cat & Shirl are off to Miss Earth National Pageant! . . .

Miss Earth Kansas will be wearing a Breeziway design during the national pageant to be held soon in Nevada. Our special friend, the lovely, talented and bright Cat will be wearing a Tony Bowls gown in silver, gray & lavender. To top off this gorgeous gown we have made her a custom Shirl; a swirl of nagorie and schlappen feathers dyed lavender & silver gray with crin brim and Swarovski accent. Cat will wear this ensemble as she plays flute for the talent portion of the pageant. The winner of nationals will represent the US in the International Pageant (see footage of 2009 International Pageant below).

We are so proud of you Caitlin. . . wishing you the very best!!

Cat & Shirl are off to Miss Earth National Pageant! . . .

Blake Lively in Fascinator at Dior

I absolutely LOVE to see more women re/discovering the fun of fascinators as an accessory choice! Red Carpet Fashion Awards has shared photos of Blake Lively (Gossip Girl actress) sitting in the front row next to Vogue's Anna Wintour at Dior's Fall 2010 Couture Show (June 6, 2010 - Paris). 'Californina-girl', Blake is wearing a beautiful Dior dress and small white fascinator. Several reader comments on Red Carpet are quite favorable; with one commenting on the amateurish appearance of the headpiece. I wish one of the photos provided a better look at her fascinator. I am a bit intrigued by what appears to be the ends of two white peacock feathers with side herl at the top of the piece. It is difficult to imagine how the cut ends of these feathers could be appropriately finished. Would I have loved to design a cute, whimsical, feminine pieces for this Dior dress? You bet!!

Credit: ABACAPRESS.COM/PicApp

Grace Coddington and Anna Wintour with Blake Lively, front row at Christian Dior
Credit: Marie Goujon

Susan Tabak Blog

The vote at Hollywood Life at the time of this posting: 83% Liked Blake's look. . liking the looks of this one!

When expression is the goal, I believe that we need to see more
attention given to the way we
frame that core expression of our unique personalities. . .
our faces!

Blake Lively in Fascinator at Dior

Chignon comb. . .

The design below will be worn by a maid-of-honor for an upcoming wedding. Lauren will be wearing a chignon on the back of her head and the Breeziway featherpiece is mounted on a comb so the teeth can be inserted vertically into the chignon to form a dramatic spray above it of hackle, stripped coque, coquile feathers and peacock herl to complement the iridescence of the coque feathers. The base of this design is accented with a sparkling cluster of Swarovski crystals.

I wish we had a chignon handy so we could show it in situ!
Maybe Lauren will share some photos of the special day.

Chignon comb. . .

Alexander McQueen's Final Collection

I have thoroughly enjoyed the July edition of Vogue USA this weekend, where I have sought refuge from the end-of-semester task of grading papers. Some photos of McQueen's Fall, 2010/Winter 2011 collection in this edition compelled me to find more. . . Fashionising.com proved to be an excellent source of photos taken by Vogue UK. I thought you might enjoy this visual feast too.

I am, like most others, both awed and saddened by these walking works of art. Below are several of my favorites in Alex McQueen's final collection. The first . . . a striking golden-gilded duster jacket made of feathers. The rest are a magnificient study of gold with neutrals and black/gray/white muted folly. Interesting feather Mohawk headpiece, don't you think? I wonder, will gold be replacing silver as the favorite metallic?

There are numerous video tributes to McQueen. . . I was drawn to this one, as it let me relive a magical evening with my man - enthralled with the performance of Giacomo Puccini's Madame Butterfly at London's Royal Albert Hall. . . (I have since forgotten the pain of blisters caused by ill-fitted shoes, but that's another story!)

His artistry and sensitive talent will be greatly missed.

Alexander McQueen's Final Collection

Royal Ascot - Ladies Day. . .

Today is 'Ladies Day' at Royal Ascot - 2010; where tailgating parties serve champagne and lobster and the flamboyant in millinery art can be seen.

In honor of this 'oh-so-British' occasion. . . a video clip from last year's Ladies Day.

I wish I were there enjoying the bubbly and fun!

Royal Ascot - Ladies Day. . .

London Premiere of Sex & the City 2

I have been waiting for this moment to see what Sarah Jessica Parker would wear to the London premiere of Sex and the City 2. I was so hoping that she would wear another Philip Treacy headpiece, and she didn't disappoint in her Alexander McQueen gown! Thanks to Red Carpet Awards for the photos. . . Now why didn't she opt for a fabulous headpiece for the New York premiere?

I haven't seen the movie yet,
but hoping to fit in this fun distraction over the holiday weekend.

Have a marvelous time with your summer kick-off activities!!

London Premiere of Sex & the City 2

Hot Pink Stylin with Breeziway. . .

HOT PINK STYLE RECREATES ANDY WARHOL'S FACTORY IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Expansive Warehouse Provides New Home For Celebrity Stylists, Hot Pink Style Owners of Hot Pink Style, Jenna and Jamie DeBrino, have recently relocated to a sprawling new 3,000 square foot space, aptly named The Hot Pink Factory. Conveniently located midway between Palm Beach and Miami, the Deerfield Beach based space is easily accessible from I-95.

Hot Pink Style still offers the same niche services including makeup artistry, hair styling, wardrobe styling, closet editing, set design, and production, but have also expanded their menu to include venue rental of the space, event design, and studio rental. The Hot Pink Factory also houses Hot Pink Style's vast collection of vintage couture and designers pieces available for rental, along with a new designer showcase featuring designers from around the world. Additionally, in house creative consultants, Exposed PR & Events, and in house video production team, C&I Studios have offices within the space.

Several weeks ago, the dynamic and lovely Jamie of Hot Pink Style expressed interest in having Breeziway designs available for their Miami Beach and Palm Beach clientele. We have been working on a collection to send in time for the launch of their new studio and gallery, the Hot Pink Factory. I am inspired by each new affiliation, which usually means a new idea or two! Jamie, I will be shipping 15 designs, including a few new ones as shared below.

C&I Studios: Hot Pink from C&I Studios on Vimeo.

Introducing the new "Vertigo". . . black and white stippled biots with a swirl of onyx and black diamond Swarovski crystals make this piece pop with visual movement.

We will be sending a Simona in a bridal silk white, which features and new Swarovski crystal and pearl accent.

This new crin brim hat is made of nagorie feathers, dyed in various shades of orange and peach. Swarovski crystals in clear, AB, emerald and onyx provide the perfect amount of contrast sparkle. This design can be custom made in most any colors.

We are sending one of our newer bridal designs, Beyonce, in a platinum silver gray. . . .

And oh so new, I haven't even given it a name. . . a design made of crin, tiny schlappen feathers and a gorgeous cluster of large and sparkling Swarovskin crystals. . .

OK, Jamie & Jenna of Hot Pink, these and more should be on their way to you by Tuesday. . . We just need to catalog them before shipping.

Looking forward to the launch festivities. . . If only in photos!

Hot Pink Stylin with Breeziway. . .