Monthly Archives: May 2024

…………How bare can you go?…….The answer to the question…..”How bare can you go?”….is simple…..it depend on your body……..The more bare you go the more of a beautiful well proportioned body you must have without the risk of looking vulgar…..If the body of the individual is less then perfect than bare has to be strategically placed to complement the body……If only all would follow these rules!……In the croquis sketches there are all degrees of bareness……some extreme…….other less so, but there is something for everyone.

……………..Western themes were always fun to work on!…….There was so much history and research material to draw from. Of course leather or suede fringe was a MAJOR DETAIL!……From left to right at the bottom is a suede “Barn Jacket” with leather fringe inserted into the sleeves and across the back yoke…..The curved besom pockets with the triangular pieces of leather at both ends was also a popular western detail……The chamois suede vest over leather pants with side seam long leather fringe had a western shirt with a string tie to finish the look….The fringed gloves just brought the “fringe message” home……The chamois suede strapless dress had self suede fringe down both side seams….The matching boots also had fringe down the sides…..great for “two stepping”…..Below the dress is the dress again with a fringed Chamois suede bolero…..The sketches to the extreme right are of jackets in gaberdine or wool twill. The fitted shirt jacket with shirt sleeves had a matching midi skirt with leather fringe down the sides….The seven button jewel neck jacket with the patch breast pockets and shirt sleeves was made in a soft Napa leather. The seamed skirt matched was in matching leather and the boots had fringe down the sides…The large felt hat had a leather strap with silver conches…….”GIDDY UP LITTLE DOGGIE”

……………..A look back………..EVA VOORHEES was one of the many very beautiful models of the 80s…….She always came across to me as being very shy……She too did National Ads, and my shows, and was always very professional…….She was so incredibly beautiful that all she had to do was show up, and show up she did every time she walked down the runway…….This National Ad Campaign was shot at a beautiful estate on Long Island….Author Elgort was the photographer and Marc Balet was the art director. This was in  the early 80s. Eva is wear a cashmere and wool blend jacket in a rich russet color. The front became a long scarf on one side that was tossed over the shoulder. She is also wearing a bitter chocolate TN with wine leather pants and wine boots….A truly timeless outfit.

……….A look back at…..a very very YOUNG………….ANDIE MACDOWELL…………….This National Ad was shot in the very early 80s….at…..I believe my house on Fire Island. Andie was the new sensation, and everyone wanted her. She worked a lot with Calvin Klein and did many National Ads for him too…….She was very sweet with her thick southern accent which has lessened a great deal over time……Arthur Elgort was the photographer and Marc Balet was the art director……I would not have guessed back then that Andie would become the talented and successful actress she has become!

………………..MEMORIAL DAY……for me……is the most solemn day of the year. I know people have a day off from work and want to have a good time, and who can blame them……The news is horrible, and times are tough, and any reason to enjoy a free day is a good one…….However, we can’t forget the meaning of this day…..It is to remember all of those men and women who have given their lives so ours can be free….and to show a great appreciation for the veterans who have defended us, and those who have to live with the wounds, both physically and mentally, that they have incurred fighting for our freedom……With all of the fighting around the world, and within our own nation, and all of the enemies this country has….like Russia, China, North Korea and Iran…..how can we not fear the future……I don’t fear so much for myself, because as Jac used to tell me we are on the “shady side”, but what about all of the young people today like my great nephews and nieces who don’t really know the devastation of war, because they haven’t lived though it…So many don’t even know what the Holocaust was!…….The future is so precarious and frightening, and no one knows what is going to happen from one day to another……The one thing we do know is to be thankful for our men and women in the armed services around the world…..REMEMBER the fallen, and pray for the safety of those brave men and women defending us every day….and pray they come home unharmed……..God bless them and protect them.