Thursday, August 30, 2012

A Sign Of The Times...


While pondering this blog, I was reminded of my first experience with the fashion trend built around Polyester, which led me to do a bit more digging into its history. 
Polyester was considered “a magic fiber” and a “miracle fiber”, as described in two of the articles I read while doing my research.  Apparently it earned this reputation as "it requires no ironing, never wrinkles, washes well", and claims "it may be worn for 68 days in a row and still look good".  Ick...
Polyester had its American heyday in the ‘60’s; however, its story began outside of London, where it was first developed in the early 1940’s.  Up until the 1960’s, Paris was the epicenter for International fashion.  The sudden growth of the youth market, based upon this newest fad, provided the opening for London boutiques to gain importance in the fashion world.  Carnaby Street became the hub for artists and musicians, setting the style for iconoclastic hipsters worldwide. Polyester reigned.
Even the once sleepy little beach town I grew up in welcomed the London-based store, Paraphernalia, in 1968.  I was all of twelve years old.  The store was unlike all the familiar retailers I had grown up with in the heart of my little village.  I fell totally and completely under its groovy spell, saved up my babysitting spoils, and took myself shopping.


How I loved my lime green polyester mini-dress worn with my white patent leather go-go boots.  Apparently I also loved pixie cuts, sideburns and white lipstick.  That's not a pout, merely an attempt to hide a mouth filled with metal braces.

Dana has designed a "Mod" style for JoeysCoat using authentic magical, miracle fiber in the colors synonymous with the times...

  
Fiona looking pretty groovy... 


Petula Clark would be proud...

Thursday, August 23, 2012

A Study in Generosity and Beauty Combined...


Not everyone is suited for Island living.  A sudden impulse for a night out on the town, or the need for something specific not carried by one of our local retailers must be planned around a ferry, therefore one either embraces the remote lifestyle and views certain impediments as a gift or they move to the mainland, keeping our population at approximately 11,000 residents through natural attrition.

Even with such worldly limitations we do in fact have a local storage facility.  It is a new structure, architecturally pleasing as far as storage facilities go, well maintained and discreetly tucked away behind our tiny Post Office.

Each year, the facility holds a sale.  Stalls are opened and the treasures housed are neatly displayed by their owners for public sale, thus culling any items that may have fallen out of favor and making room for more to store.

Attending the annual sale is one of my summer rituals for I have never once left it disappointed.   I was exceptionally fortunate this year to happen upon a stall whose owner was obviously in the business of selling high-end rugs, towels and various other household linens.  On this day, he was not only selling actual product.  Off to the side was a box filled with sample swatches of merino wool, mohair, cashmere and baby alpaca, all neatly attached to black hang-tags bearing a French label.  I knew at once this was a special find.
 
Carefully digging through the contents of the box, I was acutely aware of the softness and texture of the fine wool.  I asked about pricing and the gentleman asked what I would do with the tiny bits of material.  I shared with him the story of JoeysCoat.  He then told me to choose whatever I liked – it was his gift to me.

I brought the wee swatches of luxury wool to Dana’s studio.  She instantly recognized their potential and began to imagine the couture coats she would design from the cache.

My meetings with Dana have developed into a playful ceremony all our own.  I pull, one at a time from my shopping basket, treasures I have accumulated during our time apart.  Oddly, there is always something in the lot that is precisely what Dana is missing for a design she has in process.  We laugh at the irony.  Then Dana unveils her latest creations.  As  I study the details of each coat, I am reminded of where and when and how I happened upon the riches she has artfully combined to compose JoeysCoat treasure.

At our last meeting, three of the “treaures” were ingeniously conceived from the wee swatches of luxury wool in true JoeysCoat couture fashion.

While contemplating this blog, I decided to do some research about the extraordinary fabrics given to me.  I typed in the initials BVT embroidered on the label.  A multitude of articles came up, all in French.  BVT stands for Brun De Vian-Tiran,  Manufacture Francaise – 1808.  A woolen mill founded by a father, his son, and his son-in-law on the banks of the Sorgue River.  The company still thrives working out of the original mill built more than 200 years ago.  


The official website contains information on the history of the company, the countries and the indigenous animals that produce the wool, and their code of ethics:

RESPECT – The collection of the fibers purchased is carried out with respect for the animals and the animal populations involved.


AUTHENTICITY – The label “Textile de France” officially recognizes and guarantees all articles have been manufactured in France: all processing, spinning, weaving, finishing, takes place in the original Mill.

ENVIRONMENT – The manufacturing of products is undertaken with full respect for nature, in particular the river Sorgues which has supplied the pure water and energy necessary for fabric finishing since 1808.

HEALTH – Brun de Vian-Tiran uses only natural fibers. 



Kid Mohair from Turkish Goats






Merino from Cross-bred Sheep from Arles, France and Spain




Honeycomb Merino 
(Size Petite - Sadly, Fiona couldn't squeeze into this little beauty...)



Merci Beaucoup...

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Fiona Makes A New Friend...


Like-minded Frenchies in search of the out-of-the-ordinary loot…


Both are contemplating long naps on the miniature antique bed…


The bidding is fierce…


And the winner is…Cisco!



 Chin up, Fi…there will be more yard sales next weekend...