Emma and Milo...

When Emma, the Australian Shepherd met Milo, the Terrier-Pom mix, it was as if they had been comrades forever...add in some warm sunshine to balance the cold temps and awesome JoeysCoat designs to bring out the beauty in the beast so to speak, we had all the makings for a successful day for photographs of JoeysCoat in action...

Emma's size Small is Carpetbagger Joey #13 made of cotton chenille in a neutral African pattern.  The coat is lined with silk organza and bound with silk from a vintage necktie.  The cotton belt and tab is a block print pattern.  The belt loops and trim are vintage Petersham.  The buttonhole is hand-stitched.  The buckle and buttons, secured with back buttons, are made of Hard Plastic designed to resemble stone.

Milo's size Extra Small is Couture Joey #42 made of the softest handwoven Mohair.  The belt and tab are wool tweed.  The belt loops and trim are hand-crochet braid from a Rhode Island antique textile collector.  The unique shape buckle is layered Bakelite.   The buttonhole is hand-stitched. The swirl design buttons are Hard Plastic and secured with back buttons.

The action starts here...  

I didn't say a lot of action...

The Grand Marketplace...

Grand Marketplace in Portland, Oregon is a new shopping venue for those whose lifestyle includes a mix of antique, industrial and architectural expression.  That's the short version.  The description on the website reads:

 Grand Marketplace is a curated group of talented collectors that will take vintage shopping to the next level. A breathtaking venue that will inspire the daring, mild, and traditional desires of a discerning culture. Ever evolving inventory and tasteful selections of materials and textures, Grand Marketplace is an inspiration board for all who walk its avenues.

I first met Andrea Jones, owner of Seek the Unique, over a year ago.  I was in Portland with my friend Tami in search of JoeysCoat treasure.  Tami was there to sell vintage furnishings found in Seattle to her Portland clients.  We left Vashon early on a Saturday to allow for stopping at estate sales and thrift stores along the drive down.  Once in Portland, we made our way to the industrial section of the city to hit a couple flea markets we had heard about.  Then a stop at Seek the Unique for Tami to make her delivery.  Andrea was there with her two golden-doodles Amber and Cotton.  I wandered the store while Tami and Andrea met.  Once they had completed their business, Tami introduced me to Andrea.  We talked about her dogs, my dogs, and JoeysCoat.  Three weeks ago I received a call from Andrea Jones.  She told me Seek the Unique had moved to a new 18,000 square foot location called Grand Marketplace and asked if JoeysCoat would be part of the grand opening celebration.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Two weeks later, Andrea drove up to Vashon Island to see the JoeysCoat collection.  We poured over the coats for a couple of hours.  I described the history of each design element in the coats - she shared her love of textiles and vast knowledge of antique and vintage fabrics.  Andrea selected twenty-six coats to take with her to Portland.  I saved the date for the grand opening celebration.                

Andrea Jones with Amber and Cotton

JoeysCoat's all in a row...

JoeysCoat in size Medium cleverly displayed on vintage leather luggage...

JoeysCoat treaures...

Fiona wearing her Carpetbagger Joey getting chin scratches...

If you find yourself in Portland, be sure to include Grand Marketplace on your list of things to see and do...it's not to be missed!  

Finding Milo...

I have become obsessed with guessing dog sizes.  Prior to beginning the JoeysCoat project I never paid that much attention.  That's not entirely true.  My family and friends would likely say that I pay far more attention to the four-legged than the mere two.  However, now I would say my focus has gone from an interested gaze to intense scrutiny - visualizing where the buttons will meet, the belt will encircle the chest, the slight scallop frame the tail on the furry beloved who has happened to cross my path.  This is how I found Milo.  I was behind the camera, pup models in coats that harmonized, shoes chosen to add a touch of wit, and then Milo appeared.  He was out for his morning walk.  His owner, proprietor and landlord of a number of buildings along Opera Alley in old Tacoma brings him to work with her, and we happened to be in the right place at the right time.  It took only a second for me to see that Milo was a perfect JoeysCoat Extra Small.  And less than a second to recognize that Milo had all the makings of a JoeysCoat Superstar!  

I wish I could take credit for the clever styling of his photos.  Milo is the creative director, I am merely the mechanic!   

How To Breathe New Life Into An Old Mattress...

Carpetbagger Joey #17

Small

Cotton mattress ticking with flannel backing coat, belt and tab

Natural linen braid belt loops and trim

Vintage Plastic buckle

Hand-stitched buttonhole

Carved and layered Celluloid buttons secured with back buttons

It's that simple.

The End.

Fiona Does Steampunk...

When looking for answers, I found many have weighed in on what Steampunk fashion consists of...having sifted through a multitude of opinions I have come up with my own take on it...forgive me if you find my interpretation lacking!

From what I have surmised, Steampunk fashion has no set guidelines, but rather is a synthesis of modern styles influenced by those styles made popular in the Victorian era. Often representative of clothing found in steampunk literature (A Clockwork Orange), it's portrayed in modern day books, film and in the game-world as an artful combination of Victorian, American West, Alternative World, Fantasy and Horror all rolled into one intriguing look. It's that simple, or perhaps, it's that complex - dress Victorian and then add whatever.  

Steampunk is about creating an outfit that delights the senses, entertains the wearer and engages the viewer.  It would seem there is no color code or rules against combining with other styles....it's really up to the imagination of the wearer.  How great is that?  Fiona seems to like it...

Couture Joey #33

Extra Small

Sparkle rayon velvet bound with silk challis necktie

Silk taffeta belt and tab

Crochet snap-tape belt loops and trim

Mother of Pearl buckle

Hand-stitched buttonhole

Metal mismatched buttons secured with back buttons

With special thanks to Glenna's Clothing for sharing those fabulous green shoes with us! They are the perfect match to the belt and tab on Fi's Steampunk JoeysCoat!

From Deauville to Paris...

Fiona, growing weary of an afternoon of modeling..

She is, however, always willing to pose for a close-up...

Couture Joey #53

Extra Small

Wool blend tweed coat and tab

Silk ribbon belt

Silk ribbon belt loops with picot edging

Silk Charmeuse binding

Fabulous black and white Bakelite buckle

Hand-stitched buttonhole

Black and white Bakelite and Celluloid buttons secured with back buttons

Inspired by...

Night-and-Day...

Couldn't resist sharing this awesome JoeysCoat again, this time with sparkly pumps vs the fun, orange flats (apparently I have a thing for shoes!) in the previous post.

Couture Joey #43

Extra Small

Chinese silk brocade coat, belt and tab in the Cheongsam Qipao style with traditional Mandarin collar and frog button features

Antique muslin lining

Japanese silk kimono binding

Cotton lace belt loops

Chrysanthemum sculpted vintage plastic buckle

Carved porcelain buttons

Hand-painted cloisonne-style button embellishment

Savvy shoppers, not unlike Fiona, shop with versatility in mind i.e. a JoeysCoat that goes from day to evening, simply with a change of shoes...

She didn't learn it from me!

Glenna's Clothing...!

For the past week, we have been graced with beautiful Fall weather - mild temperatures, morning fog, sunny afternoons, and remarkably, no rain!  I don't dislike the rain, I simply appreciate Mother Nature's gift of waiting until Halloween has come and gone before the flood gates open only to remain open until Memorial Day!  I have truly embraced life in the beautiful Pacific Northwest having called it home for the last twenty-three years.  However, I began life on the sunny beaches of Southern California, and with the exception of a four year stint in Iowa, a season in Maryland, and months of tramping around Europe with a two year old in tow, and a second on the way, I know a Fall without rain is not to be taken for granted.  Because the weather was agreeable to a photo shoot, I called my sister-in-law to see if her legs were available.  Fortunately for me and my last minute inspiration they were, so we agreed to meet in the city of Tacoma to take some snaps of Fiona in the latest JoeysCoat designs.  

Tacoma is a beautiful old city to the south of Vashon Island with stunning views of Mount Rainier.  It is home of the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, the Tacoma Dome, Museum of Glass and the Washington State History Museum. Tacoma is also home to the famous Pantages Theater located at the intersection of Broadway and 9th, hosting thousands of performers, from vaudeville to present day.  On Broadway, one may also find a plethora of antique, vintage and collectible dealers, auction houses and one very special designer vintage clothing store, Glenna's Clothing.  The first time I visited Glenna's I was in search of vintage buttons and buckles for JoeysCoat.  The shop was tiny, lined floor to ceiling with important designer frocks and handbags, hats and coats, and the shoes, how I love the shoes!  It was overwhelming...

My sister-in-law and I agreed to meet on Broadway and take advantage of the sun and the storefronts as a backdrop for the JoeysCoat shoot.  To my surprise, Glenna's was closed.  I found a note on the door with the new address, but a block away.  We made our way down to the new location and upon entering the store, found it was bigger, brighter and more beautiful than before, if that was possible.  Where once Glenna's was a shop, it is now a salon one might imagine in mid-century Manhattan.  A step back in time, complete with settee's and overstuffed bergere chairs with matching ottomans, perfect for admiring the color-coordinated landscape of high fashion.  Needless to say, we had a ball!  Instead of enjoying what could be the last kiss of sunshine, we opted to stay indoors and bask in Glenna's collection...

Thank you, Glenna, for sharing your breathtaking collection of designer vintage with us!  We are already planning our next visit to your remarkable treasury of the eclectic and sublime..

The lovely Glenna in vintage Coco Chanel...

Celebrate Joey...

Today marks four years.

   I thought it appropriate to choose a classic red plaid for Fiona's photo

in honor of Joey.

I'd give anything to see you again
Yes, I'd give anything to see you again

                            Love Has No Pride
                                 ~ Libby Titus and Eric Kaz

Japanese Bomaki Shibori and the French Girl...

Bomaki Shibori is a traditional Japanese dyeing technique which involves wrapping fabric tightly around a bamboo pole, sewing it in place or tying it with string, then scrunching it before dipping it into a vat of dye to create the illusion of pleats or stripes.

This Extra Small Kimono Joey is made from silk dyed in the Bomaki Shibori style.  The silk is lightly padded and lined with cotton flannel.  The belt loops and binding are dobby-weave silk.  The belt is grey wool flannel.  The spine is trimmed with Middy braid and exquisite Oriental design buttons.  

The buckle and tab buttons are Vintage Plastic with metal Oriental design embellishments.  

The French Girl wears it well...

Happy French Grain Sack Friday...!

Nothing like a fabulous wee coat 

to start the weekend off right!

French Grain Sack Joey

Petite

Cotton/hemp grain sack with grey stripes

Black and white gingham binding

Wool plaid belt and tab with linen backing

Ribbon trim is the lining of a silk bow-tie!

Hard Plastic "snakeskin" buckle

Bakelite carved "log" buttons

T.G.I.F.

The Northwest School of Animal Massage...

I recently met the folks from the

 Northwest School of Animal Massage.   

It was fascinating learning about the benefits.

  Besides an enhanced bond between pets and their people, animal massage reduces symptoms of arthritis, aids in training, builds confidence and promotes socialization, improves flexibility, helps to strengthen the immune system, promotes a healthy metabolism, improves skin and coat health, relieves separation anxiety and enhances overall quality of health for your beloveds.

See for yourself!

If Lucca is any indication, this stuff really works!

JoeysCoat's New Logo Design...!

So delighted to share the new JoeysCoat logo design!  

Thanks goes to Vashon Island's own 

Kristine Anderson Dahms of TWISTDESIGN for her thoughtful interpretation 

of the brand that is JoeysCoat!

 

Why African Fabric?

African wax print fabrics are made by printing the patterns in wax on the cloth and then dyeing the fabric. The fabric, which is 100% cotton soaks up the dye, excluding the portions where the dye was applied. The wax is broken off by machine. Patterns are then printed on the fabric again using other colours. The number of times patterns are printed on the fabric depends on the design.

 The fabrics are customised and designed to reflect local African tradition, culture and symbolisms. Many of the designs found on fabrics depict events, proverbs, persons of importance or local flora and fauna.

Because African Fabric is spectacular!

It's All In The Way You See It...

Playing with new camera angles for the product shots as we prepare for the JoeysCoat growth spurt coming this Fall...looks pretty good on this size medium Traditional Joey in black and white dogtooth tweed with rayon stripe binding, French turn-of-the-century metallic embroidered trim, marbleized plastic buckle and celluloid buttons. 

Love this coat...

V-V-V-V E R V E !

One week ago today, Kristin Thompson, of Vashon Verve came by for a peek at the JoeysCoat collection.  Kristin writes a blog, vashonverve.com, in which she shares events, sightings, and experiences she thinks are special about Vashon Island (I paraphrase!).  After our visit we went to see Dana in her studio.  There Kristin got to witness artistry at work...

 

Visit vashonverve.com to see more of Vashon Island through the eyes of Kristin Thompson...