Poison Ivy for the Rose

The amazing Drea Rose Deville requested a custom order from Missing James to feature in the first issue of JYNX Alt Lifestyle Magazine coming out this North American summer. A while back she died her gorgeous locks blood red and was inspired to do a poison ivy shoot, so requested a Missing James take on the Batman Vixen. The result - an underbust long line corset dress with matching pasties in an emerald green Chinese brocade with satin panels, velvet boning channels and sequin vine detailing.

The Chinese brocade was bought from a vintage fabric seller off Etsy to create a one of a kind piece. Carefully, I cut out all the panels of the corset - alternating in brocade and plain emerald satin.

Two layers of thick calico in each panel make the corset really strong and a final satin lining keeps it smooth on the skin. The panels are all cut and ready to be assembled.

The first step of assembly is to sew in the busk. Because the corset is a long line corset dress, I used the longest busk available - only 16 inches! There are an extra 4 inches of hem along the bottom under the busk, but this allows the wearer to sit down. For instructions on how to insert a split busk, review an old post from 2010 - http://missingjames.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/inserting-split-busk.html .

A zipper foot makes it easier to sew in the busk.

To make it easier to sew so many layers together, I basted each of the panels so they wouldn't slip and slide while I was making the boning channels.

One all of the panels are sewn together, the boning channels can then be stitched into place.

The corset then begins to take shape:

To be able to tie up the back of the corset, eyelets need to be punched along the back 2 panels for the lacing. I was lucky to have just received my new eyelet punch, so this step of the process was much easier than it has been in the past. 

The corset can now be placed onto a model for a fitting and only a few minor changes had to be made.

After hours of hand finishing the inside seams and sewing on the velvet boning channels, the final sequin details and velvet bias binding could be added to finish the corset.

The finished product!

To top off this gorgeous underbust and make it slightly more modest - a pair of handmade custom pasties to match!

Voila! A burlesque take on the vixen, Poison Ivy.

Strut your stuff!

The amazing Monica Strut, head vocalist of the Sydney band, Vanity Riots, asked me to make her a custom rock outfit for their first ever music video that was filmed a couple of months ago (see below). Monica has been incredibly supporting of my work, and I of hers. We've been friends for years and it's great that our passions (costumes, burlesque and music) can colide. I performed at one of her gigs about a year ago as well. Artistic friends always seem to support their artistic friends.

This cute outfit for the star of the show was a collaboration between both of us. I ripped up an old t-shirt and stocked up on every colour of metal stud I could find and created this adorable cute custom denim outfit for this sexy vixen.

This goes to show that Missing James isn't just for showgirls. I have training in design for theatre, so anything goes!

Monica organised this photoshoot. Photos are credited to the stunning photographer, Fiona Grace MacDonald.

Bigger than Bells

I'm currently working on some amazingly LARGE bell bottoms. Research for this project has just been mind blowing - how much fabric can really go into a pair of pants!?!? Just type in Wide Led Large Bell Bottoms in Google Images and the most extravagant pants appear.

It's amazing what you can do with a pair of pants! They can be so big you can make a skirt out of them, or the bell is so large they wing out, or you cross the front and back over to create the most amazing slit up the side of the leg!

On my travels through cyber space I came across this handy little blog post on how to make your own Bell Bottom yoga pant! It's easy to follow and the results look fantastic! My bells are quite larger than this and a teeny weeny bit more sparkly, but it's a good place to start!

Check out Me Sew Crazy and cute tutorial on DIY Bell Bottom Yoga Pants!

Below is a collection of my image research. It was a blast looking at all of these - some are amazing and some are just hideous!

Wish me luck on my time travelling trip back to the 70s!

15 bloody cm!

TODAY IS THE BIG DAY!!!

My first ever studio photoshoot for burlesque! I'm so very excited. It's with the same photographer who took shots of the 'oh-so-cute' Drea Rose in my Parisian Corset. I'll be modelling along side Drea in my showgirl creations for my burlesque website and Etsy store!

I am so lucky to work in a gorgeous shoe store and I've been allowed to borrow these puppies. The "Chrissa" has a 15cm heel and encrusted in swarovski crystals! Could a show girl ask for more? They'll be perfect along side my Bordellos to add a lot of glam. These Louboutain inspired glamazons are from Panache Bridal Shoes, check out their Facebook HERE. They have some gorgeous designs and not just for brides. A new crystal collection is great for any stage performance and top with a design by Missing James and you're set for the stage! All of their designs are stunning and the bonus of having all white shoes is that they are then dyeable to match any costume you want! Just take them to a great shoe repairer.

Like Panache Bridal Shoes on Facebook to find out more about their amazing styles and see what's new in store!

Red babies

Check out my new red babies. Bordello shoes from Million Dollar Babe and the vintage jewelry from the Love Vintage Clothing Show.

victory in bed

so i'm starting to wear my hair in victory rolls.

not perfect, but casual.

add a bit of glamour to bedtime at least.

there once was a lady who lived in her shoes

i am a shoe fiend.

and i know it.

and i know i have a problem when i can't choose a shoe for an outfit.

which shoe do I wear with a striped prison leotard?

help.

please.

feathers are the new black

Check out my new Etsy treasury devoted to feather goodies.

I have a new obsession.

Click HERE:

or here:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTAyNTQ5NjJ8MjIxNDg1NDY5MA/feathers-are-the-new-black

Hand painted Litas

So, it's my down season again which means it's time to figure out ways to waste my time.

I've always admired the design of the Jeffery Campbell Litas but found they were never really right for me. When they came out I actually thought they were quite ugly and impractical, but respected the boldness of the design and how the fuck girls could walk in them. Then, as more chunky shoe designs came out, I fell further and further down the Lita hole. They're tall yet incredibly comfortable and easy to wear!

For a DIY project, I decided to design my own Litas. I cheaped out and bought a pair of pleather copy-cats, the Frida boot from Rubi Shoes for $60 to paint (instead of the $160USD on Solestruck). They didn't have a 35 (yes, I have very small feet), so had to opt for a 37 and MASSIVE innersoles.

It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to paint on them. I was inspired by the recent Picasso exhibition in Sydney and thought something bold and abstract would be the way to go - but then thought against it because there wasn't much in my closet to match. I then went through all my fashion and art books and fell in love with this 1920s fashion illustration in orange, gold and black.

Then I just got my act together and started painting. Step by step. Started with the base coat of orange circles, layer after layer to get a flat colour. 

Then I moved onto the gold detailing. To finish up I fixed all my mistakes and topped it all off with a coat of glow in the dark paint over the gold for extra umpf.

Follow me on instagram to keep up to date with my photos and projects - username marjdj

New Designers at Patricia Field

I get weekly updates from PatriciaField.com and this week there was a massive surprise! Patricia Field, the wardrobe stylist of Sex and the City, has now included new designers in her NYC store. These include Erickson Beamon, David Dalrymple and Arturo Rios. Below are some of my favourites from the new collections.

Dutchess of Fabulous Headpiece

By Ericson Beamon

$2000

http://www.patriciafield.com/dutchess-of-fabulous-headpiece.aspx

Dutchess of Fabulous Lace Mask

By Ericson Beamon

$1782

http://www.patriciafield.com/dutchess-of-fabulous-lace-mask.aspx

Black Hat with Veil Bow

Handmade by designer Arturo Rios

$174

http://www.patriciafield.com/black-hat-with-veil-bow.aspx

Power Shoulder Tail Back Dress

$148

http://www.patriciafield.com/power-shoulder-tail-back-dress.aspx

Cutout Multitone Breast Plate

Made to Order

$230

http://www.patriciafield.com/cutout-multitone-breast-plate.aspx

Truely Red Sequin "B" Bodysuit

House of Field Designer David Dalrymple

$450

http://www.patriciafield.com/truely-red-sequin-b-bodysuit.aspx

Hopelesslingerie

During my morning blog walk I came across this gorgeous silk and chiffon camisole from Hopelesslingerie, and then was forwarded to the blog that accompanies the company. The designer behind the brand is a "home designer" like myself, trying to start up a small lingerie business. Her blog, Spokes 'n' Daggers, explains how to set up your own clothing business step by step. It's very informative and has given me loads of inspiration and thought. I do suggest you check it all out - her work is stunning!

One of the main blog posts that really struck me was "Presenting your product." Her photographs on the blog and on the shop website are just stunning, and really makes me think I need to step up my game. Unfortunately, I'm a bit restricted to time, money and locations. I do have photoshoots organized (like my Marie Antoinette photoshoot), but they're not to the same scale as Hopelesslingerie, and they're not frequent enough.

I'm going to continue to follow her work and use her as an inspiring figure in the "small fashion business" industry. The main difference between her work and mine is that hers is a range with stock, as mine is all one-of-a-kind work (except for the nipple tassels and pasties). I'll take some of her advice and use it - hopefully that makes my work a little more professional.

feather obsession

Because of this whole caboodal with burlesque costumes, I've now become addicted to feathers! I'm admiring them left right and center, and I'm creating excuses to use them. Every costume I design now has some sort of feather attached to it - be it a collar or a skirt, or just a wee little detail.


To top off my feather obsession, I found a DIY feather earring kit at the dollar store yesterday. I picked it up because it was only $2.50 and I had to because it was feathers. I went straight home and put them together. It was just too easy - i only had to attach the earring bit to the feather bit. They remind me of these gorgeous ear cuffs by Style Hurricane, but a cheap and lazy version.

Prom Time

Over in North America (my home land), young high school graduates are preparing themselves for the most important night in their short lives - their Prom. I had a prom, I was actually the organizer of my Prom and I did it old school style. We decked out our school gym in large curtains, fairy lights, and a massive dance floor, with 20 tables to seat all the grade 11s and 12s. Caterers and photographers were brought in to make the night rememberable, and every girl got a white rose when she walked through the door (my touch). It was a gorgeous night, although I don't remember much. We had hidden a bottle of vodka in the girls bathroom and kept swigging it. By the time I had to make my speech I had to cut it short in hopes that I wouldn't have to stand for too long.

My prom dress was a beautiful dress from 1910 that was given to me by my Mother's best friend. It was a GORGEOUS dress, and very different. Black chiffon with a high neck, empire waist line, a slit down the back and a fish tail. I had to wear nipple covers because it was see-through. Ooh, scandalous! My favourite bit of the dress was the fishtail, but by the end of the night my steel heeled stilletos had made a nice gash through the hem. Darnit! Easy fish, though - it was through the seam.

I was so particular about having this event be a TRUE PROM that I even held a fashion show a few months before hand to inform girls what was "formal attire" and what was "semi-formal attire". It always bugged me that girls wore semi-formal dresses to their formal! They're too different things! Boys dress differently, why don't girls! arg...

So here I go again, informing y'all what a perfect prom dress should be. My idea of the perfect prom dress are those gorgeous 1960s full skirted dresses. They're classic, beautiful and incredibly flattering on any shape. There is an amazing store on Etsy that sells the most perfect examples of these dresses called VintageVortex. Please check it out - the skirts on those babies are the biggest I've ever seen!!! I love them and wish I had a reason to buy one and wear it.

Vintage 1950's 50s Strapless PINK Embroidered Tulle Lace Party Prom Wedding DRESS

Image from Listing:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63940307/vintage-1950s-50s-strapless-pink

girls with leopard print coats always get rides in cool cars

I can't wait for winter, as I can't wait to bring out my leopard coat again! Every girl needs a leopard print coat.  This gorgeous version from Wheels & Doll Baby has made me jealous. But I really have no reason to be, as I bought this stunning vintage number last year! Remember? I wore it all across Canada this Christmas, and everyone was jealous of it! I got so many compliments. It was a miraculous find for only $50! Leopard coats, because they are rare and incredibly in style (and sought after), normally go for an unexplainable amount of money! But I got an amazing deal off of ebay.

                             Image from Doll Baby Girls            

                             http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhsijjlHyA1qhna51o1_400.jpg

Scrimpton Couture Sale: Judy and Jane Aldrige

One of my favourite blogs is Sea of Shoes, and that's because this girl has the most AMAZING vintage designer wardrobe. So it's unreal that some of her collection is up for sale at Shrimpton Couture. Not like I can afford it, but at least some of the items can be inspiring, and I can dream about them. Here are some of my favourite items that were/are for sale. Some were snapped up quickly, and I can't blame anybody.

1970s Tiger Print & Feather Chiffon Dress

1990s Moschino Couture Venice Jacket

1980s Studded Shoulder Thierry Mugler

Spring 2009 RTW Gold Foil Prada Runway

1970s Bill Blass Feather & Silk Dress