Tag: Style

Joan Holloway: Mad Men Cosplay

missdollymonroe1 Comment

 Today is the premiere of the 7th season of Mad Men!!  I have been a die-hard fan of Mad Men from the get go.  Not only is it one of the most intelligent, well-written and captivating shows on television it’s also packed full of amazing costuming, styling and set design.  Seeing all those beautiful 60s/70s outfits really inspires me creatively.  I just had to cosplay my favourite character from Mad Men, Joan Holloway!  To make this dress I bought a vintage 60s dress pattern and picked a very Joanie red fabric.  This dress is super comfy and I actually wear it to my work (as a receptionist) quite often.  I like to embrace that Joan strength and power when I sit at my desk as work.

Joanedit

Photo by If You Fall Photography

joan_holloway1

Joan+Holloway+Mad+Men+Mad+Style+Season+1+Episode+6+B+1

Inspiration: Betty Brosmer

missdollymonroe3 Comments

Modeling as been on my mind a lot recently, so I thought I would share some photos of one of my modeling inspirations; Betty Brosmer!

Betty Brosmer was the classic, American pinup girl!  Betty graced the cover of over 300 magazines and book as well as being featured in thousands of magazine spreads.  She had won over 50 beauty contests before the age of 20, appeared on hundreds of calendars and was even on a billboard in Time Square.  But Betty was not just a pretty face, she had business savvy as well.  She was the first model to receive residuals every time her picture was published, she was one of the first models to own the rights to many of her photos and was the highest paid model of her time.  Betty and her husband Joe Weider wrote several fitness books together and co-founded the fitness magazine Shape, which is still published today!

tumblr_mxvrknEkIW1skzykfo1_500

tumblr_n0716s4mH41raseh4o1_500

tumblr_mjmf3jntAv1s40b0no1_500

132340A_LEGUP

tumblr_m6bzn7FlCs1rqd5coo1_500

tumblr_lkuwpnwIJL1qf6jy9o1_500

tumblr_m0na00Cfcm1qb7dheo1_500

tumblr_m3aozel49M1r7kt7xo1_500

New York and Nerdlesque

missdollymonroe1 Comment

Well, I had a whirlwind trip to NYC last week with some of my burlesque peeps for the Nerdlesque Festival!  I left on Wednesday morning and returned very early Saturday.  Even though I wasn’t in New York for long I managed to pack in a lot of adventures, take a look…

1504067_10202920496567866_2043018732_n
Myself, Betty Quirk and Sevvy Skellington were representing PeepshowTO!
10155504_10202920488247658_354402750_n
The first thing we did in NY was find some pizza!
10155800_10202892635511357_988632576_n
Yum yum!
1618492_10202893123283551_639930329_n
I wandered off on my own to find Mood! I’m so excited to make some new outfits with the fabrics I got there. Stay tuned…
1511043_10202893122843540_1586914_n
I even got to meet Swatch!
1724851_10202894535838864_1320853967_n
In the evening we went to Cafe Un Deux Trois and the food was to die for… or kill for….
10153269_10202920491927750_1025859639_n
Then it was time for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, starring Neil Patrick Harris!
1549522_10202920490847723_709528229_n
We may or may not have stalked NPH!
1939997_10202920492847773_1413674836_n
While wandering around Time Square we found a familiar face in Time Out magazine! Our very own Zilly Lilly!
1239983_10202898612700783_1985589221_n
By the way, the weather was so sunny and warm we didn’t even need jackets!
1798712_10202920494007802_944403778_n
On Thursday morning we met up with some of our fellow Toronto Nerdlesquers for brunch in Brooklyn! Zilly Lilly, Betty Quirk, Loretta Jean, Sevvy Skellington, Helen of Tronna and me!
10003292_10202898814385825_675316484_n
I had these delicious vegan, red velvet pancakes!
10169414_10202899373439801_558767620_n
Then we stopped by the store Evolution to look at skulls, taxidermy and other wonderfully weird items.
10011299_10202899421160994_160725954_n
I even picked up some Mermaid supplies…
10155015_10202904866297119_1523131995_n
Friday was the day of the show, so we didn’t do a whole lot, but we did eat a whole lot of vegan doughnuts!
10173749_10202920496527865_531717326_n
And Leelando showed up!
10175997_10202905069902209_84387437_n
All decked out in his Rogue outfit…
1451531_10202906828666177_89135379_n
Backstage at the show with Betty Quirk, about to make our NY debut!
1901196_10202906819945959_594017712_n
Love that Rogue hair!
1508539_10151938697116991_1799474505_n
Pikachu Sevvy and Gambit Betty!
603583_10202910266272115_841621005_n
Leelando and Betty Quirk killed it with their Rogue and Gambit act!
10176176_10202906387695153_2047883878_n
I had a blast doing my Batwoman act!

I am so proud to have performed at the Nerdlesque Festival! I never could have imagined that one day I would be doing burlesque for a screaming audience in New York City.  It’s definitely an experience I will never forget!

10253813_576479639125870_6438106108324915096_n
Group shot of our gang!
10150658_576479585792542_4107767067103844188_n
Myself as Batwoman and Zilly Lilly as her lady Maggie.

Photoshoot for Your Big Sister’s Closet

missdollymonroeLeave a comment

I had the absolute pleasure of shooting a photo set for Your Big Sister’s Closet with the lovely photographer Rebecca Northcott.  Accompanied by Irene Kavita, Alex Giamas and Karen Ward we shot these amazing photos in High Park.  If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend checking out Your Big Sister’s Closet!  They have amazing plus size options for any age that are stylish, fun and very well made.

1979945_696713883713024_1970783475_o

OUTFIT 3 HANNA FINAL

OUTFIT 1 HANNAOUTFIT HANNA 2

1897796_855566287803011_1296226052_n

10172623_855566124469694_392186103_n

10178112_855566137803026_446414147_n

Nerdlesque Festival!

missdollymonroeLeave a comment

I’m so exited to be performing this Friday night in the first ever Nerdlesque Festival in New York City!  If you are in NYC this weekend come check it out! 

1506853_10202866808265692_1246973543_n

Little Red Doll

missdollymonroeLeave a comment

 Back when I was still in fashion design school I created these pieces for a final project.  They walked the runway in the end of year fashion show and have also been photographed for Auxiliary Magazine.  But my favourite use of this Victorian style, shear blouse and red, silk bloomer shorts was in this photoshoot with model Elizabeth and photographer Bailey Northcott!

548553_431895223543348_1896131902_n

527429_431895433543327_1657408801_n

559618_431895276876676_692934673_n

LBD

missdollymonroeLeave a comment

Every girl needs a LBD in her wardrobe, right? I made this dress from some amazing black cotton fabric I got on sale at Fabricland.  I fell in love with the bottom edge of this fabric which has a lovely embroidered, cutout pattern.  It’s a nice light dress to wear in the spring but has a real dark, witchy feel.  I added a few lace details to play up that gothic look.  Jewellery by Celluloid Sleaze!

IMG_9717

IMG_9709

IMG_9760

 

Photos by If You Fall Photography

Vintage Clothing Show

missdollymonroe2 Comments

On Sunday my gal pal Brittany and I went to the Vintage Clothing Show at Toronto’s Metro Convention Centre.  We had an absolute ball browsing through vintage dresses, jewelry, accessories and art and each came away with some lovely pieces.  Here’s a taste of what we got up to at the show…

2014-03-23 00.41.27
I loved this beautiful red and white polka dot swing coat! It totally screamed Dolly! I didn’t end up getting it, but it was fun to try.

2014-03-23 00.35.51

2014-03-23 00.56.52

2014-03-23 00.56.56
I loved this elegant Adam and Eve necklace.
2014-03-23 01.01.05
So many lovely textiles.

2014-03-23 01.01.39

2014-03-23 01.36.15
Another one of my favourite fabrics! I would love to make a dress out of this.
2014-03-23 01.05.32
This ostrich feather boa was absolutely gorgeous and in amazing condition for it’s age! Note the photo beside it of the original owner wearing her beautiful boa.

2014-03-23 01.19.16

2014-03-23 01.32.58

2014-03-23 01.33.05

 

2014-03-23 01.34.11
Brittany has the perfect head for vintage hats! So I made her try a bunch on for photos. I love this one on her. How elegant!

2014-03-23 01.38.40

2014-03-23 01.48.43

2014-03-23 01.49.17

2014-03-23 01.18.23
This hat was the winner and went home with Brittany!

2014-03-23 02.03.20

2014-03-23 01.58.12

2014-03-23 01.59.17
My beautiful blogger friend, Irene from Petite Plus, Meow! (http://petiteplusmeow.wordpress.com/)
2014-03-25 00.14.12
I bought two pairs of vintage earrings, including these lovely sparkly hoops!
2014-03-25 00.14.57
My other vintage earring find! Love the way these sparkle!
2014-03-25 00.01.42
A new vintage Vargas print to add to my collection! I love me a blonde bombshell!

Spring is Here!

missdollymonroe2 Comments

 It’s officially spring and you know what that means?  Snow!  Well, here in Toronto it’s definitely not feeling like spring yet but I’m in the mood to shed some layers and go out in a fun dress like this one; a little Betty Monroe design I made a few summers ago. I’m a sucker for a beautiful rosey floral and a red ruffle and this dress always makes me want to dance.  I hope I help put a spring in your step today!

IMG_9668

IMG_9670

IMG_9689

IMG_9657

Photos by If You Fall Photography

 

Babydoll Cosplay

missdollymonroe9 Comments

A couple years ago my gorgeous friend Gen asked me to make a Babydoll cosplay to wear at Toronto Comicon.  Instead of her battle outfit which is the most commonly cosplayed look of hers, Gen wanted her institution outfit that she wears when she’s not in her fantasy land.  I absolutely loved making this dress!  It has a cute, sailor style collar and side pleating on the skirt.  It buttons up and has a long exaggerated tie.  Gen totally rocked this look and I love the way it fits her!

Photos by Dana Harper of Geek x Girls