Vintage – Page 24 – CLASSICALLY CURVY

Gigi Vanilla at Girlesque

February 11, 2014February 10, 2014 missdollymonroe1 Comment

I was lucky enough to get to make two costumes this year for the Girlesque Expo in Toronto. One of these costumes was for the stunning and talented Gigi Vanilla. Gigi came to me with a beautiful vintage photo of a dancer and a pink colour scheme. From that I created a chiffon dirndl skirt, covered and decorated a bra top and made matching one-finger gloves and a g-string. I love the bits of pink lace on the bra and waistband, it adds beautiful texture to the outfit and the sparkle which was partly an applique and partly hand sewn gives it a real showgirl feel. Gigi did a wonderful job at the Girlesque Expo and really brought this costume to life. Check out the video at the bottom of this post!

Gigi Vanilla at Girlesque — Photo by Photolena http://www.photolena.ca

Little Lolita Skirt and Belly Top

February 10, 2014 missdollymonroe2 Comments

This outfit was inspired by two things. Firstly this incredible fabric I found with the lovely embroidered scalloped edge along the bottom. I am absolutely obsessed with fabric that has a scalloped edge and I’m always in the hunt for it. I also love the fun blue plaid and thought it looked like the perfect fabric for a summer outfit. Secondly the design was very much influenced by the outfits worn by Dominique Swain in the Adrian Lyne adaptation of the novel Lolita. The matching belly top and skirt look is so adorable and speaks to an era where outfits were tailored to match. Enjoy a summery Dolly on this cold winter day!

Photos by If You Fall Photography

Domino Necklace

February 8, 2014 missdollymonroeLeave a comment

This week Celluloid Sleaze finally launched their Etsy page with tons of amazing creations! I did not want to miss out so I quickly snatched up this beautiful necklace. I love the domino tiles so much, they make me think of elegant ladies sitting outside on a sunny day, the clattering of tiles against their lacquered fingernails, the swishing of vodka in their martini glasses. *Sigh* I think I’m ready for some summer sun and a bit of R & R.

Go Check out some fabulous jewelry from Celluloid Sleaze!

Monif C Bikini

February 6, 2014February 6, 2014 missdollymonroeLeave a comment

Can’t you picture me rocking this bathing suit? I would totally rock this bathing suit.

Has anyone ever ordered from www.monifc.com before?

Laura Desiree’s Dreamy Evening Gown

February 5, 2014February 10, 2014 missdollymonroeLeave a comment

As a designer and seamstress I am lucky enough to have many beautiful burlesque performer clients. Last summer I was contacted by Laura Desiree, the Big City Kitty, and we began working together on some lovely pieces for her acts. The first outfit I created for Laura was a tight fitting, ivory gown with a plunging sweetheart neckline, leg-revealing slit completely decked out in swarovski crystals. To go with her gown I also made matching garter belt and g-string and sparkled-up a pair of gloves. I absolutely love the way this dress hugs Laura’s curves. She is a total old hollywood vamp in this outfit!

Top 3 photos from Photolena

Tea for Two

February 4, 2014February 4, 2014 missdollymonroeLeave a comment

Yesterday my lovely friend Brittany and I went to the Windsor Arms for their high tea. It was a beautiful venue filled with sparkling chandeliers, tufted couches and delicate tea settings at each table. We had such a lovely time sampling scones and treats and we got to pick a tea from their extensive selection. Of course, being ladies of style, we got all dolled up for the occasion. Brittany wore a lovely corset from Victoria Wilson (that I got her for Christmas!) and a black velvet, mermaid skirt. I wore a black dress with lace that I made, a Victoria Wilson waist cincher and a beautiful fascinator given to me by my best friend Laura. I think we were appropriately dressed for such a fancy tea date!

Priming Your Canvas

January 23, 2014January 23, 2014 missdollymonroe2 Comments

Dear reader, I have a confession to make. I know it may shock you but… this is not what my skin looks like. Every photo you’ve ever seen of me was taken with a full face of makeup. Shocked? Don’t be! I’m not ashamed of the fact that I wear makeup. It gives me confidence and is a huge part of my personal look. I get a lot of compliments on my skin, but really it’s the goop on top that should get the credit. And in case you are interested here’s what I use to get that alabaster glow!

Firstly I would like to say that I take skincare very seriously and I exfoliate and moisturize every single day in the morning and evening. I also never go to sleep with my makeup on, no matter how tired I am. My skin is naturally quite pale and I am very careful to stay out of the sun as much as possible.

After moisturizer the first step to my routine is applying MAC cosmetic’s Studio Fix Liquid Foundation in NC15 with a 190 MAC foundation brush. I make sure to spread it evenly across my whole face, avoiding the eyelids. Then, using the same brush, I apply MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Soft Ochre to my eyelids as a base for my eye makeup. I love this product and it does a great job of preventing creasing for daily wear. Lastly I buff out my skin with MAC’s Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NC15 which I usually apply with the sponge that comes with this product, but occasionally I will use a round, flathead brush to really press it on. Et voila!

Inspiration: Jayne Mansfield

January 21, 2014 missdollymonroe2 Comments

“Dramatic art in her opinion is knowing how to fill a sweater.” – Bette Davis.

Sophia Loren & Jayne Mansfield

Jayne Mansfield was a classic Blonde Bombshell whose career boomed in the 1950s and early 1960s. Mansfield was often referred to as the “Working Man’s Monroe” due to her similarities with Marilyn, and many of her mannerisms and speech were based off of Monroe’s. As a Classically Curvy girl, Jayne Mansfield offers a bounty of style inspiration. While Marilyn had a timeless and elegant look, Mansfield was a little more wild and adventurous, playing with lots of animal print, metallic fabrics and of course very scandalously low cut tops. Her signature colour was pink and she even had her Hollywood mansion painted pink and dubbed her “Pink Palace”.

Check out this fun video of Jayne singing “Let’s Do It” with photos of her and her Pink Palace!

Celluloid Sleaze

January 20, 2014April 29, 2014 missdollymonroeLeave a comment

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Great Canadian Girlesque Expo at the Mod Club in Toronto. One of the best parts of the event, besides of course the amazingly talented performers, was that I finally got a chance to see the jewelry line Celluloid Sleaze in person. I have been following the lovely Aviva and Sarah’s instagram posts of their new line of necklaces, earrings and broaches and drooling over their chunky plastic, 60s inspired designs. I love the fun, bright colours of each piece with designs that include cherries, flowers, leaves, dominos, skulls, fruits, birds and even a pickle pin! These accessories are the cherry on top of the perfect pin-up outfit.

Celluloid Sleaze Designers Sarah & Aviva showing off their wares

The necklace I had been pining for was a very popular design and sold right away, so instead I picked up this charming piece. I love the shape of the leaf bangles and the black & white colour scheme works so nicely with any outfit. I will definitely be adding more of their jewelry to my personal collection!

Wearing my Celluloid Sleaze Necklace!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celluloidsleaze

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/celluloidsleaze

Twitter: @celluloidsleaze

Instagram: @celluloidsleaze

Introductions

January 18, 2014January 20, 2014 missdollymonroe1 Comment

Well hello there!

My name is Hanna but you can call me Dolly. By day I work as the receptionist at a dance studio and by night I am a clothing and costume designer, seamstress and occasional burlesque performer in the wonderful city of Toronto. All day and all night I pride myself on being a fashionably stylish lady with an affinity for vintage inspired looks, girlish garb, bright colours, bold patterns and of course I rarely leave the house without perfectly painted lips. To me there is no better form of self expression than style; fashion is the air I breathe.

I’m not at all shy in saying I am a plus size woman who proudly displays the curves I’ve been graced with. I believe that every body is beautiful and the most important part of being a fashionista is knowing what fits and flatters your own figure. While I hesitate to describe my style as “vintage”, since to me that would involve a collection of vintage garments, I do draw incredible inspiration from 1940s, 50s and 60s fashion.

This blog will be a diary of my personal style including photos, tips & tricks, inspiration, reviews, shopping finds, ongoing project updates and whatever else I can think of to entertain you. Please feel free to participate but do keep a positive attitude!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to see you again!

xoxo

Dolly Monroe

Banner photo and above photo by If You Fall Photography

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