Hiss and Hearse

Lots of gorgeous things to share today! One of my favorite photographers, Angela Boatwright, has updated her online portfolio. You may have seen her work for Urban Outfitters, or her amazing personal collection of portraits of metal kids. I wrote to her once, and she told me that you don’t need a photography school education to be a good photographer.

My most recent Etsy purchase, the beautiful Augusta Necklace by my friend Millie, the lady behind Heresy Designs.

A peek inside my friend Alexandra Tyler’s 15 years worth of vintage collecting. It’s like a mid-century boutique store in her Oakland home. Makes me drool at the thought that she might have a private, invitation-only sale!

My lovely friend and Owner of Bows & Arrows, Olivia Coelho, has a new line called Miss Chief of California. I love her elastic skirts, which are one of a kind and can only be purchased at Bows!

I swear, Richard Wayne is the cutest! Read his latest Unisex-y installment on ModCloth.

Accidental entrepreneurs a sign of the economy? My friend and business owner, Lisa Marie, is making it happen!

Finally, a little sneak treat at a happy accident that occurred in this amazing warehouse photo shoot I did with Amber Mortensen of PainfullyHip.com.

Do you have any favorite links to share with us?  Tell us the things that are making you happy!

Kate Spade’s Fall ‘09 Lookbook

Miss Hearse:
Fall is my favorite time of year, I always look forward to the change in season and clothing! In my opinion, cooler weather means more attractive fashions! This year, I am hoping to spend the season with Mr. Hiss in Pennsylvania (keep your fingers crossed for me please) in which I will truly see the meaning of autumn leaves changing color!  What does this mean for my wardrobe? I am thinking layers: vintage coats, the perfect black trench (which is a constant search of mine), velvet blazers, and secretary blouses under sweaters, antique brooches, paired with knitted tights and cute cone heels.

Kate Spade designed my dream pumps: four inches, black suede, and a heart embellishment? Yes please! I also think being back East will require adding more boots to my life, I really love ModCloth’s white, Signature Walk Booties. I’m also really obsessed with the cage heel phenomenon, I think paired with opaque tights, this pair would look really adorable.

I’m still going to stick with pencil skirts, but I have been on the lookout for pants. I honestly just don’t know where to start, I have not worn them (minus the yoga variety) in over five years! Suggestions? Still not ready for jeans, but maybe a nice trouser.

Mr. Hiss:

Basically, I will wear the same things I always wear, picking up pieces here and there as I come across them in my shopping adventures. My style tends to evolve very slowly over years, as I’m not easily swayed by current trends (because, let’s face it – most men’s clothing is not very interesting, nor is there much to choose from). I do, however, love the idea of the skinny fit trend of men’s pants. But I HATE the tapered legs that accompany these jeans. Won’t someone please! please! please! create a men’s skinny trouser or jean with bootcut pantlegs that will fit over my boots and not make my already short legs look even shorter?

Photos from BlackBook’s amazing “The Outsiders” themed photo shoot.

Tell us what you are planning to don this season!  Any favorite items or trends?  We both love to shop, send us your fall fashion secrets!

This week so many electronic treasures have been found! Like, my discovery of Knock Out’s new line of matte nail polish. I really want the black satin on my fingers now! Browse those colors and listen to Nick Cave, who always puts a spell on me.

Fall LookBooks are popping up everywhere! Check out this circus inspired “Cirque 21″ from Forever21, and Tulle’s Fall fashions are so adorable (I especially love the retro classroom photography). The Horror Girl Collection from Topshop is my dream come true!

My darling Lindsay at ModCloth, explains to us the difference between a shift and a sheeth dress.

My new beauty blog obsession is spoiled pretty, where you can even subscribe to daily beauty newsletters! Make-up artist Bobbi Brown has a new website, which looks gorgeous and is full products that I want, including her award winning long-wear gel eyeliner.

How is the warm weather treating you dear readers? What has been inspiring you? Making you smile and dance? Send your links my way–lately, I am in need of some more positivity and sunshine in this life.

Photo by Ryan Brett Puckett, 2009

“I recommend that everybody dig deep to find their passion and strive to be the best doing that thing that drives you.”
-Amithyst

Five years ago, I met this lady when I lived in Sacramento and not only needed a fantastic hairdresser, but a photography partner, too. It all started with a desk lamp and gold light disk- we’d make art in her bathroom with the light reflecting on a model! Many nights have been spent drinking cocktails and philosophizing about life and fashion. Perhaps we are friends because both of us have an undying love for Betsey Johnson, polka dots, red lipstick and champagne. Recently Amithyst opened up her own salon, and it just made perfect sense in her career. She has come a long way and I am excited to see where she will go.

Name: Amithyst
Location: Amithyst Boutique Salon, Midtown Sacramento
Occupation: Salon Owner, Art/Creative Director, Architect of Hair

Who is the lady behind the hair? Why hair? Any secrets you want to share with us?
I graduated high school early and so all of my friends who were still in school would come to my house for me to do their hair and make up for the dances. They would get money from their parents to get it done professionally, but the parents never knew that I was really the one doing it! I guess it just came as a natural passion for me. My mom and grandmother would pay me to brush and play with their hair since I can remember. I never got my hair professionally coloured until I worked in a salon. I used to do bleach highlights painted on with a toothbrush, which actually turns out to be a very current process in colouring hair, and I use that technique now, just with a brush meant for color.

Photo by Kristin Cofer, 2009

Inspirations?
Odile Gilbert. She is an amazing French Hairdresser who does all of the high fashion hair for Gaultier, Galliano, and so many more. I would love to learn from her. My boyfriend photographer Ryan Brett Puckett is an inspiration to me because I love the way he sees things and he makes the most beautiful images. I try not to look at too many fashion based websites and magazines, though, because I don’t want to be too influenced and inspired by images I have already seen. I feel like I am more true to myself when I don’t have someone else’s photographs stuck in my head. I don’t ever want to be so inspired that I copy someone, even subconsciously.

Tell us about owning your own business? Is this the best thing you’ve ever done? Any advice for other people who want to do their own thing?
I am enjoying having my very own salon so far. At first it was lonely because I came from working with a large group of people at Spanish Fly Hair Garage*. Now that I am finally getting used to being alone, another hairdresser, Karli, is starting this week, so I will now have to adjust to having someone else always there. Having to do all of the little things I took for granted is interesting for sure, like laundry, and trash, and dishes. I really enjoy all of the little special things I can do for my clients now that I am in control of those kinds of things. I stock either strawberries or raspberries for each client’s beverage, which is usually champagne! Also I stock popcicles now that it’s summer, chocolates, sour patch straws, and perfume in the restroom for the clients to use before they exit the salon with their beautiful, shiny hair! I will be converting my other room into two more stations, so four of us in my space should be an adventure. I recommend that everybody dig deep to find their passion and strive to be the best doing that thing that drives you.

Photo by Ryan Brett Puckett, 2009

Favorite products?
Bumble and Bumble, of course. I am enjoying my Difiaba but do not know if I can carry it any longer. I think I am going to be carrying a mixture of things: Moroccan Oil Products, Pravana, possibly Davines. On myself, I use Bumble Surf Spray on towel dried hair and then blow dry.

When did you start collaborating with photographers? What do you love about fashion photography?
I started seeking out models and photographers about 7 years ago. I would go to the thrift stores to put together wardrobe, and it was so cheesy. I had to do this for a while to realize what models and photographers I could work with and how hair and make up read in photographs. I still hate my work, but I am hoping to hate it less and less. I am so very critical about my own work. I pick apart everything. Now, though, after years of these processes, I have been able to pass the information that I’ve garnered on to people I have worked with in the salons I have worked at. I really enjoy being an Art/Creative Director in the photoshoot process. I am not just there to do hair–I want more control and input into the making of these images I attach my name to. Luckily, I think that my boyfriend (Ryan Brett Puckett) is the most amazing photographer I have ever met, so I plan on restarting my whole portfolio with his help.

If you made me a mix tape, what are three songs you would put on it?
Any songs from these three artists:
Thelonious Monk
Billie Holiday
Nat King Cole Trio

What is the future of “Amithyst”?
Hopefully success and happiness for all involved and invested in this new salon! Someday I would love to make a book, but I think that is years down the road. Personally? My goal is to have an agent that will do the work of hooking me up with high fashion models, photographers and designers, so I will continue to aim and focus my energy in that direction. In the meantime, come get your hair done and have some champagne and chocolate!!!

*(Editors Note: A Sacramento Salon that was featured on the Hit Reality TV Show Split Ends!)

Links:
Amithyst

Since the launch of Hiss & Hearse, there’s been a lot of Hearsin’ and not much Hissin’ (for anyone who hasn’t caught on yet, it’s a play on the phrase “His and Hers”). So here I am to inject a little male influence up in this joint.

I’ve been back from my trip east for just over a week now. It was an exhausting trip full of shuttling around the state of Pennsylvania to pay visits to my friends in Pittsburgh and my family in Williamsport in an attempt to see everyone I’ve ever known in such a short period of time, during which I was also trying to get some freelance work done. I was so jet-lagged most of the time, I wasn’t even sure if I was speaking English, so it’s a great wonder to me how I landed the job I went to interview for while in the Steel City.

Since being back, Kristin and I have worked on a photo shoot for Painfullyhip.com in Sacramento. Kristin did all of the photography, of course, while I did all of the light disc handling and hunger-induced moaning (note to self: always bring snacks to a shoot). One of the locations where we shot was this kind of imported world antiques store called Tasha’s. Here there was a bunch of Mexican Day of the Dead paraphernalia, including a mariachi suit with which I’m now obsessed. There was no price tag on it, though, which generally means I can’t afford it. Regardless, it looked much like this, only red:

Which reminds me…I’ve often toyed with the idea of sporting a Mexican poncho a la Clint Eastwood in his westerns. People have told me to go for it, but I’m concerned that posing off of a particular culture may offend those a part of it. But, damn, just look at how a poncho looked on this gringo!

Continuing on with the theme of the dead, at our next location, my eyes fell upon–via a show poster magneted to the refrigerator–the best damn band name I could have ever thought up but never did: Dead Western. I inquired about this band and quickly learned that it was a solo acoustic artist who possesses a deep, operatic voice. My interest piqued, I looked into him later on that night and found myself haunted by the bass timbre boiling out from this man’s throat as I listened to his music on Myspace. Recommended listening if low, resonating voices a la Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash, Calvin Johnson, Tom Waits, etc. captivate you.

Kristin got a new BUST (the magazine, you perv) in the mail the other day and pointed out to me yet another feature in a major magazine touting rockabilly fashions as back in vogue. The article is titled On The Road and features a gentleman named Joseph Plunket (who apparently is a musician with a group called “The Weight“) wearing a gingham button down shirt, slim/skinny jeans, cowboy boots, and the most perfectly pomaded pompadour upon which I’ve had the pleasure of placing my greasy gaze in a long time. It’s as if the stylist for the shoot raided my closet and my medicine cabinet.

Is this classic, cool look now getting the respect it deserves in the “underground fashionista circles” (for lack of a better phrase)? Too often have I heard disparaging remarks directed at rockabillies and their music made by too-cool-too-care-how-I-look indie rock scenester types (I hate to break it to them, but making an anti-fashion statement is still making a fashion statement).

Recently, much to my delight, I have been noticing 1950’s/early 1960’s styles creeping their way into current fashion trends. Take, for instance, a recent DIESEL/DIESEL BLACK GOLD editorial from Flaunt issue 101 entitled “The Loveless” (a reference to one of my favorite movies–an identically titled biker flick, starring Willem Dafoe). Denim, leather, and gravity-defining pompadours appear prominently here as do plaids, cigarette pants, and a little bit of grit and grease, all recalling blue-collar, mid-century aesthetics.

Vice Magazine also recently ran their Global Trend Report 2009, which takes a look at fashion trends city by city, and rockabilly looks are making a comeback in New York.

Keeping with the vintage theme of this entry, I thought I’d also share my first attempt at embroidery! Thanks to my dear friend, Tiffany, I am now equipped with the tools and the know-how to do my own clothing embellishments. Eventually, I would like to stitch some designs onto some of my western shirts; but to start, as a birthday present for him, I embroidered my friend Jose’s initials in vintage tattoo lettering on a plain white handkerchief. The result:

I still have a lot of learning and practicing to do, but I’m pretty happy with it as a first shot.

Also, my mind is currently occupied with thoughts of my trip back to Pittsburgh, where I will be interviewing for a really cool copy writing job at a popular online clothing retailer! Not only that, but it’s been about eight months or so since I’ve seen any of my friends or family back east (with the exception of Rachel and Tiffany who both made their ways out to the Bay Area on separate occasions), so I’m eager to visit with my loved ones. Though, my excitement about this trip is somewhat tempered by knowing I’m going to sorely miss my lovely partner for a period of time.

Oddly enough, during the same afternoon that I booked my flight for my interview, I got two emails offering me work in the Bay Area! One offer was some freelance writing for the company Kristin works for. This I’ve accepted, and I will put the money I earn toward some of my air fare. When it rains, it pours.

The Japanese, as a culture, have a reputation for taking things to the extreme. Their social clubs are no exception. On Sunday afternoons in Tokyo’s Yoyogi park, the Tokyo Rockabilly Club gathers to flaunt their twisting dance moves and foot-high pompadours for curious passersby drawn to this whirling swarm of black leather.

I’m drawn to this group’s apparent ignorance of the golly-gee-aw-schucks, Chuck Taylor-wearing type of rockabilly and their adoption of a darker, more dangerous, more mysterious, motorcycle greaser look. They take a vintage look and slap a thin coat of modern polish on it. This is the same aesthetic I’ve been cultivating for years now. I’ve found my sartorial brethren!

More than just look hard, these cats dance hard. If you look closely at their winklepicker or cowboy boots, you’ll notice duct tape protecting them from getting shredded as they spin, slide, and shuffle on the pavement.  And where can I find those trousers?

I discovered in my brief internet research that the Tokyo Rockabilly Club once boasted an impressive 900 members. Today, sadly, that number has dwindled to only nine!

For those Tokyo ‘Billys still rockin’, I salute you!

I’ve only made about four or five friends in the Bay Area since moving here from Pittsburgh, PA a few months ago, and Jose Reyes is one of them.  I’d seen pictures of this early-twenty-something Hispanic guy prior to our meeting, and my first impression was that this guy must be a snotty little hipper-than-thou punk brat.  You know–one of those guys you love to hate, yet something inside of you secretly envies his youth, his full head of hair, his ability to be seemingly able to pull off any look with ease.

Then I met Jose and found that he is undeniably hip, undeniably youthful, and he undeniably possesses the kind of long, pin-straight, silken hair that women would kill for.   But it also turns out that Jose–or Kid Jeffrey Lee Congo Pierce-Powers, as I’ve affectionately nicknamed him–is a harmless pup with a good, warm heart beating in his chest.  We share a love of many bands and an affinity for turquoise jewelry.   I am happy then, that Jose–with idiosyncrasies in full effect–was willing to step into the Men’s Style Spotlight.

Describe your style in your own words.
The tribe.

What kinds of things influence your style? I’d say you have quite an LA glam/punk kind of look. Did the time you lived in LA have a big effect on you?
Haha. The LA glam scene is kinda of a joke, but thanks.  I can’t say LA influenced me a lot because a lot of the kids are into hair-metal and always hangout at the Rainbow or Whiskey.  It made me not want to be like them, so I guess it didn’t have any affect on my style.  As for music, I’d say a lot has attributed to my style, from bands like the Gun Club, the Joneses, the Dogs D’Amour, Hanoi Rocks, to more simple tastes like Gene Vincent, Chuck Berry, Little Richard.

Do you have any style icons?
Jeffrey Lee Pierce [of the Gun Club] and, ummm, Andy McCoy [of Hanoi Rocks].

There is often a social stigma placed on highly stylish men by ‘normal’ society that we must be weak, effeminate, or even homosexual. Have you run into this problem having long hair and dressing the way you do? If so, how have you dealt with or responded to this?
Hahaha, yeah many dudes yelling “fag!” I just ignore it until it gets serious, then I’m knockin’ heads. Just because I got style, have long hair, and wear jewelry don’t mean I can’t defend myself.

How do you find the things you wear? Do you shop mostly second-hand, for example?
Thrift stores, vintage stores, friends, friends of friends. Sometimes stealing came in to play, but that’s more how I was a few years ago.

Besides looking cool, what else is it that you do? Do you have any sort of fashion–or otherwise artistic–aspirations? You might have a promising future in a Gun Club cover band, ya know.
Playing music would be nice. [My past usage of] heroin blocked a lot of me wanting to do anything positive, so I’d say these days I would pick up the bass and jam with some cool cats. I’d say you and me have a good chance of starting up a Gun Club-sounding band. Or maybe I could so some modeling, but I doubt I’m good lookin’/skinny enough.

Speaking of Gun Club, can you make a list of your top five or so favorite bands?
The Gun Club
Sick Pleasure
Dogs D’Amour
The Joneses
198x

Do you pay attention to any fashion/style media to collect ideas?
Not really.

When did you start paying close attention to how you look? Has this current version of Jose been a long, slow evolution process, or have you gone through your share of fly-by-night fashion phases?
Maybe when I was, like, 11, I got into thug style. Haha. But yeah, that’s like the only over-night change. At 14, I was into punk and hardcore. At 16, I got into more old-school rock-n-roll, and I just slowly progressed, never making an over-night change. I hate that poser kids in LA will go clubbing all ghetto scene, then the next week they’re metal Motley Crue wannabes.

Do you have any final words, advice, philosophy, etc. you’d like to share?
What’s that smell? Smells like punk.

…And I imagine that smells a little something like B.O., hairspray, and spite all wrapped up and conveniently packaged in a studded leather jacket. Thanks, for the interview, Jose!

I first saw the work of the adorable London based fashion designer, LouLou, via graphic design fashion blogger Nubbytwiglet. Ever since that magical electronic introduction, I have been hooked on her creations. What girl wouldn’t enjoy giant bows, frilly knickers, and lace collars? Everything is a dream and I am most honored to present to you, dear reader, the fashion and thoughts of LouLou Androlia.

“…It’s Brat Pack Demi Moore meets Buffy nerd meets Angela Chase meets Sailorette meets Lolita.  But really I just like to dress up!”
-Loulou Androlia

Name: Loulou Androlia
Location: London, England
Occupation: Fashion Designer

Is your real name LouLou? Were you named after someone? Where did “LouLou” come from?
My birth name is Louise but only a few people call me that.  Most people nickname me as Lou or Loulou, and Loulou is what I prefer to be called, easy as that!

When did you start making and selling clothes? Why?
Loulou Loves You! has been open for business since July 2007. I’d never made and sold anything prior to that. It basically came as a natural progression to the end of the classes I was taking. I loved what I had created and so, instinctively, I wanted to see if anyone else did too.

Did you study fashion in school?
I’d always envisioned my life as a painter because that’s what I had in mind by studying Fine Art at college. Things change as they do! I never finished my degree in Fine Art because I became ill for a number of years (with Fibromyalgia). During and after my recovery I felt like my time was becoming more precious and I desperately wanted to learn some ’skills’. So I took classes in Pattern Cutting and Dressmaking which, combined with my growing knicker obsession, ended up prompting me to move on to a City and Guilds in Lingerie. So I got here bit by bit in a roundabout way, different to most, and I still feel like there is so much that I could learn. I used to worry about having not taken an ‘official’ fashion degree, but now I only see that as a positive thing that inspires me to study more in the future.

Tell me ten of your favorite anythings!
Animals
Greek Mythology
Edamame beans
Nebulae
Bows
My goddaughter
Middle of the night text messages
Stationary
Sexual innuendos
VIPTV.NET

What music are you listening to?
Right now I’m listening to my iTunes on shuffle and it’s playing me the best playlist I didn’t even realize I had!
Generally I listen to a lot of music that I grew up listening to with my Dad, who strictly will only listen to 50’s and 60’s music. Some of my favourites are Roy Orbison, Del Shannon, and The Shangri La’s. Recently on repeat, I’ve been playing Kate Bush, Bauhaus, Sleeping States, and The Magnetic Fields. I’m pretty lucky, too, because most of my friends are super music talents and I always have new bands to go and check out.

Do you ever find yourself in an artistic slump? What helps you get out of it?
I suffer from the terribly serious diseases of Ennui and Procrastination quite often! I find the best way to get out of an artistic slump is to just leave what you are doing and do something else, preferably something that might inspire you, or a good walk to get some air. I get stuck often because my studio is in my house and I just need to be out of here for an hour. This is hard when you’re on a deadline of course. I have tried to get myself into the habit of setting myself a list of what I’m going to do during the day, a realistic one I mean or otherwise you get overwhelmed and do absolutely nothing. Once you’ve achieved some things you feel great and then less guilty about your slump. Sometimes, though, you just have to ride it out and hope your good ideas come rushing back.

How would you describe your personal style?
I love to dress for an occasion, and accessorizing is my favourite, so often I think of that part first and work around it. Always bows–giant bows!–lace, sequins, plaid, collars and even colour coordinating things like my glasses or my notebook to my outfit.

When I was ill I used to call my look ‘Fibromyalgia chic’, but now I would say its Brat Pack Demi Moore meets Buffy nerd meets Angela Chase meets Sailorette meets Lolita.  But really I just like to dress up! I do wear jeans, but it’s not that often.  If I’m being casual, it’s because I’m wearing a hoody with a lace dress. I also know what suits me and am very unlikely to wear something just because it’s ‘in’. At the moment I either completely colour and pattern clash or dress completely black and white. I’m actually in the process of clearing my wardrobe and starting over, I have 70 dresses but I only wear about 5.  I want 70 that I wear!

Congratulations on the Vogue mention! Has this affected your business? Are you a one woman show? Is this your full time job?
Thank you! The bit in VOGUE was really awesome.  I’m so excited that they like me, and I’ve had a lot of support from one of the fashion editors there. It’s definitely one dream ticked off the list. I got a great boom in the knickers business for Christmas because of it, which meant I was happily sewing away right up until the last minute.

Yes, I am currently a one woman show.  It’s too much for me to do everything, but I can’t really afford to bring other people in yet, although I’m going to take on an intern this year which I’m excited about! I do have a great friend helping me with press, too, as that is one thing that I find very difficult to do because I’m not a PR person at all.

This is my full-time job, but I also squeeze in one day a week at a Couture wear latex boutique which has helped me learn a lot about running a small business and makes for some interesting stories too. I love it there and find that being out of my studio for a day makes me more likely to get on with my work when I’m here.

Any advice to other ladies pursuing the dream of owning their own business?
Definitely just go for it, but make sure you start out with a good business plan. It’s so important to have an idea of what you want to do and where you see yourself going. Also to consider everything that you can think of and all the ifs and buts because problems always crop up out of nowhere. Don’t be afraid to follow you dreams because everyone has to start off somewhere. Ask every person you know for their input and ideas because it’s a lot easier when you have the support of your friends and family.

Favorite Loulou item?
Currently it’s the Lola Collar, I wear mine all the time. I’ve just made a new version with some limited run vintage lace that I’ll hopefully put up soon. It’s totally swoon worthy.

Other online shops you adore?
fredflare
helplessromantic
magic pony
pixie market

What is next for Loulou?
I’m currently working on an huge collaboration with another designer. I can’t talk about it just yet, but I can say that I think it’s going to make my year really exciting, and my stomach is in a whirlwind with how excited I am to be involved.

Other than that, I’ve just just brought out a few new knicker styles for my Winter 09 line and working on some designs in my head that I will bring out when I have some more time.

I just have a really good feeling about this year. I think one good thing that can come out of the recession is that people’s creativity will be sparked.

Any advice, tips, love to share in general?
Hummmm…Don’t believe that you can’t make changes in your life if you want to, don’t ignore your gut instincts, ice cream will make you feel better, listen to what other people have to say because you can always learn something, make folders on your laptop filled with anything and everything you find and love because they are great to come back to when you need an inspiration boost, everyone needs a pet so go get that kitten. Oh, and say yes to everything in 2009!

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