Back to WOOORK!! - 8/22/11

           Ok Monday... we get it.  You can stop now.  Everytime I turn around it's Monday!  I feel like it was just Monday like 7 days ago!  Oh well... I have to apologize for my lack of posting.  My job has kept me extra busy to where I had barely enough time to write anything but emails.  But now I'm back and you're safe.

           So I was on Zappos and I came across the vintage looking men's shoes... and that gots my brain to thinking.  How fly would I look if I revamped my wardrobe to be entirely 1920s?!  Talk about SUPER DUPER WOOORK!  Now I haven't decided if this is something I am actually going to do.  After all it would require A LOT of commitment and a decent amount of money.  Swanky clothes ain't cheap...  but I would look pretty WOOORK!!

I'll take one of each... in 3 every color.

The is NOTHING better than a vintage tux.

Philip - In Brooklyn

Back to WOOORK!! - 3/21/11

            Ladies and Gents today is the 1st day of SPRING!!  It also happens to be everyone's FAVORITE day of the week... Monday.  So let the bells ring out and let us all rejoice the wonderful season which is Spring!

             We have some help from Mr. J.C. Leyendecker to ring in this most wonderful of seasons, but here in NYC it did little good.  It's raining and threats of snow are on the horizon.  Honestly?!  What is the point of Spring if it's gonna be gross out.  Anyhow enough ranting... get back to WOOORK!!

Philip - In Brooklyn

I Wanna Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Yall!  

Go get some spiked nog and try not to punch your brother/sister too hard!

Here's hoping you have a good time!

 

 

Philip - In Brooklyn

Twas the Night Before the Night Before Christmas

            And not creature was stirring except the Arrow Shirt Collar Man, reading this classic Christmas tale so a few lucky kids.  Obviously they aren't his kids.  He's too stylish to be saddled with rugrats.  So have a delicious cognac you deserve it. 

 

Philip - In Brooklyn

Happy Thanksgivin's!

Happy Thanksgivin's Patterned History Readers!

            Sorry this comes a bit late in the day but guess who got stuck with cooking duty.  That's right, I did.  But it's ok.  I kind of enjoy being a host.  People get to make Donna Reed comparisons and that is NEVER bad.  

            I hope everyone ate more than they should have and said some snide comments to their least favorite family member.  My gift to you on this day of thanks is the J.C. Leyendecker painting commemorating Thanksgiving 1928.  I don't know much about this painting since I'm too full to research it further.  The couch is where I am and also where I'll stay for the rest of the night.  But hey, the footballer is easy on the eyes so it's got that going for it.

Philip - In Brooklyn

OBSESSING – The Cocoon Coat

            Obsession is a tough thing to live with, especially when it’s worn by the devastatingly handsome quarterback of your high school football team.  But it’s not the Calvin Klein fragrance I am referring to this time.  It’s that keep you up at night kind of obsession.  It’s the; you should be working but instead your surfing the web looking for answers kind of obsession.  Currently I’m opining about Cocoon Coats…
            When I was a young buck in the stone ages of the 1980s  I would watch endless hours of the Disney Channel, which for some reason played a lot of old school musicals, I ain’t bitchin!  And there in the radioactive glow of the tube I sat stone cold as the opening of “My Fair Lady” began.  The opera let out and a sea of Cecil Beaton clad beauties descended the grand stair case.  Every last one of those high class hoochies was wearing a cocoon coat in every color imaginable, and there began my obsession with that shaped garment. 

Cecil Beaton - Showing how it's done.

            So after years of learning to sew and honing my craft as a designer I’ve decided to put a cocoon coat in my “Cue of Projects”.  I’m planning on using Folkwear’s Poiret Coat #503 as a base and then altering the pattern to get the dramatic shape I want.  Since I’m only in the early stages of brainstorming and planning I’ve been doing some research on the cocoon coat and Paul Poiret, since that seems to be one of his key shapes.  So far Daddy likes what he sees.  Lush fabrics, fancy closures, art deco motifs with a hint of orientalism, what’s not to love?

Folkwear #503

Poiret

A contemporary cocoon by Galliano

J.C. Leyendecker showing how a cocoon should be worn.

            I’ll keep you guys posted.  I just wanted to give you a peek of what’s on deck.

-Philip in  Brooklyn

SPECIAL DELIVERY!

            So I come back from lunch and what did I find?!  Bound INSPIRATION!  I ordered two books from this little mom and pop book website called Amazon.com, and they finally arrived today!  WOO HOO!
            Hand-Manipulated Stitches for the Machine Knitter: by Susan Guaglimi and J.C. Leyendecker: by Laurence S. Cutler and Judy Goffman Cutler, I wonder if they’re bother and sister.  I’m gonna be pouring over these for the next few days so you best believe I’ll have future posts on these subjects!

-Philip in Brooklyn