By Lady Sadie
What’s your personal style? At every age, choosing a signature look is a bit of crisis. Right now, I’m a fan of Iris Apfel, 70s disco, 60s hippie and Diane Keaton updated in this year’s purple, olive, and dark brown hues. Fast fashion isn’t for me, and it’s not sustainable.
As you search for holiday attire, why not consider something unique, vintage, or bespoke from local artists: Pippa Pelure, Sartorial, Elizabeth’s Boutique, Paris Isabella, Misred Outfitters, ArtPool, REtreat, Valhalla Resale, Pieces of a Dream, Designer Consigner, So Chic or Sign of the Dolphin. Diny’s Jewelers in Treasure Island is the best spot for custom designs, diamonds, gems, rings, earrings, and necklaces. For shoes and casual wear, check out Fish Hippie and Natural Comfort on Corey Ave. and downtown St. Pete. Commission a dress from artist/fashion designer Janna Kennedy Hyten, a costume designer whose creations have appeared at the Florida CraftArt Gallery, Disney Stores and Suenos de Dali’s galas.
Nancy Niss is an artist, designer, inventor, and writer. She created an amazing dress for Jenny Bleackley based on one of her beautiful paintings, printing it on linen. “A painting is a rectangle with linear edges, but the body has shoulders, which I needed to construct. I also couldn’t cut a traditional neck opening because that would cut into the design and impede visual flow. From extra fabric I cut out individual flowers and leaves, turned under the edges and used a teeny tiny blanket stitch around the edges, piecing together an entire neckline and yoke/shoulder section. On other printed parts I stitched around the leaf edges to look as if they had been appliqued, so it has a 3-D effect. On some of the flower centers embroidery enhances the 3-D look. A tiny hand-made cloth button fastens at the neck.” Like her on FB: nancyniss.artdesign
The Radix Collection (featured image) debuts their Fall 2023 collection and we can’t get enough of Saumitra Chandratreya’s Spice Market clothing line. The motifs were designed by scanning actual dried chili peppers from K. R. Market in Bengaluru. He made these overall patterns for screen printed scrolls and are available in The Spice Market Chili Pepper pattern in two color patterns – Chili Pepper Red, Green and Yellow or Black and White – and adorns silky kimonos, perfect for evenings when you want to chill at home with your favorite spicy takeout! RadixCollection.com
