A Night in the 40s with The Black Pinafore

 

This past Saturday was the annual "A Night in the 40s" dance held at the CAF Museum out at Falcon Field. This USO-styled event is always a grand time, and this year I asked Debora of The Black Pinafore to make my frock for the dance. I always make an appearance as Betty Grable during this event, but like to wear something eye-catching for the rest of the evening. I came across a 1940s French fashion illustration of two stunning dresses, one with a red, white, and blue striped front, and the other with a dramatically low back, and immediately knew that a dress that combined the two designs would be the perfect look. Debora was happy to turn my design dream into reality, and the finished frock certainly did not disappoint!

The dress is made primarily from a vibrant royal blue fabric with the feel of a vintage rayon, and accented with red and white stripes. Each stripe ties and forms a peekaboo cutout; these peekaboo cutouts, along with the delightfully bare back, combine to make a dress perfect for a 1940s starlet!

As usual, Debora's work is simply amazing. I cannot tell you how impressed I am with the quality of her work; she finishes everything beautifully and does an impressive job of fitting the dress to the wearer's measurements from across the world. The dress needed only a few minor tweaks because of the open back; Chris of Vee Vin Tage took care of these finishing touches.

I paired the dress with my beloved white platforms by Johnson's Shoes, a WWII red Lucite heart necklace and matching earrings (the necklace is adorned with a naval insignia), and a carved Lucite bracelet.

Doug Monce of Atomic Age Pictures captured these images; as we were walking around, one of the museum staff members asked if we like to take some photos of me standing on the wing of a P-51 Mustang. Would I?  Of course! I will say that standing on the wing in tall platform shoes is a bit challenging, though not nearly as challenging as figuring out how to get down in the same heels!

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Pinks and Greens

I have been slowly building a collection of cheesecake military uniforms, and for this year's Rockabilly Rules event, I decided it was high time I joined the Army Air Corps. Vee Vin Tage made my 'pinks and greens' uniform, using chocolate and tan gabardine along with buttons from a WWII uniform and an 8th Air Force patch. After pairing my uniform with a vintage garrison cap and a pair of brown heels, I was ready for duty!

These photos were taken by Matt Carson at his studio--I hope you like them!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

The Diner Girl

I am very excited to announce that my image is now gracing the side of the 5 & Diner food truck!  The photo was taken by Doug Monce of Atomic Age pictures and the pose/design was inspired by WWII nose art; Vee Vin Tage created the fabulous Diner Girl 'uniform.' Marketing just revealed a sneak preview of the finished artwork, and I couldn't wait to share it here!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Having a Nautical Time at Rockabilly Rules III

Yesterday was the third annual Rockabilly Rules, a benefit event that supports the Pinup Angels. This group puts together care packages for military serving overseas, and all proceeds from the event go towards the care packages. This year had a great turnout of guests who came out to see the best of the local rockabilly bands (who all donate their time), along with burlesque dancers and plenty of awesome vendors. The 5&Diner was there to serve up awesome food and milkshakes (all while braving the scorching heat), and there was even a retro barber shop set up.

My outfit was created by Vee Vin Tage; for the first Rockabilly Rules, she made me a cheesecake version of a Marine uniform. This year, I decided to join the Navy! My two-piece outfit was made from navy blue gabardine, and I accessorized it with a vintage Navy hat (from Matilda's Closet, I believe this one dates to the 40s), 1940s leather platforms, a 1940s anchor pin, and rhinestone-studded red earrings.

These photos were taken by 60's Model Photography--we ventured out into the blazing sun to snap a few pics. I'm quite pleased with how they turned out!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Ink and Iron

A couple of weekends ago my Sweetie and I headed out to the Ink and Iron festival.  His band had been booked to perform at the event, and we were quite exited to visit the Queen Mary!  It was quite a treat to appear at such a fun event on such a beautiful ship.  Our visit was a whirlwind three days, and of course I took hardly any photos (sometimes I wonder why I even bother bringing a camera, I never remember to use it).  But I do have a few to share with you!

On the drive out, we stopped at the wonderfully tacky Cabazon dinosaurs.  I'm wearing an Allure Original Styles dress in navy linen with a coordinating flecked cream bolero jacket.  It was so windy that my turban refused to stay anchored!

We managed to visit the beach before the show on Saturday--I wore my Carole Landis dress by NudeeDudee, paired with a Dixabilly bolero sweater and red jewelry.

Since we performed on the ship, I couldn't resist going full-on nautical. My dress is an original design based on a 1940s Hollywood pattern and was made by Vee Vin Tage--I just love the bright blue linen collar! The patches on the sleeves are from WWII, and would have been worn by the ship's musician. I was quite excited to find these--my grandfather was in the Navy, and although he wasn't a Navy musician, he was a trumpet player who performed in many bands. I think he would have been pleased with my choice!

Before we drove home on Sunday, we stopped in Newport Beach to see the ocean one more time (and I snuck in a little shopping at Swellegant--I love that shop!).  I wore another Vee Vin Tage custom design--this one a red, white, and blue floral rayon dress trimmed in white pique--along with one of my trusty Arthelia's Attic snoods.

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

I recently modeled this dress in a recent photo shoot for Vee Vin Tage.  The beguiling yellow and black roses were too much for me to resist, and so now this dress has a home in my closet!

Vee Vin Tage is taking custom orders for this fifties-style dress, which features a fold-over neckline, wide straps, and a floaty skirt.  I cannot sing enough praises for this mother-daughter design team—no detail is overlooked in any of their creations!

These photos were taken by my friend Matt Carson on a lovely Sunday afternoon in the town of Jerome. 

xoxo,Amanda Lee

Join the Space Rangers!

Just a few "recruiting posters" from a project Doug Monce and I are working on--we'll be filming a short video to go along with this retro space look!

The costume is another amazing design by Vee Vin Tage.  Seriously, this creative team can make anything you can imagine!  This outfit was based on a 1940s pattern and made up in the super space age "liquid lame."  The boots I'm wearing were a F21 impulse buy from a few years ago--I had to have them but had no idea how to style them.  Now that I have my very own space girl outfit I finally know what to wear them with!
xoxo,
Amanda Lee