A Special Gift

I've been sewing my heart out over this very special project: a gift for one of the loveliest ladies in Hollywood. More photos to come once it's all packed and ready to go, with the exquisite touch of the very talented John James of John James Designs. For now, you'll just have to be content with a teaser photo... or visit the HCH Facebook page for more sneak peeks!

Now on Etsy: The Darcy Deco Camisole

Peplums are literally everywhere this season. This year's Met Ball attendees proudly wore the pretty skirted detail, and even swimsuits are taking on the shape, with pieces by Marc by Marc Jacobs and Zinke being the most notable standouts.

I've had a peplum Deco Cami sketch tucked away in my notebook for awhile now, so with peplums all the rage, what better time to break it out? I played with the existing Deco Camisole pattern and added a little ruffle flounce at the waist, which adds a touch of kickiness and a whole lot of shape. Behold: the first iteration of my peplumed pretty, Darcy.

Darcy Peplum Deco Camisole

My itsy bitsy dress form doesn't do Darcy justice - she really needs to be worn to be believed! Check her out in the Etsy shop and let me know what you think!

Get the Ring!

Love this, via the always-amazing How To Be A Retronaut. Wish I could still order one!

Preview: Dixie Ribbon Corset and Ernesta Bow Belt

I sold one of my favorite pieces at Urban Air Market this past weekend: the Trini Ribbon Corset. If you've been following Honey Cooler Handmade, you know Trini was around for quite awhile. She was my first Ribbon Corset, drafted directly from an extant piece... so, tiny. She never fit any of my customers because, let's face it, who has a 20 inch waist in this day in age besides Dita Von Teese?

Apparently, though, Dita's not the only tiny-waisted vixen out there - Trini found a home early in the day on Sunday, and I was at once happy and sad to see her go. Never fear, though, a new linen lovely will be listed in the Etsy shop tomorrow: The Dixie Ribbon Corset. She's quite a bit bigger, perfect for an average size small or medium woman. I would have listed her today, but (corsetiere nightmare of nightmares) I ran out of bones.

Top: Dixie Ribbon Corset, Bottom: Ernesta Bow Belt

Tomorrow, I'll also be listing the Ernesta Bow Belt, which features one of the most stunning brocades I've ever seen atop a crisp petersham waistband and a waterfall of bow action, front and center.

If you simply can't wait til tomorrow, scope out the Ribbon Corsets and Bow Belts already in stock over at the HCH shop.

Photography by Adam Aguilar

New photography by the uber-talented Adam Aguilar. Coming down off the craziness of Urban Air Market has put this post on the back burner for the past week, but I'm pleased to share it with you now!

Left: Stella Moonshine Chemise | Right: Carmen Deco Camisole, Blondelle Knickers

Top: Lucky Star Deco Camisole | Bottom: Alice Deco Camisole

Photographer: Adam Aguilar
Model: Katherine Green
Makeup: Mikey Strider

Fashion Love Affair: Warm Weather Style

Summer's in the air in San Francisco, and I couldn't be happier. So far my warm weekends have found me walking through the Mission, wearing sandals and lazing around eating oysters at Tomales Bay. Sunny weather inevitably means summery fashion, and I wanted to share some of my favorite warm weather faves from Net-A-Porter and La Garconne. Fun and exquisitely made without being fussy, these pieces are definitely on my radar for the warmer months!

Vanessa Bruno Athé Silk and Cotton Blend Voile Dress ($425), Chloé Marcie Messenger Bag ($1265), Isabel Marant Fresh Thin Cuff ($130), Alexander McQueen Leather Gladiator Sandals ($995), Rachel Comey Revival Bikini ($235)

Flapper Fashion at PFW, LFW, MFW | Autumn/Winter 2012

I couldn't help but swoon over New York Fashion Week's neo-flapper offerings for Fall 2012. Each covetable dress felt like the embodiment of la vraie garçonne, and I wanted each piece to miraculously land in my closet on the double. That being said, Paris, Milan and London Fashion Weeks' shows boasted something a little different different: diversity. Think impossibly feminine chiffon columns contrasted with heavy fabric gowns, angular cutaways, sheer chevrons and corseted leather (!) flapper dresses. Simply jaw-droppingly different.

I'm going to take a moment to set aside my vintage fashion purism and tip my hat to the anything-but-customary Europeans. Check out some of my favorite looks from London, Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks below and prepare to fall in love with Deco in a totally different way!

Tall, Dark, and Handsome: Pucci, Kenzo, John Galliano

Pops of Color: Versus, John Galliano, Givenchy, Jil Sander, Holly Fulton

Ghostly Flapper: Nina Ricci, John Galliano, Nina Ricci