Now on Etsy: The Doris Deco Camisole

These days, I don't usually take to the blog to announce an individual new piece, but the Doris Deco Cami is a special exception.

Doris Deco Camisole

I've had a lot of requests for larger sizes over the year and Doris is my first foray into a more generously cut silhouette. I draft and drape all my patterns based on a pretty small dress form, so taking a leap even one or two sizes up from a 4 is quite a task. Doris is my first size XXL, roughly a size 16 and I am so excited to see her in action.

Doris will be making her in-person debut at A La Folie's Men's Shopping night tomorrow evening. In the meantime, check her out here.

A Little Gift with a Lot of Luxury

Still undecided on a holiday gift for your favorite Sleeping Beauty?

Crafted from the most luxurious fabric imaginable and featuring vintage insertion lace flourishes, an HCH Private Eye Sleep Mask marries sensual style with practicality - it's the perfect present this holiday season. Tucked in a cat napper's stocking, or gifted before a long transatlantic flight, an HCH Private Eye Sleep Mask blocks out the peskiest light, prettily!

Clockwise from top left: Orpha, Lupe, Shirley, Phoebe, Dinah

New masks have just been added to the Etsy shop, so be sure to swing by to check them out and snap up yours. And since I ship Priority Mail, there is still plenty of time to snag one before Christmas if you live in the US!

Happy Birthday to Honey Cooler Handmade

Well, actually it's happy birthday to ME, not my business, though sometimes I feel like we're one and the same. Since this is a milestone birthday (30) and I don't plan on spending the day in a negative nostalgic funk, I figured I'd share a dorky story about how I got to where I am now. It's no secret that I love pretty stuff. It's also no secret that lots of little girls like pretty stuff, gowns, glitter and dressing up, so in many ways I'm not that different than any run-of-the-mill girly girl. That is, except for one major detail: Most responsible people grow up, and I didn't. I'm 30 and I still love costumes and dressing up. I love champagne pink, rhinestones and bows. Tutus, bustles and organza are my favorite drug, and I feel like it's always been that way.

Historical costuming is one of my biggest obsessions - long ago, clothing seemed so much more lovely and important than it is now. I sometimes feel like I was born in the wrong era. Even though I wear jeans and sweats on the regular, I never feel more right than when I wear a vintage dress.

Babes in Toyland, The Wizard of Oz

I have always been drawing dresses. My favorite movies always featured pretty things, be it the 1960's cupcake dresses from Babes in Toyland or the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz. I didn't have much of a concept of historical costume, though, until my dad took me to see The Phantom of the Opera for my 8th birthday. We'd been to the ballet tons of times before, but when it came to Phantom, something was different. I fell in love with the show: the romance (even though I couldn't quite comprehend it), the set, the music, the special effects, and yes, the costumes. A few months and fan letters later, I was invited backstage to meet the cast: probably the most exciting thing I could have imagined at eight years old.

Steph, Colm Wilkinson, Kate

If you've seen it, then you know the whole show is unabashedly 1980's rock-opera, but despite that, designer Maria Bjornson was able to create 19th century silhouettes that still stand the test of time. When I saw Christine's wedding gown (my favorite piece from the show) in person, I knew I had to get in on that awesomeness.

Byron Nease and Rebecca Caine as Raoul and Christine, me with the real deal

It's pretty safe to say that this over-the-top musical had paved a road of costume nerd-dom for me, all of which now culminates in the first job where I've felt like I truly belong. Nothing has changed from the days of my childhood, and yet it seems like everything has changed. Here I am, literally in the business of girly stuff: at once working an adult job that was born in the imagination of a kid. It's so cool to think that on this day in 1990, my dad took me to a show that would change my life.

Happy birthday, indeed.

First Glimpses at the Fall Shoot

Well, I did it again: teamed up with the incredible Antonette Streeter for another phenomenal aesthetic shoot for my line. The first images are beginning to come in, and I thought I'd share some of them while I have a quiet moment to myself.

Photographer: Antonette Streeter
Models: Alexis Hutt, Kate Coneely, Bunny Zlotnik
Hair: Jai Carrillo, Peggy Poveda Sipe
Makeup: Alicia Campbell
Stylist: Dominique Guillen
Set Design: Antonette Streeter, Dominique Guillen
Jewelry: Taxil Hoax, What About Phoenix

Since it's Thanksgiving, it feels appropriate to say that I'm incredibly grateful to work with such amazing people on a regular basis. I have been so blessed to work with Antonette. She is a wickedly talented girl (and RAW SF's photog of the year!) and I really don't know where I'd be without her. To my amazing team: Antonette, Dominique, Alexis, Kate, Bunny, Jai, Alicia, Peggy... you all nailed this shoot. Thank you!

First Peeks at RAW:Provocations

The very awesome Space Cat Photography has posted photos of RAW:Provocations on their Facebook page, and I am delighted to share them with you here. It was a lovely night and I had three gorgeous ladies by my side (you'll recognize Rachael from RAW:Stimulus). RAWard-nominated hairstylist Sonja Eckre stepped in for some gorgeous pinup hair styles, and the wickedly talented Elizabeth Markham rocked the screen siren makeup. The video is forthcoming; Peek pics below.

All in all, the ideal ramp-up for the RAWards!

Richelle, Karla and Rachael being styled by Sonja

Still Kicking

I'm not dead.

I may seem like I've been off the radar lately, which is kind of the case and kind of not. My poor beloved blog has been neglected of late, a tragic casualty of an impossibly long sickness and far too much stress. I've been very busy putting together my shoot, shows, and sewing my heart out since my return from Pennsylvania. There are some lovely new pieces coming your way, and I figured it was time for a little peek at what's been on my machine lately.

Hardcore HCH fans will recognize the left piece (the Lucky Star Deco Camisole) from my last photo shoot - I created this custom version for a special customer last week. The piece on the right will be starring in next month's shoot. Diana features a skull crowned in stars, set upon the most intoxicating lavender silk jacquard. A gorgeous piece to shoot, and she's only the beginning.

Want to see what I've been working on in person, and scope out never-before-seen lingerie on a trio of lovely models, live? Then please come to the RAWards show in San Francisco on November 14th. Your generous online votes placed me among the top five fashion designers in SF, and now it's time to take the title of Fashion Designer of the Year. Once again, your votes count more than anything, and you need to cast them in person that night. Hope to see you there!

HCH: Fashion Designer of the Year?

It's been a busy month for HCH. Even with two weeks of traveling far away from my home base, my shop has maintained buzz and excitement, not the least of which is being up for RAW's Fashion Designer of the Year.

My first fashion show for HCH was at RAW:Stimulus in March, and the experience really helped me to gain momentum as a brand. Each RAW artist has an opportunity to compete in the annual RAWards, where one lucky exhibitor from each category is selected from thousands to win some amazing prizes. RAW's Fashion Designer of the Year wins the chance to meet with Fred Segal's buyer and scores retail placement on LisaKline.com, among many other awesome perks. Needless to say, winning this award would mean a lot for my little lingerie brand.

Please vote! If you like what I do and want to see more of it, there's no better way to show your love than by nominating me. And vote every day! The nominations portion of the contest ends on the 15th, so there are only a few days left to vote. Yes, you have to register on RAW's site, but required registration is only in place to ensure fairness. RAW will not spam you.

Even better, you can vote for one artist per category! That means you can pick from your favorites in Photography, Film, Music, Makeup and more and show them you love what they do.

PS: If you're looking for a photographer to love up on, please vote for the amazing Antonette Streeter. Without her and her lovely photographs, my brand's vision would not be where it is today.