“Coco Bourgeoisie is a feminine, flirty, and funky line designed for the unique fashion forward woman. Inspiration is derived from our love of New Orleans and it’s artistic and French roots.”
Category: designers
When I stumbled upon Pearl Southern Couture I instantly knew that I wanted to feature the brand on Slow Southern Style. Designer Amber Perley was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and graduated from LSU with a degree in apparel design, textiles, and merchandising and a minor in photography. She’s been designing clothing in some capacity since she was a little girl so fashion design was the natural career path for her.
Founded in 2008 the line features “classic pieces that reflect a lifestyle that can only be found south of the Mason-Dixon Line.” Amber draws influence from the rich heritage of the deep south and its unique cities.
From the “hippies in Austin” to the “parties in New Orleans” Pearl Southern Couture offers something for every southern belle. The best part of this line is that all of the collections are designed and manufactured in Dallas.
For a full list of retailers click here.
Up and comer
Working with the public definitely has its high moments and those times when I want to crawl into the fetal position under the desk. Fortunately the good moments exceed the bad and it’s always interesting to meet new people, become engrossed in a conversation, and see where the outcome leads.
I met Nicole Album at my place of work when we started chatting about the New Orleans fashion scene. We kept in touch via e-mail, one thing led to another and a collaboration for a post was born! Nicole is a New Orleans native and a fashion designer and is moving to San Francisco to pursue her MFA in illustration. Even though she is leaving the Big Easy behind Nicole promises to bring a piece of New Orleans with her. She is currently working on a grant proposal with the recent oil spill as her subject matter. Nicole shared with me her inspiration boards and the illustrations that she created from them.
Growing up in New Orleans, the Gulf South holds a special place in my soul. It is very important for me to show illustrations and designs that represent a cause I am passionate about. The future of my design philosophy lies in the expectation of artistic endeavors that are inspired for philanthropic purposes.
My first design line was inspired by the iron-work of New Orleans, aptly named, Tchoupitoulas, and was conceived in an effort to help bring awareness to our beautiful city, in a time post-hurricane Katrina. The line I am currently working on is inspired by the Gulf Coast Oil Spill. It incorporates other elements, such as Neoprene surf-wear and Botticelli-inspired women.
And, as I begin my first semester in a Graduate program for illustration, I hope to master my artistic craft and continue to bring awareness to our majestic city. I feel so lucky to have been brought up in a place filled to the ‘to-go-cup’ brim of culture. I hope one day my efforts to give back will be a part in keeping this city alive.
If you are interested in seeing more of Nicole’s work she has lots of photos and illustrations at Coroflot.
a sucker for seersucker
Seersucker is the south’s favorite summer fabric due to its classic and practical nature. The puckered effect of the fabric provides a moisture wicking feature and the ability to store the iron away on the muggiest of days. Translated from hindi it means “milk and sugar”, an appropriate term for this sweet stripe.
Local design team Sarah Dewey and Jolie Bensen of Jolie and Elizabeth is paying homage to their New Orleans roots with a brand new clothing like for Summer 2010. The line features seersucker dresses manufactured below the Mason Dixon Line that are as sweet as can be. Pieces are available via their website or at the Chartres, Magazine St, and Metairie Hemline boutiques.
- Stop in Feet First now through Sunday, November 29th at receive discounts if you bring in canned or non-perishable food items. Bring in 2 or more items and receive 20% off your total purchase. Bring in 3 or more items and receive 30% off your purchase. All food will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana.
- Stop by Buffalo Exchange for 75% off sale merchandise now until the end of the month.
- Local clothing line LiaMolly will be having trunk shows on Wednesday, November 25th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Loa in the International House Hoteland on December 16th same time, same place.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you got into metal smithing.
My father was a silversmith as a hobby and had a workshop in the basement. I began experimenting with his tools and supplies as a teenager. I then spent many years exploring other mediums and art techniques, coming back to metalsmithing after inheriting his tools. I have made my living as a jeweler for the last 6 years.
To me jewelry should be a personal representation of oneself vs. a fashion item. How are your interests and personality showcased in your work?
I embrace hand-made, especially when it comes to jewelry. My very favorite designs come about when I try to make what I want to wear -not just make something because I think that it will sell. Many of my designs reflect collections that I have, my most cherished being a wall of heart milagros that I have collected over the years. I want my pieces to feel like they’ve been around for awhile, have soul, or a story to tell.
How does living in New Orleans inspire your work?
New Orleanians have an attachment to their town and all things New Orleans that I don’t think exists in many other places. It is very inspiring. It is a town so steeped in history and ritual that it can be a little intimidating to try to reflect that.
New Orleans is very lucky to have several great art markets. I love our creative and very supportive community. Being a regular vendor at a few of these helps me strive to always improve my creations.
Define southern style.
Heather Elizabeth provides fun ways to show your NOLA love and not look like you outfitted yourself at a tourist shop. From necklaces and night lights, cuff links to Christmas ornaments there is something available for everyone.
The “Aint Dere No More” bracelet pays homage to a slew of gone but not forgotten local institutions.
You can also represent a singular business, sports team, or street name with a sterling silver ring.
Celebrate New Orleans neighborhoods with this bracelet.
Heather Elizabeth’s jewelry and housewares are available at several art markets and stores city wide. You may also purchase items online.
Shop Interview- Gurly Girl
Tell us a little about how you got into jewelry design.
The fleur de lis is close to my heart and a universal symbol of grace and elegance. It is an emblem of the city of New Orleans and when the flood came and washed everything out a lot of people gravitated towards it. Symbolically it was used to show love and respect for the city. I think it is a beautiful, versatile design that reflects a certain elegance.
The love charms also showcase fleur de lis and the name references the prevalence of voodoo on New Orleans.
My beans get snapped up quickly and make great gifts for moms.
The copper bookmark does pretty well because its substantial yet light and really holds a page without damaging your book.
Tie on some style
Here in the south it is imperative to have a certain knowledge of things in order to be considered a true southern gentleman. One must know the right way to drink your whiskey, opening a door for a lady, and certainly how to identify quality linen and seersucker. According to Bow Tie Ben being skilled at knotting a bow tie doesn’t hurt either. Read on to learn how Ben got into the business of artisan neck wear.
Ben hard at work
What types of fabrics do you look for when creating your ties? Is there anything you shy away from?
I generally look for loud colors and crisp patterns. I feel like the man with the bow tie will never be someone that just blends into the crowd, so the tie might as well be colorful and catching. Stripes and polka dots are great, I’ve been happy with a light blue paisley with orange, purple and green highlights that I found but I use some solid colors as well. My friend brought me a stunning bright blue raw silk from India and I can’t wait to see what it looks like as a tie. I also make dupioni silk black ties and white ties for formal occasions, since moving from a clip-on to a hand-tied bow tie can add a tremendous amount to a tuxedo.
Are there any particular style suggestions you can recommend to guys who want to dabble in this look?
Smile; be confident.
What do you think about clip on bow ties? Is there a time and place for them?
No way! I think any man that has worn a hand-tied bow tie would agree. Part of this is the uniqueness of the hand-tied bow tie, part of it is the process of getting dressed up, part of it is the slight imperfection implicit in tying your own tie vs. the boring perfection of the clip-on, part of it is the fact that the only reason the clip-on bow tie exists is that bow ties are so rare, no one has learned to tie them. With YouTube (his favorite can be found here ) there’s no excuse for not learning and once you try one you’ll never want to go back.
You are originally from California. Has your style changed since moving to New Orleans?
I wear bow ties now! Also, some of my friends and family back home have been exposed to this “exotic” Southern Style and are now sporting bow ties on the west coast.
I haven’t adopted most of the stuff I see here, but I do like the formal clothing in the South, and hope to increase my wardrobe in that area. My linen slacks are my favorite.
Define Southern style.
I don’t think I could do that as well as you, and I hope to know your definition, although it’s probably a fluid work-in-progress encompassed by your blog. One of the things that’s always stood out for me about the South is that people will dress up no matter how hot and humid it is, and that has necessitated a style of light colors, loose fits, and great fabrics like seersucker and linen. I think that bow ties play a big role in traditional southern style but since I’m new to the South I don’t feel limited by classic southern patterns and colors. I enjoy experimenting with different colors and patterns and expanding the possibilities of what men can wear.
Ben’s unique designs can be purchased through his Etsy shop.
OlgaItaly creates fantastical, glamorous hats and hair accessories in an old fashioned New Orleans frame of mind. Inspired by vintage images Olga uses feathers, flowers, and netting to create a Moulin Rouge charm with her creations.
Your pieces have a real vaudevillian vibe. Where do you draw inspiration from when designing each piece?
I have always loved costumes from the 19th and early 20th century. The Burlesque period is so fascinating to me and really playful and that’s what I try to recreate. I also grew up going to Las Vegas shows and watching the Folies Bergere girls on stage, which also bring that playful burlesque vibe.
White Magnolia Flower Wedding Fascinator Hairclip
I love your corsets and find the prices extremely reasonable. Describe how you go about creating them for us.
I fell in love with the costumes in the Moulin Rouge movie and wanted to make one for myself last year for Halloween, but everything I found online was so expensive so I decided to do research and make one myself. I purchased a couple of corsets in different colors and then I went walking around the French Quarter to see what would inspire me. We luckily live in a city that is perfect for recreating these costumes. I purchased boas and bought hand-beaded fringe and hand-beaded appliques. I usually have an idea of what color I want the costume to be and then take it from there. First I sew on the appliques and then the fringe on the bottom and lastly the feathers (because they make a mess). I really enjoy making the mini top hats, they’re small enough where you can really get creative with the colors and style and materials you choose to use.
Do you have a particular customer or a wide range of people interested in your items?
I have had a few people order the mini top hats from me that are going to use them in their weddings. And I was happy to do a few top hats for women that are in Burlesque shows themselves. I’m happy that they’re being used to try and recreate that time period. Regarding the corsets, I think women just want to feel beautiful and sexy and the costumes help them do that.
Burlesque steam punk mini feather top hat
With so much competition online how do keep an edge?
I try not to overprice the items. I take into consideration the materials I’ve used and how long each piece took me to make and I price them accordingly. I look at what is being offered out there and then just try to do something a little different. I think that’s the only way to separate yourself from the rest.
Define southern style.
When I think of Southern style, I envision sassy women who still want to be classy but ooze sex appeal. You don’t need to show your entire body to be sexy
and sensual. I see a very feminine woman who wants to be wrapped up in luxurious fabrics and wants to feel like a true woman.
Make sure you check out Olga’s Etsy store some glamorous finishing touches on your Halloween costume.