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handmade interviews jellyn morvant lafayette southern style

Thread & Crescent: An Interview With Mitzi Guidry

by JeLlyn Morvant

“Our eyes see beauty in simplicity and modesty and we highly value quality over quantity in every aspect of our lives. All our products share the common thread of craft.”

the summer uniform

‘Thread & Crescent is a New Orleans based lifestyle brand created by brother & sister, Donovan & Mitzi Guidry.’ Just a few clicks around their online boutique and their passion for quality and craftsmanship becomes evident. Mitzi’s favorite quote sums up her vision quite well:

 “Because there is complexity in purity, Elegance in plainness, Intricacy in streamlining, Richness in reduction, Depth in minimalism, Surprise in uniformity, Innovation in re-use, Cool in the avoidance of cool, And there is true sophistication in simplicity”  -MUJI brand philosophy



Mitzi currently resides in Los Angeles, where she’s stayed since studying at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. She now co-owns and operates Los Angeles Leather Craft, a private label leather manufacturer “offering a complete product development service from raw material sourcing & sampling to production & quality management‘.”  Having worked alongside skilled and experienced professionals before their previous employer closed its doors leaving all of them unemployed. Mitzi and her team put forth the effort to source their raw supplies from the USA, while keeping the manufacturing talent known to L.A. alive and well. Using this misfortune as an opportunity, the workers come together to create Los Angeles Leather Craft. Goodness happens with vision, heart, passion and bravery. This is Mitzi Guidry ya’ll, born and bred in Louisiana and half of the whole of Thread & Crescent.
you can find this picture and a full article on LAL here
What is your earliest memory of having an interest in fashion?
Growing up in a small town in South Louisiana, we didn’t have a lot of shopping options so my mom would commission an elderly woman in our neighborhood, Mrs. Costen, who was an amazing seamstress to make a lot of our special occasion outfits. Everything from my First Communion dress to my high school dance dresses were made by Mrs. Costen. My mom always let me choose fabrics and as I got older I actually designed these dresses and Mrs Costen would put them together. I was always fascinated by her sewing room tools and the whole process i.e. taking measurements, having fittings and then the idea materializes into something that you wear and feel special in.

Tell us a little something unexpected about yourself in one sentence.
My dream is to be an elementary school Home Ec teacher.

What inspired the idea for Thread & Crescent? When and how did it all begin?
Thread & Crescent has been a dream for my brother and I for maybe 10 years. We’re both obsessed with curation, design, art and home life. We’ve spent hundreds of hours talking about perfect rooms and perfect scenarios. Thread & Crescent is that perfect world where we get to package a lifestyle with finds and creations we love and are inspired to share.

What’s one of your favorite things to do and places to visit when you are back home in New Orleans?
I love music on the patio at Bacchanal in the Bywater. Its a great spot I like to take my west coast friends to and the food is remarkable!http://www.bacchanalwine.com/

How about sharing a little advice with our southern readers, maybe something beneficial you’ve learned along your way that has helped you get where you are today.
Building a network is probably one of the most important things I’ve learned. More than half of the work I get or products I sell come from a personal connection. In exchange I share my resources with friends and colleagues. Now with the internet the playing field is even and everyone has access to the same resources so that part has become easier. Using these tools to foster relationships is what takes effort but that’s where the real payoff can be.
Now available at threadandcrescent.com with The Summer Uniform and The Perfect Belt you can find the Bayou Bohemian indigo dyed hemp tent tank and dress, along with many beautiful items inspired by simplicity and travel being both elegant and comfortable. 

A fellow Lafayette native, a friend, a maker. Mitzi and I were introduced many years ago by some of my oldest, closest childhood friends. Oddly enough our meeting was in sunny San Diego, no where near our roots. Since she and I shared a strong bond with the same very special folk, it only made sense that we too would share a friendship. We met when she was in town visiting mutual friends, who along with me lived there at the time, so our visits were always short but intimate and we always had our love of fashion in common.  Each one of us is on our own path in the industry, not expecting that we would one day naturally collide. And here we are today.
Intricate, streamlined, rich, minimal, innovative, local…Thread & Crescent!
Thank you Mitzi!
From one southern belle to another,
Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
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jellyn morvant jewelry lafayette louisiana

Secondline Jewels

written by JeLlyn Morvant
A reflection of a shared love for handmade, UPcycling, music and jewels.

Secondline is a representation of her southern roots,her second line of handmade
jewelry and the second life of broken drum cymbals.All growing from a gift her
husband made her with a piece from a broken drum cymbal. It seems he may
have inspired that niche she was searching for. I recall her journey clearly, she
would often get discouraged with faint spells of wanting to give up but like most
natural born creative types she could not stop creating. It’s just the nature of
creativity and inspiration. A special little life lesson, through love and
perseverance greatness can be attained.



In her own words taken from here and said so well.
“SECOND LINE JEWELS was born on the bayou of south Louisiana when a 
multi talented musician stepped into his wife’s world of jewelry design, and made her 
a necklace using one of his broken drum cymbals. This gift inspired a whole line of 
accessories combining the couple’s love of music and jewels. Second line is mostly 
created using chunks of upcycled brass drum cymbals along with other metals, including 
salvaged copper, sterling silver, and gold. Accents of precious/semi precious stones, 
vintage treasures, and random oddities are thrown in for an overall look that just rocks. 
Hard.”  
Roz’s father and hubby are both percussionist, an art she has been exposed to since
she was a little girl. She is thrilled to have found a place for these heavy metals in her
work. Her collection is evolving and developing one piece at a time into something
uniquely beautiful. An expression of her own rhythm, consisting of what used to beat to
a different drum.

To upcycle and reuse is a part of her families everyday life and this is clear before you even 
walk through the door of their gypsy fenced yard.  A stones throw from downtown Lafayette 
is where Roz lives with her young family and where she creates her jewels of interest.  
Beautifully selected natural stone, an assortment of vintage treasures along with with hand cut,
shaped, filed, sanded and drilled drum cymbals combine to make her one of kind collection of    Secondline Jewels.
What would be your ideal way to spend your day?
sleep in, yoga, healthy lunch , make jewels, dinner with the fam, hot bath in the claw foot, 
a little DIY tv, early bedtime
What is your favorite thing about being a maker?
I can create whatever I want for others to enjoy and keep my most favorite pieces for myself.. 
as advertisement , of course!
What inspires you?
Pictures are very inspirational… if I feel a connection to it I try to create my version of that 
image, whether it be a piece of jewelry or a style of clothing, so I can have it for myself. 
I also love mixing shiny and earthy elements together- it feels necessary to achieve a balance 
of the two. I love rocks and stones..  I am amazed at what beauty lies in our earth.

What has been your biggest challenge along your creative journey? And your greatest joy?
MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE has been to find the time to create! I have 3 children now:
one in high school, one just starting school, and an infant. I think the inconsistency of
creating has been the culprit in whats taken so long for me to finally find my ‘niche’ 
in this business. 
MY BIGGEST JOY is to look back and see how far I’ve evolved, style wise, at what I do. ..
and I’m so excited about everything I have yet to learn, as well!

What advice have you learned along your way that has made a big impression on you, that you 
hold dear?
a wise girl once told me:
‘ITS ALL BEEN DONE BEFORE.. THERE IS NO . NEW CONCEPT- 
JUST OUR OWN UNIQUE VERSION OF ART.’ Somehow that took this huge 
pressure off of me and reminded me that the wheel has already been created, 
I just have to create my interpretation of it to be able to ride! It helped me to stop 
constantly comparing my work to others’. I believe her advice applies to all modalities 
of art. I think it’s important to impress this concept on kids , especially, so they can grow 
up being less critical of themselves and more accepting of their own and others’ creations.
Where would you like to see yourself creatively in the next year or two?

In the very near future, like ASAP, my goal is to quit my day job and work at home. 

Raising my babies. Where a mother belongs. as long as I can remember, I’ve longed for 
a creative niche. I’ve explored many styles and modalities of crafting, trying to bring it all 
together in one line that I can market and earn a decent living from. To have my passion 
feed me mentally, spiritually, and physically is my idea of the American dream. But no matter 
what, I want my kids to see me practice what I love everyday so they know it’s an important 
thing to do.

What do you admire most about being a southern gal? If you could live anywhere else where 
would you go?

Being a southern gal is almost an indescribable feeling to me. It’s like being part of the 
coolest club ever! It gives me license to be charming and sweet yet hard core all at the 
same time. A tough cookie in a big grand vintage dress with cowboy boots on:) If I could 
live anywhere it would be right here except add clear watering holes( I can’t relax in muddy water)and more outdoor activities that don’t require a boat. Honestly, I think I was born 
in the south for a reason. The strong sense of family that we are raised with here is such 
a blessing- one that I want to give to my children. I love adventures, but I know where 
my heart lives.

…and she thinks she’s not that interesting!  I believe she is in fact.
A wife, mother of 3, massage therapist and a maker.  She doesn’t have much free time 
but for the most part thats how she likes it. She likes having things to do and like me 
she likes getting things done.  Maybe our strong bond has something to do with that or the
fact that her middle and my eldest are only a year apart while her hubby is one of my oldest, 
best’est’, closest friends ever. Also she introduced my hubby and I. Set us up even. For months preceding our meeting she would tell me “there is someone you need to meet I think he is your soulmate” and she would tell him the same thing.  Both of us had newly healing hearts from 
failed relationships and would respond the same way ‘please, I am not interested’.  Funny enough 
it only took one meeting and we both had instant crushes, a year later we were married and 
now 4 years later we are happy and thriving.  I guess I should add matchmaker as a word 
to describe her.




















<> Roz pictured here with her hubby <>

Rozalyn Galyean. An eclectic spirit who does things her own way. She is determined 
and overtly creative. A prime example of following your path steadfastly. No matter 
how rocky or bumpy, stay true to yourself and your passion with your eyes and heart 
open to the inspiration that surrounds you. Do not let the challenges discourage you. 
Let your dreams prevail. Keep creating!
You can visit her online at SecondlineJewels.com. 
She was mentioned before right here on SSS and she is 1/4 of boho mercantile.
WEBSITE // SHOP // BLOG
From one southern belle to another,
Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
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lafayette outdoors

Kickstarter: Something For Wildness

Lacey Dupre is a familiar face on Slow Southern Style. Not only was she one of the featured artists in Objects of Adornment but she’s friends with contributor and Lafayette resident JeLlyn Morvant. Please support this worthwhile cause by contributing whatever you can to Something for Wilderness, or just help spread the word.

From Lacey

The Project:
We will be going to just about every US mainland National Park to interview and photograph the rangers and their parks in the name of conservation and biodiversity worldwide. With the help of Kickstarter, we’ll produce a full-color art/photo essay book and accompanying website. The title: Something for Wildness. 
Here’s a link to our Kickstarter: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/924429290/something-for-wildness-rangers-reserves-and-restor 
We will interview and photograph rangers from each US National Park and compile their tales into a collective story, a snapshot of our stance as a culture, a tribe, today, in regards to our country’s best idea, the National Parks.
Inside will be landscape photos, as well as fine, close-up portraits of the park rangers we interview. Excerpts from these interviews will be included with the ranger’s portrait as well as his or her favorite spot in the park. Alongside each landscape photograph will be a designer QR code that links to an interactive map with elevation, lat/long coordinates and more, as well as our website: www.SomethingForWildness.com.
The book will also be interspersed with original art I’ve done on the journey.
This is an effort to give back to the many dedicated rangers the world over. If we get funded a portion of every book sold will go to the PAMS Foundation: www.pamsfoundation.org a not-for-profit in Tanzania that helps conserve biodiversity and supports rangers at the forefront of conservation. They are also the hosts of the 7th World Ranger Congress.
Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
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interviews jellyn morvant lafayette vintage

Twila’s Vintage Style

Lafayette here again!
As I grow to understand what I feel worth mentioning here about southern style I find myself drawn to expressing the eclectic influence of mixing up the new items boundlessly available to us with those sometimes hidden treasures that have been around for generations, for decades. Bits and pieces with roots to the past that have a story to tell. Adding vintage to your style is also a great way to ensure your look is original and won’t be found on the gal at the next table.
So here is a young belle with wonderful style infused with vintage, meet Miss Twila of twilasvintageclothing.com.

She shows great success in the mixing of classic elements with eclectic, new with old. 
Just a little visit to her blog and her etsy shop is evidence enough. Twila is a collector of vintage, a fashion curator. She studied fashion design at ULL, she is the founder of the Arts and Fleas here in Lafayette held on the second Saturday of each month in conjunction with downtown’s Artwalk and she will soon be on her way to Brooklyn to find her next ‘big thing’.
Her style is original, distinct and a great representation of her personality. She makes a bold statement of individuality with casual flare.  Even if her clothing or accessories may not be the simplest, for instance sequins and layers of uniquely different necklaces, her comfortable demeanor and natural spirit make it appear casual and spontaneous.  She wears her style choices effortlessly and confidently. I believe this is something to be admired when looking for inspiration to express ourselves through style.  And ones style is certainly an expression of themselves.  Here’s to happy dressing, southern style!

So when did you know that fashion was ‘your thing’?

I have always been interested in fashion, styling and crafts. But it wasnt until after working a professional job in my degree field that I decided to return to school to make fashion my career.

What inspires you most and gets ‘your heart racing’?

Tons of things inspire me. I love looking at street style blogs and other fashion blogs..seeing how ppl put things together every day. Of course fashion runways inspire me as well.

What sparked your interest in vintage?
I just love how vintage is usually a one of a kind piece and unique compared to what is on the rack at that time. It is also interesting thinking of all those that have worn it before and all the different parties that vintage dress has been to.

What is your favorite article of clothing and your favorite accessory right now?

gosh…I have so many favorites right now. Casually, I am about the very oversized top with tons of vintage necklaces, skinnies tucked into wool socks and my red heeled booties. If its extra chilly I will throw on my army green parka. For dressy nights, my favorite pieces would be sequin dresses.


If you jumped out of bed late for an appointment what would you throw on to get yourself out the door in style? and how would you wear your hair?

I would probably wear the oversized top with skinnies tucked into wool socks, tons of vintage necklaces or bracelets and red boots ensemble. Lately, I am in a phase of wearing my hair down parted down the middle with my natural wave which is funny bc growing up I would never ever wear my hair down.

What would you declare the next growing trend that we are going to see more of?

Neon accents are big right now and its a little hard for me to adapt to bc Im not much of a bright colored girl. Another one is floral skinny pants and wide leg pants which Im loving right now

Why Brooklyn?

I’m ready for a new adventure!

I’m sure the big apple will suit her well and I am looking forward to seeing what she brings back down south when she one day ventures home.  Someone once told me on one of my many plane rides back and forth from southern California that when your from Louisiana we almost always come back.  Now I can’t say that is truth for all but it certainly was for me.
From one southern gal to another,
Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
Categories
contests food jellyn morvant lafayette southern style

Tasty Southern Living

Southern Living magazine hosted The South’s Tastiest Town Awards and sometime since the beginning of the year you may have been asked through facebook or email to vote for your favorite, most flavorful southern town. Well folks the votes are in and Lafayette, LA is the tastiest, winning by over 35,000 votes. A place I am proud to call home for so many reasons just added another. Its full of flavor.

The Southern Living editors chose the top 10 based on specific criteria then opened the polls allowing resident and visitor voters to chose in which order the tasty towns of the south ranked.  Louisville, New Orleans, Charleston, Charlottesville, Houston, Birmingham, Decatur, Baltimore and Raleigh were among the competition (in order of rank). From heirloom recipes to homegrown gumbos and excess of southern comforts “cayenne-spiked Acadiana” boiled over with success.  Our unique food specific to our region, the influence of our food to our community, the variety of prices to eat a good hearty local meal, the practice of restaurants sourcing and supporting local, along with our bounty of festivals that celebrate our yummy cajun and creole heritage, were all the deciding factors that made Lafayette a winner.

photo from Southern Living credit Robbie Caponetto

The French Press, owners pictured above, is my hubby and I’s favorite spot for brunch.  Located downtown in a beautiful aged brick building that used to be home to the local newspaper printing plant. Our tastiest choice is the breakfast croissant with eggs, avocado, sprouts, tomato, bacon, spicy chipotle aioli and goat cheese, so yummy. 
When eating good local home-cookin’ my most satisfying favorite is chicken andouille gumbo with potato salad. For a traditional experience you serve your potato salad on top your bowl of gumbo. When the months are warmer my tastiest favorite would be crawfish etouffe.
Paula Disbrowe, Southern Living senior editor says it well when she says, “Lafayette’s distinct culinary identity as the capital of Cajun country, its spicy, sausage-laden roots, and a new generation of locals devoted to preserving their heritage while putting a fresh spin on tradition have made it an incredibly satisfying place to eat”.  I agree and I believe that our ‘new generation of locals’ has heaping spoonfulls of flavor to offer and it doesn’t stop there.  It is exciting to see Lafayette get recognition for its culturally rich heritage and tradition, while it is inspiring to be part of such a seasoned community.
I have to say it’s nice to see that the restaurants recognized in Southern Living’s A Perfect Eating Day in Lafayette  believe in buying local produce and supporting local farmers when possible. I think that says great things about our future of eating out. Together we are growing a more sustainable Lafayette.
In other Lafayette news Cochon, Southern Living’s mentioned source for a perfect dinner, will be serving samples along with three other farm-to-table restaurants at Boho Mercantile’s fashion show fundraiser Fresh & Local a benefit for Acadiana Food Circle. So come on out for a good cause where you can nibble samples of some of the tastiest treats while listening to local music and taking in fresh fashion.  An evening of flavor and style.
From one southern gal to another,
JeLlyn @ bayoubohemian.com
Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
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jellyn morvant lafayette louisiana southern street style

Street Style: Boho Style in Lafayette





Lafayette here again.  This is the first of many posts featuring the southern style of culturally rich Lafayette.  A place I am happy to call home- where the bayous run and the natural bohemian style flows.  When worn with confidence and a smile anything goes, now more than ever it seems.  They say fashion repeats itself and thats oh so evident with the resurgance of the 80’s. While we still see the maxi skirts and dresses of the 70’s on the scene, the influence of vintage and thrifting is growing more popular. Enjoy the diversity folks, I know I am!


From one southern gal to another,
JeLlyn @ bayoubohemian.com
Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
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events jellyn morvant jewelry lafayette louisiana

Boho Mercantile Bayou Bazaar

GATHER*COLLECT*HANDCRAFT
A place to offer our most recent creations and sometimes overflowing back stock. 
A monthly gathering of the local and creative. 

Working together with three local ladies and dear friends I have founded Boho Mercantile, a gypsy boutique. Driven by inspiration and our passion to create along with our deep appreciation for nature, folklore, native cultures and our sincere love for the community. A tiny salvaged wood and rusted tin building once stood on the banks of the bayou and housed a claw foot tub but now proudly stands in town and is home to many creations of interest and repurpose. It is also where we host the monthly Bayou Bazaar, held on the first Friday of each month from 6pm-9pm. An intimate open air event focused on local handcrafts, local farm grown eats and treats, and local music. Bringing together homegrown, handmade and vintage.

Our first bazaar of 2012 is Friday March 2nd from 6pm – 9pm. On Saturday, April 7th Boho Mercantile presents FRESH & LOCAL a fashion show fundraiser for Acadiana Food Circle held at The Blue Moon Saloon in Lafayette. Featuring original and vintage designs, jewelry, clothing and accessories created and curated considering the theme ‘into the future back to the earth’. There will be a silent auction along with a small selection of designs being sold with a portion of proceeds being donated to the non-profit AFC. As well as local sourced eats made by local restaurants serving conscious cuisine. All in celebration of a pure, bright, healthy, different, unconventional Lafayette.
Visit bohomercantile.com for more about the ladies and our creations.
And you can find us on facebook
from one southern gal to another,
JeLlyn @ bayoubohemian.com
Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
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jellyn morvant jewelry lafayette louisiana southern fashion designer

Made By Hand In Lafayette

I am blessed to be surrounded by creative ladies that inspire and push me to further height,s creatively. They give me confidence to express myself with my personal style.  I would like to begin to share their beauty with you and introduce you to Lafayette’s style more and more over the next few months.Beauty resonates with the individual,  personal truth of each of us. It’s the practice of being ourselves.  I came across a quote many months back that says it quite well I think.

 “I wanted only to live in accord with the promptings which came from my true self. Why was that so very difficult?” -Hermann Hesse. 

 While this certainly says a lot for just being alive, I believe it is fitting for fashion and style as well.  Of course some of us may have more trouble with embracing our individuality than others, but the freedom that comes with that, I sincerely hope to understand.

I think the expression of true style shines through your own individuality. It is how you express yourself through color, pattern, texture, accessories, and adornment.  I think we all take  risks just by being  a little bit different.  Decorate yourself with individuality and express who you are, who you want to be- without reservation or fear of judgement.  Are you comfortable? That’s all that matters!  Find your comfort in wearing you.

ROZ is wearing a vintage coat from bayou bohemian over a borrowed dress that fits her nearly full-grown baby belly. With a beautiful necklace of her own making from her Second Line label which consists of broken cymbal pieces incorporated into each eclectic creation. You can find more about Roz and her handmade works at gyspyrig.com

Lacey is wearing an embroidered peasant top with fuchsia skinny jeans, ankle lace-up boots
and the native patterns infinity scarf handmade by bayou bohemian.  Lacey is no new-bee to Slow Southern Style as she has been featured here before. You can find more on Lacey and her own handcrafted adornments at laceydu.com
You can find us all at our monthly Bayou Bazaar and at bohomercantile.com.  I will tell you all about that project real soon.
See you again soon!
From one southern gal to another,
JeLlyn @bayoubohemian.com
Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
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brandy gaspard etsy internship lafayette louisiana southern fashion designer

Such A Doll

Do you love bold accessories? Have a love of feathers?  Then I have an Etsy shop you have to check out.  I had the pleasure of interviewing Jessica Reeves Tullos of Automatic Doll. Automatic Doll is an Etsy shop that sells unique hand-made accessories that are made in Lafayette, Louisiana.  Jessica’s accessories are absolutely adorable and will have you feeling like a doll!  Check out her interview below and then go to her Etsy shop by clicking here.
Tell us how you got into designing your unique accessories.

It all started with my desire to have beautiful accessories to wear, even though I could not afford to buy them in stores. I started making myself flower crowns resembling the ones I loved at Rouge Pony, an Etsy store owned by the beautiful and talented Karin Kirsten. When I wore them to festivals or outdoor events, people loved them. It got to the point where every time I wore any of my handmade pieces, I would find myself explaining to people that I only made it for myself and that they were not sold in stores. So, finally, I decided to create my own Etsy store.
  
You feature a lot of feathers in your pieces, what type of feathers do you use?

I use mainly rooster tail feathers in my neck pieces and epaulettes, but in my headdresses I use pheasant, peacock, or ostrich feathers as well. The pheasant feathers have beautiful stripes in them, and of course there is nothing as beautiful as a peacock tail feather!


What are your most popular items?

My most popular items are definitely the feather epaulettes. They are meant to be worn either as a pair, or as a single piece worn on one shoulder. They are bright, large, and have a tendency to become the focal point of any outfit. People love them because it instantly transforms the article of clothing you are wearing into a bold, and dare I say, costume piece for the everyday!
Since you are an Etsy shop and you don’t mass-produce your items do you sometimes tweak the colors if the customer request certain colors?

Absolutely! The beauty of hand-making everything by myself lets me give each person who buys a piece from Automatic Doll a unique and distinct wearable work of art. Since it is Mardi Gras season right now in Louisiana, I get special requests from buyers who want feather pieces in the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold. I love to think I was able to help some one to create her own one of a kind Mardi Gras costume!


Describe the woman that would wear your accessories.

The woman who wears Automatic Doll  is an individual who likes to stand apart from everyone else in a crowd. She is bold, yet whimsical, and wants her look to make that statement. She approaches her personal style with a sense of adventure – ultimately, she is the girl who asks herself before dressing for any occasion, “What costume will I wear today?” 


Since your pieces are so unique do you have any muses?

Yes, I have so many! I have always been in awe of the designs of indigenous cultures. I love the color palettes, patterns, and jewelry made by Mesoamerican, Native American, and African cultures. I love the idea of ritual and ceremonial objects. These sacred objects are aesthetically beautiful, and though the pieces I create are by no means sacred in any way, they are inspired by such objects. Also, Karin Kirsten, the designer behind Rouge Pony, is a huge inspiration to me in terms of my floral headpieces. Her work is effervescent! Lastly, but perhaps in the largest sense, my work is a product of the sort of women Tennessee Williams wrote about. They are women who are full of passion and color, beauty and spunk, innocence and rage. They are the essence of what it means to be an Automatic Doll, and I imagine many of those women would have worn such accessories.
What is your future plans for Automatic Doll?

At this time, I am in the process of making lots of pieces in order to have a portfolio to show to local boutiques and merchants in the hopes of putting my accessories into actual stores. I will be selling Automatic Doll pieces at bazaars and festivals in the upcoming months, and I am excited to see how my work is received. For now I will keep blogging and selling on Esty. 
-Brandy Gaspard
All images via Automatic Doll


Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
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jellyn morvant lafayette louisiana what i wore

What I Wore: A Trip to the Zoo

This post was written by JeLlyn Morvant, one of Slow Southern Style’s interns. You’ll get a chance to meet her in the upcoming weeks but for now check out her blog, Bayou Bohemian, and be on the look out for her bio soon.

Hello from Lafayette! A New Orleans neighbor. A short drive across Lake Pontchartrain, across the Mississippi River, on the other side of the Atchafalaya Basin and a small town rich with culture welcomes you. Rather you are in The Big Easy or Cajun Country one things the same our southern locale temperature fluctuates regularly, even drastically. As all of us southern belles know well it can approach freezing one day and reach comfortable ideal temperatures before that week ends.  This past weekend was one of those ideal weather days. We spent a beautiful Saturday morning at the zoo and this is what we wore.


< papa >
cream linen pants from Banana Republic
thrifted embroidered ethnic cotton tunic
< mama >
thrifted vintage denim shirt 
black dress and black leggings from Target
grey suede fringed ankle moccasins by Minnetonka
Essie russian roulette red nail polish from Target
< baby >
thrifted overalls
pearl snap plaid long sleeve from Goodwill
thrifted brown suede shoes
denim news boy cap from Target
I seriously enjoy and sincerely recommend a good thrift store, previously owned, or vintage find. There is something so rewarding about scoring a great find at an incredible, sometimes unrealistic price. Even better when you unveil a find that is vintage and clearly from another era.  Having a variety of new and old in your closet and adding vintage pieces to an outfit can allow for an individual statement that sets your look apart from ordinary with a splash of unconventional.
from one southern gal to another,
JeLlyn @bayoubohemian.com
Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style