Categories
costumes mannequin mondays mardi gras new orleans

Mannequin Monday- Frou Frou at Fifi Mahony’s

If y’all know one thing about me and one thing only it is this: I love Mardi Gras. Just yesterday at the Southern Fashion Blogger’s first event (more on that soon) I was talking to Mallory of Miss Malaprop about how I don’t own very much “real” makeup but I’ve got enough glitter and metallic eyeshadow to last me several Carnival seasons. Of course the makeup plays second fiddle to the wigs, and I have no shortage of those either.

Fifi Mahony’s is the wig shop in New Orleans that everyone knows and loves. I’ve been shopping there for years and it is always a fun, glamorous experience. Their window displays always reel me in, like I really needed an excuse to go in anyway. Once inside the frivolity never ends as each corner you turn something even more glamorous, sequined, and feathered lunges out at you. From rhinestone cocktail rings the size of my head to false eyelashes longer than I am tall (which isn’t saying much) Fifi Mahony’s is one glitzy dream of a store and everything just begs to be brought home.

So ‘fess up ladies! I know I’m not the only one with a Fifi’s fetish. What do y’all have sitting in your closets that is ready to get dusted off for Mardi Gras?
Fifi Mahony’s
934 Royal St.
New Orleans, LA 70118
(504)525-4343

Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
Categories
events new orleans valentine's day

All The Single New Orleans Ladies


Single in New Orleans on Valentine’s Day? Spoken for but hate the holiday? Feet First is taking care of the ladies on February 14th from 5pm-9pm with a fun event to keep you occupied while everyone else is out to dinner. Grab a few of your friends and enjoy complimentary wine and Mar-Go-Ritas, treats from Lolli’s Chocolates as well as other tasty hors d’oeuvres. 


In addition there will be free raffle prizes every half hour and a special promotion of 25% of your entire purchase, including sale items!



 Now doesn’t that beat some cheap truffles from the drugstore?


Visit Feet First’s website for more information and store locations.
Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
Categories
mannequin mondays new orleans

Mannequin Monday- ah ha! I Found New Orleans’ best windows

I never really know what I’m going to feature on Mannequin Monday. I could be some great pictures that a boutique sent or displays that struck a chord with me while walking down the street. One night not too long ago after dinner at Rum House and dessert at La Divina Gelateria with my husband I passed by the windows at ah-ha here in New Orleans. Ah-ha consistently has some of the best window displays in the Garden District and it is easy to see that their best form of advertising is their mannequins. Large, well lit windows, a clean, bright white space and great clothes are all you really need to lure your customers in.

I love that long dresses are coming back this summer and I really love the ease of this new style. It’s  more like a long tank top in shape vs. the maxi dresses of two summers ago.
I could easily see myself wearing this, or some version of it every day in the spring.
This outfit would look killer with a pair of delicate lace tights in a similar shade as the abstract flowers. Are they flowers? I can’t really tell.
ah-ha
3129 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70115-2304
(504) 269-2442
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-6pm

If you have great window displays worthy of showing off send an e-mail to nolagurl@gmail.com with the title “Mannequin Mondays” in the subject line. I’m always looking for interesting things to feature!
Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
Categories
designers new orleans spring

Spring Time Sweaters from Lia Molly

Even though the South received some unexpectedly chilly weather this past week that doesn’t mean retailers are giving pause to it. Sit tight my friends, because spring will be here before you know it and you wouldn’t want to be caught off guard and unprepared. After all didn’t the Groundhog see his shadow? Or wait is it if he doesn’t see his shadow? Oh nevermind.


New Orleans’ knitwear designer Lia Molly is getting ready for warmer weather with her spring 2011 line, available at her online shop starting this Sunday, February 6th but you my dear readers get an exclusive sneak preview before the images are even on her site!


I asked designer Seema Sudan to describe the collection for y’all and was immediately giddy over her reference to golden capuchin monkeys. Seema started working on the collection over nine months ago, before Prada’s monkey prints came out so it seems like Miuccia wasn’t the only one with primates on her mind.

In Seema’s words:
“I’m just in my only little world here in New Orleans inspired by the artists and the magical world we live in in here. I love bright fun colors these days, a bit pop art I guess. The smart magical women who love my sweaters inspire me more and more each season. Our model/muse this season is Rebecca Rebouche a New Orleans painter. The collection was shot on location…whimsical adventure thru Miranda Lake’s garden.”

So what else is there to expect from the spring 2011 collection? There are jackets in a variety of shapes, dainty knitted lace blouses and twisted nautical pieces. Special details are Lia Molly’s signature with Japanese and atomic patterns in shades of cornflower blue and pops of red and navy. Lia Molly is ready to enjoy a  “warm happy optimistic spring” and what better way to celebrate than with a charming new spring sweater?
Which one of these is your favorite? What would you wear it with?
Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
Categories
fashion week new orleans

New Orleans Fashion Week Preview at Republic

A lot of you have heard about the multiple fashion weeks invading New Orleans in the next month, and many of you have e-mailed me inquiring about them.  Last weekend I attended the NOLA Fashion Week Preview at Republic as a member of the press. This is my recap of the night.

First and foremost I had a great time running into some old friends and new ones alike. Dorothy and I have become not only fashion partners in crime but impromptu Freret Street advocates so I’m always happy to get face time with her.

Some of the featured labels of the evening were Ottilie Brodmann, Jolie & Elizabeth, Sophomore, and Architecture by Matthew Arthur to name a few. I recognized most of the designers being represented but enjoyed learning of a few new ones as well.
Not gonna lie, I roll with a pretty fabulous group of talented individuals. Apparently I also like to hang with a bunch of shorties, minus Joey. Hey when you’re 5’1 literally looking up at people is hard work, better to stick to our own kind!
While Republic wasn’t packed it seemed everyone in attendance was curious as to what this particular fashion week will entail. I couldn’t help but think of Dexter when I saw that saran wrapped couch. Speaking of I need to catch up on the next season! Oh yea and that artfully placed pile of hangers? Yea, looks like my mess of a closet, just not so strategically placed.
Love this girl, Sarah Dewey of Jolie & Elizabeth. We’ve been helping each other out from the start! I fully endorse anything these girls do. Sarah and Jolie will be conducting a workshop at fashion week for budding designers. They’ve been wildly successful thus far and I love helping them in any way that I can.
So what are you looking forward to the most out of fashion week? How many events are you planning on attending?
Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
Categories
new orleans

Bounce To This

Y’all know how much I love bounce from my post on what I wore to the Ricky B and Partners n’ Crime Show. Now it’s time to show some real love and support with Miss Malaprop and her boyfriend, who is attempting to film Katey Red’s first ever video. I’ll let Mallory take it from here.

I spent Saturday helping my boyfriend David out on the set of filming Katey Red’s 1st ever music video. Katey Red is a local bounce legend, and while she’s been on the New Orleans bounce scene for over 10 years, she has yet to have her own music video. David first got into bounce music when he saw Katey Red, Big Freedia and other local rappers perform at Voodoo Fest a couple of years ago. Since then he’s been obsessed with the idea of making a bounce music video.
Our friend and local music columnist Alison Fensterstock described in the Gambit:
“In 1999, Katey Red — the transsexual rapper from the Melpomene Projects — definitively stepped — with a size-12, well-pedicured foot — onto the scene with her first release on Take Fo Records, Melpomene Block Party. A decade later, Katey’s presence has not only endured, it’s grown, spawning a clutch of sissy rappers who’ve followed her lead to create a popular and fascinating subculture within the bounce world.”
Saturday was just Day 1 of filming. There is still at least one full day of shooting left, and we really need all the help we can get to complete this thing. Katey has a role in the second season of HBO’s Treme, and David wants to make Katey’s first music video super professional looking, with hopes that producer David Simon might see it. (And maybe, maybe *fingers crossed* might think it’s good enough to air on HBO when Treme airs.)
David set up a Kickstarter campaign where you can donate. Depending on your pledge level, you can receive free admission to the premiere of the music video and a sneak peek of the video before it’s released to the general public, or even the chance to be a featured extra in the next Katey Red music video. Every little bit helps, as they have a LOT of equipment, location, and other production costs to cover. Even a $10 or $25 donation could really help us out. You can pledge your donation HERE. If we don’t meet the goal of $2,500, your credit card doesn’t get charged. (And if we don’t reach the goal of $2,500, the music video may not be completed.)
PLEASE, even if you can’t afford to donate, I would really, really appreciate it if you could help spread the word about this project. It would mean a lot to me, personally, and I know it would mean a lot to a whole bunch of folks here in town. The deadline is this Sunday, January 30, so we really need your support! Here is the shortened link to help spread the word: http://tinyurl.com/kateyred
Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
Categories
new orleans what i wore

What I Wore- Bounce Night

Look y’all fashion blogs are serious business. I mean why get dressed in the morning if you aren’t going to painstakingly document every minute detail of your outfit? Don’t you know that the internetz solely exists for women all over the world to show off what they bought at Forever 21 and how they tried to make it look more expensive by pairing it with a Dillard’s handbag purchased on sale at TJ Maxx?

*Ahem* Okay clearly I try not to take myself too seriously.

When I threw the question out “Should I do a what I wore to bounce night post?” I received a resounding yes, including a message “Write it or I’ll write it for you” from Chris Trew. If you aren’t familiar with his work Chris is a comedian living in Austin but went to high school in Covington. He did a hilarious recap of my night out  on his site that I insist everyone read.

So who did we go see? Ricky B is a bounce legend and it was certainly evident why at this show. It’s always fun to hear songs live that you remember listening to in grade school.

Partners n’ Crime were great too. They’ve been around forever and put on a great show.

Someone made flyers of Magnolia Shorty and threw them off the stage. This sort of looked like a temporary memorial to me so I had to take a picture. So sad and absolutely unnecessary when people are murdered.

So what to expect if you’ve never been? Get ready for a workout.  My thighs are almost always sore the next day, a sure sign that I had fun.

Okay so I don’t really stretch beforehand but it wouldn’t hurt. However I do wear clothes with a lot of stretch. Leggings and bounce night are BFFs. And since I’m a white girl with no butt I keep it covered. No need to scare people with my pasty white legs.

Representing my dawg. No seriously, my greyhound’s name is Nadia. 

Going hands free is important so keep the handbag to a minimum. This bag is perfect since it is large enough to fit camera, phone, ID and keys but still sit nicely just under the arm. You don’t want a big purse swinging around when you are trying to pop, lock and drop it.

No idea what bounce is? Watch this video featuring a few sissy bouncers.
Tunic: French Connection
Leggings: American Apparel
Shoes: Cole Haan
Necklace: vintage
Bag: Botkier
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Categories
designers new orleans winter wear

Sweater Weather with LiaMolly

If and when the weather gets consistently cold southern girls everywhere rejoice and feverishly start pulling  sweaters out of storage. I’m keeping my tank tops handy but for now I’m enjoying this unexpected cold snap and am excited to wear some new knits that I recently purchased. If like me  you are in need of some pretty new sweaters to warm you up than look no further than New Orleans’ own LiaMolly.

Designer Seema Sudan doesn’t believe in “disposable clothing” so she strives to create sweaters that are of heirloom quality. Her clothing has been featured in places like Lucky Magazine, sold at Bloomingdale’s and boutiques country wide and even did a kids’ line for Anthropologie.

Named after her two children and inspired by a recovering post Katrina New Orleans LiaMolly is all about “quality craftsmanship” and items that can be passed down from generation to generation. Her customer is also less concerned with passing trends and appreciates beautiful, well made pieces that can be worn for years to come.

The company strives to sustain local economies by having a large presence in local boutiques. Even if you can’t pick up one of Seema’s creations locally you can enjoy 15% off your by using the code “slowsouthernstyle” at her online shop.

So do you have a new sweater that you can’t wait to wear? Or are you relying on old favorites to get you through this winter?

Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
Categories
events new orleans

T-shirt Tiiiiiime

For people that don’t follow fashion there is a preconceived notion that all fashion shows are stuffy insider type events that aren’t very fun to attend.


Dirty Coast, a New Orleans t-shirt company, is here to prove that fashion is fun with their T & A fashion show tonight, Friday November 12th at Eiffel Society.   Dirty Coast are the originators of the now ubiquitous phrases  “Be A New Orleanian Wherever You Are” and “New Orleans.  So Far Behind We’re Ahead.”   These locals pride themselves on creating shirts that only people who love New Orleans would understand and the tees are meant to start conversations. Pick up your own icebreaker  online  or in person at 5704 Magazine Street. 

Breakfast (2)
Image via DirtyCoast.com




They’ve partnered up with House of Lounge this year for a casual yet utterly glam affair.


The Official Dirty Coast Shirt (2)


Still not convinced? Check out pictures from last year’s show on their Flickr account. You wouldn’t want to miss out on this much fun, would you?






Dirty Coast presents the “Tee and A” Fashion Show featuring House of Lounge
Music by DJ Soul Sister 
Special Appearances: Shultzilla, Halo Saint, Beaver Fever and Lil Doogie 
Master of Ceremonies: M@ Peoples
Wigs and costume make-up by Fi Fi Mahony’s
Head Pieces by Savoy Truffles and KustomSweetTooth
Costumes and Styling by ELM Designs
Hair by Agnes Backman
Make up by Hayley Waldner 
Directed by Ellen Macomber

Purchase tickets here: http://www.dirtycoast.com/pages/fashion_show 




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Categories
designers new orleans texas

The Bourgeoisie Life

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.”


Aida dress- White


Courtney Bourgeois Plauche’ was born and raised in South Louisiana, 30 miles outside of New Orleans. She received her B.S. in Fashion Design from LSU and interned with Texan designer Abi Ferrin. After designing for another brand and receiving several accolades such as the Viewer’s Choice Design for Rock N Wear 2007 and President of Hemline and LSU en Vogue Fashion Show she established her own line, Coco Bourgeois.
Effie top- Print
Even though Courtney started her brand in Dallas, Texas, she celebrates her love of New Orleans heritage and arts in her creations. Her goal is to bring an “elite bourgeoisie feeling to modern, fashion forward woman. 
If you are contemplating a purchase hurry up! Coco Bourgeoisie is running a fall special at her online shop. Receive 50% off your entire order when you use the code FALL50. 

Rumer dress- Black

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