Summer Collection: Pastoralism

Hey everybody! I hope you're enjoying the summer as much as I have been so far. I know I always work so much better when it's baking hot. Maybe it's because I lived in Florida for so long. . .

Anyway I'd like to introduce you to The I Do Declare summer 2011 collection! This collection is inspired by the general theme of pastoralism. Even though I live in a city it's wonderful to dream of afternoon picnics in the countryside. That's what I'm hoping to evoke with these summer pieces.

My model promptly dubbed it an 'ice-cream dress' because the colors remind her so much of her favorite ice-cream flavors!The model is 5'1"
The wide hat is vintage
The straw top-hat is one I made for fun

How do you like the first new dress?

I'm going to try to be more active. . . posting my sketches and pictures as I work on things! Sorry for not posting more often!

<3

~Kelsey

A few new things

Hi everyone~! I realized I haven't updated in ages! Never fear though, despite my absence I have not been idle!

Project #1


A cute dress for the casual 18th century gal. I started working on this dress with Marie Antoinette in mind. . . though it seems some more modern influences have jumped in. Most notably Martha of Moss Garden's natural style. Just a quick teaser pic for now~



Project #2
Is everything I love encompassed in this fabric? The answer: pretty much! Sadly I only had two yards of this lovely vintage brocade to work with so I had to forgo all off the frills and embellishments I'd been dreaming of in favor of a more simple, almost retro style.




What do you think?

<3 Kelsey

Dances of Vice: Secret Life of Toys PHOTOS!

So remember the show I posted about last time? IT WENT PERFECTLY! The models were wonderful, The girls doing hair and makeup were fantastic and the venue was (as all DOVs are) spectacular!

And now to share photos of the wonderful event!
Yanise (of BakaNekoYani) opened the show wearing my favorite white Op and bonnet. She looks so inanimate just like a living doll. It was just the way I'd imagined it!

Dalin of La Vida Frills wears a bittersweet outfit with a velvet bodice and the skirt made of my favorite pink and mint green striped fabric. I'm always looking for an excuse to make something from this! The blouse is a pattern I've just finished perfecting. Expect to see more! I love the giant bow at the neck.



Rei is wearing one of my favorite rococo styles with a slightly lower waist and a saque back. She looked so elegant!

Victoria of Lolita Charm modeled a new rococo look that was featured in Dalin's thesis film, La Fille De L'avenir (The Daughter of the Future)! You can check out La Vida Frills for more info. I'm so excited for the release!


Kelly wore a new dress inspired by Bunka Dolls. This length is fast becoming my favorite in the winter! I was so facinated by the dolls that I made a miniature one that Kelly has in her hair.

Bianca of Curly B modeled the long sleeve version of my favorite OP in black. She did makeup for half of he girls alongside my friend Claudia. She did a spectacular job! Her makeup in her Halloween post insipred the makeup looks for the show!

Zoh of Morrigan NYC wore a new button down coat/dress. She has on little prince pants underneath! She looked so good on the runway! Morrigan has just realesed a spiffy new line inspired by Herman Melville's epic masterwork Moby Dick!

The Chess JSK styled a little differently. Poor Sylvia got thrown onto the runway when one of my models couldn't make it. She did so well! She also did many of the girls hairstyles!


Jean is wearing a new drop waisted OP with long sleeves for winter with a matching tri-corn and a vintage stole (it was my great grandmothers)


The Green Knight dress. The way Koda wears it is kind of 1960's royalty don't you think?

The War of the Roses dress makes another showing. I thought it suited the toyland theme well.

Martha of Moss Garden in a military look with a striped blouse and another matching tri-corn. I'm in love with stripes right now.

And here I am with the hostess Shien (who also sported IDD for the evening)

A huge thanks to Micheal Blase for the runway shots!

And here are some photos that show a little more detail.



All of the following photos are by Bryan Kwon.

I hope you all enjoyed everything!

Dances of Vice: Secret Life of Toys

I am so pleased to announce that an I Do Declare fashion show will be part of the upcoming Dances of Vice: The Secret Life of Toys extravaganza! I hope any of you lovely people in the NY metro area will come out to see the show. All of the acts are fabulous!

GIVEAWAY RESULTS and a new Etsy update

Finally the long awaited results of the 100 follower giveaway~! I wrote down all of your names on little slips of paper and my roomie drew the winners from my favorite boater hat.

FIRST PRIZE goes to CARO-CHAN!

and the RUNNER UP is ROCKING HEARSES!


Caro-Chan gets a hand printed I Do Declare t-shirt featuring a tudor rose flanked by rampant Unicorns and a matching Unicorn tote bag!


Rocking Hearses gets a Unicorn tote bag!

Just shoot me an email at I_dodeclare@hotmail.com with your addresses ladies and I'll get your prizes out to you!


And a new update on the ETSY~! Now featuring all of the items shown at the Never Ending Closet show.

New Items up at the etsy shop~!

I wanted to let everyone know that I've posted some of the items from the recent show up for sale! The rest will be available for sale by tomorrow night! (I just ran out of light while taking pictures)

In other news: What are you going to be for Halloween?

In keeping with my recent Tudor obsession I'm going to be Henry VIII! I'll probably look more like Tilda Swinton in Orlando though (but nowhere near as hot)

Never Ending Closet show! And a Giveaway~!

I'm back form vacation and my sick bed (bad cold) and I'm happy to share some shots of the outfits from the Never-ending Closet show at New York Comic Con!

The Knight Print on this JSK was the inspiration for a whole medieval themed pocket collection! Modeled by the stunning Bianca of Curly B!



The skirt on this JSK is made of sixteen alternating panels of red and blue with Tudor roses, unicorns and fleur de lis! All are hand printed. Modeled by Lindsay of Lolitas N' Cream.



Chess print jsk. This one is a one of! I can't make any more because it's made from this fantastic vintage fabric I found! Modeled by The amazing Laura (who I idolize)


This OP was meant to mimic armor. It is made of a very stiff herring bone fabric. The Fleur de Lis is hand printed. Modeled by Angelica! She has the most fabulous hair!


And the finale look! I really love strapless dresses with lolita. . .I know it doesn't really follow any of the rules but it's so attractive! This dress has a split in the front and the under-layer is hand printed with Tudor roses! I really love the layered five petaled rose as a motif. Modeled by Jean.

I hope you guys liked the little pocket collection~! I'm getting back on my normal rococo track for the next few pieces. Most of these will be listed on my etsy within the next week!


I'd also like to announce A GIVEAWAY in honor of 100 followers~!
Just comment on this post then I'll put all the names into a hat and pull the lucky winner! The prize will be a t-shirt and matching tote featuring my antique unicorn print and my favorite Tudor rose! I'll be making the announcement for the winner in two weeks!