Tatterdemalion Designs-Clothing For Elegant Ruffians

Empire State Fashion Show Previews!

2010-03-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Last night was the Empire State Fashion Show, where the 2010 collection, "ROUGH/REFINE" was unveiled, also our first fashion show.

Evelyn & Dorothy hanging out backstage

Evelyn gets ready....check out Numi Empire's fabulous hairpiece.

Realize rocking one of my new cage skirt designs, available now on etsy.

Thanks for all the amazing behind-the-scenes previews from the masterful Carbon Decay.

Big thanks to Designs by LJ and Nicole , Numi Empire, the wig mistress and all of my lovely models.

More to come....stay tuned for updates.

Luxe Vs. Less-Harness Chic

2010-01-26T13:09:00.000-08:00

In-keeping with the current mode of "recessionista chic", I'll be posting items from a new installment: luxe vs. less. While I'd personally love to spend top-dollar on all of the most beautiful pieces in the finest materials sometimes that is just not possible. Other times it is completely possible to get a very similar piece of wonderful quality for a fraction of the cost. We'll let you be the judge. Happy bargin-hunting!

Luxe:

Skingraft's leather "flight harness", $200

Less:
Audra Jean's leather "Lucille Brown" underbust harness, $69.00
Even less:
Clockwork Couture's "Steampunk Harness" in faux letter, $24.95

DIY Central: Rodarte Inspired Shoes Update

2010-01-20T09:45:00.001-08:00

Hi all,

Remember that fun tutorial I posted last year to create a custom pair of Rodarte heels?

Well, it looks like someone has envisioned a high-tech update with even more beautiful details.

Check it out at the lovely Chic Steals blog.

In other news, the lovely Lara is in the process of knitting me some of those crazy tights to match. I smell a new project!

Tatterdemalion Designs now available at Clockwork Couture

2010-01-04T10:35:00.001-08:00

You can now purchase our famous ruffle collars at Clockwork Couture, including one design in an EXCLUSIVE brown/white steampunk colorway! All designs carried by Clockwork Couture are vegan-friendly.

BLACK FRIDAY SALE WEEKEND

2009-11-20T11:16:00.001-08:00

Mark your calendars...it's the Black Friday Sale at Tatterdemalion Designs!

November 27th-29th all merchandise is 15% off! Discount will be reflected in the listings. The perfect time to get a custom-made holiday gift for a loved one!

Only at our etsy shop.

"The End of an Era"-Spring 2010 Collection Preview

2009-11-12T09:19:00.000-08:00

So, here's a preview shot from the spring 2010 collection, "The End of an Era". We styled this one like an editorial, mixing an matching elements to achieve our end result. There will be more "straight catalog" too of course.

Skirt is by Tatterdemalion Designs (http://tatterdemaliondesigns.com/), blouse is an antique.

Photo: H. James Hoff (http://www.hjameshoff.com/)
Model: Esmeray (http://missesmeray.com/)
Hair: Numi Empire (http://www.numiempire.com/)
Makeup: Designs by LJ (http://www.designsbylj.net)

Engel wearing "Seduction in Stripes" by Red Sky Photo

2009-10-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

Here's a spiffy new shot of Engel wearing a "Seduction in Stripes" collar and one of our heart eyepatches (new on etsy!).

Enjoy!

Winter 2009/Spring 2010 Collection is coming this November!

2009-10-22T10:42:00.001-07:00

Hello all!

Very exciting news over here at the Tatterdemalion studio. Almost ready to release our holiday 2009/spring 2010 collection and there are some beautiful things in the works. Get ready for.....

"End of an Era"-Holiday 2009/Spring 2010

1. A bustier that actually FITS! Yes, we slaved away on this one and tried it on many real girls. It will be available in fiberglass or steel boning.
2. A gorgeous neo-Victorian skirt with lots of swags and drapery.
3. 2 sumptuous new jackets
4. Our first dress design!
5. Some brand new colorways....we'll have beautiful jewel tones and darks (sapphire blue, classic black, our signature gray) as well as some "steampunk"-inspired pieces.
6. Brand new accessories.

Stay tuned for our holiday releases and coming later this year a spring 2010 preview.

The Magnificent Kali-Ann in "The Artful Dodger"!

2009-10-07T15:48:00.000-07:00

Check out the beautiful Kali-Ann wearing "The Artful Doger" neck ruffle! Image: Don Jones Photography.

Blog Round-Up #2-Outsapop Trashion

2009-10-06T12:05:00.000-07:00

Finnish blogger Outsapop Trashion's photo-laden posts immediately caught my eye with an emphasis on something close to my heart---doing it yourself! Check out her many posts on zipper accessories and her runway rundowns for plenty of inspiration.

Auxiliary Magazine Issue 6

2009-10-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased as punch to announce that issue 6 of your favorite free alternative fashion magazine is now online featuring the lovely Marlo Marquis on the cover. Additionally, we have a wonderful interview with Doc Hammer (Mors Syphilitica, The Venture Brothers) and tons of original photo content. Enjoy!!

Print is dead? & Blog Round-up #1

2009-08-19T11:45:00.001-07:00

It seems the doomsday fever sweeping the country has paid the print industry an unwelcome visit, a sentiment I hear frequently echoed in the cyber-cries of "Print is dead! Long live the kindle!". Certainly the industry is changing, and I can't help but shudder when I see the selections of interesting magazines dwindling down to fewer and fewer choices.

I'll be the first to admit I'm a bit of curmedgeon when it comes to adopting new technology. I draft my patterns by hand. The motors of my sewing machines look like they could power a small locomotive and probably produce about as much steam and heat. My last cell phone wasn't replaced until it resembled a small, unrecognizable mass of chipped and molten plastic and dropped so many calls it was essentially a glorified paperweight.

As such, I admit to having a certain bias towards and love of the print medial I love the physical smell and feel of a book or magazine, especially the $14 imported glossies with a thick hand. I love seeing artwork and photography laid out in print. I love avoiding the monitor I am chained to at work every day.

However, I love fresh ideas, I love instant access to inspiration and I do love free things! As such, while I rage against the sentiment that "print is dead" (see Auxiliary Magazine and Coilhouse for examples of high-quality publications), I do acknowledge and appreciate the idea of freely available inspiration in a convinient format. I also acknowledge that even though print is alive and well most successful magazines include a good amount of free web content to supplement the once-a-month (or more) reader fix.

So without further ado I present some examples of excellent online blogging that won't take a dime out of your fashion budget.

Blog #1: LUXIRARE

Luxirare's blog premise is an unlikely one, a marriage of "Killer clothes + fine cuisine", something that made me chuckle being that nourishment and fashionable clothing seem to be especially at odds nowadays (see the body-conscious trend). Luckily, Luxirare's writer is completely comfortable with these oppositions; food and fashion receive the same exquisite treatment in her beautiful, often surreal photo compositions.

This blog is truly a treat. You will enjoy it whether you are a lover or a creator of fashionable objects and tasty treats. I got an especially nerdy charge out of admiring her exquisite finishing & pattern-making abilities, but no background knowledge is required to dig in.

Visit Luxirare here

Inspiration Files #2: Gleamnight Fashion Studio

2009-08-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

This post will be short and sweet. I stumbled across Gleamnight on a livejournal corsetry community and was compelled to share.

A love letter to alternative culture

2009-07-29T18:06:00.000-07:00

By now I'm sure many of you are aware of the artistic, creative, and witty endeavor that is Coilhouse Magazine. For those of you who are not, you are in for a treat. Let me explain....Coilhouse Magazine is the magazine I've dreamed of for years. It's a luscious confection of vivid imagery surrounded by tasteful layouts. It's a clever mirror to and stab at the pompousness surrounding us.

Essentially, the first time I purchased Coilhouse I discovered that this was the magazine I'd make with my friends if we had the time and inclination. Read, love, support, and be moved. :)

Twittering Away

2009-07-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

We've decided to give this whole twitter thing a try, so check us out there. We'll post cool, new links, remind you about blog updates and reward you with extra goodies like secret sales, giveaways, contests and more.

http://twitter.com/tatterdesigns

See you there!

DIY Central: Rodarte Heels & Tights

2009-07-17T08:55:00.000-07:00

I fell in love with these heels the first time I saw them, so I'm delighted to see that someone had the brilliant idea to DIY them. See her take on them with complete instructions here.

If I did this project I'd probably use materials from Studs and Spikes. They carry all of the materials used to make the heels (including those beautiful curved spikes) and the price is right.

Speaking of heels, why stop there? These gorgeously-distressed Rodarte fishnets are ripe with DIY potential, especially with the knitting craze that's sweeping the globe.

Or if you don't care to make your own etsy seller Miso Pervy has beautifully knitted ones for a mere $45. Much more affordable than the ones I saw at I Don't Like Mondays.

Royal Rendezvous Part III

2009-06-27T23:59:00.000-07:00

Another installment from this photoshoot!

All wardrobe by Tatterdemalion Designs

Pictured:
White moire top hat by Gypsy Lady
One of a kind hand-knotted freshwater pearl necklace with glass skull beads
"Caged Heart" silk corset with heart applique in royal red (by special request)
One of a kind white petticoat skirt

Photographer: Julia Gerace
Model: Dori-Bot

Inspiration File #1-Vorpal Images

2009-06-22T15:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to a brand-new column: The Inspiration Files. Once a week I will update with what's inspiring me, be it runway fashion, photography, or the work of other artists. Each file will contain a lush collection of images designed to ignite and inspiration the imagination. Feedback is welcome!

Installment # 1-Vorpal Images

Oregon photographer Vorpal Images creates atmospheric portraits and fashion photography, full of lush colors, sensuous content and swirling, elaborate hairdos. I initially discovered them while doing some internet research on Rococo fashion. This hot pink and highly detailed confection caught my eye instantly, but Vorpal is no one-trick pony. Browse their editorials and archives on flickr for an astounding body of work that is one-part fashion and one part fantasy.

Auxiliary Magazine-Rewriting the Rulebook on Alternative Fashion

2009-06-12T18:18:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce that the 4th issue of Auxiliary Magazine is up online for your browsing pleasure. Auxiliary Magazine is a very high-quality publication that brings you the alternative fashion, music and lifestyle articles. Best of all, it's free as a downloadable PDF, or you can snag a paper copy from Magcloud.

While it's true that I write for Auxiliary Magazine and am obviously biased as a result, I think I would still love it if I wasn't involved. There are very few publications in this particular vein that pay such attention to layout, quality content and exhibit such diversity of material. Auxiliary seems to exude rare sensibility that keeps one eye on the underground and one eye on the going-ons of contemporary high fashion, which is a breath of fresh air.

If nothing else, the pictures are pretty and it is FREE. My friends, you have no excuse now.

Tatterdemalion Designs in Gothic Beauty #28!

2009-06-11T15:32:00.001-07:00

Tatterdemalion Designs scored a mention in Gothic Beauty #28! Check us out in "Poptart's Picks". You can score a copy at your nearby boutique, Barnes & Noble, Borders and other stores (check the site).

Also big thanks for the flattering write-ups in these blogs. You guys are fantastic!

Royal Rendezvous Series Part II

2009-06-09T22:03:00.001-07:00

"She had a heart full of love and devotion.
She had a mind full of tyranny and terror."

There are times when I am lucky enough to work with people who are not only talented but kind and fascinating in their own right. In this series, Dori captured the essence of this look--a deviant aristocrat full of passion and pride.

All wardrobe by Tatterdemalion Designs

Pictured:
"Royal Rendevous" Bijoux mini-crown in silver, red silk, white faux-fur and white crystals
One of a kind hand-knotted freshwater pearl necklace with glass skull beads
"Caged Heart" silk corset with heart applique in royal red (by special request)
One of a kind white petticoat skirt

Photographer: Julia Gerace
Model: Dori-Bot

Royal Rendezvous Series

2009-06-09T21:52:00.000-07:00

Fresh images-"On the Road to Dreams"

All wardrobe by Tatterdemalion Designs

Pictured:

"Royal Rendevous" Bijoux mini-crown in silver, red silk, white faux-fur and white crystals
One of a kind hand-knotted freshwater pearl necklace with glass skull beads
"Caged Heart" silk corset with heart applique in royal red (by special request)
One of a kind white petticoat skirt

Photographer: Julia Gerace
Model: Dori-Bot

Welcome all!

2009-06-09T21:46:00.000-07:00

Tatterdemalion Designs has entered the wild and wooly world of online blogging.

Watch here for site updates, posts of photoshoot outtakes, and other gems. There will also be style posts, gabbing, product updates, polls and the occasional blog-only SALE! Watch this page.