Thursday 22 August 2013

Uniting Fashion from the East and the West

With leading innovations in the fashion world, it would be neither odd nor hard to find the fashions of the world becoming widespread in certain nations. Fashions have gotten a great blend and have undergone much assimilation and compounding throughout the years they have ever lasted in the world, and to this very day, we see many of the fashionable outfits spread everywhere, from the east to the west, and from the west to the east. Although for most cases, the western style takes the lead and influences the adornments of most cultures and societies in the world mainly for their convenience, some highly exquisite and traditional outfits from the east have yet to disappear from the fashion scene Satin Prom Dresses. Instead, a lot of them have been popularized, glorified and noted as inspirations for further advancement and development in the fashion world, there is surely no doubt that both the fashion in the east and the west work well together in bringing and holding up the fashion world in its fullest.
In the line of designers who have attempted at blending fashion from the east with the west, it is not uncommon to find names that differ starkly from common western names, since a blend of culture would necessarily mean that designers from other cultures may come into the picture. This seems to be the case for one gifted designer named Naomi Thompson, she has successfully produced a series of clothing proper to this theme and her sense of fashion is breathtaking and certainly worth everyone’s long attention span and glorification. Her prime endeavor in this season was to incorporate the east to the western clothing with a unique style, preserving the themes of the east, yet intelligently infusing the designs of the west, and there was a splendid end product for the show.
Her array of designs featured kimono style bridesmaid dresses, vintage kimono coats, as well as other interestingly styled fashionable outfits. The garments are, as expected, very flowery, but they are subtly cut into the right length, shape and sizes, adjusted and trimmed well to fit the design of the western-styled apparels she had made. She made use of plain tones, but covered over them coats or stitched onto them pieces of fabrics containing the designs of the kimono, and all the flowers got on the dresses and coats, just right where they should be, and they resided really well all around these outfits.

These fabrics of Naomi Thompson however, are all recycled fabric that she had gotten from users who have used the kimonos. For these beautiful and artistic designs with all the flowers, although they were products previously used, the fabrics were magically turned into something no one would expect. Who would expect beautiful western-styled clothing out of pieces of old kimono cloth anyway? The considerations of Naomi Thompson was also considerably profound, the dresses and coats had been carefully thought out that all of them contained straps and adjustments that would make the clothing lasting for the wearer in the long run. The straps were adjustable and changeable according to the wearer’s personal preference and possible changes in body shape or size. Indeed, this is one great sign that the artist has thought things out carefully, splendid idea indeed for a blend for eastern and western clothing.

One Shoulder Beaded Ruched Chiffon Prom/Cocktail Dress

Silhouette: Sheath
Neckline: One Shoulder 
Waist: Natural 
Hemline/Train: Short/Mini
Sleeve Length: Sleeveless 
Embellishments: Ruching/Pleated, Beading
Fabric: Chiffon 
Built-In Bra: Yes 
Fully Lined: Yes 
Shown Color: White
Body Shape:  Hourglass, Rectangle,
Occasion:  Prom, Cocktail, Homecoming
Season: Spring, Fall, Winter, Summer

Wednesday 21 August 2013

What's old is new again at Lincoln Mill


This was actually last night's look, technically. This dress is absolutely amazing, and it was supposed to go on the Etsy store, but sorry ladies, I'm keeping it for myself!

This little beauty came from a less-than-desirable thrift store, however, I think the selection is way better since Leah may be the only person who dares shops there! Regardless, I'm happy to have accompanied her a few weeks ago since I found this loveliness.

There was an occasion for this outfit. Last night was my very first gallery opening at Sam & Greg's in downtown Huntsville. I have 15 pieces up for the next month, so go grab yourself some delicious pizza & gelato and check out the exhibit!


Yesterday, I was lucky enough to get a quick tour of the Lincoln Mills Project going on just outside downtown Huntsville.

After having a day to sit and process everything I saw: This place is going to be absolutely incredible, and Huntsville is lucky to have this development.

For those non-Alabamians, Huntsville used to be home to four textile mills -- Lincoln, Dallas, Lowe and Merrimack mills. Dallas no longer exists, while Lincoln, Merrimack and Lowe have all been restored by three independent local developers. Now, Leah and I have a particular interest in this, being that we work at one of them.view more
We've had a busy busy summer and fall here at Meri Vintage! What have we been up to, you ask? Well, Ashley has been busy helping stage an original production at a theatre in Huntsville, while Leah is preparing for her Birmingham debut as Janet in Rocky Horror! Lots of exciting things a-happening here.

What's new at the store, you might ask? Well, for starters, I've been trying not to take everything wonderful we lay our eyes on. Hence, you have access to this fabulous Gunne Sax peplum lace sweetheart-neckline beauty:

What to pair with it? How about this early-1960s gold and black brocade clutch? These are both fabulous transitional pieces for early to late fall.Open Back Dresses
Lots of new goodness going on over at the Meri Vintage Etsy store! We've got a whole new selection of dresses, blouses, rompers and accessories in all shapes, sizes and colors. A few plus-size options, and all types of dresses from the 50s through the 80s!

Two of our favorites are above, both secretary dresses. Ashley's on the right, Leah is at left in the pink. It's funny because I think the general population (or at least here) thinks people who wear vintage all dress pretty similarly. But Leah and I both have very different styles. Leah's all about the 1940s-50s, while I gravitate more toward the 1960s-70s. She chooses lighter colors, while I always opt for blacks and blues.

Anyway, the point of all this is that while we're both wearing secretary dresses above, we bring our own unique styles to Meri Vintage and we hope very much that you enjoy the selection of items we find down here in Alabama.view more

A-line One Shoulder Beaded High Slit Prom Dress

Silhouette: Sheath/Column 
Neckline: One Shoulder 
Waist: Natural 
Hemline/Train: Floor-length 
Sleeve Length: Sleeveless 
Embellishments: Ruching/Pleated, Beading, Draping, Split Front 
Fabric: Elastic Woven Satin 
Built-In Bra: Yes 
Fully Lined: Yes 
Shown Color: Purple, Fuchsia 
Body Shape: Hourglass, Pear, Inverted Triangle, Rectangle 
Occasion: Prom, Evening 
Season: Spring, Fall, Winter, Summer

Thursday 1 August 2013

You’ll Never Guess How Many Pairs of Jeans Vanessa Hudgens Owns




Red carpet boobs
We are big proponents of the saying “If you’ve got it, flaunt it” — within reason, of course.
So after seeing three stars this week cross that reasonable line, we felt the need to call out Kate Upton, Tyra Banks and Paula Patton for abusing the privilege of having phenomenal décolletage by putting it on display in a less-than-fabulous manner.Casual Prom Dresses
RELATED PHOTOS: Vote on more questionable star style in Obsessed or Hot Mess?

We can’t fault supermodel Upton for wanting to try the sheer trend, but when your chest requires you to wear super-supportive undergarments, it’s best to show off other assets under gauzy fabric — like a killer back or great legs. Even a plunging neckline would have been super-sexy, but this peek at her hardworking nude strapless number totally negates the allure of the sheer style.view more

Vanessa Hudgens jeans

Every girl needs options, and Vanessa Hudgens is no different. While most StyleWatchers own between 6-10 pairs of jeans, the actress has just afew more than that. Her estimate? “Like … 40 to 50 pairs?”
And that’s after cutting way down. “I used to have so many!” the star told PEOPLE at an American Eagle event in N.Y.C. Tuesday. “I got rid of a ton because my closet space was getting very, very cramped.”
RELATED: Have you voted in our denim awards poll yet?
Even so, Hudgens admits that the remaining pairs in her closet total up to “more than I wear for sure,” and adds that she can’t pick just one go-to pair of blue jeans.
“Once a week I’ll have a new favorite,” she said, wearing her current favorite American Eagle style with a Danielle Stevens pendant to launch the company’s “Rock Your Walk” campaign. “You don’t have to stick to one thing.” For instance: She can’t wait to slip back into corduroys with fall approaching.view mroe
Ashlee Simpson Jessica Simpson ads

Ashlee Simpson‘s style has always differed from her sister Jessica‘s: Jess has always been feminine and frilly, while Ashlee’s rocked an edgier, downtown vibe. But mom Tina Simpson says there’s a simpler difference between the two.
“[Ashlee’s] boobs aren’t as big!” she tells PEOPLE at the Jessica Simpson Fall 2013 collection launch in N.Y.C..
“True that!” Ashlee says, laughing. “[Jessica’s] a bit more girly, and I kind of like to bring an edge to my looks. I do like to be in dresses, I just like to toughen it.”
The two sisters may be very different on the surface, but that didn’t stop new mom Jessica from making her little sis the face of the line for fall. Their differing styles Halter Prom Dresses appear to mix in these exclusive first-look photos of the campaign, with Ashlee bringing a little fierceness to the feminine clothes.view more
Justin Bieber The Key
Any girl knows that the key to Justin Bieber‘s heart is his Twitter. After all, that’s where he communicates with more than 42 million of his fans.
And starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, those fans are getting access to another key — The Key, to be precise — as Bieber launches a Tweetstakes to promote his new fragrance of the same name.

One lucky fan who uploads a photo of herself with something related to the new fragrance (and uses #TheKeytoJB) will win a meet-and-greet with Bieber in Atlanta, while 20 more will score the new fragrance, which he tells PEOPLE is “bringing [my fans and I] closer than ever.”

The best news of all? This exclusive behind-the-scenes shot from his fragrance ad campaign totally counts, so shoot this link over to the superstar and cross your fingers that you’ll unlock some Bieber magic.view more
Silhouette: Sheath 
Neckline: One Shoulder 
Waist: Empire 
Hemline/Train: Short(Mini) 
Sleeve Length: Sleeveless 
Embellishments: Crystal Detailing, Ruching 
Fabric: Silk like satin 
Built-In Bra: Yes 
Fully Lined: Yes 
Shown Color: Blue, Black, Fuschia 
Body Shape: Hourglass, Inverted Triangle 
Occasion: Prom, Cocktail, Homecoming 
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter,view more