Orb...oh, my, lace...

...new work by the amazing Darla Teagarden featuring the Dentelle evening gown that I designed for the 13 years collection...





*all photos courtesy of Darla Teagarden.

Winter Jewells...

Jewell Magazine has featured 2 of my designs in their winter editorial feature "Fashion Industry:



"Mignonne dress" - muslin, hand=embroidered...$850


"Swing coat" - wool,acrylic...SOLD

thanks to Kerri Curtis & Jane Vanisko McCan for the styling and Tania Quintanilla for the photography.

Chopped meat...

The gorgeous, incomparable, Eva Anoma modeling the brown leather Butcher's Apron Skirt from Blackmail's 13 Years collection.

(photo courtesy of Fashionably Austin and necklace by Pamela Tuohy Jewelry.)

Retail: $800. Soft brown leather, with pleated black linen back skirt and kick pleat. Multi-strand wrap belt in leather. Size M. One-of-kind.
Call or email: info@blackmailboutique.com for details.

More show...

...thanks to Refueled Magazine for this show coverage...
and all photos by Harlee Ria DeMeerleer/special to Refueled

Make-up by W3LL People


Carrie Berry & Amy Cook...


Chella Cardona...

Pamela Tuohy with her amazing jewelry on Summer Lawson...

13 years, 13 years

My dear, talented friend, Todd V. Wolfson has chronicled the before, during and after of my collection "13 years" in a short b&w video. And now Mesdames et Messieurs...for your viewing pleasure:

13 years, 13 years (Blackmail Boutique & Atelier) from todd wolfson on Vimeo.

FIN: Movin' on...

...like a branch on a tree,
I keep reaching to be free...
Movin' on, movin' on.
Like a long, dusty road,
I grow weary of my load...
Movin' on.

It's an old camp song.

"...it's done. 29 looks, 8 models, 36 hours leading up to the show with no sleep (Gillian, Aaron, Stephen and I never slept with visits and help from Alton and DJ John Gomi)..."

The show happened 2 weeks ago and I am just now waking up and processing. The 2 days leading up to it were a blur...the intimacy of the team spending wakeless hours finishing pieces: Gillian, Aaron, Stephen and me. Alton flew in from NYC to help and create the final headpiece with feathers overnighted by Abby from The Feather Place in LA. I remember John Gomi stopping by at about 3 am after his gig to talk music for the show and run errands for food & drink provisions. Pam from 2ETN came by the next day with her daughters Nellie and Harlee and Alton & Pam styled the exquisite jewelry pieces on the designs that were runway ready.
Elise, John, Javier & Jesse ran errands and readied the bar. Dana was organizing the backstage. Neil directed the volunteers and the front of the house. Soraiya delivered the macarons and Lisa from Delish brought fresh cupcakes for us to snack on. The models arrived and they sat on stools on the windows having their make-up done by the girls from W3LL People. Bryan showed up and worked their hair into soft, yet classic chignons.
Alejandro Escovedo & David Pulkingham briefly rehearsed the song "13 years" - a sad love song that set the stage for my collection. An obsession with something often out of reach, but one stays with it anyway. My relationship with my craft.
The emotion of the night was overwhelming. I barely remember the show but they say it was wonderful. I'll start posting pictures for those of you who were unable to be there.
Thanks for bearing with my late reporting on my show...lots of things on my mind, not the least of which is my surgery next week.
Ciao for now...I leave you with prep work in the hours leading up to the presentation: