Everything Little Black Dress

My Next Dresser…

Denise R. Greer — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:08:54 +0000

BEAUTIFUL!!!

I stumbled across a piece of artisan furniture that I have to have. It’s a MDF-Maple Veneer and Aluminum Little Black Dresser. Only, I would hang it in the living room or hall so everyone can see just how beautiful it is. The Little Black Dresser was designed by Judson Beaumont for Straight Line Designs, Inc, a workshop in Vacouver, British Columbia. Beaumont has been designing one-of-a-kind installations, sculptures and furniture since 1985. As a craftsman myself, I appreciate his attention to detail and clean lines of this dresser.

The shop does a variety of other creative projects. Check out its blog at http://straightlinedesigns.wordpress.com/

Halloween Party Attire—What to wear?

Denise R. Greer — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:58:10 +0000

Low on cash or don’t feel like rummaging through one of those over-priced Halloween stores, where—let’s face it ladies—you get to choice between a slutty witch, slutty nurse, basically insert the word slutty with any profession’s or character’s attire. PUT THAT LITTLE BLACK DRESS TO USE. Racking my brain for ideas, I came up with a couple ideas depending on the style of LBD you wanna use:

Tight Little Mini Dress: Tina Turner all the way. Thrift for the hair anddust off those four-inch heels and rock it, Tina style.
Long Evening Gown: That’s easy Breakfast at Tiffany’s Audrey, all the way. You are sure to have large fashion sunglasses. Then, just grab a faux pearl necklace and long black gloves and do the Updo and you’re set.
Knee-length Halter Dress: Go as Marilyn Monroe’s alter-ego—everything black instead of the signature white in “The Seven Year Itch.” You can even starch the dress to come up to the infamous pose. This one requires some explaining, perhaps.
Standard A-Line or Mini Dress: With the popularity of PAN-AM,you could be a Stewardess (yes today, it’s flight attendant but PAN-AM was set in the 1960s, so retro it) Add a black belt, fitted black jacket, boots or pumps. Hit an Army/Navy Surplus store to find a Navy combination cap and wings.
Tight Strapless Mini Dress: Slick back that hair, strap on a guitar, and don’t forget the pumps and go as a Robert Palmer Simply Irresistible video girl.
Any Outrageous LBD: Pick one of the many Lady Gaga looks and show your Gaga style in that LBD.

There are also the old standbys to make use of the LBD like a witch, devil, zombie, librarian or vampire.
What will you be?

Trade in that Bridesmaid Dress for a LBD

Denise R. Greer — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:21:02 +0000

The Dressy Group, a bridesmaid dress manufacturer, has launched Newlymaid—and get this—allowing you to trade in those braidmaid dresses that a cluttering your closet for a little black dress.

This is the mark a genius plan for those of us who can relate to the movie “27 Dresses.”

The details: Newlymaid accepts gently worn bridesmaid and special occasion dresses from any designer. For the dress, Newlymaid will offer you a 30%-50% credit value towards a new any occasion dress—perhaps that little black dress.

Here’s how it works: Simply visit Newlymaid.com and request a complimentary return mailer to ship an old dress to Newlymaid. Once received, Newlymaid will inspect the dress to be sure there are no pulls, tears or stains and that all zippers and closures are functioning properly. Your dress must qualify these standards. Then, you will receive an e-mail with your Newlymaid account discount to apply towards that new dress.

The returned dresses will be donated to charity or recycled. Dresses deemed suitable for reuse will be donated to Clothes4Souls. Those that are recycled will be donated to UNIFI, a global textile company.

One Word……..ETSY

Denise R. Greer — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:25:48 +0000

If finding eclectic, handmade items is your thing, Etsy is the perfect place to shop. And it is filled with LBDs galore, from simple everyday dresses to elaborate works of art. Below are some beautiful LBDs that I have on my wish list: (Simply click the image of the dress to go to its Etsy page)

What does your Etsy LBD find look like?

Govinda Travo introduces LBD collection

Denise R. Greer — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:37:35 +0000

Freelance graphic designer Govinda Travo introduced her first Little Black Dress Collection this summer with vision and flare. Check out her take on the LBD at http://iamgovinda.com/stylefaerie/2011/07/who-wants-to-wear-a-little-black-dress/

Also notice the dynamite photo shoot. Wow, talented photographers were on hand.

Top 10 iconic LBD moments by Net-A-Porter

Denise R. Greer — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:25:35 +0000

A few years ago, Net-A-Porter.com interviewed some of the top fashion professionals to count down the top 10 iconic LBD moments. Just who made the list? I can tell you Betty Boop, Princess Diana, and Kate Moss made it! Enjoy:

Tyra Banks and Andre Leon Talley Talk Little Black Dress

Denise R. Greer — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:10:38 +0000

I love America’s Next Top Model. If you like that, you’ll definitely appreciate Tyra Banks and Andre Leon Talley talking Little Black Dress in her typeF.com exclusive episode of Fa-Fa-Fa Fashion. I promise laughter!

Most Compelling Black Dresses in History Captured in Print

Denise R. Greer — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:11:11 +0000

I’m not afraid to admit that I am addicted to browsing Amazon.com. On my latest visit, I came across a book that I instantly added to my shopping cart: The Black Dress by Valerie Steele. Being a photographer, I was drawn to it because the story of the LBD is told in pictures with an essay by Steele, who is director and chief curator at the Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. The Museum boasts more than 50,000 garments and accessories from the 18th Century to today and is one of the premiere fashion museums in the world. With such a strong knowledge base for fashion, who better than Steele could tell the tale of the LBD.

Take a peak for yourself: The Black Dress @ Amazon.com

There are several book that pay tribute to the timeless allure of the little black dress. Below are a few that I have come across:

Li ttle Black Dress: Vintage Treasure by Didier Ludot
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Dressed in Black by Valerie Mendes
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The Little Black Dress by Amy Holman Edelman
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Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress, my primping song!

Denise R. Greer — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:28:26 +0000

Saturday night, as I put on my little black dress, strappy heals and got all snazzy for my night out at Prime Lounge in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, a song was playing in my head. Yes, yes, it was Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress by The Hollies. Great song!

Australians add style to 12k Run

Denise R. Greer — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 13:08:58 +0000

The community of Kent Town, South Australia will, not only lace up their running shoes, but also put on their little back dresses to raise awareness of screening for bowel cancer every year from the age of 40. Participants will walk or run to support the Jodi Lee Foundation in the September 18 Sunday Mail City-Bay Fun Run, which attracts tens of thousands to participate. Donned with their LBDs (even the men), the Jodi Lee Foundation crew should stand out. A prize will be awarded for the best little black dress. So if you happen to be in South Australia and want to pull out that little black dress and sneakers for a good cause, there’s still time to enter. The deadline is September 5. Visit jodileefoundation.org.au to learn more.