Fashion Show or Film Festival? We Don't Know Either!

Hey guys & dolls I’m back and as promised with my multi-media fashion show recap complete with

film links!

When we were approached again about hosting our vintage fashion show we really wanted to create a unique and memorable experience, not only for the attendees but also for the ladies and gents involved in the show. With the help of DaLar Productions we decided to create a multi-media show which would highlight not only the fashion trends of the 1920s but the films of the era. With that, “Nostalgi-Vision” was created. As part of the process, we took on the challenge of creating 5 mini silent films.

The silent film era featured a wide variety of genres to choose from. Basically I knew I wanted to create a political satire film targeting prohibition and a classic keystone cop, a Film Noir, a horror movie, a Hollywood epic placed in Egypt (Yes I wanted to be Cleopatra) and a slapstick comedy complete with a custard pie fight. Since we all know flappers and Gatsby guys & dolls, I wanted to touch on different fashion trends, like casual and formal menswear, Egyptian revival and art deco.

The idea for our fashion show was to pair a look / outfit with a silent movie best representing the style. Of course, we had to recreate a lot of the looks using vintage and modern pieces that were not from the 1920s since fabric over 90 years old can be very fragile. That's the beauty of being part of a group like the Memphettes. You can build your look around all vintage pieces or you can accent reproduction and modern items with a pop of vintage flair. Either way, it's about the look and the attitude.

A great deal of effort went in to each film so we could make sure they appeared not only in the proper style, but that they appeared era correct in as much as we could pull off. Simple things like covering modern outlets and making sure cars weren't reflected in a window. It's harder than one might think. In the end, we produced the following films. Check them out and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

(Click on the title to watch the films!)

Film #1 – Alley Cats starring Comanche Rose, D’elle Memphis and D.E. LaRiviere

Film #2 – The Call starring Angel Logsdon

Film #3 – Midnight Train to Memphis starring Scarlett Fever and Christopher Stafford

Film #4 – The Pharaoh’s Bride starring D’elle Memphis and Jeremiah “Fish” Patton

Film #5 – Garden Party starring The Memphettes

I also want to recognize local musician Pete McCarty for providing the soundtrack for Alley Cats. It was perfect.

Will you see more of our films…yes you will as soon as we can remember our lines!

Personal note...once again I remind everyone our shows are extremely campy and created to be so.  So before you criticize remember...this is what we do for fun!  If this looks just your speed and you would like to join the crew for some of our "adventures"...drop me a line!

Mint Cream Vintage Expo

Over the weekend, the crew of The Memphettes and I were enlisted as entertainment during the Mint Cream Vintage Expo.  Mint Cream is a relatively new market still in its infancy stage and 2017 marked the 2^nd annual event.  The expo is organized and hosted by local vintage queen and blogger Amy Dobbins.  Check out Amy's Blog here. 

First, I must admit the most enticing part of this event for me is the unique location.  The expo is located in a downtown Memphis warehouse which is home to Tad Peirson’s American Dream Safari.  ADS is an indoor vintage trailer park complete with an assortment of vintage trailers and brightly painted hand made tire art and furniture.  Sound weird?  Well it is…weird and wonderful!!  American Dream Safari will also be happy to host you and your friends on a downtown tour of Memphis in vintage cars for a reasonable fee. Honestly, does is it really get any better than touring Memphis in a pink Cadillac?? 

Admission to Mint Cream was a mere $5 with encouragement to bring two cans of food for the Memphis Food Bank.  The market is contained within a relatively small space with about 8-10 vendors selling everything from vintage clothing and accessories to home décor.  There was a food truck and a small classic car show that kicked off at 5pm.  In addition to shopping and eating “Uni-Corn on the Cob” there were several demos that were both educational and entertaining.  Local hair gurus Kasey Dees and “Razor” Rob Brennan were on hand to show how to create the perfect vintage “do”.  Hey guys want the perfect pompadour? Here is a clue…set up an appointment and visit Memphis hair icon “Razor” Rob!  Trust me on this one!

"Razor" Rob Brennan with his model James Hambrick
(MidSouthWeaponX & Brick House Training)

Amy Dobbins, Kasey Dees (Hair Slayer) and her lovely model

 The Memphettes followed up the hair demos with a quick vintage fashion show featuring attire from 1940s-1980’s which accompanied a performance with the retro rocking sounds of Los Psychosis. 

The Memphettes Vintage Fashion Show spanned from 1940 to 1980.
From left to right Row 1: Comanche Rose, Heaven Leigh, Shelly Gowan, Lauren Knight
Row 2: Shelly Gowan, D'elle Memphis, Corinne Hutchison, Comanche Rose
Row 3:Corinne Hutchison, Comanche Rose, Julie Banderob, D'elle Memphis
  

Oh yeah and Little Elvis…how can you forget Little Elvis?  There was a meet and greet/photo op with Little Elvis.  This kid is ADORABLE and the living embodiment of The King in a small child.  I must admit he even looks like Elvis! 

Little Elvis - Isn't he just a doll!!!!  Pictured with mom, Katrina
Photos by RetroPhotography 

Here is what you must know about this market.  If you are looking for antique or boutique style booths with the latest in shiny Pinterest-y goodies this isn't really the place for you.  If you are looking for vintage clothing, accessories, home décor and other bizarre happy treasures this is your kind of place!  The vendors priced items to sell, not to fund their retirement or kid's college fund.  The selections were not vast, but what was there was cool and eye catching.  

Comanche Rose really enjoyed the day at Mint Cream! 

The environment at Tad's is a little on the, shall we say rustic side and while it may not be the most aesthetically appealing place for some people, there is a vibe there that seemed to add to the event.  The crowd had a genuine connection to both the vintage scene and the overall feel of the market.  Vintage enthusiasts left feeling like they had been to a gathering of like-minded folks and it had a familiarity to it that made it more than just a vintage sale.  It seemed kind of like a family get-together.  

Comanche Rose & I had a blast and of course we loved seeing you all!  

Hoping Mint Cream Vintage Expo will be back next year with even more to love.

Until Next Time...

The Memphettes and Our Mission

Monroe, D'elle & Comanche

The Memphettes social society was created to encourage women of all shapes, sizes, ages, and backgrounds to find their inner bombshell or vintage diva. Based out of Memphis (bet you didn't see that coming) we are a group of ladies in love with vintage, glamour and pinup. Founded by Comanche Rose, Monroe Noire and myself, because we noticed a need for a group that supported each other versus tearing one another down.

It has become an unfortunate fact that instead of banding together in all of the challenges the female gender already face, that women as a whole seem to be driven by a need to compete and compare. I will even go so far as to say women feel the need to occasionally undermine each other, and we can be downright vicious about it.

Unfortunately, age does not always seem to remedy this behavior. Age does not always equal maturity. I hate to admit it but I see this mentality present within many of the communities I am actively involved in. I seem to continually meet other women who feel it is necessary to destroy the self-confidence of others in order to make themselves feel better. This behavior I do not understand.

We strive to love & uplift each another

The Memphettes was created to combat negative behavior and toxicity within friendships. It is our mission to reach out to other women to help them realize their strengths while encouraging each other to find our inner & outer beauty. Above all else it is our mission to teach other women how to love differently, not only themselves but each other. Shaming of any sort is not allowed!

encourage each other to be vibrant

I would love to say this is an easy task or I am 100% faithful to my mission every day. Sadly, I am not. I am human and fall into the petty gossip and negative behavior. But I do have an awesome group of ladies to support me when I am being a bitch and pull me back up to where I believe I should stand. Support is our goal, and we all have to work toward it on a daily basis. The challenge becomes putting aside our individual inner battles and self-doubt so we can be there for one another. It's something we can all benefit from.

celebrate the love & beauty we
find in each unique member

Now if you are interested in knowing a little more about The Memphettes we are a group of like-minded ladies with an interest in vintage home decor & furnishings, clothing & accessories and sewing who meet regularly to brunch, participate in community events and fellowship together in celebration of all things vintage. In addition to hosting Memphette outings, we have either hosted or made guest appearances in and around her community including vintage fashion shows for Southern Junkers Vintage Market, guest judge at the Resurrection Rat Rod & Bike Show Pin Up Pageant, Pints for Pitbulls and Hard Rock Cafe Pinvasion. If you are in the Memphis area and would like to be part of our group please feel free to message me!

Attending the Memphis Downtown Holiday Parade

@ the Chuck Parr Pinup Art Gallery Exhibit

Pints for Pitbulls

Vintage Fashion Show

Some of our events are family friendly

Grease Sing A Long

Grease Sing A Long

Vintage Shopping & Brunch @ Fuel Cafe

@ the Resurrection Rat Rod & Bike Show

Witches Brunch

Hard Rock Cafe Pinvasion

Rockabilly Fashion Show

Victory Rolls, Betty Bangs and Bandanas Oh My!!

Over this past weekend, The Memphettes had the privilege of participating in their second fashion show with Southern Junkers Vintage Market.   Our job, as requested by market organizers, was to provide entertainment and color to an already spectacular event. To say this event was full on fun and campy goodness would be an understatement! 

If you came to the event looking looking for the traditional fashion show environment, then this might not have been the show for you and I will go ahead and apologize for what we put you through.  

We freely admit that the words "fashion show" mean something altogether different to us. No lampshade head covers or dresses that look like someone was wrapped in a labradoodle were anywhere to be found. Our shows are not meant to be taken too seriously but are created to be both entertaining, informative, and bring attention to our group mission, which is encouraging women of all shapes, sizes, ages, and backgrounds to find their inner bombshell.

      

This time around we took a stab at rockabilly fashion and western attire.  With D’elle Memphis and Comanche Rose leading the chaos we exhibited twenty different looks and discussed rockabilly music, fashion trends, accessories, hairstyles and makeup.  (sorry not all outfits were captured on film L) Evidently we own all the hair flowers, stiletto heels & red lipstick in the Mid-South!! 

Special thanks to Kitty Collins & Here Kitty Kitty Vintage and Atomic Boomerang for providing A LOT of the clothing you see here!!   Also, a super special thanks to Ruth Barnes Of Southern Junkers Vintage Market for taking a chance and allowing us to bring the chaos out into public. 

Check out The Memphettes we are on the inter-webs and have our very own facy-space account.  If it looks like something you’d like to be involved in message us!  We don’t bite…usually!