STYLE | January 2013 Editorial | Speakeasy Style

2012 was the year for experimenting; fun colors that ombred and "rainbowed", interesting patterns, opposing hemlines, teased out bedroom hair and impractical  "ghost" heels.  We have definitely reached a futuristic plateau as far as fashion goes.  However, in the midst of our futuristic fashion voyage, we have somewhat lost a sense of class and elegance.  That is why 2013 must the year that we polish our shoes, comb our hair, bust out the classic jewelry and get dressed up again.  You know, the kind of head turning, jaw dropping, glittering glamour like they had back in the "good ol' days" of the 1920's.

 The 20's were very much a revolutionary period in fashion history, much like the phase we're going through now. Coco Chanel released her line of chic jersey jumpers with eye-popping hemlines and tomboyish waistlines, the girls bobbed their hair, wore lipstick and smoked cigarettes. It was all about breaking rules and having fun in an economically harsh time - and isn't that what we're all about now?  So where did the flappers, gangsters, guys and dolls go for a good time back in the day?  To the Speakeasy of course - and that's exactly where we decided to have our shoot this time.

A secluded space used as storage space for decades, the Speakeasy has been restored into its former historic glory. In true 1920s tradition, Pittsburgh's only Speakeasy is tucked beneath the hotel lobby on the William Penn Level within the depths of the Omni.  “We are very excited to showcase another aspect of this hotel’s history to our guests and patrons” said Eric DeStefano, general manager of the Omni William Penn Hotel.  “The intimacy and classic beauty of the Speakeasy provides another unique venue for our guests to enjoy.”

The elegantly nostalgic and intimate space will feature exclusive elixirs such as Absinthe, along with other classic cocktails of the era. Innovative drinks with classic roots are the stars of the menu—from the Blood and Sand to the Light’s Out martini, and, of course, an Old Fashioned. The full bar includes top-shelf aged scotch and bourbon, smooth enough to delight any gangster.  Fourteen fine wines, ranging from California to Bordeaux, finish off the menu. Guys and dolls accustomed to Omni’s superior service will not be disappointed, as bartenders clad in nostalgic garb from the age of jazz provide service beyond expectations. 

Visually, the Speakeasy references the noir era with plush scarlet seating surrounded by lavish flocked wall covering, topped by a tin roof remains true to Pittsburgh’s classic elegance and prohibition discretion. Dark and sensual, cozy and private —Speakeasy is the ultimate urban getaway.  

Teal Beaded Dress by Parker ($374)

Black Pearl Cocktail Dress by Alice + Olivia ($495)

Black Flapper Dress by Alice + Olivia ($396)

Black Fur Coat by Alice + Olivia ($597), Jazzlyn Dress by Elizabeth and James ($363)

Silver Gown by Teri John ($950)

Grey Flapper Dress by Parker ($308)

CREDITS: 

                                                                        Photography

Robert Tre Hester III

This is my 4th photo shoot with Robert and he never fails to bring so much charisma and creativity to the shoot.  He is always inspiring me and constantly encouraging me to do my best.  I LOVE working with Robert.  Check out Robert's website HERE. 

Hair and Makeup

Josh Rudy

Josh works miracles!  He can whip up a hair do and build your face in a matter of minutes!  He is always coming up with wonderful ideas and we have such a great chemistry together.  Josh's schedule keeps getting more full with shoots and fashion shows so be sure to get a hold of him quick if you need his services!

Model

Allyn Lewis

Allyn Lewis is 22 years old.  She is quite the local celebrity in Pittsburgh!  She's been in tons of fashion shows and local photo shoots.  Check out here fan page HERE.  

Model

Maria Evankovich

Maria is 16, she has modeled for Glady's Magazine, Carlisle's Bridal of Pittsburgh Fashion Show, and tons of other shoots and shows in the Pittsburgh area.  

Model

Tori Mistick

When Tori Mistick isn't modeling, she also works for the Shadyside Chamber of Commerce, as well as runs her own business called Marketing With Style.  She is an entrepreneur at its finest and loads of fun to work with on set! 

                 All clothing was provided by E.B. Pepper - A VERY Special Thank You!!!

Check out their blog: http://ebpepper.blogspot.com/

A VERY Special Thank You to the Omni William Penn Hotel for allowing us to use Speakeasy for the day!!!

Throwback Thursday: 80's Winter Chic

"Clash of Styles and Seasons Downtown Pittsburgh" Feb 2, 1985 - Pittsburgh Post Gazette (The Digs) 

Back from the holiday vortex known as Christmas and what a snow storm we've had!  Still, that's no excuse not to flaunt your winter's finest apparel.  I love this picture - look at those fabulous fur coats and hats, perfect for a cold snowy day much like we've been having.  Hope you all had a good holiday :)

STYLE: ULTRAVIOLET Fashion Show Features Top PGH Designers

In the height of Pittsburgh's 3rd Annual Fashion Week, came Keith Bloom and Donovan Wilburn's ULTRAVIOLET fashion show.  Both experts in fashion and equally creative, the duo set to to produce the most professional, high-end fashion show the city has ever seen - and boy did they live up to it! Set at the new Cavo Lounge in the Strip District, Ultraviolet featured some of Pittsburgh's newest, hottest upcoming clothing lines such as Highway Robbery, Clothes Minded, Chloe Chic Dresses, Boutique la Passarelle, Roberta Weissburg Leathers, Timebomb, Streetheart, and of course the much anticipated line by Keith Bloom - In Bloom.
     Each one of the collections was far from what you would expect from the ordinary Pittsburgh fashion show - there were no fanatical,  re-made jerseys, no black and gold t-shirt dresses or bejeweled team hats, this was a sophisticated and very polished show.  Ultraviolet opened up with darling dresses by Chloe Chic making a slight wink towards retro shapes, Peter Pan collars and feminine allure.  Clothes Minded was refreshing in a sense that it showed a large amount of men's fashion - beautiful boys in oversized t-shirts with intricate shredding and day-glo splattering paired with good ol' blue jeans and cowboy boots - very urban cowboy!  The always classy Boutique la Passarelle oozed modern femininity with hi-lo cut sweaters, a beautiful tweed dress suit, lots of silky textures and plenty of ruffles and floral prints.  Finally, In Bloom by Keith Bloom was an amazing collection that dripped with sexuality and class at the same time - long, sleek lines fit perfectly for the body, sophisticated, clean prints and patters, and an Egyptian-style dress that I just can't stop thinking about!  Bloom and Wilburn both were in great spirits before, during, and after the show, there are the definition the type of team that makes for a great fashion house.  I'm excited to see what they have in store for the future!

Cavo Runway

Chloe Chic Dresses -

Clothes Minded

StreetHeart

Add caption

Timebomb

Boutique la Passarelle

Highway Robbery

Roberta Weissburg

In Bloom - A Keith Bloom Collection

STYLE: Girl Power: JAZMEEN brings "The Lady" back for Fall 2012

     Just when I thought summer's boho-futuristic looks - with its flowing sheer skirts and mermaid colored ombre-hair - was going to tragically bleed into the fall/winter season, along came JAZMEEN.  The launch of fashion designer, Jazmin Jackson's line JAZMEEN, promises cleaner silhouettes and a more refined look for the colder seasons.  JAZMEEN's Fall 2012 collection steer's clear of the past season's loose grungy looks and reestablishes a very novel idea - dressing like a lady.

    The Fall 2012 collection is all about old school nostalgia, bold colors and embracing the female figure.  Crayon colored flared pants took the runway with skin tight turtle necks and groovy silk blouses for a sexy retro-working girl vibe. Flirty high-waisted pencil dresses and a charming classic a-lined dress - a la Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face - made a sassy debut for the fall.  The collection is timeless, fun, elegant and sensible for the professional girl.





    Jazmin Jackson, 26, is orginally from Goldsboro, NC.  "living in the country down south pretty much forces you to either have an imagination and make your own adventures, or die of boredom."  Jazmin was taught by her grandmother how to sew and the rest is fashion history! Now she is a powerhouse business woman with her mind focused on quality and originality. In an interview with Jazmin, I found out how passionate she is about her line and how important the cut, style, and feel of the clothing are to the JAZMEEN line. Her next move is an online store!

Jazmin Jackson 

ThePGHLook: How would you describe your line of clothing?

Jazmin Jackson: JAZMEEN designs for the woman who’s not afraid of bold prints and color and enjoys highlighting the silhouette of her womanly figure, all-the-while, maintaining a look that’s timeless.  JAZMEEN is redefining contemporary sophistication for women with curves. I specialize in dresses and pants catered to curvy women of various sizes. I incorporate luxurious fabrics with bold prints and rich colors to flattering lines and silhouettes, focusing on making women feel good about themselves. Sophisticated and youthful, the line embodies self confidence with an effortless vibe. 

TPL: Who or what inspires your collection? 

JJ: 1960s minimalist and 1970s flared and relaxed silhouettes have always struck a chord with me. I love seeing women who are smart and confident dress superbly sharp and I’ve always been more drawn to women whose sex appeal is still very evident while their clothes continue to leave much to the imagination. The cinematic and personal styles of Audrey Hepburn, Dorothy Dandridge, Aaliyah, and of course First Lady Michelle Obama always tickle the fancy of my aesthetic. Graphic art and tribal motifs always inspire me in creating new imprinted fabrics.

TPL:    How do you feel you have evolved as a fashion designer since you began?

JJ: Learning how to pace myself and edit my collection. I have so many ideas that I would love to unfold all at once but as a business woman I’m trying to be wise and build my business at a steady pace. My main priority is making clothes that women enjoy wearing and feel confident in. Whenever I design, I make sure the clothes make a statement in a tasteful manner while flattering the woman.

TPL: What do you see for the future of your line?

JJ: Throwing bi-annual fashion shows and shopping lunches and building my fashion house with in-house pattern makers, seamstresses, and a media team. I would also love to link up with high school student artists in collaboration of creating prints with a portion of profits going toward a scholarship fund to attend college.

TPL: How do you feel about the Pittsburgh fashion scene?

JJ: I’m excited to be a part of the Pittsburgh fashion scene. It’s a new and budding scene compared to many cities in the United States. My line definitely stands out in regards to Pittsburgh fashion, which I feel is heavily focused on artsy and avant garde aesthetics. With JAZMEEN, every-day career women can feel comfortable and confident wearing my clothes for almost any occasion and still feel glamorous and fashion-forward.

F   Visit JAZMEEN's blog: http://jazmeen-style.tumblr.com/

[    Friend JAZMEEN on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JAZMEEN.Style