It's all in the name

Sunday Miss Happ Trivia: 

Did you know where the Miss Happ name came from? Miss Hap (one P) is the name of the oldest (and still flying) B25 Medium size Bomber that flew in the retaliation against Pearl Harbour during WWII and was named after General Hap. She now lives in the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, NY.

The name was perfect for a clothing brand with classic American roots and a WWII inspiration. Now you know!

Photo: sorensenphotos.com

Enjoy your Sunday lovelies!

Take a step back in time to the South Pacific, Pearl harbour circa 1941. To the sounds of the big band and war time rationing. To a time when the ladies wore victory rolls and red lipstick, seamed stockings and girdles... 

last week we had such a stunning shoot at the SADF Museum with the ladies. There was so much to look at I was beside myself - literally got goose bumps walking through the museum, then later in the hanger I thought I had died and gone to heaven!

We were lucky enough to have the use of an authentic airforce jacket from the 40's for a few pics which was AMAZING!

The Fly cap was made by Miss Happ from a vintage pattern that I had managed to source - I found out yesterday that it's an American fly cap from WWII. I had made it in two different colurs and fabrics, and added contrast piping. We had also borrowed a badge from the museum to finish it off properly.

I had spent the last two days making up a special military inspired corset from a lovely khaki wool, also had the perfect anchor buttons, that I was told by the museum curator yesterday where actually the authentic navy buttons! Little did I know at the time...no wonder they were so perfect! We made up a stone coloured high waist skirt with back box pleat and contrast black piping down the side - which tied up to the cap. And of course we had the seamed fishnet stocings to complete that look.

When we walked into the hanger where we were shooting there were these two old bombs there and I just knew what had to be done! We had to do something is that 40's cheese cake style...Everybody thought I was slightly MAD, but it looked super cool! It's a fun pic and very much in the Cheese cake photography style!

The Blue tiki dress that we used was one of my Miss Happ dresses that I currently have for sale in my shop, as well as the parasol which added perfectly to the scene.

I worked with a great team which is always a pleasure. We all did the photos as a way to promote our various businesses, and in my case my clothing and accessories - some of which are already for sale in my shop. This is what I am passionate about and I was in heaven!

Credit for the shoot are:

-Photograher: Lorna D

-Model : Elouise Kellerman 

-MUA & Hair : Chante le Suer Hagen 

-Styling: Mandy Miss Happ

-Wardrobe: Miss Happ Clothing & Accessories

And btw, all clothing & accessories (fly cap included) are by Miss Happ :) and are avail from my Etsy store, and I also have two fly caps at Wildfire (canal Walk).

Till next time!

Mx

My! My! Look how time flies

I cannot believe that we are half way through the month already, it feels like ages since my last blog. So much has been happening, so many changes - all good though!

Firstly, I have a new member of my team, thus making the total number of Miss Happ girls a happy "two"! Philani joined us full time on the 1st of March. A big step for my little business but I am excited nonetheless. I have big plans this year to grow my brand and move it on, so lotsa exciting things coming your way!

I have slowly also started expanding my product offering too, and this month sees all sorts of new developments, samples and exciting products heading your way in April. I have the first of our Miss Happ designed bags currently in development. All are fabric bags in cute funky prints with bamboo handles and are the perfect sizes. We have a day bag size and another that is perfect for an evening out. 

A few years ago I bought a SOURPUSS bag with bamboo handles (below) and have been dying to do something along those lines for a while. Although mine are going to be very different the tiki inspired look is still very much the same!

The other little project we worked on this morning was the Military hat. I met this week with a local photographer, Lorna Darroll (from Cape Town) who wants for the two us to collaborate on a pinup shoot at the local military museum. I have decided to do something totally different, but once again something I have been dying to do ! I have always loved the military look, from the nautical sailor girl to the military pinup....so....

this morning I started off playing around with the military hat. We were going to maybe try and hire an authentic hat when someone said I must just make one! So off I went on a mission and managed to source an authentic soldier's flight cap sewing pattern from the 1940's. 

For our first sample we just used a basic cotton twill in a grey which was nice and stiff, I didn't add any binding on the edges, but it's definitely something I want to do for the final hat. The idea and look is there but I still want to tweek a few things. Will be taking it home tonight for my better half to try on for me - in this case a guys opinion counts!

 

Over the next few weeks I am planning on doing a little military ensemble for the shoot, a fitted skirt and a utility style corset. Am feeling super inspired now that we have tackled the hat! start from the top and work down!

Below are a few pics that have inspired me.....

Till next time!

Have a great week end peeps!

Mx