Miss Happ's custom dress for M.A.L.A.K Photography

And here's the shot! A few weeks back we mentioned Miss Happ made a kustom dress for American Photographer M A L A K Photography.com, and here is the shot, although no the FINAL shot, it's looking fantastic!

2013 SHOT by M.A.L.A.K PHOTOGRAPHY:

BASED ON THE ORIGINAL FROM THE 40'S:

After lotsa hard work, fittings & stressing all the way here in South Africa we sent the dress off to California for the shoot...and waited! Always the hard part especially as we were so far away. 

The entire sewing/manufacture process took us just over a month. The difficult part was that the only reference we had was the pic above which is also a VERY low res, so we virtually could see NO detail as far as neckline/waist goes, so alot of guessing work was done as far as styling went. We had the models measurments and height.

Also, it was the first time in a very long time that I had ever done anything like this - the Grecian style was so super different to anything I do on a day to day basis with Miss Happ. But once again girl power prevailed, and with a few of us putting our heads together we made a great dress! So a big Thank you to my two seamstresses who worked with me on the project!

Initially we did a basic grecian style top where the skirt just fell directly from under the bust, the waist was only elasticated. But after fitting I really wasn't happy. So we then pulled it all apart again, added on a fixed waistband to give it more structure and cut quite a bit off the skirt side seams to narrow it as well as the bodice so there was less fullness over the bust area. We also changed the guaging to be only on the front and back, as opposed to all round, so that the skirt hugged the body more.

FIRST MOCK-UP - THE BODICE IS ONLY PINNED ON THE LEFT, THE RIGHT WAS WITH THE FIRST ELASTICATED WAIST:

THE FINAL REWORKED DRESS WITH THE FIXED WAISTBAND, & REWORKED SKIRT AND BODICE:

While I was working on the dress, Michael was busy making the plinth that the model would be standing on...

Eventually the day came to send off the dress, we packaged it and off it went...and then we waited!

Today we saw the first of the images and we are so excited, as well as relieved! It's always so scary when you aren't there to fit it on the model and make any adjustments, but it looks fantastic. Michael does amazing work and I am so humbled to have been able to work with him on this project.

The photo will be one in a series for the coffee table book that Michael Malak will be printing called Wings of Angels, & this particular shot will hopefully also be sent to Sony/Columbia HQ...

Below is a behind the scene pic from the actual shoot - only the flame and clouds were actually photoshopped in - the rest was just awesome lighting and a great photographer!

The Columbia lady is an icon, and has appeared at the beginning of each movie since Columbia screened it's first movie in 1924.

All very exciting! If you haven't seen Micheal's Photography work, check it out -> http://malakphotography.com/

Till next time!

MH x

Jozi trek to Cool Inc Tattoo Convention

This year we have decided to make the trek up North to join in at the Johannesburg Cool Ink Tattoo convention. So, if you are in Jo'burg at the end of August you can come past our stand at the expo - We will have all our new Boothill ranges there as well as our ladies Miss Happ clothing & accessories too!

The Convention runs from the Friday midday to the Sunday, so it's a week end of tattoos, music and lots Miss Happ & Boothill shopping!!

WHEN: 30 Aug - 1 Sept

WHERE: cnr Bridle Pass and Champion Road, Kyalami, Johannesburg, Gauteng

It's a month away, so put it in your diaries now!!

See you there!

Boothill Rockabilly web site gets an over-haul!

So, by now you will know about my Men's range, BOOTHILL, and this past month I decided it was time to give give the Boothill web site a new look. It's a basic site, but has all the necessary links and looks a little funkier too! I have also updated and redesigned our neck labels to go with the more western look and feel of the brand too.

check it out:

www.boothill.co.za

FOLLOW BOOTHILL ON FACEBOOK

Boothill - Rockabilly clothing for the greasers!

I recently started paying some attention to my Men's rockabilly range that I had started up way back in 2009. Over the years my attention has been very much on my ladies range, Miss Happ - it is my first love and ladieswear is my passion. But times they are a-changing and I thought it the perfect time to re-launch Boothill.

Boot Hill is a simple concept of mixing retro styling with apparel - clothing for outlaws. 

The direction is taken from the quirky all American Rockabilly and the more rebellious Psychobilly punk-rock scene with a hint of classic hotrods, pin up girls and tattoos of the 1950’s.

The name Boot Hill was given to the cemeteries in the American West. During the 19th century it was a common name for the burial grounds of gunfighters, or those died suddenly or violently "with their boots on". These fighters were known as the rebels of the Wild West!

We have just completed our first Men's tiki shirt range - we are heading toward spring here in South Africa, so the timing it perfect! We are currently busy sewing up our first panelled Rockabilly shirt with the skull and rose print which is one of my favorites!

The fabrics are all 100% cotton, the fit is based on the retro lounge shirt, so are comfortable and a good easy wearing shape for the dudes in the summer heat!

All are also available from our Rebels Market online store & at this years Cool Inc Tattoo convention where we will have both our Boothill & Miss Happ clothing ranges there.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK -> BOOTHILL CLOTHING

Brand New Retro cushions

I recently made up some new cushions with some really cool fabric I sourced locally (unusual to find such awesome prints on good quality fabrics!), so have now added them as part of our Men's Rockabilly Range. I adore the Hot rod prints and loved the vintage inspired lighthouse too. Hope you like them!

I will be listing them shortly on our Rebels Market online store, so keep a look out, otherwise they are also available from our shop in Milnerton, Cape Town.

Fabric is high quality 100% cotton, bottom has zipper for easy washing. Back has vintage cream/maroon wide candy stripe (Cream lighthouse and hotrod print only). Cushion inner is NOT included.

PRICE: R249.00 without inner, with inner R280.00

MAIL US TO ORDER

WE POST WORLDWIDE TOO!

Miss Happ designs a custom made dress for M.A.L.A.K Photography USA!

Exciting news in the Miss Happ office this past week! We have just confirmed that we are going to be designing and custom making a vintage repro dress for super talented American photographer M A L A K Photography.com. 

I have been a big fan of his photography - especially because he does amazing photos with WWII war planes and beautiful vintage inspired Pinups (After all, my Miss Happ clothing brand is named after the Miss Happ B25 Bomber, how could I not like his work?!)

OFFICIAL WEB SITE

M A L A K Photography specializes in 1940's Hollywood Glamour Photos/Film Noir & 1940's WWII Pinup. He is currently  working on a pinup book project, Wings of Angels

We are so excited about this awesome opportunity! Wish us luck!

Till next time, 

MHx

Miss Happ does the V&A Accessories Market

To those that popped in to see us this past Sat at the V&A Accessories market we just want to say a big thank you!

The venue was a stunning old converted warehouse and was a great location. The Accessories market was upstairs, with the every day food market downstairs. Because it was only the accessories market, I took a flavour of what we currently have as part of our Miss Happ range from bandanas and chiffon scarves to hair clips, necklaces, our handbags, knitted fingerless gloves and our cats eye sunglasses!

We will be at this market once a month till December, so keep a look out for dates.

Till next time!

MH x