SpyGirl Watches: L.A. Frockstars -- From Grit to Glamor

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I enjoyed L.A. Frockstars so much on the Smithsonian Channel. Sadly, the episodes are no longer airing and the Smithsonian website only has tantalizing snippits to cause you to crave more so that you'll download it from iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon. And to pray for a Season 3!

I never got around to posting my One to Watch from the final episode six. I really wanted to capture a sketch of Sarah, but that was not in the cards. What captured my attention was not even a person, it was an outfit!

This was pulled for the costume designer Mark Bridges.

In the episode, he talked through his design process and shared bits of his character reference book -- old school style analog collaged inspiration:

[While trying to fact check, I made a sad discovery: 

Noooooo! I'll have to pay for downloads too!]

Anyway.

I did my own bit of costuming -- to me, this ensemble screamed MELANIE!

I had the opportunity to meet Doris at The Way We Wore yesterday (well, yeah, the shop IS only 10 miles from where I live) and what a treat. You know how when you meet a blogger pal, it's like you already know her? I felt that I "knew" Doris from watching L.A. Frockstars, it was so strange (in a good way). I had a quick tour of all the nooks and crannies of Doris's domain, including the Inspiration Room next door. All I could think in there was, I want to organize it so that I can look at and touch EVERYTHING. Was I having an Enid in the Scarf Closet flashback? Perhaps!
[No photos. I didn't want the capturing in the way of the experience.]

I was given access to screeners of all six episodes of Season 2 back in February. I have since downloaded Season 1 and 2 on my own dime. The above verbiage is all mine.

SpyGirl Watches: L.A. Frock Stars -- Quest for that Special Dress

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Tonight the final episode of Season 2 of L.A. Frock Star airs on the Smithsonian Channel at 9pm.
Where did the time go? This past week has been super crazy and I posted my One to Watch on social media via Instagram but never got the time to write up a blog post.

Here is my One to Watch from episode five, Quest for that Special Dress, Lauren Thompson, the director of L.A. Frock Stars.

Link for the video clip.

I'll post the sketch from tonight's episode as soon as I get it done on Instagram like I did with the above. I can't predict WHEN that will happen. I've got a lot of last minute stuff to do for my art exhibition that went up last Sunday. The opening reception is this Saturday, 5-8pm at TAG Gallery, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica (details here). What on earth will I wear?

I was given access to screeners of all six episodes of Season 2 back in February. 
The above verbiage is all mine.

SpyGirl Watches: L.A. Frock Stars -- The Frock Market

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This week, my one to watch is Mara Hruby, a singer/songwriter from Oakland, CA.
Mara needed a dress for her gig at The Mint. I sketched the second dress that she tried.
You can see her perform in the dress that she chose in this video:

I also found this interview on YouTube:

A highlight of Episode 4 was Doris and Sarah traveling to Chicago to a most amazing estate sale.
I still can't get over how the whole second floor of the house was packed full of things to wear.

Here's the link to a clip.

Only two more new episodes will air on the Smithsonian Channel on Thursdays at 9pm.

They are rebroadcasted, check this link, then click on the specific episode for air times.
The same link will also lead you to streams of all six episodes of Season 1 (for now).

Who will I sketch next? Come back next Friday to find out!

I was given access to screeners of all six episodes of Season 2 back in February. 
The above verbiage is all mine.

Breaking news! 
Doris will be doing a live Facebook Chat on the L. A. Frock Stars page next Monday, April 13 at 11am PST.

The Way We Wore asked me to join in to ask a question. Alas, I'll be at the day job (making plaids, no doubt) so will one of you attend in my stead? Thanks, dolls!

SpyGirl Watches: L.A. Frock Stars -- Golden Age of Hollywood

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Rai Alexandra is my muse from L.A. Frock Stars, Episode 3. There were many many great moments in this episode, including Shelly and Sarah visiting Damon Devine, Yma Sumac's former personal assistant. (Link to video clip).

This week, Rai is the one who lit up the screen for me*. When she emerged from the dressing room in this Christian Dior-inspired pouf dress -- GODDESS ALERT! She absolutely glowed!

(screen grab from L.A. Frock Stars)

New episodes will air on the Smithsonian Channel every Thursday at 9pm.
They are rebroadcasted, check this link, then click on the specific episode for air times.
The same link will also lead you to streams of all six episodes of Season 1 (for now).

Who will I sketch next? Come back next Friday to find out!

I was given access to screeners of all six episodes of Season 2 back in February. 
The above verbiage is all mine.

*I can't sketch Shelly every episode -- or can I?

[added 4/11]

This post was selected for IFB's Links à la Mode, Thursday 4/9 edition.
Check out these other posts sharing the spotlight, including my blogging buddy Suzanne Carillo:

• A Handful of Stories: Shooting Outfit Posts With the Olympus OMD-EM10
• Attire Club: The Men’s Guide to Wearing Pastel Colors
• Bibi Shelter: Jeremy Scott for Adidas Original Fragrance Launch
• Charlotte Lucy: Alexander McQueen/Nick Waplington: Working Process at The Tate
• Flip Flops and Furs: A Benefit for Scotty’s House
• Funky Jungle: 5 Fashion ‘Must Haves’ I Don’t Own
• A Glamorous Revelation: To Write Love on Her Arms
• Jodie’s Touch of Style: Leggings With a Tunic After 50
• Ms. Fabulous: Winners of the 6th Annual Fashion 2.0 Awards
• Prime Butterfly: 5 Magazine Trends That Need to Die in 2015
• Purushu Arie: Celebrating the Spirit of the Seventies
• Riva la Diva: Easy DIY Valentino-Inspired Dress Tutorial
• Ri(t)ch Styles: How to Pick the Right T-Shirt for a Guy
• Sly on the Wall: A Hair Story
• Spy Girl: L.A. Frock Stars—Golden Age of Hollywood
• Storybook Apothecary: Swimwear Looks for Every Style
• Suzanne Carillo: 10 Important Life Lessons I Learned From Watching Mad Men
• That Paki Blog: Illustrating Pakistan Fashion Week by Mahoor Jamal
• TLV Birdie: Watch Your Mouth
• Wear It Fair: Vintage Styles for Work, Rest and Play

SPONSOR: Shopbop Coupons: Theperfext, Katin, and Black Wedges,
Sperry Men’s, French Trotters, Red Heels, Nude wedges, Plaid Dresses,Leather & Lace Dresses

Want to be featured in Links à la Mode?
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Spy Girl Watches: L.A. Frock Stars -- Vintage Rebranded

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Episode 2 of L.A. Frock Stars aired last night, did you happen to catch it?
One of my favorite scenes was when Doris and Shelly Lyn visited the studio of
costume "jeweler to the stars" Joseff of Hollywood.
(Here's a video clip of that part).

I love Shelly Lyn. She is a Goddess.
She said something about respecting the "ratios" of one's body in Episode 1.
I must get her to elaborate on that now that we're Instagram pals!
You can see examples of her amazing jewelry designs here at Reikolyn.

New episodes will air on the Smithsonian Channel every Thursday at 9pm.
They are rebroadcasted, check this link, then click on the specific episode for air times.
The same link will also lead you to streams of all six episodes of Season 1 (for now).

Who will I sketch next? Come back next Friday to find out!

I was given access to screeners of all six episodes of Season 2 back in February. 
The above verbiage is all mine.

SpyGirl Watches: L.A. Frock Stars -- Vintage Ninja

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Did you catch the premiere of L.A. Frock Stars Season 2 on the Smithsonian Channel?
It's lots of fun and informative too.

Episode 1: Vintage Ninja has us join Doris, the owner of  the Hollywood Boutique The Way We Wore®, in New Hope, PA attending the Whitaker Auction. She finds and bids on some boxes of real treasure -- castoffs from FIT's (Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC) archives. Oh how I wish I could rifle through those boxes! We also get to watch the store staff pull garments for stylist Seth Chernoff who is looking for garments for Tori Spelling.

I sketched Doris in her "vintage ninja" treasure hunting outfit:

New episodes will air on the Smithsonian Channel every Thursday at 9pm. They are rebroadcasted, check this link, then click on the specific episode for air times.
The same link will also lead you to streams of all six episodes of Season 1 (for now).

Who will I sketch next week? Come back next Friday to find out!

I was given access to screeners of all six episodes of Season 2 back in February. 
The above verbiage is all mine.

SpyGirl Watches: L.A. Frock Stars

I have been invited to preview: 
L.A. FROCK STARS on the Smithsonian Channel 
PREMIERING THURSDAY, MARCH 19 AT 9PM ET/PT

Sophomore Season Once Again Features Vintage Fashion Guru
Doris Raymond and Her Hollywood Boutique The Way We Wore®
Smithsonian Channel will premiere the second season of its critically-acclaimed original series L.A. FROCK STARS, which follows the doyenne of Hollywood vintage, Doris Raymond, and her Los Angeles shop The Way We Wore®, on Thursday, MARCH 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The new season will be comprised of six hour-long episodes. Among those who stop by The Way We Wore during the season are burlesque artist Dita von Teese, designer Jeremy Scott, actress Debi Mazar, actress Kirsten Vangsness, top Hollywood stylist Jen Rade, American Horror Storycostume designer Lou Eyrich, stylist to the stars Seth Chernoff and Academy® Award-winning costume designer Mark Bridges.

In a series US Weekly called “a feast for the fashion lover’s eye,” and the New York Times said was both “refreshing” and “engaging,” L.A. FROCK STARS features Raymond and her colorful staff assisting an endless stream of clients, from celebrity stylists to top fashion designers, all searching relevant pieces of vintage fashions from the past. Raymond is prized for her tenacity in finding hidden gems and for her encyclopedic knowledge of designer fashion. Back for season two are store manager and vintage virtuoso Sarah Bergman, and sales associate Shelly Lyn, who is close to launching her The Way We Wore inspired jewelry line. A new face this season is assistant store manager Angelika Sjostrom, a recent vintage convert, whose intelligence, enthusiasm and cheerful disposition have made her an invaluable asset to the store.

Raymond, an expert in the history of vintage clothing, has been buying and selling vintage clothing for over thirty years. Her boutique sells women’s fashions from the 1900’s to the ‘80’s, ranging from high profile designers to the world's most iconic fashion figures such as Versace, Chanel, Halston, Dior and more. Over the years, Raymond has also supplied wardrobe for numerous film and television productions, including Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire and American Hustle.

[most of the text above is from the Smithsonian Press Release]

Stay tuned for episode recaps and some Digital Catwalk action, Fridays after each episode airs.
Meanwhile, I want to brush up on Season One, which I somehow missed.

Here's Doris! (just her head -- can't reveal the whole sketch until March 20!) 

See interviews with the store staff and more on Smithsonian.com