Warm weather is yet again making an appearance and I’m already thinking about where I should travel for my next vacation!  Since I have WAY too much going on right now to justify an extended trip, I spend a lot of time thinking about exotic destinations.  In keeping with our theme of French inspired fashion, our newest ensemble is brought to you by the captivating city of Bordeaux, France.

Famous for its incredible wine, architecture, and appreciation for the arts, Bordeaux is truly unique.  A marvelous city rich in history and culture, it’s no wonder that people flock here for the amazing sight seeing and second to none shopping.  Bordeaux is home to some of the world’s most incredible museums and can also brag about having one of Europe’s most desirable climates.

Our new “Bordeaux” dress and matching pillbox hat are the perfect pieces to celebrate spring.  I love mixing prints and the damask/houndstooth combination was too good to pass up!  This dress has amazing lines that accentuate every body type, topped of with flirty eyelet lace and ribbon detail.  I absolutely LOVE the pink Russian netting on the hat as it creates beautiful texture when paired with sleek feathers.

German
English
Spanish
Dutch

Also, don’t forget to check out their Facebook page

I’m not sure why I have always been drawn to this tragic historical character.  Maybe it’s my fondness for misfits or desire to uncover truths hidden beneath thick layers of conjecture and rumor.  There are many resources available which offer a variety of perspectives, many of which are quite intriguing.  Sofia Coppola also released a film in 2006 that is rather delightful, and while it does take some artistic liberties, the sets and costuming are reason enough to see it.

Here are a few of my favorite Marie Antoinette facts:

The king and queen were philanthropists.

She never actually said the famous quote, “Let them eat cake”.

It is believed that Marie Antoinette had Habsburg jaw, a genetic defect often caused by generations of intermarrying.

Although her husband banned the play “The Marriage of Figaro”, which promoted egalitarianism, the Queen loved it and is the reason it was able to be viewed in packed theaters.

She enjoyed canine company, and it is even recounted to have approached the guillotine holding her dear pet papillon, whose life was spared after the queen met her terrible fate.

Mae West knew how to cause a scene.  She was loud, explicit, humorous, and erotic.  Hailing from Brooklyn, Mae began performing at the age of five and never looked back.  Inspired by belly dancing and Vaudeville, she spent her entire life perfecting her character, willing to travel anywhere at anytime when an opportunity arose.

Mae was not only an actress, but also an accomplished screenwriter and playwright.  Her plays dealt with hot button issues; “The Drag” ended up being banned on Broadway for dealing with homosexuality.  No stranger to criticism from censors, she was arrested along with the entire cast and crew of her production “Sex” after the theater was raided by city officials.  In a time when women were fighting to have their inalienable rights recognized, she pushed the envelope every chance she got, paving the way for the many female entertainers who followed her lead.

The “Shameless” dress is my homage to the late, great Mae West. Designed to show off your best assets, this dress is fiercely unapologetic. In true West fashion you will dominate the room in this little number, leaving a trail of broken hearts behind you!

Pair the “Shameless” dress with the “Lafayette” necklace and draw a little extra attention to the super sexy neckline.  We will have the “Antoinette” hat available in the next couple of weeks; message us if you would like to preorder and we’ll ship it for free as soon as it arrives!

We had such an amazing time at the Las Vegas Mini Maker Faire!  I knew that it would be a cool event, but really underestimated how many amazing makers would be in attendance. To top it off, we had a fabulous turnout!  I met so many wonderful people from all over the world, as well as interesting folks located within my own little city.  My newest  demographic consisted of adorable little girls who reveled in the specialty hair clips and jewelry I put together just for the event…how awesome it was to see them rockin’ their new skull and bat embellished accessories all day long!

Although I’m not a tech girl, I have always been fascinated by the creativity and innovation of the technology industry.  I often find myself swooning over great thinkers such as Jeffrey Tucker, who eloquently writes on the subject quite regularly.  There’s something truly amazing about those individuals who are able to push imagination to its limits while mastering concepts that would make the average human’s head spin.  Although many people tend to take modern conveniences for granted, I find that it’s important to reflect upon how these advances have improved our quality of life and society overall.

The Syn Shop is cooking up nothing short of excellence.  Within the walls of their hackerspace they build everything from steampunk 3D light goggles to 3pi line racing robots.  Not afraid to take on any challenge, the Syn Shop is quickly setting the standard for the type of community many of us have been dreaming of for years.  Unpretentious, facing a brave new world, these resourceful warriors have set the bar high.  Their shop caters to inventors, artists, and tinkerers interested in having a place to get their hands on tools to bring their ideas to fruition.  A membership to the Syn Shop gains access to laser cutters, 3D printers, and tons of incredible classes.

Cirque Mechanics performed at regular intervals throughout the day, infusing the event with their delightful brand of vaudeville chic.  I had seen their act described on the Las Vegas Mini Maker Faire home page and had no idea what to expect.  They have managed to perfect sideshow swank with an industrial knack for storytelling.  Founded by German Wheel artist Chris Lashua, Cirque mechanics is an absolutely fantastic concept.  Combining talented dancers and acrobats with sleek costuming, Cirque Mechanics delivers a rare and beautiful show atop a traveling stage.

For those of you who have heard me talk about the Maker Faire in recent weeks, you are well aware that I have really been looking forward to meeting some robots.  Imagine my surprise when ICAN the showbot made his way over to our booth, cracking jokes and turning on his exquisite charm.  I have been familiar with Show Creators for quite a while, however I had not had the opportunity to see them in such an organic environment.  ICAN was interactive and adorable, setting the tone for an energetic show.  Show Creators is also home to several other styles of showbots, one of which can be seen featured in the new Blue Man Group show at the Monte Carlo hotel.

One of my regrets is that I didn’t spend enough time with Romo the Smartphone Robot.  Lucky for me, the outfit responsible for this cute little guy is located right here in Vegas!  Romo 2.0 is powered by your smartphone or tablet, making him efficient as well as affordable.  He moves around the room, smiling at the silly humans he sees, no doubt planning fun and interesting ways to get into trouble.  Funded by Kickstarter, the folks who brought Romo to life plan to add all sorts of amazing apps and features…word on the street is that we can also expect to one day meet his female counterpart, Julia.

In closing, I want to give a special thank you to everyone who came by the Poison Candy booth.  It’s always a pleasure to meet new friends and see familiar faces.  Maybe next year I’ll get to dress up a robot

The “Noir” dress is made from lightweight stretch satin and it fits like a seductive little glove.  The bust portion features fuchsia satin covered with a lovely dot tulle overlay.  I added a coordinating flower pin, and there is also a gorgeous long tail satin bow atop the back skirt slit.

The “Noir” fascinator is equally stunning.  Complete with feathers, Russian netting, and matching flower, the only thing missing from this outfit is a smoking gun and kick ass soundtrack.  If you’re looking for something truly smashing to rock on New Year’s Eve, you have found your destiny.

I’ve known Tamara, the lovely lady behind Face On By Tamara, for several years.  She is an incredible photographer, and as I recall, our friendship began when we collaborated on some images for the Poison Candy® line. I’ve worked with many photographers, but Tamara captivated me with her ambitious nature and take no prisoners attitude when it came to getting the perfect shot.  Many times I have asked for a simple catalog style shot and gotten not only the ideal image, but a host of unexpected photos in various locations.  She is brilliant at converting any space into a studio, once turning her garage into the perfect bordello for a Moulin Rouge inspired collection.  When Tamara organizes a photo shoot it becomes more of an adventure for model and photographer alike, the gorgeous imagery being a pleasant side effect of playtime.

Tamara impresses me not only with the quality of her work, but also with her kindness and incredible multi-tasking skills.  I am so grateful that she was able to find the time in her busy schedule to answer a few questions for me as I have wanted to interview her for this blog for quite a while!

 
When did you develop a love for photography?   

I have always loved photography ever since I can remember. I remember asking my parents for a camera at six years old. I have lots of talented artists in my family, I use to pose for my uncle who is a artist. He would take photos of my cousin and me in victorian dresses and paint portraits referencing the photos. I loved seeing the outcome.  I also use to model when I was younger and always loved collaborating with photographers to make art.

How old were you when you got your first camera?  What/who were your first subjects? 

I received my first professional camera when I was 26 years old. My husband bought me my first professional camera after my first son was born. My son Noah was my first subject . As a teenager I would do photo shoots with friends all the time using film cameras.

What valuable lessons have you learned over the years?

I have learned so many valuable lessons over the years in this business, and I learn more everyday. Most importantly, never give up, it doesn’t matter what equipment you use or how much money you have…its what you do with your abilities that matters. Your dreams can come true if you work hard enough!

You have so many diverse styles of photography in your portfolio.  What types of photos are your favorite to shoot and why?

I have always liked many styles of photography and never wanted to limit myself to just one style. My favorite photo style to capture are my makeover photo shoots. I started with make over photo shoots and thats my passion. Its very rewarding to make over normal women into rockstars!

 You are a super busy lady!  What is an average day like for you? 

Ha! My average day starts with my boys jumping all over me in bed, being a taxi driver, making sure the family is doing what the should be, emailing, consulting with clients, booking clients, retouching photos, being a mama, cleaning the house, more retouching,  taxi driver, getting prepared for upcoming shoots, playing with my kids, and more retouching photos!

What advice would you give to aspiring photographers?

My advice for aspiring photographers is to ask lots and lots of questions, even if you feel like they are dumb. I keep my camera and sketch pad with me everywhere I go! I scribble drawings of ideas for photo shoots, make up looks and business ideas! If photography is your passion….and you really, really want it, you go get it! You don’t dream it…. you do it! I literally woke up one morning told my husband, ” I’m gonna do make up & photography!” ,that very day I started advertising and I never looked back. You must be ready to give up your life for some time….you will loose friends, but will also gain many! You will have haters, people will tell you your not good enough, or think your stupid because you don’t know every technical answer to a camera question, believe me….I get judged a ton, let God be the judge and let him be your defense! Let your work speak for itself  Don’t listen to negative people, stay positive! You CAN do anything you put your heart too! You have to be ready to give everything you have in you in order for your photography business to succeed. You will fail over and over, and learn from each mistake.

I love to inspire other people to do what they dream, live your passion….its not impossible! “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible.”  I am self taught. I practiced, read, watched, questioned, slept-dreamed- loved photography and makeup with all of my being! Never give up!  I have had my share of ups and downs, you have to get back up and keep on going….It’s a ton of blood , sweat and tears…but it is all worth it when you can take a step back and say-  “Wow, I did it!….I’m living my dream, I’m supporting my family, and my job is my passion!  I can be a stay at home mommy ,that is a true blessing. When you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.

What do you think sets your work apart from other photographers?

My work sets me apart from other photographers because I am self taught, I see things outside of the box. I have developed my own creative vision and style of photography and make up. I always try to be different.

You are also very skilled at makeup and hair artistry.  Did you know your way around a makeup kit when you first started out?   

Thank you, I love make up! I knew my way around a make up kit at age six! My mother and grandmother had fancy make up tables and I would gaze at them when they were putting their “face on” . I wanted to be just like them. I started doing makeup before photography. Once I decided to combine my two passions of make up and photography I knew I had found my dream career!

Be sure to check out Tamara’s blog on her official website!  Stop by her Facebook page to check out her amazing portfolio and say hello

We are teaming up with Pinup Style Worldwide to bring you an awesome new contest!  How would you like to win a $100 gift certificate to www.poisoncandyfashion.com?  The rules are simple:

1. “Like” Pinup Style Worldwide;

2. “Like” Poison Candy; &

Introducing “Storyville”, the first one of a kind piece to ever appear on our official website!  Inspired by the years I spent living in New Orleans, this curve hugging black and white ensemble is a guaranteed show stopper.

When one is strolling down the weathered streets of the Big Easy, it’s hard not to imagine the decadent lifestyle of the notorious district formerly known as “Storyville”.  One of the first things that struck me upon visiting New Orleans for the first time was the beautiful architecture and history that seemed to live inside of every structure, lamp post, and weeping willow.  My first New Orleans apartment was located at the far end of Bourbon Street and I used to spend hours on my balcony watching the people milling about below.  I would often imagine that I was somehow transported back in time, existing among the jazz enthusiasts, rowdy bar hoppers, and all others who were up to no good in the French Quarter.

I was somewhat obsessed with Victorian clothing while I was growing up and had this idea that everyone from that era was stuffy, refined, and unnaturally elegant.  It has become delightfully apparent to me that this was not always the case and Storyville successfully shatters the pervasive myth.  An area designed to contain illegal and debaucherous activity, this hot bed of bump and grind thrived for almost half a century before finally being shut down in 1917.

I believe that although the times may change, people really don’t.  Regardless of the rules, there are always those who live to break them.  We are the misfits, the instigators, the tricksters with contagious laughter who dance in the rain and have bourbon for breakfast.  A non-conformist by nature, I can’t imagine what else to do with my time except design sinister and seductive dresses for ridiculously beautiful women.  So let’s turn off the television, slip into something devious, and have a cocktail or two in the city that care forgot.