Because there's only one of everything that's listed, there's no wait time for the shipping.
Reworked vintage lucite bags, id-taste.com.
11.12.2010
Additions
I added a new "Flea" section to the (I)D store, for one-off vintage pieces that I've reworked (painted, embellished, etc), and interesting objects, furnishings and accessories that I run across (because much as I'd like, I can't keep it all. Although I may try.). It'll be updated frequently, too.
Because there's only one of everything that's listed, there's no wait time for the shipping.
Reworked vintage lucite bags, id-taste.com.
Because there's only one of everything that's listed, there's no wait time for the shipping.
Reworked vintage lucite bags, id-taste.com.
Barbie Suit
Taking this vintage Dior Barbie suit skirt to be tailored later. The jacket is crazy, it has these molded (but shoulderpad-less!!) shoulders and sculpted tailoring with this weird scuba zip that comes off as almost sci-fi?
Excuse the cruddy photo quality.
Excuse the cruddy photo quality.
11.11.2010
Mining Lizards
Shh! I have a secret!
So, I told you the other day about my new ring lizard bag, that I had to share, because I'm crazy over the strangely utilitarian color scheme it's sporting and the boxy shape, and of course the skin, which is more a texture than a pattern. I designed a new strap for it, and haven't taken it off since.
It's so easy (read: lazy) to wear, but I guess one must pick and choose their madnesses. My madness (no, madnesses. plural) is not handbags, and in fact, I often go without one entirely. Just not my thing (dear lord, have you seen how much I've got going on in the shoe and jewelry department?). There's also this other issue, that at any given moment, I can think of so many other spendy things I'd rather indulge in. A lot about the marketing of handbags really bothers me. Especially that the quality of materials and design is generally so terrible until they're in the upper stratosphere of price, and then there's that cliff to dive off...
But yes, okay...so there's nothing I find grosser than really vile quality uninteresting things (if it's going to be cheap, it had better be deliciously exciting!), we've established that. The secret? Ebay (and the occasional lucky thrift shop) is hiding these wondrous ring lizards!!! You just have to wade through a whole lot of "lizard" listings posted by people who don't realize what they're selling. (Leave off the "ring.")
Or, you can just go the retail route: From left to right, clockwise from largest bag: Jil Sander, Valentino studded lizard clutch ($3400 via Net a Porter), Alexander Wang python bag ($795 at Alexander Wang), Tiffany by Lambertson and Truex ($4800 at Tiffany), Tiffany by Lambertson and Truex ($1800 at Tiffany), Kelly Locke lizard clutch on ($495, on Vivre.)
What's that? Oh, you're so welcome.
So, I told you the other day about my new ring lizard bag, that I had to share, because I'm crazy over the strangely utilitarian color scheme it's sporting and the boxy shape, and of course the skin, which is more a texture than a pattern. I designed a new strap for it, and haven't taken it off since.
It's so easy (read: lazy) to wear, but I guess one must pick and choose their madnesses. My madness (no, madnesses. plural) is not handbags, and in fact, I often go without one entirely. Just not my thing (dear lord, have you seen how much I've got going on in the shoe and jewelry department?). There's also this other issue, that at any given moment, I can think of so many other spendy things I'd rather indulge in. A lot about the marketing of handbags really bothers me. Especially that the quality of materials and design is generally so terrible until they're in the upper stratosphere of price, and then there's that cliff to dive off...
But yes, okay...so there's nothing I find grosser than really vile quality uninteresting things (if it's going to be cheap, it had better be deliciously exciting!), we've established that. The secret? Ebay (and the occasional lucky thrift shop) is hiding these wondrous ring lizards!!! You just have to wade through a whole lot of "lizard" listings posted by people who don't realize what they're selling. (Leave off the "ring.")
Or, you can just go the retail route: From left to right, clockwise from largest bag: Jil Sander, Valentino studded lizard clutch ($3400 via Net a Porter), Alexander Wang python bag ($795 at Alexander Wang), Tiffany by Lambertson and Truex ($4800 at Tiffany), Tiffany by Lambertson and Truex ($1800 at Tiffany), Kelly Locke lizard clutch on ($495, on Vivre.)
What's that? Oh, you're so welcome.
11.09.2010
Soft Spots
I think that we've all got our soft spots.
By soft-spots, I mean, the opposite of "deal breakers." Deal-breakers are those vile, irksome qualities that send one sprinting, a reason to drop whatever it is that's clearly broken, but soft spots? Soft spots seal the deal, they make whatever it is impossible to resist- drop it in my cart, I'll take it to go, and yes, please, I'll have another 5, despite the fact I already have three that are just like it and so clearly I shouldn't need one more... You know, that frenzied feeling? (This may be applicable to...other situations...as well... no claims there.)
Anyway, a while ago, I met this thick, fatty biker leather, and it swept me off my feet in all its gnarled, pebbled, textured glory. It's a soft spot for me. Handbags made in it? YES please! Shoes? Jackets? Shorts? Pillows? AHHH the possibilities are endless... I can get carried away with these things. Luckily (unluckily?), I've been seeing more and more of it lately. Alexander Wang has been doing a lot of bags in it (I'm sure you've seen them x 12310239), and allegedly, somewhere, they make chaps from it (although chaps are a rather frightening garment, no?), but I've been sort of possessed by this idea of using it as upholstery. It's all well and dandy that I can wear it, but I want my chairs to wear it too. See, I told you! It's one of my soft spots.
Finally, I got around to that, and I'm so delighted with the results I'd like to do something larger in it. Like a sofa (ahhhh, it's a sickness!). But for now, you might recognize these chairs. Remember Karl?? Poor Karl, I buried him. Somehow, I don't think he'd mind the transformation. I kept the hefty, pebbled black leather simple and painted on a metallic bee insignia. The metallic brings out the lumpiness of the leather; this can only be a positive. Its counterpart is dressed in a Tony Duquette inspired painted jewel upholstery and my other new endeavor...striped leather. Stripes are one of those things that I feel like I'm always on the hunt for. Especially a thick, black and white striped leather. After coming to the conclusion that it doesn't exist, I made it. Stripes are another of my soft spots (if you could see my closet, you'd die laughing and perhaps draw the conclusion that I have a secret life as a referee).
This beaded necklace is so ugly (beautiful), I cannot even wait to wear it. I think it may have been part of the inspiration for the green jeweled upholstery. I bought it at a thrift shop after an older lady decided against it. She was clearly torn ("It's just lovely, but its so...GREEN" is what she said.) HA! She might have had green issues, but I do NOT.
As for the bag on the chair... ring lizard. I'll tell you all about it in a little. After designing a new handle/chain for it, it's become one of my favorites. New soft spot?
Vintage jewelry, (I)D Taste hand painted leather upholstery (available here).
By soft-spots, I mean, the opposite of "deal breakers." Deal-breakers are those vile, irksome qualities that send one sprinting, a reason to drop whatever it is that's clearly broken, but soft spots? Soft spots seal the deal, they make whatever it is impossible to resist- drop it in my cart, I'll take it to go, and yes, please, I'll have another 5, despite the fact I already have three that are just like it and so clearly I shouldn't need one more... You know, that frenzied feeling? (This may be applicable to...other situations...as well... no claims there.)
Anyway, a while ago, I met this thick, fatty biker leather, and it swept me off my feet in all its gnarled, pebbled, textured glory. It's a soft spot for me. Handbags made in it? YES please! Shoes? Jackets? Shorts? Pillows? AHHH the possibilities are endless... I can get carried away with these things. Luckily (unluckily?), I've been seeing more and more of it lately. Alexander Wang has been doing a lot of bags in it (I'm sure you've seen them x 12310239), and allegedly, somewhere, they make chaps from it (although chaps are a rather frightening garment, no?), but I've been sort of possessed by this idea of using it as upholstery. It's all well and dandy that I can wear it, but I want my chairs to wear it too. See, I told you! It's one of my soft spots.
Finally, I got around to that, and I'm so delighted with the results I'd like to do something larger in it. Like a sofa (ahhhh, it's a sickness!). But for now, you might recognize these chairs. Remember Karl?? Poor Karl, I buried him. Somehow, I don't think he'd mind the transformation. I kept the hefty, pebbled black leather simple and painted on a metallic bee insignia. The metallic brings out the lumpiness of the leather; this can only be a positive. Its counterpart is dressed in a Tony Duquette inspired painted jewel upholstery and my other new endeavor...striped leather. Stripes are one of those things that I feel like I'm always on the hunt for. Especially a thick, black and white striped leather. After coming to the conclusion that it doesn't exist, I made it. Stripes are another of my soft spots (if you could see my closet, you'd die laughing and perhaps draw the conclusion that I have a secret life as a referee).
This beaded necklace is so ugly (beautiful), I cannot even wait to wear it. I think it may have been part of the inspiration for the green jeweled upholstery. I bought it at a thrift shop after an older lady decided against it. She was clearly torn ("It's just lovely, but its so...GREEN" is what she said.) HA! She might have had green issues, but I do NOT.
Vintage jewelry, (I)D Taste hand painted leather upholstery (available here).
11.02.2010
Minimalist Maximalism
It's funny how certain garments have a reputation for one thing or another. Take sequins, the trampy Aunt Louise of the happy wardrobe family.
Now, I should fully disclose that I have a sequin buying addiction. The more sequins the merrier, and this isn't necessarily a good thing (The greater the mass of sequins, the larger the mess of colors = the more epic the shoulders, and the less likely I'll be able to resist— this is a rule). Okay, so sequins have this reputation for being over the top, gaudy, excessive, trashy... and of course that's fun and fabulous and who doesn't like looking like a peacock/disco ball on occasion, but my real point here IS: sometimes sequins surprise you!!
I was thinking about this after purchasing this delightful, matte green vintage Arnold Scaasi number. I hadn't heard of Scaasi when I'd seen the dress (should I be embarrassed?) but it was one of those purchases where everything came together in a crazy alignment of the fashion forces. I bought the dress because it looked like a heavy sheet of fish-scaled minty texture and it had me actually hyperventilating. THEN I ran across an article in CONNOISSEUR from July 1984 on Scaasi's work (I will scan this today, it's so good!) and THEN I found out that there's currently a Scaasi exhibition going on at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts through June 2011. Has anyone been to the exhibit? So strange the way things work out sometimes!
Anyway, the Scaasi is what got me thinking about what I'm gonna call "minimalist maximalism." (Is this a term? I just made it up!) There's so much talk right now about the "minimalist" vibe going around, and I guess I'm not immune to it (hence the crazy talk about gutting my wardrobe?), although I'll always worship at the altar of more is more. Ahhhhhhh, I like interesting things, pretty things, hideous things!! And lots of them. The idea of living monastically repulses me! But minimalist sequins (monochromatic sequins, matte sequins, sequin colorblocking??!) ... that's something I can get into. So I had some fun shooting a couple of looks, green Scaasi included, of minimalism, my way- if you will.
Green sequin dress by Arnold Scaasi, black sequin pants by Rachel Roy, black sequin shirt vintage John Wannamaker, zebra sequin shirt vintage Jeannette for St. Martin 1985, blue sequin dress vintage Richilene, striped maxi layered under zebra F21.
Images and styling by (I)D.
Now, I should fully disclose that I have a sequin buying addiction. The more sequins the merrier, and this isn't necessarily a good thing (The greater the mass of sequins, the larger the mess of colors = the more epic the shoulders, and the less likely I'll be able to resist— this is a rule). Okay, so sequins have this reputation for being over the top, gaudy, excessive, trashy... and of course that's fun and fabulous and who doesn't like looking like a peacock/disco ball on occasion, but my real point here IS: sometimes sequins surprise you!!
I was thinking about this after purchasing this delightful, matte green vintage Arnold Scaasi number. I hadn't heard of Scaasi when I'd seen the dress (should I be embarrassed?) but it was one of those purchases where everything came together in a crazy alignment of the fashion forces. I bought the dress because it looked like a heavy sheet of fish-scaled minty texture and it had me actually hyperventilating. THEN I ran across an article in CONNOISSEUR from July 1984 on Scaasi's work (I will scan this today, it's so good!) and THEN I found out that there's currently a Scaasi exhibition going on at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts through June 2011. Has anyone been to the exhibit? So strange the way things work out sometimes!
Anyway, the Scaasi is what got me thinking about what I'm gonna call "minimalist maximalism." (Is this a term? I just made it up!) There's so much talk right now about the "minimalist" vibe going around, and I guess I'm not immune to it (hence the crazy talk about gutting my wardrobe?), although I'll always worship at the altar of more is more. Ahhhhhhh, I like interesting things, pretty things, hideous things!! And lots of them. The idea of living monastically repulses me! But minimalist sequins (monochromatic sequins, matte sequins, sequin colorblocking??!) ... that's something I can get into. So I had some fun shooting a couple of looks, green Scaasi included, of minimalism, my way- if you will.
Green sequin dress by Arnold Scaasi, black sequin pants by Rachel Roy, black sequin shirt vintage John Wannamaker, zebra sequin shirt vintage Jeannette for St. Martin 1985, blue sequin dress vintage Richilene, striped maxi layered under zebra F21.
Images and styling by (I)D.
10.31.2010
The Birds
It wasn't my intent, but I think I could pass for the Bride of Frankenstein. Or, Frankenstein's Bride after she wandered onto Hitchcock's set for The Birds, ha. I love this updo so much I wore it all day yesterday, and today... Too bad everyone assumes it's something to do with a Halloween costume, because it wasn't at all! Halloween, stealing my thunder.
Oh, and this is the backdrop from a couple posts back. It's coming along, still not complete though.
Photography, styling, painting by (I)D.
Oh, and this is the backdrop from a couple posts back. It's coming along, still not complete though.
Happy Halloween
This was my first attempt at carving a pumpkin. Can you tell?
Photography and styling by (IN)DECOROUS TASTE.
Photography and styling by (IN)DECOROUS TASTE.
10.26.2010
Identity Crisis
Time in the studio, a zebra commode, tortoise panel, epically scaled grotesques ... just a few things in the works!
Sometimes I just really need to reevaluate the things I'm storing and living with, or else I get this urge to deep ditch everything and sequester myself in a white box (HAHA, can you imagine?? That would be hell.). I'm not entirely sure why this happens, but for peace of mind, I've begun this massive wardrobe re-evaluation, and in the process I ended up discovering these graphic dresses, along with a whole host of other things I'd forgot I'd owned! I guess that's why they call it "shopping the closet"? For me, it becomes a question of how I can rework something, what I see in it that I hadn't seen before.
Also, the blog has been having a little identity crisis, in case you haven't noticed. Right now, it's BACK at it's original home, www.indecoroustaste.com, and the site has moved to http://id-taste.com . This is how it's going to stay, promise! You can still access the blog at its blogspot address, but the whole thing was just too confusing and I hope this clears things up a lot. Is your head spinning yet? (I)D is feeling like itself again...
Added one more harness to the collection, too. It's completely stripped down and basic (is this a trend for me today?), just perfect leather straps and brass hardware, nothing else. I'm only selling it in pairs ($75) So take a look if you're into that...
Photography, styling, design, painting by (IN)DECOROUS TASTE.
Sometimes I just really need to reevaluate the things I'm storing and living with, or else I get this urge to deep ditch everything and sequester myself in a white box (HAHA, can you imagine?? That would be hell.). I'm not entirely sure why this happens, but for peace of mind, I've begun this massive wardrobe re-evaluation, and in the process I ended up discovering these graphic dresses, along with a whole host of other things I'd forgot I'd owned! I guess that's why they call it "shopping the closet"? For me, it becomes a question of how I can rework something, what I see in it that I hadn't seen before.
Also, the blog has been having a little identity crisis, in case you haven't noticed. Right now, it's BACK at it's original home, www.indecoroustaste.com, and the site has moved to http://id-taste.com . This is how it's going to stay, promise! You can still access the blog at its blogspot address, but the whole thing was just too confusing and I hope this clears things up a lot. Is your head spinning yet? (I)D is feeling like itself again...
Added one more harness to the collection, too. It's completely stripped down and basic (is this a trend for me today?), just perfect leather straps and brass hardware, nothing else. I'm only selling it in pairs ($75) So take a look if you're into that...
Photography, styling, design, painting by (IN)DECOROUS TASTE.
10.22.2010
Wardrobe Malfunction
The nipple slip, it happens to the best of us?
This shirt was definitely one of those projects whose idea originated in a lighthearted flurry, but woah... at some point, as I was hunched over sewing the five concentric channels of black sequins (securing them individually) around these vintage rhinestone button "nipples" (I think they were made for this application), I started laughing at the whole situation. These were a little tricky because I absolutely needed them to lie flat in a uniform circular shape. It was also imperative that they overlapped for a slick, fish-scale appearance. I used black sequins to keep the shirt a little more subdued. It's a wink, not a frying pan to the cranium (and don't you dare say otherwise).
Also, please click here to make sure you're still subscribed if you subscribe via RSS. There was a problem with my feeds after the address change, but everything should be working now. Or, click to subscribe if you're new!
This shirt was definitely one of those projects whose idea originated in a lighthearted flurry, but woah... at some point, as I was hunched over sewing the five concentric channels of black sequins (securing them individually) around these vintage rhinestone button "nipples" (I think they were made for this application), I started laughing at the whole situation. These were a little tricky because I absolutely needed them to lie flat in a uniform circular shape. It was also imperative that they overlapped for a slick, fish-scale appearance. I used black sequins to keep the shirt a little more subdued. It's a wink, not a frying pan to the cranium (and don't you dare say otherwise).
Also, please click here to make sure you're still subscribed if you subscribe via RSS. There was a problem with my feeds after the address change, but everything should be working now. Or, click to subscribe if you're new!
10.13.2010
Make an Entrance
Updated to add: The link has been updated! Thanks for letting me know it wasn't working.
Bloglovin' follwers: Please click HERE to update your (IN)DECOROUS TASTE subscriptions! Or, start following. Chopchop.
In the meantime, I'll leave you with this image I re-found on my desktop. The doors were a collaboration with my mom, from... a while back. Faux bois/ebony... They're beastly to shoot because they're in a narrow foyer. But they make an impact!
Bloglovin' follwers: Please click HERE to update your (IN)DECOROUS TASTE subscriptions! Or, start following. Chopchop.
In the meantime, I'll leave you with this image I re-found on my desktop. The doors were a collaboration with my mom, from... a while back. Faux bois/ebony... They're beastly to shoot because they're in a narrow foyer. But they make an impact!
10.12.2010
Up and Running...
EDITED: To make things less confusing, I will be moving the blog back to its old address at www.indecoroustaste.com. (This should happen within the next couple of days. You can still access it by its blogspot address, though, too.) The website has already been moved to www.id-taste.com. I really hope this makes things easier!
The site and shop are up!
Hope you enjoy...the shop section is set up and ready for orders. And really, don't hesitate to contact me with questions, at lauren.tennenbaum@gmail.com.
PS I'm going to have more time for blogging now. Expect more posts.
The site and shop are up!
Hope you enjoy...the shop section is set up and ready for orders. And really, don't hesitate to contact me with questions, at lauren.tennenbaum@gmail.com.
PS I'm going to have more time for blogging now. Expect more posts.
10.07.2010
Mannequins
In conjunction with the site relaunch (see my last post), I shot some of the things I've been working on and crazy about (nude feet, boxy lucite bags!!, warm palettes (I'm a little sick of cool?) , gold chains, brass...). The nude body suit (dancer's unitard, actually) is a shocker. I wasn't expecting it to be the most practical garment in the universe, but I want to wear it with everything! Blazers, skirts, giant fur coats, leopard, leather, lace...
Also, I finally got around to making a crystal spine harness.
Painted verdure, styling, table, photography, upholstery, harnesses, etc. by (IN)DECOROUS TASTE. Thanks, Cristin, for the help photographing and styling.
Also, I finally got around to making a crystal spine harness.
Painted verdure, styling, table, photography, upholstery, harnesses, etc. by (IN)DECOROUS TASTE. Thanks, Cristin, for the help photographing and styling.
Guess What?
EDITED: Due to a ton of confusion, I'm moving the blog back to www.indecoroustaste.com. (But you can still get here via indecoroustaste.blogspot.com.) The site is now located at www.id-taste.com. I hope this will make things easier!
Updated: Launching on Tuesday.
Hey hey hey! First thing's first: Update your bookmarks: bookmark (IN)DECOROUS TASTE at its blogspot url, indecoroustaste.blogspot.com . WTF WHY!? Well...
In case you've been wondering what project has swallowed me alive for the past month, I've been prepping for the launch of an (IN)DECOROUS TASTE site and shop. The site will be located at indecoroustaste.com, and it'll be a more organized place to keep images of my work, along with a continually updated selection of pieces I'll make available for sale.
Guess what? It's ready, finally, and will be up onMonday Tuesday for orders.
Because it was important to me that everything be perfect, I'm starting small and launching an edited down collection of 6 harnesses. It's been a trip, just sourcing materials to find the best quality hardware and leather imaginable (I practically live in a heap of leather!)... prepping the site, photoshooting, ironing out all of those pesky incidentals. But yeah, you can now rest assured that the leather is gorgeous and the brass hardware is lush, and the straps are long enough to wear them on...anything. Also, the crystals are plexi so that they don't shatter when you wear them. You'd never know by looking at them or even feeling them though, I swear.
Here's a preview:
Updated: Launching on Tuesday.
Hey hey hey! First thing's first: Update your bookmarks: bookmark (IN)DECOROUS TASTE at its blogspot url, indecoroustaste.blogspot.com . WTF WHY!? Well...
In case you've been wondering what project has swallowed me alive for the past month, I've been prepping for the launch of an (IN)DECOROUS TASTE site and shop. The site will be located at indecoroustaste.com, and it'll be a more organized place to keep images of my work, along with a continually updated selection of pieces I'll make available for sale.
Guess what? It's ready, finally, and will be up on
Because it was important to me that everything be perfect, I'm starting small and launching an edited down collection of 6 harnesses. It's been a trip, just sourcing materials to find the best quality hardware and leather imaginable (I practically live in a heap of leather!)... prepping the site, photoshooting, ironing out all of those pesky incidentals. But yeah, you can now rest assured that the leather is gorgeous and the brass hardware is lush, and the straps are long enough to wear them on...anything. Also, the crystals are plexi so that they don't shatter when you wear them. You'd never know by looking at them or even feeling them though, I swear.
Here's a preview:
8.27.2010
Barbie
Barbie says to Ken: You know what chlorine does to my hair. But if you insist we go swimming at least have the courtesy to help me take my head off first. -Denise Duhamel, Codependent Relationship
It's been a while, no?! In the 432094234 years since I last posted, I've been up to a few things. One of my latest projects has been designing a last so that in the near future, I won't need to blowdry leather on my foot. Remember that?
In the meantime, I've been playing around, again, with the process of de and reconstructing stripper heels (Barbie edition?).
I'll admit it: the floating glitter in the heel won me over!
The more you move, the more you sparkle; it's a terribly elegant concept. They're insane, so I kept the uppers pretty simple: glossy black leather straps with long ankle straps. You can wrap them around the ankle, around the instep, around the heel, up the leg, around your boyfriend, around the neighbors...
The crystal bouquet adornment is a harness I created a while ago, but never shot, for some reason.
Obviously, I ripped off the plastic uppers to accomplish this, etc etc, but this time around, I figured I'd keep it simple and spare you the long description of the rebuilding process— I covered that thoroughly last time around. I'm going to let the pictures speak (scream?) for themselves.
Also, I started a Formspring (an anonymous question forum), so you can ask me questions! Just go here.
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