what im { and maybe you } will be giving { or getting } for christmas...

can you believe its time to start thinking about Christmas? i can't either. i have been busy here at the shop working on gift ideas for my list and yours.

love these wraps in bright colors...

the holiday bags in silk... lovely with a black dress.

and yes, we are making plenty of cuffs...

fun headbands and flower clips... perfect for the stockings.

will this bow tie is for you. no fear im sure you arent reading this...

who wouldn't love a monogram sash? i have several newly married friends who are sporting a new name...

this summer i picked up a few vintage buckles for holiday season... love this paired with jeans and a fitted top or a old favorite in your closet that may need a lift. karen, if you are reading this... yes, one is for you.

and for those on my list that are hard to shop for, you may receive a gift card to be used on a anything of your choice. i know gift cards can seem impersonal but really who wouldn't want to custom design a dress or any garment? so, for all of my hard to shop for friends and family members this is your gift. now you will have just what you need/want/cant live without or have been dreaming about... so you will have what you want and wont have to borrow my skirt/top/dress or sash.

usc modern mocktail fashion show

how pretty are these laroque models? the fashion board of usc put on a very impressive fashion show at 701 whaley on nov. 3. over 100 members of the board from the school of retail come together and put on a modern mocktail fashion show. i was very honored that they asked me to help and take part in the show. the money raised will be donated to hep research breast caner.

before the show the fashion board helped organized the designers and local boutiques ...

hair and makeup artists from paul mitchel work on the models downstairs...

while upstairs models chat and get ready. below is mary ross walker. one of my favorite customers of all time... love her. she was sweet to step in at the last second to model for me.

marquis, president of the fashion board... adore his pink hankerchif.

students from usc djed the event... euro rock filled the air.

amy woodell played a huge part in the event as the vice president of the board.

small break before the show. discussing fashion and settling their nerves the students flip fashion books on travis's coffee table in his loft above the runway at 701. he loves having this space to work and create but this was extra rewarding to help shoot and be a part of the show.

a mix of local fashion lovers, students, professors and boutique owners wait for the show to begin...

laroque holiday cocktail collection on the runway.

brooke and madeline after the show in laroque headbands and frocks...

paige and indira and i after the show. could not have done the show without the two of them.

travis hands off the camera to a model to take our picture. he is to thank for all of these beautiful photo's along with others of the event. you can see more on the laroque facebook group or his travis teate photography.

oh, and did you see the daily gamecock the day after the show? the new halter style made the front page!

http://www.dailygamecock.com/multimedia/slideshow-fashion-show-1.859382

much thanks to the usc fashion board who put on a truly outstanding show to support a great cause. i look forward to the spring show and working with the overwhelmingly talented students.

a sample of the bridesmaid dresses...

how the cuffs are made and why we are always out of them...

i have an obession about saving fabric. even the smallest pieces i fold and stack in the designated color group. below is a sample of the last years garments, well what is left of them. i love looking and remembering who wore what when... easter, the cup, homecoming... mother of the bride. sometimes they are made into bow ties or small bags. maybe used as trim or to inspire a new design.

on a trip to ny this summer it came to me... a way to use the small pieces. since then i have been working to create cuff bracelets.

first step... fabric on to the cuff. at the stage things are moving slowly but i am very excited to see the fabric in the shape of the cuff.

i had envisioned the cuff to have a laquared effect. heavy, shinny and glossy to the touch. after several trips to lowes and different mixtures of laquare concoctions i think i have found what works best.... (you didn't think i was going to tell you the secret did you? ) they turn out beautiful but takes literaly hours to dry and many coats.

here are a few from the last collection as they dry....

ta da! a few from the first group... the new cuff's are much more shinny ...

a few happy customers stop by wearing their cuffs on the way to devine foods... love mixing the cuffs with other cuffs.

so... in a short while... more cuffs.

i am experimenting with a modern monogram on the cuff. maybe one letter or an important date. look for pictures soon.

oh, and look for them in southern living in march along with the story about the shop and the carolina cup.....