"As long as it’s cute and in good condition, it
doesn’t matter who the maker is or the era the garment is from." Such is
the philosophy of Our Lady in Pink, owner Anna Lange, which
has lead to the Pretty Parlor’s raucous reputation as the place "Where
Audrey Hepburn Meets Judy Jetson." And no sir, though it’s
awash is rosy hues, the Pretty Parlor is not just a pretty face. We’ve
got a super selection for the discriminating gentleman entitled "MANLAND",
including vintage suits, cowboy boots and shirts John Wayne would kill for.
Lest you think the younger set has been neglected, we also offer a mini-coloring
table featuring Fashion Plates. Alongside the vintage
marvels and distinctively styled couture, you’ll also find fabulous
fashions and accessories by our talented, beloved Indie Designers .
. .
by
Anna Lange
Pretty Parlor’s own fully sustainable label, House of Pretty Parlor,
was founded in 2005 by owner Anna Lange, better known as Anna Banana. Anna was
recently a featured artist on Verve
hosted by Nancy
Guppy on the Seattle Channel. Watch
Anna Banana on youtube! Along side her talented tailor mother Barb, the
duo re-furbish and re-fashion vintage garments to give them new life. Using
recycled retro fabrics and patterns, Anna and Barb create adorable and wearable
works of art that flatter the female form and attract constant compliments.
Our inspirations include fashion from the 1960’s and 1970’s, Pucci-style
colors and patterns, Audrey Hepburn and Doris Day movies, Betsey Johnson, Brady
Bunch, British Vogue, Harijuko girls, ribbons, lace, fabulous fabric and grandma’s
closet.
“Since I was a child, I always had nightmares about where garbage and
unwanted stuff goes,” passionately remarks Anna. “It’s very
important to me, and to the environment, that we re-use and re-invent old garments
instead of producing more and more. I am thankful this economy slump has encouraged
others to think like me and take action.”
After graduating with a design degree from Montana State in 1996, Anna traveled
through Western Europe, drove across the United States, lived in New York City
and became an Art Director for Nordstrom in downtown Seattle before venturing
out on her own to start Pretty Parlor in 2001. She feels so fortunate to finally
be living out her dream seven years later!
by Angela Holstrom
Angel Eyes Designs are created and hand-sewn by Angela Holstrom in Greenwood,
Seattle, Washington. From men's ties to dresses, tops, and bathing suits Angel
Eyes Designs has something unique for everyone. Angel Eyes ties represent the
future of casual to semi-formal neckties. Whether at a show or club or at the
office Angel Eyes ties have stunning one-of-a-kind bold designs never seen before
around the neck or around town.
Inspired by vintage fabrics and style, Angel Eyes Designs has expanded into
a growing line of women's shirts, dresses, bikinis, and one-piece bathing suits.
Using vintage-stretch fabrics and original patterns, her one of a kind pieces
have a unique and flattering style that fits every lady.
After completing her degree in Apparel Design at Seattle Pacific University,
Angela freelanced as a costume designer and stitcher at several independent
theaters in Seattle. After a year of costume and theatre work, her drive and
vision for her own projects led Angela to focus on creating her own Angel Eyes
Designs. To keep up with the demand of her products, Angela continues to make
new designs every day and each design is more refined and original than the
last.
by Christi York
Christi York is an accessory designer, graphic designer, sometimes photographer,
and big believer in recycling and supporting locally owned designers and businesses.
Her career began in the snowboarding industry as an in-house graphic designer,
but after spending eight hours a day in front of a computer she decided to try
her hand at freelancing. It was a wise decision. Her graphic career is still
going strong and now BuenoStyle, her sideline passion started as a way to work
with her hands, has taken off.
Christi uses recycled, vintage and eco-concious materials wherever possible.
Former accessory lines included one of a kind “rescued sweater”
scarves made from thrift store wool sweaters and leather cuffs and earrings
made from scrap leather castoffs. Her BuenoStyle line of vintage re-worked jewelry
launched in January 2007 to an amazing response! Using vintage discontinued
glass beads and brass stampings from the 1920’s to the 80’s, the
BuenoStyle features limited edition one-of-a-few pieces Each accessory is built
upon items sourced from various locations that are salvaged to adorn the exclusive
pieces.
by Dylan Rupert
My name is Dylan, I am sixteen years old, and I am the creator of Dylan Rupert
Designs. Since 2006, I've specialized in creative brand development and identity,
as well as graphic design for friends, family and bands. In 2007, my handmade
headbands debuted at Pretty Parlor in Seattle, WA. One-of-a-kind headbands are
in stock year round and cost $15. I like to use bold and bright fabrics, featuring
beautiful details such as velvet ribbon, rhinestones, and unique accessories.
And now I'm excited to announce DYLAN RUPERT CUPCAKES! For your next event,
whether it calls for a dozen cupcakes or 200 baby cakes, I can bake the highlight
of your party.
by Gunlis Alainentalo
My name is Gunlis Alainentalo and I have a passion for vintage slips. My fascination
and curiosity with slips started at a very young age. I remember my mother's
delicate slips as something very feminine and beautiful. My love and admiration
for my mother as a child and the longing to wear those glamorous garments gave
me the inspiration to create my own unique palette of slips.
I grew up in Sweden. Shopping for vintage 40's and 50's clothing was one of
my passions back then. The old part of the Stockholm had quaint boutiques with
everything a girl could want. I remember looking at all the unique garments
which left a lasting impression in my mind. I wondered who had owned and cared
for these beautiful slips. In my imagination they must have been loved and treasured
by the most beautiful women through the years.
by Jamie Stratton
My name is Jamie Stratton and I am a performer, costumer, fashion designer
and stylist. People know me as Lucky Penny, Honey D. Luxe, and my former design
name, Agent - X. I create a variety of items, hand bags, aprons, vintage inspired
dresses, skirts, tops, silk-screened tees and tote bags. These items are one-of-a-kind,
and choices changes frequently. I'm a big fan of vintage flight attendant fashion
and lifestyle. I've made quite a few inspired uniforms, a few of which have
been worn on flights. It surely makes for entertaining travel!
I make lots of costumes. LOTS. I've been honored to have performed on some of
Seattle's finest stages, as well as delighting audiences in China, Portugal,
Ireland, and Germany both as a soloist and as one of The Atomic Bombshells.
I'm fortunate that everything I do for a living is also what I enjoy most in
my life. I'm very grateful for that.
by
Angelica Gehm
My name is Angelica Gehm and I’ve been designing clothing for the past
seven years. I studied at the Art Institute of Seattle in the Apparel Design
program. I fell in love with all the independent boutiques here and knew I wanted
to be a part of the DIY scene right away. I aim to create clothing that is unique,
comfortable, and beautiful. Inspiring to me are amazing vintage fashions, gothic
art, and the shape of a REAL woman. I also work here at the Pretty Parlor with
Anna Banana!
A lot of my line incorporates recycled fabrics, however I am open to using newer
fabrics as well. I'm especially excited about the sweatshirts I'm re-making
with wool hoods and cuffs. The hats a make from scratch have a short brim and
a hint of sophisticated jazz. My sexy pencil skirts are adorned with little
birds and screen prints.
by Malia
My name is Malia and I am originally a language nerd. After years of study,
I became fluent in Mandarin Chinese. I reasoned that if my brain could learn
Chinese, it could certainly learn how to sew! It has been a few years now, and
I am as happy as a clam running all aspects of my line, Lady Konnyaku.
I have found that stylish, Japanese street clothing available over the internet
is only available in mini-tiny sizes and is of poor quality. My mission is to
make eye catching, well-fitting, solid-quality clothing available to ladies
who not only wear size S, but also M, L and XL. There is also something to be
said about super cool vintage fabric, and I love a unique print or use of color.
I design my patterns to maximize the preservation of worthy finds, as many are
found only once and in small yardage. The majority of my designs are one-of-a-kind
for this reason. I make all of my patterns from scratch, sew every stitch, and
cut every yard of fabric. My inspiration draws mostly from crazy Japanese street
fashion, Mod fashions, vintage fabrics, humor, children's clothing, old-lady
clothes, Hawaii, Kung-fu movies, Takuya Angel, video games, little big girls,
reggae, skaters, haute couture, punk, dnb, ravers, Beijing, san-x and psychedelia.
by Heather Treadway
Recent Portland Oregon transplant Heather Treadway of
Paper Doll Fashion owes much of her career to Olympia. After graduating from
the Evergreen State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in cultural studies,
she promptly decided to become a fashion designer. Call it destiny if you will.
Since the age of five she's been designing and making clothing, her favorite
model being her turtle Tilly, her favorite backdrop?? The Lite Brite of course!
So, she went to college and got a degree and thought "Now what?" and
she realized that fashion has always been her passion. She started slow, taking
it one piece at a time, selling in a local shop owned by her friend Kanako.
This slow initial production eventually trickled into other great boutiques
around the Northwest until she ended up all over the country selling Paper Doll
Fashions in 8 different boutiques all over the US! After a few years of start
up Heather decided to get serious with this business and do important things
like: have photo shoots (with models), make business cards, and work in France
for a year honing in on her skill even more. She has participated in many a
fashion show exposing herself to musicians, artists and traveling culture vultures
alike.
Tuning in on her inner aesthetic Heather found her style quite easily. "I
take fabrics, feel them, be with them, throw them on a table, put them together
and take them apart until I find a good combination". A fibers artist at
heart this designer really knows how to use fabric technology to create striking
pieces of clothing. One can easily find a hoodie incorporating 4 or 5 different
types of fabric. Often utilizing whimsical or bizarre cotton prints, quilting
thick pieces of sweatshirt fleece and denim to create padding, or mixing stretchy
knits with satins and corduroy are trademarks of Paper Doll Fashion. Thanks
to her seamstress entrepreneur mother, Heather learned the skills of garment
making early on throughout her childhood and adolescence. "I just took
it to the streets" she says.
by Tara Smith
My name is Tara Smith and I am the one-person show that is Revival Ink. I have
a Bachelor's degree in graphic design from Cornish College of the Arts, and
I have been a practicing designer in the Seattle area for over four years. My
design background gives me a unique perspective on fashion, and has born my
desire to share my ideas with the world, in the form of wearable art. My basement
is the magical place where my creations are born of sweat and ink. I strongly
believe in making clothing that leaves the smallest footprint on the environment
as possible. That is why I use a hand–powered screen press, all natural
solvents, and non-toxic, water-based inks in my printing process.
Revival Ink's mission is to provide unique, hand-printed apparel, crafted in
a sustainable manner. Revival Ink exists as a refreshing alternative to the
everyday items found at the shopping mall. Our clothing features bamboo and
organic cotton fabrics that are so soft, you can’t stop touching them.
Original illustrations highlight the shape and cut of each garment, including
prints on the hood, sleeves, and pockets: to surprise and intrigue. Each print
is pulled by hand, and no two are alike. Support local artists, love our earth,
and look very stylish while doing it. Let the revival begin!
by Ruthie Nicklaus
My name is Ruthie Nicklaus and I am a fashion designer and artist. I’ve
been observing my surroundings and making creations out of combined materials
for almost as long as I’ve been in the world. I began working with fabric
as an artistic medium when I was in school, making interactive “rooms”
with fabric walls and softly stitched interiors. I worked at a tailoring shop
after graduating to really hone my sewing skills, and fell even more in love
with textiles and making clothing. I realized that designing and creating clothing
and costumes satisfied my desire for my work to be practical, personal, part
performance, and completely interactive and collaborative.
I love fashion best when it’s fun, functional, comfortable and adorable.
I’m always looking and lusting for those pieces that you can wear all
year, all of the time and always feel feisty and wonderful in them. That’s
why I call my line "Ruthie’s Uniform." I strive to make clothes
that last and can be worn often. My latest collection of clothing consists of
high waisted flared skirts, little belled sleeve jackets and sweaters and hats
reminiscent of the cloche of the 1920’s and 30’s. Classic vintage,
flattering, tailored looks, old-fashioned buttons and trims, and cute, quality
fabrics always inspire me.
by Sam Trout
Sam Trout has been an active participant in and advocate of Seattle’s
emerging independent art scene for more than eight years. Originally from Anchorage,
AK, Sam’s small-town sensibilities bring a vibrant, community-oriented
personality to the welcoming Pacific Northwest.
In 2002, Sam invigorated the Seattle design, crafting and DIY scene by co-curating
I Heart Rummage, one of the country’s first urban craft and functioning
art events. The longest running of its kind, it served as inspiration for similar
community events around the country, including Crafty Wonderland in Portland,
Oregon and Stitch Austin out of Texas. Sam has produced art shows, freelance
in illustration and graphic design, and, is currently focused on clothing design
and production. His personal priority continues to be promoting a comfortable,
social atmosphere that allows artists, crafters and designers of all levels
to interact and learn from one another, as well as add a positive and proud
presence in the surrounding community.
by Lauren Schwartz
Lauren Schwartz, who has been selling her unique pieces since 2002, has been
crafting jewelry since she was a young girl. When she became a high school teacher,
she took to wearing her designs to work, where they were much loved by her fellow
instructors. "Friends would buy them off of my neck," she says. When
requests began to pile up she realized, "people were really taken with
my jewelry."
Part of what explains the popularity of Schwa Designs is what Schwartz calls
"earthy elegance." While Schwartz may consider nature her muse, she
also has a keen eye for classic sophistication. "When I see a beautiful
neckline in a movie or a magazine, I think about what shape would look great
there," she explains. With lariats, drops, star-bursts, and seemingly impossible
suspensions, Schwartz's work reveals a complex understanding of geometry and
organic forms. This, combined with the artist's creative use of color, make
Schwa Designs both striking and lovely.
by Suzanne Jaberg
Canadian-born designer Suzanne Jaberg founded Suzabelle in 2005. Based in Seattle,
Washington, the company has quickly developed into a popular and elegant line
found in over 100 exclusive boutiques across the US and Canada. Suzanne's designs
have been described as innovative and feminine yet classic. A hit amongst fashionistas
nationwide, Suzabelle was recently named 'One to Watch' in Forbes Magazine.
We at Suzabelle believe what comes around goes around, even in business. Our
production manager visits our manufacturers weekly to ensure that all aspects
of development are conducted in a socially responsible manner. We use natural
fiber materials and dyes whenever possible and source our fabrics and tailors
within the same community. Our goal is to provide better living wages than our
chain-store competitors and safe, healthy work environments for workers in smaller,
less developed communities.
by Jen Carrigan
Maybe it was my stylist’s prediction a change of hair color to violet
may open up a new creative direction, the recent stumbling into a cache of amazing
vintage ornaments, or just the three cups of strong coffee I’d had that
evening. My name is Jen Carrigan, and as I stared at the birdie pic in my room,
trying very unsuccessfully to invoke sleep, Violet Magpie was conceived. As
long as I could remember, I’ve had a passion (okay, maybe kind of an obsession)
for collecting one-off finds at flea markets, antique and thrift shops, estate
sales and my grandmother’s jewel box. As a girl I loved hours spent on
grandma’s cozy bed with my sister trying on one sparkly trinket after
another, eagerly checking out our transformed reflections in the mirror inside
the lid.
The hair ornaments are something that sort of came on a whim as I was commissioned
to create a feathery piece for a friend based on a vintage pin I’d used
on a band for myself. The ideas continued to evolve to what you see today. I
kind of think of them as girl candy, each piece with their own story, adding
a little artful edge and mystery to ours. I am inspired by nature, travel, artist
friends, most vintage fashion-especially 1940’s and 50’s Hollywood
glamour, and the hauntingly beautiful smells, sounds, tastes and textures and
brilliant color of the changing of seasons.*A percentage of our profits
go to support organizations such as WIL fund, empowering women in developing
countries and breaking cycles of poverty by providing business loans.
~~~