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Apr 23, 2010

Cathy models the 1937 Hollywood dress!


The purple dress finished, yesterday Cathy and I set out for another fun-filled fashion shoot on the gritty streets of Gotham.

Once again our story takes us back in time -- to 1937 to be exact.  I think you'll agree that Cathy looks especially fetching in Thirties frocks.


For the literal-minded among you, please note: the character of Cathy's grandmother, Beatrice Lane, is played by Cathy herself.  Beatrice, poor thing, is in an urn somewhere in the closet.

So sit back, suspend your disbelief, and watch Cathy as she models Hollywood "Pattern of Youth" #1471!



To see these photos full-size, please click on any image and then, in Picasa, choose "View All" in the upper left hand corner, and "Slideshow."

I think you'll agree I owe that girl lunch, at the very least.

You can also follow some of my dress construction process here.

Enjoy!

45 comments:

  1. Aurora F.April 23, 2010 at 12:23 AM

    It's so lovely! And of course, Cathy looks great. And Stage Door is one of my favorite movies ever.

    To quote the Beastie Boys, "Delicious again, Peter!"

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  2. AnonymousApril 23, 2010 at 12:35 AM

    Wonderful!

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  3. cherriApril 23, 2010 at 12:54 AM

    Loved it Peter!!!! Good on you for taking so much time in your presentations they are pieces of art and I love them.

    The outfit is wonderful and Cathy is truly beautiful especially in photo 26 - my favourite...

    You are such a talented seamster and Cathy a talented model!

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  4. LieslApril 23, 2010 at 1:43 AM

    I am not sure which I love more - the gorgeous 1937 dress or the fabulous presentation. You and Cathy have outdone yourselves yet again. MPB is without doubt my very favorite sewing blog.

    (And just quietly there is now coffee all over the screen after I read about the urn in the cupboard.).

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  5. CarolApril 23, 2010 at 1:45 AM

    Cathy looks lovely in purple. I like this dress very much and it really works with the faux fur

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  6. StashApril 23, 2010 at 2:06 AM

    Oh, My! How lucky Cathy is to have such a talented dress designer and costumer. And, her production designer is wonderful too. Such fantastic photography. She certainly looks lovely in purple and the fit...my goodness! It is perfect.

    How I love to come here and see Cathy's latest photo shoot. It is truly a treat.

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  7. ClareApril 23, 2010 at 2:12 AM

    what a great start to the day! I really appreciate the effort you put into this blog. The dress was a real success - looks beautiful!

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  8. BarbaraApril 23, 2010 at 2:36 AM

    The purple was a great choice. Soo lovely.

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  9. DebiApril 23, 2010 at 2:55 AM

    Fantastic dress! Cathy looked smashing!!

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  10. SnoozeApril 23, 2010 at 3:15 AM

    that was fun. i always enjoy a walk through manhattan with a well dressed gal pal. i think dinner sounds a great idea.

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  11. AnnieApril 23, 2010 at 4:37 AM

    I love Cathy in her purple dress. And I love the cute little white dog with the matching purple leash. Looking forward to see both of them in future adventures.

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  12. RachelApril 23, 2010 at 4:45 AM

    That is a brilliant outfit! Congrats...looks like nicegirl has true competition for the vintage contest

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  13. KyleApril 23, 2010 at 6:32 AM

    What a wonderful way to start Friday morning!! as always your sewing and your storytelling are top-notch!

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  14. NathalieApril 23, 2010 at 6:35 AM

    Gorgeous! The colour, the collar, the bodice, the drape of the fabric, the styling, it's all beautiful. Cathy is one lucky gal to have you sewing these beauties for her! Now for the rose coffin dress (I voted purple first, but I love rose prints, so it was a very close second).

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  15. LauraApril 23, 2010 at 7:07 AM

    Great dress, Peter!

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  16. MaeApril 23, 2010 at 7:32 AM

    Thanks Peter, that made my day! If you enter the Vintage competition, you certainly have my vote.

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  17. AuntieAllynApril 23, 2010 at 7:58 AM

    Bravo bravo, Beatrice . . . I laughed, I cried! Congrats on the purple dress, it turned out very nicely . . . could use some accessories, though (can't believe Beatrice/Cathy don't have a classic string of pearls hidden away somewhere).

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  18. Peter LappinApril 23, 2010 at 8:27 AM

    Thank you, everyone! You know, about accessories: women wore very few back then, at least in the fashion photos I've seen. Cathy WAS wearing a pearl bracelet but it's on the wrist that's covered with the coat -- whoops.

    If only she had a fox fur jacket! ;)

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  19. CandiceApril 23, 2010 at 8:40 AM

    I would so love that dress for myself. That Cathy... She gets to wear all these fab clothes while you do all the work...! ;-)

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  20. ClaudineApril 23, 2010 at 9:31 AM

    Wow, That top photo is amazing! And how can anyone resist a pattern of youth? Nice dress, too.

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  21. MaggieApril 23, 2010 at 9:39 AM

    Another fantastic photo shoot and another excellent story! Great job on the dress Peter, it is beautiful. Funny about the urn...I totally choked on my cereal laughing when I read that :)

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  22. SusanApril 23, 2010 at 9:39 AM

    Lovely work, Peter! I wonder, though, is Cathy getting a smidgen tired of vintage clothing? She looks really /really/ good in that frock - and looked smashing in the yellow dress, almost like she took a time machine from the 30s! You should make a chic trench for her next time she jets in from Switzerland for the afternoon (taking a break from a rigorous skiing vacation with her masseuse, of course). Or maybe a breezy sundress in preparation for the summer!

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  23. NoileApril 23, 2010 at 9:56 AM

    Mad genius! It's fortunate you use your talents for good instead of evil. (You do, don't you???)

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  24. Mikhaela ReidApril 23, 2010 at 10:10 AM

    Oh this is FABULOUS! What an amazing dress! and I LOVE the pink hat!

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  25. DarciApril 23, 2010 at 11:08 AM

    Gorgeous dress, gorgeous model, FANTASTIC slide show. I just KNEW that purple fabric was going to make one fantastic dress. Love, love, love it!

    Now go and make something for yourself, wont'cha? Cathy's going to get all uppity if you keep sewing for HER all the time. :)

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  26. puuApril 23, 2010 at 11:40 AM

    peter, this is hands down my favorite of cathy's dresses!

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  27. Kathi RankApril 23, 2010 at 11:54 AM

    Thank you -- I really love reading about Cathy's adventures in New York and appreciate the amount of time you put into keeping her well dressed and your readers informed.

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  28. KathyApril 23, 2010 at 11:54 AM

    WOW...awesome!!

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  29. Peter LappinApril 23, 2010 at 12:09 PM

    Goodness, I hope you're not all changing your names to Cathy (Kathy, Kathi) on my cousins's account!

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  30. SusanApril 23, 2010 at 12:16 PM

    Stunning as always! I envy your energy--you want it/you make it/done. I also envy that porcelain complexion.

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  31. AnonymousApril 23, 2010 at 12:41 PM

    Wonderful purple dress and great pics of Cathy. Looking forward to more of her adventures!

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  32. ValerieApril 23, 2010 at 12:56 PM

    beautiful job! And I love the photos!

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  33. anne maskellApril 23, 2010 at 1:19 PM

    beautiful!! Cathy is one lucky girl!

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  34. ShannieApril 23, 2010 at 1:53 PM

    Peter, please tell Cathy I said thank for sharing her talent with us all. The camera loves her!

    Your dress is gorgeous! It's put together flawlessly! I'm in awe of your skills!

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  35. Jean SApril 23, 2010 at 3:45 PM

    terrific! love that purple!!

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  36. JohannaApril 23, 2010 at 4:03 PM

    Peter, you have simply outdone yourself -- that is the loveliest photo shoot yet (and purple & fuschia are definitely Cathy's colors! Maybe she's a Winter?).

    I swear I remember an automat on Madison or 3rd near Grand Central, is that possible? Or am I just dating myself? =D

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  37. JoeApril 23, 2010 at 4:04 PM

    Is it OK if I quietly resent you because you have such flawless topstitching? I hope it is, because I do...

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  38. Melanie74April 23, 2010 at 5:17 PM

    Fabulous!!!!

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  39. Rather Be Sewing - Lynne WApril 23, 2010 at 7:47 PM

    -Ditto, ditto, ditto! Bravo, Peter. Cathy, no doubt, is silently thanking her lucky stars to have sprouted from the same family tree as yours. What a dear and talented identical cousin you are, Peter.

    Now, time for that avocado and turquoise print to come out of the cupboard...

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  40. SunniApril 23, 2010 at 8:24 PM

    Seriously Peter! I want this dress! I really really do. I love the cut, the fabric, the color, and that hat.....Sorry I nearly fainted at that gorgeous number. It's PERFECT! Yeah, you definitely owe Cathy lunch and your photographer too!

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  41. TillyApril 24, 2010 at 2:41 AM

    Love it!

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  42. AnonymousApril 24, 2010 at 9:01 AM

    Kathy looks smashing in aubergine. Lovely! Can't wait to see your next creation for her.

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  43. PauletteApril 24, 2010 at 9:56 AM

    Bravo! Such a great job on sewing, modeling, etc. The slide show was a hoot! Well done all around.

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  44. TamaraApril 25, 2010 at 8:24 AM

    The dress is gorgeous & the 30s suits Cathy so well. Good job Peter!!

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  45. JennyApril 25, 2010 at 9:24 AM

    Gorgeous dress! I love that clutch, too. A fun photo story, too. :-)

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