Tuesday 14 August 2012

O.O.T.D: Helen's Necklace

This past weekend the Shaw Festival had its final round of openings for this season! This is the outfit I put together for the last show to open of the season, Helen's Necklace.  The show is a two-hander, which is unusual for Shaw, and takes place in Jordan, which is also unusual! In the play, Helen is backtracking her steps through Jordan trying to find a "lighter-than-air" pearl necklace that she has lost.  The show featured outstanding performances by Sanjay Talwar and Tara Rosling, and particularly effecting lighting design that really helped to define the locations in Judith Bowden's cavernous set.  It was definitely not like anything I've seen at Shaw before, and I like the the company is so dedicated to shaking things up; even if only in its studio theatre space.  Likewise, it was cool to see something mounted in this space, as I am designing 2 shows which will play in the studio theatre in late September! In fact, we have our design presentations and first read through tomorrow.  Exciting!!
The Deets:
Dress: Thirfted
Tights:Filene's Basement
Shoes: Hand-me-downs (Bubie)
Bracelet: self made
Earrings: Vintage
Belt: Urban Outfitters
Necklace: Hand-me-down (Mum)

This outfit features not one but two hand-me-downs.  I love getting people's old things! I'm lucky enough to have women in my family with very distinguished  - and very different - senses of style.  When they decide a piece just doesn't work with enough of their things, they give them to me because they know I NEVER say no! Even if I cut that old jacket up and use the fabric to make a pillow cover, I can't let a good piece of clothing (or jewelry! or shoes!) go straight to the landfill or thrift store or whatever.  All items must make a stay in my closet first.  Do not pass GO, do not collect $200. 

Do you get the hand-me-downs in your family? Love it or loathe it?

--Erin

10 comments:

  1. That belt is aaaaammmmaazzzing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's one of my favourites! I liked it on sight when it was in the sale section at UO (uh, years ago..), and when they rang it up it was half the lowest marked price! SCORE! I own a lot of belts but this one totally gets the most use!

      --Erin

      Delete
  2. I am such a fan of biting the glasses shot. Oooh. Oh.

    -Ephraim (the photographer)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For a contributor, you can be such a lurker! Thank you for revealing yourself. I mean in a G rated kinda way XD

      --Erin

      Delete
  3. These pics are so fun! I love this outfit and it seems perfect for a show opening :) That story sounds interesting... I am the one who gets everyone's hand me downs too! My grandma is the only one in the family with interesting things, but my friends always bring me their bags of castaways. I love it! You look darling!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hand me downs are totally the best!! I have come by some of the best things that way, certainly any purse I own that is remotely impressive (err, expensive!) came to me as a castaway. Who doesn't love free stuff, amiright?!

      --Erin

      Delete
  4. Hand me downs are great! I have quite a few things from my Granny that I absolutely love

    http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i really wish that my paternal grandmother had kept clothes from when she was younger, that woman had MAD style!! I recently looked through a seldom opened box of photos of my family from the 1950's, and it incited all kinds of envy!

      --Erin

      Delete
  5. lucky duck you!! i've never gotten a single thing from family, well that I'd be seen out of the house in anyway... haha. the shoes and bracelet are great and i absolutely love that dress, you look amazing in it! i also looove your hair! the waves and color, is that your natural color? love those fun poses too, I def need to do more of that.
    http://dusanabotswana.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh trust me I have been "gifted" some awful hand-me-downs in my time!! But sometimes that's were sewing skills come in handy, if there is something worth salvaging!
      My hair is naturally "strawberry blonde", I tint my hair with henna every 4 months or so. It fades a lot and I dye it the colour my hair was when I was really young, so it looks natural as it grows out. Plus, my hair smells like it was steeped in tea after I dye it!
      I attribute the poses to an obsession with America's Next Top Model mixed with a healthy dose of I-know-I'm-a-dork. Works for me!

      --Erin

      Delete

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I love answering questions (comments, concerns, the works!) so check back sometime for a reply! :)