Filed under: local events, modeling, networking | Tags: halloween, meet and greet, modeling, networking, photographer
Wishing everyone a safe, happy Halloween!
Hope to see you Chicagoans at the VIP Halloween Party from 7-9P at Heat in Schaumburg 
Filed under: inspiration, modeling, shoot results, upcoming shoots, wardrobe | Tags: creativity, drown the gown, fashion, hobby, ideas, inspiration, modeling, photo shoot, photoshoot, reuse bridemaid dress, storytelling, trash the dress, wardrobe
While planning wardrobe for an upcoming shoot, I’ve decided to take a look at yet another bridesmaid dress I have. It’s one I’ll most certainly never wear again, so I might as well shoot in it, right? Inspired by a designer from the VOP Fashion and Rock Show, Dawn at Brilliant Stranger, I’ve decided to not just accessorize the dress differently, but to revamp it with the help of scissors, my sewing machine, and perhaps some other fabric and lace remnants I have laying around. This moment of “oooh, so that’s what I can do with it!” is the inspiration for today’s entry.
There comes a point in every woman’s life where her closet has a few dresses that just… don’t work anymore. Often, it’s bridesmaid dresses, but for some lucky women, it’s prom dresses too (or even formal dresses from college). Very rarely can they be worn again, and a lot of times it’s hard to part with something you spent hundreds of dollars on and wore once… and besides, then what would you do with those dyed-to-match pumps? 
But instead of letting them sit in your closet (or worse, the bottom of your hamper) unused, why not do something with them? If you’re a model, it’s simple to say “shoot in it!”… but not as easy to do so. After all, most bridesmaid dresses look like bridesmaid dresses (don’t deny it, you know what I mean!). The easiest option (and a rapily-increasing-in-popularity one) is to simply do a Trash the Dress shoot.
Having done a few Trash the Dress sessions, I find them quite a lot of fun. Especially when the dress is one I have no emotional attachment to I’ve worn dresses where they’re not supposed to be worn (a decrepit bridge, in the lake, around heavy land-movers), and I even cut one up for a shoot, as a play on “well you can always shorten it and wear it again!”. I’ve included a few shots of my trash the dress sessions below, because they’re quite fun!
Past simply getting in a lake, rolling in the mud, or climbing a tree in your gown, leaving it dirty, but likely cleanable and then ready to wear again donate, you can opt to literally trash it. Rip it, cut it, burn it (though it is not recommended to do this while actually wearing it)–go crazy! You can also make it into something different, either by refashioning it into another wardrobe piece (a new skirt or wrap, for example), or using it for part of a costume. The options are endless!
Here are some fun ideas for bridesmaid or prom dresses. Some involve simply reaccesorizing, whereas other ideas involve fully reinventing the dress!
- Bridesmaid Revisited: Painted Maxi Skirt
- How to Actually Rewear Your Bridesmaid Dress
- eHow: Wear Your Bridesmaid Dress Again
- How to Recycle Your Prom Dress
- Recycle it as a Costume!
Some of my Trash the Dress shoots:
From left to right:
Rob Domaschuk, “You Can Always Cut it Short and Wear it Again” Version 3
Walter of Studio B Photography, Trash the Prom Dress
Greg Kolack, “Fearless Rachel” Out on an Unused Portion of RR Bridge
Walter of Studio B Photography, Drown the Gown
Filed under: hobbyist, inspiration, looks, modeling, wardrobe | Tags: fashion, ideas, inspiration, modeling, shoes, wardrobe
Sorry for slacking. I had a crazy week last week that ended with my husband having his appendix out (thankfully it didn’t burst) and spending 2 nights in the hospital. Good news is he’s doing great and is going back to work today I’ll be updating a lot this week, but first…
As a continuation of the “My Everyday Style” series, I’ve decided to do this one a little different. I’ve used mostly pieces I’ve had for quite some time, which changes what you’ll be getting linked to below a bit. However, this outfit is one that’s easily a favorite outfit of mine, and being that I wore it last week, I just had to include it. It’s definitely an outfit I’ll wear numerous times this fall, and one I’ll do variations of constantly (it’s actually rather similar to another outfit I’ve already done, which I’m sure you’ll notice). It’s also a classic look that can be worn year after year.
Look Four: Simple & Classic
Again, this look is pretty simple and one that can be worn fall, winter, and even into spring. It can even be worn year after year, either as is or with updated accessories. As an added bonus, it’s a great “work to play” look that won’t leave your feet begging for mercy at the end of the day. A nice fitting blazer, white T, vest, boot-leg jeans and motorcycle boots make this a great menswear style that, with the additions of a bright scarf and great bag, become more feminine. If you’re going to duplicate this look, make sure your jeans, vest and blazer aren’t too baggy and fit you well. You don’t want to lose your shape!
Get The Look:
As I already noted, the items in the set are based more on pieces I’ve had for quite some time. So really, I’d only be able to link the boots and maybe the scarf. So instead I’m going to pull similar items for you so you can duplicate the look. All the items I’m linking are ones I’d buy to get this look if I didn’t already have the pieces.
Blazer: Express; T-Shirt: Gap; Earrings: Target; Jeans: Forever21; Purse: Target; Scarf: Forever21; Vest: Express; Boots: Dirty Laundry, by Chinese Laundry
Filed under: Va Va Vroom, hobbyist, local events, model for, modeling, networking, new models, photography, shoot results, upcoming shoots | Tags: boudoir, fashion, hair cut, halloween, M&G, meet and greet, modeling, networking, photographer, photography, shoot results, vavavroom clothing
First, I’m finally on FaceBook! If you’re a reader, I’d love for you to send me a friend request there! I’m Rachel Jay there
Second, I’d like to give a shout out to VaVaVroom Clothing, who’s got yours truly featured twice on their home page, plus in the video that’s linked there right now! Here’s a screenshot (I snagged it where they show me in the video too haha!):
You can also check the site out yourself at www.vavavroomonline.com! They have such cute stuff!
Third, I’m getting a haircut this weekend! I’m still going to be working on growing the mop out, but I want something a little more tailored and fun (less mop, haha). It’s going to be way cute. I’ll post pics, likely Sat evening, so don’t worry.
The modeling workshop last weekend was a success! I’ll likely be putting on a few more, so keep an eye out!
I’m modeling for a boudoir workshop Sunday. That’s going to be a ton of fun! The photographer who’s hosting is a ton of fun, it’s at a private residence, and there are going to be some great photographers there. I’m looking forward to it.
And last but not least, if you’re in Chicago for Halloween, you should come to Heat Nightclub from 7-9P! It’s the montly M&G with a twist! Heat has given us the entire club from 7-9P, so it’ll be an awesome VIP bash! We’re going to have food and drinks available, a raffle, a costume contest, and more! RSVP here!
Filed under: inspiration, local events, modeling, photography, shoot results | Tags: breast cancer, breast cancer awarness, charity event, creativity, emotions, ideas, inspiration, modeling, photo shoot, photography, photoshoot, pink for october, pink ribbon campaign, shoot results, susan g komen
The AG3 Breast Cancer Awareness poster is finished!!
100% of the proceeds from the poster will be going to the Susan G. Komen foundation. It’s only $15 for a 24×36″ poster! Here’s a tiny sneak peek
Filed under: local events, modeling, networking, photography, shoot results | Tags: boobies, breast cancer, breast cancer awareness, hand bra, pink for october, susan g komen
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to show my support I’ve changed my header up
But wait! There’s more!
At the Anything Goes 3 shoot the last weekend of September Shay of Infidel Images and I worked with anyone interested to create a Breast Cancer Awareness poster. Shay’s a bodypainter and photographer, so she was an integral part of getting my idea of the ground We took the cliche hand bra and made it more fun by painting everyone–either painting their arms pink (similar to mine in my header) or by painting hands on their boobies. Shay is working on putting it all together to make a “Handbras for Boobies” poster. We’ll sell the poster and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen foundation to help find a cure for breast cancer.
When the poster’s finished, I’ll post a link here so you can check it out. Having seen the shots from the weekend, it’s going to be fun and powerful at the same time. I’m really excited for it!!
In the meantime, check out the Susan G. Komen site. And if you’ve gone pink with your website or blog to show your supprt for finding a cure for breast cancer, check out Pink for October, where you can list your site!
And here are my 3 “Handbras for Boobies” images, one of which will be on the poster I painted my own arms, Shay helped me glitter up, and the fantastic Jonathan Charles did my makeup. One of the talented ladies from Racine’s Autumn Leaf Salon did my hair.
