January 2010 ~ kalandrajaner

Here is a sneaky peek at my new hat design - I have tried to go for a more 1940s inspired look, and I am quite happy with it. I'm considering making the brim a little narrower, what do you think? I also wanted to have the height and sculptural look that feathers give, but also wanted to keep it vegan and monochrome. Hence, wired felt plumes!

I am just doing black or burgundy as standard, but can of course do any colour as a special order. These will be available in my eBay shop very soon, or contact me directly! I also have two (possibly three) wonderful professional photoshoots lined up with some very talented photographers and pinup models, which will feature these hats along with some of my other designs, which I will of course post here!

My shop: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Kalandra-Jane-Burlesque-and-Retro

My Facebook business page: Here

Also featuring my lovely new jumper, which is a short sleeved off-the-shoulder 'Scarlett Fever' top by Miss Fortune Clothing. It is currently sold out on their website, mine was purchased from my lovely friend Kathy at Rockers on Oldham Street, Manchester. Her shop is full of desirable things; clothing for guys and girls, hot rod and tiki paraphernaila, jewellery, music, and of course hats by Kalandra Jane! Go and have a browse. My necklace is also from there, made by Classic Hardware and was a Christmas gift from Aerospace Boyfriend. I love it so much, I've barely taken it off since Christmas day.

I also received some pictures from the girls at Hocus Pocus Theatre featuring my Sailor and Nautical Stripe hats! The corsets were made by the amazing Kirsteen Ross at Boom! Boom! Baby! who is making me a fabulous corset, when I get round to sending the mock-up back to her. Pictures copyright by Terence Mendoza and Retro Photostudio.

My resolution this year, as written in one of my many obsessive lists, was to 'Start a fabulously witty blog'.

So, here it is. The blog part anyway - the fabulous witticism may take a while to kick in, I'm new to this.

Things I plan for this blog to contain: Reviews and features about events, gigs, products and places. A wee bit of vegan cookery. Vintage fashion and beauty. Updates about my fabulous millinery and accessories business, Kalandra Jane Designs. Retro crafts and sewing. Anything else which takes my fancy!

To start, I thought I'd create a little look back on a few things I did last month:

A fantastic project I was recently lucky enough to be involved in was the launch of CherryBomb! - a new dress company run by two wonderful ladies, talented designer Jen Woolcock and burlesque bombshell Bella Besame. Their lovely dresses can be found at http://www.cherrybomb-uk.com/ and they offer a full made-to-measure service alongside a wide range of sizes, flattering designs and amazing fabrics!

I got to model alongside nine other ladies for a photoshoot and the live launch show. That's me in the pink and blue with yellow accessories!

These photos are used with kind permission from Chris W Parker Photography!

There was a live launch on 10th December at Manchester's Voodoo Lounge (formerly Bookbinders) - also home to The Slippery Belle Burlesque! on the third Friday of each month. Event photography courtesy of the fabulous Kate Donovan from Donovan's Darlings!