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Mad Hats and Dangerous Dames

12/2/2013

16 Comments

 
One of the subjects this semester is Millinery with a theme of Dangerous Dames/Film Noir. Researching this era and these 'femmes fatales' has been fun and interesting and I think my favourite has to be Marlene Dietrich who just sizzles with glamour with those alluring eyes and husky voice. A cigarette and a hat were perfect props!
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She doesn't have the greatest singing voice but I love 'Lili Marlene', especially the German version. You can find this on YouTube, also, follow this link to see the wonderful film clips of Marlene as "Naughty Lola"  in the 1930 film The Blue Angel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIfj5OGROJw

We were asked to produce 10 designs for a hat - "think catwalk" - and then to choose 3 to take forward. Here I'll share some of my 10 ideas from my sketchbook.
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playing with stitch and fabric collage!

Next are the two 'finalists' from the 10vpossibles. 
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thinking of a perfume spray (or poison!) and a silver bullet in the top. Well, these dames really were dangerous!!
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this is a fun one, a top hat with all the things a Dangerous Dame might need - cigarettes and lighter, perfume, money, poison, a hatpin, and a little black book of phone numbers! Well, she would need to keep her hands free, I'm sure she wouldn't carry a bag!
I've chosen to do the last one as it's a fun interpretation - and quite enough of a challenge for me being my fist attempt at making a hat. I'm thinking of making it in shocking pink and black or turquoise and black ..... what do you think?? Also making it a bit more feminine with some soft sheers, lace and maybe feathers. Maybe also have to top opened a bit with some things poking out?

Or do you think I should do one of the other designs? Which one would you like to see? 

I'd love to hear comments. Sometimes I wonder whether anyone sees my blog, but the stats show that the last entry was read by 185 people! So I know you're out there ..... say something even it's just hello!!!
16 Comments
Chizzpot
13/2/2013 10:44:52

Loved the patchwork hat with the music note bow BUT I love your Dangerous Game Top Hat! Shocking Pink & Black me thinks :) Love the saucy idea of the top opened with items sticking out. Go girl!!

Reply
Linda McKeen
13/2/2013 14:04:58

thank you! I'm glad you looked at the patchwork hat and not those robot eyes ..... I can control the sewing machine but not my gel pen!!!
Glad you like the top hat :)

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Marie
13/2/2013 14:44:28

I love the first 3 designs but the last is much more bespoke & fun. I'd go for the pink & black & I'm sure there's room for a little bit of sheer and/or lace. Have fun! ;0)

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Linda McKeen
14/2/2013 07:45:55

Thank you! that's 2 votes for pink :)

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Sheila
14/2/2013 02:39:23

Definitely the last one, the cigarette/holder is a lovely touch. Would turquoise be a more edgy, dangerous colour than shocking pink? Dare I say I think it's too squared off at the top? I know it's only a first drawing and it's great. You'll end up enjoying this!

Reply
Linda McKeen
14/2/2013 07:49:04

I'm quite favouring the turquoise, and I have some peacock feathers that I could poke out of the top. I agree it's a bit square at the top, needs shortening/softening I think.
Thank you :)

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Julie
16/2/2013 23:51:13

They are all great ideas, I do like the Curls and Spikes pink hat!

The last one looks interesting and resembles a top hat, as Marlene also liked to dress in a masculine way I think is quite apt!

I'm undecided with pink or turquoise. Shocking pink sounds fab but I'm liking the turquoise with peacock feathers, softens it up and adds another dimension. Although if you add feathers will it detract from the cigarette holder and become too "busy"?

Reply
Linda McKeen
17/2/2013 04:27:27

that's very true about Marlene, I suppose it was part of her appeal. Great observations, are you in fashion or textiles yourself?
I think you're probably right and I'm in danger of overloading it!
(Less is more!!!)
Thankyou :)

Reply
Julie
17/2/2013 04:51:07

No, I'm not in textiles but I do have your genes..... It's your daughter. :o)
Hello Mum! Great work! X

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Linda McKeen
17/2/2013 05:31:17

oh how funny!!! I didn't expect you to comment, but then I forgot you are such a fan of that era and especially Audrey Hepburn.

Get that sewing machine out girl!!! Get sewing those genes....
:D

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Steve
17/2/2013 09:04:34

Shocking pink for me. Plus more pics of Marlene please!

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Linda McKeen
19/2/2013 07:00:19

thank you Steve. She was some dame wasn't she!!

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Gillian Hunt link
20/2/2013 02:24:38

Just wow - reading this scares the life out of me I would never dare to do what you are doing . . . well done :)

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Linda McKeen
20/2/2013 09:52:27

thank you! But I'm scared too!!! It's challenging but fun and it's just what I need :)

Reply
Annette
10/3/2013 09:24:40

Wow Linda - your work is fantastic ! Love the last idea for the hat , and it has to have a secret compartment/top for a Dangerous Dame.I'd go for turquoise myself, but only cos my favourite colour is blue. :)

Reply
chloe mauro
9/9/2015 20:41:02

I love the last two! So imaginative and in keeping with the theme.

Reply



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    Linda McKeen

    Stitched Textiles and Mixed Media Art from The Rose Cottage Studio in beautiful rural Perthshire

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