Pinup Gigi

Love Me Velvet : Vintage Inspired Swimsuits

2010-04-20T23:10:00.004-05:00

Dillinger has some lovely additions to the swimwear department, including the gorgeous Emerald Green One Piece. We are waiting with little patience for the rest of the gorgeous velvet swimsuits to arrive to us. We are being teased with just a look and so I pass the teasing on to you!

With love and exhaustion,

Mme Gigi

Luv-A-Fair Fashion Show Part II

2010-03-06T21:37:00.003-06:00

The new Gigi L'amour Boudir Collection debuted at the Luv-A-Fashion show hosted by Fame Digest of Minneapolis. Custom corsets and other pinup inspired intimates will be rolled out at Dillinger Ink over the next few months (as will The Pinup Collection - a playful, sexy swimwear line) Perhaps this is why my writing has been lacking, as well as my reading. But the days are getting longer and warmer so my energy will hopefully bounce back from all the wintery Vitamin D loss I've endured!

Left turn back to the show. It was a lot of fun and a great inspirational challenge to come up with some new looks for the fashion show and do some different styles that we didn't currently offer. Enjoy a little pinup, a little burlesque, a little feathers and a whole lot of leg!

"Gigi L'Amour adds a touch of glamour to her designs influenced by the feminine looks of the 1940s. She fell into fashion, she says, through her love of photography and slight obsession with the film noir era. Expect to see corsets, 40s style garter belts, and waist pieces with vintage inspiration in the style of the always sexy pinup. Mme L'Amour, who says she could spend hours looking at the work of Gil Elvgren, is drawn to the details, "the back seam stockings, the suspender garters, the way the lines of the clothing and lingerie fall." Her collection is sure to be both sexy and romantic!"

Getting Ready

Andrea M : The fab stylist we work with

Hey! Hey!

Tighten Up

Adjust the flowers - don't show too much!

Madame L'amour

Feathers and Garters

Waist Cincher with a touch of burlesque

Polka Dots

Diva Delightful

Cotton Candy

Devlish D

Behave! or else...

QUICK CHANGE!

Fairwell my sweets!

Phew! And Done.

Images courtesy of :
RubyLeePhotography.com
CodedChrome.com
Visual-memory.com

tonight we dine in Hell's Kitchen

2010-02-27T23:58:00.002-06:00

She needs friends with whom to share expeditions, friends to whom she can pour out her enthusiams and troubles and show off her new hats...

Marjorie Hillis

I will shamefully admit (especially after working in the industry) that I had not been to Hell's Kitchen downtown Minneapolis until this evening. Shall I try to hone my skills as a restaraunt critic because my writing never quite paints like I see it in my head :) I loved the look, the leather booths in the far room (damn, the name escapes me at the moment!) the blood red walls, victorian chairs, bizarre artwork and still very relaxed atmosphere. I likely took at least a day off of my life or a branch out of my arterial network with the french dip and sweet potato fries but ask me if it was worth it (YES!) Plus I will say that I was keeping good company and a friend who is very dear to my heart was a good shoulder to laugh on and forget about 2009 and the year of...disatisfying men shall we say? (or man)

Luv-A-Fair Fashion Show at Bar Fly by Fame Digest

2010-02-13T15:53:00.005-06:00

Pictures and review from the show coming shortly!

XOXO
Mme Gigi L'Amour

Just a Teaser...

Love is Old Love is New

2010-02-13T15:17:00.005-06:00

Today I breathe.

Yowsa - after preparing for this show I am taking it easy and watching a little Kubrick via Dr. Strangelove one of the greatest satires on film. If you haven't seen it I command you to go rent it now!

Amidst the resting and relaxing I received a call from my dear old Mr. D as we will so unlovingly call him. It never ceases to amaze me that when holidays spring up so do the feeling of lonliness, so much so that we are willing to run back to a tragic relationship, if only to feel good for that particular day. I do not judge! Trust me I made this mistake on Christmas with Mr. D in my vulnerable state. For the record, Mr. D and I were to live happily ever after until the forces that be had other plans. It has been nearly 1 year since our initial departure and I can safely say that I will not be having dinner with him on Sunday. Break my heart once shame on you. Break my heart twice shame on me. For now I will keep the heart under lock and key, but as Auntie G says, "you never know when the right man will come along and unlock it - just don't forget the key at the automat honey or all sorts of trouble will come tramping in". I laughed, and also cried a little at the thought of not being in complete control of my destiny, but I trust her judgement after all she has seen it all.

Thursday 'Skirt' in my favorite casual dress from Anthropoligie.

Vintage Handbags

2010-02-09T15:43:00.002-06:00

So my great search continues for vintage handbags. If the spring is good to us we will start adding a collection to the site... All in good time~!

Showing off a little leg in my Cuban Foot Backseam Stockings.

Having A Luv-A-Fair at Bar Fly

2010-02-03T23:41:00.006-06:00

I confess I am exhausted! And I can never have four burners going, I tend towards 7 or 8. Not to be cheesy - well okay to be cheesy, come see what I've been cooking up on February 12 at Luv-A-Fair presented by Fame Digest downtown Minneapolis at Bar Fly. I have been designing some new lingerie pieces for our coming collection and am so very thrilled to showcase them! I will definitely bring you along in an after thought photo montage.

Auntie G has been good on her word to check in on me and to put it plainly spy. Ha! Of course she wants to be sure I am holding up my end of the bargain and through the thick of the winter I AM! I had to put down my reading (and writing for that matter) to focus on this little project but I will be back on track after the day of hearts.

Speaking of!! I have to put my two cents in and tell you to get your sweet little booties over to Dillinger before we are completely sold out of our goodies for this Hallmark Holiday that if for no other reason is a great excuse to celebrate and look like a vixen. Take your turn breaking a few hearts. My personal favorite are the sequins :)

xoxo

Miss Gigi L'Amour

Yummy Best Ever Banana Cake Recipe Courtesy of

2010-01-21T22:00:00.003-06:00

Recipezarr.com and yumyumum

Like a sweet little Betty Crocker I baked a double-layered, cream-cheese frosting, chocolate chip extroidinare banana cake. I wasn't sure who I was going to feed it to so I insisted the girls come over and help me and add a little love to our hippy hippy shake. Not sure how you feel about bananas - oddly enough I gag on the actual fruit itself and most anything flavored that way (don't get me started on banana candy!) however! I have love banana bread (likely due to the copious amounts of butter) and more recently banana cake. MMMMMMMMM! Enjoy my sweets!!

*The only thing I would possibly change is to actually use 1 cup of bananas instead of 1 1/2 cups

Best Ever Banana Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups bananas, mashed, ripe
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
2 1/8 cups sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Frosting
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/2 cups icing sugar

Garnish
chopped walnuts

Directions
1 Preheat oven to 275°.
2 Grease and flour a 9 x 13 pan.
3 In a small bowl, mix mashed banana with the lemon juice; set aside.
4 In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
5 In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter and 2 1/8 cups sugar until light and fluffy.
6 Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in 2 tsp vanilla.
7 Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk.
8 Stir in banana mixture.
9 Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for one hour or until toothpick
inserted in center comes out clean.
10 Remove from oven and place directly into the freezer for 45 minutes. This will make the cake
very moist.
11 For the frosting, cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
12 Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla.
13 Add icing sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high speed until frosting is
smooth.
14 Spread on cooled cake.
15 Sprinkle chopped walnuts over top of the frosting, if desired. OR Like I did, use
chocolate chips instead!

I had an image to include, but my uncooperative brain deleted all of the photos on my camera before I uploaded it. Now the only thing left is a trail of crumbs.

With Love!

Miss Gigi L'Amour

Gigi's Week In Fashion

2010-01-19T20:10:00.001-06:00

Here is a little review of what I have been strutting around in. I will admit two things. My closet has never been more inspiring! But, confession number 2, some days I am just not feeling that fashion forward. Being in a cold climate limits my motivation to wear certain articles, though we did have a nice little "winter warm up" as they so lovingly put it.

I am trying to work in and wear all of my lovely hats. Hopefully I can add more to the collection and by spring Dillinger hopes to host it's own little Vintage Accessory section (YEA!)

Check out my Crinoline and fishnet stockings!

The peach-handled beaded bag is one of a kind :)

XOXO

Gigi L'Amour

In love with hats...

2010-01-17T13:28:00.001-06:00

Did a little shopping today at some of my favorite retro vintage clothing shops despite the unpleasantries of my head cold which kept me home in bed on a perfectly opportune Saturday evening. I even had to miss the Johnny Cash tribute at the Cabooze - ah the memories I could stir up between there and Whiskey Junction - but that will come later. I nursed my little ol' self with a cuppa hot tea, yummy organic honey (the only thing missing was a drop of bourbon), warm heating packs and a Sex And the City marathon. The weekend in has afforded me the time to upload and crop some photos for some visual candy - I'm not promising M&M's but maybe penny candy from the discount isle??

After scavenging Lula's, I splurged on a latte even thought rightfully I should still be drinking tea. Say what you will but I am a slave to Starbucks

XOXO

Miss Gigi L'Amour

In between sniffles....

2010-01-16T12:19:00.007-06:00

As promised here are some photos from New Year's Eve before the madness.

Carrying my gorgeous beaded 1950's handbag in near perfect condition!

Always have my cuban foot backseams on from Dillinger - Love them!

Yummy Yummy!

XOXO

Miss Gigi L'Amour

If it's skirts she wants...

2010-01-07T15:05:00.004-06:00

Good Afternoon Ladies! I hope all of you had as fabulous a New Year’s night as I did! Incriminating photos will NOT be published for you to enjoy, but I will say a fantastic evening was had by all. DEE- lightful Martinis were served! I finally broke out my coveted new (original tags from the Dayton's Oval Room still attached new) gorgeous vintage black party skirt - velvet, high-waisted, full skirt with black embellishments. I did not have the time to find the perfect vintage top, however the strapless number I found from Black & White looked delicious as did my 1950's beaded handbag and my ab fab oversized green ring (favorite piece of costume jewelry at the moment) I DO promise to post pics of the ensemb - pre party.
Somewhere in the wee hours, Auntie G called to make sure I was home safe in bed ( I was, and was definitely being kept safe ) Somehow in my vulnerable, over bubbly state, she made a deal with me to share all of the “retro wisdom” of her life for one teensy little price tag. I have to wear skirts for the next year. Dress the part, as it were. Trousers (as she still calls them) even Pedal Pushers, though technically fashion correct as mildly accepted under specific circumstances, were not a norm. She wants me in skirts, dresses, heels, stockings, and appropriate accessories for 365 days. I agreed, though I refuse to wear the girdle (and I am still bartering the footwear – after all, I may be in skirts everyday but a girl today has got to be able to wear boots!) Its retro styling I pleaded, not historical accuracy we’re sharing here.
So, who wants to join me? Its bitter cold here with wind chills in the single digits. Yet, here I am, dressed by 11am in said skirt - What have I gotten into for us all?

Happy New Year to everyone and let the games begin!

Forever Yours,
Gigi L’Amour

P.S. I spent all of New Year’s day laying in bed in my slip, socks and a stack of old movies. How is that for Day 1?? Shhhh don’t tell J

Letter To "The Pearly Girls"

2009-12-31T15:00:00.001-06:00

December 31, 1949

At the risk of being a bit early, Happy New year everyone! And what a new year it shall be! I hope each of you had as delightful a holiday season as did I. All of the relatives descended upon us on the twenty-first, and I must say, I am still shocked we were able to accommodate everyone. My favorite, Auntie Gillian, usurped my rights to my bed, so I had to share with Peggy. Tales Gillian brought from life in New York make me anxious to graduate next Spring. She brought a copy of a funny little book she received the Christmas before she moved into Downtown New York in 1937. She suggested I keep it from Mom and Daddy, and I think I just may. There are a couple of chapters they would find completely appalling!

Your Friend,

Gloria Gillian

G.G.

An excerpt from one of Auntie G.G's letters to "The Pearly Girls"

Ringing in the New Year

2009-12-31T14:40:00.001-06:00

Well. At the risk of being a bit early, Happy New Year everyone! And what a new year it shall be! (Sorry for the plagiarism Auntie G.) As luck would have it, My Auntie G (Gillian, like the Aunt for whom she was named) came to spend the holidays with us this year. My mother (Auntie G’s-several-years-younger-and-never-as-hip sister) had apparently been calling Auntie G, bemoaning my penchant for things retro. Auntie G, being the coolest Auntie EVER, decided to give us a visit to make sure I wasn’t being led astray by Mom’s memories. (“’Don’t get me wrong, Little Gigi,” she whispered, “Peggy has really outdone herself in, what do they call it? That’s right, ‘Soccer Mom’ fashion, but she always was a bit of a square.”) My presents from Auntie G this year consisted of a gorgeous mink collar set with rhinestones and pearls, a mink headband, black kid gloves with red stitched trim, one of her old dress patterns (good god a size 18 back then was a 38” bust) and a copy of the “funny little book” she received from her Aunt Gillian in 1939; apparently it’s back in print and still relevant for us single girls at 25. The title of the book is Live Alone and Like It by Marjorie Hillis - Go buy it. Go buy it now.

Well ladies, I’d better wrap it up. Time to let down my hair and do my mani/pedi to compliment my gorgeous black velvet party skirt circa the 1950’s – (I drool at the mere thought) As it is I am sitting here typing in my mere unmentionables. Ooh la la! Tonight I’m heading out to a formal attire shindig complete with well poured cocktails and music. What more could a single girl ask for? Taxi’s for the ride home, just in case. Happy New Years!

XOXO

Gigi

Burlesque Moulin Rouge Show Girl Costume Gigi Black and White

2009-09-02T23:28:00.001-05:00

Burlesque Moulin Rouge Show Girl Costume Gigi Black and White

Halloween is just around the corner my loves. We have loads of sweet and sexy costumes with our original touch.

Vintage Inspired Dresses Soon To Appear

2009-08-05T22:50:00.000-05:00

Just a quicky...

Dillinger is in the process of having some delightful new dresses circa the 1940's and 1950's recreated to add to their growing repetoire of vintage fashion. We have some preliminary peeks at what you may see in the future at Dillinger. If not these exact pieces they will be in similar vain. Tell us what you think!

50's Inspired Chiffon Party Dress with Ruffle Bust and Full Skirt

Red Bridal Satin Glamour Dress Inspired by Rita Hayworth: Featuring Gathered Fitted Skirt with lightweight boning to give a sexy slimming fit.

1940's Vintage Inspired Zebra Swimsuit by Esther Williams

2009-07-29T23:01:00.005-05:00

Sexy, sassy and completely suited for all bathing beauties this zebra print suit is fabulously fierce! Bettie Page would be proud to strut it in this little number. All sizes to appear soon!!

www.DillingerInk.com

Vintage Swimsuit circa Marilyn Monroe

2009-07-29T22:40:00.005-05:00

So I have one image nearly ready from the weekend shoot of my fantastic vintage swimsuit find. I can not gush enough over the detail and style that drips from this piece!

Here is a peek! Velvety royal blue fabric that is tightly gathered across the back with shirred sheer polka-dot blue side panels that matches the neckline and criss-cross button halter.

Silver Screen

2009-07-24T14:08:00.004-05:00

So my last post got me wondering where the term silver screen came from. As many phrases we use with out question, the term at one point was quite literal. "A silver screen, also known as a silver lenticular screen, is a type of projection screen that was popular in the early years of the motion picture industry. The term silver screen originated in reference to the actual silver content embedded in the material that made up the screen's highly reflective surface. While actual silver screens are no longer commonly used, the term silver screen has passed into popular usage as a metonym for Hollywood and the movies..." Wikipedia

Thank you dear internet, I will forever be indebted to you.

Quite possibly the best...

2009-07-21T15:28:00.006-05:00

I am not the first to say that Jimmy Stewart is one of the best actors to ever grace the silver screen and by far the most enjoyable to watch. He truly brings you in with his genuine emotion and passion. There is good reason why Jimmy Stewart always had monologues in his films - he draws you in so completely that your forget it is just a movie. His face tells an entire story with out really having to say a word, but his signature voice and use of words really completes the picture. By his own admition, "I am James Stewart, playing James Stewart. I couldn't mess around doing great characterization. I play variations of myself. Audiences have come to expect certain things from me and are disappointed if they don't get them." --James Stewart

I was recently reading his biography and had no idea that he was the first Hollywood actor to serve in WWII, and he also served in the Vietnam War.

"At age 33, Stewart enlisted as private and rose to colonel in the Air Force, leading one thousand plane strikes against Germany; Stewart won the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his later years he gradually rose in rank in the reserves until he retired a brigadier general.

After the war, Stewart contributed what is undoubtedly his best-known performance, in Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946), a film and a performance full of postwar angst and visions of youthful dreams dashed yet also showing the compensations bound up with overlooked achievements. " TCM.com

A few of my favorites are coming up on Turner Classic Movies: (Although I don't know that I could possibly pick a favorite because I love his films so much)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939): An idealistic Senate replacement takes on political corruption.
August 30th 5:45 PM (EST)

You Can't Take It With You (1938): A girl from a family of freethinkers falls for the son of a conservative banker.
August 30th: 8:00 PM (EST)

Vintage Swimsuit Extravaganza...VivaVintageClothing.com

2009-07-21T15:04:00.001-05:00

I am in heaven with this stunning vintage swimsuit circa Marilyn Monroe and beyond glamorous. In my never ending quest for classic clothing and vintage inspiration I came across VivaVintageClothing Featuring fabulous era clothing in fantastic condition. This suit is flawless and if you haven't picked up on it already, I am in LOVE!! Keep an eye out as we start to introduce The Dillinger Ink Swimwear Collection for a close replica. It may not be available until next summer but hopefully we can graze the masterful construction of the gorgeous vintage swimsuit. We will post studio photos after our upcoming shoot but until then here is a peek at my new favorite addition to my ever growing closet of bombshell inspiration.

Thank you VivaVintageClothing.com for an incredible swimsuit and stellar customer service!

The Great American Pin-up: Gil Elvgren

2009-07-19T22:55:00.006-05:00

If I can think back to the origin of my fascination with vintage fashion, I would have to give most credit to what we all love and revere as The Great American Pin-up. Iconic images of beautiful women who are sweet and seductive and who bare the mark of femininity. As my collection of images grows I always come back to Gil Elvgren (1914-1980), one of the greatest and arguably most important pin-up and glamour artists of the twentieth century. Perhaps I harbour some pride in the fact that he is from St. Paul, Minnesota, home sweet home - though that aside is his ability to bring the female form to life with vibrance and a playful vivaciousness. I believe that is the draw that keeps us interested, it keeps this art and this style alive among women and men today. It is the full skirts and fitted waistlines, the red lips and curled hair, and of course the peekaboo thigh-hi stocking and garter that shows off just enough to keep her modesty.

Getting Spotted

Gil Elvgren left The University of Minnesota in 1933 with new wife Janet Cummins. The newlyweds headed for Chicago because of the artistic opportunity it afforded Gil. Elvgren enrolled in the Amerian Academy of Art where he worked with a determination that his professors and peers took note of. He completed his studies in 2.5 years and moved home to St. Paul where he would be commissioned to paint the Dionne Quintuplets who were a sensation in American media. This painting would be for the world's largest calendar company, Brown & Bigelow whom Elvgren would produce many many works for over the years. From this painting, Gil would become an overnight success commercially which was indeed rare. By 1940, most of Elvgren's work was coming out of New York and Chicago so he and Janet decided to return to the Windy City where Gil would work with Stevens/Gross studio, later landing him work with Coca-Cola where he would produce some of the more infamous illustrations of American history.

Dionne Quintuplets taken from Gil Elvgren: The complete pin-ups by Taschen

In 1944, Gil and Janet were expecting their third child when he was approached by Brown & Bigelow and offered a position as a staff artist. They would pay him $1000 per painting and an expected $24000 the first year, which would make him the highest paid illustrator in America. After his son was born, Elvgren took the postion with B&B, but not before accepting a job from Joseph C. Hoover for which he would produce Dream Girl. It was the largest pinup he had ever produced (40x30") and became the best-selling evening gown pinup ever published by Hoover.

"Dream Girl" 1945

I found a great Etsy site that sells reproductions of Gil Elvgren's work here.

Be sure and check out our great Pin-up Lingerie and stockings to get the classic look that made these women so famous!

Good Evening Chicadees

2009-07-19T22:10:00.003-05:00

Hello my sweets, you have dialed Dillinger 411 and I will be your operator, Miss Gigi L'Amore. I get the delightful duty of bringing you fashion news from Dillinger Ink as well as any other little pearl I deem worthy of gab.

You could probably already guess, but I am a fanatic of classic films, pinup art, beautiful pin-curls, luciously long lashes, kiss-me red lipstick and oh-so-naughty lingerie and stockings. Give me the keys to a cherry hot rod, some Audrey Hepburn eyewear and a curve-hugging vintage swimsuit - you may only see my vapor trail leading to where the white sand meets the ocean.

Gilda

2009-07-19T22:06:00.002-05:00

"Put the blame on Mame boys...."

"Men married Gilda and woke up with Rita..."
Rita Hayworth commented regarding her failed marriages

Margarita Cansino

2009-07-19T22:05:00.004-05:00

Margarita Cansino aka Rita Hayworth before they tweezed back her hairline to make her more "American".

Rita Hayworth: Goddess.

2009-07-19T22:00:00.005-05:00

Rita Hayworth (October 17, 1918 – May 14, 1987) was born Margarita Carmen Cansino, and became the world's postergirl sex symbol of the 1940's. She began her career as a dancer, with her father in The Dancing Cansinos. But later would skyrocket to an American icon after her roll as "Gilda". After about 1960, Rita sadly suffered from the early onset of Alzheimer's Disease and died at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy of a godess.