Much needed post-VLV 15 post!

Yours truly holding up a 1950's gold lame' "Mr. Blackwell" jumpsuit. Can you say- killer?!

So, it has been awhile since I got back from Viva Las Vegas... I felt that it's time I did a little wrap-up post about it. I managed to take a bunch of pictures, of which you can see on my Flickr here.

That's the best part about going for me, taking loads of pictures. I just love to see what people are wearing. This year, I was fortunately enough to meet allot of my international customers from the UK and Australia, which was such a treat! Everyone that I met was super sweet and so lovely- it made me feel so good to have such wonderful and appreciative clientele.

I wasn't totally into any of the musical acts this year; it would have been cool to see Duane Eddy at the car show, but we skipped it. I don't think any Viva performance can top Wanda Jackson on my birthday 2 years ago. That was the ultimate. We did however catch the burlesque show on Friday and 2 Charles Phoenix slideshows, so that was cool. 

Charles Phoenix and I have met before, we shared a dressing room a few years ago at Tiki Oasis here in San Diego and he introduced me before I performed burlesque. When I first met him, he was wearing a neon pink raw silk suit- needless to say, it was love at 1st sight. He is one fabulously sassy man and if you're a fan of vintage kitsch, you need to catch one of his slideshows. Here's a pic of when I first met him, and then a pic of us at VLV this year. Check out that Easter suit! (He loved my lame' outfit by the way, and wanted to know all about it.)

I'm not a big gambler, in fact, I didn't do any gambling this year- but lord knows I blew enough money as is! Between shoppin', drinkin', and a whole lotta eatin', this weekend is no joke on my pocketbook! :-) But hey, I got to wear outfits that I will never get to wear again all year, so that's worth it, right?

So basically, I recommend just look at my pictures on Flickr to get a feel of the whole weekend. That's more fun than me rambling on and on about this and that. You'll get to see my obsessive wardrobe changes, killer outfits on others, and all around crazy vintage weirdness/goodness.

The Epitome of the Female Form: The Classic Mermaid Dress

Every year, right around this time, numerous vintage-loving ladies from all around the globe get their wardrobe checklist trimmed down and ready for the annual Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender in Las Vegas, Nevada. Every year it's the same sought after pieces- who will have the best Vanity Fair leopard print ensemble? Who will have the most eye-catching Shaheen sarong dress? Who's rocking the most killer Ceeb of Miami jumpsuit? Along with throngs and throngs of Lurex in every color, bakelite bangles, Polly of California sky-high mules, and sequin-encrusted hand painted Mexican circle skirts. It really is enough to make one's head spin, the array of fabulous styles and gorgeous silhouettes. The people watching alone is more than reason to go. Well in this entry, we're going to focus on one of our most favorite highly sought-after styles to wear at Viva, the timelessly sexy and ever-so-classic curve hugging mermaid cocktail gown.

Wikipedia defines the "Mermaid Evening Gown" as: "Mermaid, as the name suggests, means that the evening gown is shaped like a mermaid. It is form-fitting at the bodice, and the skirt is designed to resemble a mermaid's tail in silhouette.The skirt may or may not be of the same colour or texture."

The mermaid gown as we know and love it first originated in the mid 1950's. This design of dress really skyrocketed in 1960 when it was made popular to little girls everywhere by the gal that we all know and love- who other than Barbie. This particular Barbie was titled "Solo in the Spotlight." What a fabulous get up, right? Lets face it, Barbie really knew how to do it up in the 1950's!

Here are a few killer examples of authentic 1950's era "mermaid" styles... I know, I know, try not to drool... Many of them had a satin under-base with silk chiffon, lace, or sequins over that. Sheer tulle or netting was very popular for the actual "mermaid hem." If we had our way, we'd go back in time and have one of each in our size, please! ;-)

 Many of these images were obtained from this fabulous page.

Here are a few vintage designs that have been for sale online recently. Many of them were found on Etsy! They usually run anywhere from $150 all the way to $500+ for a true couture design.

And lastly, here are a few fabulous styles that are either available (or were) from Butch Wax Vintage, or part of our own personal collection.

 A fabulous design from our private vintage collection... LOVE the color.

A killer fully sequined number that recently sold to a Butch Wax regular from San Francisco!

A insanely gorgeous hand beaded sea foam silk chiffon over satin mermaid number, currently for sale from Butch Wax Vintage here!