A Retros Halloween Bash

"Cocktails?"

" Yes, thank you!"

Bourbon! Gin!…the scene was set for some of The Golden Age of Hollywood’s greatest to come together for a little B&G - that is Beauty and Glamour, for the uninitiated. For everyone making the scene was donning the epitome of B&G: the to this day unmatched liberating fashion insouciance of Retros by Liz Cole.

Gay! Gay! Gay! The fabulous Gay Carrington (fan-made doll with a face-up by Vincent Anthony Studio) made her entrance with Lauren - the two were coming - still ecstatic - from a impromptu singing duo performance in a secret spot in Los Feliz. Gay slithered in a dark woodsy green Lurex number with a side slit and a Lucite necklace by Exsyntrix.

“Dahlin’ you’re killing!” - Lauren whispered. Gay winked at her and whispered back: “I’m a witch, doll!”

Elizabeth Montgomery in Bewitched’s opening sequence? Sorry, but no. This was none other than Sylvia Chase, grandmother to much-later-to-be-born Sydney Chase.

In Retros’ iconic black Vampirah! gown, Sylvia added her pout (bathed in Revlon’s Love that Red) and a hat by Peggy Feltrope to a captivating fashion potion that made everyone go ape!

Now, when J.C. made her entrance, well, it was an entrance as only J.C. could do: made in the shade! Her Retros number, in dark blue and light gray print was all class with a hint of mystery befitting the Ben Cooper mask. 

“Love that you love, dear, but masks are for curtain climbers to have fun on Halloween. This mug and these peepers stay uncovered!” J.C. clamored. 

Tensions of the amorous type heightened when Lauren came back with a tuxedoed flutter bum. “He told me his name was Rock. Hard to remember as I’ve had some sauce already.” - Lauren said in her ultra seductive red skulls and bones pink sheath.

Lauren's necklace, also by Exsyntrix, told the rest of the story. 

“Rock, wait!- Gay called out in her husky voice (hear it here). May I pet your bat?”

“Sure thing, Bombshell! It’s by Exyntrix. My friend Joy knows how to craft a scene stealer.” Rock answered as he threw a half smile in a tux by Chewin Doll and sunglasses by T &E Doll Designs.

Remember Cynthia the Celebrity Mannequin? Well, this bash was much more of a blast - cause not Cynthia - but Vivian the Miniquin was there! And what a devil she was in Retros’ genius red glitter get-up! 

Though Miniquins do not talk, everyone could hear Vivian thinking: “May I have another Negroni?, as well as, “May I fork you, Dreamboat?”

What a bash! What a swell party! Could not have been without the magic of Retros’s B&G, that aura of fun will never end cause we’re too ginchy to go! 

Dolldom thanks LizRetros for many years of plain and simple fun! 

Resources for readers:

Retros by Liz Cole

Feltrope Studios (Witch's hat)

Exsyntrix (All jewlery)

Chewin Doll (male tux)

DAE Originals (Vivian the Miniquin)

Gay Carrington (the Icon)

Vincent Anthony Studio (Gay's face-up)

Retros Wins Dolldom's Award of Excellence

Dolldom celebrates life deluxe in a smaller scale. Yet, there are times when we have to flex our own rules and be amazed by those who actually enjoy la vie de luxe in all scales possible. Such is the case of Liz Cole, head designer and doyenne of Retros, the celebrated Seattle fashion empire that has been delighting us for many years now. 

 The mood is über-cool in Seattle’s hippest atelier de mode. The music is conga-rich, mambos by Pérez Prado saturate the air. The reception area boasts a Tiki bar desk, 50s Moderne furniture, poodle plaques on the walls, and a phenomenal flying saucer ceiling lamp. It is in this eclectic and electric environment that the Retros look is conceived.

 Liz, who embodies Beauty & Glamour in all aspects of her life and infuses everything her magic fingers touch with that inebriating essence, is of a simple and powerful philosophy:  

Embrace our fashion past as best we can. 

By learning to eschew trends and run away from all that is cheap and mean, Retros creates a timeless and ever relevant style that makes all mouths water.

Retrograde mentality you say? Nothing father from the truth. Retros is the opposite of old fashioned. It is a vibrant and current fashion energy that gives life the charm and chic of an idealized time that exists in shiny perfection in the fertile mind of its creator.

 Retros is a world where lounge lizards hang out with Bleuette and BJD giants, all united by their unique sense of style and impeccably constructed fashions. From spooky knit sweaters to cocktail lounge singer gowns, Retros offers something for all. 

And that includes your home too. Darren Cole, head designer of furniture and a respected authority in mid-century design, crafts gorgeous suites of chairs, sofas, tables, and bars that turn any box into a style palace.  

“Frankly, what can be better than a dress that is hand stitched, cut to fit like a glove, and made out of dead stock or  unique vintage fabric? Is there anything out in the market? Anything with the same degree of precision, panache, and wit?” 

“I love the references and tongue-in-cheek humor, in a way it reminds me of Betsy Johnson couture." 

“A doll feels liberated in a Retros original. She can dare to be different, to break free from the mold, to be naughty and haughty and still be clad in a perfectly constructed and lined garment." 

 I take immense delight in all the little extras and the attention to detail that make me feel like the exuberant star of a 50s B-movie.” 

 “A girl need not take fashion so seriously or allow current political correctness to come in the way of looking one’s best. After all, a curve is a curve is a curve. If you have them, flaunt them!”
 

“Do you think we fashion dolls do not have fun?

 

Fashion is not only about fund raising events or black and white galas. It is about the stuff that makes life good, marvelous, cool… like a barbecue and drinks with your friends or going to a reading of Beat Generation poetry. And for those special moments, there is Retros. 

Drop by any time as Retros is open 24-7!