Model Amy Beers, photo by MTav.

With the heat and rich colors, this outfit came off a bit Bollywood! Models from various designers, including Fritsch of Sweet Revenge, walked the circuit around the Canal in downtown Indianapolis, viewed by picnickers, VIPs, and other guests. Good crowd!

Dlang, the organizer of the event, received a proclamation declaring the first week in June as IFT week! Saturday, June 4, concludes IFT week this year with the competition, workshops and finale fashion show. View more about the event at IFT World.

Reclaimed billboard vinyl corset by Sweet Revenge

Silk charmeuse mini dress and vinyl belt by Sweet Revenge

Brian found some interesting nooks and crannies around the town square to do an impromptu photo shoot. The models definitely got some funny looks from drivers-by and pedestrians out and about for First Friday openings.

The models all tried their hands at spooking attendees by modeling in the gallery’s store front windows next to mannequins, perfecting their glazed doll-like stares and frozen poses.

We were a little nervous that the weather wouldn’t hold (it was threatening to rain all afternoon), but it turned out very pleasant, breezy and as the sun was setting we got a very warm quality to the light.

Silk jacket, moire halter by Sweet Revenge

Rob Stokes of Perfect Rose Images also took some shots…

Silk dupioni jacket, stretch velvet dress by Sweet Revenge

Fur shrug, denim dress and taffeta corset by Sweet Revenge

Silk robe, cropped top and capri pants by Sweet Revenge.

Elissa wearing B Trousseau top, Cheeky Couture jewels and Emilliner hat

Whew! Midwest Fashion Week just ended and not a moment too soon! Running out of steam and feeling the need to get back into the real world of work. Meanwhile I just wanted to say a little about the experience of creating the Cabaret Lingerie show, which I feel did exactly what I had hoped it to do: make people sit up and take notice, and question what makes fashion.

Integral to the show was Nikki Sutton, a stylist and interior designer (and often a model herself). She came to the project in midstream, and took the torch and ran, ran, ran with it. (Totally mixed metaphors, there.)

Our concept: take a number of local resources (including Sweet Revenge Lingerie one-offs) and combine them to create a fantasy look, lingerie but much more: Cabaret Lingerie. Showy, over the top, high fashion. The result was beyond my expectations! Sutton came up with a story by which to arrange the show, the progression of love. First we saw the angelic looks (though they were far from tame), in whites, cream, pink touches. Then as love blossoms, so does the color…in spring greens, corals, pinks, aqua. And finally, as love turns, the colors darken into browns, blacks and the accessories become more aggressive. Almost every look was accompanied by a sculptural hat by Emilliner (a local hat designer), and Cheeky Couture jewelry.

Michelle wearing SR bustier, Nikki Blaine shorts, Emilliner hat

To balance the stylized look of the show, we staged the fashion show a little differently as well. The models were paced much more slowly, and encouraged to engage the audience as well as the male model who spent much of the time onstage as a foil to the ladies. Actor Rob Johansen worked with the models to create an improvised scene at the end of the show, in place of a Designer Walk.  The models fought for the male model’s attention, and then descended on him like a flock of ravens (in their blacks, complete with a few feathers) for a dramatic end to the show.

Many thanks to everyone who helped to make the show a success–all told I believe there were as many as thirty people involved just on the day of the show, for a twenty minute show. Pictures shown courtesy of Mariah at Nuvo.

Credits:

• Nikki Sutton- stylist
• Beth Bennett of B Trousseau Couture-corsets, lingerie
• Nikki Blaine Couture-corset, lingerie
• IndySwank boutique-vintage
• Cheeky Couture-jewelry
• Sweet Revenge Lingerie-corsets, lingerie
• Emily Clark for Emilliner-hats
• Kelly Oswalt of Red Carpet Reflection-makeup
• Julia Rutland of Aesthetic Design Style-makeup
• Roy Jones of Mary & Friends-hair styling
• LModelz- casting
• Rob Johansen-choreography
  

  Finale shot by Ramon Guajardo

Candace wearing Cheeky Couture jewels

Mollie wearing B Trousseau corset, Emilliner hat, Japanese kimono

I decided on sleep wear and lingerie for several reasons, some of which were purely practical. I had worked with a three companies developing sleepwear and lingerie, and so had developed a good feel for what works and what doesn’t work. I have been unsatisfied with the sleepwear options that I have bought for myself, and decided it would be a good place for me to break into retail. Also, I simply enjoy the simplicity and pure femininity of lingerie. I’ve had a lot of fun designing these pieces, and I hope that people have as much fun wearing them!

Sweet Revenge Lingerie is meant to be feminine, comfortable, easy care, and unusual. It’s meant as a treat, something special that you buy for yourself (or receive as a gift), but that’s also practical enough to wear as an every day item. The designs are targeted at the younger crowd, college age through thirties, though I’ve noticed that the appeal isn’t limited to that age range. I think we are all younger in our hearts, and while it can be a bad thing to dress too young in your professional life, there’s absolutely no reason to curb your appetite for frills in your sleepwear.

The initial line’s palette is based on “sweet treats,” like chocolate, raspberry mousse, whipped cream. The Spring 2010 pieces are all lighter colors, but the Fall 2010 pieces will integrate the chocolate browns and café latte colors into the collection. The spring line is all 100% cottons, designed to be lightweight and soft for those steamy summer nights or spring break trip to warmer places. The print (which I am calling Flirtini), is a cherry blossom print in dark pinks, café au lait, mint green and chocolate brown. The embroidered cotton is white on white, designed as a sweet but sexy bridal set or just as a good summer play set. The logo tank is the “pirate tattoo” version of the Sweet Revenge logo printed on a pale pink baby rib knit camisole. I have included fun details that make the pieces unique from what’s available in the chain stores. Since I am a pattern maker, I like to be a little playful with vintage inspired details, like tiny ruffles or tucks. I think they add a lot of visual interest–and sometimes they can conceal flaws.

Catherine Fritsch

Launches January 10, 2010 for Valentine’s Day