Honestly not all that stoked on Fendi most of the time (prob cuz i have a love/hate thing with Karl Lagerfeld), but i recently saw something in an ad campaign that made me lose my mind. They did a shredded white dress that is absolutely stunning. Most of the my new A Rare Bird items are shredded, braided and partially destroyed and I am loving the translation to super fancy runway insanity. I found some runway pics but it doesn’t really do the dress justice… For that matter, most of the Spring 2010 Ready to Wear was outstanding. It’s not ALL my personal style but good lordy. Rad. As for you, Karl…You just seem mean as hell and it doesn’t sound like fun to hang out with you. Design-wise…nice work, ya jerk. (please forward my sentiment to your consultants, assistants, designers and seamstresses…you know, the ones who make all your stuff) ok ok i kid…a little.

“No one wants to see curvy women. You’ve got fat mothers with their bags of chips sitting in front of the television and saying thin models are ugly. Fashion is about dreams and illusions.”-Karl Lagerfeld
Oh Karl…you are just as sweet as sugar.

Don’t judge me. I have been across the US tryin to live some life! Woefully behind on my runway smack-talk/mind garbage/this seasons blah blah blah…The long and short of it is,
-Missoni brought the pain. as usual. gorgeous. drapey. flowy.
-Miu Miu also destroyed. pretty much as per usual.
example:
from fall/winter 09…

to spring summer 2010…
(and can i just say?) I was reading an editorial in an unnamed (ha!) fancy fash mag that actually said “Braids? DON’T EVEN!” I have to disagree, my dears. Long messy scraggly braids and crunchy strands are doing it for me, and I don’t think they are going anywhere soon. This may have something to do with why I am feeling this so much..suckerrrrr for styling.

I also dig Comme Des Garcons drapey plaid tartan overlays, ThreeAsFour’s collab with Yoko Ono (a nod to her Cut Piece) even though it could have been better (don’t kill me!) and don’t even start with me, Hussein Chalayan. Seriously.

Hannnnnnddddsss in the darrrrrkkkk…

no but really? make it in black and I will sell whatever I have to to get this. wear it with the alexander mcqueen skull clutch. gahhhh. ok enough with the unrealistic stuff.
(images belong to designers or yanked from sr/sirn/etc)
i give up on trying to make these pics line up with my words. trust me when i say I have tried everything.

here are a few newbies…among far too many to process! More pics on our MYSPACE or FACEBOOK- but much more in the shop!

Click/copy here to vote for Orlando Weekly’s Best of Orlando Contest! We have won/placed in Best Vintage, Best Womens Fashion, Best Mens Fashion, Best Whatever and we have also gotten an Editor’s Pick!! Let’s keep our winning streak going!

(they also have a Best Local Designer Category…jus’ sayin’…)

http://www.orlandoweekly.com/boo2009/poll.asp

Here are the rules!
Time once again for you to tell us the good, the bad and the ugly about life in the City Beautiful. As with all things these days, there are a few rules you are going to have to follow if you want your vote to count:

* You must include your name and address along with a phone number and/or e-mail address where you can be reached. This is for verification only and the information won’t be shared. Everyone who correctly fills out a ballot is eligible to win two tickets to our super fabulous Best of Orlando party. (You have to be at least 21 to attend. We like to drink.)
* You have to vote in at least 15 categories.
* You can’t use the same answer in more than 5 categories.
* You can encourage people to vote for you.
* You can link to the poll on your web site.
* You can’t fill out polls in other people’s names.
* You can’t print out this poll and mail it to us. Online voting only.
* You can’t vote more than once. Votes with the same name from different computers will be trashed, as will multiple votes from the same computer.
* Remember, the interns who tally this poll cry when you cheat.

Voting closes at midnight, June 18. Start typing.

BIG THANKS TO AL WHO HAVE ALREADY SHOWN THEIR SUPPORT! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

We went on a buying trip!! Such fun! Plus we got soooo much rad amazing incredible stuff! Here are some pics…

for many more photos, please check out our myspace or facebook! www.myspace.com/etoileboutique

and so it begins...three in a bed at amanda's!

lots of shopping and lots of fun!

new items from Dead Lady Vintage & Accessories, too!

More items added every day!!

EARTH DAY AT LAKE EOLA

&

PINKLIGHT BAZAAR AT REDLIGHT REDLIGHT!

CENTRAL FLORIDA EARTH DAY SATURDAY MAY 2, 2009

see more info at http://cfearthday.org/

ETOILE BOOTH AND CLOTHING SWAP!

LOOK FOR ETOILE’S BOOTH AT LAKE EOLA, ON CENTRAL BLVD.

VENDORS, FOOD, MUSIC, FRIENDS AND FUN!

WE WILL HAVE TONS OF NEW HANDMADE AND RECONSTRUCTED VINTAGE, PLUS NEW ITEMS FROM A RARE BIRD!

THERE WILL ALSO BE A CLOTHING SWAP! BRING A CLEAN, CUTE ITEM & A DOLLAR AND TRADE IT FOR 3 NEW ITEMS! OR JUST BRING A DONATION! HOORAY!

Earth Day is an annual event held on or around April 22 intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. Join us for a free local celebration for the 40th Earth Day.

The 4th annual Central Florida Earth Day will feature speakers, presentations, environmental education, kids’ activities, restaurant booths, live music and entertainment, artist corner, hundreds of eco-friendly vendors, and much more!!! Central Florida Earth Day will draw those who want to learn more about how to protect our health, the planet, and its inhabitants.

PINKLIGHT BAZAAR

AT

REDLIGHT REDLIGHT!

www.myspace.com/pinklightbazaar

ETOILE’S HANDMADE AND CUSTOMIZED VINTAGE

WE WILL BE UNVEILING LOTS OF NEW GOODIES AT PINKLIGHT BAZAAR!

VENDORS: handmade one-of-a-kind jewelry from both STRAY CREATIVE and SILVIA PRIETO, vintage & reconstructed clothing by ETOILE BOUTIQUE, all-new original artwork by JENN BENNER and SAMANTHA LONG, homemade aprons by SUMMER REDWINE, vintage frames by LIZ CAUDILL, spring flower headbands and hairclips by ELIZABETH CASEN, with cupcakes by BEES KNEES SWEET TREATS & now offering VEGAN cupcakes by EMMABUNNY! plus, NEW this time around, we introduce the make-your-own-craft station featuring flower-arranging by AMANDA’S FLOWERS.

+ TBA dj to spin all your favorite lady jamz!

WHEN? Pinklight Bazaar ROUND 4 is happening on SUNDAY, MAY 3! [ladies happy hour from 6-7 p.m., then open to all (yes, that means YOU, boys!) from 7-10 p.m.]

WHERE? Redlight Redlight - 745 Bennett Rd. Orlando, Florida 32803 [this is the NEW location! across from the Roxy Nightclub on Bennett Rd. in the old AZTEC RESTAURANT building. look for the gi-normous PINKLIGHT banner :)]

HOW MUCH? Technically FREE but with a suggested donation of $5. [Donations are very appreciated, though not required - these are used strictly to help us buy baking supplies & decorations for future Pinklight Bazaars]. with the $5 donation you’ll receive a free raffle ticket to win amazing prizes from local artists and businesses + a Pinklight sticker!

*****CLASSY & SASSY ATTIRE REQUESTED!!!!****** This is basically an excuse to play dress-up. Break out that amazing frilly dress you’ve had in the back of your closet for three years with nowhere to wear it to! I’m talking 80s prom dresses, costumes, you name it, we’ll love it.

Ok, so Flower has been hounding me to write more everyday-type things in this blog, so I am going to make an attempt, although I am not sure  how interesting my everyday thoughts are, unless you get reallllllly excited about buying cat litter and digging through lots of yuk vintage to get to the gems…well, ok, that actually does get me excited (the vintage, not the litter)!

Yes, those are in fact TMNT *Im. Leather!* Gloves.  I am kicking myself big time for not buying them, but I found an insane amount of gorgeous 1970’s luggage and hat boxes, so…ya know…sometime you have to prioritize.

Anyways, the point is- I have a boatload of new stuff in the shop right now and I am really going to make an effort to update you all on this blog, as well as the myspace.  I update myspace way more than this blog and I am gonna try to even that out…

Let me know what you think! I am also planning to do “sneak peeks” for my blog people, where you will get a chance to reserve certain pieces before they hit the racks… so if you want the heads up before anyone else, holler at me! I am compiling a “sneak peek” email list now!

The New location (2424 1/2 E Robinson St. Orlando) is amazing and I have been getting more and more vendors every day, and meeting a ton of rad new people! Thanks for the support guys!  I get new items in EVERY DAY! So stop by, and see what our community is making!

Some new items in now:

Hi Everybody!

I hope everyone is having a great summer! I will be glad to see the heat (and RAIN) go for a while, but I have a feeling I’m gonna miss the hot lazy days of summer! But it’s not over yet! Who am I kidding, we have summer until November!  We have had a great month, including an absolutely amazing trip to Portland, Fun Backyard (or back lot) BBQ’s, Art Show, and coming soon: A FASHION/CRAFT/MUSIC/ART EVENT! NEXT WEEK!!

But patience, darlings- First, lemme tell you about all the new and amazing thing we have at Etoile Boutique right now! As we speak!

New Reconstructed Vintage and Handmade Dresses from A Rare Bird! That’s me! My fashion show is next Sat the 13^th!

New Handmade Dresses from MILENA! Gorgeous!

New Men’s Vintage! Mesh Tanks! Members Only Jackets! Ridiculous Tees!

New Ladies Vintage from Ex Post Facto, KVintage, IF YOU NASTY and Stella’s Suitcase!

New Mens’ Tees from Slow January by Chris Sapone!

IPOD and IPHONE Knit Cozy’s from Mary L.!

MOPE DESIGNS Handmade Jewelry and Boxes!

Jewelry from Cherry Runway! Hamburgers! Astronauts! Hot Air Balloons! Cameras!

New Jewelry from Verameat!

DALAT by Flower Ta- New Dresses! Amazing!

Vintage Christian Dior Zip Up Hoodies and Summer Button Ups!

New Belts, Ties and Accessories!

Handmade Books!

And so much more! Check our myspace for selected pics of some of the new items!

www.myspace.com/etoileboutique

And now, the super exciting

A RARE BIRD & POSTLAPSARIA Fashion/Art/Music/Craft Event!

Hair and Makeup for A Rare Bird by Alchemy Salon!

Thank You ALCHEMY! You guys are the best!

Fashion Show-Vendors-Food-Music-Live Bands-Local Artists-Photobooth-Men’s and Women’s Vintage Clothing Swap-Dance Performance-and more!

Graciously Sponsored by PABST BLUE RIBBON, VITAMIN WATER, ALCHEMY, ETOILE BOUTIQUE, COVERT, BETA, BLACK BEAN DELI and BOLD HYPE

At SAY IT LOUD Gallery (Big Orange Building on Mills and Lk Highland)

The fun starts at 7pm! Get there early and bring your fun vintage to swap!

Here’s the scoop:

I am going to be showing a small selection of my late summer/fall looks from A Rare Bird (ararebirddesigns.com)in a collaborative fashion show and event on September 13th at Say It Loud. The other designer showing runway looks is Keiko from Postlapsaria.com, who is just amazing! 

We are going feature the fashion show, but also have selected vendors, artists and designers show their work in the space as well.  There will be food and drinks, as well as a fun “photobooth” for people to use.  We will also be displaying several new looks from DALAT by Flower Ta, as well as photography from Libia Tse , crafts and goodies from Miriam Ruckert and Jen Mak, and more surprises in store!  Possible performances from The Future of Films in Space and the Center for Contemporary Dance! We are also planning a big Men’s & Women’s Vintage Clothing Swap- everyone can bring cute vintage they no longer wear and everyone can swap! 

Look for our interview about our show in the Orlando Sentinel the 4^th or the 11th!

Features:

Handmade Fashion from A Rare Bird and Postlapsaria

Photography by Libia Tse

Designs from DALAT by Flower Ta

Entertainment:

DJs Kittybat and Furoche

Performance and visuals by The Future of Films in Space(tent.)

Super fun photobooth

Mens and Womens Clothing Swap! Leftovers donated to charity!

Rad Raffle with insane-o prizes!

Vendors:

Miriam R, Jen Mak and the Milk District Shops: Etoile Boutique, Covert and Beta

Assorted Deliciousness:

Black Bean Deli

Pastries and Hors d’ Oeuvres

Cupcakes! Keiko’s Bday is the next day!

PBR mmmm in a can!

Vitamin Water

Crazy Boozed Up Punch(es)!

BOYS & GIRLS: Don’t forget to bring your piles of cute CLEAN vintage to swap!

I know you have stuff in your closet that you don’t wear…and I bet its cute!

Any leftovers after the swap with be donated to charity! Don’t have anything? That’s ok- we are willing to share! CLOTHING SWAY HAPPENS BEFORE THE FASHION SHOW! DON’T FORGET!

I hope you all will come! We have been working really hard to make this event really fun! Here’s a tip- get a raffle ticket when you get there! The prizes we have in store are INSANE.

Suggested Donation= $5 J

Come see me! More details will finalize in the coming days! Any questions? Call me at Etoile Boutique (407) 895-6363!

See you soon!

Love,

Katie

Etoile Boutique

A Rare Bird Designs

SATURDAY!!! DO NOT MISS THE SICK SICK SICK SALES AND BBQ PARTY IN THE MILK DISTRICT NOON TO SEVEN ON SAT. AUG 16TH!

Big Thanks go out to BOLD HYPE! for their support and contribution to our local creative community!

REMEMBER THE LAST BBQ WE HAD?

SATURDAY!!!
DO NOT MISS THE SICK SICK SICK SALES AND BBQ PARTY IN THE MILK DISTRICT NOON TO SEVEN ON SAT.

AUG 16TH!

FOOD!
(VEG.
AND MEAT)
BOOZED UP SNO-CONES
LIQUOR
KEG BEER

*DJS:* (our lineup has changed! check it!)
LT.
SMASH
MOT
A.
SPEAR
GOMEZ
JOHNNY 5 MIKES

10%-70% OFF SALES.

NEED I SAY MORE?
REMEMBER THE LAST BBQ WE HAD?

AFTER THE PARTY AND SALE, WEAR THOSE FRESH THREADS AND SNEAKS TO….

!!!!!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!
Hosted By: Dustin Orlando & A La Revenge
When: Saturday Aug 16, 2008
at 7:00 PM
Where: City Arts Factory
29 S.Orange Ave.

Downtown
Orlando, FL 32803
United States
Description: BASK/TES-ONE/PARSKID/STEAK MTN/WITH SPECIAL GUEST MAT CURRAN

So many great things have been added to the show!  As of recent, we are pleased to announce that there will be a full Liquor Bar, in addition to the free catered food, provided by Cafe Tu Tu Tango.

Plus,  Mat Curran will have 5 pieces in the show now.

And as for the Music, you know we already got NAK1 | KITTYBAT | & LT.

SMASH on the 1s and 2s, but now we’ve confirmed a live performance by: TINY VIOLIN (fresh off their NY tour and performing live with SHUNDA K of YO MAJESTY!) Do Not Front

Plus, the artwork is going to be some of the freshest work in Orlando in a long time…well at least since the “You Love to Hate” show…

Oh yeah also, all this is only $10 and a portion of that goes to the Parramore Kidz Zone. So you’ll not only be having a great time listening to good music and viewing amazing artwork, but you’ll be doing a good thing by supporting.

So get down to the City Arts Factory next Saturday from 7pm-1am…RSVP now!

Mens and Womenswear!

Boots! Hats! Tops! Tees! Dresses! Jewelry! Home Decor! Purses and Bags!

I have posted some of the pics on our myspace under “Brand Spanking New”, but I just couldn’t even begin to get pics of all the radness! Come check it out for yourself soon!

Click here to go to Etoile’s Myspace Page: www.myspace.com/etoileboutique