Month: May 2015

Lily Absinthe on the Streets of Tombstone

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With our responsibilities completed, Lily Absinthe decided to hit the streets of Tombstone to see the sights. The Tombstone Historic District runs for roughly five blocks along Allen Street and because of the Wyatt Earp Days event running this weekend, the places was seriously crowded. Normally, we hate crowds but in the case of Tombstone, it’s a welcome sight because of the tourist dollars that flow into the economy and that in turn is good for the City. After the recession of 2008 – 2011, the City definitely needs a break.

Wyatt Earp Days

We met a lot of friends today, many of them who we only knew on Facebook or other social media and it was nice to be able to talk with all of you. It definitely humanizes all the electronic media that seems to play a major part in our lives.

Lily Absinthe on Allen Street

Lily Absinthe on Allen Street

One of the our most favorite places is the Birdcage Theater, which originally opened on December 26, 1881 (note that is AFTER the gunfight at the OK Corral). The interior is preserved from the 1880s and there is a wide variety of artifacts from the period on display.

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Outside the Birdcage Theater- I have to admit that it’s kind of nice not having to carry a gun.

One of our most favorite artifacts on display at the Birdcage Theater- The”Feejee Mermaid“. This was a popular feature in carnival sideshows during the 19th Century.

Here are a few more views of us in the Birdcage:

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Karin posing in front of the Black Moriah, one of the hearses used to transport the dead from the OK Corral gunfight to Boot Hill Cemetary.

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In front of the main stage at the Birdcage Theater.

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It was a fun day going out and about and we hope to repeat it tomorrow. 🙂

And For a Change of Pace…

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It’s been a busy last few days out here in Tombstone and it’s only now that we can settle back, pour ourselves a drink (maybe even Absinthe!), and just relax. Between finishing orders, installing a new stove, and just keeping up with things, we’re exhausted. But now to have some fun for ourselves…. 🙂

My new linen suit.

My new linen suit.

I am proud to unveil my newest my newest outfit- a sack suit that is appropriate for the 1880s – 1890s and, for a change, civilian. 🙂 Yes, I do wear something other than uniforms! 😉

The sack suit is made from a light mint green linen and lined in a fine cotton shirting. We’re still working out shirt issues so what I am wearing is not the most optimal. To go with it is a brown Homberg hat from River Junction Trading Company.

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A more full-length shot of my new suit. The shoes I civilian pattern shoes that I ordered did not arrive on time so I had to substitute a pair of 1892 Pattern Marching Shoes.

The suit is made from the sack suit pattern by Laughing Moon and it only required a little re-adjusting to make it work for me. I definitely look forward to wearing more civilian clothes using this pattern. 🙂

And the best part about this? It’s lightweight and perfect for the Arizona weather and there is no chance of being mistaken for an Earp, Clanton, or McLaury. 😉

Just off the Line at Lily Absinthe – Plaid Taffeta!

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Hot off the line at Lily Absinthe is this plaid taffeta dress in the style of 1876. There is netting behind the puffs between the hip and the knee that serves to hold the skirt out in the style fashionable for the Mid-Bustle Era. The colors utilized are a dark emerald/absinthe green and amber representative of the new aniline dyes that were coming onto the market during the 1870s. Of special note are the various details to include knife-pleating, ruffles, rouches, shirring, overlays, bows, and lace. In short, it includes all the “Karin food groups”. 🙂

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From my perspective as a male, this epitomizes the look of the Mid-Bustle Era where the silhouette became slim and streamlined with a de-emphasis on the bustle but still having abundant hem detail.  The fit came  out perfect and she is going off to her new home. It looks like we have another winner here! 🙂

P.S. We sew everywhere these days- whether it’s a wedding gown in a hotel room the night before the wedding or red-carpet frock for that once-in-a-lifetime moment, we have  you covered! 🙂

Lily Absinthe – Reporting from Tombstone

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Finishing up a linen sack coat. Never an idle moment for Lily Absinthe!

Finishing up a linen sack coat. Never an idle moment for Lily Absinthe! Note the Mood Fabrics bag in the background… 🙂

The start of another beautiful day in Tombstone. After recovering from our 9-hour journey, we proceeded to get to work. In this case, Karin is finishing off a linen sack coat for me that I will be wearing on my jaunts about town. It’s kind of a change from the usual Southwestern style gunfighter-ish clothing that I usually wear but I look forward to the new look. Poiret would be proud! 🙂

Mac, our fashion consultant, and I relaxing.

Mac, our fashion consultant, and I relaxing.

Lily Absinthe and the American West – A Bit of Philosophy

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Family portrait taken by Frank Albert Rinehart (1861-1928) at the 1898 Indian Congress in Omaha.

Family portrait taken by Frank Albert Rinehart (1861-1928) at the 1898 Indian Congress in Omaha.

The American West of the 19th Century has always held a fascination for us both in terms of history and its effect of fashion (and vice-versa). Fueled by movies and television shows, the American West is symbolized by seemingly vast emptiness filled with larger than life landscapes that are both harsh and beautiful at the same time.

Group of outlaws- One of the more typical images but one that still fascinates.

Group of outlaws- One of the more typical images but one that still fascinates.

Also, the various people of the West were no less larger than life. On the one hand, there were the Native Americans who were composed of many tribes, each with their own unique culture and language. And then there were the Americans, a culture with roots initially in the British Isles but increasingly expanding as people from different parts of Europe (and to a lesser extent, Asia) immigrated. And to further add to the mix were African-Americans who were initially brought to America as slaves.

Nat Love (aka Deadwood Dick) - One of many African-American Cowboys that were in the West.

Nat Love (aka Deadwood Dick) – One of many African-American Cowboys that were in the West.

Of course, the reality was more complex and as we learn more, the popular images about the American West change and transform themselves and what beliefs that were certain about have now come into question.

In front of a saloon in Georgetown, Colorado with a Chinese man who is identified as Chan Gow and his pit bull type dog. This photo is dated 1875-1892.

In front of a saloon in Georgetown, Colorado with a Chinese man who is identified as Chan Gow and his pit bull type dog. This photo is dated 1875-1892.

So what does this mean for us here at Lily Absinthe? Well, to us it provides a rich tapestry that to a great degree shaped and influenced who were are today, for good and bad. We would like to believe that the end product will be for the best but we are also realistic enough to know that this road is a bumpy one, full of twists and turns and featuring many shades of grey.

Mexican Vaqueros - Wild Bill's Wild West Show

Mexican Vaqueros – Wild Bill’s Wild West Show

It is a truism that the past informs current fashions and that was no different in the American West of the 19th Century. In looking at the pictures above, one can see influences transferring across cultures. From our corner, we are always on the lookout for examples of this diversity.