Was part of a terrific cast and crew for the making of this new Fresh TV/DHX/Family Channel gem, Backstage.
Release date: Soon.

And I stood in the Life of Manek window with Susan Claassen for 'A Conversation with Edith Head' press party for it's Canadian premiere.

In January 2014 CAFTCAD Sold out it's 4 performances and fashionistas, film aficionados, costume makers and theatre goers filled the seats at the Buddies in Bad Times Theatre for the amusing biographical story of the life of Edith Head.

Here's an article from the Toronto Star regarding the show and a mysterious story of a last minute dress reportedly made for Grace Kelly by Edith, and now in Toronto at costume house Homemade Tarts. And this is the article written by theatre reviewer, and yes, my mother, and the photo in the piece includes the mysterious dress.

Here's 'Edie' with her famous opera token necklace and stunning program designed by Dan Sadaba​. 

And myself giving Edie flowers as she left the stage, proving that we Canadians have much love for vintage fur.

I confess. I own about 900 neckties and have to keep adding to my large collection. From the 20's the present, I enjoy categorizing them and even spent a few days at Berman and Company in the spring sorting their extensive tie assortment by era- to make it much easier for costumers in a rush or others like me who have found tie research lacking and vague. Some of the best info I've found on the subject is at www.vintagedancer.com.

But what I find most intriguing is the stories behind these surviving scraps of silk.
Nervous at a business meeting, pulling the tie away from his constricted throat.
Picking up a pretty gal to treat her to dinner and hoping for a kiss.
Gambling the night away, cigar smoke infused and gin speckled.
Or perhaps (as some of the brilliant quality I've found) an unwanted gift from a sibling with terrible taste- much too loud to ever be worn.

Recently in North Bay where I was on location shooting 'Mum's the Word' with Brooke Shields, Brennan Elliott and Beau Bridges for Hallmark Mysteries, I chanced upon a few more 1920's ties in a local thrift store. Languishing at the back mixed with some sad 80's ties for $1 each. Over the years I've learned that these are usually a heavyish satin brocaded silk and unlined. The labels and fonts also give a collector a clue as to their time period.
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And then there's the men who wore them. I'll never be able to match them together, but here's an inspirational assortment of men in the 1920's and their neckties.

If you're a neck tie enthusiast and feel strongly that one of my ties photographed above is not of the period, please let me know. I haven't found very clear parameters for dating ties, but probably because manufactures kept using the same silks and shifting the widths and shapes over time, as well as keeping up some older or outdated cuts for a more conservative clientele.

Surrounded by clothes, costumes, accessories and so many 'entertainment' personalities everyday at work, sometimes I can't figure out what I should wear in the early morning before my call time. So finding this 1983 tome by Joanne Wallace in a thrift store in Bancroft, Ontario gave me such hope that I could finally "find my own personal style and let it shine through!"