555 Inspiration : Jem and the Holograms Sure Know How to Party !!

555 Clothing and Design

LEE LEE

Everybody knows fashion is cyclical. It goes round and round and round, picking up slight silhouette changes as it goes. It was only a matter of time before our childhood fashion crimes came back to haunt us. But this time around, we are older, wiser and more confident!

This spring I'm going to embrace my love of Jem and her besties, the Holograms. Tight hot pink dress paired with pastel tights? Fuck ya! You better believe I'm going to be wearing a silver tassel belt too!

Okay wait, maybe not so much... But I'll definitly steal some hot elements from these classy broads.

It's all about neon, animal prints in non traditional colours, high boots and coloured tights.

I know we've always been told one print is enough, but that just isn't so!

Mix it up, get crazy and wear multiple prints in one outfit..It's going to be hard to break your preconceived notions, but I promise it's going to be a good time. Try to ease into it with stripes and polkadots in one look. Next time get super sassy and throw something floral into the mix.

Jem has so many bffs that there's a girl out there for everyone.. Emulate her style this spring, and I guarantee the party is never gunna stop.





I can't even begin to tell you how badly I want this bow dress!!

Oh Jem, yer so Truly Truly Truly amazing ! (okay that was cheeese)

555's Oscar Best and Worst

555 Clothing and Design

LOLA

Let's not kid, we all love to watch the Oscars and talk about what the women are wearing.

We love to see whats new, and imagine wearing it, walking down the red carpet.  Or totally bash it....

So my pick for Best Dressed has to go to Cate Blanchett

How charming!  Not only is the colour great, but the vintage feel you get with the apron type outline feel makes this dress beautiful.

A babe in anything she wears.

Worst has to go to Jennifer Lawrence, what the hell was she thinking? 

Hot pink 80’s art deco shoulders, with a black velvet bow and too much length puts you at the top of my list dear Jenny!  Don’t get me wrong the colour is great on her, but would have been a better choice to eliminate those straps and extra material would make it a winner.

(p.s what the hell was that lady in the back thinking?  Looks like she is wearing leather sandals and stole her shitty dress from her kid's 8th grade grad).

Okay, Ive lost total hope!  “Cigarettes here! get your cigarettes here!”.Chokers went out with doing heroin to be cool in the mid 90s lady, did you not get the memo?

555: Who Made Your Clothes?

 

555 Clothing and Design

RA RA

Globalized economy.  WTO. Free Trade Agreements.  This is our world system.

Maybe 50 years ago, your clothes would have been manufactured in your country, but now, more often than not, all aspects of your daily babe-piece have come from all reaches of our tiny globe.

Ok, this is a reality.  But lost in the web of transnational corps and world trade bodies are the real people.

Who made your clothes?  

You probably have absolutely no idea.  And sad but true, the country with the poorest human rights protection wins the manufacturing contract.  Don't think conditions akin to slave labour are a thing of the past!

So 555, wtf are you gonna do about it?

Introducing (drum roll pls!)...... Pi Tan!!  Real Seamstress Extraordinare!

Quiet, with an at-times biting sense of humour, Pi Tan supports her family with her small seamstress business.  

She's now an expert on fit for foreigners (we have ass n' titties!) but still likes to point at my crotch and ask me if I'm sure it's not going to fall out of my really short shorts (!)

So who made your clothes?

PI TAN!!!  

555 is big on real people and small exclusive runs for you!

555 Rocks Out With Destroylet, The Most Colourful Band Since Glam

555 Clothing and Design
Margot

This musical seed was first planted very very late on New Year's Eve--rather more like very very early in the morning of New Year's Day (2011)--when 555's Ra Ra played a wild impromptu gig with the always resplendently dressed Los Saicos in a delightfully seedy artist-run studio. They met over guitar amp, drum kit, and microphone, and it was magical. Seeing as Ra Ra promptly abandoned the snowy streets of Toronto for the sensuous heat of Thailand, Los Saicos turned to me (Margot, otherwise Monosodium Glutamate) for some guitarly gratification.

After one jam session, Los (henceforth known as Diatribe Tuberculosis) announced that we promptly need an official band name because he booked us a show. With two other bands. Uptown. In a Frozen Yogurt shop. 

Thus, Destroylet was conceived. With two other members in tow--dubbed Menacing Maple Syrup and Enlightened Child--we cruised on in to this brightly lit, family friendly establishment (which had been expecting an acoustic folk night) with stacks of amps and electric guitars aplenty, getting ready to play songs that were, let's just say, unfit for the sensitive ears of the gaggle of children waiting patiently with their yogurt while we set up. 

Destroylet did not hesitate to make an impact on the eyes, either. After a quick wardrobe change, Diatribe trooped out in my Gucci-esque zippered leather tights, a tassled tie-dye shirt, and the most amazing pentagram pendant that would have sent any goth rocker into transports of sinister delight. Enlightened Child sported the sweetest high-waisted polkadot shorts with a simple white tee (good thinking!), and that sheet black hoisery was the (yogurt) icing on the cake. I chose to go all out for this one with my 50s cherry dress, complete with tulle underskirt and all, but toned it down all modern-like with my mean shoulder-padded leather jacket. Taking it all the way to the next level was Menacing Maple Syrup, who came out in his favourite Beefheart t-shirt and reggae towel. Yep, a reggae towel.

Left to Right: Enlightened Child, Margot, Diatribe, MMS

 555 is not really sure how Destroylet will top this, but cannot wait to find out.

555 Fabric Mission: Pass or Fail?

555 Clothing and Design
RA RA


I'm tough.


Living in a foreign (non-english speaking,'developing') country ain't a piece of cake.


So when tasked with sourcing fabric for 555's Spring launch, I was up for a challenge.


The night before though, I had broken up with my ultra-shitty Thai boyfriend for the 50th time--screaming over balconies, cryin' in the street, whole bit.  


I woke up, hungover. Draggin a heavy heart.  Dreading the small crowded alley-ways of Bangkok's Sam Peng fabric market--a seething mass in 40 degree weather.  


Today was the only day I was going to be in Bangkok, so it was pass or fail, win or die trying.

oh god! which buttons????

I got to the market by 10 am. Where to start?  My bangs have already plastered to my forehead with sweat and every time someone brushes against me, I wanna punch faces. 


Get your shit together, Ra Ra, I kept coaxing myself...but how was I to pick 555 Babe Gear when I felt like a hopeless fuck head?


I found some crappy stool to sit down on, squished against some random fabric and an old lady selling dried bananas.  Almost at the point of defeat......


And then. A miracle. 


My Sharona. Starts Playing. Across the market.  





Wooooooo!!!!!!!!!  Dun na na na na na... Jump up...Dun na na na na na...do a little dance... Dun na na na na na.....Feel myself coming alive...Dun na na na na na....My Sharona!!!


555 Babe Gear here I come! Get the fuck outta my way (please).    

8 hours later, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. Proceeded to drink some beers with the lady vendors.   


Thank you THE KNACK!!


555 Spring 2011 is gonna be smokin hot.  

555 GRRL: Concetta Kirschner

555 Clothing and Design

LOLA

For 555's GRRL series, Lola's pick of HAWT insane bitches has to go to Concetta Kirschner, the bad ass behind  Princess Superstar. 

She started in 1994 and hasn't looked back.

Princess Superstar mixes hip hop and electro beats setting her bar high as a white female rapper.   She also finds the time to fly around the world to dj hott jams that will make any girl hott in the pants.

When it comes to fashion she is classic with a side of 'I don't give a fuck'.  Knowing she is a total babe, she rocks everything like her own. She is on 'the do's' 100% of the time.

Only a talented hot blonde can rock this with out looking like a total waste bag.

What a babe! mixing a classic 1930's face vale with a lace tank. 

Hipstered out! (while the term lasts), or a 13 year old emo kids wet dream.



Fun fact not only is she a talented trend setting babe she is also a vegan! 

JUICY!!!!

555 Toronto Vintage Shop: Public Butter

The Public Butter - 1290 Queen St. West, Toronto ON

555 Clothing and Design 
SHI SHI


After a meeting with the video director guy at 555 Richmond St. Toronto, HK headed over to The Cadillac Lounge for a meeting with the manager dude.  We had some time to kill between meetings so Robature III suggested we check out The Public Butter, an awesome vintage shop right beside the Cadillac on Queen St. west.

The shop was open late and there was a great big sale sign in the front window.  What more could you ask for?!


Let's see what we've got here.... Silk screened rock T's and the obligatory printed baby rocker gear placed neatly on the table near the front.  The store was studded with retro furniture including the sweet green leather sofa in the front window.

This tasseled yellow shirt and sequin encrusted blouses were priced at just under $20

Scarf Display

No self respecting vintage shop would be complete without some sweet scarves and belts.  These accessories can take a dull and drab outfit to the next level.

Belts: skinny, stretchy and studded

Skinny, stretchy and studded, all the belts were priced at $20.  There were some real charmers in this collection let me tell you.   

Buffalo Check in green, red, blue and black

All winter clothes, including fur and sheepskin coats were half off.  This lovely collection of wool buffalo check were on offer for 10 bucks a piece.  Some vintage L.L. Bean anyone?

The shop's prices were reasonable and the selection was well organized and diverse for both guys and gals.  The sale prices were definitely an incentive to pick up some cozy winter gear despite the promise of springs near arrival.  

This rocker will definitely be taking another churn at the Public Butter in the near future.

JYD

Bonus Track:  JYD takes this casual Sunday look and makes it go the distance: a buffalo check shirt paired with a carefully chosen pirate scarf.  

555 Garters, Bras and Slips: Valentines Day Styles

555 Clothing and Design
SHI SHI

The excitement of picking out the perfect pair of frilly panties, that oh so cheeky thong and matching camisole top, or demi cup bra is a very special thrill.


There is a confidence that comes from pulling up a silky thigh-high stocking and clipping on the garter.  Ouch!




Let's face it, half the fun of a romantic evening is getting all dressed up. It's all about feeling sexy and special for yourself.  


Here are a few styles to inspire the evening's activities:

If you feel like going all out--lejaby.ru

Cut out a paper heart and try that on for size!

Colourful vintage slips

Going out for drinks? How about a slip dress? You can find them at a vintage shop or even good ol' Value Village.  Layer a tank under neath, strap on a belt and you're pure sex appeal.  

Marilyn Monroe pulled it off in her 1953 movie "Niagra."  Meeting the girls for drinks never felt so sexy. 

Happy Valentine's Day Lovers
xoxo
Shi Shi

These Boots were Meant for Dusting: 555 Convo

555 Clothing and Design
LOLA


So RA RA and I were having a conversation on FB and I asked her if she saw the picture of these totally amazing boots I found in a second-hand store in Cambridge, Ontario.  

me -

see those boots!!

8:51pm

ya

8:51pm

amazing!

8:51pm

ridiculous

8:51pm

so mad i couldn't get them

the ankle was all small and shit...

broke me heart

8:52pm

hate that

so, like, should you do a post on that?

8:52pm

i was thinking about it

like how you see something you love

and before you even know it fits you already

imagine how much better yr life would be

8:53pm

YES

8:53pm

what you would do with them

where you would go with them

how much better you would feel in them

8:54pm

ahhahah

8:54pm

all to be taken away...

8:54pm

do it do it

8:54pm

so heart breaking... you think you'll never find another pair

till the next day...

and you forget about those amazing boots

haha

i think i will

8:54pm

ya do it with the boots

8:54pm

save this convo

and paste it

8:54pm

the pic is great

8:54pm

bam done

555 Girls with Guns: The Girl Who Came From Vietnam

555 Clothing and Design
RA RA


Frankly, I can't get enough of girls with guns.


So when I saw this old Thai movie poster in a bar last night, I was highly thrilled.


Uber booty shorts with a belt, little wrestling boots, leather jacket and--a gun.  


I don't know what the movie is called--cuz I'm entirely Thai illiterate--but she is The Girl Who Came From Vietnam (peak between her legs...).


Bad Ass.  


Reminded me of a poster for a party-series held in Bangkok by Zudrangma Records, Paradise Bangkok.  

555 Clothing and Design will not deny you of your desire to wield guns and booty shorts.