jvonstratton

Oops!

Sun, 29 Oct 2006 23:18:32 GMT

Just an F.Y.I Everyone...I rarely post to this journal. I'll try more now, but if you leave me a comment or a message, and I don't get back to you, it's because I'm livejournal illiterate...

*Please read more about the benefit below.
Thanks!

Boobies for Boobies: A Breast Cancer Benefit

Sun, 29 Oct 2006 23:13:45 GMT

Hello!

Yes, I know, it's been a while. I'm a busy gal. In fact recently I've been working on a fund raiser for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. So mark your calendars, Sunday November 26th, The Chop Suey: Seattle, WA: 9pm :Cost TBA

Many of my fellow burlesque and cabaret performers have donated a performance for the nights entertainment. Also, we will have deliciously fabulous auctioned items from The Boob Lady (www.myspace.com/thebooblady), and custom hand towels by Kathy Steig Decor (www.kathysteig.com)

A full line-up will be coming soon.

So the big deal on everyone's lips, is the AWESOME event logo designed by Kryztof at www.charm-school.com. This design will be printed on shirts and sold at the show. Now, they are available on-line, but in a limited run. The shirts are black, and come in men and women's sizes. They are $20 (which includes shipping).

Please contact me for ordering information via my email: jvonstratton (at) gmail (dot) com

*Please remember ALL proceeds from this event and the sale of the t-shirts go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

From Three Imaginary Girls.com :Part 3

Wed, 19 Jul 2006 23:55:52 GMT

And that's all she wrote:

Episode One: Dress for Success at the Burlesque

Fashion Do's by Agent X -- X Marks the Spot! So, agree with it or not, these gals are a definite fashion DO. I found these lovely ladies in the audience of a burlesque show in town. Nothing screams "Fashion Do" like dressing up as whatever show it is your attending. Though it's best when served with utter conviction, and a hint of irony on the side. (Example: extreme KISS and Star Wars fans.) Now, we might not all be able to pull off wearing our under garments next time we attend one of our favorite burlesque troupes, but here are some helpful hints just in case.

One, buy a pair of undies that you might wear as bathing suit bottoms. (low-rise boy shorts are the best). If you have time, hot-glue sparkles and fringe all over them. You wont feel so naked if you blind people with all the rhinestones you’ve added. Two, and this is important: Dancer's Tights. It's like wearing a pair of flesh colored spandex; they hold it all in. If you're still hesitant, wear two pairs! Dancer’s tights are available at dance supply stores everywhere, and run about $12-20 bucks. Three, wigs. Put a wig on, then your chances of being recognized are lessened.

See, in the end, you're actually more covered up than you would be had you just worn a skirt and tank top, huh? Lastly, have fun. Going out and having a blast can be done in any attire. Whether you are dressed in underwear or a radiation suit, wear it like you OWN it. In the words of Malcolm Forbes:

"People who never get carried away, should be."

From Three Imaginary Girls.com: Part 2

Wed, 19 Jul 2006 23:54:12 GMT

And here's the other:

Episode Two: Summertime BBQ

Fashion Do's by Agent X -- X Marks the Spot! So I was at this BBQ , partaking of some beer and sun (what little we had anyway), when I saw this major fashion 'Do.' I can precisely say that originally this guy was noticed for his girly pink glasses, and his ultimately NON-girly attire (oxymoron anyone?). Then it became apparent that he was just as concerned with the height of his hair, as with his ability to bite a beer, and down it faster than anyone else. I loved it!

I am not condoning ruckus drinking (well...maybe a little), but I am giving the nod to anyone who has a 'look' and cares to maintain it, and at the same time is not so high maintenance that they cannot do a keg-stand, or jump in the pool with their clothes on if they feel like it. Don't worry about that Donna Karen top; it can be dry-cleaned, so go ahead and start that food-fight. Trust me, the memories of finding Lemon Meringue pie encrusted in your ear the next day, will be worth more than that shirt ever was.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." -- Soren Aabye Kierkegaard

From Three Imaginary Girls.com

Wed, 19 Jul 2006 23:51:06 GMT

Yup...last year I wrote a few small columns for them, entitled:
Fashion Do's and Don'ts

Here they are:
If there is one thing I love about living in a western culture, is creativity being encouraged and openly practiced everyday! (Some places more than others mind you, but you get my point.) Of course, there are many other pros to living in a western society, but this is a fashion column, so we wont go there.

One thing is for sure, people everywhere like to buy the newest fashions, gadgets, music, you name it. Focusing on fashion, some lucky individuals are blessed with the ability to revamp the old, and make it the new must-have item for your wardrobe. (Coincidentally, these lucky cats sure seem to have more drinking money.) Now, we can all get crafty and go this route, but some are just more talented in certain departments. Sure, I can make undies out of old t-shirts, but ask me what the Pythagorean Theorem is again? Although it's good to remember that anything we lack in understanding can be learned with a little practice.

So that takes me to this fine example of fashion expression. I found this cute little Betty at Red Light on Broadway. I was instantly inspired by her retro-flapper glamour. Call me a sucker for sparkles (and any who know me can attest to that), but I loved her sequin adorned waist belt. Then to the good fortune of this column, she told me she'd fashioned it herself from an old Christmas tree skirt…Whoa…that kicks-ass! Sure, she was blessed to begin with; her X-Mas tree must have been awesome with that skirting. Most of us had to suffer the red and green felt Rudolph embroidered version (which I highly recommend turning into a waist-belt, but you have to send me pictures).

This is a prime example of what a little imagination, time, and effort can give you. Now lets all go and make Fall blazers out of Grandma's placemats!…oh, and do some Algebra too…

Pythagorean Theorem:
In algebraic terms, a2 + b2 = c2 where c is the hypotenuse while a and b are the sides of the triangle.

My Website

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 20:17:38 GMT

Visit it!
www.jamiestratton.com

Project Runway Season Three

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 15:34:10 GMT

For those of you how have not read this yet. My Casting Call experience:
Hello Kiddies!
So, I just got home from my lovely weekend in L.A. Never been there before, so it was an experience to say the least. I've, for one, found that Seattle drivers are much more resistant to driving well. So, the casting call for season three Project Runway was the catalyst for this spendy mini Vacation. I'll start from the beginning....

I arrive on St. Patty's Day. Of course my brother and his wife live in Dublin, so I wished I was there, but luckily Tilde has some friend from back home in L.A. Though I was invited to a St. Patty's Day party with them, my need to get up and start standing in line at 7 am made decide against going. Wait, no worries, I decided that getting drunk in my hotel room was a better idea!So then I decided to parooze (sp?) around the hood that the lovely Travelodge I was at held fort...Well, much to my amuzement, I found a sign with this dudes name on it. I had a good laugh. It may not be spelled right, and if you don't know what a murkin is I suggest you look it up.O.K, O.K...now for the important stuff
The day of the casting:
So, I headed to the Hyatt down the street which was hosting the casting, at about 7 that morning. Yes, hauling my rolling suitcase through the constrution zone in heels and a dress at 7, real glamorous. When I get there I find a forming line, though not to big yet. I hop on in, and imediately say hello to my new line-mates. I figured there may be some pretention between line-standers, but these folks were great. We formed a little squad, though the name may be still up in the air. I think most people figured everyone was in the same boat. The real absurdity of the situation needs to be remembered here: We were all there to stand in front of people we don't know and be judged based on what we create out of our heads...I mean really, and it is just clothing. So, with that in mind, I tried to not take everything so seriously. And besides, I'm confident in what I do, I do this for a living, so I already have the dream people want. Nothing could get me down. Really.
So, here are some peeps in line...will one of these be America's Next Big Fashion Designer?So, we're all just shooting the shit, and hanging out. One fella, Jude, happened to be at the casting the previous season, so he was good for a bit of insight there. The thing about this whole mess, was that it brought all types of people together. Jude studied design in St. Petersburg Russia, and had a sucessful business in San Fran making classic designs, another designer (Ross) was a costumer in Cali. Ross was a big fella in a kilt. I loved it! So, as we were wondering who the judge from last season would be, a commotion in the line prooved that Sanitno himself would be there. People started freaking out. Weird...o.k, so I snapped his pic like a tourist, but had to show you some celebrity here o.k ;-)He's actually quite good-looking in real life. So, as it goes, we moved up the line. So on, So forth. We noticed one of the shows producers comming down the line and interveiwing people. They grabbed Jude and I, so we both got some camera footage shot of us. The usual interveiw ?'s. Blah Blah. As we continued to stand around, this lovely gal recongized me from my old shop up here in Seattle. She was here to try out too! Awesome, more Seattle Represent! She actually asked me to come back and model for her if I got done soon (which I should have, mind you, one regret).
So, we finally made it to the front of the line. They were taking groups of 5. Our little squad was together still so WooHoo. Another of the shows producers was interveiwing people. She got me, and we did a little chat on camera. I showed her the cool dance costume I'd made out of my mothers wedding dress form 1972. Yes, I'd dyed it, and completely rearranged it to be a rhinestoned dance costume. She said it was very innovative, and also commented on the cute dress I was wearing. Actually, she wasn't the only one who had that day. (This is muy importante for later). And as the camera's moved on the interview another hopefull, she actually chatted with me a bit more about how cute the dress was (just a simple vintage style dress) Here it is:Alright, so we get ushered into another waiting room downstairs, where people are waiting to be called out by numbers. Chatting with Jude, I show him my portfolio, and he says " I wouldn't be suprized if you got it". Awe, this means a lot, cuz our two styles were very different. Cute. So, it's finally my turn. I step outside to be mic'd. The cute guy has to attach the mic to my undies! At least I worn my Betsey Johnson ones that day! And so, here goes....
Weird, there are about 25 people in the room. Lighting and cameras everywhere, and there, sitting in the front of the room set up like "gods" are Santino, Tim Gunn, the head producer, and some chick from ELLE. I say Hello, and Tim proceeds to ask me some usual ?'s. I notice that the panel seems unable to smile (Sans Santino, who just seems to be listening) Uh...wait...I became aware that I couldn't get a kind look from them if I'd come into the room holding a basket of puppies and rainbows...Hello...is this thing on? They had sticks so far up there asses I was suprised they could sit properly.
Ok, Ok, the absurdity hit me, and I realized that they were acting so pretentious, that it was just that, an act. Of course they have to be intimidating. Alright. So, I show them two of my more wearable creations (hopeing to save the dance costume for the big finale). I also wanted to show them that I can get away from the costume aspect of what I do. In fact, I wasn't planning to be "in" for this show, but I though my downfall would be that I was too costumy...Then it Happend:

Tim looks at me and says, "Jamie, did you make the dress your wearing" (yes) "Well, it baffles me." (O.K? explain) "It's just so...vanilla".

Huh...did Tim Gunn just call one of my designs "Vanilla"?
AWESOME! O.k, I know it wasn't a good thing, but I never in my life would have though anyone would describe something I'd made as "Vanilla". I think after that, all bets were off. Nothing I could have said or done would have gotten me in. Not my Swarovski rhinestoned costume, not my futuristic houswife dress with matching hand bag, not even my Hand Sewn portfolio (yes, that's right)...nope, over. With three resounding "NO'S". In fact, the only person who seemed to possibly undertand my design stand point was Santino. He was the only one to look me in the eye, and say "Thank You Jamie"...well, I might have read into it, but it seemd like a sympathetic look. Course, he does travel in the same circles as I do, so you know, my kinda people.

Ding Ding, I think that's the dinner bell, cuz Tim Gunn just served my ass to me on a silver platter. Oh, but how I have the BEST new catch phrase.
"J. Von Stratton designs. "...vanilla...baffling..."-Tim Gunn"
I love it. Tee-shirts comming soon! I'm sure the look on my face as he said that was priceless! And as I left the room, I passed the gal who confessed her liking of that very dress. You be the judge:Simple, sure, boring, o.k, but will tons of girls buy and wear this...yup. Ching$ Ching$. So, I sauntered home (and forgot about modeling for the other gal, argh), got in my rental car and drove to the beach. That night I went out with my gay boyfriends to a birthday party. They righfully nick-named me "Vanilla", and we got wasted and sang kareoke all night! I'm Smoking! Ha Ha...Hey maybe my new Drag name should be Vanilla Baffles...Oh my god, I love it! Thanks again Tim :-)

Ah, so the weekend is over. I realize the world is my playground (even if your driving to the airport and get lost in the ghetto...oops!)

Mt. Rainer...I squish you!

Birthday's All Around

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 17:29:47 GMT

So every year, around this time, I realize that one year has past since I've gathered my friends to celebrate something VERY important...ME! Ha ha, o.k, I'm not that egotistical. The past three years though, around my Birthday, I'm always so busy, I can never really throw the all-out bash I'd like to. Yet, still somehow a party gets made. It's because I have some of the most wonderful family and friends a girl could ask for. I don't need a live band, three tier birthday cake, or 50 expensive presents....no, I just need my people, boozing it up, and everyone has a smile on their face.
This year will be no different, in fact, I plan on being the party, cake, and present...which will all get hot-glued up into the best Birthday Headdress EVER! (Now how am I going to attach the GhettoBlaster?)

June is a big Birthday Month...My mom's, my good friend Kindra, Ian, Paula Abdul, and of course, my partner in crime since High School, Tara. (Whom of which we've celebrated every year together since...what are we going to do on our 30th my dear, that's a big one!)
Not to mention it's Father's Day to Boot! That's a lot of gift and card buying!

But you know what June Birthday's really mean...That all of our parent's were doing it around the same time!

Happy Birthday!

Strangers With Candy

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 09:48:18 GMT

Yum...It's funny. The one liners are such a treat. bring your notebooks so you can right them down...good comebacks for later!

I really do Feel like Doogie

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 01:45:15 GMT

...Doogie Howser M.D that is...yes, I recently saw on VH1 that they are crediting Doogie Howser as being the first official computer Blogger. Yup, it's about right now, as I sit to write an actual entry, that I feel like it's the end of my half hour sitcom, and I'll recap the highlights.

Life, of course, is not a sitcom. Though some believe that creating drama like it is one, is important to their daily life. Hell, I guess with out those certain people, daily life might get a little boring...oh wait a minute, have you read a newspaper recently? Nevermind, things are very extreme. It's a bit overwhelming, and as I write this I wonder; Would my time be better spent working a little longer today, so I can make a little more money to donate to my favorite cause?

O.K off the soap-box...but this is MY blog, so I may rant a little sometimes.

So What is this going to be, J. Von?
I started this blog to share with fans and friends all the little things I find interesting. Mostly you'll find entries about fashion, performance, general fabulousness...or whatever else I think of that might entertain the vast recesses of the internet. Nothing too personal mind you, so if you're one of those people, you can go...because you wont find any perversions or personal information here.

We'll start off with a fun picture!

This is Murasaki Baby Doll. They are a burlesque group from Japan, which I recently had the privlage of meeting and performing with in Las Vegas. They are the cutest bunch of gals, with wild dance moves, and well...it's just so completely Japanese. (If you've ever seen any Japanese films, you might know what I mean.) I love them.

Alright, so I think that's my random entry. Have a lovely day!

Here I am

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 20:58:58 GMT

My first Blog entry. I'm really a true internet geek now ;-)
Keep checking back here for more updates about fashion, performance, costuming, and general fabulousness!