High Toned Hankie Chic
I stumbled upon another fantastic Etsy site the other day and just received my first item. The very talented Sylvia Bittner of Hankie Chic makes these wonderful ensembles out of vintage handkerchiefs. http://www.etsy.com/shop/HankieChic?ref=seller_info_count
(Photo credit: Sylvia Bittner)
How cute and inventive is this?!! I was so intrigued by this product, I had to ask Sylvia a few questions.
1. Where did you get the idea to do this?
I got the idea for making Barbie dresses from a book, Hankie Couture, by Marsha Greenberg. I found the book while I was trolling JoAnn Fabrics a year ago. It was love at first sight. I bought the book for inspiration and then directed my husband to the nearest antique mall to stock up on hankies. Since then, I’ve made close to 100 dresses, some from patterns I’ve drafted myself (such as the outfit you purchased) and some from patterns by others or commercial vintage patterns.
2. Are you a fashion doll collector and if so, what do you collect?
I didn’t own a Barbie at the time I bought the book, but I’ve made up for it since then. I started by collecting most of the Barbie Basics dolls, and then moved on to vintage reproductions, and now Silkstones. I currently have 70 or so, but I’m thinking about downsizing and selling some of the model muse dolls on eBay and just concentrating on Silkstones, since most people seem to want to purchase clothes that fit Silkstones.
3. Where do you find these glorious handkerchiefs that you use?
I look for hankies everywhere … Antique shops, EBay, Etsy … I travel frequently instate for my job, and out of state on vacations, so I’m always looking for antique shops wherever I go. All the hankies I use are vintage and I’ve been blessed to find some really beautiful ones. You can see my entire hankie collection on my Pinterest board, pinterest.com/sylviabittner/ on the board, my vintage hankies.
I want to extend a huge “Thank You!” to Sylvia for being willing to be interviewed for the blog and for doing such amazing and creative work. I love it! And folks…these beauties aren’t just for Silkstones .
Model: High Toned Rayna
Purse: Redefined Accessory Kit by Integrity Toys
Shoes: Gift from a friend ( love ya!)
Rayna–Jet Set Diva
Yes…I know…her bump gives her a lightly cone head appearance. I like it though. Normally I don’t go for the “Snooky” bump in hairstyles but sometimes it works. I can’t say that “the bump” will stay because I have seen some stellar hair restyles of this lady ( take a look a Shuga Shug’s blog in my blogroll for pics ) and I may have to “de-bump” in the future. For now, it stays and I think she has such a haughty high fashion look as is. I love that aloof look. It’s as if she is saying “I will allow you to take my picture now”. I must say, I did not care for the original clothing she came in. I go for more of the classic clothing but I have to say the original outfit’s colors were fun and it was well made. I like her original boots…just not on her LOL! Anywhoo…it was commented recently that it would be nice to see the before pictures and then the restyle…excellent notion. Here is Ms. Rayna as she came originally.
**Picture is property of Integrity Toys**
And here is how I see her………….
Model: Fashion Royalty Rayna from Jet Set Convention Collection
Dress and coat: Bellissima Couture (http://bellissimacouturefashions.wordpress.com/)
Shoes: have no earthy idea honestly…think they are Randall Craig.
Earrings and pin: Mattel BFMC
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 