Category Archives: photo shoot

New: Blue Shimmer Dress

How did I miss this?!

Recently realized that Le Thrift has a facebook page and a blog! AND they posted a little bit from the Peggy Davis site/blog!

Le Thrift blog!

There were also some photos from Le Thrift photo shoots on their FB page

 

new reupholstered looks : one for winter , one for spring/summer

Triangular Patter Dress - sleeves came from a tank top that was sewn into a blouse I thrifed, the bodice material came from a high necked 3/4 sleeve top from a clothing swap, the skirt came from a thirfted skirt.

Triangular Pattern Dress

Triangular Patter Dress - look at that twirl!

Tori Racer Back Halter Top - Pink/Floral made from a dress donated by my Aunt Victoria. Thanks!

Tori Racer Back Halter Top - Pink/Floral

There is always at least one blooper in the photo shoot with Matilda. I believe she really likes to model.

Blooper!

 

A big thank you to Michael for photographing this series. It’s so much fun getting to work with him :)

The Triangular Pattern Dress is now for sale at Le Thrift!

the Lynn Black Velvet Dress & the Barbara Pearl Coat

The material came from a skirt my mom's friend and co-worker donated to the reupholster collection. It has transformed into a great night out dress and pairs well with a belt. Thanks Lynn!

The wool coat shell was once almost ankle length and rather boring, it's been hanging around for many years. I chopped a good 5 inches or more off, added vintage buttons, and added a real fur collar. The fur was originally on a suit my sister's boyfriends mom, Babara, donated to the reupholster collection. The suit traveled home with me after our recent visit to the east coast and will be reupholstered into something new soon! Thanks Barbara!

love my jack russell!

 

Really excited about these new looks and even more excited that Michael photographed! Love the blown out spotlight look we’ve been working with for our past couple shoots.

During one of the shots Matilda ran in… blooper!

Blooper!

 

 


Dance Department – Laboratory Dancers

Laboratory Dancers is getting ready for our biggest season. We are at the beginning stages planning our next big show in April. Rehearsals are in full swing, minus holidays, and it feels great to dance with my company again. Last year I had to “stand in the wings” which is our way of saying not dancing with the company. My year of surgery and recovery is in the past and it’s been a long time since I’ve performed in our annual big show.

The night before Thanksgiving we had rehearsal which led into a photoshoot with the talented Bjorn Kavanaugh.













Laboratory Dancers is also having a masquerade party this Saturday! Having trouble picking out a winning party dress. We’ll be making personalized masquerade masks for guests, plus music and dance performances and raffle prizes. Michael is donating one of my favorite street photography photos to the raffle. Should be a fun filled evening.

Facebook Event Page

 

 


 

 

Photos from shoot with Le Thrift

so I don’t have any of the details about the magazine yet, but I will update as soon as I do.

These photos are from a shoot for a new Chicago fashion magazine coming out soon. The top featured in the photos is a Peggy Davis original and is currently being sold at Le Thrift.

Photographer: Dean Paul Stylist: Joshua (not sure of last name yet)

Photographer: Dean Paul Stylist: Joshua

Photographer: Dean Paul Stylist: Joshua

New Looks — Photographed by MJ

Block Sweater Dress

Block Sweater Dress

Block Sweater Dress

Structure Dress

Structure Dress

Structure Tie Top

Structure Vest over Structure Dress

Structure Vest

So thankful MJ helped me out with this shoot. He is talented at getting the lighting just right.  I enjoyed just getting to play model/stylist, and not having to jump in back of the camera. So thankful for that man, he also made me perfect cheesy scrambled eggs right before our shoot :)

The “Structure” series comes from this beautiful dark textured fabric my mom passed on to me. It makes me think structure because it has an urban city feel to it and yet the fabric does stretch a little and hug the body, the garments still have their own structure that comes through. The maroon fabric I used for the neck, bow, back, and sleeves came from the reverse fabric from a bridesmaid shawl. The black boots were passed on to me from my girl Erica when she moved to Boulder, CO.

The Block Sweater Dress is a new love of mine. I made it a size or two bigger so it doesn’t quiet hug my body in the way I envision. The material stretches to adjust. I love the asymmetrical color blocking. The turquoise fabric came from a cardigan that belonged to my mom. The mustard fabric is actually the reverse plaid fabric from a shrug top. The trim on the arms and hem came from a shirt that used to belong to my dad.

I am extremely excited to announce that Peggy Davis will be featured in a fashion show! Saturday, November 12 @ Beauty Bar in Chicago. More details to follow. But this weekend is the casting call for models, hopefully they will inspire me about what pieces to have walk the runway. I don’t know how I will edit down to only 6 looks! ekk!

Two of my pieces at Le Trift will be showing up in a Chicago fashion magazine soon! Can’t wait to share the photos.

Fall has skirts and vests to layer, and fancier than a t-shirt comfort

T-Shirt Fancy

Midnight Panel Vest - Front

Midnight Panel Vest - Back

Lace Over Skirt

This “over skirt” is meant to be layered over dresses and skirts to bring new texture and dynamic to clothes you already have. Totally inspired by a dress my Portland home girl wore to Friendsgiving last year.

Day After BDay Dress/Top

I literally made this the day after my birthday this week. MJ took me to the Frank Lloyd Wright house and studio in Oak Park, it might have influenced my creative juices.
This “dress/top” can be long enough as a dress for some… but for those of us with long torsos it can easily transition over pants.

Day After BDay Dress/Top - Back

The back has two black satin triangles…brings a little surprise when you turn around!

Day After BDay Dress/Top

the m&m love-dress jean-dress

the “m&m love-dress jean-dress”
constructed from jean scraps from pants Michael and I either turned into scraps or scrapped all together. I call it our “love dress” because it’s made from a little bit of each other.
the top bodice is constructed from a black stretchy denim jean pant I believe I bought from Express many moons ago.
there are two different gray denim scraps, that both came from Michael’s pants, which I used for the skirt section.
the design is rather simple, but it fits like a glove and is made completely from scraps so I had a very limited amount of eat jean color.
the side zipper is something I’m starting to play with more and I like the way it added a small block of color and went with the a-symmetrical lines.

the yellow apron is another new recent making of mine. everything I make goes right to the stores, I rarely hang onto or make something just for myself. I made this yellow apron for keeps. It’s perfect.

New Items for sale at Clothes Optional

Mitten Paw Tunic

Ann T Dress

Black & Purple Shirt

Branch Out Top

Side vies of Threads Vest

Back view Threads Vest

 

 

 

New Work… in a new store.

Peggy Davis Designs has branched out!

There are now TWO Chicago locations to find Peggy Davis.
Clothes Optional located in Lakeview, at 2918 N Clark, has been a home for Peggy Davis for about two years now.
Le Thrift is a new edition! Located in Wicker Park at 1754 W Division.
I started the new store off with 10 brand new designs!Here are 8 of the 10 hot off the press designs. I can’t believe how much I got done in 4 work days. Whew!

Bare with me, I shot these all myself.

Sheer Bliss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Racer Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floral Tori Tank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Netting Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Line Dress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dottie Blouse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bright Lights Dress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cooking Apron

New items made by me.

The ‘CC’ Sun Dress.

The ‘Gumdrop Top’. Sheer bliss.

Sheer bliss.

Both items are now available at Clothes Optional along with many more newbies.

Humboldt Park Photo Shoot with Michael Jarecki

 

 

 

 

 

New Peggy Davis ‘Vintage Re-worked’ items

Two recently finished items…

Black & Blue Collar Dress
&
Tori Floral Explosions Dress

Both dresses are part of the Vintage Re-Worked collection and are made from a combination of my own materials, vintage bought items, and resale items.

green tennis shoes, black heels, gold tassel necklace – Salvation Army
black belt – Khols
leopard earrings – Buffalo Exchange
blue & white necklace (featured in 3rd photo) – gift from cousin
gold oval earrings – Park Lane
floral broach – gift from Betty Blurr

Laboratory Dancers photo shoot – Kate Corby & Dancers performance

A few weeks ago Laboratory Dancers had a photo shoot with our dear friend Bjorn at his amazing space – 1804.

I brought a ton of clothing options for our spring themed shoot. The photo shoot was a blast. After our more ‘formal’ photos we put Whitney Houston, Mirah Carey, Salt n Pepper, and Destiny’s Child to spice things up and get in dance party mode. The photos produced from the dance party segment really show the personality of our company. I of coarse went into the photo shoot saying I wasn’t going to participate due to my foot recovery. But no one can resist dancing with these girls, I just did some ‘mini motions’.

Haley & Ally

Lisa & Anna

Bjorn’s dog Doc. He really wanted to be photographed with us.

Spring Dance #1

Spring Dance #2

FAVORITE – Spring Dance #3

So pleased that every outfit in this final photo was brought in by me, and 3 of them are part of my Vintage Re-worked collection. My closet is becoming a collection of clothes I am drawn to, maybe no to wear, but to rent out for dancing, photo shoots, and fun. Moments like these make me smile knowing we are paving the way for ourselves. The company started at the ground having only one evening length performance in a year. Now we are aiming for 3 big performances a year and sprinkles of just as important performances at bars and festivals. This May we will be teaching classes at two different studios in Chicago! We’ve come a long way baby.

Bjorn is a great friend and photographer. Laboratory Dancers is very lucky to have him part of our team!

In other new…
Next weekend is ‘Catch’. An evening of 4 pieces choreographed by Kate Corby, performed by her beautiful dancers. There is an original sound score and costumes by me!

 

Recent Makings, Recent Findings

‘Ricky Dress’ – blue linen t-shirt dress
Made by Peggy Davis.
For purchase.

‘Sparkle Rose Dress’
Found by Peggy Davis
For rent or purchase

‘ON Ruffles Dress’
Found by Peggy Davis
For purchase

‘Magda Shirt’ – purple, with removable ruffle collar
Found by Peggy Davis
For purchase

What to do with those big shirts.

When life hands you an over-sized mens shirt… make a dress.

Before

After

Office Environment Shoot

Polariod #1

Polaroid #2

Polariod #3

Welcome to my workspace

…stay tuned for more environmental photo shoots by Michael Jarecki and styled by Peggy Davis.

AnnT

AnnT

Left photo is phase one and lack hand sewn black jewels, right photo is the finished look

AnnT

Detail photos of the neckline

AnnT

The finished AnnT look. Womens Size Large

Sweaters, Dresses, and Surgery

Dina Black Sweater with Lace - Womens Size Large

Dina Brown Black and Lace Dress - Womens Size Small

Mod Silk and Stretch Dress Womens Size Small

It’s going to be a while before I can get back into my Logan Square studio and let the creative juices flow. I had my final bunion surgery Friday evening. This recovery will give my hands and machine a much needed break. But even as I crutch around I can’t help but think of all the fabric and vintage items waiting in my office for me. This recovery break is a good chance for research and inspiration by watching movies, tv, and reading. Many of my old fashion design books from school are still at my parents house (where I’m recovering) and I plan to brush up my fabric and textile knowledge.

This recovery already seems more painful than the right foot was back in September. The surgery itself felt longer and more drawn out. It was supposed to start at 2:45 but due to a patient back up, I was pushed back to 4:15, of coarse they don’t tell you this until you actually get there. I hadn’t eaten since 8:30 am and was starving in the “holding cell” waiting to get in the surgical room. I remember trying to keep my eyes open as long as I could while laying on the operating table and thinking it seemed like there were too many people in the room for one little bunion surgery. When I finally came to, the whole thing was over and there was a slipper cast on my left foot and I was in terrible pain. The surgery and cast wrapping took long and the medicine they pumped through my hand was wearing off fast. One of the Dr.s put a shot in my leg he said would help with the pain and shortly after the shot a nurse gave me an early vicodin. It was like living in a glimpse because it felt like no time had passed, but really the day was almost over and I had no memory of where it went.

My ankle is black and blue and swollen. It’s extremely difficult to sleep with one leg lifted up on 3 pillows. But the worst part is over and I no longer have the thought of surgery hovering over my head. Which feels pretty great. My right foot, which was operated on in September, already feels 1 million times better. When I wore heels to a wedding last month my right foot surprisingly didn’t hurt for hours but the left bunion was throbbing within an hour of putting on the high heels. They weren’t event that high!!

I guess some Dr.s do both feet at once, but my Dr. refused to to operate that way and I’m actually thankful now. I couldn’t imagine not being able to at least crutch around and feel some type of dignity and independence.

So far I have worked on a lot of photos from some of my photo shoots and watched Godfather I & II. I’m really into the new 4 image/collage layout. I like being able to include detailed shots next to full image shots and have it viewed as one image alone. I’m still learning so much about photoshop and figuring out what the different filters, erasers, and buttons do.

I actually really enjoy the Godfather movies. The first two are the best and most interesting, I like seeing a young Al Pacino and Diane Keaton too. I’m not fond of any recent movies with Diane Keaton, but I think she is good in the Godfather movies and after watching them I want to see Annie Hall again. I’ll have to add that to my movie list.