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Recent Entries
- Le Thrift photo session with Amanda Timm and Michael Jarecki
- Le Thrift photo session with Dean Paul
- peggy davis around town
- New Items at Le Thrift for Upcoming Fashion Show
- fresh items
- little film I made from my sister’s 30th surprise party
- Document Montage
- Recently Sold Items!
- Videos
- NEW – wrap dress & cozy sweater
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Category Archives: photo shoot
New: Blue Shimmer Dress
Posted in Chicago, Design, diy, fashion, photo shoot, recycled clothes, sew, thrift, Vintage Re-Worked
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!
There were also some photos from Le Thrift photo shoots on their FB page
Posted in Chicago, Design, Le Thrift, photo shoot, recycled clothes, thrift, Vintage Re-Worked
Tagged blog, blog feature, color block dress, le thrift, short dress, winter coat
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.
There is always at least one blooper in the photo shoot with Matilda. I believe she really likes to model.
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!
Posted in diy, fashion, Le Thrift, photo shoot, recycled clothes, sew, thrift, Vintage Re-Worked
Tagged aunt victoria, blooper, floral pink, halter top, jack russull, just make pictures, le thrift, matilda, michael, patters, racer back, triangles, twirl
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!
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!
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.
Posted in Chicago Events, Dance, Laboratory Dancers, photo shoot
Tagged bjorn kavanaugh, laboratory dancers, masquerade, Michael Jarecki
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.
Posted in Le Thrift, photo shoot, Vintage Re-Worked
Tagged chicago fashion magazine, Dean Paul
Fall has skirts and vests to layer, and fancier than a t-shirt comfort
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.
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.
The back has two black satin triangles…brings a little surprise when you turn around!
Posted in Design, diy, Peggy Davis Closet, photo shoot, recycled clothes, sew, thrift, Vintage Re-Worked
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.
Posted in Chicago, Design, diy, fashion, Peggy Davis Closet, photo shoot, recycled clothes, sew
Tagged jean dress, love dress, perfect fit, recycled clothes, stretchy jean pants
New Items for sale at Clothes Optional
Posted in Clothes Optional, Design, Peggy Davis Closet, photo shoot, recycled clothes, sew, thrift, Vintage Re-Worked
Tagged ann, blue, branch, dress, floral, mitten paw, plaid, threads, top, tunic, 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.
Posted in Chicago, Clothes Optional, cooking, Design, fashion, Le Thrift, photo shoot, recycled clothes, Vintage Re-Worked
Tagged apron, design, dress, fashion, jack russell, Lakeview, netting, purple, sheer, tank, top, Wicker Park
New items made by me.


The ‘Gumdrop Top’. Sheer bliss.
Both items are now available at Clothes Optional along with many more newbies.
Posted in Chicago, Design, fashion, photo shoot, recycled clothes, sew, Vintage Re-Worked
Tagged gundrop print, sheer top, sundress, white sunglasses, yellow dress
Humboldt Park Photo Shoot with Michael Jarecki
Posted in Bike, Chicago, fashion, photo shoot, recycled clothes, Vintage Re-Worked
Tagged bridge, Humboldt Park, maxi dress, rocks, sunny
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
Posted in Design, fashion, Peggy Davis Closet, photo shoot, recycled clothes, sew, thrift, Vintage Re-Worked
Tagged Buffalo Exchange, Khols, Park Lane, salvation army
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’.
Bjorn’s dog Doc. He really wanted to be photographed with us.
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!
Posted in Chicago Art, Chicago Events, Dance, fashion, Kate Corby & Dancers, photo shoot, recycled clothes
Tagged catch, choreography, dance company, dresses, spring
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
Posted in diy, fashion, photo shoot, recycled clothes, sew
Tagged purchase, sparkle rose, t-shirt dress, vintage re-worked
What to do with those big shirts.
Posted in diy, photo shoot, recycled clothes, sew
Tagged before and after, blue, button down dress, collar, extra large shirts, mens shirts
Office Environment Shoot
Welcome to my workspace
…stay tuned for more environmental photo shoots by Michael Jarecki and styled by Peggy Davis.
Posted in fashion, photo shoot
Tagged dress form, environmental photo shoot, fabirc, film, Michael Jarecki, polaroid
AnnT
Left photo is phase one and lack hand sewn black jewels, right photo is the finished look
Detail photos of the neckline
The finished AnnT look. Womens Size Large
Posted in fashion, photo shoot, sew
Tagged AnnT, black jewels, floral, large dress
Sweaters, Dresses, and Surgery
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.
Posted in Chicago Art, diy, fashion, photo shoot, recycled clothes, sew, vintage
Tagged black, brown, bunion, bunion surgery, crutches, dress, fabric, Godfather movies, lace, Logan Square, mod, movies, photo shoots, reading, recovery, silk, surgery, sweater, tv, vintage
























































































