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When Little Red Riding Hood Meets Dark Pinup

Posted by Pam Pfeifer on

The combination between a bright and cheery Disney princess with the contrast of something so dramatic and simple as the color black and textured fabric was really a draw to me when pulling this look together for the photoshoot with Cardinal White Photography.

I've been told a number of times how much I resemble Snow White, especially with my currently dark hair. Now just change it up with a black dress and red lined capelet, and suddenly I'm Little Red Riding Hood, though that wasn't necessarily my goal when designing and sewing these pieces.

Dark Pinup fantasy dress by PMdesigns by Pamela Marie available at Hollyville

Dark Pinup fantasy dress by PMdesigns by Pamela Marie available at Hollyville     Dark Pinup fantasy dress by PMdesigns by Pamela Marie available at Hollyville
I often get inspired just by seeing the fabric, first. As soon as I saw this black flocked velvet jean fabric, I thought it would make a beautiful dress, and that the cotton velveteen would look lovely as a guard at the hem of the dress. I went with a classic but subtle sweetheart neckline, a slightly longer puff sleeve, and I always like to incorporate some deep hidden pockets within the full skirt when the design allows for it.
I deliberately made this dress to fit big on me to have a better chance at fitting my other customers at Hollyville, so it fits more like a 36" bust and 30" waist. (I had it pinned at the back just during the photoshoot.)
Dark Pinup fantasy dress by PMdesigns by Pamela Marie available at Hollyville

Only weeks after making the dress, I had some extra scrap wool fabric that seemed to be just enough to try making a women's capelet from. Soon, I was cutting it out, not from a pattern, but just from laying it out and drafting a simple circle pattern with corresponding hood. I really wanted to use a deep, rich color to line it with, and decided upon a wine colored silk that I had ordered. Naturally, I thought this capelet would look fantastic paired with the dress I just made, so I also bordered the edges with the same black cotton velveteen as I did with the dress. 

Pinup fantasy Little Red Riding Hood cape by PMdesigns by Pamela Marie available at Hollyville
After seeing the look come together, I knew that the wine colored crinoline along with the rose crown by Shazam would make the perfect accessories to pull the look together, and definitely gives me some serious Once Upon a Time vibes. You can even find the black leather ankle boots I'm wearing at Hollyville.
Dark Pinup fantasy Little Red Riding Hood dress and cape by PMdesigns by Pamela Marie available at Hollyville
Dark Pinup fantasy Little Red Riding Hood dress and cape by PMdesigns by Pamela Marie available at Hollyville
Of course, I also need to give some shout outs to a couple of people that I've been inspired by. Recently I've been admiring styles that I've adored made by Corsetry Romance and other styles that I've seen on one of the other pinup models that I love to follow on Instagram, Charlotte @rragtime_cat So huge thanks to them for sharing similar interests, whether it being a "dark pinup" or more of a historical background. 

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