Annie Briggs has a created a style that reminds me of my old Betsy Johnson patterns. With the peblum waist and the funky color combinations, her one-of-a-kind jackets and skirts are amazing.  The jacket shown above is a featured item in the AnnieBriggs Etsy Shop. Here’s what she has to say:

Cupid arrives early with this cute jacket I came up with. It features a yummy Chocolate Velvet and a dozen roses in the form of a Rich Bold Floral print polyester chemise in chocolate and various shades of pink and fuschia that will add zest to your love-life (or may even create one for you). There’s also pink chintz which is always a nice feminine, romantic touch.

Like many designers, Annie Briggs started her career early — crocheting doll house rugs and later clothes for Barbie. She prefers Pima cotton for the crochet trim and a variety of materials including silk, rayon, nylon, metallic, taffeta, brocade, and tapestry for her original designs. Be sure to visit her shop and let some of her creativity rub off on you.

I’m not much of a TV watcher so I haven’t been following Project Runway this season. But when I found out that one of my favorite Etsy designers, LeAnne Marshall, was featured at NY Fashion Week as one of the finalists I was thrilled. You can see her Spring ‘09 collection here.

You’ve probably noticed the big promotion for KMart’s Style Showoff contest. The entrants  (1) upload a photo of themselves showcasing their “style”, (2) make a style statement explaining the secrets of their style success, and (3) show it off for the judges. Four style show-offs are featured as samples meant to inspire the contest entrants.

Caroline R is one of the “show offs” and her style statement goes like this:

My sense of style is very All-American: clean and classic but with a twist! I’m not afraid of bright, fun colors or prints–I especially love pink. Usually, I put an outfit together around whatever shoe I’m wearing.

I love wearing high heels, a cute skirt or some capris pants, and a fitted top. I just add the finishing touch of a colorful purse…and voila! And don’t be surprised if that purse matches my shoes. I rock my style by adding a headband or a unique piece of jewelry that to me has special meaning.

Fashion is all about making yourself feel good. I say if you feel good wearing it, then ‘You work it!’

Maybe it’s just me, but don’t you think they could have come up with something a little more creative? Any of the hundreds of folks who’ve already put themselves out there on a street fashion photo site like Tricia Royal’s wardrobe_remix, or the Flickr Fruits site, or the new Stylemob can do much better than that.

(And, by the way, All Chic has just launched its own Community. Click on the link to the upper left to join the All Chic Closet. Post photos of what’s in your closet and what’s on your wish list. Buy sell and trade with other members. Let’s get this community off the ground. Email me with any suggestions…. cath at allchic.com….)

 I love the dropped-waist/skirt ruffle on these Betsy Johnson tops from her Alley Cat days. I always thought it was called a peblem waistline, but now I’m not sure.

 Scarlett’s Closet has a terrific reference page for fashion newbies.  Listed under “Waistline” are -

Antebellum - Dress has natural waistline that dips two inches to a point in the center front.

Basque (Bosk) - Waistline of dress is two inches below the natural waist; dipas to a point in the center front and back.

Curved Basque - Similar to Basque, though rounded at the center front. Also known as Antebellum.

Empire (Om Peer) - High waisted with short bodice. Skirt begins two or more inches above natural waist.

Peblum - Short flounce or overskirt attached at waistline.

Shirred (sherd) - Fabric is gathered to make a horizontal panel.

So I guess the Betsy Johnson waistline would be Curved Basque with a peblum.

But what I didn’t know is that the word peblum has an entirely different meaning. According to RocketJones -

Peblum, literally, is the short skirt worn by ancient gladiators, but it’s also used to describe a genre of movies. Although generically it refers to any heroic fantasy movie set in ancient times (Hercules, Atlas, Jason, etc.), specifically the term applies to the movies made in Italy during the 50’s and 60’s.

(Gladiator photo from IMDB)