" I am not young but I feel young. The day I feel old, I will go to bed and stay there. J'aime la vie! I feel that to live is a wonderful thing. "

" I am not young but I feel young. The day I feel old, I will go to bed and stay there. J'aime la vie! I feel that to live is a wonderful thing. " 

Coco Chanel

Kara and I have been working on a collection of rice rafferty hair adornments and accessories.  Kara did a photo shoot of our new bridal veils, head pieces with and without bird cage veils, feather fascinators, head bands and communion veils.
http://kararice.blogspot.com/2011/03/rice-rafferty-white-birdcage-veils.html

Hats were a normal accessory when I was a young girl as it was mandatory to wear a hat before entering into a Catholic Church.  I had seen the nuns drop a dirty dust cloth on my peers who neglected to bring a hat to wear to the weekday school mass.   No dirty cloths for me.

 My mother worked for years as the Head of the Coat and Dress Department for Lerner Dress Shop in downtown Pittsburgh.

" Lerner Shops was founded in 1918 by Samuel A. Lerner and Harold M Lane in NYC. The Company was acquired in the 1960's by Rapid-American, a holding company. In 1985 it was purchased by the Limited, Inc. and when sold in 2002 it was operated as Lerner New York and New York & Company. "

Fashion and style is in my blood. My mother who looked like a composite of Marilyn Monroe and Doris Day had the most wonderful collection of stylish hats.  My eyes danced as I squealed with delight every time she carefully lifted down her hat boxes, untied the ribbons on  the lids, slowly pulled open the tissue like a flower blooming in the garden to reveal another wonderful HAT ;~)

  Wearing a head piece always makes me feel special .

Lovely Chapeau hair adornments can be made with or without bird cage veils because it is important to feel special as often as you wish ;~)

                                             Why should brides have all the fun ?

In the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, women used to express their femininity through waves and curls that represented the perfect “accessory” for the curvy and sexy silhouettes they had and which were considered as being so hot.

Chapeau stylish from all angles with bead adornment.



Retro means classic beauty and ultimate femininity.



Not quiet ready to add the bird cage veil yet don't want to miss out on the fun ;~)



Beautiful Moire, watery silk look, plays with the lights
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moire_(fabric)





Remember you're never fully dressed without a smile ;~)



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http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/rice-rafferty/203899441756?sk=app_169505045786

Feel free to contact us for more information or questions about custom made work.

"A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend." ~Author Unknown

ricerafferty is a cottage industry conceived by mother and daughter indie designers.  Our style is nouveaux antique - new items that are meant to resemble treasures you may find in your grandmother's bureau.

A small business of women focusing on accessories for women we formed out of our dissatisfaction with inexpensive, commercial items that are poorly constructed. We create one of a kind accessories made from our own hand dyed fabric and up cycled materials. No two pieces are alike, but we can try to make items similar if you request more than one.

Our items are meant to last so you can have treasures to pass down to your family members. We make bib/statement necklaces, devore scarves, hair accessories, and tulle accessories. We thrive on experimentation and unconventional ways of making things. Our line is continually blossoming and new items are posted to our website regularly so check back soon.

http://www.ricerafferty.com/

"Deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child"
The Warrior is a Child by Twila Paris
lyrics http://www.gagirl.com/misc/warrior.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tu0vJg3RSA

One of my favorite places to go when I am in New York City is of course the Metropolitan Museum of Art. One of my favorite exhibits at the Met are the rooms dedicated to the Knights in Armor. I love the intricate patterns carved into the metal with the care and delicacy of a fine textile.
When I was in a 1750's French and Indian War reenactment group in Pittsburgh, Captain William Trent Company, I studied the historical garments while I made the reenactment clothing for my family.
http://www.metmuseum.org/special/Armored_Horse_in_Europe/1.r.htm

One particular element on a suit of armor that interests me most is a gorget.
"Most Medieval versions of gorgets were simple neck protectors that were worn under the breastplate and back plate set. These neck plates supported the weight of the armour worn over it, and many were equipped with straps for attaching the heavier armour plates.
Later, Renaissance gorgets were not worn with a breastplate but instead were worn over the clothing. Most gorgets of this period were beautifully etched, gilt, engraved, chased, embossed, or enamelled and probably very expensive."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorget

The newest rice rafferty creation of wearable art is a series of women necklace or adornments inspired by the knights gorget. Nouveaux Antique Necklace- gorget style adornment made of 100 % silk charmeuse handcrafted floral shaped elements embellished with vintage jewelry, beads and lace. These Necklaces look great as a room decor as well as to embellish your body.

"During the 18th and early 19th centuries, crescent-shaped gorgets of silver or silver gilt were worn by officers in most European armies, both as a badge of rank and an indication that they were on duty. These last survivals of armour were much smaller (usually about three to four inches in width) than their Medieval predecessors and were suspended by chains or ribbons."

This feminine gorget shows your rank and will definitely draw attention that you are on duty. Consider yourself warned, don't wear this neck adornment if you want to go unnoticed.

visit us on facebook @ http://www.facebook.com//profile.php?v=feed&story_fbid=261631097127&id=733985197#/pages/rice-rafferty/203899441756?ref=ts

this neck adornment along with other handmade items are available @
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ricerafferty

Thank you for the many nice comments & feedback on our merchandise ;~)