The Story...

Behind Jacket No.3 for Alan Lee.

If I had to sum it up in 3 words or less, it would be, "what a whirlwind!!" of an experience!! Alan always seems to challenge me, not only my creativity, but also with time constraints. But that is what I love about the guy the most. He challenges me; as a designer, and a business woman. I have grown so much because of him. Ok, back to telling the story....

Alan being the fantastic artist he is, came up with a super idea for a jacket that incorporated the tooling art of leather artisan Pascal from Riff Raff Leather, and my craftswomanship. Of course I jumped at the opportunity to work with the "boot maker to the stars" even though I knew that with what time we had, and the distance between us, it was not going to be an easy task. What I didn't know, was how difficult it was going to be for me to work with leather I had never worked with before, in that short time.

After meeting the challenges of creating the design Alan had envisioned, and perfecting the pattern, I was now faced with the challenge of putting the jacket together. Pascal was wonderful to work with, always available to answer any questions I may have had. But who knew that this "twice the thickness" of leather I normally work with, was going to cause so much turmoil for my machine. Twice we had to call in the help of our most friendly repairman, Troy, of Stanley Sewing, (yes, shameless plug---this man deserves it!), who rushed to our assistance on a holiday weekend. Hey, time was running out and our job needed to be completed....we had a plane to catch! We missed our flight anyway. :-(

About 1:00 AM, the morning before Alan's red carpet premier in Vegas, our machine for the second time, would only stitch about an inch or two, before it started missing stitches. This was NOT good at all!! We had more work to do, and our only machine dedicated to sewing leather, couldn't handle the task. Machine number two was our only option, except, this machine was my mother's when she was a factory sample maker for a designer in Boston some 70 years ago. This machine was calibrated to stitch my linings, not leather. With some adjustments, we were able to stitch some of the leather, but not the thickest parts. We broke 6 needles in the process too, and stayed up the entire night trying to finish the jacket. On our way to the store to purchase new needles for our sewing dinosaur, Alan called asking where we are with his jacket. "We're coming! I am on my way to purchase more needles," I say. "If you don't get your a__ on a plane now, you will miss one of the biggest opportunities, and one which you have worked so hard for", he says.

Anyone who lives in NH, knows that it takes at least 20 minutes to get anywhere, unless you live right in the city. Sleep deprived, we ignore Alan's plea to jump on a plane, and finish our trip to buy the needles we need. We rush home, book the next flight from Boston to Vegas, pack whatever we can in 10 minutes time, then back to the workshop to get whatever sewing we can get accomplished in what little time we had left, which was almost none. With tons of threads hanging that need to be tied off and snipped, and seams left unsewn, we throw Alan's unfinished jacket into our bag, and scurry to the airport. Remember in the movies seeing folks frantically running through the airport to catch a plane? Well, that was us going as fast as we could toward our gate, and toward the pilot walking in our direction. He asked me, "are you on this plane?" I said, "yup". He then turned around and we walked on the plane together. I think they were waiting for us. lol

Last to be seated on the plane, and hungry as heck since there wasn't any time to stop to stuff our faces, we snuggle in for the long flight out west and patiently wait for the flight attendants to come around with something to eat and drink. While Brent closed his eyes to catch some much needed rest, I sat there with Alan's jacket on my lap and begun tying off all those threads in an attempt to finish whatever I could. Then I too, closed my eyes because I knew, once we set foot in Vegas, it was going to be a long night.

Alan was at the airport when we landed, which was about a half hour before the premier of The Room 101 Conspiracy Party. We were whisked off to The Palms and up to our hotel room where we gave Alan his almost completed jacket. He LOVED it! Thank God!! Even in it's almost completed stage. But the show must go on, right? And it did!

Alan made his way down to the red carpet wearing our creation, while we had less than a half hour to get ourselves cleaned up and dolled up for the big party. Alan called, "are you ready yet? We're waiting!" High heels and all, we race from Palms Place to The Palms Casino, with Alan as our personal GPS navigating us to The Playboy Club, where he's standing there, phone in hand, waiting to walk the carpet. We follow behind, as he takes his place, photographer's flashing, and video cameras taping. We watch as he does his thing. Finally, I can breath. But for what only seems like a second before we're whisked off into the club for a night of networking, mingling with friends new and old, and enjoying an experience of a lifetime. What a whirl wind!!!

After Vegas we flew to LA to spend some time with Alan in his shop. Dined at the infamous Rainbow Bar and Grill with Alan (wearing his new jacket), and shopped on Melrose Ave. too. The day we checked out of our hotel room, the day of the Oscars, we sat at the Starbucks on the corner of La Brea and Sunset, waiting for our ride. In walked Tim Allan! My first celebrity siting in LA. lol We say hello, in the same manner any dorky tourist would. Soon after, Pascal arrived to pick us up and take us to his workshop were he so kindly taught us a few tricks of the trade. What a super fantastic guy who's talent for tooling and boot making is just unreal! Pascal was nice enough to show us a few sites before we had to head back to Alan's and catch our flight home. After this experience, we were really looking forward to our 10:35 PM overnight flight back to Boston....now maybe we could catch some much needed Zzzzzz on the airplane before we return to the work that was awaiting us back in NH.

February 18th, 2009, The Conspiracy Party, Las Vegas

Sexy Skins flew to Vegas to attend this party and deliver Alan Lee his Jacket No. 3!!!! The Conspiracy presented by: Room 101, Camacho Cigars, and Big House Clothing.

WHO THE F*CK IS ALAN LEE?

If you're not into motorcycles, then you may be wondering this very thing. Heavy Hitters Magazine wrote a really nice feature on him this past fall in the October-November Issue #6, which is where I got the photos you will see posted in this entry.

Alan makes some of the sickest motorcycles out there! He truly is an artist. I'm not kidding, he oil paints, designs furniture and creates masterpieces out of metal! Much of why I am so thrilled to have him wearing my creations! Ok, that, and the fact that he wears my Skins in magazines, and on television takes it up a notch too. lol

Heavy Hitters wrote, "If you're into custom bikes with a flair of attitude and revolutionary design then be sure to check out Alan Lee. His bikes exude the same slick swagger found in his personality and his creativity as a bike builder is killing the game. He's already pushed the boundaries when it comes to material use and design...."

I met Alan through a mutual friend who has worked on some of Alan's bikes. Tim, created the gas tanks out of glass!! One of Alan's most infamous bikes was built on The Chopper Challenge TV show for Monster Energy Drinks. Check out the tank, and the detail of this killer custom!!!

Alan is an inspiration; as an artist, a business owner, and a person. He is a remarkable character. If you can land a copy of Heavy Hitters, I suggest you do so. You'll be entertained....and, you won't be asking, "Who the F*CK is Alan Lee?"

And, remember to tune in too to see Alan on CMT's The Chopper Challenge TV show, airing soon! All bets he'll be wearing Jacket No. 3!!

Jacket No. 3 for Alan Lee!!!

Here is a sneak peak of the jacket created for celebrity bike builder, Alan Lee . This masterpiece was a collaboration between Alan Lee, and the talented leather artisan and boot maker to the stars, Pascal Cooper of Riff Raff Leather, and Lisa Cantalupo, designer for Sexy Skins Suede and Leather Fashions. Alan showcased his custom designed jacket at The Room 101 Conspiracy red carpet affair in Las Vegas. Pictured in the photograph is Matt Booth, from Room 101 Silver, and television producer, Eric Harryman. Story and more photographs to follow....

Fashion show draws attention to downtown Exeter

By Lara Bricker
newsletter@seacoastonline.com
February 17, 2009 6:00 AM

EXETER — Models strutted their stuff to the funky music of The Head inside Town Hall Friday, where they showed off the latest fashions from local boutiques.

On Feb. 13 the Flush Funk and Fashion Series, organized by Exeter native Scott Ruffner, featured live music, lights and fashions from Luna Chics, Ablaze and Sexy Skins.

"It made me think more about my style," said audience member Frank Sabin, who joked, "It made me think I need to go tighter."

Many of the female models wore form-fitting bodice tops from Sexy Skins, a suede and leather fashions company in Newmarket. Brent Peters, of Sexy Skins, said the show was a great way to get exposure for their apparel.

"The more we do this, the more exposure we'll get and people will know who we are," Peters said. "We hope to promote, we hope to sell; we want everybody to have a good time."

Male models were decked out in denim and casual tops, and some were not new to the modeling game.

"It was familiar stomping ground because I used to model full-time when I lived in New York City," said Evan Maniquis, one of the models for the evening.

But others, like Mara Blanchette, were moonlighting at the event as models for a chance to try something new.

"It's really fun. It's just something different to do," Blanchette said. "I love wearing all the great clothes."

This is the second time that Ruffner, with his band, The Head, has held a fashion show event in town. Their last one was held at the Ioka Theater before it closed and was a sold-out affair. Ruffner said Friday's show was a success.

"The event was a lot of fun for everyone in the show, and the addition of local dancers into the mix was a perfect fit," Ruffner said. "It's just a shame that The Ioka is still shut down. That is truly the perfect local venue for what we're trying to do."

While the event aimed to showcase local fashions and music, it was also designed to draw people to Exeter's downtown. Those with tickets to the show were given discounts on dinners at participating restaurants, including The Tavern at River's Edge, Pimentos, 11 Water Street and Epoch.


"I took part in this because we're trying to keep people in town and show people who normally wouldn't come to town where the tavern is," said the restaurant's owner, Jeff Roth, who hosted an after-show party with the band The Head that was standing room only by 10 p.m.

Participating businesses stayed open late or offered special deals to encourage people to take in the town. The Exeter Inn offered discounted rooms to those who attended the show. La Cave a Vin, a specialty wine and cheese shop, hosted a wine tasting.

"We need more of this," said Exeter resident Susan Stewart, as she sipped a red wine at the tasting. "If Exeter did more of this, people would come."

Her husband, David, said he feels that Exeter's downtown shops and restaurants are unique in the area and a good option for those looking for a place to go out between Portsmouth and Newburyport, Mass.

"There's no place else in the Seacoast that has a town like this," he said. "Exeter is an excellent town with a lot of variety. They need to promote themselves like this more often."

The event drew at least one newcomer to town, Diego Gonzales, who is stationed at the Coast Guard Station in Portsmouth. Gonzales and two of his fellow Coast Guard members decided to check out the event and were impressed.

To check out a photo gallery and music from the show go to http://www.tvprecords.com/.

Photographs courtesy of Jamie Wade, http://www.jamiewade.com/

Flush Fashion Show Strikes Again!

February 17, 2009 http://www.blogthecoast.com/runway_ready/



On Friday night, February 13th, the third installment in the Flush Funk 'n' Fashion series took place at Exeter Town Hall in front of another impressive crowd. Models rocked the runway wearing fashions from LunaChics, Sexy Skins & Ablaze while The Head rocked the stage as always with their unique brand of original funky music from the Flush CD, seamlessly blending musical styles ranging from hip hop to soul to gritty R&B, highlighted by TVP vocalist Gwen "Gia3" Leathers belting out amazing riffs as the onstage fog billowed into her pink afro wig.



A new addition into the mix were locally based dancers Marianela Ramirez & Deo Mwano. Not only did they get the crowd hyped up to kick off the show, but they reappeared frequently with some freestyle moves to keep things groovin'.



The featured models ranged from seasoned professionals, Portsmouth resident Evan Manaquis used to work full time during his days in New York City, while Exeter native Mara Blanchette is new to the scene. "It's really fun. It's just something different to do," Blanchette said. "I love wearing all the great clothes."



Following the fashion show, much of the audience moved across the street to the after party at the jam-packed Exeter Tavern. The Head set up their gear and played an additional set of tunes as party-goers danced, drank and kept the party going into the wee hours, creating a fitting beginning to Valentine's Day.


According to Flush founder and executive producer, Scott Ruffner, there will be more Funk 'n' Fashion shows to come. "We've been delighted with the success of the first three events over the past several months. Each time out, we learn valuable lessons about how to keep improving things for the audience. We really believe we've created a unique nightlife experience on the Seacoast and it's only going to keep getting better."

More exclusive photos from Jamie Wade and music from Flush can be found here. Debbie Breneman can be contacted at debreneman@gmail.com.

The Conspiracy

Hosted By:
Camacho Cigars & Room 101 Silver | Media Sponsor: YRB Magazine


When:
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 10:00 PM

Where:
PlayBoy Club @ The Palms Hotel & Casino
4321 West Flamingo Road
Las Vegas
89103

Camacho Cigars & Room 101 | Media Sponsor: YRB Magazine PlayBoy Club @ The Palms Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, NV Performances by: Slick Rick & Doug E Fresh, DJ Quik, Shock G (Digital Underground), Noelle Purchase advance tickets: http://www.playboyclubvegas.com VIP Table Reservations: tables@9groupvegas.com | 702.942.6832