Tag: Vera Stanfield

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Style Week with Vera Stanfield – Look 5 – On Stage with the Side Street Steppers

Today, we go from the porch to the stage to spotlight Vera and the Side Street Steppers, a band she founded with her husband Christian. According to their website, their music hasn’t been easily described. They play music from a historically large range of time they used to describe as pre-war. They cover many genres — “blues, jazz, country, hokum, jug band, fiddle tunes, and more.” The chosen description in short is “Vintage Music.”

“Vintage Music is old music, but not just any old music. Vintage Music is timeless, as exciting to listen to today as it was when first performed. This is the music of America, of all the people who have come and gone and contributed a verse to our national song. Collectively, it tells the story of who we are and where we have been—what we have endured and how we got through.” — Excerpt from Side Street Steppers website.

Recalling Vera’s story about falling in love with this style of music through dancing, there seemed to be a connection to dance through the band name the Side Street Steppers.

“So it seems like almost all the bands who play this style of music have band names based on the formula ‘The Something Something Something-ers.’ For example, The Asylum Street Spankers, the Jake Leg Stompers, the California Feet Warmers, and the Cheap Suit Serenaders. So, since Christian and I met and love dancing, we took Steppers. And because this music is a little off the beaten path, we decided Side Street, as opposed to Main Street.” Vera confirms.

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To see them perform is to give in to dance-inducing music, at least by not resisting the urge to tap your feet or bop your shoulders. It’s natural that they are the live music you find at swing dances or parties. On a Friday night in February, the Side Street Steppers perform for the Red Hot Lindy Hop. Almost every Friday night, this local swing dance troupe takes over the Rumba Room downtown to give free swing dance lessons and hosts a good old-fashioned social around music and dance.

That night, Vera and Christian were joined by their original bandmate Nate Breckenridge filling in on upright bass and back-up musician Sarah Anne Rector on washboard. They play here again on May 8th. You’ll also find the band performing regularly at Central BBQ midtown on Wednesdays. The next upcoming event is this Saturday, May 2nd at the Tennessee Brewery Revival from 3 to 7pm.

“I love this event, and I’ve already been several times this year, so I’m really looking forward to performing there!” says Vera about the Tennessee Brewery Revival.

A brand new album is also in store for the Side Street Steppers. Their third record will be called If It Don’t Fit, Don’t Force It already recorded, mixed, and mastered. They just need your help getting the art and physical manufacturing funded. They are raising the last $2,000 on Kickstarter with 8 days to go. The campaign allows a pre-order of the CD with other rewards such as t-shirts and stickers. Click here to see the campaign and contribute.

Outfit Details
Dress by Trashy Diva from Red Velvet Vintage
Shoes by Michael Kors
Vintage Bakelite Bangles gifted from Christian

Thanks everyone for following this week of style and special thanks to Vera and Christian for welcoming us in. Have a great music weekend! 

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Style Week with Vera Stanfield – Look 4 with husband Christian

Today, we finally meet Christian, get a look inside their home, and find out how many Trashy Diva outfits Vera actually owns. The butterfly dress worn in today’s series was originally owned by her friend Wendi Hardage, who worked at CrazyBeautiful. Vera explained that the older Trashy Diva dresses are very collectible and, as evidence of her obsession, has joined a Facebook community called Desperately Seeking Trashy Diva. Today’s dress is Trashy Diva, of course. The butterfly print is highly sought after.

“I love bold, happy prints — the busier, the better. And the bangles were given to me by Christian for Christmas. He gives seriously amazing gifts!” says Vera about her husband and bandmate.

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He would jokingly recommend we skip past the number of Trashy Diva outfits are in Vera’s personal collection (answer: over 60) and talk about music instead. In this case, let’s talk about music and dance as Vera describes how he won her heart.

“Christian was born and raised here in Memphis, but we actually met in my hometown of Huntsville, Alabama, at a Contra Dance Festival. Contra dance is very similar to square dancing with a caller doing the calls like “Swing Your Partner” and “Do Si Do,” but it’s done in long lines rather than square sets. And it’s always done to live music — usually an old time string band featuring fiddle, banjo, guitar, and bass. That’s really how I first got exposed to old-timey style music — through dance. Christian literally swept me off my feet with his fancy dance moves!” 

Their love story is surrounded by many mutual loves — dance, music, and all things vintage. Their home covered with vintage music posters and an array of instruments. Though Vera describes it as a rare treat, they do love sitting in their living room or front porch playing fiddle and banjo tunes together.

“We also find it really relaxing to sit at home in our living room and to listen to audio books together. As opposed to watching TV together (we don’t have one), it seems more like quality time. We started out listening to audio books when we were traveling to play shows, and then we enjoyed it so much that we started just listening to them at home. I’ll crack open a beer, and Christian will have a root beer, and it’s the most relaxing thing ever.”

Outfit Details
Butterfly Dress by Trashy Diva
Peep Toe Clogs by Lotta of Stockholm
Vintage Wooden Bangle – gifted from Christian
Trashy Diva is a line carried at Red Velvet Vintage.

Stay tuned for the final post in Vera’s style session tomorrow as we find out more about the band and see them on stage.

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Style Week with Vera Stanfield – Look 3 at Home – The Romper

Today, Vera welcomes us to her home, explains what led her to Memphis, and how her collection of vintage clothes began. She has had a longtime love for classics and history, starting with her obsession with Egyptian culture as a little girl Huntsville, Alabama. In fact, she received her degree in Classics from the University of Alabama. She moved to Memphis the day she graduated in December of 2008, quickly decided after meeting her now husband and Memphian Christian Stanfield. “Love at first sight,” she confesses. (More about that story later.)

“I loved Memphis from the moment I got here. The city’s musical history was a draw, but also Memphis is so alive today with all the revitalization projects and Choose 901 movement. There is so much culture here — culinary, music, art. I feel like there is so much to do here all the time that I can’t possibly take advantage of all that this city has to offer.”

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Vera did grow up with musical training, taking piano lessons as a child and teenager, then taking up the trumpet in middle and high school. She met Christian during her gap of not playing any instrument at all.

“He was playing in an old time string band, and I wanted to join in on the fun. So I started playing banjo uke during his band practices and at jam sessions. Christian builds banjos and banjoleles, so I eventually branched out to 5-string banjo so that I could start playing melody at jams too,” says Vera.

They formed their band the Side Street Steppers in June of 2008. This also leads into how she stepped into the world of vintage fashion.

“I really started getting into vintage when we formed the Side Street Steppers in June of 2008. We were playing vintage music, so it seemed natural to me to get dressed up in
vintage clothing for performing. That’s still half the fun of performing for me!”

Shopping Vintage
“If you love it, buy it, then and there. Nothing haunts us like the vintage we didn’t buy. Those pieces are so unique and one-of-a-kind. You’ve got to accept that true vintage is never going to be perfect. Those pieces have had a life of their own before you find them, and that’s part of the beauty of vintage,” she says. “Of course, I love shopping at Red Velvet! If I’m not shopping there, you can probably find me shopping around the corner at Hoot + Louise, perusing Anna’s fun collection of new and vintage.”

The Romper
“This little playsuit has introduced me to the fun world of rompers! I want more now – they are so great for performing. No worrying about your skirt flying up while you’re singing,” she smiles.

Outfit Details
Polka Dot Playsuit by Trashy Diva (Coming soon to Red Velvet)
Peep Toe Clogs by Lotta Of Stockholm
Boater Hat by Goorin Bros
Deco Wing Earrings by Rosita Bonita from Red Velvet
Banjo and Banjolele built by her husband Christian at George Banjos 

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Style Week with Vera Stanfield – Look 2 – Denim Overalls and Flannel

“This look is sort of inspired by the Rosie the Riveter look of the 1940s working gal, what with the head scarf and sneakers and all.”  -Vera

How wonderful that Vera describes this as her “dressed down” look. Even with denim overalls and flannel, she effortlessly keeps up a high level of style and creates a beautiful interpretation of Rosie the Riveter with the addition of the bomber jacket and bottle cap earrings.

Right across South Main from Red Velvet Vintage is Love Pop soda shop where Vera was grabbing a six-pack of assorted sodas to take to her family in Huntsville, Alabama, her hometown. 

“We did the same thing for them at Christmas, and it’s becoming something of a tradition now whenever we visit.”

And according to Vera, it was just a “happy coincidence” that she wore the bottle cap earrings to an old-fashioned soda pop shop. 

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As for Vera’s red lips, the color is a variation of the many reds that she wears. This one is Red Hot Red by Besame which is a line carried at Red Velvet Vintage. 

Outfit Details
Overalls by Freddies Of Pinewood
Bomber Jacket by Obey from Crazy Beautiful years ago
Flannel Shirt by Obey
Shoes – good old Converse Chuck Taylors
Scarf – vintage Vera Neumann (She collects Vera scarves) from Red Velvet
Bottle Cap Earrings by Attic Dwellers from the Cooper-Young Festival

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Style Week with Vera Stanfield – Look 1

Today, we’re going to go back in time, literally and figuratively, to properly introduce you to Vera Stanfield, boutique manager of Red Velvet Vintage. Back in February, we featured a peek into Red Velvet and some of the vintage and vintage-inspired items they carry. Certainly a signature fixture of the boutique is Vera herself, dressed in vintage attire and completed with the perfect red lips. That day, she stood as the living example of the 1920s to 1950s era the boutique sought to honor. Saying that Vera dressed the part would be inaccurate.

“I get asked a lot if I really wear these clothes. If this is really me,” Vera laughs. “It really is who I am.” 

As mentioned before, she naturally became the boutique manager partly because she was one of Red Velvet owner Eryka Smith’s best vintage clothing customers at CrazyBeautiful.

“My personal style philosophy is never to be afraid to mix retro and modern. I’m not a purist about vintage fashion. This outfit, for example, has the metallic silver and gold penny loafers – a great modern take on a classic style. I love true vintage pieces as well as vintage inspired new styles.”

After learning this, it was hard to only feature Vera once in just one outfit. For the past two months, I’ve been photographing her around town, on stage with her band the Side Street Steppers, and at home with her bandmate/husband Christian. I have gotten to see that this is indeed the true Vera. So stay tuned this week as each day features another great outfit and a deeper look into her everyday life. 

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Outfit Details
Audrey Mini Dress by Trashy Diva (one of the lines stocked at Red Velvet)
Gold Beret by Goorin Bros.
Shoes are Metallic Weejuns by G.H. Bass
Luna Moon Necklace by Tatty Devine out of the UK.
Tights, gifted. Cardigan from Old Navy.

Vera’s Picks
Favorite pieces currently at Red Velvet

Rose Marie Dress 
Such a great piece for boppin’ around town all spring & summer

Darcy Peep Toe Wedge in Cream
A great little wedge that’s both cute & comfy

Coraline Necklace
A funky vintage piece that makes me think of seaside holidays

Picnic Basket Handbag
I’d love to carry this vintage carryall to a show at the Levitt Shell this season!

Images of Vera’s Picks courtesy of Red Velvet Vintage.