#medical print embroidered patches

[tw1nkd3ath]

i am bored and have had A Long Day so have some party poison headcanons:

•they/them (obviously). their gender is simultaneously every gender and no gender at the same time

•they have borderline personality disorder. this caused them to be extra medicated back in the city. now, they’re finally off of any and all pills, and they’re learning how to actually live with their disorder. loves reading books about mental health, and trying to figure out how to take care of themself.

•speaking of drugs, poison quit the city pills before they escaped the city. they quickly fell into other pills and drugs in the zones though. it was familiar, and it made their brain shut up for once. they have very bad PTSD, more than anyone in the zones. they don’t know just how bad it actually is, and they’ll never speak of it, but the other three know just by the way poison is. they got clean after moving into the diner. they felt safe for once, and the other three were so supportive in keeping them off of drugs. it’s hard to deal with flashbacks and all of that; every day has to be taken one step at a time with them, but they’re making it through.

•loves dancing. more than anything, really. get them drunk and on a dance floor, and their smile is wider than you’ll ever see it. they love parties and clubs, until they don’t and they’re ready to go home. they’ll dance for hours, and all of a sudden they’ll go over to one of the other three and poke them on the shoulder and that’s when they all know they’re getting overstimulated and want to go home and crash.

•yknow how i said they love dancing more than anything? well i lied. the one thing they love more than dancing is singing. they’ll take the AM and go on drives where they sing for miles and miles to whatever’s on the radio. ghoul and kobra make them tapes of their favorite songs, and sometimes the four of them will have carpool karaoke.

•goes for drives to clear their head. they’re normally not allowed to go alone, unless one of the others approves it (poison once wrecked an old car of theirs while angry driving, they don’t wanna talk about it). normally ghoul will go with them, riding shotgun with poison’s hand in theirs. poison drives until they can’t remember what was bothering them when they first turned the key.

•surprisingly a very good cook. them and jet love to cook for the others when they have the ingredients to. poison’s favorite is what they call ‘slutty pasta,’ it’s pasta with a shitload of cheese melted into the sauce. yes, it does make them sick. yes, they will eat it anyway.

•loves looking cute all of the time. even their pajamas are somehow cute and coordinated.

•cannot own un-modified clothes. they have to personalize everything, and they’ve got a whole booth in the diner reserved for whatever patches they’re painting or skirt they’re making or jacket they’re embroidering. dr. death gives the fab four almost all of the art supplies he gets; between poison and kobra they blow through paints and glues and threads and things.

•sketchbooks sketchbooks sketchbooks. they’ve got two right now that they’re working on. they’ll glue/tape little things to the pages, so it’s sort of like a scrapbook with art and writing in it. they will tape literal garbage in it, though. they’ve got the butt of their first cigarette out of the city, a list someone gave them of thrift shops out in the zones, a piece of paper bag ghoul used to scoop weed grounds one time, and so on. the others poke fun of them for this, but they really love how sentimental poison is. show pony has a polaroid camera, and loves to take pictures of their friends and give them the little prints. poison glues them all into their sketchbooks, and looks through them when they’re having a bad day.

•in eating disorder recovery, killjoy style. they hardly ate when jet and ghoul found them and kobra, and they’re trying so hard to help them recover. if poison is struggling to eat a meal in front of them, ghoul will go “hey poison. you’re a pussy if you don’t eat that mac and cheese.” or “you’re not a real killjoy if you don’t eat all those chicken nuggets,” all while sporting a shit-eating grin. poison and kobra have gotten themselves both to a healthy weights finally, and everyone couldn’t be happier.

•cigarettes are their one true love. they first started smoking when they were fourteen. they dislike vaping (even though it’s become quite the fad in the zones, ever since people started smuggling them out of the city), they vaped for around a year and it killed their lungs. cigarettes only for poison, and they’d have it no other way.

•yknow how i said they decorate their clothes? well they also decorate the diner. they’ll hang up art made by them or kobra all over the walls of the diner, and they let kobra paint straight onto the walls.

•loves science for some reason? dr. death gives them all sorts of books on biology and animals and ecosystems and such, and they absolutely love it. they wanna be a biologist in another life. they love teaching the others about shit they read, like animal facts and such. kobra will listen to poison infodump for hours.

that is all for now thank you

[nightmaretour]

I hate to do this, and it's a long shot I know, but things are getting desperate and it seems like I'm going to be waiting WAY longer than I should be for something that's fairly urgent.

I'm a disabled trans man living in the UK. Recently I was found to have severe anemia, and came up with my FIT test (gastrointestinal cancer screening) a few months ago, and was referred for a colonoscopy to find out the cause, since it looks like I'm having a slow but constant bleed through my GI tract. However, my referral has been awaiting review for over three months now. I'm not even on the waiting list, I'm waiting for someone to decide if I need to be on the waiting list. Since then I've started having GI symptoms such as pain, intermittent loss of appetite, etc. as well as my anemia worsening significantly.

This is of course pretty urgent, but it looks like I'll be waiting months longer once I finally get on the waiting list too. I really have no choice but to get it done through a private hospital, because of the time sensitive nature of, you know, potentially having cancer. I managed to put some money away out of the backpay I got from PIP, but it's not enough.

[ID: A screenshot of an email that's says:

Dear Mr (name blocked out in red),

Thank you for your website inquiry. For your information, the cost of an initial consultation with one of our consultant gastroenterologists is £280."

It then lists the names of 3 doctors as links, all blocked out in red. The email continues,

"The guide price for a colonoscopy is £2,339. For further information, including appointment availability, please don't hesitate to contact the medical secretaries (followed by three names redacted in red) directly on (phone number redacted in red) or call the private patient team on (phone number redacted in red). End ID]

Currently I have around £1,400 stashed away from PIP backpay I got after they royally fucked things up (however I may need to dip into this at points if I find myself struggling). Together the consultation plus the colonoscopy will cost £2,619, which leaves me about £1220 behind. I know I'm most likely not going to get that much from this, but I honestly have no choice but to try my luck here. I really don't know what else I can do.

I really don't like asking for money from people for nothing, but I have a Ko-fi store where I sell handmade screen printed patches, and I'll be adding more designs to it over the coming weeks when I have the time and energy to make new screens. I'm also offering commissions for custom band patches! (Due to Kofi's TOS I can't officially offer patches for bands without their permission.). Below are a few examples of my work:

[ID: 5 images of patches printed in white on black fabric, all sewn onto a worn looking black denim jacket. All are sewn on roughly in red floss, aside from the last one. The first says "only dates I want are tour dates". The words "dates" and "tour dates" are larger than the other text. All of the letter As are replaced with spade symbols. The second is the logo of the band Cop/Out, which is the band name with rough, jagged edges. The third is the logo for The Prodigy, which is the band name in sharp. Zig-zagging letters. The fourth is the logo for the band Subhumans, a stylised skull shouting into a microphone. The fourth is the horizontal silhouette of a crutch. With the words "Talk shit" above it and "get hit" below it. Unlike the rest it is sewn on in black, and the edge of an embroidered back patch is visible just above it. End ID]

I know a lot of people aren't doing well financially right now, and that there are people in far, far more dire situations who probably need your help far more than I do, but I would appreciate any purchases of patches or help you can offer so, so much. Even just sharing the post would be enormously appreciated.

Current progress:

£115/£1220

And of course as pet tax, here's Cynder :)

[ID: A photo of a female wild type leopard gecko laying spread out on a smooth rounded rock in a glass fronted tank. Her head is sideways and raised, looking at the camera with one eye. She looks relaxed and curious. Behind her a large piece of thick tree bark and a plastic cave can be seen. End ID]

[thecglcatalog]

Hewwo, Nurse! Make your choice of hospital gown for AB patient ... or little victim

When baby is a patient in the imaginary hospital with little friends – in the conditioning facility for regression and obedience training – or in the laboratory dungeon for some “experiments” with Dr. Daddykins, make it a choice between helpless nudity and these absolutely darling hospital gowns!

Bare-Bottom Hospital Gown. Designed to fit tightly, nylon hospital gown is stiff and uncomfortable with crossover front, adjustable buttons on each side of the waist, mandarin collar, and above-the-knee hems.  At the back, though, an open oval leaves a pert bottom peeking out!  Ideal for getting a sex toy nice and nervous before that invasive rectal exam!  Specify fabric: Peachy Pink, Powder Blue, Pond Green, Tiger Print, Giraffe Print.

Bare-Bosom Hospital Gown.  Same as the Bare-Bottom Hospital Gown above, but with an extra touch – the front panels have been split (and equipped with extra buttons) to close above and below the bustline, letting adult-baby bubbies show.  Excellent caning-punishment outfit, too!  Specify fabric: Peachy Pink, Powder Blue, Pond Green, Tiger Print, Giraffe Print.

Slinky Shivers Hospital Gown.  Sleek, silky lingerie tricot leaves them looking so vulnerable! Whether baby’s getting a temperature or playing doctor, three-quarter sleeves and wrap styling are “barely there.” Ties at each side of the waist secure the clingy crossover front with its applique red medical cross, but let the brief hem drape, accentuating hips and bottom.  Sensuous and definitely not protective! Specify color: Whisper White, Champagne Pink, Minty Jade.

Flannel-Pieced Hospital Gown.  A cute medley of flannel and flannelette prints – plaid, ticking, tie-dye, fruit print, and more – are patched together in uneven rectangles to make this darling rear-tie hospital gown!  Adjustable back-of-neck button, string waist tie hold the back barely closed.  A soft fuzzy patch at fingertip height on wearer’s right adds sensory soothing.  Multicolor.  Specify patch shape: teddy bear, heart, pacifier.

Print Shortie Scrub Set.  Simple hospital gown with wide short sleeves, single self back-of-neck tie is paired with two matching bottoms – pull-on elastic-waist short shorts, velcro wraparound diaper cover with absorbent, washable lining – plus a lie-flat scrub cap.  Stiff, synthetic wash-and-wear or soft, cuddly pediatric receiving-blanket texture give options!  Specify nylon: Sunshine Yellow, Pond Green, Olive Drab, Cappuccino, Cool White, Cheetah Print; or flannel: Innocent White, Cool Mint Pinstripe, Sharps.

Sheer Dot Hospital Gown.  String ties at hip level hold this silly hospital “modesty” garment technically closed, but the crossover front drapes wide and roomy, and every part is see-through!  Fuzzy flocked polka dots hide only little bits of the mid-thigh-length gown.  Specify color: Snow White, Tawny Fawn, Whisper Pink, Multi Primary.

School Nurse Hospital Gown.  Our smart suiting twill is specially treated to be a little too stiff for comfort!  Mini-length gown splits open – ties shut at the shoulder, armpit, and hip on the left side, technically covering all the naughty parts – but feeling so inadequate!  Too-high neck, bulky white piping trim keep scholars uncomfy.  Multi-size bulk orders available.   Specify 1, 2, or 3 initials embroidered on right lapel.  Specify color: Spun-Sugar Pink, Mannered Maroon, Cinnamon Red Hot, Sailor Navy, Stewed Peach, Scout Khaki.

[terrence-silver]

Terry asking you to have his child, you tearing up, honored, asking if that’s what he really wants, him reassessing You

---

There was something to be said about contrasts;

Terry Silver was always huge on contraceptives.

Implants, injections, caps, condoms, patches and diaphragms. Regular check-ups. Printed results in black and white. Diagnosis. Vasectomies and going as far as mandatory sterilization. He even had a fundraiser in the 80's promoting the joys of safe sex, something that infinitely amused him considering he was known to be something of a lothario around town. He did it ironically, as an inside joke to himself as much as he did it because it was legitimately profitable and funny. His own private doctors imbued him with a near archived collection of medication for each for his conquests, specifically tailored for the situation at hand; it was one of the requirements of keeping his exclusive company, not unlike a written-out contract put together by a team of lawyers. Terms, conditions, consent and the bottom-line. Being a successful playboy came with certain rules of its own --- otherwise, he wouldn't be such an expert at it for so long, instead, he'd be embroidered in at least several scandals involving unexpected consequences, and he did want to be above the petty squabbles of the LA Jet-Set whose names were constantly in the media as a negative. You maintain my good graces, you use these accordingly and you stay clean until I so desire, male, female or otherwise, until dismissed --- those were the thoughts in his mind. It was simply called being strategic, antiseptic and maintaining immaculate control of the situation --- keep his reputation pristine; something he picked up from the guys during the war; smart boys are always wrapping up when crossing the red zone and not coming back home sick as dogs. Even posters in the army were advertising the message. He left nothing up to chance, for decades, wanting to know the in's and out's of the bodies of the people that he kept in his bed. If Terry could practically splice them open to check the mechanics of their insides after he's fucked them, he would.

Then, there were those rarer occasions.

Occasions where he wanted all the cabinet pills thrown out.

Often times, Terry thought, that if Johnny could, he would've poked holes in the rubber a long time ago to ensure his dear, darling Captain has reasons to stay by his side forever and always, but alas, Johnny had no womb, instead, Cobra Kai, the dojo he's bought for him after the war was their baby. Their infant. They, the respective happy fathers of the newborn serpent. He always enjoyed the idea of tying those he loved to himself, irrevocably, through the matters of the flesh (or materialism, if all else failed), particles uniting, blood and water and his seed; that feeling possessed him once more when you came along and now his control went the other direction; ensuring you use no contraceptives at all. He wanted you raw, with nothing holding him back, as per instinct, and he knew what that meant. You're mine and I want to continue through you. United, mind, body and soul. Terry idly toys with the flesh of his forefinger, where his signet ring used to stand, now discarded on the night table alongside his watch and other jewelry; there is an odd sore there as he smiles and says, laying next to you in bed, the ritual about to commence. -"So, how about that baby then, huh?"- He just utters it. Terry has brought this up to you before, talking about it bluntly and matter-of-factly like someone ordering a martini. I want a legacy with a garnish and crushed ice. Serve it to me. You agreed to it then, getting emotional at the thought of having his children (he relished in that reaction), asking him if he is certain, time and time again, practically interviewing him to see if he'll change his mind, and no, he wouldn't. Terry knew what he wanted, when he wanted it and who he wanted it with. You snuggle close to him and he's on top of you then, grinning, immediately taking charge. He was ready to create a second him.

[steve-rogers-new-york]

This topic is brought to you thanks to my amazing Patreon Supporters!

Boy Scouts of America In the 1930s

I have had the idea of looking into the costs and popularity of the Boy Scouts during Steve and Bucky’s childhood, so when I found this very neat membership certificates, I finally had the push!

Brief Overview of the Boy Scouts in the 1930s

After a decade of growth in the 1920s, following the end of WWI and a related wave of patriotism, the Boy Scouts of America were a well established organization in American culture. While the Great Depression did slow growth, it still reached 1-million members by 1935. For the most part, Scouts was attended by middle-class boys, and was a “virtual rite of passage” in the eyes of many. The 1930s saw a number of large-scape events and activities, including food and clothing drives for the needy initiated by President FDR, the Scout-O-Rama held in Madison Square Garden, NY, and the first National Jamboree in Washington, DC. They also played a large assisting role in the 1939 New York World’s fair, at Flushing Meadows. At the Fair, nearly 4,000 scouts acted as ushers, guides, and honor guards; and participants were issues special participation patches for the occasion.

Could Steve or Bucky have been Scouts?

So this is the real questions. What I think it comes down to is a question of money. There is a reason most scouts came from middle-class families, and that is because there was a significant cost that came with membership. Between uniforms and equipment, not to mention time, the cost would easily be too great for some families. Below is a list of costs collected from the 1911 edition of the ‘Boy Scout Handbook’ by the Boy Scouts of America (and some newspaper ads):

Uniform

Hats 

Boy Scout Hat — $1.15 - $2.00

Boy Scout Summer Hat — 50c

Shirt

Boy Scout Shirt — $1.00

Summer Shirt — 75c

Knickerbockers — 75c

Breeches — $1.00 - $1.25

Shorts — 50c

Trousers — $2.00

Belt — 40c

Sweater — $1.30

Coat w/ Boy Scout Emblem — $1.35 - $1.60

Lanyard — Handmade

Leggings — 55c

Stockings — 30c (cotton) $1.25 (wool)

Ponchos — $2.50

Shoes — $2.50

Troop Colors — $1.00

Equipment

Axe — 35c 

Axe Scabbard or Shield — 25c

Camp Knife, Fork and Spoon — 8c per doz.

Mess Kits — 50c - 75c

Canteen — $1.79

Compass — 30c

Folding Drinking Cup — 10c

First Aid Kit — 25c

Haversack — 60c

Pocket Knives — 50c - $1.00

Patrol Flag — Handmade

Whistle — 10c

Additional Optional Items

Bugle — $3.75

Hospital Corps Medical Pouch — $1.00

Telegraph Instruments — $1.30

Toilet Kit — 98c

Flashlight — $1.34

Duffle Bag — $1.24

Hunting Knife — $1.98

Fishing Kit — $3.49

Handbook — 50c

Conservatively, to be a scout, the up-front cost would be around $15.90 for the uniform (only one of each item) and around $3.00 for the basic equipment. For reference, after inflation, it comes to around $300 and $50 today. This doesn’t account for multiples of uniform items, materials for handmade items like tents and flags, future costs, travel costs for events, and time spent not working. Beyond the items listed in the official manual, a local Brooklyn ad (and more) printed in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle suggested even more outdoors items. It was not an activity for families without disposable income, and as an ex-boy scout there is a certain want to have all the items to take part in activities.

In Steve’s case, it would be easy to see how these costs could make being a Boy Scout out of his reach, with a single mother. Depending on how you view Bucky’s family life, it may or may not be an option for him — I’d be interested to see scout Bucky with non-scout Steve.

Hope this was interesting to you as it was to me!

If you want more in the topic, my full research notes on all topics are available for all $3+ Patreon patrons!

This post comes to you thanks to Patreon supporters at the  ‘Ephemera Club’ level. Those subscribed in October 2020 received EITHER A) ONE Boy Scouts of America Membership Certificate, OR B) ONE Type-C (1932-1941) Embroidered Merit Badge; along with ONE postcard featuring a Brooklyn location! If you would also like to receive neat, period-appropriate items in the mail each month, you can join the ‘Ephemera Club’ for just $15!

If you join before the end of October 2020, you too will receive these items!

[ Support SRNY through Patreon and Ko-Fi ] And join us on Discord for fun conversation! I also have an Etsy with up-cycled nerdy crafts

[roses-symphony]

Probably almost all of you know how much I love Gucci, their Ideas and philosophy so, I guess you should’ve seen this post coming.

For the non italian followers (which should be 90% of my followers) this dude stage name is Achille Lauro. Born in the 90′s. He is considered a “Rapper” but to me he’s more of a POP/PUNK icon.

This year he got on Sanremo (the italian music song contest) with a Song named “Me ne Frego” (meaning “I don’t care”) and all his looks were created by Gucci’s artistic director Alessandro Michele based on the idea of Lauro of showing a life of just “not caring”, doing what people want to without a negative side to this idea.

He said that during this journey we’d meet 4 Characters, each of them represented by a Wolf, A Thunder, a Mask and a Crown. I didn’t guess even one right and that is extremely amazing because it means they weren’t predictable; everything was so well thought that it was impossible to understand it before he showed it to us.

I. Night - SAN FRANCESCO

San Francesco was the son of a very rich man who, in order to follow God’s call and help the poor, he got rid of his Noble Man Cape and remained naked, giving up to all his wealth and privileges.

Lauro gets on stage with a Gucci custom made black velvet cape, all embroidered in gold. He walks the stage barefoot and, at the climax of his song, he takes off the cape remaining with a body suit covered in crystals (of course he couldn’t get there naked xD)

Beside the symbolic meaning of solidarity to the minors and the ones in need, I want to focus on the clothes ofc. The cape was extremely beautiful, elegante, regal, the pearls and the studs made it look even more expensive. When he undressed, he showed us this bodysuit which was surprisingly fitting him very nicely. Nobody could see that happen.

As always, beside Lauro, there is his guitarist and friend Boss Doms. He was wearing a Burgundy suit with a blush pink turtle neck and red eye make up. He was looking stunning, totally uncoordinated with Lauro outfit YET perfectly matching.

II. Night - ZIGGY STARDUST

This character was created by David Bowie and it’s the representation of a rebellious soul, emblem of absolute artistic and sexual freedom and of non toxic masculinity.  As I said in my post about the Men Gucci FW Show, for this season Michele goal was, in fact, killing toxic masculinity and this idea perfectly matched Lauro performance.

During this night, He sang a cover of a song by Mia Martini, called “Gli uomini non cambiano” (”Men never change”); he sang it using all female nouns and, on his ig page, he posted an handwritten letter addressing it to “Disgusting Fifty years old homophobic men” saying that he knows those people too well due to his past and that he now wants to be rebellious and go against them, making peace with this femininity and when they ask him why he wears female things, he just replies “I’m becoming a Lady”.

The song was very touching, I suggest you listening to it, but back to the outfit: He has an emerald green satin suit, all custom made (on the left arm you can see a patch with his name embroidered on it), a striped shirt with a 80′s style collar and a glittery tie. His makeup and hairstyle is exactly the same as Ziggy Stardust  and, once again, i want to compliment the makeup artist for the amazing Job. Probably this was the most “complete” look.

Boss Doms is, once again, in a suit. Blue with red details. he’s wearing a tiara from the last Gucci Cruise collection and on his face there are tears made of stardust. One again, completely different, amazingly matching.

III. Night - MARCHESA LUISA CASATI STAMPA

She was a very popular woman who became the muse of a lot of artist during her era. She was the lover of the poet Gabriele D’annunzio. She was eccentric and without any boundaries. They say that she used to walk at night at Piazza San Marco in Venice completely naked, with just a fur on her shoulders (sometimes walking a jaguar with her) and having a servant lighting her so that everybody could admire her.

She had many lovers, she was very “free” even in the sexual aspect of her life so, once again, we see the concept of freedom being strongly represented in Lauro performance.

She was known mostly for having sponsored many artists and collected every sort of art since her home was full of art and exotic things (even animals); people used to say that she  was walking art herself thanks to the makeup and dresses she used to wear

Lauro gets on stage with a head piece made of feathers, diamonds and  studs (that wasn’t custom made, it was used in last year fashion week); he wore Gucci stockings embroiled with black diamonds in the shape of the typical “GG” the logo; on top of it an organza cape. 

The best pieces were the glove which held two Gucci Lipsticks (one of which he used to put on himself and his friend during the song) and the pointy leather boots that, once again, had his name printed inside. The best part, to me, of this look was the makeup. It was a shiny black/red shadow, which contoured all his eyes, making him look somehow vampire-ish.

At his side, Boss Doms with an amazing velvet Jacket and elegant black slacks, a Pussy Bow pink shirt and the most beautiful smokey eyes I’ve ever seen in my life.  I might be wrong here but I think that, in this case, he should have represented the servant that walked Miss Casati around Venice, but maybe I am Wrong.

IV. Night - QUEEN ELISABETH I THE VIRGIN QUEEN

For the last night, he got inspired by the Virgin Queen, married to her country, who fought for arts, freedom and died without wanting any medication and being a queen up to her last day, never abdicating.

The velvet pants, along with the red boots and the pearls makeup, have been shown on Gucci runways already, but they were able to put all together in order to create the perfect representation of the character.

Boss Doms was wearing a beautiful embroidered jacket (I guess they were Chinese dragons but I can’t see it properly), He was wearing shorts, giving a very strong AC/DC vibe to his look. He had a matching makeup with pearls on his temples and jaw and, around his eyes, he had holographic fake lashes.

Being the last night, they went even further on stage, completing it with a kiss (as they actually always do during every performance they have).

So, my final thoughts:

First thing first, I want to underline the fact that not even one of the nights the look they showed gave out a “costume” vibe; they were pure outfits, stage outfits which, every time, enchanted one of the aspect of the song. 

Lauro never looked “ridiculous” or like “too femminine”, he looked powerful, serious, without any limit. They represented freedom, freedom of being whoever you want, having the power to fight all those boomers who kept on attaching them, who kept on criticizing them.

During today interview, when somebody told him that he should have focused more on the song rather than the “look” he answered that he has a project, and the song was just a tool to deliver the message of his project. He didn’t want to win the festival, he just wanted to be remembered.

And he did.

I think he should be really thankful to all his creative staff, to Alessandro Michele who believed in him as an ambassador of this same message and I do really really hope to see more collaborations like this because he’s a very sensitive soul, he is a great gentleman, he never yells, he never replies in an angry way and he has a very kind smile. And this world needs more kindness and more beauty.

[softliebgott]

HONEY DRIPPING OVER SUGARED TONGUES

PROMPT: You are a nurse at a regimental aid station in an abandoned cathedral some miles from the forest outside Bastogne, Belgium. You frequently interact with E Company’s medic, Eugene Roe, and have developed a strong bond with him. He has seen so much pain and death among his friends. It has only made him more kind, a little more haunted, and a little needy for affection.

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The muffled, drum beats of bombs outside of the cathedral walls kindled your anxiety like a sparkler. At first, your anxiety was a torturous, slow burn, but as the bombing dissipated, so did your worries. Momentarily. The cathedral could be hit at any time, and the last thing you and your patients would hear would be the shrill cry of a bomb.

You dipped your tweezers into the bloody rabbit hole the bullet had made for itself in your new patient’s shoulder. His face, cobweb white, had fresh tear trails slicing through the dirt on his skin, and his Adam’s apple bobbed nervously.

The bullet had missed the subclavian artery, and with low medical supplies, the soldier requested the morphine be saved for someone who needed it more. As you pinched the tweezers on the bullet, he pursed his lips. 

“I need you to stay still,” you murmured. When you had first started treating soldiers, their agonized sounds and gnarled faces were often sprinkled into your dreams. There was one scream that held a tonality nature did not compare with any other that had been cemented into your brain. You had no idea a human could produce such an outlandish noise. It partially reminded you of a fox’s wail. Although it had happened two years prior, you could still remember it as the most prominent moment.

As you pulled out the bullet, your patient’s Adam’s apple stood out like an arrowhead buried in his throat, and he tried to stifle pained noises. Once the bullet was out, he sighed in relief and closed his eyes.

The bullet looked as if it had been dipped in red punch. You dropped it into a tin bowl, and then started to clean the wound. From the steady rise and fall of the soldier’s chest, you figured he had taken sleep’s hand. Good. He needed rest.

After you had stitched and patched the wound, you craved fresh air. Stepping outside, winter breathed on you, leaching your body heat as if to try to keep itself warm. Surrounding you was a white canvas smeared with smoke and congested with debris and rubble from demolished buildings. You settled down on a chair, nuzzling your face into the collar of your wool coat, and listened to the crackling of lone fires.

A small burst of color in the glum sight, a red cross embroidered on an armband, caught your eye. He had seen you first, your Eugene Roe, a man whose price of a tender heart was feeling the war’s pain. The cold had paled his skin like that of a corpse, and reddened his nose and ears. His expression, as soft and warm as the sunlight’s morning rays, swept away your anxieties and ignited a fever in your heart. Each beat fanned out the heat in your chest. You were always so happy to see him. He made the war a little more bearable.

He picked up a chair, set it next to you, and sat down, his arm touching yours. The wooden seat creaked in surprise against his weight. He removed his helmet and put it on the ground. His black hair reminded you of a cat you saw some days ago, and you noticed that stubble had started to grow along his jawline.

You felt in your pocket and remembered the chocolate ration. Hunger had evaded you most of the day, but the thought of a sweet treat beckoned it back. You pulled the ration out. “Hungry?” You asked Eugene.

He glanced to it. “Sure,” he said, his Louisiana Cajun accent heavy yet boyish. Tired.

You began to tear at the wrapper, your fingers trembling from the cold and the sudden onslaught of hunger.

He noticed this. “Your hands...are you not eating again?”

“It’s hard sometimes...” you said softly. “I want to do as much as I can for the wounded.” Which not only meant scarce moments to eat, but to sleep. Exhaustion weighed your limbs down like wet rags and tempted your eyes to close. You broke off half of the chocolate and offered it to Eugene.

“No, you take it. You need it more.”

You bit down on the candy, hardened by the cold, grateful to have something in your stomach. 

“How much sleep have you gotten?” Eugene asked.

“The past two days...a little over four hours.”

His eyebrows squished together, concerned. “Why don’t you take some time to sleep now?” He murmured, gently bumping your arm with his. “You need it just as much as they do. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Your body was already in agreement, growing heavier and more drowsy. You leaned against Eugene, resting your head on his shoulder, and lazily nibbled on your chocolate. He tangled his fingers with yours and squeezed. Both of you were unfazed by each other’s cold touch, because your hearts were warm. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Gene...” 

He was too shy to say it aloud, always so fearful of your response, but he thought, I may never find the words beautiful enough to describe all that you mean to me, but I will spend the rest of the war finding them...and finding the courage to tell you.

You were ripped from your sleep by the frantic calls of a soldier from a truck. “Nurse! Nurse, we need your help!”

You unraveled your fingers from Eugene’s, your hand immediately missing his warmth, and jogged toward the truck. Adrenaline gave new life to you, an energy you hadn’t felt for days. 

As you talked with the soldier, Eugene had gathered his helmet and walked over. 

You moved to the back of a truck where a man lay, still alive, with his torso riddled with bullet holes.

Eugene leaned to you and said, “I’ll see you when I can.”

Anxiety made its dreaded return. You grasped his arm, blood caking your hand like caramel over an apple. “Be safe,” you told him.

He nodded, his smile as soft as rose petals. He glanced to the wounded man and then left, your bloody hand print still grabbing his sleeve. 

Some days passed, all without the presence of Eugene. Your anxiety turned cruel, parasitic. It force fed you thoughts that made you tremble as if on low blood sugar, and your nose and eyes sting with the threat of tears. The anxiety robbed you of any potential sliver of an appetite, and ruthlessly burdened your bones with exhaustion. How terrible was it to love something that death could touch.

But.

Your friend, another nurse, approached you and said a medic was waiting for you in a room isolated from the patients.

Heart drumming, you hurried to the area, wiping your hands dry on your uniform. When you rounded the corner, Eugene was there, holding his helmet against his abdomen. Something felt different. His face looked more hardened, but as always his eyes were as soft as melted chocolate. Had he unintentionally welcomed more ghosts into his mind? Ghosts of comrades, and even the enemy? New memories to lash out at him in quiet moments and in sleep?

Yes, it was true. But it didn’t strip him of his softness. In fact, it had only made him more kind, and determined. In those few days, it made him come to reason with death and tragedy. It could happen at any time, and that he should not wait to say what he wanted to those he loved. Otherwise, he would lose them before he could.

He set down his helmet on the ground and approached you.

Befuddled, you whispered, “Gene...?”

Before you could begin to process, his cold hands were on either side of your face. His mouth swooped down to catch yours, and everything went oddly quiet, like the moment of silence between lightning and thunder. It stole your breath and gave it back. It let you know that every other kiss you’ve had in your life had been wrong, and that your anxiety was indeed love for him, too.

[rathzem]

Let’s try this again...

|| PRE-ORDERS FOR THE HYBRID ARE NOW LIVE! ||

Like 12 punching a wall for 4.5 billion years, nothing was going to stop us from getting The Hybrid to you! The final zine is the result of 18 artists and 17 writers bringing you 23 full-page illustrations and 18 brand-new short stories of their interpretations of the Doctor-companion pair from series 8 and 9 of Doctor Who. Some might say they’re a…hybrid?

All proceeds will be donated to the One to One Children’s Fund, a UK-based charity that provides medical aid and education to mothers, infants, and children in impoverished areas, and is also a charity which Jenna Coleman is an ambassador.

There are four options available for purchase (and optional shipping insurance as well):

Digital Zine is the full zine, just digital. Will be available in PDF and eBook-compatible formats.

Physical Zine is the actual printed version, which will be approximately 100 pages long, sized 6x9″, and perfect bound.

The Zine & Merch Bundle includes the physical zine and 3 4x6″ art prints at this very moment of launching. However, there are several stretch goals of merch, and once we hit those goals, those items will be included in all merch bundle purchases.

And finally, The Cloister Bundle includes the contents of the general merch bundle (including all unlocked stretch goals), and also includes a 4″ acrylic standee of 12 and Clara dancing in their lovely Orient Express outfits.

Stretch Goals We have a bunch of stretch goals for goodies that, once unlocked, will be added to all Merch & Cloister bundles:

25 bundles: (3) 3″ stickers + (1) 3″ iron-on embroidered patch (currently 40% of the way to unlocking!)

50 bundles: (2) 2″ double-sided acrylic charms

100 bundles: (1) 1x36″ full color lanyard

200 bundles: (1) enamel pin

Orders will run until October 15th, after which production will begin. We are anticipating to ship out orders in November, so please keep an eye on our blog and our Twitter!

Thank you to everyone for your support so far!

[anauthorandherservicedog]

You’ve all heard me bitch about how horrible it is, having a cute, fluffy service dog whose breed isn’t immediately identifiable. And it really is absolutely f’n exhausting, having to answer the same question 15 times in one shopping trip, to the point where I want to get a T-shirt with “HE’S A MALAMUTE MIX” printed on the back. Or how it doesn’t matter how bright his vest is, how many patches I put on it, or what’s embroidered on his leash wrap, because people will ignore them and pet him, whistle for his attention, grab him, and generally be self-centered jerks because “Oh, he likes me!” so of course they’re the exception to the rule.

This isn’t one of those stories.

I was at the medical clinic for the sixth time in six weeks because yay pneumonia. The pharmacy staff now greets me and Bucky by name. And I know the layout of the pharmacy waiting area by heart, so I can generally pick out the best spot to park myself and Bucky’s fluffy butt so he won’t get stepped on or present a trip hazard.

(Experienced handlers are saying he should back up under my chair. If he does that, his butt sticks out the chair behind me and into the next aisle over. This dog is WAY bigger than you think he is. Strategically, his size is great for blocking, which is his primary PSTD task. Tactically, it’s horrible walking around with a dog the size of a loveseat.)

So I sit at the end of a row of chairs, with Bucky parked right next to me. He’s facing the same direction as me because I generally feel safe at the clinic, because it’s on a military base.

Then I hear it: “Is he an akita?”

Me: *ohgodpleasegoaway* “No, he’s a malamute mix.”

Other person: “He’s got a lovely coat. I just had a Newfie in my shop...”

Which turned into a wonderful conversation with a local groomer who sat next to me and gave me tips on dealing with The Undercoat From Hell.

But that’s not the point of this story.

While chatting with her, a boy came dashing up out of nowhere. Now, I don’t know anything about kids, but I’m estimating this one was pre-teen, so maybe 10 or 12? And I suspect he’s autistic, because of how he seemed to be interacting with the people and environment. He definitely wasn’t one of those annoying, entitled, tantrum-throwing, spoiled little shits that so many kids are.

He rushed right up to Bucky and started petting and hugging him, and Bucky just sat there.

Now, I’ve done my due diligence in exposing Bucky to all types of people, including children, but I don’t have children. I don’t like children. I don’t interact with children. So while Bucky is fascinated by children (and he gets Very Very Worried when a baby is crying anywhere nearby), he’s got only minimal experience with actually interacting with them, much less being hugged and climbed on by one.

So I was panicking, thinking oh shit, Bucky’s going to decide he’s had ENOUGH and stand up and the boy’s going to go flying and I’m going to get sued for everything I have, which is nothing, but still. And the mom was quietly and calmly saying, “Okay, that’s enough. That’s not your doggie.” in a way that told me that if she had experience trying to wrangle her kid out of unusual situations like this.

But you know what Bucky did?

He continued to sit there. And when the boy got too heavy, Bucky just laid down and let the boy lay on him. Judging by the boy’s expression, this was the Best Day Ever, because he got to pet a giant fluffy dog.

Good job, Bucky. :)

[marv-s-orginal-stories]

The Resistance: Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The Home of Little Saint Just

Apartment 2C was on the third and final level of apartment building  327. It sat to the right of the stairs and like every other apartment it had a plain white door with gold metal markings that identified the apartment as 2C. Once one were to enter they would see a relatively tidy residence. The apartment was two bedroom, two bathroom and it was perfect because it was shared by two people. When one entered the house they most likely noticed the large kitchen that was sectioned off by a bar counter area.

The Kitchen counter was a white marble as well as the bar area thing. That bar area was just the casual dining area. It had four dark wooden bar stools that stood out in stark contrast to the white tile the kitchen, the bamboo floors, and white carpet in the living room. The kitchen was state of the art it had a double oven an electric stove, a nice dishwasher, a huge refrigerator and freezer. On the bar area counter papers and textbooks had been haphazardly stacked and a half drunk coke can sat in the middle the sink was full of dishes that Mat had been ignoring. Other than that it was a very clean kitchen with only the Keurig coffee maker and the rack of coffee cups on the counter. The bar counter was not the formal eating area; next to the kitchen there was a simple wooden rectangular table with four wooden chairs with red cushions  on the seat. There was a lazy susan in the center and there was always two placemats at the heads of the table. That was the formal dining area where the siblings ate when they weren't in the loft. Across from both the kitchen and dining table was the living room.

The living room was the only area in the whole house with carpet. There was no fireplace but there was a wall and mounted upon it was a large flat screen television. Facing the tv was a glass coffee table, a leather three seating couch, a light red wing back chair with a matching cushioned square piece of furniture to rest one's feet on. This was Mathilde chair. On the coffee table there sat a copy of War and Peace and an empty coffee mug sat on a coaster with images of various broadway playbills on them. Also on the couch were two nicely embroidered pillows and some blankets folded across it. On the left of the couch was a leather recliner that was a few shades lighter than couch. More blankets were folded across that chair. This was the chair that belonged to Jared though he seldom sat in it. He like to lay on the couch. In between Mat’s chair and the couch was a five tier cat scratching post. It was empty but was usually covered by at least one of the three cats.  

Once you passed the kitchen and the living room you found yourself to two doors that faced each other. The door on the left is where we will start. This room belonged to Jared.

When pulling back the door you immediately notice the darkness of the room. The room was almost always in some form of darkness due to blackout curtains he kept closed most times so that he could sleep in when he did not have work. His room was fairly clean. It had an old roll over desk that was crammed in the corner. The roll over desk covered most the clutter but atop the desk were three pictures. There was one of his parents. One of Mathilde at age seven standing in a flower field beaming. The final one was of Jared and Mathilde on Mathilde’s first day of  college. The bed was large and pressed against the back wall so it was parallel to the door. The bed had a simple wooden tan colored head board head board and a very simple box spring frame. The bed was sloppily made. The plaid comforter simply throw over the bed and the pillows but the lumps in the bed showed that the top sheet was crumpled beneath, there was some objects under the comforter as well a book perhaps or a notebook. He had about five pillows that were not all on the bed many of them were but there was almost always at least one on the ground.

Then there were two sliding doors that opened up to his closet and in it half was his clothes and the other half was a bookshelf. It was well stocked and wonderful. It took up an entire half of the closet and was tall it almost did not fit. Mat loved her brother’s little library. It was her favorite place especially because on whole shelf was stuffed with fat binders filled with printed manuscripts. Jared loved to write and he always wanted to be a writer. His sister shared his ambition and she loved his stories. Many of those stories were shared works. Next to the closet was another white door this one lead to his bathroom. Inside there were the simple components of a bathroom. There was a vanity. The sink with enough counter space for the simple things. The mirror pulled back to reveal neat shelves with Advil, cough medicine, and other simple medications to use in a pinch. Beside the vanity was a trash can, and next to the trash can there was the toilet.  If you continued this way you would see a litter box. It was the covered kind with the gray plastic igloo hood. This was used almost exclusively by Jared’s cat. On the opposing side was the rough panelled sliding glass door that led into a shower.

The remaining space of Jared’s main bedroom was covered by a cat scratching post. It was fairly large post with about three tiers. It was made of tan and dark brown carpet. Sleeping inside the circle that sat at the top of the highest tier was a little silver tabby kitten with a bow for a collar.

She had large green eyes but they were shut as the little kitten napped. Her name was Juliet and she was Jared’s cat. The sweet little thing always slept in his room no matter what. It was rare to find such loyalty in a cat but Jared had been around her since she was born. She was one of Basest and Raoul’s litter. Also, he did spoil the thing rotten.

Across the hall was the room that belonged to Mathilde. Upon entering you could tell that it was much brighter. Mathilde had traded blackout curtains for her own red curtains with lace polka dot coverings. The curtains were seldom drawn. Under that main window was a low bookshelf made of dark wood. There was books in it many, books, and like Jared there were binders filled with manuscripts. Laying across the top of her book shelf was a fairly young orange tabby cat.

This cat’s name was Robespierre. It had been the first cat Amber had saved after her mother had put her foot down. The cat had received its name because the cat liked to decapitate birds. He was still fairly young and was nice enough. Robespierre was the classic cat. He was not mean but he only let you give him affection when he wanted it. Around his neck was a small blue collar with a silver bell and a little tricolor rosette. The cat cared about nothing but getting fed and napping. Robespierre was the shared cat but he like this sunspot the best in the apartment is Robespierre often lounged in Mathilde’s room.

Next to the bookshelf, was a small table desk that was covered in papers and books. Like Jared’s desk, it was covered in pictures.  She also had one of her parents. One of her older brother. One of herself and Sophia Scott. One of herself and her brother. One with herself and Amber and a final one of her with The DCs. Well, she had three separate frames for each small group she had taken a picture with.

The end of Mathilde’s bed faced the door. The bed was a vintage queen metal frame with an intricate headboard. It was covered by a white comforter and was always neatly made. There were also five pillows on her bed. She had one body pillow, and four regular pillows two the matched the comforter and two that matched the sheets. Resting, nestled between the pillows, was a little black ball of fur. It was a kitten. The third and final cat that belonged to the Boivin siblings.

This kitten was a sibling of Juliet, Jared’s kitten. This kitten belonged to Mathilde. His name was Saint Just. The cat had been the runt and was all black with a white patch on his chest like his sister he had green eyes but they were closed in wait of his owner, his friend to return. Saint Just adored Mat and would never sleep away from her side. Saint Just’s collar looked like Robespierre’s except it was red instead of blue.

On either side on the bed there were little white night tables with a lamp on the one closest to the window. On the one that was closer to the bathroom door there was an essential oil diffuser. The machine was not on but when it was it usually filled the room with the smell of lavender. There were things all over those night stands, books, glasses cases, a water bottle and some assorted pens. It was a bit of a mess. They were like the desk the place where she could dump her loose papers.

The closet was opened by sliding doors in this room as well. It bordered the door into the room and when you opened the closet you were greeted by all of Mathilde’s clothes. Well there were lots on hangers and the shoes were on a rack but there were drawers under many of the clothes that were hanging up.

All in all the house of Boivin was neat ish and very warm and homelike. This was the apartment Jared and Mathilde returned to after leaving the loft.

“Okay, so I can cook dinner,” Jared insisted.

“Alright,” Mat nodded and went to her room. She threw the door open and Saint Just lifted his head and let out a meow. Robespierre did the same but did not meow he simply lifted his little orange head to Mat’s presence.

“Hello babies,” She smiled at the cats. Saint Just had stood up and was making his way to the end of the bed. Mathilde smiled with glee at the adorable little thing and scooped him up.

“Hello Monsieur Saint Just,” Mathilde giggled stroking the sweet little kitten. He meowed in response. “It is dinner time you two.” She chided and carried out Saint Just while Robespierre jumped down from his sunspot to eat his dinner. Mathilde walked into Jared’s room and watched Juliet lift her little head. Mathilde grabbed Juliet aswell and then marched into the kitchen. Robespierre seemed a bit jealous of the two new kittens. That pretentious tabby used to get all the attention and his choice of where to sit. Now he had to compete with two little fluff balls that were barely litter box trained. Robespierre did not mind Saint Just because Saint Just was not to invasive of him but Juilet liked to try and take everything for herself.  That was another reason Robespierre now tended to sleep in Mathilde’s room he wanted to be away from that cat Juliet.

“Aw the crazy cat lady brings in her little loves,” Jared teased going for Juliet who was still in Mat’s arms.

“Yes, hungry little loves.” Mat smirked setting Saint Just down to grab the cat food. She dished out the correct portions for each cat and put it into their personalized bowls. Saint Just mewed and pawed at her legs not for food but for attention. “Eat your food,” Mathilde laughed turning the kitten toward the food bowl.

“That cat has serious separation anxiety.” Jared snorted flipping the grilled cheese over in the pan.

“Leave him alone.” She snapped back in return.

“My God you sound like Saint Louis with your snapping.” Jared laughed and Mat rolled her eyes. “What did you two fight about this meeting?” Jared laughed.

    “Oh come on we don’t fight all that much,” Mathilde snickered sitting down at the table.

“Yeah, I know but what was it this time?” Jared scoffed.

“If you had been awake maybe.” She started.

“Matty!” He said firmly.

“Location of the next protest, he wanted it near the library, I said in Lafayette park.” Mathilde said flatly.

“That is a little too close to the White House don’t you think?” Jared said as he handed her a plate with a grilled cheese and ketchup.

“You sound like Gabe,” She laughed

“No, his location idea is more idiotic than your’s by far. People go to the library because they have homework or stuff to do. Also the noise will not make you guys any friends.” Jared shrugged sitting across from Mathilde. He opened up a beer causing Mathilde to wince.  She  quickly rushed to the fridge and took the beer bottles out and started to pour them down the sink.

“Hey!” Jared screamed. She looked at him sternly.

“I just flushed a six pack this morning stop wasting your money on beer. This week I have flushed two boxes, a bag  and three bottles of wine, one whole bottle of brandy, and 36 bottles of beers.” She said in annoyance through her gritted teeth.

“Mat, I am sorry,” He said softly.

“Yeah, I know you are sorry.” She grunted dusting of her hands after emptying the fifth and final remaining bottle.

“Mat…” He started.

“Jared please, I am tired of hearing your apologizes. You never do anything about it. You told me you were going to start getting help. I can’t do this on my own.” Mat sighed “You are a good person Jared, an amazing big brother but you are ruining yourself. I know you can do it! I know you can get clean! Please at least try, I am here to help, I promise.” Mat started softly in earnest. She loved her brother but this was the side of him she wished she did not have to deal with but she took him as he was.

Mathilde cared too much to let this behavior just go on. She worked her tail off to try and get him help but he unintentionally undid all of her efforts. It was a terrible thing. Still she never stopped trying.

“I am trying Mat...I am, I swear.” He sighed. Her stormy eyes glistening as if they were about to cry which they were as she looked at him.

“Okay,” She murmured and the rest of the meal was consumed in silence before Saint Just, Robespierre, and Mathilde left the dining room. Jared sat there alone for awhile before he and Juliet retreated into his own room.

Mat knelt on the floor and knocked on the wood paneling four times. There was a brief silence before the four knocks were returned. This was a code between the two residents of this room and the room below. These four knocks meant goodnight to those two residents.

The resident beneath was Amber and they often knocked to each other when Amber needed help. Now, Mat knocked to tell Amber that she was going ‘off line’. This was to notify each other that the other would not be able to respond. So they knocked good night and then Mat went to take a shower like she always did before bed. When in the shower she sang a bit and started to think about Gabe and Jared’s critiques. It was true this protest was too small to be that close to the White House and she realised it now. So a compromise was in order. She went to her bed where Saint Just was waiting and pulled out her laptop. Then after scouring for about two hours she picked up the phone to call Gabe. She heard nothing but ringing then his voice through a voicemail recorder prerequisite.

“Hello you have reached Gabriel Saint Louis only leave a message if it is urgent.” The flat recorded tone did nothing to make Gabriel sound more human. The only time he sounded remotely human was when he gave fiery speeches or sometimes he would start in a casual conversation. Mathilde loved when that happened.

She loved when Gabe became relaxed, when he started to talk to her about things other than reform.

Technically, she was just as guilty as Gabe when it came to becoming a political activist robot. Gabe tended to almost always act like that but when she needed Mat could become Gabe 2.0.

“Hey Gabe, it’s Mat, I mean Mathilde Brennan-Boivin , look I was wrong about Lafayette park, I still don't think your idea is effective but I have compiled some locations.”  She heard the final tone and let out a deep sigh. Her eyes flicked to the time on her laptop. 11:30. Her homework was done and most importantly she needed sleep. She clicked off her laptop and set it on the ground before, closing her eyes and falling asleep.

[globalatomic]

Puma x Rhude AOP Coat - Black/White

Rising streetwear brand RHUDE is the epitome of youthful sophistication and attitude. For their first collaboration with PUMA, RHUDE takes a new look at rebellion, focusing not on its cause but on its cure. The collection blends modern streetwear with vintage suiting, accented by details that allude to medical elements like tiled flooring, lab coats and bright, menthol green accents. RHUDE brings sleek, urban style to this elongated jacket. With a collared neckline, snap button closure, prominent patch pockets and an eye-catching all-over print, you'll combine modern and vintage style with street-ready sophistication.

DETAILS

Regular fit

Snap button closure

Patch pockets for storage solutions

Hem with extra long drawcord for an adjustable fit

All-over plaid print

Embroidered PUMA x RHUDE Badge at left chest

Fabric: 97% Cotton 3% elastane

[hauteculturefashion]

Are you a textile and culture lover looking for awesome things to do (or buy) in Hanoi? Well, you are in luck. I lived in Hanoi for over four years working as a fashion and textiles lecturer. And for good reason: Vietnam is one of the best countries in the world for textiles.

Vietnam is home to over 54 different ethnic tribes, many of whom still dress in traditional attire and practice textile techniques that have been passed down through the generations. At the same time, Vietnam is one of the biggest fabric exporters in the world. The industry grows by 10% year on year and accounts for over 70% of the country’s businesses. Hanoi provides a unique mix of these two juxtaposing worlds: traditional ethnic styles and contemporary design and fashion.

There’s something for everyone: ethnic applique blankets; silk dressing gowns; high-end fashion boutiques; fabric markets selling every imaginable print under the sun. Read on to hear my definitive guide of must-visit locations for anyone interested in learning more about Vietnam’s unique and diverse textile history.

Watch My Fashion & Textiles Interview in Hanoi on CNN 

Fun Fact: In 2017 I was filmed by CNN to give my perspective on Hanoi as a fashion and textiles blogger. Hanoi Locals Share Music, Food and Culture Secrets was a 30-minute show featuring five local creatives who were specialists in different genres. The show aired across 150 countries. My part was around four minutes long (only two and half minutes are available to view online) and took place in three of my favourite locations; The Vietnamese Women’s Museum, Hang Bo Street and Hoan Kiem Lake. You can read the full article on CNN’s website by clicking here.

13 Things To Do In Hanoi For Textile Lovers

Photo of the spectacular fabric stash at the Vietnamese Craft Guild by Lucy Patterson at MountainThreadsTextiles.com

Ethnic Textile Shops

  1.Vietnamese Craft Guild – 1 To Tich, 10am-6pm If you only visit one shop in Hanoi, make it this one. Thousands of traditional ethnic textiles from all over the country are split over two shops, spread across two floors and piled from floor to ceiling in a way which will leave you feeling both gobsmacked and broke! The women running these stores have been in the business a long time and stock everything from reasonably priced applique patches and trinkets to museum-quality full ensembles. Be sure to go upstairs to see the good stuff and tell them that Donna from Haute Culture sent you.

2. 54 Traditions Gallery – 30 Hang Bun, 9am-6pm This shop-come-gallery houses objects and textiles from the ethnic minority groups of North Vietnam and the Central Highlands. They have about 1,000 objects on display at a time and almost all come with an information sheet that gives the buyer details on how the item was made, the materials used and its purpose within the ethnic minority it came from. The owner, Mark Rapoport, a doctor from New York, has travelled extensively throughout Vietnam giving medical aid and resources to people from remote ethnic communities for many years.

3. Indigo Store – 33a Van Mieu, 8am-6pm This beautiful Japanese-styled indigo boutique is the place to go for ethnic and naturally dyed textiles which have been up-cycled into products with a more modern aesthetic. They have a high-quality variety of indigo fabrics, home furnishings, fashions and accessories that incorporate a multitude of traditional and contemporary techniques. They also occasionally give indigo dyeing demonstrations. If you are heading to the Temple of Literature be sure to pop in and enjoy the eye candy.

    Chula provides an all-encompassing cultural fashion experience from the moment you step in to the shop to the time you don your new wearable art at home.

Chula provides an all-encompassing cultural fashion experience from the moment you step in to the shop to the time you don your new wearable art at home.

Awesome Fashion Boutiques

  4. Chula – 27 Nhà Chung, Open daily 8am-7pm Spanish designers Laura and Diego Cortizas have the most visually stunning shop interiors imaginable. This husband and wife duo also design fabulously fun fashion collections, sold in-store. They help the community by predominately employing physically impaired local Vietnamese people. Head to this luxury brand-come social enterprise for your conversation-starting, show-stopping culture-inspired fashionable needs made from silk, linen and up-cycled ethnic textiles. 

5. Kilomet 109 – 64 Quảng An, 10am-7pm Featured in Harpers Bazaar and The New York Times, Vietnamese designer Thao Vu is nothing short of a sustainable fashion guru. Thao grows her own indigo as well as other natural dyes and works in partnership with different ethnic communities from the North of Vietnam to grow and weave fabrics in organic cotton, silk and hemp. Kilomet 109 is thus one of the best sustainable and eco-friendly slow fashion brands on the market. Visit Kilomet 109 for contemporary silhouettes and beautiful basics that always have a surprise design detail to them.

6. Huu La La – 2 Nhà Chung, 9am-10am I’m not going to lie, Huu La La is my all time favourite go-to fashion store in Hanoi. Why? Because its rails are filled with gorgeous blouses, dresses and Vietnamese traditional Ao Dais made from a delectable range of rainbow silks, velvets and cottons. All are hand embroidered with charming motifs and florals. Do I need to keep listing reasons?!

My favourite haberdashery shop on Hang Bo street which sells a wall of traditionally patterned ribbons.

Textile Markets & Specialist Streets

7. Haberdashery Street – Hang Bo, 8am-5pm  Imagine a street where buttons, ribbons and trimmings spill on to the sidewalk! That street is Hang Bo. Hanoi’s Old Quarter is filled with streets selling just one thing, such as kitchen-ware street, bamboo street and wool street. Hang Bo is basically haberdashery street. For obvious reasons, this is my favourite street in Hanoi. You can find almost everything here: fringing; feathers; fabric scissors and my personal favourite: multicoloured ribbons woven with traditional motifs.

8. Silk Street – Hang Gai, 9am-7pm If you are wanting something super special to bring home from Vietnam then head to silk street. Vietnamese silk is legendary for being lightweight and you will find around twenty different stores selling a plethora of silks in every colour imaginable. Silk dressing gowns and pyjamas are a must if you find nothing else that takes your fancy. Many of the stores have their own in-house tailors too! Insider tip: if it’s cheap, it’s not real silk. Be sure to wash whatever you buy separately from your other clothes when you get home as many of the fabrics have not been cleaned properly after dyeing.

9. Dong Xuan Market – Dong Xuan, 9am-5pm A great local market in the centre of Hanoi within walking distance from Hoan Kiem lake selling everything under the sun. Head towards the back and straight up the stairs to the second floor to discover about a million fabric stalls. In the main building you can find a great selection of silks, silk brocades, cottons and velvets but if you walk right to the back of the building and over the walkway into the other building there are a few stalls hidden deep in the central aisles that sell an array of kitsch printed fabrics (mainly polyester) frequently worn by the ethnic minority people of North Vietnam.

10. Cho Hom Market – Trần Nhân Tông, 9am- 5pm Cho Hom market is a little bit further out from the centre and nothing short of an experience in itself. Head straight to the second floor and try not to get lost amongst the narrow winding corridors of stalls that display their stock folded from floor to ceiling. Here you will find a different selection of fabrics to Dong Xuan, but a word to the wise: do not go early in the morning. The traders are extremely superstitious and will not to pass you any fabrics unless you agree to buy it first. In Vietnamese culture, if the first customer doesn’t buy, you will have bad sales for the whole day. 

The top floor at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum: fashion lovers should head to this floor first and make their way down.

Fashion & Textile Museums

  11. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology – Nguyễn Văn Huyên, 8:30am-5:30pm closed Mondays A must visit for anyone interested in getting a broad overview of Vietnam’s diverse ethnic population and a glimpse into how they live their lives. The museum is spread over three venues including a spectacular outdoor museum comprised of real life sized ethnic minority houses. Read Haute Culture’s full review of the museum by clicking here.

12. Vietnamese Women’s Museum – 36 Lý Thường Kiệt, 8am-5pm  One of the best museums in South East Asia, this venue is divided over four floors and pays homage to the profound and significant role Vietnamese women have contributed to their country. Textiles lovers should start on floor four and work their way down. Don’t miss the Mother Goddess exhibition located between floors one and two. Read Haute Culture’s full review of the museum by clicking here.

Women weaving silk in Van Phuc Village close to Hanoi.

Textile Day Trips

13. Van Phuc Silk Village

This traditional Vietnamese silk weaving village is a great day trip for fashion and textile lovers that want to get out of the chaos of the city for a while. It is just a few kilometres outside of Hanoi. You can buy silk garments and fabrics here slightly cheaper than in Hanoi whilst getting to see many of the weavers in action. Book a guided day trip with GetYourGuide here.

Click on the image to open in Google Maps

The best way to fly to Vietnam

Are you looking for the best flights to Vietnam? We recommend searching with Skyscanner.

Click here find the best flight prices to Vietnam

Don’t forget your travel insurance

I recommend World Nomads insurance for their global, reliable and flexible cover. With 24/7 emergency assistance and 140+ activities covered, you’re in safe hands.

Check out the latest travel insurance prices and detail

Where to stay in Hanoi

We personally recommend using Airbnb as this style of accommodation can give you more of a local perspective of the city, click here to get £28/$37 in travel credit.

If you prefer to meet more people and enjoy the benefits of staying in a hotel we can also suggest staying at La Belle Vie as this is where we stay with our participants on our tour. Booking.com

Suggested further reading for Hanoi

  10 GREAT GIFTS YOU SHOULDN’T LEAVE HANOI WITHOUT and 4 REASONS THE WOMEN’S MUSEUM HANOI IS A MUST FOR TEXTILE LOVERS

Are you going to Hanoi? Why not pin this post and save it for later?

13 Things To Do In Hanoi For Textile Lovers (with free map) Are you a textile and culture lover looking for awesome things to do (or buy) in Hanoi?

[alexandersimonmartinezstyle]

Dapper Dan is back! Opens in Harlem, a tailor studio atelier in homage to the original shop of the famous couturier – Dapper Dan’s Boutique – reinterpreted in a contemporary version for a new generation

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Gucci and Dapper Dan inaugurate a tailor studio at Harlem: a tribute to the famous tailor shop – Dapper Dan’s Boutique – reinterpreted in a contemporary version for a new generation. Twenty-five years after the closure of the boutique in 1992, the new atelier will offer customers the opportunity to purchase customized Dapper Dan of Harlem dresses, made for them by Dapper ‘Dap’ Dan, using raw materials, fabrics, printed fabrics, embroidered patches and small parts of Gucci. The garments will be available exclusively in the new atelier on Lenox Avenue, near the original location, which will be open only by appointment starting from January 2018.

“Everyone liked Dapper Dan, but no one paid him,” says Dapper Dan. “People spoke out loud and Gucci lent his ear. In the cultural scene of Harlem, the most significant thing was the arrival of Alexander and Gucci to work with Dapper Dan. ”

The atelier studio, about 450sqm, is housed in a historic “brownstone” building, and includes a space with showcases on the ground floor, an impressive hall with high ceilings on the first floor, and an area for the atelier of tailoring.

The building, almost 8 meters wide and with facades on three sides, was designed by A.B. Van Dusen for Edward Roberts in 1887. From 1899 and throughout the twentieth century, this unique building, in neo-Renaissance American style, has hosted over the years a private school for girls, a residential complex for workers, a medical clinic, a shop and, more recently, housing units. In 2014 the building has been restored and renovated. Walls covered in sumptuous velvet, cherry red wood paneling and ceilings with white tin decorations characterize the design of the ground floor, and give it an intimate and welcoming atmosphere. In the rooms, furnished with unique vintage furniture and a selection of pieces in leather and wood, customers can choose their exclusive tailoring items, which will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

The first floor, which includes an impressive hall, has a separate entrance which is accessed via an external staircase typical of the “brownstone” buildings. Vintage architectural details – ceilings with frames, decorative wooden details and retractable sliding doors – have been preserved, underlined by delicate wall decorations, retro furniture and accessories from Europe, and a selection of Persian rugs. On the walls, archive photos by Dapper Dan in the golden age underline the historical link between generations and cultures. The “tailor-made” design of the atelier reflects both the aesthetic sense of Alessandro Michele, Creative Director of Gucci, and the rich tailoring tradition of Harlem that was represented in the original Dap store.

The idea that inspired the project is the meeting between Made in Italy and Made in Harlem, between the 80s and 2018. Dap, famous for tailor made clothes that was created for celebrity, athletes, and hip artists -hop in the 80s, is the testimonial of Gucci’s Men’s Tailoring campaign. The portraits reflect his personality and celebrate his cultural heritage, taking him back to his Harlem neighborhood, to places familiar to him. In addition to the bespoke tailoring project by Harlem, a Gucci x Dapper Dan capsule collection will be part of the Gucci Fall 2018 collection, available in Gucci stores worldwide.

Gucci and Dapper Dan, reopens the atelier in Harlem Dapper Dan is back! Opens in Harlem, a tailor studio atelier in homage to the original shop of the famous couturier - Dapper Dan's Boutique - reinterpreted in a contemporary version for a new generation…

[luisondance]

Dapper Dan is back! Opens in Harlem, a tailor studio atelier in homage to the original shop of the famous couturier – Dapper Dan’s Boutique – reinterpreted in a contemporary version for a new generation

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Gucci and Dapper Dan inaugurate a tailor studio at Harlem: a tribute to the famous tailor shop – Dapper Dan’s Boutique – reinterpreted in a contemporary version for a new generation. Twenty-five years after the closure of the boutique in 1992, the new atelier will offer customers the opportunity to purchase customized Dapper Dan of Harlem dresses, made for them by Dapper ‘Dap’ Dan, using raw materials, fabrics, printed fabrics, embroidered patches and small parts of Gucci. The garments will be available exclusively in the new atelier on Lenox Avenue, near the original location, which will be open only by appointment starting from January 2018.

“Everyone liked Dapper Dan, but no one paid him,” says Dapper Dan. “People spoke out loud and Gucci lent his ear. In the cultural scene of Harlem, the most significant thing was the arrival of Alexander and Gucci to work with Dapper Dan. ”

The atelier studio, about 450sqm, is housed in a historic “brownstone” building, and includes a space with showcases on the ground floor, an impressive hall with high ceilings on the first floor, and an area for the atelier of tailoring.

The building, almost 8 meters wide and with facades on three sides, was designed by A.B. Van Dusen for Edward Roberts in 1887. From 1899 and throughout the twentieth century, this unique building, in neo-Renaissance American style, has hosted over the years a private school for girls, a residential complex for workers, a medical clinic, a shop and, more recently, housing units. In 2014 the building has been restored and renovated. Walls covered in sumptuous velvet, cherry red wood paneling and ceilings with white tin decorations characterize the design of the ground floor, and give it an intimate and welcoming atmosphere. In the rooms, furnished with unique vintage furniture and a selection of pieces in leather and wood, customers can choose their exclusive tailoring items, which will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

The first floor, which includes an impressive hall, has a separate entrance which is accessed via an external staircase typical of the “brownstone” buildings. Vintage architectural details – ceilings with frames, decorative wooden details and retractable sliding doors – have been preserved, underlined by delicate wall decorations, retro furniture and accessories from Europe, and a selection of Persian rugs. On the walls, archive photos by Dapper Dan in the golden age underline the historical link between generations and cultures. The “tailor-made” design of the atelier reflects both the aesthetic sense of Alessandro Michele, Creative Director of Gucci, and the rich tailoring tradition of Harlem that was represented in the original Dap store.

The idea that inspired the project is the meeting between Made in Italy and Made in Harlem, between the 80s and 2018. Dap, famous for tailor made clothes that was created for celebrity, athletes, and hip artists -hop in the 80s, is the testimonial of Gucci’s Men’s Tailoring campaign. The portraits reflect his personality and celebrate his cultural heritage, taking him back to his Harlem neighborhood, to places familiar to him. In addition to the bespoke tailoring project by Harlem, a Gucci x Dapper Dan capsule collection will be part of the Gucci Fall 2018 collection, available in Gucci stores worldwide.

Gucci and Dapper Dan, reopens the atelier in Harlem Dapper Dan is back! Opens in Harlem, a tailor studio atelier in homage to the original shop of the famous couturier - Dapper Dan's Boutique - reinterpreted in a contemporary version for a new generation…