$26 original designs by Priscilla Presley's stylist (my eBay search terms are unmatched)

Spring has sprung and I’m wearing pieces I found on eBay designed by Priscilla Presley’s stylist. Yikes say that three times fast.

I’ve made a video on Olivia Bis before, which I will NOT link below, I think it may be embarrassing I can’t quite remember.

Olivia Bis was Priscilla Presley’s stylist/ business partner. Together they started the boutique Bis & Beau in 1973 (same year Priscilla and Elvis’ divorce was finalized).

Olivia wrote a book on her experience growing up in East Los Angeles, and finding her way within the fashion industry, which you can grab on eBay (I have eBay affiliate links, do with that what you will).

I found her story to be extremely compelling. You’re right there with her as she figures out her life. She’s open and honest. This was a time when you could be really good at something, and word got around. It felt like an exciting moment to work within fashion. Being talented was almost enough.

I also have this theory that we have to return to boutique shopping if fashion is going to retain any meaning at all but I can save that for a separate post/rant.

Olivia had already opened and closed a boutique during her early 20’s, and was designing for other boutiques off of what she had learned at Trade Tech.

In the late 60’s she opened a shop called Skitzo with Ola Hudson, who would go on to become a famous designer and costumer, as well as the mother of Slash.

One day Priscilla was waiting outside her boutique with two giant Great Danes, Brutus and Snoopy.

Olivia said she had been waiting for Priscilla to visit her store. As their friendship evolved, Priscilla would come to her with ideas of her own. One was a two piece powder blue set. The top had a peplum and hood that she had wanted made for a wedding she was going to with Elvis.

As their business grew, they moved their shop from West Hollywood to Beverly Hills. They designed it themselves, with Quaker lace tablecloths as dressing room curtains, and an antique bronze cash register. This shop would be frequented by Barbra Streisand, Natalie Wood, Aretha Franklin, Jacqueline Bisset, Shirley MacLaine, Jane Fonda, and Cher.

Natalie Wood often came in for special event gowns. Cher preferred shopping after hours. She once asked to use the phone to call her lawyer, telling Olivia after the call, “You never know a man until you divorce him.”

Priscilla did play a partial role in designing, but her marketing initiatives were what really evolved the brand. She would appear on numerous talk shows modeling their pieces. Isn’t it crazy that could make all the difference? There was a flow then that seems so disrupted now. Whatever I guess at least we have Uber Eats.

Olivia Bis is still designing clothes, many with the same style silhouettes you’d see Priscilla wearing while roaming around town with the hot karate teacher.

I just placed my latest order… I like her pieces a lot because I admire her story. She also understands the construction of a proper crop top. The halter dresses feel like a Lana Del Rey summer w/ a Diet Coke constantly in hand.

I’ll link some of my favorites below, if you’re into fashion and old L.A. I highly recommend the book.

Front Tie Crop Top, Halter Scarf Top, Three Way Halter Crop Top, Lace Halter (guess what another crop top), Cotton Polka Dot Print Dress, Vintage Lace Fabric Dress, Tunic/Mini Dress

Perfect looks for hanging at Bungalow if anyone still goes there or utilizing your AC.

The dresses are pretty short but worth the risk imo.

A few upcoming events I want to blab about:

-David Geffen Galleries opens to the public May 4th. Plus they have an Erewhon

-And Just Like That…Auction. I want the Love, Samantha card

-Printed Matter’s Art Book Fair in L.A., May 7-10th

Listed below are sales of old Hollywood history, glamour shots, silk sets and giant Lanvin jewelry. More is more…