5-10-08
Pamela Thompson now available in 2 more shops...in Canada!!!!
I am officially International! Ok....so it's still North America, but regardless, it's another Country....CANADA!!! My line is available at Lucy's Hidden Closet in Winnipeg, MB and Cygnature in Saskatchewan!! Stop by if you are out there, say hi and buy some dresses!!! :)
For addresses, websites and more info on each of the shops that carry Pamela Thompson, visit
4-20-08
Pamela Thompson now available in 4 shops!!!!
YIPEEEE.....my Summer 2008 dress Collection is now available for purchase in 4 shops!!! They are all super cute shops! 2 are in NYC, 1 is in Mt.Kisco NY in Westchester and one is ONLINE! Stop by and visit the shops today and make sure to buy one of my dresses while you are there!!! :)
For addresses, websites and more info on each of the shops that carry Pamela Thompson, visit
2-19-08
Pamela Thompson in Winter 2008 edition of Zoot Magazine
This is major for me! My first 4 page article about me and my Collection....and I am soooo proud! The brilliant Mike Kobel took the photos and Meghan Cass wrote the fantastic article...thanks guys! Thomas P from Zoot Magazine approached me mid-last year wanting to feature my work in his magazine. I am a huge fan of Zoot so I was honored....thanks Thomas!!!
I have written the article below if you are interested (hard to see the actual magazine page). If you have a magazine store that sells Zoot near you....pick one up! It is a gorgeous fashion magazine! :)
ZOOT MAGAZINE ARTICLE
For New York fashion veteran Pamela Thompson, designing her new namesake collection is childs play
Pamela Thompson isn't interested in trends. "If you are in the business long enough, you see that everything is sort of cyclical and it all comes back around. A lot of designers go to stores to see what's happening, or look at collection books, or whatever. I tend to look at that as what not to do." she explains. With a resume that name-checks Heatherette, Betsey Johnson and Anna Sui, Thompson has earned the right to go with her gut. The Chicago native has spent the majority of her career working behind the scenes at some of the most high profile names in American fashion. And now, with more than a decade of industry experience behind her, she is more than ready to strike out on her own.
"[In high school] I was really into vintage clothes. I had a friend who was into vintage shopping and she introduced me to it". That's when I started to really get involved in fashion." the designer recalls. Thompson spent her last year of college at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, where she fell in love with the city's vibrant nightlife and outrageous style tribes. " I had a street wear line when the whole club scene was happening in the mid-90's in New York. It was called Space Girl and it involved holograms, space age and really, really kooky stuff - it was what I was into at the time." she says with a smile.
During that period, Thompson started working for Anna Sui doing fabric research. Another major break came when Betsey Johnson hired her to head up the design team at her eponymous party dress empire. "Betsey and Anna were the two companies that I told my college advisor that one day I would want to work for. I made my life's goal to be able to work there...They are definitely my two biggest influences and the people I've looked up to since school." says Thompson.
While connections often dictate one's mobility in the fashion industry, Thompson landed her next gig the old fashioned way. "I answered an ad in the paper for Heatherette," she says. "I had been wanting to work there for a long time and I didn't know if it truly existed as a Company - I knew that they had runway shows and such. [Heatherette co-founder Richie Rich and I] were sort of like acquaintances from the club scene. We weren't friends-friends back then because he hung out in a different club than me. I used to hang out at The Makeup Room in Webster Hall." she explains. During Thompson's tenure as head designer, Heatherette produced some of it's most wearable and critically acclaimed collections to date. "You have to make sure [that what you design] is innovative but wearable - and that it's salable." the designer imparts. "Because at the end of the day it's a business and you want to make things that people will love and want to wear."
"When I am at a company I am 200% into working for them and doing the best I can for them. But things always end: you always have to move on so you can learn more. Eventually I was hoping that I would be able to launch my own line. Now is the time," Thompson states with confidence. After years of working on other people's labels, her signature collection is naturally very personal. The inspiration came from cherished objects and images that have been seminal to her artistic and aesthetic development. The spring line - christened "Dolly Kingdom" - is a vignette collection of three dresses that look like they could have been plucked off the backs of precocious heroines in a storybook world. "I love art and I love to look at art, especially fashion photography from the past. This collection was based on some old photographs of Sarah Moon's, along with a dollie that my friend Jeffrey gave me."
The influence is obvious. The Menagerie Dress is almost and exact replica of the one worn by Thompson's antique chalk doll. Made of lavender silk chiffon, the life-sized version is all delicate ruffles and buttons with a playful panelled skirt. The other two frocks, dubbed Wonderland and Debonaire, are equally sweet with feature feminine prints hand-drawn by the designer herself. "I really pride myself on making things so that they last, so that they're as beautiful inside as out. My collection has all those little vintage details that sometimes things don't have anymore because they are mass-produced."
For this season's lookbook, the dresses were styled with ankle socks, peep-toe pumps, and booties. Together with the models' peroxide locks and heavy makeup, the effect harkens back to the punk rock babydoll look championed by Courtney Love in her grunge days. As sweet and innocent as the dresses are on their own, they have the ability to project something slightly subversive when worn on real-live girls. Thompson's personal style is also a mix of girly and tough. When I meet her in Manhattan's Garment District her black ensemble is accessorized with a bejewelled necklace, pink leopard bag, and a pair of industrial-strenght platform boots.
While her fledgling label currently consumes most of her energy, she still designs t-shirt graphics for her mentor Anna Sui and works on the company's website. On her own time she also makes art, primarily in the form of 3-D collage. "I like to do as much creative stuff as possible. [My work is] all different extensions of my creativity, I guess. The more it builds up, the more crazy you get so you just want to use it in a lot of different areas."
In the fashion realm, Pamela is already hard at work on the follow-up to Dollie Kingdom. Can we expect more sugar and spice and inspiration from toyland? Thompson is tight-lipped in terms of specifics, but concedes: "It's probably always going to look like me, and there's certain things that I just love - and dolls are one of them."
Model - Fedora @ Supreme NYC
All dresses and hats by Pamela Thompson
1-27-08
Patrick McMullen's Book Glamour Girls
There is nothing like seeing your work on the gorgeous Lydia Hearst in the most important celebrity photographers new book. Glamour Girls, by celebrity photographer Patrick McMullen, is so fabulous, you will just have to trust me and pick up a copy! Seeing this full page photo of the dress I designed for Heatherettes Spring 06 Collection on Ms. Lydia, just about blew me away......thanks for telling me about it Macky!!xox
11-10-07
I am in a BOOK!!!!!
I am in a book!! It is called "Creative Careers in Fashion Design". It is a great book that tells all about the different career paths to choose from in the fashion industry. Along with information on the careers themselves, there are interviews with successful people in each career and their individual experiences. It is a must read for anyone looking to start out in any career in fashion.
I am chapter 33!!! I actually have a whole chapter of my own with photos even! So amazing....I can hardly believe it.
If you want to purchase the book, it is available on Amazon.com just click here
10-30-07
SUMMER 08 Collection Launch!!!
Welcome to the update of my site! I am still working on a new welcome page, so bear with me! I have changed around the site a bit.....to focus more on my new Collection. All the bits that were on the old site are still here....they are just moved around.
I am so excited about the new line. It is a very tiny vignette of dresses inspired by 1970's photographs by Sarah Moon and by my dolly Lillie, given to me by my dear friend Jeffrey. She is a chalk doll from 1919. I hope you like the new line and run out to buy it come Summer 2008!!! Stay tuned for more site updates soon!! xoxox, Pamela :)
To view the new Collection photo shoot, click here
5-29-07
CariDee and Beth O wearing my Heatherette designs!
I just love when I see people wearing my designs, but it's super fun to see someone famous wearing them! When I was at the last Heatherette show, I noticed CariDee from America's Next Top Model was wearing one of my first Heatherette designs. Then when I was leaving the tents I saw my idol Howard Stern's financee wearing another of my designs for Heatherette! I was gagging! So fun!YIPEEE! :)
(thanks for the photos Dani!)
5-29-07
Pamela Okey (aka Pamela Thompson) in Second Life!!
My New Identity in Second Life
I am official hooked! I am Pamela Okey in Second Life and scary enough, I seem to spend hours in my new life without even noticing the time! The top photo is me in my first "flexi" design riding on a giant frog ride in Tokyo. In the second photo I am in my husband's gallery and the bottom photo is me in a bar on the "lower east side" in Midnight city (aka Second Life NYC). You can actually get drunk there! If you drink to many beers, you pass out! hehehe.
My husband built me an art gallery/design studio and I have put up all of my artwork and am slowly learning to design clothing. Who knew it would be easier to construct clothing in real life! It's taking a ton of time to figure out how to build 3-D clothes in a 2-D application, but I designed my first "flexi" dress and it looks great! For those of you "non SL ers" that means that the dress is flexible and blows in the wind. If you don't have Second Life, you should try it...it's free!!
I will post my address just as soon as I finish my store. Otherwise you can look me up! I would love you to come by and hang out!
2-4-07 NEW!!
Pamela Thompson's dress for Heatherette in VIDEO!
Sneaky Sound System - I Love It
My dearest Aimee Phillips, formerly of Heatherette Fame and now the fab new director of PR for the Scissor Sisters, came across this video. The lead singer of Sneaky Sound System, the band that is opening for the Scissor Sisters new tour, is wearing a dress I designed for Heatherette, during my first season with the label! The green dress is mine. I just love surprise press!!! Thanks Aimee!!!! MWAH! xoxox
12-30-06
Code To Link To My Site!!!
If you are interested in linking to my site, use the code below...I appreciate any and all promotion....Thanks for adding me!
8-20-06
THANK YOU!!!!
Just wanted to say a quick thank you to all who took the time to fill out my Fashion Survey! It really helped me figure out my customer and what you guys want! I really appreciate your help! :) Thanks for your support and participation!
6-16-06
Heatherette - Gothamism Fall 06 fashion show
I know I promised that it wasn't going to take me 4 months to put up the photos of the Heatherette fashion show for Fall 06, but alas....it did....
This was the most special fashion show I did with Heatherette! It was our first show celebrating our new home; with all of us together at the Empire State Building. It got RAVE reviews as the best Heatherette show yet...filled with drama and wearable, fun clothing. Enjoy!
I have also put up some backstage/party photos in the fun section! Check it out!
4-24-06
Short but SWEET!!!!!!!
So I may be a bit of a novice at Flash, but this short film strip in the life of my new 1919 dolly Lillie, is well worth overlooking all the bells and whistles. She is way cute!! My good friend Jeffrey gave her to me and I promised him that she would have many adventures.....this is the first in a series of Lillies Adventures! Hope u like....and hope by volume 2, I learn more flash! :)
4-07-06
My Space
I probably should have added this a while ago, but I really had a crappy looking My Space page. I recently figured out how to make it prettier. Now that I have suped it up some...I would love you to check out my profile and add me as a friend...hope to see ya on there! :)
3-18-06
Pamela added to Perfectpose.com
I added my profile to www.perfectpose.com a site that helps network models, photographers, designers and other creative lovelies!....I just love getting in on the ground floor of new sites!
2-12-06
UK Site displays 6 of my Art pieces!
I love when people approach me to display my artwork, 1. because it never happens, and 2. because I can be just damn lazy about finding representation for my artwork. A UK site named Malstores emailed me and asked me if I want to display my artwork for free on their site....what is better than free? I'll tell you.....how about the "donate to the artist" button at the bottom of my Malstores page???
Won't you please visit my page and donate? Or if you are feeling real generous, you can go to my ART section of my site and BUY!!! xoxoxo, Pamela :)
Check out the Malstores page at:
http://www.malstores.com
12-31-05
David's Phone Blog!
Like photos of everyday life? Not into reading much more that 2 lines of text? If so...then David's Phone Blog is for you! My husband David has been photo documenting our daily life via his less than stellar camera phone - makes for some major mystery! From our train rides, to our days at work, to odd bits along the way.....there is more than enough embarassment to go around! It changes multiple times throughout the day...for constant fun and photo fabulousness!
Check out the Blog at:
http://david2312.blogspot.com/
12-31-05
Heatherette Spring 06 Fashion Show at Bryant Park!!!
Ok....Ok....so I may have taken 3+ months to actually get this update up and it may be old news to you....but I feel still worthy of the front page. The show was the most successful yet. We were cheered by the press as being true contenders in the designer market.....yipeeee...so go buy some....and help us keep Heatherette at the forefront! Thanks again for everyone's support! We were happy this season to all be under one roof at our new Empire State Building offices! Stay tuned for next season's show...check back in February! I have posted show photos in the portfolio section and some behind the scenes in the fun section....mwah!
08-13-05:
Heatherette Launches at Henri Bendels!!!
Pretty exciting stuff happening at Heatherette Boot Camp - we launched our line at the fabulously gorgeous Henri Bendel in NYC and in certain Heatherette style, Richie, Traver and Aimee threw quite a party. I put up photos in the fun section of the site!! Wish you all could have come to celebrate....and for those of you who did...thank you for your support!!
07-10-05:
Pamela Thompson added to New York Designer list at Fashion.net!!!
I am amazed and honored! I stumbled across my name added to Fashion.net's website list of New York Designers! This is major! This site is the be-all of cool names! I am listed among the likes of my former bosses, Anna Sui and Betsey Johnson, as well as other incredible talents such as Helmut Lang, Marc Jacobs and Zac Posen. This is the kind of thing that really brightens my year!! Yipeeee! Thanks Fashion.net!
Check out Fashion.net website at
www.fashion.net
02-06-05:
Heatherette Fall 2005 Show in Bryant Park
What a show!!!! Whooshk (as Richie would say!). It really took my breath away. A perfect mix of crazy Heatherette anticks with a wearable line beneath. It was a total collaboration from the clothing, to the styling, to the sets. The reviews were great too!!! A special thanks to Richie and Traver for gracing me with the fortune of working for the two greatest people on earth. And to my design team for all of there hard work and love for the line. Check out the video at www.olympusfashionweek.com
Also check out the newly launched Heatherette site!! It is still being updated but is looking super cute! There is a super cool new message board on there as well where people chat about all things Heatherette!
www.newyorkmetro.com
01-05-05:
Pamela Thompson in Tribeca Art Show
On January 12th - February 7th 2005, my 3 Dimensional boxes will be on display, in an artshow in Tribeca, NYC called Altered Images. It is just me and one other artists work. It is in a super cute Gallery called A Taste Of Art. I have two new boxes done that are mega huge and worth a look. There is an opening reception, on January 12th, from 6-8pm. Please come to support my baby art career!!! I would love to see you all!
01-05-05:
Pamela Thompson's design in music video - The Vanishing
I just received word from the talented and supercool producer/director Xavier Gomez, in association with 400 blows.com, that one of my dresses while I was designing for Betsey Johnson made it's way into a music video directed by Xavier. Check it out at www.400blows.com
10-12-04:
Pamela Thompson in group art show - CITY FOUND
On Friday, October 1st, I showed my 3 Dimensional boxes in an artshow in NYC called City Found. It was the first in a series of 4 shows that took place at the West Chelsea Arts Building. I was discovered there by the owner of the "A Taste of Art" gallery in Tribeca NYC and will be showing there with one other artist in January...I'll keep ya posted. Thanks to everyone who showed up to support me!! xoxo
9-18-04:
Pamela Thompson joins the Heatherette Family!
You heard right....I am now working with Heatherette as Head Designer. The line was the brain child of former club kid Richie Rich and his partner Traver Rains. They are two of the most incredibly talented and sweetest people I have ever known and I am honored and blessed to be working beside them. We will be doing a redesign of their website shortly, but in the meantime check out their site at www.heatherette.com Check out their most recent show at www.olympusfashionweek.com (photos by Boy George)
IN MEMORIAM 9-13-04:
MY KITTY
This is a terrible day. Aside from the pain of another 9-11 anniversary....my Kitty of 19 years was put to sleep today. She had been terribly sick and was no longer able to eat or walk. Please join me in celebrating a wonderful Kitty life with this tiny tribute to the best Kitty EVER....My Kitty.
8-28-04
Meomi Web Site
This is the cutest site (next to mine of course!)!! It has all kinds of games and the cutest graphics ever!! Love to promote talented people! Check out the Meomi Movie.
8-16-04
ABOUT THE SITE
Welcome to the launch of my new website! I will be updating it often so make sure to check back now and again or sign up for my mailing list and I will send you mail when there is new stuff to see.
I designed this site to exhibit my portfolio of work since I arrived in NYC in 1993. In the About Pamela section, you'll find a timeline showing who I worked for and when. I have worked for myself, Anna Sui, Dollhouse and Betsey Johnson (among others). I have also dabbled in art and graphic design. Make sure to check out the fun page. I just got a camcorder and am into making odd mini films! This site will show you the range my work through photos, audio and video.
8-8-04
Paris Hilton wearing Pamela's Design
Paris Hilton in Metro NY wearing a design by Pamela Thompson for Betsey Johnson!!
It may be a free paper in NYC….but it's super cool to see Paris Hilton wearing this washed velvet dress with 20's beading while she is out and about. Don't go looking for this little number in the Betsey stores! It won't be out until December!
7-30-04
Avrile Lavigne wearing Pamela's Design
Pamela Thompson's design for Betsey Johnson makes the cover of June/July Nylon Magazine!
The design, featured in Betsey Johnson's 2004 Fall runway show, BJ ROCKS, also made it's way onto the cover of Nylon Magazine and rocker Avrile Lavigne. For more details on this issue, click on press and then the Betsey Johnson logo!
