Take a look at this behind-the-scenes video (courtesy of MLB.com) from Monday's 2009 All-Star Game Home Run Derby and let us know what you think of the cool threads on display.
Adorable, right?
By the way, we're not talking about the players' jerseys - that would be über-weirdo to call a baseball uniform adorable - but rather Raul Ibanez's daughters, who are sporting outfits crafted by a local textile designer.
Together with the Valley-based Girly Girlz shop, Deanna Lucky, the one-woman, do-everythinger proprietor of The Lucky Princess Boutique, outfitted the future heartbreakers with completely customized, one-of-a-kind, baseball-themed couture. (Take another look at the video, just in case you missed it.)
For the past six years, Cindy Owens of Girly Girlz has been taking orders for little girl's clothing from players of most major league clubs - especially those who train in the Cactus League each spring - and then forwards the specifications to Lucky. From there, Lucky, whose home studio is based in Mesa, designs and puts together a rock-star outfit. Some of the happy customers include Ibanez of the defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies, the St. Louis Cardinals' contemporary Sultan of Swat Albert Pujols, and Arizona Diamondbacks Brandon Webb and Chad Tracy.
Now, for sports fans who could give a crap about kids' clothing, consider this: You may horde this armchair-Buddhism association with your favorite team's changes of uniforms. Some sort of mystical Zen that floats around in your consciousness tells you that new gear equals more checks in the win column.
Seems pretty silly when you think about it.
On the other hand, there's not a lot of mystery about Lucky's handcrafted work. It's just damn good. Plus, each item, available through her Web site, is a distinctive artwork, so don't expect to find a duplicate item at a cheeseball mall store next to the Sbarro pizza parlor.
Says Lucky, "I think the products are very unique . . . It's not something that there's going to be one-hundred of them made and somebody else in a store down the street is going to have it. It's totally custom and for the person who wants something one of a kind and unique."
Lucky, who is married to former University of Arizona and Dallas Cowboys' tight end Mike Lucky, began sewing clothes for the daughters of her husband's teammates while living in the Lone Star State. Nine years later, Lucky Princess is going strong with the baseball couture as well as bags, blankets, and general girly-girl goodness. Lucky even fashioned Super Bowl wear for the Arizona Cardinals' wives attending the oh-so-close championship victory in Tampa.
For more on the baseball line, which is exclusively available through Girly Girlz, check out www.girly-girlz.com. Details about The Lucky Princess Boutique, which includes an online shop as well as a listing of where to find the goods in the Valley, can be found by visiting www.theluckyprincess.com.
