Meet Leslie
A Collector, Costumer & Clothing Historian for this Project
Also A Singer, Performer, Costume Designer, Curator, Writer, Photographer, Columnist, Broadcaster, Talk Show Host and Artist
My love of all things vintage has become a lifelong mission to find and save beautiful pieces of history.
A good day for me is going on the hunt — sifting through old boxes and trunks at flea markets, antique stores and garage sales to find the most beautiful, interesting and unusual treasures for my collection and now my shop.
It all started with this crazy idea …
But disaster struck. The idea was to create a traveling trunk show featuring my vintage clothing collection that would tell the story of how people, places and events influenced what women wore in the 1920s through 1970s. So I did, over about a decade. Then, just when I was ready to take my show on the road, tragedy struck, on two fronts. COVID hit and my beloved son died, suddenly and unexpectedly, of natural causes. Why bother now, I thought. I was grounded and in total despair.
Then a friend came to my rescue …
And we hatched a plan. So there I was preparing to scrap the project when my dear friend Oakley Boycott, who’s an actress and model from New York City, showed up for me.The pandemic had her hunkered down in her hometown in Wyoming near me. So, there we were, together again, playing in my costume shop. This time around, though, we were set on a mission; to turn my traveling show into an online exhibit and shop through which I could sell pieces I no longer need in my collection. The mission has been challenging at times with just the two of us, she doing her own makeup and hair and me prepping the clothes and planning the shoots. She’s the model and I’m the photographer but every once in awhile we switch it up.
And this is what happens …
When two friends, one an actress and model, and the other a costumer and photographer, get trapped in a costume shop during a pandemic.
So far, the making of the online exhibit and shop has been filled with laughter and tears, both happy and sad. Through the process, I’ve learned the joy of creation soothes the soul. At this point, I’m still shooting stills, working my way back from the 1970s-20s and would love to have you along for the ride. I will, however, issue this warning. In the words of Margo Channing who I played in the musical “Applause!” — “Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night!” Quiet on the Set! Rolling! And ……. Action!
Leslie Drollinger Stratmoen …
Is a Singer, Performer, Costume Designer, Curator, Writer, Photographer, Columnist, Broadcaster, Talk Show Host and Artist …
Singer – Performer – Costume Designer — Curator
Leslie’s been singing since she was a child, learning the basics from her music-teacher parents, Marion and Ralph Drollinger. She began singing professionally as a young adult in folk, country, rock ‘n roll and big bands, including her father’s. She’s also been the featured soloist with community bands and orchestras.
As a stage performer, her leading roles include “Margo Channing in “Applause” and Sister Mary Amnesia in “Nunsense,” and in film, she’s worked in TV commercials. She’s also produced and performed in a variety of entertainment shows and fundraisers.
As a costumer, she’s designed and created costumes for more than 25 theater productions, including “Guys and Dolls” and “Meet Me In St. Louis,” and served as costume coordinator and production assistant in films. Along with curating the “Flappers to Fringe” exhibit, she’s also the creator of “Windows of Time Through A Woman’s Eyes,” and has offered her expertise in clothing history and restoration to other museum curators.
Writer – Photographer – Columnist
Leslie’s writing career spans four decades as a reporter for newspapers, magazines and radio. She’s covered national issues like wildlife management in Yellowstone and fracking in the West and major events like presidential visits.
Among her most memorable interviews is one with actor Kevin Bacon and another with savant Kim Peek who was the inspiration for the Dustin Hoffman character Raymond Babbit in the movie “Rain Man” with Tom Cruise.
As a photographer, she’s known for her candid and performance shots. Photos of legendary performers in her portfolio include Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson and Garth Brooks.
Her stint as a columnist spans a couple of decades covering a variety of topics. On the flip side, she’s been interviewed by CNN and A&E and served as a regional host for public television.
Broadcaster – Talk Show Host – Artist
Leslie’s broadcasting career spans more than a decade as a news director for both small and large-market radio stations and host of a daily talk show.
As talk show host, she’s interviewed a variety of national celebrities including Judy Collins, the cast of the “Longmire” TV show and former US Vice President Dick Chenney and daughter, Liz, who is now a US Senator.
As an artist, she’s been painting, illustrating and designing jewelry since she was in college. Her craft designs have been featured in Better Homes & Gardens magazine. Her illustrations have been published in newspapers and magazines. And she is the designer of the monument honoring Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper erected in front of the last place they played — The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa.