Not all fashion DIYs are created equal. They can vary widely from the very basic to the very imaginative and difficult. I must first point out what the definition of fashion DIY is to me – someone who is untrained in the ways of sewing and who does things in a way that might not be considered anywhere near “proper” by a bona fide designer. But that’s the fun in DIY – it’s a little bit haphazard and a little bit spontaneous. While I have to admit that I am a bit of perfectionist, I still have fun with the most basic of DIYs.
Today, I decided I needed a jersey top with one shoulder. Call it the Blondie effect, if you will. I currently only own one single-shouldered top but with its sheeny, shiny fabric, it isn’t what I need to pair with my Sass & Bide PVC Black Rats. (If I wore the two together I’d end up looking like an oil spill). Luckily, I had a black jersey t-shirt with a very wide neck (see above), ripe for transforming into my desired top.
A very easy DIY to do, just find a top wide enough to fit on one shoulder and under the other arm. Try it first, if the neck fits across your body, you’re laughing. Read more »
Posted on December 19th, 2008 | 2 Comments
The Ostwald Helgason label comprises the work of Susanne Ostwald and Ingvar Helgason. If you are at all familiar with the work of the label you’ll know how both designers provide the perfect balance between playful and tailored.
While previous collections have seen them design with a more fluid silhouette, their spring/summer 2009 offering sees them sharpening things up a little. Read more »
Posted on December 19th, 2008 | No Comments
Tagged: collection, Geometric, Ostwald Helgason
Cheap by anyone’s standards
It is perhaps heartening to realise that money doesn’t always guarantee instant access to the best that fashion has to offer. Sometimes, you just have to queue. But usually that queuing takes place at a hideous hour. In the hideous cold. With a hangover.
Queuing has never been part of my adult life. When I was younger, things were different: it was normal to wait outside gigs from midday just to ensure a place in the front row. But even that seemed pointless past the age of 15.
And yet a whole decade later I’m up at the crack of dawn twice in a month, queuing for the H&M Comme collaboration and the Angels Vintage Sale. And while the H&MxCDG yielded reasonable results, the Angels sale simply revealed that there are thousands out there even more desperate than myself. And by populating the front of the queue these people render my queuing attempts almost pointless.
For those blissfully unaware, Saturday’s Angels Sale saw the famous costumiers sell off a warehouseful of their old stock, priced by the bag for the equivalent of around £1 an item. Attracting a level of interest that clearly no-one expected, the keenest vintage hunters camped out a whole day in advance to snag those original 60s dresses and discarded Dr Who costumes. Read more »
Posted on December 9th, 2008 | 3 Comments
Tagged: Events, sale, Vintage
At the moment, I am possessed by the spirit of Liberace. I can’t go anywhere without my black & gold sequined headband or my purple sequined cardigan. I have several seriously glittery outfits that make me feel nice and safe while crossing the road late at night. Mind you, I try not to wear everything at once, as I wouldn’t like to blind anyone.
For now, have a look at a few style solutions for all of the sequin-starved wannabe Liberaces out there.
Everyday
This week I did an experiment. For one day I had to dress like a girly girl in the daytime. This might not sound so hard, but my day-to-day style is pretty masculine: jeans, boots, leather jackets, hoodies, flannel shirts and oversize tees are the order of the day. My feminine side mostly comes out at night decked in mini dresses and sky high heels. So on experiment day, I wore five-inch ankle boots, black tights, a t-shirt dress and my trusty leather jacket.
First unfortunate event of the day: I missed my bus in the morning because I couldn’t run the 100 yards to catch it. I was freezing cold all day, my feet felt like they had been hit with a sledge hammer, and that wasn’t the worst part. I had to visit the library on the way home to get books for an essay that has been looming over my head like a black cloud. Carrying said books (eight in total) I was fighting my way through a city centre jam packed with rosy-cheeked Christmas shoppers when I slipped on a discarded chip on the pavement. Luckily, I didn’t fall flat on my bum but I did manage to slam my forearm on a traffic light button-box in an attempt to save myself. Already limping and now wincing with what I thought at the time was a fractured arm (yes, it was that bad!) I made a hasty retreat home.
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Posted on December 8th, 2008 | No Comments
Tagged: alexander wang, erin wasson, leather
I have been keeping a very beady eye on the Karstadt New Generation awards held during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin for some great new talent emerging.
The winner of the award this year was Marcel Ostertag, a Central St Martins graduate, who won for his womenswear collection.
Read more »
Posted on December 8th, 2008 | No Comments
Tagged: A/W 08, central st martins, Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week, metallics, pvc
Everyone should have a core of clothes they can wear any time with anything. Even Kate Moss does, if you believe this book! I tried to compile a list of key pieces we should all have. Of course, it is totally biased by my own taste, but I tried to remain objective.
Pick a plain-coloured one. I like the American Apparel deep v-neck as round neck tees just don’t suit me. I generally try to choose mine in grey, black, white or a primary colour. Boys t-shirts are great to layer under a girly dress or create a colour block look when paired with a high-waisted skirt or trousers.
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Posted on December 8th, 2008 | 1 Comment
Tagged: outfits, photographs, street style, Tips
After years and years of always wearing the same makeup (red lipstick and black eyeliner), I recently discovered the fun of serious face-painting. I’m talking pink eye shadow, blue glitter, black lips, fake lashes, the whole shebang. A lot of my friends often spend several hours creating new and interesting makeup for the night and now I’ve caught the bug. It’s a great way to erase that feeling of “not so hot” and turn it into “uh huh uh huh”.
Here’s some inspiration in case you want to give it a go next time you’re going to hit the nightclubs.
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Posted on December 8th, 2008 | 2 Comments
Tagged: Make-up, nightlife, photographs
I have a huge love for most things girly. This includes big, beautiful bows. And let’s face it, we haven’t had a lack of them this season, have we? Whether they’re featured on my fingerless gloves (pictured above) or in my hair, I hardly ever leave the house “bowless”. A little twee, perhaps, but that’s what you get when your style icon is Minnie Mouse.
I decided that I’d compile an “ultimate bow lover’s wishlist” for those of you wishing to inject a little bit of cute into your every day outfits. Have a look…
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Posted on December 4th, 2008 | 6 Comments
Tagged: Accessories, bows, twee
