Sep 14, 2009 | DIY, Fashion
One of Betsey Johnson’s drawings for Sharpie
So bummed that I couldn’t make it to New York for this year’s September Mercedes-Benz Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Week…seriously, I would have gone just for the Sharpie Bar. And Crumbs’ Caramel Apple cupcakes.
Sharpie is making its mark on Fashion Week with the first ever SHARPIE BAR, where attendees are invited to get creative and customize fashion accessories and apparel, including a t-shirt designed by Betsey Johnson exclusively for Sharpie! The Sharpie Bar will be open September 14, 15, & 16 from 9am – 3pm in the Main Lobby @ The Tents of Bryant Park.
- Sharpie is making its first official appearance at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, debuting the SHARPIE BAR where guests and attendees can grab a Sharpie and get creative on a variety of apparel and accessory items. Everyone’s a designer at the Sharpie Bar — choose from skinny ties, sunglasses, fashion bags, bracelets and more — transform plain white fashion accessories into personal fashion statements. It’s all part of the HOT DIY trend. The Sharpie Bar with its giant glass autograph wall and Sharpies in endless supply is a Fashion Week must-see. Get inspired at the shows, then unleash your inner designer at the Sharpie Bar and re-create some of the fashion magic for less. DIY-not?
- Sharpie just signed Betsey Johnson! Betsey is designing an exclusive, limited edition Betsey/Sharpie Tee. We’ll be giving them away (while supplies last) at the Sharpie Bar beginning Monday, Sept. 14. Betsey will also make a special appearance at the Sharpie Bar on Monday, where she will design a Tee to benefit Breast Cancer/City of Hope cancer research center. Betsey is a breast cancer survivor.
Betsey Johnson has also made personalized Sharpie markers for other top fashion designers and sent out big buckets o’ Sharpie markers all over the US!
See behind-the-scenes pics from Fashion Week and become a fan on Sharpie’s Facebook page.
Sharpie is also making its mark throughout the week, popping up in the tents, in VIP gift bags, and on the seats and in the audiences at many of the shows. Sharpie provided personalized Sharpies for exclusive VIP use by many of the designers who customized their Sharpies, choosing from colors – red, pink, blue, green, lime, magenta, black — with their logos imprinted on the markers.
For a little DIY-inspiration…check out this video below about how to customize your t-shirt with Sharpie markers:
And I’m a little obsessed with the Sharpie Blog – the inspiring artwork and the endless possibilities of what you can write on with a Sharpie make me go WOW.
-Carly J. Cais
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Sep 12, 2009 | DIY
Tom Binns is one haute designer who’s been refashioning the way we look at “precious jewelry.” Pieces from his safety pin collection from last year popped up in just about every fashion mag on the planet – and there’s been some cool DIY tutorials for his safety pin necklace (bracelet, in the case of this tute) but earrings there have not been. In fact, the Tom Binns earrings from this collection were notoriously difficult to buy anywhere…leading me to DIY my own. (Well, I would have DIY’d them anyway, since I’m such a cheapskate and like to put my own stamp on things…)
Here’s how (for my version):
You need:
-med-size or small-sized safety pins (I used black)
-pearls (faux, of course!)
-silvertone eyepins
-8″ rhinestone chain (med size rhinestones) (you can scavenge this from a piece of jewelry you already have, or something found at a thrift store, Forever21, or even by the yard from Joann Fabrics)
-8″ rhinestone chain (small size rhinestones)
-oversized rhinestone post earrings with drops below them (scavenged from an ugly pair of F21 earrings)…I know, the original earrings use french hooks, but I wanted a more glitzy, drippy effect to mine
-silvertone jumprings
1. Remove the dangly earring part from your rhinestone earring posts, since we’ll only be using the top.
2. Cut each of your rhinestone chains in half.
3. Pair up one med rhinestone chain length and one small. Thread halfway through a silver jumpring, and attach the jumpring to the earring post drop loop. Each chain will sort of dribble on either side of the jumpring as your earring dangles.
4. Using pliers, thread an eyepin through a pearl, cut, bend and loop around the end so the pearl is suspended between two loops. Repeat for each pearl.
5. Using small jumprings, connect the pearl eyepin loops you just made, creating a teardrop shape.
6. Attach teardrop of pearls to main jumpring from Step #3.
7. Randomly pin safety pins throughout the cascade of pearls and rhinestone chain, making sure that the pins will prevent the rhinestone chains from slithering up through the large main jumpring and falling out of your earring.
As you can see, my earrings a bit heavy, so I’ll probably switch out the backs to the comfort acrylic backs that have a larger pad to prevent the whole thing ripping from my earlobe because of the huge weight of them. I also haven’t snipped off the ends of the rhinestone chain where the connector loops were – I’m that lazy!
I feel like a punky Russian princess! Thank you Mr. Binns for such great inspiration!
Happy DIY’ing!
xoxox
Carly
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Sep 11, 2009 | DIY, Media
Featured Here, There, and Everywhere!
Gosh, this has been circulating the internet in a couple places. I’m so thrilled to be featured on some of my favorite sites!
Two readers who made their own versions:
Rachel A. from
Parkavesweatshop sewed up the above one – she made the top longer to pull down if she so wanted or to scrunch it up higher. The longer length looks great!
Amanda V. used this super-cute plaid print and made a smaller, more ruffly-ruffle at the center front.
I’ve been so inspired by Amanda’s version I’m working on another step-by-step tutorial, this time for a fitted bustier-style dress from a men’s plaid shirt. Thanks ladies – for trying this out and posting your results – they look beautiful!
If anyone else tried this out and made a dress – please share! Thank you everyone for the mention – and, as always, Happy DIY’ing!
xoxox
Carly
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Sep 11, 2009 | Fashion
So I’m a little late posting this…please forgive me as it was Little Tot’s first day of School and I’ve been running around all day like a chicken with its head cut off…or a hot guy in a see-thru plastic suit who forgot his briefs.
Roaming the streets of New York today and tomorrow (Sept 10 & 11), two hunky male models are wearing environmentally-friendly tailored suits by Bagir, made from recycled plastic bottles. One suit is the “EcoGir” version [a non-see thru, regular-looking suitlike suit made with fabric derived from plastic bottles]- which is already available at Sears stores nationwide, under the Covington brand, for $149. The other model is wearing a completely clear, see-through plastic suit in order to send a clear message about the benefits of eco-friendly fabric made from plastic bottles. Both are distributing literature about this fantastic, affordable product with a conscience.
If you happen to be in New York City tomorrow, Sept. 11 from 10 AM -2 PM check out the models and their suits (or just stop by to drool) on 6th Ave between 40th and 42nd streets! (And if you happen to snap a photo….pleez send me one, just for me to keep strictly for journalistic purposes mmkay??;-)
No better way to kick of Fashion Week, IMHO!
xoxox
Carly
Update: Here’s a little more information I got my hands on regarding the suits and the company:
The ECOGIR™ suit technology greatly benefits the Earth’s ecosystem by finding a productive use for the nearly 60 million plastic bottles that Americans throw out every day.
The fabric in ECOGIR™ suits is the creation of the Japanese textiles conglomerate Teijin Fibers Ltd. Each suit is comprised of approximately 13 recycled plastic bottles. This manufacturing process reduces carbon footprint by consuming less energy than suits made from petroleum-based materials. ECOGIR™ suits further benefit the ecosystem by being machine-washable and tumble-dryable, eliminating the need for dry-cleaning, which exposes the environment to airborne toxins and harsh chemicals.
The ECOGIR™ collection also features Bagir’s signature performance attributes. All the pieces in the collection feature Bagir’s innovative AeriFlex® technology, featuring a component that helps improve the suits’ comfort factor. The styles have been designed with daily activities in mind. Stretch has been added to the fabric, providing all-over flexibility with concentrated attention to elbows and underarms, along with a unique EZ Hook expandable waistband in pants for more give in the waist. The ECOGIR™ technology will have an introductory price of $250 at Sears under the Covington Perfect Wardrobe label. Currently the suit is offered at a 50 percent savings, $87.50 for the jacket and $37.50 for the pants, providing additional value to consumers nationwide.
ABOUT BAGIR
Headquartered in Israel, Bagir Group Ltd. is over 45 years old and is best known for its innovation in men’s and women’s fashion apparel. During the past two years, the company has successfully launched highly innovative tailored suits and garments such as the comfortable AeriFlex® suit, which allows for unprecedented arm movement without stretching the jacket. The collection was launched under a number of private labels with retail chains in the United States, UK, Germany, Spain and Israel. Bagir has three international sales offices located in the UK, US and Turkey.
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Sep 9, 2009 | Fashion
Isn’t Etsy just about the most fabulous invention ever?? I have likely spent a small fortune purchasing from the designers directly through the Etsy interface – and even just browsing and drooling over the mass creativity showcased there takes up a large portion of my time.
I’m in a gray, shapeless, non-definitive mood, and these pricey picks are what I’m lusting after as of late.
Since most of these fabulous finds I can’t really afford right now, perhaps I’ll tide myself over with this hauntingly, achingly beautiful print that reminds me of both the beginning and the end of a journey:
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