Jun 14, 2009 | DIY, Fashion
Jersey Dress with Rhinestone Trim, Pearls, and Chiffon Edging:
handmade by me
Ripped Tights: DIY
Zipper Necklace: YKK
Necklace, cuff, and bracelets: Claire’s
Stone Cuff: White House/Black Market
Bronze Boxing Glove Handbag with Gold Tooth: LOOP
Charcoal Combat Boots: Dr. Martins
This dress was inspired by one I saw Lindsay Lohan wearing in an issue of Marie Claire (2003? memory fails…) True to form, I also completely forgot the designer of the dress, but fell in love with it regardless. (Can anyone help me out?)
The photo I ripped out of the Marie Claire mag several years ago.
So, true to form, I decided to make one myself. 6 years later, it’s finally done! (Actually, I only started making it in earnest about a year ago, then kind of slowed down once I got to the chiffon trim on the sleeve openings – I tried raw-edged chiffon, but it fell apart, and I was feeling somewhat hopeless until I found some chiffon trim at Jo-Ann Fabrics.) I sewed every single pearl and the rhinestone trim on by hand. After many countless hours of late-night TV sewing (thank you Whatever Martha! and Gossip Girl) I realized it was a little too short for my comfort, and so added a little of the chiffon trim to the bottom. 
I also added side panels of fabric to prevent bra showage etc.
A close-up of the detail on the dress. The zipper-style necklace I received when I was in New York covering Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for FashionTribes.com– I had to display my press pass on the necklace – which even zips up, just as a YKK zipper should!
This
Loop bag is the coolest thing…I mean, who else would make a bronze bag shaped like a boxing glove?? It even has a chunky gold tooth attached to it.
DIY Ripped Tights tutorial here! (Though I’m sure you need no help ripping your tights, LOL;-)
xoxo
Carly
Jun 10, 2009 | Fashion
For lovers of the cherry-red soles of iconic Louboutins – or for those wanting to jazz up your old pumps with your choice of colored sole – score some leather paint at your local craft store (or online at Caningshop.com) – Angelus is the recommended brand – and paint the soles of your shoes! Don’t forget to mask the parts you don’t want to paint with painter’s tape and apply carefully…the paint will rub off with wear but is easy to apply. Use acetone to remove any bloopers. Seal your work with a coat of Angelus Matte Acryic Finisher. Since you’ll be walking on it, the paint will eventually wear away, but at least the visible part will remain cherry-red for as long as you want them to.
*Above, CharlotteRusse Patent Pumps, $22.99 (Buy one get one for $10!)
*Christian Louboutin Simple Pump, normally retails for $790, avail. for $474 here.
Jun 9, 2009 | Fashion
And What About the Winners of Project Runway from Past Seasons? (Seasons 4 & 5)
CHRISTIAN SIRANO
The tiny Salon packed to the gills; Tori Spelling causing a media stampede as she arrived and then the doors being closed to all media thereafter; our “Priority Standing” designation meaning “Standing Way at the Back Unable to See a Thing;” the Countess LuAnn de Lesseps from “The Real Housewives of New York City” in the front row– it could be none other than the Christian Siriano Fall 2009 Runway Show at New York Fashion Week – equal parts kitsch and fab.
(More after the jump…)
With strong shoulders and even stronger sleeves in a collection dominated by shiny fabrics, Christian Siriano’s designs stormed the palace in their characteristically fierce manner. Inspired by Ancient Egypt, the fabrics consisted mostly of browns, golds, and beiges, highlighted by some turquoise pieces near the end of the presentation. Though the drapey sleeves on many pieces were innovative and the skirt pleating felt current; the brown and beige color palette was unusual for a designer known for his partiality to black, white, and gray accented with punchy pops of color, and the shoe and bag collection, designed for Payless, seemed bulky and a little dated. There were two turquoise gowns near the close that were showstoppers in and of themselves – but taken as a whole the collection felt a mis-step for the young designer, and the squashy hats and gold beaded bangs on the models, well, just plain silly. But it was definitely Fashion with a capital F; and judging by the strong retail buying presence in the front row at the show, likely to be seen on the racks at upscale retail locations this coming Fall. See the full collection here.
(Runway photos, Thomas Concordia, Wire Image; Christian Siriano and Tori Spelling photo, Brian Arch, Wire Image)
LEANNE MARSHALL
The capsule collection recent Project Runway winner Leanne Marshall had toiled away on (for three weeks prior to the show, no less) consisted of nine elegantly-detailed pieces, presented in a small gallery space some 5 blocks from Bryant Park on Thursday night. Though she had originally aimed to present twelve, due to time constraints she “decided that it would be far worse to show quantity over quality and decided to cut some.” (As written on her blog, petalsandwaves.blogspot.com.) Despite the short amount of time in which she produced the pieces, the collection, inspired by her recent move to New York from Portland, Oregon, looked reasonably polished and presentable (though upon closer inspection a few crooked seams and bulky junctures detracted from the beauty of the pieces). Taking inspiration from the angular and detailed skyline of New York City, she grounded her pieces in dark neutrals, purple, and gold. Of particular note was a one-shouldered drapey black gown with sweetheart bust, a luxurious dove grey princess-hemmed swing coat with extra pleating at the closure, and a jagged skirt made of dozens of vertical tiers in different shades of purple. The dresses especially felt fashion-forward and unique, hardly the same-old, same-old that dominated many runway shows at the tents this season. Perhaps with more time and better fabric choices (and better styling – we won’t mention the hideous bedhead and distracting shiny skin of the models) she will be able to hit one out of the park on par with her final Project Runway collection. See the full collection here.
(all photos Carly J. Cais for FashionTribes.com)
-Carly J. Cais
Jun 5, 2009 | Fashion
I always love to see what other bloggers/fashion mavens out there have on their wish lists. It’s inspirational to me and really introduces me to a lot of brands I may not hear about otherwise. Here’s my list, for those who care.
(from left: Studded Necklush from Urban Outfitters, Wet Seal Side-cut leggings)
And there’s more, after the jump…
(from left: 12-point star shoe clips found on Outsapop, Jacqueline Sanchez Diamond ForeverYoung Ring No. 2 from Shanalogic.com, Watermelon Barette from GoldilocksBarrettes on Etsy.com)
(from left: fabulous suspender-back jacket from EKO-LAB, Studded Jacket DIY from FourEyedFun, Pleasure Principle Multi-Option Dress found on childhood flames (okay, so I’m unoriginal), Litter‘s shoe chains (love love loving the top pair))
(from left: Queen Michelle’s drapery pull necklace from Kingdom of Style, Fringed Necklace from Kristin (BLEACHBLACK)’s tutorial on LuckyMag.com, Fiona Paxton Beaded Necklace, $288 (note to self: must find way of DIY’ing this without having to sew every little bitty bead on there else it will make me crazy), Candace Ang Ruffled Necklace…DIY tutorial here)
DIY Elastic Bralette from DustyDress
(from left: Horsehead Dress from EKO-LAB, DIY Ombre Jeans from Nelliina (DIY ombre post forthcoming from me on FashionTribes.com!), Satin Badge from Etsy.com (I think))
(from left: Bronx Shoes…drooooool. Why oh why don’t you sell these in the U.S.??? (only the tall beige cutout boots are available for a mere $175 from Amazon.com); photo from Nelliina, Marc Jacobs Zipper Bow Cuff (I’ll be adding the DIY tutorial to my site once I’m done editing the step-by-step photos); photo from Vogue mag cover scan)
(from left: Gypsy05 Lola Long Sleeve in Black/Cream….$93, KrishaBana Triple Spike Earrings from Karmaloop.com)
I’m planning tons and tons of DIY’s for all this since either the real thing is no longer available or is not affordable for me right now!
The items above that are still available on their respective sites I’ve linked to directly; most aren’t anymore, so I just linked to the site homepage. Most of these are images from my compu
ter, so if I haven’t credited you properly, it’s more the fault of my memory than anything intentional. Let me know and I’ll fix the link!
Thank you!
-Carly J. Cais
Jun 3, 2009 | Fashion, Media
Friday the 13th of February saw the Academy of Art University present 6 outstanding student collections at the Bryant Park tents. “This season it’s all about collaborations: we want to prepare these young designers to go into the industry,” said Ian MacKintosh, Academy of Arts University In-House Public Relations. [Once in the industry] “they’re not going to be working by themselves; they’re not an island, they are working as a team in a design team atmosphere; they’re learning how to share ideas, morph ideas, and take ideas further.” Four of the six shows were the product of collaborative efforts between a textile designer and a fashion designer, where the concept for the clothing was devised between the two, and the textile designer then created the fabrics the fashion designer used to construct the garments. With such a melding of upcoming raw talent, the variety and innovation of the looks was both astounding and inspiring.
Heather Howard and Cat Janky showcased a collection (pictured above)
in a muted palette of grays, navies, pale denim blues, browns, and beiges; utilizing about 20% eco-friendly fabrics, and referencing a historical early 1900’s-silhouette with exaggerated lengths, longer waists, and mini collars. Textile designer Janky overdyed many of the fabrics and then printed them using silkscreening, pigment discharge and burnout techniques. Sketches of historical faces, ghostly pine trees, and antiqued plaid lent a vintage and aged feel.
(above, Sam Francis artwork, AllPosters.com; some looks from the runway show)
I-Shan Lou and Myoung Hee Kim created standout pieces by knitting shapes in angora wool and bonding rice-paper and chiffons printed with bold splashes of color onto them, a la Sam Francis and his abstract, splashy paintings in bright hues. Paired with black and white checkered leggings, the models exuded an 80’s feel, and the oversized knitted sweaterdresses and jackets seemed the perfect toppers for the artsy, fashion-forward gal.
(above, Leslie Shows’ artwork from jackhanley.com; some looks from the runway show)
Emily Melville and Ivaka Georgieva produced structured dresses with ethereal marble-like prints that could easily have found their way onto the pages of Vogue. Wool coats and dresses took on unconventional forms through unusual pleating and construction techniques; inspired by the work of landscape artist Leslie Shows the pieces were printed in sinewy grays, thin streaks of coral, and undulating beiges. The fluid colors graced hems and sides; the overall effect was ladylike and delicate.
The Britex Fabric Project showcased the work of a number of different students who used donated Britex fabrics to create paperbag-waisted pants and wool crepe dresses.
We also saw student Qianya Martin produce a collection of knitwear interspersed with sheer paneling; inspired by the tide pools and sand of Agate Beach in Bolinas, CA. She created a 60’s silhouette using sculptural knitting techniques, boning, invisible thread, and 3D shaping to fashion volumionous coats an zebra-like dresses in stripes of black and tan, with sheer fabrics in between. “I want people to have an appreciation for what’s beautiful already,” she said. “When we walk down the street, everything we see can have beauty in it, and I tend to live my life like that.”
Finally, student Scott McFarland showed a menswear collection dominated by textural, puffy sweaters with pink and gray diamond patterns woven into the yarns. Art Deco played a significant role in his inspiration for the collection, and he paired the pastel gray and cream hues with loose thermal underwear leggings and knitted accessories. Shape and 3D detailing stood out – though the color palette may have been not masculine enough (read: too fashion-forward) for some.
Overall the AAU show started New York Fashion Week off on an innovative, fresh foot – and any environment that fosters such creativity and forward-thinking while remaining grounded in the realities of surviving in this business – is to be celebrated. We look forward to what these talented designers will move on to in the future.
-Carly J. Cais
All runway photos by Scott Gries, Getty Images for IMG.
As posted by me on FashionTribes.com
May 31, 2009 | Fashion
(Forever21 jacket, turtleneck, sequined dress, and ring; Hue tights, Payless booties, Kenneth Cole bag)
Okay, I’ll admit, these photos were taken a while back and I just didn’t post them. It’s definitely too layered of a look for summer.
The jacket (Forever21) has a removable hoodie – multifunctionality, YAY! I haven’t had an occasion to wear the sequined dress by itself, and so I paired it over a semi-matching turtleneck-and-tights-combo. (Okay, yes, this doesn’t exactly scream “wear me in June,” but hey, it’s Portland, you never know.)
Here you can see the ring I’m wearing – it’s really cool – like an abstract silver plate set with little purple beads. It looks like an alien pod to me.
Little buttoned booties from Payless! Victorian and affordable – that should be my middle name.
And, on another note, after many hair-raising tales (trying to come in on the outgoing runway and getting screamed at by the Honolulu Airport tower control guys – never a good sign when they lose their cool – barely able to straighten out to land properly after swinging wildly from side to side – almost having to attempt a water landing when the plane had a little technical difficulty somewhere just beyond Maui) Hub has finally received his pilot’s license. It still means he spends more time studying than actually flying at this point. And to think up until now his motley “career” has consisted of Guest Service at a hotel and then insurance claims adjuster. I wonder if the FAA are worried yet?
(I kid, really, he will probably be a great pilot because he loves it so much. But his tales are still hair-raising all the same…especially when he tells me most of the time he can’t understand what the tower control people are actually saying. Eeeek.)
Happy summer to all of you – and if you live in the Portland area – watch out in the skies above!!:-)
-Carly J. Cais
The photo I ripped out of the Marie Claire mag several years ago.
