As some of you may know, I’ve been working part-time at a local video production company and stage rental house. We did a promo video for thePortland Saturday MarketFashion Show (Hustle & Bustle) last month, and I wanted to share the results.
I did all the titling and motion graphics for the piece, so I’m showing off a bit.;-)
So the $10 million dollar question is…are you going to wait in line for the Maison Martin Margiela collection at H&M?
I’m debating whether to swing by the mall on Thursday and check out a couple pieces, though probably not buy. It’s not like I need them after all.
What do I need want are the color variations of the perfect metallic hair-ring…I picked up gold the other day, and now I’m kicking myself for not picking up silver and copper. Similar to what was seen on the Dries Van Noten runways for S/S 2012, H&M has put out their version (which looks similar to a couple plastic ones with metallic foil on them I’ve had since the 80’s…I think they were Goody, originally.) Deliciously minimalist, problem-solving construction so your hair isn’t falling out of your DIY napkin ring/copper plumbing piece you’re making do with. Sometimes DIY is not always the answer to a basic construction problem…and buying at retail price will save you a lot of time and frustration. I have fine hair and find that anything metal and heavy will slip right out of it. The H&M piece has an inner ring that secures the hair elastic, and a snap closure that’s easy to apply, and is only $4.98.
By strange coincidence, all the metal I was wearing today was H&M…gold metal hair-ring and copper choker bought Sunday, and gold elongated pyramid earrings purchased back in June or so. Nails are suede-finish Amber by Julep, a perfectly-matte, velvety-finish dull gold.
As for the Margiela collection, I’m thinking possible DIYs for that hitched-up turtleneck (safety-pins applied under the hem to hitch things up)…that trompe l’oeil bodysuit (just tack on a black bra to a nude long-sleeved leotard)……that glove clutch (attach gloves to your clutch bag with some leather glue)…those skirted trousers (throw a similar-colored skirt over a pair of wide-leg trousers)……those hand-painted loafers (paint your black loafers with some white latex [not acrylic, and not leather] paint)…that pieced-together coat (2 different coats, stitched together into one)…
…and those plexi wedge pumps…though I’m questioning whether time and effort is better spent just buying those heels as-is. Sometimes just plunking down the $4.98…or in the case of the plexiglass heels, $299…is an actual cost-savings when it comes to something that needs to bear weight and be flexed multiple times in a day, like shoes…
Also, the $20 million dollar question: Will you buy something knowing that it is extremely recognizable [and may remain so for years] in the collective conscious as from a certain collection, store, or designer?
xoxox
Carly
Margiela for H&M Collection photos from Refinery29.com. See the whole collection here.
Chain-and-rhinestone necklace: Forever 21 (similar here, or just DIY it by wrapping a bunch of different chain chokers around themselves, and hooking in a couple rhinestone links or beads)
Reversible vinyl clutch: freebie from Vivi magazine December 2012 issue
Leggings with attached legwarmers: My Honey Bee
Scrunchy velour boots: GoJane (old)
I’ve had a horrible cold for the last week or so, and Hub went to the Japanese market and brought home a present to make me feel better: the latest issue of my favorite magazine Vivi, and the latest issue of Shibuya-109 Book with included Cat Hat Beanie freebie! (more…)
I’m loving the shoe line Grey City and their alluringly gothic take on the standard black wedge – it makes me want to drape myself in head-to-toe black, shredded tees, and DIY Rick Owens accoutrements. Maybe it’s my inner Daria…or maybe what Daria would have been in 2012.
I’ve been featured in the first-ever installment of Cut Out + Keep‘s new blog series: DIY Fashionista!
If you’ve never heard of Cut Out + Keep before, they’re an awesome tutorial-sharing site for all crafty-minded people out there. Not as tech-oriented and hone repair as Instructables, wayyyyyy better design that Craftster, and it’s a wonderful source of inspiration and amazing projects. In the interview, I talk favorite designers and brands, shopping destinations, and offer some advice for making and customizing your own things!
Thanks so much to Cat and the team at Cut Out + Keep for the feature, I so appreciate it!
Have you guys heard of ShopLocket yet?
It’s one of the best ways to sell items direct from your blog, without any of the hassles of setting up an entire storefront. (more…)
Carly J. Cais I am a DIY’er, designer, sewist, maker, and marketer. Chic Creative Life is where I share what I do, and help others bring their unique style into their own lives.