Nov 12, 2010 | DIY, Fashion
Rhinestone necklaces: DIY. Pyramid Stone Necklace: Ann Taylor. Organza Over-Jacket: hanmade by me. White LS Top: Forever 21. Oxidized Twisted Branch& Flower Rings: mocha (Shibuya, Japan). Enamel Ring: unknown. Pleat-Front Pegged Trousers: DIY. Trouser Socks: Target. White Perforated Orfords: 10 W Rue – thrifted.
Day 11 of my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 11.
Veteran’s Day…and the day H&M finally opened in Portland!! Yay!
So I went down there, thinking I might get a good spot in line 3 and a half hours before they were going to open.
Nope! There were people in tents who had slept out on the sidewalk since the night before.
It was insane!! It was bitterly cold and the two lines stretched outside around the block, even at 8:30 AM when I stopped by.
I snapped a couple photos and then went to the fabric store instead, and then browsed YesStyle for a couple hours, filling my virtual shopping basket with pretty things from Asia, and then emptying it again. It was somewhat of a pointless day.;-)
The necklaces I DIY’ed from some Forever 21 jewelry to make them look like some $89 necklaces from J. Crew’s catalog. My tutorial is here.
The peach-colored top with shoulder pads I made and brought with me to last NYFW, as part of a mini-collection. I was just trying to sound out the possibilities of developing the collection and selling to the publis. I came to the conclusion that it was just too risky to go back into clothing production at this point in the economy. I’m feeling a slight shift in consumer attitudes – and I’m not sure a brand-new clothing line with stuff made the same old way that we’ve always done it is the way to go. I think things have to be different – manufacturers have to go about producing things a different way – in order to find success as a start-up in this post-consumer economy. I’m not sure we can continue sourcing fabrics and materials, creating patterns, producing offshore in large numbers, and then pushing the finished items onto the American consumer as the New! thing, or Best! thing, or Hot! thing. I’m not sure it’s really responsible to keep doing things the same way that’s gotten the whole industry in trouble.
At least, that’s my 2cents.
So until I figure out a better way to produce pretty clothes not utilizing brand-new fabrics, offshore labor, and manufacturing policies that cut unnecessary corners in order to squeeze out the last penny of profit, my clothing line will still remain a pipe dream. On the one hand, I want more control over design – and virgin fabrics straight off the bolt can be fashioned into anything imagineable. And they’re clean, available usually in large quantity, and unchanging quality. On the other hand, fabric from the bolt is very expensive. Using stuff that already exists (the excess clothing at the Goodwill Outlet, for example) – is far cheaper. However, design of the final product is severely limited by what you find. And even if you find something that works for you it’s not an item that’s in abundant, unlimited supply, either – you may find a fabulous shirt made out of lovely material at the Bins one day that you can repurpose for a bag or something – but that’s just it: ONE bag. You can’t make a line of them, and once you sell that ONE BAG that’s it. All that work put into producing the pattern, making a muslin, producing a sample, sourcing the notions etc. is now for naught since you can’t make the exact same thing again. You also have to sell that one-off for an incredibly high price to justify all the work that went into it. Or you produce a motley “line” of items that are all one-offs, made from different fabrics, that can’t be sold in multiple pieces anywhere or for low enough price points that many people can buy them. That’s why Raquel Allegra‘s shredding work on her line using t-shirts from the LA County Jail was so ingenious – there was so much of that material available, in almost unlimited supply, and her handiwork on them imbued them with so much value the price points were easily justifiable.
Sorry – little tangent there. It’s a very difficult balance: design innovation & high-quality materials (but with ecological and consumer waste) vs. design limitations & iffy, irreplaceable materials (but eco-friendly). I’m open to any suggestions!
I also love looking for pleat-front trousers at thrift stores – there are so many ugly ones from the 80’s! Just crop them and stitch the side-seams a little closer together near the ankle to taper them into the style that’s so popular now (and that I’m sure we’ll all hate come Fall of 2011).
Shoes were another fab Goodwill find…but the soles are so thin, they’re a little painful to walk in. I keep forgetting to buy Dr. Scholl’s for them.
Tomorrow I begin work on the massive MarioKart cake for Lil Tot! Wish me luck on the chomping flowers!;-)
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 11, 2010 | DIY, Fashion
Long Scarf (worn as turban): handmade by me. Silver Hoop Earrings: Claire’s. Printed Gathered Dress: Primp. Black LS Tee: Forever 21. Beaded Bracelets: handmade by me. Studded Rectangle Ring: handmade by me. Button-Embellished Belt: handmade by me. Crochet Tights: Target. Slouchy Suede Boots: GoJane.com. Wraparound Boot Chain: Aldo Accessories.
Day 10 of my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 10.
Since it’s been cold lately I’ve wanted something on my head to keep me warm. Hence my scarf! It was exceedingly simple to make: just a piece of Lycra-blend swimsuit fabric from the sewing store, cut into a long rectangle 13″ wide by 63″ long. I’ve worn it as a regular here, and as a hood over my head when it was really cold one day. But today I tied it as a turban – you start at the back of your neck and pull both ends up to the front of your head, twist once, and bring the ends back down to the back. I tucked the ends in to hide them.
Dress is by Primp – a recent HauteLook purchase. I just love HauteLook – they always carry very contemporary, edgy lines, usually for much cheaper than Gilt. The dress had a deep V-neck – which I felt uncomfortable with, so I sewed it closed. The dress has an interesting gathered shape and an easy feel to it – I don’t think I have any dresses like it in my closet.
The belt is a DIY of Burberry Prorsum’s Harlech Studded Warrior Belt. My tutorial is here.
Nails are Rimmel 399 Black Satin covered by Wet n Wild Megalast in Prancer. I’ve been toying with buying Deborah Lippmann’s Ruby Red Slippers
nail polish for awhile (just LOVE the red sequins and glitter), but it seemed an awful lot to pay for something I would normally wear layered over another color anyway. Sure enough, yesterday I spotted a similar version in the Wet n Wild end display at my local drugstore, and promptly snapped it up. It takes 2 coats to get a good glittery feel to it, but at least it wasn’t $18. And it looks dark and foreboding but glamorous layered over black. All’s well that ends well.:-)
Joining me in this Challenge is both Crafts and Creations with Kathy and Yarn Happiness. Check out their blogs to see their daily outfits and lend them your support!
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 11, 2010 | Fashion
Backtracking a little bit to last month’s Portland Fashion Week…since I wasn’t able to post coverage immediately afterwards since I was in France sans internet access.
But on the day of – October 7 – I was not able to get any runway shots.
I only was in the lobby and did not receive clearance to shoot the show. Over-capacity, apparently. Whatever! I saw Seth Aaron stumble and jam himself in the crotch with one of those poles holding up the red velvet ropes, which was all worth it. (Okay, I’ve probably done the same thing too a thousand times. I hate those ropes!)
So all the photos below are alllllll courtesy of my wonderful friends from OSI Photography (who, by the way, shot all my photos for the America’s Most Stylish Blogger competition last year – if you ever need an awesome, professional photographer – they’re the ones to go to!)
The shows Thursday night were separated into segments; the first, Cardi Wrap by Kymaro.
If you notice – the tops are all the same garment! The soft, figure-flattering Cardi Wrap can be worn over 50 ways with its coordinating accessories.
Segment 2 housed the Seattle designer shows, with Lizzie Parker, Jesica Milton, and WyattOrr.
Lizzie Parker
Jesica Milton
Wyatt Orr
The Art Institute of Portland Fashion Show was third in the line-up, with designs by J. Calderon, Sophie Chang, Mihaela Munteanu, Melissa Gaynor, and Johanna Lindstrom.
J. Calderon (menswear)
Sophie Chang Bridal
Mihaela Munteanu
Melissa Gaynor
Johanna Lindstrom
I really want that first silvery-grey jumpsuit. I have no idea where I’d wear it exactly, but I still really want it.;-)
The fourth and final segment, entitled Catapult, showcased the Emerging Designer Competition Runway Show.
Devonation Originally hailing from China, Devon Yam Berrong began his career as an artist . His watercolor pieces have appeared in numerous publications and boutiques – and his debut collection for men and women for Spring/Summer 2011 contained more than 50 pieces.
Anar Couture The name Anar is the designer’s first name spelled right-to-left as it would be in her native language; Rana Ghezelayagh (“ge-zell-ah-yahk”) was born in Iran and used all Iranian fabric in her first collection. Many pieces can be worn in multiple ways to expose more or less skin depending on the wearer’s mood – and the lining fabrics were all exquisite and beautifully-colored contrast in contrast to the sleek outers.
Nelli Millard, who showed last year as part of NelliDru designs (and got flak for her “Michaels wedding dress,” “truly awful” website, and serious lack of design taste from the Portland Mercury), showed a collection with Russian-inspired coats, lame-coated dresses and jackets, and a beautifully-detailed crochet top and fringe skirts, showing growth and maturity compared to her last collection.
Catapult Winner Ms Wood, a Portland-based husband-and-wife team, showed a series of chic kimono wrap tops and dresses, accented with walnut, maple, and paduke wood platform shoes and accessories – all reclaimed from cabinet-makers. The leather was all recycled from old leather jackets.
As the winner of Catapult, Ms. Wood will receive be featured in a full collection show at Portland Fashion Week 2011, a lookbook shoot with models provided by Ryan Artists, photography by Fashion Wire Press NY, and lookbook graphic design and marketing by 24Notion.
Bracelets, earrings, a hand-mirror, and the wood-platform shoes with recycled leather ties.
A cabinet piece after it’s been routed and used for Ms. Wood pieces.
The beautiful wrap-tie shoes.
Designers Alicia and Ben Wood. (last 4 photos taken by me)
What do you think? Any of the designs catch your eye?
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 10, 2010 | Fashion
Double Heart Earrings: unknown (received 17 years ago!!). Goldstone Overlapping Bead Necklace: handmade by me. Convertible Heart-Button Jacket: handmade by me. Ribbed V-Neck Top: Victoria’s Secret. Gold Rhinestone-Detail Ring: Icing by Claire’s. Black Enamel Ring: unknown. 13-button U.S. Navy Pants: vintage. Wedge Suede Boots: Metro7 (Wal-Mart) Chain Detail Flap Bag: unknown (thrifted).
Day 9 of my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 9.
Okay, Day 9 was actually YESTERDAY. I know. I’ve had this horrible cough and head cold that I picked up in France. 3 weeks and no sign of improvement!! So last night I just called it quits and went to sleep with Lil Tot. I slept about 10 hours!! And finally I feel like that cough’s on its way out. I guess all I needed was sleep.:-)
So sorry for the delay on that. Yesterday I had a Parent-Teacher conference at Lil Tot’s school. I thought to wear something slightly more businesslike than I normally do. And it was pouring rain all day, hence the horribly-lit taken-in-my-kitchen photos.
I made this jacket awhile ago (it’s one of my original designs), and wore it to my last parent-teacher meeting at his school. It has zipper trim and big quilted gold heart buttons. The front ruffle and the bottom part of the sleeves are detachable. See here for me wearing it with the ruffle attached.
The beads for the necklace I actually found at Jo-Ann’s – already strung in their “Gemstone Beads” section. I restrung them and added the silver crimp beads, black chain, and closure. I like that the necklace is both edgy and has a classic shape, and the subtle sparkle in the goldstone.
I was trying out something new with my lipstick, layering gold metallic shine (in the center of the lips) over an orangey-red color I got from Sephora. It’s a little hard to tell – I probably shouldn’t have been so liberal with the gold. And there was no saving my hair today – it was just too wet, and everything feel flat and limp. C’est la vie!
The little foldover bag was another great find from Goodwill. It’s really quite roomy inside and in such good condition! Why do people get rid of these things??
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 9, 2010 | Fashion
I have been waiting with baited breath for FashionStake.com to launch for the past 6 months!!
Why…what is this website? you may ask. For one thing, FashionStake offers limited-time flash sales from independent designers.
Another flash sale site?? Why do we need one when we already have Gilt, RueLala, Ideeli, HauteLook, Beyond the Rack…et al??
THIS IS WHY:
FashionStake sells next season’s merchandise, not current or last-season items. Sales are in the form of pre-orders, so the merchandise is already paid for before it is produced.
So why is this an important innovation for struggling designers?
I personally have had my eye on this company for awhile, ever since it was featured in NY Mag’s The Cut back in April of this year. I’ve been thinking about re-launching my clothing line for some time, but the main obstacle is the high cost of manufacturing – and the fact that you won’t break even on the costs of the sampling, materials, and patternmaking until you’ve produced and sold at least 6-12 pieces. (Of course this number differs due to differing production costs and differing retail price points…but basically we’re all familiar with the concept that very little money comes back to the designer/creator after all that work has been done, and that a profit isn’t truly made until you’re making multiple, multiple pieces.) So the eternal question is:
How do you get concrete orders for your line BEFORE committing all that money to manufacturing?
In other words, how do you meet your order minimum to break even (at the very least) before you contract with a manufacturer to produce something like 25-50 garments?
It’s a question of creating demand before creating the product: “pull manufacturing.” After I created my line back in ’07, there wasn’t enough demand for it where I was…and I had to try and sell what I had on hand, which is infinitely more difficult. I had lots of money put into actual physical clothing…that didn’t sell. I still have something like $400 worth of work hanging in a closet right now.
Founder Vivian Weng saw the contradiction inherent to the fashion industry, and the difficulties many designers faced with funding their lines and finding their audience. Plus by waiting for pieces to hit the retail shelves, as a consumer she saw the “sky-high prices” and felt something amiss. While at Harvard Business School she teamed up with classmate Daniel Gulati to form FashionStake, a venture they hope will usher in a new era of designer direct fashion. The website launched in September 2010.
FashionStake aims to “democratize fashion” by holding online “trunk shows” (similar to what Gilt or Ruelala do), with timed flash sales. BUT….the items for sale are all from emerging designers, and are in the form of pre-orders…so the item is only produced if they’ve met their minimum costs. So much less risky for the designers.
But how is this helpful for the consumers?
Well, for one, the clothing and jewelry is not marked up for retail – it’s close to wholesale prices (about 40-70% off of what it would fetch at retail). Plus, it’s next season’s merchandise! (All the other flash sale sites, including Gilt and Ideeli – are selling last season or current-season merchandise – rarely next season – and it’s most usually at the retail price when they do.) By buying through FashionStake you’re getting in before the crowds, before it even hits the retail stores, before the season has even begun, and placing an order just as the designer is sending their order to the manufacturer. (Since it’s a pre-order, delivery of the item varies per brand; for some, it can be 2 weeks; for a few, up to 8 weeks.)
But you’re also helping a designer who didn’t have enough money upfront to produce their line – ensuring that everyone along the chain of supply will get paid (rather than having the designer supply the retail stores with stock, only to have it get returned to them if it doesn’t sell – or have to take out a loan to pay for the manufacturing since the factories require payment upfront). Each item sold on the site has an undisclosed minimum – the minimum orders the factory needs before they will go into production – so if there aren’t enough orders, the item isn’t produced. Which means a lot less fashion waste and no unsold items at the end of the season!!
So what brands are having trunk shows at FashionStake?
Tiny emerging brands whose product quality is still iffy, who may or may not actually make good on the orders they get? Nope. Nicholas K, for one, who’s has been showing at New York Fashion Week since 2003. JUMA, a mainstay in minimalist chic fashion that’s sold in Bendel’s, Harvey Nichols, and BuyDefinition. Lauren Merkin – I’m sure you’ve heard of her bags, coveted by celebrities and in-the-know women in the know the world over? Check out what’s coming up on FashionStake:
Upcoming Sales
Nov 10: Raquelle (“Breezy Basics” silk tops)
Nov 12: Mociun (“Art Deco” fine gold jewelry)
Nov 15:
JUMA (“Easy Inspiration” jackets and dresses)
Nov 17:
Lauren Merkin (the “3-in-1 Louise” clutch)
Nov 19:
Bijules – a favorite of Beyonce and Fergie (“Glacons” icicle-inspired jewelry)
Plus, it’s free to join, and by using my personal invite below, your account will automatically be credited $15!
And…use exclusive code CHICSTEALSNOV to receive Free Shipping on any order (shipped to a U.S. address) that you place during the month of November! (For my non-U.S. readers, use the code above and get $5 off shipping to any International address!) It’s a great way to get a jump on that holiday shopping!
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 9, 2010 | DIY, Fashion
Plastic Headband: Goody. Gunmetal Wing Earrings: maurice’s. Leather-Collar Blouse: DIY. Pearl-Row 2-Finger Ring: Forever 21. Flower Ring and Twisted Branch Ring: unknown; from mocha in Tokyo. Pink Croco-Embossed Belt: Claire’s…? Gathered Paperbag-Waist Skirt: DIY. Reversible Black to Gray Tights: Hue. Chain-Handled Quilted Purse: Delia’s. Wrap-Around Spats-Heels: Qojelly.
Sorry for the horribly-lit photos in my kitchen; it’s raining cats and dogs out there now.
It is now Day 8 of my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 8.
If you’re just joining us today, this is my 30-day challenge to myself: to wear a heretofore forgotten outfit from the recesses of my closet, never wearing any outfit twice, and always incorporating something I’ve made or DIY’ed into the ensemble. It’s really helped reawaken my passion for a lot of the clothing I never wear on a regular basis – and helped me begin to clear out many things in my closet that I just don’t need. And it’s helped to break me out of the fashion rut I’ve been feeling I’ve been in as of late.
If this sounds like something you might be interested, please join in – for a few days, a week, or a month! Let me know in the comments if you are and I’ll post a link to your blog or site.
Today it’s an outfit that is a shout-out to my fellow DIY enthusiast, Geneva from A Pair and A Spare. (Recent fabulous Guest Blogger for Chic Steals as well, with her Celine-inspired Leather Pocket Blazer. Give it a try if you get the chance!) I shared my tutorial for turning a too-big thrift store skirt into a paperbag-waist skirt on her blog in a guest post here. And since I’ve been following her blog for awhile, all of her thrifty refashions using leather applique have really caught my eye! I just had to make her Leather Collar Shirt DIY. I thought it went well with the skirt.
The leather collar turned out really well, even though it’s just glued on!!
I’m feeling this bag is a little twee for me right now. Ah well, one last hurrah before I get rid of it!!;-)
But these shoes I don’t think I could ever get rid of. They’re just too cute with their built-in ruffly spats!! From Qojelly (from the Hotel55 Boutique at LaForet Harajuku). The brand changed its name last year to romar quee, which I still can’t learn to like. (Qojelly was the sister brand of Jelly Garcia, which also changed its name to The Dress & Co. What’s up with changing the brand name from a really cool one to a really boring one? *sigh*)
I felt ladylike and prim today:-)
Joining me in the Challenge lately has been Riechan from Riechanster and Katarina from She sells sea shells. Please check out both their blogs to see how they wore some forgotten outfits from their own closets!
Linked up to:
xoxox
Carly
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