It’s time to vote again! Check out the video below with Natalie Chanin, founder of Alabama Chanin [which focuses on slow design and sustainability in its clothing and home goods lines]. She says my look needs MORE accessories! Hahahahahahahaha….
http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/10032373001?isVid=1&publisherID=1612833736
I’ve written before about how much I adore Vivi [a monthly Japanese women’s Magazine published by Kodansha]. It’s so jam-packed with trendy, opulent items – the styling is always spot-on – the girls are gorgeous…AND many of the pieces featured start my styling and DIY wheels a -spinning.
Case in point: this studded black cardigan! Totally DIY-able…just pick yourself up some heat-set square studs from Kandi Corp (or your local craft store if they sell that kind of stuff…FYI Jo-Ann’s and Michael’s DON’T!) and jazz up the button plackets and front pockets with a line of studding. But this was from the November issue of Vivi…so let’s move on to the December one.
How cute is this? Jazz up a plan black sweatshirt or sweater rolling around in your closet with sweet little bows in every color of the rainbow.
For winter, try adding a bit of fur [faux!] to an outfit – like with a ribbon-tied collar or puffy removable cuffs. Boudoir-feminine.
How cool is the chain-adorned jacket on the top right? Totally DIY it!
I DIED when I saw this spread: 5 items [print tee, leopard scarf, studded cardi, lace gilet, slick leggings] on sale from 10/23 for 10,500 yen!! [About $110.] From Spiral Girl, one of my favorite brands. *sigh* Will likely be sold out by now – and I totally would have rocked this every day as my go-to outfit this winter. Curse those fools who wait an entire MONTH before shipping Vivi to the U.S.!!! Would that I had knooooo–o-ww-wwwn!
I’ve never seen anyone wear a corset belt over a ski parka…but she looks undeniably chic
This was a spread where they showcased Taylor Momsen’s style and Peaches Geldorf’s style. Taylor’s looking pretty fierce and fabulous. (We’ll skip Peaches hahahaha.)
This little striped shirt under a poufy black dress with bow at the back + red beret [upper right] screams Parisian-chic to me. Maybe I’ll just start with the red beret.
Girly, ruffly, chiffon-y finds. Love.
Fabulous idea: a removable, ribbon-tied, embellished collar.
I’m in love with these shoes. Suede, over-the-knee, cuffable, and with removable studded ankle belts and chunky studded heel for 7000 yen [$78]?? Me WANT!
Studded Converse? Check. Cute military accessories? Check.Hope this has given you some ideas!
To see more from this issue check their homepage out here. (Rollover the Table of Contents page and you’ll see clickable items where you can click and view the pages if you can’t read Japanese.)
Happy DIY’ing!
xoxo
Carly
Another V Magazine spread for ya! (It published yesterday, so I’m a little behind…sorry.)
Natalie Portman was shot by Mario Testino for issue #62 of V Magazine, winter 2009/10 which hits newsstands today. She wears Calvin Klein Jeans with crystallized Swarovski elements on the cover. Claire Richardson styled her and the shoot took place in London. Natalie appears sexy androgynous and tough with her “pompadour” hairstyle.
A star at the age of 12, Natalie Portman could have found herself a victim of fast fame. Instead, the insanely talented, supremely beautiful, and intensely focused young actress has carved out a Hollywood career of stunning depth. Now she’s expanding her repertoire in the season’s war blockbuster “Brothers”, starring in her first-ever sex scene, and speaking her mind, as always.
Now I don’t what they’re talking about with the Calvin Klein jeans reference (must be in some other photos) but I am D.I.YING over her jewel-encrusted shoulder-thingies. Not sure where I would wear them, though!
What do all of you think? Is she fierce and fabulous? Or is it the stylist that is?
-Carly J. Cais
A preview of Willy Vanderperre’s resort story in the next V Magazine issue #62 which comes out November 3rd, featuring Miranda Kerr in her much–buzzed–about high fashion turn. Also featured is model Ana Beatriz Barros.
The theme of the story is sort of “postmodern pinup,” a subversive take on sexy, courtesy of Olivier Rizzo. Miranda Kerr is best-known for being an Australian supermodel, the girlfriend of actor Orlando Bloom and a Victoria’s Secret angel.
V Magazine, issue #62 – www.vmagazine.com
“PIN ME UP, PIN ME DOWN”
Sex, meet deconstruction. Deconstruction, meet sex. The cruise collections get smart with a postmodern take on pinup dressing, featuring Victoria’s Secret weapons Miranda Kerr and Ana Beatri Barros
Photography by Willy Vanderperre; Styling by Olivier Rizzo
Don’t you just love the idea of wearing lingerie over a one-piece bathing suit and a sweater??
xoxox
Carly
http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/10032373001?isVid=1&publisherID=1612833736
So the video for America’s Next Stylish Blogger is now up, with celebrity publicist Kelly Cutrone breaking down the looks…
Apparently she didn’t like mine AT ALL – saying that she had no idea what was going on, she hated the accessories, it was too much, etc.
I do have to address her criticism by saying that what my blog is all about is DIY’ing your own pieces…and I didn’t have enough time to make myself a blouse, pants, or shoes…so in order to showcase my brand, I went to the max with the jewelry. (Again, it’s what’s happening in fashion right now.) If you follow this blog, you know that I’m always trying to use accessories in new, funky ways. ANYONE can pair the blazer with a pair of jeans and a shirt and leave it at that- the whole point of the exercise, I thought, was to do it well – i.e., thinking about colors, textures, lengths, embellishments, etc; creating a look that was pleasing to the eye and appealing. And in my book that also means being creative and adding things I made myself! Though I know “doing it well” is certainly in the eye of the beholder LOL!
This is really what “my brand” is all about: funky, trendy, DIY, the runway look for less…I think that looking at my photo, this definitely comes across. (Though you have to read the description to hear about the DIY part.)
I also wish they wouldn’t keep reminding everyone that I’m a “mom” and being like “you’re a mom, would you wear this?” Chic Steals is not about, and never has been, fashion that is for “moms” (whatever that is, anyhow). It’s about finding that designer look for less – what’s hot, what’s trendy, what’s on the runways. It’s not about an outfit you can wear to go grocery shopping with Tot in tow. (I don’t wear any of the outfits I post when I go to Fred Meyer, for example. Trendy fashion is not really day-to-day clothing, if you know what I mean.:-) I also mention my Mom status so rarely on my blog if you’re not a regular visitor you may miss it. Sure I have a child, but my passion for making things, keeping up with trends, and scoring a deal are not related to having a little one.)
I also take it they mean “from Oregon” in that I live there? I’m from NJ originally! Shout out to all the Joisey kids out there!:-P
Okay, rant over! Just to clarify some things for anyone who cares:-)
Please vote if you haven’t yet! (Scroll down to the voting widget below the video) Oh, and you can vote once day! Please do, and each day you’ll have an extra entry to win that shopping spree!:-)
xoxox
Carly
Eeeek! Looks like this is really happening, folks.
http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/10032373001?isVid=1&publisherID=1612833736
Read their article with a little intro to all of us here.
Here’s what they wrote about me:
“Carly Cais authors the Chic Steals blog out of Portland, Ore. Carly writes about a variety of style topics, including getting designer looks for less, DIY tips and her own outfits.”
I can’t wait to see their take on how I styled the first piece! (A boyfriend vest, in case you all were wondering.;-)
xoxox
Carly
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.
