Paper

Margiela paper pants and ankle boots. I wonder if my denims would look similar with a few thick coats of wall paint? At least the surface would crack up nice with time and movement... Via NastyGal.

Give Give Givenchy Summer 2011

Shiffon and boxy shapes played a key role in Givenchy Summer 2011 collection. Looks fabulous but personally I don't do shiffon or boxy shapes.. But they had ZIPPERS! Yes yes yes. As garment decor they are here to stay just like shredded tees and denim micro shorts. Zippers with metal teeth were used both with fuction and as decor. The collection featured a couple of knee-length jackets that could be cropped to waist-length and to vests with the zippers sewn in to sleeve seams and waistline. Some of the shirts had zippers sewn to the bodice looking like metallic tuxedo shirt pin tuck pleats. The ruffled vest armour was also quite an eye-catcher. Photos via Elle.

Barbara i Gongini

Although these spiked shoes and torn stockings have been around for seasons now, I don't get tired of them. These are from the Fall 2010 runway show of Danish designer Barbara i Gongini, a rising star in the Nordic fashion scene. The other trashion notable materials used in the show were dresses that looked like they were made from umbrella fabric (Jill Danyelle style), mega knits from plastics and fabric strips and taped plastic wrap leggins. All show pieces of course. Some pants and jumpsuits looked like they were sewn from terry cloth which made me think they could be sewn from thrifted bath robes and towels, dyed black. Maybe not for the streets, but worn at home. Shoe spikes and safety pins used in details were painted matte black. Photos via Vogue UK.

SPIKED MATTE SHOES AND RIPPED STOCKINGS:





"UMBRELLA FABRIC":




TAPED PLASTIC LEGGINS:




PLASTIC AND FABRIC MEGA KNITS:








TERRY CLOTH:

Scrunchie

I love this giant scrunchie looking shoulder piece. I´d make it from used mens shirts, old bed linens or thrifted curtains sewn to a looooong tube (narrower from one part). Perfect trashion accessory for Xmass parties and New Years. The tube needs to be about 2-3 times longer than your finished shoulder scrunchie dependng how thick fabric you use. My advice is to first make it longer and then cut off fabric if needed. Place inside an elastic band to gather it around your shoulders. The leftover pieces of fabric can be cut up to smaller pieces and made to scrap fabric fascinators (crafting felt base). Photos by Alessia Laudoni.

Strap-happy

I love the shoulder structure in this asymmetrical Mother Of London top. The belts remind me of karate suit belts that I see at fleamarkets every now and so. Sew them on to the sleeve by hand and paint shiny black. Photos by Zhang Jingna via Dirty Flaws.

Multifunctional wear - The Swacket

In March 2009 Camille from Childhood Flames and Zana from Garbage Dress wrote about a revolutionary jacket that they had found. It was The Swacket jacket by Harputs. A simple looking fall garment that could be worn and styled in numerous ways because it had snap-on buttons to help forming it. Still, seasons after, I find this design to be very uptodate and trendy. Multifunctional pieces that last in fashion for seasons, that´s what sustainable fashion is all about.

Fu*k what others think

A healthy and strong self confidence is a great resource for creativity. All artists face rejection and doubt (external or internal) at some point in their careers and must find the mental strength to carry on with ther craft and hold on to their vision. Nevermind the critics. An ability to be able to laugh at oneself helps loads. Even though you take your work seriously, doesn't mean you have to take yourself seriously. I love people who are able to let go complitely and just do their thing. Fuck what others think.



This is one of my favorite songs from Dragonette. The lyrics say it all. It is my favorite pic-me-up song if I´m feeling discouraged or blocked.

DRAGONETTE - WE RULE THE WORLD

You wanna move it
Shake like in the movies
Gotta use it
Huff that kind of stuff that makes you stupid
Call in the professionals to get it right
And if they hate us
Maybe hair and make up
Gonna save us
Blow it out and catch us looking famous
Then show you how to keep it up all night

We're not the ones with the big guns
Some kind of shiny secret weapons
But let's pretend that we rule the world
We've got the superhero costumes
Know how to change our clothes in a phone booth
So let's pretend that we, we rule the world

We got the know-how
Kick up the kind of stink you're hearing about
Give us a kiss and then we punch your lights out
I'll eat a fist, I'm hungry for a fight
It takes an army, looking good and booking it
We're ready
A little muscle, little cuddle, little lady
Listen, don't be chicken, pick a side

We're not the ones with the big guns
Some kind of shiny secret weapons
But let's pretend that we rule the world
We've got the superhero costumes
Know how to change our clothes in a phone booth
So let's pretend that we, we rule the world

There's more than muscle that a fighter is made of
There's got to be some cha cha ching and g-g-glitter
We're gonna see some ba-da boom before we finish
We get knocked down, we get back up in a minute

There's more than muscle that a fighter is made of
There's got to be some cha cha ching and g-g-glitter
We're gonna see some ba-da boom before we finish
We get knocked down, we get back up in a minute
We've got that fast action edit

No, we're not the ones with the big guns
Some kind of shiny secret weapons
But let's pretend that we rule the world
We've got the superhero costumes
Know how to change our clothes in a phone booth
So let's pretend that we, we rule the world

DIY instant scarf bags

Via Do it your self.

Bolt face

Old hockey goaley mask frame decorated with metal wire, bolts and other metal pieces. I just saw one for sale for just 3 euro at my local fleamarket. How the rust treatment is done, I have no idea (cloride?). But it is gorgeous and the styling on this editorial is off the hook, "neo-tribal". Via OAK blog.

Swan lake

Feather mask. You´ll need a mask base, hot glue gun and a bag full of feathers. Oh, and scissors for trimming and maybe a few pearls or chains for decor. Via Fashion Notebook.

(in)Decorous Taste

Lauren and Lydia Tennenbaum, the artists behind one of my favorite blogs (in)Decorous Taste, have launced their own webstore! At the moment they carry these incredible shoe harnesses. The site looks fabulous. Go check out especially their portfolios on interior design and fashion. Impecable taste.

Like clockwork

Everybody is fussing about Halloween. Here is my costume tip: Alex from Stanley Kubric's legendary movie, Clockwork Orange.



Things You'll Need:

WHITE SHIRT. This should be easy to find. Any white dress shirt will do. If you can find a banded collar shirt (a thin collar), even better. If not, you can turn the collar of a regular shirt inside out.
WHITE PANTS. You can use any white pants, including chef's pants, karate pants, even dress pants. Just make sure they are long enough to tuck into your boots. As you can see from the pics, the shirt or pants don't have to be paper white, but smudges and dirt is allowed!
BLACK COMBAT BOOTS. Get army boots. The boots Alex wore in the movie were U.S. Army paratrooper "jump" boots, circa 1960's. Any black military-type boots should work.
BOWLER HAT. This is the trickiest one. You can find cheap versions at some costume shops, but I recommend you ask around from friends. Somebody is bound to own a genuine bowler.
FAKE EYELASHES. You can get these at many make-up/hair care stores or departments. If wearing or putting on fake lashes sounds like a handfull, just draw the laskes with some liquid eyeliner. It will look just the same. And girls, keep your overall makeup to a minimum! This look has no red lipstick, blush or eyeshadow.
WHITE SUSPENDERS. If you can't find them at local secondhand stores, you can call around to tuxedo rental stores in your area and ask if they have any used ones they would be willing to sell you.
CANE. Any black cane will do. Try a suit rental shop if you can't find one secondhand. Check also grandpa's wardrobe for vintage sartorial treasures.
THE CODPIECE. If buying this secondhand (even though it's worn over your clothes) grosses you out, just leave it. It would really complete the look, but is not mandatory in my opinion. Especially if you´re a girl :P

The key to any costume is the presentation. Don't worry if everything isn't exactly right, just make sure you smile like a psychopath. Happy Halloween folks!

Magic marker

Plain cotton dress, a ruler and a textile marker. Yes. Works nicely on a whte t-shirt too. Photo by Valentina Frugiuele, via Ben Trovato.

Nice and shiny

80's sequinned tops and jackets can be refashioned to evening capes and shoulder shrugs to wear with party dresses or over a silk blouse. The edges have to be finished by hand though to prevent the paillettes from coming off. These are by K Hendrix Couture via Smashing Darling.