Hats On

Friday is accessory day and what better accessory than one you've made yourself! Here I present my 2cd hat, a two piece felt. My inspiration for the shape was to try and get something close to a riding cap, at least as close as FIT's stock can get. My inspiraion for everythting else was the 1960's. Technical and craftsmen issues aside, I really like the design. I like the conrast of the purple and stripe-y ribbon with the classical backdrop of the brown and white felt and the sparkly daisy button. I think it came out eccentrically playful. However, I'm always looking for opinions, so please let me know what you think. Too much, not enough, or just right?

Breaking into the Industrie

Industrie is a new fashion magazine coming out in may that promises to be the first "culture of fashion" magazine. Well, I think you'll find that pretty much all magazines would argue they feature the culture of fashion so they Industrie may wish to rethink that slogan. Really, I believe it is more about what the title implies, the fashion industry. It will feature articles about several stylists and their creative processes, designers and, as if the cover didn't give it away, it will feature different editors. Frankly there's a good chance I would buy it for the Anna Wintour cover alone; she looks bad ass. Print media has been falling by the wayside in these economic times when so much is accessible for free online, it is a risky venture to begin a new magazine now. I think that Industrie has a real chance of being successful provided the writing stays away from being stodgy and text bookish as well as too artful. There are some fashion/ art magazines that I can really only enjoy the pictures from because so much of the writing is long winded and dull. People love getting a glimpse behind the curtain into the fashion world and this could be that opportunity. I'm looking forward to the article on Wintour as she is one fascinating lady. Also, a one week internship with her is worth $23,000 so that's something to consider, though I do wonder what sort of person has that much kind of money.



P.S. Maybe it's Lohan looking for work. I bet Anna would love that.

Who's that Lady?

I love these illustrations by Susan Keys of different fashionable ladies. I'm sensing a DIY version possibly in the works...

Have I Told You Lately That I Love You.

For those of you who have been reading this blog for some time, are probably aware of my die hard devotion to MIU MIU's Spring 2010 collection. I really don't have any good reason as to why I have latched onto it so fervently, that if I see the collection on anything, such as a magazine or ridiculously overpriced art book, I will buy it. In any case, one of the many things I would like to save up and buy is their separate collars. As pictured here...

(photo from Style Rookie)

Until such a time as I can afford to get that beautifully packaged beauty, I decided to attempt to make my own. If you look carefully you can see that they are both most definitely going to be prototypes. I have worked out most of the kinks of the pattern and will be trying again very soon. While not present on these two, I have considered adding embroidery to one of he collar sides in homage to the print of the Miu Miu collection. I am leaning towards lips as that, too, scandalous like the naked lady above. Let me know your opinion and if I should stay with fabric or continue to try in leather as well.

These Boots were Made for Wearing

And that's just what I'll do. These came out well I think. Its funny how something so simple as having grommets put into leather can make me so happy but I love that I made a lace up shoe. Now I just need to get the right pair of laces and I'll be good to go.

Animal Planet

I apologize for the absurdity of today's post but when I saw these pics I knew I had to post them. Made by Tokkada, you can have your pet urned into a star or a wide variety of other professions. You can get them on pins (which is what these are) or other things like mugs, shirts, etc... I hope these put a smile on your face like they did mine. Hi...wait for it... larious.

Single Brown Shoe Seeking Walking Companion.

Hello all, I'm the Trish Shoe by Alexander Wang. I'm kind of new in town and would love to be your friend. As you can see I'm pretty relaxed, a nice caramel shade (thtough ironically my aura is a nice bright but pale blue). Don't worry though, I can totally get dressed up too. I may appear to be a bit bookish but don't be foled, I can have a lot of fun too. I look awesome with some shorts and a blouse or with a dress and statement necklace. Being my friend does come at a high cost but if you can look beyond that, we'll be the best of friends for life.

Grow

Happy Farth Day! By Farth I mean Earth, of course. I saw a sign some time ago discussing Earth day and I saw Farth in place of Earth. I thought today I would post a few things on this planet that I adore combinging Earth, obviously, and art. And really what is the Earth but not perhaps one of the universe's greatest pieces of art, that we several billion or so people are indivudually painting and sculpting and changing; some for worse but hopefully mostly for better. I give you...

Pot Hole Gardens

Plant Art ( The 2d ch-ch-ch-chia?)

Land Art, Spiral Jetty

This guy

and lastly a helping hand.


I think it's safe to say that we know many of the varied ways that we can help keep the planet as healthy as possible. I hope we all just take even a little time today to think and decide if we are making the best effort possible. And I would like to leave you with a little bit of space humor, seeing ass I don't think I'll find another more appropriate time.

"God made Saturn, and he liked it so he put a ring on it." Ba dum bum.

Kick Ass

No need for cleverly thought out title here. Yesterday, I treated myself to the movie Kick Ass, who's posters have been getting my attention for weeks now (and giving me a fun subway game for when I travel). Needless to say, the movie lived up to it's apt title. If you are unaware this is movie about a teen, Dave Lisewski played by Aaron Johnson, who decides to dress in costume and be a superhero. This would be great but seeing as he has no actual abilities other than the need to do something about the crime in his neighborhood and be an all around good guy.

I love the story seeing as this sort of thing has happened and when combined with the reality of the power of online video it all makes sense that he would become famous. The story line of Big Daddy and Hit Girl, while over the top for reality, fits right in, in this comic world. And as characters, Big Daddy is definitely a comic archetype. Wrongly accused man sent to jail, loses wife, plans revenge and trains his daughter to help. (Actually that's practically Sweeney Todd, but no singing happens in this movie.) Aaron Johnson is great as the title character for man reasons. As Dave, he's your every man, relating to just about anyone, he's funny in the obvious gags but also in more subtle moments, and he is great as the emotional cornerstone of the film. The audience was right there with him at every turn. While that's well and good, Hit Girl played by Chloe Grace Moretz steals the show from everybody. In part because you just don't expect to hear such foul language coming from a 12 year old but also because the character is fearless and completely bad ass. The fight choreography for her is incredible. The audience was literally Oohing and Ouching with every blow. Mark Strong always makes for a good villain and has been turning up as one a lot this year I've noticed. Christopher Mintz-Plasse was, as always, balancing a fine line between charming and annoying. I must admit as Red Mist I found him oddly attractive. I think by and large it has do with that killer wig, black and red and spiky. Hearkens to my Rufio complex (I did anyone with that sort of hair.) While I do find Aaron Johnson attractive in this role, I'm put off by the fact that he recently impregnated his 43 year old girlfriend. A dad by 20 is kind of a turn off. Not that the actor's appearances have much to do with my appreciation of the film, it does help especially with action/male based stories. The production value was good, lots of explosions guns and knifes what have you, and as I've already said the fight choreography was tops. On that violent note, I should state it was A LOT bloodier than I anticipated. I had read it was violent but violent doesn't always mean bloody. Luckily, it was bloody in a sin city, kill bill, graphic novel way so not unbearable. Also, over the years I have honed and mastered the skill of looking at something but not really seeing it, which came in handy here (it is also good for avoiding the countless vagrants in the city and creepy people you work with).

Overall, I loved this movie. It made my day and if I weren't so poor I'd go see it again. It's at turns funny, occasionally bittersweet, and, of course, chock full of action. There is really only one way to describe and that is, KICK ASS.

Festival Fashion

I'm usualy not one for music concerts, although the right performer can lure me out from my cave and into a bar or auditorium of some kind where the common theme is the music and beer. As for music festivals, I'veonly been to one once with my friends one summer during high school. It was one of the hottest days of the year and one of my friends nearly collapsed from dehydration. Needless to say we didn't stay long. We saw the band we most wanted to see (from a mile away) and then split. However, all my concert experiences have offered me an oppurtunity to explore a fashion statement related to music. For example to the said above festival, I wore my super fat and obnoxious van black and pink sneakers with black and pink checkered shoelaces. I probably sported some gummy bracelets and some pop punk t shirt. I was he best faux punk I could be and so tres chic. In more recent times, I wore black sequins and green and pink eyeshadow to a Lady Gaga concert. Now, I have never been to Coachella, the music festival that's over in that state on the other side of the country, a.k.a. California. I do not that a lot independant artist s play there such as my adored She & Him. With bands like She & Him, Beach House, and other Lula Mag. supported bands you know there is going to be some cute music festival sartorial choices happening. (photos from refinery 29).

Paper Doll

I am in love with these illustrations for the line Lamija Svlijevic. I'm always looking for new ways of rendering and drawing and this is one adorable inspiration.

"Life is a Banquet..."

"...and most poor suckers are starving to death" -Auntie Mame.

Allow me to begin by saying that since I started using Netflix, the quality of my life has gone up a million fold. Being someone to cheap to pay for TV, Netflix has been a life saver. I have been able to see tons of movies that otherwise I would never have had the oppurtunity without many confluence of events occuring (i.e. My being at a TV + whatever movie I want to see playing at the same time= rare). In my time with netflix, I have taken to catching up with old movies that seem like I might enjoy them. One movie that has stuck out and nudged itself into my top all time favorite movies is Auntie Mame.

It stars Rosalind Russell, as the eccentric, over the top, and ultimately loveable title character. Auntie Mame is a well to do single woman who takes in her nephew after his father passes away. Together they have many adventures beginning in the roaring twenties up until about the 1940's. The story is sweet and hilarious in the well balanced way movies from the era tend to be. The humor is reminiscent of the type of satire and farce popular today. I love the wild cast of characters; there are lots of great archetypes in the movie which could be annoying but never is thanks to the campy nature. The costumes are splendid, if not exactly accurate to the time periods. The production design is, of course, fantastic as well. When you have legions of artisans working right on the studios, how can it not? Auntie Mame changes her apartment over time and it's always wonderful to see it in it's different incarnations. Also, Mame travels a lot. The backdrops at times are hilarious (the pyramids in egypt as triangles, the alps are a nice little sculpture)but it builds on the campy over the top nature of the story and fits right in. I really can't explain the gloriousness of the film, but it does have a good message. It tells us that we shold always be true to ourselves and live life to the fullest no matter the situation. Here is a little clip o enjoy but really you should go out and Netflix, rent, borrow, or buy this gem of a movie.

Let Them Eat ...Hot Dogs

This is a photo from the portfolio of one Miss Natasha Lawes (I believe she did the make-up). I just like it; it makes me laugh. She also makes the masks below which I'm going to buy when I move to London where they are sold from the Luna & Curious Boutique. I've been in love with these masks for almost two years now, so that's a pretty committed relationship.

Dum Dum Da Dum

A friend of mine recently dumpstered a perfectly good copy of Martha Stewart Weddings, which when combined with the upcoming nuptials of my cousin led us to talking about our very hypothetical weddings (as girls sometimes do). While my friend said she wished to be the center of attention and wearing a fabulous princess-esque ball gown, I shocked her by letting her know I was more in the market for a t-shirt and skirt combo and I most definetly do not wish to be the center of attention but more perhaps just someone hanging out with friends that all of her friends want to talk to her and about things she likes. A nice t-shirt and skirt. I intend to throw my dress money into a fantastic pair of shoes. This little scenario just shows that my mother is right when she says she imagines me to have some nontraditional off kilter wedding. In my mind, this off kilter wedding goes as follows: the witnesses are two panthers and an eagle, I wear my skirt , tee and fab heels combo, and we get married in a donut shop which conveniently is the location of the reception. Anyways, the actual point of this post is to show you all the non traditional engagement ring I would like to request in some far off distant time from some far off distant dude. From CatBird, one of my most favorite boutiques in all of Williamsburg, crafted by Digby and Iona. How cute is this ring? You can have your initials engraved! It reminds me of Robin Hood, the Disney version where Maid Marion points out the R.H. and M.M. carved into a tree in her backyard. That movie also featured a stellar engagement ring made from a twisted water lily and firefly (can someone make this happen?) In any case I think this ring is much more unique and special than anything that is found in a traditional jewelery store. Plus you don't have to say you got it at the mall. So keep an eye out for my invitation in the far away and distant future and I promise to keep the panthers on a leash.

Three Words: Paper Eye Lashes

In a Blue State of Mind

I would like to introduce to you, my dear readers, (cue dramatic music) my very first handmade hat ever! I am very happy with the way it turned out. I was going for a boater like quality, though to be fair it reminds me of the 1990's and perhaps a litle of the scene in The Parent Trp (the LiLo version) where she joins her motherr on a photoshoot. I feel like maybe there is a similar hat lurking in that montage. Anyways, I knew I wanted to do a light blue hat and I do love the color. It's not your traditional baby blue, it has some grey/ green qualities to it which I like. That did make finding a suitable trim a little harder than usual but as always NYC with its endless options and my intrepidness finally found one that matches. While I don't think I'm going to pursue the millinery certificate through completetion, I am incredibly enjoying my time and I do think I will take the patterning for hatmaking course to round out my skills. I hope you all like the hat as much as I do.