DIY INSPO: MARA HOFFMAN LEAF CUFFS

19th April 2013

Just in time for festival season, one of my favourite designers Mara Hoffman never fails to inspire a little DIY action (see here and here). This time it’s with these super cute and incredibly DIYable leaf cuffs – as soon as I saw them on the runway in New York last September I know they would be making their way into my summer ensembles. Simply snip some botanicals from your own (or your neighbour’s) yard and glue together, securing with strong double sided tape at the opening. Done and done.

A PAIR & A SPARE ON THE RUNWAY

15th April 2013

Any previous satisfaction I’ve gleaned from my DIY projects (you know the type I’m talking about – making and wearing your own clothes, and the moment when people ask you where you bought your bag and you say – trying to hide any smugness you feel – ‘I made it’) was completely blown out of the water last week when I had the unbelievable experience of creating transparent accessories for Jamie Ashkar‘s runway show at Sydney Fashion Week. It was so surreal to see my pieces walking down the runway on the models, the mirror like surface of transparent ankle cuffs creating the perfect accessory for a minimal yet sexy collection – aptly titled ‘Reflection’.

I had a great time in Jamie’s studio earlier in the week crafting the ankle cuffs from transparent pvc, made a little nerve racking by the fact that we were being filmed for The Today Show. We decided not to have any leather or plastic attaching the straps to the back of the shoe so they would appear to be floating, much more minimalist than my original design and perfect for the pieces they were paired with.

Although admittedly I’m quite biased when it comes to it, I think the end result looked amazing on the models, adding that tiny bit of detail that caught your eye and brought the gorgeous looks together.

In the process of collaborating on this project I learnt so much – how designers are just a few steps removed from DIYers (dependent of course on the skills of both DIYer and designer), how manic it gets when you’re styling backstage at a show, and most of all, how satisfying it is to go to fashion week with a purpose of more than just hanging with blogger friends (although admittedly that was the second best part of the week) and being photographed in overly thought out outfits. For me, seeing my designs on the runway was one of those awe inspiring moments that reminded me of why I started this blog in the first place – to create and share projects that aren’t out of place amongst designer collections – even super simple ones like this that anyone could do. Thanks Jamie for having me on board and the ladies of Bespoke for helping me with the prep!

Images: myself and Sophia Phan

DIY INSPO: PHILLIP LIM SS13

26th March 2013

Just when you thought you’d seen every incarnation of rhinestones possible, Mr Lim reinvents them in the form of flower (and faintly bullet hole) shaped embellishments on a grunge tee. Who said that rhinestones had to be pretty, girly and only for nights out with your gal pals? Done right they’re just as suited to a meet up downtown with your ‘crew’ (or something along those lines).

And while we’re at it, can we talk for a second about some other noteworthy, ie DIYable, details from the Spring collection? Namely the tie waisted skirts (art imitating life if you ask me) and the leopard sleeved sweater which is just screaming out for an amateur attempt. Let’s here it for Spring!

Images by me.