Whew! That Fashion Week went by in the blink of an eye (and now we’re on top London), but I’m still collecting ideas for new projects to begin later this season and into next. Spring? Already? Wha-….?
The trends on the runway were captivating; the ideas full of Spring and renewal. Who didn’t swoon over the pastel minimalism at 3.1 Phillip Lim, the bold prints at Anna Sui, and the metallic fringe at Marchesa? Though minimalism and fresh colors dominated, I was still inspired by the latest round of DIY possibilities. Hit it, girls!
Alexander Wang: Embolden a pair of basic leggings with some fabric paint – just first use some painter’s tape to mask off geometric graphics.
Alice + Olivia: Thrift a diaphanous chiffon curtain and sew the vertical sides together. Thread a ribbon through the top pocket (where the rod would go); tie at the back of the neck. Cut off the excess bottom and slice a side-slit for an easy, springy halter dress.
Band of Outsiders: Create a contrast-y dress by adding a black collar (cut off another shirt if need be, or just by covering the dress’s existing collar in black fabric, and iron-on some black trim at the waist.
Carolina Herrera: Re-invent the LBD by adding the front of a white shirt, cut out, to it. Create the unique belt by simply cutting the negative space out of a 2-3″-wide red belt.
Cynthia Rowley: Cut jagged pieces from gold lame (or use gold lace!) to embellish the shoulders of a simple black cocktail dress.
Donna Karan: Use black elastic straps and hand-sew them to a mini bustier.
Erin Fetherston: Use a graphic print to create a simple sheath (or find something that fits the bill off-the-rack). Use a fabric marker to “color in” areas of the print for a bolder, eye-catching piece.
Jen Kao: Take a simple trench and dye it military-green, reserving the bottom for a dip-dye of lavender and orange sherbet.
Juan Carlos Obando: Punch large holes with a leather punch or using a pair of scissors (or even a scrapbooking punch!!) in a leather or vinyl jacket for a sultry peep-show.
Kimberly Ovitz: Cut out triangles from the sides of a sheer white blouse.
L.A.M.B.: Take a plain tote and cover side-to-side with a layer of neon yellow-green duck tape. Add more tape (or even vinyl trim!) – this time in camel – in geometric lines across the front.
Marc by Marc Jacobs: Replace the buttons of an otherwise unremarkable blue blouse with bright orange buttons. Tack on some khaki pockets (salvaged from an old pair of trousers or an overcoat) to a pair of dark blue pants.
Michael Kors: Cut the sides out of a python-print maillot. Cut the top from the bottom, add a belt in the middle, and hand-stitch each end to the top and bottom of a belt buckle. (Don’t swim in it!)
Monique Lhuillier: A bright wrap dress (dyed?) can be made edgier with pieces of black lace affixed to it strategically.
Some of these I’ll probably be doing tutorials for in the coming months. See anything you’re just dying to know how to make? Leave it in the comments section, and if it’s possible, I’ll make it so!
Also: Part 2 (N-Z) Coming Soon!
xoxox
Carly
All photos found at Style.com. Layouts by me.
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So many fantastic ideas! I love the idea of the sheer blouse with cutouts, the bustier and the idea of unexpected buttons. If I ever get through my mountain of projects and do one of these I will send a link-back here!
nicola lynde recently posted…fall favs.
Yes, please do! I’d love to see what you come up with:-)
I simply love this post! I’ve always heard of getting ideas from the runway but I’ve always thought it hard to replicate the style and feel through DIYs and never knew how to do it! Now i’m gonna start looking out for inspirations from the runway and try recreating them on my own!
Thank you, devilangelish! I think the key to replicating looks from the runway (rather than looking like a fashion victim), is to choose a single piece (or even two) from a Collection and then mixing them up into outfits and with pieces you already have. It’s so simple to do, and you can take inspiration from the runway look in how to style the whole outfit or what pieces to choose. You don’t necessarily have to make your DIY an exact re-creation either; you just customize it to how you like it and then it’s completely yours!
thanks for the tip! shall be brave and try something out in my coming holidays! my society aren’t really appreciative of uniqueness right now. one has to be really brave and thick-skinned to try out something different. I’ll try! XD
Nice.
I posted a list of NYFW DIY inspirations, too, but came up with totally different stuff.
Lots of inspiration for everyone.
Bromeliad recently posted…My DIY: How to make a relatively cheap and easy no-hem slipcover
Love the way you think! Can’t wait to see your projects! You’re getting me all excited and inspired in the middle of the night 🙂
Natalie Hua recently posted…Using my muffin tray to serve healthy snacks 🙂