Spring is just around the corner – and I can’t wait to update my wardrobe with all the fun trends on they way. Get a head start with some DIY ideas for these major Spring 2013 trends:
#7: Delicate White Lace
Pristine, white, and sweet: cutwork and lace evoked innocence at Emilio Pucci and Giambattista Valli(above). Try lacy lingerie peeking out of a boxy top, or fully embrace the trend with a pretty lace dress.
Spring is one of the best times to show a little skin, and BCBG Max Azria(above) and Cushnie et Ochs thought the same. Update your wardrobe with some strategically-placed cutouts to let the sun in.
Mesh was super-sexy at Celine(above) and Calvin Klein, and just a little of it goes a long way. Try adding a small insert into a key piece in your wardrobe, or wear a mesh top over a tank for a sporty feel.
Seen on the runways at Derek Lam (above) and Jason Wu, leather is still going strong through Spring. For a lighter feel, try a leather piece in a color besides black, or just add leather (or pleather) accents to your clothes.
With the 60’s-influence seen in Collection after Collection, big blocks of black and white dominated. Go totally mod with these neutrals like at Chanel and Proenza Schouler.
Every Spring, flowers pop up on clothing all over the runways, celebrating the season of renewal and rebirth as we emerge from frozen throes. See: Mary Katrantzou and Thakoon, for starters.
It was like a day at the circus (or, revisiting Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick) at Marc Jacobs(above) and Michael Kors. Fully embrace the trend with a pair of vertically-striped pants…or just keep it understated with a simple top.
As some of you may know, I’ve been working part-time at a local video production company and stage rental house. We did a promo video for thePortland Saturday MarketFashion Show (Hustle & Bustle) last month, and I wanted to share the results.
I did all the titling and motion graphics for the piece, so I’m showing off a bit.;-)
(Well, “from A-V” at least!;-) I was going to follow up on my first post “DIYs to Try from New York Fashion Week” with a “Part 2,” but in the interim the rest of the world has had Fashion Weeks, so I figured it would be best to just collect all the inspiration in one big post.
So here it is, from New York to London to Milan, some great DIY inspiration for Autumn/Winter 2012:
Use a pieces of white and orange duct tape to create a belt, adding two pieces of velcro as a closure like at Acne. Also add some rings or bits of metal from the hardware store on the side!
Get two knit dresses, one black, one white. Cut each in half and sew the different-colored halves together like at Alice + Olivia (give the other finished dress to your bestie!)
DIY was simple and chic at Barbara Bui – and you can use a piece of black ribbon tied in a bow under the collar of your white blouse for a whole new look! (Psst- it’s an upcoming trend in Japan according to this month’s Vivi Magazine!) You can also make a belt from a strip of leather and two large ribbon choker crimp end clasps found from your local jewelry supply shop.
Bottega Veneta went all-out with the Swarovski bling – and you can get the look by gluing a heap of pretty, sparkly gems over your favorite fitted midi dres (hint: buy in bulk!).
Copy the new way to tailor trousers that Celine put forth: pleat and sew in zippers on the front of the shins to gather the excess fabric to your body. Instant femininity!
Christian Dior showcased wrapped-and-coiled gem necklaces. Super-easy to make with satin piping (from the trims section of the sewing store) or rope and oversized cabochons.
David Koma showed some insane tailoring and cutouts; get the look by cutting out the shoulders on a turtleneck shell (sew or glue on contrast piping to create a finish), and punch grommets at the waistline to thread a black belt through. Sleek and futuristic!
Go paint-crazy and make a Gary Graham-inspired topper using a neutral coat and primary-colored fabric paints dabbed, sponged, and masked over the top.
LOVE the colorblocking on the tights at Issey Miyake: totally doable following this tutorial using a pair of grey tights and some acrylic (!) paint.
Jason Wu‘s fur-covered sleeves on his boxy jacket made a statement – and they’re so doable following this tutorial on a thrifted navy blazer. (Using faux fur, of course!;-)
Jen Kao‘s dip-dye dress is easily achieved using a white lace dress and some dye appropriate for the fabric (RIT for cottons; iDye for synthetics)
Kelly Wearstler‘s grommet-sided skirt is just begging to be DIY’d…and those socks can easily be made by chopping up some black short stockings.
That blouse from Libertine reminded me so much of that Simply Screen Screenprinted Tree Skirt I made awhile ago…just download my PDF pattern here [it’s free!] and print it out on a transparency to use for the screenprinting kit. If you’re not into screenprinting, you could also freehand that white (lightning bolt?) with some fabric paint and a thin brush down the front of a sheer black blouse.
Replacing the buttons with big, bold, flower-shapes on a neutral jacket (and adding a line of them down the sides of the matching pants!) is a must at Louis Vuitton.
Make the new generation of fur neckwarmers using a strip of faux fur with a piece of fabric at each edge, securing with gold snaps, like at Marni.
Take a velvet sheath dress into statement dress territory by layering a tone-on-tone layer of lace over the top, cutting the edges according to the lace pattern. Accessorize with a wide black belt and add a chain through the belt-holes like at McQ.
Go for the ultimate colorblock by spraypainting a big bold line of fabric paint across the bottom of a chunky, neutral sweater, like at Paule Ka.
Create a beautifully unqiue skirt by gluing satin ribbons to it to create a grid pattern. Air out your shoulders a bit by cutting (and topstitching the cut edges!) of a chunky sweater, all inspired by Roland Mouret.
Add some interest to a neutral shell by gluing on some textured faux-croc strips (from the upholstery section in the fabric store!), like at Sachin + Babi.
See by Chloé had a sporty take on the suit blazer by sewing a channel at the waist and threading a thick rope through, ending it in beads for a quirky waist-cinch.
Make a cute belt with a wide black velvet ribbon fashioned into a bow (Bowdabra, anyone?), and place a brooch on top like at Temperly London.
Add interest to a simple bright t-shirt by making teardrop-shaped cutouts and backing each with a small piece of sheer organza or chiffon, like at Tracy Reese.
Add some chic military styling to a tight long dress with some added black faux pockets, gold buttons, and epaulets like at Victoria Beckham.
Happy DIY’ing!
xoxox
Carly
all photos from Style.com; photo collages by me.
~If you liked this post, please share it with your friends!~
NAHM: Create a hybrid dress by using an old 70’s-style polyester top and a button-front dress; retain the bodice of the top and add the placket and collar of the dress, as well as the skirt. Cut the hem in an asymmetrical mullet. Don’t forget the ankle socks!
Opening Ceremony: Embroider the shoulder of a white blouse in a kitty fae, and cut out the eyes. Create a gumball-cluster-style hair elastic with brightly-colored beads.
Peter Som: Find a trenchcoat that’s a little small for you at the shoulders and cut off the sleeves. Unbutton and rearrange the collar front; add a belt made from reflective tape and a sliding belt bulk (from the sewing findings section at Jo-Ann Fabrics).
Ports 1961: Fasten a bright 80’s-style suit jacket with neon cording (ended with silver cord caps) threaded through the buttonhole in lieu of a button. Pair with platforms and an equally bright pair of pants!
Prabal Gurung: Sex up a plain white dress with a handmade black corset: use black cord or shoelaces to fashion a Y-shaped harness at the front, and punch holes into a 3″-wide piece of vinyl off corsetry-style lacing.
Rachel Comey: Create a hybrid tee by sewing together two t-shirts of contrasting colors and slit the top one at its shoulders. Use extra black fabric (or 2″ wide elastic!) to create a ladderlike effect inside the slit.
Richard Chai Love: Add interest to a printed blouse by placing strategic cutouts at the shoulders and below the collar.
T by Alexander Wang: Convert a maxidress into a cut-out hybrid 2-piece. Cut off the bottom for the maxi at the front only, with a high triangle in front; turn it into a halter dress by adding a coordinating cord around the neck. Thread the cord beneath the top part of the dress and cut some thinner slits at the sleeve seams.
Thakoon: Cut the front out of a bright trench for the staggered-hem look. Use brown textured duct tape in strips on a simple pair of khaki shorts. Pain half a camel-colored hat white, using painter’s tape to mask.
Tory Burch: Create a skirt worthy of ladies who lunch by adding pinwheels, fabric or otherwise. (Do those look like Reese’s peanut butter cup papers to anyone else?) Add a rhinestone in each center; pair with a cropped white sweatshirt.
United Bamboo: A hybrid suit jacket can be made by sewing together two halves of two different jackets and chopping the sleeves off the top piece. Pair with some sassy leather cutoff shorts!
Z Spoke by Zac Posen: Paint each nail a different color of the rainbow, stud the edges of a bright clutch, and pair with a Springy yellow cardigan flecked with gray fabric paint.
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!
Last Friday saw Day 3 of the collections from this year’s Portland Fashion Week – and the crowd was buzzing with anticipation. Local crowd favorites Amai Unmei and Ms Wood were set to show, as well as Vancouver-based Seth Aaron, whose showing at PFW each year has always been met with a great deal of buzz.
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.
Pristine, white, and sweet: cutwork and lace evoked innocence at Emilio Pucci and Giambattista Valli (above). Try lacy lingerie peeking out of a boxy top, or fully embrace the trend with a pretty lace dress.
…or, DIY this trend with A Pair and a Spare’s Carven Inspired Cut Out Mini Dress
Mesh was super-sexy at Celine (above) and Calvin Klein, and just a little of it goes a long way. Try adding a small insert into a key piece in your wardrobe, or wear a mesh top over a tank for a sporty feel.
…or, DIY this trend with my Alexander Wang Mesh Insert Sweater
Seen on the runways at Derek Lam (above) and Jason Wu, leather is still going strong through Spring. For a lighter feel, try a leather piece in a color besides black, or just add leather (or pleather) accents to your clothes.
…or, DIY this trend with Love Aesthetics’ Minimal White Leather Top
With the 60’s-influence seen in Collection after Collection, big blocks of black and white dominated. Go totally mod with these neutrals like at Chanel and Proenza Schouler.
…or, DIY this trend with my Chanel-Style Black-and-White Cape
…or, DIY this trend with …love, Maegan’s Floral Print Jeans
It was like a day at the circus (or, revisiting Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick) at Marc Jacobs (above) and Michael Kors. Fully embrace the trend with a pair of vertically-striped pants…or just keep it understated with a simple top.
…or, DIY this trend with Refinery29’s Make a DIY Breton Striped Shirt with Spray Paint
(Well, “from A-V” at least!;-) I was going to follow up on my first post “
Thakoon: Cut the front out of a bright trench for the staggered-hem look. Use brown textured duct tape in strips on a simple pair of khaki shorts. Pain half a camel-colored hat white, using painter’s tape to mask.
