In the Spotlight: iRI5 Cassette Tape Portraits

Check out these amazing [recycled] casette tape portraits by iRI5. iRI5 has developed an innovative style that focuses on recycling found materials, such as old cassettes and used books, turning trash into treasure. The unraveled tapes make for great hair, as you can see in the portraits of Jimi Hendrix, Robert Smith, Bob Dylan and Jim Morrison (below).




















View iRI5's portfolio on flickr.

Trends to Watch: Gorilla Arms

Fur sleeves, AKA gorilla arms, were a prominent trend during Fall Fashion Week 2009. It's a big fashion statement and at first I, like a lot of other fashion bloggers/reporters, was a little scared. But then I recently came across the photo above of a very young, very glamorous Bette Davis, wearing gorilla arms. It was a Eureka! moment as I finally understood the inspiration and if worn the right way this look is very glam. Below are some looks from the Fall 2009 RTW runways. What are your thoughts on this trend? Love it? Or Leave it?
Cavalli- Fall 2009 RTW

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2009 RTW

Ferragamo Fall 2009 RTW

(Photos courtesy of nymag.com and myvintagevogueflickr)

Fashion Makes Me Happy

I stumbled upon this picture of this stylish gentleman from the last SXSW. His sharp look, perfectly accessorized with multi-layered necklaces, an unkempt beard, and of course, a Miller Lite, made me smile. I recalled an article I'd read on the emerging fashion scene that is the Coachella Music Fest. The article highlighted PYTs and celebs prancing around the desert in their coolest digs. Perhaps SXSW is the new Coachella?

In the Spotlight: Mark & Estel

Mark & Estel is one of my all-time favorite clothing labels, indie or otherwise. They encompass that effortless, laid back LA vibe, constructing tees, tanks and dresses in soft cotton jersey. Their designs run the gamut--from swingy tanks to kimono sleeve tees to ripped & destroyed dresses and leggings--and they did it way before all the current worn-in designer tees were "in." Their clothes are all hand crafted and purposely constructed to look and feel like that perfect old t-shirt it took you years to break in.

These cool kids from LA model all their own designs (well, Estel models the clothes and Mark hangs out nonchalantly in the photos--so cute!).

Music lovers should check out their tunes, a unique electronic-pop-rock that's always on my playlist.

I own several of their pieces but this gorgeous cotton jersey ripped dress from their couture collection is still on my must-have list. Each dress is carefully sculpted with distressed and ripped detail around the neckline and all over front & back of dress to accent the body. Each one is uniquely hand-made byMark & Estel. No two are exactly alike (which I love).



























You can purchase the line directly from their website. These pieces will be in your closet for years to come!

Hunting For Handmade: Dillon Designs

I first discovered Dillon Designs at the Bust Craftacular last December where a couple of my friends purchased a bunch of their rings for unique gifts. The handdrawn and handpainted rings are like really cool shrinky dinks for your fingers and come in a variety of images. For $8 dollars a pop you can't go wrong! Visit their Etsy store to purchase.

Cinema Style: The Conformist

Grace lent me her copy of Bernardo Bertolucci's The Conformist (1970) and it has left me truly inspired. This strange but intriguing thriller is set in the late 1930's in Paris and Italy. The main character, Marcello, tries to escape his past by reuniting with it while on his honeymoon. As part of the fascist party he belongs to, he is hired to kill his former "liberal" professor. His bride befriends the professor's wife and the shopping and dancing scenes in Paris are fantastic. Both stylistic in cinematography (with diagonal shots, muted colors, and film noir angles) and in fashion (with gorgeous gowns, furs, and accessories) this film is a must see.

In the Spotlight: Samoy Lenko Opera Dress

Full Disclosure: I own the online shop unsungdesigners.com and we carry Samoy Lenko. This does not change the fact that I am in love with the Opera Dress in her new spring collection. This is an elegant, affordable evening dress that appears much more expensive than it is. The full-length drape is soft and fluid in rayon jersey. The gold belt is attached, but can be worn two different ways--under or over the back of the dress. Under leaves the back panel flowing freely and looks very Grecian. Over cinches the waist in classic glamour. The U-neckline allows for any embellishment. This is my pick for most affordable glamour.

Fashion Makes Me Happy: Sisters

The Listers at Fashion Playlist are each one part of a set of sisters. These photos by the Sartorialist made me happy because my sister and I love to dress together.

We have different styles and it allows us to give each other ideas on how to wear the clothes we already have. We embellish our looks with items from each others' closets. When we go out together, we have fun with complementary outfits; we come up with a theme that ties us together and makes us "go together" even though we're wearing completely different things.

If you're not lucky enough to have a sister to share clothes with, do it with a friend whose style you admire but isn't too close to your own. This will allow you step out of your comfort zone and try something you wouldn't have purchased on your own. It's time to get inspired! Happy Spring!

In the Spotlight: Katy Perry Hearts New York Couture

We've loved New York Couture for years. Their youthful, unorthodox style isn't for everyone, but certain trendsetters (including Agyness Deyn) know a good thing when they see it. New York Couture's latest (and it's looking like biggest) celeb fan is the singer Katy Perry. It appears Perry swept up the entire collection and wore it all on tour this year. (left: pink ruffle snake dress by NY Couture, Perry on tour in a yellow & gold ruffle snake dress.)



In true NY Couture form, the designer is unapologetic about making it on Star Magazine's worst dressed list. Rock your individual style, girls! (below: yellow panda dress by NY Couture, Perry in a pink panda dress, Star's Worst of the Week.)



















(below: elephant tank top by NY Couture, Perry in an elephant tank.)


















(below: NY Couture gold bow leggings, Katy Perry in a pair of red bow leggings.)

DIY: Feather Headbands

Feather headbands and hair accessories are all the rage, but can be quite expensive. We decided to see if we could easily create our own with very little cost. We’ll show you how to make a stretchy headband here, but you can get creative and do them on hairclips, plastic headbands or brooch pins. Karen calls them "instant glamour" and I just came for the margaritas. In the end, we spent about $20 each on materials but have so much left over we can make feather accessories ‘til the end of time. So all in all, good value and all our friends are getting feather headbands for their birthdays.


What You’ll Need (all materials can be purchased at fabric and trim shops):

-scissors

-needle & thread

-elastic ($2/yd at fabric store)

-feathers ($12/yd for the most expensive; we bought ½ yd and used 1 inch)

-sequins ($2 for a baggy of gazillions)

-fabric glue ($7 for 4oz bottle)



STEP ONE: Measure and cut the correct amount of elastic for your head. Wrap elastic around your head and pull in about ½ inch tighter. Sew the ends together with a needle and thread. (Note: I made a black band because I have black hair and want only the feathers to show. You can choose any color.)



STEP TWO: Mark where you want the feathers to be (I just put the headband on and pinched the area by my left ear, took the band off, and stuck a pin there). Start with the feathers on the bottom layer (in this case, the white feathers because they are longest). Place glue on headband, place feathers on glue and press down for a few minutes to set.



STEP THREE: Repeat with any feathers you want to overlap the bottom layer.



STEP FOUR: Scatter a bunch of sequins over a bit of glue and press to set. The sequins hide the edging of the feathers and any extra glue that squeezes out. You can also use a cute button or a bit of ribbon.



TADA! Your very own instant glamour.

L'Avventura

I recently caught a screening of Michelangelo Antonioni's "L'Avventura" and emerged obsessed. Not only did I immediately Netflix copies of his other films, I scoured the internet for images of Monica Vitti. She is the definition of effortless cool with her smoldering looks, chilled gaze, and perfectly coiffed hair.

Fashion Makes Me Happy

You know when you're going about your day, busily doing what you do, and you come across something that makes you smile or laugh out loud? Here's mine for today:



Not only is this a beautiful portrait but it's also a product shot for those gold vermeil earrings by the London-based jewelry label Macha. Their stuff is rad so stop by their etsy shop, thebeside, and check out their one of a kind proto samples and test pieces.

Hunting For Handmade: Odds & Ends

I have never been "into" felt. But after finding Odds & Ends handmade felt accessories, I have changed my mind. These warm and wooly creations are very feminine and somewhat mystical unlike mose felt items I have seen. Not only beautiful but they are also perfect for this kind of cold, kind of warm, transitional season. Scarves, scarflettes, purses and more can be purchased online in the Etsy store.

The Original It Girl: Miss Piggy

Miss Piggy is the original It Girl. She's a diva, a fashion maven, a beauty queen.

My sister idolized her as a kid. Not Barbie; Miss Piggy. She treasured a Miss Piggy paper doll with the most fabulous outfits. Knowing the high-spirited, willful, popular, crazy, and always stylish person my sister turned out to be, I'm confident in concluding that Miss Piggy was a defining influence on who she is today.

Today's It Girls pale in comparison to Miss Piggy. To prove my point, let's take a photographic journey through the been-there-done-that years with the original It Girl: Miss Piggy. kissy, kissy.

She wears couture. How amazing is this outfit?

She's seen at movie premieres, on red carpets, and front row at fashion week. She dates a celebrity.

She has a stamp and a perfume.

She's been on the cover of Life and posed for Playboy. She's been interviewed by the BBC.

She knows rock stars.

She's had a nose job and she self tans.

And she's been in jail.