Pop Goes the World

Having Jonathan a gazillion miles away in London is painful enough; but it’s lemon to a wound when I receive these notices. First the Eley Kishimoto Pop Up store opening which was posted a couple days ago and now the Hannah Marshall vs Jean-Pierre Braganza bonanza of an extravaganza (when I resort to ridiculous rhyming schemes, you know I’m upset!).

I feel compelled to pound my fists on hardwood table and cry to the heavens.

Pop Up Shop Opening

Discovered this chuffed-I-can’t-make-it event on A Shaded View on Fashion. If you’re in London tomorrow evening, allow me to vicariously experience the moment through your attendance!

Cheap Frills

I’ve read that when shopping, women are drawn first to colour and then to style. Whilst walking along the forgettable fashion blocks of Queen Street in Toronto  (near Muchmusic), it was my good fortune to stumble across Black Market (256a Queen Street West).

Normally, I’m out of luck with these types of shops (I absolutely appreciate army fatigue, but how many cargo pants, bad polyester shirts, tiered purple ankle-length skirts does the world need? Insert microeconomic laws about supply and demand). This day was different. For as many plaid shirts, baggy 80s tees, they had a gamut of colourful dresses.  Plus everything was under a tenner so I could have passed a few hours quite easily in the shop but I had only 20 minutes before my appointment with ramen so I proudly left with a felted Russian-styled hat and this gem of frock.

She wasn’t perfection. The dress was long-sleeved, buttoned to the neck, and too long for my liking. To fix this, I unbuttoned the front buttons to the bust and left the the sleeves dangling under my arms. I pulled the sleeve from the back, over my shoulder to the front, and stitched them to the new decolletage. I then hiked up the hemline a couple inches. The new fanned out strap lends a 50s sensibility and ruffles make it toot-toot fun to wear!

  

Purple Reign

With some relief (and silent prayers), friends/family are beginning to find a little stability after such uncertainty during the recession. 

Few months back when budgets were tightest, friends and I began a bi-weekly Friday DIY/art night. Mike sculpted, Eric painted, Katie created an amazing canvas collage and of course, lightyears away from sharing the same degree of talent, I did what I do and love best – DIY fashion.

I created this DIY pailette shawl by cutting out discs from a thrifted suede dress and attached it to a 99 cent capelet bought at VV. As with most things I make these days, it’s whimsical, sprightly and touch theatrical and works best with pieces of colour.  If I was built more like Claudia Cardinale and less like a sausage link, I would almost consider wearing as a top with leggings.  Hell, if I had a body of Claudia Cardinale, I’d wear it with nothing else. 

High kick for colours, shape, texture, movement!

Crossed arms at twisty uncontrollable pailettes. They’re the split-ends of my capelet!

Jean Genie

In 1999, Japanese designer Hiroaki Ohya launched a collection entitled “The Wizard of Jeanz“, a series of books that transform into clothes. A quoted on the Powerhouse Museum site: 

“The Wizard of Jeanz collection was inspired by the book, The Wizard of Oz. Each one of the 21 book series acts as a chapter in an adapted tale of The Wizard of Oz. Ohya chose denim because everybody wears jeans and the clothes themselves are everyday garments. The first book folds out to be a dress, the second book a tank top, the third a pair of jeans, the fourth a skirt, the fifth a top, the sixth a blouse, the seventh a printed denim jacket…the seventeenth a red neckpiece in sail cloth. The final twenty first volumn folds out to be a shift dress in printed cotton. As the series progresses, the clothes change gradually from denim to floral cotton. Ohya says he has no interest in beautifying the human form: ‘Fashion should be more about stories and fantasies that transport us from the daily grind’.”

As it’s part of the permanent collection, those in Sydney really ought to take the time to check it out and report a first-hand account for me. And these books are astounding – limitless in creativity and uncompromised in craftsmanship, this an ingenious work of art and I could praise it til the proverbial cows come home. This is combining two of my favourite things: beauty and construction in fashion and the quality of hand-crafted books with a healthy dose of origami.

I’m really sort about the size of the pictures but I’m so tech illiterate. I couldn’t find anything online so I had to take screen shots from the Powerhouse Museum site. However, if you click on the actual image above, a window with a larger view opens up. Alternatively, visit the PM website! 

 

Fringed Benefits

Since being in Vancouver, I’ve made one shopping trip (to the VV) as seen in an earlier post. This was my assault on a basic yet ho-hum crocheted pullover. My aim was something minimal in colour but dramatic on texture. 

I would’ve worn these with leggings but as many of you already know, I’ve been sporting a soft cast which does very little to the outfit. Sadly, the greatest impact of the injury was not on my ankle but on my precious ego because this incredulous incident happened at an aerobics class… for seniors. Whuh?!!

Crystal Method

Reviewing past posts, I’ve realized how much I ramble on at times so I’m making a conscientious effort to keep the posts short and sweet for the remaining year!

After experience Roger Hiorn’s stunning Seizure installation in South London, I googled crystalized projects in general and stumbled across the captivating and minimalist work of Tokujin Yoshioka. I’ve divided my love between two of his projects.

The first being his crystal chair, which was created whilst submerged in a water tank. 

And the more relevant fabric chairs… I’m so impressed by the creation of texture by simple manipulations of fabric and by people who find new applications for fabric.

Both projects are equally fascinating and lovely to look at.

Broad Appeal

 

 

Anyone who knows me will understand my aversion to shoulder pads. Ever since I remember, I’ve had notably broad shoulders and would often be mistaken for a swimmer (or worst yet, a line backer) and avoid drawing any attention to this general area – shoulder pads, puffed cap sleeves, ponchos, the list goes one.

Tearing shoulder pads off garments is practically a reflex for me. I’ve thrown out enough shoulder pads to resurrect Dynasty from the dead but I wanted to challenge these little innocuous bits of foam and acetate lining.

I had a vague idea for a feathered epaulette and here I’ve models two versions – in green/black and black/peach. (If the pics seem in any way awkward, it’s because I was balancing a lamp in one hand while pointing a shoulder to the camera)

The challenge is finding a  way to make it detachable. There are countless ways of attaching it to one garment but if I wanted versatility, how would I work around this issue? Thoughts?

 

Ostrich feather epaulettes with black fringe.

 

Worn with a striped tank.

Another version with black feathers, fringe, chain embellishments.

Christmas Came Early!

After a straight week of staring at the computer without having explored any of Vancouver, I deserved a treat. Nothing sugary, nothing involving aromatherapies, just a little retail therapy of the recycled sort at the thrift emporium that is Value Village. Afterall, with nearly three weeks before I move to Toronto, I think it’s only fair I prepare myself for the brumal weather. 

I surprised myself not only by how much I got out of the experience. Granted, the generous cashier gave me a 30% discount so I  gained some serious mileage on my spendings: A knit sweater with an unravelled V, a red/gray/black swing cardi, a couple embroidered sweaters, 3/4-sleeve black box blazer, a very exciting silver and black sequined vest and much much more!

Many of the garments/accessories lend themselves to  entirely new re-designs – the peach, openwork crochet top would make a fab foundation for a leather, yarn V-neck fringe;  a leather brim to the floral hat; hacking the sleeves off the red/black/grey cardi and adding some straps to make a dress.

Best of all, I got all this for $100! Even with the shoddy exchange rate, it’s still pittance in pounds!!

Paper Chase

I figure I’d need to wait a few days before I posted yet ANOTHER paper post but I swear this one is the last, last, last of the season. Asics’ enchanting and award-winning ad uses beautiful origami as a symbol of change. The man behind Asics narrates the commercial and he has the loveliest voice.