// Time traveller?
Posted on | August 31, 2009 | 8 Comments
This blog has already revealed me one thing. Dressing up is costume play for me, at some level.
One day I just thoughtlessly pulled on my harem pants (I love this quite extreme silhouette, got them from Only sale last winter) and started to think what to combine them this time. I threw out the rules to stay with fitted tops with harem pants, picked a flesh toned silk tank, my own super-oversized silk mohair knit (free knitting pattern here), a broken studded belt and distressed leather boots with rubber embellishments. The result looks hard to time exactly, did I come from the past or the future? And weirdly androgynous, which is an achievement with my ultra feminine build and all that fleshtone.
Posted on | August 31, 2009 | 8 Comments
// Subtly low cut
Posted on | August 30, 2009 | No Comments
Filippa-K is one of my trusted brands for basics. Bit pricey, but good quality — and easily avalable here in Helsinki. The brand is very commercial and cautious, but sometimes they manage to smuggle in some genious pieces. This winter collection is perhaps even more mainstream than usual, but again I can find some basics I really like. A subtle pair of harem cut pants would be rad for winter. And grey leather jacket.
Posted on | August 30, 2009 | No Comments
// Wool flannel — guess the color
Posted on | August 30, 2009 | 4 Comments
Ok, sometimes there is a need for some sort of semi-formal outfits in my life. And of course I can post them as well.
I’ve been thinking ages how to incorporate these All Saints pants to my regular rotation. I love them, the material (soft wool mix), the cut (slip-on model without the fly, the waist is attached with one button and that creates the nice pleat on front), the color. But the problem is that I really don’t like fitting tops in everyday use, they accentuate my big bust. And with loose top I don’t like the silhouette at all. Cinching the waist does not work for me, either.
But why not roll them, combine to heels and relaxed jumper. Bare calves might be just enough to keep things interesting. Jumper is from American Apparel and studded heels from Mango. All old stuff. The shoes look innocent, but are actually total pain to walk in. So this outfit is for steady still office days.
Posted on | August 30, 2009 | 4 Comments
// Just leather strings…
Posted on | August 29, 2009 | 4 Comments
This leather string necklace from Mono has serious DIY potential. Extremely simple structure that manages to make a great impact. The length of the neckpiece even gives an interesting possibility to wear the strings around the shoulders. I feel that I’m totally ripping this off one day.
Be sure to check their site, the clothes are interesting!
Posted on | August 29, 2009 | 4 Comments
// Strange little girl
Posted on | August 28, 2009 | 2 Comments
That strange little girl moved in just a while ago. She’s just a bit camera shy and likes to hide behind the scarf.
Necklace from Tilly Bloom, H&M scarf, old All Saints knit dress in lovely silk/cotton jersey, under that American Apparel t-shirt dress, which I sliced (but did not dice), Vagabond sandals & old Topshop bag.
I’m the Scary Miss Mary of all t-shirts.
Posted on | August 28, 2009 | 2 Comments
// Dead Birds & Lionheart
Posted on | August 27, 2009 | No Comments
Dead Birds & Lionheart was previously unknown Finnish brand for me, I ran into it in Sugar Kane’s lovely blog (in Finnish, but see her pictures of a beautiful DB&L dress here) — and wanted instantly to know more. Unfortunately their website is not very up to date, so I wrote an e-mail and asked some fresh pictures. The site is worth visiting, though, especially the SS 08 collection Piscina Mirabilis is breathtakingly beautiful!
And friendly Maria from DB&L sent me some images from summer 09 collection:
Images by Johanna Viljakainen, make-up Jessica Viitamäki. Don’t use these images without permission from Dead Birds & Lionheart.
The overall feeling is bit romantic, feminine but not overtly sweet, with slight dark twist. Clean lines but usually with some trick in the cut and interesting materials. Definitely something I would like to add to my wardrobe — and this autumn it will be easier. Their designs will be available at Liike (Helsinki) from September! A small selection of their goods can be purchased from www.designshopoutlet.com.
Posted on | August 27, 2009 | No Comments
// All black with shiny leggings
Posted on | August 26, 2009 | 7 Comments
I have hard time picking style icons I really follow, but I’m embarrasingly influenced by movies. One persistent source for my inspiration is Mad Max trilogy (yeah, I said it loud, now I feel truly awkward :-O). In my interpretation it means disheveled layers, utilitarian elements mixed to tribal things, using whatever works for whatever, biker romantic, texture clashing, dirt. In my first outfit with woven latex look leggings I turned to my favorite source of inspiration and thought an imaginary (priest?!?) character that would fit to the imagery… …minus the dirt — this was for evening out, after all.
Wearing DIY woven leggings over cheap matte nylon leggings, 2or+ cotton tunic/dress with cascading asymmetric cut, H&M scarf (love the texture), old Vagabond booties, Sonia Rykiel studded bag, some old necklace with nice wooden cross, don’t really remember from where I got this. I apologise the infamous pigeon toe pose — I guess that it just happens when I try to set my thigs to most flattering angle =).
So now you know…
Posted on | August 26, 2009 | 7 Comments
// Woven front latex leggings
Posted on | August 25, 2009 | 16 Comments
I openly admit that I’m very inspired by the both queens from Kingdom of Style — and there is at least one thing I share with Queen Michelle: the love for legwear. She recently introduced two fabulous pairs of Black Milk leggings — on which I will definitely splurge when the time is right. But right now the budget is really an issue for me, so I decided to shamelessly rip off the Spidermans.
The idea of Spidermans is actually quite simple. The leg is slashed from the front to slices that probably narrow down just a bit when going downwards to the ankle. Edit. taking a look to the original, no they don’t. I guess that the original version is different in that way that there are actual cutouts between the straps, so there is less material on the woven part. But I don’t actually mind about the slight extra coverage in the front, so I will be happy with my version as it is. Then the fabric strips are woven together in a very simple way, for a knitter the technique is instantly clear if I say that the loops form a single vertical column of stockinette stitch.
Even if you are not a knitter the technique is extremely easy to learn and a pair of leggings is “knitted” in a matter of minutes.
Here’s a short illustrated tutorial how to make your own webby woven/knitted leggings.
Take a pair of leggings, preferably size or two larger than you usually use — the technique takes off some from the leg circumference. Or make sure that the material is extremely stretchy. I used a pair of 15€ Gina Tricot latex look leggings. They are not particularly stretchy, so I took a pair of size XL (I usually use size M leggings from GT).
Fold the leggings carefully so that the inseams are together and the leg folds neatly from the front and the back — like you were about to make front creases for the leggings. I did not use any pins to secure the folds because latex surface is easily broken, but if you use some less delicate material it is better to pin the legs together –and even iron the fold lightly. Just don’t do that on this kind of plasticky ones!
I used rotary cutter to slice the front of the legs. Start somewhere from the upper part of thigh (or why not close from the waistline — I left the leggings uncut from the top, though. Cut relatively close to the inseam but be careful not to cut over it. I did this freehand but you can make a guide from cardboard if you don’t trust your skills on cutting neat strips. I also gradually made the straps slightly narrower when going towards the ankle. The difference is not huge, but it is there. Note that all “making of” pictures are overexposed to get some detail out from black fabric.
The straps are neatly on the front leg.
Now cut a small opening up to the thigh, above the straps and on the middle of the thigh.
Start weaving. Pull the first strap through the small opening from the inside out. Now you have a small loop in your hand.
Pull the second strap through the loop, from the inside out. And you have again a loop.
Continue pulling the next strap through the loop until you reach the ankle. Don’t pull the last strap through the loop (the one with edge seam, fastened with a pin on the image below). Does not look too fancy right now, but trust me, they look totally different on!
Secure the last loop by tying some strong yarn from the loop and around the last ankle piece. It should look like this. You can also sew it on place with few stitches, but I was not in a mood for sewing today.
Put the leggings on. You can still adjust the width of the openings cutting them more open with scissors. I opened the knee area a bit more, it gave a better line for my leg. I probably will open them all just a little bit more.
And I totally agree with Queen Michelle, these are excellent piece for layering! Here just on bare legs, though… I’d bet that these would be very useful in different colours, I’m thinking nude or some sort of dusty dove grey. And pair of matte black cotton ones would be fab, too. Maybe there could be even several woven columns of fabric, how cool would that be?
Posted on | August 25, 2009 | 16 Comments
// A pile of soda can tabs make a fine bag
Posted on | August 24, 2009 | 4 Comments
I had some errands today at Töölö area — and I had to visit just shortly in a small boutique that had appeared to the south side of Töölöntori. The shop was called Bling — and it was definitely these bags that lured me in to take a quick look:
The bags are by Escama Studio and they are made from soda can tabs, hand crocheted together. A small community in Brazil produces them — and you even get to know the name of the artisan who has crocheted your piece. Check out their Flickr account for more images!
I would even try this by myself, but collecting the tabs is a problem — I don’t drink soda, or not too much beer either. Maybe I have enough material for a coin purse in some five years…
Sold online at SupermarkerHQ.
Posted on | August 24, 2009 | 4 Comments
// Neon yellow
Posted on | August 23, 2009 | 4 Comments
I found a super bright neon yellow men’s T-shirt from the local thrift store (Fida, Hakaniemi) one day. It got my standard treatment for large, unfitting shirts: I cut the sleeves and neck to get this slouchy raw edge tank. The sleeve openings are huge, but it does not matter in a summery layering piece like this.
Of course it is totally understandable to ask, what does a grown up woman actually do with a neon yellow tank. I admit that I feel a bit nostalgic about neon colors and that was probably one reason for the purchase, but I also had a very specific purpose in my mind. I happen to own a great cotton voile dress/tunic from 2or+ by Yat that absolutely needs something underneath. Instead of going for some invisible undergarment style I have been combining pieces that actually transform the outlook of this diaphanous dress. And neon yellow under mint green does some amazing things — the dress looks lit within!
Someone might also rightfully ask why are my clothes so often wrinkly. Well, my philosophy with this blog is that I publish outfits that I actually use, and often it happens that I take the photos after a day of wear. It might be too dark in the morning — or more often I’m leaving too late to fiddle with pictures. Anyway, this dress saw today a small, happy family party and probably wrinkled just from pure joy!
Not much else was needed today, the weather is still somewhat hot. The pair of white sandals is from Sixtyseven — never heard about the brand before I bought these from Brandos last winter.
Posted on | August 23, 2009 | 4 Comments
About
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Contact: kamicha (a) gmail dot com
I'm especially interested in young designers creations, non-established labels and indie fashion. So if you have something interesting to show, feel free to contact!
You can find Finnish design from both specific and some outfit posts - but both are tagged.
You might be also interested in my DIY posts, How-to posts, DIY ideas - or my adventures in Etsy =).
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