// These legs

Posted on | August 26, 2011 | 1 Comment

Mmmmm, yes please! Gorgeous Tsumori Chisato leggings from lovely Koshka Sock Boutique — great take on strong stripes theme…

Posted on | August 26, 2011 | 1 Comment

// One block here…

Posted on | October 26, 2010 | No Comments

Ruffeo Hearts Lil’ Snotty — ooh, this spandex is vitamin for my eyes! Awesome color blocking…

Posted on | October 26, 2010 | No Comments

// Quick meshup

Posted on | May 12, 2010 | 8 Comments

The branching H&M emporium is really getting me… …this spring Weekday was full of stuff for me to desire. Their racks were full of oversized T:s in draping viscose and mesh fabrics — and part of them in half price. So I could not hold myself in Stockholm, I snatched this nude mesh tunic and gray viscose T for me although the Helsinki shop is opening next week…

I was not in the mood for anything complicated… …wearing the whole Stockholm catch over Black Milk spartans — which are the best fitting black pair of leggings I’ve ever had and I gladly ditched my loose Gina Tricot ones that have shed their wet look coating partially. I was bit hesitated to pull the shiny PVC panels over my fleshy tighs, but I worried too soon. The spartan cut is quite thigh friendly and the shiny panel gives some welcome sci-fi detail to my simple and lazy leggings & tunics outfits. Rützou wedges and old Pilgrim leather bracelet.

Posted on | May 12, 2010 | 8 Comments

// And then she would go to the fashion show…

Posted on | April 29, 2010 | 3 Comments

I could have caused an enormous dilemma for me by stressing about the dressing for my first ever fashion show visit… …but I did not. It was quite clear for me that I would build the outfit around another of my two pairs of Kaksi-Två leggings — and I picked the marbled ones, they have not been too much in use. I like them, but somehow they are not too easy to mix to my regular rotation. That is actually funny, the much more bold abstract zebra print just feels so much easier!

So I wore them with old Zara silk organza envelope dress with subtle transparency details — I like how the leggings strip the office hygiene out of this dress, the feeling is almost futuristic; Carin Wester wedges, Aarikka necklace worn as a bracelet and matte white nails. Originally I bought this Opi matte polish to be used under other polishes, but the flat white look is growing on me… And I have a bruise on my shoulder marking the regular gym-goer, steel is stronger than flesh Q.E.D..

Posted on | April 29, 2010 | 3 Comments

// The linen jacket in action

Posted on | March 27, 2010 | 3 Comments

Sometimes I like my upper and lower parts being from different worlds. I used the trick today to adjust the newly found second hand jacket to my spring wardrobe. The upper part is all soft, understated layers with structured jacket, minimal cashmere cardigan, white T and dainty jewelry. But the T extends to raw edged tunic that ties the shiny leggings and suede booties to the almost formal upper half. Or at least I hope so! This is my businesswoman-forgot-her-pants –look — and the cat could not care less…

Speaking about leggings I might I need new shiny ones. These look really baggy on me.

I’m wearing thrifted Escada linen jacket, COS cashmere cardigan, Gina Trickot tunic and leggings, COX boots (from Berlin). The tiny disc necklace is from Etsy, Classic Designs. Theresa has a nice selection of more subdued, everyday jewelry — I especially love her glass lockets, simple circle and disc necklaces, and hand forged earrings — and I’m not even huge fan of tiny jewelry.

Posted on | March 27, 2010 | 3 Comments

// Black Milk now colored

Posted on | January 15, 2010 | 2 Comments

Black Milk has now some great printed leggings. I know that I would get endless use of those ombre dyed ones…

There are also skeletons (the large skeleton print in Resurrection goes almost abstract on legs — and I quite like it), geisha print in faded pastel tones and quite amazing Phoenix print that nods strongly to tattoo aesthetics.

Posted on | January 15, 2010 | 2 Comments

// Zebra print

Posted on | September 5, 2009 | 6 Comments

zebra2 zebra1 zebra3

I think that Marjo Kuusinen and Piia Keto from Kaksi-Två make some finest leggings in Scandinavia. This pair is luxuriously thick and soft nylon, printed with neat, slightly angularized zebra print in cream and ink blue. The graphic version of loud and bold animal print is surprisingly wearable and easy to combine to different outfits, plus somehow the stripes manage to be quite flattering.

Too bad that their web shop seems to be offline (um, it tells that it’s on summer vacation… …so hopefully they will be back soon). I have seen a small selection of their clothes in Helsinki 10.

In addition to my savanna camouflage I’m wearing Complex Geometries strap top with the strap simply over the shoulder, All Saints cardigan that can also be wrapped around in multitude of ways, old Topshop bag & Vagabond wedges.

Posted on | September 5, 2009 | 6 Comments

// All black with shiny leggings

Posted on | August 26, 2009 | 7 Comments

allblack1 allblack2 allblack3 allblack4

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 =).

madmax

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.

tanSM1

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!

wowen-slicing

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.

wowen-sliced wowen-sliced2

The straps are neatly on the front leg.

wowen-smallhole

Now cut a small opening up to the thigh, above the straps and on the middle of the thigh.

wowen-firststep

Start weaving. Pull the first strap through the small opening from the inside out. Now you have a small loop in your hand.

wowen-secondstep

Pull the second strap through the loop, from the inside out. And you have again a loop.

wowen-weaving

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!

wowen-allway

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.

wowen-finish wowen-onbarelegs

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

// You got me some…

Posted on | August 20, 2009 | 5 Comments

It’s been a busy week wor me, thus the lack of posting lately. But I just wanted to tell you that the horse print arrived — and I’m liking it.
horseprint1 horseprint2
I ordered it in XXL so I got this almost dresslike layering piece by cutting the sleeves and collar off and reshaping the openings lightly. I really dig the print and the subtly tie dyed dark purplish blue fabric. Here with Gina Trickot latex leggings, Vagabond booties, Fendi silk chiffon slip & Vero Moda sequined tank.

Posted on | August 20, 2009 | 5 Comments

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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 DIY posts, How-to posts, DIY ideas - or my adventures in Etsy =).

More about me and this blog.