Posts Tagged ‘upcycled’

I'm halfway through my month-long challenge! Woot!

(scroll down for a Challenge Update)

Activities: working from home, errands, selling vintage at my trunk show (look for a follow-up article on 4/19)

Weather: sunny, low 50s.

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…last Thursday.

It's the Attack of Camera Face, live from my studio! (Sorry about that, we had some tripod issues.)

Here we have, on the left, what I actually wore. And on the right, me playing with the idea of knotting and draping the dress. Yes, that is a giant bridal crinoline on my left. Just in case.

The Look

 : upcycled shrug I made by un-ravelling and re-knitting a thrifted Ann Taylor (I think) tank top

 : black turtleneck sweater

 : thrifted disco dress

 : black wedge-heel boots

 : wide black elastic belt

 : Stone & Honey necklace, a gift from my honey.

 : base layer: camisole, full slip and black leggings

And that is how you wear a summer dress in winter. Just bring a can of Static Guard with you if it's polyester.

Behold! My upcycled New Year’s party outfit!

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Today is Etsy’s 5th birthday!  That’s a long time in internet years….  I’m having a surprise sale to celebrate!

Most items are $5 off, even clearance.
All vintage blouses are just $5!
For one day only.

Happy Birthday, Etsy!

Click on the Shop link above, or the Etsy button on the left to get to my shop.

Image via Gingerbread Jewelry.

My masterpiece, the Lattice Bangle Tote, was selected for the gallery at Try Handmade. Check it out!

And be sure to peek around the site for more handmade awesomeness!

My hairdresser is awesome.

Michelle, at Synergy Salon, is putting together a holiday shopping event, featuring a group of her creative clients– including me!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

6:00 to 8:00pm

at Synergy Salon

53 East Avenue

New Canaan, CT

203-966-5655

Besides me, I know there will be an amazing jewelry artisan, and perhaps another bagmaker like myself.  I will have my original handbags, small zipper pouches, flower brooches, and perhaps some reconstructed clothing.

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image via DevPunk Studios

You can meet me and see my wares at these upcoming events:

Jewish Summer Festival

Sunday, August 23, 2009,12:00 – 6:00 pm

Congregation B’nai Israel, 193 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, CT

Taste of Danbury

Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009

12:00 – 7:00 pm both days

On the Green (Ives St.), downtown, Danbury, CT

Hope to see you!

We who are blazing the fashion paths into the future would do well to remember and honor our forebears.  And so, in the spirit of respecting the resourceful crafters and costume designers who came before, I present you with this exhibit on the Cinematic History of Reconstructed Clothing. 

Gone With the Wind (1939) – The curtain dress

The Sound of Music (1965) – Curtain playclothes for the children.

Pretty in Pink (1986) – The prom dress

Crossroads * (2002)  – Recon'd t-shirts; the woman behind the t-shirts, Barbra Horowitz 

Enchanted * (2007) – Another curtain dress

*Apparently.  I have not watched these movies, so I cannot confirm that said costumes are in fact reconstructed from other materials.  Anyone with conclusive information, please contact me.

Please email me or post in Comments if you are aware of any other examples not listed here– I'm sure there are more. 

Update, February 2011: Here is a much more exhaustive (and obscure) list of TV and movie characters improvising clothes from curtains and other items.

This seems to be a rather common element in many films about independent young female characters we are meant to admire… contrary to a societal disdain for "homemade" and "secondhand" clothing (oh, the schoolyard teasing we endured).  Happily that is starting to change, it seems– vis. Etsy and TryHandmade.com.