inspiration - bora aksu & the realms of the unreal

images: new york magazine

i don't usually pay a huge amount of attention to most of new york & london fashion week but couldn't help but notice bora aksu's autumn/winter 2012 collection at lfw this year. i am absolutely smitten with the london-based turkish designer's gorgeous collection which he has described as "romantic with a darker twist" and was entirely based on the story and accompanying watercolor illustrations of henry darger's in the realms of the unreal, with bora's girls mimicking darger's seven vivian sisters. check out this fascinating huffington post uk article to learn more about how the epic story influenced the collection on all levels.

i am particularly enamored by the "fantasy heroin" aspect of the collection as expressed through the gorgeous color palette, contrasting silhouettes, rose brocade, and sweet bows, collars & crochet trims. the knit dresses are also a marvel and those patterned tights are to die for - so lovely paired with all the interesting fabrics, wallpaper-inspired prints & textures throughout. my absolute favorite look is the bubblegum pink georgette & brocade dress with peaked shoulders and lamé collar - fierce and sweet!

this site has even larger pics of the collection including shots from the back that are well worth taking a look at for the impeccable details... just phenomenal!

xoxo

☆ emilia ☆

all we are is stars

lucius and his first mustache finger : tara mcpherson

for my second pleated skirt attempt, i combined it with another diy project i've had on my "to do" list since last summer - making some sort of space garment. originally, i was planning on making a galaxy t-shirt dress but then decided it might be more fun to make some custom fabric instead. i used this "going to space" tutorial from unicorn parade almost to the letter except i didn't have any spare brushes on hand (besides tooth brushes for splattering) so i stuck to medicine droppers for applying the bleach & dye and used my gocco to screen print the stars instead of hand painting them. 

since my last skirt ended up so stiff & sculptural and was a polyester blend (and, polyester interferes with the bleaching process,) i went with a much thinner bottom weight this time made from 97% cotton/3% spandex. i cut the front and back fabric pieces out before bleaching & dying and ended up going through the entire process a few times until i was fairly happy with how it looked, and then screen printed the stars. i used strips of the untouched, crisp black fabric to make an extra-thick waistband (6cm wide instead of 4cm) and finished the hem off with black bias tape to pull it all together.

i'm really happy with how the skirt came out, especially since this was my first attempt at bleaching & dying fabric (i've never even tie-dyed.) it would have helped to have a few hubble pics of nebulae on hand for reference on the larger shapes but i didn't think about doing this until the very end. one thing is discovered is that bias tape is pretty much my new favorite thing EVER as straight & decent-looking hems continue to pose a major challenge for this beginner seamstress. overall, i'm completely smitten this skirt & the adorable little stars - it's incredibly lightweight but still stiff enough to keep its sweet silhouette and i love the polished look of the bias tape!

xoxo

☆ c. emilia ☆

*outfit details: vintage lace half shirt/wedding dress top // pleated skirt pattern - diy couture // black lita - jeffrey campbell // rings - forever 21, ebay 

first pleated skirt!

i am sooo excited to share with you my first hand-sewn garment ever - a two-toned, hand-silk screened pleated skirt created from diy couture's easy-to-follow instructional book how to make a pleated skirt. 

the skirt is made from two pieces of fairly thick bottom weight fabric (65% cotton / 35% poly) in gray and electric blue that were sewn together. i used my gocco to screen print the blue fabric with a super cute friends with you inspired pattern before sewing. the stiff fabric and pleats kept reminding me of cheerleading skirts and seeing as friends with you is in the business of spreading friendship and joy, i thought the name "good cheer" fit this skirt perfectly! 

i followed the book's directions to the letter, making 12 pleats in the front, 12 in the back and a 4cm waistband. it was really tough working with this thick bottom weight on my first try, especially since it's 35% polyester - it was really difficult setting the pleats and the overall shape is very sculptural... it sort of has a mind of its own. while i loved the stiffness of this bottom weight during the printing process, i made sure to pick a much thinner, mostly cotton version for my second skirt. 

overall, i'm crazy thrilled with how it came out and *love* it to pieces. i'm still in total disbelief that i'm actually making my own clothes and have to keep reminding myself - it just seems too good to be true! but, it's not - it is true - and, it's all thanks to diy couture who demystified the process and made it simple enough for me to take the plunge. what i found out in the end was that making this pleated skirt was easier than a lot of other non-garment projects i've made in the past. when explained in an easy-to-follow format that's aimed at the beginner, you'll be stunned and how quick and easy making your own clothes can be!

xoxo

☆ c. emilia ☆

*outfit details: vintage purple striped ruffle jacket // black tank top - james perse // pleated skirt pattern - diy couture // black lita - jeffrey campbell // vintage clutch // rings - forever 21 // large gold hoops - ebay // vintage black doll's hat

inspiration - meadham kirchhoff

you've probably already seen pics of meadham kirchhoff's S/S 2012 collection floating around, but i just had to add my two cents in as this is one of the most exciting collections i have ever seen in my life, ever, and i'm pretty much in love with every single aspect of it down to the tiniest detail.

i don't even know where to start - the pastels, the bright colors, the stork feathers & pom-poms or the playful nods to harajuku girls, marie antionette and all those beloved lisa frank & sanrio stickers from my youth! this collection kinda makes my head explode - i want to wear every single piece of the collection so i can finally get a "deranged dolly" look going full swing. i am loving the pastel make-up and big, crazy hair as well and will definitely be borrowing heavily from these looks for spring (although probably toning it down a bit!)

i can't even fully articulate what about this collection has got me so gaga - it's so overwhelmingly pleasing that i'm pretty much speechless. it's just pretty much a perfect mixture of all the color, texture & imagery i love in life wrapped up & tied with gorgeous beaded bows & feather pom poms... *swoon*!

really, i can't say it enough - this collection kills me dead.

xoxo

☆ c. emilia ☆

teddy, girl, love

i'm not the first and certainly won't be the last to fall in love with london 1940's youth culture "teddy girls" and their amazing neo-edwardian fashion sense. i've wanted to do a teddy girl shoot since i first started the blog and i'm so glad i ended up doing it this week b/c the checkered wool pencil skirt featured sold shortly afterwards and it was pretty much what inspired the entire outfit. i can't think of a cooler look - or one that makes you feel more empowered, for that matter. i had so much fun putting together this tough little number!

the skirt is paired with an absolutely ancient victorian jacket i picked up from a gentleman who's grandparents had displayed it in their b&b for 30+ years so it's got all kinds of sun & moth damage. if it wasn't in such bad shape, i probably wouldn't even let myself wear it - it's part of an authentic victorian mourning dress and incredibly rare & special. i think it makes a nice substitute for an edwardian jacket with it's boning and structured silhouette. the striped, high ruffled collar blouse is from a recent etsy trade with vintage reformer (trading vintage clothes on etsy has ended up being the best unexpected surprise so far as an online seller.) a simple black ribbon "teddy tie," vintage cameo pin & my beloved lita's help finish off that perfect teddy girl blend of masculine & feminine.

xoxo

☆ c. emilia ☆

inspiration - lu flux

images: lu flux

i've really been digging on lu flux's spring/summer 2012 collection lately - the candy colors, polynesian details and her signature witty playfulness. if you're not familiar with lu flux, she's based in london and makes all of her garments out of organic, reclaimed & vintage materials so as to consume less and reduce waste. this is ethical clothing at its most luxurious and takes the concept of making something new from something old to a whole new level. 

i'm also totally in love with the styling of this collection - that cotton candy hair and the nude heels are just the perfect mix of classic elegance and whimsical eccentricity. if you haven't look at lu's past collections, do yourself a favor and check them out for a real treat - i love the modern shapes & styling and her knit & antiquated patchwork pieces are not to be missed. take my word for it - you will be inspired!

xoxo

☆ c. emilia ☆