DIY CHAIN COLLAR NECKLACE

This week over at Harper's BAZAAR I show you how to make a delicate chain collar necklace. I would love to hear if you have any projects planned for this weekend!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TUTORIAL OVER AT HARPER'S BAZAAR

DIY TRIBAL PRINT COLLAR

I recently made this tribal print collar by removing it from a dress that was undergoing major surgery (more on that soon!). In the past I've usually made detachable collars by cutting them off a shirt and keeping the top button to secure them at the neck.

However, I recently found that by actually replacing the top button and button hole with a hook and eye, you're able to get a much neater collar that sits infinitely better. I think because of the way that collars are secured onto shirts and dresses, they can sit a bit funny and too upright when worn as a detachable around the neck. To combat this I simply removed the pieces of fabric on which the top button and button hole sit, and sewed a hook and eye in their place. This is so simple and makes a huge difference to the overall look. 

This is the dress I cut it off, you'll see the before & after of the dress very soon. How fun is this techni colour tribal printed fabric? Oh btw, I'm wearing a DIY wrapped black bustier in these pics but you can't see it - just in case you were thinking I like to get around in just detachable collars!

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DIY LOUIS VUITTON GOLD COLLAR

 

My addiction to collars is still raging, and this amazing gold one by Louis Vuitton caught my eye. I couldn't help but have a go at making my own version!  I would love to be able to hand craft a metal collar, but unfortunately that's a major stretch of my DIY skills. So here's my basic (and way cheaper) version using leather and gold spray paint.

 

I used the same design as this leather collar project I did a very long while ago.

You Need:
Leather (I used a scrap from a skirt)
Scissors
Gold Spraypaint (make sure it's non-toxic as it will sit against your skin)
A Hook and eye.

How to:
1. I used as the template a collar I had made previously here. I have put the original pattern of it below.

2. Cut the collar out.

3. This is what the cut out collar should look like.

4. Take your collar outside and prepare to spraypaint. I did an undercoat of white so the gold would pop.

5. Spray with gold spraypaint.

6. Finally, sew the hook and eye on the front edges of the collar as shown below.

Voila! All done.

 

DIY ON THE RUNWAY - CARVEN SS12

Best collection of the whole of Fashion Month? For me it has to be Carven. Ok, so I know that's a big call, but I challenge you to find another show with such perfectly measured ingredients. Dainty collars, digitised tribal and aztec prints, cut outs, lace inserts, embellished ikat shoes, technicolour backpacks, leather harnesses and a palette of reds, pinks, yellows and mustards. How Carven did all that without over-doing it is a mystery to me, but it works.

Of course, it wouldn't be a favourite if it didn't inspire a million different DIY ideas - so look forward to seeing a heap of cut outs, bright collars, embellished shoes and lace inserts here in the months to come. Why wait for these pieces to hit the stores in Feb/March next year when you can DIY them yourself? The whole seasonal thing has become so blurry to me that I have no problem mixing summer and winter colours.

Images via Eight London and My Fashion Diary and Style.com

DIY ON THE RUNWAY - BURBERRY SS12 [inc BEADED HEELS!]

I'm so delighted to see that the Burberry SS12 collection is an extension of their resort wear that I fell in love with a little while ago. I couldn't resist tooting my horn about the inclusion of wedges with coloured bead embellishments - similar to the ones I made here inspired by the high heels in the Resort collection. It's great to see a look sticking around for long enough for us to have a go at making it! Why not have a go at making them yo'self?

Other Favourite DIY inspirations from the show:

• Wooden bead embellished belts and and collars 
• Straw hats with wool pompoms
• Raffia oversized collars
• Sunglasses with threaded rims
• Coloured wooden shape embellished trench coats
• Coats with knitted sleeves

Images courtesy of Style.com and The Blonde Salad

LOVING - COLLAR NECKLACES

Collars have been having a moment. For a looong while now.  Remember my collar DIYs here and here? Seems like an eternity ago. I absolutely loved this colourful post over at Frockshop's blog, and it's clear that now its all about the statement collar necklace. I recently bought this black beaded one from a local Hong Kong designer - and I've hardly taken it off!

 

Wearing: Beaded collar necklace, A Pair & A Spare silk tank, A Pair & A Spare knitted high-waisted shorts, Anniel ballet flats.

Psst... You might be seeing a little DIY collar necklace here in the coming weeks!

Images: Top collage images sourced from here.

Blogger DIYs

So I've been so busy making dresses and earrings and working on a few other little projects that I haven't had the time to post some of my favourite DIYs from other creative bloggers. Shame on me! I'm drawn to DIYs like a moth to a flame, so here are some of my favourites.
This gorgeous T strap bra by Ivania of Love Aesthetics is amazing and soo simple! Ivania also made a great wrap skirt using a grey marl long sleeved sweatshirt.

DIYs jewellery using fluro/nautical rope are very popular at the moment - with good reason! This one by Andy of Style Scrapbook is amazing. Being a rock climbing enthusiast it the clasp particularly appeals to me. Check it out here.

Another perfectly executed DIY by A Matter of Style - why buy (from Zara) when you can DIY should be my new motto.

Another great DIY clutch from the adorable MJ of Dreaming Spires and Old Car Tyres - made using a thrifted leather skirt. Perfect!

How amazing is this beaded collar from the lovely Alexandra of She is Red?

DIY Black Collar w Gold Collar Points

Cut a black collar off a shirt, add gold paint for the collar points.

Image: US Elle April

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DIY Collar Point Embellishments

Ok so if you guys look at as many blogs as I as do you will have seen this little idea around the traps  (Outsapop amongst other places), collar points that look like they are off a cowboy belt. I have been seeing it over and over and haven't posted it because sometimes I worry you guys will get sick seeing things on this blog that are you've seen elsewhere. To be honest, I often feel this way about so many things I see - it often holds me back from posting. Arrgh. But I loved this look so much I just had to post about it.  I think you could also get this affect by simply painting the collar points of a shirt with paint - silver or gold or really any colour you like, I'm seeing neon yellow maybe?

Image: Vogue Russia

By the way, one of my best friends has started a blog all about classic English style called South Molton Street Style. She is a true English rose herself so who better to educate us? If you've read my Wardrobe Rehab Posts you'll remember Step 3 was all about Basics and Essentials, and my friend's blog is one amazing homage to the importance of key items in your wardrobe, which I love. Head over and check it out yo.

DIY bow top

One of my favourite DIY bloggers, Phosphene Fashion, has done a collaboration with the amazing  online store M&J Trimmings (the only place to buy all your DIY bits and bobs online). I am soooo in love with the top, the bow and the nailhead studded collar. To. Die. For. A little bit of Jason Wu AW11 no? Head to M&J Trimmings blog for the tutorial - its well easy innit?

DIY on the Runway - Jason Wu AW11

Yay! Fashion week has arrived along with all the amazing DIY inspiration. Whats not to love about this Jason Wu show? Have been inspired on so many levels to DIY - thought I would share a few of my ideas with you!

These gorgeous bow ties are amazing - take some black ribbon and tie a bow around the neck of a collared blouse. Use velvet ribbon for an extra luxe feel.

Love the lace applique - take some lace fabric and cut out some individual pieces - glue or stitch onto dresses, tops and skirts.

Glue some scalloped lace onto sleeves of a blazer or sweater.

These silk bubble skirts are to die for! Make one using my DIY tutorial here that I did for a maxi skirt, cutting off into a mid length skirt.