DIY ON THE RUNWAY - PHILLIP LIM S/S12

The Phillip Lim S/S12 collection was so beautiful, I can't wait to swathe myself in these tones come next Summer (can we just skip Winter already?).  I loved the shapes and drapes of the fabrics, and I think I'll be subtly dip dying these sorts of colours, I can't wait! Of course this collection inspired me to DIY. Cut out backs, tops made out of strips of ribbon, side split trousers, fringed bag wrist straps, and oversized ripped denim. I think I may have just DIY-gasamed.

Blue Uniform

I have recently been completely taken with silk top and short sets. And bright blue colours like this one - which is a few shades south of cobalt.  I am loving the slightly 80's/uniform feel of wearing a top and shorts in the same fabric! It also gives the appearance of a onesie without the associated (and usually drunken) toilet debacles.What do you think, would you rock a matching set?

Wearing: A Pair & A Spare blue silk pocket front top and matching shorts with ribbon belt, River Island gladiator flats.

Handmade Sequin Shorts

I am COMPLETELY in love with these black sequin shorts. They are so fun! Don't they just scream 'let's go party!!'. Couldn't help dancing around the bedroom when I had them on... (ignore my ridiculous starfish-like dance moves...) They are a similar style to the lace ones I designed and blogged about yesterday- with a high paperbag waist and belt loops. I chose a small square sequin as they aren't as shiny as round ones, in an attempt to keep them a bit low key. Hands up if you want a pair? (would be perfect worn with some eye catching tangerine lippy - need to get onto that asap!)

wearing: sequin shorts designed by me, perfectly soft white tee from some random japanese brand, zara boots.

Perfect DIY lace shorts

I have been wanting a pair of lace shorts for so long - but never found the perfect ones (within my price range). And so I designed these, I chose the cutest lace and put in belt loops so I could add a little ribbon belt. I am in love. Can't wait to show you all the others things that came.

Wearing: handmade shorts, vintage camel silk tee, mango boots

DIY AW11 Balmain Inspired Mini

So it goes without saying that I was incredibly inspired throughout the fashion weeks to DIY just about everything I saw on the Runway. So, in collaboration with the Jenni from I Spy DIY and Erica and Lauren from Honestly...Wtf, we set about recreating our favourite AW11 looks. I completely fell in love with the shimmering horizontally textured fabrics in the Balmain AW11 collection. Who didn't? What I wouldn't do to own one of those dresses or statement jackets! Knowing that's completely out of the realms of possibility, as part of the 3 Designers 3 DIYs challenge I decided to make my own textured skirt using lace, ribbons, twisted fabric, beads and sequins.

These skirts below were my inspiration from the Balmain Show AW11, as you can see mine turned out a bit a little bit more subtle than the Balmain version.

The skirt was incredibly easy to make. This is how you do it:
You need: a black mini skirt (I bought a long skirt from a thrift shop and cut it off and sewed a hem), black lace, beads, ribbons, strips of black chiffon fabric, square sequins and anything else you want! The more random the better!
1. Sew or glue (I used a combination of both) the different ribbons etc onto the front of the skirt - keeping in horizontally parallel lines.
2. Sew twisted black chiffon fabric onto the front.
3. Randomly sew the sequins on the front - I put mine in the middle of the twisted fabric.
4. Do this to the back of the skirt, following the pattern on the front. Easy!

DIY Sash Belt

I got a gorgeous camel dress made in Shenzen recently - I am going to add some studs to a sash belt of my own. Sash of choice? Soft thrifted silk scarf. 'nuf said.

Image: Who What Wear

DIY Love Heart Back Top

Lovely to come across these two love heart back DIYs. So easy to do, simply cut a love heart shape out of the back of a top and then hem it - adding some beads along the way or ribbon. How cute! Both Paulinemma and Hannaliis have done amazing jobs! (If you haven't checked out their blogs I would do so quick smart).This DIY is definitely on my list.

Reader DIY - Ribbon Knit

I'm sure you remember my post of last week talking about Dior Inspired DIY Ribbon Knits (if not, go here for a gander). Well, it seems I wasn't the only person inspired by this gorgeous embellishment. The lovely bloggers of The Hearabouts let me know that they had a go at weaving some ribbons into waffle knit sweater, and I think they did a marvelous job. Head to their blog to see this project and some of their other creations.

 

I also stumbled upon the image below of a 'project in process' on Carly of Chic Steals' blog, I really can't wait to see the final product Carly! If any of you have any old sweater lying around, grab yourself some ribbon and have a lovely crafternoon.

DIY Ribbon Knit

Using a large needle or knitting needle, thread some ribbon through a cable knit like this - securing in sweet little bows.

Image: I Love Wildfox