LOVE LookBook: Isabel Marant

"Let's do a Tie-Dye diy!"

'cause that's what Isabel Marant is saying with her Spring 2012 collection!
I refuse to look at 2012's fall while we're still in 2011's winter, so Spring 2012 is the way to go / focus right now!

The way to Isabel Marant-your outfit-up is to tie-dye, patchwork and embroider your outfits [double IM-points if you combine it - see pictures below]
Let me sum up some trends for 2012's Spring/Summer if we are going to go for the Isabel Marant chique Françoise style..

All images by Fashion Gone Rogue edited by me (on Polyvore)!

I think there are a lot of IM-diy potentials in this collection! To be continued..

DIY PROJECT: Leather bag

[ with-or-without studs ]

Remember this post, I wanted to make a leather bag covered with studs just like the gorgeous one from Zara.

Zara leather studs bag €140 (approx.)

But while looking for small gold studs - there were none! The effort of shipping these all in would have been too much, so I decided - THERE WAS JUST GOING TO BE A LEATHER BAG!
And a huge one, that is!

My inspiration for this diy..

Amongst others: Celine, Prada, Zara, Alexander Wang, Mulberry, YSL, etc..

I started with my favorite way to find good leather - look for soft leather skirts online. (I found one for €11!) I cut the skirt open to create a long (somewhat) even piece of leather to work with.
Then I measured what size I wanted it to have - the bigger the better - to fit in a couple of books, shoes, etc. I went for something like 45 x 35 x 15 (cm).

The easiest way is to cut the lining and outer layers with the same measurements, then sew two bags (one from the lining, one from the leather) and then sew them together (make sure you sew the lining inside-out in the bag).

Secure the handles of the bag with extra care and strong yarn because the should be able to hold all the weight of the bag.

This is just a simple bag, but it's really versatile and easy to make. But like with every diy: make sure you use quality fabric and equipments. With leather - always use the special leather needles!

Total costs: €11 + €5 (yarn, lining cotton and needles)
Total time spend: collective 2,5 hours (when sewing by hand)

PS: if you ARE in the incredible joy of possessing a device to fabricate studs to leather - DIY and SHARE!

DIY PROJECT: Sequin pants to skirt

From a sequin pants..

to a sequin pencil skirt..

Easy, yes!
Glamour, yes!
In the wrong party season, never!

This is how it works..

1. Cut the hems all the way open.

2. Sew them together (1 on 1, 2 on 2)

3. Cut the lenght to where you want: long, midi, mini..  

4. Leave room for a small slit to make walking easier 
(when you have a sequin legging, you will mediately make a pencil skirt due to the thin legs)