Colour Quandry...

I need your help! I'm sure a lot of you are familiar with the bright orange side split dress I made last week. Well I went fabric shopping today and bought these two gorgeous silk fabrics. I am going to make another version of the dress using one of these fabrics... but which? Please ignore the fact that it looks like I am trying to do my best Aishwarya Rai impression (oh to BE her!), I wanted you to get an idea of what the colour would look like on. So what do you think? Update: Made the dress out of one of the fabrics - but still undecided about the best colour... eep!

Black Tie Dress Progress

Here's the fabric I chose to make the Black Tie dress I am wearing to a friends wedding in a month. Went with a slightly warmer palette than the one in the pic I blogged about here. Also, a lovely reader of mine Hannah emailed me with an idea for the back of the dress which I loved. Getting down to it this weekend.

DIY On the Runway - Sass and Bide AW11

The tribal inspired brights on the runway for the Sass & Bide AW11 show were absolutely amazing - take note if you plan on going on a safari anytime soon. One DIYable detail of the show that particularly caught my eye was the imaginative draping and belting of colorful scarves over mini dresses. I have to say that unfortunately Sass & Bide is a little out of my price range these days (having come so far from being the only jeans that I would wear as a 15 year old) so I am definitely going to be seeking out a technicolour scarf and belting it over a simple mini dress.

DIY Summer Lips

OK so it hasn't been very cold in Hong Kong this winter, not by European/US standards, but yesterday was the first day when you could actually smell summer in the air. Apparently its going to be a cracking weekend, am really looking forward to tangerine and pink lipstick for some reason, paired with an amazing bright yellow skirt I bought this week - stay tuned! Ok the shopping ban is ov-ah.

Image: collection from Style.com and Vogue Japan

DIY Jil Sander Inspired Summer (aka man repelling summer)

Thanks to the Jil Sander SS11 collection, I think I've been turned in the most propellant of man repellers. I put this outfit on to leave the house and the bf was like 'ummmm are you going to wear that out? really?' haha. I bought this silk top at the most amazing thrift store in Lu St East (a crazy alleyway in HK). I have honestly never seen a thrift store like it - piles of genuine beautiful vintage for a couple of dollars an item. Its like east london on (cheap) crack. Thought the crazy green paired with my DIY Jil Sander inspired pink maxi and neon yellow DIY tassell earrings was very appropriate. I think it hurt the bfs eyes though...

 

Wearing: thrifted silk green top, DIY pink Jil Sander inspired maxi skirt, yellow tassel earrings,  river island gladiator sandals, zara satchel.

Image: Jil Sander spread - il etait une fois

DIY Neon Orange Slip

An easy way to get amongst the neon trend without going overboard - tie a triangle of sheer neon fabric around your waist over some mini shorts or a body con skirt, then layer a tee or knit over the top.

Image: topshop

DIY Rainbow Nails

I. Love. This. Both MJ of Dreaming Spires and Old Car Tyres and Shini of Park & Cube (snapped by the lovely Jen of The Style Crusader) have added a POP! of colour to their still-winter outfits by painting themselves some rainbow nails.

DIY Weekly - Jil Sander Inspired Bright Pink Maxi Skirt

I have been TOTALLY lusting over the pink Jil Sander skirt (and really her whole Spring 11 collection) for a while now. As I obv can't afford to buy any of it, I made my own.  I love the pop of bright colour, I know it sounds corny but it really makes you feel good to wear it. The fabric I used was a pink matte silk, so beautiful and flowy, it makes you want to swish around all day. I love how Jil Sander paired the brights with a crisp white tee. Definitely relaxed BBQ appropriate. The construction of the skirt is so incredibly basic, most of you will probably have made a skirt this way before and could do it again in your sleep. I used a process very similar to the one I used here for a black sheer maxi.  Easy! See below for an overview of the steps. I'll be pairing this skirt tonight with my black vintage beaded jacket and gladiator flats. Can't wait! I'll post an outfit shot when I get a chance.

Here's how to make your own:
You need: 2m of fabric of maxi width (I used silk but you can use a cheaper fabric as long as it has a pretty drape), 2cm wide elastic for the waist, coloured thread matching the fabric, a needle, an iron.
1. Iron and pin down the edge of one of the long sides, this is where the elastic waist band will go.
2. Sew along this edge about 3cm back from the fold (I hand sewed but you can def use a machine if you have one)
3. Measure and cut the elastic to fit your waist.
4. Push the elastic through the waistband that has been made in the skirt, gathering and creating the pleat as you go.
5. Once all the fabric has been gathered onto the elastic, sew the elastic together to create the waistband.
6. Sew the tube of fabric together down the short edge which will be sitting like a split all the way up the skirt. I actually used hook and eyes to connect this edge, as this allows me to detach the edges and tie a knot or drape it into a midi/mini easily.
7. Finally, hem the skirt (I am yet to do this!)
The best thing about this skirt is that you can wear it as a maxi, tie it up into a midi or even do some draping and make it a mini. So versatile!  I think I'm going to make another one in a canary/buttery yellow too. The trick is to use nice fabric - I'm pretty lucky because fabrics in Hong Kong are unbelievably cheap, I got this silk for about $5.

Pop!

Hints of bright colours are everywhere. Worn with simple outfits and separates. I know its probably all of us jumping head long into next season but theres only so much leopard and red worn under grey overcoats you can handle I guess. I have a DIY project planned for tomorrow mixing neons - went to Shenzen today and brought some gorgeous bright fabrics. I have a DIY project planned for every day this week before I start work next week so I'll keep you posted.

Images: Oracle Fox, Fashion Squad, Le Flassh, Style Scrapbook, AfterDRK, Studded Hearts

DIY Orange and Clogs

I just love it! Bodkin SS11 and Knock you for Six.

Red

The most beautifullll colour - perfect for improving your winter mood, although who wouldn't love a few weeks in Majorca? Love the length of this dress and it's worn perfectly. I have actually struggled to wear calf and mid length dresses recently. Does anyone else feel like you either have to wear high heels (not good for traipsing around London) or have insanely slim calves and ankles to get away with flats and not suffer from 'le stumpy leg syndrome'? What to do what to do.

Image: Anywho

Killer colour palette

White black or denim with splashes of rusty caramel. Failsafe DIY colour combinations.

 

 

Images: Anywho / Knight Cat / Street Style London 

How amazing do the anywho girls always look? Such subtle but perfect styling. I am going to do a post about colours as part of my Wardrobe Rehab project and I could definitely learn a thing or two from them!

DIY Beige and Red

The absolutely beautiful blogger from Intrigue Me Now (who I met at the Levi's event briefly) kills it in this beige and red outfit. To DIY it, thrift some beige and red pieces and wack them together. Am jizzing myself over those red shoes but am on a shopping detox atm so will be looking and not touching.

Pink over grey

Love this pallette - works so well for a uk summer, or an aussie autumn where the below photos were taken. Particuarly love the jacket worn  by Sara of Harper and Harley

Images: Vanessa Jackman / Harper and Harley

Black lace over nude

Images: style.com/daily mirror/style.com