Jul
01
2008
Threadless is sponsoring a design contest - Threadless Loves. This sounds like one to really make you flex those creativity muscles.
Community-centric tee shirt company Threadless.com is asking designers to turn the true stories of their lives into works of art in its latest “Loves” campaign. To help lead the way, Threadless has partnered up with original, personal storytelling site Fray.com, self-publishing site Blurb.com, and the film Stephen Tobolowsky’s Birthday Party, written by and starring famous character actor Tobolowsky (Groundhog Day, Deadwood, Heroes) as he tells fascinating stories from his life on-screen and off. Find out more about the contest theme, prizes, deadline and all those details here.
In addition to the Loves contest, Threadless has an ongoing open call for tee shirt design submissions. Anyone can sign up, download a tee template and submit ideas, which are then evaluated by the Threadless community for seven days. Tee shirt designs are selected by Threadless from the pool of the most popular designs as scored by the community. If a design is selected for print by Threadless, the designer currently receives a payment $2000 in cash and a $500 Threadless gift certificate.
Jun
30
2008
Just got my newsletter from the Bustline and read about another great contest. This one from Dr. Martens.
This is your chance to show the world your talent. Choose your canvas: the 8-hole or the 14-hole boot. Use pens, use paint, use whatever. Use your imagination. Dr. Martens provided some tools on their site. Or if you want, you can use your own. They will have two winners! One voted for by the people. The other chosen by a panel of industry insiders. You enter it. Dr. Martens will make them. You’ll see them in shops. Worldwide.
Jun
25
2008
I found the RetroMe through Fashionspace yesterday and had to post this great summer dress with the wrap around collar. This is called Holiday in St. Tropez and is available to order here. I think I love these big collars as much as I like peblums. Come to think of it, they’re very similar.
RetroMe is based in Poland and
updates a timeless look. Referring to the very best trends of past decades transfers in modern way leading motives of retro clothes. The latest collection is a fresh look at the 60s. In every dress you can find refined simplicity and precise cut to bring back 60’s-full silhouette. (from RetroMe)
Jun
24
2008
I’ve been inspired by by visit to the Woodstock Museum this past weekend. I’m going to sell my fringed leather drawstring shoulder bag. If you’re interested in purchasing this piece of sixties nostalgia, please leave a comment for me here or email me at cath (at) allchic.com. and I’ll be happy to send you details. Otherwise look for it soon on my All Chic Shop. I just have to get busy with some more photos.
Jun
22
2008
Much disappointment that the Ringo Starr Concert was cancelled last night at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (the site of Woodstock). Apparently a truck carrying equipment for the band broke down at the Canadian border. We visited the museum (which was just okay) but the surrounding countryside was beautiful.
Jun
20
2008
In anticipation of the Ringo Starr concert tomorrow night at Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center, I was looking for information about the Apple Boutique in London. I found this great post at Nicola’s Vintage Boutique’s Blog. She talks about “The Fool” and the rise and fall of the Apple Boutique.
On July 30th 1968 the Apple staff were told to open the doors the next day and give the stock away. John and Yoko were the first to go through the store, they walked away with arms full of merchandise that they piled into John’s Rolls Royce. Paul found one jacket and Ringo said he couldn’t find anything that fit. The giveaway was publicised in the newspaper and the next morning there was a line up outside the store three blocks long. There was no limit to how much stock people could take. It was so busy that they opened the basement so that customers could go right out the other side. (read more)
Sounds like fun!
Nicola has a terrific vintage shop at Etsy. Check out her 60’s Vintage Gauze Bohemian Balloon Sleeve Mini-Dress by margaret godfrey for Bagatelle.
Jun
17
2008
tokidoki Dress $57
tokidoki is the Japanese-inspired lifestyle brand created in 2005 by Italian artist Simone Legno and his business partners Pooneh Mohajer and Ivan Arnold. tokidoki produces apparel and other products using art and iconic characters designed by Simone Legno.
Harajuku Lovers Plaid Dress $54.95 (Sale)
Harajuku (”meadow lodging”) is the common name for the area around Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo, Japan. The area is known internationally for its youth style and fashion. Harajuku street style is promoted in Japanese and international publications such as Kera, Tune, Gothic & Lolita Bible and Fruits.
Jun
15
2008
The Coveted Shoppe has a wonderful pair of Pierre Cardin vintage gladiator-style sandals for sale. These have a snake-embossed leather upper and a leather sole. Size 38 EUR and 7.5 US.
The thing I like about The Coveted Shoppe is that I always see something posted there that inspires me to resuscitate something that may be hidden in the back of my closet. Like this Disco Diva Satin Blouse which reminds me of a cranberry silk puffy sleeved blouse I have hanging in there somewhere.
Other reasons to love The Coveted:
- You can spend hours getting lost in the The Coveted Blog.
- The Coveted’s Ms. Jennie Tamm is also the founder of the fashion bloggers’ hub - Independent Fashion Bloggers.
Jun
12
2008
I saw this picture in the DailyMail yesterday and couldn’t stop thinking about it today as I dragged myself around town trying to run a few errands. The photo may be digitally enhanced but it’s still amazing that she’s 59 years old!
Jun
11
2008
In addition to her quirky line-drawing on T’s and hoodies, Myra Stuart from Tea and Oranges has a new collection - Tea and Oranges Sustain. This collection features exclusive one off pieces made from recycled materials. Handmade from start to finish, Myra creates fresh takes on classic garment shapes, prints, applique and embroidery constructed every garment and accessory using 100% recycled quality fabrics. Even the packaging is bio-degradable.
If you’re lucky enough to live in London you can find Tea and Oranges Sustain at the Sunday UpMarket at The Old Truman Brewery.
Jun
09
2008
Oh! The Visa Swap sounds like so much fun! You can trade in your old favorite designer and high street clothing and receive a Visa Swap card loaded with points relative to what you donate. Then take your card to No. 1 Piazza at Covent Garden and pick out some new vintage designer items. This is the second year for the Visa Swap and it all happens during June and July. All items which have not been swapped by the end of the event will be donated to charity.
And who’s the face for Visa Swap 2008? Our own Lindsay Lohan, of course. Who knew she was a fan of vintage? Read the Daily Mail piece here.
Jun
08
2008
Now here’s something you don’t see very often. Gaiterettes! These are handmade by LesFrivolites from Quebec.
Here’s what the designer has to say about them:
This pair of Gaiterettes or shoe embellishelent is inspired from a fancy antique pair of victorian boots. As a victorian boots collector, I found this alternative to have the victorian look without causing damage to my collection. Its an easy way to totally change the look of your favorite pair of summer shoes. Be creative and try them with a colored pair of stockings! They are made of black leather with a wax finish, lined leather. The open pattern let s show your leg. The 2 metal shank buttons are functional.The buttons imitated a greek silver coin aged.An elastic under the shoe hold the gaiterettes.
What a great way to dress up a pair of plain black pumps!
See more here:
Jun
04
2008
Thehiddenwardrobe is another terrific site to find the work of new designers including feegee. The Chloe dress (above) comes from their debut collection “Urban Elegance.” I love the 20’s flapper influence and the hand-dyed fabrics. And each piece is one-off!
A bit about feegee -
Seraphina has been designing and making one-off pieces for independent boutiques in Cornwall and London since she graduated 3 years ago, also running stalls at Camden and Spitalfields.
Keen to develop the designs, she teamed up with sister Tamsin and together they launched feegee at the beginning of 2008 from their dressmaking studio in North London. The feegee look is inspired by a need to marry style with comfort. The pieces are always easy to wear, adaptable, perfect for layering but strong enough to wear alone. (read more)
Jun
02
2008
I found Regenerate Clothing through my new Facebook All Chic business page. Here’s three things I love about Regenerate.
- I love that Regenerate’s shirts and hoodies are hand printed with neon and metallic inks and are available to buy in organic fabrics on sweat shop free ethical t-shirts.
- I love that Regenerate takes inspiration from the Music Industry. As a musician, and as the mother of the most avid Doors fan in the world (the keyboardist for Land Of Ineptitude), I wish I had that Jim Morrison Hoody Dress shown above.
- I love that Regenerate was “established with the mission to make the world a little happier and a lot better dressed by ethically invigorating its wearers.”
Jun
01
2008
June 2008 marks the first birthday at diva in a carryon! To celebrate, they’re having giveaways every week during the month of June for readers in the USA. Just send a quick email to divainacarryon@gmail.com with your name, address, email address and phone number to be entered into the weekly drawing!
May
31
2008
Mark your calendars!
FaCshion is coming to London Saturday and Sunday, September 13th and 14th. FaCshion is the very first exhibition to target both trade buyer and fashionista in London. The exhibition will host four catwalk shows, a champagne brunch for press and buyers and 50 selected exhibitors over a two day event, held at ‘the creative hub of London’s East End’; the Old Truman Brewery.
Among the exhibitors is ethical womenswear creator, LaLesso (shown above). Inspired by vibrant colours and intriguing prints, Lalesso supports the threatened cotton industry as well as the textile manufacturing industry in both Kenya and Tanzania.
Other exhibitors include:
Kamua (Denim Wear)
New unisex denim wear label launching in September aimed at men and women driven by style and quality. The collection also includes knit and woven dresses, tops, and trousers which may be combined with the denim to create a refreshingly modern look.
Mayaa (Handbags)
The signature Mayaa handbag includes richly embroidered beadwork interwoven with use of hand made raw silk, tanned leather, brocade, jute and ultra fine linen to create a stunning array of formal handbags.
Osman Ozdemir (Womenswear)
Osman Ozdemir’s collection is a mix of strong and romantic feminine print combined with his design philosophy and use of 3-dimensional shapes and eastern elements.
Conquer Gear (Menswear)
Conquer is a collective using unique imagery from across the globe, by collaborating with artists from many scenes and being inspired by everything from Hip-hop and Ska/Punk to Sports and Street art. All garments are fair trade cotton of the highest quality
DeedamG (Womenswear and Jewellery)
New bespoke womenswear collection produced using natural materials to combine trends with elegance.
Tan Silver (Jewellery)
Stunning art glass creations
For more information about becoming an exhibitor - or to get a jump on the latest designs before they hit High Street - visit:
May
29
2008
Simone Legno’s tokidoki store now has these cute pink hi-tops (they’re also available in yellow) $130.00
I discovered tokidoki through Lynda.com, a fantastic site for online training in computer (and design) courses. There are lots of freebies including 1 hour of tokidoki with clips like “what is tokidoki?” “Lynda sits down with Simone” “Simon’s sketchbook” and more. Check it out here.
And for all you tokidoki fans click here to enter the contest to win one of 30 pairs of the boot especially designed for the Sundance Festival 2008.
These tokidoki™ for Onitsuka Tiger™ Snow Heaven 72™ boots are the first collaborative effort between Onitsuka Tiger™ and tokidoki™. The boot features a custom tokidoki™ design on the inside of the boot and custom embroidered tiger logo. Not available for sale, 30 lucky tokidoki™ fans hoping for a collectible item could win these boots. The boots are only in women’s shoe sizes of 9 ½ to 10 ½. By answering the following questions correctly, you could win a pair of Snow Heaven 72™ boots signed by tokidoki Creative Director Simone Legno himself…(tokidoki fans - find the online questions here)
May
28
2008
As a former eBay seller, I’ve been on the lookout for a new auction site that’s easy to navigate and uncluttered. I think I’ve finally found the answer with FabricJam.com. Just launched on Saturday, FabricJam.com is designed for individuals who buy and sell women’s clothing and accessories, but do not have time to navigate through impersonal, broad-spectrum, unappealing auction sites. (That’s me!)
“While shopping at online auction sites is convenient, with a modern women’s busy schedule - wading through categories irrelevant to a search is time-consuming. With its clear, attractive layout, and a listing process far faster than its competitors, shoppers will enjoy using the site and sellers will spend less time listing their items. Fabricjam revolutionises the online auction format. Being able to shop by celebrity style is also a great feature,” says entrepreneur Claire Webb, owner of Fabricjam.
According to Ms. Webb -
My inspiration for Fabricjam was a combination of things. The only other real option for trading online is ebay which I found was too broad spectrum, expensive to sell on, and complicated for many users. Having so many categories and subcategories can make searching difficult and for sellers your items can feel as though they are lost within the site. I wanted to create a simple, straightforward but stylish trading venue which will appeal to women of every age – no matter how computer literate they are. I also wanted to add more features, such as shopping by celebrity style, clear search categories for vintage clothing etc. Lastly, I wanted Fabricjam to be dedicated to all things female - which is completely unique.
Seven reasons to bookmark FabricJam.com today:
- Its ease of use to buy and sell
- An easy-to-navigate platform
- A 30-Day auction, so bulk sellers need not re-list every nine days
- Free listings
- A final sale fee at 3.5% - half of what online auction giant eBay charges
- A no sale, no fee policy
- Multiple search categories, including a shop by celebrity style category, so users can easily find items in the style of their favourite
May
23
2008
Cracker Your Wardrobe is a free street fashion magazine from Korea featuring photos from around the world. You can find it in coffee shops, hair salons, and retails shops and, if it’s not available in your part of the world, you can check out the photos online.
I love that Cracker Your Wardrobe spans the generations.
For the lowdown on the latest Korean Trends and an ongoing series about Korean Fashion Designers such as Choi Bum Suk, visit FeetManSeoul. And just in case you’d like to pick up the latest Korean fashion from Pierced Eye and other contemporary Korean designers, visit Angie Hearts. Use the 10% code - angieloves - for the next four days.
May
21
2008
I was poking around the web looking for vintage clothing and found todays New York Times article about Foley + Corinna (thanks to a post on Hooti Couture). What an inspiration! I love to hear about multi-million dollar businesses that started out at the kitchen table.
With the help of a friend who could manage a needle and thread, Ms. Foley made more skirts and put them on a table at the old flea market on Avenue of the Americas in Chelsea. The first day, she made $2,000. The kitchen became a factory. “My kids were sitting there eating pizza in a sea of organza,” she said….In many regards, the story of how Ms. Foley and Ms. Corinna turned a flea-market friendship into a fashion company that now has $20 million in annual retail sales is uncommon. Neither one knew much about the mechanics of design or, for that matter, business. They have never been prominently profiled in Vogue or Elle, nor have they sought the Bryant Park runways. But Ms. Corinna has an eye for vintage fashion, and Ms. Foley is intuitive about how to make new versions of those styles for modern women. (Read the rest of the article here.)
So I was doubly lucky because just the other day I was talking to my mother and we were trying to remember the name of a book I lent her a couple of years ago about Vintage Clothing and there it was right in front of me - Alligators, Old Mink & New Money: One Woman’s Adventures in Vintage Clothing
written by sisters Alison and Melissa Houtte of Hooti Couture. Guess it’s time to pick up another copy!
May
19
2008
A while ago I wrote a post about steampunk messenger bags, and another post about Gothic Lolita and a steampunk screenplay.
Today I found a post from HighFashionGirl along with a link to this New York Times Steampunk Fashion article which I had missed. (Thanks, HFG!)
I tend to agree with her about the silliness (and impracticality) of the clothing, especially for the women, but I do like the accessories, the bags from BabaStudioPrague and the jewelry from Rivkasmom, like this Steampunk Brooch Pin.
May
18
2008
Label of Hope is a line of OOAK (one-of-a-kind) clothing started by Hope from Southern California in 2005. Each design is created with a custom-made pattern and just about all of the items are made only once.
Who is Hope?
I’m from Southern California where I remain happily. Art, in general, has always been very important to me and I consider sewing & crafts a great outlet. I also love: good causes/charities, painting, spending endless hours goofing around on Photoshop and Illustrator, eating EVERYTHING in sight (literally), thinking of quirky quotes and haiku poems, web design, html, and taking time for tea.
Shown above is the Zebra-print Indie top which was made completely from scratch using new and recycled materials. It has a cowl neck and is green, blue-gray, rust, and zebra in color with uber OOAK button tabs.
And here’s Label of Hope’s Brown Plaid Recycled Cowl Neck Indie urban Japan Top. This top was also made using new and recycled materials. It has a loose cowl neck and brown plaid and sateen with a red button and topstitching. I love the long sleeves and over-the-hips length of these tops. And of course, the fact that they are OOAK!
Find more Label of Hope designs here:
May
17
2008
Thanks to Erica Bunker for introducing me to Sewing.PatternReview.com. This site has it all - a sewing knowledgebase, reviews of sewing books and sewing websites, and contests.
Erica writes about the Mini-Wardrobe Contest which she’s entering - good luck Erica! I went to the site and found a few more sewing contests posted including a Beginner Contest, a My Pattern Contest and a Stash Contest - all starting June 1st.
Free Membership at Sewing.PatternReview includes:
- Access to 42,053 sewing machine, pattern and other sewing reviews
- Access to the sewing message board with 10,000+ posts
- Optional e-mail newsletter with interesting tips and techniques
- Ability to post reviews and share your sewing experiences with our 135,896 members
Be sure to visit Erica Bunker’s D.I.Y. Style Blog for more fashion and sewing news.
May
16
2008
So I just set up a ‘page’ at Facebook for AllChic, but it’s awfully bare. I’d love it if all you Facebook members would drop by - become a fan, write on the wall, or add a fan photo with your favorite outfit.
