Stud Muffin

Ever since Riccardo Tisci accented everything from delicate, chiffon tanks to heavy, leather bombers with large gold studs on the runway at Givenchy's Fall '07 show, the fashion world just can't get enough. Not sure if I was ready to dive head first into the stud tank, I decided to test these babies out on an accessory. Seeing as my staple gold and black bag is in the shop (Chanel will refurbish your old bags and send them back looking brand new; downside is that it takes 8-12 weeks), I was in desperate need of a temporary replacement. Not wanting to break the bank on another investment bag (the saleslady at Chanel kindly suggested I pick up a temp bag to hold me over until mine returns, HA!), I figured I was going to have to resort to alternate options.

The Givenchy "Studded Shopper"

What You'll Need:
Black bag
Pyramid studs (assorted sizes)
Seam ripper or other sharp object
Pliers

The fabric on my bag wasn't thick, so I found it easy to poke the prongs through with my hands and bend them closed with pliers. If you can't work the studs through by hand, use the sharp end of the seam ripper to puncture two holes where the prongs will easily slide in. Starting at the center of your bag, work your way toward the outside edge following parallel to the top curve. Next, you will make an upside down triangle. Start from the center stud and make a line of four studs in both direction. In groups of two, work your way down the bag to a point. Now it is time for the larger triangle. Alternating large and small studs, make another line of four studs in both directions above the first triangle. Work your way down the bag in groups of two, just as before, but mix it up by adding a large pyramid in place of two small ones occasionally. Finish the point with a group of three large studs.


The arrowhead-like nature of the triangular pattern makes the bag look much more sophisticated than others with haphazardly placed studs. I think it gives off the perfect undertone of Native-American-meets-modern-New-Yorker. Yes, I'll get along just fine with this until my precious baby returns from the Paris shop looking buffed, shiny, and sparkly.

xx,CC
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