Extra, Extra...

Parson's alum Eugenia Kim hasn't stopped making hats since suffering a bad haircut and being forced to shave her head. Suffer in vain she did not! Her newsboy caps were quickly all over the red carpet on the precocious heads of young Hollywood a few years ago, but now the young designer has solidified her status as the hat guru with fedoras, berets, and even headbands. Newsboy caps haven't looked this good since crowning the head of a barely legal Christian Bale in the 1992 film Newsies.


What You'll Need:
Black hat
Gold chain
Thin black ribbon
Needle
Thread
Scissors

First, braid two strands of chain and one strand of ribbon. Make sure the braid is long enough to lie across the entire front brim of the hat. Thread your needle and sew the ribbon part of your braid to the hat. Be sure the braid lies flat and you are only stitching on the underside.

Once you have sewn the entire braid, snip off any loose ends. Although the hat isn't entirely similar to Eugenia Kim's, it would fit in quite nicely with Chanel's Fall 2004 collection, used liberally in The Devil Wears Prada.


xx,CC

Take It to the Lim-it!

Walk into any department store this holiday season and you'll see bling is back in a big way. If blinding sequin garments are a bit over the top for your style or you don't have the dough to drop on legitimate ice, you may want to consider a more practical, yet totally unique option - Phillip Lim's accordian pleated necklace. This version is a spin-off from the one that opened his runway show. Decked out with colorful jewels, this necklace combines the best of two trends with the tough gold metal chain, an ode to biker chic. Throw on over a simple dress or plain top to add character to any ensemble. Dressing for holiday soirees or office parties couldn't be easier this season. Gem dandy!


What You'll Need:
Black grosgrain ribbon (approximately 2 inches wide)
Black tulle ribbon
Chain
Gems (assorted colors and sizes)
Two metal loops
Needle
Thread
Scissors
Iron
Hot glue gun

First turn the iron on and spread out the grosgrain ribbon. Thread your needle to have it handy. Leave about 5 inches of ribbon at the end, then use your fingers to fold the ribbon into half inch pleats and press firmly with the hot iron. It works best to fold about three to five pleats at a time. Make a row of tiny stitches across the top of the pleated ribbon to hold it in place. Continue working your way down the ribbon in this manner until you reach your desired length. The ends of the ribbon should lay on either side of your neck, leaving room across the back for the tulle ribbon.


Lay the pleated ribbon flat. Using the needle and thread, sew the chain down across the top of the pleated part of the necklace. Next, slip one of the loops through the end of the ribbon. Fold the ribbon around the loop and sew flat. Repeat for opposite side. Attach the tulle ribbon in the same manner on the other side of the loop. Finally, hot glue the colored gems on the front of the necklace just below the chain.


xx,CC

Third Time's the Charm

Luella Bartley may have been watching too much "Mad Men" while designing her Spring 2010 collection, but we love her for it! Dainty skirts and blouses under mod swing coats in candy bright colors were a welcome departure from the current climate. Luella's ladies were adorably buttoned up and all ready to attend 60's church service. Not sure how to infuse such optimistic dressing into your biker chic wardrobe? Take one of these fun floral key chains that adorned all the purses in Luella's show for a spin.


What You'll Need:
1.5" Styrofoam balls
Silk and wire stem flowers
Jump rings
Eye pins
Chain
Lobster clasps
Paint
Pliers

Depending on the color of your flowers, paint the Styrofoam balls to match. Even though they will be covered with flowers it hides any larger gaps from the naked eye.


After the paint has dried begin inserting the wire stems into the Styrofoam. Space the flowers so the petals are touching. Once the ball is covered, insert one eye pin into the Styrofoam.


Using pliers, connect a jump ring to the eye loop sticking out of the Styrofoam. Then attach about 4 inches of chain and another jump ring at the end. Finish off the key chain with a lobster clasp for easy attachment to purses, keys, belts, and other accessories!


xx,CC

Black Dress and the Cherry Tree

Inspired by Japanese photography, Oscar de la Renta alum Adam Lippes interpreted far eastern culture into western fashion at its best for his eponymous label's fall collection. From swirling full length skirts reminiscent of kimonos to sequins galore on regalia befitting a samurai warrior, Lippes left naught for want for the modern jet-setting bohemian. Among the superior sportswear pieces were silk dresses and draping tops embellished with delicate cherry blossom branches. The Orient is having a big moment in fashion right now, but better don this LBD for the holiday season because just like the cherry blossoms, trends bloom and die in the blink of an eye.


What You'll Need:
Little black dress (preferably cotton)
Silver beads
Black thread
Red thread
Needle
Scissors

First, make the branches off which you'll sew the cherry blossoms. It is helpful to lightly sketch an outline of the branches in pencil on the fabric. Knot a long strand of black thread through your needle and come up from the underside of the dress. Thread one silver bead on your needle, then go through the fabric and back up again, securing the bead. Continue threading the beads in a row, being sure to loop through the fabric each time.


Once the branches are complete, thread your needle with red string. Begin at the bottom corner of the dress and begin scattering leaves and blossoms up the branch. To sew a petal, bring your needle up through the fabric right next to the branch. Make a stitch (approximately 2 inches long) with the thread and come back through the fabric right next to where you began. About 5 to 7 stitches like this will create a petal. See the diagram below for a simplistic version of how the thread should be sewn. The center stitch should be the longest, with stitches decreasing in length on either side.


To make an entire blossom, simply sew five petals in a circle, creating a "star" shape. Add petals all over the branches, or just at the ends for a bare look.


xx,CC