Tokyo is Like W hole Planet of its Own

(Both from Elle.com)

Only in Japan, you'll find a mish mash of style, from kimonos to Lola Goth girls. I loved people watching in Tokyo. One observaton is that no matter what they're wearing, everyone is very well groomed and mafe up.

New Fable Alpaca Colors Arrive

Get a better look here.

Knitting Lightens Up: The Cosy Asethetic

(Compare and Conrast. Left: The Eleanor Light, by perch! Right: Stocking Lamps by Cai via Inhabitat)

I am just estatic when I come across new ways that knitting has been used, especially for design objects. I think it's fascinating to see how its uses have evolved and how it's become a part of the design asethetic.

Thanks fiftyRX3 for leading me to perch! Apparently both designs were part of a show called Brooklyn Designs.

DIY Counterfeit?

(Left: Faux Chanel from the Counterfeit Crochet project. RIght Chanel SS06, it's so DIY)

There was a point when the whole handbag craze really hit, with the monograms especially, it was cooler among New Yorkers to get the $20 fake. Sort of in protest to the "institution". Well now if you really want to stick it to them, you can participate in the Counterfeit Crochet Project (via Knitting News). Me , personally, I'm not crazy about iconic handbags, I prefer the more subtle or rarer looks. But this will be interesting to see how the projects turn out. I wonder it Kate's Fake-o-gamo counts., alothough it's knit. This project also reminds me of the New York label, Slow and Steady wins the Race. They got their name in the glossies with their stripped-down muslin and/or canvas versions of iconic handbags.

Fable Update: It's been really busy here. Be patient if posts are lacking. I really appreciate all you readers out there. I really do love getting all your comments, though I may not reply to all of them.

New colors are arriving this week! Finally you will get the Pure Baby Alpaca line in deeper and some brighter hues, as well as some boyfriend-ly colors.

Spring Time in Paris...

(Left: Princess Tam Tam, FW06. RIght: From the Cast-Off Knitting Club for Boys and Girls website)

Or you could always just pretend you are there with a chic little beret. Just love the girl's (on the right) fantastic headpiece. Note: a really good yarn stash buster should you have any lying around.

More Knitted Handbags

(Left: Embellished cashmere purse by Valentino. Right: Bag by Michael Kors)

This time with cable knit! See M&J Trimming for options for bag handles and buckles. Or salvage them from your old worn-our bags.

At Least Go Light Green

(Left: featured in the Well-Fashioned exhibit. Right: clutch by Ecoist featured on Elle.com)

The issue of green keeps coming up, and it's about time. Last Sunday's NYTime article, Greening up with the Joneses tells the takes of how some are making responsile choices to aim for a greener lifestyle. Taking smaller steps can result in a larger impact in the long run

One of the conflicts I have with working in fashion is that's a wasteful industry. I don't want to be taking part in mass creating more clothes than we can consume or demand. However I found my solution to making design more accessible through DIY. When I did some research on machine knitting, one of the interesting aspects were how least wasteful knitting was. Unlike sewing where we cut away what we need and left with unuseable scraps, knitting only uses what is required to make the product. And in the case of handknitting, the product is only reproduced when it's demanded by the consumer, as well the consumer has a say in making alterations, creative imput, etc.

Eco-friendly fashion has really come a long way. See FiftyRX3. I really am impressed with her personal style and devotion to the project, it's inspiring. If you're in the UK, check out Well Fashioned: Eco Style in the UK. I love that fashion could be what gets people to really consider going green, if not , at least light green.

The Great Divide between Craft and Fashion

(Old School vs. New School. Left: book on Macrame Right: Prade SS05. Both Style.com)

This coming Fall we're seeing so much emphasis on knit that I have to wonder, is this going to bring more fashion addicts to the craft? I flipped through one of the Japanese runway mags and noticed, or rather, was reminded of just how much knitwear was showing up in designer collections. What divides fashion and craft? Weren't they sort of intertwined at one point, when clothing was homemade and sewing and knitting were common skills? I used to hate the word "crafty", because it evoked images of craft store chains filled with mass produced grade-school quality crafting materials. It seems that crafting had to be dumbed down for the consumer. But I believe that crafting on a "higher-level" is not reserved for the true craftsmen. We're seeing the way of handwork in designer fashion, but only it's only accessible to the few who afford it. Yet crafting makes fashion accessible to all. In some ways, I hope it can bring about a sort of reverse-consumerism.

Then I received my issue of Craftrends, a trade magazine for craft related businesses. The headline on he cover read, Fashion Forward: Are we in step with the trends? Judging by the cover, I have to answer uh, like no! (in the tone of Alicia Silverstone in Clueless). Flipping to see the article, I think to myself, this is the dividing factor between fashion and craft. The article goes on to state that "Crafting is right in line with he runway". Though I agree with the statement, I was so turned off before I even read the article, it also had pictures of readymade appliques that you can decorate your jeans with. Let's not kid ourselves, people in the "craft" trade tend not to be fashion savy, but having seen what's out there in the blogosphere, the term "craft" is taking on new meaning. Maybe we can catch up to the Japanese crafting scene, where it's infused in the culture and taken seriously.

More Granny Squares

(Left: From Vogue. Right: Japanese crafting book)

Seems like the knitting to-do list keep piling up, what with all the crochet I intend to add to my repetoire. Miss Twiss; love that you've done the crochet jewelry thing, oh how I covet that right now (that just no time at the moment, though I did try, I am not good with crochet yet). Meanwhile, lovely granny square interpretations!

Apologies for lack of posting in the past couple days. Have been extremely busy lately and have not come across much interesting content.

Blondie by Kate Spade

Check out this charming video on the Kate Spade website. I'm nt much for Kate Spade bags, but some of the bags are just so gorgeous yet very functional. And you know it's hard to ind a functional work bag these days.

10-second tip: stitch markers (and circular needle storage)

What do bras and bedding have to do with knitting?



(Left: Princess Tam Tam lingerie, Right: Ralph Laruren bedding)

I'm so sick of cutting off a small strands of yarn and knotting it to use as stitch markers for my knitting. I always lose them afterwards anyways. But when I looked into buying actual stitch markers, I thought the price was a bit much for a plastic ring. So when I was looking through my old sewing supplies, I came across some plastic rings used in bra straps. I realised I could use these as stitch markers! I went over to the sewing supply shop on Queen St in Toronto, MacFab and got a dozen plastic rings for 10 cents a piece. Pretty thrifty when you consider how much the ones from Clover cost.

Bonus tip (before I forget!): The packaging for bed linens, the clear plastic kind with a zipper make great storage for circular needles, measuring tapes and such. A quick and easy way to keep organized.

Dreaming of you

(Sofia Coppola and Marc Jacobs in Lutz & Patmos)

It's been busy here. Havne't come across much knit content interesting enough to post. But I always like to keep up with posting (otherwise you fall off the wagon; it's like flossing, if you stop doing it for too long it's really hard to get back into it). Anyways, I love this photo. I got it off the Lutz & Patmos press section of their website, so one or both of them are wearing their sweaters. Originally published in French Vogue (the one of Sofia on the cover).

I'll have whatever she's wearing

(Left: Stella McCartney at SS06. Right: Hilary Rhoda backstage at Stella McCartney FW06)

Love the two sweaters, both similar in shape, but different take. Stella's is an open knit, great for summer when the air conditioning is on high at the office. Model, Hilary pairs it with a crisp white shirt with low neck underneath.

The New Sexy according to Roitfeld

The new limited edition sweater from Lutz & Patmos was guest designed by French Vogue editor, Carine Roitfeld! I love a sweaters with runs in it (that is, when it's intended). Last Fall's limited edition was designed with Sofia Coppola. Tina Lutz and Marcia Patmos met while working for Barney's Private Label Sweater division. They dreaded how cashmere was targeted to older folks: ill fit and boring colors. So they came up with modern colors and fresh silhouettes.

Crochet is the New Bangle

(Both by Lee Angel, availible at Net-a-Porter)

So it looks like we're really seeing a trend in jewlery. Crochet offers an exciting element to the craft. Lee Angel jewlery has been popping up in contless magazines. Here's a blurb about the designer found on Net-a-Porter:

Beautifully ornate yet easy to wear, Roxanne Assoulin's jewelry strikes the perfect chord. Her Lee Angel collection features richly colored stones and intricate gold details. New York-based Assoulin once dreamt of designing clothes, but quickly realized that her natural talents lay in creating jewelry. In 1982, she began to produce unique, vintage-inspired pieces and before long, her designs adorned the runways of designers such as Marc Jacobs. The namesake of her youngest son, Lee, the label was launched in 1997. Both sophisticated and fun, this second line was conceived for her younger, hip clientele.

Don't leave home without it

(Left: from Harper's Bazaar May 2006, if you know who the designer is, please leave me a comment. Right: From Sex and the City: season 6, sweater by Karnali)

As summer is drawing near, a swearer is still essential, whether in the air conditioned office, on an air plane or walking home at night. My favorites shown above. Funny, I saw a cheap knock off of the one on the left at Zara, but refused to buy, since becoming a full fledged knitter, I stand by my knitting, no matter how long it takes.

Update: Thank you to my lovely readers who left me a note. It's confirmed that the sweater on the left is Gucci. And now we have a clear runway photo for better reference!

Calling all Anglophiles!

(From Vogue May 2006,)

I love New York in summer, especially the shows put on by the Costume institute. I did my term paper for History of Costume on how the punk movement influenced fashion.

AngloMania, the new exhibit at the Costume Institute at the Met in New York on view from May 3rd to September 4, 2006. Featuring cutting edge British fashion from 1976-2006, designer such as Chalayen, McQueen, Westwood, Galliano, Tracey.

Get yourself in the mood and listen to the podcast by Johnny Rotten.