Knit-à-Porter: Coquette Cocktail Hat

As seen on Style Slicker

Last year Liberty was selling a selection of beautiful marabou feathers. I could not resist but to purchase a selection of them. I never quite knew what to do with them... until now. Here;s is one of my latest knitting patterns, Coquette.

How to be unforgettable; wear a beautiful hat! There is no other fashion accessory that can achieve what a hat can do. This miniature beret style cocktail hat was inspirited by the likes of old Hollywood film beauties, like Audrey Hepburn- graceful, sophisticated and full of personality. This is a speedy knitting project, so you can knit one up in time for a party of night out (possibly make one for all the girls for a hen night)! Or be bold! Wear it nonchalantly on the street and receive lots of smiles and attention from passing strangers! It is called “Coquette” after all; it’s French for “flirt”.

Knit-à-Porter: Coquette Cocktail Hat Knitting Pattern
$2.50 CAD


If you're not a knitter, that's ok. I will soon have an Etsy shop set up and you can purchase one knitted by yours truly!

My Chiffon Rainbow

This is my pile of silk chiffon stash. I am admittedly a textiles/fiber snob. I always try to get the best of what I can afford whether it's buying craft supplies or fashion. I can't help it. I suppose it's part of the profession. Sometimes I end up second guessing what my fingers are telling me because I get so used to touching luxury fabrics!

the gap1969 Denim Concept Store Comes To London

Gap is one of my favorite places to shop. A pop-up Gap shop is about to open in London, in conjunction with Fashion;s Night Out in London. Here are the details:

40 years ago Doris and Don Fisher opened the first Gap store in San Francisco and, to celebrate, Gap is launching the gap1969 Denim Concept Store just off Carnaby Street for a limited time only; 19 days and 69 hours to be exact.

The three-floor store on Kingly Court will showcase an extensive range of Gap’s iconic denim styles, specially produced in uniquely engineered washes. Strictly limited edition, only 69 pairs of each style will be available, each pair individually stamped and numbered.

On the opening day ONLY we will also be offering the opportunity to purchase a limited edition pair of Gap (PRODUCT) REDTM rinsed jeans in your favourite Gap fit for £19.69, with half the profits from all jeans sold going towards the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.

The store will also stock bespoke denim pieces from designers Pierre Hardy and Albertus Swanepoel, showcase work from celebrated illustrator and photographer, Garance Doré and will host the European launch of Pharrell Williams’ new Bionic Gap Collection.

With music such an integral part of Gap’s heritage, the store will also host a selection of breakthrough artists, with live, acoustic sets. VV Brown kicks off the sessions, performing at gap1969 on the opening night followed by Taio Cruz on Friday.

Never Felt This Way Before...

Felted Bowls from Anteropologie via

Love this felt bowls from Anteropologie. They look like cracked egge shells. I've really gotten into felting recently. It never really appealed to me before, as I never saw it done in a sophisticated way until now. I love felting with baby alpaca and cashmere. I recall one summer working as an artist's assistant where I had to felt hair and wool together!

Circle/Loop Scarves

Rib Lurex Shood by Missioni, £145.00 via

I love a loop scarf, because you can wear it in so many creative wys. The other plus is that it's sort of hard to lose if i's hanging around your neck! Has anyone experienced losing a favorite scar, while you were wearing it? I have, it's traumatic!


DKNY Circle Scarf, £70 via


Grey chunky knit snood, £80, by Banana Republic via



Here's me wearing my version of the circle/loop scarf. You can knit your own, details here.

Knit-à-Porter: Cocoon Loop Scarf

It's been some time since I've knitted. I recently started again, and this is my latest design. I call it Cocoon because of the way it drapes beautifully over the body. It's knit up in a gorgeous honey comb mesh stitch, which I think I must have spent a year or two developing, since I could not find any other large mesh stitch patterns out there. It's a versatile piece that I think everyone will want to wear this coming fall/winter season. I'm making the pattern available for sale online for only £2.00. Just click the "buy now" button below and Ravelry will take you the rest of the way.



A current trend in designer scarves is the `looped scarves`, where the ends are joined together, so in a sense, the scarf become endless. When I created this scarf, I had versatility in mind, a scarf that can be worn many ways; loosely around the neck like a necklace, looped twice to wrap closely around the neck, draped over the shoulders worn like a shawl or shrug, or wrapped once around the neck and over the head like a head scarf. The mesh-like stitch used in this design is slightly stretchy lengthwise and drapes beautifully around the body. This easy looped scarf makes for fast weekend knitting and makes lovely gifts.

Knit-à-Porter: Cocoon Loop Scarf Knitting Pattern
$5.00 CAD

Find This And Win!

There`s still time to enter the competition! Enter now!

Dear Readers,

I've got an exciting competition for you to join in on if you will be in the London area on the evening of September 3rd, 2009. If you spot the Ford Ka miniature on this blog, you could be selected to participate in a real life treasure hunt! Joy is hosting a special private shopping night to launch the new Ford Ka in their Bankside shop in London (behind the Tate Modern). At the event, participants made up of 14 bloggers and 14 blog readers will get to search for Ka miniatures hidden through out the store and get to redem them for vouchers worth £60 for Joy.

For a chance to come on a treasure hunt with me and other fashionistas, just find the post where the Ka mini is located on this blog and leave a comment, answering the question: What color would you choose for your Ford Ka, and how would you customize or decorate it?

Answers will be shortlisted by the people at We Are Social and then I will select a finalist. Competition ends Tuesday September 1st, 2009. So get your entries in fast!

Good Luck!

What's Happening on Fashion's Night Out in London

This limitted edition t-shirt will be on sale at some of the shops that are participating. 100% of profits will go to charity.

Anyone planning to head out to Fashion's Night Out in London? Here are some of the events that are taking place that night. See more here.

Banana Republic

There will be a central display of mannequins in the middle of the ground floor, as well as beauty bars providing hand and neck massages, mini manicures and make-up makeovers. Customers will also be given a free scented candle with every purchase and there will be a prize draw to win items from the new collection or a shopping spree.
The CRISIS charity T-shirty will be on sale here.

Liberty of London

The store will remain open all night, unveiling a Hermes pop up shop offering customers a scarf tying workshop. There will also be a post event midnight feast with food from Bob Bob Ricard.
Regent St, W1B 5AH

Chanel

Guests can experience a professional photo shoot in store, and get advice from make-up artisit Kay Montano and a hair stylist on hand for consultation. See the new looks for Autumn Winter collection, along with looks styled by Vogue's Fashion Director Kate Phelan.
173 New Bond St, W1S 4RF

DKNY

DKNY will collaborate with Bungalow 8 with live DJ's in their Bond Street Store.
27 Old Bond St, W1S 4QE, 124 New Bond St
London, W1S 1DX
The CRISIS charity T-shirty will be on sale here.

Gap

Celebrating the launch day of Gaps 1969 concept store which launches the same day, the store will host a live in-store performance by V V Brown, guests can enjoy beer and mini hamburgers and the chance to buy a limited edition pair of Gap rinsed jeans in your favourite Gap fit for £19.69, with half the profits from all jeans sold going towards the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa for that day only. Customers can receive complimentary styling advice from one of Gaps instore Personal Stylists, there will be complimentary manicures and drinks and canapés.
376-384 Oxford Street, 223-225 Oxford Street
The CRISIS charity T-shirty will be on sale here.

Selfridges

Selfridges are going to launch 'The Icecreamist', which will create a special black ice cream named VOGUE especially for the night.
400 Oxford St, London, W1A 1AB
The CRISIS charity T-shirty will be on sale here.

Matthew Williamson

Matthew Williamson will be in-store.
28 Bruton St, W1J
The CRISIS charity T-shirty will be on sale here.

Come Shopping With Me (seriously!)

Get in on this competition! You could be part of a treasure hunt for miniature Ford Ka cars and redeem them for a voucher for 60 quid at Joy. Details on how to enter here.

Here are some picks from Joy:


Satin Frill Dress by Joy, £27.30 , via


Waterfall Satin Dress by Joy, £55.00 via

I Love Ballet Flats

Pirouette by London Sole, $145 via


Lowcut by London Sole, $155 via

As sexy as a pair of heels can be, I can't be bothered with them. I will only wear them if I know that I'm going out for a bit and getting a ride home. But it's a whole day out, I wear flats. That why I lovese the flats by London Sole. Maybe they're not the original ballet flats, but they are certainly authentic in style in every sense and they've been doing them for a long time. They make them in every color and style imaginable. These are some of my picks.


Elizabeth by London Sole, $295 via

One Night Only

Fashion's Night Out is coming up and it's happening worldwide.



Mark this day in your calender. If you're in any one of the world's fashion capitals, you can join in on Fashion's Night Out on the night of September 10th, 2009. Participating designer shops will be open until 11pm and hosting special events throughout the city. Find out more here!

This Is Not A Paper Bag

Chanel bag via Stlye.com

I enjoy the irony behind these bags from Chanel Spring 2009 collection. They're actually leather bags made to look like paper shopping bags.

The Fashion Show

Was anyone watching The Fashion Show this summer? I just caught to the last couple of episodes. I have to say that I like the tone of this show better than Project Runway. Maybe it's the authenticity that Isaac Mizrahi (his blog here) and the judging panel brings to the show. These were serious industry people!

I liked the challenge in episode 11, draping in a single piece of silk charmuse and 12 pins. No cutting! I wish I got this project in design school. When we draped, it was very technical and not as fun as this challenge. The exercise is very Halston in sprit; minimal effort, maximum impact. I also loved the final challenge they had designing evening gowns with Swarowski crystals. However was disappointed that some designers didn't really make use of the crystals to make an impact-- the crystals were only secondary to their design! A little insulting that they got to use such luxurious materials only to barely make any use of them.


The Fashion Show, Episode 11, Part 1

Swarovki's Crystal Palaca: CRYSTALLIZED Concept Store

Finally Swarovski Crystal has captured the DIY market in all its glory. The CRYSTALLIZED Concept Store opened in London last year. I've probably past this shop over many times while shopping along Regent Street, but never realized its "concept" (The shop is directly across the street from Liberty's flower shop entrance). This beautiful shop sells its crystal elements and components for DIY (see the little drawers that light up!), and offers customized jewelery design service for those of us less inclined in making things. I am very excited to discover this shop. In the past, I've bought crystal beads online, but was rather frustrated by the limited offerings by individual suppliers. At last, they have also opened an online shop carrying every imaginable Swarovski crystal items needed to fulfill your every DIY desire. How refreshing.

I have yet to go visit the shop in London. I can't wait to indulge in crystals!





Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ Store

24 Great Marlborough Street
London
W1F 7HU

online shop

See here for more details.

Happy Strupes

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel gloves and socks, sweater (below) all via My Wardrobe

Love these cheerful stripes. I love the colors and their arrangement. A great way to use up your yarn stash if you have many yarns that go well together.

More Lips; Surrealism in Fashion

Black lips clutch purse by Lulu Guinness, £225.00 via

The obsession with lips continues. Funny enough, I'm not a fan of wearing lipstick or lip gloss. I like to go all natural.

Bunny Love

Bunny ears lace hair band by Maison Michel, € 295.00 via Colette


Bad Bunny cotton t-shirt by French Connection, £20.00 via

I love bunnies, what's not to love? They soft, cuddley, and sweet. I've came across some bunny inspired objects. Looks like I'm not the only one with bunny love.


Sculpture by Sophie Ryder (currently one of my favorite artists) via

Sandra Backlund This Fall

Love these pieces from Sandra Backlund. See more here.

Read These Lips

Lips by Andy Warhol, via


Lip headband by Benoit Missolin, via Brown's

If I had money to burn, I'd buy the Salvador Dali lip shaped sofa, then I'd get this Benoit Missolin head band to match.



Salvador Dali Lips Sofa, via


Rug by Roubini Rugs, via

Liberty Fash Mob

Me at the fash mob, more pictures here

That's me at the Liberty Fash Mob. Style Slicker blogger, Kit Lee was also there and took my photo for her blog. Someone ought to do a knitting fash mob! That would be quite fun!