Inspiration Bites | Frivolous Universe

CROCHET as High-Fashion Handicraft (Inspiration Bites!)

By: Bethany Walter

19-06-2012

I’m always keeping an eye on the fashion blogs for accessories that I can recreate. My handicrafts of choice are crochet, sewing, and beading thus far. This crocheted necklace from street style blog 21 Arrondissement is high on my To-Rip-Off List. (Because inspiration bites, baby!) It’s basically a black doily. I also love these crocheted ties from O Alfaiate Lisboeta.

It seems like handicraft only graces the high fashion crowds when it is iterated in the most modern, minimalistic ways. I still have a soft spot for handicraft that looks…. well, crafty! I like soft crocheted flowers and granny squares. This precious necklace makes me want to make one as a fairy crown to go with Nicole’s bubble crown. Then we’ll look cool in public together.

Even the ultra-country granny square that my grandmother taught me when I was seven has been co-opted for the high brow. Taylor Tomasi Hill had to turn her pants inside out and wear costume jewelry to rock this crocheted sweater from Christopher Kane’s Fall/Winter 2011 line.

I like these distinctly craftier looks from the same line on the left and House of Holland on the right. For me, the key to making handmade items pop is color choice. Modern and unexpected palettes can make hand-made goods look professionally designed.

The colors on this crazy necklace make me so happy. I love the drama! Plus, this necklace uses crochet + beading, which I have been dying to do.

Beaded crochet seems like the perfect romance between my skills, but I have been struggling to figure out the beaded rope for days now. Once I get the concept (if I get the concept), I’ll be able to do this:

Make the accessories you can’t afford.

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On Being Both the Beast and its Master (and all things animal-inspired)

By: Bethany Walter

17-03-2012

Inspiration Bites

I like to get dressed with ideas. References to nature, science, literature make me giddier than jeans that make my ass look spectacular (though those have their place). Maybe it is because fashion is often purely material and superficial, but it doesn’t have to be. My clothes can do a lot more than make me look hot, they can allude to my inner self and the duplicitous nature of my character.

I am never only a pretty woman. I am sexual and asexual, masculine and feminine, soft and strong. I am both the beast and its master, ever ludicrous and profoundly serious. In these illustrations from Peony Yip I see the tension between instinct and awareness in each of us. When I get dressed, I do not only tend to my outer self, but to the inner contradictions, the strengths masquerading as weaknesses that propel me forward.

Thomas Lea captured this outfit for Boise Style on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I threw it on without thinking, but, upon further review, it captures many of my favorite contradictions. I love the softness of a wool wrap, woven by my grandmother, against the hard, armor-like cuff and necklace from Armor Bijoux. I love Mickey Mouse, an iconic symbol of childhood, wearing a headdress of Navajo squash blossoms.

madras plaid blazer, vintage navajo necklace, plaid flat cap, cowboy booties, vintage mickey mouse t-shirt, cuff

I’m three parts professional, two parts child, two parts warrior, and one part old man. And somehow, I’m still the type of person who wears skinny jeans with cowboy boots. Every item was either thrifted, gifted or borrowed from Bethany.

The top runways are all being stomped to death with unusual contradictions. I always love a beast versus beauty reference, like this German Shepherd sweater.

Or these fox pumps found at Street Fashion Style:

We Are Handsome gave up loads of fierce animal face last summer. I’m not sure which I like best, the wolf mini-dress from here:

Or the lion roar leotard from Violent Green:

On this night, Anna D. gave Nicole a vintage silk Bob Mackie kimono blouse with a demented kitten and a ball of yarn on it. Only Knuckle could make that sexy (it’s her superpower). I can’t wait to see how she pulls it off. Jaime looks appalled!

But could she wear a sequined zebra on her arm and still get laid? Hmmmm?

Don’t even get me started on Jessica’s goat-faced glory. That is straight-up Bacchanalian sex appeal.

Sometimes being both the beast and its master means wearing a kitty kimono.

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Inspiration Bites: Baseball Caps, Noserings, and Asymmetrical Hemlines

By: Bethany Walter

22-01-2012

Inspiration Bites

On average, I only purchase vintage and used clothing that 5 dollars or less an item. For very special pieces, I make exceptions like the 40 dollar vintage leather and shearling coat I showed off last week. These prices are possible in the thrifting Mecca of Boise, Idaho, where most of our second-hand stores are yet to be stripped of their vintage treasures.

Having experienced unemployment, I would never, EVER forgive myself if I spent an unholy sum of money on one of these baseball caps, fresh off the runways. From Dior Homme A/W 2012:

Photos from 10magazine.

From Miu Miu Fall 2011 Ready-to-wear:

Photos from Style.com.

The clean simple baseball cap with minimalistic neutrals really elevates this singularly-American accessory. Fortunately, I don’t have to spend an unethical amount of money on something that Jason can borrow from our neighbor. Same concept. Totes free. He’s the handsomest.

Another favorite that just trod down the Paris menswear Givenchy A/W 2012 runway (that I’m pretty sure Jason would never wear for me) is….drumroll please…. FANCY NOSE RINGS!

Do it! Defile your nose with stars! What’s stopping you? Oh yeah, these ones are horribly expensive. Any ideas for ways to make a cheaper fancy nose ring?

Pictures from Diane Pernet and 10magazine.

More fancy nose rings (attached to earrings) in Chanel’s Pre-fall 2012 line:

I must find someway to make this happen… preferably with a clip-on so I don’t have to pierce my nose. Photos from Style.com.

These ivory/bone lace-up boots are reminiscent of Anna’s thrift store pair in Wednesday’s Blog. Swimwear designer Lisa Marie Fernandez paired hers with a vibrant print. I’m crazy about the subtle asymmetry in the hemline of this dress – from Trendy Crew.

Lisa Marie Fernandez Paris Yellow Print Dress Ivory Lace-up Boots Knee-high

I’m also crazy about this much bolder asymmetrical hemline. The simple styling really pulls it off. I’m on the hunt for a thrift store skirt to alter like this one – from Mr. Newton.

Assymetrical Hemline Silk Skirt Mr. Newton Fashion Blog