TGIF: Ring Edition

(Pictures via Madeherthink.com)

Trend De Jour: 80's Revival

(Pictures via Style.com)

Trash, Treasure, Junk, and Jewels

"Jewelry is always a treasure, and though it may not be made of gold and diamonds, it should still have that sentiment" -Tom Binns

Though I just discovered Tom Binn's jewelry from Style.com's Fall 2009 Accessory Report, this eccentric jewelry designer has been turning trash into treasure since the 1980's- he even collaborated with Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren making pirate-themed pieces to go along with their New Romantic trend. He has been called the pioneer of junk jewelry with his 'more is more' aesthetic! He has a lot of different collections that offer such a wide rage of pieces from classic to punk. I just love costume jewelry, it's so much fun and can add so much to an outfit, without you having to pay a fortune for it. And I like how Binn's pieces have such a great spirit and attitude to them, they are edgy, bold, and definitely make a statement (He even designed a silver collar with the words 'Statement Piece' etched on it!). Here are 3 of his collections below, but you should definitely check out the rest of them at his site HERE.

Dumont:I love these chunky necklaces of intertwined chains and tiered gems, and the playful arrow piece is so great! Even though these gems aren't real I think they would still make me feel 'real good'! As Binn said, "It's actually the integrity that's precious, not the material. Value is not what they say it is, it's what you feel it is."

Tough Chic:This is my favorite of his collections, I love how he mixes skulls, crosses, and spikes, with gems and stones. I would probably wear every piece from this one!

Get Real:This collection actually started out as a joke but Binn ran with the idea- he used laminated magazine cutouts of jewelry, from Cartier to Lanvin, and arranged the 2-dimensional gems on a collar. "If you can't afford the real [stuff], you can have a paper cutout. It's virtual jewelry! I'm virtually rich!" he said about these pieces.


(Pictures from Style.com and Tombinnsdesign.com)

This Time Baby, I'll Be Bulletproof

I just had to share this video by electropop-synth duo La Roux! I love everything about it from the song, to the Fred Butler props and accessories, to the House of Holland Pantone outfits! The backdrops are crazy colorful and the effects are hypnotizing. And I love lead singer Elly's trademark coif! Check out their official site HEREfor more info and free downloads!

Reduction, Perfection, Expression

I am absolutely in love with the above images- the very 1st one on the left is definitely my favorite! But all of them are so beautiful, and kind of remind me of that scene in My Fair Lady when they go to the races and everyone's dressed to the nines in black & white- it has that lady-like sophistication and glamour, but with a bit more edge. These photos are from jewelry designer Majo Fruithof's latest lookbook and were taken by Patrizio de Renzo. I love how the use of black & white allows the jewelry to be highlighted and displayed so well- the colors of the gemstones simply pop out at you. It all just comes together quite perfectly- the creative makeup, the chic and refined poses, and the superior glances, all work collectively to display Majo's exquisite pieces. After exploring her site, there is no way I can describe her jewelry better than the designer herself. When explaining her designs she brilliantly writes:

"There is an irresistible fascination in interpreting materials and shapes within the context of individual beauty. From clear structures, reduced in their contrast, exciting new ideas evolve which underline the radiance of unique personalities.
Converting those ideas into reality requires creativity and craftsmanship at the same time.
When precision and perfection go hand-in-hand, surprising effects arise which only show themselves when they are touched. What appears to be static design reveals itself as silky soft and flowing."

To see the rest of her lookbook and more detailed pictures of her jewelry go to Majo's site HERE.

(All pictures via Fruithof.com)

Trend De Jour: Studs

These studded accessories from the Fall 2009 collections are so gorgeous! I love them all but I think the McQueen ankle boots and Givenchy gloves take the cake!


(Pictures via Style.com)

Pixie Chicks

Check out this great store called Pixie Market! Inspired by London markets, like Portobello and Spitalfields, this boutique aims to carry unique, underground labels from all over the world. They are adventurous in their selections which results in a wide variety of different and eccentric styles. With locations in NYC, LA and London they also have launched an on-line retailer, have a look HERE. I just love browsing through all their stuff and it's not too expensive considering the design quality and exclusivity. I picked out some of my top picks below- the Stolen Girlfriends Club bandage leggings are very hot and I also love the long tan blazer by Martin Lamothe. They also have fantastic accessories- I adore the cute, quirky miniature hats by Chapeau Claudette and the black, pleated neck piece is beautifully constructed, but I am absolutely crazy about the feather scarf by Mongrels in Common! Unfortunately it is sold out, as many of their best pieces are, so if you are looking to buy don't hesitate too long or you might miss out!

Special Shiny Things

Jewelry is becoming the favorite accessory choice these days as there are increasing amounts of unique and dramatic pieces that can easily enhance a simple outfit. Fred Butler is one of the most inspiring designers I have found lately. She actually started out as a prop and accessory designer who styled many magazine editorials, store displays, and musicians including Beth Ditto and Patrick Wolf.

Selfridges' Window: Dazed & Confused(Accessory Styling):Dazed & Confused(Prop Styling):Patrick Wolf:Her work is amazing and sought after by so many, thus it made sense for her to create her own accessory line which she finally did in 2008. Fred now has 2 collections under her belt. Her Fall 2008 collection is called Dodecahedron Collision- a title that aptly describes its pieces, as you can see below. It is full of bright colors and angular shapes and ranges from head pieces to belts to necklaces.
Fred's latest spring 2009 collection entitled Dahlia Fantasia(shown below) continues to embrace that same sense of whimsy and enchantment, but is darker and more romantic- sort of mystical. It has an origami theme that is especially apparent and in the layered accordion necklace. There are still many colors that are not as bright but have a beautiful glimmer to them. I just love her pieces and though I probably won't be able to get my hands on any of them, she inspires me to be more adventurous with accessories and just have fun playing around with them! They remind me of something Vince Noir might wear in The Mighty Boosh! He would definitely fit into Fred's target market which she described in an interview with Dazed Digital: "Someone that has a magpie sense of style drawn to special shiny things and someone that has no self doubt in their appearance coupled with total conviction in wearing things as an experience to enhance their happiness."
See much more of her work and accessory collections at her site HERE.
(All pictures via Fredbutlerstyle.com)

TGIF: Bag Edition

Can't Get You Out of My Head

I've never been really good at doing my hair, so I usually just leave it down or put it up in a ponytail- boring! That's why I love all the new head pieces that are available, feathers, flowers, viels, there are so many options to easily embellish my once dull hairstyles. With a simple clip on flower or feathered headband you can change the whole look of an outfit.

I guess I first started getting interested in hair accessories during Project Runway season 5,in which Kenley proudly paraded around with various flowers and feathers in her hair. I liked the vintage quality Kenley gave them, I did not however care for her disrespect towards Tim Gunn! She has her own site where you can buy her head pieces, but they are quite pricey from $25 to $65. Yet they are probably good quality and will last a while. (Pictures from Kenleycollins.com)

Head pieces have really shot up in popularity quickly and you can find a lot of great handmade ones on Etsy. I picked out 3 of my faves above: I love the cherry hair clip from XhereliesbootsX, it's very 1940's pin-up. The peacock feather hair piece is from Kaang, she has a lot more great pieces in her shop. I also really like the 'English Roses' head band is really soft and sweet, perfect for high tea! It is from MyVintageLolita. (Pictures from Etsy.com)

So of course, like every other popular trend, Forever 21 is now offering a variety of head pieces. I really want a veiled clip, but I don't really care for the pink flower on theirs, it needs to be a different color. I love the black feather head band, I bought a bag of black feathers at Chinatown and one day I will attempt a DIY version. (Pictures from Forever21.com)

This weekend I went to Platinum Mall, it's a wholesale mall which means when you buy more than 3 pieces at a store the prices drop, so I stocked up on some hairpieces and headbands, shown above. They were only $2 to $4, between me and my friend we must have bought about 10!

But for those of you who have a lil more cash definitely check out Ban.do, they have such a large selection of beautiful and unique headpieces. They are really gorgeous, it was so hard picking out my favorites! (Pictures from Shopbando.com)

March 28 2009

Black tee shirt dress
Star ring & layered chain necklace from Chatuchuk market(Bangkok)
3 other rings from a night market in Laos
Bangles from Khao Sarn Rd(Bangkok)
Studded bracelet & black canvas flats from Platinum Mall(Bangkok)
Lightning bolt necklace
Studded belt from Topshop

March 23 2009

Black wedges from Forever 21
Pink&black checked dress from Khao Sarn rd(Bangkok)
Silver stud bracelet and rose ring from Platinum Mall(Bangkok)
Star charm bracelet and watch from Forever 21
'Live&Rock' ring from Chatuchuk market

(*click image to enlarge)