Trapper Head Case

The Eastern Block has appeared on my trend radar in the form of the super warm Trapper Hat. Years ago, I designed a few variations for, er, someone and were a success.  I love these hats because they are super warm and practical... and now better looking than ever. Go ahead... indulge:

This Jean Paul Gaultier number will have heads turning, the color is so rich; the the whole hat is just irresistible and looks like it would be fun to wear.

Striped Out of Control!

Black and white stripes, undeniably amazing! And this month they are an obsession of mine, I have bought several different versions of fabric and have about 12782468713 ideas on what to do with it all... getting to work, NOW! Here's a peek at my mood board...

That 70's Show of Class

When we think of the 1970's, Joan Collins usually is not the first person that pops into our minds; she is the one we regard as the epitome of 80's glamour and opulence.  The hats she wore as Alexis in Dynasty still invoke envy for many, but I digress... sort of. Only Joan Collins could take an applejack hat; the signature head-wear of impoverished newspaper boys, and turn it into fashion perfection of the 1970's. 

The Cloche

Part Deux

This is a hat made from my own pattern.  Stupidly however I decided to sew it in an orange cotton sateen fabric, making the hat look like a children's rain hat. It's still ok, but the production version will be made from other fabrics, which are much more appropriate to the design.

Royal Heads

In case you missed it, here is a good picture summary of the hats and outfits from the Royal Wedding.  Did not read the article yet, but I live for photos, so it's my type of an article. I do have to post this photo of Victoria Beckham: the dress is great on her; will look like a choppy mu-mu on the rest of the population though. The hat is getting all the attention in this outfit, which I love... and the shoes; ode to Ginger Spice circa 90's [the heel is not nearly as chunky BUT the platform, so Spice World!]

Extra! Extra!

Straight out of BUST Magazine: DYI nail newsprint nail polish. Will try tomorrow, stay tuned for results.

Bandeau

A bandeau is a narrow headpiece, worn around the crown or at the forehead. Popularized by the hippie culture in the 70's and resurrected by today's Hollywood starlets. The bandeau has to be placed correctly across the front so that it complements the face and secured with a few pins for a perfect stay-in-place look.

Feather Earrings

As promised, here's more colors of the feather earrings!  If you'd like to purchase a pair, they're available for $15!

Electric Blue! 

Deep Purple!

The Hot Pink and Snow White Feather Earrings or the Bright Red Feather Earrings you saw me wearing at the wedding this passed weekend will also soon be up for sale!

Feather Earrings

I recently became obsessed with a new color, blood-orange, it's a vibrant beautiful hue and I started to buy all things orange... including some incredibly colored feathers.  I turned them into cocktail hats, hat trims and these fabulous earrings - such a simple concept!!! 

If you would like to purchase a pair, please email me: shynkah@gmail.com

Feathers and Flowers

Quick photo of a red feather and flower bridesmaid hair-piece I created for my own wedding. I love this photo, had to share!

The Cloche

This simple yet effective shape was dominant in the 1920's but originated in the early 1900's.  Caroline Reboux, a prominent french milliner, is credited for developing the beautiful and flattering cloche. This winter, it was back with a vengeance as the prime hat for the season and was available anywhere and everywhere; on 5th Avenue, local malls and even discount strip-mall stores.

Magic Carpet

I sit among giant white binders of magazine clippings of "things I like"... yes, yes, I did organize them by industry, so handbags, hats, shoes, recipes, blah.. blah... blah.. the ones that interest me today are the ones labeled INTERIOR DESIGN. I am looking for that something, that umph, that magical pièce de résistance that will transform the living room into an amazing space and become the conversation piece in itself. 

.......................... and budget pending, I think I've got it! Federica Tondato! Her rugs are alive with motion and kinetic energy of the elements, a third dimension on a two dimensional surface. Brilliant! I really want one.

Bodysuits, Latex etc... Part 2

Eyelashes, those awesome fake ones that open up a whole new dimension of makeup. Anyone can get their hands on a great set, they range in price starting at $3 available at your local drug store, to the more elaborate ones from MAC. Just in case, here is a great tutorial on how to apply fake lashes.

With great makeup, comes great responsibility, big, fake lashes at school or office look ridiculous no matter how fabulous... remember that ladies and gents!  Can you imagine the situation at your next office meeting where one of your co-workers is wearing lashes like this:

 Mimi from "the Drew Carey Show" comes to mind. 

So let's keep these lashes where they belong: music videos, at a club, at all the parties, weddings and fashion pages.

And these lovely ones for the daytime.

Christina Aguilera upped the ante in the latest trend game by wearing these crazy lashes in her new music video.  Trends are important to a certain degree, years later they define a generation.  When we think of bell bottoms, the 70's come to mind along with disco, hippies, Vietnam and polyester. It is safe to say that a few years from now we will look back and one of the significant fads of the late 00's and early 10's will be this:

Spring Time is Here!

Bodysuits, Latex etc... Part 1

The etc... being above-the-knee boots, corsets, chains, bondage and hoods.  The leading ladies of pop are exposing their inner vixen, repeatedly.  Christina's, er, Xtina's new video "Not Myself Tonight" is the latest fabrication of the trend.

                                

The corset, in all it's forms, has been around for quite some time and historically had negative connotations for the female: restriction, constraint, control, body molding. Victorian women hated it but it was improper to not wear one. Thank gawd, corsets are no longer being made to squeeze the ribs permanently into a tiny waist and mutilate the body but instead, with the helping hand of couturiers [inspired by fetish costumes] and pop divas who love designer wombats, corsets have evolved into a sexy & fierce must-have item...

Rhianna and Lady Gaga brought the strange and unconventional to main stream in music, it's almost pedestrian now for a celebrity, but it might be some time before we see these worn by women on their way to work.

Various casual styles of corsets can be found on the pages of a magazine, including the newest Elle UK cover with Demi Moore looking fabulous.

We can't forget Victoria Beckhams' awesome corset worn promoting the Spice Girls Tour. I had to throw it in here, it's my personal favorite. I would wear it... but not to work.

Fergies heavy metal corset for the Viva Glam campaign and Madonna's re-Disco Days in lavender, the two extremes.