DIY | Shoelaces

Did you know that the bits at the end of your shoelaces are called aglets? And that they serve a very useful duel purpose of preventing the ends from fraying and making shoes easier to lace? Didn't know how useful? Have you ever laced a shoe with something unconventional - such as string, say, or bias binding, both of which are impossible to seal by burning (as you would with ribbon)? That is why the aglet is so important and it is the key to this DIY. They also give DIY-ed laces a satisfyingly finished look which is hard to achieve otherwise.

...Actually, no, I lie : the aglets aren't the only key to this tutorial. This Liberty bias binding (which I discovered in France and can only get mail-order here in Ireland) is also very, very key. Can't afford these? Well, this will do for the moment!

Ingredients

• 120cm/47inches of ribbon or bias-binding (the length of converse laces)
• 4 clamps - I got mine in a jewelry shop

Plus

Pliers

Twist the end of the bias binding or ribbon and squeeze the clamp closed with a pliers and trim the ends.

You may think that threading your laces is pretty straightforward. You haven't seen Ian's Shoelace Site!! Check it out for threading inspiration and much more shoelace-related fun!!

Inspo | Suspender Dress

Came across this Veronique Branquinho dress via OutsaPop Trashion's blog, such a cool idea!

DIY | Hat Pins

How do you wear hat pins? I'm not really sure - sometimes I use them to hold scarves and shawls in place, sometimes I use them like a pin in my jacket lapel, sometimes, imagine!, I use them to decorate hats! But even if somewhat obsolete I still find them very glam. And you wouldn't think it maybe, but once you have the supplies, it's very easy to DIY!

So here's my DIY, even if making them turns out to be pretty self evident.

Ingredients:

• A hat pin (can be found at a bead or craft store)
• A bead, or selection of beads or pearls
• A stopper (not strictly necessary unless the hole of the bead is large but does give a nice finished look

Plus super glue.

   

Photo de la journée | Küçüksu Palace, Istanbul

How it's made | Léa Seydoux's LV dress for Cannes

Vogue.fr

WishList | Liberty-print Nikes

Six styles, twelve prints, what would you choose?

Nike x Liberty, via Vogue.fr

Inspo | Robe de Minute, Paul Poiret

This long evening dress was made by Paul Poiret 'Le Magnifique', one of Paris' most celebrated couturiers at the turn of the century. It is literally just a long, straight rectangle with holes for sleeves and a rounded neckline. Utterly simple, it's a perfect DIY - especially given the vogue for all things flapper that will undoubtedly follow in the wake of Gatsby!

"The tunic was described as a robe de minute ('minute robe') because it took only half an hour to make. The prototype was made in 1908. Paul Poiret made this dress for his wife Denise, for their European Fashion Tour in 1911. She wore it for their visit to Berlin. Consisting of a pure, simple rectangle of white satin, it was the avant-garde prototype of the chemise dress of the 1920s, making its first appearance ten years before its time. Madame Poiret wore it with the Dufy printed coat (La Peise) and a single grey pearl at her neck." The V&A

Image from the Victoria and Albert Museum

Off the Catwalk

Ever wondered how clothes you've lusted-over on the catwalk would look in real life? Vogue.fr have done a catwalk to Cannes-red-carpet comparison. Ok so it's not real real life but the results are interesting - especially when seeing how they translate on normal-sized stars and out of the rarefied  high-fashion context of the catwalk. See the rest of the images here.