Gummy Bear Dress By Hissa Igarashi and Sayuri Marakumi

I should file this under things I would never wear, but I guess 'conceptual art' will do.
This dress, inspired by an Alexander McQueen dress (pictured below), is made up of over 50,000 Gummy Bears that were hand glued onto wire and vinyl sheets,

(Created by Hissa Igarashi and Sayuri Marakumi)

It appeared in the inaugural issue of TwelvMag (which is totally worth checking out and bookmarking)

(Alexander McQueen)

Here are some more dresses made out of unusual materials.

What is the most usual material you've worn?

Natural Dyes In Guatemala

Many of the villages and towns we visited while traveling in Guatemala had Co-ops where woman gathered to make colorful yarns and weave them into may beautiful tapestries.
San Juan, La Laguna was a town that particularly specialized in the coloring of yarns using natural dyes.  This made for beautiful muted colors and an interesting lesson in the various natural plants native to Central America which were used in the process.

I have used natural dyes to make Egg Shell Art as well as Flower Petal Fabric Dye .

Do you use natural dyes? 

What are your favorite or most unusual?  

Artist: Jennifer Collier

Jennifer Collier is an artist whose degree in textiles, at Manchester Metropolitan University gave her a solid foundation to branch out in different mediums.  Her studies led her to experiment with various materials and she creates 3-D paper sculptures using a variety of techniques including weaving, layering, lamination, stitching, waxing, embedding and fusing, often with found materials.  

Artist Statement:

The papers are treated as if cloth, with the main technique employed being stitch; a contemporary twist on traditional textiles.

The papers themselves serve as both the inspiration and the media for my work, with the narrative of the books and papers suggesting the forms.

I tend to find items then investigate a way in which they can be reused and transformed; giving new life to things that would otherwise go unloved or be thrown away.

Click to see Jennifer Colliers Website

What are some of your favorite uses for recycled paper? 

New Twist On A Regular

The uniform I wear consists of a scarf.  I love my big pashmina's and wear them fall through winter.
I didn't realize how boring my scarf wearing was until I saw this video- My usual is the European Loop- or Wrap when I wear it indoors- What is your 'usual'?

In my sister in law's words- she is so frikin cute I could eat her-
I am going to try the Infinity and the Braid such great looks.
Which knots are you excited to try?

Umbrella Coat

We live in the desert but I've had my share of run-in's with rain.  Growing up in Toronto, one of the worst weather issues is when it is 'freezing cold' but just above freezing, so when it rains it sticks in slushy clumps.  

I never understood umbrellas- after going through the effort of holding it- I always end up wet anyway.

When I saw this article about the Umbrella Coat I thought it is genius- 

The hood of this jacket, designed by Greek designer Athanasia Leivaditou, converts into a clever 'hands free' umbrella.  There are pull strings, similar to a sweatshirt hood, that prevent the hood from popping inside out- another hazard of umbrellas.  

The innovation does not stop there- in case of a monsoon or major down pour- your rain coat can convert into a full length jumper! 

Amazing! 

Would you wear this?

Do you like rain?

Flipper Heels

Really?  

Would you wear these?

Clutch- By Guy Latulippe

I don't often have the opportunity to use the handful of clutches that I own.  

Even when I could use a clutch, I generally opt to give my ID and lip gloss to Dr. J.  

Truth be told I find clutches cumbersome to carry.

When I saw these elegant clutches made by Toronto designer Guy Latulippe I thought he is nothing short of a design genius. 

It is a functional bracelet and clutch sure to make anyone look twice.

Alleviating the problem of having to hold onto the clutch this one provides a secure grasping handle and gives the illusion of a cool leather cuff accessory as well. 

The genius does not end there- 
From his website:

The clutch has an outer flap back pocket intended to carry phone, cards, keys, cash, and when the flap is open, there is a secondary zipper pocket that reveals the compartment for a slim pair of flip-flops to be discretely tucked away into. Of course, this compartment can be used for any number of things, but there you have it.

A flip-flop carrier! Monsieur Latulippe seems to have thought of everything-

He also designs men's accessories:

And I am also loving this bag of his: 

CLICK to check out his shop

or purchase at 

Fresh Collective   

401 Roncesvalles Avenue   

(647) 352-7123   

freshcollective.com   

Fashion Photography By Ryan Yoon- All You Can Get

This series of couture dresses high fashion modeling and common objects makes for an interesting juxtaposition.  

The use of M&M's in the first dress is quirky with a sensual serious vibe.

Eat the dress! 

A wink towards being furless perhaps- this topless model is surround by a childhood favorite, I am guessing no Ted. E. Bears were harmed in the production of this shoot. 

A laundromat background projects a Cinderella like figure in a regal gown made out of Tide packaging.

This wave of Diet Coke cans is nothing short of amazing.

I really love conceptual art that uses common features in unique ways.

To see more of Ryan Yoon's work for this project titled All You Can Get click HERE

Recycled, Upcycled Plastic Bags

It takes 1,000 years for ONE PLASTIC BAG to degrade 
(and contaminate our soil and water)


My friend S has been making these cool upcycled creations out of plastic grocery bags.

She cuts up strips and uses it as if it were a yarn to knit these little pocket books.  She then uses vintage buttons to complete the piece.  Each bag takes a few hours to make but can be used indefinitely.  They are surprisingly sturdy and can even be machine washed.   

I use the minimal plastic bags I do get as small trash bags or poop and scoop bags-
I am in the habit of bringing my own bags with me wherever I go.

To read more creative tips on how to reduce your plastic use
Read about The Plastic Coalitions Pledge

I wrote a post here about about a hotel made out of beach trash and about the Pacific Garbage Patch 

How do you reuse your plastic bags?

Don't forget to enter Green Mama Design's Giveaway hosted by me!

Cool Shop In Telluride- Cashmere Red

The main street in Telluride- Colorado Avenue- has plenty of cool shops.  

I really enjoyed one shop in particular Cashmere Red for it's celebration of color, history and creative designs from around the world.

As the name suggests the Cashmere Red is a shop which specializes in cashmere knits.  

Made using the fleece from Kashmir goats these sweaters and accessories are made in an Scottish mill that has been in operation for over 125 years- Dedicated to high quality and vibrant colors, these cashmere's are guaranteed to keep you warm and fuzzy.  

The shop also sells housewares and jewelry 

These unique, hand crafted, resin home accents  and jewelry are made in Brazil by a company that is environmentally, culturally and ethically supportive of it's employees and customers.  In over forty years of production Sobral has been dedicated to making beautiful, colorful creations using both natural and recyclable materials from a natural petrol sub product. 

I also fell in love with these cool necklaces moulded from the original numbers, of the original Plaza hotel's bronze room numbers.
Made by Lulu Frost a third generation estate and antique jewelry company with an elegant vibe. 

Lucky for us CashmereRed also has an online shop

Click HERE to check it out! 

If you do get a chance to stop by their Telluride store be sure to say 'hi' to Daniella who is super nice and helpful.

Michael Kors Fall 2011

It is barely spring but here are photos I took at a Michael Kors fashion show last week.  
Got to meet his mom, that was pretty neat.

I plan to wear some rompers this summer- I like that the look is continuing with the jumper (one piece top and pants) through the fall. 


Are you going to go with the romper/ jumper outfit?