Fashion Fix revisited: Sailor Collar

The most popular Fashion Fix that ever made its way on my blog is the Sailor Collar. Its a real favourite of mine and it's awesome that you all loved it so much too. Recently I got an email from a reader asking for some dimensions of the pattern piece. The idea with the pattern piece is that you can scale it up or down to be whatever size you would like, but I have done a new one with the measurements I would use were I making it for myself.

For the full Fashion Fix project click here

Time and Tide Photoshoot, Institute Magazine

Featuring in Institute Magazine, the self titled World's Most Exclusive Online Fashion Destination.

Working with a great team, Carly Wong Photographer, Sophia Cox Hair and Makeup and the gorgeous Sarune modelling, we created a range of looks based around a shipwreck aesthetic, have a look below

 The first look was styled up simply with a swathe of fabric, a bit of rope and lots and lots of jewellery!

A really lovely androgynous sailor look…a follow on from my rant about sexy sailors 6 months ago!

A Sea Nymph, inspired by Amber Hards' unconventional knitwear collection. I paired it with my barnacle shoes and embellished tights…find out how to make these yourself this week in the Fashion Fixes

And of course, my barnacle shoes!!

Fashion Fix: How to update a white shirt with mermaid style scallop shell beading

compilation courtesy of The Guardian

Sarah Burton at McQueen, Armani, Versace, Givenchy and Paco Rabanne have all paid homage to the briny sea nymph and now Lady Gaga has taken to leaving the house with little more than a scallop shell to cover her modesty, i think we can safely say the mermaid look is here for now. I've never forgotten the beautiful scallop shell design that covered Marion Cottillard's Jean Paul Gaultier gown the night she won best actress oscar. The scallop shape is undeniably associated with the female form, but if you're not planning on sticking them onto your bikini and reclining on a rock, here's a slightly more subtle way to 'do' the mermaid.

I gathered my pearlescent beads and scallop shell pieces from a lucky combination of broken necklaces. However, specifically shaped beads are very easy to come by at your local beading, crafting shop.

You will need:

• Assorted broken jewellery
• Needle and white thread

How to do it:

1. Arrange your beads around the collar and cuffs of your shirt
2. Hand-stitch in place.

This is the kind of project that might appeal to a Bride looking for a crisp, contemporary alternative. It is also an opportunity to reuse 'something old' into 'something new'!

Fashion Fix: Stylist's special. Barnacle Heels for the Sea Nymph

 

This week I styled a Sea Nymph. 

The Nymph needed a pair of shoes. Naturally.

Starting off as a humble pair of white stilletoes, I gathered together bits of broken jewelry that could pass for barnacles and coral reef and araldited them into place.

Once I was happy with the look of the barnacles, a light spritz of white spray paint transforms the shoes  into a ghostly barnacle encrusted piece, that wouldn't look out of place in a Lady Gaga video.

                   

Since making these beauties, I used them to style the sea nymph on Clevedon Beach in the wind and rain. Shot by Carly Wong and Hair and Makeup by Sophie Cox, I can't wait to see what happens to the images, but I will get them up here as soon as I am able. 

Why not have a go yourself. All you need is a pair of unloved shoes in need of a revamp and piles of unwanted jewellery. I'm sure none of us will struggle to source such things.

Fix up look chic!

I'd love to see some of your crustacean creations!

It dawned on me recently that this might be an incredible wedding idea. Shoes seem to have come into their own as the little bit of quirkiness for an otherwise traditional all-ivory-and-tulle bride. A good opportunity to up cycle some old bits and pieces of jewellery to go from 'something old' into 'something new'!

Fashion Fix: Sailor Collar

I seem to have been thrust into all things nautical of late...A Sailor Girl Tattoo commission and HMS Bestival Costume Designs have had me trawling through the cliche's online.  

It doesnt have to be all 'Hello Sailor!'

This has got me itching for a chic nautical project. Chanel took the humble Breton Top and made it a wardrobe staple the world over. The humble sailor's collar -  ruined by many a hen party dress up - can be a chic, preppy addition to a girl's wardrobe.

                                       

So here's a version from Ros and myself.

                          

                

            

You will need

•  60cm Navy blue cotton  
• 3 metre x 1cm white ribbon 
• 1 metre x 5cm white ribbon 
• Tailors chalk 
• Pins 
• Scissors 
• Sewing machine 
• Hand needle and thread

How to do it

1. Download and size up the pattern at the bottom of the post. Fold the navy fabric in half with the selvedge running vertically and place the out pattern on the fold of the fabric. Pin. Cut out leaving a 1cm seam allowance.
2. Repeat step 1 on the remainder of the navy fabric. mark the ribbon lines onto this piece of fabric. Cut out and lay flat.
3. Pin the first line of ribbon all the way round this collar. Use a pin to help create a neat twist at each corner.
4. Sew using a running stitch along each side of the ribbon. Repeat with the second piece of ribbon.
5. Take the wide ribbon and cut in half. Sew each piece of ribbon to either side of the front of the collar making sure the ribbon sits up the collar.
6. With the ribbon side facing inwards, pin the 2 collar pieces together and sew all the way round leaving a 6cm gap at the back of the neck.
7. Pull through, press and using a hand stitch, sew up the gap.

sailor collar pattern