Stitch + Connect.. (oh oh, look what I got..)

I had a little weakness today.. I can't remember how I landed on Zakka Nouveau blog but it didn't take me long to buy this cute tote:

Now I could spend time justifying why I needed another bag or tote, but most of you wouldn't believe me. However, what I'm sure you will approve of is that

1) it's all handmade by Satsuki in L.A.
2) it's part of her inspiring "stitch + connect" project, where, until the end of the month, she makes one item a day which sales proceeds will go to an Aid organization in Japan (you chose which one);
3) there's no better way to spend money...

Oh, and last but not least, it looks faabulous...

So there.. And watch out, if you want one, we're less than 2 weeks til the end of April so don't wait!  Visit her blog here everyday for her latest project.

Thanks Satsuki!

Sonia Delaunay (Russia 1885, France 1979) at the Cooper Hewitt

One more good reason to visit NYC this spring; the Cooper Hewitt is opening "Color Moves: Art and Fashion by Saunia Delaunay". According to their website, "this exhibition will focus on fashion designs from her own Atelier Simultané in Paris during the 1920s, as well as textiles designed for the Metz & Co. department store in Amsterdam in the 1930s. On view will be examples of designs, textiles, garments and photographs from the Musée des Arts Decoratifs, Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris, the Musée de l'Impression sur Etoffes in Mulhouse, the Bibliotheque Nationale de France and private collections around Europe and the United States." 

There's no other image on their website yet but here's a few I could find online that are fashion or textile related:

I like her bold style and the way she uses gouache.

And I think I'd be dazzling in one of those...

At the Cooper Hewitt from March 18 through June 5, 2011.

Paper Dress at Anthropologie

Love that dress made out of paper towels dipped in ink/pigment/dye.. It should have made the Oscars.  In the Anthropologie store on Boylston street in Boston. 

Bring Headdress Back

Sometimes I think I live in the wrong century - what happened to wigs, mantillas or hats (and by hats I don't mean just your winter bonnet no matter how cute it is)..  For example what's wrong with this mantilla:



Arabel Lebrusan, Mantilla, via HandEye

 I'll give you that the fact that it's made of silver might make it a bit difficult to wear but I think the look would be so worth the effort..



Mantilla detail

 For softer feel (and the dual purpose of keeping your head warm), what about those hats by Jean Paul Gaultier:

I can hear the pragmatists commenting on the difficulty of getting in the car or riding the subway so I'm looking into turbans.. I love that one but haven't figured out how to make it stand on your head yet, without giving you a headache so I'll keep working on it.

No Yuckiness in Yukiness

I've always had something for wigs but the ones designed by London artist Yuki Saito are just to die for:

I think I have something for big hair.. maybe because mine is straight and flat like chopsticks..

See more Yukiness wigs on Yuki's website here.

Alison Willoughby... where have I been?

I am sure some of you will relate to this: you always wear the same thing, you need a new wardrobe, you're ready to shop, you are willing to splurge, you actually go shopping, you look around...around... and around, and... you come back not only empty handed but bored to death... Then you feel like you've wasted a perfectly good couple of hours which you could have used to do something much more productive, or even better, CREATIVE...  Then you see British textile designer Alison Willougby's skirts and you want them ALL...

It doesn't matter that they are from a couple of seasons ago - you still want to wear them..  They are so refreshing and inspiring  that you want to make your own!

Well, guess what, you can still buy some of them there (if you do, I want to see it!).  She also has a book out that you can find here and gives you tips on how to alter used clothes into your own creations. On my end, I might just dive in and make one for meeself...

See more and read more about Alison on her website or her blog. I think she qualifies for my hero of the month...