Its been two years since a devastating earthquake rocked Haiti. Relief efforts continue and in my need for tweed (see previous post) I stumbled upon a fashionable way to lend a hand while fashioning Donegal designs.
Bikes for Haiti is partnering with the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in the area’s first annual Tweed Ride as part of the Fibrefest.
Tweed Ride London
Tweed Rides have been popping up across the US, Australia since the first pedal was pushed in London in 2009. Riders clad in tweed cycle a short tour of their fair city and raise money for charity.
Tweed Ride San Francisco
Tweed Riders pause for a spot of tea and picnic to follow.
A men's shopkeep told me one day that guys tend to stick to a "fashion manual" of sorts and most don't stray too far from the golden rules written therein. Tweed has long had a solid chapter in "The Book." Check out these dandy duds.
There's gads going on in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Fashion and Art are forefront of the London scene.
“Ballgowns, British Glamour Since 1950″ is a must see for me this spring at London's V & A opening May 19th and running through the beginning of 2013. The museum is celebrating with the opening of its newly
renovated Fashion Galleries and an exhibition of historic haute couture gowns.
Alexander McQueen, S/S 2011
(Christopher Moore, Catwalking)
"Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950" will feature more than
sixty designs for social events such as private parties, royal balls,
state occasions and opening nights.
Displays will include more than 60 dresses including Norman Hartnell gowns designed for Queen
Elizabeth in the 1950s, and the satin gown worn by
Beyonce when she sang at Barack Obama's inauguration ball in 2009 from London-based couturiers Ralph & Russo.
Other gowns in the exhibition include the beaded Catherine Walker
'Elvis' dress created for Diana, Princess of Wales, and designs worn by
Bianca Jagger, Daphne Guinness and Sandra Bullock.
The Cinderella of the eco couture world is arguably self proclaimed alchemist and design dynamo Ryan Jude Novelline. His inspired eco couture designs have been nothing short of jaw-dropping.
The paper skirt is comprised entirely of the original book
illustrations sewn together with metallic gold thread, and the bodice is
made from the books’ foil spines backed by tape adhesive. Ryan's challenges, "Can the
stories of our past become part of a sustainable future?"
The Q. Victoria Dress is embellished with 100 royal, gold-backed topaz and aquamarine Swarovski crystals. His vision is to tell a story of the
prosperous Victorian era of Great Britain under the reign of Queen
Victoria with the darker underlying tale of the Queen’s tragic personal
life, depression, and assassination attempts.
IMG Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model and Harvard student, Sonia Dara,
walked Q.Victoria Dress during Harvard University’s fashion show, Eleganza.
Pure Imagination
Come with me and you'll be In a world of pure imagination Take a look and you'll see Into your imagination
We'll begin with a spin Trav'ling in the world of my creation What we'll see will defy Explanation
If you want to view paradise Simply look around and view it Anything you want to, do it Want to change the world, there's nothing to it
There is no life I know To compare with pure imagination Living there, you'll be free If you truly wish to be
There is no life I know To compare with pure imagination Living there, you'll be free If you truly wish to be
Follow my blog with BloglovinI stumbled across images of this
desk crafted of books while I was browsing ways of re-purposing and up-cycling.
The information desk, no pun intended, resides at the Delft
University of Technology library in the Netherlands.
The
architecture matches in whimsy and modernity.
Designed by Delft alumni Rancine Houben
whose believes that “Architecture must appeal to all the senses and is never a
(purely) intellectual, conceptual or a visual consideration alone.”
The library is a building of glass and grass. Rising up from
the earth like a wave, the University swells with glass and sunlight and an
interior eddy of spiraling levels where thousands of study spaces are used by more than three thousand students each
day.
Wool is naturally insulating fiber. It traps air to keep you warm while moisture escapes keeping the user dry and comfortable. Quality wool does not itch and comes in Norwegian and merino varieties. Dale of Norway have been crafting natural wool knitwear since 1879.
The designs are still produced in the village of Dale, about 40
minutes outside of Bergen, by third and fourth generation knitters
and craftsmen.The detailing: remarkable!
I'll be pulling out my Sweaters, woolen leggings and socks and searching out some snow play. Dale anyone?
OK so calcium from milk is great for our bones, but lately runways and celebs have been lapping up milk derived fashion as the next micro trend.
One designer hopping on the milk wagon, Anke Domaske, has high hopes for this material made from high concentrations of the milk protein. She heralds from Hanover, Germany and hopes to revolutionize the fashion industry by designing clothes made from a milk-based fabric.
Her label, Mademoiselle Chi Chi is a favorite with stars including Mischa Barton and Ashlee Simpson. Germany is once again on the forefront of the development of innovative fabrics. Time will tell if milk will provide a staple fabric as it does staple food source to many.
I am continuing my exploration of color. Couture footwear designer Nicholas Kirkwood found inspiration in the renderings of Keith Haring for his colorful and artistic collection.
Nails are a fashion accessory and can have a huge impact on an outfit, so getting them right is crucial. Fingerless gloves will even show your nails during the winter months when out of doors, and color coordinating with the cool colors can be a challenge.
Nonie's Favorite Fashion Moments ~ colour picks of the season
These adorable non-toxic butter LONDON offer the perfect pop of color for winter.
The Fash Pack ~ edgy high fashion colors
LONDON products are formulated without the use of the harmful ingredients like Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP or Parabens. Fashionable friends include designers like Alexander Wang, Victoria
Beckham, Betsey Johnson, Vena Cava, Calvin Klein, Issa, Rachel Zoe. I'm getting my blood flowing and my cells rockin’ and all dolled up for the coming winter months. Now off for a Green Tea.
Its snowing in a fast horizontal furry out my studio window and I am sitting cozy inside with a cuppa joe and thick slice of homemade pumpkin pie.
My New Years resolutions never involve self restraint where the sinful indulgences are involved. A new year always does often elevate me to a state of self inventory, however. I take stock, so to speak, and often, shed excesses.
To manifest new growth I am shedding clutter - again.
Some things are harder to part with than others.
My Mom's Fringe Jacket...a keeper~miss you Mom
Vintage Designer Cocktail Dress~a classic
Pillbox Veiled Hat~ love love love, but time to pass on to new owner
Here is my twist on a classic Pumpkin Pie - Makes 2 Pies
Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsps ground cinnamon
1 tsp teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tsp ground cardomom
1 pinch nutmeg
4 large eggs lightly beaten
2 can (15 oz.)Organic Pumpkin Puree
6 oz. Lemon Greek Yogurt
2 can (12 fl. oz.) Evaporated Milk
2unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell
Whipped cream (optional)
Directions
MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and
cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin, yogurt and
sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.
POUR into prepared pie shell.
BAKE
in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° F;
bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out
clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate.
Top with whipped cream before serving.
Crust:
1 cup almonds, whole or slivered (blanched or with skins)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour (plus extra for working the
dough)
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks)cold unsalted butter
About 1/3 cup cold water (possibly more)
MIX the almonds in the food processor and add 1/4 cup of the
flour until the almonds are
ground to a fine powder. Add the rest of the flour and the salt,
and cut the butter into the mixture. Sprinkle a clean work surface with extra flour, and turn out
the dough onto the surface. Flour your hands, and swiftly and
minimally push the dough into itself, until it holds together.
Roll and to glass pie pans, and refrigerate until you are ready to finish the
pie.
