Dress DIY

Anyone who has visited me recently knows that I have a stack of fashion magazines piled up beside my bed waiting to be read. If I have time I enjoy pouring over them for both image and article. This image in particular from the Dolce and Gabbana  Palermo 2017/18 eye wear campaign leaped off of the page. 

I love the simple 'Little black dress' and the mix and match array of adornments on the front bodice and back sleeve.

After realizing that I don't quite have the money for a Dolce Dress and I likely wouldn't fit into one if I did it inspired my DIY side. I immediately recalled that I do indeed have a black dress of similar silhouette and a wide array of Vintage brooches to work with to create my very own version of this look.

Time for a Dress DIY

I dug into my Evolution Vintage brooch stash and was able to find some interesting (and similar pieces) as seen in the ad.

I chose one of my many EV Black Dresses and pinned the brooches on in a similar way/

This DIY dress will be available soon for sale with or without the brooches. Individual Vintage brooches are also for sale in this lot or separately. 

Remember creativity doesn't always require consumption. Think about what you have on hand that you can add to or transform in some way. If you don't have materials on hand how can you acquire them second hand or re-purpose something to suit your style? 

What can you use in your own closet to DIY this or any designer look that inspires you?

Berry Good

Vintage Fruit Skirt & SJP Collection Fawn in Ochre Satin

Spring is an open field of style possibilities. Usually  people immediately think of floral's or pastels. What about a real Berry Good Fruit motif?

I adore a novelty print and fun appliques every season but there is something about Spring time and fabulous fruit.

I recently acquired this unique wool skirt, adorned in the sweetest embroidered fruit applique, all the usual favorites; Strawberries, Pears, Grapes, Cherries and more. It got me thinking about fruit fashion and how beautiful this motif is for spring.

Vintage Wool Maxi Skirt $65

Charlotte Olympia Tropicana Pump $735

Dolce & Gabbana Tote (Last One) $8,895

Parka by Rahul Mishra $1.605

The COMPLICE Story

Vintage Complice Suspender Pants and Betsey Johnson Stretch Lace Top

Styled by LisaG

Get the look via Evolution Vintage

Image: Tamara Wickstrom

Model: Kat Cleave

I want to give you the COMPLICE story (pronounced com-plee-chay). This label is/was part of a large Italian fashion company once known as The Genny Group, now know as Genny Holdings SPA. 

Complice 1992 (designed by Dominco Dolce and Stefano Gabbana)

At the age of 25 Gianni Versace makes the move to Milan. He designs his first PRÊT-À-PORTER collections for Complice (1974), Genny and Callaghan.  The name of the line came according to a 1991 New York Magazine article because, "between Genny and the designer there is complicity"

 VOGUE PARIS 1977 COMPLICE

Commenting to Women's Wear Daily, Girombelli (Co-founder) said she aimed for a "succinct combination of straightforward American sportswear and Italian flair." for the Genny group and it's associated brands.

Harper's Bazaar - 1986

80's Complice Ad

Versace was succeeded by several other designers who went on to successfully design under their own names such as, Claude Montana and Dolce/Gabbana who made their debut for the label in Fall of 1990.

I reached out to the Genny Group and am still waiting for their reply as to when this label stopped production. Little information is available.

Do you have any COMPLICE in your closet?