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?

Mail Bag: Brooch The Subject

For every negative message or tweet I receive 100 positive ones. The haters are out there and I never usually respond to them but this time (for me) I wanted to.

I received a few tweets recently regarding my Evolution Rewind Ring collection. The woman accused me of "destroying vintage jewelry" and ranted on and on until I had to block her. I rarely block people either because I'm always open to a healthy debate or growth through constructive criticism. This person just didn't get it.

It is hard in 140 character or less to define WHY I created my ring line and HOW the pieces are chosen. Thankfully I have a blog.

WHY? The brooch over the years has been an accessory or a piece of jewelry that was widely worn and styled by women of all age ranges and classes. I have read that it is one of the oldest pieces of jewelry, dated back to the Bronze Age when pins were a popular adornment for clothing.

In recent years it has not garnered a lot of attention. From where I sit "modern day" women sparsely style these pieces. Fashion and trends are cyclical in nature; what was old always comes back around in a new form. For some reason, I have yet to see a contemporary spin on Re-Styling the brooch in a modern way with any consistency.

People do wear them, like myself, the odd celeb and fashionista but it is not a style staple, like a cuff or cocktail ring. When discussing the topic with other women the words "matronly" or dowdy" have been thrown around. I personally think they are a chic accessory with styling possibilities only limited by your imagination!

I wanted to bring back the brooch in a contemporary way via unique cocktail rings.

In my travels I found it difficult to find the authentic Vintage cocktail rings that I liked so I thought merging the two elements would be fabulous: Evolution Rewind was born. The rings are also reaching a new demographic of women who may not otherwise brooched the subject.

HOW:  Each brooch is hand selected by myself and all of the REWIND pieces are one of a kind. Some of the brooches have broken pins/backs and otherwise would not be functional. I have rescued these pieces from flea markets, old auntie's drawers as well as amazing Vintage jewelry collectors/dealers. Some are procured and created using amazing pieces from ladies personal collections.

I personally feel that Re-Styling these pieces is RESPECTING fashion's past and Vintage jewelry. A modern nod to the craftsmen and designers of days gone by. The pieces are too beautiful to sit in a thrift store or a drawer. The metals, stones and designs should be worn and given a new life. 

I still style brooches as they were intended (turbans, hats, lapel, bags, scarves, etc) but I have also made them Eco-Chic and Re-Styled them on the fingers of Fab fashionistas all over the world.

Bring the brooch back and Re-Style them in these ways: 

HAIR

A Large Modern Scarf

At the waist for evening (or day)

Double Duty: Oscar de la Renta brooches the band & sweater!

DIY Brooch belt - using a large brooch and vintage printed scarf. Adds a new look to the plain dotted dress. See more HERE

The lapel X 2

The Brooch Bouquet

 On a hat or beret

 Worn at the neckline for Day or Night

 Multiple Brooch Details at neckline of a dress or blazer.

Turban

Trim out a neckline on a solid color

An Evolution Vintage Brooch on a clutch!
(Thanks the Creative CjBlue for this)

Even the men can get in on this. A Fabulous brooch adds an extra something to a
traditional necktie.

How do YOU brooch the subject and style this accessory?

Evolution Rewind: Past/Present Fusion

Image: Hayley Marie

Today is a BIG day for me and my eBoutique EVOLUTION VINTAGE. I have been re-styling fashion's past current for over 2 years and servicing clients around the globe.  Today I launched the new accessory division of EV: EVOLUTION REWIND. This is where fashions past and present collide!

The Ring line is the first in my accessories that fuse the past and present together. I personally LOVE mixing elements from fashion's past and present to create a beautiful and eclectic mix. I love the craftsmanship of Vintage jewelery and specifically Vintage brooches. The metals, stones and crystals are not utilized in contemporary factory manufactured, mass produced  designs/products. I stood in an antique store last July with a broken brooch in my hand. I silently mused to myself how amazing it would be to wear it as a chic, cocktail ring as I held it up to my finger. The concept for the ring collection was born. Sadly I have never seen the brooch really come back into the fashion fray as a chic or stylish accessory. I wanted to change that by re-styling it into a contemporary cocktail ring women of all ages can wear, gift and enjoy.

I'm not the first to mount Vintage brooches as rings. I have seen earrings and pendants too from other designers and crafters who sell them. I however want to offer my clients the following:

* Fabulous costume pieces.

* A one-of-a-kind design.

* Adjustable ring mounts accessible to everyone

* High end costume mounts (24k gold & silver plating) in 3 different finishes

* Rings mounted by hand by a professional jeweler (utilizing jeweler's grade epoxy cement in lieu of traditional welding methods - See my ABOUT page for more details on the process).

There is a wide variety of rings for every age, unique taste and budget.  The price points range from $35-$150. There is a selection of Figural, Gold Tone, Silver Tone, Crystals/Stones and Floral designs.

The rings are fabulous costume pieces and the brooches true VINTAGE. They have some imperfections and slight signs of wear also knows as character. Some colours may vary slightly due to lighting and photography. All stones and jewels are intact.  Clients in USA/CAN/AUS/UK can enjoy complimentary shipping!

Can't find the one you LOVE on the REWIND site? Have a look at Tori Spelling's selections from the line and shop her store InvenTORI

Style ME: Waisted

Many women frequently come to me with Style questions, advice and help. I wanted to create a new series for EVOLUTION REVOLUTION that has styling tips, tricks, ideas and DIY projects to help make the most of your wardrobe and your looks.

I wanted to start with utilizing random accessories that are usually left in the back of the closet (belts & ties), or tucked away in what's perceived to be "Granny's Drawer" (brooches & scarves).

We all have a LBD or day dress that borders on blah or requires a little infusion of life to make it acceptable to re-wear over-and-over again. Easily done; through styling.

Break out your belts and brooches and let me show you a few ways to get WAiSTED!

My super stylish friend and Evolution Vintage client Sydney helped me demonstrate a few easy looks you can put together using belts, brooches, men's neck ties and scarves.

Some of you may be a little shy about mixing pattern and print but just have fun! Try something new and take a risk. There are no "RULES" when it comes to fashion; it is all about an individuals perception and perspective... and a little courage!

A PASSION for PRINTS:

Try a tribal print scarf with a statement brooch. HOW? Fold and pin the scarf at the desired width (depending on garment). Not a size 5? no problem! Pin the scarf at the side seams of your dress - It is not required to wrap all the way around and meet at the back to get the look.

Try the scarf thick or thin with a pearl belt
(or any belt you have with jewels or beading again depending on the dress)


Use a POP of color! Vintage Anne Klein Silk Scarf with Belt. Accessorize w a Vintage clutch!<

MIX METALS:

Mix a Metallic and a color - Vintage Gold Metal Mesh Belt & Red Moshino Printed Silk Scarf


A cream vintage printed scarf paired with a gold tone metal adjustable belt (this belt also doubles as an AMAZING statement piece necklace). A printed scarf mixed with metal is CHIC!


TIE ONE ON: Utilize all the men's ties in your man's closet or the one's you had left over from the 90210 days of Brenda Walsh workin it at West Beverly High
I know you ALL watched it!

T&B - Vintage men's tie and Vintage Gold Tone Brooch Combo

Mixing a floral colored Vintage tie with a Vintage crystal brooch - A different way to wrap the tie exposing the under color.


Use a tie in the place of the scarf - it will create a cool angle and choose a statement belt. Vintage Christian Dior pritned tie and Vintage Asian metal belt.


I Applaud Animal Prints & Textures:

Use an animal print scarf with a plain or textured belt in a solid OR opt for a solid colored scarf and a printed belt.

Animal Print scarf with a textured belt - Snake Skin print in a black patent belt.


Vintage DVF scarf paired with a faux snake skin skinny belt. Try mixing color with animal prints.
Sydney was styled 10 different ways that made her little dotted dress all DRAMA! She now has 10 different looks by just digging through her closet and utilizing accessories for a variety of purposes.

Moral of the story: Take a page out of the Sex and the City Character Carrie Bradshaw's book; Taking a fashion risk, pushing your boundaries and trying something new may serve to surprise you, in a really CHIC way!!


Want to get WAISTED?

SHOP EVOLUTION VINTAGE selection of belts, ties, brooches and scarves