Rewind time a couple of years, I met B-Artise, a designer who is all about reworking purchase vintage clothing or items from your closet into something new and cutting edge. You can find out more about B-Artise on her website, http://b-artise.com/, which gives you a taste of what her design aesthete is all about, it’s so much faster and easier to check out her new book , Born Again Vintage, a hard cover handbook on how to put together vintage pieces or older clothing found in your own closet into new, vibrant designs. (Official title is: Born-Again Vintage: 25 Ways to Deconstruct, Reinvent, and Recycle Your Wardrobe.)
Here’s why you want to buy the book:
1)LOTS of photos!! Not only photos of the finished products but also photos of the items that went into making the new garment
2) Detailed descriptions of what to look for in creating a similar look in terms of fashion styling or pattern/color choices as well as why this evolution of the garment is relevant stylistically. B-Artise has set the book up by season first to give you relevant style ideas you can use now or for later. Also she has some other ideas for “Pretty in a Blink” for dresses that are inherently pretty (either vintage, prom or bridesmaid dresses) that can be re-worked to create minid-dresses, jumpers and more!
3) Pages of resources for vintage items and other notions you might need including a state by state listing of consistently great vintage resellers.
4) Very clear and detailed descriptions that include all the information you could want on how to construct the garments featured in the book.
5) Don’t forget the accessories! There are tips about gloves, hats and even how to take left over fabric or trim and turn it into something useful so that nothing is wasted.
I would say that B-Artise really cooks up a great, eco-friendly book that shows serious style quotient. Note: It does require a sewing machine. If you haven’t got one, start looking at goodwill or other thrift stores, craigslist or even garage sales for inexpensive machines. Do make sure you have them cleaned and “tuned up” at your local sewing machine center. It’s worth it to be pro-active and know before you start a project that it’s going to work. You could also split the cost with another fashionista or sewing savvy BFF and get smart about creating things together. Sometimes 4 hands are better than 2– as are 2 brains.
Find this book at BarnesandNoblle.com .
Amazon.com
Walmart.com
This is a great gift idea that will keep on giving and maybe you might want to pick up one for yourself.
Stevie Wilson
Subscribe to RSS headline updates from:
Powered by FeedBurner
LA-Story Recessionista, Celebrity Style Slam Trademark/Copyright: KBP Inc. 2007-08
