Monday, December 29, 2008

When is a Skirt Not a Skirt?

…when it’s become a handbag, or a top, or a brooch! Most of us at one time have used a needle and thread to revamp an item of clothing but usually the item we begin with such as a dress, although altered, remains in its original form that is, a dress. Those with the ability to visualise something completely different though are an inspiration to the rest of us.

Although some designers have been working in this way for many years - the French firm Maison Martin Margiela has been reworking garments for over twenty years - completely changing the nature of a garment has often been viewed as avant-garde. But with the current emphasis on protecting the environment, together with the worldwide economic downturn, the reuse of an existing item makes sense. And to completely change the form of an item cannot help but expand our fashion and creative experience.

Slowly more and more designers are taking up the challenge to think outside the square – or the skirt, as the case may be. Here, Clementines Closet has turned a long wool sweater dress together with a knit cropped top into a simple high waisted winter dress.

And there’s no need to limit yourself to your own wardrobe. Redesigning can be undertaken with items from the opposite sexs’ wardrobes too. Auh2odesigns has turned a blue and white plaid mens shirt turned into a high waisted skirt.
Sometimes, particularly after dark, we want to make a bold statement. This gorgeous cape from Kris1911 was once a coat.
Lori Marsha has designed a handbag using a variety of preloved elements. ‘The leather is recycled from a skirt, the striped panels are salvaged from a vintage saltillo, the celluloid and Bakelite buttons from my private collection and the lining fabric is designed by Alexander Henry. The handles are cut from English saddle leather which I stamped with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, echoing the image in the lining’ she writes.
If you’re after something a little more kitsch, Australian designer, Zingaling, has turned a tourist tea towel into a passport bag.
Let’s not forget the ubiquitous denim jeans that come and go from our closets as the fashions, and our sizes, change. This fabric brooch from DJ Bebe is hand stitched from rescued fabrics, including turquoise denim from shortened jeans.
Over forty pairs of jeans went into this dress designed by Gary Harvey.


Redesigned clothing is becoming more popular with high profile clients. US designer Libertine recuts and reassembles preloved clothing and then screen prints each piece with nineteenth century images. Items from the label’s collections have been worn by Karl Lagerfeld, Mick Jagger, Michael Stipe, Dave Navarro, Brad Pitt, Liv Tyler and Gwyneth Paltrow.


And, if you're thinking that this is all a little too 'out there' check out this 1930s ‘futuristic fashion predictions’ video!

20 comments:

Sarah Edmondson said...

Love the dress made out of jeans and the video is great.

lyptis said...

hey chrisy, u always find the most bizarre stuff, this video is hilarious!
but so are 'modern' predictions about the future, all about flying cars and living under water or wherever, well, i guess most of it is good for a novel..
i like the recycling ideas..
and i acctually enjoyed playing with that spider a bit, maybe its therapeutic!
HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR! im thinking of u!:)

Bird Bath said...

I hope more people can embrace the idea of repurposing/recycling....so much potential for creativity.

Anonymous said...

That video had me laughing out loud - especially the man's outfit!!! They were right about the phone and radio, though!!

Blanche said...

Hi Chrisy, this is just hilarious. I loved it. I'm off to search for more like this. My gran use to mention a book about 'future' inventions back in the 30's....I wonder if she saw this too.

planettreasures said...

The video is hilarious. Where is my man and his 'candy for cuties'?

edward and lilly said...

This is such a great post I'm border-line speechless. So many cool things, so much inspiration!

Ro Bruhn said...

I must check these sites out, I make jewellery and journals from recycled things and I'm presently making fabric beads from leftover scraps of furnishing fabrics and silk. Thanks for visiting my blog. Have a happy new year and successful 2009.

Hey Harriet said...

I'm a big fan of all things kitsch, so that tea towel passport bag really appeals to me. Fascinating post. Thanks for sharing all these gems.

Hope you have an awesome New Year!

Unknown said...

Fantastic post Chrisy! A couple of the designers from that video were amazingly accurate...and some - not so much!

Unknown said...

Chrisy, So glad to have you play my game. How about one more try? Here are some hint that are in the clues White-huge (what's another word for huge) love,love(2)-blue (what is a symbol for love) Red-voyage (as on a boat)
Just wanted to say that my daughter has always dressed non-traditional. She ties the arms of dresses under her bust. She cuts off sweaters sleeves and wears them as leggings. She wears men's green fishing boots with layers of her blue tule ballet skirt and a jean jacket. She is absolutely adorable, and since reading your post, I won't yell at her anymore for her strange style of dressing - she high style, I just didn't know it! Elizabeth

Susan Tuttle said...

I am loving this post! I only wish I was more handy with a needle and thread.

Happy New Year!

Susan

Kathie said...

Awesome! I particularly love the jeans dress!

Kate AuH2O said...

Thanks for letting me know about this post, and thanks for the plug! I love all of the links! Will definitely be back to see more of your ideas.

djbebe said...

Lovely stuff - thanks for featuring my brooch! The teatowel bag is priceless!

artangel said...

Great article - what beautiful creative work!

Nic Hohn said...

Adored the you tube! And Loved the recycled denim. Great reading.

Gillian said...

Fabulous Designs :)
and so loved the youtube, made me giggle!

Jill said...

I'm loving that cape, and tea towel bag! Thanks for posting that movie too - how cute is that! :)

Renee said...

My favourite is the passport bag made from a tourist tea towel.

xoxoxo