Wearable Art – Page 14

Moonglow

July 19, 2014 By kym Leave a Comment

This upcycled top is a very romantic and fantastical creation. It has an ethereal feel to it with a small dash of creepy for good measure. Once I saw this piece completed and took in its colours and the results of the photographs, Moonglow as a name for this piece just seemed perfect.

(Model: Paulina Hanzel)

It started with a simple camisole in a dusty lavender with a peplum at the waistline. The base of the top has been upcycled with the addition of lace skirting under the existing peplum and a sleeve of the same lace added to one shoulder strap. The other shoulder strap has been made more substantial with the addition of some of the eyelet edging from the lace. The lace trim around the neckline, underarms and back are original to the camisole.

The back of the camisole has been opened up to create a lace up back. This was for added detail as well as for sizing. The original top was quite small across the bust and waist and now, it is suited to a wider size range due to the adjustable lace up back. More of the eyelet edging from the lace was employed to form the holes for the lavender organza ribbon as well as to frame the butterfly applique on the front of the top.

A resin skull has been hand sewn to the butterfly applique with embroidery floss and antiqued lace motifs accented with Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls further enhance the applique and feel of this design. Antiqued and embellished lace motifs are also applied to the back of the bodice and shoulder strap of the top. A vintage beaded and pearl applique adds one more dose of elegance and luxury to this design.

This top is a size small/medium with some flexibility in the lace up back. The straps are slightly adjustable and are currently in a position that should be comfortable for most wearers.

Madame Butterfly

April 2, 2013 By kym Leave a Comment

This upcycled denim jacket has a kimono styling with a hemline that end in points with mitred corners, which gives the finished design a very artistic feel. The sleeves are full length and the neckline is collarless. This jacket has no closure and is meant to be worn open. The jacket has been upcycled with the addition of teal and orange background asian brocades along the neckline, sleeve hemlines and the teal has been further used as fan shaped appliques on the back of the jacket. Gold metallic ribbon trim further defines the neckline, sleeves and back appliques.

A Geisha inspired image on the back of the jacket has been accented with fabric flowers in shades of orange and metallic gold trim. The fabric flowers have been further embellished with turquoise and gold beads, orange-gold pearls and mother of pearl orange gold discs. Three flowers have as well been added to the front neckline of the jacket. The beads in the flowers accent the seams joining the orange and teal brocades on the neckline. The back of the jacket also has fan shaped, teal brocade appliques, which are also edged with the gold metallic trim.

Dry clean only.

Size: medium

Gypsy Queen

April 2, 2013 By kym Leave a Comment

This skirt is one of my first upcycling projects. I was bit hard by the upcycling bug with this one and it started me on the path to realizing that what I loved to do the most was create one of a kind wearable art pieces using thrift store finds or pieces in my or a client’s existing wardrobe.

It is made from a raw silk skirt found at a thrift store. I added ribbon trim to the hemline of each tiered layer of the skirt and then tacked up one side to reveal the tulle layers underneath. The flowers used as embellishments were all made by hand from fabric, tulle and ribbons. The centers of the flowers have jewels and beads and scraps of black lace motifs were also added as extra texture and design elements.

The colour palette of this piece is black, plum, dark brown and the mustard gold of the skirt itself.

When I wear this skirt it never fails to elicit comments from people. It is a fantasy piece that for some reason makes me feel a bit like a gypsy, hence the name Gypsy Queen that I gave to it.