DIY Friday: Fringed Shoulder Pads

Shoulders are in for Fall– be it pointy, padded, angular, or bare. Yes, we’ve always had shoulders, but not since the ’80s have we wanted to flaunt them so much that we actually revert to using bra cups to make them look bigger. Personally, I was always cutting the shoulder pads out of my mom’s old shirts so that I wouldn’t look like a linebacker, but now I think it could look sleek depending on how you rock them.

Thanks to Elise over at the Danish blog Anywho, you can learn how to make these oh-so-editorial fringed shoulder pads.

Christopher “Can-Do-No-Wrong” Kane for Topshop = Mental Meltdown

This collection is all about mesh and grommets– on bags, dresses, jeans, leggings, shoes, hotpants, and just about anything else that you can punch a hole in. But CK also gives us another dose of his penchant for the animal kingdom, moving on from primates to reptiles and creating a cousin piece to his now iconic gorilla-print dresses, in exchange for some vicious crocodile fangs (an item sure to be sold out in seconds). So, get your tents, camping gear, anti-anxiety medication (and of course, wallets) ready. I forsee a long queue once this line hits stores in September.

See the looks after the jump.

DIY Friday: Geometric Necklace

For some reason, this DIY brings me back to my elementary school days of stringing macaroni together on a thread to make funky bead necklaces. But then again, a lot of the fashion right now brings me full circle back to my childhood– yet it all looks a lot cooler now than before. Or maybe I just didn’t realize how cool I was back in the day.

Whatever it is, thanks to ddlai over at Fatlace’s Ladylike, you can learn how to make this geometric bead necklace to wear with all your other “so-hot-right-now” body chain gear.

Chloe Sevigny or Amelie?

I don’t know about anyone else, but this video reminds me of one of my favorite French flicks, Amelie. I also don’t really know how this functions as an advert/lookbook for Chloe’s upcoming men’s collection for Opening Ceremony, which will be available at the new outpost in Tokyo in August, but it gives me that feeling of French quirkiness nonetheless, which makes even the most mundane things somehow seem cutely fascinating. The only thing missing now from this clip is is a traveling gnome.

Chanel Runs in My Blood, Literally.

Everyone’s probably had moments where we’ve felt we would live or die for fashion, although this may be taking it a little too far…

I suppose French art director Olivier Trillion (whose work appears in Euro mags like Numero, French, and campaigns for Cartier and Calvin Klein) might be conveying a very true statement about the industry that we sometimes let oversaturate our veins. So let’s all tone it down a notch, OK? At least until tomorrow.

Check out more shots by Olivier, courtesy of CyanaTrendLand.

Must Have Now: Sam Edelman Zoe Leather Boots

Two years ago, we first laid eyes on the crazy high heeled Balenciaga harness boots– as seen many a time on the feet of the uber-vertically-challenged Mary Kate Olsen (making her almost normal height). Sam Edelman took no time to release his own version, which to no surprise, sold out in a hot second. Yes, we all huffed and puffed, but couldn’t bring them back up for sale. Now in an act of kindness, Sam Edelman has decided to offer us the best reissue ever. But there’s one catch, so try to put the safety feature on your “Buy Now” trigger finger for a second. The Zoe Leather Boot , currently available on Jildor, isn’t exactly that modestly priced. They weigh in at a hefty $345 (about as hefty as the shoes look themselves), but are still a steal compared to the original million dollar price tag. But buyers beware of one more thing: if you’re planning to invest the cash, be ready to invest the time in learning how to walk in them, as these heels look like they could defeat even the most professional runway model.

See more views after the jump.

Fashion Cents: Faking It, Christopher Kane Style

I’m kind of dumbfounded that there haven’t been any good knock-offs made of the Christopher Kane gorilla dresses yet. Alas, I got restless waiting around. But knowing my penny-pincher spirit, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Hence, my simple alternative to getting this coveted runway look– and only break out two Andrew Jacksons.

Shirt: Gorilla in the Mist Tee by The Mountain ($15), Skirt: Janna Pleated Skirt by Forever 21 ($19.80)

DIY Friday: Alex Wang Ripped Chain Denim Shorts

I’d have to say that besides Luxirare, Park & Cube is one of the best DIY-ers on the blogosphere. That said, here is one of my favorite DIY projects by P&C, inspired by the Alexander Wang ripped chain denim shorts from Fall ’08– which are perfect for Summer ’09.

Online Shop Exposed: About a Girl

Why is it that Australian labels are always the best? As if I wasn’t jealous enough of their beaches, tans, and accents, now I have to covet their clothes? Cut me a break, mate.

Luckily, I came across a little e-shop called About a Girl that stocks mainly brands from down under– most importantly Mink Pink, one of my favorite new labels whose lookbook is modeled by none other than buzz-worthy/scandal-inducing new model, Zippora Seven.

So here you go, a handpicked list of my Mink Pink must-haves.

Style Cents: Military/Bandleader Jackets

Military style and marching band jackets have been the rage for a minute thanks to Balmain– and of course, in large part to a little fashion icon named Michael Jackson (RIP). But unless I wanted to set up a special monthly savings account to afford the $11,500 price tag to score the real deal, I think I’ll just settle for one of these less jaw-droppingly expensive options.

Check out the more mildly-priced pieces after the jump.