Idiosyncratic Style

Lately, sequins are shining all over the place. If you’re not ready to unleash your inner showgirl, but want to play around with a little sparkle, try adding a dash of razzle-dazzle to your winter outerwear with this DIY project.

Supplies:
Winter hat
Pack of individual sequins
Thread that matches your sequins
Sewing needle

Instructions:
Place a sequin face up on the top side of the fabric.
Start with your needle on the back side of the fabric and come up through the hole in the center of the sequin.
Make sure to leave a tail on thread on the underside.
Put your needle back into the fabric just above the top of the sequin.
Double knot the two ends of fabric tightly at the back and cut off the excess thread.
Sew the sequins on uniformly or scattered randomly, it’s up to you.

If you plan to cover the entire hat, understand that it will take a while, so be patient and have fun with it or line up a great movie marathon to keep you entertained. If you don’t have the time or patience, be sure to choose only a small portion of the hat to cover, just focus on the trim or create an easy design to realize.

Wear your new sparkling topper with your regular winter coat to help you shine your brightest on even the gloomiest winter day.

Depending on where you live, winter can present serious fashion dilemmas by stressing a need for warmth. Residing in frost bitten Canada, these are my best ‘below zero’ tested ways to beat the chill in style.

Sweater by Banana Republic, Socks by Falke, Silks by Hanro, Toque by Forever 21 and Jackets by Canada Goose

Take it from the top
It doesn’t take brains to figure out that you need to cover your head in order to maintain a comfortable temperature. A knit toque is a time-tested way to keep your brain from freezing, but stylish options are endless. Toasty toppers can range from the neo-snood to the come-back of the Russian fur hat, so finding one that suits your idiosyncratic style should be easier than shoveling the driveway.

Winter Hats by Michael Kors and Nobis

Get your piggies in a blanket
On certain days of the year, industrial winter boots (such as Sorels) are a must, but if you don’t want your podiatric style to suffer, simply slip into ski socks. The warmth they add to your fair weather boots will make all the difference. If you live in a really cold climate, it would be worthwhile to buy your favorite fall foot trends a half-size up to allow extra room for even the really thick ski socks.

Ski Socks (clockwise) by Bridgedale, Marks & Spencer and Thorlo

Cash in on cashmere
Even the lightest weight cashmere will go miles in it’s abiity to keep your core temperature from dropping. Cashmere is now available at so many different price points and in such a wide variety of styles that there simply isn’t any excuse not to own this classic closet staple, wherever you live.

Sweaters by J Crew

Slink into a second skin
Just like zipping in a lining to your fall coat, adding a thermal layer will winterize all your fall faves. Afraid of adding too much bulk? Invest in 100% silk long underwear, they are ultra-thin without losing the power of heat retention. Still worried about bulk? Use the oldest trick in the book and layer nylons underneath your jeans.

Thermals by (top) Kari Traa & (bottom) Ginch Gonch

Go for the golden egg
If you are the type of person who can never be too warm or if it’s just so cold that all else fails, invest in the best, The Canada Goose. These parkas are on par with getting a full body hug from the fluffiest, friendliest polar bear! Seriously, explorers wear them on arctic expeditions, a-listers wear them shooting in deep-freeze locations and anyone I know that finds Canadian winters just a little too cold for comfort embraces even the coldest snowstorm in a Canada Goose coat.

Jackets by Canada Goose

How do you keep your marshmallows toasted and rumps roasted all winter long?

Highlighted in the February issue of FASHION magazine, I thought you might want to know a little more about Edmonton fashion designer, Jessica Halabi.

What are you working on now?
I am beginning to design my F/W 2010-11 RTW Collection. Also, I am busy with many custom-made garments in the works… like too many to count!

What’s your Idiosyncratic Style?
On a work day, I’m a ripped jeans and converse girl. I love chunky rings. I appreciate wearing the kinds of things that other girls in “Conservative Edmonton” may not. When I dress up, I like high-waist skirts and wearing pieces I created. Usually, I’m busy dressing everyone else that I kind of forget about myself.

What do you never leave the house without?
Earrings, Mobile phone and a bra!

What song do you never get tired of?
“True Love Waits” by Radiohead

What is your favorite piece from your current collection?
It would have to be my colourful hand painted tights and most of my hand painted garments. It is a lot of fun for me to incorporate the painting into my designs.

Jessica Halabi hand-painted tights

Who is your greatest artistic influence?
Gustav Klimt

What is your constant source of inspiration?
Art and the female form.

What is the best book you have ever read?
FML.com. I also LOVE reading poetry and books by Khalil Gibran, who wrote one of my favorite quotes, “To work with love…is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart as if your beloved were to wear that cloth“.

Excerpts from the Jessica Halabi Collection

What was your favorite childhood game?
Old school Nintendo (still love!)

What is the first piece you ever made?
Like most, I began making doll clothes, but I created them from coloured balloons.

A Halabi designed doll dress

What is your guilty pleasure?
Oh jeez I have to add an ’s’ to that! Here we go - salmon skin sushi, eggnog, shish tawook (Middle Eastern)… and I’m just going to stop there because this could get a little embarrassing…

What’s your favorite city?
Beirut

What are you working on next?
I’m showing my F/W Collection during both Edmonton & Alberta Fashion weeks.

Jessica Halabi on the runway

For more information on her designs check out www.jessicahalabi.com

From cartoon couture to DIY projects, check out my favorite links from this week…

Take the mystery out of deciding what to wear and seek inspiration from the sartorially underestimated Velma Dinkley of Scooby Doo Gang fame.

Not only is she the first to volunteer to go after the bad guy and most-often the brains of the operation, but she has been known to possess enough physical strength to carry both Shaggy and Scooby at the same time. She embodies the kind of characteristics one would find ideal in an animated role model and that includes a sensible, yet chic style sense.

Take a clue from Velma’s one-note look book and play around with the elements of her aesthetic. Mix bright orange with chestnut brown. Pair cozy cowl neck sweaters with girlish minis. Revisit your Mary Jane’s and compliment them with saturated tights. Wave your nerd flag proudly with geek chic eyeglasses and a practical notebook tucked into your purse.

(Clockwise) Sweater by Michael Kors | Skirt by J Crew | Tights by American Apparel | Shoes by Vivienne Westwood | Eyeglasses by Jenni Kayne | Notebook by Moleskine

Remember, Velma Dinkley is smart, brave and tough, so never be afraid to stand up, speak your mind, solve the mystery and save the day.

There is no doubt that her music is catchy (even those who claim not to like it are often caught singing along) but her fashion choices are just as much, if not more, the reason she is such a media highlight.

While she seems to be a favorite among top fashion designers, she is also a favorite among bloggers and there are polar-opposite reactions to her unique sense of style. So, I want to know what you really think of Lady Gaga’s style.

Is Gaga a true style muse or is she a hot mess seeking exposure via fashion… you say?