I heard a rumor

Just as I thought spring was around the corner, it started snowing again. So, this outfit is actually from a couple of days ago, I wore it to my friend's small graduation get-together. The Monki skirt hasn't been introduced before but it's something that my wardrobe was definitely lacking; a simple, black mini skirt that goes with everything. I got it in Sweden after Honey Junkie's recommendation and haven't regretted getting it for a second, that's how great it is. I combined it with a stripe shirt which is one of those basic pieces that everyone should have in their closet; it's the perfect choice for those days when nothing else seems wearable. Stripes are also a definite sign of spring, even if it is a snowy one.

Stripe shirt: Marimekko
Blazer: MTWTFSS
Skirt: Monki
Shoes: Asos
Necklace: H&M
Ring: Kalevala Koru

Oh, and this spring's best rumor is that Gareth Pugh might be the future head designer of Dior Homme. I'm so excited because finally they got someone big enough to fill Hedi Slimane's boots and make Dior Homme interesting after his departure (KVA just wasn't doing it for me).

We missed you hissed the lovecats

Today while I was reading the new Elle spring collections magazine I had a little assistant with me, my aunts cat. This is my favorite catwalk collections magazine due to it's decent price; I don't think I could ever afford buying those crazy 100 page fashion bibles that cost a fortune. The lack of Balmain's and Givenchy's presence was a surprise since the whole blogosphere, including myself, has been crazy about their spring collections. Anyway, the most interesting surprise was on page 71, where a familiar face popped up among the A-list street style queens.

Assistant: Fanni

Back to the backpack

Of what I've noticed, I'm not the only blogger who has lately been obsessed about the small backpacks. I used to be a huge fan of these guys in elementary school (I even made one by myself) and when the first signs of 90's comeback came about two years ago, along with floral dresses and Doc Martens, I was so sure that soon it would be time to dig them out again. Unfortunately all the cool ones I used to wear back in the day are buried somewhere deep in my parent's attic, so I had to wait until I found a decent second hand one. I got lucky about a week ago when this local second hand shop had its discount days and actually scored myself two small backpacks.

Shirt: Marlene Schön for Ellos
Skirt: Monki
Shoes: Fendi
Backpack: Second hand
Cuff: Leather Heaven
Ring: Kalevala Koru

This little fella has been with me at two clubs already but somehow I just forgot to shoot it with my outfits. It's really versatile since you can wear it like this on one shoulder, or unzip the strap into two separate straps to wear it on both shoulders. Let me tell you, it's so much easier to dance and walk with a backpack and it's no wonder all those clubbers in the 90's favored them. Today I wore mine just to run errands and paired it up with a skirt I purchased in Sweden but haven't worn until now due to better weather conditions. Today it finally felt like spring is here!

I live among the creatures of the night

You know those times when your closet just has nothing you would want to wear and everything just seems dull and outdated? It's too early to wear those spring clothes that are waiting in your closet for the warmer days and you have lost your inspiration. I actually had a great conversation about this issue yesterday with the ever so stylish Sugar Kane, who told me she is struggling with the same problem. Call it spring depression or whatever, it's a feeling that seems to hit me every year around this time. In times like this I'm actually very lucky that my boyfriend and I share a very similar fashion taste and being able to raid his closet is a bless. Wearing my boyfriend's harem pants and oddly cut sweater to meet up with Sugar Kane, I felt like a completely new person discovering the world of angdrogyny once again. It was also just the inspiration kick that I needed to start a spring cleaning in my closet, so keep your eyes open as I will probably will end up selling a lot of my stuff online.

Sweater: Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair (via my bf's closet)
Pants: Vila (via my bf's closet)
Shoes: Fendi
Belt: Second hand
Ring: Kalevala Koru

The same pants transfered into the night's outfit as I later on met up with a very good old friend of mine and headed to the gothic club Schatten. I'm not so much into the "plastic goth" style myself, so my look was more like 80's/90's goth (think Siouxie Sioux or Nina Hagen) with a fashionable update. It felt so good dancing to good old goth/post punk tunes as the fog filled up the dance floor.

Net top: Martin Margiela
Oddly cut top: Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair
Pants: Vila (via my bf's closet)
Shoes: Fendi
Necklace and ring: Kalevala Koru
Armor ring: Silver Rabbits (via eBay)
Choker: Self-made

"Oh, the night is my world,
City light painted girl,
In the day nothing matters,
It's the night time that flatters"

Drop-crotch / harem pants

Some trends take a longer time for me to warm up to, partly because my body type is not made for all the wonderful fashions world has to offer. I always thought you need a boyish figure to rock the drop-crotch pants (or harem pants whatever you want to call them) and so the Comme des Carcons for H&M ones ended up to a friend of mine. It was about a month ago when I gave the harem pants another try and tested my boyfriend's more formal version of the pants. To my surprise they actually looked good on me! I knew that the stretchier version would not be too hard to make by myself, so I aqruired some black tricot from the fabric store and got into sewing business. I finished the project in one evening and now all I'd like to wear is these pants, that's how comfy they are. I can't wait to dress these with sandals and lighter tops!

Vest: Pour
Shirt: MTWTFSS
Drop crotch pants/harem pants: Self-made
Boots: Kenkärepo
Ring: Kalevala Koru

If you want to make yourself a pair of similar pants just get some tricot from a fabric store and use your old leggings as a pattern. Make the waist higher, drop the crotch and add some excess room to the thigh area. I made a very simple string tie waist on my pants but you can also use a elastic band if you find that more comfortable. If you need more detailed information, I can provide it by email.

Best of the Big Apple

I've stated before that I'm not a huge fan of the NY fashion week, somehow I've always thought that Europe has more variety to offer. However, there are now more players on the table and stakes are getting higher; some of these "newcomers" have even caught my critical eye. There is no denying that Alexander Wang, the wonder boy of fashion, has already achieved a major role in the world's fashion scene. At a young age, he has managed to create something that makes the hardcore fashionistas hearts beat faster every time a new collection hits the runway. In Alexander's footsteps, more and more formerly unknown designers are lifting their heads up and putting it all out there. They have even made me buzz about the NY fashion week, so something positive is happening in NY.

Even though the spring is not here yet (temperature this morning was -7 Celcius), I'm already drooling over the fall fashion, as usual. I decided to pick up the top looks that I liked on the NY fall/winter 09/10 runway; something I could accept in my wardrobe anytime of the year, may it rain or shine. All images are from style.com, edited by me.

1. Alexander Wang hit the jackpot again! The main thing I love about this collection is that it's so wearable and I can already see so myself doing some DIY action with a pair of old leggings. My closet withholds very similar pieces already, so these images are rather inspiring.

2. Ohne Titel is a new very good friend of mine: leather, layering, black color, odd cuts, broken knees, zips, whats not to love?

3. I don't think it's possible to ever get over the Rodarte knit tights that were introduced last spring. I must say though, that the new fall/winter collection looks really promising as well, although these were the only wearable pieces I could think of. Loving the OTK boots and knits mixed with leather. Makes me want to get some thread and start knitting my own pieces.

4. Temperley London is completely street ready with it's stud and zip detailing. Perhaps I'm going to have to get myself a pair of studded ankle cuffs. Ebay, here I come...

5. Is it just me or did Marc Jacobs just put us in a time machine and send us back to the 80's? Well, it's one of my favorite decades, so this trip was a pleasant one. Shoulder pads, sharp cuts, neon glow and Flock of Seagulls hair have all got a 21st century update when Marc's models strutted down the runway. I wish it was fall already...

What are your favourite picks?

We're like crystal, we break easy

Awhile ago I made a promise to make a video post after my 100th entry on Fashion Flux or if the followers on Blogger hit the 50 mark, which ever came first. Well, this is my 108th post and there are now over 60 of you following my blog through Blogger so it's time to keep that promise.

Since the weather was so nice today, I wanted to go and practice my rusty skating skills on the local ice skating rink. My original idea was to introduce my new spring jacket I acquired from Sweden (by making beautiful pirouettes of course) but the clips that we made were only good for laughs, so I'm leaving you with photographs of the the jacket instead. As you can see, the cut is really bizarre; underneath there is a shorter jacket which to the petal shaped frills are sewn into and are hanging from. Hard to explain but hey, it works!

Jacket: Diana Orving
Jeans: Cheap Monday
Sweater: MTWTFSS
Cardigan: Roberto Cavalli for H&M
Scarf: H&M
Beanie: Seppälä
Gloves: Vagabond

Did you think I was going to leave you without THE video? Haha, no no. It's unbelievably hard to actually get this thing working and for some reason the video makes it sound like I have a lisp (I don't). So, unfeast your eyes, folks! Here it comes...

Purple haze

As I promised in my last entry, here is one of the several second hand finds I made on Saturday: an extremely warm, purple knit sweater with a twist (literally). I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this beauty; it reminds me of something Acne or Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair could have created, plus it is in a perfect condition and made in a small weaving factory here in Finland.

Sweater: Jamie, second hand
Tee: MTWTFSS
Jeans: Cheap Monday
Shoes: Bullboxer
Pin: From Sweden
Ring: Kalevala Koru

It's so unfair that even though it's sunny outside, the thermometer still shows -10 Celcius. Lately I've been dreaming about the eternal summer in California, its beaches, driving on the freeway and the numerous house parties with friends (hi Jamie, Lloyd, Beth, Jennie, Andrew and Pamela!). It doesn't make it any easier watching a music video that made me want to travel into the States in the first place; I always pictured that life over there would be exactly like it, and well, I was right.

Edit: Today is just one of those days that I wish to blur my face, so ignore my flat hair and tired eyes that are still getting over from Saturday's party.

Chocolate and strawberry ice cream

After a long wait, my Asos shoe order finally arrived. I must say, these heels are crazy and I feel like a giant whilst walking around the apartment. I didn't dare to actually wear these to walk out of the backyard because the streets of my city are slippery as hell. At least you can see what the rest of today's outfit consisted of (just changed the shoes to my black platform booties): playing with soft grey, chocolate brown and creamy pink. Look how my outfit matches the background colors perfectly! And yes, it's totally ok to wear socks in your sandals when the meter hits minus figures.

Blazer: MTWTFSS
Jeans: Cheap Monday (from my bf's closet)
Powder pink tee: H&M Trend
Shoes: Asos
Accessories: Kalevala Koru and my bf's cuff

I'm still hesitating if I should add some studs on these sandals, if so, I was thinking of black studs so that they won't be all bling bling. I don't want to look like I just came back from Ibiza, if you catch my drift...

I also made amazing finds today at this second hand shop: real leather pants, a jumpsuit, a cardigan with a twist, couple of small backbags (so 90's that they make you want to cry) and something I've been looking for ages and it happened to be the first thing I saw. More about that and all the other crazy finds later on...

Now I'm off to see Pintandwefall. Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

Silver Wang

Good news for all the Alexander Wang fans such as myself, the wonderboy of fashion is teaming up with the jewellery designer Paris Kain of Abraxas to launch his own jewellery line in the fall. The collection will include at least silver cuffs and earrings, and with Tina Turner in Mad Max as an inspiration source, we can already picture how great this collection will be. I would at least love to get my hands on this silver thing.

Picture via TFS

Too bad the pieces are priced from $350 to $975 but hey, there are aways discounts coming up. Wishful thinking, that is...

DIY: Balmain inspired bleached jeans

For the past week I've been living in a chlorine infested apartment making experiements with jeans and bleach. I had to get myself a pair of bleach jeans due to Balmains spring/summer 2009 collection constantly burning in my mind. Originally I started with a pair of blue jeans but they got too white in the process so I had to change my plans and use a pair of black jeans instead (Balmain also did it). It took a few mess ups, swearing and sweating to get it right but now I'm extremely pleased with the outcome. May I introduce: my very own Balmain inspired bleached jeans with ripped knees (warning: a picture overload coming up!).

Wool vest: Pour
Long sleeve: Marlene Schön by Ellos
Jeans: Cheap Monday, bleach effect DIY
Shoes: Bullboxer
Ring: Kalevala Koru

The jeans are easy to transform from day to evening, as I wore the first outfit yesterday to meet up with the über stylish blogger Sugar Kane. We grabbed a cup of coffee and it seemed like the hours just flew by while talking about blogging, fashion and music. We seem to have very similar taste and views of life. In the evening I changed the outfit to be more suitable for going out, and combined the jeans with a wrinkled black tee (new from Stockholm!), studded belt and cuffs.

Tee: MTWTFSS
Jeans: Cheap Monday, bleach effect DIY
Blazer: H&M via my bf's closet
Shoes: Urban Originals
Cuffs and belt: Leather Heaven
Ring: Kalevala Koru

The original Balmain jeans are going for about 1400 Euros but bleached jeans are very easy to do at home, so I say save your pennies and DIY! For those who are interested, here is how I did it:

1. Get the materials: You will need a pair of jeans (mine were black), household bleach (chlorine), a spray bottle and rubber gloves.

2. Put on the rubber gloves and pour the cholrine into the spray bottle. If you want a more lighter effect, mix some water into the bleach. If you're looking for more stronger effect, you should get some stronger bleach than the household one (check the local hardware or pool supplies store).

3. Wet your jeans with water and place them on the floor. If you are not doing this on a tiled bathroom floor like I did, I recommend putting something underneath the jeans, ie. plastic wrapper or cardboard to avoid any bleach staining your floor.

4. Spray the chlorine on the desired spots. The stronger the bleach, the faster you can see the bleach results. The results on my jeans were visible in seconds. If you have mixed water in your bleach, be patient as the results might show about 20 minutes later. Spray more bleach to get a more stronger effect on the desired areas.

5. Wash your jeans. I washed mine first by hand and then put them in the washing machine.

You have to be very careful when handling the bleach because it will easily stain the clothes you are wearing. Even a drop of bleach can do damage, so I recommend not to wear your most expensive clothes while playing with bleach.

Edit: If you want to rip the knee area like I did, just get some really rough sandpaper and sand (rub) it on those areas you want the holes to appear. It's hard work but it pays off. :)