I will be seeing the King's Speech over the weekend and can't wait. I've seen the preview at least 100 times, Colin Firth just received a Golden Globe for his performance and there's one more reason why I'm mentioning all this.
At the Paris premiere of the movie, Firth's wife Livia Guiggioli wore a beautiful dress which had a former life as one of her husband's suits. Livia has a blog on Vogue UK called Green Carpet Challenge in which she talks about how the dress was made.
The suit had apparently been attacked by moths and was subsequently refashioned by Junky Styling, a somewhat irritating name for the brilliant self-taught team of Annika Sanders and Kerry Seager who work with vintage garments transforming them into very chic, unique and beautiful pieces to wear. See what they have done with the old suit: Chic or not chic?
The suit had apparently been attacked by moths and was subsequently refashioned by Junky Styling, a somewhat irritating name for the brilliant self-taught team of Annika Sanders and Kerry Seager who work with vintage garments transforming them into very chic, unique and beautiful pieces to wear. See what they have done with the old suit: Chic or not chic?
Lucky for us, we, too can now learn from the masters. To inspire the creative use of old clothes Junky Styling published the book "Junky Styling: Wardrobe Surgery", which will be available in the US on March 15, 2011 and is ready for preorder. I'm seriously tempted! I'd also love to hear from anybody who owns the book, which was published in the UK. Is it worth it?
Maybe my husband will let me have his old Armani suits from the 80's which feature the most phenomenal fabric, but are also hopelessly outdated, a fact he disagrees with vehemently. Not sure how to convince him that the particular style won't be back for another century or two and that his wonderful suits will be in the most capable hands.
Have a great weekend and stay warm, if you are in the North East.
Junky Styling: Wardrobe Surgery
* ISBN-10: 0713688335
* ISBN-13: 978-0713688337
That sounds like a brillaint book.. I'm going to see if our library has it - or otherwise ask them very nicely if they can buy it so that I can then borrow it. Our library is brilliant like that, although with the budgets cuts everywhere I'm not sure if they can do that anymore..
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful dress! Not the least bit tacky.
ReplyDeleteYou suit angst is amusing. My husband has a beloved pair of shoes he bought in the 8th grade(!) which we have finally reached a compromise on after 10 years of marriage (he now only wears them for gardening).
Sounds like an interesting book. I like the shape of the dress, but I'm not sure that I love the thing (sash?) that's going on across her chest.
ReplyDeleteI read an article on the reuse of costumes the other day, not as creative as in this film, but interesting all the same.
Very, very cool. I like the sash across the chest - do you think it was part of the lapel?
ReplyDeleteI'll have to find the Junky Styling book when it comes out! I just looked through something similar - titled Born-Again Vintage - and found it a fun read. I knew there was a reason I kept that 70's-style polyester blouse in my closet!
I really want to see that movie, too. I love Colin Firth. But he still will always be Mr. Darcy to me. ;)
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! On German amazon you can have a look inside the UK book. It seems that about half of the book is about the history of Junky Styling and the philosophy behind it, and the second half shows how to refashion suit jackets, trousers and shirts. I'm tempted, too!
ReplyDelete(Bin nicht sicher, ob man das von den USA aus bei amazon.de auch anschauen kann, das könnte wegen der IP-Adresse nicht funktionieren.)
Be careful with that suit. I have a few very good quality knitted ties in my stock that I'd planned to cut into. Only yesterday I found out that knitted ties are back in fashion and that the exact same brand costs 80 Euro at Manufactum here in Berlin. Can't cut into them any more.
ReplyDeleteThat dress looks fabulous on her. But keep in mind she would look great in about anything!
ReplyDeleteWill check out that book. Love stuff like that.
thanks for sharing, that is really interesting. i too love it when clothes have been repurposed in a clever and unique way. "junky styling" is an odd name, but this sounds like it could be an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteLove your comments!
ReplyDeleteOur library unfortunately doesn't have a copy of the book, so I'll wait. I also saw the preview on Amazon UK and thought it was very interesting, although I'm not sure, how many ideas, projects and techniques are really included. Thanks Charissa for your tip "Born-Again-Vintage". It looks really good as well. I also read the article in the Daily Mail UK, regarding costume recycling which was very interesting.
As for my husbands suit, he really "bonds" with his clothes. This winter it's a green sweater. In the 80's there were the suits (which he can't wear for gardening, Elizabeth - love the shoe story). But I won't cut into them, they might be worth something, as suschna suggested, but then, knitted ties, mmh. Last, but not least I definitely agree with 'woman with wings' that Firth's wife would look good in anything including a garbage bag.
Have a great weekend.
I saw The King's Speech yesterday!
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely brilliant! One of the best films I've ever seen!
I love all this--the dress, the movie (which I really want to see), and the Junky Styling book. I love that the dress has a story. That makes it that much more of a beautiful garment.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds VERY interesting...but I am trying not to judge a book by its cover. I will hold out until its availability in the US...and see what happens. Thanks for the heads up!!!
ReplyDeleteI just had to say that I started watching Downton Abbey yesterday and I l.o.v.e the clothes. Nothing wrong with making an expensive series with reused costumes. (I just realised the link I left in my previous comment is'nt working, here is one that does: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1345378/Downton-Abbey-Why-costumes-werent-quite-lavish-looked-screen.html )
ReplyDeleteThe King's Speech has not yet come to our neck of the woods yet but I'm looking forward to seeing it (Big, HUGE Colin Firth fan!!)
ReplyDeleteI've also asked the library to find "Junky Styling" for me :)