July screensaver

July starts to sizzle so it's time to cool down in a dark forest, deep inland, on the island of Hawaii. It's evening glamour, done up very hip -- gorgeous soft suede shoes, pretty linen handmade camisole, rugged, slashed denim shorts, fine leggings, delicate socks, and jeweled choker. The background began with a geometric pattern from my newest find in Paris, a fabulous paper store "filosofi - CULTURE DU PAPIER" at 68 rue de Grenelle, with inspiring hand screened Swiss papers, unique graphics, colors and textures and wonderful notebooks. Then I layered on top a photo of a tropical painting from a crazy shop on Rue Haute in Brussels.

Denim shorts - DIY

... a pair of cargo pants have been cut, slashed, spray painted and bleached -- one of the DIY projects in "Denim Revolution" -- sketched above as a swimsuit cover-up or photographed layered over leggings in the book...and naturally, she's reading..."Denim Revolution".

DIY denim short-shorts

Summer is upon us, so here's another pair of DIY denim short-shorts. Edged with Broderie Anglaise they say Mediterranean summer and I call them the Saint Tropez shorts after the mod fashion scene that happens there every summer.

To make these shorts you need a pair of jeans that fit well on the bun, with a button front closure and a watch pocket. The sturdy basic 100% cotton denim works best and they should be well worn so that the indigo won’t fade on the white lace. In addition to basic sewing materials you also need 3 yards of 1” wide, white cotton Broderie Anglaise edging. Study the photos and read all the instructions before you start. If you don't have a sewing machine you can hand sew everything, just sew securing and knot your threads snugly so they won't unravel.

1. Cut the Pant Legs: Lie the jeans on a table, and with tailor’s chalk draw a cutting line about 3” below your natural waistband, or just above the back pockets. Then draw the pant length. My pants, an adult size medium, after they were cut measure 4 1/2” on the side seams with a 1” long pant length at the crotch.
Key -- My jeans are an adult size medium. Your jeans need to be shaped to fit you, so use my measurements as a guide, and then adjust to your body and jeans. If you aren't exactly sure about the cutting line, try your jeans on with the chalk line and check the shape, alter a bit longer or shorter to ease into the fit you love. Cut a bit longer, try on again and check the fit, until you have it the proportion you like. Once you are satisfied, lay your shorts on the table and check that your side seams and inseams are exactly the same measurements - ½” off in mini-shorts is glaring!

2. Cut the Waistband: Cut the front waist band off just below the bottom seam of the waistband. Then cut the watch pocket off, all around the outer sewing edge. Finish the cut edge of the shorts with a machine zigzag stitch using denim blue thread. Machine wash, dry and press all the denim pieces and the shorts.

3. Assemble the Waistband: Smoothly pin the waistband (with the front button closed)to the front of the shorts, aligning the top of the waistband with the top edge of the shorts. Baste and remove the pins. Machine zigzag stitch with denim blue thread securely in place (this can also be hand sewn.) Zigzag stitch the watch pocket on the right hip.
4. Trim with Broderie Anglaise: Pin lace all around the inside of the cuff aligned ½” below the cuff edge. Baste, remove pins and zigzag stitch along top edge of lace with ochre thread on the denim and white thread on the lace. Repeat around the waistband, with it aligned 1/2" above the top edge.

Wear it on the beach, as a bathing suit cover up, with a sweatshirt or loose top, ballet slippers, thongs, all kinds of flats or barefoot.

Denim by Première Vision

Denim by Première Vision for Fall/Winter 09/10; Les Docks, in Paris, June 4/5

DPV jumped from their "first ever" exhibit last December into a MUST event for anyone who is a serious contender in the denim world. Gathered in three halls were the global market leaders – the weavers, finishers and denim accessory manufacturers - not just showing their wares, but mixing, meeting and collaborating with the designers and manufacturers. There was this terrific will to be inventive and creative utilizing their fine quality, skills and innovation, all in the manner demanded by the denim culture. Within the hip set-up that the organizers created, a happening and buzz of synergy built and I walked away with a bundle of thoughts and materials. What I loved the MOST - the hand woven organic selvage denim in indigo shot with brown and the sincerely washed, patched and hard-worn denim. When these two opposites, the unwashed and washed denim are mixed together into one look, like a washed jacket casually worn with indigo jeans, it becomes more interesting, because of how if reflects change, our heritage and realities. Last year the crowd was dressed in one mold - unwashed indigo, this year it all changed, and there was a parade of feminine or tough, washed and worn or dark indigo and unwashed, tight, loose, cropped or baggy – denim clothing has evolved into individuals making sincere, personal statements. It’s accidental, its perfect, it’s fashion blossoming in Paris.
Here is a glimpse on video of what was happening. Displays by Pierre-Louis Mascia – past – present and future; samples from A.N.G.E.L.O. Vintage Place; video from Albig by the artist Jean-Marie Albet; music -I don’t know the DJs, and the photo of the display with overalls is by Stéphane Kossmann/© Première Vision SA.
... the focus on organic and re-cycling appeared even in unexpected ways, like sunflower seeds handed out by the Italian woven tape resource, http://www.victor.it/flashindex.html

Aussi Rouge Que Possible, As Red As Can Be

Aussi Rouge Que Possible (As Red As Can Be) at The Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, is a small not to be missed temptation. A visual and symbolic feast is spread out with rooms themed by voluptuousness, power, danger and pleasure, among others, and every shade of red, all stylishly mixed from different eras. The Parisian sixth sense that appears as much in the text as the objects creates plenty of fresh fashion inspiration. Naturally, I loved the sketches by Schiaparelli. Here is a tiny glimpse of the exhibit.

Paper dress

Dressed in a paper dress, folded, ruched and covered with diner’s scribbles, an artist layered large sheets of paper on the dining tables, for diners to participate in an organic installation – a place to eat, meet and mingle during the May Arts Festival in Brussels. The installation created by the stylist and costume designer, Valentine Kempynck, offered a dining hall with "healthy" meals, a bar, long tables covered with the paper and over sized pencils hanging conveniently from the ceiling. Once the paper is covered with drawings and thoughts, they are moved for viewing to the adjoining gallery where they may be draped over tables, hung from the ceiling or projected on screens.

Free June Wallpaper

The June calendar is an imaginary world. In the desert, a tent is filled with fresh and artificial flowers, paintings, birds and a thousand crystals. She's wearing the “Woodstock Cool jean skirt”, a DIY project from my book, Denim Revolution. In the book, it's photographed in the woods, everything natural and earthy while here I've styled it with a boldly beaded flower top and printed wide belt in a fantasy world, all make-believe .

Skater Dude Nu Wave Cap

Reading and dreaming about what to make next … to wear tomorrow. Sketched are the diy projects from Denim Revolution --“Skater-Dude Nu-Wave Cap” and “Daddy-O miniskirt” worn with black opaque stockings and wildly hip shoes.

"Sweet Pea" and shopping off Shenkin Street

Off Shenkin Street, (one of the hip, Bauhaus areas in central Tel Aviv), I found the baby doll smocked top photographed in the “Sweet Pea” chapter of my book, Denim Revolution. In the carefree style of the young fashion scene in the neighborhood, designer Keren Gross, opened a roof top boutique one summer weekend. When I arrived at the top of the stairs, I was greeted by her sisters, music and a pitcher of iced tea and fresh fruit cheerfully spread out on a table draped with colorful vintage fabrics. She defined the boutique by an awning, rug and a breezy cloth tent for the “changing room”. It was a perfectly delightful way to shop and enjoy friends and a sunny afternoon.

Denim Revolution -- Check out some reviews !

Jean Rehab
"Don't throw out those ratty jeans quite yet! Author and designer Nancy Minsky has assembled a stellar compilation of the best ways to make your old duds look great and fashionable again. Check out "Denim Revolution" for dozens of ways to embellish, redefine and rehab your jeans into stylish pants, jackets, purses and more." COMPLETE WOMAN", May/June-08

You say you want a denim revolution?
Crafty? Fashionable? Have a ton of old jeans you can't bring yourself to give away? "Denim Revolution: Dozens of Ways to Turn Denim Cast-Offs into Fashion Must-Haves" may have some projects that are especially appealing to you. By Nancy Minsky, a former Calvin Klein protégé, "Denim Revolution" provides a how-to for recycling old jeans. Girly them up with some lace pocket trim or get crazy with a patchwork purse. Add button details or shred the legs for rebel yell. The best part? These threads require old clothes, so you're spending little for a one-of-a kind look. The book is glossy and full-color, and each project answers the question "How difficult?" What denim do I need? and "What other materials will I need?" in addition to step-by-step instructions...
THE DAILY JOURNAL by Jaclyn Youhana

DIY: Reinvent Your Favorite Denim
Got a pair of jeans that are past their prime? Maybe some denim that's stretched, shrunk or faded past the point of no return? Don't toss them - revolutionize them. We recently read “Denim Revolution”, by Nancy Minsky, and loved her novel approach to denim fashion. Find plenty of creative DYI ideas, with step-by-step details and colorful shots of the finished project. Our favorite style? The jeans-turned skirt with pleated back detail and accents.
CHICKSPEAK.com by Christina Twomey

DIY re-cycled denim

another sketch of Denim Revolution diy projects

Parisian pouf miniskirt-Tarzan loves Jane carryall bag-lacy Victorian cuffs

Denim Revolution and the parisian pouf mini

... the Parisian Pouf miniskirt was the second project I made for the book and I spent some time, sketching and browsing through my trims and thoughts until the design fell together. Inspired by the sumptuous macaroons (violette, rose, pistachio) at Ladurée near the Place de la Madeleine in Paris and Kristin Dunst done up as Marie Antoinette - my wish was - to bring those influences into the 21c with a terribly feminine twist in denim. Therefore, the tucks, pleats, lace, taffeta, velvet, trims, the covered buttons, gussets and hand stitching, and the hidden details that feel like lingerie. It is about dressing up for a soft late spring or summer evening. In Denim Revolution it's been photographed in a cafe in the Galerie de la Reine in Brussels and sketched for dinner in St. Tropez.

P.S. In the video, the "D" is for Denim, for Duffy (it's her song, "Warwick Avenue"), and for Dinah, my Russian grandmother, who hand embroidered this sampler, many decades ago, when she was a young teenager.

Parisian pouf sketch

a sketch from the Denim Revolution video

May Screensaver

Click here to download the May screensaver.

May bursts opens with fresh blossoms, fruits, scents, sunshine and calm. It awakens to a chorus of birds at sunrise and sets on gentle evenings that stretch on and on. Sketched are the Alice in Wonderland Pedal Pushers DIY denim project from my new book, "Denim Revolution" for release in mid-May. The pants are covered in patched flowers and sugared colors - inspired by a dreamy bouquet.

Portland street fashions

Above is a page out of my sketchbook of impressions from hanging out on Hawthorne Blvd. in Portland - Hawthorne's a grass roots parade of street fashion where men, women, teens, babies - everyone is part of the scene and making it happen. Generated by vintage clothing and off beat furniture shops that line the street, enhanced with hip book, shoe (Halo Shoes), kitchen, scent ... stores, whatever your taste, there's no snobbery here - from sweet 50's aprons (Presents of Mind) to skate boarder's hangouts, or inspired toys and illustrated books (Missing Link), to locally handmade products, it's a sincere fashion happening proliferating that's clearly a Portland scene, a cool laid back, bikers, knitters and coffee house happening in real time.

April Screensaver

Click on the link below and download a freebie -- my sketch for your April screensaver!

http://www.21centurydressmakers.com/Full%20pages/Freebies%20frame.html

The April sreensaver is fast paced green energy mixed with neon power accents. It's recylced, rugged denim glowing with some downtown gay styling to help you shrug aside any rainy April days. Inspired by the funky Doc Martens and jewelry at Colette in Paris,

and the socially green fashions and visuals --both imagined and real -- as seen at Pret a Porter Paris -- it's socially chic stuff.

From Russia

Portrait of Anna Akmatova, 1915 by Natay Altman
Triggered by the blockbuster From Russia at the Royal Academy of the Arts, the Russian influence, in many formats, is happening right now, in London. At the Academy, the first portion of the exhibition is based on work from the two Russian collectors, Shchukin and Morosov, through who's vision and taste you see not only some of the finest examples of French modern art masterpieces (1870-1925), but additionally what happens when truly passionate and profound collectors develop relationships with the greatest masters. And then, in the second portion, it all comes crashing down, when the Russian avant-garde art - in particular the bold trio of work by Malevich as the grand finale - mark the beginning of the future. http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/from-russia/

Breaking the Rules - London

On display, at the British Library, and certainly an influence that will seep into fashion and style, are extraordinary examples of the movement that brought us FuturISM, CubISM, DadaISM, SurrealISM, VorticISM, ExpressionISM. A comprehensive, and compelling collection of magazines, journals, books and newspapers that were published from 1900-1937, were the showcase for the ideals driving these movements. European photographers, artists, writers, composers, philosophers, graphic artists and illustrators, collaborated, expressing the avant-garde movement that was a revolutionary departure from the establishment, drawing a line between who's good and who's bad, who's the future and who's the past. http://www.bl.uk/breakingtherules

March screen saver - London cool

http://www.21centurydressmakers.com/Full%20pages/Freebies%20frame.html

Click on the above link and download the March screen saver.

I just returned from London and loved the casual, somehow effortless, Camden fashion scene - and that turned into the March screen saver sketch. The super short cropped jeans, layered over ink blackened tights, a rose tucked into a cap, and neon-toned shoes, it's a fresh cool that is happening right now only in London. It all works layered over a background of psychedelic daisies and butterfly images that came to mind when I visited friends across from Abbey Road. Anyway, whose influencing whom - Amy Winehouse or Camden Lock?

Satin bowed valentine pleasure

Valentine's Day inspires -- a mauvy-rose-tinted satin bow (cut a long bias strip, fold in half, stitch and turn inside out) -- sunk into a headband softly draped in a sheer savage silk chiffon (again on the bias with the bottom edges left naturally raw) -- finished with lavender cotton grograin on the inside. Isn't it all a bit romantic?