Fashion Designers Pivot to Sewing Masks for Healthcare Pros

Christian Siriano led the charge to answer Governor Cuomo's plea for help. In turn, he inspired me, and many other fashion designers into sewing masks for healthcare professionals who need them. My little fashion accessories brand is part of the NY Handmade Collective. Our team members are furiously cranking out cotton masks that will be used by medical facilities, seniors, and other vulnerable people. There is a drastic shortage of N95 masks that are needed to protect against the Coronavirus. The grassroots efforts by me, many of my industry colleagues, design studios, crafters, sewers are a great way to stay productive and help the front line workers during the crisis. Personally, being able to do something active to help went a long way in helping my anxiety and feeling helpless.
Craft stores like Jo-Ann's are offering pre-cut fabrics to anyone who wants to sew them for free at their stores.
Facebook group Sew the Curve Flat has a running list of facilities that need masks and lots of resources for best practices and patterns. It's also just a great group for support.
I am so touched at how many people shared my original social media posts and have come forward to volunteer. Even those who don't sew were keen to contribute. There is a website designer who would create a site for donations. Another was a food truck influencer who volunteered to pick up supplies and deliver masks. The goodwill here was exactly what I needed in contrast to the media reports of hoarding, ignorant politicians, scary statistics, and xenophobic attacks I felt overwhelmed with.
In a time of global crisis, kindness is the one thing that we can all participate in together, and ultimately will be what saves most of us. We can't control politicians or science, but we have complete control over how we choose to act towards others. Take back how you spend your time and how you perceive the world around you. Find something to do that makes you happy right now and brings you fulfillment. If it also helps others, that's good karma that you can use too.

This post was featured on Links à la Mode fashion roundup by Independent Fashion Bloggers.
More fashion articles:

• Fashion Designers Pivot to Sewing Masks to Fight COVID-19 by Ms. Fabulous
• Getting Ready For The Brits in 30 Minutes! by Everything Eva
• 5 Everyday Beauty Tips To Look Younger And Work-Appropriate by La Moumous
• How To Look Classy and Sassy Without Much Effort by Nadmac
• Spring Cleaning Closet Makeover by Bombshell Whims

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Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2016

After many years of admiring photos from afar, I finally got myself to the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. The attire of choice is, of course, sea-worthy chic. The tradition of the Mermaid Parade was born from the artist's community of this area of New York City. Fine artists, burlesque performers, circus folk and unique souls kept this parade going. I love the sheer diversity of the crowd. There are, of course, sexy, scantily clad ladies that the photographers fight themselves to shoot. There are all groups, ages, body types, entire families with children and dogs. I even saw a chicken in cosplay.

You'll find tons and tons of glitter and seashells on mermaid outfits. Some people just opt for body makeup. Parasols to block the midday summer sun was the most popular accessory. Like other alternative fashion trends, mermaid style has evolving trends. There were Goth mermaids, mermaids that incorporated pop culture, like the Star Wars, "Fish" Awakens group. There were superheroines Bat-mermaid and Wonder Woman mermaid.

For the gentlemen, sea creatures were popular. I loved the Steampunk vintage diver costume (with a strategically placed spigot!). Sexy pirates, sea captains, Triton and even a Popeye costume walked the parade.

My own outfit, I put together a pink skirt, embroidered tulle (fishnet) topper and I embroidered a bra top with seashells, jewels, and taffeta petals.

My DIY mermaid crown. I twisted a bunch of pipe cleaners into a coral fan shape (you can just wrap them around each other into any organic pattern). I used a headband as a base. The pipe cleaners are very easy to use (just a caveat, the sparkly ones tend to leave sparkly bits on the floor). Start twisting a few around the headband at first, creating branches that veer off at different sides, doubling up with other pipe cleaners around itself.

Then I glue gunned shells and jewels on top, using the pipe cleaners as a support frame. I originally wanted to use pearls, but the flat back jewels were easier to glue. That's it! A glue gun just makes everything quick and stable. Regular glue works too, but it just takes longer.

I hope you enjoyed the Coney Island Mermaid Parade peep show!

All photos by Mariana Leung and Adam Weinstein

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9 DIY Homemade Beauty Treatments

I don't know about you, but my skin has taken a beating this winter. Between the windy and cold outside, dry heat inside and excessive partying, my face is paying the price. The good folks over at Z Living have shared 9 easy recipes for DIY beauty treatments. Most of the ingredients you probably already have from throwing cocktail and tea parties...

 1. Get Fresh, Clean Skin With: Mint Skin Toner You can use this natural skin toner on your face every day after cleaning your skin. It helps remove any trace of dirt, soap and your cleanser.

• Take 20-30 fresh mint leaves. Pour about 1.5 liters of hot water and allow them to steep for about 10 minutes. Strain and let the liquid cool.

2. Avoid Dry Skin With: Cucumber & Yogurt Skin Toner This is great for oily skin as it will remove excess oil and leave your skin feeling smooth and soft.

• Grate a cucumber and squeeze out the excess water.
• Add 1/2 cup of natural yogurt and blend it well to get a creamy consistency.
• Apply the cucumber and yogurt mix on your face for about 10 minutes.

3. Rid Scaly Skin With: Peaches & Olive Oil Skin Toner The peaches will nourish your skin, while the olive oil will moisturize it.

• Peel and mash two peaches using some olive oil.
• Add 1tsp of fresh single cream to the mixture.
• Apply it on your face and let it stay for 10 minutes. Wash your face with lukewarm water.

4. Get Rid Of Acne With: White Vinegar & Rose Water Skin Toner The white vinegar is anti-bacterial and will get rid of pimple and acne-causing bacteria. The rose water makes your skin feel smooth and soft.

• Mix equal quantities of white vinegar and rose water.
• Dip a cotton ball in this natural skin toner to clean and tone your face.

5. Get Ageless Beauty With: Green Tea Skin Toner Green tea is filled with antioxidants that get rid of free radicals. After applying this toner, you will notice your skin has a natural glow and stays soft the entire day.

• Soak green tea in hot water for about 10 minutes.
• Strain and let cool.
• Apply this toner on your face first thing in the morning.

6. Get Smooth Skin With: Chamomile Tea Skin TonerThis toner will leave your skin feeling smooth and clean.

• Boil a teabag in 100ml water for approximately  five minutes. Let it cool.
• Use a cotton ball to dab your face with tea.
• Let your face air dry. Don’t rinse afterwards.

7. Stay Fresh All Day With: Apple & Honey Skin Toner This natural skin toner makes your skin radiant and keeps it fresh all day long. Try and use natural honey for its anti-bacterial properties.

• Purée one ripe apple in a blender.
• Add honey to the purée and apply the mixture on your face.
• Let the mixture stay for 15 minutes before washing off with some lukewarm water.

8. Remove Excessive Tan With: Lemon Juice Toner The humble lemon juice has so many uses and one of them is helping get rid of excess oil and grease from the face. This will remove all traces of oil and help clear your complexion.

• Apply lemon juice and allow it to remain for 10 minutes before washing off with plain water.

9. Get Radiant Skin With: Vegetable Oil, Lemon Juice & Honey Skin Toner While vegetable oil contains phytochemicals and nutrients to moisturize and strengthen skin, lemon juice has astringent properties and honey is a natural cleanser.

• Mix 1/4tbsp of any vegetable oil with 1/4tsp lemon juice and 1tsp honey.
• Blend the ingredients well and apply this mixture on your face.
• Wash your face after 10 minutes with lukewarm water.

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DIY Christmas Pin Cushion Tree

Happy holidays. I felt like I couldn't let the season go by without at least one DIY Christmas craft tutorial. I spent the week making these gifts on behalf of designer Byron Lars for his favorite stylists, editor and designer colleagues.

I used fabric from is recent collections to make a functional tall pin cushion tree. I covered it with indulgent Godiva chocolate truffles for a treat.  You can make  your own version of this with the tutorial below:

You will need: 
Decorative Fabric
Colored Quilting Pins
Styrofoam Cones 6"X3"
Godiva Chocolatier Assorted Truffles
Glue Gun with Glue Sticks
Decorative Hat Pins

Start with making a pattern to cover the Styrofoam cone. Draw a line down one side next to the cone on paper. Add 1/4" allowance at the top and bottom of the cone and mark it on the pattern. Start rolling the cone and continue marking the top and bottom. Once you have rotated the cone all the way around once, mark the side of that edge with an additional 1/4" allowance. Trace the bottom and top of the cone and add 3/16" allowances around the outside of the circles.Cut out the pieces of the pattern from the fabric. Notch the circles.

Cover the bottom of the foam cones with the fabric circles using the glue gun (make sure to add the glue to the fabric side, the heat of the glue might melt the Styrofoam if applied to cone directly). Wrap the main piece of fabric around the cone and seal with glue gun.

Top the fabric covered tree with a decorative hat pin as the "star". Using the pearl topped pins, attach the chocolate truffles all over the tree in a pretty pattern.

That's all it is! This is a great DIY Christmas gift for the crafters, designers, stylists, chocolate lovers in your life. Tis the season!

photos by Mariana Leung

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EasyThanksgiving Decor & DIY Foodie gifts

 Are you getting your waistbands ready for Thanksgiving? Whatever your plans are, you probably don’t have time for intricate décor or homemade DIY hostess gifts. That doesn’t mean you can’t pull off a DIY rustic chic theme for the holiday.

I was positively spoiled at a recent luncheon hosted by Top Chef’s Gail Simmons and Camille Styles with Pure Leaf Iced Tea. The event was held in a gorgeous stone cottage at the New York Botanical Gardens. These modern domestic Goddesses don’t have time for lengthy projects either and showed guests easy tips for the holiday.

Witty, warm Gail Simmons led us through the easiest DIY gourmet gift ever. Tea pickled radishes was delicious with the shaved vegetable salad at lunch, the pickling juice was used as a base for a flavorful dressing. If you have a mandolin to slice the radishes, it is SUPER quick. You can even make this gift while your significant is getting dressed for dinner (see recipe below).

Camille Style’s décor tips were also easy.  For a quick, woodsy place card, Camille just uses a gel or metallic pen and writes guest’s names on a leaf.

For an elaborate centerpiece, find some kind of vase/urn/amphora. Then arrange some kale and fall vegetables on top. After Thanksgiving, just eat the veggies!

If you are stuck with the Turkey, you can also make a dried orange garland.  Just cut large oranges into ½” thick slices. Bake the slices for about 6-12 hours (overnight) in a 200 degree oven. When the slices are dry, string right through the center of the slices (there should be a natural hole). Then just drape the garland along your table, windowsills, wherever. 

Shaved Fall Vegetable Salad with Tea-Pickled Radishes

By Gail Simmons

Serves 4

FOR THE TEA-PICKLED RADISHES:

1 cup Pure Leaf Sweet Tea, warmed but not boiling

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 cup apple cider vinegar

8 small radishes, thinly sliced or 4 large watermelon radishes

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

½ teaspoon whole black peppercorns

Instructions: In a medium bowl, combine the tea with the salt; stir to dissolve. Add the vinegar along with the radishes, garlic and peppercorns. Cover and refrigerate at least an hour or overnight. Drain the pickled radishes, reserving ¼ cup of pickling liquid for use in vinaigrette. Set aside.

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Macabre Circus Party Decor DIY

It’s that time of year.  The team at Ms. Fabulous celebrated the dark spirits of Halloween with a Circus Macabre Carnival theme.  Much of the décor was DIY (see tips below).  We served up carnival-inspired treats like cotton candy made to order and spiked sno-cones courtesy of Bailey’s Chocolate Cherry, entertained by the talents of  Rachel Klein Productions.

Big Top Tent Decoration:

Limited budget, but you want a big-top venue?  I purchased about $18 in crepe paper streamers  (about $6 for 500 feet for each color).  Find a central point in your room, like a chandelier and tape alternating streamer colors with painters tape.  I found it was easiest to roll out the streamers to the edge of the room and have someone roll them back to you for the next strip.  Let the streamers bough slightly and tape the other end to the edge of the room.

For the hanging parasols, I just bought a dozen paper parasols from Chinatown (about $4 each).  Using thin fishing wire, I looped under the handle and hung them from clear plastic hooks stuck to the ceiling.

Balloon Dart Board

I used cork covered foam-core boards found at Michael’s ($15) and acrylic paint to give the weathered vintage circus look.   You can download this carnival backdrop image and project them the board if you are not artistically inclined.

 The key to creating a worn, vintage look is to keep your edges sharp (painter’s tape) but don’t fill in the entire sections of color.  I took a stiff, flat brush and basically jabbed at the cork board, using the natural texture and not enough paint. 

I pinned half-blown balloons to the board with map pins and let the guests shoot away.

Fun House Mirror

I found a wooden frame and discarded foam core board in the garbage.  I cut up an old pool noodle to serve as the bend in the mirror to fit into the frame. 

I used spray adhesive to stick 2 yards of Mylar (about $12/roll) to the foam core and laid it over the noodle bump in the middle.  I sprayed more adhesive after the bump.  Afterwards, I used a hot glue gun to stick the wooden frame to the foam core and staple gun the in corners for extra security. 

For the mirror frame, it was just the wider foam corer edge under the wooden frame.  I used the same paint technique of missing paint and clean edges in a diamond pattern for the border.

For treats, I had to have cotton candy.  I was pleasantly surprised at the effectiveness of the $40 Nostalgia Electrics Cotton Candy Maker. It made the candy floss beautifully and was easy to use.  I also promised my friends lots of adult spiked  snow-cones.  The Snow Cone Maker made a great shaved ice.  Here is the recipe below: 

Boozy Chocolate Cherry Snow-Cones
3/4 cup of shaved ice
2 oz. Bailey's Chocolate Cherry
Drizzle of U-Bet Cherry Syrup
Drizzle of U-Bet Chocolate Syrup
1 Maraschino cherry
Photos by Mariana Leung, Shang Jung, Janet Kim, 

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4th of July DIY

It's Independence Day! Party at home, BBQ and indulge in some stylish 4th of July DIYs.

For a great round up of nail art inspired by the red, white & blue, I love to check out Pinterest for patriotic nail art.

American flag prints often look cheesy if they are not designed well for clothing.  However, this painted denim short from Brit & Co has that lived-in, American look that is perfectly hipster:


One of my favorite lifestyle sites is SheKnows.  If you are looking for a patriotic jewelry project, try these beaded hoop earrings.  Simple, doable, you can make them in time for strawberry shortcake.

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DIY: Crystallized French Riviera Floral

Welcome to the first project in my runway DIY series. This crystallized French Riviera floral brooch/clip was inspired by Zang Toi's Spring Summer 2013 runway collection. You can read our exclusive interview with the designer about his creative process in designing his sparkling embroideries right here.

For this project you will need:
-3 or 4 Swarovski 4739 200x160 MM crystals
-About 50 Swarovski Crystallized Sew-on crystal 4mm 3128 stones
-1 yard of silk organza in the color of your choice.
-Beading needle and matching thread
-Dual brooch clip (I order mine from Trimweaver)
-Flower template (Download the one I created here).  

Fold the organza as many times as you can and pin the flower template to the top. You can print the flower template in different sizes if you like.

Cut around the flower template for lots of layers of flowers.You don't have to spend too much time getting the ridges exactly right.  It looks more natural to have some irregularity.

This is totally optional, but you can shape your cut organza flower petals for more depth.  I have antique French flower irons, but you can also just shape them with a ball iron (available at craft stores) or the tip of your regular iron. If you do you a regular iron, you can try pressing the petals down the middle, or stretching and pressing around the top edges for shape and dimension.

Layer all of your flower petals on top of each other, but rotate them slightly with each layer for more depth and coverage. Use a few tacking stitches (cut and stitch to a circle in stiff fabric if your organza is too flimsy). 

Embroider 3 or 4 of the Swarovski 200x160 stones in the center. Then embroider the small 4mm sew-on stones in an irregular manner in between and around the larger stones. Over lap and sew some stones on top of the first layer of 4mm stones for a clustered, rich look.

After all of the Swarovski crystals are embroidered, stitch the flower to the brooch clip through the center.

You're done!

Product was provided by Swarovski Elements for use of this project.

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DIY: How to Make a Beaded Macrame Bracelet

Did you make jewelry crafts at summer camp?  I was reminiscing about my days of twisting lanyards into wearable art in 5th grade this week.  I thought I would present a quickie macrame bracelet DIY to refresh your memories.  This one is based on a basic square knot technique.  If you don't have the patience to read, you can also watch the tutorial video I made with About.com.

To make this project, you are going to need:

·         Scissors

·         A board and something to pin your project to

·         Some lengths of cord

·         Beads large enough to fit your chords through

·        A button

Anchor Cords to Begin Making Your Bracelet

To start, you are going to have two lengths of 48-inch cords, and you are going to fold the two lengths like the first photo. Then you are going to tie a knot to create a loop. Next, you are going to pin it to your board, and this is how you're going to anchor your project. You are going to stick your loop against the pin and separate your cords. You are going to have two center cords, and you can take this down. 

Start Knotting and Adding Beads

Next, you are going to begin a knotted technique for your macramé bracelet. You start with one under and one over and pull. You alternate your knots going over and then under the two center cords. Then you are going under and over and this is known as a square knot.

When you are ready for your first bead, you are going to take your center two cords and pull them through your first bead. You are going to continue your knotting around the bead. So you're going to grab  your cord again and go under and over right around the bead and keep knotting again.

Finish Your Beaded Macrame Bracelet

When you are ready to end your bracelet, take your cords and put them through the buttonholes. Take your cords and knot off the ends and pull the knot tight. Trim off the excess length. When you're ready to wear your DIY macrame bracelet, you put your button through the loop that you made, and there you have it!

If you want to create an entire arm party, you can add this set of bracelets to complete the look.

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DIY: How to Make an Easy Seed Bead Flowers for Jewelry

Need a pretty project for a lazy summer day?  Here is how to make easy seed bead flowers for jewelry projects that you can use anywhere.  I learned how to make these on a Native American cultural center way back in high school.

You will need: 

• Strong thread (poly or nylon core, do not use 100% cotton)
• Seed beads
• Needle (Make sure it is slim enough for the beads you are using)
• Scissors
• Lobster clasps, earring hooks, etc.

To start,  thread 5 beads to start with and pull them through almost the end and then tie them into a knot. You want a firm knot, but not too tight. 

Next,  Use your needle to pick up 3 beads that you want to add as a petal and then you are going to go through your first bead.  Repeat this again with another three beads through the second bead of your knot. This creates a little petal and you are going to repeat this for all 5 beads. 

After going through all 5 beads, pull your needle through the middle of your first petal (the second bead of the three bead petal) and string 5 beads through to the next second bead of the next petal.  It makes it much easier to keep your beads and petals organized if you use 2 different colors of beads for each level of petal.  

After you create 5 petals of 5 beads each, knot off the thread to finish the flower.

You can create several of these and knot them together for a bracelet or necklace.  To finish it, you can thread a few extra beads through the point of the end flower petal and then loop in a clasp on each end.   For earrings, do the same, but loop in the end of earring hooks.

For a more detailed and visual explanation, you can watch the video version of this How-to here.  

Have fun!

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DIY: How to Make a Birdcage Veil

It's June and a classically popular month for weddings.  I recently made a DIY birdcage veil for a bride.  She wanted the veil to coordinate with the necklace she purchased from BCBG.  I took cues from the pearls used on the strands and the crystal-studded leaves.

You need:
- short length (about 1/2 yard) of netting.   For this diamond pattern, it is usually called Russian or French netting and can be found in most bridal supply stores or online at places like Etsy.com.
- a pair of metal combs (short ones).
- taffeta, organza or satin (if you have a swatch of it from your dress, that works)
- beads, rhinestones, pearls (your choice)

For the DIY Wedding veil, you need to gather the ends of the netting and take a needle and thread attach it to the top of the comb.  It doesn't have to be precise, just wrap the thread around and around the loops of the netting and the teeth of the comb and secure it by knotting it off.

Now that you have the basic birdcage veil, you can just start embellishing.  I stitched leaf motifs onto silk taffeta to match the bride's dress. Then, I embroidered tiny crystals on them to look like her necklace.

 However, you can create whatever shape you want from your swatch of fabric.  You can make flowers (see some templates here) or abstract shapes.  You can then stitch beads, rhinestones or pearls in the middle to give it some bling:

Once your leaves, flowers or abstract pieces are done, you just need to attach them to the top edge of the comb by either glueing or stitching to the top ridge of your comb. Make sure to cover the gathered part of the netting. Voila! You own DIY birdcage veil. Style for the aisle!

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DIY: How to Make a Beaded Cluster Bouquet Ring

Did you have a chance to see the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Punk: Chaos to Couture exhibit yet? I wanted to add a little something inspired by the studded embellishments I loved from Vivienne Westwood's punk fashion.  I thought a quick, beaded cluster bouquet ring was an easy project that anyone can do in an hour.  This is a glam, sparkly gift perfect for your high-glam friends...

You will need:
Multiple hole ring backing
Beading Needle + Thread
Bi-cone beads in various sizes.
Small seed beads
Tiny piece of felt
 (You can find most of this stuff at your local craft store or bead store.  When I''m lazy, I can find a lot of things on Ebay or Amazon)

You will start by cutting a small circle of felt that is about the size of the base of your ring.  Knot the end of your thread and start stitching the bicone beads to the felt, topped with the seed bead.  Make sure you draw you needle through the holes at  the ring base and stitch though another hole when you come up.

Repeat with different beads or different sizes to create a clustered, bouquet effect.

When you have enough beads for your bouquet, knot off the thread on the underside of the felt.

There you have it!  Now go forth and bead...

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