DIY safety pin fashion

Safety pins are the ultimate symbol of fashion and function. Who can’t remember using a safety pin to either fix a wardrobe malfunction or make something? Safety pins are such an easy way of making your own jewelry or spicing up your wardrobe. Whatever their use, safety pins are in fashion

Safety pins can be very punk. It brings a bit of edginess to an outfit

Clockwise from top left: a Balmain jacket, necklace by Tom Binns, Vena Cava Spring 2010, photo from Dazed and Confused, Gianni Versace on the runway with Christy Turlington in another one of his sexy safety pin creations.

So here we have a bracelet made by us from safety pins. We have a few more made from other colours and different sized beads. What do you all think? x

I spy with my little Fashion eye.. some Pencil Skirts

A pencil skirt is quite versatile and with the right accessories and coordination, you can easily transform it from a typical, basic librarian look into something more chic and sleek!

You can dress it up for work or parties, or dress it down for casual everyday wear. Just put on your sophisticated blouse at daytime or a slouchy tee and you're good to go to the movies later that evening! You can also wear it with a basic tank top and a long cardigan for a cool and casual look.

Here is our creation, a high waisted pencil skirt made out of wool and leather,  with pleat details at the front, we hope you enjoy it :)

Ready for winter: pencil skirt worn with a slouchy cropped jumper 

the close up on the pleat detail

The front view, we love mixing textures like wool and leather together!

In 1940, Christian Dior created the first pencil skirt, a shortened adaptation inspired by the provocative shape of the 1910 hobble skirt.
After the shapeless gowns of the flapper era, and decades of covered legs and ankles, women immediately embraced the curvy shape of the classic pencil skirt.
The earliest pencil skirts were part of a woman’s suit ensemble, worn with a jacket or tunic.
Eventually, the pencil skirt was worn with fitted blouses and soft sweaters, accentuating the female form with nipped in waists and round curvy hips. Corsets, once abandoned, re-gained popularity to enhance the pencil skirt shape.

Marilyn Monroe was a great example of how to make a pencil skirt classy and sexy at the same time

Victoria Beckham collection of elegant and classy pencils skirts and dresses 

 

Victoria B is a modern example of how to wear a pencil skirt!

Lady Gaga and Kate Hudson both sporting sexy leather pencil skirts

Short pencil skirts are perfect for a more fun evening look

Angelina Jolie and Beyonce. Both looking great in their pencil skirts. 

So what are you waiting for?? Get out your pencil skirt this autumn winter as it is the perfect way to bring a bit of class to your wardrobe!

I spy with my little Fashion eye.. some Cape Coats

The Cape Coat is officially the biggest winter cover-up of 2011 and here is one we have created especially for Autumn/Winter collection, it's made from wool and features hand embroidery and print details on the Cape. We hope you enjoy our Coat and get inspired to wear or create one too :) P&C xxx

Cape coat by ICRUZ. Featuring a wide double breasted front, hand embroidered cape and Mandarin collar.

The coat can be worn both with casual shorts or with pencil skirts, depending on the mood and occasion.(tights are advisable if worn with shorts or short skirts)

A front view of the jacket, with hand embroidery and original print detail.

A back view of the coat featuring a cape, worn here with a red pencil skirt

  

A page from the sketchbook, with research and inspiration on Capes. Some of  the Designers who used Capes and inspired us are: Kinder Aggugine, Haiden Ackerman and Lanvin.

Cape research with original drawings of cape coats

Color pallet experimentation for the Collection

Hand embroidery sample with the technique used on the Cape Coat

Initial research and experimentation on burning material and plastic to achieve an interesting texture on wool. Also used on the final coat :)     

And here are some clippings of A-Listers showing how best to rock the Trend; Victoria Beckham wears a classic Giambattista Valli cape, Rachel Bilson, Sienna Miller and Kim Kardashian are all rocking this seasons trend as well.
T.V personality Amanda Holden gets into the christmas spirit with a red cape and Myleene Klass goes for the school-girl chic look with knee high socks and a preppy hairstyle, while Leighton Meester jazzes up the gossip girl set with a green cape and bright accessories.

Africa in a bag!

African prints have always been popular in the fashion world and is rising and rising. The colours have inspired so many collections on the runway. These prints are beautifully eye catching and will definitely make you stand out from the crowd!

So here we have a bag made by P&C inspired by the bold pattern and bright colours of African culture.

Beading made by putting beads onto safety pins. Keep posted as we will be creating more pieces using this technique.

Gwen Stefani's collection L.A.M.B 2011

A collection of many different ways to wear African print

Juanjo Oliva Spring 2010 collection 

Solange in Boxing Kitten

 Many celebs such as Gwen Stefani have been spotted in African chic

Beyonce mixing African prints together

Rihanna in a black and white cute playsuit

So, do you have any African prints in your wardrobe? We are loving the African prints this year!!!

P&C x