Unconventional Fashion

The other day while killing time reading Urlesque, I came across an article showing pictures of clothing made out of food. Now while dresses made of meat, chocolate, and lettuce might not be practical, it still amazes me how people can use everyday objects to create wearable works of art. It reminded me of a fashion show I saw on TV, where all the clothes were made out of everyday objects such as light bulbs and how a girl at my high school made her prom dress out of Skittles wrappers for her senior project. It got me thinking: What other everyday objects do people use to make clothes? So here are some of the weird household items people use to make dresses, purses and a lot more.

Newspaper

Broken China

Imagine trying to sit down in this.

Flowers

A fragrant dress for those who love flowers.

Shopping Bags

The perfect way for any shopaholic to recycle those extra shopping bags.

Diapers?

It wouldn't be my first choice but it's definitely creative.

Car Radiator Copper

This has to be the most unusual dress material I've ever seen, but it's still beautiful.

Money

Well if you've got it...flaunt it. (But imagine all the shoes you could buy with that)

Duct Tape

Nowadays you can get duct tape in any color or pattern, and girls are taking advantage of this and using duct tape to custom make their prom dresses.

Food

This bride's future husband decided to make his bride a one-of-a-kind dress, unfortunately he's a pastry chef.

When they have an entire fashion show dedicated to clothes made from chocolate, you know you're in for a treat that would put Willy Wonka to shame.

When Sweatpants Become Stylish...

Everyone has them. The one pair of sweats you just can't live without. The ones that are perfect for lounging in on weekends, doing homework, watching TV, running errands, and after practice. But it has always been considered a fashion faux paux to wear sweats to out in public unless you're in college or high school. And even now most high school girls don't wear sweats to school unless they're Lululemons, which are yoga pants. While they may be some of the most comfortable things ever, they don't have the same comfort as a slightly baggy pair of sweats. Well guess what. The day has come that sweatpants have become fashionable. Who would have predicted the day I would open up my monthly Bazaar to see celebrities and models alike strutting red carpets and runways in harem cut sweats? Designers such as Alexander Wang (left) and Michael Kors alike have sent harem sweats down the runway and all I can say is "Would you wear them?". The harem pant in general is something usually saved for fashionistas, celebs, models, and girls that are at least in their 20s. Very few teenagers I know would wear them to school or even to something more formal, yet they look way more comfy than a pair of tight jeans. I admit I wouldn't be the first to don them, its a look than takes pure confidence to pull off, but if you have the confidence you can definitely have some serious fun styling them.

But if the runway style harem sweats aren't for you there are some alternatives to get the comfort of sweats with the style of jeans. There are some great sweats that are have some of the harem style without being as baggy or pleated. Some good ones are the Stem Jersey Crop Pants and the Hinge Roll Cuff Cotton Pants. My favorite is my pair of Jolt pants from Nordstrom (right). They look like a skinny black pants (or black leggings if you wear a long enough top) but are made of a really soft cotton, so you feel like you're wearing sweats.

Smiles and Sun

"Try to be the rainbow in someone's cloud."

-Anonymous

The 365 Day Dress

"What should I wear today? Oh my black dress. And tomorrow? My black dress again, and how about the next day too?" What if you wore the same dress every single day for an entire year? I don't know about you, but there are so few things in my closet I would wear everyday, I can count them on one hand. (But then again with Seattle weather can you blame me?) Well Sheena Matheiken of New York figured out how. She wore the same short black dress every day for an entire year to raise awareness for the Akanksha Foundation, which brings education to kids living in Indian slums.

That said, I find her ingenious. I can't remember how many times I've gone to wear something, just to remember I had just worn in a few days ago and not wanting to end up wearing the same outfit again. But Sheena has solved the puzzle I've been struggling with for years. By doing simple things such as layering with tights, pants, and other dresses and just plain accessorizing, she has created a book of look after different look, all while wearing the same dress. In many of the pictures you would never know it's the same dress each day. Not when it looks like a top in one picture and a jacket in another. That just shows what a little creative thinking and a great versatile piece (like Sheena's Eliza Starbuck dress) can do for your wardrobe, and in this economy it's just what we need. Need a little more inspiration? Check out Sheena's 365 looks at The Uniform Project.

Be Back Soon...

Life is crazy. I know that's a total understatement, but it's true. Right now Runway2Hallway in going on hiatus to do some new construction and possibly add some new features to the site. I hope to be back as soon as possible and hope to be up and running May 10th. Until then...
-Runway2Hallway

Something Old Part 2

Here are the vintage magazine covers from Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Seventeen from the decades 1970-2010.

1970s

Cover girls Bonnie Lyshoir and Joyce Wilford are bright and colorful in matching shorts, tights, tops and tennis shoes on the 1971 cover of Seventeen

The black and white cover of Vogue in November of 1971 features bright contrast in the form of blue eyes and the timeless red lip

1980s

The July 1985 cover of Seventeen shows cover girl Jeanette Schaefer in a shoulder padded jackets and a black and white printed dress that I would totally wear today.

Christy Turlington regal and glamour on the July 1986 edition of Vogue.

1990s

Cameron Diaz is smiley in a red, white, and blue top and American flag earrings for the July 1990 issue of Seventeen

There were so many amazing 90s Vogue covers I couldn't pick just one. Christy Turlington strikes a pose in a jumpsuit that even features the magazine in the print (top) on the December 1990 issue. Karen Mulder wears another tight printed jumpsuit, this time in yellow and pink as wells as stripes and polka dots, on the March 1991 issue of Vogue.

Here's to a new year full of fun and fashion...

-Runway2Hallway

Something Old, Something New

They say those who don't remember the past won't have a future. So while everyone looks forward to a new year and a new decade, I thought to take a look a look at the fashions of decades past. To do this I was able to find archives of old magazine covers, belonging to some of the most popular fashion magazines, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, and Seventeen. Not only do some of these covers date back to the 1940s, but they are fun, pretty and artistic. Hopefully they inspire you to make some new fashion resolutions for 2010.

1920's

Vogue 1922

1940's

Vogue 1947 (left) and the first issue of Seventeen in 1944 (right)

1950's

Bazaar April 1956 (top), Vogue 1950, and Seventeen September 1954 with Sandy Brown on the cover in a cotton candy ruffles

1960's

Bazaar April 1965 displays big bright eyes, while the the October 1967 issue of Vogue displays cover girl Twiggy with bright eyeliner and the 1966 issue of Seventeen shows cover girl Joan Delaney in a sequined mini dress.

Come back later for decades 1970-2010

Even Adults Want a Barbie For Christmas

Every woman wants a killer pair of heels, and if they're designer even better. So it makes sense that every woman dreams of having a pair of Christian Louboutin heels, even if they're doll-sized. Louboutin designed its first Barbie, the Cat Burglar Barbie by Christian Louboutin, and it only cost.... $150. Despite the high price, this Barbie sold out in only one day. Now there is currently a waiting list for the next shipment of dolls. The fiery red-haired doll comes with a tight black catsuit and head band as well as four pairs of mini Louboutins. The red-soled minis included with the doll are strappy gold "Differa" heels, chic black "Miss" ankle boots, hot pink "Claudia" heels, and knee-high leopard print "Altameche" boots. All of the killer heels come with their own Louboutin boxes and little red shoe bags. Also included is a mini Paris travel journal. This won't be the only Barbie to don Louboutin stilettos, new Louboutin Barbies will come out in the new year in Cannes, safari and showgirl themes. If only they had designer Barbies when I was little...

Mission Impossible: Finding the Perfect LONG Homecoming Dress

There are certain parts of high school everyone looks forward to. The dances, the sports games, the social events, and driving are all things people can look forward to in high school, unlike the homework and school lunches. I’ve been forward to homecoming since the end of 9th grade (in our district high school starts in 10th grade). You get to get all dressed up like a movie star and go dance and party with all your friends, what wouldn’t you get excited about? Our homecoming is the end of next month, so I have a while to look for a dress. But yesterday while at the mall with my mom, we decided to look around the mall and maybe try on some dresses, just to see what kind of selection we would have. Most high school girls wear short dresses to homecoming and longer dresses to winter formals, however our school wears long dresses to homecoming and short to our spring dance. Little did I know how hard it would be to find a long dress for homecoming. I want a long, pretty, kinda simple dress (think Taylor Swift in 'You Belong With Me' in a different color (above)). We to every possible store in Bellevue and Redmond and still didn’t find a thing. There’s still the possibility of Downtown Seattle, but I’m not counting on it. It’s a good thing I have a month to look for a dress, because I’m going to need it.

So I’m asking you: Where did you find your perfect Homecoming dress?

R is for Rodarte, S is for Savings, and T is for Target

I have to admit one of my favorite stores will always be Target. Honestly I don’t know how some people could live without it, because they have absolutely everything. And these days there are even more reasons to love Target because now several designers have created lines for Target, such as Alexander McQueen, Jonathan Saunders, Sigerson Morrison, Anna Sui, and jewelry designer Anna Sheffield, just to name a few. And now designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte (seen left in Harper’s Bazaar From 7th Avenue to Sesame Street spread) are to be added to the list of designers to grace the racks of Target with their designs. One of the designs that will be in stores are the black dress (right). All I can say is I can’t wait, because there are few things greater than the feeling of buying designer clothes for cheap prices.