LEATHER BAG #2 - THE MUMMY BAG

(Dress - Harputs / Shoes - LD Tuttle / Bag - Zana Bayne)

I don't do any drugs, but I think I might be addicted to making bags now. For the "Mummy Bag", I wanted something that was slightly larger than "The Spike", but a radically different look. Like its namesake, the piece has is wrapped with strips of black leather that fringe down in the front. I wanted there to be little-to-no hardware - woven leather takes the place of rivets. It is surprisingly lightweight.

Since I normally dress in several pieces black clothing at a time, I intended for the Mummy Bag to act as yet another black layer. Since the Spike Bag was made to act like a shape, the Mummy Bag is meant to simply mimic texture.

Front view

Side view

Back view

LEATHER BAG #1 - THE SMALL SPIKE

(Dress - Diana Brinks / T - Helmut Lang / Leather Gloves - Margiela / Boots - Veronique Branquinho / Bag - Zana Bayne)

My first bag was born out of necessity and function, believe it or not! I am a handbag minimalist - I only use two, but they are both fairly large. I am often faced with situations where I lack pockets, but don't want to carry the extra weight of a heavy handbag and only need to bring my cellphone and keys or whatnot.

I began with the idea of creating an external pocket, but also wanted to craft a bag in a new geometric shape - almost like a jewelry adornment. I thought about triangles, pyramids...they just got too bulky and problematic. The "spike" shape allows the bag to fall flat against the body yet maintain a sharp dimensionality.

EDIT: The Spike Bag can now be purchased HERE

This bag is entirely made by hand - no machines used whatsoever. It is also used from only one piece of leather. It is so lightweight that I barely notice it on my shoulder.

It may be petite, but it fits my essentials. All of the above were inside for the prior photos.

BUILDING MY TOOL ARSENAL

I'm starting to feel a little bit like "The Dentist" from little shop of horrors, with all of my tools and blades and punches and strange ambiguous devices...

DID SOMEONE SAY "LASER CUT LEATHER"?

(Dress - Helmut Lang FW09 / Necklace - DIY / Boots - Veronique Branquinho)

Leather and I are becoming increasingly inseparable. Case point, this amazing asymmetrical mixed laser cut leather dress. And if that wasn't enough, I paired it with a tied leather necklace that I made last night and a leather & diamond cuff!

Check out the extra strap on the back - love it!

(ALL LEATHER, people!)

LEATHER PANTS PT 2

(Shirt - Stephan Schneider / Belt - Zana Bayne / Leather Panel Leggings - BlackMarketBaby / Shoes - Chloe)

Whenever I acquire a new piece of clothing, I try to wear it as much as possible with every potential variation of styling. Here's another daytime view of my leather panel leggings, paired with the newest leather piece that I finished crafting last night. Inspired by garter belts and stained glass windows, it features two fractaled triangles of leather ending in clips that can be used for whatever you want. Sometimes I have to be careful with leather overloads, which is why I decided on a more delicate top. I cant wait until the weather clears up, as I think this belt will look perfect paired over some sort of tankdress as well...

DAILY LEATHERETTE

(Jacket - Helmut Lang SS09 / Top - Diana Brinks / Leather Panel Leggings - BlackMarketBaby / Boots - Veronique Branquinho / Earrings - Chris Habana)
Everything That I Need

As much as I try to vary what I wear from day to day, there is a certain comfort an appeal to having a sort of repeated uniform that works for me. I equally love dramatic one of a kind garments and so-called "staple" pieces. This post is about the latter. The perfect lightweight leather jacket, the perfect multi-functional dress (tied to be worn as a shirt), the perfect ankle boots, and newly: the perfect midweight leather paneled leggings.

I had been made aware of Audrey Cantwell's collection of clothing, "Black Market Baby" through my buddy Camille/ChildhoodFlames, and naturally lusted over her draped leathery goods. About a month ago, Audrey e-mailed me about my belts, and I proposed a little trade. And now I couldn't be happier! I opted for her Thigh High Leather Panel Leggings, and Long Jersey Skirt (for another post), and have a feeling that I won't be taking either of them off for quite a while. The great thing about the leather panel leggings is that they give the illusion of a leather leg but still allow free movement - a MUST for me.

And in honor of today's copious amount of leather, I've uploaded The Normal's "warm leatherette", a classic song that all should know & appreciate. Click HERE

I'm in love with these Chris Habana elongated spike earrings. During my adolescence I had a total of about 10 ear piercings, but let most of them close up. I got out of the habit of wearing earrings, but this pair is enough reason to being again.