As promised, Dress Up Time.

My man is at work and I have the day off, so I thought I'd finally post some photos starring my wonderful new ArtLab pieces, plus some old(er) favorites. Changing my outfit more than once causes me to work up a frightful sweat, so you'll have to be content with my dress form standing in as the model. You can see my shadow in a few of the pictures though, so don't complain (please). You'll probably get the gist of it from the picture descriptions, but all but 2 of the pieces are handmade pieces bought directly from the designer, with all but 2 of the handmade pieces purchased on Etsy.

First up: the lovely ArtLab Space Odyssey dress, styled with various harnesses/accessories. From left to right: ArtLab Space Odyssey harness; ArtLab Couture Bib Noir; ArtLab Clinical White Harness No. 1; Norwegian Wood Elastic Harness; ArtLab Charlie Chaplin Couture Bib.

All the rest will feature the versatile ArtLab Military Skirt No. 1, as well as a basic white American Apparel ribbed tank. As pictured on the dress form, the outfits look mostly spring/summery. However, I would be wearing these over leggings, pants, jeans, or other skirts, and with armwarmers, mittens, and more/non-white underlayers (ie. tank tops, t-shirts, and long-sleeve shirts, especially my trusty treehouse 28 basics). My dress form only has one leg and no arms, so you'll have to use your imagination to fill these details in.

Basic outfit with one accessory. From left to right: Quillinan The Forgotten with Zip Neckpiece; Bonzie Le Coquette Ruffled Scarf; hier apparel Boldt Canvas Carapace; drapey vest by Covet. You can also kinda see my extra-high black monochrome Chucks in the 2nd photo.

Adding one more layer (except for the 1st photo - tank top missing). From left to right: ArtLab Charlie Chaplin Couture Bib; hier apparel Golden Mean Peasant Shift; hier apparel Vock Canvas Armour; Liza Rietz half circle tunic in black.

Adding an accessory. The first two photos feature the Liza Rietz waffle tucked tunic in herringbone, with the ArtLab Couture Bib Noir on the left, and the Attila Design Cown Neck Scarf on the right. The last photo features the ArtLab Andromache's Deconstruction Blanc dress with the ArtLab Couture Bib Noir.

This group features the ArtLab Bustle of Lysistrata, plus an accessory. From left to right: Las Lopez Wood Nymph Point Lace Shawl/Scarf; Attila Design Cowl Neck Scarf; hier apparel Boldt Canvas Carapace.

These are full outfits (minus the leggings/pants/mittens) that I would wear. The black top underneath is the complexgeometries two face dress, and the hoody is The Hoody (a.k.a. the Alexandra Groover 5-hooded hoody). The first two photos feature the ArtLab Clinical White Harness No. 1 over top the cg dress, with the Las Lopez Wood Nymph Point Lace Shawl/Scarf in the second photo. The last photo has the ArtLab Bustle of Lysistata instead of the Clinical White Harness No. 1.

And here are the two looks you would see me most often in, as I tend to be a creature of habit when it comes to throwing on an outfit quick. The first look (and probably the worst picture I snapped all morning) is the ArtLab Andromache's Deconstruction Noir, with The Hoody. The second look (and probably the best picture I snapped all morning) is the complexgeometries two face dress, ArtLab Clinical White Harness No. 1, Las Lopez Cobwebs Shawl/scarf, and my Yokoo East Hampton tote in pumpkin spice and charcoal grey.

Now I have to put all those clothes back in my closet/on their pile. Sigh.

Top of the line

Today marks the launch of two of my most favorite labels' collaboration with Topshop Oxford Circus' pop-up shop, EDIT. Yes, Topshop. The first and long-awaited one is that of Norwegian Wood. As posted on Angie's blog and later reported by Susie Bubble, Angie of NW will have her signature fringe necklaces, feather necklaces, leather cage skirts, and Road Warrior elastic harness available (some in Topshop exclusive colours), as well as brand new panelled leggings and a panelled t-shirt. Eek! A big congrats to Angie for being given such a huge opportunity, and for being the first Canadian to be picked for EDIT! Here are photos (via Style Bubble) of the custom tags that illustrate the new pieces:

Second up is the announcement that E-Label will be arriving at Topshop Oxford Circus. No more information than that brief Facebook post. I can't wait to find out more, especially if this means some more beautiful black clothing to drool over!

So, seems I'm on the wrong side of the pond again, as there's no indication that any Norwegian Wood or E-Label Topshop pieces will be available online. There is however another exciting collaboration that is closer to my neck of the woods: Yokoo, who made my gorgeous new bag, is teaming up with Urban Outfitters! The launch of this new line will be end of October/beginning of November, with this adorable logo (below; via Yokoo's Flickr). Congrats Yokoo!

Just as I suspected

ArtLab Andromache's Deconstruction Blanc dress + Norwegian Wood Patched Grey Leggings + Yokoo East Hampton Tote (in pumpkin and charcoal grey) = The Perfect Fall Outfit. Complete it with a tank top or two, a fabulous scarf, some arm sleeves, and a pair of flats, and I'm ready to go get myself a grande extra-hot, non-fat, Pumpkin Spice Latte. Yum.

Yokoo? Yes please!

I've been searching for a bag since the strap on my Christmas present from two years ago broke (yes, I could fix it, but I'd rather do more fun things with my sewing machine when I do actually bust it out). And my $25 'summer' bag from a booth at the Fringe Festival 2 years ago is so grossly sun-bleached, that I think its time has been served. (As you may guess, I'm not a purse gal, and thus practically never buy myself a bag when I could buy other wonderful things.) 

And now, methinks I have found the perfect bag for me. I know of Yokoo from her delightfully chunky knit scarves and accessories, such as her ever-popular Three Ring Chain. But am I glad I glanced into her shop today to see this beauty! It's durable, leather free, reminds me of my ol' hacky sack, AND I can pick whatever colours I'd like. I'm thinking perhaps two greys (surprise, eh?), or maybe a grey and that delicious burgundy. And with fall right around the corner, I think it's best to spread the scarf-like love around to grace my arm as well.