I was invited to a 40s Hollywood glam party recently at Toronto’s luxurious Royal York Hotel. As per my usual, I Googled all things 40s, hoping to find another blogger’s account of their 40s DIY look. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that easy, although I did find plenty of resources of YouTube for hair and make-up; and then searched through vintage catalogues and photos of 40s actresses for outfit ideas.

Amazingly I just happened to have this white chiffon dress with an accordion skirt (me on left) hanging in my closet waiting for the perfect event! I found this photo of actress/model Veronica Lake (right), circa sometime in the 40s!

My Simple Hollywood Glam 40s Outfit Breakdown:

(background: Although the Cold War was going on, Hollywood, as always, seemed unaffected by global deficiencies. Apparently, ‘The Office of War’ declared movies an essential industry for morale and propaganda. People were starving everywhere, yet the silver screen showed glamour, wealth and abundance. Common women attempted to follow fashionable suit, and although leather and fabric were rationed and even if a woman couldn’t afford furs and jewels, she would be sure to do her hair and shine her shoes.)

Dresses: Ladies wore dresses in the 40s and for a party, the silkier and glamorous the better! Preferably light colors, chiffon, silk, lace and satin. Most common evening gown styles are heart-shaped necklines; small-waisted; and even strapless. Length: long or at least below the knee.

Shoes:The most common worn are medium heel height (not too thin), t-strap or lace ups.

Photo: Inspired 40s Steven Meisel for US Vogue September 2009 featuring Coco Rocha, Karen Elson, Liya Kebede, Sasha Pivovarova, and Viktoriya Sasonkina

Accessories: This is what counts for dressing for any occasion:

• flower, feathers or some other hair decoration
• diamante earrings/pearls
• shoulder pads (to balance big hair) if applicable
• fur stoles
• nylons with a line up the back (that was drawn on by women in the 40s)
• gloves

Make-Up and Hair:

YouTube is the best source for this!! So many ‘pin-up’ how-to video’s including how to do hair rolls, rockabilly hair and pin-up girl make-up, etc… For my hair, I used bobby pins to stick in a bunch of faux dollar store feathers and a giant flower. I curled using a YouTube video technique.

YouTube 40s Hair >>
YouTube 40s Make-Up >>

I am a DIYer at heart but rarely have the time to start or complete projects. Fortunately, this time I was inspired and encouraged to come up with a fairly easy, yet super stylish accessory using easy to find items for a recent outfit.

DIY Shoulder Pads – Using dollar store items and leftover fabric – 2 Hours:

Faux fur | Chains & Ribbon (dollar store) | Pendants/Brooches (cheap jewellery store) | Glue | Thread

1. First I found some old shoulder pads and attached some faux mink to make them more substantial – realistically I could’ve used any old fabric.

2. I could have left the fur wild, but chose to glue it under.

3. To keep the fur from lifting around the edges, I attached some iron-able interfacing on the underside (glues everything together).

4. Then I attached some chains, embellishments, and voila! I attached them to my shirt with double-sided tape and safety pins.

* The best thing about this DIY is that you can use absolutely anything you have. You don’t even need shoulder pads but can start off by cutting fabric in the shape you want. You can attach any old jewels, ribbon, feathers… for a custom look *

Every year as Christmas comes around, I ambitiously make a list of all the things I can/want/might make for people to give as gifts. And honestly, it rarely happens – However, after seeing some great street fashion photos from other blogs, maybe, just maybe I’ll be inspired to get a little crafty.

There are a zillion ideas for easy homemade gifts like bath bombs, earring holder frames, collage art,  fridge magnets…

But instead I thought it’d be much more fun to compile a DIY Fashionista Gift List – but beware, if you attempt any of these projects, you may end up keeping the ‘gift’ for yourself.

1. Shredded Shirts (photo from yvanrodic.blogspot.com)

How hard can this be? I figure you can take any shirt, new or used, and slice it up with a blade or exacto knife. I haven’t tried it, but judging from the outcome, looks like there is no right or wrong.

2. Safety Pin Shoulders, Bow Ties, T-Shirts…The possibilities are endless (ideas and photos at El Bosquejo )

Now this is a too cool gift and I’m not sure I know many people who could appreciate this kind of fashionable art. That aside, think of all the possibilities…

3. Miu Miu Thigh Highs – courtesy of Nylon Magazine

Requires some stockings, a bunch of dollar store craft supplies and some thread and needle knowledge. Maybe sit down in front of the tube and get to work – consider it the new knitting…

And if DIY gifting isn’t your thing, check out Alison Lawler-Dean’s beautiful blog Gifted with it’s pages of amazing, unique gift ideas you can buy (there’s even a DIY section for innovative giving)!

Bring in a picture and make a button for $1!

Simply send The Rage an E-mail info@ragetoronto.ca to make your own buttons:

Get the template here:
http://www.ragetoronto.ca/images/1inch.jpg
http://www.ragetoronto.ca/images/1inch.pdf

Get in touch if you’d like further assistance:
Phone. 416.599.5177

These photos from Wollies Etsy Shop

Toronto artist Beckie Dileo in her hand-painted dress | Random paint pants from Antoni&Alison (above) and YSL painted frocks

You don’t have to be an artist to pull off the easiest DIY trend this spring – just grab some paint and do what the elitist designers at YSL, Chloe, Thakoon and Basso&Brooke do – throw it, spatter it and randomly paint it on your clothes.

Toronto-based Ndeur popular hand-painted shoes (available @ the Rage) | Looks @ Erdem and Dolce&Gabbana, Spring 2008

Toronto hotspot Circa hosted the final L’Oreal Fashion Week party featuring Paul Budnitz’s exciting Kidrobot runway presentation and a display of Canadian Designer Munny’s in the Kidrobot Room.

The Kidrobot Munny is a popular, do-it-yourself vinyl toy. For Circa’s Project Munny, various fashion designers including Izzy Camilleri, Lucien Matis and Paul Hardy all decorated the plain little bubble dolls into their own stylish creations.

Both Greta Constantine’s ‘Maddox’ and Common Cloth’s ‘Black Star’ have mohawks!

While Oligarchy’s (personal fave) ‘Success, Glamour, Excess’ Munny and Pink Cobra’s ‘DANgerous’ are sporting a little bling!

All Canadian Designer Munny’s are up for grabs at EBay, with the proceeds going to War Child Canada. Limited Time!!

by Siya Chen

This new year, why not make a resolution to start making your very own fashions and crafts?! Get crafty, meet others and make something useful at Toronto’s new DIY centre, The Workroom!

The Workroom is Toronto’s first SEW and CRAFT by the HOUR space. I’s equipped with everything you need to complete all your large or small projects. This is perfect if your don’t own a sewing machine, serger or big working table. Owner Karyn has also personally selected a variety of amazing fabric from Japan to make your pieces extra special!

You can hang out and use the equipment for $7/hour or show up at one of the Stich’n'Bitch free monthly open forums for makers. Classes are also available for non-sewers.

The next Sewing Machine Essentials class is on January 19th. Sign up quick because space is limited and it fills up quickly!

For more information of classes offered and detailed schedule, visit theworkroom.ca
The Workroom, 1340 Queen St West (just west of the Dufferin bridge)