nitro:licious ~ "dress:eat:play:sleep"...who's got flava? » diy

Customize Your Own New Balance 574

retrogurl — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:44:32 +0000

Photos courtesy of New Balance

I love when brands offer customization for their popular products, last month I went to New Balance’s celebration of the launch of its Custom US574, a consumer-friendly microsite that allows sneakerheads to customize their own pair of signature New Balance 574’s. I was bummed that the smallest men’s size is 6.5 (I’m a 4.5 in men’s) but I was able to customize a pair for my pops, he’s a big fan of New Balance sneakers.

The process of picking colors took a little time since there was quite a bit of colors and options to customize but I did received the customized sneakers in about 1 week, it’s really quick since it’s made at the company’s Norridgewock, Maine manufacturing facility. If you love your New Balance 574′s definitely customize a pair, I’ve been told it’s one of the most comfortable sneakers. I’ve seen many many fashion people rock these classic joints, so they’re not just for sneakerheads haha!

The leather of the US574 upper is offered in eight colors and is individually cut by New Balance associates with an option of a leather back tab. The shoe’s woven label is also available in eight colors. The US574 can be personalized with up to eight characters per shoe stitched on the foxing on the shoe’s back tab and there are nine color choices of embroidery thread. The base “N” is available in white, navy, or black while the top “N” and the shoe’s laces are available in nine colors. The US574 is shipped out within 4-8 business days of ordering.

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My Customized Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star

retrogurl — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 06:41:41 +0000

Before I went to Florence I stopped by Converse Soho to customize a pair of Chuck Taylor All-Star, courtesy of Converse. When I first heard about the unique customization capabilities available in-store I was curious as of what options there were, if you felt the same here’s a look.

The process was quite easy and fairly quick, depending on how many orders they have you may be able to pick-up the same day. First you pick out the product you want to customize, I went with the white Chuck Taylor All-Star Hi sneakers. Then you choose your favorite art on the iPad station (unfortunately you can’t bring your own art or photo), you can pile them up if you want and write your own message as well. After you’ve chosen all the colors, fonts, arts, you work with a Converse specialist on placement. The specialist tapes up the insoles so ink doesn’t get on it, then the shoes gets hooked unlaced and hooked onto the machine ready to be printed! And the last part is choosing your favorite laces, after that your customized shoe is ready! If you want to create your own shoes with your personal touch, definitely stop by the store and check it out.

Let me know what you think of the shoes I customized, I kept it fairly clean. Check out the pics after the jump…

Converse
560 Broadway
New York, NY, 10012
212.966.1099

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Michelle Baba DIY Glass Mirror Pumps

retrogurl — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:43:17 +0000

I just received an email from my reader, Michelle Baba, an LA-based graphic designer/artist that made this pair of amazing glass mirror pumps. Michelle handmade these using hundreds of glass mirror rounds and rhinestones, talk about a creative DIY project- these are crazy!

If you’re a size 6 and want a pair of these one-of-a-kind shoes and can splurge, snap it up on eBay. Michelle said, “I actually put them up for sale on eBay to see what people would value them at, mostly because I’d love to be able to sell them and use that money to make more designs.” I wish I was in LA to try these on or even take an outfit picture with these, they’re hot! Hope you come up with more great designs!

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Camp Fenton Fallon DIY Session with Dana Lorenz

retrogurl — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 18:00:00 +0000

Photos courtesy of Vinnie Merlot

All my memories of making jewelry came back when I stepped foot into jewelry designer Dana Lorenz’s Fenton Fallon shop at Freeman Alley on Tuesday night. A lucky group of fashion bloggers were invited to her shop to make our own Fenton Fallon-inspired necklaces, we were given a quick tutorial then we all got to ‘work’. Piles of raw materials were placed on the tables for us to choose from and there were lots from chains to pearls to spikes to crystals! There were also lots of temptations on the table, jelly beans, cookies, caramel popcorn and drinks were there as we worked our crafty hands. I was a bit overwhelmed at first but quickly snapped out of it once I picked out some raw materials, it ain’t easy I gotta tell you. It was fun times and I got to bring home a one-of-a-kind “nitro:licious x Fenton Fallon” DIY necklace ha! Mad props to Dana for creating such amazing pieces, it seriously takes crafty hands and a creative mind. Check out her designs at www.danalorenz.com.

UPDATE 08.27.2010: Check out the video below…

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DIY Chain Jacket

retrogurl — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:19:57 +0000

Last month when I went to the Matthew Williamson for H&M Summer 2009 Launch Party I met one of my readers Tina who works as a Wardrobe Stylist for The Tyra Banks Show as I was leaving. When she approached me I spotted a really amazing chain jacket that she was wearing, after a small chat I asked her where she got it from. Turns out that she made the damn thing, she offered to make me one since I was so obsessed with it! Met up with her this past Friday to pick it up and she was rockin’ other diy pieces she made, she’s got skills! I couldn’t wait to rock it so this past Sunday I wore it out, so hot got compliments while shopping in Soho! The chain jacket is suppose to resemble a skeleton in the back but B thinks I look like Spiderman when I wear it haha, either way it’s dope! TINA, it was nice meeting you and thank you for the chain jacket!

More pics after the jump…

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YSL Manifesto Spring/Summer 2009 Teaser

retrogurl — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:57:07 +0000

I’m sure we’re all counting down the days till Valentine’s Day when free YSL totes and heart shaped USB keys will be distributed on the streets of Paris, New York, London, Milan, Tokyo and Hong Kong to promote the spring/summer 2009 issue of YSL‘s Manifesto. Limited to 2,000 in each city, each USB key are images of the ad campaign starring Claudia Schiffer, and a making-of in Hollywood with photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. It also features stickers for readers to move around Claudia Schiffer and the Hollywood sign. No word on where the the totes and USB keys will be handed out but check out the teaser video for now, I can’t wait. Thanks to reader Amel for the tip!

DIY Slashed/Ripped Jeans

retrogurl — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:10:46 +0000

This past Sunday, I broke out my DIY skills and attempted to slash up my PrivacyWear London Skinny Jeans to recreate the slashed/cut/ripped/destroyed jeans I’ve been coveting. I’ve been loving the look but can’t seem to find any for sale yet, def waiting for the pair of Topshop jeans that Erin Wasson was rockin’ (see image below). I didn’t want to cut too much out so I just slashed and ripped enough to create the effect. As you can see my DIY skills aren’t the best, matter fact I’m kinda rusty but I’m going to attempt this again on a pair of black jeans with more noticeable cut-outs like the Topshop jeans. What do you think?

More pics after the jump…

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