Sunday, 14 March 2010

My 'Going For Gold' DIY Project...


Below: Inspired by Christophe Decarnin's Gold Button Blazer...


Below: and Emmanulle Alt's Balmain Navy Blazer with gold buttons...


Below: My Paul And Joe Navy Blazer getting a 'facelift'...
notice the difference the gold buttons make on the blazer... left sleeve is the original boring black buttons, right side is the newly sewn in gold buttons! (I completed sewing the gold buttons for the left sleeve after taking this pic:-P)



Below: And these new gold buttons look cool with a little anchor motif:-P Bigger versions for the body...


Below: Smaller gold buttons for the sleeves... DIY is a success, I love it!


Below: A coat with gold buttons and military insignia on sleeves from Balmain Homme's Fall Winter 2010 collection...


Below: Brad Goreski in his navy double breasted blazer with gold buttons...


Below: And gold buttons, aplenty of them in Burberry Prorsum's Fall Winter 2010 Mens Collection... The most outstanding piece from the collection with those gold buttons on the sleeves of the long coat...


Below: or shoulders of knitwear... GOLD is the way to go!


All It Takes Is A Little DIY...


The recent Fall Winter 2010 fashion week for both men and women got me noticing the influx of military officer style jackets and outerwear. Most of these gorgeous pieces often spot bling-out gold buttons that gives a sense of decadence amidst the 'tough-up' theme of military.

I was first wowed by the long navy wool coat from Burberry Prorsum that features decorative gold buttons on the sleeves or shoulders of coats and knitwear. Then Emmanualle Alt wore a navy double breasted blazer from Balmain during the recent Paris Fashion Week. The smart colour combination of gold and navy left a huge impression on me. The final draw that motivated me to want gold buttons came from viewing Balmain's Fall Winter 2010 womenwear video. The Fall Winter 2010 Balmain women's collection saw plenty of gold buttons again on the jackets, and I know I must have gold buttons as soon as Christophe Decarnin walked out to take a bow in his men's version of the gold button jacket. I want a gold button navy blazer!

I remembered I own a Paul And Joe Navy Blazer which is still in 'cold storage' as I find it too conservative. Somehow the buttons being in black and does not stand out against the navy fabric. I cannot find myself feeling excited over the thought of wearing the blazer. However, it was the perfect candidate for my DIY buttons project. I recalled there is a small shop in Chinatown that sells a huge selection of buttons and there were versions of nautical theme metal buttons that is exactly what I am looking for. So last Friday, I made a trip down to the shop over lunch and got me a full set of gold buttons with an anchor motif embossed on the front (and yesterday, I got another set in silver:-P). It seems my Paul and Joe blazer is getting a nautical theme facelift. I was very excited for my DIY project:-P

Today I sew on the buttons...and I love the end result! My Paul and Joe Blazer is looking fabulous now! I love the contrast of the gold against the navy blue. The gold somehow made the blazer come alive, a boost of glamour and a navy captain feel. Best part of it all, the DIY costs almost nothing, buttons are just SGD$4.80. Minimum cost and effort but maximum effect. Love DIY!

Source: Style, Sartorialist, Burberry

11 comments:

som said...

Wouh, Those jeans look so good on him. Now I really have to think of getting them... DAMN se are so €€€

Anonymous said...

Congrats. In a few moment u'll be a designer too.

Kevin @ myMANybags said...

Hahaha...sewing a few buttons is one easy feat, but designing will be a huge task! :-) I just enjoy DIY and getting a new jacket on the side:-) No need to buy a new navy jacket for just the gold buttons:-P

Anonymous said...

Where is the chinatown shop selling the buttons?

Kevin @ myMANybags said...

It's on the 3rd level of the building that houses the hawker centre... can't remember the building name. But it is next to People's Park Complex. Go by escalator and you can see the shop straight ahead. Sells lots of buttons and ribbons.

LuxuryObsessed.com said...

Fantastic idea. But, it does beg the question: How creative is Christophe Decarnin if the look can be replicated so easily?

Foxie said...

Oh how cool! I've been thinking about getting the Balmain for fall...should I get the blazer or the peacoat?

Anonymous said...

DIY fun! Cool.
I love those Balmain boots!

Kevin @ myMANybags said...

Hi Sean (Luxury Obsessed),

the same question goes as well to Hérmes... how creative are Hèrmes ready to wear pieces? You can probably buy all the uniqlos and still get the same look?:-P

That should answer. Balmain like Hérmes is not about creativity. It's more about the concept of luxury and craftsmanship. Both brands do it in their own way that reflects their brand personality.

If you want creativity, Prada and Balenciaga is the brand to buy:-)

Kevin @ myMANybags said...

Hey Foxie, I get the blazer. U can wear that more often.:-)

Kelsey.Duckett said...

I LOVE your DIY Paul & Joe Navy Blazer...I've been searching for a great blazer for fall...do you know where I could find a blazer just like yours? Or..I would be more than willing to buy it from!...Think about it: )