Self Made Woman

While we all love our little designer dresses; note Mint by Jodi Arnold, Alice + Olivia, Susana Monaco, Poleci, Nanette Lepore, etc., a little DIY can also be good for the soul. Don't you think? We found these pieces of khaki linen for free while on a roadtrip. The linen pieces received an amateurish cut and some stitches.

The piece looked washed out and unflattering. Hmm... So, this is the kind of case that calls for dangerous ideas. You know, those ideas that make you rummage through abandoned boxes in your garage, or basement, or wherever you keep those boxes full of stuff you never use. This is when one gets too creative. So, you buy things that you will only use once... the kind of things that end up in the garage anyways. Meanwhile, The pale little dress, just ironed by house-diva mother, hung pristinely on a vanilla-colored padded satin hanger. It was bland, unflattering, office-y. Just perfect to meet a boyfriend's grandma for the first time. The kind of dress that falls for dangerous ideas.

It first was attacked with metallic spray paint in diagonal strikes. It was a bit more flattering, but still boxy. Next, I ripped off the sleeves and crumbled it up.

Here it worn with Calvin Klein aviators, Flea Market jewelry, and Coach patent pumps.