Mori Girl: NEW Ofelia Ljuv SS2012 pieces!

New Ofelia Ljuv Collection SS 2012 pieces!

One of the things I always like to ask my stockists (boutiques I sell at) is for feedback. If you strive to improve upon product, services, and yourself - feedback is essential unless you want to be stuck in a habit of simply doing everything the same. I do not care if it’s hurtful, blunt, or even minor. Anything helps because if I am going to change AND succeed I will take the hits early and get over my ego. 

One of my stockists, Nathalie, had told me months ago certain things I should look into for my Ofelia Ljuv Collection. My Ofelia Ljuv Collection is all about Mori Girl aesthetics - bringing in the natural world, upcycling scrap fabrics and laces, and using bits and pieces of found objects. She had told me that I should consider silk and linens for backings of my pendant necklaces and brooches because some people are allergic to wool. That, wool was also a material limited to seasonality. She said that I should explore other color options since my palette was limited to beiges, creams, and browns. There was also positive feedback received on the versatility of certain pieces - combinations where a headpiece could be a brooch and necklace.  At the same time she said my aesthetic was very romantic and feminine which means I should attempt to test the bridal market. 

Marionette Atelier Etsy Updated

Well, the Ofelia Ljuv collection under my brand, Marionette Atelier has finally been updated. Check it out and support my work. :) I’m moving on to other genres very soon. I’ll keep you guys updated.

Dolly Kei Swap - Finished Handmade Items and More!

Dolly Kei Swap items: the elusive Baroque HUE tights, handmade headpiece and handmade upcycled aboriginal hunted fur with removable bow and chains. 

I finally completed my Dolly Kei Swap items! My besfriend, Aya has been looking for those HUE tights since we saw it on the Anthropologie website. We've tromped though some of Toronto's best and high-end legging stores in Yorkville (3-4 stores to be exact) and never found it. It wasn't until we went to the iconic Bay on Queen-Yonge that we found a few pairs. Aya, Em, and I bought them out. Scary - herd mentality among friends. I bought two pairs: one for my Swap partner because she wanted tights and since we seemed to have similar tastes I went ahead with the purchase. It was a really really good sale. (You'll hear this a lot on here because it's my sad attempt to justify my spending habit). 70% off the original price. These are expensive and limited edition tights so it was really worth it. 

I just finished her headpiece since she liked Mori Girl (like myself) I thought a small and subtle headpiece would be good for both Dolly and Mori Girl. Finally, the epic fur tail. She requested for accessories and wouldn't mind fur. It's upcycled fur - it's not new nor vintage. It's aboriginal-hunted and it's a true wild fox. I cut the tail in half and gave her the top part. I hope she likes it. She stated maroon as one of her favorite colors. Since, I like that color too I had really expensive Mokuba (Japanese-imported) ribbon with a medieval feel, made a rose, and added some Dolly Kei-esque charms and viola! Done. The bow and chain is removable so she can use it in her Classic Lolita outfits, too. Versatility is key to whatever I make. 

Here are some close-ups of the handmade items:

 

And...some pictures of the process of making my flowers:

I hung out with a friend and we went to Zara. He ended up buying a pure leather jacket for a awesome price of $59.99 - so jealous! I bought that pink top and the teddy bear top on sale, also. $6 and $10, respectively. The skirt was an early 2011 buy for $10 at H&M which I knew I could coordinate into Dolly Kei. Oh, and there are my pair of Baroque tights by HUE from The Bay. 

 Lastly, a picture of my coordinate for yesterday. I toned down the eyeliner and I forgot to put on my glasses as I had by sister take this picture with my iPhone before she went to work. Tehehe. I have a fatty face and I'm beady eyed without my glasses. One thing I can say about this coordinate is that playing with 5 colors in Mori Girl is hard.

Headpiece: Handmade by Marionette - my brand 

Cardigan: Costa Blanca

Necklace: Handmade by Marionette - my brand 

Ruffled Lace Top: Shopruche.com

Long Shirt Dress: Shopruche.com

Skirt: Pmall

Belt: H&M

Tights and Boots: Aldo

Giant Posting: The past 3-4 months!

I have been MIA for a little while due to some personal and family issues. The most recent one happened the beginning of this week. I missed a week of school in an attempt to resolve it. Hopefully, things turn out for the better. :)

I have been pretty busy the past few months.

FanExpo Lolita: I took part in a friend's Lolita presentation and fashion show. I lent a lot of items and while it didn't turn out as I had thought it would be (measurement bloopers with people I was lending the items to) it was still an experience. Here are a few pictures and videos of it:

Got our pictures taken with a group of Storm Troopers.

Participants of the Lolita Fashion Show

A selca of Aya and I using my iPhone 4 and an additional complete outfit shot of our Hime Lolita coordinates. I look very tired because I had absolutely no sleep the day before. It's usually like this when I attend a local Lolita Meet and it's even worst when I set one up. I haven't hosted one by myself in over a year because of just how emotionally and physically draining it is. 

Lolita High Tea Meet: My bestfriend, Aya, set this one up at the Windsor Arms Hotel. Definitely, an experience that was unexpected. High tea is very fancy but I found most of the food to be overly sugary for my tastes. Next time, Aya and a few friends of mine will be going to a fancy Yorkville one with macaroons. Here are a few pictures of my outfit and hers:

Interesting angled photo from Aya's photographer friend, Shin.

Aya's gorgeous coordinate. The first time she's attempted Classic Lolita. 

Beautiful chandelier above our table. 

Creations: The past few months I have been having an on-and-off relationship with my creativity. It prompted these creations to be made.

Gyaru fur puff.

Hot pink Gyaru fur puff.

Weekly Outfit Shots since September: If I feel up for it I usually try to dress my best at least ONCE a week to feel as if buying all the (expensive) clothes that I buy is somehow justified. Here are a few that I managed to take photos of.

Danier leather jacket, H&M schoolgirl blouse, Bttsb Circus Tutu skirt that (gift from Aya), and Aldo boots (gift from SO). 

Aldo headband, H&M ruffle vest, Anthropologie dress, UP belt,  Aldo tights, and Zara boots.

Handmade headpiece, Pmall lace dress, XXI belt, and Aldo boots (gift from SO).

Handmade headpiece, H&M cardigan, Jane Marple tartan gown, UP belt, and Aldo boots.

XXI earrings, Zara dress, H&M leggings, and Aldo boots.

XXI wool hat, offbrand turtleneck, handmade necklace, offbrand skirt, Aldo belt, H&M leggings, and Aldo flats.

NUIT BLANCHE: I actually was helping out a friend I met as a customer from work with his fashion show for the Nuit Blanche / The Art of Fashion event. I didn't take many pictures because for some reason one of his models bailed and...well...I got drafted to model one of his creations. It was fun and I loved helping him! Mark Aguliar, you are pure win. Hope we collaborate again someday. 

An interesting creation. But, the hem is uneven. By another designer. 

Could be a wedding dress. By another designer.

Selca of Aya and I at Nuit Blanche after the fashion show. 

 My outfit for Nuit Blanche. I was going with the Belle Epoch theme that The Art of Fashion event had going on...and there's a screenshot of the outfit I modelled for Mark Aguliar. His 'clown' costume. Had me all worried. But, it's actually reminiscent of those French porcelain dolls I had as a child.

SHOPPING / GIFTS HAUL: I make no mistake when I call myself a shopaholic. I love it and it's a bit of an addiction. Here's what I've managed to buy and photograph for the past...3-4 months.

 

A strange fabric I bought from work that I still have absolutely no idea what to do with and Aldo bow bag and bow flats as a belated B-day present from my little sister. 

Beautiful over-the-knee socks from Legs Beautiful in Yorkville. What can I say? I like my hose.

                                                                          

Anthropologie cardigan that reminds me of one of my favourite Japanese brands, Juliette et Justine and tights!

Giant MOKUBA haul. They had a sale recently and I spent $126 on over 70 metres of trims. Collectively, I've spent a little over $300 on trims there in the past 3 weeks. :'( But, you'll see why I did that.

A Gunne Sax muslin dress that I found at an Ossington/Queen vintage store and a beautiful $180 dress that my SO bought for me as an early Xmas present. :)

Crochet gnome houses my mom made for me a few months ago.

iPhone 4 - Facetime! I recently moved away and I don't get to see my dog or his owner much. But since we both have iPhone 4's I have been able to see Cookie daily. Including him in training sessions with food on his face! :)

Aya's Marionette creations for Happi Kiss her Gyaru line: We both love fur even though we previously didn't and I am glad to see her able to work with upcycled fur tails with me modelling them.

HALLOWEEN: My small group of girlfriends decided to go with a theme this Halloween. French Maids. Yes, I wore this to work and my whole department dressed up! Then, after work I had a dinner party at my sister's place in which we all cooked dinner together. :) Best Halloween ever, guys!

The Dinner.

My co-worker, P. and I.

Co-workers: P., M., me, and J.

 The Kapok Shop and Marionette (my lines: Ofelia Ljuv and Noirette) pictures: My mom does crocheting and here are her most recent creations compiled with older ones. While my own creations vary (I hate crocheting) and I've been quite productive of the late. I hope to post everything on Etsy very soon. I had planned to do it a week ago but my computer had erased a piece of itself while my SO was restoring it. I always use MOKUBA trims. Nothing but the highest quality for my products.

Cult of Kawaii!

Gnome Houses + Bags, Hybrid Pigs, Cactus, and Mushrooms!

                      Mori Girl headpiece and Russian Nesting Doll necklace! 

 Mori Girl Flower Headpiece with Narural-Kei earrings made from burnt chiffon.

Burnt chiffon necklace inspired by a paper rose necklace I saw at Anthropologie for $48 CDN.

 Dolly-Kei fur puff and Moite-inspired colored Gothic fur puff made from upcycled rabbit fur.

 Gyaru, Dolly-Kei, and Mori Girl styled fur puffs and tails.

 My latest creations. I revamped the first picture and the puff was inspired by Minnie Mouse.

Mori Girl inspired bag dangles. Hanging position.

Laying down on my bedsheets. Beautiful, no?

The leftover furs that I need to work with. Sorry for the blurry pictures. 

Finally, my most recent outfit: I had been meaning to do a Lolita closet purge and this skirt was one of the things I had been considering. But, now that I am able to coordinate it in Dolly-Kei style. I've decided to keep it.