DIY Fashion: Kindergarten Meets Clyfford Still

Top three favorite things: 1) Margaritas, 2) Fashion, 3) Art projects.

Top one favorite activity: A fashion-based art project fueled by margaritas!

This spring, designers such as John Galliano, Christian Lacriox, and Dolce and Gabbana have been drawing inspiration from the art world to produce amazing, eye-catching pieces that are an art school dropout’s (read: me) dream come true. And while pieces like this might be difficult to put together on a Sunday afternoon; with some ambition, craft supplies, and a little buzzed-up creativity, you too can be a part of this wikkid hot trend!

Necessary supplies:

* Something you want to spice up. This can be a dress, purse, pants, skirt, t-shirt…literally, anything. If you want to go blank canvas style, hit up American Apparel or save your money and just get a three pack of Hanes wife beaters. However, I personally think this project gets even more exciting when you’re working with something that already has a pattern on it, so don’t rule out that plaid skirt from your private school days.

* Paint. The options here are to purchase actual fabric paint, which can be a little pricey, or buy acrylic paint and mix it with fabric fixative. Plus, when you’re done, you can still use the leftover acrylic to create a piece for your wall that matches your gear. Yay! All of these materials are available at craft stores like Michael’s and Joanne’s Fabrics, or in the craft departments of some superstores.

* Paintbrushes. You can just go with one size, but I think using a few different sizes to create variation in the brush strokes makes the final result more interesting.

* Paper plates. Disposable, relatively eco-friendly paint trays.

* Bowl of water/paper toweling. For cleaning messes.

* An armature of sorts. I usually use a chunk of cardboard trimmed to the size I need for whatever I’m working on. Cheap and easy. (Just like you)

* Tape or tacks/pins. To hold the piece of clothing in place on the armature.

* Newspaper/tarp/an old sheet. This could get messy, and landlords frown upon paint-splattered floors.

* Margaritas. Though I suppose it could be argued this is not essential to the project, I beg to differ.

Recipe for disaster:

1.) Mix a margarita. Consume.

2.) Wash your sh*t. In this case, clean clothes are good because the paint will stick better/last longer.

3.) Cover the floor. Duh.

4.) Put the item on the armature. If you need to, affix it to the armature with the affixing items. *You might not actually need this. Some items are just more annoying to work with on an armature, but in the case of say, t-shirts, using one will probably save you a lot of headache.

5.) Pour/mix your paint. A lot of it. Because nothing is more annoying than to be in the middle of creating only to realize you have to stop and make some more pink.

6.) Grab your brush and go to town! For inspiration, here are some links to excellent arty designer examples:

Elle video

Elle slideshow

Blog

7.) Let it dry for at least a few hours. Because it would suck to go out to the bar thinking you’re all fly and end up getting paint all over the bar stool.

8.) To clean, hand wash in cold water. Lest you run the risk of ruining your artwork/tainting all the other clothing in the washing machine.

Tips:

- Tone ‘er down. I’m all for buckwild, but with a project such as this, it’s easy to go overboard. The first time around, it might be in your best interest to keep your design relatively simple, or at least take it slow.

- Bite off someone else’s sh*t. If you’re not sure where to start, take your cues from the OGs: abstract expressionist works are especially well-suited to this project.

- Embrace your inner kindergartener. Because it’s supposed to be fun, damnit!

DIY for life!