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    Runway to Reality

    DIY fashion: Try the season's hottest looks with help from Do-It-Yourselfexperts

    Merritt Beck
    Dec 20, 2011 | 8:30 am
    • Plaid Cape DIY by P.S.- I made this...
    • Color-Block Pants DIY by Honestly...WTF
    • Leather Wrap Bracelet DIY by I Spy DIY

    Unless you're an A-list celebrity or have an easily disposable income, most of us don't have the ability to purchase those highly coveted runway looks and hottest pieces we see each season.

    While we are fortunate to have stores such as Zara and TopShop that offer stylish pieces for less, you often have to dig deep to find items of great quality. A niche in the blogging world that is quickly becoming a favorite of mine is a group of those that dedicate their editorials to creative do-it-yourself (aka DIY) projects.

    With their help, you too can wear the season's "it" pieces for half the price. It's a fun way to test out new trends while also adding your own unique signature to them. Below are my favorite DIY style blogs and some projects to keep you entertained and fashionable during the holidays.

    P.S.- I made this...

    Probably the most famous of the DIY blogs, P.S.- I made this... writes solely about do-it-yourself projects. What's great about P.S.- I made this... is how it provides a collage of the trend so you can get an idea of how to use it, and then follows that with a graphic containing detailed instructions on how to complete the task.

    One trend I've been wanting to try out is a plaid cape, but I don't feel like spending a fortune on such a random piece. Thankfully, P.S.- I made this... recently wrote a feature on it! Instead of spending upwards of $300, I'll only be spending about $10-20!

    One trend I've been wanting to try out is a plaid cape, but I don't feel like spending a fortune on such a random piece. Thankfully, P.S.- I made this... recently wrote a feature on it! Instead of spending upwards of $300, I'll only be spending about $10-20!

    All you need to buy are two yards of plaid wool or cotton flanel in your favorite color combo. To make the cape, fold the fabric in half and place a hat at the top of the fold halfway down (see picture #1). Use a pair of scissors to cut a hole around the hat which will serve as a neck hole.

    Keep the scraps from the neck hole and any you may have cut off to shorten the length of the cape and use it to create a thin belt for the cape. Feel free to attach a variety of pins and buttons to add your own flair to the cape.

    For more DIY ideas visit P.S.- I made this... - you can also purchase an archive of her projects in the book she recently published. Click here to buy it.

    Honestly... WTF

    Color blocking has been a major focus this last year and will continue into 2012. Designers like Diane Von Furstenberg, Camilla & Marc and Alexander Wang are all contributing a variety of color-blocked pieces for Spring, but most are at least $350.

    If you're not sure about spending a ton on a two-tone piece, try out Honestly...WTF's color-block pant DIY! Grab an old pair of khakis or boyfriend jeans, a flat paint brush, roll of masking tape and a fun hue of fabric or craft paint. Place the tape where you want the color-blocking to begin, and then paint the pants below that line (see picture #2).

    Once it is completely dry, turn the pants inside out, place more tape in the same spot and paint. After the inside is dry, remove the tape and voila! Color-blocked goodness at your fingertips.

    Try it out with your favorite colors - I think white jeans with a red or blue block would be incredible. If you'd like to show a little skin, try this same technique on a skirt or pair of shorts - the options are endless!

    For more DIY ideas from Honestly...WTF, click here to view their archive.

    I Spy DIY

    With Man Repeller Leandra Medine coining the Arm Party, everyone is stocking up on beautiful bangles, bracelets, wraps, watches, etc. Make your own leather wrap bracelet with I Spy DIY's instructions.

    Head over to Michael's or Hobby Lobby and get a foot of leather (or whatever other fabric you'd like to use), a gold or silver ring, superglue and a pair of snaps. Cut the leather two inches longer than the circumference of your wrist, wrap the leather around the ring and sup glue the end down (see picture #3).

    Next place the wrap onto your wrist and measure out where the buttons snaps will go. Glue the snaps on opposite ends of the leather. Finally, let the leather dry and then you're good to go! Experiment with different widths or add some edge by attaching a row of studs.

    For more from I Spy DIY, click here.

    Beck is the editor of fashion and personal style blog, The Style Scribe.

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    BIJOU BAGS

    Houston designers' diamond-adorned handbags turn heads in Hollywood

    Gabi De la Rosa
    Nov 5, 2025 | 10:30 am
    Kim Wilson and Mary Kay Bowden
    Photo courtesy of 11 Juillet
    Houston-based twins Mary Kay Bowden and Kim Willson, co-founders of 11 Juillet.

    Houston twins Mary Kay Bowden and Kim Willson are showcasing their Southern roots and global perspective with the launch of 11 Juillet. The brand's fine jewelry and luxury handbags are already favored by A-listers including Katie Holmes, Leslie Bibb, Jenna Ortega, Emma Roberts, and Jennifer Aniston.

    11 Juillet, named after the twins’ birthday, debuted its first collection in March. The line blends Italian craftsmanship with modern elegance, featuring handbags made from Italian calfskin leather and jewelry made with malachite, mother-of-pearl, onyx, and ethically sourced diamonds.

    “I’ve called Houston home for about 20 years, and Kim’s been here for about four,” Bowden tells CultureMap. “We originally grew up in Kentucky, where we first began to appreciate quality craftsmanship. In our early twenties, we spent time in New York, where we were introduced to fashion and design, followed by countless trips to Paris that deepened our appreciation for Parisian art and elegance. Once we settled in Texas, we were inspired by the South’s distinctive style.”

    Handbags range from $8,000 to $20,000, depending on diamond selections. Each purse features a medallion made with diamonds and natural stones ranging from 3.4 to 17 carats. The medallions are removable and can be worn as jewelry.

    Leslie Bibb 11 Juliet Celebrity Leslie Bibb is a fan of the Houston-based brand 11 Juillet. Photo courtesy of 11 Juillet

    Each 11 Juillet handbag is made to order in Tuscany, where Italian artisans craft the designs from full-grain calfskin. “After visiting artisans across the globe, we found Italy’s heritage of leather craftsmanship is unmatched,” they explain. “We are closely involved in designing each silhouette and communicate with our Italian artisans daily, frequently visiting Italy to ensure every piece is made with the utmost precision and the finest materials.”

    Their debut collection, Éclat de Joie, which translates to “radiance of joy,” represents what they stand for. “To us, the Éclat de Joie is the heart of 11 Juillet, a symbol of light, joy, and individuality,” said Wilson. “Each star medallion represents the harmony between natural beauty, technical mastery, and personal expression.”

    Currently, 11 Juillet is available online only, though the brand hosts pop-ups in various cities where merchandise is available on-site.

    “Success, for us, isn’t about chasing trends, but about creating heirloom-worthy pieces through timeless designs that hold meaning, reflect exceptional craftsmanship, and can be treasured and passed down for generations,” said Bowden.

    As Houston’s fashion scene continues to grow, Bowden and Willson see the Bayou City as the perfect home base. “We are based in Houston, which is known for its effortless elegance and love of diamonds. We are inspired by Texas’s fashion scene and we wanted to create handbags that let you wear your diamonds not just as jewelry, but as modern heirlooms to be cherished and passed down.”

    Kim Wilson and Mary Kay Bowden 11 Juliet

    Photo courtesy of 11 Juillet

    Houston-based twins Mary Kay Bowden and Kim Willson, co-founders of 11 Juillet.

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