Wearable Art and Your Wardrobe

Accessorize your wardrobe with wearable art and create drama with your everyday look. I have always admired the wit and imagination of designers who transform everyday items into wearable art. Wearable art according to Wikipedia refers to individually designed pieces of (usually) hand-made clothing or jewelry created as fine or expressive art. There is a lot of interest today in recycling and so we see lots of wearable art coming from this eco drive to recycle. I have seen stunning jewellery made from:

-recycled PET bottles
-phone cards
-hair pins
-elevator buttons
-tooth picks
-acetate
-old wire
-and the list goes on.

Wearing jewellery pieces that are artistic masterpieces will certainly get you noticed as most pieces are individually designed and handcrafted. I like to call them conversational pieces as people will strike up a conversation with you which starts "where did you get that". Many persons are usually intrigued by the use of everyday material to create fashion. The last time I wore my hairpin necklace; a perfect stranger approached me and asked "are those hairpins?" She has since become a friend for life. So it turns out to be a good way of meeting people as well.

Wearable art comes in all shapes and sizes and takes its inspiration from many aspects of nature. Some designers use non-fiber materials such as leather, plastic sheeting, metals, etc. to create truly unimaginable, breathtaking and lifelike works of art.

As always, it is a matter of choice when selecting jewellery accessories for your wardrobe. You can go for jewellery that is fashioned after a flora and fauna theme where designers for example produce lifelike interpretations of nature. Look for ethnic and exotic jewellery pieces including brooches in:

-Copper and Brass
-Stone
-Clay
-Glass
-Silver

A banana leaf in copper and brass in the form of an earring or pendant or orchid brooches made from leather are just a few examples.  The more lifelike they look the more they will create intrigue and interest.

Most recently I came across a leather necklace in the shape of a hibiscus flower widely grown in the Caribbean. This necklace draped delicately around the neck and created a soft dramatic impact. Alternatively you can opt for the more abstract or eclectic pieces that are simple and eye-catching.

Accessorizing your wardrobe with wearable art does not only mean jewellery accessories but also includes belts, handbags, scarves, hats etc. Again look for accessories where designers have imaginatively transformed an everyday item into a work of art. Texture also becomes important. Look for bags for example which:

-combines leather with other materials such as goatskin, crochet, studs
-has an unusual shape
-uses leather with an embossed background or coloured leather
-has an unusual handle
-has a bold pattern

Look for elegant and timeless handcrafted accessories that you can use time and time again. Even if they are a bit more expensive than traditional jewellery just think that if you paid £50 for a piece of wearable art and was able to use it 25 times then the cost per wear is £2. More importantly you will have it for years to come providing it is a well made quality piece.

Then again can you put a price on the pride of wearing it and the compliments and attention you receive...priceless.

This article was written by Arline James-Thomas for Munique Fashion - muniquefashions.com. Munique brings you unique, quality handcrafted fashion and accessories from artisans around the world. These exotic designs communicate rarity and say something about you the wearer.

Why Women Love Luxury Handbags

As women we love to see the latest fashions especially the designer ranges of luxury handbags. Wikipedia describes the very interesting beginnings of the different designer names that we have all come to love and desire to own just one of these designer names such as
1. Balenciaga
2. Chanel
3. Christian Dior
4. Fendi
5. The House of Gucci
6. Marc Jacobs
7. Prada
8. Tod's and
9. Yves Saint Laurent

These designer names have been at the pinnacle of chic from the early 1900's down to today thanks to icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Jacqueline Onassis, Catherine Deneuve, Nicole Kidman, Audrey Tautou, Keira Knightley and Marilyn Monroe.

When browsing through the latest fashion magazine we view ads displaying the latest designer names with the new luxury handbags for the coming season in the latest fashion colors. Also there are pictures of these luxury designer handbags being worn by well known movie stars and celebrities. How glamorous, desirable and trendy these luxury handbags are. We are excited not only by the new season fashions but also by the desire to own just one or may be even two of these chic trendy handbags. No other handbag will do, we want to be the proud owner of the latest fashion designer handbag.

Questions that may run through your mind may include.

(a) Will I be the first of my friends to get an authentic designer handbag?

(b) How much do I have on my credit card?

(c) What should I buy a designer handbag or tote bag?

(d) What color will go with my new season wardrobe?

(e) Where can I view the latest range of name brand handbags?

(f) When can I buy my luxury designer handbag to show off to my friends?

The answers to these questions are very simple. If your friend/s had already purchased an authentic designer handbag you would have certainly known about it by now. When you go online and view the different designer ranges and new season colors you can make the decisions about the style and size of the bag you want to purchase and the best color to go with your new season wardrobe. The designer website will advise you of delivery times of your purchase. Now the last question only you can answer is how much do I have on my credit card?

There are a large selection of the latest fashion designer handbag brands to choose from Balenciaga, Chanel, Christian Dior, Fendi, The House of Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Tod's and Yves Saint Laurent online. As these designers styles differ in design and materials you will work out in a short period of time that only a few of the designer styles appeal to you. Simply go online and select only authentic designer handbag websites. Browse thru the different styles and color ranges until you find that special one that jumps out of the page at you. There it is the one you will purchase. Now with the designer brand name and product information at your ready take a moment to browse the discounted authentic designer name brand handbags websites. If you are having problems finding your chosen designer handbag simply email a few designer websites with your product information and color choices.

In conclusion the answer to Why women love luxury handbags is very simple the majority of women love fashion, want to feel beautiful and to be surrounded by beautiful things. I remember a famous person, sorry the name escapes me at the moment, once said if you want to create beautiful things you need to be surrounded by beautiful things. I totally agree with that statement.

These luxury handbags are chic and are made even more appealing by movie stars and celebrities. Browse the internet for your favorite designer handbag and then view discounted authentic designer handbag websites. You may be able to pick up your handbag choice at a good discount. Ladies we all love a bargain and that would be the icing on the cake. You would not only fulfill the majority of ladies desire to purchase their own luxury handbag but save money on your purchase at the same time.

Enjoy your luxury handbag purchase and show it off to all your friends. Mission accomplished.

Marcia McNamara [http://www.handbagbrandsonline.com]HandbagBrandsOnline.com is dedicated to helping ladies enjoy the experience of owning an affordable authentic Handbags, Tote Bags or Wallets. Visit today for some incredible deals.

While you are there be sure to subscribe to our bi-weekly designer fashion news, discounts and new products.

Finding Designer Handbags For You

If you are a woman and love dressing well, there is no doubt that designer handbags must be an essential part of your fashion statement. They are not merely something to keep your money or makeup in; it's much more than that. They give a definition to your outfit and enhance your look. No wonder, a woman can sometimes feel incomplete without a hand bag.

Designer purses are an integral part of your dressing up. There is no doubt that they stand a class apart. However, they don't come cheap all the time; which means that if you want a designer handbag, then you need to shell out a good sum of money. Though they are durable and good looking, they can definitely get expensive.

Brands like Coach, Gucci, Fendi, Prada, Dolce, Versace, Chanel, Louis Vuitton or Kate Spade and Jessica Simpson handbags are coveted by women all over the world. It's a dream of every woman to own these designer hand bags.

If women had their way, they would love to make a style statement with one of these bags even if it meant going without salary for the entire year! Although celebrities like such as Hayden Panatierre can buy a designer handbag every week, there are still ways and means to get designer handbags at a price which is not fatal to your budget.

Generally, most women would tell you that shopping is one of their favorite hobbies. If you keep your eyes open, you can land some great deals in discounted handbags. Try looking at some stock clearance sales or shops which have a surplus stock. There are chances that you may get a designer bag like Dooney and Bourke medium Lucy bag for half the price.

Cheaper designer handbags can be bought at TJ Maxx, Kohls or Marshall's. Spend some time digging into their vast collections and chances are that you may land up a great deal and a great looking purse. Clearance sales at these places can get you your favorite handbags at great costs. Another place to look at are vintage shops and thrift stores which are located around the city. Some outlet malls can also be worth a visit since some times you may strike gold there.

The internet is also a great option for people who are not avid walkers or shoppers. The key is to visit online stores and sites which have promotions, discounts, clearance sales and you may get your dream designer handbag at a great price. Check out all the links and sites which talk about selling designer bags for a great discount. You never know, you might get your purse at an unimaginably low price!

Keep a look out for good deals in online and brick and mortar shops as well. This will help you to get the designer handbags of your dreams without going over your budget.