Koko Yamase – Kakkoii Couture Remake

DIY – Transitional Piece 2: Tie-in Sweater

Posted on Jan 27, 2011 in Koko Yamase - Kakkoii Couture Remake, Musank's Projects | 4 comments

I love wearing ties. Exhibit number one is here. When I wear a tie normally, it gives a special edge of confidence and invincibility that stay with me throughout the day. I love it.

But when Koko Yamase suggests this alternate way of wearing a tie, I was excited. There’s some playful but still stylish vibe coming off from this sweater. You can wear it edgy with some black jegging and motorcycle boots, or schoolgirl girly with circle skirt, socks, and oxford shoes or mary-janes.

This is actually a reconstructed sweater (I got this XXL men’s sweater and yellow Armani tie at Community Thrift Store in Valencia St.). And actually, it really is pretty easy to make.

What I did is just shorten the sleeves for the sweater in the beginning. Then I take the tie and literally cut it off in the middle. Then mark the two points on the sweater’s right and left shoulders’ stitch lines where I want the tie to “appear” from.

When you have those two points (wear the sweater and check the points in front of the mirror one more time to make sure), sew the two parts of the tie on their respective point along the stitch line. Make sure it’s secure and you’re done.

Contrasting colors work great, and I love to see the yellow pops up, hugging the grey. A bonus point is that since it’s a finely knitted wool sweater, it is breezy enough to wear until early spring. Definitely one of my favorite pieces right now.

Try it out,
Musank

Three New Additions to My Wardrobe

Posted on Oct 16, 2010 in Koko Yamase - Kakkoii Couture Remake, Musank's Projects, Muses | 3 comments

Once again, thank you Koko Yamase for pushing me into reconstructing these men’s sweaters and dress shirts even though I’m lazy :)

It’s my first time doing sewing projects like this, so of course the results are not perfect. Nevertheless, I’m so happy when each of them came out as I expected. The feeling of glee when I held them up for final inspection is really something to remember.

All of the men’s sweaters (brown and black) and men’s dress shirt are from thrift stores, and I’m so thrilled to make these happened. Now I’m in the process of making (at least) 2 more using guides from the very same book!

I’m telling you: get one. Especially if you’re curious about fashion but much lazier than full-time fashion designers :)

Have a great weekend,
Musank

Kakkoii Couture Remake by Koko Yamase

Posted on Sep 21, 2010 in Koko Yamase - Kakkoii Couture Remake, Musank's Projects, Muses | 0 comments

August 2011 Update: It’s been a while, but one day I found the time to do one of the projects, specifically the one on the book cover. So fun, pretty painless (it took several hours to complete it, but it’s mostly because I don’t have a dress form and had to go back and forth to the mirror to check myself…I meant, the alignment of the pieces :) ).

It’s not perfect, but I’m pleased with the result. Combining a nude-colored cotton tank top and a men’s XL crew-neck cotton T-shirt (both from Target) yielded this comfortable, easy-to-wear-in-hot-days casual dress that I really love. Next summer, I will totally wear this again!

A month ago I went to SF Japan Town’s Kinokuniya book store and found “Kakkoii Couture Remake” by Koko Yamase. If you’re into DIY clothing, I highly recommend you to buy it at Kinokuniya nearest you. Yamase-dono brings Matriochka (yes, the site is beautiful) to the fashion world, and this book is so inpirational even for non-Japanese speaking people with limited sewing skills.

But wait! Now you don’t have to stress over your lack of Japanese language knowledge :) Now the translated-to-English “Cut-Up Couture: Edgy Upcycled Garments to Sew” is available! There’s no excuse for you DIY fashion lovers not to have this book.

It encourages you to cut and reshape men’s sweatshirts, T-shirts, and dress shirts into beautiful, fashionable couture. Carly Cais of Chic Steals shares her step-by-step tutorial, directly adapted from Kakkoii Couture Remake, of my favorite piece in the book: convertible blouson tunic. Seriously, you will seriously consider buying a sewing machine if you don’t have one already.

You’ve been warned. Have fun,
Musank