I have a postcard of the Orangerie at Versailles on the bulletin board above my sewing machine. I remember my first visit, and how enthralled I was with its extreme precision.

A sculpted and geometric garden like l’orangarie appeals to the part of my brain that likes it when things are orderly; the part of me that arranges my shoes by color in my closet.

image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

But I also love the idea of a wild and unruly garden. I have an aunt who lives in London, and she is an avid gardener. Her garden is a gorgeous riot of color and texture, without a straight line or a sharp corner in sight. It’s an incredibly relaxing place to be!

Which is the inspiration for my spring 2012 collection: that feeling you get when you stroll through or sit quietly in a garden.

Whether they are allowed to run wild or are severely organized, growing things lend a certain calm that really can’t be reproduced in any other way. I named my 2012 spring collection sanctuary in honor of that calm.

the sanctuary wristlet in progress

Green and gray had been on my mind for a while already, and the idea of a garden getaway fit in perfectly with that color scheme.

(Perhaps I am in need of a vacation, if I’ve been fantasizing about leafy green retreats for the last few months?)

cotton jersey, double-faced satin, and hand dyed silk ribbon

As you well know, I love to play with textures and different types of fabric, and this collection is no different.

In my rather tight color palette of green and gray (with a bit of black), I used denim, twill, silk dupioni, silk voile, ultrasuede, wool felt, velveteen, and linen, plus all types of ribbon. You might even see a little bit of beading!

(denim, silk dupioni, velveteen, linen, twill, and cotton)

The new collection will be out next week. As always, insiders will see the pretties first, as well as get a very nice exclusive introductory price. Click here to join up, so you’re not left out of that deal!

Several dates, actually…my calendar is already filling up with spring events!

Check out the list below for places you can see me and the entire Holland Cox line in person…and stay tuned for additional dates! (Just so you know: insiders always know when something’s coming up.)

April 15 ~ The Spring Bada Bing, Richmond VA

April 22 ~ Dazzling Details Wedding Bazaar, Savage MD

May 12-13 ~ Art Star Craft Bazaar, Philadelphia PA

July 14 ~ Ballston Arts & Crafts Market, Arlington VA

See you there!

As you know, one of my favorite crusades is encouraging you to experiment with color! This spring, I’m all about green.

As with my how to wear orange series, I’ll start by pairing green with a neutral. In my mind, the neutral that goes best with green is navy blue.

Navy blue is very serious…school uniforms are navy. Your interview suit is probably navy.

Adding green (either bright apple green or bold emerald green) makes navy much more fun, without being any less sophisticated. Even a flirty little skirt with a sweetly polka dotted top still looks quite polished in green and navy.

For a more casual look, let your navy blue be a pair of jeans. I know you have a pair of jeans you love and a black and white top that looks great on you…add a green belt or green shoes and you’re good to go!

(The easiest way to experiment with color is to try it on accessories.)

Silver jewelry adds sparkle, and a bit of bright red pulls it all together in a very classy way that is still summery and fun.

What do you think? Do you wear green with navy? Do you have anything navy blue that could use something to spice it up a bit?

Last summer, when I first started thinking about purples and blues for my la acquabella collection, I already knew that my next collection was going to be all about green.

fabrics for the spring collection: green & gray

I’ve been in love with a certain shade of bright, apple green for a long time…probably since 2005 or so. I’ve used it very often in previous collections (just a few examples…the brisbane wristlet from fall 2010; the evermore envelope clutch from spring 2010; the mint julep classic from fall 2008), but this is the first time that green will be the star of the show!
reverse applique in progress, for an envelope clutch

This is the best part of my job…I’ve been having the most fun mixing fabrics and textures, and coming up with new ways to create a handbag worth coveting. I never want to make anything that’s too much what you could find at the mall…what’s the point of that?
patchwork envelope clutch in progress

The collection will be out on April 26. As always, newsletter subscribers will see the goodies first, as well as get a pretty sweet introductory price. Become an insider and don’t get left out!
applique on a wristlet in progress

Check out my Pinterest board to see some of my inspirations for this collection…and stay tuned for lots of awesome ways to wear one of my favorite colors…how do you like to wear green?

You hear it all the time – don’t be too matchy-matchy. Magazines and style bloggers and Nina Garcia and everyone and their mother (and me, too) are always telling you to mix it up.

So what’s the big deal? Matching is boring, for one thing. It takes all the joy out of fashion. Matching is only about clothes, and never about style. Matching is for uniforms (which is fine if “flight attendant” is the look you’re going for). Matching is for newborn twins, when it’s time to pose for cutesy pictures for grandma. Matching is not for you!

You might look at the ganges classic handbag here, and think you can only wear it with certain things.

You might think that your outfit had better have royal blue or bright purple in it. Or, you might not have anything that matches exactly, and therefore think you have to wear all gray and black.

Not true, my friends!

For this look, I didn’t try to “match” the handbag. The girl wearing this outfit carries the ganges classic handbag every day, not just when she’s wearing blue or purple.

The scarf works with the handbag (even though the blues don’t match and there’s no purple at all in the scarf) because they have the same clean lines…bold blocks of color on the bag, sleek stripes on the scarf.

The pink accessories work (even though there’s only a tiny bit of pink in the scarf and nowhere else) because they share the same style as the other items…soft and feminine like the scarf, ladylike and classy like the little jacket.

See what I mean? Think about something colorful that you already own. (If you don’t have anything colorful, I think you know that I can help you out with that.) What else in your closet can coordinate with it? What else do you have that is similar in style or in the details, but not necessarily in color? Think about putting them together, and let me know how it turns out!

We are deep into fashion “week” for fall 2012 (today is the last day in New York, and the London shows start tomorrow!), but I am more concerned about what to wear this spring, and what to shop for right now…perhaps what you might see featured in your favorite fashion magazines next month.

These are my favorites from the New York shows for this spring. Check out my picks from London, Paris, and Milan, too (all runway images from Style.com).

wedge sandals from Derek Lam
I love snakeskin. Therefore these wedges are quadruple-y awesome for mixing four different skins together! I love the mix of colors!

But what I especially liked about the wedge sandals in his collection in general was that the print was on the wedge. A bit unexpected, and a cool way to make your go-to summer shoes really interesting. Love it!

adorable bags from Marc Jacobs
Colorblocking, precious little size, and a single strap with a huge buckle…I love everything about these little bags!

I love a single strap on a handbag (which is why I designed my classic handbag with a single strap), and you rarely see it anymore. I really like that every part of the bag is a different color. Of course, the yellow is extra-awesome.

wide belts from Micheal Kors
You can always depend on Michael Kors for clean lines and modern style, and these belts are no exception. I love how substantial they are, made of thick leather with oversize holes, and nice and wide. You’ll wear a belt like this for decades, truly.

Of course, I’d want one in black and brown, and probably snakeskin and purple or something wild as well!

printed scarves from Carolina Herrera
The great thing about a pretty scarf is that it is perhaps the easiest way to add interest or color instantly to any outfit.

Printed scarves are so easy to wear, and an inexpensive way to experiment with your style. The ones at Carolina Herrera caught my eye because of the graphic print, and of course the green one is my favorite!

statement necklaces from Donna Karan
Normally I’m much more interested in statement earrings than necklaces, but for some reason these necklaces caught my eye, and I can’t stop thinking about them.

Perhaps because they are wooden, or because they have so much volume as to be almost more than just a necklace. Either way, I thought they were great looking!

(left: Elie Tahari; right: Christian Siriano, both spring 2012.)

the IT color: yellow
I had a hard time picking my favorite yellow looks from the New York shows, there were so many! But I decided on these two, first because they show the wide range of colors that fall under the umbrella of “yellow.” There is one out there for you, I promise!

Secondly, I really love the idea of yellow pants, and I think that’s the way I’m going to inject some yellow into my own spring wardrobe. Also, the Elie Tahari trousers are such a nice break from the skinny pants that have been everywhere!

The cute little Christian Siriano outfit shows an easy way to ease into wearing a bold color: keep it to your accessories! No shame in being matchy-matchy when your accessories are so bold!

For my spring wardrobe, I’m for sure going to look for printed wedges, and perhaps consider some bolder necklaces and a pair of golden yellow pants. What are you looking forward to wearing this spring?

Yes, it’s an utterly made up holiday. But what’s wrong with making up a reason to tell people around you that you care? Nothing. Especially if you do it with something handmade!

These fabric envelopes are an all-purpose gift. Whether you are celebrating February 14 with friends, family, or your sweetheart, you can do it with these pretty keepsake fabric envelopes.

This is a three-way tutorial, based on three types of fabric: a cotton print, silk dupioni, and thick and fluffy eco felt.

All three make really pretty ways to present your Valentine’s Day gifts, whether they are love letters, a simple greeting, or a gift card.

step 1: draft your pattern
This pattern is incredibly simple and can be made in pretty much any dimensions. Draw out your pattern on a bit of posterboard or paper you have laying around (newspaper perhaps? magazines from last month?).

Check out the image above. On my pattern, a = 4 inches and b = 8 inches. Make yours anything you like.

For the cotton and silk envelopes, you’ll need to add a seam allowance as well. I like to use a 3/8″ seam allowance, so that’s what I added to each edge.

step 2: choose a closure
We’re trying to keep this simple, yes? So we’ll need an envelope closure that is easy and attractive. I hate velcro, and snaps are ugly, and making buttonholes is a PITA, so I chose ribbon closures. I have a ton of ribbon, plus it’s so pretty and colorful!

I used grosgrain ribbon to go with the cotton and the felt, and double faced satin to go with the silk dupioni, for a more posh effect.

step 3: cut your fabric
Your next step is to cut the fabric. Use your paper pattern to cut one of whatever fabric you’re using. If you are using the cotton print, you’ll need two pieces of fabric, one for the outside and one for the lining.

step 4: attach the ribbon
For the cotton and silk envelopes, attach one end of the ribbon to the right side of the fabric at the point of the flap.

Make sure the ribbon is laying down on the fabric, with the other end towards the bottom of the envelope.

step 5: finish the edges
The next step for the silk envelope is to finish the raw edges. You’ll do this by folding and pressing down (to the wrong side) a narrow hem on all sides, and then stitching it down.

Fold down the tip of the envelope flap before you fold down the sides. I used a 3/8″ hem, but use a bigger one if it’s easier for you. Use a hot steamy iron to get nice sharp creases in your silk, then sew the hems down in matching thread, making sure to catch the ribbon when you sew the tip of the envelope flap.

For the felt bag, it doesn’t really matter which side you attach the ribbon, as felt does not have a “right side.” It’s up to you which becomes the right side when you do the topstitching.

I chose to topstitch so that the pointed tip of the envelope flap was visible, so my ribbon ended up being on the wrong side (it wouldn’t matter either way if I used topstitching thread in my bobbin, but I didn’t).

Topstitch along the angled edges of the flap, and along the envelope bottom.

step 6: sew together
For the cotton envelope, your next step is to sew the lining to the print. Sew all the way around, leaving at least 2″ along the bottom open.

Backstitch at the beginning and end of that opening, and make sure you don’t sew over the ribbon! Trim the corners and then turn it right side out. Iron flat, making sure all the corners and seams lie nice and flat.

Now all three envelopes are ready to be finished! Fold the bottom of the envelope to meet the bottom edge of the flap, and then sew along each side.

See the image above for a nice neat way to finish your seams…bring your top thread to the back side of the fabric using a hand needle, and then tie the thread ends together in a knot. It’s nicer looking than backstitching, and just as secure.

The last step is to fold down the envelope flap, and use a hot iron to flatten the crease…remember to use a press cloth when ironing your eco felt!

You’re done! Put your love letters or your Starbucks gift cards or your tickets to Hawaii (or whatever) inside your pretty fabric envelopes, and tie them up with the pretty ribbons.

You make these for any holiday of course, not just Valentine’s Day. Stuff the envelope full of cash for a newly wed couple or a college student, or make several as a super-fancy way to deliver invitations to a swank dinner party. Have fun with it, and let me see pictures of the ones you make!

Last week was couture week in Paris! The big news for me was all the gorgeous green at Armani Prive, and the return of perfection to Dior. Bill Gaytten might not officially have John Galliano’s job, but last week showed he’s definitely up for the task (all runway images from Style.com). So much pretty! Look:

details from Dior couture, spring 2012

One of my favorite things about couture is thinking about the amount of work that went into creating all that gorgeousness. As a sewer and a lover of fabric, these sort of contemplations never get old for me.

It got me thinking that the appeal of couture is really all about the details. The details – exaggerated silhouettes, unusual design elements, rare and unspeakably expensive fabrics – is what makes couture couture.

details from Armani Prive, spring 2012

I’m thinking we regular people can take a cue from the couture shows, and be more thoughtful about the details in our own everyday clothes.

When you go shopping, do you search out clothing with interesting or special details? Or are you still in the “plain means versatile” camp?

details from Giambattista Valli couture, spring 2012

When you put together outfits, do you find a way to add a little something to make your look special? Or do you put the same few items together over and over again?

When you look at your closet and lament that you have nothing to wear, is it because your “basics” are just too basic? Would you wear those items more often if they had a little something added to them?

prettiness from Elie Saab couture, spring 2012

Next time you go shopping, remember your favorites from the couture shows, and look out for the little things that make a garment special. An interesting lapel shape, a ruffled hem, gorgeous buttons. Step away from the plain and the boring!

Next time you find something in your closet you haven’t worn in months/years, think about whether a simple refashion that adds a few details can save it from the donation pile. It’s all in the details!

What does the word “versatile” mean to you?

I’m willing to bet when you think “versatile” in terms of clothing or accessories, you think neutral colors and plain styling.

It doesn’t have to be that way!

Something does not have to be plain and black to get lots of wear out of it.

The most versatile items you can own are those that are in the colors that look best on you, and styles that flatter you. So what are these things?

I’ll give you a hint… “plain and black” is not the answer. For anybody.

First of all, despite conventional wisdom, black does not look awesome on everybody. For some people, their dark neutral should really be navy blue, charcoal gray, or even chocolate brown.

And while black does look good on lots of people, it isn’t anybody’s BEST color. So when you pick that wardrobe staple with no interesting styling and in plain black, you are selling yourself (and your personal style) short.

So if you like purple, then you can wear the zambezi envelope clutch everyday. Even if you only sort-of like purple, but LOVE red, you can wear this clutch everyday, because purple looks awesome with red. So you look really fantastic in gray, and want a little color to punch it up? Zambezi clutch to the rescue. See what I’m saying?

So I will leave you with a little challenge…next time you’re at the store, and you find something you like, don’t buy the black (or white or khaki) one. Get the one in color. Trust me!

My new year’s resolution is to finally have the wardrobe of my dreams in 2012. I don’t plan on doing much shopping though…I’m going to refashion what I’ve got into fabulousness, and sew the rest from scratch!

This chocolate brown cardigan is a perfect candidate. How unspeakably dull is this thing? Why would I want to dress like Mr. Rogers (children’s TV show host is definitely not the theme of my wardrobe)? What could I have been thinking when I bought something so plain and verging on ugly?

I’ll tell you what I was thinking: I need something versatile. I say it all the time now, and I’m going to keep saying it: basic does not have to be boring.

Obviously, there was a time I did not know this. I mistakenly equated versatile with plain. It was during these dark times that I purchased this tragic and dull cardigan sweater.

Good thing I’ve seen the light, and now I can fix it!

Seriously, what is with these buttons? Not only are they absurdly large, they are a foul mud color! Not even the same chocolately brown as the sweater! Not nice.

Obviously the first step in this refashion is to ditch the fug buttons. I found these pretty golden ones at my local fabric store, and thought they would do nicely:

After cutting off the old buttons, I noticed that their extreme size had stretched out the button holes on the sweater. I didn’t want them to gape open over my new (smaller) buttons, so I knew my next step was to doctor the button holes.

I simply put a few stitches in the top of each button hole from the back side, using matching thread, to make each one about 1/4″ smaller.

Just changing out the buttons made such a big difference; I could have stopped there. But the cardigan still felt unfinished to me. It was still too dull to be something I would want to wear on purpose.

So I asked myself: what would “versatile” really look like? Not in the abstract, but in terms of what I actually wear or what I want to wear?

Well, it turns out I wear an awful lot of purple, red, and bright apple green. Those are the color shirts I’m most likely to be wearing under this cardigan, so why not add those colors to the cardigan itself?

I found this pretty hand spun yarn in my stash, which I believe I purchased from some local knitter at Crafty Bastards two years ago.

I had no idea what I was going to do with it when I bought it, but that’s almost always how it is with me. I decided to sew it onto the button placket and neckline of my cardigan in two long lines.

I used a very long and very narrow zig zag stitch to sew the yarn in place. I also put a new, blunt-nosed needle (especially for knits) in my machine. Sharper needles meant for woven fabrics can snag your knit fabrics; it’s especially important to avoid that when you’re topstitching on knits, like I did here.

Tragedy averted! My finished cardigan is interesting, colorful, versatile, and most importantly, something I actually want to wear, rather than something I just throw on because I don’t have anything else.

Shouldn’t every item in your wardrobe be like that?

I wore this sweater yesterday with a purple shirt underneath it, and got lots of compliments! More importantly, I felt really great in it…like myself. Before, it felt purely utilitarian – just another layer to put on because it was a bit cold outside. Now it’s something I want to wear, and feel good wearing.

That feeling is the difference between just wearing clothes, having a style all your own.

The whole process took me about an hour. What do you have in your closet that only needs a bit of attention to turn into something you love?

Soon, I’ll be offering one-on-one personal styling & wardrobe consulting, including customized refashions like this one. Click here to be notified when I’m ready to launch!

This is a Golden Globes post that is not about my favorite and least favorite dresses…this is red carpet commentary you can actually use. (Red carpet images from New York Magazine online.)

What can we learn from Sunday’s red carpet about keeping every eye in the room where it’s supposed to be – on you?

You probably don’t find yourself in need of red carpet dresses very often. But sometimes you do need to make an impression. Those are not the times to pull out your trusty black blazers or your sensible pants suits.

So. What to do when you need absolutely every eye in the room on you?

choose an unexpected silhouette
Neither Julianna Margulies (in Naeem Khan) nor Emma Stone (in Lanvin) are wearing what you would consider a traditional ball gown or cocktail dress. But they both look amazing, and appropriate for the event. No reason you can’t try the same trick!

Wherever you’re going, you probably have a good idea about what people normally wear to such a thing. Think about choosing something for yourself that’s just a little different.

pay attention to details
Evan Rachel Wood in this gorgeous green Gucci fantasy was one of my favorite dresses of the night. There is a lot going on here, and I love it all! Also, I have recently renewed my love affair with green, so green dresses (and things) have been catching my eye lately.

But the point is that this dress is all about the details, as is Dianna Agron’s red laser-cut confection. I don’t even really like the dress (from Giles Deacon), but you can’t deny it’s eye-catching.

And that, my friends, is the point of this exercise: imagine how many eyes passed over all the plain black dresses and smooth satin gowns to alight on Dianna!

don’t fade away
If you’ve read my blog before, you know what I’m about to say. I know that I harp on the lack of color and how it rarely does anybody any good, but can you tell me I’m wrong, looking at these two ladies?

Pretty girls, gorgeous dresses (from serious designers, too: Sarah Hyland is wearing Dolce & Gabbana and Katharine McPhee is wearing Donna Karan). Not worth a second look, either of them.

Imagine how much more awesome either of these dresses would be with just a drop of color. You’re nearly there, girls, come on!

When you need all eyes on you, just say no to neutrals.

bring it
Now here’s a curious case…I don’t really like Angelina’s Versace dress. I don’t particularly like white satin, not even on wedding dresses. But I can’t deny she looks amazing! Why? It’s not just because Angelina Jolie is a beautiful woman with an amazing figure. We have all seen Angelina look tragic and dull on the red carpet (it’s not nice).

No friends, this is all about attitude. Angelina is standing there like the Queen of the World, and damn if she doesn’t look the part. How could you tear your eyes away from her?

Tilda Swinton (in Haider Ackerman here), of course, always brings it, no matter what she wears. You probably couldn’t help but stare at her even if she was in sweatpants and a t-shirt. She just has that much presence.

wear the IT color
Yellow is the next big thing, loves, don’t let anybody tell you any different. I’ve been saying so since October.

Wearing the newest and the latest is of course an easy way to get attention, but it’s especially bold if it’s not a color that most people would go for. Let’s be honest, when red or blue is the “in” thing, you’re not going be able to stand out in a crowd wearing it.

Paula Patton (in Monique Lhuillier) is looking a bit too Fischer-Price to me (isn’t that the color of Play-Doh tubs?), and Missi Pyle’s dress is a bit bridesmaid, isn’t it? But I bet they are featured in 90% of blog posts about the Golden Globes this week.

If those dresses were black, I guarantee nobody would care.

Dressing up, walking the red carpet, and accepting awards are not the only times when you should think carefully about what to wear! You can use the same strategies to command attention that these ladies used, even if you’re not in a borrowed evening gown that costs more than your car.

Even on ordinary days doing ordinary things, you can think and dress strategically to put yourself in the spotlight. Maybe not every day, but sometimes you really do just need to have every eye on you.

Fashion people are already looking ahead to fall (the pre-fall collections are already out!), but we normal people are still thinking about what to wear this spring. Around here, some of us are already dressing for spring…the high was 56 yesterday!

Here are my favorites for this spring from the Milan shows. Check out my picks from London and Paris, too (all runway images from Style.com).

shoes from Dolce & Gabbana
There was lots to like at the Dolce & Gabbana show, but the painted wicker stuck out for me. They had bags of different sizes and colors (I loved the tiny clutches, obviously), but the wicker on the shoes really caught my eye. Especially the gold painted heel. So flashy and fun!

clutches from Bottega Veneta
Is there anything better than reptile skin clutches? Oh right, reptile skin clutches in bright colors. This is a no-brainer for me friends…it’s like these were made especially for me! I particularly like the interesting twist on the envelope closure.

When it comes to handbags, snakeskin or alligator (or crocodile or lizard or whatever…) is always going to be better than plain leather, and color is always going to be better than black or brown.

earrings from Marni
I have nothing against the Statement Necklace (and I have a feeling it’s going to be “in” for many more seasons to come), but if I’m going to wear oversized, obnoxious, flashy, or otherwise eye-catching jewelry, it’s going to be hanging from my ears, not around my neck.

I love huge, long, colorful, and graphic earrings, and Marni had all of the above. The best ones were orange or red!

fringed scarves from Missoni
I surprised myself with this one, friends…usually I do not go for fringe at all. It makes me think of silly cowboy costumes or tacky evening wear. But all the crazy excess in the Missoni spring 2012 show really appealed to me, for some reason (seriously, check it out: no minimalists need apply).

I completely fell in love with these super-long scarves with excessively long fringe. So dramatic, so colorful! These are fairly monochromatic, but the wildly printed ones were awesome, too. The fringed necklaces caught my eye, as well (didn’t I just say I’d rather skip the statement necklace?!).

(left: Pucci mini dress, right: D&G scarf dress, spring 2012)

the IT color: yellow
Yellow was all over the Milan runways, in many permutations: bright and bold solar power as decreed by Pantone, pale pastel yellow, and everything in between.

There were particularly lots of great examples of wild prints featuring yellow, which I think is a very easy and great looking way to incorporate yellow into your wardrobe.

The D&G outfit above is also a great example of how yellow can look great on someone who is pale and blonde. You don’t have to be a brunette or have dark skin to look fantastic in this bold, sunny color!

(Also: don’t be afraid to wear your yellow with gold jewelry. But that is for another post!)

When you start building your spring wardrobe, look out for bold earrings as well as the ever-present statement necklace. Think about the possibility of your summer staples of wicker, woven, and straw bags and such in color (or even metallic!) instead of nude tones. And what about experimenting with dramatic fringe? Tell me what you think!

Stay tuned for my favorites from New York!

It may seem crazy to think about spring in November, but trust me, time flies! You’ll be thinking about sandals and spaghetti straps before you know it. These are my favorite accessories from the spring 2012 runway shows in Paris. Check out my picks from the London shows, too.

I wanted to do Paris next, because I fell hard for the crazy shoes at McQueen and the huge clutches at Celine (all runway images from Style.com).

shoes at Alexander McQueen
I was lucky enough to see the McQueen show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art this summer, and it was a strangely emotional experience. Seeing his work up close & personal was amazing for me as a designer, but also as a sewer.

If you don’t know how to sew, it’s hard to explain how hard it is to get something like a frock coat perfect. The exhibit included a collection of them completely hand-made by the man himself (they were from his senior collection from fashion school), and they were absolutely flawless. It was breathtaking, really. Like looking at sculpture, or modern architecture.

Anyway I digress…there was lots of pretty in Sarah Burton’s collection for McQueen, but I swooned over the shoes…can you blame me? Crazy and over-the-top, but somehow also wearable. The point of McQueen, some might argue.

clutches at Celine
No, I won’t get tired of envelope clutches, not ever. The spring 2012 runways have helped me embrace oversized ones, however, which is new for me…as you know I have a strong bias for small bags.

And these are two great examples: such gorgeous color! Check out the whole Celine show, I was also enthralled by the two-tone pants and the HUGE belts. Minimalism done right.

more clutches at Chloe
I loved the tiny, boxy clutches at Chloe. Not only do I adore the GIANT straps, but the texture on each was also intriguing.

I’m sure you’re shocked to hear that I loved the bronze snakeskin one. I’m so predictable!

hats at Dior
I really wish hats were more popular than they are. They can be such a chic addition to any outfit!

(I confess: hats are something I’ve wanted to add to the Holland Cox collection for a while now. We shall see how that turns out!)

The black leather one from Dior is my favorite…the angle of the curving brim is absolutely killer.

The IT color: yellow
The Pantone people say that solar power is going to be one of the big colors for spring 2012, and you better believe it!

These two Elie Saab dresses were the prettiest examples I saw from the Paris shows. Imagine wearing either one in a room full of LBDs! You’d be the belle of the ball!

What do these trends mean for you? Well, you’re definitely going to see more yellow than usual next spring. And the large, rectangular clutches aren’t going anywhere. They are way too easy to wear, and such a great way to add a punch of color to your outfit!

Whether you will see many (or be willing to wear) shoes that strap all the way up to your knees…well, that’s a separate question. What do you think?

Stay tuned for my favorites from Milan and New York!

You love the new collection, yes? And you want to see it in person, and feel the soft ultrasuede and see the shiny silk, yes? You’re in luck.

Check out my holiday show schedule below, and stay tuned for possible additional dates!

November 12 ~ The Handmade Market, Raleigh NC

December 3 ~ Holiday Heap, Baltimore MD

December 4 ~ My 7th Anniversary Party & Holiday Trunk Show, Arlington VA

December 10 ~ GRUMP, Washington DC

December 11 ~ Handmade Holiday, Richmond VA

I’d love it if you came and said “hi” if you’re at any of these shows. I’d love it even MORE if you came to my anniversary party, and had some champagne with me. Seven years, can you believe it?

Fashion “week” finally ended last week with the shows in Paris. I thought I’d share my favorite accessories from all the runway shows, starting with London.

I’m starting with London, because my favorite show was Burberry Prorsum. I am officially obsessed with the idea of a trench dress! (All runway images from Style.com.)

trench coats from Burberry Prorsum
This striped trench is my #1 favorite. As if a perfectly proportioned coat dress isn’t enough, they had to add these amazing wide belts. What’s not to love?!

The Burberry show was full of different permutations of their famous trench (they invented the trench coat, did you know?), but the dresses were my favorite.

clutches from Burberry Prorsum
You know how much I love the envelope clutch in general. But these in particular got me excited! The size and shape are so chic, and the giant buckles and surface details really make them special.

There were lots of oversized and brightly colored clutches on the runways, but these were my favorites because of the texture.

shoes from Antonio Berardi
The man who gave us the heel-less shoe is at it again. These shoes caught my eye because of their strappiness, particularly around the ankle. It makes them look a little bit severe, but still ladylike.

These little delights were shown in white, silver and gold, but also bright metallic red, green, and blue!

more shoes from Mary Katrantzou
Strappy, spindly AND shiny, what’s not to love!? I especially love the purple and green together.

She also showed snakeskin heels in the same silhouette. Love.

The IT color: yellow.
Although there was lots of bright color all over the runways, I noticed lots of yellow, both pale and ladylike, and bold and brassy. My favorites were paired with black or gray (left: Osman, spring 2012; right: Holly Fulton, spring 2012).

Next spring, look out for versions of Burberry’s trench dress and large, brightly-colored clutches. I’m sure you’ll also see more yellow than you’re used to.

While I’m sure the ubiquitous nude patent leather shoe will still be around, perhaps you’ll also see some jewel-toned metallics on the feet of some more daring fashionistas.

Stay tuned for my favorites from New York, Milan and Paris!

I can hardly believe it, but I’m about to introduce my eleventh collection for Holland Cox!

As always, the collection consists of eighteen one-of-a-kind handbags, in three styles: the classic, the wristlet, and the envelope clutch. But this time, I’m very excited to offer a new look for the envelope clutch!

The merrimack envelope clutch in progress. You’ll have to wait to see the whole thing!

The title of the collection is la acquabella. As you can probably guess, I was inspired by water. Specifically, the power of water in motion, and its mystery, danger, and beauty.

Bias strips of silver silk dupioni and navy blue linen.

I am in equally in love with and deathly afraid of the ocean. In the beach vs. mountains debate, there is no debate in my mind: the beach wins every time, mostly because of that soothing whoosh sound. You know the one I mean?

Soothing, but so terrifying as well. Water can be so powerful and deadly that it’s almost incomprehensible. It swallows cities and wipes out species; it created the Grand Canyon! But at the same time, life would be impossible without it. It’s an intriguing paradox.

Satin, grosgrain, and velvet ribbon.

My color palette is all about purple and blue, with lots of black, gray, and silver mixed in. Each handbag will feature lots of handwork and surface detail, but you’ll see plenty of the wild prints you’ve come to expect from me, as well!

All eighteen handmade handbags are named for bodies of water, specifically powerful rivers that have sustained major populations all over the world.

Some will be delicate, others will have more of an edge…the same duality and moodiness that makes water so appealing and mysterious to me.

The danube wristlet in progress.

While my spring 2011 collection was all about linen, this time I’ve used as many different fabrics and textures as I could get my hands on (sometimes on the same bag).

Denim and cotton, of course, but I’ve also used silk dupioni, wool felt, silk voile, ultrasuede, tweed, and linen, plus ribbon and trims of various fibers and weaves.

From the bottom: denim, linen, wool felt, voile, dupioni, and tweed.

Look out for the new collection in about two weeks! As always, the Holland Cox insiders will see it first, and of course get the exclusive insider’s price. Don’t get left out!

While you’re waiting, check out the current collection, because once la acquabella is out, the divine feminine will no longer be available online. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

The Girl Effect is quite simple: when the lives of girls are improved, their whole communities improve with them.

In my former life, before I spent 100% of my time sewing and thinking about sewing (as opposed to only 50%), I was a lobbyist for a non-profit education association. Education policy took up a huge portion of my brain space.

Even though it’s no longer my job to care, education is still of critical importance to me. The power (political, personal, economic) bestowed on an individual by having a decent education cannot be overstated.

If you care about the well being of your community, your country, society in general, or the world in general, you have to care about education.

Which is why The Girl Effect really resonates with me. Let’s look at the numbers, shall we? (Statistics quoted from The Girl Effect fact sheet.)

An extra year of primary school boosts girls’ eventual wages by 10 to 20 percent. An extra year of secondary school: 15 to 25 percent.

One extra year of school = 25% increase in wages? Who wouldn’t take that deal??? Okay great, so when that girl becomes a woman, she’ll have a little bit more money. So what?

When women and girls earn income, they re-invest 90 percent of it into their families, as compared to only 30 to 40 percent for a man.

That friends, is the Girl Effect. Investment in girls means investment in whole families, communities, countries, and the world. It really is that simple. Also worth noting:

When a girl in the developing world earns seven or more years of education, she marries four years later and has 2.2 fewer children.

This matters, because 25 to 50 percent of girls in developing countries become mothers before the age of 18, and complications from childbirth are the leading cause of death of girls aged 15 to 19 WORLDWIDE.

A few extra years of education would literally save lives.

Are you convinced how powerful the Girl Effect can be? Watch this video. It’s not even 3 minutes long, and you can even leave the sound off if you’re in your office:

How can you help? If you’re a blogger, help spread the word. You can donate to these programs in progress right now. You can also give to the Girl Effect organization directly.

You can also pay attention. Listen to conversations about policy, politics, economics, and social issues, and make sure girls and their extraordinary transformative power are a part of that conversation.

I’m sure you agree that an envelope clutch is a perfect evening accessory. But have you ever thought about using one every day?

I can hear your gasps of outrage from here…But Valerie! You exclaim. I could never fit all my stuff in a clutch! They’re just too impractical!

Settle down, my loves, and let me prove it to you. To illustrate, I will be using the verdandi envelope clutch from my spring 2011 collection.

First of all you need to ask yourself: are you really using ALL of that stuff in your bag every minute of every day? I’m guessing a very high percentage of the gear in the giant bag you’re carrying is of the “just in case” variety.

I know, because I’ve done the same thing. When you have a huge bag, there is no editing process. You dump in everything you can think of that you might need, because you have the room so why not?

Only back pain, sore shoulders, and sloppy outfits lie down that road, my friends. Just say no.

Luckily Holland Cox envelope clutches are roomier than they look, so you can fit quite a few more essentials inside than you probably think you can.

But that’s the key word: essentials.

Use your envelope clutch to hold the essentials…wallet, phone, keys, compact, tissues, business cards, pen, lip gloss, whatever…(this is my own list, by the way).

Then everything is in one place when you really do need a bigger bag. Like when you’re going to the gym, carrying your laptop for work, hauling your baby’s gear around, or shopping at the farmer’s market. Just drop your clutch inside your big bag, and you’re good to go!

Check out the outfits above. The yellow dress and the sassy bronze accessories on the left are the typical evening look you probably associate with an envelope clutch. But did you ever think one could work with a practical, work-appropriate outfit like the one on the right?

The great thing about my envelope clutches? Big enough to fit all the necessities, but small enough to fit inside your briefcase. What could be more practical than that?

Do you have any outfits that you’d never thought to wear with an envelope clutch? Have I convinced you to give it a try?

I have long been a huge fan of the envelope clutch. Not only is my own version one of my flagship designs for Holland Cox, another version is the very first sewing pattern I’ve offered for sale!

Despite what you may think, an envelope clutch can be very versatile. This little tutorial is just one way to prove it!

This is a variation of my evening envelope clutch sewing pattern. My pattern includes a flap with optional piping and a magnetic snap closure, and is about medium-sized.

For this version, I wanted a more trendy look, so I left off the flap, and made it a bit bigger. Over-sized clutches have been all over the runways since last spring, and if the current runways are any indication, they’re not going away anytime soon!

step one: alter the pattern
It’s super easy to adjust the size and shape of this clutch. I wanted mine to be a bit taller and a bit wider, so I just taped 1″ strips to my existing pattern piece.

I also wanted to use a zipper, instead of the magnetic snap that the original pattern calls for, so I had to make sure it was wide enough to accommodate the 12″ zipper I had.

Since I like to sew with a 3/8″ seam allowance, I made sure my new pattern was wide enough to have at least a 1/2″ clearance at either end of the zipper.

step two: cut the fabric
The most “on-trend” clutches this season are in bright, bold colors. (Check out Olivia Palermo at London fashion week a few days ago with a bright blue one.) Naturally I had to choose orange for mine!

This clutch is so simple that you could make it out of nearly anything… something really heavyweight like upholstery fabric, denim, or corduroy, or something lighter like silk dupioni.

This clutch works great in leather, suede, or vinyl as well. Remember to use a Teflon or plastic zipper foot on your machine when sewing with leather…or just stick a piece of frosted Scotch tape on the bottom of your regular foot. This prevents the metal foot from sticking to your leather, ultrasuede, vinyl or suede fabric.

step three: add a pocket
For such a large clutch, you’re going to need at least one pocket, so your smaller goodies aren’t floating around in the bottom of your bag all willy-nilly.

I used the pocket that came with the envelope clutch pattern, which is just a rectangular patch pocket. If you feel the need, make two instead of one. Sew one down the center to create two smaller pockets, for your iPhone or some other e-toy. Just one more way to further personalize your envelope clutch!

step four: insert the zipper
Somehow zippers have gotten a bad rap…they are not nearly as scary as you might think! Don’t be scared of zippers just because you’re a new sewer!

My method for inserting a zipper in a handbag is super easy:
1. fold under and press a 1/2″ hem along the top of the self and lining
2. line up the self and lining, wrong sides facing, so that the folded edges match exactly
3. pin the zipper tape in between these two layers
4. topstitch the zipper in place. Done!

step five: sew the bag together
Can you believe we are almost done sewing!?! To sew the bag together, open the zipper all the way, and then pin the self (the orange canvas on my bag) together with right sides facing, and do the same with the lining (the geometric print on my bag).

Remember to leave a hole in the bottom of the lining. Sew all the way around the bag, backstitching at each end of the opening, and over the side seams where the lining meets the self.

Turn right side out, close the hole in the lining, and that’s it. You’re done! Press your bag carefully and you’re good to go!

Your finished clutch will be very, very flat, and ready to fill up with all your gear you need for a night on the town (or a day of errands…whatever).

optional: embellishments
I left mine plain (I rather think the bright “safety” orange speaks for itself…), but this envelope clutch is ripe for all kinds of embellishments…you can really go wild with this if you want!

How about sewing on a wide strip of fabric in a contrasting color? Then you’d be even more on-trend, what with colorblocking being so hot right now.

You could pin your favorite brooch to the bag, or even a wrap a necklace or a belt around your clutch. (Check out the over-sized buckles on clutches at the spring 2012 Burberry Prorsum show last week.)

You could use topstitching thread to sew a design onto the surface of your bag, or use ribbon to add both a shot of color, and a contrasting texture.

Just remember to add any sewn embellishments to the bag before you insert the zipper (after you deal with the pockets in step three).

This bag took me about a half hour to make. With such minimal time investment, you could literally make one to wear this weekend!

Pick up the envelope clutch sewing pattern (it’s an instant download PDF, so no waiting!), and make as-is, or with your own unique adjustments. If you do make changes, it would seriously make my day to see pictures of your version (or even if you don’t)!

Go forth and have a stylish (and trendy!) weekend. Sign up for my Syndicate mailing list to be notified when I have new patterns for sale.

Stay tuned for more refashions and re-styling of the envelope clutch. Any particular technique you’d like me to cover? Leave a note in the comments and I’ll get right on it.

All she meant was that the truly stylish woman is no slave to fashion. I believe this to be true, and therefore have never spent much time being “trendy.”

When I do follow trends, they are looks that already fit into my ideal personal style…garments, accessories, and embellishments that I would like anyway.

There are a handful of fall 2011 trends that fit into this category…trends that caught my eye, and that will fit seamlessly into the theme of my ideal wardrobe.

snakeskin shoes

(Left: slingback pumps from Michael Kors; right: sandals from DSW)

I love snakeskin shoes so much I already have two pairs: purple and pink flats and bronze strappy slingbacks with a kitten heel. There will never be a time when I don’t love snakeskin shoes!

What’s nice about them being “in” this fall is that it will be so much easier for me to find ones I like!

(Left: BLOCH black and white flats; right: boots from Guiseppe Zanotti)

Snakeskin is surprisingly versatile. Go flashy (and a little bit trampy…in a good way) with the green sandals from DSW, or demure and totally work-appropriate with the Michael Kors pumps.

The black and white flats are perfect for every day, and black boots are a staple of any fall wardrobe! And don’t forget about snakeskin belts and bags, too.

You don’t have to wear actual snakeskin to get the look, either. Stamped leather or vinyl looks nearly identical (depending on the quality), if you feel guilty about exploiting poor little reptiles.

bright pants

A few years ago, I found bright, bubble-gum pink pants at the Gap Outlet (no doubt a dye lot gone wrong), and I couldn’t wait to wear them to work, as a sort of giant middle finger to the silly office dress code. Sadly, they were unlined and a bit too thin. I wanted to cause a stir, sure, but not by flashing my knickers to my co-workers, so they stayed on the rack.

I share this little story to say to you: I love the idea of bright pants! This little slideshow is a collection from a Polyvore user, and illustrates the wide range of colors available this season.

The ones I pick up are not going to be skinny jeans (they look terrible on me), but probably something with a mild flare in the leg. Would you consider wearing bright pants to work?

blue nails

I usually don’t wear color on my finger nails (and usually bright red on my toes), but there is something very intriguing about denim-inspired nail polish.

I think a really dark indigo will look pretty cute peeking out of the peeptoe of my bronze snakeskin slingbacks!

(Left: BCBG dress, pre-fall 2011; right: Derek Lam, fall 2011. Images from New York Magazine online.)

color blocking

Another trend perfect for me! As much as I preach about experimenting with color and not being afraid to mix colors (see the how to wear orange series), how could I not love color blocking?

It’s worth noting: true color blocking is not having each element of your outfit be a separate color. It really means having blocks of color within a single garment (i.e. instead of being swirled together in a print).

the statement necklace

The statement necklace has been trendy for a few years now, and I already have a decent collection.

But necklaces that are particularly “on trend” for fall 2011 will have a certain geometry to them. Strong lines, color blocking (of course), and shapes that look somewhat architectural.

Again, there are lots of ways to make this look your own: try an art deco look for the flapper in you, or something more modern like the one with shards of polished brass. If more organic shapes appeal to you, perhaps the red stone necklace from GUESS would work (click on the Polyvore set to read more about each necklace).

Are there any fall trends that caught your eye? Anything that you’d like to try and fit into your personal style?

Do you even know what your personal style is? If you want help figuring it out, you’re in luck: click here to be notified when I launch my one-on-one personal styling service!