DIY : Proenza Schouler Scroll Necklace

While looking over the nominees for this year’s Lucky Magazine FABB award, I discovered a treasure trove of DIY projects and great knock-offs at Honestly …WTF.

 Go. Play. Make cool stuff.

DIY: Spike Comb

DIY: Luv AJ Handpiece

Thanks to HM reader Flavia Galeotti for pointing us towards this DIY tutorial on monoxious.com. Head over there for more complete instructions, including ideas for modifying the technique to make a great headband!

Haute Macabre [and fashion blogs all around the Web], recently featured a Mother of London editorial so breathtaking, it’s likely left a permanent imprint it in your subconscious. Just in case, a reminder:

The editorial featured a recent incarnation of the iconic Mother of London ruffed, sleeved harness, which first made its appearance way back  in 2006.

This collage features a few versions of the harness. Also pictured, musician/actress Juliette Lewis and adult film star Belladonna, just two of MoL’s many celebrity clients, wearing their commissioned Mother of London harnesses.

And now, this.

That’s actress and budding pop star Willow Smith at last night’s American Music Awards. But her ill-fitting, canary-yellow harness is not the handiwork of Mildred Von, the designer behind Mother of London.

Oh HELL no.

The search for the perpetrator is underway, with sources currently pointing to Willow’s stylist, Marial Haenn. The noted celebrity stylist has denied her involvement in a series of emails with Nadya Lev of Coilhouse Magazine. However, considering that these denials came after the knock-off story erupted all over the internet, and not when Haenn was being praised for “her” work by tabloids earlier today, we all find it rather dubious. Unless someone else steps up to the plate, we are left to assume this is Haenn’s doing, whether directly or via outsourcing.

Mildred Von spoke to Haute Macabre, saying:

I’m disappointed and saddened that this will negatively impact my business. My original design is now recognized in the mass media as someone else’s work, and it’s very hurtful on both a personal and professional levels. I hope this can be resolved, and I wish nothing but the best to Willow.

Indeed.  And the fact that there is a talented, engaging ten-year-old now indefinitely associated with this mucky situation makes it so much worse.

The only viable resolution is for the responsible party [or parties] to immediately come forward and publicly apologize, so that Mildred Von / Mother of London can get the recognition and compensation she deserves.

Photo by Chad Michael Ward. Harness by Mother of London.

I’m not sure what these pictures were taken for, or who they were taken by. I found them while poking around in New York makeup artist Deborah Altizio‘s portfolio, and liked the combination of warm, smokey makeup and Joan of Arc styling. I especially like the use of a metallic sweater with an even knit, worn with a leather bracer, as a  wearable alternative to chain mail.

Edited: Thanks to HM reader Jackie Puwalski for IDing the photographer: Lara Jade

Knock it Off

Jet Cross Necklace, $25 †  Guess Hematite Cross, $25  †  ASOS Rosary necklace, $13.95

Studded Stretch Gloves, $19.99 † Leather Bracer, $50 † Metallic Sweater, $74.99

Not surprisingly, Forever 21 has introduced a Jeffrey Campbell wedge knockoff to its impossibly large collection.  Priced at under $50, it might be a viable (and probably poorly made) alternative to the consistently sold out original 99.