Special thanks to Desire to Inspire for today’s fashion forward image!

[click to enlarge!]

Just in case you’re new to DFM, ‘Fashion Forward’ explores the fine lines between fashion and decor. Whether it’s an outfit based upon a room or vice versa, DFM brings you inspiration from either medium to showcase design in everyday life.

Enjoy!

DFM’s first ever Wednesday Watch is up! Check out this fun and quirky ad for Herman Miller, entitled ‘Get Real.’

Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Imported from France, these trays are the combined genius of 3 French relatives who have joined forces to create the essence of “ibride”, which translates to “hybrid”. Each tray is constructed to last using a century old technique of high pressure laminate over pressed wood and paper board. Then each decorative tray is intricately laser cut to create the stunning edge.

Wow. That even hurts my brain just READING about the work each tray entails. Yet it all pays off in the end, right ibride?

FABULOUS. Available right here, through Bunny Maxwell.

It may be a sin to love jewelry this much. But can you help it? With necklaces this gorgeous, intricate and creative?

Ahhhh, forgive me, Lord. For I have sinned.

Click here to view Moss Mills’ entire collection, including bracelets, rings, apparel!

Or girl. Rebecca Hickey is hitting the skate parks all over Long Island, but not with a board.

Instead, Rebecca (nicknamed Beck or Becky, depending on which friend you ask) is known throughout town as the skatepurse gal. That’s right, purses out of old skateboard decks. Sound impossible? It nearly is.

Beck(y)’s aptly named sk8bags are hand made by Beck in her New York workshop. It’s a very time-consuming, labor-intensive process and she counts her lucky stars that she still has all ten fingers. Although she washes the decks and removes the grip tape, Beck stresses, “I don’t add anything to the decks and can say with a clear
conscience that I’m simply reusing something that was already there.” Altering the decks as little as possible throughout the production process is extremely important because she strives to always uphold the integrity of her source material.

“Skateboards are so personal to their owners,” she says. “The stickers and scratches tell the story of what the board has been through. I try to keep it as authentic as I can.”

Ahhhh, trash into treasure? Right up DFM’s alley.

Or skatepark.

Every now and then you meet an artist that sort of takes your breath away. Their work is just so delicate, intricate and detailed that you must know everything about them, in that instant. How were they inspired, how did they do it, and JUST HOW LONG did it take???

Cathy Kasdan is that artist for me. A full-time art teacher and master’s student in textiles at Kent State University, Cathy chose to explore the theme of consumer culture for her final thesis by using plastic grocery bags as her medium for knitting.

“The 1950’s homemaker outfit and blue Haute Culture dress hearken back to a society that embraced the Plastic Age without reservation for the possible ramifications of consumerism.” Kasdan explains.

See? She’s SMART, too!

Kasdan spent five months working on the 1950’s outfit, using almost 400 bags. The blue haute culture dress took two months and 200 bags. She knitted not only the dresses, but the accessories for each mannequin.

Amazed? Find out more about Cathy and her work here.

Little Otsu is a San Francisco-based publisher dedicated to creating useful books and print products that are valued for their artistry, functionality, and use of recycled and alternative materials.

And whew, are these LOVELY Otsu!

Click here to purchase any of the above.

New looks from the fall/winter Grace Sun collection. I just LOOOOOVE these!!!

Which came first, the bird or the nest? Check out the latest nesting obsessions, and I’m not talking preggo, either!

robins nest ring from starrydesigns via etsy, $26.

nest bracelet from moss mills, $224.

nest paperweight from the curiosity shoppe, $45.

nest tote from orange button, $20.

nest necklace from yankee girl designs via etsy, $34 [thanks, sarah!]

Lee over at Pieces (which is THE FIRST shop I plan to stop at if I ever visit Atlanta, GA for fun) just sent over a link to some brand new items in her store. Pricey, but fabulous, these ‘pieces’ are what I like to put in my LBDT category. Look, But Don’t Touch.

Thanks, Lee!