Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Leopard Print

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The new fall trends have been announced, and animal print is in this season with leopard print leading the pack. Living in Hawaii, I typically miss out on the fall and winter fashion trends, but this one may be a little easier to incorporate into my wardrobe. Adding a small touch of animal print with the right accessories will instantly make a simple outfit chic and exotic.

A leopard print purse is a quick way to add a little sass to your little black dress, or any dress for that matter. This envelope style option from Hmmm…by Melanie includes a black chain strap, magnetic closure and is lined in black sequined fabric.

A leopard print hat may be a bit fashion forward for most, but this vintage-style cloche hat by The Millinery Shop is just too good to pass up. It is hand blocked, made from long haired felt leopard print fabric, and completed with a Bakelite buckle and hat pin. This would look amazing with a fall cape or winter coat.

Using black, brown, tan, creme and white yarn, this scarf is hand-knit by Crickets Creations to create the look of leopard print. Paired with a fall blazer or winter coat, it is sure to keep you warm and make a statement well beyond this fall’s animal print trend.

This turban-style headband from ChiChi is the perfect get-your-attention accessory for girls who love to be glamorous. Perfect for a night on the town or just pulling your hair back while running errands.

As the weather becomes cooler, embrace this year’s fall trend and incorporate a little bit of leopard print into your wardrobe! I’ll have my eye out for a leopard print bikini!

**The Leopard Shoes fine art print featured at the top of this post was created by Karcharz Photography.

ByRo! Designs

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No matter how implausible it seems while looking out the window, Spring and Summer will be here before you know it. Be prepared with a bathing suit from ByRo! Designs.

ByRo! swimsuits have special features for the “full figured woman designed by a full figured woman.” These design features include power-netting, princess seams and a more shaped and contoured fit to provide more comfort for the plus-size body. ByRo! Swimsuits are fashion forward with a contemporary and trendy design for the marketplace. Her fashion line also includes swimsuit cover-ups, sarongs, active-wear, cat-suits, sexy dresses and a new line of belly dancewear.

Vancouver, British Columbia

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Two cultural happenings strangely began during the same week this year: the Olympics, and New York Fashion Week. In honor of both events, I’ve found a few fashion and accessories designers located in the Olympics host city, Vancouver, BC. One of my favorite cities in the world, I was thrilled to have a chance to virtually explore Vancouver for local designers and their beautiful creations.

The first designer, Mehran, has so many great things I had a hard time choosing just one to feature. I settled on this pleated bag because I love her story behind it–after she made a custom bag for someone, she was so happy with how it turned out she decided to make more. I can see why she was happy– this bag is a perfect way to accessorize any fashion you choose to sport.

See this top? Well it may not be available for long because I just might have to pick it up myself it’s so perfect for me and by post-two-babies-body. This design, by Christintina, is a perfect example of how jersey can be really flattering, when it’s gathered. The fabric this designer uses also happens to be organic bamboo, which is incredibly soft and comfortable.

This red jacket by Littlehouses [previously featured] is the perfect thing for this post about Vancouver and New York. This Vancouver designer has a New York eye–the model could definitely work it on the runway. Red lips, pixie hair, and totally fab red jacket–red is definitely not my color, but this is very tempting. The fabric of the jacket is a thick, soft cotton, my favorite because it’s seasonless, so you can wear it anytime–whether you’re in Vancouver, New York, or (hopefully) somewhere much warmer.

Cocktail Party

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I’ve been daydreaming lately about throwing a lovely cocktail party, full of fancy dresses, music, laughter and great conversation. Unfortunately, my apartment is barely big enough for my craft supplies, let alone guests. I am undeterred, however; a cocktail party will come my way sooner or later, and when it does, I’ll be ready with the perfect handmade outfit.

Fashion in Hawaii is pretty casual, which means I’ll be extra excited to slip into this gorgeous 1950’s style silk dress by Fiori di Arancio. The high neckline, full skirt, and short sleeves are chic and elegant, while the organza bow adds the perfect touch of sweet. The dress can be made in any color silk, but I love the patterned fabric shown on the model–it’s classic, subtle and sure to turn heads among the little black dresses.

What’s a cocktail dress without the perfect statement-making ring? This bezel set option by Blue Wave Jewelry will add just a little bit of sparkle and modern flair to my vintage-style dress–a fashion juxtaposition, if you will. The different dimensions of this druzy quartz stone will catch the light perfectly, and set it apart from your typical cocktail ring. The oval shape and wide sterling silver bezel setting are classic.

A great clutch is always a must when you’re dressing up for a night out. This simple black option by Designs By Ambiana is made of vegan leather, lined, and includes a small pocket. It’s large enough to hold all of your things, but small enough that it won’t compete with the cocktail dress. The silver purse frame and chain will coordinate perfectly with the silver jewelry, and the pattern on the vegan leather is just the perfect amount of texture.

Now that I have my perfect cocktail party outfit, all I need is an invitation, and a drink!

**The image featured at the top of this article is a photograph by The Bunny Cage.

Isabel Amyo

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Isabel Amyo: Women fashion designer for almost 10 years now.
I had an unusual career. After having been Assistant Director, I wanted to realize my childhood dream by becoming a fashion designer.
Full of motivation and energy I have taken training to hone my skills as an autodidact.
I worked in several fashion house in Paris, and now after having two beautiful boys I decided to run only in creating my own brand.
Let my creations enchant you and I would be most happy.

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