Avant Garde Every Day

One of my new years resolutions (yes those distant memories) was to be more adventurous with clothing, makeup and hair. With such an interest in high fashion and an admiration for those crazy ass designers that make you squint your eyes lemon-zest style when you see golden bird cage shoes-looking at you D&G- I am constantly trying to find ways to have a little bit of runway wacko in my wardrobe. Now, unless you're Kate Moss, it's a bit of a challenge to pull off something that has just stepped off the Alexander McQueen runway (or glass pyramid in this case), and not to mention a little impractical. Here I have brought a few ideas of how you can inject a little haute couture into your everyday outfits, which require a little confidence to pull off, but not so much that you're shopping for eggs wearing a ruffled pink number with an even pinker violin strapped to your neck a la Viktor & Rolf. These are only a starting point and meant to inspire, and hopefully a post on avant garde hair and makeup should follow.

Strange Shades

Every good fashion peacock deserves a pair of sunglasses that stay as far away from sun protection and are fit for their purpose- to entertain and make people go 'oooh'. Oversized, embellished, oddly shaped. Anything goes. I traced the edges of the pair of some old sunnies onto some yellow foam and glue gunned the little semi circles to the bottom of the glasses.

Print Screen

Now, it is easier than it has ever been to acquire a piece with a crazy print from the high street, and then get the bottoms to match to make yourself a nice little two piece. There are really three ways to go here; clashing, matching, or a kooky print with the rest of your outfit toned down. Possibly the easiest to get your hands on, but has the biggest impact.

Kooky Collar

The collar is just the starting point. Add embellishment, fun dying techniques and unusual cutting to create a runway worthy piece. A bare shoulder and collar bones create more drama with a single collar.

Heelarious

Shoes are easy to customise because generally the surface of shoes take paint and glue really well. You could use a stencil for a neat edge when painting the shoes and stick or sew tiny bits of fur onto the shoes like me (not the neatest example but you get my drift).