Great Article in the Commoner newspaper!

Halifax’s newest house of fashion

http://thecommoner.kingsjournalism.com/?p=20873

Thanks, Nina Cherry for the right up!

Coast Article

Hi All,
Dakini Silks and the Indie Boutik was featured in this article in The Coast magazine!

Fashion Mash Ups

Indie Boutik Grand Opening!

Hi All,
Dakini silks is now part of the Indie Boutik - a collective of independent designers sharing a space on Queen Street in Downtown Halifax. Come on down next Friday, I have some special designs I will be premiering that night!

Hermes Scarf Dress?

I just acquired two beautiful Hermes scarves and I'm trying to think what I should do with them. They are so gorgeous I'm just beside myself. Do I make a dress out of them or just keep them or sell them??? What do you think?
The Voguette here knows what to do with hers!
http://the-voguette.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-to-wear-your-hermes-12-ways.html

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have an Hermes dress?

A few Pics from EcloTHES!

Hi All,
Just a quick post of some pics from the EcloTHes Fashion show that took place on Tuesday night. I'll be posting much more soon once I get them!

Dakini Silks Scarf Flutter Top

Dakini Silks Wool Scarf Dress

Dakini Silks Wool Scarf Dress

More Up-cycled Scarfwear!

Hi All,
Here are some pics of my very latest and favorite pieces. Some of these will be in the fashion show but not all of them. I have to keep some for a surprise. Some of these are available for sale on my website: http://dakini.ca.

My favorite design right now - the "Asymmetrical Tunic" - got any better ideas for names?

Back view of Asymmetrical Tunic.

T-shirt Dress with Silk scarf skirt

Off Shoulder Scarf Dress

Dakini's Latest Designs

Hi All,
I haven't posted much for a while because I have been so busy opening my retail store and exploring new ways to use and recycle silk scarves. I find a lot of beautiful scarves but some of them just don't really sell on their own. I decided to take them and up-cycle them into dresses, tops and other clothing! I will also show you how you can turn your own scarves into more functional pieces. It can be very simple and easy to do!

For now here are some photos of some of my latest creations. If you want to learn to make these yourself then follow my blog! I will be posting how-to's soon.

Skemo Scarf Dress Front

Mod Vintage Scarf Dress Back

Mod Vintage Scarf dress front

Tropical scarf Dress Front

Tropical scarf Dress Back

Souvenir Scarf Dress front

Mod Circles Scarf Mini Dress

Two Pieces: Scarf Dress on Left and Scarf Flutter Top on Right

Almost Ready for the EcloTHES Fashion Show!

Hello All,
I want to invite everyone to attend the 2011 EcloTHEs Gala and Fashion Show featuring sustainable fashion designers from all across Canada. I'll be there with my latest "ScarfWear" ; handmade clothing I make from vintage scarves and other recycled fabrics.

Dakini Dollars!

Hi All,
Print off this coupon for $5.00 off anything in the store worth at least $10.00!
See you there,
Katherine

Dakini Silks is Moving!

Hello Everyone,
I just want to let everyone know that I'm moving my store from Brunswick Street to 1542 Queen Street; right upstairs from Sweet Pea Boutique. I'll be open for business on Saturday, July 2nd at 11 am - 6pm. I'll be having an opening sale for the first half of July - buy one get one half price!

Hope to see you there!!
Katherine

Dakini Silks & Things Shop Opening!

Personalize a free invite card

Make an Appointment!

Hi All,
I just added this neat widget to my blog where you can schedule an appointment to view and try on my clothing and scarves. You are welcome to come by my shop on Brusnwick Street (Inside Spree) for a free viewing and cup of tea anytime during the day and even in the evenings. Just fill out the form in the sidebar.

This way you can see and try out my latest creations before they even reach the rest of the world!

Hope to see you soon!

How to Turn a Silk Scarf into a Halter Top Blouse

Hi Everyone,
I would like to share one of my most recent discoveries. I was wondering how I could use these scarves that are so beautiful in other ways to show off their wonderful prints and colors. I hear from many people that they collect silk scarves but don't wear them very much and they just sit in the drawer. Well, I have some suggestions!

First of all, it's quite easy to turn a silk scarf into a very cute halter top. You just need a ribbon, a scarf clip or brooch and a large square silk scarf. Take the scarf and fold it in half so that you end up with a triangle. Then you take the middle pointy piece and pull that through the scarf clip. If you are using a brooch then fold over that corner leaving a space for the ribbon to thread through.

Then take the ribbon and pull it through the hole you made with the brooch. If you are using the clip, simply fold the clip over the ribbon. Tie ribbon around your neck and then tie the other two ends of the scarf behind your back. Viola!

Silk Scarf Clip

Pull Ends of Scarf through the ring on the clip.

Clip being used as a necklace - just clip it on a ribbon or chain.

Tie other ends in the back.

Front View - all tied up!

Is it the Real Thing? How to tell if a Designer Scarf is a Fake.

Okay, so I've delved into the realm of designer brands and all of the trappings. I'm fairly new at the vintage or designer silk scarf and clothing market and I'm realizing that it can be a perilous place!

I posted that Christion Dior scarf (which I featured in my very first post) on Ebay at a starting bid of $48.00 and immediately got a lot of attention but only one person bid on it. I thought that was strange but wasn't too worried about it. The next day I went to post another Dior scarf that I had and I got a message from Ebay saying that I had reached my limit. I was taken aback because this was the first time I had heard of any limits to the amount or type of listings I could make. I contacted the online assistant and after some back and forth she just said to " Just take it easy on the designer labels for a while." So, I assume that someone had reported that the scarf may be a fake. I took a second look at the scarf myself and realized a few things that made me suspect that I had been sold a replica Dior.

Let's look at the scarf and pick apart the different aspects:

• It is made of excellent quality silk twill which is heavy weight and has a beautiful drape. Really valuable designer scarves are always made from silk twill. Some twill is lighter than others though and the heavier the twill is the better. Silk twill is amazing for it's texture and longevity. So this scarf fit the bill there. 
• The hem was hand rolled. Silk scarves that have a hand rolled hem are usually more valuable. The hem should be plump and not ironed flat. This scarf has a great hand rolled hem that is in excellent shape.
• There was a label on the scarf that stated the fabric content and where it was made in French and English. Tags and labels also add value to a vintage scarf so if you buy an expensive designer scarf never take off the tag. It will depreciate in value if you do. This Dior scarf had a tag but it was lacking the designer tag; the one that says the designer's name and/or logo. 
• The scarf was signed in the font or a font that looks like the real thing on the front of the scarf in the bottom right hand corner. Signatures or logos also add value and if you don't have a tag then you have the logo and that helps a lot. However, it's pretty easy to print a logo or signature on something if you have the tools. The Dior logo consists of a fairly simple font so if someone wanted to copy it they could do so quite easily.
• The print is very detailed and the colors are amazing! The only problem is that the print on the back isn't quite as vibrant as the front - this is an indication that it may not be a very high quality print job. Usually the colors should be the same or almost the same on the front as on the back.

• Also, the print looked pretty tacky to me. I thought well, sometimes the French go overboard a bit with the florals and that may have been the style back in the 50's. However, if you know a designer's style then sometimes it's easy to pick out whether that design or graphic would be something that they would have done. I have seen quite a few Dior scarves now and I must say it doesn't really look like something else that I've seen so far. However, my experience is limited and maybe it was a phase he was going through at the time!

Anyway, so I'm still not sure if it's real or not. But as the Ebay assistant told me if you're not sure it's real then don't list it. They have very strict rules now about selling replica's on Ebay which is a good thing but how do you know? There are registered appraisers you can use and they will appraise something for you for $10.00. Of course, it's only worth it if the item is very valuable.

As for my customer who bought the scarf I informed her that it may or may not be a "faux" Dior and I offered her 50% off or to cancel the listing. She chose the 50% off. I'm sure she will be happy with it anyway and I think even the vintage "faux" scarves are also collector's items now!

Happy Hunting and beware of imposters!!

For the Love of Pucci!

Hi Everyone,
This week I am featuring an amazing Pucci scarf provided by Merle Bryant of The Clothes Horse located at:
1530 Queen St, Halifax, NS

Her wonderful store features pre-loved designer clothing, accessories and jewelry.
 She's been in the biz for many years and has a wealth of experience and great taste!
Her store is a must visit if you are interested in shopping for vintage and/or designer used clothing.

Anyway, back to the scarf of the week! This is an authentic Emilio Pucci vintage piece in sweet and soft pastel colors with a bit of hot pink thrown in. The design is a curvy retro style which is so typical of this designer. I'm a hippie at heart and Pucci is definitely one of my all time favorites.

You can see his signature all over the scarf and the tag is in tact. There is no care tag though but that shouldn't affect the value of this piece. The silk is gorgeous Twill and the hem is hand rolled. The scarf has been worn and shows some minor signs of wear but still in excellent condition and totally wearable.

If you are lucky enough to find a Pucci scarf in your shopping excursions don't let it pass you by!

This scarf is on auction right now in my Ebay store: Dakinistore.com

Amazing Op Artist Scarf!

This must be the most significant Vintage silk scarf/Art piece I've seen so far in my scarf hunting career! It is a piece of "Op" art from the 1970's or 1960's. Richard Anuszkiewicz is one of the founders of the Op art movement. OP is short for optical illusion and the artists who painted in this style had  a love for geometric designs. He must have decided to print some high end silk twill scarves depicting his designs at some point or maybe a silk scarf producer asked him to design some scarves. I can't find much information on the internet about his scarves although there is tons of info about him. Here are a few links:
Wikipedia
Rog Gallery bio

Here are some photos of the scarf which is up for auction right now on Ebay. This scarf was given to me (to list) by Merle Bryant of the Clothes Horse. She's another amazing treasure hunter who has beautiful pieces in her store. Check her out here:
The Clothes Horse

You can really see the Optical illusion he was getting at in this pic of the scarf laid down flat!
Comments welcome especially if you know anything about Richard Anuszkiewicz and his silk scarves!

Treasures I Found in Coldbrook!

Okay, so I took the whole day on Saturday to do the Frenchy's tour through the Valley. We went to Berwick, Coldbrook, Kentville and Wilmot. There are several Frenchy's stores, some Guy Frenchy's and a  Salvation Army Thrift Shop. Guy Frenchy's are rumored to be the best but I'm not sure why. Please leave comments below to explain why this is so!

I must say I did not have much luck in the silk scarf realm. I only found a couple of fairly plain Anne Klein scarves which I won't even post because they are nothing special. They are fine scarves but nothing to write home...or on the blog about! Ha!

I did find some amazing silk dresses and one very Vintage Retro dress that isn't silk but has a very cool Pucci style print on it. It is very colorful and just amazing! The style of this dress isn't the best but anyone who knows how to sew could use it as a base to create something really spectacular!

 

I'll be posting this dress for sale on Etsy or Ebay soon.  Sign up for email updates to stay tuned!

Here is a photo of the really awesome silk dress I found. It is a designer dress with again, a Pucci - esque print. the silk is very good quality; a silk twill just like the Pucci scarves! The designer is Shelly Segal and her brand name is "Laundry".

 

Thanks to my lovely model Sara Gorman! It's great having a model as a daughter.

On our way home we stopped at good old Value Village and I found this little treasure; a sweet silk chiffon hoodie by Bianca Nygard. I love her designs and she's Canadian!

That's all for now folks! Stay tuned - these lovelies will be available for purchase online soon!

Going Treasure Hunting!

Nova Scotia has a lot of great thrift stores where you can find Vintage scarves and clothing. I am going to Colbrook today where I heard there are quite a few Frenchy's and Salvation Army stores.
Normally, I don't find that much in the way of scarves at Frenchy outlets and I think this is because Frenchy's imports their clothing from the US in bales and I guess they don't include scarves very often. Salvation Army on the other hand receive donations from locals and quite often I'll find nice pieces there. I've never been to Colbrook so we'll see what we can find! I'll post photos of some of the best things on here when I get back.
Stay tuned!
Here's a link to a list of their locations:
http://www.scotiawipers.com/locations/