DIY Faux Fur Trimmed Cape

Hey Diva,

As you know, capes are super HAUTE right now and I just know you’ve seen them all over the runways! But did you know that you can make your own in several easy steps? I created this one without a sewing machine, and today, I will show you exactly how I did it!

Step 1. Start with about 1 yard of fleece or wool. Perhaps you have an old fleece blanket that you can use. Fold it in half length wise with the selvage edges together. Then, fold in half a second time. Cut a small half circle for the neckline. Do not cut too deep or the neckline will be too large! If you want, go ahead and round off the bottom edge.

Step 2. Open the cape and lay flat. Cut down the center front on one layer. If you want, you can create armholes on the front of your cape. Mark the position for your armholes and cut slits about 12" long through one layer. I trimmed my armholes with faux leather remnants! You can either hand stitch the faux leather to the cape or use a hot glue gun.

Step 3. I finished the neckline with a neck facing and the outer edge of the caps with black faux leather piping. Ladies, this is where your creativity kicks in. You can finish your edges however you choose...perhaps with fur trim, with pinking shears, or a simple hem. It's up to you, GET CREATIVE! Again, you can either hand sew your embellishments, hot glue gun them, or if you are savvy with a sewing machine...go for it!

 

For the final step, I embellished the neckline with faux fur and added a crown pin. Then, I added simple hook and eye closures at the center front to close it. 

 

What do you think…easy right? I’d love to see your DIY cape designs, please share!

Until next time.


Smooches,
The Spoiled Diva
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @thespoileddiva

DIY: Embellished Tuxedo Jacket and Bustier

Cha'Kiva Latrell in a custom embellished tuxedo jacket and corset by Spoiled Diva by CL Felder

Hey Diva,

I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of tutorials on how to embellish your old frocks and turn them into something HAUTE, right? Well here’s another!

I needed a competition pantsuit for a pageant and the one I had initially ordered was a no show one week before the competition! Yeah I know, utter disaster. But a diva knows how to improvise and that’s just what I did. 

Cutaway Tuxedo Jacket by Men's Wearhouse

I knew the overall look that I wanted to capture but my concern was not having enough time to execute it before the pageant. I visited my friends at a Men's Wearhouse store in my neighborhood and right away I spotted a tuxedo jacket with the perfect silhouette. 

I asked to try on the store fit sample and all the associates were looking at me as if I were crazy! After all, it is a man’s jacket cut to fit a man’s body which as we all know has no boobies or hips.

But honey…let me tell you, when I put that jacket on, my body gave it a whole new life! It was at this moment I knew I had it! All that was left to do was embellish and bling it to the GODS! Don’t forget this was for a pageant where the more bling and shine, the better!

Model Cha'Kiva Latrell | Customized tuxedo jacket and corset by Spoiled Diva by CL Felder

Now remember,  I rented this jacket so all of the embellishments were first applied to a separate pieces of reinforced fabric then hand sewn to the jacket to enable easy removal when it was time to return the jacket. This included multi-sized silver spikes and studs for the shoulder area and sequins and rhinestone applied in a zebra stripe pattern for the collar and lapel.

Next, I purchased a solid black, overbust corset. This corset fit me perfectly, I'm totally in love! I added the same zebra stripe rhinestone and sequin applique to alternating panels of the corset. 

My shoes, which unfortunately are not pictured, are a pair of...wait for it...sequin zebra stripe pumps by Steve Madden. I've had these pumps for several years and I honestly think the whole look was inspired by these shoes. Finally, I purchased fabric similar to the tuxedo jacket and made a pair of high-waist trousers to complete the look!

Model Cha'Kiva Latrell | Customized tuxedo jacket and corset by Spoiled Diva by CL Felder

I am completely in love with the finished look, it came together just as I envisioned! I was actually glad that the original pantsuit I ordered was a no-show because this look was a perfect fit for my personality...and I created it myself!

What do you think, haute or not? If you are a pageant girl in need of an image coach and some wardrobe assistance, please contact me! I would love to be your secret weapon!

Until next time.



Smooches,
The Spoiled Diva

DIY - The Maxi Tee

Hey Diva,
I've been somewhat admiring this maxi tee trend so I decided to make my own from a long sleeve David Dart dress I thrifted last fall.
I simply cut off the sleeves and cut slits up to the waist area on both sides and there you have it!

I paired mine with white skinny jeans from Ashley Stewert but I've seen it worn all sorts of ways. One of my faves is with cut off denim shorts and motorcycle boots! Whichever way you choose to rock it, do it like a true DIVA!

I'd love to see your pics, please share with me.

Until next time,

Smooches,
The Spoiled Diva

2014 Event Calendar - DIY with Spoiled Diva

Register online here

Join designer ChaKiva Latrell, founder of Spoiled Diva by CL Felder, for the first session of the new series, DIY (Design it Yourself) with Spoiled Diva! Each month we will tackle a different project where ChaKiva shows you how remix your old frocks into something HAUTE!

First up in the series...SKIRTS!  Bring a skirt and we will remix it using printed fabrics and trims. You will need to bring at least 3 yards of a fabric you wish to use for your skirt.
Register online here!

Until next time,

Smooches,
The Spoiled Diva

DIY - Studded Leggings

Hey Diva,

So…I’ve been seeing a lot of studded and embellished leggings this season. The addition of spikes and studs add lots of interest to an otherwise basic pair of leggings!

I already had several pairs of plain black leggings in my closet so I decided to play around with a pair. I first decided on the type of design I wanted to add, then I marked off the placement of the design with tailor’s chalk.

I used faux leather scraps and cut them to the desired shape of my design, then I added silver studs to the faux leather.

I stitched the faux leather to my leggings and the final outcome...Rockstar chic! 

I think my new DIY studded leggings will look great paired with the cropped fingerless leather gloves I made last week, click here to see that post.

Until next time.

Smooches,
The Spoiled Diva

What do you think of my DIY studded leggings, HAUTE or NOT?

DIY: Fingerless Leather Gloves

Hey Diva!

You know…I’ve wanted a pair of those fingerless cropped gloves for awhile. I think they're super cute but I had a hard time finding a pair. So...I made my own from a pair of leather gloves I already had.

I simply marked off my desired length along the opening of the glove. I then cut along the line to get my new cropped length.

Finally, I cut off the fingertips of the gloves and added silver studs along the opening! It was super simple, and now…I have the fingerless cropped gloves I’ve always wanted!

Until next time.

Smooches,

The Spoiled Diva

Do you like the fingerless cropped glove trend? Is it HAUTE or NOT?

Just another MANICure Monday - Animal Print and Metallics

Hey Diva,
So....once again it's Monday and you know what that means...MANICure Monday! My girl LA Lynn is hosting this week so be sure you go check her out and link up.

Here are my most recent nail designs! As you may know, I am just head over heels in love with nail stickers. They are simple to apply and have ZERO dry time...you literally just stick and go!

Zebra Stripe Kiss Nail Dress Stickers in "Garter" Paired With Hot Pink Nail Polish

Envy Wraps Designer Nail Wraps in "Gold Bengal Metallic" with Black Nail Polish

Until next time.

Smooches
The Spoiled Diva

Spoiled Diva Remix: Jeweled Heels

Hey Diva!

Check out my latest “Remix” project! I saw this idea online a few weeks back and decided to try it out on an old pair of suede pumps I had sitting in my closet.

I used multi-sized, acrylic flat back crystals and applied them with E-6000 glue. It took me approximately 2 hours per shoe!  I completed them over the course of two days and think the results are FAB...I can’t wait to wear them!

 

Leather Trim Bangle Clutch - Spoiled Diva by CL Felder

 

Until next time.

Smooches,

The Spoiled Diva