Product Description

From their vibrant offices in Harlem, New York City, fashion designers and entrepreneurs Carmia Marshall and Carmen Webber (the Sistahs of Harlem) are taking fashion to a fresh new level. The Sistahs’ groundbreaking mix of urban style and modern haute couture is gorgeous and distinctive; it has already earned praise from publications including YM, Essence, Jane, Seventeen, Time Out New York, and Ebony. Carmia and Carmen are poised to bring Harlem’s rich culture and bold style into the forefront of fashion design, and their first book embodies their creative, D.I.Y. sense of style. T-SHIRT MAKEOVERS takes the most basic street-style staple—the T-shirt—and shows us how to turn it into haute couture. The possibilities for a basic shirt are amazingly varied, and the Sistahs outline the steps for each creation: an intricate tank top, a kimono-style blouse, an asymmetrical dress, a ruffled top. Carmen and Carmia provide insights into body types, color use and personal style, inspiring readers to use their own fashion instincts to personalize their creations. With full-color photographs and step-by-step instructions, everyone—from beginners to experts—can find projects to suit their skills. Some blouses and dresses are complex and challenging; others are so quick and simple, you don’t even need a sewing machine. With such endless possibilities, T-SHIRT MAKEOVERS has wide appeal. Any young woman with an interest in high fashion, hip hop, or pop culture will find something inspiring here; any girl who values individuality, creativity, resourcefulness, or fiscal responsibility will love this opportunity to put her skills to work. The Sistahs of Harlem are known for their ability to incorporate various cultural influences into their work, and the styles on these pages take cues from the most unexpected places: the streets of Harlem, the bright lights of Tokyo, and the beaches of Cuba, to name a few. Each creation featured here has a rich background and personality, taking fashion beyond simple aesthetics and infusing it with meaning. With the Sistahs’ help, readers will see their old T-shirts spring to new life though their own hands.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #199537 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

From the Inside Flap
"If I were a T-shirt, I'd want the Sistahs of Harlem treatment." -Bust Magazine

"The duo behind Sistahs of Harlem blend catwalk couture with uptown flare." -Time Out New York

Designer Brands in Paris, Milan and Tokyo are copying hip-hop street life today, and the T-Shirt is the urban fashion staple. Now, the first book from the women who redefined and marketed the torn T-Shirt concept and started a fashion craze, shares 20 unexpected and easy-to-follow projects for every gal. Here's a way to be hip, cool, and fiscally responsible--all at the same time.

"T-Shirt Makeovers" not only presents step-by-step instructions to turn the classic T into a fashion statement, but also exhibits it with original illustrations and vibrant photos that will showcase your creations.

From the Back Cover
"Sistahs of Harlem slash, sew and style--with a message. Their designs include political messages, and they aim to empower girls with their motto: To preserve is beautiful." -Seventeen Magazine

Take your old or weary, new and funky or just plain cotton comfy T-shirt and turn it into a fashion statement. "T-Shirt Makeovers" is a guide for every fashionista, a how-to style book for those who want high fashion at an affordable cost. The first book by the celebrated style duo, Sistahs of Harlem, "T-Shirt Makeovers" reveals their fashion secrets in a step-by-step format that will make turning any T-shirt in your closet into a fashion find.

Consider the T-Shirt a blank canvas that can be cut, sewn, twisted, and turned. It can be deconstructed and reconstructed; recycled and resuscitated, refashioned, and reinvented. Its style can be punk-y, funky, chic, unique, retro and even classic. It can become a halter, a tank top, a peasant blouse, a tube top, or even a dress. Demonstrating the versitility of the incredible T, this book shows--with original illustrations and vibrant photos of the end result--how easy it is to turn the old into something new.

The Sistahs continue to receive praise and recognition for their singular vision, from outlets such as Seventeen, YM, Jane, Bust and Ebony magazines. In "T-Shirt Makeovers," this innovative team will help you realize the unlimited possibilities of your own creativity.

About the Author
Carmia Marshall and Carmen Webber are innovators and entrepreneurs based in Harlem, New York, whose original designs have gained notice worldwide. They play a large role in bringing the hip-hop fashion craze to the general public, and specialize in a unique mix of urban style and high fashion. The young, energetic duo produces garments sold under the Sistahs of Harlem brand name at select shops in America and abroad, including Japan. Both are former models who have studied design academically, and have applied their talents to dressing celebrities, including Alicia Keys and Jennifer Lopez. Their designs will be appearing this fall in the Museum of the City of New York’s exhibit Black Style Now.

Customer Reviews

Stunning
I love this book. I've bought quite a few of these tshirt makeover jobs, and been a little let down. But this - this beats them all. There are a bunch of ts I can see myself putting together. And they're different - not like some of the other books out there which give you 50 variations on the same theme. They range from bare to covered up, and each design is graded as to difficulty. There are photos of the Ts being worn by models, and great diagrams of how to do the work. There's even a secion at the beginning where the Sistahs go into body types, colour and so on. Very well done book. Really glad I bought it.

Fashion Fun For All
T-Shirt Makeover is a great book for all ages. I purchased 1 book, loved it so much I decided it would be my gift of choice this year. The clear concise directions made it easy and enjoyable for even the "creatively challenged". The styles, ranging from conservative to ultra trendy allows something for everyone. We had a T-shirt Makeover party with guest ranging in age from 10 to 62, not only did we have great fun each guest left with a chic new top. I highly recommend this book.

T-Shirt Makeovers = Great book
This has great ideas with complete instructions that are easy to follow. The first project we tried took 45 minutes and turned out exactly as the sample in the book. What a great way to make use of those extra unused T-shirts.