Do-It-Yourself-Couture #1: Miu Miu Swallow Print Platforms

Currently Listening to:
"Breathe" by Miss A

The Spring/Summer 2010 season brought us some wonderful, glorious creations, most of which left us frothing at the mouths and hearts beating so fast we thought they'd burst right out of our chests! And I don't think that could be anymore true than for the Miu Miu SS10 collection and the amazing Pink Swallow Platforms that came prancing out of our dreams and onto the runway...

(The Pink Swallow Miu Miu Platform)

They still have fashionistas all over the world sobbing - some, into their slouchy Top Shop sweaters and don't even care - as they are virtually sold out everywhere now (even the Ebay knock-offs in anything bigger than a 7.5 have become extinct), making Prada's printed pumps some of the most coveted shoes in the modern fashion world by bloggers everywhere, next to the Jeffrey Campbell Lita. I myself spent hour after painful hour searching for a pair, which only left me in a mess of frustration and disappointment to find that every size 8, 9, and 10 was completely sold out. The opposite could be said of the Black Pussycat and Yellow Sunflower print platforms, which are virtually untouched. That's not say they aren't cute, but... my heart was set on the Pink Swallows.

(The Miu Miu Printed Platform Pump in Black Pussycat & Yellow Sunflower)

Even back when they were in-stock however, most of us could never afford them, not even in our wildest fantasy. With Ioffer and Ebay imposters running amok, selling from $58-$125 BEFORE shipping (which can run you anywhere from $25 -$65 depending on which foreign market you purchase them from), you still have to wait nearly three whole weeks for them to come in the mail - with no guarantee they'll be true to size, either - and you may end up stuck with a pair that don't fit. I'm sorry, but this just won't do. I'm an impatient girl as well as a rather frugal one, so instead of spending hundreds and waiting a month, I decided to go to Michael's and spend a grand total of $30 on making over an old pair of my platform pumps in a day!



My DIYC Version:

What You'll Need:

- 1 Pair of Platforms/Pumps in a light color (dark colors will need several coats of spraypaint). Any shoe type will work though; I just wanted something close to the original. If you don't have a pair of shoes to sacrifice for the project, but you have the money, I suggest springing for the new F21 Dita Suedette Heel in Tan for $22.80 and making them over. (With the exception of the heel, they are nearly the perfect shape for the Miu Miu Platform!)

- 1 can of Spraypaint. The kind I used was Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch brand in Sweet Pea (Pink Satin Finish). Any light pink should do though!

- 1 piece of cardboard.

- 1 Pencil.

- 1 Black Fabric Paint Pen. Sharpie or even Black Nailpolish will do too.

- Swallow/Bird pattern to trace/stencil. I used medium-size stickers that are technically Sparrow-shaped, but I'm okay with that lol

- Rhinestones for some added sparkle. My pick was Jolee's Boutique Stickable Gold & Clear Rhinestones. I loved them because they came in different shapes like the original Miu Miu crystals, as well they were larger in size, so they took up more room and were less work for my hands!

- Heavy-duty glue to secure the rhinestones. Water-proof E-poxy or Hot Glue works best. And again, the rhinestones I bought are stickable, but I decided to glue them too, because I didn't want my jewels to fall off with every step lol


Instructions:

1. Lay down a piece of cardboard in an open space (in the garage with the door open or outside in the driveway) to set your shoes on and apply the first layer of spraypaint to your shoes. Fill them with tissue/paper to help lift any creases as well as to protect the insides from getting too much paint in them.

Note: My shoes were White, which is the ideal shade (other than Pink, of course) to paint over, because its light and you'll get the most out of your color. However, the heels on mine were wooden, so it took two layers to hide the texture/pattern underneath. Be sure when you spray your shoes to stand at a decent distance apart too, that way the paint doesn't drip. Let them dry. (I let mine stand for about an hour and a half to be sure.) Meanwhile, take this time while you wait to set up a work space, as well as cut out your bird shapes and practice tracing them to prepare for the next step.

2. When your shoes are dry, bring them inside and set them on some tissue/paper (so if the bottoms are a little wet, you won't ruin your mother's counter or your art desk lol). Lay down your bird and trace the shape in pencil first. Continue all over the shoe until you're happy with the bird pattern you've created.

3. When you're satisfied with your print, go over the penciled outlines with your Black fabric paint pen, then proceed to fill them in. Let the shoes stand for a bit so the pattern can dry.

4. Now for some sparkle! Add some Epoxi or dot of Hot Glue to the back of your rhinestones and, one by one, add them around the front mouth/opening of the shoe. (Be sure to apply a little pressure to really get them stay.)

...And voila! There you have it! Your own, DIY'd pair of Miu Miu Swallow Print Platforms :}

Of course, these are just the steps I took to make mine, so feel free to get as creative as you'd like with your's! Mine look a little like a hybrid of the Ankle Platform and the Mary-Jane, and I plan to add on to them at a later time; when I get the chance, I hope to add a buckle/strap and maybe even the stand-up Swallow tail. But for now... I'm ready to don these bad boys out on my next adventure <3

Enjoy!

xoxo coco