F A S H I O N M I N U T E

'Kaffeslabberas': Handmade is Best

2011-11-21T13:03:00.002-05:00

Photograph Mads Emil Hilmer, Courtesy Guardian.co.uk

I've never re-blogged an entire article, but this one about "Knitting Nanas" by Lars Eriksen of the Guardian, deserves it. A sweet story about how a contemporary fashion designer collaborates with local senior women in Denmark, it reminded me of how my own beloved grandmother (a superb knitter and crafty person herself) was commissioned by the Hudson's Bay Company to knit amazingly dense, and sturdy, comfortable, woolen jackets for them in the late-seventies. If on the market now, my guess is that these beauties would likely go for $700-900, but of course, I'm doubtful they fetched that much then. My grandmother, who spoke all of two words in English, was a perfectionist when it came to anything she made by hand. From food, to clothing, to crafts, she had the midas touch. One of the coats which she made by hand remained (somewhat miraculously!) in circulation among my five siblings. What a far more important heirloom than something manufactured, or preciously ornate and sans character.

November Diaries - Ann Demeulemeester

2011-11-08T15:06:00.001-05:00

Normally, this time of the year has our flat village of a city teeming with red leaves and thinning trees. But Montréal is surprisingly still green for November, and balmy-warm too! I'm still happily biking to work every day, my Dries Van Noten's sliding down my nose. I'm even able to dress in light layers for my ride back home after catching a yoga class (I'm doing the 30 Day Moksha Hot Yoga challenge for the second time this year!).

The warm temperature is finding its way conspicuously in my wardrobe choices too which synchs up conveniently with the fact that I'm still poring over images from the Spring/Summer 2012 collections. I can't get the moody yet light Ann Demeulemeester SS12 looks out of my head! I find myself incorporating Indian sari-like draping and long and flowy dresses paired with tough footwear or a hat. Here are some of my favorite looks from Ann's SS12 collection...

Portishead, playing outside beneath a clear night sky on 7/10/11 @ Quai Jacques Quartier, Montreal

While we're on the topic of devastatingly beautiful things that stay in your head... This year I experienced two concerts which have tattooed themselves on the inside of my head and heart: Portishead, and James Blake. Portishead's lead singer, Beth Gibbons, made me rethink what an artist can be in the field of music. Seriously. And James Blake is the manifestation of the old adage that you have to know what you are doing before you know how to mess with it. He did his version of Joni Mitchell's "A Case Of You", which (I know, not even I can believe I'm saying this!), rivals the original. It's not even that these artists' music has dominated my iPod these days so much as moments from their concerts have been swishing around my mind when everything else is quiet. I'll find myself singing The Rip while I'm cooking or Glory Box while I'm biking.

These striking images and arresting sounds are with me this rollickingly delightful Fall.

O' Happy Fall. What an enchanting time of the year.

YARD666SALE - Picture Puke

2011-10-28T17:54:00.000-04:00

It looks like someone ate glowsticks and projectile-vomited neon kitsch everywhere. It's YARD666SALE! Run by Montreéal designer (and kind man) Dane Richards and his boyfriend, this vintage Etsy Shop is filled with tacky, sporty, trashy, folky, hippie, 90's duds and is bleeding with color like psychedelic syrup. Get to it.

Galerie Noel Guyomarc'h II - Artist Barb Smith

2011-10-24T12:49:00.004-04:00

An installation of lockets by Amelia Toelke, on exhibit at Galerie Noel Guyomarc'h.

I've mentioned my favorite Montréal jewelry shop - Galerie Noel Guyomarc'h - before. Gallerist/owner, Noel, just recently invited Venetia Dale to the shop to put together an exhibition of jewelry and objets d'arts by other artists including the incredible work of New York-based metalsmith, Barb Smith.

An Alex Hibbs sculpture (it sold to an intelligent and striking woman during the opening).

Smith often works with the readymade or found object. From repurposing bobby pins to dryer lint, she creates whimsical reflections on how we interact with everyday items.

Smith's simple series on keys cleverly flips the ubiquitous item from its regular context. A key is altered; elongated, stretched, and morphed into a a kind of visual poem, drawing your attention to the very 'thingness' of the object itself. You find yourself considering the intended use of a key and our gestures around it. Suddenly you can see how within a single object an entire set of social expectations are implied.

Special Delivery

2011-10-22T13:50:00.000-04:00

I couldn't sleep last night because I was thinking about my gorgeous roses I had received. I crept out of bed at 4am to take photos of them! And now I've learned that another delivery is coming later today. A house filled with roses, yes!

Best bag dress - Genevieve Savard

2011-10-18T11:16:00.001-04:00

I love this black silk, mullett dress (shorter up front, long at the back). It's by Montréal designer Genevieve Savard with whom I had a fun lil' city sojourn the other night. It's my absolute favorite piece in her collection because it's versatile, unique, and beyond comfy. My only other piece by this designer is my ADORED horse hair necklace.

Wearing Morales in FLARE Bloggers' Feature

2011-10-14T00:34:00.006-04:00

Iconic Canadian fashion magazine, FLARE, hollered at me as one of their "Favourite Canadian Fashion Bloggers". I'm flattered to be featured on FLARE.com in one of my favorite Canadian-based designers, Morales.

Morales clothing is handmade in designer and artist Renata Morales' atelier, located amidst the inspiring architecture of Old Montréal. I'm pleased that she continues to gain international notoriety, including a recent glowing piece in the NYTimes T Magazine.

I asked Renata how her taste has changed over the course of her career and she said, "I think that I more than ever try to aim for lightness in my clothes, even when they are intense looking."

Detail on Morales dresses takes your breath away, including on this lightweight, ivory and gold sequin frock.

UNTTLD

2011-10-13T14:44:00.001-04:00

Latest editorial from my boys, Montréal-based label, UNTTLD. Photography by the incredible LEDA and ST.JACQUES.

Steven Alan - Quality Control

2011-10-12T15:53:00.001-04:00

The downfall of purchasing clothes online is that you can never be too sure of fit until your clothing arrives, and doing mail returns is as dreadful as asking for the bathroom key at a gas station. So when I finally visited the Steven Alan boutiques in New York and LA last year to see the clothes in-person and try them on for size and fit, I was pleased to see that their Made-in-America craftsmanship pays off. Steven Alan makes simple, quality Americana clothing with covetable details. SA is appropriate for 'office casual' but also rough-and-tumble enough for a day in the studio, a picnic in the park, a dance-off. And so a few months ago when several occasions arose including two outdoor summer weddings, I surfed the SA site and called the LA store for more product information and ended up buying an off-white, high-waist, cut-out, lined skirt with a matching crop top. I also ordered several Daisy Tops to wear underneath cardigans. But the clincher (and reason for writing this post!), is that my online and over-the-phone shopping experience with Steven Alan was made even better when the package arrived. All my items were neatly wrapped in a parcel containing a handwritten note from Andrew, the manager at the Los Feliz store. That little gesture guarantees that I will shop SA again for myself, and my styling clients. Quality and care should be present from the first point of exposure of a brand to the very last stage of possible contact. A good label does not take an adoring client for granted.

Raji and the Dream of Horses

2011-10-05T09:19:00.010-04:00

Since I was a young lass I've had one recurring theme in dreams at night: wild horses. I see black stallions with their majestic manes flying past me while racing through open fields. But then they would pop up where they don't belong too, including, running out of elevators onto cubicle'd floors of high-rise buildings. Dream analysis anyone?? I wonder if my wild horse dreams may be what flying dreams are for others...

And yet, I've avoided the powerful imagery of horses in waking life because any obvious representation has seemed too cliché. But every cliché has a potent antidote, doesn't it?

Recently at Pop Montreal's PUCES Pop, I discovered the best incarnation of horsey symbolism that this fashionoid can handle: a long necklace of jet-black braided horse hair linked to vintage chain. I tried it on and was harkened back to my galloping dreams. After my heart found its beat again, I bought it.

The clothing and accessories designer behind my new coveted piece is the über talented, Genevieve Savard. Yesterday I visited her studio to look at her handiwork more closely and to examine her silk, leather, and hand-dyed cotton garments and leather and horsehair accessories to pull for an upcoming shoot I will be styling. When examining Savard's masterful work up close, it comes as no surprise that she's from a background in costume design. I can't wait to shoot pieces from her collection! And today, I'm wearing my new necklace for the first time; gonna take that horse hair to a press viewing, and to some styling meetings, including for an upcoming music video I will be working on (woot woot!).

P A R I S II

2011-09-14T13:48:00.000-04:00

These beautiful photos are property of Raji Sohal and may not be reproduced without permission.

P A R I S - Part I

2011-09-14T13:45:00.002-04:00

Normally I don't dress so girly but I couldn't resist this handcrafted, millner-made fascinator hairband.

Grinning in Paris on the most beautiful day.

Every time I visit the Louvre I appreciate the glass pyramids... clear, jagged geometry: a running theme in my life.

Got up close and personal with many of Duchamp's works.

The light at Centre Pompidou

Resting at Palais Tokyo, watching skaters put the grounds to good use.

Meeting my giant friend.

Museum paparazzi shot.

Je ne peux pas croire que j'ai presque oublié de partager ces photos de mon voyage a Paris!

La Semaine de Mode - Montreal Fashion Week SS12 Looks

2011-09-09T21:47:00.002-04:00

DENIS GAGNON

UNTTLD (design duo comprised by my chums Jose Manuel St. Jacques & Simon Belanger)

TRAVIS TADDEO

Images source: Bureau de la mode de Montréal | Photographe : Vincenzo D'Alto

Radio One / SdM and Coffee to go Hand-in-Hand

2011-09-05T16:54:00.001-04:00

Enjoying my Labour Day latté this morning. YUM.

This morning on CBC Radio One program, Daybreak, I got to talk about the upcoming Semaine de la Mode (Montreal Fashion Week). The mayhem kicks off tomorrow. Looks like I'll be needing a few more of these cup o' joes...

It being Labour Day, I also got to play a lot of music for Radio One listeners this morning, including bands that will be playing the upcoming Pop Montreal Festival (Tune Yards, Random Recipe among others), some PBJ, and some of my friend, Oscar's band, Holiday for Strings.

Christian l'Enfant Roi - SS12 - Masculine Romanticism

2011-09-01T19:07:00.004-04:00

Montreal Fashion Week kicks off next week but my boy, Christian l'Enfant Roi, presented his beautiful SS12 collection last night at a grand church in the Plateau. The opulent, pious backdrop was well served by DJ Dan LaFleche who layed tracks down while an opera chanteuse sang live during the show.

Click the image above for video.

The collection could be described as masculine romanticism. The pale, soft palette of colors of the clothes were apparently inspired by hues worn well by Christian's striking, lanky, pale-skinned, white-blonde partner (who also modeled in the show). Pajama-like pieces were an appreciated nod to the loungewear trend, but I could have done without the small-fitting (silk?) onesie that one of the models donned. My favorite pieces include gorgeous, hand-knit shoulder shrugs, bepoke button shirts, and luxe trousers. Everything looked comfortable to wear and charming without appearing too flowery. BRAVO to my chum Christian for another solid showing and an impressively original vision.

Summer Abseentee'ism Explained!

2011-08-30T15:38:00.000-04:00

I have been so absentee on my blog, I ought to pay it child support. My excuse is that I have very luckily been on the morning shift as Arts Reporter on the super-duper-awesome morning program on CBC Radio One in Montreal all summer. This means waking at the crack of summer's magic hour: 4:30am. It means stumbling through twilight-lit closets, groping in the depths of my wardrobe for the right texture, or color combination while my coffee machine brews the World's Strongest Espresso in the kitchen and BBC's World Report plays in the background. (That proper English accent delivering the news serves like an extra dose of caffeine!). While I hardly need to look a beauty queen in the studio (and who needs to when the mic doesn't come with a camera?), I still think a little bit of effort is important, especially at that hour - it wakes you up and is a sign to your colleagues that you respect what you do for a living, and that you respect the professionalism of the work environment. It doesn't hurt that I love visual ideas and composing an outfit is an expression of that fun, and ongoing experiment. Besides, if anyone doesn't have to dress drab for work - it's me! As a radio personality and arts/culture writer who runs her own personal stylist consulting business, I get to take a few sartorial liberties where I realize others may not... with one caveat, I need to be able to ride a bike in my outfits.

My Summer days on-air, not blogging here:

On my bike ride to work, there are very few cars on the road. I race the rising sun downhill to the Mothership, ahem, the Glorious CBC Headquarters. In my head, I am rifling through the top Arts and Culture stories in my head. I am going through the playlist of songs from bands that are playing in our city throughout the week, thinking about which ones I'll play for listeners. I am grinning and biking, and singing.

I love doing Arts on CBC Radio One in Montreal. I love interviewing local artists, musicians, film makers, authors and actors; uncovering their stories and sharing them with listeners. Every story I do is part of my ongoing loveletter to this wonderful city. And now, back to my other radio commitments, and writing deadlines and S T Y L I N G. Happy End O' Summer y'all & thanks for keeping up despite my infrequent posts!

Random photo of me + sunset. Going to have to revel in these last days of Summer... feels like Fall's a heartbeat away!

Berlinde de Bruyckere Exhibition at Gallery DHC in Montreal

2011-08-29T17:31:00.001-04:00

Judging by the GoogleStats on my art writing entries on this blog, seems like y'all are already hip to the fact that I am the Canadian Columnist for PBS' Art21 Blog. I cover contemporary art in Canada on the critical cultural site, exploring the face of art practice and process, curatorial mandate and audience reception. My latest piece is on Flemish sculptor Berlinde de Bruyckere's exhibit at Gallery DHC in Montreal. Read full article here.

Montreal vs. Toronto: StreetStyle Battle Royale

2011-06-26T06:30:00.011-04:00

Oui, c'est moi! I was recently asked by the great people at Tourism Toronto to be their Stylist judge for a streetstyle contest -- Montrealers vs. Torontonians via a live web cam/screen downtown in each city -- at "The Cheating Wall".

From the photo above it's hard to tell that I'm melting (32degrees that day!) in my vintage cream, silk Lanvin blouse and lawn-green, high-waisted Prada skirt, but it was well worth the effort. Normally, I wear leave my crown of curls as-is in humid weather but I had a T.V. gig earlier that day and I would've barely fit in the frame with my usual wild mane!

I love Montréal and I visit Toronto often for clients. It's hard to 'judge' places held so close to heart, and yet... I did! Shoot, to be honest, for people that live in these cities, pegging TO against MTL is unavoidable. It runs deep in the DNA of our available conversation topics. After the contest, Tourism Montreal interviewed me about Montreal and Toronto style. The results are pretty funny. Peep it here (and sorry - you'll have to mind the writer's typos in the linked article!).

Virtual Fitting Room

2011-06-25T22:37:00.001-04:00

I buy clothes on the basis of FIT and FABRIC. But if those factors don't matter to you, I just learned (a little late!) that there's the Magic Mirror: a virtual way of trying on clothes without having to ever actually undress. Where laziness meets imagination! Pure genius... proving once again the prophecies of Alicia Silverston's character in Clueless.

How to wear a 'fashion turban'

2011-06-12T06:00:00.002-04:00

Why am I sharing this photo of me giving the camera some sizzling eyes at awesome vegan, gluten-free resto, SAF, in London's Shoreditch neighborhood? Because this photo is the source of a triumphant sartorial revelation I just had: how I should rock a 'fashion turban'. I'm wearing one here designed by my pal, Montréal designer, Audrey Cantwell. I wear it knotted in the front, and with my curly hair poppin' out the bottom. This façon seems to make it clear that I'm not going for the whole fortune teller/tribal/healer/pious look. Thought I'd share that lil' fashion '"aha moment" (Oprah show RIP) with y'all.

But does it float? (Photoshoot I styled for Bijougraphie)

2011-06-11T20:26:00.007-04:00

Bathtubs. Who knew I'd spend a day hovering over, and in one, breathing atop two dainty knock-your-aqua-socks-off models?

I styled some shots for a SS11 campaign for the jewelry line, Bijougraphie, designed by pal Mercedes LaRosa in Montréal. My job was easy. The photographer on the other hand, had to (hilariously) straddle the tub with a foot on either side of the tub for hours on end, in a steaming room, working beneath hot lights on a slippery surface for 7 hours. No biggie. Here are some extra images from the shoot styled by yours truly...

The Bijougraphie line is simple: wooden spheres, hand-painted and polished laquer that dangle from delicate chain as necklaces and earrings. These lightweight balls of joy deserve to float from your loverly self too. Buy them online here.

Vintage Pop - Week Long Sale in Mile End

2011-04-06T02:16:00.002-04:00

I've just gone through yet another Springtime closet cleanse in time for selling some vintage gems at le PopUp Shop week-long vintage sale in Mile End, put on by the good people of the Pop Montreal Festival (for whom I've organized a new designer's fashion show in the past and hosted last year).

It's one thing to coordinate a huge sale like this, but one of the organizers, Ms. Marilis Cardinal , helps handle the shop with a smile. Drop by, say 'whaddup' to her.

I had a pre-sale in advance where I sold authentic men's vintage 50's 'aloha' shirts, and beautiful 60's and 70's maxi dresses for women that are particularly storied: handpicked from closets and tiny thrift shops across Canada and the States. At le PopUp Shop, I am selling platform wedges and sweet Spring dresses, perfect for bike riding and picnicking this Summer.

I also urge you to check out the thrifted treasures of my dear friends from Caesar Pony and Tarantula Sisters (the latter of which is run by my girl, Audrey Cantwell, an amazing clothing designer whom my regular readers will recognize I have styled and modeled for). Check out the Etsy sites of these amazing ladies!

Hope to see you at le PopUP Shop in the next few days.

xo,

Fashion Minute

Happy Birthday Times in NYC

2011-04-04T14:58:00.011-04:00

I got treated to a fun birthday gift - a trip to New York City.

Time spent laughing with my beautiful friends, catching live music, browsing/touching/trying on fashion, savoring coffee, and eating delicious meals throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan, as well as checking out gallery openings and parties were highlights. Visiting new'ish gallery, 319 Scholes, for its JstChilln/READ/WRITE exhibition was worth the trek to Bushwick which, I clearly seem to be enjoying in the photo below!

But my favorite part of the trip was time spent wandering with the best company, discovering the tiny pieces of magic the usual hustle often hides. My tender toes had their bootcamp back into Spring with the sheer volume of walking I did.

In my Master's thesis published a few years ago, I wrote a lot about the act of walking, and what subconscious desires and deliberate intentions comprise the simply-perceived, though actually quite complex, activity. I was reminded of this in New York where I must have spent 12-14 hours each day walking, playing the role of the flaneuse. The staccato rhythm of the city; a conveyer belt of fast ideas, commercial cacophony, and grand dreams in constant cyclical motion.

Walking The Highline on the radiantly sunny afternoon on my birthday ad me glistening, and content with a very full heart.

Doc Martens (London), full-length printed jumpsuit (Glasgow), Rick Owens leather jacket (Paris), fur & feathers (Montreal), worn in NYC whilst galavanting the Highline on a chilly and sunny bday afternoon

A quick meeting with a possible collaborator at NPR, an interview with an artist for my Art21 column, and a snappy consulting session with a styling client allowed me to squeeze a bit of very fun work in to my leisurely vacay too.

For my fashion fiends:

1) I was birthday-gifted the Junya Watanabe piece of my daydreams. (!) A navy and white striped dress/shirt/lifeline.

2) Too bad for my pocket book, I discovered that silk, floor-length, jewel-toned FENDI gowns are my JOINT!!

3) I found out that Steven Alan designs are something to behold when you actually try them on. The fit is impeccable.

4) I should give royalties to my dear friend whose custom furs which I wore in NYC were traffic stoppers; I got asked about them everywhere I went.
5) I think Opening Ceremony has always had it going on, and their website these days is a slick combination of inspiration, and convenience. But their actual NY stores these days? Dismal windows, oppressively hot temperatures and cluttered 'merchandising' complete with decrepit displays falling apart with nary a person to reassemble them. FAIL. However, mega customer service points to everyone at the Jil Sander, Alexander Wang, Zero and Prada boutiques for all their enthusiasm and help when I visited. (I'm writing a piece for a publication right now on shopping high-end in NYC and so my radar for merchandising and customer service was particularly sensitive!)

6) I got picture taken by "Babes at the Museum" style blog! I lamented to the lovely photographer, Xavier, that I may not be 'babe enough' the day he asked to take my photo at PS1 but he reassured me with subtle flattery and you will find my awkwardness evidenced here in the result:

And in these two photos (above and below), I'm caught by my photographer friend, while I was playing with my necklace at brunch in Brooklyn. The light captured here was too beautiful not to include some evidence of it!

SO much love. A perfect birthday. With every passing year, life keeps getting better and for this, I am truly thankful.

- - Et aussi un grand 'merçi' a tous mes amis a New York qui m'a montré des temps merveilleux.

Fashion Minute

Gentlemen, We Are Floating in Space - Online Retail for Men

2011-03-01T05:30:00.134-05:00

Most of my personal styling efforts these days are aimed at gentlemen. My mission? (I won't bother feigning humility here)... I help men look their hottest. I make each man find and hone a personalized style that is super comfortable, unique, and authentic to whom the guy already is. I'm not transforming guys into trend hounds. Instead, it's critical to me that my client walks away confident, stylish, and skilled in how to shop and dress for himself with ease.

Shopping for dudes is another beast unto itself. It takes far more research and scouring than womenswear does. Of course as you know, shopping online has helped democratize fashion, making quality clothes more accessible despite geography. Gone are the days where 'shopping in London' (or New York, Paris, or Milan for that matter), is a privilege few are afforded. Now, the 'nets (and a willful credit card!), deliver the goods straight to your door.

And YET, shopping online for men has been somewhat 'meh' until recently. Of course there is the highly curated Opening Ceremony, and accessible UK-based ASOS but the former is specialized toward hardcore hipsters (in denial obvs), and ASOS is amazing but vast and thus requires a very good eye to find the right stuff. I lovelovelove the new'ish Dalston-based 'lifestyle project' LNCC for their unpretentious, holistic, and very fashion-forward aims but not many of my clients seek experimental clothing. And SSENSE.com has the potential be an amazing site for menswear but unfortunately the mens' buying utterly lacks vision, a fact which is evident in their inundation of 2001-esque graphic Tshirts, polo t-shirts (in 2011, really?!), and blah GStar jeans blocking sightlines for the good brands like Raf Simons and Acne that they carry. SSENSE purports to be edgy with their editorials but the menswear falls waaaaaay short. SSENSE missed an opportunity to be the "It" gentleman's store on the block: in trying to be 'everything to everyone' it thus fails to be anything to anyone.

Some of 'Mr. Porter's Style Icons' on mrporter.com

ENTER new kid in town: Mr. Porter, "the male counterpoint to Net-a-Porter, the high-end fashion e-tailer". People say it rips off brilliant menswear mag, Fantastic Man. I say, HALLELUJAH! Finally, an online retailer offering men uncompromisingly quality, flattering, designer clothing. Admittedly, some of the 'style advice' on the site is stodgy (in a charming kinda way), but the editorials and styling is tops and the selection/buying is perfection so as a consumer you can't go wrong. It would be amazing to be a part of this team as a buyer or stylist! In the meantime, I will be sending my gentlemen clients to Mr. Porter.

OSCARS

2011-02-28T19:35:00.001-05:00

The Oscars. They happened and sadly, they were BORECORE. Poor host Anne Hathaway - she's probably well-meaning but she came across as a try-hard cheerleader and her sidekick, soap opera hunk/overachiever James Franco was ostensibly high yet, dull. I wasn't going to bother posting anything on at all on the Oscars but I received several emails from clients asking me, 'so... what'd you think of the dresses?!' So here it is. Mila Kunis' stylist deserves an award for putting her in that lilac Elie Saab Haute Couture for SpringSummer 2011 gown. Likewise for Natalie Portman whose violet-colored Rodarte dress tastefully draped over her expectant belly bump in the most flattering way, and the ballet beau on her arm wasn't too shabby an accessory either. Cate Blanchett was obviously freakishly beautiful as usual, this time in Givenchy. Done!

Painted!

2011-02-25T13:05:00.002-05:00

Recently, my friend, Montréal-based artist Kevin Ledo, painted me (the large centre canvas in the pic above). I met Kevin when I interviewed him for my CBC radio column, "On the Verge" several years ago. Since then, we've become goods pals. Kevin is best known for his 'Guiding Light' series where he examines the iconography prevalent in fashion photography.

I love the way the painting turned out. Kevin managed to capture an honest, and pleased expression on my face that I think I tend to make before I crack up with laughter. Thanks Kev!

Montreal Vintage Score! - Copper Brown, 1940's Silk Velvet

2011-02-24T12:41:00.000-05:00

"From dark wine and the thousand roses there, the hour rushes into the dream of night." - Rainer Maria Rilke

This dress wouldn't fit me but it's perfect for beautiful (and tiniest!) friend Yumiko. Like everything, she wears it well.

London Calling - Part 1

2011-02-23T22:51:00.017-05:00

I've been meaning to post pics from my last visit to Londres, UK. Unfortunately, while the shopping was brilliant (Dover Street Market, LNCC, Shoreditch), most places wouldn't allow photos to be taken, and my fancypants camera (ch-ching!) doesn't exactly pass for 'inconspicuous' so I was always caught, Canon-handed. So please accept the above and below photographic documentation as my postcards to you: evidence that your curly haired companion ran (quite literally) around London in the name of fashion, art, friends, food, and music.

Got my fair deal of art too, with several days spent at Tate, White Cube, the National and smaller galleries in East and South London. I was hoping to bank some interviews for my colomn on RCI/CBC radio in Canada but schedules did not permit. Next time for certain. Cheerio!

Galerie Noel Guyomarc'h - Unique Jewelry in Montreal

2010-11-28T21:21:00.075-05:00

Type 'unique + jewelry + montreal' into Google search, and I expect to see one of my talented jeweler friends' websites like Harakiri, Pearls Before Swine, or Thierry Huard's line to pop up. No such luck. However, if you are looking for a unique and artistic piece of jewelry while shopping in Montreal, the under-the-radar place I send my pals and styling clients to for quality, design-conscious, handmade jewelry from around the globe is Galerie Noel Guyomarc'h Bijoux d'Art. Already a fave among Montréal ladies with good taste and cash to burn, this shop front gets bypassed very easily I'm afraid, because of its wordy name and its low-key signage on the exterior.

Although the word 'curate' is thrown around too loosely these days (in place of where one should say 'filter' instead), and especially in hybrid artistic/commercial settings, this gallery-meets-shop is one case where the fact that it is actually curated is appreciated. Owner Noel, chooses lines based upon instinct, and appreciation of fine craftsmanship. In most cases, he is the sole Canadian vendor of many international designers' work. Noel also holds exhibitions in the shop much in the same way one would hold an art opening but in this case, you actually get to handle the wares! The other factor to make this store exceptional is that Noel himself is incredibly kind and helpful, a rarity on Laurier West - the boutique street where his shop can be found.

This is not a shop for the trend-oriented: so don't come here for the goth-meets-hiphop-meets-rock-punk accessory of the season. There is nothing here to satisfy your craving for Pamela Love'ischt nor Urban Outfitters-waspiness. This is jewelry for art lovers and fashion-forward femme fatales. Jewelry for women who fit in nowhere but are comfortable everywhere.

My next acquisition from the store will be from London-based Karola Torkos - be still my hearty heart!

Sheer perfection

2010-11-28T17:42:00.000-05:00

My apologies but I have no idea where this photo originally came from. Some of my favorite songs sound like this combination of quiet colors and exaggerated shapes.

JUNYA WATANABE - steals my heart

2010-11-24T22:35:00.009-05:00

Most women don't want to wear something that 'hides their waist', 'shortens their legs', or doesn't overtly show off one asset or another. Junya Watanabe is not for them. Watanabe is for a woman whose persona is what she shows off. If there's such a thing as a 'Watanabe woman', it's unbeknownst to her. She's a lady who doesn't care about capital "F" fashion. She sees style as an expression of elegance and fun at the same time.

Watanabe's trademark inventive draping, geometric anomalies, and handle on wildly unconventional proportions fills me with an inexplicable joy. I'm not even kidding. And with a description like that you'd expect something hard, angular, avant, and 'conceptual', right? But once you get past hair stylist/visionnaire Katsuya Kamo's masks that the models wore in these images from style.com from the SS/11 show, its the whimsical stripes, comfortable fabrics, perfect layering, and flat oxfords that make this collection wearable after all.

So far off the course of 'trend-making', there isn't a single reference in this collection to what young'ins are going nuts for on highstreet but never mind that: all the more reason for me to be inspired to experiment with these looks. This is what the possibilities of exploring imagination in fashion looks like.

Nobuyoshi Araki for Barney's - Food for Thought

2010-11-10T00:56:00.003-05:00

Since discovering Haruki Murakami's novels as a teen, his stories and scenes revisit me at completely random moments in my life. The same stands for the images of photographer Araki, an artist who also deals with love and death and the theme of melancholy; the perpetual chase for something lost that cannot be defined nor found. Now, the work of these two Japanese visionaries finally collides, although not directly. Kiko Mizuhara, who will play lead in the film adaptation of Murakami's book, Norwegian Wood, just modeled in Barney's holiday campaign shot by Araki. The photos grasp a mild version of the sensuality that Araki always achieves without the 'death' undertones he usually evokes.

All photos Courtesy of Barney's New York (2010).

The cliché display of saccharine frivolity in holiday campaigns is apparently meant to encourage indiscriminate shopping-mania. But the overly accessorized, blingy blonde and brunette gals with bylines that read, 'all that dazzles!' and 'sparkle sparkle!' are a real turnoff for a window shopper wanting to be inspired by something different in a holiday campaign. Araki and Mizuhara do something different, something unexpected with their shoot for Barney's. The saturated color and gorgeous, filmic blur make me dream, make me wonder. This will be the best holiday campaign for a North American department store this year. No contest.

Denis Gagnon @ Musée des Beaux-Arts - BLOGGED for Art21

2010-11-09T12:32:00.004-05:00

Installation view of Denis Gagnon exhibit at Musee de Beaux-Arts. Photos by yours truly (bien sur!)

By the by, for those who didn't know, I am the Canadian columnist for amazing PBS program Art21's blog site. My latest article on Art21 is about Montréal fashion designer Denis Gagnon's current exhibit at the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Read it HERE.

Cougar Boots

2010-11-08T17:09:00.007-05:00

Wearing "Ringo Starr" Cougar Shoes, Anna Sui floral leggings, Complex Geometries long-sleeve & RayBans.

Usually rainboots and winter footwear are awkward and heavy. To dodge those burdens in the past, I've gone for quirky alternatives to the classic Hunter wellies. A pair of sleek and slim $300 Donald J Pliner rainboots LEAKED water after six months of wear. A non-waterproof rainboot? No thanks. Next, I threw some cold euros down on a pair of Ferragamo "Freeze" rainboots whose material lining came undone. Sometimes 'Made in Italy' should read more specifically, like in this case: "Made With Kids Glue in Italy". Ever try to replace lining in a pair of boots? I couldn't find a single cobbler who'd agree to do it. Finally, the worst was when I dropped a painful $500 on a pair of gorgeous rubber and cow hide boots from (possibly now defunct) luxury brand called "Trans(parent)". Despite their unique look (what I imagine Rick Owens could style his Apocalyptic models in), the combined smell - yes, I said 'smell' - of the rubber and hide combo was too potent for them to actually be worn. Perhaps in a vacuum-sealed glass cube they could moonlight as a sculpture in my living room? Next I turned to Canadian saviour-brand "La Canadienne" with a boot that was truthfully, warm enough to be worn in an ice storm. However, when the soles became separated from the boot due to the glue coming off, I decided it was the last time I would spend excessive amounts of cash on original-looking boots that purport to be 'quality'.

Singing in the rain, wearing: Prada coat, Audrey Cantwell leather leggings and "Regal" Cougar Rainboots.

The solution arrived on my doorstep last week in the form of a pair of rainboots and a pair of winter boots, courtesy of Cougar Shoes (whose winter boots from the 70's-80's, used to look like this. RAD!). Both of my new pairs are exactly what I'm looking for: waterproof, warm, comfortable, well-cut. The price tag reads only $85 for the "Regal" rainboots and $200 for the height-adjustable, fur-lined "Ringo Starr" winter boots. But it could have just as easily read: "worth every penny." These boots were made for more than walking, and that's just what they'll do.

Please fill out this one-minute survey by Cougar shoes please! http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/413388/feedback For every survey completed, Cougar shoes will donate $2 to the Red Cross.

On Sacred Things

2010-11-01T14:18:00.016-04:00

My childhood memories of growing up with my four siblings are to me what shoes are to most girls. I covet them like little gems rotating in the palm of hand, glistening in the sun. Perfect morsels of love, light, love (hit repeat). But I love shoes too. For better or worse, shoes are one of those items in my family of seven, that never experienced the hand-me-down tradition. Whichever shoes each kid had, they had until they wore out. I remember one pair vividly that my sister Jessie (two years older than me) wore in primary school: bowling-like, red-burgundy Cougar's. She loved them, their soft leather changing over time.

I loved Jessie's Cougar's too, so much so that if they existed now in my own size, I'd make them my signature everyday shoe. Jessie, a most caring, beautiful and stylish individual, lives in Scotland now where she is a doctor. I visited her and her husband a few months ago where they just purchased a lovely home.

And any day now, my sweet sister - pictured above at 7.5 months pregnant - will become a mother when she gives birth to her first child (she is due tomorrow!). And just like that, the realization hits that we are not kids anymore.

When I opened a care package that I just received from the Cougar shoe company, my first thought was 'wow, I remember when my sister had a pair of Cougar's! and now she's going to have a kid of her own who'll wear little people shoes!' Cougar has no idea of this backstory, and naturally, their styles have changed with the times and don't look anything like what they used to, when I was a kid. However, this enduringly Canadian brand continues to celebrate the tradition of making quality product coupled with unique design. I'll let you know how my boots go this week as I testdrive them in Montreal's rain and cold. My fingers are crossed in the meantime that Cougar may one day reissue those old styles and that this soon-to-be aunt will have the chance to buy her niece or nephew a pair of burgundy leather Cougar's one day soon enough too.

POP MONTREAL FASHION SHOW

2010-10-14T13:43:00.012-04:00

Every year, POP MONTREAL International Music Festival, puts on a fashion/design fair called PUCES POP, of which there is a fashion show/competition for new emerging designers. This fun event for our vibrant artistic community provides an unprecedented opportunity for local designers to showcase their work without the financial investment of participating in capital "F" Fashion Week. In a bizarre and lucky twist of organization, POP managed to book the Rialto, a much more beautiful venue to showcase clothing than the tents downtown. I know the work that goes into the event as I was the coordinator in its second year. This year coordinator extraordinaire was Marilis Cardinal, who invited me to participate in the festival in a very different way: as host!

Alongside the other host Julien Ceccaldi, we introduced designs by six emerging labels in Montréal. You can find descriptions and brief interviews with the designers on my friend Serah-Marie McMahon's fashion journal, WORN, site, (where you can also read Jackie Irvine's recap of the show).

Although from my place onstage I wasn't given the best view of the garments, I had a sneak-peek beforehand and was thoroughly impressed by the calibre of work put into the collections.

Photos of Fashion Pop taken by talented Richmond Lam via my girl Chloe's (featured above) blog.

The stylist in me was tempted to offer suggestions and tweak the clothes on the models backstage, but I kept the hands-on urge at bay! Félicitations goes to the winner, Natasha Thomas and to all the other designers for their imaginative work. It was by far, the best showing of designers to date in the Puces Pop Fashion Show.

Get Norwegian This Fall

2010-09-25T16:42:00.006-04:00

Norwegian Wood is a label run by my friend/collaborator Angie Johnson for whom I have styled and, ahem/yikes(!) modeled for. Like me, Angie's based in Montréal but she's got her entrepreneurial eyes set on the world and her designs reflect it. She strays from the few specific design aesthetics for which Montréal is most known (namely black and minimal), by making clothes and accessories that are eclectic and bright; often using mixed print and vintage fabrics. I admire that a moment in fashion when "more is more" is unfashionable, Angie GOES for it.

Thanks to blog accolades from heavy hitters like Susie and the Tavster (Style Rookie), I'm happy to say that Norwegian Wood is one independent fashion designer whose climb is on the steady and exciting rise.

I wanted to wait until the Fall season actually hit to share photos from our F/W shoot so that you get a chance to think about pieces you might consider integrating into your current wardrobe. I love the Landscape dress (centre) which you can get right now on Etsy.

The inspiration behind the collection was an eccentric archaeologist whose love of ecological artifacts gets interpreted into a closet of autumn-colored treasures. Angie modernized the collection with original accessories predominantly combining chain, fringe and (of course!) wood. Here's an old post from Style Bubble with photos from the shoot (styled/modeled by me and photography by April Lea).

P.S. Photos from our latest collaboration -- SS11 shoot -- will be up soon!

Kudos to Angie: love working with her and very much looking forward to watching her label evolve.

xx Fashion Minute

Early Mornings on the Airwaves

2010-09-22T21:32:00.025-04:00

Here I am. So profesh, I know. This is what I look like at 5am doing arts features - covering music, art, film, dance, fashion - on CBC Radio in Montréal. Of course, an audience of listeners can't tell what you're wearing over the radio airwaves, but when I hit the mic, I know I can feel it.

At that unheavenly hour, my pores are screaming for oxygen, water - anything but makeup. On this day, a pale blue Stella McCartney blazer and my beloved but seldom-worn Chie Mihara heels provide the ticket to waking me up. Got these Japanese-woodblock and soft black leather bad boys (down from original price tag of $550) on sale in Chicago and despite their towering prowess, they're extremely comfortable.

Of course, being on the microphone and talking about tonight's must-see show, the new Arcade Fire album, or the latest music festival to come through Montréal is worth waking up for without any complaints! Next week on another program on radio, I'll be covering Fall fashion highlights - can't wait!

Raf Simons SS07

2010-07-18T22:51:00.004-04:00

When fashion photography is at its best, it can show off how silhouette is the most important tenant of style. It goes beyond the pale of the embedded and implied details. Refinery is no doubt an important aspect of actually dressing oneself, but in photography; silhoutte, shape and proportion are king. No one knows this like Raf Simons. In the above Simons' SS07 spread, darkened outlines of vagabonds on a river bank evokes the undeniable power of youthdom. Boys, guys, bros, young men in the making. Shadows at night, near water. These bodies are not about fashion; they're about desire, making trouble, recklessness.

The same effect is achieved (mais, sans vetements içi!) in photos by photographer Alex deBrabant for a new shop/collaborative space in Montréal run in part by my dear friend Andrew Ly. Here, stoic model Keir Knight (formerly a professional ballet dancer), speaks volumes with his silhouette alone, quietly harnessing the energy of a wild horse in wait.

Robert Pattinson at Twilight Premier Today

2010-06-25T15:38:00.000-04:00

Dark raspberry, rakish, fitted-to-perfection GUCCI suit on Twiglight star, Robert Pattinson. More gentleman should consider donning some color in their suits.

Norwegian Wood - MAXIMALISM

2010-05-03T12:04:00.010-04:00

Sneak peak shot from my shoot with for my friend, Angie, the designer behind Montréal women's clothes and accessories label Norwegian Wood (image via Angie's Twitter feed). That's me fixing a shoelace on the model, Joelle, (oh the glamorous work of styling!). I styled the shoot, and it was my second project with Norwegian Wood and my third project with superfantastic photographer, April Lea. The collection can be described as PRINT POWER. In the face of the subdued minimalist trend that is about to hit streets like an erupting lolcano, NW's maximalism is a bold and welcome move.

Here are more shots from the online campaign/lookbook:

Lucky feather, Lucky birthday, Lucky Girl

2010-04-26T20:19:00.002-04:00

Someone got seriously spoiled for her birthday! A few weeks ago, I began drooling regularly over the chairs at a design-conscious furniture store in Old Montreal and found this chair - my favorite one in the shop - in my office on my birthday! Pictured above, you'll notice a box in real vintage-eighties textbook wrapping paper (remember those?) Inside was an amazing, new digital Canon camera for my birthday (which I was very reluctant to accept!). I was unnecessarily spoiled rotten, but totally grateful for these gifts and a fab party with lovely friends, cakex3, and best of all -- a trip to NYC!

She's snapped!

2010-04-25T17:17:00.003-04:00

Your's truly (wo)manning an AKAI APC for a minute at the launch of SNAP Magazine's latest launch. Stay tuned to SNAP's website next month for my interviews with other of our city's finest culture cats!

Bijougraphie

2010-03-02T16:15:00.001-05:00

I know it's a good day when the first thing I'm inspired to put on is colorful, pretty, and unique. As I got dressed this morning to cover Montréal Fashion week shows, I put on a necklace I recently modeled for the Bijougraphie SS10 catalogue.

Though you can't tell unless you feel them in your hand, the 'baubles' are actually rondured wood that has been hand painted in glossy acrylic and finished with vibrant, varnish enamel. The gorgeous colors, detailed brush strokes, and mix of natural with synthetic, expose a miniature spherical canvas that is surprisingly easy to wear. I look serious enough in the pic to devour the photographer, but I promise the necklace normally has me smiling. Photograph: Mercedes la Rosa, Bijougraphie SS10 catalogue

Snapped at NY Fashion Week!

2010-02-17T11:42:00.017-05:00

I got street style snapped during New York Fashion Week in my Audrey Cantwell silk striped dress, Alexander McQueen belt, White Label leather gloves, and Lanvin silver sneaks. Photo: Elsa Lindström

What would you call a week-long event that describes positive havoc, sensory overload; requires boundless energy, and looks like the word "WOW" sounds?

NEW YORK FASHION WEaK. And I just got back from it.

With no time to blog while I was there, here's my lowdown, mostly via photos. This post can't possibly include everything I checked out but includes stuff from the days before my camera died! I'll start with the Independent Fashion Bloggers conference I attended and which I researched beforehand for my esteemed colleagues over at CBC Radio One in Toronto on a program called Q.

The fabulous Diane Pernet and I before she went on stage as a panelist.

The "Future of Fashion Blogging" was the best-moderated panel and had the heavy hitters; Bryan Boy, Tavi, and Susie debating the status of the celebrity fashion blogger and its impact on the fashion journalism industry. I had the chance to chat with Scott aka The Sartorialist for a while before darting off with Dustin Pittman to catch the stunning Halston presentation of their new Fall 2010 line.

I met the bubbly Sarah Jessica Parker who recently announced partnering with Halston. Marios Schwab, the designer behind Halston, was present and chatty with the press. He told me the inspiration behind the clothes was 'liquid nitrogen'.

I loved the earrings by Jacqueline Rabun: elegant and bold.

Ran into Susie again and we talked about Dazed Digital. I wonder how long before she leaves the youth rogue online magazine; she seems disenchanted by it and expressed a desire to work on her blog more. Since she is "THE" blogger; the talented and hardworking helm of fashion blogging, it would be welcome to see her blog develop. Hearts to Susie!

I also ran into Editor-at-Large of American VOGUE, Hamish Bowles, whom I met outside of where I was staying in the West Village a few days earlier. We walked a few blocks together; discussing the sadness of Lee McQueen's death, the rise of online magazines, and his own unconventional sartorial savvy. Wikipedia says of Hamish, he is 'recognized as one of the most respected authorities on the worlds of fashion'. And yet, despite the grandeur of his position, he was sincere and likable.

Me with Gaeun Joo, Editor of Korean VOGUE, showing off our matching silver sneaks.

The shows at MILK and at the tents at Bryant Park, had me running between two totally different hoods; pining for better weather in my heels! Derek Lam, and 3.1 Philip Lim were too packed for me to pull out the camera, and by the time I tried to at Ralph Lauren and J. Mendel, it was clear that I wasn't going to get good shots, and I didn't want to! A fashion runway programme is over so quickly, I chose to focus on watching the presentations

Other than when I have done fashion interviews for television, I've always found frontstage to be where the real action is. Backstage on the other hand is just a sea of hairstylists, dressers and MUA's swarming around iPod-fiddling models as they aimlessly get their hair yanked and eyebrows pulled. There's not much time to take in the artistry. While it is definitely special to behold the garments backstage before anyone else, in the end, the ideal place to view clothes is on display on an actual body; against the intended backdrop, to the beat of booming music on the runway.

Nonetheless, backstage is where you'll find celebrities milling about. Backstage at denim wizards, G-STAR's spectacle, British model Agyness Deyn caused a near riot among paparazzi when she showed up in her dyed-black lid. Meanwhile, I chatted (en français!) with cute Garance Doré who posed for me while a froufrou-looking Kelly Osbourne was being interviewed in the background by MTV.

Random selection of photos I took of pals at a couple of the Fashion Week parties that I bothered to bring my camera to!

Other critical "New York Stuff: Seen and Heard" worth mentioning:

I frequented Tartine in West Village way more than one should in two weeks, and same goes for dancing at the SubMercer Lounge (but I blame their dope hip hop DJ's for that!). New York's most janky and not-to-be-missed institution is the Museum of Moving Image in Astoria. Here, the beautiful Biba and I found the most random (read: AMAZING) assortment of unrelated, dusty paraphernalia from sitcoms and films, including an odd Egyptian-themed screening room, game show signage, and a small sweater collection from The Cosby Show's Cliff Huxtable character.

Honorable art mentions: as usual, I hit the major museums and galleries. Gabriel Orozco at MoMa blew my mind as did Tino Seghal at the Guggenheim.

Meandering through the Lower East Side and Chelsea galleries was fun, particularly meeting up with my pal Jon at the Shaquille O'Neale-curated exhibit, "Size DOES Matter" ?! Crazytown.

Had a minute to peep my home boy, melody-making-hip hip-electronicist (!!) Nosaj Thing's gig at New York's Le Poisson Rouge with Daedalus and Jogger which, despite having seen him perform numerous times before, was incredible.

I'm thrilled that I didn't have too much time for shopping because I did plenty of it right before NYC. However, I had been hearing good things about Downtown Brooklyn and so I did do a run through it and had pleasant surprise; meeting fellow fashion blogger, Zana Bayne, at the store where she works as a sales assistant. She posed for me amidst Ann Demeulemeester pieces that it hurt to leave behind.

Just the week before, I had been discussing Zana with my lovely friend, clothing designer Audrey Cantwell after they did a swap of their wares. Happy coincidence.

And after two weeks of fun, fashion, work, and friends, I am back home in Montréal and excited to get back to work!

* All photos are taken by me unless I'm in them, in which case I wrangled an anonymous bystander to do the honors!!

Rainbow Bright at Vena Cava

2010-02-12T13:10:00.000-05:00

Vena Cava showed bright, lower lombard-length extensions to otherwise simple hair styles. Bright color without the bleach and chemicals? Punk never seemed so easy to assimilate.

Empire Acne Strikes Back!

2010-02-10T13:01:00.005-05:00

Loving the styling on Acne's Fall 2010 presentation. The accessories are as Mongolian as they are old skool sci-fi. The furry, chunky boot may just herald in a new era for Ugg's best bet at a fashionable comeback. And the set of metallic calf cuffs is a brazen move I might try out this weekend.

How I Intend to Get Around New York for Fashion Week

2010-02-09T10:14:00.000-05:00

Model Citizen / Bike over Subway or Taxi

2010-02-08T11:48:00.002-05:00

When packing my suitcase for New York Fashion Week, I felt tempted to dismantle my bicycle and pack it too - just so that I could transport myself quickly from shows and parties par bicyclette, like self-proclaimed 'tacky chic' stylist, Catherine Baba. Photo from Jak & Jil blog.

"Dressed to the Teeth" Street Style - oh SNAP!

2010-01-31T16:29:00.007-05:00

I recently got snapped by a Montréal Street Style blogger from the Examiner. It has been an amusing treat in the past to have been snapped by other street style blogs too, including The Style Scout, Savvy London, and Face Hunter. As a stylist myself, I have also been on the other (more enjoyable!) side of the lens, having published Street Style pieces of sartorial-standouts for Nylon Magazine and the Globe and Mail.

As street style blogs often do, Examiner asked me a few rapid fire questions to summarize my style quotient. My answers - as well as my outfit that day - were remarkably different from what they have been chronicled as in the past, when I've been caught by street style bloggers and I dressed more like Catherine Baba, Patti Smith, Princess Leia, or Mick Jagger.

On this fateful day however, I was caught debuting my new, purple-black Prada shades (a New Year's gift from my best friend), gold American Apparel leggings, gray boyfriend Burberry cable-knit cardigan, Salvatore Ferragamo boots, and my coveted biker jacket.

In a quick description of my style, I avoided using the cliché term, 'eclectic' which unfortunately, too often conjures the image of a middle-aged woman in ill-fitting and brightly-colored, novelty clothing (think polka dots, ethnic accessories, and gumboots all in one outfit). However, when used accurately and without prejudice, eclectic refers to 'selecting an unrelated/heterogeneous mixture of what appear to be the best of various doctrines/methods/styles'. With that description in mind, 'eclectic' fits my visual personae just fine.

LANVIN Keeps Me Up At Night

2009-12-12T03:33:00.008-05:00

Sometimes, concepts keep me up at night. Yesterday, I began work on a performance/ installation piece I am doing on the theme of 'strangers'. Brainstorming ideas from my pillow kept me up all night. And then tonight, as I began to count sheep, I became preoccupied with a shoot that I will be creative directing three weeks from now. The shoot will be conceptual; an experiment in exagerrated layering and proportion. For now, images of Lanvin's SP/SU10 show are fossilized on the inside of my mental image index. Alber Elbaz, is the master of proportion, and of combining a powerful silhouette with subtle elegance. Phew, now that that's off my chest, perhaps I can catch some shut-eye?

Intergalactic Nails / Suburban Dystopia

2009-11-30T16:15:00.009-05:00

I have had a reoccurring daydream as of late; I want to get wild, airbrushed nails done. Acrylic, gel, whatever. I don't even know what those terms mean in the world of NAILZ. I just know that "I wanna get my nailz did". The look? A pedi/mani like the last one I had in Hawaii to show off well-tanned feet and open-toed Chanel platforms? No no. An infomercial-ready French manicure, mayhaps? Wrong again. Actually, despite living in the heart of Hipsterville MTL, I want something that screams 'suburban'. I want to lash out against the grain of good taste by going for the nail equivalent of 'mall hair'; bad chunky highlights, garishly false red tones, or chemically-straightened hair that ends up looking dead.

I think the problem with bad 'mall vanity' is that, in its attempt to mask its fakery, it establishes a new norm of falseness that eventually becomes accepted into the fold of sought-after aesthetics. Think: obnoxiously long fake eyelashes, orange self-tanned skin, gravity-defying breast implants and overly hair-sprayed coifs. It doesn't matter to people that these tacky looks are poor copies of the real so much as they communicate, 'I got my (fill in the blank) DID!' which, is to say, 'I am a lady of luxury; a woman with leisure time and money to spend. I can afford a particular level of vanity.'

When I bike back to my hood from the nail salon, I know most people won't get my protest in aesthetics or, they will believe that I'm being 'ironic'. Well, I'm not. I'm thinking of requesting that a whole solar system of planets and stars - heck, maybe even a purple galaxy for good measure! - be airbrushed onto my nails principally because I've been re-watching Carl Sagan's Cosmos and it's got my inspiration station ready to rocket to the moon. And, because my friend Jenny said she would do it with me. And we both grew up in a suburb of Vancouver, BC and now reside in Montreal's Mile End, and as a a curator (she) and a radio host and stylist (me), we've got too much cultural cachet for our own good. Time to check the urbanism at the door. Suburbia: here we come.

John Waterhouse / Conspicuous Glamour

2009-11-22T16:23:00.004-05:00

Women, women, women. Did John Waterhouse paint anything besides them?

I recently caught the Waterhouse exhibit at Musée de Beaux Arts in Montréal. From one fantastical oil painting to the next, I saw Waterhouse’s idealized woman, the same woman; beautiful, forlorn, and melancholy, suspended solitude in every single frame.

Among the brilliant jewel-like colors, a certain conspicuous glamor arises – the centrality of the subject and the light cast upon their porcelain faces parallels pages of fashion editorials in some of today’s more ‘classic’ mode magazines such as Vogue. (Below: Photography by Tim Walker in Italian Vogue and Jacques Dequeker in Vogue Brazil).

2009-11-20T00:25:00.002-05:00

I was asked by the Canadian designer, Narcissist, to style her morphable 'Pamela' dress on the open-minded Montréal editor of Vitamin Daily, Marianne Wisenthal. We had fun experimenting with a number ways to make one dress look so different, (click here for the results). On Marianne's excellent Editor's blog, she called me "the fashionista equivalent of matches and a swiss army knife." I must say that I am puzzled, hypnotized, and flattered by her description.

Whether the Pamela dress floats your boat or not, is less relevant than the style lesson it holds for fashionistas: be flexible with how you wear/style your regular clothes too. Buy LESS, but buy well and mix it up!

Strong Shouldered Soldier

2009-11-10T22:07:00.002-05:00

This Fall season has seen strong, dramatic shoulders on clothing ranging from novelty sweaters to leather jackets , and smart Balmainesque blazers. But the bold shoulder trend is not for everyone. The svelte among us with ballet-type posture (and the fashion nerve to boot!), are the ones who will look best in this silhouette. This dress from designer Katie Gallagher may be one of my favorites in the category of football-shoulder inspiration, because the volume takes up the entire upper sleeve. My only trouble with wearing this very sculpted look is a question of what coat to wear on top? I have been burying the volume of bold shoulder tops and dresses beneath my voluminous secondhand fur coat, but I suppose leather, elbow-length gloves and a scarf should be able to do the trick in Fall.

Costume Connect - C'est Halloween!

2009-11-02T03:11:00.005-05:00

I went as a bride from the Mexican Day of the Dead for Halloween. It was refreshing to be able to pull off a 'dead' costume without having to wear all black. Halloween, an occasion for DIY costume and excess amounts of toxic candy: YUM. I propose we make it a bi-annual event! Here are photos of some of my creative friends and their impressive costumes...

Driving Miss Vuitton / Logo Overkill

2009-10-30T02:24:00.002-04:00

Photo via Yvan Rodic in Bangkok.

Alexander McQueen SS10 - Can't Get You Outta My Head

2009-10-22T17:30:00.000-04:00

Montreal Fashion Week - SS 10 - DENIS GAGNON

2009-10-16T12:14:00.003-04:00

Montreal Fashion Week wrapped up last night with its most anticipated show - Denis Gagnon. Body con, slick, Balmain-esque silhouettes. It was refreshing to see pale pastels in the mix, given that the designer's religion has been black-on-black for the last several collections. The bold, chunky, mishapen bracelets worn by the models were provided by my favorite Montreal jewelery designer, the very talented Harakiri. As expected, all attendees looked like they had paid great attention to what they themselves wore to the show. The sharpest-dressed gentleman there was photographer, Sylvain Blais, in his white suit and black bow-tie in the front row. I wore an obscenely large-shouldered vintage fur myself, and got my photo taken by a few magazine photographers present at the event. If I happen to come across any snapshots of it online, I promise to share! Photo credit: Gazette Montreal.

Furry Find

2009-10-06T22:59:00.008-04:00

I had to wake up at 4:45am to host the Arts on CBC Radio 1's morning program, Daybreak. At that ungodly hour, when I stumble through my wardrobe in the dark, I want to wear something super comfortable and let the accessories express some style.

I picked up this perfect gem of a bracelet a few days ago at POP Montréal's DIY craft event, Puces Pop. These fluffy, puffy bracelets are hand-assembled, and the fur is cut from vintage coats. It's one hot and rare item that I secretly hope I don't see on anyone else's wrist! I'm having fun pairing it with an unlikely companion - a bright, beaded bracelet from a roadtrip near the Rockies.

Trend I Can Get Down With

2009-10-03T12:45:00.004-04:00

Photo source: Style.com
Christian Dior SS10 broke a long-understood fashion 'rule' by showing socks with toe-revealing wedges and heels in lacquered and shiny leather. It's easy for this look to appear awkward and tacky if the shoes themselves look cheap. But personally, I've always loved this apparent fashion no-no. It's even inspired me to sock-n-sandal it for the much-anticipated, Queen of Avant Goth Diamanda Galas show tonight at Pop Montreal. Just don't wear this look to the beach.

Montréal event - Stylist's Own

2009-09-16T11:23:00.006-04:00

The second edition of Stylist's Own, a sale of one-of-a-kind and independent fashion and accessories from Montréal designers, will take place Oct 2nd - 4th in Old Montréal. This is a great opportunity to snag killer, unique items from some of Montréal's most cutting-edge designers. I'll be going to check out goods from two of my favorite designers: avant-gardeist Denis Gagnon and jeweler Harakiri. While I'll likely be picking up a few of their dark pieces for my own wardrobe, I especially invite my personal fashion styling clients in Montréal to come to this exciting event too! It will be a chance to shop through a very well-curated selection of fashionable wares in a beautiful space. See website for details.

Rad Hourani

2009-09-15T10:34:00.007-04:00

Montréal-raised designer, Rad Hourani's, collection for Spring 2010 screams, 'Montréal'. I remember the first time I met Rad in 2006 (then, a stylist) at a fashion party in Montréal and looking around me at all the 'fashion types' and noting the Montréal fashion-elite uniform in full-swing. Everyone looked like they could have modeled in Hourani's runway show; skintight black silhouettes, angular elements mixed with the soft; each harbouring an appreciation for Rick Owens' assymetry and imperfection, Helmut Lang's androgyny, and Denis Gagnon's sense of proportion. Hourani's latest collection assumes the best aspects of the Montréal design and style scene and manages to articulate them in an original and exciting way. Photos: Style.com

Mix Print - Chicago

2009-09-15T09:59:00.008-04:00

Here I am in Chicago's Millenium Park a couple of weeks ago, doing my best impersonation of a Japanese tourist. Note the mismatch of unlikely companions: a men's XL Obey floral tshirt (more like a dress on me) overtop of a pair of American Apparel's unisex swim trunks, and a bold, black and white striped long sleeve jumper from Chanel. I topped the whole thing off with a Japanese fabric bag. The results? Bat out of hell. But a super comfortable and happy bat.

Summer's Nearing End - North Vancouver

2009-09-14T20:19:00.003-04:00

OSHEAGA/ Festival Garb

2009-08-02T11:24:00.005-04:00

I'm at OSHEAGA Outdoor Music Festival this weekend in Montréal, covering it for CBC Radio 1. The festival uniform - dress for a bit of rain! - leaves something to be desired. The guys look like Dude clones in their cargo shorts and backwards baseball caps. It would be refreshing to see someone in one of these colorful, Acne jackets ($549) which, the company has poignantly named 'The Montreal Jacket'.

Fashion Shoot = fun!

2009-07-20T01:09:00.010-04:00

'Backstage' fun among the crew on the set that I did fashion styling for over the weekend in beautiful Vancouver.
The woman in quirky glasses is the fabulous and talented make-up artist now based in London, Iza Windak. Photos by Matthew Burditt.

Beauty trend: Eyebrowless

2009-07-16T07:52:00.006-04:00

The New York Times reports that the early-90's look inspired by waif model icon, Kristen McMenamy, is bringing back an old trend in beauty with her cover shot of VOGUE ITALIA: no eyebrows. As I gear up preparation for styling a 90's-themed shoot this weekend, I've been poring over inspiring looks from the eyebrowless era, they follow below and feature Kristen.

I'm not sure if the eyebrowless trend will sweep the mainstream as it seems many women are still only finally beginning to embrace a slightly thicker (not quite 'bushy') more-80's inspired brow. Besides, it takes very good bone structure to get away with being eyebrowless, maybe save this freakish trend for the freakishly beautiful among us?

Maya Montage

2009-07-15T19:23:00.004-04:00

Photography by Joseph Yarmush. I'm in the midst of designing my new website which will feature my portfolio as a stylist. I've just been streaming through fashion shoots that I've styled in as I decide what will go up on the site. I'd like to show a range of commercial to avant-garde and conceptual; from creatives to editorials. I came across this one shoot I did with a photographer friend in Montréal that I quite like the mood of; colorful yet subdued with a model of 'normal size'. Her name is Maya and she's wearing a mix of vintage, independent local Montréal designers, and of course - some of the stylist's (your's truly!) own designer duds and accessories. (Click on image to enlarge!)

White hot!

2009-07-14T20:37:00.013-04:00

Luxurious minimalism at its best: head-to-toe white in Jil Sande r Spring/Summer 09 looks. When it's crisp and clean, white-on-white is less angelic than it is über cool. White is not the most forgiving of shades, so if you've got a fit body, this is the bravest (and best!) way to show it off in style.

Layers make a mini into a... 'longi'?!

2009-07-09T16:19:00.004-04:00

Fendi's great take on using layers to lengthen a hemline on a dress or skirt. The translucent, narrower sheath underneath keeps the look sexy - making it easy to play with volume on the top layer.

Le Jardin Botanique/Fashion Nurtures Nature

2009-07-08T16:45:00.015-04:00

As I strolled through the Insectarium in Montréal's Botanical Gardens recently, I was drawn to recall how much of what is considered beautiful in our lives derives its inspiration from our natural environment. Each crawly bug on display looked like a jewel, or wait, is it that lustry jewels should remind us of nature? These bugs made me think of a different designer's collections in a specific season.

These looks from Matthew Williamson's Fall 2007 collection fit right in with the bugs; shiny and metallic textures, and rich jewel-tones. Fittingly, with my scaling up of my insect photographs, the models waists' look tinier than ever!

Click on this fragile, luxurious-looking butterfly below to see how it resembles the outfit from Chanel's Fall 2009 Couture line.

Sports' Loss = Fashion's Inspiration

2009-07-02T13:09:00.004-04:00

Italian swimmer, Flavia Zoccari, was forced to sit out her race yesterday when she experienced a massive malfunction in her $640 top-of-the-line swimsuit. Oh sure it was an accident! I predict a trend taking hold - lower 'peepholes' on suits. Bet she gets offered a swimwear endorsement out of it too! Daily Mail.

Quotable

2009-06-29T21:02:00.004-04:00

My homeboy, Dan the Sparrow, putting his cute monster-like fingers up on either side of my face to 'quote' me at a party in Montréal earlier this month. Photo by Richmond Lam.

The King is Dead, Long Live the King!

2009-06-26T12:25:00.021-04:00

It has almost been 24 hours since Michael died and it still feels surreal. Growing up as an 80's baby myself, my four other siblings and I were nothing short of obsessed with Michael Jackson. We had all the videos for Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad recorded on scratchy copies of VHS tapes and we'd watch them every single day after school and copy the dance moves.
Michael was a truly transgressive figure who transcended tropes of sexuality and gender, focusing on his sheer talent and creative guts to come up with ways of moving that have changed the terrain of the music video forever. As the unrivaled creator of trademark dance moves like the moonwalk, robot, and the patented anti-gravity lean, the 'Smooth Criminal', Michael has proved he is a genius, unconventionally coupling fluidity and precision in each of his moves like no other before. As James Brown put it to Michael, "God bless a child who's got his own." Michael re-educated the world on the possibilities of how to move your body on the dancefloor and as a performer onstage. There will only ever be one man to justifiably name a dance move - the moonwalk - after something you could only achieve beyond the limits of earth. RIP Michael.

Prrrrrrr-ada

2009-06-12T03:08:00.000-04:00

Music/Art/Fashion/Weekender

2009-05-31T11:56:00.009-04:00

For the past five days, I've been running around partaking in the events, and performances of Montréal's MUTEK Festival. Highlights have included the satisfying assault of bass from Berlin's Moderat, accompanied by the simple and stunning visuals of PFADFINDEREI; and performances from Japanese noise artist Ryoji Ikeda and Carsten Nicolai, German techno and visual artist Robert Henke, and a phenomenal presentation from Belgian Visual Label, Anti-VJ which entails the life size projection of visuals on the façade of a building.
As I head off on my bicycle to catch PIKNIC Électronique, the daytime edition of MUTEK (imagine a 'mini rave', outdoors in the sun in the centre of a beautiful park), I leave you with my final nugget for the weekend: Karl Lagerfeld observes, Elena Glurdjidze, the senior principal ballerina with the English Ballet as she tries on Chanel's customed-tutu for her performance in the Dying Swan. The tutus vitals? "More than 100 hours of work have gone into making the tutu, many of these at Lemarié, the Chanel studio that is devoted entirely to plumassiers, or feather specialists." (The Guardian)

City of Style/City of Cycling

2009-05-27T19:32:00.009-04:00

This month, Montréal, a city robust with cycling enthusiasts, joined the ranks of Paris by installing a new public bike system called, BIXI ('bike' + 'taxi'). All around the city, solar-powered and wireless stations provide made-in-Québec bikes that are free for the first half hour of use which, in such a small city, goes a long way!

The BIXI is a strong example of where government can put its money where it's mouth is. Simply asking people to leave their cars at home is not enough; incentive must be provided and new changes have to be facilitated. This well-strategized project offers a bike that is simple; easy-to-use, and hard to vandalize. Its designers believe that the BIXI system will pay for itself through user fees.
Cycling in such a stylish city requires some thought to attire... how about a pair of gorgeous bike riding "Grand Tour" gloves from 'performance roadwear' label, Rapha? Enjoy and, try not to drool on your computer...

Vena Cava Adora!!

2009-05-20T18:49:00.008-04:00

I've got a gala to moonlight at for one special evening this summer. Now I'm mulling over the delightful debate: do I go with a gold or silver Vena Cava gown? This represents my favorite version of the high-waisted look; a long, slim silhouette in an elegant fabric.

Young Kate, Ever-Iconic

2009-05-18T13:13:00.006-04:00

I had an odd dream last night involving a young Kate Moss, the very same fifteen year old from her famously controversial shoot with Corrine Day in 1989.
There is something inexplicably arresting about her look in the second image. No wonder her face haunts me in my dreams.

VOGUE Editor, Anna Wintour (aka Darth Vadar), Interviewed at Long Last...

2009-05-17T23:19:00.006-04:00

(Click on 'Darth' for Anna's first long-length American interview, aired on 60 Minutes with Morley Safer May 17/09).
"If I'm such a bitch they must be glutton for punishment." - Anna on rumors that VOGUE employees put up with her alleged bullying tactics.

Who needs Calvin?

2009-05-17T13:38:00.007-04:00

About ten years ago, Thom Yorke of Radiohead told me about how the band's guitarist, Ed O'Brien, was approached by Calvin Klein's people to model for them. Sensible Ed unsurprisingly declined the offer. As featured above in the pic from the band's website, DeadAirSpace, Ed comes across as rock n' roll sexy, stylish with ease, and iconic. In photos, Ed is downright striking. Ditto in-person.

Practically Impractical

2009-05-16T19:44:00.003-04:00

4 M's: Montreal in May = Mutek & Michal

2009-04-29T17:55:00.009-04:00

If you happen to be in Montréal in May, check out one of my favorite music festivals, MUTEK, which celebrates its 10th anniversary of bringing electronic and experimental artists to perform in the city.
Dope line up this year, including Moderat which features Apparat (whom I saw in Berlin - he's amazing!), and Modselektor. Last year, I did a piece on Mutek for CBC which featured an interview with my 'friend' and Montréal's own, Tim Hecker, who performed his set in a pitch black, sold out theatre. When it's good, MUTEK offers up shows that are a fantastic realization of the meeting point of art and music.

"Immaterial Box" by Michal Rovner
Also, in Montréal in May, contemporary art gallery, DHC, continues to uphold high curatorial standards by bringing by displaying an exhibition of work from American-Israeli artist, Michal Rovner.

SS09 Gucci Campaign- Vibrant Color, Mick Jagger Lookalike

2009-04-29T10:19:00.010-04:00

Photographers: Inez & Vioodh Matadin
(Disclosure: The music in this video is CHEESY and spoils the images. Play on MUTE, or experience the wrath of fromaggio to the max!)

Puts me in the Spring mood for bold prints, luscious color combinations (purple, green), and posing dramatically in the fields with my friends... too bad talented photographers, Inez and Vinoodh, are never around to take stunning photos of us!

Blamma Blamma Balmain!!

2009-04-25T11:29:00.004-04:00

The Telegraph just published the above photo with a caption about how stars are all over the Michael Jackson-inspired Balmain, exaggerated-shoulder, military jacket. Funny how a trend trickles to common folk too... I have found myself selecting superwide shouldered jackets from secondhand clothing racks myself. Last week at the Montréal Academy of Art and Video Awards, (where my best friend picked up an award for his amazing video!!!), I saw two Fine Art students wearing impressive - albeit goofy - coats mimicking the above ones. Leave it to the art kids to figure out how to make a zany trend wearable.

Giovanna Fan Club

2009-04-15T18:28:00.009-04:00

Forget Spring, it feels like Summer is already here. I celebrated by wearing the most bizarre of outfits; I felt like (the awesome) Susie Bubble, blissfully mismatched and happy. Susie, whom, by the way, gave a very generous shout out in her blog, Style Bubble, to formerly-based-in-Montréal fashion journal, WORN, edited by my friend, Serah-Marie, in Toronto. Holler! Serah-Marie's asked me to write for WORN in the past but I was too busy at the time. However, it's fun to read fellow Montréalers work in the journal.

Also of note today, The Sartorialist included a post today covering one of my favorite style goddesses, Giovanna Battaglia, who is the editor of l'UOMO Vogue (Italian Men's Vogue). She looks fantastic in every shot he included but this is one of my favorites, in which she wears her confidence better than anything else. Beautiful!

Charlotte Gainsbourg?

2009-03-23T01:40:00.005-04:00

Now that the international fashion weeks have finished making their rousing rackets, and the street style snappers have turned their cameras back to more spontaneous shots not taken en route to the shows, I will share my favorite: the one photo that pops to mind without having my memory jogged. I think the Sartorialist, Scott Schuman, owns this one. Love the rock star disguise, confidence, and sharp silhouette, especially against a backdrop of an overly fussed editor and a posh and polished woman.

Birthday brightening

2009-03-21T19:27:00.014-04:00

I have this fun, unnecessarily narcissistic, completely self-indulgent ritual where, a couple of weeks prior to my birthday, I begin to make a mental list of what I'm going to get myself as gifts for my special day. Some things have been nixed from the list, including over-the-knee boots, a Vanessa Bruno bag, and a beater bike to replace my rusted one... (these things I'll save for another month or so down the road). There are, as usual, some books on the list including new fiction, philosophy, and a social economics gem. I'm also looking forward to getting myself a special piece from Harakiri, as well as some (overpriced!) fashion industry magazines to mull over for midnight soaks in the tub. Books, mags, jewelery? A good way to commemorate knocking off another year of my twenties.

I just picked up a couple pairs of platforms as early bday gifts to myself: a sturdy pair of caramel brown leather knockouts from Frye and these purple beauties from Charlotte Ronson:
They look fabulous with my tri-colored, knee high Prada socks. I'm in Vancouver right now - land of dour faces affected by the dark skies of late - where it has snowed, sleeted and perpetuated Gotham skies for the last month - not exactly the weather to start donning these slingbacks. HOWEVER, soon I get on a plane myself, to return to the happy homestead of Montréal where I'll be rockin' both pairs of my new shoes with a wild outfit every day, including on my birthday. Shows, shoots, styling sojourns with clients... can't wait! A trip to NYC is in the mix too. Fun city: HERE I COME.

Unlikely Musketeers

2009-03-16T10:30:00.007-04:00

Large, lesbian singer, Beth Ditto, has been quoted dissing Kate Moss for her skinniness. Designer, Karl Lagerfeld, is notorious for being 'fat-phobic'. How did the three end up becoming pally at the recent FENDI party in Paris? Ahh, Kate's track record for befriending musicians (Pete Doherty, Mariana Faithful, James Hince), perhaps? Images from Style.com and Daily Mail.

Style Defined - Young Gun Days - Beatles & Rolling Stones

2009-03-05T19:40:00.016-05:00

(New iconic Bob Bonis shots revealed to the public for the first time. Published in Telegraph).
"Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say and not giving a damn." - Gore Vidal

Jennifer Aniston 'Goes Natural'

2009-03-04T17:14:00.009-05:00

I always tell my personal styling clients that the two things most worth indulging in are 1) shoes, and 2) a haircut. I cannot overemphasize the importance of having a good haircut. After all, your hair frames your face and you have to wear it everyday. Good hair is a telltale sign of someone who cares to put their best foot forward. However, that being said, I guess we should lay down some boundaries. Like, say, maybe the cost of a haircut/blowdry needs to be a wee bit less than the reported several thousands of dollars Jennifer Aniston spent on her lid to walk down the red carpet at the premiere of Marley & Me.

Ahh... I get it. When Jennifer Aniston says in interviews that she prefers a 'natural look' she means, naturally expensive. Naturally.

Tower Power

2009-03-03T23:42:00.010-05:00

Countdown: 25 days until my birthday. These Chanel puppies currently purring my name from atop shelves in Coco's boutiques have "Happy Birthday Raji" written all over them. They felt like walking on black, satin clouds. Gimme, gimme.
I did leave Chanel with something however; Chanel Hydrabase in Fire, Shade 65. Previously, I'd been wearing Chanel Lotus Rouge. Some girls do the big scents, no9, Allure etc. But Chanel lipsticks are my thing. I swear by their unique shades and rich texture. The bonus safety feature of my new one is that in case I require a rescue mission for some reason, this baby's bright enough to get my lips seen from outerspace. I know $42.00 is quite the hit to take for lipstick but hey, it's my signature. Muah!

Love is contagious!

2009-02-19T13:53:00.006-05:00

LOVE, the much-anticipated new magazine from, Katie Grand, stylist extraordinaire, is out today. Loud mouth musical talent and wild-style icon, Beth Ditto, takes up the cover. I saw her perform once in 2000. I was blown away by the sexy, riotous confidence this singer exudes onstage with her punk/soul/rock outfit, The Gossip.

The Love blog posted this photo of their Collette store window take over in Paris. Uh, love it! Let the love clichés flow forth. Gotta go pick up my copy.

Happy Saint Valentines Day Lovers & Others!

2009-02-14T04:08:00.002-05:00

Update: the day after Valentines, I received a BEAUTIFUL bouquet of flowers without a note, delivered to my doorstep. I found out that it's not from any of the usual suspects. Whoever had the gorgeous flowers delivered, are you reading this? Thank you!

Conspicuous much?

2009-02-10T00:35:00.004-05:00

Image from Fffound
See Kanye's entourage run. See Kanye's entourage strike a pose. See Kanye's entourage for as far as the eye can see because, damn, that's a whole lot of prints, color and wacky or should I say, whacky??

His & Her's

2009-02-04T11:21:00.011-05:00

Oh no! You ever have that moment of panic strike when one of your coveted items makes a "Best List," because you know that suddenly other people will, gulp... seek YOUR item out too? Men's Style.com just interviewed America's top buyers and one of them is calling the new Carrera shades the hottest ticket for your face in Spring 2009. I hope his prediction falls flat on its face but I fear that these shades - a former favorite of Porsche and Ferrari racecar drivers - will become regular fanfare next season. I'm going to rock my Carerra's hard before I start seeing them on the bridge of every other hipster's nose too!

That Karl Lagerfeld, he's such a bag!

2009-02-02T22:48:00.003-05:00

Image via Style.com

Ruby, cherry, poppy, blood-red

2009-02-02T13:49:00.004-05:00

Via Refinery 29: Fall/Winter 2009 menswear includes sleek suits in delicious shades of maroon, burgundies, and reds. Left to right:Looks from John Galliano, Lanvin, John Paul Gaultier, and Thierry Mugler.

Skin on skin / What's in a name?

2009-02-02T13:13:00.009-05:00

Flesh-toned, natural, skin-colored. "Nude" is an interesting name for a 'color'. Who's nude does it refer to anyway? Not my brown skin, that's for sure. Not Grace Jones' skin either, I imagine. If she's in something that appears translucent and camouflages with her skin tone, it's called 'chocolate' by industry writers. If I go for the same effect, it's referred to as, 'mocha'. It's one of those subtle ways in which the fashion industry overlooks it's own silly contributions to a Caucasian-centric self-identity.

Above: Berlin designer, Kaviar Gauche on their F/W 2009 runway show (via fashionwirepress). What should the headline read? Models strut their stuff in near-invisible fabrics? Caucasian girls wear see-through garments the color of their own skin?