January 27, 2010

10 Questions for Audrey Cantwell

I learned of Canadian fashion designer Audrey Cantwell completely by mistake. I was simply surfing the very popular website, Etsy.com when I stumbled upon her Etsy store “blackmarketbaby” and as many designers before her, I absolutely had to contact Ms. Cantwell regarding her designs. Below I have featured my favorite Audrey Cantwell designs as well as ten questions regarding them and her process of designing fashion. Take a look:

1. Your collections seem to have a dark themes. For example, your Howl collection includes a great amount of leather and studs and your most recent collection Salem features a lot of black colors and drapes. Why is that and how did you come up with the names for your collections?

I`ve always had a bit of a dark sensibility and it comes out in the garments I make, I can’t really explain why, it just appeals to me. The titles come from a mood or inspiration I have for the collection,when making my HOWL collection I was reading a lot of Ginsberg, X was the title I gave to a collection inspired by pirates and the sea, Salem was inspired by witches and the northern wilderness.

2. Can you tell me about your design process? How do you design and what components are key to your successfully doing so. Do you find inspiration in music, nature or anything particular?

I have ideas for specific garments and I have a general idea of the mood or feel. I never draw anything and just drape most first samples. I’m inspired by fabrics and textures very much. I also am very inspired by music, and sometimes by nature, fantasy, mysticism, people I know, people I don’t know…

3. You are from Canada. Do you find that there is any difference in Canadian designs versus American and European designs?

I don’t really know if there is and wouldn’t know how to describe it, but there is so much creative energy in Canada that’s just starting to be discovered and acknowledged by people all over the world.

4. Your website states that, “I cut and I sew and I save the more fortunate results.” is it really that simple for you to design?

Down to the core, I think it is. I like to experiment when I design. I explore every idea I have. Some turn out the way I envisioned, some don’t. I go forward with the ones that I believe in most.

5. Who do you design your collection for? Who is the ideal woman that would wear your clothes?

There is no ideal woman, really. I have no one in mind when I design. I know this aesthetic doesn’t appeal to everyone, but I think the ones who do like it, really love it and breathe it.

6. What do you hope to accomplish with your designs?

As long as I can continue to do what I love everyday and people continue to want to wear my designs, I couldn’t ask for more.

7. What is your favorite part of the design process?

Getting inspired by colours, fabrics, materials, textures.

8. I would describe you as a designer. However, how would you describe yourself?

I design, cut, drape, sew,.. I think I am a designer.

9. Are you currently working on another collection. If so, when will it be available?

I’m wrapping up my spring collection entitled Mysterium, it should be online and for sale in 2 to 3 weeks. It’s quite different than anything I’ve done before it.

10. What is your advice to individuals who want to become designers? What worked for you?

I’m not sure if I have much advice as I’ve only been doing this a few months and still figuring everything out for myself, but I would say, very simply; explore.

Special thanks to Audrey Cantwell.

To purchase or view more of her designs, visit her Etsy store by clicking the photo below:

Sources: Audrey Cantwell, AudreyCantwell.com

January 26, 2010

The Fall/Winter of 2010


As I was researching what trends to pick as the Top  Five Trends for the Fall and Winter of 2010, I found that most of the trends could be predicted via. photos. I have therefore decided to use simple photos instead of words to explain my predictions of the trends that (hopefully) lie ahead of us in the year of 2010. Most of the trends that I found were from the designers pre-fall collections. Enjoy.

sSources: google images, style.com, harpersbazaar.com, marieclaire.com

January 19, 2010

Fashion Chalet

Erika is the writer behind the personal style and fashion blog known to readers around the world as Fashion Chalet. Having graduated with a Bachelor degree in multimedia journalism, it is no wonder that Fashion Chalet has been featured in ELLE (es), Nylon Magazine and many other respected fashion websites. I stumbled upon Erika’s blog and I immediately felt the urge to talk to her about her style, inspiration and life. Take a look: 

Your blog, Fashion Chalet, was created in 2008. What made you decide to create a blog?

I always had this urge to share images of what I was wearing or what inspired me at that particular moment. One day, after having tried all the other options: myspace, flickr, fashion forums- I came across bloggers who were doing exactly this and was inspired to break out on my own!

 

You recently moved from Miami to North Carolina. That must have been quite the culture shock. Has your style changed since your move? And what is the difference between fashion in Miami and fashion in North Carolina?

I notice a big change in the way I dress. The main one being that it takes me a lot longer when getting ready. Having moved here in the coldest part of the year has been a bit of a challenge, albeit a fun one. Miami fashion is about cotton, thin, breezy and brights. North Carolina fashion is all about the layers and darker colors. I like both, equally.

How would you describe your style? And how has it evolved since your blog started?

I can define it in 3 words. Bohemian pieces marrying classic staples with a tinge of grunge.

What other fashion blogs would you recommend? And why should people read your blog?

I am a huge fan of photo blogs. I like seeing what is inspiring others all over the world. My top favorites at the moment are: Studded Hearts, Fashion-Canvas, Stardust and Sequins, Little Plastic Horses and Nine Two One.

What fashion advice would you like to share?

Never buy anything because of the price-tag, or label, buy it for the fit.

Who or what has been your greatest influence for  your blog and in fashion?

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, both, respectively, inspire me heaps. Old Hollywood, music, nature, Life!

What type of music do you listen to?

My iTunes has so many different play lists: musicals, european pop, house, techno, indie rock, brasilian, jazz…. if I like it, I download it. ;)

What item of clothing/accessory/shoe can you not live without and why?

Definitely my newly acquired Balenciaga shoes and heirloom jewelry. Irreplaceable.

What is is your favorite quote and why?

Be your best self and treat everyone with kindness. – My Mom. It’s such a positive way to think.

You are a fashion blogger. But how would you describe yourself?

A girl with many stories to tell. I tell it through the canvas of clothing.

Source: fashionchalet.blogspot.com

January 12, 2010

I am traveling to Okemo Mountain (which is located in Ludlow, Vermont) for the week to snowboard. I will therefore not be blogging due to the fact that my home there does not have internet or cell phone service – welcome to Vermont! However, once I return I have exciting content. This is just a small preview:

Sources: fashionchalet.blogspot.com, audreycantwell,com, fashionising.com, google images.

January 8, 2010

Two thousand and ten in a nutshell.

We are eight days in to the new year. Am I the only one who feels like it has been 8 weeks already? 2009 was quite the year. Lady Gaga was everywhere, President Obama was inaugurated, Michael Jackson and Ted Kennedy both passed away along with the beautiful Farrah Fawcett as well as several other celebrities. Glenn Beck went crazy along with Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly while Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow remained perfectly sane. Then there was the attempted terrorist attack in late December… And these are just the things I remember from the top of my head! What was significant in your 2009? Well, personally, I am happy to leave 2009 behind. It was an excellent year but I just love the “fresh” feeling of a new year. It’s so exciting as are the top five Spring/Summer 2010 looks which I have featured below. Please feel free to provide me with feedback – What do you think will be a huge trend in 2010? 

Braids were prevalent on the Spring/Summer 2010 runways of Alexander Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Norma Kamali and at Missoni as well. I named this the top trend of the Spring/Summer season because it is a hairdo that any woman with a little bit of hair can create. It’s an ideal style for when you’re at the beach or when you are headed in to the classroom. It takes no time and as Alexander Wang’s runway illustrated, it is oh so chic when hair is braided a little bit messy!

Not only are wedges are going to be huge this Spring and summer but I also suspect that shoe designer Jeffrey Campbell will be as well (he designed  the wedges featured above). Wedges are much more comfortable than a say a stiletto or anything with a thin heel and they allow for much more drama as illustrated on the runways of Rick Owen, Alexander McQueen and Givenchy too.

Lady Gaga was the biggest star of 2009. Everything she touches turns to gold and she is just so flamboyant that I absolutely refuse to believe that she will not be a huge star in 2010 also.

Jersey basics are always key during the spring and summer months. It’s lightweight, snugs at all the right spots (hips, legs and chest areas) but also somehow manages not to fit too snug. RVCA x Erin Wasson featured a lot of jersey fabrics on their S/S 2010 runway.

Denim never goes anywhere. It’s probaly the only consistent fabric in all of fashion! This was clearly illustrated at Ralph Lauren as well as Dolce and Gabbana. I think the boyfriend jean is here to stay as well.

Sources: style.com, google images, ladygaga.com, oaknyc.com

January 5, 2010

The Size Issue

Both Glamour Magazine and V Magazine have attempted to address the issue of plus-size models in fashion. In recent months, both magazines have featured plus-size models with that intent. Glamour Magazine was the first to do it with model Lizzie Miller and now V Magazine has created an editorial called “The Size Issue”. However, while I absolutely applaud their work I feel as though their attempt is a little odd. I feel that their attempts are a little odd because in the editorials it seems to me that the models either has to be very thin or very large. There’s no in between. None of the models are a happy medium. I will not complain though because it is so refreshing to see diversity because it is currently an issue being plus size in fashion.

Photographer Sølve Sundsbø shot “the size issue” for V Magazine with plus size models Candice Huffine, Marquita Pring, Michelle Olson, Tara Lynn (Ford NY), Kasia P (Click). The issue hits newsstands January 14th and a sneak peak of this issue is featured below:

For more, click here.

Source: models.com, vmagazine.com

January 4, 2010

Lady Gaga in Barbie formats!

Source: Refinery29.com, google images

December 26, 2009

All tee’d out

The designs featured above were created by the company A QUESTION OF. A QUESTION OF is a company selling organic fair trade T-shirts that are produced in Tanzania, Africa. A QUESTION OF was founded in 2008. The company focuses on fair trade as well as the production of organic, environmentally friendly products. The factory in Tanzania which produces these products operates under fair and ethical conditions which is awesome! I love their designs. Take a look:

5 Preview is another really awesome company. Unfortunately, I could find little information about them. However, do take a look at their website by clicking here.

Source: 5preview.bigcartel.com, aquestionof.dk

December 23, 2009

One Size Fits All

The country of France is currently deciding on whether or not to pass a law requiring retouched photos to be labeled as such. One could compare this label to the labels found on packs of cigarettes. These labels serve the purpose of informing you of the fact that the product in which you have just purchased is harmful to your health. I would consider excessive photo retouching just as unhealthy as smoking so to me this makes perfect sense. It also turns out that The U.K.’s Committee of Advertising Practice (this committee is responsible for the country’s code of advertising), just received a report which was authored by more than 40 academics. This report recommends that there be put a ban on Photoshopped ads targeted at girls younger than 16. Experts say they have found a link between unhealthy behavior in young adults who are exposed to digitally perfected models, according to WWD.com. Geeze, how surprising! So, while I go to bed praying that Healthcare Reform gets passed in the Senate tomorrow morning (read more about this matter by clicking here) I also certainly hope that laws will be passed around the globe that put restrictions on these foolish, unrealistic standards that women are expected to live up to in the pages of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, etc. that are in part created by photoshopped models. On that note, I am now going to go eat a load of carbs and I intend to feel fantastic about myself while doing so. Please feel free to take a look at this fantastic V Magazine editorial featured below which shows women of different sizes – I love diversity! Happy Holidays everyone!

Who else is thinking about what to wear (or who to wear) for New Years Eve? I’ve been thinking about it for weeks now but seeming that I still have absolutely no idea what I will be doing on New Years, I just can’t decide what type of dress I will want to wear. These floor length options would be great though. Take a look:

Source: models.com stylecovered.com

December 21, 2009

Interview by J. Elquist

I was  recently interviewed by designer J. Elquist. He’s so much fun! Take a look at the interview here.

December 7, 2009

Euzkadi Restaurant

The entrance to Euzkadi is impressive. So much so that the mosiac - which paves the sidewalk of its entrance - sort of lets you know that one is about to eat a really good meal. The L-shaped restaurant serves Basque cuisine and this place does not only offer incredible food, it also has a romantic setting along with a wait staff who are all very friendly and knowledgeable about the food they serve you. While you wait for your food to be served, I suggest that you entertain yourself simply by looking at the ceilings of the restaurant. The ceilings  are covered with paintings of running bulls. Bulls are very prevalent in Spain, or so I have been told and this art work is so illustrative that I had a tough trying not to look at it all of the time.  I went with a friend of mine and we simply asked our waitress  to “serve us whatever you think is best” and she did not disappoint. About 15 minutes later, what are called ”tapas” arrived which consisted of a plate of dates wrapped in bacon with an almond nut on the inside, along with duck meatballs and fried goat cheese which was glazed in honey. These dishes were such a refreshing, pleasant surprise. I absolutely recommend this place. I can not wait to go back. Euzkadi is located on 108 East 4th St., New York, NY 10003.

Source: www.euzkadirestaurant.com

December 2, 2009

5 Questions for Ida Pernilla Daugaard

Ida (the model featured above) litterally left me stunned following my viewing part of her portfolio. What a stunning, versatile young woman. I absolutely had to contact her because there were five simple questions in which my mind absolutely needed answered by her. After all, how many models get asked questions? No one really cares what a model likes or what they want because it is not part of their job description. They’re in a sense just beautiful, fragile objects and so I sensed that Ida was both surprised and delighted when I asked her if I could ask her questions. She was very shy about her english language and she made sure that I was aware that english was not her native toungue. I found her quite charming and I absolutely related to her shyness. Ida’s first language is Danish and despite having traveled to Milan, New York, Paris and various other locations she makes sure that one is aware that she is in fact Danish. I think she is dynamite and after having signed with 2PM Model Management, appearing in ELLE Magazine, Armani ad campaigns, etc. I am obviously not the only one who feels this way.

Ida was so kind to answer the 5 lingering questions in which I had for her. Take a look:

ida91. Ida, how did you start modeling?

I went to an open casting for a television program about “being a model” here in Denmark, that the agency 2PM arranged. I was 15 or 16. And it was my mom that thought I should give it a try. It’s funny, but I guess that all mommies believes that their kids are something special… I got chosen and then it all went from there. I got a lot of jobs and went to live in Milan as the first place, after New York and then Paris and now i’m based in Denmark, but travels a lot still.

2. You have a very unique look. Please tell me about your personal style. Who do you find inspirational in regards to style?

Looking at people on the street and in shops… It’s usualy second-hand-shops I prefer. And then I think I always try to make my outfits look funny in some kind of way. I find it very boring wearing to simple or classic clothes.

3. You are also a DJ. How did you get in to music? Which do you like better? Modeling or DJ’ing?

A lot of my friends were Dj’ing, back then, when it all started. . But the thing that really got me into doing it, was that I got a girlfriend that was a Dj. So she taught me how to do it, what CD players to buy and all that stuff. . She talked about that we could go play together, and yeah….that was a big motivation for me. So I did whatever I could to learn it as fast as possible. And after a couple of months we had gigs everywhere… So that was really great! About modeling, I was really excited when I got the Armani campaign in Milan a couple of years ago… But I have never really enjoyed the work though. Some jobs are nice of course, but to do castings in other countries is horrible. So I never really want to do that! I think it’s a boring job a lot of times. But the money is good. And that’s what has kept me doing it for around 6 years now….
there is almost no money in the DJ gigs, but I really love that job!! So yearh….. Both jobs are good, but in a different ways. One makes me happy and one gives me money and of course dj jobs can be boring as well, when I have to play at clubs where I can’t play the music I LOVE the most.

4. You are from Denmark but travel a whole lot. What are you favorite things to do and see when traveling?

Oh yes, I do….Ehm…I love to go out on clubs. Especially in Germany ’cause they have the hottest clubs and dj’s playing almost every night.
In New York or just in the US in general I’m not crazy about going out because of the dj bookings at the clubs, they are very mainstream I think. But then it’s a fantastic city to go shop in and they have a lot of really nice restaurants there. And of course a lot of nice fat fat food, that I eat too much of already ☺

5. What is your favorite item that is in your wardrobe and why?

Uh, I have a lot of favorite things…. I have so much clothing. But I guess at the moment it must be my fur vest as I got from my grandmother, I love that one a lot… And I have a lot of really nice hats that I wear a lot too, I think hats always makes the clothes look more interesting.

Special thanks to Ms. Daugaard. She’s awesome! For more information on Ida please visit her myspace where you can listen to her music by clicking here.

November 23, 2009

complexgeometries spring/summer 2010:

Source: complexgeometries.com

November 20, 2009

My Blood Diaries

On November 18th, the Red Cross accepted blood donations from students at my college. I refused to take part in the blood drive. I refused to take part in the blood drive because a few weeks before I learned that gay men cannot donate blood. Gay men cannot donate blood because they are gay and the FDA feels as though they would be a high risk blood donation despite the fact that all blood gets screened for HIV, viral hepatitis and any other disease in which could be transferred via. a blood transfusion.

I was ridiculed for this decision but I stand behind my beliefs. The FDA created this ban because they wanted to prevent the spread of HIV. In 2006, Red Cross stated that they feel as though the ban is “unwarranted” but as an organization they have not pushed for the ban to be lifted. Despite the shortage of blood donations, the organization has done little to fight for the gay man’s right to donate blood. According to MSNBC, the Red Cross provides nearly half of America’s blood supply and so I feel as though if they truly wanted this ban to be lifted, then they could lobby for it to be so. Prior to donating blood, all men are asked if they have had sexual intercourse with a man since 1977. If the man answers “yes,” he is sent home. That is disgraceful.

The FDA considers a gay man’s blood a liability and that is not right. The truth is, that anybody’s blood can be infected and so no one should be treated any differently than any other person despite their sexual orientation.

I am not saying that people should not donate blood – I just felt that I did not want to donate because if I were to donate my blood, then I would still be participating while supporting an organization whom I feel participates in discrimination. I was not willing to be a part of that and while I asked others to respect my decision, that was not granted to me. Some called me a “killer” and other said that I along with my opinions were “stupid”. It was hard remaining calm throughout the day and some will no longer speak to me due to my decision. However, I am proud of myself because I did what I felt was right. I intend to take this no further but I hope that others will respect my decision from now on. I feel that donating blood is a generous thing to do and I both support and respect anybody who decides to participate in a blood drive but until every healthy American can participate in this voluntary act of generosity, I will not participate myself.

For more information as to how and where you can donate blood, please click here.

From the

You know what I like about the whole M.O.D (Model Off Duty) look?  The fact that the looks in which are often seen on a female “off duty” model is often simple yet when you see her there is no mistaking that she is indeed a Model Off Duty. Your average runway model is usually much skinnier than a regular woman but other than that, they’re usually in attire that could easily be obtained which I think is so cool. Here’s an example:

Model Off Duty, Jac Jagaciak:

For shopping guides and direct links to where all of the items above can be purchased, click here.

Sources: thecw.com, msnbc.com, redcross.org, objectfashionblog.com

November 16, 2009

First Look: Chanel Magazine

The photo above is a preview the first issue of 31 Rue Cambon, the first Chanel magazine which Oliver Zahm art directed and designed for Karl Lagerfeld. The magazine is named after the first Chanel store and it is to be distributed worldwide in all of the Chanel stores.

ALEX & CHLOE

Bracelet, $68.00, Tote, $24.00

Source: Olivier Zahm