Garrett Naccarato: First of all tell me a little bit about yourself!Aimee Qiu: My name is Aimee Qiu. With a degree in Fashion Design from China I came to Canada looking for an opportunity in the Fashion industry. After arriving, I realize without the language and education (Western Education), it is almost impossible to persuade a career here so I went on for another degree in Graphic Design at the Alberta College of Art and Design. Four years at ACAD, I kept the passion for fashion (mainly drawing part), and learned to work with other graphic elements, now I work as a graphic designer, freelance illustrator and painter which I think will be my life time career from now on.
GN: Most of your artwork in the show is directed towards fashion. What made/or influenced you to work with this type of genre?AQ: Like I mentioned at my last answer, I love drawing and my degree in Fashion Design helped me develop the skill and interests in figure drawing. Plus I think female figures are very sexy and beautiful, it can stand by itself as a master piece. I love the female figures and I am very pleased I can represent them on the canvas with my own interpretation.
GN: What are the type of mediums you work on? And what do you prefer to work with?
AQ: I work with acrylic ink and marker on canvas. I love collect different type of paper and paint on them sometimes. I love Chinese rice paper, it smells really good (laughs) for their unique texture and soft surface. Now I am working on some big piece with rice paper and I am very excited to see how it will turn out.
GN: Fashion illustrations are a huge part of the industry, have you or do you plan to use your talents to help present sketches for designers?
AQ: With the drawing skill, I have earned many personal clients. It is easier to show them sketches of what I am talking about. Also in my last job, I used my skill to present work for some bigger international clients.
GN: Favorite designers? Trends? Looks? Favorite Artists?
AQ: To be honest, I am not a big brand name fan but I think some brands can really make a difference in the world. My favourite designer is John Galliano, I have been following his career since early 90's and I have painted many figures that I think will be perfect for his collection. He has such a unique interpretation for fashion! My favorite artist is Egone Schiele.
GN: I've noticed that you have a some newer pieces that definitely stand out from your illustrations. What made you chose a different style for these?
AQ: The newer pieces came when I had the Creative Block. I have many painting at home and I have been looking at them for a long time...
One Story: There is the half finished painting beside my couch since last year and I just could not finish it. After my short trip to Toronto, I started reading graffiti books, watching weird movies with my boyfriend, taking photos of weird textures I found on the road, or sometimes just draw down whatever come into my mind, one day I just bought cans of spear paint and experience with them. That day I realize the freedom of being an creative person, whatever medium, whatever situation, whatever you can image, you can put on canvas. That day I finished the first painting("The Rubbit") in a new style. With this freedom, I started working with the painting beside my couch...I guess people liked it because that is the first piece I sold in my show at The Gallery!
GN: What are some words of advice you could give to starting out artists trying to get their work out there?
AQ: I really think as artists we should know how to networking and market ourselves. I do not mean you have to but I took some marketing courses from SAIT and benefit a lot from it.
I started participating at shows since my second year at ACAD and successfully curated the very first group show in my 3rd year for my department. It was a huge success. I have sold over 50 paintings since then and I guess all the success is motivating me to move forward.
Never give up or stop if you have difficult to move forward, believe yourself and keep moving. If you are a truly gifted, you still need to work hard for the other 90% of the success. Also you MUST have huge passion on whatever you are doing because that is something will motivate you in a long run.
Many people asked me how I can manage to paint and work at the same time, maybe they think I have no life, but doesn't true meaning for life is doing whatever you are love to do? I think I am very lucky person because I love what I do!
GN: Do you have any projects in the works?
AQ: At this moment, I am working as a graphic designer and busy with my personal clients. Also I got a cat recently, her name is ShiShi and so far we are very much in love with each other! But I am still trying to get into shows and galleries. I am having another solo show at Art Central from September to October. And I have some travel plans coming up since Summer is around the corner. I also want to get some freelance work for some bigger fashion related editorial companies. So busy life but I love it!!!
Aimee Qiu's work is on display at
The Gallery till March 28th
See some of her work at
Calgary Fashion's March 6th PostBut wait there's more! She also has her own
personal site, so go take a look.
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Okay here's the deal!! Pink Mafia are looking for an intern! These guys are in the know more than you can ever imagine! So if you like fashion and you like music and you love to party what more can you ask for??
Francis A Willey is a composer, poet and photographer.
It's rather unfortunate that Calgary Fashion could not make it out to Vancouver Fashion Week, but we will be following as closely as possible so we can report from a distance with much thanks to the photographers and bloggers who will be reporting on Vancouver Fashion Week.
Alright boys and girls, let's see who gets there first! ;)
Andy Thê-Anh
Ever since Joseph Mimran started the Joe Fresh Styles label, Superstore hasn't been the same. I applaud the label for bringing fashion to the masses in an affordable way.
Cheri Milaney took a very different approach to her collection. Instead of professional models, Milaney used real everyday women to show off her collection. This tactic is always good as it shows that her designs are made for every day women.
It is very important to know the history behind designers in Canada. I am a new learner as i'm sure a lot of our readers are and I cannot get enough of the history of fashion designers in Canada!
Kimberley Newport-Mimran, yes married to Joseph Mimran, created Pink Tartan in 2002. She is not only the co-founder but the head designer and president. Pink Tartan is a simple label focused on practical clothes that can take women from day to dinner.
At Toronto Fashion Week, it was a little nerve wracking having to explain that you do not work for that big label company but are instead doing things for yourself and making the necessary moves required to take your independent self to the next level without asking for a job or assistance! I'm in love with visionaries and independents. People who do whatever it takes to do what they love and Tommy Ton is one of these people!
I have to have to have to give a shout out to the following people who made LG Fashion Week an experience to remember.
Shout out to Miss Sly!!! She is definitely a trooper and a strong believer in fashion! I loved meeting you Sly, you totally got me excited about being in Toronto. I wish I could have been there earlier in the week! See you next fashion week you and I must make it to all the parties!
The SubAdult Years blogger, Rebecca Leung was also a pleasure to meet. I like her because she's very direct and speaks exactly what is on her mind! She also has this post on race and ethnicity at Toronto Fashion Week! You must read it! 
The second day of LG Fashion week had fashionistas in full drive with the first day of full showings. The day began with Ula Zukowska who has been in the Canadian fashion industry since 1994. Her collection was a blend of black and brown with a large addition of fur. Zukowska show opened LG Fashion week spectators to the trend of fur that appeared all week at the tents. The collection was based on the dark ages and a reflection of the current state of the economy. Zukowska's inspirations led to more structure in her pieces.
The first highlight of the day was Calgary native Travis Taddeo's collection who also reps Montreal hard! It was his first time to show at Toronto fashion week. The collection was perfect for the young urban, working fashionista. Perfect looks for a day at the office or hustling and bustling in the city preparing for shoots and editorial meetings. The versatility of the collection showed that he had the working girl and guy in mind. All looks presented would not only work for chic workers on the go but hold up once the work day is done and drinks are in order!
The next collection of the day was by Zoran Dobric. Dobric is a very hard worker. Do not underestimate this humble and at times shy designer. In 2008, Dobric began working towards his whole sale line that can be found in stores in Toronto and for his fall 2009 collection the designer has strengthened his collection and featured his usual take on futuristic tribal prints and stuck to black, white, blues and purples.
Joeffer Caoc is a very established member of the fashion industry. Labeled as one of the seven from the "Group of Seven" by the FDCC, Caoc's collection was simple and clear.
Unfortunately we missed the come back of Linda Lundstrom who filed for bankruptcy earlier on in 2008.
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