Dresses

Did You Know?


  • Fashion Magazine has made publishing history as the first Canadian fashion and beauty magazine to reach two million readers.
  • The magazine's dominance in Canada's major cities are stronger than ever before with a 13.1% increase among women 18-49 in Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary and Vancouver.
  • Calgary has the highest interest rate of women aged 18-49, up by 70.2%.
Congratulations Fashion Magazine!

Pink Mafia Are Looking For An Intern

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??

I'd be right up at their front door if I lived in Toronto. If you feel like moving away for a little bit and expanding your horizons or getting captured by the Cobrasnake or whoever he may be that is behind the lens of the nightlife in Toronto then I suggest you get in touch!

Anna Von who is the master force behind Pink Mafia is a cute funky East coast lady and is honestly super cool! (For lack of a better word!)

Get to it, the dance floors await you...and of course a little work!

Here is the nitty gritty...

Hours:

- Committed to one day a week in the office. Hours are very flexible and most work can be done from home
- We are looking for someone to start the month of April. It is a 3-4 month internship.

Compensation:
There is no pay but there are wicked benefits such as VIP access to parties and really learning the ropes of a public relations company

Skills:
-Basic computer and Internet skills are a must.
-Html, graphic, website management are a bonus.

Tasks:
-The upkeep of our networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace
-Filing and Managing the office.
-Keeping promotional material in order
-Contributing to the blog (www.pinkmafia.ca/blog)

Contact peterson@pinkmafia.ca with your resume and cover letter.

Links

Pink Mafia
Pink Mafia Blog

Francis A Willey


Francis A Willey is a composer, poet and photographer.

"Beauty is a primeval phenomenon, which itself never makes its appearance, but the reflection of which is visible in a thousand different utterances of the creative mind, and is as various as nature herself"

-Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Links
Francis A Willey Website
Francis A Willey MySpace

Photography courtesy of Francis A Willey, MySpace

Vancouver Fashion Week Has Begun...



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.

For more coverage as the week goes on check out the following:

Photographs courtesy of Yvonne Chew.

Today!!

If You Seek Aimee


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 Post

But wait there's more! She also has her own personal site, so go take a look.

Sale Frenzy!

In this day and age, everybody's running around with the heads cut off in fear of the recession!
In my opinion, this is the perfect time for every lover of fashion to take a dip in their pockets and spend time scouring for pieces that are synonymous with who they are and who they would like to be. Things are changing in the world people and fashion is becoming cheaper, it wouldn't look that way after a recent increase in the prices at Louis Vuitton but sales are happening and styles are becoming more accessible! My weekly trip to Winner's confirms this for me.

So anyway with all that said I need to make a dash to Sterling Shoes in Northland Village Mall (5111 Northland Drive NW) they seem to be having a blow out sale!

Word is the sale has styles at $30 or less!

See exhibit A

Alright boys and girls, let's see who gets there first! ;)

Photo courtesy a certain "Crackberry!" :)

LGFW Review: Andy Thê Anh, Joe Fresh Style, Gaudet, Cheri Milaney, Comrags and Pink Tartan.

It was another packed day last Wednesday and although we weren't down there, anticipation for the Andy Thê-Anh show and Joe Fresh Styles show had me checking Twitter statuses and The National Post like a maniac!

Andy Thê-Anh

Highlights: Jeweled Tights and Fur.
Hair: The flattened bouffant.
Colours: Beige, Aqua Green, Grey, Forest Green, Aqua Blue and Watermelon pink.

Joe Fresh Style
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.

The collection was simple and as daring as department store fashion can be!

Colours: Black, white and grey
Highlights: Knee length socks, large square prints and romantic blouses.

Other designers that showed on Wednesday were:

Gaudet


I don't know much about the Gaudet label, but this was probably one of my favourite collections shown at LG Fashion Week. The collection was very dreamy and whimsical. It was very abstract but also had flowery accents that were subtle yet bold. I love pieces that can be hung on walls and the collection from Gaudet was art in itself.

Cheri Milaney
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.

Comrags
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!

Here is a video on the history of Comrags as they celebrate 25 years of fashion!

- Comrags celebrates 25 years of fashion!

Pink Tartan

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.

Stand outs for me were the pink patterned tights.

Photos courtesy of LG Fashion Week and Peter Lytwyniuk @ Studiolit

It's A Sad Day On The Avenue

Air Head









The name of this designer is Federica Moretti and has a vision that I am loving to bits!

I love hats, but these totally remind me of 1960's French hats and head bands! There are hoods for men that look 17th century to me but in a modern kind of way.

I don't know what else to say other then you must check all the other stuff out. Its amazing!

Federica Moretti

Photographs courtesy of studiomorinn.com

Who is Jak and Jil?

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!

He's sharp, always on point and his shoe fetish has me going crazy with each post. My heart thuds as the page loads it's really honestly breath taking.

The Star reports on Tommy Ton

Links:

Jak and Jil Blog


Photo courtesy of Jak and Jil.

Sketchy Business






Pencil drawn fashion illustrations by Laura Laine. I love the flowy hair and the "freeness" each illustration has. She's done drawings for Elle, Tommy Hilfiger, Zara and so many more!

See the rest of her work at Laura Laine.

Images courtesy of http://www.lauralaine.net

Shout Out Out Out Outs!





I have to have to have to give a shout out to the following people who made LG Fashion Week an experience to remember.

The first person I bumped into was Danielle Meder, fashion illustrator and fellow blogger! She is absolutely wonderful in person and spent the week working on water colour illustrations of the runway shows. Thanks to Danielle I am the proud owner of one of her postcards and yup you guessed it, it's from the Travis Taddeo show! Travis was kind enough to sign my envelope and I can't wait to get home to put it in a frame so it can become a permanent fixture in the CF office!

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!

Also big shout out to Adejoke Taiwo, Evan Biddell who knows how to throw a party and Travis Taddeo for a super wicked collection and for kindly chatting with me.

Till next time!

Kim

Photos courtesy of Miss Sly, Final Fashion.

LGFW Review: Ula Zokowska, Travis Taddeo, Zoran Dobric, Joeffer Caoc, Lundstrom

Show One: Ula Zokowska
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.

Show Two: Travis Taddeo

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!

Check out Travis's Spring/Summer 09 collection.


For his fall 09 collection, Taddeo shied away from the usual vibrant colors that are prevalent in his collections but stuck to safe, workable colors, black, white and blue with a hint of gold here and there. Boys remained in skinny black pants or white straight leg pants while ladies were in skinny pants with knee pad sections and short mini skirts. I loved this collection and in all honesty can see the Calgary Fashion team all ooh and aahing over the pieces in the collection.
Perfect for the working fashionistas in the industry.

Show Three: Zoran Dobric

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.

Show Four: Joeffer Caoc

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.

Show Five: Linda Lundtröm

Unfortunately we missed the come back of Linda Lundstrom who filed for bankruptcy earlier on in 2008.

Photos courtesy of LG Fashion Week and Peter Lytwyniuk @ Studiolit

Calgary Fashion Followers

With Love From Montreal

With Love From London, England

Passionately Watching