Stackable Dolls

Sonia Rykiel

Antonia Marras

Giles

Alena Akhmadullina

Nina Donis

Yves Saint Laurent

Dolce & Gabanna

Marc Jacobs

Maison Martin Margiela

Vogue Russia celebrating 10 years.
See the whole collection at Vogue Russia.

photos courtesy of Design Scene & Vogue Russia

Designer Dishes

photos courtesy of Hint Mag

All Denim Ensemble

Last friday was the Recycle Denim Manics hosted by Leo Boutique and Nudie Jeans and what a great turnout! Artlife Gallery was packed from wall to wall with fashion designers and lovers and featured some of the very talented calgary designers like Kendall Yellowhorn, Paul Hardy, Taryn Mckay, Adejoke Taiwo, Haithem Elkadiki, and Diella Ocran.
The hair, make-up and clothes were amazing!

Recession Proof

Ah, autumn, my favorite season. Mostly just for the layers, layers, layers. But really, it's Calgary so we're pretty much layering all year round.

H & M's Autumn/Winter '09 collection preview really caught my eye, especially the women's. I'm really liking the bigger/oversized pieces, huge collars, and the somewhat monochromatic color scheme. Hope the Calgary locations will carry some of these.

To see more of the men's collection visit Selectism
To see more of the women's collection visit Carolines Mode

Style Muse

If you're like me, there's usually a certain person or two that you google every so often to see what they're wearing/doing next. Mine would be Kate Lanphear, the style director at US ELLE magazine. She keeps her outfits looking simple, effortless, and of course amazing. I'm really liking how she layers and sticks to more neutral colors.

images courtesy of Style Scout, Stylesightings, Superfantasticpicturetime

Paint Works

I've recently found Bil Donovan's illustrations to be very inspiring. His illustrations seem effortless, flowing, and smooth. Bil works mostly in watercolor paints and I highly recommend checking out his personal site because these pictures do not do him justice!

Bil Donovan 

photos courtesy of Bil Donovan

Rocking The Cradle

World's youngest designer?

Damian Finch is just 12 years old and already he's creating quite a name for himself in the fashion world. His designs look like nothing a 12 year old would do thats for sure!
For full interview and more pictures of his Fall '09 collection visit Men Style


pictures courtesy of Men Style

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.

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

{Aimee Qiu}

Last night was the opening night for artist Aimee Qiu at The Gallery.
Loved it!
These are only a few of her many pieces so I highly recommend checking the rest out

The Gallery is located on 113 - 1013 17 Ave SW

Woohoo March!

So February has come and gone and we are inching closer to Spring! Words cannot express how excited I am for April to hit. I know I really should embrace the current month but i'm too excited, I will be done school and I will finally get to see alot of the people I don't see on a regular basis!

Once again our banners have changed and I know we said we would feature a photographer each month, but due to you know... "life"... we decided it would be good to give each other a break and feature another art form that is key to fashion and that is the role of the illustrator.

Garrett Naccarato who is a regular blogger for Calgary Fashion is responsible for the tres chic banners that will be seen on the blog this month! I'm loving this first one and as he continues to work on the rest of the banners for each week, I'm more and more excited to show you just how talented and skilled he really is.

The Project Runway interviews have been fantastic. A funny thing has been happening where I am totally left in awe and inspired by some of the designers on the show and as I get to know more about them each week I am more and more impressed. Last week Baylor was the unfortunate designer to go. The drama of the show last week was intense!! To get a sense of just how intense it really was check out this blog post that got me howling with laughter!

Baylor should not have been eliminated, but such is T.V. life, it refrains from any sense of real justification. He was really amazing to speak with, such a wonderful guy. Incase you missed that interview you can find that ----> HERE

February was also filled with excitement as I was featured in the Calgary Herald for Lincoln Philip's column, as well as on the lifestyle website Martini Boys and on the radio station CJSW.

Yes, my parents are proud and I am proud of everybody really, the fans, Jordan, Garrett, Selina, Yana, Melissa, David and Darren for really making all this possible.

Press is good and we have been getting wonderful feedback from everybody so we are happy.

March is going to be jam packed with several events happening, illustrator Aimee Qiu will be showing her work at The Gallery this month. She is always really interesting as fashion comes into play with her work quite a bit. The Park Show Fundraiser will be taking place on the 14th of March at Artlife Gallery, please take some time out to support these guys, they are doing a fantastic job of revamping this event. As usual there are concerts up the wazoo, Shout Out Out Out Out March 5th at The Warehouse, trust me this will be amazing as the boys just released their new album, Talib Kweli, March 21st at Flames Central and of course Factory Party 5!!!

The Modern Leisure saw just over 1000 people at their last Factory Party and we're sure FP5 will blow that figure way out the water! Oooh. This month Melissa and I will also be in Toronto for Toronto Fashion Week!!! Yahooo!

Have a good month guys!

Kim

Obsession

Angela Missoni

Instantly, I have fallen in love with Angela Missoni's Fall 2009 line. Big scarves, hoods, and tons of layering. Perfect.
See more at Coutorture