The Alexander McQueen Effect

The first time I truly became aware of the influential power fashion has over society, I was watching an Alexander McQueen show online when I was 15 The elaborate prints and extravagant fabrics used to create an over the top, theatrical production was beyond overwhelming. Needless to say, after watching your first McQueen show, you cant stop until you've seen every seasons runway show from the beginning. After multiple hours, I sat, thinking for a long while about the designer, the inspiration and the process of producing the final peices. What intrigued me even more was wondering about the production crew, or who all of these people were who made the show come together seamlessly. I wasn't so much concerned with the people sitting in the front rows, I was aware that they were industry insiders. But I wanted to know everything I could about what it takes to have a massive team of people, specializing in different areas to make one designers collection come alive. 

'The McQueen effect' isn't real, but it should be. It would be used to explain the psychological shift after one watches a McQueen show for the first time. The dust collected in the corners of your imagination would evaporate and you would be left with a sense of creative purpose in the world. As if someone has told you that it's essential for you to contribute to the creative world in your lifetime even if it's just once in a small way. I can't count how many times I've watched or listened to interviews of designers and their inspiration is a McQueen collection, a single outfit or the man himself.  

Like so many others in the industry, Alexander McQueen is the person who inspired me to explore my creativity beyond reasonable measures. It's always a pleasure looking back at his previous work and looking forward to the new designs. 

Nelly's knit wear

I stumbled upon a video on YouTube by the craft/art store Michaels about an arm knitting, DIY quick and easy, anyone can do it, chunky knit infinity scarf. I have to admit, I needed to watch other videos to completely understand how to do it but after an hour I finally got the hang of it. The only materials needed are yarn of course and your arm. The difficult part is learning how to "cast on" and knowing which loops to go through with your hand

. Also, keeping the yarn relatively tight was tricky, if it's too loose, the scarf will definitely show it. Overall, I'm glad I learned how to arm knit, it's very easy  and I will be making more for friends before the winter season is over.

Over sized is over done

"Your clothes should be tight enough to show your a woman but loose enough to show your a lady".

I'm not entirely sure of who said this quote, so I'll just write it in a bold text over an imaginary Marilyn Monroe picture with a sienna filter and call it a day. 

I can't even count how many items of clothing I have bought over the past two years that have been labeled small or medium and in fact are actually a ten-person-tent sized garment. I suppose the blame can be placed on my shoulders occasionally because I have a habit of not looking at the size or not bothering to trudge through change rooms. But when I'm buying a chambray shirt- a basic in any wardrobe- I should not have to tailor it because of a misleading size label. 

When the trend started it seemed like a good idea, everyone needs some over sized pieces for "casual looks" (lazy days). I just personally don't enjoy looking sloppy all year round in public, maybe just January 2nd. 

Finally, I don't enjoy the cashier judging my extra small sized purchases. Clearly she doesn't understand that extra small is the new medium. Medium is the new extra large. It's a tough time to go shopping, and I will not be adopting the bohemian look anytime soon. Point blank- I don't want to be trendy if I have to look like a circus tent with skinny jeans on. 

The Bucket List

I have a lot of things I want to try out and/or accomplish. This list will be specifically for the things I want to do within the fashion world. (in no specific order)

1. Attend  college at George Brown for Fashion Management.
2. Have a wardrobe I am completely satisfied with
3. Design and create a spring/Summer collection for myself, not for retail purposes
4. Attend every fashion week (New York, Milan, Paris, London) at least once
5. Meet a few of my fashion idols (Anna Dello Russo is my top pick)
6. Own one Alexander McQueen peice
7. Be a part of building the Toronto Fashion Scene
8. Meet my Canadian fashion idols (Jeanne Becker, Coco Rocha etc.)
9. Start a campaign for donating new or used clothes to homeless shelters around Ontario
10. Be in the position (when I'm much older) to be able to launch a career of a well deserving young Canadian designer
11. Write an article for any fashion magazine in Canada
12. Be part of a PR team producing a show at Toronto Fashion Week
13. Walk in one runway show
14. Publish a book of my fashion illustration artwork
15. Find a mentor once I know what specific job I want
16. Have a creative photoshoot of myself and others around the city
17. Learn to photograph other people
18. Own a fashion house in Europe (literally a house covered with fashion references, artwork, inspiration, collection of clothing)
19. Go to the major fashion museums around the world
20. Start up my super top secret and elaborate, innovative business/ service in Toronto (it will bring together young Canadian designers, well known Canadian designers and designers abroad- and all of the professional people required to make it run smoothly)

With all of these goals, my intention is to test the waters in different concentrations of the industry, I do not specifically want to be a writer, or photographer or model. I just think it's important to educate myself from various perspectives within the business so if I ever work with a photographer, I'll know generally the kind of complications that they could run into. I want to walk a mile in everyone's shoes, and I know it'll make me an even more creative person.

The girl with the coat hanger tattoo

Let me just start off by saying, this tattoo has saved me various times. For whatever reason I go off on my own as a curious explorer which inevitably separates me from friends in crowded social situations (parties, busy toronto streets, canada's wonderland). Of course my first instinct is to scream their names, when that fails I frantically wave my hands in the air. What separates me from every other tanned girl at the concert fist pumping like their life depends on it? 1. I don't fist pump and 2. The tattoo on my wrist! My friends locate me, we live happily ever after. Until I get lost again.

With all of that being said, I got my tattoo when I was 17, it was without a doubt very spontaneous of me one summer afternoon. I had been looking at the same tattoo design for months, almost a year so I took the grand initiative and insisted to the tattoo artist I needed it done that day. I loved it from the very minute I saw the completed work. It seems like a silly comparison but to me it was like having the name of a significant other tattooed on me- but vastly different. My love for fashion started early and it's helped me get through tough times and without a doubt makes me insanely happy. It will always come first in my life, and it's nice to be reminded of it everyday, it's even better to be recognized by it. It's a symbol of my commitment and passion for an industry and lifestyle I have always wanted.

Hello hello hello!

It took me a while to start up this blog mainly because I didn't want it to be like most generic fashion blogs. Ultimately, I'm writing and documenting my work, inspiration and perspectives for myself. I need to see how I grow through this period in time that will help me in my future career in fashion.

I don't entirely want to reveal my personal and professional background all at once (hopefully it will be evident throughout the posts!)

As I said, fashion blogs endorsing the most coveted designer item of the day don't interest me, this blog isn't going to revolve around unattainable fashion merchandise that only looks good on mannequins. I've  had a strong sense of personal style for quite some time, and an even stronger desire to learn as much about every aspect of the fashion industry from every professional level. At this time, I'm not in any formal schooling so I'm teaching myself everything from fashion illustration to sewing clothing by reading mountains of books or going through a trial and error process.

There are so many obstacles to getting where I want to be in the fashion industry, and I'll always keep an open mind to any opportunity that arises for me. My most prominent goal for the near future is to attend George Brown College in Toronto for fashion management. I'm using these next few months to lay the ground work for what I'll learn in college, while learning as an artist and evolving my personal style. Comments and suggestions from other creative people or people already in the fashion scene will always be appreciated.