Fashion Chat: Jeanne Beker

“What You Takin’ bout Willis”

If you told me I would be talking to Fashion Television Host Jeanne Beker one day, I would say your smoking crack. Well light up the pipe because, I am in a haze. Recently during NYFW Fall 2012, Reem Acra show, I had a moment to chat with Fashion Television host, Jeanne Beker, about her career and fashion insight.

Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012

Let’s start with the show, Reem Acra, Fall 2012. say what?!! Yes, not many of us our familiar with this designer. Well let me tell you who does know Reem Acra: Madonna, Taylor Swift, and Jennifer Lopez. Madonna wore Reem Acra to this year’s Golden Globe Awards, and won, well best dressed for me, and Jennifer Lopez has also been seen in a Reem Acra creations. The collection was sexual, sensual, and fun; the models were confident walking down the runway. Also, Reem Acra has an amazing Bridal collection that is on par with Vera Wang. Here are some looks from NYFW Fall 2012.

69th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals: Madonna Reem Acra
69th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals: Madonna Reem Acra
taylor-swift-nashville-symphony-ball-2011-reem-acra-dress
taylor-swift-nashville-symphony-ball-2011-reem-acra-dress
2012 Univision Winter TCA Breakfast: Jennifer Lopez in Reem Acra
2012 Univision Winter TCA Breakfast: Jennifer Lopez in Reem Acra

Back to Ms. Beker. What do you say when your faced with a women you’ve grown up with your entire life. Living in rural Alberta, she was my only connection to the fashion world. Over 25 years in the business, and still going strong. Hence, you will see how nervous I was speaking to Fashion Television’s talk Queen.

Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012

First, I must say she was delightful. To be honest I’ve had my eye on her job forever, plotting my move to conquer, however after meeting and chatting with her I concede. I will be more than happy to find my own way, as Jeanne is the master of her craft. Growing up, my battle was between Tim Blanks and Jeanne Beker, both Canadian, and both covering fashion. Tim always seemed to be on point about his assessment of each collection: smart, insightful, and exact. Meanwhile, Jeanne felt more free and unrehearsed. I met both during NYFW Fall 2012, and I respect them both as trail blazers for Canadian fashion coverage. Both put Canada on the map, as champions for fashion. We may not have pockets as deep as Americas, but damn it, we’ll help you sell shit and expose you to the world. “Well done!”

Reem-Acra-Fall-2012-Bridal-Collection
Reem-Acra-Fall-2012-Bridal-Collection
Reem-Acra-Fall-2012-Bridal-Collection
Reem-Acra-Fall-2012-Bridal-Collection
Reem-Acra-Fall-2012-Bridal-Collection
Reem-Acra-Fall-2012-Bridal-Collection

I must have done something right in my life, at some point, because as I think back and wonder how, not only do I get to share space with Jeanne Beker, but she is standing in front of me talking. I hope you enjoy my backstage interview with Jeanne at Reem Acra. I skipped interviewing the designer, to wait and speak with Jeanne, it was a toss-up, but I am glad I did.

JeanneBeker-nophotographer
JeanneBeker-nophotographer

Style Profile: Brandon Sun

Spring Luxe

Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html
Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html

To know me, is to know I love a good scarf. I love wrapping myself in its warmth, and fashionable look it gives all my outfits. In my post with designer, Jason Matlo, we discussed how a scarf can up make any outfit look sharp, even sweatpants.

Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html
Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html
Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html
Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html

However, I did not know I could take my fashionable scarf look from fall into spring, and make it look sharp and sexy. One collection that I loved during NYFW Fall 2012, was Brandon Sun. They had great fur pieces that enveloped the models like hot melted butter. I highlighted some of their Fall 2012 looks in my NYFW post, “The Scene.”

Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html
Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html
Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html
Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html

The Spring scarf is normally very flimsy, and I always feel like a fake poet when I wear them, so I usually dash scarf season out the window with snow. Yet, I am always cold during Spring. I don’t know about your city, but Vancouver nights, during spring and summer are chilly. When I travel to warmer cities, I find myself in a constant hot and cold state, hot outside and freezing inside, with air-con blasted everywhere. Having a scarf just makes things so much better, and I have a great pillow during popcorn summer blockbuster season.

Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html
Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html
Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html
Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html

Brandon Sun showed me that I don’t have to give up my luxury scarf this Spring. I can still be fabulously drenched in comfort around my neck, and not just jewelry. Brandon Sun‘s Spring collection had some great scarfs to keep you looking alluring with your T-shirts and shorts this spring and summer season. I love the idea of mixing seasons, and Brandon Sun had given us a great way to try this look out for Spring–bing on the chilly nights!!

Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html
Source: http://www.brandonsuncollection.com/2012-spring-summer.html

 

=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGUoBZoMYaU&feature=g-upl&context=G209c25dAUAAAAAAAMAA]

Style Profile: Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood: Let It Rock—1971

Source: SS12_Westwood_012
Source: SS12_Westwood_012

I don’t know what a train wreck looks like, but I do know what fabulous looks like, and here it is—Westwood Spring 2012. The Queen of British fashion is most defiantly keeping face with her new royal subjects—China! With a new store in Shanghai, Westwood’s runway presentation used Asian models, Japanese inspired prints, and, like British fashion, Westwood deconstructs the Chinese costume.

Source: Westwood 2012
Source: Westwood 2012

To me, this was one of her most outstanding collections since her Fall/Winter 1994, when Westwood was blasted for making Kate Moss look like a prostitute according to Women’s Wear Daily (WWD), March 8,1994. Why the little history lesson? Well, like the Mad Hatter in “Alice in Wonderland,” Westwood is a personality all her own. What looks like a mess to others is simply genius in disguise. There is a reason why Sex And The City, part one, used Westwood as their fashion muse; WWD (1994) said it best: “Long Live the Queen!”

Source: SS12_Westwood_073
Source: SS12_Westwood_073
Source: SS12_Westwood_027
Source: SS12_Westwood_027
Source: SS12_Westwood_031
Source: SS12_Westwood_031

Westwood has a sense of humor with fashion that is unlike any other designer. She is not afraid to challenge beauty standards by exaggerating hemlines, hip proportions, and traditional dress. I like that Westwood allows her customer not be perfect. One of the most beautiful things about human beings is asymmetrical–Black, White, and Yellow; tall, skinny, and short—we’re all amazing. Society today requests us to fall into fashion line; buy the right trend; create the right look; follow Celebrity lines. Never one to conform, Westwood has always been on the fringe fighting for individuality, creating rebel fashion. Spring 2012 says she’s still kicking ass!

Source: SS12_Westwood_087
Source: SS12_Westwood_087
Source: SS12_Westwood_058
Source: SS12_Westwood_058

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D5wCGsmtzI&w=560&h=315]

Source: Westwood 2011
Source: Westwood 2011

Website: Vivienne Westwood

edited by: desean

Closet Confessions: Cover Girls

Duran Duran: Love, Music, Fashion!

Bazaar--December 2011 Cover
Bazaar--December 2011 Cover

What do you get when you mix top models with music? A hot track! Harper’s Bazaar December 2011, British Edition, goes behind the scene of Duran Duran’s music video Girl Panic, documenting fabulous mega models.

Bazaar 2011 December: Girl Panic
Bazaar 2011 December: Girl Panic

I love mixing fashion, music, and models it just makes sense. Who doesn’t want to scream into a hair brush when they hear these songs!

=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSMbOuNBV0s&feature=relmfu

And who can forget the ultimate Super Model Video, George Michael: Freedom ’90!

Muse Closet: Shop Talk

WoolRich

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label
WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

It’s always fun to watch theatrical fashion in magazine editorials and Gaga videos, however the rest of us live in the real world. One of the most wearable collections I saw during New York Fashion week was WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011. Designer, Paula Gerbase, who was born in Brazil and graduated from esteemed fashion school, Central Saint Martin, has blended her topical roots with British functionality. Fall/Winter 2011 WoolRich Black Label collection borrowed from men’s tailoring techniques to produce feminine shapes with soft fabrication.

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label
WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

Why I am discussing Fall/Winter 2011 fashion when spring is around the corner, simple fact: “sale time people!” Now is the time to grab fall pieces that will carryover to spring, while still picking up some cute warm pieces before New Year’s countdown. Winter can drag itself out, so you still want to look your best.

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label
WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

Spring/Summer 2012 Collections are full of masculine tailoring with feminine shapes, so you will be on point with your fall/winter carryover. My favorite would be WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011 navy faded print silk Georgette oversized t-shirt dress. This dress is a smart carryover as its timeless and elegant. For spring a great colored belt to cinch the waist for shape is perfect.

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label
WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

For Christmas dressing, take inspiration from WoolRich’s navy silk twill draped dress, I love the faux fur scarf for style detail. I did this look myself for a red carpet this fall—minus the dress.

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label
WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label
Me with fur collar--Red Carpet

Here are some other great looks from WoolRich fall/winter 2011 collection you will want to check for inspiration.

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label
WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label
WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label
WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label
WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label
WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label
Platform Boot
Platform Boot

Here is a behind the scene studio interview with Designer Paula Gerbase.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSpwSD6DNG4&w=640&h=480