Closet Confessions: Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012

Crisis Averted

I can’t say Spring/Summer is one of my favourite fashion seasons. I envy all those light airy people cycling the seawall, playing volleyball at the beach, and sauntering down sideways in light tee’s and cut off shorts–WTF. I am hot, I hate everything in my closet, and I can’t wear layers, I am in consent denial.

Rick Owens: Spring/Summer 2012
Rick Owens: Spring/Summer 2012

In my Givenchy post, last week, I hinted that sometimes I feel lost in my clothing decisions. I felt in a bit of a crisis, as I am watching all these great colourful clothes for Spring. What the hell I am going to wear. Givenchy had some nice ideas, and I have become a great fan. However in my denial of Spring, and of course always shopping a season ahead, boots for Fall entered my mind all weekend.

Rick Owens: Spring/Summer 2012
Rick Owens: Spring/Summer 2012
Rick Owens: Spring/Summer 2012
Rick Owens: Spring/Summer 2012

Therefore, like any fashionista, I was up till 5am scouting every website to find a good pre-season deal. I didn’t find any boots, but what I did run across was some amazing stuff from Rick Owens Spring/Summer 2012. My friend in NY is always wearing his clothes, but I never felt compelled to wear Rick Owens myself. My friend is super creative and works magic with a make-up brush, so I leave creative identity to him. However, Rick has won me over.

Rick Owens: Spring/Summer 2012
Rick Owens: Spring/Summer 2012
Rick Owens: Spring/Summer 2012
Rick Owens: Spring/Summer 2012

These gender bending creations summed a time of breakout expression. Leading my critical thought, Madonna “What it feels like for a Girl.” The concept of men in female garments, has been done to death in the nineties, but Owens has made if feel masculine and contemporary. The looks are strong and confident with no apology–I like that.

Rick Owens: Spring/Summer 2012
Rick Owens: Spring/Summer 2012
lenny-kravitz-rick-owens-high-heels-boots-dress
lenny-kravitz-rick-owens-high-heels-boots-dress

Fashion’s new direction of deconstructing rules, has built a new construction of male identity. As to not make my post so designer driven, I am posting some street style photos to bridge fashion creativity and street reality, based on Rick Owens Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

rick-owens-by-hanneli-mustaparta2
rick-owens-by-hanneli-mustaparta2
Street Style: Rick Owens
Street Style: Rick Owens
Street Style: Rick Owens
Street Style: Rick Owens
Daine-Walker-Wooster-St-An-Unknown-Quantity-Street-Style-Blog2: Interview with this blogger to come...
Daine-Walker-Wooster-St-An-Unknown-Quantity-Street-Style-Blog2: Interview with this blogger to come...
Wong Faye: Rick Owens Shoes
Wong Faye: Rick Owens Shoes

*side note: please click LIKE on my Facebook link, if you like, and follow on twitter for updates.

Muse Closet.

Closet Confessions: “Bright Lights, Big Dreams, In The Big City”

NY: Curtain Call

Dear New York,

Once upon a time, a little boy had a dream, watching a world of glamour beyond belief. One day he dreamt he would be part of this world, but growing up in rural Alberta, Canada, he felt that was only a fantasy. Through trial and error he found his way, so he took a risk to play in a big way, and with open arms you took him–thank you New York for making me feel loved.

NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style

Fashion has been a part of my life from birth. Every moment in my life is defined by a look or moment in fashion. I took a brief detour to study film, and I abandoned my passion for fashion, I felt threatened to fit in, but being a misfit is what made me fit in the end. Fashion showed me how to use film to my benefit–so I did.

NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style

When I think of fashion’s power to transform, I realize why people are scared or worried about understanding a world riddled with mystery. Clothes may seem simple, but fashion is defining. You can create and develop yourself with fashion, to help brand your personal identity. Doesn’t matter what you look like, fashion can be used to your benefit. I think this is why street style has become such a huge force in fashion, although designers bring us all together.

NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
Real Housewives of Atlanta: Cynthia Bailey
Real Housewives of Atlanta: Cynthia Bailey

Therefore, no matter what your own reviews maybe, please keep pressing forward. 2012, has proven to be a wonderful year, thus far, and my promo video of Fashion Week Fall 2012, is a testament to my own hard work. I want to say thank you to my wonderful production help and support, Nima @ Qube Film. I look forward to bringing you more footage and Muse Closet Philosophy. There will be Muse Closet exclusives with up-coming music artist, backstage celebrity and designer interviews, and yes my street style fashion picks. Stay tuned…

NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style
NY: Fashion Street Style

My Fashion picks today remind me that dreams do come true, as each style maven seems to channel inner beauty.

Raw Edges: Backstage

“Celebration Time”

“Well, did I call it, or did I call it? Ah… yeah I did!” Check out my Oscar prediction post: “Iron Lady

Congratulations to Meryl Streep, I can see why she won for Best Actress. Her speech was witty, emotional, and gracious. I cannot say I loved her dress, but who I am to say anything to a three-time Oscar winner. She may have had her own prediction by dressing in Oscar gold.

Meryl-Streep-In-Lanvin-2012-Oscars
Meryl-Streep-In-Lanvin-2012-Oscars

What I really liked about Streep’s win is that even after seventeen nominations, she was sincere with emotion. We all work so hard at everything we do, and in most cases our effort is overlook, so when we’re applauded for our tenacity it feels so deserving.

Meryl-Streep-84th-Annual-Academy-Awards_-Press-Room_-Los-Angeles_-America---26-Feb-2012
Meryl-Streep-84th-Annual-Academy-Awards_-Press-Room_-Los-Angeles_-America---26-Feb-2012

Here are some of my favourite “winning” looks during New York Fashion Week, Fall 2012. What I love about each of my fashion favourites is that their style is effortless. The clothing of each street-styleista is simple and achievable, but attitude and confidence is centre stage.

NYFW-Fall 2012
NYFW-Fall 2012
NYFW-Fall 2012
NYFW-Fall 2012
NYFW-Fall 2012
NYFW-Fall 2012
NYFW-Fall 2012
NYFW-Fall 2012
NYFW-Fall 2012
NYFW-Fall 2012
NYFW-Fall 2012
NYFW-Fall 2012

Closet Confessions: Who’s Who?

Snap Shot

Front Row: Mary K and Ashley O; Man in scarf, Waris Ahluwalia
Front Row: Mary K and Ashley O; Man in scarf, Waris Ahluwalia

With my past four years stuck in University, I have been out of the fashion loop. With months to go in my degree, I have been thinking about my future. I still love fashion, and I wanted to get back to my first love, hence my blog. This year at NYFW, I feel in love with some amazing people, and I am embarrassed to say I didn’t know whom everyone was sitting in front row, or the people rushing around Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Venue. I still took snap shots because I felt the presence of their greatness, so I wasn’t a complete moron. Research is a University student’s best friend—I do not my want parent’s money go to waste. Therefore, like any good student I hit the books—well, web.

ANTM: Eve Diva
ANTM: Eve Diva
ANTM: Eve Diva
ANTM: Eve Diva

First unknown, known, found at The Standard Hotel, a must see venue in the Meat Packing District, yes where Samantha got her groove on. I was covering an accessory presentation, but being my fifth day into fashion week, and my sixth show of the day, and two more to go, needless to say, I was exhausted. I entered the venue and I got straight to work, taking pictures and gathering material for my blog. My wonderful partner in crime, Nima, who handled all the video production, kept me in line with interviewing designers and crowd goers when I was too tired to care. Unfortunately, he was just as tired, as I was, by this point, and we didn’t want to wait in the long media line for a designer interview. We did collect some amazing shots and video of the collection, as we packed up our things, I spotted this amazing woman on my way out—I had to stop. I told Nima, “Grab the video camera we have to interview this amazing women;” I needed to know everything about her. I approached her and asked her for an interview, and in a Southern twang, she declined, claiming her mouth always gets her in trouble. I asked her for a quick snap shot, and she was more than accommodating. I took my shot, but I was not happy with my photo, and I didn’t want to bug her for another, so I didn’t use her photo in my original street fashion post—glad I didn’t. With a bit of hunting I found out that this amazing women, Kate Lanphear is the style director for Elle USA. My snapshot does not do her justice, but you can check out some of the amazing blogs dedicated to her style: http://fearlanphear.blogspot.com/

Kate Lanphear
Kate Lanphear
tumblr_lzlychEpbe1qga1o2o1_r1_500
tumblr_lzlychEpbe1qga1o2o1_r1_500

My next unknown, known, was found lounging at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week venue. Resting with her friend, this tulle drenched style maven, commented that she loved sitting around, as passerby’s complimented her all day, I could see why, her style is flawless. This fashionista, Lynn Yeager, is contributing fashion editor at Vogue and The New York Times.

Lynn Yeager
Lynn Yeager

My last unknown, known, flabbergasted me. Normally I am not shy to ask for photos, but he was one of the most amazing men I had seen in a long time. I had one of those moments where you know you’ve seen someone before, but you’re not sure where. This striking man, who is a model, was on almost every street style blog I looked at, Shaun Ross is amazing. His sweetheart personality made him even more beautiful in person. Even with my bad photography skills his angelic personality shines. He has done a video with Katy Perry and modeled for every “it” designer.

Shaun Ross
Shaun Ross

Next season I will be up-to-speed about who’s who. I hope I was able to introduce you to some amazing people who I found during my fashion journey. Here are some more shots of cool fashion goers I found. Please stay turned for some great street style interviews coming soon.

Tim Blanks: Style.com editor & me
Tim Blanks: Style.com editor & me
fw-blog-shorine-241
fw-blog-shorine-241: Video Interview with her to come soon

Muse Closet Profile: Jen V.

Jen V: A Very Stylish Girl

A Very Stylish Girl
Muse Closet: Profile

Voted 3rd worst dressed city by GQ and MSN Travel, Vancouver needs to salvage its image. Magazines such as Vancouver View have been doing their best to revoke this vote by capturing stylish images from social events. One Vancouverite shattering our unstylish image is blog favourite Jen V. Her image has been used in fashion blogs all over North America because of her unique personality and individual style. Street fashion is all about attitude because as fashion becomes more commercial and mass-produced, deciphering your own style becomes difficult without access or skills in sewing. The seamstress, tailor, and atelier development custom-made items for individuals. However, not everyone has access or deep pockets to indulge personalized luxury. Therefore, street style has become fashion’s new frontier in style independence.

A Very Stylish Girl
Muse Closet Profile: Jen V.

Jen has crafted her look from a lifetime of pieces discovered throughout her personal development; vintage, discount, and high-end clothes are included in her repeater of style. Jen is very thoughtful about each outfit she creates, thereby telling a story with every item she chooses. Her artistic background builds simple basics into statements. With a creative eye for embellishment, Jen utilizes accessories like battle armor, while on the side knitting beautiful handmade scarves to create a signature look. Jen describes her style philosophy as, “not necessarily being about expensive designer items or what’s trendy; it’s about self-expression through whatever means you have. This could mean pairing that old sweater you forgot about with that thrift store find to make a new outfit! Like any other form of art, fashion is a medium in which we can communicate who we are as individuals, and how we feel and absorb the world around us. Every day is a chance to express oneself in a different way.”

A Very Stylish Girl
Muse Closet Profile

Style enthusiast can to take note from Jen’s philosophy because clothes are an extension of what you represent to the world. Income level does not hinder your experimentation with fashion; take two items you’ve never worn together and make them into something new; pair an evening piece with something extremely casual. These small steps create confidence and personal growth. I can see why bloggers capture her image for others to imitate.

A Very Stylish Girl
Muse Closet Profile
Jen V.
Muse Closet Profile