Muse Closet: Shop Talk

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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

Closet Confessions: Wedding Shoot

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Test Shoot: Behind The Scene

I C U
I C U

Every so often I like to challenge myself with a styling project that is fresh. This past summer I had that chance while shooting my own personal photos. My photographer asked me to create a wedding dress of shopping bags for a magazine shoot. After a short pause, I accepted the challenge, and of course I only had seven days to complete the task. In the show, Mad Fashion, Chris March and his team also have a week to complete tasks, but they live in New York with everything at their doorstep, I need to have everything shipped to Vancouver.

Sketch
Sketch

My first line of defense was convincing Vera Wang to participate. I could only make a wedding dress of shopping bags from the number one wedding dress creator. Second mission, construct a team of craftsmen, Costume designer,Paul, and accessory designer, Kit, and myself as creative director—everyone needs a title. Last, create magic!

Boy Toy
Boy Toy
Fitting
Fitting

Now UPS, OMG… I hate them! Delayed service, l literary received my bags, which were my garment, a day before shooting—no pressure! With no time to fit the model, my male assistant doubled as fit model–saviour. Working through the entire night we finally finished our garment. The costume designer, Paul, amazing, he salvaged each bag to look like fabric, while accessory designer, Kit, created blooming rosettes out of Vera Wang tissue paper. The final result was breathtaking.

Primp
Primp
Model Dress
Model Dress

The two-day wedding shoot was fun because wedding magazines are always inspiring, as you’re creating a day of wonderment. Here are my photos from behind the scene.

Nice Day 4 a Wedding
Nice Day 4 a Wedding
Model Watch
Model Watch

Muse Closet: The Bag

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Obsession: The Bag

Bacci's-Celine
Bacci's-Celine

Accessories play a delicate part when creating an ensemble, shoes and jewelry create style cohesion, but what accessory trumps them all—the bag. The iconography of designer culture is encapsulated in the bag; we covet it, we borrow it, we wait list for the bag.

Bacci's-Celine "Doctor Bag"
Bacci's-Celine "Doctor Bag"

No longer a logo driven product to produce brand identity and allegiance; the new bag is shaped in style, personality, and attitude. Always a game changer, Phoebe Philo shifts fashion’s direction once again at Celine. The bag is given new life by Philo’s functional, elegant, and brazen designs.

Phoebe Phio- W magazine
Phoebe Phio- W magazine

One of my favorite stores in Vancouver, where Celine is available, is Bacci’s. With home décor and fashion for both women and men, Bacci’s avant-garde collections deliver unique styleology.

Bacci's-Celine "Cabas Shopper"
Bacci's-Celine "Cabas Shopper"

Don’t worry boys, I haven’t forgotten you.

News Flash–backpack receives update! No longer just for the classroom, backpacks have gained style. The new backpack is ergonomic, stylish, and confident. Stylish tweeds and leather detail have replaced canvas and nylon. These new knapsacks go from jeans to suit with masculine shapes and edge.

Roden Gray-Nanamica
Roden Gray-Nanamica

Where did I get my favourite knapsack–Roden Gray, home to fashionable men and ladies apparel. Indy and establish brands, like Nanamica, share equal space in this two level loft style boutique. I personally love my Nanamica bag because of its utility and shape.

Roden Gray-Nanamica
Roden Gray-Nanamica

Where to find it…

Celine @ Bacci’s

2788 Grandville Street

Vancouver, B.C. Canada

604.733.4933

Nanamica @ Roden Gray

8 Water Street

Vancouver, B.C. Canada

www.rodengray.com

Rihanna

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Rihanna

Star-Rihanna
Star-Rihanna

I am not a paparazzi journalist, as you can tell by my amateur photos, but I had to comment on this recent story I read in Star magazine.

This past summer I was in L.A. looking for a new red carpet outfit when a little birdie told me Vivienne Westwood opened her first North American store in L.A. on Melrose. I drove past the store many times during my trip, and it seemed close enough to my hotel to walk, after retuning my week long rental before my flight, I hit the streets and walked to Westwood, big mistake!

Star-Rihanna
Star-Rihanna

Walking down the very long blocks of L.A. in the hot sun, I would pop into stores to get cool to keep from passing out, and of course shopaholic that I am–buy something. Finally, with a million bags in hand and ready to faint from the sun, I almost gave up, when before me stood Westwood…

Out of breath and ready to pass out from heat stroke–shoes, bags, and clothes oh, my–got me back into gear. Me, and a group of shoppers, as you can see from my picture, who wouldn’t get out of my way, raided the racks of Westwood. Then all of a sudden a black SVU parked in front. A very skinny women stepped out of the car with gay-pal and body guard. I only glanced at first, and I washed her away for some tacky Beverly Hills housewife. I was wrong, it was Rihanna!

Vivienne Westwood--Rihanna
Vivienne Westwood--Rihanna
Vivienne Westwood--Rihanna
Vivienne Westwood--Rihanna

I do like her music, but I can’t say I was a fan before this moment. However, watching her made me love her more. She is so beautiful in real life, you almost forget how young and accomplished she is at her age. I assume her gay-pal sucking on a lollipop was her stylist, please girl let me help you. I saw her touch about three items before three sales associates started grabbing racks of clothes and rushing to a dressing room, must be nice, I could barely get them to give me water.

Vivienne Westwood--Sandals
Vivienne Westwood--Sandals

I digress, my sales associate helped me with some darling shoes, and as I stood at the counter I snapped her picture. I didn’t want to, but I had to. She was so amazing in real life. The Star article suggest that Rihanna is overworked and coping by partying. I don’t know if this is true or not, but I feel for her. Young starlets are pushed to the breaking point to release album after album and employee many people. The pressure can be immense for the experienced mogul businessman. Therefore to be twenty-something, perform, and manage millions could break anyone. The most disheartening part to me is that Rihanna was really alone; a bodyguard and stylist does not a friendship make. I guess that’s why so many starlets feel alone.