Wearable Tech: The Age of Cool and Crazy but Companionless?

We’re heading into an age of wearable tech (see CES, a showcase on consumer electronics). If for some reason you still haven't heard of it, think USB necklaces, phone-charging bracelets, vibrating pants, GPS jackets, etc. Think Bond, James Bond. Wearable tech is technology that you can wear - hopefully fashionably. While it's a task in itself to design tech that can be worn on a person and is mobile all day, every day; it's even more cumbersome to make this technology fashionable, discrete and invisible.

As engineers and designers continue to collaborate to create items that will fill our lives in the near future, it's a clear sign that life is about to get busier. Who has time to call home and ask someone to turn off the dishwasher, just text your dishwasher to stop or repeat a cycle. Why ask a stranger for directions, instead wireless waves will tap you on the shoulder. Why waste time in a doctor's office around strangers, instead have an e-visit.

Yes, technology can and does make life more efficient, things happen much quicker and days go by much faster, but what's to say of how it will continue to shape our human interactive relationships with each other.

What's the impact wearable technology will have on relationships?

Instead of meeting up with people, we began to pick up the phone, and now we simply send out a 140 character message. When's the last time you laughed while typing out 'lol'? Why indulge in foreplay when I already caused your pants to vibrate at the bar for 20 minutes? Will we have more less-deeper connections? Or will be have cooler gadgets that will give us more in common to talk about? Will this create more ways for different groups to connect - like the vibrating pants club? Maybe tech is our way to connect now but don't forget to push forward for a more human connection - blog/post/click/like/share/snapchat/instagram your thoughts but also talk to your friends about it. 

People seem to be more connected yet less connected. Gadgets are cool, they make things previously impossible or too difficult, quick and easy. Hello, wearable medical gadgets, rather than being confined to a bed. And while quick and easy is great for some things - okay, maybe most things - it's not great for everything.No thank, food that can be consumed only in a pill form.

Once it becomes fashionable, it's made for the masses (see link on Barneys New York and CDFA's plans for collaboration with Intel). Fashion and tech will unite to affect our lives, as they always have. But when you wear a piece, don't forget to share it. Don't forget interpersonal connections. The increase in tech devices has increased everyone's number of acquaintances, but it's up to each individual to maintain if not increase their number of real friends.

Wearable tech means we'll be multi-tasking more often. Shoes that have an LED twitter feed will encourage wearers to tweet more at clubs (rather than enjoy the experience and interact with people?) and therefore to not just hold a drink, take a selfie, smile at the cute bartender but also to share it with the world. Aren't we already doing that? Yes, but if your shoes show you a constant twitter feed, aren't you constantly staring at it, reading people's tweets and feeling the urge to post?

Wearable tech would achieve its greatness in continuing to increase personal efficiency, being fashionable but also bringing people together. So far it's a sign that life's about to get busier and edgier, but hopefully not lonelier.

Upcoming event: Wearable Tech Expo

Finding the Perfect Bag is Like Finding the Perfect Man

The perfect bag, just like the perfect man, does not exist. Let me elaborate.

I've been on the hunt for the perfect bag for at least five years now. To no luck, every bag I've purchased has held my fancy for about six months at the most. While shopping for a bag, the pros are always at the forefront of my mind: the colour, the number of pockets, current trend and body fit (I'm petite;). This screening process however doesn't suffice three months (sometimes three weeks) into using the bag. I find that it's not big enough, too large, holds a lot but gets too heavy, rips or just doesn't suit as many outfits as I thought it would.

The bottom line is things change. What we look for changes from month to month or sometimes from week to week. Today, colour and trend may be most important with Fashion Week in progress. Last week, usability and practicality were priorities with the start of school semesters or work contracts. In a month, size and durability will matter when you're fully immersed in your school or work life and start bringing work home.

I've found favourite bags, clutches, purses and totes, but not the perfect one. Not one that I would use day in and day out nor use constantly years and years after purchase.

Just like our needs and wants for our perfect bag change, we change and so does what we want in that 'perfect man.' What you wanted him to consist of when you were 15 years old is different from when you are 18, 21, 25, 27, 30, 32, 35, etc. It's impossible to find the perfect man, who is everything that you want and need at every single point in life.

But maybe, just maybe, we aren't on the lookout for a perfect man after all. Maybe in this case, finding our favourite man is good enough. Just like our favourite bag that we'll never throw out and always keep, just because it's 'that' bag. It's got a trendy-ish colour, small when we need it to be and holds whatever we need to stuff in it when we need to and still somehow hasn’t ripped. Maybe being your favourite is all he needs to be. After all, that's the one bag that has made it with me through 10 years, and it still sits there waiting for whenever I need it.

Forever 21 stands true to its name: Juvenile

Dear Forever 21,

 

I love your style but your online service gets me riled.

 

Xoxo,

A saddened customer

**BEWARE IF MAKING AN ONLINE PURCHASE ABOVE $60 CAD.**

Established in 1984 you’d expect Forever 21 to function like a legitimate company. While it’s in-store service is satisfactory, the online experience is a nightmare.

The company’s online section functions akin to a juvenile with the feel of a hoax.

Here’s the story:

Placed an order for 32 items for a total of $250. Received an order confirmation email. Notified that the items would be delivered in 5-10 business days. Tracked the order on day #4 when a friend stated that she received her $60 order. Status of order was ‘New’. Nothing changed on day #5. On day #7 I decided to check the status only to see that it was cancelled. Called customer service. Was tld that the order couldn’t not be verified even though they themselves couldn't see a problem and noted that the order had been confirmed. Stated that they tried to send a need-to-verify email but saw an error. Admitted that they did not try to resend the email nor find a different way to contact us. They cancelled the order. They offered free expedited shipping on the next order, apologized that the desired merchandise nor the promotion did not existed any longer. Supervisor, Joseph M. stated that he would, “make a note of the problem and forward it to the IT department”. I won’t be holding my breath.

Tip: Don’t wait patiently. Call them on day #2 whether or not you’ve heard from them.

After the call, things still didn’t feel right with me because customer service really didn’t fix anything. No compensation. No order retrieval. No credit note. Nothing.  Who cares for free expedited shipping when you’re already getting free standard shipping and willing to wait another five days for what you can only imagine will feel like Christmas in a box.

On researching if others had similar experiences with the company, I found that most people complaining had placed an order for merchandise totalling above $200. Check it out here and here.

Let me be clear that this store is actually one of my favourites so it’s not hard to order items and go past $100. (Being one of my favourite stores is what made this experience all the more irritating – because I really liked the merchandise that I was foolishly waiting for. They should really have a loyalty section). Furthermore customers on forums reported being asked to take pictures of their credit cards, fax copies of cards, etc. (see above links) Given my fair bit of experience in online shopping, asking someone to send over copies of cards to verify accounts does sound suspicious. There are other more legitimate and grown up ways to verify an account – call a person, secret banking questions, pins, actually sending an email and making sure that it goes through, etc. My current experience didn’t get to the ‘take a picture of your card and email it to us’ level but I agree that it sounds “sketchy” and would not be the way that a legitimate company should handle the verification process.

So lessons of the evening:

#1. If you like Forever 21 merchandise, make your purchases in-store

#2. If shopping online, keep your orders under $70 (and cross fingers for a smooth transaction)

#3. Find a Forever 21 replacement store, at least in the online realm (hardest lesson of the night :’( )

Going back to online shopping at Forever 21 is going to feel like returning to a boyfriend that has wronged me. A little extreme? Forgive me, I get attached to my clothing and shopping is my therapy.

DID YOU KNOW:

Forever 21 is family run business?

Forever 21 has a citation of a bible verse on the bottom of its bags?

Pilgrim Party on My Arm

"It's a new way to make religion and spirituality both personal and unique."

One thing I did not expect to find on a pilgrimage was arm candy. Religious arm candy is increasingly available especially in the trendiest forms - pull ties, chain links, elastic strings, rubber bands, loops, hole ties and splitters. It's a new way to make religion and spirituality both personal and unique. While quite fashionable some of these pieces have the added benefit of the cultural or spiritual meaning of the symbols within them, thereby becoming quite the souvenir that would actually get used/worn (*upcoming post on useful versus useless souvenirs). 

Religious arm candy: bracelets that have a spiritual meaning within them, fashioned in a trendy way.

Check out a map of the pilgrimage party on my arm:

Starting from the right - Israel & Palestine, France, Spain and Portugal.

Here are some of my favourites:
Pilgrim Arrow: this arrow acts as a sign to pilgrims on the Camino to indicate the route they can follow to an information centre or a check-in site or a sacred site.

Jerusalem Cross: the Jerusalem cross is large Greek cross accompanied by four smaller Greek crosses at each corner. The cross symbolizing the crucifixion. The four smaller crosses are said to represent the four books of the Gospels and the four directions in which Christianity spread.  









Lourdes Ring: the ring and elasticised band of Lourdes is a plate with all the symbols of the Lourdes shrine and grotto. With a mint green elastic band, the bracelet has religious meaning with a sense of fashion. 

Lourdes Rubber Band: similar to the coloured bands that signify a cause the Lourdes band signfies  the place where the person was prayed for.

Santiago Shell: a stringed bracelet with a shell charm is quite the simple bracelet but has some very cool significance. The shell symbolizes the object that pilgrim use to drink water - a kind of cup, if you may. Also the shell signifies the many tribes coming together - the fan - and also the idea of from one starting point people fan out to the many areas.

"From one come many"

"The many coming to one"

Eiffel Tower: no real surprising story here as everyone knows the Eiffel tower, the great pylon, the  symbol of the centennial of the French Revolution. And the tower has comes to symbolize Paris, known as the city of love. The bracelet makes quite the souvenir from Paris, the pretty arm candy with the braided band and the lilac blinged out Eiffel Tower, don't you think?

So there's the pilgrim party on my arm. 23 bracelets in 17 days! Which bracelet is your favourite and which do you think has the coolest story behind it?

 

 

Do's and Don'ts of Caribana

Caribana* can be a fun weekend to experience the carnival culture.

Expect a lot of skin and colourful costumes with a lot of whining.

Don't be afraid to dance, smile and have a little fun.

Fashion Trends
The usual: Skin
                   Carnival colours
                   Feathers, feathers and feathers
                   Short shorts (batty riders)
                   Caribbean flags
The year:  NEON
                   High-waisted shorts
                   Bandeaus
               
Do's
Wear close-toed shoes - flat shoes
Hydrate
Have fun - experience the vibes and culture (don't go in with expectations instead go with an open mind)
Clothe yourself appropriately - what does that mean? - Be comfortable. Don't flaunt it if you don't want it (attention). Dress for summer, ready to sweat and get dirty. Don't be afraid of a little water, your own or others.
Dance
Make friends

Don't
Wear heels!
Carry large bags - avoid security hassles/concerns, the inconvenience of large purses and the possible loss of bags is just not an enjoyable experience during a fun crowded parade
Cross lines that you're not comfortable crossing - if unfamiliar with the parade stay at the lines and do not jump fences
Persist if she resists - don't take it personal: a dance is just a dance whether 1 song or 5 songs
Take it personal - personal space is rare during such a parade, understand that and let the bumps and body checks go
Drive - take a cab or public transportation
Get in the way of the floats - you will get knocked over or at least receive cheups alongside a dirty look

Feel free to add more Do's and Don'ts of your Caribana experience. And if you're a newbie to Caribana this year, share your experience on the event and your choices on what to wear and what not to wear ;)

 **Have fun**Jump and Wave**Make some friends**

 *Yes, I know Caribana goes by a new name now, but it will always be Caribana to me

Itch to Stitch: Creation No.1

So I was recently gifted/handed-down a Singer body form (see image). I've been looking internationally for one of these but they were all too pricey for a hobby-in-try-out. The last time I stitched something was when I was eight years old and it was made out of scraps from my designer aunt's leftover pieces. This of course is ignoring the cross-stitch class that I was made to take at the age of 11. So, unsure about whether I would be able to stitch let alone if I would be too lazy to actually make something, I wasn't too willing to shell out more that fifty bucks. And then Singer, Betty Singer to be clear, appeared (yes I've named my body form, she is no longer inanimate).

So with that backdrop I present to you my first ever creation - the necklace collar tie.
And might I add that I'm pretty darn proud of it.

This piece was inspired by a pinterest board of DIY things and comes from Crazy Wonderful (check out the link to see the step by step tutorial). I saw it, loved the idea and said why not. Usually seeing something creative leads to "hell yeah, I could do that", but rarely leads to actually getting down to doing it. This time since Betty was staring at me and I had the Itch to Stitch, and got to it...and voila! Keep in mind that I initially had no idea how this project was going to turn out so I borrowed/took a tie that wouldn't be missed, hence some may need to excuse the print. So if you've got issues with the print, push that aside and focus on the design. Besides, I think I like the way it turned out and the print kind of rubs off on you, no?

Items required:

- a tie 

- a button 

- thread

Time taken:

 - an hour

keep in mind that this project would take someone who is familiar with stitching/tac-ing about 20-30 minutes...no lie. Putting the pleats together took me a whole five minutes including pinning the pleats down. Then comes stitching the pleats down from the back followed by stitching in the button.

Also be prepared to accidently swallow/chew/eat a healthy daily dosage of thread.

Thread the needle, sew, knot, repeat.

There are a few ways to wear the necklace collar tie. The first image above wears the collar at a U while the image below wears it at an angle. Also, I'm looking to see what else it can be paired up with on the top. There are different necklace collar tie styles to experiment with and I will post pictures up as soon as I successfully complete them. Drop off some ideas, but I can't promise I'll develop all the necessary skills overnight... will try though ;) Enjoy.  

Mom's Oldies = My Goldies!

Gifts from mom's closet are the perfect example of real vintage shopping, to me. There's no thrill like finding coveted items in your mom's closet - old pairs of sunglasses, slightly worn purses, dulled scarves, old fashioned shoes, tinted over-sized or funky shaped glasses. If you happen to have a mom who saved her fashion treasures consider yourself lucky. We in 2012 are at the perfect moment to witness the fact that fashion repeats itself. Any of these found fashion treasures already have a certain sophistiscation in experiencing a different decade in addition to them being handed down from a parent and the sentimental value attached plus the bonus of the lack of monetary exchange; thereby making closet finds the epitome of vintage shopping. *Check out some of my treasures described at the end of the post. 

Vintage seems to have made a huge comeback today with returns to harems, neutral sunglasses, over-sized eyeglass frames, overalls, shoulder pads, pony-tail heels, etc. While some do indeed shop at vintage stores - cheap pawners to pricey boutiques - others wait for mainstream society to mash up a new-meets-old item, like workplace harems, fitted coloured jeans, chic overalls, etc. These items while cool and trendy don't really convey the history of the vintage collaboration and defintiely lack a sentimental side to it. On the positive side it makes it easy to find what's in style and to be trendy. In the negative, you never truly understand that you're wearing - the story behind the clothes (but then again let's admit it, a lot of us don't have the time to hear the story about the dress that once was...).

Most never knew that military boots came from military war camps or that shoulder pads reallly took off in women's fashion in the 1920s greatly influenced by male militaristic fashion or that tie-dye prints came from Asia and were then adopted by the hippie era as an inexpensive way to express individualism.

So I may stand alone when I say that I prefer my old school items lovingly handed down but I do encourage you too, to look through your mom's, aunt's, grandmother's even your grandad's (maybe) closet, you never know what fashion treasure you might find and in this day and age what trend you might start ;) Their oldies could definitely become your goldies. What have fashion finds have you found buried in the closets? And how are you rocking them?

*Check out the above and below pictures of a few items that I found in my mom's closet.
Above: mini-suitcase/over-sized briefcase with a blue shell complete with metal clasps and the slightly rusted hinges; cowboy brown make-up bag in absolute perfect condition; darker brown detailed satchel.
Below: brown suede shoes with tie-ups.

Burlesque - newbie style

"You are invited to a 24th Burlesque Birthday - dressing up mandatory"

On receiving an invite like the above a woman feels both excited yet nervous - "Oh it's going to be so much fun to dress up" but "will I be able to pull of a burlesque outfit?"

What is burlesque?
At first mention of the term burlesque, images of Moulin Rouge come to mind - the corsets, feathers, stockings, garter belts, gloves... And while it would most definitely seem like fun to wear one of these outfit, they also give cause to any woman to be at least a little self-conscious.

bur·lesque

   /bərˈlɛsk/ Show Spelled [ber-lesk]  noun, adjective, verb, bur·lesqued, bur·lesquing.

1. an artistic composition, literary or dramatic, that, for the sake of laughter,

vulgarizes lofty material or treats ordinary material with mock dignity.

2. any ludicrous parody or grotesque caricature.

3. a humorous and provocative stage show featuring slapstick humor,

comic skits, bawdy songs, striptease acts, and a scantily clad female chorus.

Burlesque is an art form, yes quite frequently a seductive art form that is made to entertain. While popular in the 1840s it had regained it's centre-stage quality and is making a return into the mainstream.

Going to this party, as much as I wanted to dress up I still wanted to look classy. At first it was a little challenging for me to separate burlesque from lewd imagery, but as I looked at different pieces - the gloves, mask, rings, added to a performance piece, making it slightly glamourous, if I dare to say. Unwilling to wear just a lingerie set or something from a costume store, I decided to piece different clothing pieces from my own closet.

1. The corset look (pretty much every girl owns one or a strappy top that looks like a corset - the key here is a top with a fitted waist and chest enhancement capabilities)

2. A ruffled skirt or boy shorts (either one is most definitely owned by all women - if not, the all-purposeful mini skirt comes to the rescue)

3. Thigh highs (or fancy stockings though thigh highs are much more fun)

4. Gloves (these were the icing on my cake! the most fun to wear, they really made all the difference and made my outfit come together)

5. Black boots or black pumps (or red as some attendees wore)

6. RINGS - "put a ring on it" (over the gloves the addition of a sparkly ring added such elegance, I couldn't take my eyes off of my own hands - one had a bracelet on the outside of the glove and the other a ring)

7. Boa or mask or featherette or fascinator (take your pick, these are not mandatory but they do send your outfit over the top, guaranteeing you'll have a fun time and fit right in while standing out... in a good way)

All in all my first burlesque experience was so much fun. Of course all the other attendees dressing up added to the event and therefore eliminated my risk of taking the theme too seriously.

Part two of my burlesque experience would be to watch a show followed by taking a class on the moves.

Commonly thought of as lewd, burlesque does not have to mean something vulgar if done right, instead it is more of a performance. Of course there is fine line in how men will view a women dressed up burlesque style, but that is merely due to the clothing items such as a short skirt and a revealing top - but if that's the only reason people associate burlesque with something vulgar, go to the beach and take a look at a thousand people in wet underwear. This is why the addition of gloves and stockings and all that fun stuff makes it so much more than what would otherwise be a not-so-decent outfit.

Once you put together pieces that you are comfortable with the end result will no doubt be a fun burlesque-like outfit. If done right burlesque can indeed be a way to empower women and encourage them to embrace their sexuality and femininity. Because these are pieces that accentuate a women's body and are also pieces in which you yourself feel comfortable in you are more likely to feel confident in your outfit and be proud and glad to be a female as you look in the mirror and walk through the entrance ;)

xoxo
Enjoy!

Lights...Camera...Colour

B.I. Renegade took place on March 24th 2012 at the International Convention Centre.

Bruno Ierullo taking a bold step with his unmuted colourfully different fashion design created and produced his very own fashion show - 60 models, numerable pieces, on one of the longest runways. Very un-mainstream with relaxed clothing, overly bright colours Ierullo sets his own rules for fashion and continues to inspire.

This show featured one of the longest - if not the longest - runways ever. Spanning 380 feet it was sure to leave an impression.

Bruno Ierullo - the designer/artist of the night - showcased his entired four season collection. The audience was in for a treat with bright colours, colour blocking, patterns, details, risque slits and a futuristic silver body suit. The show lasted a full two hours, making it one of the longer fashion shows to attend, but Bruno Ierullo promises to keep his audience entertained.

The term to describe the collection was different and colourful. He dared his audience to think outside the box and combine colours never thought to combine before.

A very relaxed style was emphasized through the flowly and loose-fit clothing designs, Ierullo succeeded in showing the emotion of the clothing, which was bold colour with a relaxed and enjoyable feel. It was laid back and had relaxed designs compared to tight-fitting high-heeled couture fashion. You could breathe during this show compared to the couture fashion where I find myself holding my breath during the show.

(Disclosure: I only recently  have had the opportunity to attend a few shows)* 

Using zips, straps, pockets and string ties as accessories could easily make the audience eager to go home and play fashion designer with pieces and scraps of clothing. This in my opinion is precisely what a fashion show should attempt to do - beside encourage the audience to buy the newly unveiled pieces. Looking through your closet feeling inspired by recent designs can give rise to new outfits and combos never thought of before. And Bruno definitely dares you to do so.


The visible pockets and the overt effort to reconstruct the pockets and zippers on the outside of the clothing pieces added to it's relaxed feel yet brought about a high-fashion cutting-edge feel.


The colours were unmuted and loud.  Hair was fun, very retro.





Four pieces were very much out there and while entertaining for the audience might have been quite painful for the models. 1. R2D2 (a silver body suit) in heels
                                                      2. Plastic wrapped in (1000) B.I. metal logos
                                                      3. Bagzilla wearing ten or more bags 
                                                      3. Black strings head to almost-toe on a yellow dress 

The finale walk was one of the most colourful images to the eye, leaving the audience of the Bruno Ierullo Renegade colourfully inspired.

Fashion can be fun & Colour is your friend...play around ;)


*Not a fashion student just a young fashion hobbist very influenced by colours and unique designs, who loves magazine browsing, shopping, dressing up, and the recent opportunities to attend fashion shows this year :)

Fashionable Backpacks?

© Jiaxing Mbaombao Network Technology Co., Ltd.

Can the fashion world make backpacks cool ever again? Will backpacks ever be fashionable again? or are we at the stage where totes will rule forever?  

Don't get me wrong, I love totes and have bought them and used them and continue to do so but...Carrying around a laptop gets pretty heavy in a purse or even a tote (yes I know there's laptop bags, but no thanks). This made me think of the price we pay for fashion or the things we do to stay in style ~ heels in snow (or for that matter almost all the time), mini skirts in winter, sheer clothing while we freeze, refusing to wear jackets/coats if they hide an amazingly-planned outfit, refusal to take off shoes at a party (since they are what makes the outfit), laptops in purses, paycheques to fashion gear while other necessities are put aside, the ever-painful wax appointments...and the list goes on. I'm sure every woman has spent a significant amount on a dress only to then have to go out and purchase the perfect purse, earrings, bracelet, and shoes to match it ;) (not complaining though).

Can you really have too many shoes?

You tell me...

Welcome to my world of 70 pairs and counting...

These are my 15 favourite pairs.

Do's and Don'ts of Fashion Week

In preparation of my first time at Toronto Fashion Week I decided to do a little research as to what I should be aware of.

As recommended by a blog post that I came across earlier this week (which I can't seem to find now)
1. Printed pants were in - I feel as if I saw the exact pair recommended
2. Water - you will definitely need some. I'm not sure if it's the amount of talking done or the wait time, but water will keep you in better company. (make is a size small though)
3. Picture-taker - be it your phone or your camera, you will want to click. However do not overestimate the battery life of your phone, make sure it's fully charged
4. Small notebook - this one was great for me, as I planned on posting my thoughts and experiences of the event but it does make you seem 'important' giving you a writer/blogger vibe and can help you fit in or simply give you something to do during the slow hours
5. Colourful clutch - definitely add a burst of colour into your outfit, be it the clothing or the accessories. (my greenie - below - and my nails were my bursts of colour which were much appreciated by Maybelline)

In addition some of my recommendations after my experience today are:
6. Arrive early - gives you some time to enjoy the fashion environment and be ahead of the pack when the doors/curtains open.
7. Prep-before-Pic - when being photographed take a quick 2 seconds to breathe, calm down, adjust yourself, and smile. This might seem like a given to those familiar with the events but can be quite a rush for someone's first time as most people are willing to smile before realizing their necklace is crooked or their collar is drooping
8. Stick around - hang out for a bit after your show especially if it's in the late evening. The scene is lively and there's a lot of people to meet and opportunities to network
9. Dress for an occasion - here is one place that you want to stand out ...in a good way. This is a great opportunity to dress 'different', 'out there' and 'to the tens' on a sunny afternoon without feeling out of place and like everyone's staring at you...well at least if they're staring at you it's because they think you look fabulous and you're probably one of the models ;) Vibrant colours, chic and stunning.
10. Talk to people - interact with people. Go in with an open mind. Sometimes an agenda may hold you back, but of course not always.

A lot of stalker-like photographs will be taken of the various attendees by the various media, reporters, and bloggers so keep smiling :)

De-Fashion Week-Virginized

So...I've always had an interest in fashion and it has been growing over the past couple of years. I am no fashion blogger or fashionista, just a lady who loves and appreciates clothing of various styles and the dress-up process (I frequently find myself dressing up regardless of having a place to go;).

So this year I decided that since I've always wanted to be part of this growing fashion industry I decided to attend a show at the Toronto Fashion Week. Quite excited to attend this event the night before, I was quite nervous on the day of. Slightly unclear as to where it was, not knowing what social protocol was in play at the fashion environment (lounge), attending by myself, and not knowing what to wear, all added to quite an intimidating feel.

Approaching the white tents gave the feeling of make-up artists and stylists dressing important people inside and thereby could seem a little unfamiliar to someone not part of the fashion industry. Regardless, after the awkward moments of trying to open locked doors, I got to purchase the ticket to my preferred show.


Oh, before I forget - How I Chose VAWK?
I decided to go through the schedule and since Wednesday was the day most convenient for me I scrolled through the designers for that day. Besides the convenient time, VAWK promised to be quite the inspiring event for a newbie such as myself. Sunny Fong, Toronto native, was showcasing his new Sci-Fi Samurai themed designs/outfits, and on top of that was releasing his new line VAWKKIN, which utilized "real" women (not models but abiding by a 5'6ft rule with one exception of a 5'3 and injecting diversity~will be addressed in a later post on the modelling industry) with clothing made for women in the working world - outfits to go from work to night. I call it the line for the 'vawkkin' woman. It was a great runway with gorgeous designs and details of fur linings and cut outs. Chic and sophisticated.

However for a first-timer like myself the experience of Toronto Fashion Week was about the runways shows but was also about the fashion environment. Here in the lounge where attendees and guests mingle while waiting for the show to begin, photographs are taken, contacts are exchanged, events are promoted, and networks are formed. It was interesting to see fashion students, celebrities, photographers, reporters, bloggers and of course general interest fashion fans all come together under one roof/tent.

Being asked questions, getting photographed and selling yourself ...because you just never know when 'you'll' be in style was a great experience of a sliver of the fashion industry. There was excitement and style all over the area. And it really shows you how large the fashion industry is - but can also be an exclusive industry.

Overall, I think it was a great event and I'm already itching to head over to the great white tent tomorrow to check out the Pink Tartan. I recommend checking out the Toronto Fashion Show at least once if you are even the least bit interested in the fashion industry. Therefore if you find yourself owning more than 10 pairs of shoes, watching ANTM or PR or FS, or discussing clothes with your girlfriends, or even enjoying the shopping or dressing up process - the Toronto Fashion Week will not disappoint you. Instead it will fill you with more curiousity and intrigue for the industry, whether or not you can afford runway items...it promises to inspire you.