I, along with the many volunteers at March's Vancouver Fashion Week (better known as VFW) worked tirelessly to help Vancouver's Fashion show. And all that work was pretty well worth it. Beyond the exciting adventure of busing into Chinatown for 8:30 am every morning for a week, the idea of 'volunteering' is throwing yourself into the fray; you take the reins. For the first few days I felt very 'behind the scenes'. I was quiet, stayed out of everyone's way and just tried to do what was right and what I was told (this led to A LOT of trash pick up, but I'm a classic neat freak so I'm already programmed to clean an area) My favourite moment was cleaning up someones left over scotch, with the tail of their shrimp mushed into it. Y-U-M. By my third day, standing outside the Chinese Cultural Centre around 8:40 am, waiting for someone to unlock the door ( I often got there before everyone else, but I had to leave at 3pm, so it worked out) rubbing my vintage black gloves together, I realized that I had a desire to do something more, and if throwing myself into the fabric flying, hairspray clouded world of fashion week was what it took, I would do just that.
After I finished leading in one of the designers to the fitting room, I looked around and saw the hundreds of model's shoes. Black matte stilettos, Nude Stilettos, and black high heeled zip up boots. All everywhere, thrown carelessly onto the table, papers strewn everywhere with model's names scribbled next to the shoe description. I realized that this could be what I was looking for; organization and responsibility. After checking with Kim (the lovely fashion director, all the interns and I would discuss how effortlessly cool she was) that I could take over the shoes, I went ahead with my new task.
Four hours later I had all the zip-up boots on one table marked by size with tape on their soles, ranging from size 5-10. And the same with the rest of the stilettos on the other two long tables. Models were thoroughly happy with the improvement, it was easier for them to find their size, let alone their shoe's mate. For the last few days, I got to have my notebook, signing in and out shoes to models while helping designers do fittings.
I also learned the most valuable lesson of being a female on the go: WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES. You know, unless you like your feet being in constant pain and bandaged up like a burn victim
The next few days were successful and I finally felt that I had found my fit in this experience, I got to know greatly talented and friendly people. From interns to models, all were inspiring and made it the most fulfilling experience to date. I am wanting to pursue a career in the fashion industry, whether that's working at a Max Mara, or being an intern for a fashion magazine, or being a costume designer for the Opera, it (fashion) is part of my life. It is in everything I do, it's in the streets, it's on and in people I know and love, and it's in our history.
Fashion week was more than rudely carrying a female mannequin down a flight of stairs (where else are you suppose to put your hands?) and putting on 7-inch stilettos while being taught to 'model strut', it was that moment that I learned why I ( and many others) are obsessed with Fashion. It isn't just a form of art, or an expression, or something that only the size zeroes can wear, it is in everything. It is everything.
For my final year of school, I have completed two projects. All of course were vintage inspired:
The first one (which took 6 months) was inspired after Dior's 1950's; 'New look' Jacket
This took a lot of ironing, pressing with loud clappers, and so so so much stitching. Never have I learned so much and at the same time hated a project so much. Not to say that you won't enjoy this (if you end up doing this project) just that I personally get very angry at sewing projects when they are difficult and time consuming (so yes, all of them)
side note-my teacher kept finding it amusing how I wanted to get the waist as fitted as possible, she even used the saying, 'va-va-voom' at one point...
First time I have ever made a jacket, it's hard. Very hard. However this is from the women who has only had 2 years of practice. And this jacket took a lot of work, I wanted to get a certain look and for it to fit me perfectly. Nothing is more irriating then buying a jacket and having it be ill fitting.
Another reason I am so excited for fall and winter is this jacket, by the time I had finished making this wool fitted creation, it was late spring. Oh well, I will just have to wait...
http://butterick.mccall.com/b5962-products-47655.php?page_id=4453
My second Project!:
This one was inspired orignally by Dita Von Tesse in her toile dress ( I have for years harboured a passion for wearing a dress out of toile)
But by the end of the project, I felt more Betty Draper-esq, like I was two steps away from yelling at my kids to go watch TV and light up another cigarette (shudder), anyway my first time doing pleats (god help me) after much yelling at my fabric, and many hours of work I have my perfect pleated dress. That most likely will get worn to tea or to some swaray.
This was the original pattern:
I will post the final pictures in a few days, exams at the moment little time
The basics-
something that should be in every woman's closet. They are the building blocks to 'outfit success', which for many is a daily struggle. And it does not have to be drudgery, it should be a fun, creative, and enjoyable experiance. Basics (as I said above) are how we are going to make the transgression into 'fashion ease'; the ability to put something on and know that it is amazing and that you yourself are amazing. Furthermore have the confidence to be proud.
The most important basic above all however is Confidence.
And no one put it better than Karl Lagerfeld,
“The elegance is as physical, as moral quality that has nothing common
with the clothing. You can see a countrywoman more elegant than one so
called elegant woman.”
When it comes to your closet however, there are basics that are needed:
(some of these will not work in certain seasons, but most you will be able to do all year)
Tops:
-Black cashmere long sleeve (turtleneck, scoop neck which ever) it's classic and to boot sliming
- Black t-shirt &White t-shirt (perfect for layering or for summer) plus so many things to wear with it
- Striped sailor shirt (loose fitting or tight, it is a classic basic, it gives pattern and visual interest) as well you will instantly feel like Coco Chanel or just a touch of Paris
Bottoms:
-a good pair of denim (jeans) they can be dressed up or dressed down, but the goal is to find the right one for you and your butt. Get a girlfriend's second opinion for that one if unsure
-black cigarette pants (they are the Joan Jett of the pants world, but honestly that is why we love them even more. They are slimming and have so many options to be paired with)
-black dress pants (so many options; wide cuff, no cuff, slim leg etc.) but no matter what they will be a staple to your life proffesional or otherwise
Dress:
-LBD (little black dress):this one is key, because you should have one for each season. Personally I have a black wool long sleeved dress that skims over my curves, but it is strictly a fall/winter dress.
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summer: in fabrics such as chiffon, cotton, satin just anything light weight. The best part of this dress is you can dress it up for a date or dress it down for a summer party
spring: anything that's breezy or something you can at least put on a jacket or go sans jacket. Spring is exciting, it's when you can start to show off legs and start on that tan.
fall/winter: (see above) Wool, cashmere blends preferably, again the secret to the LBD is the dress up or dress down factor, it's like having Jon Hamm as a boyfriend; perfection.
Shoes:
-ballet flats (any color will do, this is up to you being the classic I am I usually go for a light pink) but the great thing about ballet flats is that beyond being oh-too-cute, they go with so many things: jeans, dress, skirts, etc.
-a pair of boots( riding, skater, angry 90's child- what have you) so many styles to choose from yet which ever is more your style they can be worn with jeans, skirts in the fall and winter. And maybe those really cold Spring days.
-The classic black pump (I'm not saying you have to wear scary tall heels, go kitten if that is you, but they are important) just avoid anything too pointy, too square that will become outdated fast.
Outerwear:
-Classic black and or Navy blazer ( tailored preferably, but this is a great piece as you can wear it to a job interview, out shopping, or to a party) it pulls together an outfit perfectly but it also creates structure to an outfit. It's sort of the fat pants of the fashion world: comfortable, dependable, and ever so wonderful.
-Trench coat (I mean Audrey Hepburn and Humprhey Bogart worn them, how many more reasons do you need? But in all seriousness it can be the any add on to a formal or casual outfit, it's classic and pulls together your outfit and is as well a great layer piece.
-Leather coat (I have a girlfriend of mine who wears her dad's university leather jacket and rocks it in either beaten up jeans or a floral dresss, key example of versitality) whatever your preffered color or style, it will work with formal or casual. It also adds a touch of badass
