Friday, 6 December 2013

Friday, 29 November 2013

Before & After Photoshop Portfolio

Hello again! Please check out the skills that I have learned on Photoshop!




Friday, 11 October 2013

Emilio Pucci Signage

Hi Everyone! These are some signs that I made for Emilio Pucci :) Hope you like!




Wednesday, 10 April 2013

Where do You Stand on H&M Sustainable Fashion?

Recently there has been a lot of talk about sustainability and ethics in the fashion industry. Maybe it has been more on my mind due to the fact that I am currently taking a class on this very subject. It seems nowadays that everyone is concerned about the environment and people are starting to realize that we need to take better care of our beautiful planet (It's about time! My father was composting and recycling WAY before it was cool).

A lot of people out there are really into fast fashion, you know, those stores like H&M and Zara, where you can go and get a shirt for $10. The price and trendy design are generally what draws consumers to these types of stores so the quality and manufacturing of the clothing are pushed to the side. People feel ok throwing out these items because they were so cheap and fall apart quickly. Although fast fashion is here to stay for the time being, attitudes are changing and that is GREAT.

H&M have recently come out with a "Conscious Exclusive" collection made using recycled fibres and organic cotton. The Price point is great too as everything is priced between $34 and $300. This is a higher price point than the Standard H&M but the clothes are beautiful and they make you feel good wearing them because you know they have been made eco-friendly (How ethically the clothing is being made is a completely other story, but I guess you have to win one battle before you start up another. Patience Jenn.)

I first heard about the H&M line while watching this year’s Oscars. Best Supporting Actress Nominee Helen Hunt showed up in a navy blue dress from H&M’s new collection. Let me just say. One is used to hearing Armani, Chanel, Dior, Vuitton and Versace on the Oscar Red Carpet, but H&M?! I think that had to be an Oscar first.

I applauded Ms. Hunt for her sustainable efforts but I personally was not a fan of the dress. It was horribly wrinkled and the fabric was just not up-to-par with what is expected at the largest awards show of the year. It gave me a bad first impression as to what this line is about. 

Let me just say that view has changed. The clothes are beautiful! They are designed to portray an effortlessly chic image of a young woman who cares about her appearance but also about the environment. That is fabulous! 

I will definitely be picking up some pieces from this collection to wear. I value quality over quantity and am perfectly fine with spending more for it.

Will you be wearing the new H&M eco-friendly line?

Wednesday, 3 April 2013

Dolce & Gabbana Tax Evasion

Dolce and Gabbana is an iconic name in the fashion industry, that even those who don't know they are have heard their name. I was shocked and a little confused when I heard about this tax issue that has recently been publicised in many media outlets.

I read a really interesting article in Forbes that better clarified for me what happened. Here is a link to the Forbes article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2013/04/03/dolce-gabbana-fined-millions-for-tax-evasion/

Towards the middle of the article it says that both Dolce and Gabbana could be sent to prison over this issue. It also then goes on to list other iconic Italian designers who have faced issues similar in the past.

I don't quite understand how this came to be. I get what tax evasion is, but what I don't understand is how 2 people who together have a net worth of 4 billion dollars, think that its ok to not pay their taxes. Hire someone. You have 4 billion dollars I think you can afford it.

Forbes also says that the brand is in jeopardy not just because of the possibility of jail time, but also the fact that they have been ordered to pay 439.70 million US dollars. Just say that amount a money a couple more times. That is HUGE.

Greed is such a huge aspect of the fashion industry (sad, but true) and I think sometimes its important to take a step back and remember that you are still a human being and the same rules apply to you, whether you have 4 billion dollars or 4 hundred dollars.

Clearly D&G have forgotten this. Unfortunately this could be a lesson they learn the hard way.

Friday, 22 March 2013

Favourite Fashion Show EVER

A look at one of my favourite fashion shows from spring! I love Dior :)

Thursday, 21 March 2013

8 Things To Do with Your Best Friends

My sister and I were talking the other day about much things change after you graduate high school. In my experience, all those friendships that you made in high school fizzle out. I’ve been lucky enough to have terrific childhood friends whose friendships have lasted throughout the years. I've been friends with some of them for 18 years!

I have 2 of my best friends in particular that my relationships have been so strong. It ends up being that type of friendship that you do lots of things with. You grow up together, you learn together and you support each other. These are my two girls that I can do any and everything with.

Here's a list of 8 things you can do with your besties!

1. Pose together in a photo-shoot! It doesn't matter how photogenic you are, it is those terrific memories that count! Have fun, be goofy and enjoy being with each other :)

2. Participate in an activity together! I met one of my best friends while figure skating. Not only did it strengthen our friendship but it also let us see each other 3 days a week! Lots of time for girl talk! 

3. Get into some harmless shenanigans! You're young! So why not have a great time and have a little fun that won't hurt anybody! My best friend and I had the best time sneaking into the farmer’s field down the road from my house and playing on the bales of hay. What can I say, we are country girls! If you’re going to do this, make sure you wear long pants or you're looking at a nice rash....

4. Have a relaxing day poolside! Sometimes life gets too busy. So it’s best to make the most out of it when you can. It just happened that neither I nor my best besties had to work one day (a rarity) so we had breakfast and lunch while lounging by the pool. It’s nice to have a day to catch up and have some fun!

5. Go designer shopping! You don't have to buy anything, but it sure is fun to try things on! My friends and I had a blast trying on lots of funky, fun dresses from Betsey Johnson :)

6. Crash a wedding! It sounds a lot worse than it is! We had been invited to come to a reception late but wound up at the wrong place, but ended up having a terrific time somewhere else! 

7. Make every birthday special! Birthdays, especially when they are spaced evenly throughout the year are the perfect way to make sure you see your best friends, especially if you are away at school! You should know when your friends birthdays are, which means you can plan things around it months in advance to make sure you make it.

8. Take a road trip! Such a classic. Me and my friends headed to Montreal and had an amazing time. It’s such a bonding experience and it is so much more fun to sight see when you're with your besties! We have already started planning our next road trip to Vegas once we all turn 21. Now that’s a real road trip! 

Wednesday, 20 March 2013

Pink Tartan Fall 2013

One of the best times of year is finally here! And I am not talking about spring arriving today, although can I just say of behalf of everyone, thank goodness! Winter this year was too long, too cold and too dark. I am welcoming spring with open arms.

But enough about that. World MasterCard Fashion Week arrived on Monday! Even one day 1, Toronto showed just how stylish it could be.

Pink Tartan showed on Day 1, and I must admit, sometimes I really like their designs, other times I don't. The past two collections I actually really liked. There has been a 60's air around the silhouettes, prints and colours and was really really elegant.

For their spring summer collection, the collection had a lighter, free feel, full of pastels and very loose silhouettes.

This collection played with darker colours, fabrics, prints and had many more fitted silhouettes. There were many highlights to this collection.

There was a gorgeous use of fur in many of the pieces, from a scarf-collar, to full fur coats, to a fur lined hem. It had a beautiful luxury feel made the pieces seem effortless.
Another highlight was a beautiful metallic suit that I just want to snap up now in case I ever get an office job. It was such a glamorous take on the traditional pencil skirt and jacket combo that it caught me off guard and I loved it! 


Over all, apart from the awful wigs, a lovelly collection from Pink Tartan :)

Tuesday, 19 March 2013

World Figure Skating Championships 2013

Are there any figure skating fans out there? Well if there are, then you know how intense this sport is and that the World Figure Skating Championships were on in London Ontario this past weekend! I have to say, AMAZING SKATING happened this weekend! There is so much excitement and passion and danger, you can't tear your eyes away.

I recently found out that Canadian Legend Jeanne Beker was in the stands for the Ice Dance competition and I tweeted her about how amazing it was that she enjoyed figure skating. Never in my wildest dreams would I think that she would tweet me back but she did! (JEANNE BEKER TWEETED ME BACK OH MY.) She said: "Well I love theatre, movement, drama, costume...and figure skating has it all!"

Ms. Beker brings up all these points and how it all blends in to figure skating. I agree completely! When you are watching skating, you get caught up in a story. The skaters tell this story through expression and movement of course, but it is the costume that really sells it to you.

Below are Canadian's Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir's Costume from this year's "Carmen" routine. The routine is very dark and dramatic and sexy and the costume was designed to showcase and compliment that.


Also with incredible costumes were American's Meryl Davis and Charlie White who skated to music from "Giselle". Their costumes were very light and highlighted their beautiful effortless skating style.


Below are the two teams again from previous year’s routine. Virtue and Moir portrayed Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire from Funny Face. Definitely one of my most favourite routines and not just because Audrey Hepburn is my absolute idol. Davis and White performed a medley of Phantom of the Opera songs and it was gorgeous to see them transform into those characters. That’s when you know the skating is good.


I've also included some pictures of one of my favourite male figure skaters. This is Brian Joubert (future husband) from France. He is defined as being a showman and performer that pulls his audience into his routines. He has done notable routines to James Bond, Gladiator and the Matrix.



Hope you've enjoyed looking at some of these costumes and I hope that maybe I've sparked an interest for viewing skating!

Thursday, 21 February 2013

Countdown to the Oscars!

Hope everyone is excited about the Oscars which airs the Sunday February 24th! I'm be watching and will post pictures of my favourite looks of the night afterwards. I'm really looking forward to Anne Hathaway, Kerry Washington, Jennifer Lawrence and Jessica Chastain. Let's see who will be best dressed this year!

Wednesday, 9 January 2013

Hello!

Hi Everyone!

This is the first week back at school and it feels so strange to be back!
One of my classes has required me to start a blog where I can post my work throughout the semester or anything fashion related.
I'm kind of new to this blog scene so please be kind. :)

Talk Later,

Jenn