Metacognition

1.  What I liked the most about creating my own graphic novel, was that it was fun to do. Also, there was not a lot of writing involved in creating the graphic novel. I could be creative and use pictures to help get my story across. Graphic novels are also less formal that a regular novel. This made working on this project seem less like homework.
What I did not like about creating the graphic novel was the time it took to make. Importing and finding the right pictures took a while to do, and re-adjusting the scenes took a long time as well. In total the graphic novel took me 10 hours to create and edit. This is a lot longer than it would take me to write an essay or short story. All in all, the graphic novel took a very long time to complete but was a fun project.

2. If i were to redo this assignment I would have started a lot earlier. I did not realize how long it takes to create a graphic novel, and if I were to redo this assignment I would have started it as soon as it was assigned. I would have also figured out how to make my comic into pages. Each page in the Bitstrips program contains 2 panels using the storyboard layout . So instead of doing 8 pages with two panels per page, I did 16 panels in total.

3. I tend to learn best by doing. Therefore, making my own comic gave me a better understanding of how comics work. Comics are about the pictures, the images are there to get the message across. Also, using Bitstrips to make my comic allowed me to learn how to use a program I ended up really liking. 

4. Advice I would give others about this project:

• Start as soon as it is assigned since making a comic is a lengthy process.
• Play around with the program you are using before making your comic. This will allow you to learn all the tools and functions the program offers.
• Get someone to review your comic when you are finished to make sure it makes sense.

In For The Holidays

This holiday season there are a few trends that seem to be very popular. These include faux fur vests and coats, exposed zippers, little black dresses, metallics, sequence, and lace. These trends are not only occurring in clothing, but in accessories as well. 

http://www.guess.ca/ProductDetails.aspx?style=W0FK56H1G00&category|751=&image=W0FK56H1G00-HTGB

Lace accents or full lace garments are in this season. This dress from Guess has lace covering the neckline, another popular trend for the holidays.

http://www.guess.ca/ProductDetails.aspx?style=W04K64K09X0&category|751=&image=W04K64K09X0-JBLK#

The Little Black Dress is always in, but for the holidays it is especially important. The black dress can be worn with anything, and works for every formal occasion. This dress from Guess would look great with tights and a jacket or blazer.

 http://www.bcbg.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10803185&cp=2901570.3915683&clickid=cat_leftnav_txt&parentPage=family

Sequence is another popular trend. The sparkle looks chic and adds a bit of glam to clothing. Sequence can be seen on dresses, tops, jackets, leggings, and accessories. This BCBG top is an elegant example of sequenced garments.

http://www.guess.ca/ProductDetails.aspx?style=SU261706&category|4646=&image=SU261706-PEW#

Metallic accessories are another holiday trend. Metallics are great since they can be paired with almost anything. They can dress up an outfit, and add shine. This purse from Guess is a great evening bag for the holiday season.

http://www.guess.ca/ProductDetails.aspx?style=W04K78C2100&category|751=&image=W04K78C2100-JBLK#

Exposed zippers are extremely popular in women's clothing. Exposed zippers can be anywhere on a garment, and is a unique fashion statement.This dress from Guess is just one example of exposed zippers in fashion.

http://www.guess.ca/ProductDetails.aspx?style=W0F220MF820&category|752=&image=W0F220MF820-JTMU#
This faux fur coat by Guess is one of the many jackets we are seeing with faux fur. The cozy look is in for winter, therefore faux fur is everywhere.

Corsets

Corsets have been apart of fashion for hundreds of years. A corset is a garment that shapes the body, creating a smaller waist. A corset is laced up the back with cording or ribbon. The ribbon is laced through grommets, similar to a shoe lace. The corset contains boning, which keeps the structure sturdy. In the past boning was made of whale bones. As time went on boning was made of thin strips of metal, and today plastic boning is available. In the past corsets were worn as an under garment, creating the perfect silhouette for the wearer. Corsets kept the wear upright and allowed for good posture. The problem with corsets were if worn too tightly, the body will start to adjust to the corset, and the inside organs can get reassembled. Also, they can cut of circulation in the body, and restricts body movement. Today, corsets are no longer used as underwear, but as a fashion statement. Corsets also influence modern fashions. For example, some dresses lace up in the back similar to a corset. Overall, corsets may no longer sever a practical purpose, but are still an important part of fashion.

To learn more about corsets

LG Fashion Week 2010 - Pink Tartan

Easy Lux

Pink Tartan is a clothing line created by Kimberley Newport-Mimran, a Canadian fashion designer. She is the wife of Joe Fresh creator and designer Joe Mimran. In 2002 the clothing line was co-founded by Kimberley, and  today she is the president and head designer of the company. Her motto is "Simplicity is the secret to elegance."  Pink Tartan fulfills that statement, its' clothes are simple yet very feminine. The new collection from Pink Tartan is the summer/spring 2011 Easy Lux. Which is available at Holt Renfrew.
Easy Lux is one of my favorites for 2011 summer/spring. The clothes themselves are fairly simple in design, but the bold colours and prints make the clothes unique. It is a more youthful line, the bright colours and less structured peices make the clothes more appealing to a younger generation. The plunging v-necks, sunglasses, and neon coloured hats also give the collection a younger feel. The collection contains many long loose dresses and jumpers. Making the line simple but unique.Overall, Easy Lux contains a lot of simple fun pieces for the warmer whether.

Overall Comments

Rating: 8 out of 10

I really enjoyed the political aspects of Watchmen. Most comic books I have read in the past are quite simplistic in its plot, all in all the good guy defeats the bad guy. But, in Watchmen none of the superheros end up being 'right', in an absolute sense. The entire point of the book was to break the conventions of the average superhero. Which I liked because I came into the book knowing the tropes of the superhero, due to pop culture, but had never read many superhero comics myself. This made Watchmen's message really effective for me, parodying the expectations I first had. I also liked the fact that the story uses actual American history, and twists it to suit the plot. This takes the book to a higher intellectual level, which other comics do not come close too.

Another aspect of the book I found intriguing was the artistry. The pictures were greatly detailed, and perfectly depicted the books dark tone. The colours in the book also make it stand out from other comics. The artwork itself can be appreciated by almost anyone, comic book fan or not.

The only thing I disliked about Watchmen was how complex it could be at certain points. To fully understand this book it must be read multiple times. The political references in the book confused me a bit, and I had to research topics I did not understand. During the reading process this annoyed me, but in the end I learned a lot of new information I would have otherwise not known. Also, the graphics helped me understand the plot a bit better. If there was something I did not understand in the text, I could try to figure out what was happening through the pictures.

All in all, Watchmen is a great book. I would recommend that others read it. This book will change the way you look at comic books forever. It might take you a few reads to fully grasp the concepts, but it's worth the trouble.

Artistic and Visual Style

John Higgins and Dave Gibbon are the visual masterminds behind Watchmen. The book is advanced in artistic style in comparison to other comics books. Artist Dave Gibbons used harsh pen strokes to give the characters a less stylized, more realistic look to them. In fact, the entire novel is drawn fairly realistically. This matches the dark tone of the book very well. Higgins compliments Gibbon's realism with a grimy palette of colors. Watchmen makes use of secondary colors in its world. There are a lot of browns, yellows, and greens used throughout the art. This was very unconventional for its time since the normal palette for comics were made up of primary colors and shades of black. Watchmen did the exact opposite.
Watchmen uses visual motifs constantly. The most obvious and famous one being the blood stained smiley face. The smiley face being a symbol of the tainted classic superhero that Watchmen portrays. Another big symbol is the clock. The clock is used as a heading for each of the twelve chapters, and is a constant reminder of nuclear war in the world.
Overall, Watchmen is one of the most artistically dense comics in existence. Almost every panel contains some sort of visual symbol that furthers the story messages and the world it portrays. All of these little things add up to immersing the reader in Watchmen's unique artistic style. One that uses the artistry of a comic to portray the conventions of comics in a different light. 

PLOT DEVELOPMENT

Watchmen progresses similarly to an ordinary novel. The story starts off as a mystery, and builds up to reveal Veidt's  plot to unite the nations. As the plot progresses, we see the true colours of each character, proving that not everything is in black and white. The people who seem to be the 'good guys' are not always the perfect hero. For example, during the first few chapters of the novel, most would assume Rorschach to be the 'good guy', but as the story goes on we learn more about his troubled past and his unstable personality.

The novel itself is divided into twelve chapters.In each chapter the story is told by either a narrating character or by a newspaper article. During the beginning of the story the main purpose seems to be finding out who is responsible for The Comedian's death. But, as the plot goes on we learn that there are more important issues at hand. The fate of New York rests in the hands of Veidt. When we learn that Veidt is planning to destroy most  of New York, and that he framed Rorschach and Dr. Manhattan, the reader automatically writes him off as the 'bad guy'. But, when his purpose, to bring the fighting nations together, is revealed he does not seem completely evil. This proves one of the books main themes, which is things in the real world are never black and white.

The novel ends with Dr. Manhattan killing Rorschach, who wants to reveal the truth about Veidt's plan. The plot of this story involves a lot more thought than I would have expected from a comic book. Lastly, the reader needs to have background knowledge of the cold war and America's involvement to really understand the plot of the book.   

HACKED BY RYAN!

:D:D:D:D:D:D;D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D::D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D::D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D::D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
HEY, IT"S LAMBCHOP"S PLAY ALONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Characters and Setting

Rorschach/ Walter Kovacs- Rorschach is the last of the masked vigilantes that is still active.

Nite Owl II/ Dan Dreiberg- One of the many retired superheros. Dan feels that his glory days are over ever since he retired from crime fighting.

Silk Spectre II/ Laurie Juspesczyk- Dr. Manhattan's long time girlfriend. She often makes reference to her mother whom she dislikes, the original Silk Spectre. She is glad that the Keene Act which outlawed superheros is in place.

Dr. Manhattan/ Jon Osterman- He is a scientist that has supernatural powers, and is employed by the U.S. Government. In 1959 he was caught in a

Intrinsic Field Subtractor that which caused he him to gain powers.

The Comedian/ Edward Blake- The Comedian was the second superhero who was employed by the government. He is murdered at the beginning of the story. He was not a well liked man, and tried to rape Laurie's mother years ago.

Ozymandias/ Adrian Veidt- Is supposedly the smartest man in the world at the time. He is also a retired superhero who has devoted the rest of his life to his enterprise.

The story is set in an alternate history of 1985 New York during the tense social climate of the Cold War. Due to a series of superhero instigated changes to modern history, Richard Nixon is still President of the United States, serving his fifth term in office. Vietnam was won and the Watergate Scandal was never uncovered. The existence of costumed crime fighters has been a part of American culture since the early thirties, though they now have little place in modern society. The city has become grimy and eroded due to the instability of the previous decade. The people have met a similar fate, as the threat of nuclear war looms closer to them every day.

Breaking News

BREAKING NEWS :
Everybody wanting a piece of Michael Jackson.
Reporters stalking the moves of Michael Jackson.
Just when you thought he was done,
he comes to give it again.”
no matter what, you just wanna read it again
no matter what, you just wanna feel it again
now is that strange that i fall in love
who is the boogie man you thinkin’ of
all went crazy coz im just in love
this is breaking news X2
everybody watching the news of michael jackson
They want to see that I fall,
cause I’m Michael Jackson
You write the words to destroy
like it’s a weapon
you turn your back on the love and you think you can get it again
no matter what, you just wanna read it again
no matter what, you just wanna feel it again
now is that strange that i fall in love
who is the boogie man you thinkin’ of
all went crazy coz im just in love
this is breaking news X2
now is that strange that i fall inlove
who is the boogie man you thinkin’ of
all went crazy coz im just in love
this is breaking news X2
all the news today they say CRAZY time
who is stranger today we want this day baby
now is that strange that i fall in love
who is the boogie man you thinkin’ of
all went crazy coz im just in love
this is breaking news X2
now is that strange that i fall in love
who is the boogie man you thinkin’ of
all went crazy coz im just in love
this is breaking news X2
YOU’RE BREAKING NEWS

More info

Michael Jackson's new song Breaking News is one of the first to be released from his new album. The album includes many unreleased songs he recorded before his death. This song in particular was recorded in 2007 in New Jersey. The song has raised a lot of controversy since its release, many fans believe the voice in the song is not Michael. People who have been listening to his music for years believe that the voice in the song does not sound like him. Whether it is Michael or not, the song makes me a little sad. A line in the song really got to me, They want to see that I fall, cause I’m Michael Jackson. You write the words to destroy like it’s a weapon.  This song reminds us all of how badly Michael was treated before his death. The media was constantly out to get him and many people thought ill of him. But, as soon as he died all the negativity was forgotten and everyone loved Michael again. It is sad that he had to die in order for people to realize how great of an artist he really was. On a more pleasant note, his new album will probably do very well and is to be released in December.

Michael Jackson - Breaking News

Point of View, Diction, and Syntax

Watchmen is defiantly unique in comparison to other comic books, especially when in comes to diction and the different points of view. The story is told from a few perspectives, and the words uses are much more complex than the ordinary comic book. Overall, the story contains many abstract ideas which are voiced through it's diction.

The point of view in Watchmen shifts every chapter to a different character's perspective, though the main narrator of the story is Rorschach. He narrates and reflects on the plot through his journal entries, scattered throughout the story. Also, at the end of every chapter there is a newspaper clipping of some sort, sometimes it is the meta story Under The Hood by Hollis Mason. Other times it is various newspapers and essays about the world the story takes place in.

When either Rorschach or Dr. Manhattan narrate the story, they have a very specific way of speaking. Rorschach speaks in messy distorted half sentences. Dr. Manhattan on the other hand speaks in monotone concrete sentences, which have a sense of emotional disconnection to them. This reflects the characters psychology. Rorschach being unstable mentally, Dr. Manhattan being cold and all knowing. Also, Rorschach's journal bubbles are coloured yellow to suggest crudeness in his tone, while Dr. Manhattan's dialogue bubbles are coloured blue to suggest calmness and coldness in his tone.

Many details of the characters can even be found in the structure of the book. Laurie is another main character, who's personality is reflected in the technical aspects of the dialogue. Many of the words in her dialogue bubbles are in bold, to show that Laurie has a very edgy way of speaking. For example she says, “Rape is a moral lapse? You know he broke her ribs?” Her emphasized words show her anger and her tell it as it is personality. Dan on the other hand has almost no emphasize to his words, suggesting the passivity of his character. Adrian's dialogue is often verbose and long, taking up most of the page, this shows both the love for himself and his superior intellect.

All in all, the many different types of vocabulary and points of view in Watchmen adds to the complexity of the story and to the many subplots.

Joe Fresh - "It goes like this"

Joe Fresh

Joe Fresh has become one of the most popular clothing lines in Canada, it combines low prices with wearable fashions for people of all ages. Joe is sold at almost every Lablaws and Real Canadain Superstores across Canada. The clothing line is trendy with simple classic designs that will work on almost everyone, and are very easy to wear. The line includes menswear, womenswear, footwear, accessories, swimwear, and baby/children's clothing. It has even extended its line to include cosmetics, beauty products/treatments and hair products. The designer behind Joe Fresh is the one and only Joseph Mimran. Joseph is a Canadian designer originally from Morocco. He began his career in the dressmaking industry in 1977. In 1985 Joseph and Alfred Sung opened Club Monaco on Queens Street. Joseph also contributed to Alfred Sungs self titled clothing line. He has also contributed to his wife's (Kimberley) clothing line called Pink Tartan. Pink Tartan is available at Holt Renfrew, and is a very feminine line which includes lots of bright colours and bold prints. Pink Tartan's spring/summer 2011 collection was featured in Holt Renfrew's LG fashion weeks show, celebrating Canadian designers.
 Joe Fresh has become so popular it even has its own Ipod app. The app is called Joe Fresh Style Fashion Shaker. When the Ipod is shaken outfits on the screen change, showing you how to put outfits together. Joe's website has even become your very own personal stylist. There are many different mix and match activities that teach you how to mix and match Joe's clothing to create different looks. To visit Joe's site: Joe Fresh

 

Joseph Mimran 

TOFW SS 2011: Holt Renfrew Presents...

Holt Renfrew Fashion Show

Holt Renfrew showed off some amazing Canadian talent during its LG Fashion Week show. The runway show featured nine clothing lines Holts carry. Each line was created by a Canadian designer, this included Pink Tartan, Jeremy Laing, Lida Baday, Line, Smythe, Wayne Clark, Mikhael Kale, Wings + Horns, and Denis Gagnon. Each line/designer showcased five looks, resulting in 45 amazing looks. Model Coco Rocha was also featured in the show.The runway was lined with a variation of looks for spring/summer 2010. The show was a great way to show off amazing Canadian talent, and gives Holt's costumers a sneak peak of whats in store for spring. A few of my favorites from the show are...

I really like this dress by Line. The design itself is fairly simple, but the overall print and tie in the front makes it unique.

Even though I could never pull off this jumper by Pink Tartan, the bright blue is an amazing colour!

This dress by Mikhael Kale is by far my favorite. It is defiantly one of the more glamorous pieces for spring/summer.

This dress by Wayne Clark is gorgeous and the colours are really cool.

Holt Renfrew

Holt Renfrew is a high-end Canadian department store. This is my favorite department store, and has been around a lot longer than most would assume. The store was first opened in 1837 as a hat shop in Quebec City. In 1889 a Toronto store was opened. Since then stores have also opened in Ottawa, Winnipeg, London, Edmonton, Calgary, Hamilton, and Vancouver. In 1987 the store came out with its own fashion magazine. In 2006 Holts magazine split into two different issues, one for men and one for women. And in 2004 Holt Renfrew was named the 'Store of the Year' by the National Association of Store Fixtures Manufactures. Holts has been compared to many high-end department stores including Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys, and Bloomingdale`s. Holts sells designer brand clothing, jewelry, accessories, footwear, fragrances, and beauty products. A few designers carried by Holts include Mark Jacobs, Coach, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Christian Doir. Holts has gained many celebrity costumers over the years, and have added special services to suit their needs. Personal shoppers and exclusive fitting rooms/suits for their celebrity clients are available. Also, Holts recently added its own restaurant Holts Cafe to three of its locations. Overall, Holts has grown into Canada's most fashionable store, and is continuing to prove itself as a  major fashion icon.

To Learn More Visit Holts Website

Breaking The Rules

Fashion is all about breaking the rules.Taking risks are all apart of having fun with fashion. Without controversial clothing fashion would be boring, and style would not exist. In the past women wore skirts and dresses and men wore pants and shirts. And that is how fashion worked for hundreds of years. In modern day society fashion is rapidly changing. Every season designers come out with new collections and ideas. Right now, opposite gender clothing is a really popular trend. Menswear is inspiring womenswear, and womenswear is inspiring menswear. The boyfriend jean, suit jackets, and vests are all examples of womenswear that were inspired by mens clothing. Menswear has also become more fitted. For example, mens jackets have become shorter and narrower, slightly resembling a woman's jacket. Mixing and matching menswear and womenswear creates interest in an outfit and is rebellious in its own way.

This is a perfect example of womenswear inspired by men's clothing. Oxford shoes are in style for both men and women. The belted boyfriend jean with a button down were both inspired by men's clothing. The hat is also reminiscent of a mans.   

 These shorts and pants are a lot shorter and slimmer than traditional menswear. Also,the v-neck sweaters and cardigans are all inspired by womenswear. 

Your Perfect Colour

In the fashion world colours are constantly categorized as being 'in' or 'out. This fall aubergine, which is a combination of dark purple and red, is very in style. But, not all of these colours are suitable for every skin tone. For example, this season camel is in style. This colour is similar to a light brown, which is inspired by the fur colour of the camel. Personally, this colour looks horrible on me and does nothing to emphasize my skin tone or features. To find out what colours look the best on you, compare a variety of colours to your skin tone. To do this, stand in front of a mirror and hold colours under your chin. You can use paint chips or fabric as samples. It is best to do this experiment near a window on a sunny day. The natural light is best, since other light sources can change the way the colours appear. Have a friend or relative help you decide which colours look best. Colours that look the best on you should emphasize your eyes and hair colour. And your overall complexion should look healthy and bright, a colour that does not complement you tends to make your skin look dull. From this experiment you should learn what hues look best on you, and whether warmer or cooler colours compliment your skin tone. Once you can have a clear understanding of which colours you like, it will making shopping for clothing and putting together outfits much easier.       

To learn more about colour in fashion

Canadian Fashion Designer

During our fashion class's theory week we've learned about a few great Canadian designers. This sparked my interest since many people are not familiar with Canadian designers. One very successful Canadian fashion designer we learned about is Alfred Sung. Sung was born in Shanghai, China and was the eldest of eight children. Originally he wanted to become an artist, but at 17 his parents sent him to Paris to study fashion design. After graduating from Chambre Syndicale de la Couture, he moved to New York to study at the infamous Parsons School of Design. After graduation he work in the New York fashion industry for a while, but then moved to Toronto in 1972. In Toronto he worked as a fashion designer for a Spadina Avenue company before building his own business.
Sung's garments are often referred to as classic pieces. Aside from clothing he has also designed jewelery, bridal wear,watches, eye wear, fragrances, and belts. Sung also designed his own home decor line which includes furniture, bedding, kitchen products ect. Sung has also launched a line of moderately priced women's fashions for Zellers. Over the years Sung has created timeless pieces that work for almost anyone.

Alfred Sung's new Pure line

 

The Fashion Industry

I have often written about clothing or designers prevalent in the fashion industry, but I have never given a full overview of what exactly the fashion industry consists of. The fashion industry consists of four different levels. Production of raw materials, production of goods by designers, retail sales, and advertisement and promotion. During the early 20th century the creation of the sewing machine and other technology, sped up the garment making process. This allowed for retailers like department stores to flourish. Clothing became mass produced, and were sold at fixed prices. Previous to this, most people had their clothing custom made, or made their clothing themselves. Today the fashion industry has grown to be one of the largest industries in the world, employing millions.
Fashion journalism is one of the most important aspects of keeping the fashion industry strong. Fashion journalism includes commentary and critiques of fashion in the media. These media sources include television, magazines, newspapers, and the internet. Overall, the media is responsible for spreading the word of what is new in the fashion industry, and keeps the industry running. 

To learn more about the effects the fashion industry has on the economy:  

The global fashion industry

 

Sweatshops

In fashion class we have recently started learned about sweatshops, and their impact on the modern day world. The garment industry is one of the largest industries in and world, therefore cheap labor is what this business strives on. A sweatshop is defined as a factory where workers are treated poorly. This may include low salaries, long hours of work with no breaks, and physical or emotional abuse. The problem is, most companies own millions of factories around the world, and it is hard to specify which factories are sweatshops and which are not. Sweatshop workers are mainly women and children. Almost 90% of workers are young girls or women. Women are hired since it is acceptable for other employers to rape them, if they are not working to the set standard. Workers are also paid extremely low wages, in a worst case scenario a worker may make as little as six cents an hour. The worst sweatshop runners include Disney, The Gap, Guess, J.C Penny, Nike, Wal-Mart, and Victoria's Secret. These are just a few of the thousands of companies that rely on sweatshops to produce their garments. This proves that most garments that are mass produced are made in sweatshops. Overall, this makes it difficult for consumers to purchase clothes that have not been manufactured in sweatshops. 

Victims of Fashion: Worker Abuse in Nearby Sweatshops Video

Dsquared :)

It's time to talk about some of Canada's finest designers! Dsquared was founded by twin Toronto born brothers, Dean and Dan Caten. Over the past decade their success has rapidly grown, and they are two of Canada's best known fashion designers. They design for men and women, and have also launched their own footwear, cosmetic, and fragrance lines. The pair's designs have been worn by celebrities including Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Madonna. Their previous fashion shows have been opened and closed by artists like Rihanna and Bill Kaulitz, the lead singer of Tokio Hotel.
 The Dsquared Fall/Winter 2010 fashion show, in my opinion is a perfect example of what a fashion show is supposed to be like. It was futuristic, there were angry looking models, intense music, and a creative theme. The fashion show told a story, it was like watching a movie. The clothes were also amazing. The red and black colour scheme is a classic, and seems to be fairly popular this season. I like the fact that the clothes were not over the top extravagant, but were brought to life with accessories and a pop of red. The elevator was also a really cool addition to the show, and the entire set was amazing. The show really flowed the models, music, and set worked together to pull off a great performance. Overall, I loved the show and I am excited to see what Dsquared has in store for the future.  :)

Dsquared2 - Fall Winter 2010/2011 Full Fashion Show Part 2 - High Quality

When I Grow Up

What Not to Wear on TLC, is by far one of my favorite shows of all time. Not only is the show awesome, but the hosts/stylists Stacey London and Clinton Kelly are amazing at what they do. I have always said, when I grow up I want to be like Stacey London. She has the perfect job. She gets to work with beautiful designer clothes all day long, and gets paid for it. Plus, she promotes inner beauty as well as outer beauty. She believes if you look your best, it will boost your self confidence, resulting in success. Not only is she a stylists, but she tours around the States giving self-esteem lectures. And also supports many Cancer Research organizations including, The American Cancer Society. What I really like about her, is the fact that she promotes inner beauty and self-esteem. When you think of a fashion stylist, you would assume that they are more concerned about what you look like on the outside, instead of what's on the inside. That is why I admire the work Stacey has done.

Here is a clip from TLC's What Not to Wear. It's a great show, and I really hope they make a Canadian version of it.

 

What Not to Wear - Witch Chase

Layers for the cold

It saddens me to say this, but the colder weather is approaching. It's time to pack up the shorts and bring out the sweaters. Unfortunately, during the winter months most people sacrifice fashion for comfort. The good news is, there are ways to stay fashionable during the winter months while still managing to staying warm. Layering is a great way to stay warm while wearing trendy clothing. First of all, start with some great basic tops. Find tops and blouses that you love, but wouldn't be able to wear by itself during the colder months. Secondly, invest in a few blazers or cardigans to throw over top. Cardigans and blazers are a great way to stay warm, while still being able to wear you favourite tops underneath. This fall blazers are everywhere, and there are so many different styles to choose from.  Knits and sweaters are also great to wear over your summer tank tops, and they keep you warm and cozy. H&M has some amazing knits and sweaters for both men and women, and are very affordable! Lastly, top of you outfit with a great jacket. Take the time to pick out a jacket that you really like, that is simple and classic. A classic design will allow you to wear your jacket everyday, and will go with almost anything in your wardrobe. And if you really like to accessorize, add a scarf or waist belt over your jacket. Just because winter is approaching doesn't mean you still can't look put together. :)

Trendy sweaters for fall/winter

The Messenger Bag

The messenger style bag has become very popular this year. Messenger bags were originally worn by bicycle messengers, who were for the most part men. The original messenger bag was box like in shape, just larger enough to hold books, magazines, and papers. They usually have an adjustable strap, which is worn diagonally, across the body. Messenger bags are also great since they keep your hands free, and take pressure off of the shoulder, which other purses can cause. Another great thing about messenger bags, there are so many different styles. No matter your what your style is, there's a messenger bag for you. More casual bags include, those made of softer fabrics and are usually earth toned. These bags usually look trendier when they've been broken in. The more glamorous bags include, chains, metallics, charms, more expensive fabrics, and jewels. The modern take on the bag can range from wallet like to a laptop style bag. And usually contain tons of pockets, which is great for staying organized. Some bags have the original structured shape, while others take on a more round shape. There are hundreds of bags to choose from, and they are great for everyday use.

A few glam messenger bags

Chloe spring summer 2011 fashion show

The fashion world moves a lot faster than the rest of us. They have already launched their 2011 spring and summer collections, and are hard at work creating looks for next fall/winter. It is true they are a full year ahead.

Fashion week is Paris always impresses and this year is no different. The Chloe fashion show was by far, one of my favourites so far. It has gotten mixed reviews though, some people like it and others find it boring. The colour scheme is what differentiates this collections from others. The collection is made up of neutrals with a few red accents. Some people find this to be boring, but I think it is very classic and elegant. The line is very feminine and includes; shear flowing skirts, elegant dresses and sophisticated suits. This makes the collection very wearable in comparison to other collections that are more extravagant. Another thing that separates this line from others, are the ballet flats that the models wore, walking down the runway. Usually in fashion shows models are adorned with fierce 8 inch heels. The ballet flats worked really well in this collection, since the clothes are very feminine and the shoes follow that trend. The collection was very thought out, all the pieces worked really well together to make outfits that any woman can wear. The only random part of the show, that did not go along with the girly theme, was the reggae playing in the background...

Chloé Spring Summer 2011 Womenswear Full Fashion Show

YAY it is done!

For approximately four hours today I sewed non-stop to finally finish my Halloween costume! Even though it took forever to make, I am very happy with the outcome. I never realized how rewarding making something yourself can be. It was a lot of hard work and at times it got me very angry, but my costume is unique and there is nothing like it in stores. I even added a few personal touches by lining the bottom of the skirt with pink lace and adding pink shiny sequence to the corset. To top it all off I might even spray it with glittery fabric paint. And to prove how much i like my costume, I wore it to pick up my mom from work (she was confused to say the least). 
I suggest everyone try a do-it-yourself project. It doesn't have to be extravagant, but it gives you a new appreciation for things. For example, last year I bought a Halloween costume that cost me $50, it was nice but when I was done with it I no longer cared for it. I don't even know where I put it. But, the costume I made is being worn for as long as I can fit into it! It cost me a lot in fabric, much more than I would ever spend buying a costume, but it was well worth it. Also, my sewing and pattern reading skills have gotten a lot better from doing this project. Overall, it was a good learning experience, even though it drove me insane.

Here is a picture of the finished garment that took forever to make.

Halloween Costume...RAWR

A requirement for my fashion class is to make a Halloween costume. At first glance this did not seem like a hard task, that assumption was completely false. Being the ambitious person that I am, I decided to pick a pattern that was a bit more challenging than what I would normally attempt. I have now realized that being ambitious can be a real pain. For Halloween I chose to be Glinda the Good witch of the North. I thought it would be fun to dress in all pink and twirl around in a fluffy skirt, until it came down to making the costume. In the Wizard of Oz, Glinda's outfit is very extravagant. It's made up of a full skirt and sparkly top. What I didn't anticipate was how hard it would be to make a skirt and top. First of all the skirt involved a lot of tool and overlay. Overlay is a shiny fabric that is place over the skirt to make it look sparkly. Tool is a net like fabric that is put under the skirt to puff it out, until it looks like a tutu... And if it looking like a ballerina wasn't bad enough, the top is actually a corset! Something new I learned today, a hammer is involved in the corset making process. Now doesn't that sound ridiculous, using a hammer to make a costume! Apparently, eyelets (which are little circles that the ribbon/tie of the corset runs through)  needs to be hammered into place.
All in all, I have spent 4 weeks making a Halloween costume, that I will wear for one day.

Here is a picture of the pattern by SIMPLICITY that I have used. The name is a lie, this is the hardest most aggravating project I have ever had to do.

A few of my fav things...

This fall, there are a few things that I can't live without. Fall is a great time to layer pieces, and get playful with clothes. First of all get a great pair of boots, or a few great pairs. A simple pair of black boots can go a long way. They can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion, and go with almost anything. Longer boots are really in. Boots that come up to the knee keep you warm, but also look awesome on. Ankle boots are also popular for day to day usage, and look great with jeans. For a night out, ankle length stiletto heeled boots are in style. A suede pair of heeled boots look great with a pair of tights and a mini dress.
To add a bit of sophistication to any look try finding a hip length jacket.  My favourite is a hip length  trench coat from H&M. A shorter jacket elongates the legs, and makes you look taller. Adding a jacket over any outfit completes the look.
Lastly get a few pairs of tights. I suggest a solid black pair, and another patterned pair. Patterned or lace tights are in for fall,  and create interest to an outfit. They are great for a night out, or playing up a simple day outfit.
Have fun with fall fashions, there are a lot of cool stuff available:) 

Boots for fall

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 Collection

The 2010 Louis Vuitton fall collection is absolutely amazing. The 50’s poodle skirt is back! The collection uses the 50’s poodle skirt as a template for every dress and skirt in the collection. The signature flare of the poodle skirt is still present in the collection, but the fabrics are a lot more luxurious. The garments are classic and sophisticated, but have a little twist. They show a good amount of cleavage. Wool corset-like bodices on the dresses create a curvy figure, while the skirts float away from the body. This allows the top and skirt to balance out one another, to create the perfect garment. I also really enjoyed how belts, waistbands and blazers are all used to define a waist on the female body. Belts and waistbands are added to draw attention to the smallest part of a woman, while blazers are taken in at the waist to create an hour-glass figure.  The other thing I liked about this collection was the shoes. They were very practical and simple, compared to most runway footwear. Each garment in the collection looks like it can be worn by an everyday woman, since the silhouettes are very flattering and the designs are classic.  

In Gossip Girl, Blair wears tons of Louis Vuitton's clothing and accessories:)

Louis Vuitton - Fall Winter 2010/2011 Full Fashion Show Part 1

Gossip Girl Fashions

Out of all the television shows for teens, Gossip Girl takes the lead for fashion. The show is set in Manhattan, and features all the latest fashions and couture clothing. There is even an entire website/blog dedicated to Gossip Girl fashions. The site takes outfits from the show and explains which designer each garment comes from, and how much they cost. There is also a ‘get the look’ suggestion posting; where similar, less expensive garments are shown.  

Designer clothing and accessories like Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and Prada are all featured in the show. The New York sophisticated style is what separates the show from others. My favourite character’s style in the show is Serena Van Der Woodsen’s; she is played by Blake Lively. Her style is more of the edgy New Yorker. She tends to wear shorter more revealing clothing and bolder accessories, but somehow manages to make herself look classy and put together. My other favourite character’s style is Blair Waldorf, played by Leighton Meester. Her style is more elegant and sophisticated. She tends to wear blazers, skirts, and extravagant dresses.  The most beautiful dress worn by her was a blue satin number, which wore on last night’s episode. Blair’s signature look in the show is her head band adorned with a bow.

Overall Gossip Girl= Great Fashions:)

 

Gossip Girl Fashion Blog  

 

Advertisement that works.

Most people who know me understand that I have pretty much sold my sole to Disney. So when I logged into the M.A.C. website to check out fall make trends, I was pleasantly surprised to see a Disney villain inspired make up collection.  Instead of the regular home page that pops up, three Disney characters appear, each villain representing a specific make up collection. The best part of all, the packaging of each cosmetic has Disney characters imprinted on it! There is even a Disney villain name creator. The mirror from snow white predicts what your villain name would be after answering a few questions. To most people, this wouldn’t be that exciting, but to Disney fanatics it’s awesome.

Unfortunately, M.A.C. has outsmarted the Disney lovers out there into purchasing their products. It is sad to admit, but I kind of want every single item in the collection. Without the Disney packaging, these products are the regular cosmetics available at M.A.C. retailers everywhere. But it looks cool...

I have officially realized the impact advertising has. A good ad or endorsement can turn a regular product into something that is desired. Ads make people want things that they normally would not want. M.A.C. has done that. And now all I want to do is buy stuff I don’t need...

To understand what I am talking about, visit:

Sewing Tips

Since I have taken fashion courses for the past three years, I’ve learned a lot about the different aspects of sewing. After helping a student teacher with her beginner class, I realized I have a fair bit of knowledge to share. Here are a few helpful hints for the beginner sewer.

First of all, buy good quality thread! Guetermann is an amazing thread brand, and is available at all Fabricland stores.  Using quality thread is important since threads are usually the cause of sewing machine jams. If the thread is of a low quality, or not appropriate for the machine, it can cause extensive damage. Another tip is to buy a good pair of shears/ scissors. Fabric can be difficult to cut, but having the right tool can make it a lot easier. The most important piece of advice I can give is, do not cut paper with fabric scissors! Paper causes the blades to dull, and the scissors will no longer cut fabric with ease. The most important sewing tool has to be the stitch ripper. No one is perfect, therefore most often there with be a sewing error in your garment. A stitch ripper is a small blade with a handle, which allows you to remove every little stitch. Most stitch rippers are fairly inexpensive, and are usually around 5 dollars. Lastly it is a good idea to stock up on pins. Every sewing project involves pinning; therefore pins are needed by the dozens. It is a good idea to also buy a pin cushion or pin magnet to safely store your pins on.

Hopefully these tips are useful; sewing can be fun as long as you have the right tools.:)

To learn more about which threads to use visit: 

Thread

Stitch ripper