Fashion Collection Teaser

Hello darlings!

Many of you may not know this but I have been taking fashion design courses for the past couple of years. I am just about finished and will show my student fashion collection in April. I am super excited about this as I have been working really hard on its development. So I thought I would show you some of the design details that will end up in my collection. Now I do not want to give away too much of what it will look like but here are just a few teasers:

I have been working on creating a feathery fluffy texture and succeeded in doing so with tulle and organza.

I have also done some leather cutouts attempting to turn leather into a type of lace.

Over sized roping details are integral to my collection. I wove it in various ways using different macramé techniques. Since designing is a process more design details and techniques might emerge as I further develop this. 

All of these details will be integrated into my runway looks. I am very excited to bring my ideas to life. I am sure you know the feeling! Stay tuned and I will show you what some pieces of my collection will look like! And for now, can you guess the theme of the collection?

Redefining Design 2013

It is a funny paradox: the busier you are the more you have to share, yet the less time you have to do so. But this boring silence has to be broken and I just have to share the highlights of the Annual Seneca Fashion Gala with you.

Students once again displayed a wide range of skills and talent. There were plenty of designs to drool over. I especially liked these gorgeous leather skirts and tops:

Tania DaSilva, who won the Media award with her unusual knitwear collection, stole the show:

Tania DaSilva's collection; Tania DaSilva - far right.

Yours truly modeled for Shannon Skura who created a collection based on the idea that the wearer can be a designer. Shannon strategically placed magnets in the garment so that the wearer can change the way the piece is worn, offering him or her infinite options.

Shannon Skura's collection; Shannon Skura - far right.

My look for Shannon Skura's collection

Backstage with model Dayna Stevens

You can check out more of Shannon's designs at her website

fashandesign.webs.com/

Another designer I modeled for was M.R. Leach, who had a completely different and somewhat historic point of view...

M.R. Leach's collection; M.R. Leach - right.

...and Carly Vimini, who created a sportswear collection with experimental shapes for the modern woman. (Love the chunky knits!)

My look for Carly Vimini's collection

And these shoes were an absolute highlight of the show for me!

Congratulations to all the graduated students on the job well done! It is always impressive and inspiring to see their creations come alive: from concept to catwalk! Those sleepless nights and endless fittings definitely paid off! Needless to say I cannot wait for the next year's Gala! 

Redefining Design Fashion Gala 2012

Hi fashion-lovers!

How has this wintery spring treated you so far? For me, April has always been the most exciting month of the year! Not only because it is my Birthday month. But also because it is always the busiest month of the year when I am rushing to get everything done and over with to get ready to greet summer which is right around the corner!

This year is not an exception. Other than cramming for exams, frantically completing projects, balancing it all with work and birthday preparations, I also get all pumped up for Seneca's Annual Fashion Gala Redefining Design which will take place on April 10. Needless to say I am extremely excited about this event. This is the quintessential moment for all the graduating students. Their hard work and talent comes to the fore in their collections which get a chance to be seen and admired not only by family, friends, staff, faculty and guests but also by industry professionals!

Last year, I got to model for three talented designers and had a chance to get an insider's look on the whole venture. So here are some highlights:

Designer: Samantha Grace

Designer: Amy Chong

Designer: Jenna Frost

Modeling, however, was only part of the fun. Free food, make-up application and hair up-does were great.  But it was seeing all the amazing work that the emerging fashion designers have done that was extremely inspiring! Seeing their concepts come from paper to real life! Not walking down the runway but basking in their creativity gave me the biggest adrenaline rush! It is such an amazing learning and, at the same time, entertaining experience!!!

Some of the most memorable designs from Annual Fashion Gala Redefining Design 2012

Some of the most memorable designs from Annual Fashion Gala Redefining Design 2012

Here is a video that sums up last year's show:

My lovely grandma came to see the show and I could not help sharing this picture with you guys. She loved all designers' work and could not believe that it was produced by students!

My biggest fan - my granny - attended the show and was swept off her feet by the beauty and variety of looks presented.

Although I was at the venue from 8 am to 10 pm, the day flew by and left me yearning for more. And MORE is coming in just 5 days! I can't wait! Perhaps, you would like to join me in this happy event and attend Redefining Design as well? If you are interested in attending, leave a comment below and you may get a FREE ticket to the show!!!

Trend Alert. Wear Those Pants!

Hello trend-watchers!

Today I wanted to talk about pants and the various styles that popped up on the Pre-Fall and Fall 2013 Runways. Designers have presented us with such a variety of styles that there is no shortage of options to satisfy every mood, taste and occasion. Here is what I saw.

Stay in Your Pajamas

Feeling lazy and blue? No need to get out of those comfy pajamas. Just throw on a stylish jacket, grab a flashy clutch and you are ready to rock.

Wear them Wide and Bright!

Nothing says "I'm in a playful mood" as much as these bright, wide-leg trousers.

Crop that Cigarette Habit

The brocade embroidered floral prints make these skinny cropped pants more than suitable for a special occasion.

For a luxurious look, pair metallic pants with fur and you will not go unnoticed! From slouchy to skinny, there is a great variety of these shiny numbers to choose from.

Metallic Lux

Now that I have my slouchy florals and shiny skinnies, I need to make wide-leg bright and cropped cigarette brocade trousers. So excited! Which are your favourite styles?

Image source: style.com

Fashion Week Buzz

This has been another joyous albeit busy week in the life of Yours Truly since besides it being the weekend of Halloween fun it was also World Mastercard Toronto Fashion Week! 

Last Friday, I was lucky enough to be present at the Paraezo Couture runway show of wedding gowns. I was in awe watching the angelic creatures glide up and down the runway like swans in Bruce Dang's  (lead designer of Paraezo Couture) marvelous creations.

Here you can see a snippet of what I saw real time in all its glitter and glory:

After the show, there was no end to my joy when I had a few minutes of Bruce Dang's time and asked him some questions. I had to wait in line of other reporters of course. But it was all worth the wait! Here is our conversion:

First of all, congratulations on such a spectacular show! This was fantastic! I am sure beginning designers will be interested to hear your answers to some of my questions.

Thank you!

When you started your career as a designer what was the one thing that college had not taught you but that you wished you had known before you embarked on this journey of a lead designer?

One thing that I had to learn on my own was stress! You have to learn to be calm, make sure you have a good team to work behind you. If you don’t have a good team behind you that’s fine too. You will just have to do everything yourself. You have to make sure that everything is perfect, the way you want it to be. In the end of the day, even when people say that you are not good, keep trying and work harder. Work hard at what you love and you will get there!

So keep believing in yourself?

Yes!

So in regards to doing what you love, how hands on are you when designing your collection. Do you just sketch, do you participate in executing the pieces?

Right now all I do is I get my inspiration, get all my ideas, fabrics and textures I want. When I get the fabrics that’s when I get the most inspired, from the fabrics!  When the fabrics have different textures I see that can use them in this and that way. Then I start sketching. I sketch one dress and then one leads to another to another to the next, until I get about 80. And then I narrow them down for my collection.

What aspect of your daily work as a designer do you like the most?

Looking for fabrics and sketching. I love to do that. Sketching and figuring our new ideas.

What aspect of your work do you like the least? What do you not like doing in your work?

Things that have to do with stress. When problems arise. And problems will always arise. But you have to try to stay calm and be happy and make your team happy.

What advice would you give to design students who would like to be just like you and have their own business or become a lead designer like you?

As I said before, don't give up. Keep believing in yourself, working hard. And remember that there are a lot of people in this country who will help you. Maybe the Toronto Fashion Incubator – they helped me a lot. Or things like this show.

So you did find support on the way?

Yes, a lot of support.

That’s wonderful! Thank you very much! Congratulations again!

Bruce Dang being interviewed for SliceTV

Bruce Dang also made an appearance on Global Television the day before the show. Here he talks about the inspiration for his collection, about the structure and details of his gowns.

I am beyond wow-ed since not only did I get to see the spectacular creations at an arm's length but I also got to talk to the man responsible for them. There is nothing more inspirational than that!