Archive for December, 2011

Muse Profile: 2012

The Muse Closet: Muse 2012

chaz-bono-press-out

chaz-bono-press-out

Power

What does it mean to have individual style? I’ve searched for this definition my entire life, my confidant Ricky C. had this to say, “It doesn’t matter what you look like when you’re born, fashion can be democratizing because you can develop and evolve your own style.” I find this to be true because as I’ve read and researched style development, the theme of evolution is consent. We may start one place but our end is our own choosing. When we arrive at this understanding, it is the moment when our true style becomes apparent. This is power of choice.

chaz-bono and family

chaz-bono and family

Chaz and Cher

Chaz and Cher

Chaz and Cher

Chaz and Cher

 Heart

Fashion, at times, has been my only friend. When I was a child, I was ridiculed for my fashion obsession. In first grade, my teacher told me that my locker was not an extension of my closet, as I had multiply outfits stored in my locker—none of which were my gym clothes. I changed about three times per-day (I still do). In middle school I did try to “fit in,” but as I gained friends I lost confidence within myself. Not until high school did I understand how much clothes, fashion, and style were a part of me. A muse, to me, speaks truth from their heart because passion is only sustainable when it flows from your heart.

Dancing With The Stars: Source

Dancing With The Stars: Source

Dancing With The Stars: Source

Dancing With The Stars: Source

Bravery

I started The Muse Closet to understand style beyond convention. What I have learned thus far is that style is not what you wear, but who you choose to be everyday—even when you’re faced with ridicule to be yourself. Individual style to me is to stand inside your skin and say, “here I am.” These are the qualities that I feel create a muse, so for 2012, I chose Chaz Bono as style inspiration. Chaz Bono is a 42-year-old man, born daughter of Cher and Sonny Bono, went through gender assignment surgery to become the person inside. With true power, heart, and bravery Chaz gave voice to those without. A muse is fearless and impactful beyond convention. His strength is what I wish to everyone for 2012—be fearless, confident and passionate. When you open your heart to yourself only good things can happen, even when faced with ridicule and despair. When you follow your truth, style is easy.

chaz-bono-lacey-schwimmer-twitter

chaz-bono-lacey-schwimmer-twitter

Chaz and Girlfriend

Chaz and Girlfriend

Dedicated to all my fashionable friends, see you in 2012

Special Thanks to Barry W. who suggested celebrity review. Not sure you had this in mind–surprise!!

Closet Confessions: Holiday Greetings

The Land of Misfit Toys

A-3 misfit toys

A-3 misfit toys

If you’re reading this post, you’re blessed; you have a computer, sight, and literacy. Creating my fashion blog has been a passionate outlet for me. I marvel to know that others read, watch, hate, and even connect with what I have to say.  For my first Christmas post I wanted to create a cosmic wish list of overpriced items I could never afford, for all of us to wish and hope for, until I saw Glee.

Arrived

Arrived

Like most people, I have no time for appointment television, so I PVR everything. With my last exam behind me, I can now watch all the mindless things I missed, but Glee sang to my heart with their Christmas episode, to remember a time of misfit toys.

What Glee so adamantly describes each episode is what being on the fringe really feels like; each song characterizes an emotional connection to community and self-discovery. Thereby developing a soundtrack for life. This is what fashion means to me.

Lost and Naked

Lost and Naked

Fashion is a language that can be used to express oneself without utterance. You can be anyone with fashion. When hope has escaped and you feel perplexed by society, fashion will be your transformative voice. Learning to speak with fashion can be difficult because it challenges an unconsciousness that is hidden from vision. With each misfit outfit a journey to a perfect fit becomes complete. A misfit is something that is incorrect for your body and personality. A perfect fit is something that describes your personal outlook and persona without masking signature style. Don’t allow your clothes to wear you; your clothes need to reflect individuality. Always changing, evolving and reinventing—no, not Madonna—fashion will give you peace when naked and alone.

A-1: Transform

A-1: Transform

For me, fashion describes mood and projects my ideas each day: sad, happy, or scared fashion is my background lyrical savior. What is the point to my fashion ramble of Glee and literature metaphor is that Christmas (holiday) is a time of reflection, love, and understanding. My holiday fashion wish is that you discover something new about yourself and transform an article of clothing to an expressive feeling that you cannot verbalize without style and flare.

–Happy Holidays!!

Behind The Scene

Closet Confessions: Cover Girls

Duran Duran: Love, Music, Fashion!

Bazaar--December 2011 Cover

Bazaar--December 2011 Cover

What do you get when you mix top models with music? A hot track! Harper’s Bazaar December 2011, British Edition, goes behind the scene of Duran Duran’s music video Girl Panic, documenting fabulous mega models.

Bazaar 2011 December: Girl Panic

Bazaar 2011 December: Girl Panic

I love mixing fashion, music, and models it just makes sense. Who doesn’t want to scream into a hair brush when they hear these songs!

And who can forget the ultimate Super Model Video, George Michael: Freedom ’90!

Muse Closet: Shop Talk

WoolRich

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

It’s always fun to watch theatrical fashion in magazine editorials and Gaga videos, however the rest of us live in the real world. One of the most wearable collections I saw during New York Fashion week was WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011. Designer, Paula Gerbase, who was born in Brazil and graduated from esteemed fashion school, Central Saint Martin, has blended her topical roots with British functionality. Fall/Winter 2011 WoolRich Black Label collection borrowed from men’s tailoring techniques to produce feminine shapes with soft fabrication.

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

Why I am discussing Fall/Winter 2011 fashion when spring is around the corner, simple fact: “sale time people!” Now is the time to grab fall pieces that will carryover to spring, while still picking up some cute warm pieces before New Year’s countdown. Winter can drag itself out, so you still want to look your best.

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

Spring/Summer 2012 Collections are full of masculine tailoring with feminine shapes, so you will be on point with your fall/winter carryover. My favorite would be WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011 navy faded print silk Georgette oversized t-shirt dress. This dress is a smart carryover as its timeless and elegant. For spring a great colored belt to cinch the waist for shape is perfect.

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

For Christmas dressing, take inspiration from WoolRich’s navy silk twill draped dress, I love the faux fur scarf for style detail. I did this look myself for a red carpet this fall—minus the dress.

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

Me with fur collar--Red Carpet

Here are some other great looks from WoolRich fall/winter 2011 collection you will want to check for inspiration.

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

WoolRich Fall/Winter 2011--Black Label

Platform Boot

Platform Boot

Here is a behind the scene studio interview with Designer Paula Gerbase.

Closet Confessions: Wedding Shoot

Test Shoot: Behind The Scene

I C U

I C U

Every so often I like to challenge myself with a styling project that is fresh. This past summer I had that chance while shooting my own personal photos. My photographer asked me to create a wedding dress of shopping bags for a magazine shoot. After a short pause, I accepted the challenge, and of course I only had seven days to complete the task. In the show, Mad Fashion, Chris March and his team also have a week to complete tasks, but they live in New York with everything at their doorstep, I need to have everything shipped to Vancouver.

Sketch

Sketch

My first line of defense was convincing Vera Wang to participate. I could only make a wedding dress of shopping bags from the number one wedding dress creator. Second mission, construct a team of craftsmen, Costume designer,Paul, and accessory designer, Kit, and myself as creative director—everyone needs a title. Last, create magic!

Boy Toy

Boy Toy

Fitting

Fitting

Now UPS, OMG… I hate them! Delayed service, l literary received my bags, which were my garment, a day before shooting—no pressure! With no time to fit the model, my male assistant doubled as fit model–saviour. Working through the entire night we finally finished our garment. The costume designer, Paul, amazing, he salvaged each bag to look like fabric, while accessory designer, Kit, created blooming rosettes out of Vera Wang tissue paper. The final result was breathtaking.

Primp

Primp

Model Dress

Model Dress

The two-day wedding shoot was fun because wedding magazines are always inspiring, as you’re creating a day of wonderment. Here are my photos from behind the scene.

Nice Day 4 a Wedding

Nice Day 4 a Wedding

Model Watch

Model Watch

Muse Closet: The Bag

Obsession: The Bag

Bacci's-Celine

Bacci's-Celine

Accessories play a delicate part when creating an ensemble, shoes and jewelry create style cohesion, but what accessory trumps them all—the bag. The iconography of designer culture is encapsulated in the bag; we covet it, we borrow it, we wait list for the bag.

Bacci's-Celine "Doctor Bag"

Bacci's-Celine "Doctor Bag"

No longer a logo driven product to produce brand identity and allegiance; the new bag is shaped in style, personality, and attitude. Always a game changer, Phoebe Philo shifts fashion’s direction once again at Celine. The bag is given new life by Philo’s functional, elegant, and brazen designs.

Phoebe Phio- W magazine

Phoebe Phio- W magazine

One of my favorite stores in Vancouver, where Celine is available, is Bacci’s. With home décor and fashion for both women and men, Bacci’s avant-garde collections deliver unique styleology.

Bacci's-Celine "Cabas Shopper"

Bacci's-Celine "Cabas Shopper"

Don’t worry boys, I haven’t forgotten you.

News Flash–backpack receives update! No longer just for the classroom, backpacks have gained style. The new backpack is ergonomic, stylish, and confident. Stylish tweeds and leather detail have replaced canvas and nylon. These new knapsacks go from jeans to suit with masculine shapes and edge.

Roden Gray-Nanamica

Roden Gray-Nanamica

Where did I get my favourite knapsack–Roden Gray, home to fashionable men and ladies apparel. Indy and establish brands, like Nanamica, share equal space in this two level loft style boutique. I personally love my Nanamica bag because of its utility and shape.

Roden Gray-Nanamica

Roden Gray-Nanamica

Where to find it…

Celine @ Bacci’s

2788 Grandville Street

Vancouver, B.C. Canada

604.733.4933

Nanamica @ Roden Gray

8 Water Street

Vancouver, B.C. Canada

www.rodengray.com

Wall Street 2 Main Street

Closet Profile: lalli loves it!

lilli loves it!

lalli loves it!

What do you do when your tired of running with the bulls and too young to retire?

lilli loves it!

lalli loves it!

You open the chicest little shop in Horseshoe Bay. Lalli loves it!  is a vintage and antique shop run by Laura Blodgett–the sweetest woman you’ll every meet. This former Wall Street player is knowledgeable about antiques and takes her costumer service from a retro manual–delightful and inviting. Laura always goes above and beyond to help find something special on your wish list.

lilli loves it!

lalli loves it!

lilli loves it!

lalli loves it!

This store is rich with vintage clothing, collectables, and darling antiques. Lalli loves it! is tucked away in Horseshoe Bay, but open the doors to be swept into a world of goodies that Laura loves to share!

lilli loves it!

lalli loves it!

lalli loves it!

6605 Royal Avenue

in Horseshoe Bay

West Vancouver, B.C.

604.912.0150

Rihanna

Rihanna

Star-Rihanna

Star-Rihanna

I am not a paparazzi journalist, as you can tell by my amateur photos, but I had to comment on this recent story I read in Star magazine.

This past summer I was in L.A. looking for a new red carpet outfit when a little birdie told me Vivienne Westwood opened her first North American store in L.A. on Melrose. I drove past the store many times during my trip, and it seemed close enough to my hotel to walk, after retuning my week long rental before my flight, I hit the streets and walked to Westwood, big mistake!

Star-Rihanna

Star-Rihanna

Walking down the very long blocks of L.A. in the hot sun, I would pop into stores to get cool to keep from passing out, and of course shopaholic that I am–buy something. Finally, with a million bags in hand and ready to faint from the sun, I almost gave up, when before me stood Westwood…

Out of breath and ready to pass out from heat stroke–shoes, bags, and clothes oh, my–got me back into gear. Me, and a group of shoppers, as you can see from my picture, who wouldn’t get out of my way, raided the racks of Westwood. Then all of a sudden a black SVU parked in front. A very skinny women stepped out of the car with gay-pal and body guard. I only glanced at first, and I washed her away for some tacky Beverly Hills housewife. I was wrong, it was Rihanna!

Vivienne Westwood--Rihanna

Vivienne Westwood--Rihanna

Vivienne Westwood--Rihanna

Vivienne Westwood--Rihanna

I do like her music, but I can’t say I was a fan before this moment. However, watching her made me love her more. She is so beautiful in real life, you almost forget how young and accomplished she is at her age. I assume her gay-pal sucking on a lollipop was her stylist, please girl let me help you. I saw her touch about three items before three sales associates started grabbing racks of clothes and rushing to a dressing room, must be nice, I could barely get them to give me water.

Vivienne Westwood--Sandals

Vivienne Westwood--Sandals

I digress, my sales associate helped me with some darling shoes, and as I stood at the counter I snapped her picture. I didn’t want to, but I had to. She was so amazing in real life. The Star article suggest that Rihanna is overworked and coping by partying. I don’t know if this is true or not, but I feel for her. Young starlets are pushed to the breaking point to release album after album and employee many people. The pressure can be immense for the experienced mogul businessman. Therefore to be twenty-something, perform, and manage millions could break anyone. The most disheartening part to me is that Rihanna was really alone; a bodyguard and stylist does not a friendship make. I guess that’s why so many starlets feel alone.

Jason Matlo: Men’s Collection

Designer Profile–Jason Matlo

Jason Matlo

Jason Matlo

Vancouver’s première designer Jason Matlo has created a new men’s wear collection. I had a moment to speak with him about his personal style, collection, and brand aesthetic.

Jason Matlo

Jason Matlo

Jason Matlo

Jason Matlo

Jason Matlo

Jason Matlo

Jason Matlo

Jason Matlo

Jason Matlo

Jason Matlo

www.jasonmatlo.com 

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