TOMKOW + CHUNG F/W 2011 (Behind-the-Scenes)

Back in September, one of my good friends, Brittanee, and I held our own show at Western Canada Fashion Week in a partnership with Goodwill Industries. Our task, as stylists, was to create a collection sourced entirely from Goodwill locations to showcase vintage fashion. Not only were we able to gain invaluable experience (ex. always have a plan B/C/D/E/F/G/etc.), but it was a great way for the company to rebrand and open itself to a new audience! You can take a look at images from our lookbook and runway show here. Anyway, throughout the process, we took some images of some candid moments behind the scenes. From hair and makeup to a segment on the Global Morning Show, I thought you might enjoy browsing through the pictures. However, be warned, some were taken on my extremely capable camera phone (note: sarcasm) and are notably blurry. Enjoy!

TOMKOW + CHUNG F/W 2011 Collection

Finally! The images have come back and I can, at long last, show everyone the collection that we worked so hard on for Western Canada Fashion Week! Where do I even begin? My creative partner, Brittanee Tomkow, and I entered the Emerging Stylist competition for fashion week last year, which involved styling an outfit completely sourced from Goodwill Industries with a budget of $75. We ended up winning the competition with a colour-blocked outfit that reflected much of what was being shown on the international runways that season. Our ensemble ended up totaling just under $35 from head to toe and really displayed the fact that fashion need not always be expensive or inaccessible. As our prize, we were given the amazing opportunity to showcase an entire collection of looks, styled by us and sourced from Goodwill, for the Fall/Winter 2011 season!

Look Book: Colour-Blocked

I don't know what it is about this particular trend that I seem to have such a high affinity for, but I am all about the colours this season! It's not even really my style either, as I prefer to go with more subtle patterns and colours over the flashier variety. Perhaps it's the vibrancy and optimism that seem to come with this particular aesthetic that i've become so enamored with. Given certain events that have occurred in my personal life, a little colour is precisely what is needed in order to liven up a setting.

For those of you wanting to try this particular look, just remember, balance is key. Too little, and you're missing the whole point. Too much, and suddenly you've joined the circus. Tread carefully. Pick one statement colour (in this case, my mustard yellow pants), and build your outfit around it with colours that will complement and anchor it down. I like to keep things fairly simple, so any more accent colours on me, and i'll feel like a clown. Others, however, will incorporate a palette consisting of colours all across the board - and pull it off. It all depends on your style, and how well you can balance each element together!

Look after the jump for credits :) 

TOMKOW + CHUNG

The show we put on for Western Canada Fashion Week went better than we hoped for, and could not have been any happier! I really want to show everyone the pictures that we took, but it looks like it's going to take about another week for us to get images back. However, i'd rather you see the images in the best possible way rather than see them early, so i'm happy to wait a little longer :)

Stay tuned!!

Original Gangsters

Featured in the September 2011 issue of SHARP Magazine is a piece called, "Original Gangsters". It basically highlights how the heritage/vintage look is now, and always has been, "in". While this particular aesthetic may be a current trend, dressing smart has always been a classic standard that men can rely on for a great look. To add fuel to effect, I interviewed John Dunn and Lisa Padovani, costume directors of the hit HBO series "Boardwalk Empire", to get their take on this great sartorial philosophy, since much of this aesthetic is displayed throughout the show. You can read the feature in the magazine, out on stands now, or the full interview below!

5 Points to Remember When You Shop Vintage

Until fairly recently, I was a bit unaware of the joys and wonders of vintage shopping. Boy was I missing out!!! Since participating in a little merchandising showcase for Goodwill Industries, an entirely new world of sartorial choices has been opened up to me! Whether that's a good or bad thing depends on your perspective. Let's just say, my wallet is consistently famished while my wardrobe remains momentarily satiated. Oh, the plight of the fashion obsessed.

I wrote an article today for SHARP Magazine focusing on things that every vintage hunter should know. You can check out the article online here, or continue reading below!

Can You Say "Whistle Range"?

This makes me happy.

Vintage Hunters

Craving some good vintage finds, my friends and I decided to take a lovely little stroll down Kensington market and Queen Street West on a sunny saturday afternoon. Vintage shopping can be a really interesting experience. You honestly don't ever know what to expect, it's very hit or miss. But every once in a while, you'll find a gem amidst a pile of junk that'll be the exact piece you were looking for. And the fact that it's vintage, that it's pre-worn, means that there is a story behind that piece, a history - I like that.

"Alexander McQueen, et ou"

One of the many great things about living in this city is the sheer amount of fashionable diversity there is (actually, diversity in general!) From the department stores right down to the streets, the selection is enough to make any wallet tremble in fear. And let's not even get started on the designer trunk shows and sample sales. If you know what's what, you'll probably be able to at least find one or the other (or both) every week!

WCFW Emerging Stylist Competition

I recently participated in the Emerging Stylist Competition with my friend, Brittanee, for Western Canada Fashion Week’s spring/summer 2011 showcase - and came in first place!

Each article of clothing had to come from a Goodwill Industries store, as they were the official sponsors of the competition. In my opinion, this requirement was genius on Goodwill’s part, as it showcased their offerings to a new target audience (young, stylish, students) that people might not normally associate with the company. Personally, I was opened up to an entirely new world of vintage fashion, making for a very exciting experience!

A Little Goodwill

My friend, Brittanee, and I took part in a merchandising showcase for Goodwill Industries, where individuals pulled looks to create a window display for the company. In addition, the showcase was also to promote Goodwill’s upcoming role as official sponsor of the Emerging Stylist Competition for Spring/Summer 2011 Western Canada Fashion Week.