The Well Dressed Man (NOVEMBER 2011)

Check out my style feature "the Well-Dressed Man" (Page 44) in the November issue of SHARP magazine, featuring Johnny Depp!

the Peacock Parade's "Off the Runway"

Canadian fashion is quickly on its way up. The underdogs in the industry, artistic minds like Joe Mimran (of Joe Fresh and Club Monaco fame) and Mark Fast are championing our nation's cause in an arena dominated by American and European designers. Although Canada may not be the first to come to mind when thinking of fashion, our nation boasts an impressive roster of talent that has received recognition and respect across a wide expanse of industries. Even with all that we have to be proud of, however, there always seems to be a lack of enthusiasm when it comes to buying Canadian and supporting domestic talent - a hurdle that has undoubtedly prevented many of Canada's brightest stars from achieving success.

Jan Gandhi and Nancy Sahota are the creative forces behind the Peacock Parade, an online destination for retail enthusiasts to delight in designer goods offered at discounted prices. Through their business, the two women recently launched "Off the Runway", an initiative that is as much about accessibility to consumers as it is about the cultivation of homegrown talent - something that I fully support and am so happy to see in the Canadian market.

Music Minute

Love.This.SONG!
It's simple, yet effective. In her videos, I find that she can often come across as a bit of an over-enthusiastic try-hard. Here, though, she seems completely sincere in the way she delivers. It's a great video that really showcases her vocal range and dancing abilities.

Check out Love On Top after the jump!

Genette Salgado S/S '12

I realize i'm a little tardy to the party on this one, but any chance to highlight some great, local talent, and i'm on board! Genette Salgado is a designer of versatility, flare, and sophistication, key components that contribute to a formula for success. She recently showcased her latest collection, Not Fade Away, at Western Canada Fashion Week (which, by the way, is now the third largest fashion week in Canada), and did not disappoint!

Tribute

This past weekend was Thanksgiving, and now, more than ever, i've come to realize how much there is to be thankful for in life. It seems that with each passing year, there comes forth new challenges, moments of joy, wisdom, and appreciation. The last two years have not been easy for my family. Yet despite the hardships that we have endured, we have also been able to grow and learn more in these past few years than ever before. It is a bit funny (and ironic) how troubled times can bring individuals together, a collective gathering of support and love. Dare I say, blessings in disguise? Hmm, perhaps it's a bit early to make such bold statements. However, the lessons that we've learned from these experiences are ones that I am entirely grateful for, despite the fire that we had to walk through in order to attain them.

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 :) 

Le Male

Over the summer, in preparation for the Fall/Winter 2011 issue of the "Book For Men", distributed by SHARP magazine, I had the most wonderful opportunity to interview Francis Kurkdjian. Although certainly not a household name, Kurkdjian has worked with some of the most influential designers and fashion houses in the industry, from Dior and Lanvin to Ferragamo and Gaultier, as a master perfumer. In fact, Kurkdjian is responsible for creating the most commercially successful cologne in the marketplace (Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier), and was able to do so right out of school, no less. In other words, he's kind of a big deal. Calling into Paris on a sunny morning in Toronto, I was pleased to find out that the man remained polite and charming, despite his reputation and success. We chatted about his triumphs and history, work in the industry, experiences with designers, and the process required to create a scent, from formulation to production. It truly was a fascinating discussion! You can read my article in the F/W 2011 issue of the "Book for Men", by SHARP magazine, or continue below! I've included supplementary material from the interview that we weren't able to fit into the book, so please enjoy!