Showing posts with label clothing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clothing. Show all posts

Sunday, March 11, 2012

an adventure at the kodak company: maybe knowing isn't the point

 
 


So we showed up at this destroyed broken-glass, spray paint, cracked pavement and charcoal building with with our shopping bags and beautiful Tibi dress. The whole time, I was like, 'Alright, I hope the squatters are nice.' Even though we tried to shoot fast, she got mild frostbite and I got a cold. Yes, it was worth it though. I'm learning more and more that letting go and having faith can lead to fantastic surprises.


Ish - this is perfect, isn't it?:
Choke by Chuck Palhniuk:
We can spend our lives letting the world tell us who we are.
Sane or insane.Saints or sex addicts.Heros or victims.
Letting history tell us how good or bad we are.
Or we can decide for ourselves.
And maybe its our job to invent something better.
It's creepy,but here we are,the crackpots of our time, trying to
establish our own alternate reality.To build a world out of rocks and chaos.
What it's going to be, I don't know.
Even after all that rushing around,where we've ended up is the middle of
nowhere in the middle of the night.
And maybe knowing isn't the point.
Where we're standing right now,in the ruins in the dark,
What we build could be anything.


We do not steer the courses of the heart.
In spite of what the self-sure stoics say,
the passions answer to a deeper art.

Words impose, aver, but slide apart -
on deep privations, dictums hold no sway.
We do not steer the courses of the heart.

The logic of the cold physician’s chart
will never sort their mysteries away,
for passions answer to a deeper art.

Ascetics to their impulses impart
a crude mortification - even they
could never steer the courses of the heart.

What subtle origins give them their start
our partial, apish memories mislay,
and so they answer to a deeper art.

By slow revision, they play their part;
not them to us, but we to them obey.
We do not steer the courses of the heart.
Our passions answer to a deeper art.
We do not steer the courses of the heart.
In spite of what the self-sure stoics say,
the passions answer to a deeper art.

Words impose, aver, but slide apart -
on deep privations, dictums hold no sway.
We do not steer the courses of the heart.

The logic of the cold physician’s chart
will never sort their mysteries away,
for passions answer to a deeper art.

Ascetics to their impulses impart
a crude mortification - even they
could never steer the courses of the heart.

What subtle origins give them their start
our partial, apish memories mislay,
and so they answer to a deeper art.

By slow revision, they play their part;
not them to us, but we to them obey.
We do not steer the courses of the heart.
Our passions answer to a deeper art.
Credits:
Ish: Model, makeup
Jen: Photographer, stylist, props maker
Dress: Rent Frock Repeat (founded by two awesome ladies in Toronto)
An adventure at the old Kodak Factory at Eglinton and Keele

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

post-holiday shopping: Hermes, the Greek Messenger flats




Flats with wings, by Jeremy Scott. Available at the Adidas store on Queen.

These are a dream. It feels like you can fly, like Hermes the Greek Messenger.

Just something different to pick up while you enjoy post-holiday sales (Let's all admit quietly that this is one of the best sales seasons of the year. And that you avoid buying stuff all year just to get the price cuts around this time. So you can avoid feeling guilty for indulgent purchases. Just saying.)

Hope you're having a wonderful holiday season *with people you love, 
Jen.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

The Fairies Pyjamas

I found the Lululemon of the alternative culture - The Fairies Pyjamas. I was stunned when I stepped in. It was so anti-trends. Feather earrings? Leather rings? Unstructured clothing? Awesome. And affordable. It was like what I imagine the original Free People brand was sort of like.
Ish trying to decide on an outfit for hoola hooping at the Harvest festival

Feather goodies and more:

The story with the Fairies Pyjamas is based on Michelle, the owner, who met a business partner on her travels abroad. She met an artisan who wanted to open up a store based on hand-made accessories and unique clothing. So they set off! They visited different manufacturers around Asia, and decided to work with a Fair Trade manufacturer in Napal to bring their designs to life. Now, their store has grown to two locations, with even more partners carrying their designs. I recently met Morgan the White from The Clothing Show, and now they carry her line of earrings, and the products of many other awesome artists. It takes a lot of hard work to make the store happen, but it sounds like a traveller's dream, no?

The Fairies Pyjamas tells their story here.
in Kensington Market

Jen.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

a summer experience with The Nawhal

Hello! We're back! And here's to the love of summer, and (less) clothing:

From day:

Flirting in a tribal, geometric dress by Mara Hoffman
Waking up in a lemon tank and leopard pants
Going out in a bright jeans and loose top (bag: Ish's)
To night: 
Lounging in a tangerine dress with cool rope belt, and Peace Treaty scarf
Strolling in feathery laser cut skirt and sequins jacket
Wondering in Haute Hippie beaded dress
We produced this photoshoot as an ode to the summer. The Narwhal is a gem of a clothing boutique in the Rosedale neighborhood featured above. The store concept goes against the fast fashion grain, which means that you'll reach for these pieces for a long time to come. Their selection is totally stunning with geometric prints, bold colors, and luscious fabrics. You should see their fall collection. Marisa and Sydney opened the boutique late in 2010, are so friendly to work with. With their personally selected collection that is beautiful and comfortable, I can only imagine what their own closets look like.

A big thanks and high-five to: 
Model: Ish
Makeup artist: Elle Sugar
Stylist: Ramine Haider, JenXu
Photographer: Linna Xu
and Cafe Uno for letting us chill there in between takes
and Blackbird Vintage Store for letting us play in the store
and the Distillery District for letting us shoot in the area

Much love!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

The Clothing Show Part 1

When I set my mind to go to the Clothing Show, I told myself "Do not buy anything." Which was inherently silly. It's like going to a buffet and not eating anything. So that lasted for about 10 minutes. I purchased the products of the three women below who were my highlights of the show.

Priya Means Love
Priya makes an extensive line of handmade, 100% natural bath and body products made in the Annex. This Ginger Mint Foot Soother actually works great on the feet after an evening of tennis. It smells so good, I kind of want to eat my feet. Please make an ice cream flavor out of this to save me from myself. More on her esty page.

Dear Sukie
These are hand made wallets by Kristy. They come in tons of patterns, and the wallet has enough room for cards, and a zipper pouch for change (great). Kristy makes them in Toronto on her sewing machine. She also showed off her stuff on the Martha Stewart show. More on her etsy site.
My wallet by Dear Sukie


Subject II Change
This was my favorite booth at the show. There was so much eye candy here from cameo rings, beading, charms, leather with zebra carpet and a mini taj mahal. AJ, the designer, makes these great items in Toronto by hand. She certainly has a brilliant eye for style. Available on her etsy site.
AJ
Much appreciation to talented artisans,
Jen.