Designer Dimanche: Ashtiani

The ultimate summer staple: the pistachio silk georgette maxi dress. 

Golnaz Ashtiani continues to wow the crowds with her sophisticated classic beauty influences and precision cutting.

In April 2011, she won TFI’s new label competition for her f/w 2011 collection based on Tamara De Lempicka’s art decoratifs paintings (a one-of-a-kind inspiration I might add).

Her s/s 2012 collection took on new explorations:  “1960’s-era fashion and lifestyle magazines” and the classic Hollywood blockbuster with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday were Ashtiani’s creative sources. The final result was a 15-piece runway show filled with delicate drape detailings, shiny silks, violet and pistachio hues to die for and modern tailoring that gave authentic pieces a present-day approach.

I am not usually one to rave about the colour violet but Ashtiani changed my mind instantly: she made the colour look wearable. She coordinated the hue with vanilla whites, lemons and cream “crepe de chine” for a contrasting effect. A favourite violet-based outfit of mine was the belted violet silk vest paired with a vanilla white structured dress with soft pleats in lemon. I completely adored the perfect combination and the square-shaped vest Ashtiani crafted. I could go on and on about her designs because I surprised myself wanting to explore my ultra-feminine side I often repress. Another ultimate piece I must write about is the pistachio silk georgette maxi dress with soft pleats. It was the last run-of-show dress. Its delicacy, sheerness and the soft pleated cut-out front will remain imprinted in my mind for a good while. What a style-inspiring collection it was!

– Claire Miglionico

Photo source by:  chantalenadeau.com

Designer Dimanche: Amanda Lew Kee

Amanda Lew Kee graduated from Ryerson University’s bachelor of design in 2010. In 2008, she started her own jewelry line which then progressed into women’s ready-to-wear. For her s/s 2012 collection, she incorporated green plastic visors that instantly made me think of Lacoste. Lew Kee’s designs were no where near Lacoste’s conservative cuts but the tennis/sporty influence was there. It was as if Lew Kee had raided Lacoste shops across the country and revamped its collections entirely with gold zipper detailings, kaleidoscope-inspired prints, electric blues and silks.

Amanda Lew Kee, photo by Jenna Marie Wakani for Toronto Life

The runway show was composed of fifteen summer-ready outfits of various kinds. I liked how Lew Kee thought of creating an entire and exciting wardrobe instead of focusing only on key pieces such as dresses or dress shirts. Dress shirts were present and so were tennis skirts, biker shorts, pants, maxi and razor back dresses. This collection was by far one of my favourites because of its nifty designs. A model strutted in a silk dress shirt and white leather front biker shorts. The details were simply amazing: from the bust up, the shoulders were covered in sheer white silk while the rest of the dress shirt was patterned in blue, orange and purple kaleidoscopic prints minus the cuffs that were also kept white. As for the biker shorts, the white leather surrounded a centered band of see-through material on each thigh front which fitted tightly around the thighs hitting right above the knee. Each outfit was paired with glossy all-black saddle- or brogue-like shoes.

Lew Kee has already worked closely with the entertainment industry. She has worked with HBO’s True Blood, Deadmau5 and has been recognized as “a designer to watch” in publications such as The Globe and Mail, Teen Vogue and FLARE Magazine. We might as well start watching her closely too!

– Claire Miglionico


Photo Credit: fashionist.ca 

Designer Dimanche: Chloe Comme Parris

The name Chloe Comme Parris  has a poetic ring I’d love to give to a fashion house of my own. I quickly got attached to the name and then to its contemporary designs. Earlier in the month, I had read a story by Sarah Nicole Prickett in the October 2011 issue of FLARE Magazine which labeled Chloe and Parris Gordon, 23 and 21 in age – the Toronto-based sister duo behind Chloe Comme Parris – “up-and-coming designers." A few photos from the fall 2011 collection had me instantly hooked. A breezy long-sleeved and loose-fitted almost floor-length black dress made me think of Mary-Kate Olsen’s sense of dress. In the story, Chloe explains she’s always had a fascination for Louis XVI fashion: “[the men] wore velvet leggings with coattails and vests. So they had structure on top and then a skinny leg. I think that’s how women want to look today – or at least, we do”.

Chloe Comme Parris’s s/s 2012 collection took on a different influence than that of Louis XVI. Some say the collection gave off a modern-day Victorian vibe. The audience was greeted to a multicolored splash-painted runway and a few paintings which hung on white walls. The “artist”-inspired decor gave the initial thought of a paintbrush-inspired wardrobe, but instead guests were greeted to either head-to-toe outfits in soft hues, dark hues and sometimes mixed and patterned hues. The collection had great diversity from all-white cropped pants paired with a buttoned collarless jacket to flowy Victorian blue outfits to a comfy grey sweater with a long patterned prairie skirt in soft hues paired with the “must-have” backpack the sisters fight over. Each outfit had jewelry designed by Parris while Chloe focuses mostly on textiles. Chloe Comme Parris’ s/s 2012 collection sometimes resembled Denis Gagnon’s similar fun and youthful inspirations he had for his s/s 2012 collection.

- Claire Miglionico  


Photo credit by Jenna Marie Wakani for Toronto Life

Behind-The-Scenes: a short film in the Crowsnest Pass

Kaila in the "meadow". 

It started with a Monday morning of Raleigh in my car. Then, chills down my spine which meant an idea was slowly started to form from the music: vivid imagery of a girl frolicking somewhere in the countryside.
For the past couple months, I've been meaning to get together with my friend Ali Frost to create a short film of some sort but the inspiration was just not there. Well, believe it or not, this time around, we did not waste time.
The idea blossomed on Monday, we talked about it the day of and also found an actor that very same day; we also had our first meeting discussing the storyboard, and the film's shooting location. On Tuesday, we finished the storyboard and on Wednesday, we met up with Kaila, our solo actress for the project.

We shot the film in the beautiful Crowsnest Pass on Saturday. It was the perfect location with lots of green fields, beautiful scenic views, and ghostly towns. It was great to also catch up with Kevin, a friend of ours who has been living in the Pass for the past two years as a reporter for The Crowsnest Pass Promoter.

It was a great weekend of productivity and creativity and a great time to catch up with old friends.

Thanks to Ali, Kaila, Kaila's lovely assistant, Eymeric and Kevin for the lovely day in the mountains.

protecting myself from the mosquitos!

Kaila serene

still asleep but soon to be awake 

in focus. 

rolling camera! meadow shot!

big-ass tire

purrrdy view!

Mediterranean-style house in deserted Coleman, AB

spin away

abandoned farmhouse

talking to director Ali 

stretch!

bench shot

the train came! 

making of a fish with a rusty railway nail. *sketchy* - the nail part. 

Photography by Claire Miglionico. Shots of me by Eymeric Widling. 

Designer Dimanche: Krane

Fresh and innovative design concepts are often lacking in men fashion hence why I am always happy to see more emerging designers focusing on our beloved, yet at times, unfashioned men.

Ready-to-wear men fashion tends to stick to the conventional and “safer” roads known to the North American average Joe. But for Ken Chow – creative director and founder at Krane – his designs go beyond the normative rules, re-interpreting classic pieces in men fashion all-together. Krane’s s/s 2012 collection was showcased in an innovative and creative way. Although I overheard the photo pit complain about how difficult it was to shoot the show, to me, it was the perfect interactive and conceptual presentation we’d been missing all week.

Cute indie nerds walked the runway in vintage boyish looks and uniforms very reminiscent of the 1940s and 1950s. Chow’s minimalist approach was prevalent in his re-invention of the white dress shirt: leather harness-like straps englobed the shirts and  boldly-coloured zippers were sewed onto the front of shirts.  Bow ties, gelled hair combed to the side, Wayfarer style sunglasses and Doc Marten boots made for an eclectic/classic with a modern twist look.

Models would swagger to the end of the runway to pause mid-way in front of a display of mismatched whites and blues on their way back. Models would adopt poses at various angles: sideways and face-to-face with the audience (for detail viewing I presume). Some adopted a rather swervy route passing behind other displays to pick up bags of different shapes and forms to then hook them up onto these very same displays. Once all bags were hung, bag-less models came by to unhook the bags and carry them away.

Adorable waxed cotton and leather carry-alls and a light grey-green jacket that converted into an over-the-shoulder accessory were also sported by our nerds.

For me, this show was a breath of fresh air because Krane does men fashion the way it should be done: innovative and fearless.

– Claire Miglionico

Photo Credit: Peroni Moda Files 

Designer Dimanche: Juma

Alia (design director) and Jamil (creative director) Juma are the brother-sister effort behind the internationally-acclaimed unisex ready-to-wear and accessories line Juma. The unisex concept is an interesting one: Alia and Jamil wanted to create clothes they could both share. As globe-trotters having lived in Kenya, Russia, Los Angeles and Montreal, travel and art are among Juma’s top inspirations. Without any doubt does Juma cater to the hip younger crowd. After all, their line is highly influenced by young celebrities. Recently, they have created “custom printed outfits” for hip-pop queen Nicki Minaj. Similar colourful printed outfits were found in their s/s 2012 collection presented at Toronto’s fashion week. The runway show was an equally “in” show with “Pumped up Kicks” by Foster the People blaring through the speakers while models showed off Juma’s latest designs: re-imagined animal prints, geometric patterns and bright feather-peacock prints. The studio was lit purple and created a mod ambiance. The runway was surrounded by mannequins showcasing silk headscarfs of various prints (my favourite was the giraffe-inspired one!). Models’ hair were gilded in gold sparkles, a personal touch I liked very much. Designs seemed to be highly influenced by African tunics as most outfits were free-flowing, loose-fitting shirts and pants perfect for an urban summer getaway if paired with heels or the perfect beach or music festival outfit paired with a simple pair of flats. Juma’s designs were flattering. Definitely the kind of ready-to-wear I’d enjoy sporting!

– Claire Miglionico

photo credit: Sabrina Maddeaux

Left on Houston

Left on Houston sweater from the spring 2012 collection. Cute!

I'm finally getting around to sorting out my over-abundance of clothes and there's this gray sweater I wear a lot with shiny silver dots on the front and bubbly sleeves. It's 10% cashmere and 90% cotton. Its simplicity and elegance drew me to buy it. I bought it at Danielle's Consignment on 17th ave in Calgary for cheap and I don't regret the purchase at all. I don't really look at labels when I buy. If I like it and it looks/fits good, I'll usually get it.  But when I was sorting out clothes today, I took a closer look at its label. It read "Left on Houston". Curiosity took over and I googled it to find really comfortable, loose-fitting and neutral-toned garments from the US-based clothing company. Their spring 2012 collection looks great! The kind of style I like in my clothes: minimalist, elegance, looseness, sheerness.

Glad I looked it up! If I were a buyer, Left on Houston would certainly be on the list.


----------


List of independent stores in Calgary, AB that carry Left on Houston:
Anthropologie also carries the brand.

1.01

CRABAPPLE COTTAGE

3526 GARRISON GATE SW

CALGARY

AB

T2T 6N1

CA

Get Directions

4036863661

2

1.41

AZUL COUTURE

914 - 15TH AVE. S.W.

CALGARY

AB

T2R 0S3

CA

Get Directions

403 695 1320

3

1.85

SPLASH OF FASHION

200 - 1211 KENSINGTON ROAD NW

CALGARY

AB

T2N 3P6

CA

Get Directions

4032833353

4

1.94

QUEEN BOUTIQUE

1109 A KENSINGTON ROAD

CALGARY

AB

T2N 3P2

CA

Get Directions

403 283 2227

5

1.94

MEALAN

1518 4TH ST. S.W.

CALGARY

AB

T2R 0Y4

CA

Get Directions

403 457 4020

6

5.13

SOMETHING 2 WEAR

118-236 ASPEN GLEN LANDING SW

CALGARY

AB

T3H 0N5

CA

Get Directions

403-457-1182

cheap Ikea finds

Ironically, ever since I've been done journalism school, I've been wanting to undertake something completely different: interior design (but for now, I'm highly thinking of turning Hipster in a Tub in a feature-length design blog starting in September).

I've been reading design magazines – Dwell, Canada's Style at Home and Anthology (found in Cathedral Village in Regina, SK) – and been looking up design ideas and design blogs. Anything design will hype me up which makes me think it could be the passion I've been looking for for a very long long time!
Even the trip to Ikea today was nothing unusual but always fun for cheap finds such as scented candles, clocks, and pillows.

Boyfriend's been wanting me to "spice up his place" so here's what we brought home with us today.

Olunda picture frame. Motif created by Jane Ormes, $14.99

Skor wall clock, glass $12.99

Gislev rug in red, $29.99 

Klabb table lamp in pink, $29.99

Eivor Fagel cushion in red, $7.99

West 49 photoshoot

Photography: EYMERIC WIDLING

Wearing: WEST 49
Location: Fishcreek, Calgary AB

It's spring time and I got mee-self some fresh new garbs from WEST 49. Thanks to my good friend Widling & thanks to WEST 49, we were able to get a good photo shoot going giving it a skate-girl vibe. I was able to create four different outfits with one cami, one pair of denim shorts, dark denim skinny jeans, and a slouchy sweater. Hope it inspires.

Enjoy!

- Claire

First Outfit: Flower cami & flowered cut-off denim shorts, West 49; earrings are vintage; sunglasses, H&M; bracelet was brought back from my cousin's trip to Ethiopia; pink and white comfy socks, Aerie; shoes, Macbeth; and skateboard, The Source. 

close-up of shorts. Nicely ripped-up. Amen.

Favourite photo! See above for description.

Second Outfit: Jeans and slouchy sweater, West 49; deer brass ring, Buddha by Night; sunglasses, bracelet and earrings, see above; shoes, USED House of Vintage. 

Third Outfit: Sittin' on the rocks. Slouchy sweater and shorts, West 49. See above photos for all other accessories. 

close-up! 

Fourth outfit: Chillin' in the sun with ma eyes closed! (haha) See above for description.

Yoga Schedule and Back to Life.

It's been a good two months I haven't done any yoga and I need it like a coffee addict needs its coffee. It's been a good month I haven't done anything productive it feels like. I sit on my ass a lot wondering how to get it together and which direction I want to take with life and this blog. I finally graduated from journalism and ever since my last exam, I have been extremely lazy, sleepy and unmotivated. It's been getting better and sharing this yoga schedule will help me get back on track! My goal isn't to go to yoga everyday. Once a week for the first and second week, then going back to twice a week for the third, fourth and fifth week, then by the sixth week three times a week. 

As for my blog, I'm seriously thinking of getting some sweet freelance interior stories done on a regular basis comes September. 

I got quite down thinking I wasn't able to see things clearly but, in all honesty, I think sitting down and doing nothing helped me see clearly. It's been a good month of watching movies, eating out, going out, drinking with friends and not getting anything done and now I feel finally ready to get back on track and achieving some of my biggest goals. 

I do yoga at Pro Bodies in Marda Loop. 

Here's when I could go to yoga:

MONDAY - Yoga from the Heart 5:30 pm

TUESDAY - Yoga from the Heart 9:30 am 

WEDNESDAY - Structural Yoga 7 pm

THURSDAY - Yoga from the Heart 9:30 am 

FRIDAY - Yoga from the Heart 9:30 am

SATURDAY - Yoga from the Heart 10:00 am 

SUNDAY - Yoga 9:30 am 

Some benefits yoga provides me with:
-calmness
-coolness
-collectedness
-happiness
-disappearance of moodiness
-flexibility
-disappearance of anxiety
-confidence
-self-awareness