Knitting isn't just a chic trend for your grandmothers anymore

Well, despite what the title says knitting has always been an ongoing quiet trend. Globally, most runway garments and accessories produced include knitwear. Back in 2007, Vogue's September issue featured a personal favourite winter accessory, Giles' ready-to-wear tangerine oversize wool scarf. Its appearance is definitely over-sized and chunky and still to this day, lovable. 

Here are photos of my own knitting project.

Here I used one knit and one pearl pattern to create the "V" pattern in yarn on the good side.

1/640 | F2.2 | ISO400

I used a 15" in-the-round needle with a light rose pink and navy blue yarns.

In-the-round needles are typically used for circle scarves or any knitwear with infinity circular shape. I used these needles, because they provide a flexible and more comfortable longer needle length for the project I wanted to begin.

1/640 | F2.2 | ISO400 

The project is still on its way, but I have displayed knitting still in progress on the needle 

(left side of photo) and part of the finished knitting as well (right side of photo).

1/640 | F2.2 | ISO400

There is a website called Ravelry, where knitting and crochet patterns, tutorials, photos and stories are shared with others who apply for a free account on their website. Again, anyone can join! Can't wait until they create an app for smartphones so I can knit on the go.

Some stores in Toronto that offer great selection of yarns and needles are Romni and Americano. Romni has a plethora selection of yarns to choose from. 

Americano has smaller floor space, but the employees are very warm and welcoming. The environment is very cozy and everything is very neatly organized as well. Upon my first visit to the store I was offered free knitting pattern with my yarn purchase. Although there are many tutorials online for knitting and crocheting, the offer of the free pattern is a nice gesture. Definitely a store to have great rapport with the employees there.

Keep calm and Knit on!

From LaSalle to LaRunway

Went to Toronto's 2014 MasterCard Fashion Week 
a couple weeks ago to support 
Aime by designer Monica Mei again, 
except this time after her showcase
 I was able to see a different world of fashion, 
the Runway.

1/1250 | f/2.0 | ISO 1600

This runway showcased Claudette Floyd's pieces.
She studied at LaSalle College based in Montreal, 
hence the lovely punned title (hey, at least I tried!).
Here are a couple of my favourite pieces from her show.

1/1250 | f/2.0 | ISO 400

Love the sheer fabric flowing behind this model as she does her catwalk.

1/1250 | f/2.0 | ISO 400

This piece is lovely as well, the top had an interesting pattern cut, so I took many shots until I found one that displayed the pattern best. The rest of the day was quiet for myself and my last thoughts that day were,
"Toronto city is so pretty."

P.S. You can also take a look at Claudette Floyd's other garments at this link here: 
CLAUDETTE by Claudette Floyd

Happy Belated International Women's Day!

I went to the Women Support Women's shop event this weekend held on Saturday at the Hyatt hotel near Museum TTC station. I was supporting Toronto designer Monica Mei and her design label called Aime Luxury. We were located near the window, so there was a great amount of sunlight. A great view of the city as well.

Shutter Speed:1/320     F-Stop:5     ISO: 400

This t-shirt below is made from water-based india ink and is sourced from the fiber level as a sustainable product. And 25% of the proceeds goes to the World Vision, specifically to the Typhoon Haiyan Relief. 

Shutter Speed:1/320     F-Stop:3.2     ISO: 400

The undergarments below is upcycled cashmere underwear! A good friend of Monica Mei's brand is called Sartoria and she sells recycled material luxury garments.

Shutter Speed:1/320     F-Stop:3.2     ISO:400

And this is the designer of Aime Luxury, Monica Mei sitting in front of her booth proudly presenting her new collection at the Women Support Women's shop event.

Shutter Speed:1/320     F-Stop:5     ISO:400

More than a simple dress..

Fashion is so much more than just making garments. Fashion is a form of art which gives you the ability to combine many of your interests and loves. One of my loves since high school has been engineering. After a year of studying at the Fashion Communication program of Ryerson University i learned how to combine my two loves, fashion and engineering. 

This dress has 4 circular vinyl pieces which spin around with the help of 4 battery powered gear motors.

ISO 400 F 5.6 S 1/60

(Photoshoped Br/Co 50/30)

Using a lot of equipment from Home Depot, a small electronic shop at College and Spadina and fabric stores, i was able after a week of hard work to put this dress together and showcase it at the second Wearable Art Show.

The 2 gear motors in front of the chest had 60rpm (rounds per minute), so when the model breathes and her chest moves it will not affect the spinning of the circular panel.

The other 2 gear motors wear 100rpm.

ISO 200 F 5.0 S 1/30

(Photoshoped Br/Co 34/27)

 Using a lot of techniques which i learned from my first year in Design class i was able to sew the vinyl pieces together and create the circular panels. 

ISO 200 F5.0 S 1/30

(Photoshoped Br/Co 46/21)

Fashion gives you the ability to challenge yourself and your creativity, to push your imagination to its limits and create something beautiful.

ISO 400 F 4.5 S 1/30

(Photoshoped Br/Co 0/60)

Competition Fashion

The temperature is dropping outside but it's heating up for Ryerson's Varsity Figure Skating Team as they enter competition season. Here are some tips on how they find the perfect balance of staying cozy and looking cute rink-side.

Keeping warm is definitely key for skaters as they spend hours at the rink physically competing and cheering each other on from the stands. Team spirit is evident and together they make quite an entrance arriving coordinated in their gorgeous jet-black down-filled matching Team Canada Goose jackets.  

1/60,  f.5.6,  ISO 3200

Individually they also exude confidence and originality while keeping toasty warm. 

Steph shows her personal style by bundling up in a classic plaid scarf she found at Target.

1/60,  f.5.6,  ISO 3200

Mel shows her team spirit by wearing her Ryerson beanie sponsored by Adidas.  

1/80,  f.5.6,  ISO 3200

This supportive look continues down to Julia’s feet as she sports a Ryerson cobalt blue pair of Uggs.

1/100,  f.5.6,  ISO 3200

Figure skater fashion primarily focuses on function - staying warm and secondary on following current trends while simultaneously supporting University Team colours too. 

You can easily use these skater styling tips when dressing for everyday chilly winter weather or next time you come out to support a Ryerson University event at the rink (such as the Figure Skating OUA Championships February 13-14th). Either way you will beat the chill and heat up some attention in these fun frosty fashions.