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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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The Real Men of Toronto

With men's fashion, I find that the men are always idealized and put into places that do not reflect them, or made to wear polished clothing even when they should look more rugged. I'm a big fan of seeing men's fashion all rugged and worn and also in a place that reflects the wearer.

With this in mind, meet Joel. Tall, dark and ruggedly handsome, Joel is an actor, carpenter and display artist for Urban Outfitters. With natural style, we chose an outfit that truly displayed who Joel is. The outfit consist of pieces he would be caught in while milling the streets of his Bellwoods neighbourhood, meeting friends at a pub for drinks or heading to work.

Because of this weather being in the negatives Joel goes out and about in layers on layer. On top we have a short fall jacket picked up at Urban Outfitters layered over his vintage Levi jean jacket (a staple in his wardrobe no matter what the season), this is layered over a grey ribbed cardigan from Club Monaco and the final layer in this ensemble is the white and burgundy tee which he can be caught in on a regular day. On the bottom we have a pair of his favourite pants, some khaki cargo-like pants. Joel's shoes are his go to during this snowy and wet season, a pair of durable Blundstone boots. Finally to top off the look we have a vintage red toque.

While in magazines we may see a man accessorized with a bag, drink or even a woman, Joel's accessory is his roadster bike, a staple in his day to day travels. Not only is this outfit fashionable but it is a mirror image of a typical outfit that Joel would be spotted in.

So look around you never know when you might see a real fashion inspiration milling about these busy streets of Toronto.

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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.

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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.

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 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. 

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

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