Miss SLY!™: March 2009

Showing newest 5 of 17 posts from March 2009. Show older posts

March 31, 2009

Exclusive Interview with Jeff from PRC-2

I wish I had a sound bite of his electrifying trademark laugh, to play along this interview, but I'm sure you can find it on the PRC-2 website, amongst others Designers' antics

Jeff Mackinnon, the Toronto Based Designer who contributed to PRC-2 with his talent and dramaless personality, often remained unphased despite the petty quarrell and bickering of other designers, as challenges got more and more competitive.

i.e: One that spur some drama and noise was his drawn on stitches on the reversible dress he made for his last challenge - which I thought was a very resourceful and creative approach, by the way-

We caught up with him after his early departure from the show.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Miss SLY!: What have you learnt about the industry and yourself from your PRC-2 Experience, and how is that going to affect your Career and Vision going forward?

Jeff Mackinnon: It was a great experience and a wonderful opportunity that I am so grateful to have had. I have always been a very private, somewhat shy and soft spoken person. I needed to shake things up and I pushed myself way out of my comfort zone. I’m proud of myself for facing those fears, and so happy I did as I can already see how being on Project Runway Canada will help me to continue to take my career to yet another level.

M.S!: As a Designer, how do you intend to keep Canadian Fashion competitive, relevant and make it a MUST Have in the international market?

J.M: Fashion is becoming more global and geographic boarders are not as relevant as they were in the past. Good design is good design. I find the challenge is not standing out in a Canadian market, but competing with the thousands of lines manufactured around the world. There is just so much product out there, all you can do is stay true to who you are and hope others appreciate it.

M.S!: When it comes to signature style, how would you incorporate yours in the upcoming Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 seasons and what will set your designs apart on the runway?

J.M: I’ve always chosen to consider the trends, but not necessarily to follow them. You have to be aware of what’s coming up and what fashion will be focusing on, but you also need to filter it through your own design aesthetic. Just because everyone else is following a trend doesn’t mean it’s right for you, your clients, or your vision.

M.S!: Now that PRC-2 is over, what's next for you and what projects are you working on that you can share with us?

J.M: Well I have been creating custom bridal and eveningwear for ages. My label Jeffrey James has a loyal client base and Jeffrey James gowns have graced many red carpets, having been worn by clients attending the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys. I’d like to continue to attract new clients, hoping that people liked what they saw of me on the show and that they can appreciate the amount of integrity I bring to what I do.

Since leaving the show I’ve been focusing on putting together a collection of wedding gowns and just had a beautiful photo shoot to update my website http://www.jeffreymackinnon.com/. I’m pursuing opportunities at trying to reach more people with my line and looking at doing some bridal trunkshows and a retail eveningwear line. Keep your eyes peeled Canada, you’ll be seeing more of me in the future.

M.S!: I am not planning a wedding anytime soon, but it's good to have skilled designers in mind, for when the magic time will come. Look out.

Exclusive Interview with Baylor from PRC-2

A talented sweetheart, always smiling, Baylor Orlando was one of my favourite contestants on the show. Calm and collected, professional and such a great team player, he may not have been the loudest but he certainly made a lasting impression on me.

I've had the pleasure to meet at the LG Fashion Week, and he is just as pleasant to talk to in person.

He answered a few questions for Miss SLY! talking about his experience on Project Runway, how it changed things for him as a Designers and where he's taking his talent and skills next.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Miss SLY!: What have you learnt about the industry and yourself from your PRC-2 Experience, and how is that going to affect your Career and Vision going forward?

Baylor Orlando: Being a contestant on Project Runway Canada, has been an outstanding experience... a totally new chapter in my career as a designer. I confirmed that it is never too late to take risks in life, new challenges, open yourself to new experiences and to never be afraid of pursuing what you really want in life. During the competition I learned how different the fashion industry can be. I spent time with the other 13 designers from all around the country and each one of them was totally different from another.

Of course, there are also clients and customers for each one of them; and that is a great thing about the fashion industry. It is versatile and that is why it is an amazing field to develop yourself when you have the talent and you are born with the gift of creativity. From a personal point of view I confirmed that creativity has no limits for me and how much I love to reinvent myself. Every dress I designed during the competition was an opportunity to experiment with new shapes, unexpected materials, high pressure and stress... and this is absolutely the way my career is going to keep moving forward as a designer in Canada.

M.S!: As a Designer, how do you intend to keep Canadian Fashion competitive, relevant and make it a MUST Have in the international market?

B.O: Fashion can be glamorous, fancy, with a lot of parties and cocktails...but fashion is an industry after all, it’s a business and if it doesn’t give you money back...there is something you must be doing wrong. As you may know, I work as Head designer for a top Handbags and accessories company in Montreal. I design and develop lines and collections for handbags and backpacks. Is a very competitive market and my responsibility is to keep the lines up to date according to the fashion trends in order to please our clients and offer them the best in design and quality.

I follow every step in every collection, from the original idea, to the making of the first sample and the final product. Every day is like a Project Runway Canada Challenge... the show is not that far from reality and that is why it is so interesting to watch. But in real life, nobody tells you: you don’t measure up! So you have to give the best of you in order to get the best results. That’s the way to keep Canadian fashion competitive. Updating yourself to keep your skills competitive in the international market and doing your job the best way you can!

M.S!: When it comes to signature style, how would you incorporate yours in the upcoming Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 seasons and what will set your designs apart on the runway?

B.O: One of the things that got confirmed to me as a contestant on project Runway Canada, is that you just have to be true to yourself and not pay attention to what other people are doing.
All this to say that when I design a collection, for a specific client or not, I never think of what elements should I add to set my designs apart on the runway.

I personally think that you just have to focus on what your guidelines are, your inspiration, your materials and when you put all that together with your skills and experience, you will have created something particular, with your very own style and signature and that is what is going to set me apart on the runway.
You cannot be an improvised designer... Fashion is not only about sewing and making patterns... there is a whole background of knowledge, life experiences, studies that will support or not who you are as a designer.

M.S!: Now that PRC-2 is over, what's next for you and what projects are you working on that you can share with us?

B.O: Besides my activities as Head Designer for this company where I work now, I definitely have many projects in mind. I never stop and I always want to do something new and different. For sure you will hear more from me very soon!
Life is too short not to dream and have new plans every day. Routine kills me and I think change makes life interesting and worth living it full of challenges.

One little sneak peek: I would love to have a line of items I could wear myself...

hmmm, what should I conclude from his very last statement here?
Could Mr. Baylor be working on a clothing line for gentlemen? I would like to think so. A suivre...

Exclusive Interview with Margarita from PRC-2

With LG Fashion Weeks updates still being posted, I didn't get a chance to update you on my exclusive interviews with PRC-2 Designers.

My 3rd Interview is with Montreal based designer, Margarita Voultsos, the fire ball from PRC-2, with her out there personality, unique style and self-confidence. She took the time to answer few questions for Miss SLY! in "Proper Fashion" as she knows how.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Miss SLY!: What have you learnt about the industry and yourself from your PRC-2 Experience, and how is that going to affect your Career and Vision going forward?

Margarita Voultsos: Wow, where do I start? This was such a rewarding experience and I think I really developed as a designer. It's unfortunate that I didn't get to finish my last dress because the original design was gorgeous. I ran out of time because I chose something too difficult to make in a short amount of time, so Canada did not get to see the dress I saw fit for Elisha Cuthbert, which is why I took the time in my studio to remake the dress which was featured on ET Canada – the video clip will be up shortly on my site.

M.S!: How was it to adjust your style to Project Runway's reality?

M.V: I make Luxury Street and club wear so to be on a show like project runway where you are making formal evening dresses was a new experience for me, which I fell in love with. I got to play with so much detail and different kinds of construction that I normally wouldn't be playing around with which I'm going to incorporate into my coming collections. Next, hearing what fashion icons and celebrities want in their wardrobe was insightful knowledge to earn because I can now pat myself on the back for knowing that my design ideas were going in the right direction.

The exposure is huge for an up and coming designer like myself. Even though I didn't get to be on the show for long I have had amazing feedback from new fans about my line and direction in style! I think that all of these rewards are definitely going to help my company and name grow within the industry.

M.S!: As a Designer, how do you intend to keep Canadian Fashion competitive, relevant and make it a MUST Have in the international market?

M.V: I am already selling in a couple boutiques in New York City, and the feedback that I got was phenomenal. I have a very unique style that mixes street elements with couture fashion and because everything is made in Canada I have great management over quality control, which already makes my line a must have in the international market and I plan to keep on pushing in that direction. Because I'm in Montreal, I also have quite a few clients from Paris who adore the line, and one boutique that I sell to here is run by Paris natives and they keep on telling me the line would be a hit in stores over there as well. So we are starting to explore that route. I am definitely going to keep Canada on the Fashion Map.

M.S!: When it comes to signature style, how would you incorporate yours in the upcoming Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 seasons and what will set your designs apart on the runway?

M.V: For the upcoming seasons, I am going to keep the same design concepts that I have always used which is a luxury couture street style mix, and that already sets me apart, but I am also working with some textile designers and graphic artists to make custom fabrics and prints which gives me a signature style. The problem with a lot of Canadian designers is that they are looking to the same fabric wholesalers that everyone else is, and that way their line doesn't stand out enough. I always try to select hard to find, unusual or custom fabrics to work with. Then along with my edgy design style it's always a hit.

M.S!: Now that PRC-2 is over, what's next for you and what projects are you working on that you can share with us?

M.V: The most recent accomplishment was finishing the dress I started working on for Elisha Cuthbert, and I will be sending it to her shortly. I am working away on my coming collections and I have a couple sales reps that have joined the team to help share the line with the rest of Canada. We are looking into Toronto Alternative Fashion week, and Fashion has no borders for up and coming shows, and I have recently been approached to be an online radio fashion talk show host (this project is still being decided on but the offer is flattering, I will keep you posted!) So I definitely have my hands full for now, and who knows I may be back next year for more!

M.S!: One last word?

M.V: Because you can't always be naked…cover up Proper!

Check out her Website for more details on her collection: http://www.properapparel.com/

March 28, 2009

Lucian Matis Fall/Winter 09 Collection

Lucian Matis' work never cease to amaze me.

Seeing our past Project Runway Canada Finalist's collection bringing to a close a week of Fashion showdown at the LG Fashion Week - Fall 09 Collections was a bliss (collections that let's face it, despite their primary mean to seek uniqueness, often fail to bring it home and instead, treat an already numbed audience to a line up of repetitiveness). I am rarely rarely swept away to say the least, but things were different with Lucian's collection.

From the very beginning, we knew we were in for something truly different.

The ambiance and atmosphere was everything. A total experience of the senses, it was theatrical, peaceful and somewhat surreal.

~*~*~*~

The music - By Koop, an Electronic Jazz Duo from Sweden, that I love now-, the faded Art prints in the background, the feminine garments - blouses, dresses (in soothing neutrals, crepe, silk velvet and fine chiffon) showed off ornaments such as feathers and scraps of fabric, all contributed to the cohesiveness of it all.

~*~*~*~

The "piece de resistance"which IMO turned the show in something so incredible, was definitely the organic jewellery by Dandi Mastre, a mix of large curving antlers, discs of horn and bones and bangles carved from wood.

The models were sultry, feminine and melancholic. If Fashion Week was a fairytale - and it was to a certain degree - this would have been the perfect happy ending, literally.

~*~*~*~

I personally loved the big hair a la Marie-Antoinette, very aristocratic-negligé, powerful and a tad bit sauvage, which went well with the natural theme of the collection.

~*~*~*~

I was definitely taken away for those mere 10+minutes, that I wished they had lasted longer...I didn't want it to end, but it did, great things always do.

So now, I allow myself to reminisce, revisiting the magic on pictures and videos. Why not?

Overall, I really like the pace at which models were instructed to walk, nothing robotic, calmly letting the audience admire the amount of detailed work on each garment, a great change from the rythmless runways we are so accustomed to.

~*~*~*~

And instead of returning backstage after strutting their stuff, each model took place on the runway and stood still, and as the show went on, they ebded up forming a line of wonderful creatures, absolutely worthy of a grand finale!

Until the next magic moment, Tataaaaaaaaaaa!

March 21, 2009

LG FW was great - Thanks to you!

The LG Fashion Week has now come to an end.

Beside the collections and what makes Fashion weeks so great, I've had the chance to meet fabulous people with a style of their own and fun personality during the week. After all, this is what Fashion Weeks are also about: Self expression through the Art of being one self, and looking the part.

The uniqueness of their style often led to an interesting conversation, a networking opportunity, and a fun moment during the long wait between runway shows, a smile or a laugh at a moment of total distress or boredom.

Exciting, inspiring, rewarding...this week was all that and beyond, it's definitely a moment that will hold a special place on Miss SLY! "Best time ever" wall.

So before I go ahead and give my thumbs ups and downs on this Fall/Winter Fashion weeks Collections, Thank you all, for making it such a fun time for the Ottawa (soon to be Montreal) Fashion Lady!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Michael, Thanks for the laughs.
Your self customized vest rocks!!

Barbie wasn't so bad for company, but
I ended up doing all the talking.
(PRC-2)
Baylor / Sunny, you don't know how cute you are.

Ok, how hot is that?? Love the Geek chic thing
going on - HOT!

Awwww Rebecca!!! Thanks for you know what and
the great fashion critics, you are a true connoisseur.

Michael and Madeleine - glad you had fun at the
Valentino Screening.

Nolan, Nolan, what can I say?
Magnifique? Sublime? Je ne sais plus.
Your natural style has me speaking french
Love everything!!

Laura - Geez what a Gigantic clutch (ALDO) you have there
You may not beat Nolan at that game but its Fierce...
Thx for the pose.

(PRC-2)
Adejoke, you are adorable, and yes I like the
Long hair on you :)

Sunny - That was a Paparazzi shot I have
to admit, but how can one resist?