Photoinspiration

xo Amber

Good things come to those who wear awesome hats

Remember this hat?

 

Hat from Young Janes, coat from Simons, sunglasses: Ray Ban

 

 I posted about it back in November when I was putting together a list of things to like about winter in Ottawa.  I haven't worn it much this season...in fact, I think I have worn it only once before, despite how excited I was to do so when the winter season began.  I think I just felt that with my fur trimmed hood, that wearing a fur hat seemed excessive.  Slightly.  Like I would be trying to make a statement that was beyond stylish...more like "LOOK AT ALL MY FUR!  I AM A FUR ENTHUSIAST, CAN YOU TELL, WORLD?  DO YOU SEE ALL THIS FUR THAT I OWN AND WEAR ALL AT ONCE?  SEE MY VEST?  MADE WITH REAL GORILLA CHEST!" and then I would risk being thrown over some one's shoulder and worn like a mink stole like in Ace Ventura 2.  With all this - infinity Celsius weather we've been having, I've been pretty strictly wearing the parka to walk to and from work, etc.  Today's balmy -5 C allowed me to wear my black pea coat instead and as a pick-me-up I wore my fun heart-printed tights and then threw on my fuzzy wuzzy hat too.

I arrived at work and went to a "breakfast meeting" with a group of assistants.  It turns out that a newspaper is doing a little piece on Parliament Hill staff members.  The photographer saw my hat when I came in and before I knew it, I was chosen as one of the featured individuals and was photographed with an interview to follow in a few days.  Just goes to show that it pays to stand out.  And wear vintage fur-part of the three R's people!  I'll post the article when it has been published, even though it technically has nothing to do with fashion, I'd like to think the hat made the sell on this one.

THEN, I returned to my office to check my email and get to work, and an online magazine has asked for an interview as well-this time as a feature on my fashion designs!  So fun!  I'll post that as well when it is finished and published on their site. 

What a great Friday!  Going to meet some girls tonight and celebrate.  Maybe I'll wear the hat.  Or my gorilla chest vest.  Kidding!  I'd overheat in that thing.

Have a great weekend everyone!

xo Amber



Huge hair and high waists

Sometimes I feel like I was meant to be alive during a previous era.  I prefer to dress up rather than dress down, I am attracted to "big" hair and hourglass silhouettes, I like real fur over faux, I am admittedly technologically dysfunctional (it's truly a miracle that this blog even came to be), and I feel like vintage clothing actually fits me better...like literally my body likes it more. 

I remember as a young girl in elementary school, I couldn't figure out why clothing never seemed to look right on my body.  I'm a natural pear shape with a long torso, and at that time the "rage" was those ridiculous "mini tees" (who really knows if they were "in", but when the only stores available are Suzy Shier and Le Chateau...) and they looked absolutely TERRIBLE on my body.  Low-rise jeans only made it worse.  How do you explain to your teachers that you don't want to be showing an inch of skin at the age of 12, so if you could please tell Le Shiteau for me that they are ruining my life, that would be great.  The day that longer shirts magically appeared in stores, I rejoiced...but with the blessed arrival of high waisted pants and skirts, it was like the fashion gods had finally answered my prayers.  I would like to see a graph showing the timeline of when my joie de vie markedly improved upon the introduction of high waists to my body.  I would have made the graph myself, but I believe I already mentioned my tech deficiency. 

I also like to get ideas for hair, makeup and ensembles by looking at some of the past screen sirens and fashion icons.  I used classic photos of Brigitte Bardot signature headband/sex hair look for my shows this summer.  I also asked the makeup artist for a big cat eye with smudged, smoky lids and full, nude lips.  The effect was stunning with all the girls in their undone bouffants, glam eyes and glowing skin.   Couldn't have been happier with the end result.

A young Bardot

Because of my body type, I find the best cuts are those from the 40s/50s and from the 70s/early 80s.  I also tend to design swimwear similar to those that were popular during those times.  I remember seeing this photo of Carly Simon wearing this amazing swimsuit and was instantly inspired: 

Carly Simon...she was such a hottie in her time.  Still is, really.

I like to look at old photos of Studio 54 too, and wish I had been in my 20s during those years.  There were just so many gorgeous women in fantastic clothing.

Diane von Fürstenberg.  I want those shoes.

The seductive Jerry Hall.

Look at those stems on DVF, what a rocket!  I want to know that woman...like be her friend.  She seems to be so grounded considering her wealth and previous royal status.  Love her.

In the end, I suppose there are positives to living in the present rather than in the past: advancements in womens' rights, internet, recycling, blackberry messenger, etc.  Plus, when I find a vintage gem it's all the more special and satisfying when I bring it home to live in my cramped closet with its new extended (and kind of pushy) adoptive family.

xo Amber

What I wore: Saturday night

I went to the Sexapalooza trade show on Saturday night.  I gave it a solid 6.5/10.  Great concept, poor execution.  I'm surprised at how cheaply made and unimaginative the clothing was.  This is an industry that is apparently booming, but for some reason the people who design and manufacture the items that are meant to make people look sexy somehow drop the proverbial ball and I just don't understand how.  The black rubber outfits were actually the best made and most fashionable ones there-not to mention waterproof- BONUS!  Anyway, it was still something new to do on a Saturday in snowy Ottawa. 

I joked that I was going to wear a body-covering sack just to stand out but this is what I actually wore:

T-shirt: Zara, pants: Urban Outfitters, sweater: H&M, shoes:  Steve Madden, necklace and ring: Aldo, watch: Michael Kors, purple bandage:  BandAid and I made the coat (re-used fur from Value Village find yay!).

Note the unused spice rack in the back...you know, just for show.

xo Amber

Charity Fashion Show: Fashion for Funds

Hey Friends!

So, I was asked a little while ago to be involved in a charity fashion show at the end of February.  The organiser, Kate Reeve, contacted me by email and said she had been referred to me by Angie from Angie’s Models and Talent who I have worked with many times.  Over the past few weeks, I had only spoken to Kate by email and had never met her previously.  She said it was her first fashion event that she has been involved with, but that she has planned other fundraisers before, and I was impressed by how much she had done already without previous experience. 

I was finally able to meet Kate in person yesterday at Morala's coffee shop in the Glebe.  I hadn't asked for a description, so when a young girl and her mom came in the door, I wasn't expecting it to be her.  It turns out that the person I had been communicating with all this time that I had mistakenly assumed was around my age, was actually a 12 year old girl attending Immaculata High School.    I had absolutely no clue!  She is the most amazing, poised, dare I say adorable girl I have ever met.  I felt I could only speak to her like a pint-sized adult, because anything less would be insulting.  I found out that Kate had decided to do this fundraiser after reading a book about a group of girlfriends who organise a charity fashion show….her parents figured it would just be a phase and she would forget about it (I know I would have when I was in grade 7), but she stuck to it and was adamant about completing it despite many obstacles.  I left the coffee shop thinking “what the heck am I doing with my life, this girl is going to change the world!”.  I also left even more excited to be participating in the event than I had  been before I entered the coffee shop. I want my friends to come and meet this girl.  She’s fantastic.  Oh right, and my designs will be on stage....but I don't really feel like that's the drawing point this time.

I want this event to be an amazing turn-out, not because I want people to come and see my designs, but because it's important to remember there are people of all ages making a difference in our communities, and if we don't support those endeavours then we are not encouraging positive change.  I hope Kate continues to run these types of events.  I think she has a future career in PR for NGOs and I cannot wait to see what's next on her list of goals.

Here is the press release that has been submitted to local newspapers:

12-year-old Girl Organizes Fashion Show for Sick Kids

Last summer, Kate Reeve was flipping through an old Today's Parent magazine of her mom’s when she came upon her favourite feature: The Reader with a Cause page. The story was about a girl who was terminally ill with lung cancer. She was staying in Canuck Place, a children's hospice in B.C. Kate hadn’t realized such homes existed. But that story set her into action. The grade 7 student immediately began organizing a fashion show to raise funds for two hospices.

On February 20^th models will strut their stuff on the runway at the Glebe Community Centre in support of Rogers House and Canuck Place.  Five local designers have volunteered their clothes and time for the cause. The modelling services are being donated by Angie’s Models and Talent. The celebrity emcee, Mr. Max Keeping, is looking forward to hosting the event. Hair styling for the models has been donated by Hair Junkie, a local hair salon.

Date: February 20th, 2011 

Where: Glebe Community Centre (175 Third avenue)

Designers: Rachel Sin, Shweta Wahi, Amber Watkins, Jana Hanzel, Rubin Kooner

Time:1-2:30 p.m
Tickets: Children five years old and under go free, $10 for students, and $20 for adults.

Thanks to generous donors, everything necessary for the show has been donated. That ensures that 100% of funds raised goes directly to the kids.

 

MORE ABOUT KATE:

Kate Reeve is a grade 7 student at Immaculata Catholic High School in Old Ottawa East. This fashion show is not her first fundraising endeavour. In grades 3 and 4 she helped run the “Cookie Club” with five other friends. The girls raised over $1000 dollars for the Shepherds of Good Hope by selling cookies by the dozen to family, neighbours and friends.

FOR INTERVIEWS, TICKETS, MEDIA PASSES, AND MORE INFORMATION:

Email  mayreeve@rogers.com or call 613 730 5074.

Hope to see everyone there!

xo Amber

Know thy strengths; accept thy weaknesses

So last night after work I figured I would attempt to tackle one of my new year's resolutions involving cooking and/or baking.  More specifically, learn to stop burning everything I prepare, understand the uses of spices and which ones to use when, and master the ability to make new dishes rather than recycling the same three I know how to make.  I figured I should start super easy, and being that I was two beers in after work, I figured I should start even easier...so I picked up some spicy olives, a baguette and some chicken breasts.  I had salad stuff at home already.  C'est facile, non?  Bien, oui!

Got home, preheated the oven and began to cut the baguette...............

Ahem.

Yeah.

Going to stick to sewing, I think.

Now looking for a sign I should trade in my "stop shopping so damn much" resolution.  Anything?

EFFFFFF.

xo Amber

Thanks, Captain Obvious

It's cold and I'm cranky so it's about time for a good, old-fashioned rant.

Today I received an e-newsletter from LOU LOU magazine.  Think I must have applied for a contest back in the day or something...either way, I rarely read them but this one had "Ballet Chic" as the subject line.  I groaned internally, because I knew what was coming.  Sure enough, it's all about Black Swan and the fashions that have sprung from the new ballet thriller.  Which I saw on Sunday and loved, by the way...if you haven't seen it, seriously get to the movie theatre right MEOW.  Natalie Portman needs to win an Oscar for that one.  As a further disclaimer, it's hard not to love the delicate and stunning costumes worn in the film, designed by the genius duo from Rodarte-who, while we're here, should also win an Oscar.  Just beautiful.  However, while doing a mini search for this post, it seems like everyone wants to point out the obvious ballerina style trend the movie has provoked.  One word:  YEP.

Beautiful ballerinas wearing costumes by Rodarte

Seriously, though...is this trend actually "new"?  Because I really don't think so.  Baby pinks and blush hues had already sprung up well before this past summer when the movie was announced.  Hell, half of Hollywood wouldn't have had anything to wear this past year if the skin tone/red lip trend hadn't been readily available.  I get it though, I do...I mean, sometimes you just don't have anything to write about so you just go with the easy topic.  It's January, you're tired, you are sick of writing about winter stuff, you're sick of winter-period.  I get it, truly.  I also admit I had an automatic reaction when watching the movie of wanting to slick my hair back into a rigid bun, run home and dig out all my baby pinks, blushes, sheer stockings and skin tones.  Because...wait for it...I have a metric ton of those already.  Because I've ALREADY fallen in love with clothing that make me feel like a dainty dancer...along with I'm sure is many, many other girls all over this world.  Which goes to prove how redundant this "ballet chic" trend is.  So thank you LOU LOU, New York Times and countless style bloggers...thank you for helping me with my new year's resolution #4-use the clothing I already have...because I now feel confident I can do so.  Also:  Please tell me AGAIN how great leopard print it because I'm getting anxious without your support and reassurance.

Thanks so mucccchhhhhh,

xo Amber

PS. I'm going as the Black Swan (Odile) for Halloween 2011 this year.  NO COPYING!!!  Called it, stamped it, no erasies.  Going to get red contact lenses, do the makeup, everything...should be creeptacular!

Going to stand just like this in my costume, too.

Holiday Hiatus

Wow, I'm a slacker!  I didn't even realise how long it had been since my  last post until a friend emailed me last week and told me to step it up.  The honest truth is that I was away from my computer from the 21st-5th.  After that, I have no excuses.

So Happy New Year!  Hope your holiday was wonderful, whether you stayed at home or embarked on any sort of journey.  I was fortunate to be able to go on my first ever all-inclusive vacation to Cancun, Mexico and was there for New Years Eve.  All I can say is WOW, what a week.  I can also say RIP Olympus camera, who fell victim to the warm salty waters of the Caribbean Sea.  Jet ski + Amber = (-)camera.  I don't really want to discuss the thought process that was involved with the decision to bring the camera along.  My bf took some pictures too though, and I'm waiting for him, impatiently, to send them so I can share my Mexican vacation lookbook!  In the meantime I will post about something else.

With any ringing in of a new year comes the obvious questions of resolutions.  In the past I haven't really put too much emphasis on pledging my personal goals, however this year I think I will make an exception and see whether it may assist as a motivational factor for achieving success.  The following are some personal new year's resolutions that I will attempt to cross off my list of goals over the course of this year.  I'm abstaining from the obvious "get fit, eat healthy" ones that, in my opinion, are overdone and contribute to my hatred of the gym and yoga studio in January.  So, here goes:

AMBER'S 2011 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

1- Complete my business proposal and begin manufacturing process.

2- Participate in one or more Fashion Week (Ottawa, etc.)

3-Design at least 4 new lines in advance.

4-Stop spending money on unnecessary items that CANNOT FIT IN MY CLOSET.  To expand, I am going to limit my purchases to one clothing item PER MONTH, unless it can be somehow proven I legitimately need the additional item(s), ie. it is replacing an item that is beyond wearable.  As for footwear, I need to be even more realistic and limit myself to one pair of footwear every 4 months.  This is going to be a challenge for me.  What I am forcing myself to do is peel back the layers of clothing in my drawers and reacquaint myself with my "old stuff".  If it's still in my closet, it should be worn.  The situation is out of control and has even had me looking for a bigger apartment to somehow fit my ever expanding wardrobe...this is admittedly messed up.  Writing this for people to read makes it real and I need to address this issue now.  I know I will cheat some months, but at least I have begun the conscious effort to reduce the problem.  Breathe in.  Breathe out.

5-Communicate better with friends.  I'm not bad, but I used to be SO much better.  I want to get back to emailing more and keeping up with their news as well.  Starting NOW.

6-Take a fashion course.  I'm looking at courses in London, England right now...which happens to be where an old friend of mine lives...so there you go, I'm also checking off 5 while I'm at it!

7-Plan a trip...hello #5 and 6!

8-Learn to cook/bake better.  Or, realistically, just learn to cook and bake period.  Chopping vegetables and tossing them together is not cooking.  Making toast is not cooking.  Hell, making a pie is easier than making a dress, and yet here I am able to do only the latter.

9-Spend more time with my Oma.  We went for lunch over the holiday and she is just so amazing.  I want to learn more from her and be able to tell her stories to my children and grandchildren.

10-Appreciate the moment.  I worry too much about the future.  I hope this year will be the start of a shift in my focus...it's not easy but it's worth it.

That's it!  Just a short list of 10, hahahaha.  Better get started so ta-ta for now! 

xo Amber