Richard Robinson Grande Premiere 2011

Hello!

Last Saturday was the Richard Robinson annual end of the year fashion show.  The students were able to show off their hard work and I was able to sit in the audience and just enjoy the show instead of being backstage!

Here are some photos from the event of my favourite pieces and collections:

Stephanie Ross

I absolutely died (pun intended) over this collection.  I loved the entire concept with blood-splattered brides.  It reminded me of a combination of Kill Bill, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the movie) and of one of my ultimate fave flicks, American Psycho.  Particularly the part where he brings his bloody sheets into the dry cleaner's, hahaha.

Photo:  Richard Tardif

Photo:  Tina Picard

Photo:  Tina Picard

Photo:  Tina Picard

Photo:  Tina Picard

And a few other designs that I enjoyed:
(all photos by Tina Picard)

Lidia Beausoleil

Rebecca Knox

Yesha Raval

Francine Lavack

France Renee Miron

Lily Cunha

Although I was not a fan of all the clothing shown on Saturday, I acknowledge the work that goes into the design and production as well as the techniques used to create them.  I know I have a lot to learn and after seeing the Richard Robinson show, I realise I do need to look into a few courses in the future to improve my skills and know-how.

Tomorrow is my final fitting for my pattern-making, then we need to grade the size 4 patterns up and down to create different sizes and from there make the patterns in a more durable material so that the manufacturer can use them for production.  Baby steps, but I'm making progress!

Stay tuned :)

xo Amber

Dressed in Yellow, She Said Hello

Hello!

For whatever reason, this season I have been seriously hooked on the colour yellow.  I believe it actually began last year when I bought a pair of yellow skinny jeans at a stoop sale held by Ashley McConnell of DareToUnravel blog.  I call them my Banana Pants and I'm telling you, those jeans are a conversation piece!  Now, I'm freaking over every yellow garment I see.  This past Wednesday, I went shopping with my girlfriend Erica and I somehow picked up two (2) yellow skirts.  Sure, they're completely different in style...however, really?  Two yellow skirts?  I still have yet to pick up basic tank tops for this season.  Had them literally in my hand and put them down...likely distracted by something yellow.  The first skirt I wore Wednesday night for the Rihanna concert, and I bought it at Club Monaco on sale, further discounted at the counter and totally perfect for the occasion.

This isn't me.

In real life, it's actually a bright neon yellow, and it's made from a light cotton and gathered at the waist for extra fullness.  I wore it with a neon pink tank top and looked essentially like a pack of hi-liters, but I loved it.  So did RiRi who also loves yellow...in fact she wore a fabulous yellow dress during her set that obvi I loved.

The second skirt I wore Saturday night to the Richard Robinson year-end fashion show and it's a primary yellow colour, extremely well-fitted and bought at Zara.

This also isn't me.
Hard to see them, but there are fun pockets on this skirt, and interesting seams that add detail and polish.

I planned a full-out colour blocking session with my getup...ch-ch-check it out!  (Side note:  I really suck at seriously putting effort into taking pics of my ensembles.  For some reason, the thought of taking out a camera, getting creative with the light, angle and pose and then uploading them to my comp makes me want to lie down and take a nap....so this is what you get instead.  Ya, BlackBerry.)

Shirt and skirt from Zara, shoes and necklace from Aldo, clutch from Winners and ring gifted.  Yellow nail polish by OPI, colour "Need Sunglasses?"

Just wanted to show the LOVE...ring.

Sorry for the blurred image...me and a fire hydrant-barely distinguishable from each other.  Not entirely sure why I felt it necessary to cross my arms like that...also, my left ankle looks like it's on its death bed.

I had a super fabulous night with Erica and our friend Rikki joined us after the show for a girls night out.  Late-night pizza ended it all perfectly...mmmmm!

Before I wrap up, did you happen to hear that chicshop.ca is no longer?  Sad, but true...but the good news is there is a blow-out liquidation sale!  I bought a vintage 1970s dress for an upcoming wedding called Sunny Vegas, which in itself gets me all smiley thinking about being in Vegas...then tack on a 50% sale and I might as well have been told I won the lottery!  I have chronic sale-itis from my mother, who is known to buy (seriously) 4 shower curtains and 3 mega jugs of shampoo if the price is right-regardless of the fact that she lives on her own and it will take the rest of her life to go through that much shampers.  Anyway, I double dog dare you to take a wild stab at the colour of my Sunny Vegas dress.  Chya.  Olllld Yeller.  Or I suppose in this case New Yeller.  I'll get a pic of me in it for your viewing pleasure...maybe I will go nuts and actually use a real camera too.  MAYBE.

Take care and be happy!  If you're not, I highly suggest wearing something yellow.

xo Amber

Last Resort (Fave 2011 looks)

Before I get started, this month's issue of Ottawa's Faces Magazine features a Women's Summer Styles segment written by yours truly!  Go to page 9 to check it out, or better yet pick up a copy!

This past week is a total blur.  I vaguely remember everything I squeezed in, including pattern-making with my girlfriend who is kind enough to take me on as her pupil, a fitting with the patterns we have made so far (it went SUPER well, I am happy to report), plus I have been working quite a bit at my serving gig.  I met with my financial advisor as well, and we made a plan for the next few months.  So, things are moving forward!  I need to take a trip to TO soon to shop for fabric and once that is done, all that is left is to send the fabric and the patterns to the manufacturer and wait patiently for the sample collection they produce!

I have been loving all the free time I have during the day to work on my collection, sketching on patios with a delicious beverage and biking around the city going to various appointments.  AND I don't even need my minimum two coffees a day to get through it.  In fact, I had done a "cleanse" with my two girlfriends where we had to completely cut caffeine (along with several other delicious items) out of our diets for three weeks.  It is for this reason that I found myself completely incapable of sleep after consuming a latte at 6pm Thursday evening.  The next day I had a full day of pattern-making to do as well...so at "about 4:30am I gave up on the possibility of any slumber, got up and started my day.  I felt like Carrie in the episode "They Shoot Single People, Don't They?"  when she decides that in order to not look like she's been up all night, she needed to just stay up all night....and we all know how that turned out:

Anyway, at least I didn't have a photo shoot the next day.  I powered through, and thanks to being up so early  I had a SERIOUSLY uncharacteristically productive morning, cutting out a pattern, doing a hot yoga class, doing a blog post (not my best, but give me a break), etc.  All before I had to be downtown at 10am.  Now I know how hugely successful women do it all...they don't sleep.  Which is why I will settle for moderately successful and not be a troll.

On to the real theme of my post:  my favourite Resort 2011 looks!  (all photos from style.com)

Lela Rose

Romantic fabrics and defined waists caught my eye in this collection.

I love the pattern and the shape of the shoulders on this dress.

I would feel like a sugarplum fairy in this dress!

Rachel Roy

Simple, flattering lines and colour blocking makes this collection both wearable and versatile.

Loving orange this season

Feminine, elegant and easy to mix and match.

Carlos Miele

On one hand, the obvious 70s inspiration isn't exactly innovative, but on the other hand I really would wear these looks.  Plus, the latter portion of the collection without the same vibe aren't nearly as strong.

I can so see myself wearing this...then spilling drinks on it and tripping on the excessive fabric.  Still love it though!

Donna Karan

I had to include this dress from the DK collection because it reminds me so much of the red dress from Zara I had posted about a few months ago for my Holiday 2010 post.  I love this so much!

Burberry Prorsum

I had a difficult time choosing only 2 pictures of this collection, it was all so good.  The twists on the classic (and impeccably tailored) trench were breathtaking.  Also, please note the shoes...gah!

Hey Chelsy Davey-this is how you wear turquoise.

Denim on denim-my Canadian legacy.

Diane von Furstenberg

Oh DVF, I love you so.  I really enjoyed this youthful, upbeat collection beaucoup!

Rarely do I love a dropped waist, but wow is this ever fabulous!  Head to toe WANT!

You could almost wear this to the office.  ALMOST.  I would maybe use one more button.

Michael Kors

 Part Bond girl, part gilded Greek goddess, part 90s scuba (but without the big hair) and all done using MK's signature figure-flattering lines.

Love the gold straps!

Um, hi...please be mine.  I feel like I would slip this on and literally walk into Miami Vice.

Interesting tan lines, but perfect when you need to go from surfing to cave repelling.

 Marc Jacobs

YES, I love this look so much!!  I'd wear this everywhere.  MJ, you've done it again!

Thus concludes my post.  Sorry it was kind of long, but I had a lot to say today!  

So, the question is:  Which look do you want to pack into your over-packed closet?

xo Amber

Yes we Cannes!

May 11-22 celebrated the Cannes Film Festival.  I know,I'm sliiightly late on this one, but didn't want to forget to post this one of my favourite red carpet looks!  I don't know about you, but I can't think of a more perfect setting, and can just imagine taking in the picturesque sights during the day and attending swanky parties in the evenings-the ocean as an endlessly changing backdrop. 

Diane Kruger in a gilded Calvin Klein dress, alongside Pacey.   My 16 year old self is jealous.  Who am I kidding, so is my 27 yr old self.  Sigh.

The gorgeous Gwen Stefani in a Stella McCartney jumpsuit with husband Gavin Rossdale

Kirsten Dunst in Chanel

Uma Thurman is breathtaking in this Armani Prive gown

Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams.  Love this Maxime Simoens Couture dress.

The eccentric Tilda Swinton kept it classic, with statement heels.  She's starring in the movie adaptation of "We Need to Talk about Kevin", one of my favourite reads!

Zoe Saldana in Georgio Armani

OK, that's it...get me a damn yacht and a damn glass of bubbly right MEOW!

xo Amber