Vacation Time

In two days, we're on vacation... to Vancouver.

For the past week, I have been laying out items I would like to bring with me... some of my new spring tops and dresses (a lace version of the "one shoulder love", a newbie design to hit the store in a few weeks, "a day at the tennis courts", and a staple for the summer, the "noir all over" jumpsuit, shoes, and hats (i love my hats)... but am quickly realizing this may be tougher than I thought...

How is a girl to pack for a vacation that includes sun, rain, beach, mountains, warm and cool... and in one suitcase? Can you believe my man suggested we share a duffle bag... excuse moi? Did he forget I typically have at least one wardrobe change per day, sometimes two....

Wardrobe and packing help needed... please.

Wishing you all a Sparkly Weekend!

(source: lefashionimage.blogspot.com)

"A Blank Slate"

I am so happy to announce my line has been picked up by a second boutique in Toronto, Tabula Rasa.


The store and Jenn (the owner) are a breath of fresh air~ modern and feminine, a gallery like set up of the clothing, with plenty of space for each piece of clothing to be admired, appreciated, and snagged up. With a mix of her hand selected vintage pieces and new and upcoming designer labels such as Alternative Apparel and Left on Houston, the boutique has a beautiful mix of what we ladies want in a shopping experience... not to mention, it's all women's lines.

After our collaborative meeting yesterday, we selected a few classic styles with colours and prints to fit the palette of Tabula Rasa and her clientele, from classic nautical stripes to soft white french lace ruffles to graphic polka dots. Long flowy dresses for hot summer nights to dainty short cocktail dresses for weddings, the store will be stocked with the first three styles of the collection June 8th, with plenty more to follow.

And did I mention, it's in my neighbourhood.

p.s... the store has an amazing backyard (Jenn and I have already chatted about a possible "Fashion's Night Out" party/show there)

A Sign

It has been an odd week... and when I have moments like this, I usually look for a sign, something to reaffirm we're on the right track and to keep going...

Had some great meetings with new clients this week about custom pieces, and to be honest, if I could spend my days doing just that, the inspiration and ideas floating around, and knowing you're in sync with someone about their designs coming to life, it is ultimate...

And saw this stop sign while biking up a street in the neighbourhood this afternoon... had to capture it and share with you... Whoever did it, I hope they put more around the city... I think we all need a bit of a sign every once in a while...


p.s. I apologize if a certain song is now stuck in your head all day.

A/W 2010 Inspiration

Not sure what to make of it all... but this is what I'm feeling for next season... I think it all began a few weeks ago watching the documentary "It Might Get Loud" featuring Jimmy Page...

A bit more incubation, and then translate it into some wonderful goodies for the ladies...

On a side note, catching up on "Kell on Earth" tonight, a great quote from Kell herself I heard and had to jot down, "we don't like reality, that's why we work in fashion..."

Love it!

Feeling Romantic...

Ever since I dropped off pieces to the store, and the new girl working named each design, I've been feeling romantic. Such names as "film noir" (one shoulder black ruffle dress), "one shoulder love" (one shoulder ruffle blouse), and "vive la france" (long cream and black pinstripe dress) had me buying up a lot of lace last week.

Two styles are going in the store tomorrow... the "one shoulder love" in lace and another below; long sleeved, naked shoulder, and super comfy, named "l'amour partout" (love all over). Wear it with a camisole or when you're feeling romantic, with nothing underneath.


A beautiful view from the dock last night (one of the few moments when the sun was shining and we weren't stuck inside.

Custom for You...

I have had a few ladies recently requesting custom designs...
If this is you, a few tidbits of information are requested by me from you...

1. Feeling and Style~ as much as the cut is important, how you want to feel is more relevant... cute? feminine? sexy? (usually a combo of all three) When you wear a piece of clothing that gives you that feeling, somehow your troubles go away... it's true!

2. Event~ wedding, party, or just why not?

3. Fabric and Colour~ I love this part and think I am quite good and finding beautiful fabrics and selecting colours that flatter best to each lady

And the particulars...

4. Measurements~ depending on the type of design, I will need a few measurements to make this fit you, and only you.

5. Timeline~ please allow some time for this to be fun, enjoyable, memorable, and perfectly yours (a couple of weeks)

6. Budget~ ballpark figure to see what we're working with (silk or polyester)

You can do all of the above steps on your own and pass along the details, or we can meet, grab a coffee and figure it all out together... up to you, but I do prefer the getting out of my studio (aka house) bit!

Also, please keep in mind, I am not an old lady tailor who works for some big fashion house and wears a lab coat to work (referencing Valentino's documentary)... I'm like you.

Once we determine all of the above, the fun begins!

Alternative Fashion Week 2010 Highlights

... hard to fit them in... double click to see closer detail...

My Bros...

A quick side note from the world of fashion... some very sad unexpected news came to me today about a really sweet fun loving boy gone from us... and its been hitting home all evening... thoughts of family, especially my brothers...

To introduce, from left to right, John (aka JC Chazes), Andrew (aka "D"), and Mark (aka Mister Manako)... and me sandwiched in between them all... We used to and still do have the most fun possible... They are the best, hands down... I love them so much! (photo circa 1985? 86?)