Sorry Vic but your husband wins this round! To tell you the truth, I have never enjoyed any of Marc Jacobs’ advertisements. I feel like they [the ads] try too hard, just like Dov Charney and the pretentious people who aim to “shock” at American Apparel.
I wonder, do Victoria and David discuss their latest campaigns at the dinner table? Did Victoria get jealous of David, which led to her getting the Jacobs contract? I just hate it when people try different things and fail miserably at it. Stick to what you know how to do, in Victoria’s case, I am not quite sure what that is.
Oh, and this seems to be another case of Versace. Remove celebrities from fashion advertising, it’s not a Pepsi commercial.
Naj Peterson is a contributor for Ottawa Street Style.
A friend sent me this music video last week, and after countless viewings on You Tube, I have yet to tire from its haunting beauty and tapestry of sounds. The video for ‘Whats a girl to do?’ by British-born vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and visual artist Natasha Khan, more famously known as Bats for Lashes, is brazenly stylish and utterly captivating. Director Dougal Wilson perfectly captures the song’s sinister and entrancing nature, as eerie mascot-headed bmxers pop, wheelie and clap hands in sync with the electronic beats and ghostly strings of this dark fairy tale.
I love Goldfrapp! I mean look at what she’s wearing. Such a classic babe.
In other news, Cut Copy and The Presets will stop by Canada on their tour, however, they are skipping Ottawa. Quelle surprise! You must travel to Toronto or Montreal in order to catch them. Quelle malheur!
Emily P. is Ottawa Street Style’s latest contributor
Sharon Wauchob
While searching through my magazines, through various websites and blogs for that special new trend, it is disconcerting to repeatedly come across one of three things:
a mod mess
fifties forgery or, yet another,
bubble skirt
Creativity has been stifled with stiff dollar bills. Thanks to the brilliant minds behind H&M and Wal-Mart, there is always a quick buck to be made, just ask Madonna, Roberto Cavalli or Karl Lagerfeld, all of whom slapped their name on a tank top to deem it ‘designer’ and, thus, justifying the forty dollar price tag.
Issey Miyake
As a fashion lover, myself, I have no qualms about paying a slightly-higher-than-imaginable price for a designer treasure (although I assure you, it happens less than you think) but I also believe designer treasure is a lot different than a poorly made over-priced, I-slapped-a-celebrity’s-name-on-this-so-buy-it dress.
Good news - I struck gold and this season “It” designers have traveled back in time, reached down into the fire-y depths of their imaginative core and pulled out something pre-historic, and, not to mention, something I love.
Emma Cook
Aside from Balenciaga’s Nicolas Ghesquière, Haider Ackermann and Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz, it is hard to find a collection that does not resemble a dumbed-down version of the latest Dolce & Gabbana Ad. However, this time around, Issey Miyake, Gaetano Navarra, Emma Cook and Sharon Wauchob prove they can run with the best. Feathers, animal prints and shaggy wool are perfectly paired with the river-bed color palette. This fall season it’s all about earth tones and sunset hues and without a bell sleeve or shoulder pad in sight, this trend has no limits. However, it is only a matter of time before these one of a kind look s are whittled down to a Halloween-esque Betty Rubble knock -off. Just try and get them while they’re actually hot.
Emily P. is Ottawa Street Style’s latest contributor.
Armed with a pack of devout followers, Dior’s fall collection could be considered a rare religious experience. In 1947, Christian Dior released the “New Look,” which consisted of a nipped-in waist , rounded shoulders and a very full skirt. It was a historical fashion moment as women waved goodbye to pleated pants and boyish shift dresses as if to re-claim their femininity.
While androgynous trends come and go, it’s the house of Dior that hearkens a certain patriotism, the good-ol’ days and the start of the French fashion scene. Dior’s famous beginning is not only in fashion season after season, it is with us in spirit. Christian Dior is one of the most recognizable names in fashion. Its yearly re-invention of a classic has proven to resonate in women, past, present and, surely, women of the future. Dior’s resurrection of graceful and refined elegance has proven most popular amongst its devotees.
After Yves Saint-Laurent was called away in order to serve in the military, Mr. Marc Bohan was called to duty, this time at the house of Dior. It was perhaps Bohan who brought Dior back to its lady-like, luxe reputation after Saint-Laurent’s more daring and drastic designs had almost changed the face of the line. Without Bohan, there may not have been a Gianfranco Ferre, next in line at the house, or even a Galliano.
Galliano’s designs hover above the crowd and arrive at the golden gates of the Fashion World. Structured jackets, skull caps and architectural angles resurface and walk among us mere mortals. Galliano sticks to classical roots while mingling his noted dramatic flare calling it “fresh couture - restrained and refined.”
Dior, transcended in time and place, from France in the ‘40s to modern North America has us praying for more. Amen.
Yves Saint Laurent with fashion sketch: http://blog.nj.com/fashiontoday/2008/06/large_YVES999.jpg John Galliano, Fall 2008, first look: http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-shows/couture/couture-christian-dior-0708
Bohan design: http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/2696178.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=65DF17A14A6B244A295776C545AF825FA55A1E4F32
Carolynn is looking great in her monochromatic Club Monaco ensemble. Her chain t-shirt is totally rad and that skirt is super cute (yes it has pockets!!!). Emily is laid back in her really cool buttoned shirt and she adds flare to her outfit by wrapping a coloured scarf around her neck. Très jolie les filles.
On this gloomy Sunday afternoon, CIMA models Shauna, Shelley and Karina headed to the Supreme Court with their posse in order to pose for Dubuc et Leticq’s latest photo shoot. The ladies looked amazing in the fantasy and goth inspired clothing which had overall good reviews at Ottawa Fashion Week. The final results will be posted on the agency’s blog in the next few weeks.
Shauna
Shelley
Come hither
Karina & Shauna
Karina
Richard Gibbs
Models do a lot of waiting, it’s in their job description.
Yeah, we wait…a lot
I had to post this. Joanne is so petite and cute. Karina, 16 and 5′11″ is over a foot taller! Here she is being swept up the stairs by the hair stylists!
Touch ups…Shauna is 5′10..Joanne, you’re too cute.
Styling: Rania Abdulla
Photography:Richard Gibbs
Hair: Joanne Brunet and Lynn (Joseph’s-Amalfi Spa)
Make-up: Zena Saab, Amalfi Spa
Models: Shelley, Shauna and Karina (CIMA)
I’ve been writing quite a few letters and posting them on the blog as of late…just for fun. But I realized that they might actually get attention from people that matter (i.e. those they are directed to). A few times in the past couple of months, I’ve written a post about something or someone and received an email almost instantly from the person or representative of that company answering me. So this is far fetched but I am going to try it out. A letter that will never (or maybe will) be read to the one and only Donatella Versace.
Dear Donatella,
For the past ten years, I have sat down and watched you take a classic and established brand (thanks to your brother Gianni) and shred its reputation to bits. Take this letter as an intervention. For the sake of the Versace name, please stop using celebs in the ad campaigns! Since you’ve destroyed pretty much anything worthy about Versace, I have become anti your brand but I do get disappointed when I see celebrities wearing your clothes in the advertisements. Have you sunk so low? The celebrities “model replacement program” stopped a few years ago, why are you one of the only brands STILL using celebrities? With all honesty, Donna (is that ok for me to call you that?), I loved looking at Jonathan Rhys-Meyers but, you are including the most mainstream type of celebrities (read: Patrick Dempsey) in there. You and I both know that in two years time, these boys and girls will be washed up and their fans will know them for what they USED to be. Whoever is taking care of your advertising, get them to call my people and we’ll work it out. Promise.
It’s been 5 years since Bank Street has become its transformation into Williamsburg thanks to the Disorganized crew. Can you believe it? With indie culture’s latest movement that really isn’t hard to believe, so let’s move on to details.
For the birthday party, THAT crowd decided to make DIPLO the headliner at Heaven, and this was a show the city couldn’t afford to miss because let’s face it, no good acts play here any way. Although the tickets were pricey, the show was well worth (for me any way), to sleep 3 hours (I do suffer from insomnia), get dressed, be at work for 8am, write a test I had to do well in for work, fall asleep during this test, and realize that when’s there’s 10 minutes left, I left 15 questions blank. Royal. It’s all good, cause lada mercy, I danced at DIPLO!
The show was good. There were a lot of well dressed people whom I did NOT approach because I was busy busting some dance moves that put people to shame at the club, but there were also some people that either a) tried too hard or b) have a disability in putting outfits together. I can’t decide between the latter and the former!!!
The other thing is, Diplo’s beats, sort of like Fred Falke but Freddy makes you dance a tad bit more, can make anyone (even people with two left feet) MOVE. So why on earth were there tons of people standing like statues and NOT submitting to the beat? Why why why???
Jordan and Chris
The mustachioed lovers wearing their “acceptable in the 80s” outfits. Love the shirts boys!
I was confused about these two girls. Did you dress up like that because you actually thought it looked good or did you dress up like that because you thought it would be funny to celebrate Halloween in July? Which one is it?
Back in the day, when I didn’t know any better, I spent exuberant amounts of money on shoes that really were NOT worth the initial investment. But then, I stopped. I shed too many “shoe” tears over pairs that would not last long enough for me to enjoy them. For the past few years, I have refrained from paying more than $45 (crazy Canadian tax included) on shoes. Until today. While my sibling was picking up accessories and shoes for a photo shoot from Aldo, she spotted this pair of shoes that was to die for. I had one glimpse at them (and so did she), we looked at each other and both knew, I had to have them.
They are sexy, in a very subtle and classy kind of way. These black beauties were exactly what I had been searching, yet unable, to find. After trying them on, I hastily purchased them and I do not regret paying $100 for them (it’s not a lot but since I’ve been paying less than $45 with tax on shoes for the past 4 years, let’s consider it the equivalent of buying a pair of Jimmy Choo’s).
These shoes, oddly called FANULANU, (which in my mind would replace “wow” as the word of choice used by men who see me walking in them?) BETTER GET ME A JOB!
To go along with my new loves, I also purchased a great beige and black ruffle blouse and a classy and simple high waisted skirt.
What’s happening here? No naked people, no women on the floor, no overt sexuality, no ethnicity, and could it be, a D&G ad with no edge? Wait a minute…I’ve seen this ad before! It looks familiar. Hmm, this looks like a case of Burberry. Oh right, Testino shot this! Are we running out of ideas for fashion photography or something?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2008
Contact: Darren Rogers, The Habit (613) 866-7412
THE HABIT HOSTS E.T. RELEASE CONCERT - AUGUST 1
(OTTAWA) - Award-winning pop-soul band The Habit will host an ET (Extended Tease) Concert at Zaphod Beeblebrox in Ottawa on Friday, August 1. The concert will celebrate the release of three new songs posted today on The Habit’s website, www.myspace.com/thehabitca. These early studio cuts are a free preview of material for a new album to be released later in 2008.
The new songs were recorded live-off-the-floor, and include two originals and a cover of Please Don’t Stop the Music (which is a web-only release and will not be on the new album).
The ET follows the 2007 release of The Habit’s full-length debut, The Sacred and The Profane, which has been riding high on the Canadian campus radio charts from Kamloops to Saskatoon and Antigonish. The new songs showcase the band’s three singers, who take turns singing lead and otherwise harmonize. The material also highlights the fact that The Habit’s violinist and saxophonist are - for the first time - living in the same city, and writing their parts together. The new songs alternate seamlessly between swelling string sections and sputtering funk horns.
Tara Holloway will open the show at Zaphods on August 1. The Habit will host a Toronto ET Release at the Savannah Room on August 9.
I like Dizzee’s voice starting up the beat and then when his voice makes a come back in the middle of the track. Fazhands (www.myspace.com/fazhands), a fan of the site from the UK, sent me a track in order get his music out there to you, the readers of this blog!
It’s called U.F.O. and for that Fazhands I give you props, because I feel like I am in outer space when I am listening to this!
I checked out some more tracks on the MySpace - and they are quite dancy. So if you’re into that funky house type of feel and you want to “kick it” at the club, check out Fazhands.
A fashion show to raise funds for the victims of cyclone Nargis that hit Burma May 2, 2008.
Featuring clothes made by student designers, as well as Top of the World.
When: Saturday, July 26 Time: 7:30PM - 10:30PM Where: All Saints United Church on Wellington Street Tickets: $5 for students and seniors, $7 for adults.
Remember that Dolce & Gabbana ad that came out in March of last year? You know…the one that caused massive outrage and was banned from certain countries? Well, any way, I call the ad, for lack of a good name or maybe just to go along with the imagery, ‘Gang Rape is a Good Thing.’ (NOT THAT I THINK IT IS A GOOD THING OR ENDORSE GANG RAPE WHATSOEVER).
D&G, known for their provocative and edgy advertising campaigns, did not necessarily see the problem with 4 dudes watching another dude take down a beautiful woman by her wrists in a form of “I am so about to bang you right now!” type of pose. D&G claims, they were simply trying to capture a male fantasy. RIGHT. Because every man (at least the ones I know) wants 4 other of his friends, all equally as glossy, to watch him rape a girl in her D&G outfit, and then when he’s done with her, his buddies get their share.
In my opinion, this might as well be another AXE ad because it is (like I had mentioned before in Ohhh les hommes) representing women as sex objects and is very, very degrading. No matter how many times a company apologizes for putting it out, the fact of the matter is, they still did.
Tasha, baby, I’ve been meaning to tell you…you’re really hot! You’re one of those women that makes other women really envious because they wished they looked like you - sort of in the same league as Charlize Theron, you know what I am talking about?
How do you wake up in the morning? Do you stare at yourself in the mirror and talk to yourself, saying things like “God I’m good looking!” or “I can’t get over how good looking I am?” If I had your looks, those are things I would say to myself. I saw the Fashion Magazine spread back in March, it looks great. Congratulations on the Zink Canada cover and editorial spread. Well I am sure you’re busy and I seem to be getting more envious as I write this so I just thought I would let you know how most women feel about you.
Go ahead, pinch yourself, you aren’t dreaming. Those shoes are actually happening.
Is it safe to blame Marc Jacobs for this VANS-esque revolution where brands like Jessica (read: Sears) are copying the canvas shoes now? It’s getting out of hand.
