The stunning Monica Vitti
Monthly Archives: May 2008
Surrender
My fascination for denim must come to an end! It’s a costly addiction, worst than alcohol, cigarettes or drug dependency. I am a recovering denimhead, trying only to look but not buy, and I slip once in awhile, especially when a beautiful person, whether male or female, is selling me these jeans. It makes it that much more interesting, just like the way a less attractive person becomes attractive when you’re intoxicated. On my recent trip to Toronto, I stopped by Carte Blanche on Queen Street West where I laid my eyes on a pair of beautiful raw April 77 Joey jeans. After chatting with the sales lady for over twenty minutes, who just so happens to be one of the most stunning women I have ever seen in my life, she swiped my credit card and I walked out of the store with a fresh pair of April’s, one of the rarest brands to find in Canada, which, surprisingly, can be found in Ottawa. The denim is thick and soft. These jeans are amazing, I love them dearly.
The coolest part? The small fifth pocket we are accustomed to is transformed into a shield like shape in order to fit a guitar pick. Better yet, not only do you get a fine pair of jeans, but once you explore the neat pocket you will find an April 77 guitar pick inside. Whether or not you play guitar, that’s pretty damn cool!
“Shield” like pocket with the guitar pick
Melody Hits
This is what I call creative marketing! The television campaign featured below is for the company Melody Hits, a type of Much Music station in Egypt. This campaign is absolutely hilarious and so well put together.
I personally enjoy comparing Western popular culture to the Middle Eastern version. The Middle East, as conservative as it may seem, is quite influenced by Western culture, especially when it comes to musicians. I find that singers from Lebanon and Egypt tend to be a little more provocative than those from North America, mainly due to the seductive and sexual look of Middle Eastern women. Caucasian women are softer and do not evoke as much sex appeal, see the sample below where I compare Haifa Wehbe (a popular Lebanese singer) to Britney Spears in her hay day. Haifa’s bedroom eyes are a lot more welcoming than Britney’s, she looks WAY sexier and as if she’s into S&M, Britney on the other hand, looks a lot less intimidating and as if she enjoys candles. So no matter how much Haifa is covering up her skin and as much as Britney is not, Haifa will still look more sexually welcoming.
Ok back to the campaign, its hilarious, and even more hilarious if you’re Middle Eastern because the mannerisms and characters remind people of Egypt so much.
Haifa Wehbe photo from: http://haifawehbe.free.fr/wallpapers/20054g.jpg
Britney Spears photo from: http://www.new-dream.de/image/wallpaper/musik/britney-spears/britney-spears-07.jpg
Milk’s 3rd annual Spring Friends & Family Sale
Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 10:00am to Sunday, June 1, 2008 at 5:00pm
Milk
234 Dalhousie Street
Phone: 613.789.6455
Web: iheartmilkshop.blogspot.com
This Saturday and Sunday Only! All Spring / Summer merchandise will be 30% off.
Brands:
- 2 Angle
- Amika
- BB Dakota
- Blend
- Blend She
- Brown Sound
- Dance Party Massacre
- Delicious
- Go Ape Shirts
- Goorin
- Groggy
- Kersh
- Lady Dutch
- Loop NYC
- Marie*Ange
- Nick and Mo
- Only
- Orb
- Projek
- Pyknic
- Station 8
- Sugar & Rox
- Triple Bogey
- Vero Moda
- Yumi London
Ottawa Fashion Week Wrap-up
Posts have been delayed for the reason above = Ottawa Fashion Week!!! Again, a million apologies to readers. With that being said, here’s my review and pictures.
The media and buyers were in full force to see a) the success or b) the demise of Ottawa’s first fashion week. What they witnessed was the former. Ottawa Fashion Week was all over the place, and for a first time production, it went smoothly with sold out crowds of 300 people filling the theatre for 29 shows! Models were multicultural representing almost all visible minorities (ugh I hate that term) in Canada.
Alongside the variety of models, there were various styles displayed from business casual, street wear, lingerie, evening wear to fantasy. The media room was also in full effect, however, people didn’t really understand how it functioned too well. Regardless, the event was an overwhelming success and I want to personally thank everyone who attended. Feedback would be much appreciated in order for CIMA to better coordinate the next fashion week.
I also want to thank all media, buyers, participants and volunteers who made the 1st annual fashion week great!
P.S. The event was also at the same time as Race Weekend and still got great exposure, YAY! I can sleep now!
The Showroom
Louise Butland
Kania Couture
Dubuc & Leticq
Jana Hanzel
Ekqualyte Abstract Apparel
Dubuc & Leticq
One of Us Swimwear
One of Us Swimwear
Virago
Models await their cue
Backstage madness!
The media room – the line-ups
Zena Fares
Me et Moi
Me et Moi
Photos: Connie Porteous, Ryan Parent, Danah Abdulla, Sebastien Hebert
List of coverage for Ottawa Fashion Week:
http://www.ottawasun.com/PhotoGalleries/OttawaFashion/2008/05/23/5651461.html#top
http://www.ottawatourism.ca/en/what-s-new/fashion-week.html
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2008/05/23/ot-fashion-week-080522.html
http://www.canada.com/cityguides/ottawa/story.html?id=07c8e9e4-6b9f-4e84-b195-a14f04c77aa5
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=46bb3e5e-63ce-455a-a661-70cbd833618f
http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/local/article/57651
http://www.flare.com/fashionbeauty/article.jsp?content=20071227_100330_4720&page=2
http://www.achannel.ca/ottawa/news_57352.aspx
http://www.where.ca/ottawa/guide_listing~listing_id~2820.htm
http://www.fashionforwardcanada.com/news.php
http://www.fashionincubator.com/happenings/calendar/first-annual-ottawa-fashi.shtml
assertivelyunhip.blogspot.com/2008/05/ottawa-fashion.html
http://www.podfeed.net/podcast/Fear+and+Loathing+in+Ottawa/8536
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/galleries/index.html#
http://www.mediaincanada.com/articles/mic/20080328/myspacefashion.html
http://www.fashion-blog.us/2008/02/18/ottawa-fashion-week/
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/arts/story.html?id=1fae4bc0-1124-4e7c-90c8-0f17a8d05bc0
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/bustech/story.html?id=c546da62-ed25-400c-a2a5-5d1f22bfcbd0
Dragged to a drag show
Oh boy, bigger cities sure do have a lot of douche bags. During a night out, we discovered so much negative material to blog about. Thanks to JLZ for shamelessly taking most of these shots. I’m listing this in my “clearly overdressed for this” list of events I’ve attended which unfortunately seems to be growing daily. Actually both JLZ and I were overdressed for this junk. I have so much bad stuff to say about this night but it will be too long of a post. For now, enjoy the pictures and the captions.
P.S. I’m not posting any drag queen shots since I couldn’t decide which ones I wanted to post!
So the chick in the white shirt made me laugh all night. She was accompanied by a very flamboyant fellow who seemed to be no more than 13 years of age. Later on during the night, she was making out with some latin lover on the dance floor
No, I would not
Eww, why would you even think of wearing a bra with that? Did you think that coordinating the colours people wouldn’t notice?
JLZ’s cool outfit, lovin’ the skirt
A bachelorette party at this place? C’mon!
Project Runway
After making a stop at this past fashion week here in Ottawa, Project Runway posted posters around the city to promote their designer recruitment. If many designers from the Ottawa region do apply, they will host the casting here! This is a great opportunity for anyone that really wants to make it in fashion design.
Apply at www.globaltv.com (application is available there) and the deadline is JUNE 20!
image from http://sharetv.org/images/project_runway_canada_ca-show.jpg
Ottawa, where are you?
What is disappointing when peruse Canadian fashion magazines and their websites is the fact that all the links and articles under “shop” are reserved for stores in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton. There are several locally owned stores carrying great fashion finds, yet no one bothers writing anything about them. When Edmonton (known for its enourmous mall) gets shopping cred, there is a serious issue. I give props to FLARE for coming out to fashion week in Ottawa and giving our city a chance. So my message to local boutique owners: write an open letter to Canadian fashion magazines and let them know their favouritisms needs to stop. Invite them to visit Ottawa and to your stores, we are nonetheless Canada’s capital! Ya heard?
Rideau Centre expansion
The Rideau Centre, located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, has been undergoing some serious renovations. New stores appear monthly and more well-known designers and chains are set to call the concrete block home, such as:
- Lacoste – October 2008
- Sephora – May 30, 2008
- Nike – July 2008
- Starbucks – July 2008 (um isn’t there one across the street?)
- Coach – August 2008
- Marciano – December 2008
- Lucky Brand – September 2008
I’m not too too excited about a majority of these but I also did hear that Swedish chain H&M will be opening its doors there in August 2008. Finally (sigh of relief)! I do wish more locally owned stores do start opening up downtown or in the Glebe and Westboro areas since there is a lack o cool brands to be found in the city!
Can you feel the knife?
Geoff, 22, Student/Model/Actor/Civil servant
Bloody runners and a “deep” pose calls for a Fatal Attraction
You can get this shirt at Milk on Dalhousie street
OSS feels Dizzee
Readers, Naj Peterson is a new contributor to Ottawa Street Style and below is his first submission! I apologize for the delay in posting this but unfortunately I have been overwhelmed with the recent fashion week happening here in Ottawa, so please forgive me
Ottawa fixed up and looked sharp as the ruling King of grime, Dizzee Rascal brought the hard streets of Bow, London to Capital City Music Hall. Dizzee’s eclectic mix of synth beats, metal guitars and conventional rap attracted a diverse crowd unified by their appreciation for the kid with the thick cockney accent. Rascal did not disappoint, pulverizing the mob with his machine gun delivery at 130 beats per minute for a whole hour. Ground shaking bass combined with futuristic bleeps and unorthodox bloops induced the crowd into an arm-waving, head-bopping frenzy. Dizzee’s fifteen song set-list told a variety stories; from stealing cars and robbing pizza delivery-men as a youth, to the ills of fame and money, and (on the lighter side) to simply looking fresh in a new pair of Nike’s.
Speaking of fresh, Ottawa’s finest came out looking it last night. The theme of the night appeared to be bright colours and sick kicks, with retro neon sweatshirts and old skool high-tops being rocked to the fullest. As an admitted sneaker-addict who was born in the early 80’s, I must admit I was felt right in my element. Thanks to everyone who posed for me, I definitely felt the love. Keep doing your thang Ottawa!
Najja Peterson, May 13, 2008
…it was quite the show, there was even a celebrity sighting…Sarah Jessica Parker fresh from the London premiere of Sex and the City showed up.
p.s. Did I say Sarah Jessica Parker? I meant scantily-clad, skank, who started a fight behind me, after pushing her way to the front so she could make multiple crotch grab attempts at Dizzee. I handed her earring back to her after it flew off in the melee…I won’t lie I was laughing my ass off…she let me take her picture after the show when it looked liked Dizzee’s handlers were not gonna let her backstage.
Springtime Shoe Dreams – la Chatte Bottée Stop
Springtime Shoe Dreams – la Chatte Bottée Stop by Victoire with their immense collection of one-of-a-kind vintageboots and shoes for a shopping party like no other!
Looking for a new pair of pristine, to-die-for vintage shoes or boots?
Looking to update your shoe collection in the most environmentally friendlyway, without sacrificing style?
Had a blast and found knock out shoes atthe last Chatte Bottée party?
Or maybe you just like a good old fashioned shopping party?!
Look no further – La Chatte Bottée is coming back to Ottawa to show off and sell their immense collection of vintage shoes.
Join us on May 24th, at Victoire boutique (246 Dalhousie St.) from 6:00 –10:00 p.m.
I can wear my hair flat or up
Nicholas possibly has the coolest hair cut I’ve seen in awhile. Technically, it’s two hair cuts! On one side, he can have it flat while the other goes up. He looks like something out of Australia and it works!
Bonafied Lovin’
Adria, 23
Adria is a bonafied model, look at her pose! She’s ready and set to go for fashion week. Don’t miss Adria on the runway this Thursday through Saturday at Ottawa Fashion Week!!
1 year online
Hello Ottawa Street Style (OSS) readers! While listening to Count Souvenirs by Junior Boys, I remembered that OSS has been online for one year this month! In the past year, OSS has gone from being simply a blog about street style to one about denim, events, fashion, pop culture and more! Thanks for the support Ottawa, may OSS be online for many more years to come!
P.S. Don’t ask me why this song made me remember the 1 year anniversary but it did. 
Urban Planning
Sometimes I wish I had become an urban planner since Ottawa clearly requires some major revamping. In 2005 or 2006, I read an article in the Ottawa Citizen about the eyesores of Ottawa. Guess who came in 1st place? The City Centre building, and for good reason! That building, possibly built around the 1950′s or 60′s is really grotesque, but it has potential! In Toronto, the old Tip Top Tailors headquarters was transformed into lofts-condos. Now why doesn’t Ottawa do that to the City Centre? They can even keep the run down red sign like the Tip Top Tailors building. The City Centre is not located in the middle of nowhere and therefore it would be logical to do something with it. Take the O-Train on Bayview and you’ll have a great view of the building alongside the cool slums surrounding it. So for all you planners who have some say in the City of Ottawa’s offices, please, pass this message along!
City Centre
Tip Top Tailors Lofts-Condos
City Centre picture from: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/46/149103901_cc47360877.jpg?v=0
Tip Top Tailors picture from: wikipedia
You are so excellent
Last night at La Petite Mort Gallery on Cumberland Street had a Pre-Party for Ottawa Fashion Week. The models (who did a fab job) wore clothing from several designers including Meg Duffield, Ashley Zaba and Marie-Ange Collection, changing outfits every hour and a half or so. People of all sorts came out including those intrigued by the set-up from outside. The art was from a current exhibition running in the gallery
Stylish people came out to this as well, as you can see by Kelly below! The party was great and a lot of fun. I got to chat with some great people and meet some new ones too! Lots of models were there, so for those who missed it, make sure you catch the actual festivities!
Although I like galleries, I have something against galleries trying to be too provocative. Yes, everyone knows art is supposed to be an expression of freedom and what not, but some people try too hard to cross the line. My opinion any way…
Kelly
Her outfit is soooo excellent, sorry that Juan MacLean song is in my head…piano is so catchy
Ottawa Fashion Week Pre-party + Passes on sale now
For those of you that are excited about Ottawa Fashion Week, here are two more reasons to do so:
Saturday, May 10th at 7pm, Ottawa Fashion Week is having a pre-party (including preview) at La Petite Mort Gallery on 306 Cumberland Street. Everyone is welcome to this free event.
Even better news! The show is coming up faster than you can feel Annie’s heartbeat and the passes will sell out even quicker. You can pick up either a Day Pass (with access to all shows and after parties on a specific day) for $20, or the bargain Festival Pass (with access to everything and all after parties for the entire 3 days) which will cost you $30. Passes are available online at www.ottawafashionweek.ca or by calling 613.262.5994 or emailing info [at] ottawafashionweek.ca
So far, 30 designers from across Canada and Internationally will be showing their stuff here, not only on the runway but in the showroom (open from 11am to 10pm). The venue will be open from 11am to 10pm and the shows start at 5pm…don’t miss this.
Oh and Hello Beautiful is going to perform at the After Party at nIXne on Friday, May 23 for Ottawa Fashion Week
