"A couturier must be an architect for design, a sculptor for shape, a painter for color, a musician for harmony, and a philosopher for temperance." ~ Cristobal Balenciaga

Monday, November 28, 2011

Exciting Exhibit Excursions - Part 2

Dear Readers,

I'm baaack...with part deux!  Besides my visit to NYC, the other place I traveled to this summer was Montréal!  I had only been there once before for a couple of days, so I was pretty excited about going there again.  During my visit, I stayed with my darling friend, wonderful cellist, and tour guide extraordinaire, Marie-Cristine Pelchat St-Jacques :)  Other than visiting Marie and exploring Montréal, I was able to go to the exhibit The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier, From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts!  Actually, my previous visit to Montréal just happened to coincide with the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit at the MMFA.  Both exhibits were very well presented!  The Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit was fun to visit because it was humorous as well as beautiful and gave you a real sense of JPG's personality.  The mannequins had computerized faces and some of them would speak or sing :)  Here are some of my favourite pieces:


Exciting Exhibit Excursions - Part 1



Dear Readers,

Yes, the time has come for the long-promised post about my escapades this past summer!  For the first time, I was able to go to NYC this summer not once but TWICE!!  My lovely bosses at Greta Constantine, Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong, became my fairy godfathers and took me with them!  The first time, we went to see the Alexander McQueen exhibit, Savage Beauty, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art!  The second time, we went during New York Fashion Week!  Lucky me!!!

First stop, the Met:




And now for Savage Beauty.  This exhibit was, in a word, amazing.  It was the best exhibit I have ever been to and was incredibly well done.  It also gave me an eerily strong sense of McQueen's spiral into increasing darkness.  It was an obsessive exploration.  Each piece was a beautiful work of art, and I've included a few of my favourite photos from the exhibit below:

images courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
and from the exhibition catalogue, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, photography by © lve Sundsbø / Art + Commerce


 

Monday, November 14, 2011

Late Links à la Mode


Dear Readers, 

My very sincerest apologies to the Independent Fashion Bloggers - I became very ill (no joke - couldn't work for a month) shortly after I submitted my post for Links à la Mode and since I just recently started to feel better, I suddenly remembered to check!! How embarrassing! Better late than never I guess! I am so happy to have found out that I was included amongst these amazing posts! Thank you IFB and congratulations to all the other bloggers! Please read on and check out all the spooktacular links :)


GETTING SPOOKY

Edited by Taylor Davies
As style bloggers, we relish the daily task of getting dressed. It’s kind of our thing, right? Once a year though, everybody gets in on the fun – and then takes it to a whole other level. Of course I’m talking about Halloween. That crazy holiday that causes adults to act like children and children to dress up like adults. As a 20-something, Halloween can be a far cry from the trick-or-treating days of our youth – but one element will always stay with me: we get to pretend to be someone else. Instead of dressing to best express who we really are, we get to dress to appear to be someone completely different.

This week’s Links a la Mode features posts from our community about amazing Halloween costumes and inspiration, DIY projects and even a little life lesson or five from The Nanny named Fran.

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: NOVEMBER 3RD


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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Something Wicked This Way Comes



Boo!!!

It's almost Halloween!  Do you have your costume ready yet?!  If not, here are a few (ok, more than that) creepy couture costume ideas to get you started:



Sunday, September 18, 2011

Trends in Television

Hey All,

Just another quick post concerning tonight's Emmy Awards.  It seems red, white (/nude/metallic), and blue are all still going strong.  But there was also a lot of dramatic black on the red carpet tonight.

I couldn't actually watch the whole show...I found it to be too annoyingly over-the-top to tell the truth.  There were also some really atrocious dresses (Gwyneth Paltrow leads that list, quickly followed by Padma Lakshmi, Julianna Margulies, and Paula Abdul, along with Heather Morris and Kerry Washington whose dresses could have been pretty if their skirts didn't look like a ruffle explosion and dripping blood, respectively...).

But lets not dwell on that ;)  Here are my picks for the best-dressed ladies of the evening, starting with my favourite lbd:

Kaley Cuoco in Romona Keveza
I love this - so easy & different

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

MTV Video Music Awards aka Beyoncé's Baby Bump

Dear Readers,

Before I get to my summer recap, I had to do a quick post on the MTV VMAs.  Any music industry red carpet event is guaranteed to have a few how-outrageously-dressed-can-I-get-away-with looks.  This year, there were the usual loud and crazy "what is that?" outfits (think Nicki Minaj), most of which were fun and humorous rather than the more traditional scantily clad options.  Of course, Lady Gaga had run out of outrageous ideas, so she just showed up as a dude - Jo Calderone to be specific.  But even with all that going on, even with the Britney Spears Tribute, Beyoncé outdid them all...and looked fabulous (and normal) doing it...just because she was preggers!!

Beyoncé in Lanvin

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Summertime Essentials

Hey All,

I hope you are having fun in the sun!  Sorry I've been kind of MIA lately.  Besides working, I've been out galavanting a little bit on my days off, enjoying the summer sunshine and lovely heat.  But I promise to update you on all my escapades and to post some more eye candy very soon.

To placate you until that happens, here is a blog post about me as part of Greta Constantine's Summer Staff Essentials blog series, detailing the top ten must-haves I can't live without this summer.  The series is pretty cute, so check it out ;)

Here's the original post on moi, written by GC's Digital PR Intern, Jill:





Monday, July 4, 2011

Beach Bombshells & Bathing Beauties

Hello Lovelies,

I hope you are all enjoying a fabulous Summer!  One of my favourite things to do in the Summertime (or ever, period.) is to spend a day at the beach - I just love it!!  I find it very relaxing and inspirational.  I always have to be dragged out of the water, even though I like to just sit and soak up the sun too with a good magazine.  I even learned how to surf once (little-known fact)!

Anyway, even if it's not your thing, you'll love these beach babe photos:

Givenchy Swimsuit, Vogue, July 1953

Friday, June 24, 2011

Lovely Links à la Mode

Hooray!!!  I've been included again as part of Independent Fashion Bloggers Links à la Mode Weekly Roundup!  The posts this week, as selected by Fajr of Stylish Thought, are truly a feast for the eyes and food for the soul.  I've reposted all of the links below, so be sure to check them out!  I'm so honoured to be listed alongside such talented fashion bloggers!  Thank you IFB :)



The Beauty of Bloggers

Edited by: Fajr of Stylish Thought

Once a month, I pour through the links that the amazing members of IFB submit. Typically, I sit late Wednesday night after a long day and read through the thoughtful, helpful, stylish and beautiful posts that you guys submit. It is in these moments that I am truly in awe of how talented and gracious this community is. Full of spirited bloggers that discuss everything from the latest neon trend to the body pressures of fashion blogging. We are a diverse and dynamic group, connected through our mutual love of style and tireless support and encouragement of one another.
This week’s links are a testament to the beauty of blogging. Through eloquent prose, enigmatic portraits and style lessons from a mother to her daughter, IFB is rich with love and of course great style.

Links à la Mode: June 16th


SPONSOR:
New Clothing at Shopbop: Feliks+Adrik, Rebecca Taylor, DL1961, Hanky Panky, Yosi Samra, Aiko, Spanx, Thayer dresses, KORS, Sara Berman, DVF.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Ladies Who Launch

Hello Lovely Readers,

One of the perks of being an intern with Greta Constantine is sometimes being lucky enough to tag along with them to Toronto's fashionable events ;)  I'm not really very good at being a social butterfly, but this past month I got plenty of practice hobnobbing with the fashion flock.  Also, I'm not sure if it was by miraculous coincidence or some subconscious self-challenge, but I designed/made a dress for each event (I actually had sewn another dress for the second-last event, which I will wear and post later, but I wore one of the same dresses again instead).  Anyways, I'll try and give you the run-down on all the events...it's another lengthy post, so get ready!

Exhibit A: The Grid Launch Party

The Grid is Toronto's new weekly magazine, replacing Eye Weekly.  As with all the events, drinks and hors d'œuvres were served :)  There was also a cool light show near the DJ.

my cut-out back sundress, super-tall Aldo shoes 
(courtesy GC :) 

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Cannes Film Festival Favourites

Dear Readers,

Last week saw the closing of the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.  It looked so gorgeous and warm there, I just wanted to hop on a plane and move to France ;)

All the celebs were there, decked out in their finest.  But in my opinion, Rachel McAdams stole the show - every single one of her looks was stunning!  Another favourite was the ever-daring-anything-but-subtle Fan Bing Bing - her choices are so crazy, dramatic, and over-the-top, yet somehow strangely amazing ;)  Maybe it's her confidence that carries the look?

The most popular colour of the festival was probably white, mostly of the lace variety, which was lovely and made me immediately want a white dress for summer... ;)

Below are my personal favs, in (mostly) red, white, and blue :)

Rachel McAdams in Marchesa - LOVE

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Meet Me At the Met!

New York's Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala this past Monday chose a special topic for the evening.  The traditional accessibly fun and sometimes trivial themes of past Galas were replaced by a more weighty, serious subject matter:  paying tribute to the work and memory of the late Lee Alexander McQueen and the unveiling of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibit in his honour, entitled Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty.


Tuesday, May 3, 2011

God Save McQueen!

via: Telegraph
Dear Readers,

I must preface this by saying, had Kate Middleton not made the right dress choice last Friday, this post would not exist.

Truth be told, up until last week, I wasn't very excited about the Royal Wedding.  But I started to get into it, and come Friday morning, after I saw the (correct) dress, I just couldn't help myself!  I got sucked in to the frenzy of monarchical madness!!  (You might not be able to tell, but I wrote this post with a British accent!)

For anyone who missed the wedding and wants to catch up, this is basically what happened (and I dare any wedding naysayers not to enjoy this!):



Friday, April 22, 2011

Art Decoupage

Edward Steichen, Gloria Swanson (lace), 1924
Hello again Dear Readers,

I hope you were all able to take in some fashion shows this past season, or at least got to flip/click through photos of the shows :)

Here's some of what I was busy doing last month at the gorgeous Eastern-inspired Greta Constantine Fall/Winter 2011 show...

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Green With Envy

via: The Eco Market

Hello Dear Readers,

My Valentine's Day post was so much fun, I've decided to follow suit and dedicate this post to the colour green, in honour of St. Patrick's Day!  I don't know about you, but my family always celebrates St. Patrick's Day...we're Irish, what can I say?

The above photo is what might first come to mind when you think of "green fashion"...ethical, ecological, earthy.  Now don't get me wrong, I love eco-friendly, sustainable fashion!  But the following photos are my initial thoughts when I mix the words "green" and "fashion:"


Thursday, March 10, 2011

Links à la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup

I have to post this quickly before I wake up and realize it's all a dream!  My last post was chosen as part of Independent Fashion Bloggers Links à la Mode this week!  Thank you so much IFB!  Please be sure to visit all of the other rounded up blogs, reposted below!  Also, consider taking Vahni's advice when visiting and commenting on blogs and "check out the blog of the person who commented above you" - such a good idea!




Making it Your Own

Edited by Vahni of Grit & Glamour

Wow...I'm a Links à la Mode editor...can you believe it?! So thrilled to have the opportunity to discover new blogs and compelling posts to share with all of you. That said, give me two minutes in the pulpit, and my "better blog" sermon starts welling up, totally involuntarily. So allow me a moment to share what I am looking for when I review submissions. It's pretty simple: Be creative and original, tie your post into beauty or fashion, use proper grammar and punctuation (spellcheck and proofread before publishing), and credit your photo sources. Always.

And on to the list...bloggers were in deep thought this week, pondering ethical fashion and feminism, male gaze and Marthettes. But in case you need to escape the heavy stuff, there is: denim! Happy reading, and as you peruse and comment on this week's posts, why stop there? For every comment you leave, why not check out the blog of the person who commented above you and comment there too? It's a great way to expand your mind—and your readership.

Links à la Mode: March 10th

  • ALinetoZ: An Open Letter to High-Waisted Jeans
  • Arash Mazinani: How ethical are you when it comes to fashion? A look at the hypocrisy often involved in being ethical in fashion.
  • Beyond Fabric: Men's daily essentials—inside one man's bag holdall.
  • Corinne Monique: Cellissimo: a music-meets-fashion photoshoot inspired by high fashion ad campaigns.
  • Designed By Ann: Reading glasses are suddenly fashionable—so here are makeup tips for girls who wear glasses.
  • Free Honey: On moving to wordress.org: 5 must-know tips for new bloggers.
  • Fishmonkey: On The Man Repeller, the male gaze, and its role in shaping fashion choices.
  • Holier than Now: Spring's Most Beautiful Lace Looks—5 Ways for < $50
  • In Her Stilettos: How to organize your jewelry while traveling—cheaply and stylishly.
  • Made-to-Travel: Asos Africa—the incredible ethical makers of this gorgeous line—oh! and it's on sale!
  • Melina Bee: Life and style tips inspired by Sophia Loren.
  • Obsessive Coolness: On the relationship—or surprising lack thereof—between talent and success in fashion blogging.
  • Oranges And Apples: Thoughts on Marthettes, blogging about 'feminine' stuff, and perfection.
  • Pretty Shiny Sparkly: A chic and easy way to wear the double denim trend.
  • Sidewalk Chic: Six ways to showcase accessories in outfit photos.
  • Sugar and Spice: Natalie Portman is effortlessly eco-chic at an Oscars after-party—in an inexpensive dress that hits H&M next month.
  • Trés Awesome: The weather may be crappy but that didn't stop people from being out and about with their bright and beautiful umbrellas.
  • Try It On Me: The resurgence of the denim shirt—not just for cowboys!


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Shopbop Jeans: Citizen's, Seven's, Juicy, Joe's, Hudsons, Paige, James Jeans, Vince, True Religion, J Brand, & Siwy

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Cellissimo

Dear Readers,

It's a rainy night here in Toronto, and I hope it's a sign that Spring is finally on the way because one of the best things about warmer weather, for me anyway, is being able to go on an outdoor photoshoot expedition :)  It's so entertaining to come up with interesting new locations to set my designs against and just have fun with the camera.  Also, it seems much easier for me to find a good spot outdoors rather than indoors, and the pictures almost always turn out better too.

My sister, Kathleen, whom you have met before in this blog, is one of my favourite models and, lets face it, is also the most readily available model who is willing to be coaxed into doing a photoshoot ;)  She is a gorgeous girl and lovely cellist.  Last Spring, for her graduating Master of Music Cello Recital, we went forth into the brisk Spring air to take some photos, which I later used to make her recital posters, invitations, and programs from.  I was inspired by the Chanel and Dior Spring/Summer 2010 ad campaigns and used them as guides for art direction and styling ideas.

Here are the original ads.  I love the absence of bright colours.  Everything, even the black, is pale and muted, almost unnaturally so.  In the Chanel ads, the stark contrast of black and white is strangely unified, blended by the diffused light.  The Dior ads (from back in the John Galliano days, pre-ruined reputation & probable Ricardo Tisci at Dior / Haider Ackermann at Givenchy takeover, which I'm sure I will have something to say about in the near future, after the dust settles) really play up light and dark by using the blinds to create interesting shadows.  I also love the use of hard architectural structures (doorways, stairs, walls) in both ads and how they simultaneously contrast with and complement the garments, suggesting a time, place, and story.


Monday, February 28, 2011

And the Oscar for Best Dressed Goes To...

The adorable Colin Firth & Anne Hathaway
Hello Film & Fashion Lovers,

I was so excited for the Academy Awards last night!  Which films/actors would take home an Oscar?  I'm so glad The King's Speech won for Best Picture!  How would the hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco do?  It was a pretty Anne-dominated-but-otherwise-basic presentation, but I did like their opening sequence and loved the music video mash-up...so funny.  I also liked the King's Speech voice-over lead-up to the Best Picture winner, even if it was a little bit strangely prophetic ;)  But the most important question, for me anyway, was who would wear who?! 

Let's start with Anne Hathaway, who wore a total of eight outfits during the night.  
Here are my pics for her best looks:

Anne Hathaway...in a Lanvin tux & amazing Brian Atwood heels

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Daring & Demure: A Tale of Two Red Carpets (Grammys & BAFTAs)

Hello Readers,

This past weekend, two interesting fashion events occurred (ok, way more if you count the start of the Fall/Winter 2011 Ready-To-Wear season with the Montreal and New York Fashion Weeks kicking off.  But never fear, I will, of course, cover that in detail in a future post...):  the Grammys and the BAFTAs.  

To me, the Grammys are always an excuse to go absolutely crazy (sometimes to the extreme and ridiculous) with fashion, and the celebs seem to try to get away with as much (or as little ;) as possible.  This year, some fashion choices even left me asking, "who hatched this idea?"  As I have no (kind) words for certain wardrobe choices, I will just post some looks I liked...

My favs:

Rihanna in Christian Dior Haute Couture
I love couture & I love pansies, nuff said.
Plus, I think this dress shows off this gorgeous girl's *ahem* assets better than other outfits...

& still screams for attention, just in a different way.

I've Been Rounded-Up!

Philippe Halsman: Jump, Audrey Hepburn
Hello Lovelies,


Well, today was an exciting day!  My Lady in Red post made it to My Fashion Lust List's "I ♥ Links" weekly round-up!!!  Yay :)  I am honoured and thrilled that my post was included amongst the other amazing posts!  Thank you so much MFLL!!!  XOXO


Please be sure to visit MFLL's lovely blog, where you can read the original "I ♥ Links" post, along with many other fabulous posts!  I've also included the list below...  Also, please help support the other fantastic bloggers on this week's list by checking out their wonderful posts (click on the links)!  




  • Timeless Hues Spotted in 2010
    It's great editorial. A look-back on 2010's ageless fashion elements. A love the idea, I love the pictures, it's all fantastic! This great post is on Roses et Épines.
  • The Flying Squirrel by Young Restless
    I love the collection this post is about, I love the pictures, I adore the quality of the post, and I especially like it when the blogger's mother tongue and the same text in english is in the post! Lovely! Brought to us by Le Paradox.
  • How To Make Envelopes From Old Fashion Magazines
    It's a very sweet and really creative how-to on making envelopes out of magazine pages. I love it! I will definitely try to make one -- although I almost never send real male...I'm so 2011. This nice tutorial was made by Dora Cruceru.
  • Vogue Italia: Summerton's Dud Spread
    Smart and self-opinion centric post on Emma Summerton's "The Blackallure". It's interesting and makes you actually think about it -- which fashion blogs rarely do. Great article on International Fashion.
  • Lady in Red
    Really nice post collecting celebrities wearing red. It's a very sweet eye-candy, and I especially love the dress Corinne wears in the last paragraph -- it's very pretty! Sweet read by Corinne Monique.

These're the five best posts of this week's lineup. 



Thanks again MFLL!
Congratulations to my fellow bloggers :)

Corinne xoxo