tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28066349413995732402023-11-16T01:20:10.019-05:00Vanessa Petey - I Blog Sometimes.I'm Vanessa Petey. I'm an art historian, costume academic, professional seamstress, artist, fashion designer, costume designer, theatre and music lover, and I am one half of the clothing line Petey the Troll Apparel. Sometimes I like to blog.Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-85210348707406181412012-02-03T18:26:00.000-05:002012-02-03T18:26:19.633-05:00<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>New
Projects, New Goals, and the Process of Growing as an Artist Through
Fluxus</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://stendhalgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/Fluxus_Manifesto1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://stendhalgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/Fluxus_Manifesto1.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">As I work my way through my new
collection, I grow more and more interested in focusing on the minute
details of the clothing, in addition to the overall picture that the
outfits will create and the story they will tell as a collection. I
have special plans for this line, hoping to introduce it as the new
Petey, the better Petey, the
learned-good-shit-at-design-school-before-I-peaced-out-of-there
Petey. The whole reformation is going to take approximately a year,
including the design, construction and completion of each outfit I've
got in mind. The collection will feature both men's and women's
clothing and will include both practical, wearable pieces as well as
art clothes. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/260/736/troll-web_display_image.jpg?1276700183" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/260/736/troll-web_display_image.jpg?1276700183" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> In addition to the new plan
is a new name, or rather, a simplified version of the old name. I'm
just calling it Petey. Plain and simple, with the demise of the
Troll alongside my old approach to my own designs, my business sense
and my knowledge of clothing construction, pattern making and fabric.
</span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> When I start my new blog,
it's going to be basically the same thing, with a little more
structure and a little more consistency. I've been writing in this
blog for over two years now and cherish it as my little online diary,
containing my thoughts on fashion, business, art, history, life and
of course, my own work and progression in this field. For me, this
whole transformation is coming with a new outlook. Basically, I'm
sick of sitting around on my ass, not being a fashion designer. It's
who I am, it's who I will always be. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/309629_176964369061187_176963922394565_342123_1196227375_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/309629_176964369061187_176963922394565_342123_1196227375_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Another thing that I am and
always will be is a collector of friends with extraordinary talents
in arts of all kinds. I've been very lucky with the people I've met
over the years and these include oil painters, wedding photographers,
dancers, actors, directors, costume makers, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LifeinCharacter?sk=app_178091127385">musicians</a> and writers.
Thus, I've decided to incorporate a lot more different kinds of arts
in my discussions of clothing and fashion in the new blog as well.
I'll be considering music as an inspiration, contemporary art as a
backdrop for design and reviewing other fashion commentary with the
intent of participating in the ongoing dialogue within the national
and global fashion industry. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It may be cliche to say,
but my life long dream has always been to co-found and help run an
artist collective. A “collective” sounds so socialist, but
that's exactly what it is. It's artists doing favours for each other
for the benefit of the whole group. It's print makers making screen
prints out of designs made by Photoshop masters on t-shirts
representing a clothing company who is styling local musicians.
Right? It's a lovely idea and continues to be a goal of mine over the
next five years (pending the apocalypse, of course...)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lots of big things to come
and more structure is needed to do it. I feel the need to push
forward with my business, my art and my life. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Check out my new blog – <b>Le
Couturier, Mademoiselle Petey: Fashion, Toronto and Everything About
Clothes</b>, debuting on Friday, February 10<sup>th</sup> at </span></span><a href="http://mademoisellepetey.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">http://mademoisellepetey.blogspot.com/</span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you all for reading as
always!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">VanessaPeteyHughes</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-84032331272978632572012-01-05T01:50:00.002-05:002012-01-05T01:50:44.908-05:00“Women in Pants” - The Earliest Examples of Gender Defiant Fashion for North American Women<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Vain
trifles as they seem, clothes have, they say, more important offices
than to merely keep us warm. They change our view of the world and
the world's view of us.”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fuzzylizzie.com/myPictures/books/womeninpants.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://fuzzylizzie.com/myPictures/books/womeninpants.JPG" width="226" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> This
quote by Virginia Wolfe is the opening line of the Introduction to a
book I'm currently reading called <i>Women
in Pants: Manly Maidens, Cowgirls and Other Renegades, </i>which
was brought to my attention by my roommate a couple of weeks ago. I
found it perfectly fitting, seeing as the theme of the book is not
just to tell the stories of the courageous, unique women who dared to
step out of what was considered acceptable for the time, but it is
also to shine a light on the fact that clothing, does indeed have the
power to change our outlook on the world, just like clothing also
defines who we are to the world around us. It makes a statement, one
way or another. It's like that fantastic Coco Chanel quote I love
so much: </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> “<i>Fashion
is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky,
in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what
is happening.”</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ltc1uwkfT91qh8o3vo1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ltc1uwkfT91qh8o3vo1_400.jpg" width="146" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> What
must be understood about the book is that it is not suggesting that,
these women in the photographs provided were out in public walking
around in pants on a regular basis. The Introduction alone, makes it
clear that the majority of women would have been in conventional
female attire of the time when they were outside their homes.
Inside, however, they felt comfortable enough to wear pants, dress
“like men” and have only the camera as their witnesses. That's
what makes it all the more fascinating to look at these pictures –
they are mysterious in that they were never originally meant to be
seen. The book goes on to discuss all of the different types of
women who would have been wearing pants and other garments considered
only for men's apparel in years as early as the 17<sup>th</sup>
century in North America. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCM21Xz2dBFsFz3id_Yb7v0IYPRjsvNaDd5boxvmUGKu2lv_brRm38PELOYEsWrJtINdmvRUxDt9gRMr7H4Uiw-axUXGvxPbBv0opS9uQ3X2APzrvK9Vv6ZG4vBygVGzmGs3dRwGIoA0/s1600/pants1_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCM21Xz2dBFsFz3id_Yb7v0IYPRjsvNaDd5boxvmUGKu2lv_brRm38PELOYEsWrJtINdmvRUxDt9gRMr7H4Uiw-axUXGvxPbBv0opS9uQ3X2APzrvK9Vv6ZG4vBygVGzmGs3dRwGIoA0/s320/pants1_picnik.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> The
most obvious and most identifiable types of women to me are those in
the 19<sup>th</sup>
and 20<sup>th</sup>
centuries in America who were of working class status, doing the
same work as men, and wearing the same clothing.
Unfortunately, for single, working class women the options were
obviously limited in terms of jobs any time prior to the mid 20<sup>th</sup>
century. Some women would wear men's
clothes if only to escape the fate of prostitution and find a man's job. Many women also dressed
as men so convincingly, that they were able to seek out positions in
mines and factories and in some rare cases, even some such positions
as train conductors, fisherwomen, farmers and house-painters – all
of which required their employees to wear pants for reasons none
other than simple mobility and safety. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> There
are also several recorded cases of women enrolling in the army in
wars as early as the American Revolution and certainly in the Civil
War and World War One, who would have worn the same uniforms as their
male counterparts. “Often as good, or better shots than any man,
these women proved themselves as “men,” when confronted with the
horrors of war. They fired rifles, wielded bayonets, and carried up
to 50 pounds of equipment which included firearms, ammunition,
blankets and mess kits.”<a class="sdendnoteanc" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2806634941399573240#sdendnote1sym" name="sdendnote1anc"><sup>i</sup></a>
</span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmNQwP8TxzojWrGJUPqIVibp3pINy-i1MNAcd46fQlVfi45sQE-M99_RSUMtBjhM9xAWLkPfQf-rF30fl9PMkitEGmtC6AOdsV-f5R1Zch1qtYu7Y-tEosna-iJBimVwZ5b4mEMmA82A/s1600/pants2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmNQwP8TxzojWrGJUPqIVibp3pINy-i1MNAcd46fQlVfi45sQE-M99_RSUMtBjhM9xAWLkPfQf-rF30fl9PMkitEGmtC6AOdsV-f5R1Zch1qtYu7Y-tEosna-iJBimVwZ5b4mEMmA82A/s400/pants2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b> </b>The
other type of fascinating woman I came across in this book was none
other than the legit, true cowgirl, found only in the 19<sup>th</sup>
century south western United States. The main character in this
American legend is called Calamity Jane, a bonified cowgirl right
down to her chewing tobacco. There were plenty of cases such as
these, many examples depicted in the book. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> When the Great Depression happened,
followed quickly by the hardships caused by the Second World War, it
became more and more common to see women in pants going to work in
the fields or the factory. Since then, obviously times have changed
and the world we live in (here in middle class, big city, North
America....) and women have more options than they did in the past in
both working life, as well as in fashion. The 40s gave us Rosie the
Riveter. The 50s was a little bit of a step back, but there are still
some cases such as Audrey Hepburn wearing clam diggers and dressing
like a boy. I've already mentioned Coco, and when the 60s came,
obviously all hell broke loose and women everywhere were getting into
jeans and stepping away from all possible conventions. </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kitsch-slapped.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/audrey-hepburn-1953-mark-shaw-photographer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.kitsch-slapped.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/audrey-hepburn-1953-mark-shaw-photographer.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> The thing about clothes is that they
define who you are. Even if that definition is not more than “guy
who doesn't care about what he looks like,” (as unfortunate as that
may be...) it's still a definition, which has been decided based on
the choice of clothing the wearer has chosen for whatever reason it
may be. People think fashion design is an unconventional art form,
and I agree. Fashion design is more than creating art – it's
creating lives. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Until next time! </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="sdendnote1">
<div class="sdendnote">
<a class="sdendnotesym" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2806634941399573240#sdendnote1anc" name="sdendnote1sym">i</a>Smith,
Catherine and Cynthia Greig, <u>Women in Pants: Manly Maidens,
Cowgirls and Other Renegades</u><span style="text-decoration: none;">,
Harry N. Abrams Incorporated, New York, 2003. pg. 62</span></div>
</div>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-88135418775555486872011-12-29T13:05:00.003-05:002011-12-29T14:42:32.070-05:00New Projects and Personal Inspirations - The New Line in Progress<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/373838_772906258728_122703816_37836009_966334936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/373838_772906258728_122703816_37836009_966334936_n.jpg" width="173" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Whenever I start a new project, in this
case (and most cases,) a jacket, I must admit that I usually start
working with someone – a specific person in mind. I meet a lot of
people on a daily basis, and I'm also lucky enough to have a lot of
friends with really unique styles from which to draw inspiration. It
usually happens instantly and out of nowhere and it never leaves my
head until I leave the sketchpad and move to the sewing room. This
is where the seamstress/designer keeps all of her secrets and
mysteries, not always enclosing the name of the figure who inspired the
garments in her collection. There are times, of course when I make
clothes on commission for people, in which case obviously the garment
is inspired by them. Trying to describe the process is like a
painter describing how they chose which colour to go in which spot on
their canvas, or a musician, which notes sounded best where.</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Right at this very moment, I have four
jackets in my mind that I want to make over the next month – two
men's, two women's. I've been working on sketches of these projects
for 3 weeks, and continue to develop my ideas every day as I walk
around the city, observing the choices of outer-wear that
Torontonians adorn. In some of my previous blogs, I've discussed actually having to stop on the street, on the subway, or
streetcar to really look at someone far away because the image
they've achieved with their personal style is so stunning to me that
I must make note of it. I'm not a photographer, but I maintain the
ability to describe beauty in its many, strange forms. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.fashion-era.com/images/calthrop/calthrop-DRAWINGS/1773-1782-man-cutaway-coat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://www.fashion-era.com/images/calthrop/calthrop-DRAWINGS/1773-1782-man-cutaway-coat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> The first man's jacket I'll be working on was half inspired
by a photograph from a Vogue that I cut out and used for a
photo-collage in my bedroom, and half by an anonymous person, an
artist, who I hardly see ever, but who always interests me on a
creative level when I do. And what I've realized since I initially started working on the piece, is that the previous description could be applicable to a lot of the men I know, suiting their styles perfectly each in their own individual way. That's what I want to achieve with this jacket - a sense of individuality, which can be applied to any style. It'll be a navy blue, slim-fitted blazer,
with classic patch pockets and one inside breast pocket and one
outside breast pocket. The unique thing that will be about this jacket is that I
wanted it to be longer than a normal blazer. Not too long, just a
couple of inches, to give it a slightly more dressy look than one
that cuts at the waist. I think it has to be the next one I work on,
just because it's been floating in my head for some time now and I'm
starting to feel like it's a real thing. Fabric-search-time. Give
me a week. Less. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/74149_633229172728_122703816_36495481_4659225_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/74149_633229172728_122703816_36495481_4659225_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> The first woman's jacket I want to work
on is going to be a re-make of an old Petey the Troll coat from
winter 2009. I've decided I want to use some of the fabrics from the
old left over stuff, because quite frankly, I'm a much better
seamstress/designer now than I was then (ya know, design school n
shit) and I could use the beautiful materials I used before for more
beautiful garments. You dig? We have pictures anyways, I'm not
sentimental. ;) The new jacket is going to be a mix of mustard
yellow corduroy, and brown printed drapery fabric, using grey
buttons, and burgundy gathered lace at the cuffs and pockets, just
for a touch of history. It'll be the most colourful piece I've
worked on in months, actually, and I'm really excited to get going on
tearing the old stuff apart. Someone once said an artist cannot grow
unless they understand both creation as well as destruction. I tend
to agree.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> The second man's jacket I'll be working
on is the least finished, in terms of design, of the four I plan to
begin working on immediately. Again, this piece was inspired almost
directly by a friend of mine who also has a very unique personal
style, that which reflects his personality very well, in my opinion.
The idea originally came from a jacket he pointed out to me on a
woman, featuring both leather as a base fabric, as well as thick
knitted wool around the cuffs, the collar, and at the waist. What
has kept me interested in this piece has less to do with this
interested combination of materials, and more the transformation of
it from a woman's jacket to a man's, and thinking about what the key
differences are between the two in a case such as this wherein the
piece itself is practically ambiguous in style. So I'm still working
on it, but expect some sketches and further discussion on this topic
in coming posts. :)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://www.angeltrim.com/images/Venise_VF/vt28-A5574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://www.angeltrim.com/images/Venise_VF/vt28-A5574.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.angeltrim.com/images/Venise_VN/vk59-rx095L040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://www.angeltrim.com/images/Venise_VN/vk59-rx095L040.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> The last coat and the second woman's
coat is one which will mirror the first man's jacket I created months
ago for an inspired by one of my old co-workers. He challenged me to
use lace, a favourite material of both mine and his, on a man's
jacket while maintaining the solemnity and masculinity of the jacket
itself. What I came up with, as you might recall is a grey, Italian
wool jacket with black lace, 1 1/2” thick lining the two front
seams under the arms and on the inside of the collar and the cuffs at
the sleeves. We agreed it was a success and I was further inspired
to use lace on more of my garments as appliques, rather than frou
frou. Therefore my next woman's jacket is going to be cream coloured
wool, to accentuate the brighter coloured lace, with fold-over
pockets, which I've been meaning to include on something for months,
fitted, straight cut with a 4” flare at the waist. The front
closure will not be double breasted, but will be asymmetrical still,
leaving lots of room for the lace applique on the top right corner,
in a colour I've yet to decide on. This one is going to be a special
one for me, I can feel it already. And do I have someone in mind
that I've based the design off of? Of course I do. It's a friend,
who I don't know terribly well, but who's smile I love to see as it
has the ability to defuse any awkward situation and light up any
room. She's got such confidence and pride in herself that it is
truly unique and makes me want to dress her up in beautiful things to
accentuate those aspects about her that I admire so much. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> So that's kind of what I'm working on
right now, and hope to be finished with by the end of January so I
can move on to more projects such as the further development of my
work on the wedding dresses and bridesmaids dresses I'm working on
and some art-clothing in the Spring. :)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Thanks for reading!!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">V</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-54983075376819358032011-12-20T19:15:00.000-05:002011-12-20T19:15:52.866-05:00Morning Daydreams<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Most unfortunately, last weekend I
managed to finally drop my Blackberry one too many times. It was one
of those nights where you know you should have had your shit better
put together, and you lament the fool you were for even going out in
the first place. Not that I didn't love seeing my fantastic friends,
carrying on one of a kind conversations with the brightest and most
unique young minds of our generation. Perhaps I'm exaggerating, but
these people are great, and I always feel lucky I know them. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://www.fixyourberry.com/Blackberry_Bold_9650_broken.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.fixyourberry.com/Blackberry_Bold_9650_broken.JPG" width="183" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Anyways, I've dropped my phone about
1500 times prior to this incident in which the corner of the screen
cracked, spoiling the view of the entire screen. I didn't even do
anything specifically dumb, it just fell out of my hand and hit the
metal base of the table I was seated at. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Sigh.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">So the good news is, I got to buy a new
phone. :D </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The other good news is that sans my palm
sized connection to the technological world, I had a lot of time to
think about the progression of my work over the past 4 1/2 years
since the debut of Petey the Troll in 2007 at the <a href="http://www.myspace.com/grandstandfashion">Grandstand FashionShow</a> II at Phog Lounge in Windsor, Ontario. I recall that winter, I
was working at Fabricland, your friendly local fabric retailer and
where all the really cool old ladies go to work after they've lived
their fantastic young lives. I wanted to make a trench coat so
badly. I studied the way they were made by buying them at thrift
stores and cutting them into pieces. Of course I knew absolutely
nothing about pattern making at that point and shutter to think of
some of my earliest prototypes, but I worked my ass off trying to
figure out the intricacies of the trench coat so that some day I
could successfully make one, or two, or three. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://www.ludoandpig.com/200819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.ludoandpig.com/200819.JPG" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> That was just the beginning for me, and
for Meaghan and I as a team called Petey the Troll. Meaghan got
involved initially because I was too shy to attend the meeting about
our first fashion show at Phog by myself. For the first year she
developed (ghetto, in retrospect, but never the less) makeshift
screen printing facilities in the basement of the house I was living
in at the time and we produced one of a kind hand printed, dyed and
sewn tshirts for the folks of Windsor to collect and display. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Soon afterwards, Meaghan began making
items of her own and contributing them to the collections I was
putting together. We soon came to the conclusion that we worked
particularly well together and that our styles were just similar and
different enough to look extraordinarily unique and appealing. When
the previous organizers of the Grandstand Fashion shows in Windsor
retired their positions, finished their Masters degrees and moved out
of the city in pursuit of greater things. As a result I took it upon
myself to organize and promote small shows in Windsor alongside other
designers such as DillyDaisy, theefamily and Jenn Lopez. It was this
kind of experience in addition to our distinctive style of
photographing local faces in our clothes, using only local artists
for the photography, the printing and the modelling. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://a2.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/92/d7c9bdd3c5e44fcd957afb3c15491924/l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://a2.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/92/d7c9bdd3c5e44fcd957afb3c15491924/l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In March of 2010 Petey the Troll were
preparing to show our first small Couture line <i>Petey Couture</i>
at the recognized Toronto Alternative Fashion Week wherein they
showed 10 outfits and were featured in several articles back home as
a result. This is when it got real for me. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Our decision to move to Toronto from
Windsor became finalized not long after this point. We were paying
the bills in Windsor by working small theatre jobs and costume
commissions, but it wasn't what I wanted and I knew I had to leave
Windsor. So Meaghan and I decided to enrol in a design school in
Toronto for an exorbitant tuition and packed up our clothes to move
here, our current home, in January 2011. </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/284350_727778265588_122703034_37408086_3134012_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/284350_727778265588_122703034_37408086_3134012_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Obviously if you know us, you know that
design school didn't exactly work out. I knew on the first day that
it wasn't going to be a place that I would last very long due to the
fact that we spent three hours in a lab learning to thread a sewing
machine :S. Over the next couple of months, I stuck it out in the
program to acquire the necessary skills and information to advance my
draping and pattern making skills, to further my creative abilities
with regards to design. I met some fantastic people, the professors
especially. They were inspiring in their precision and their
thorough knowledge of their trade, that it made me a much better
seamstress and a very effective pattern maker and draper – even
after dropping out in the middle of the second semester. :P It was
like I got it too well, too fast and it was tremendously boring going
through the painstaking process of learning how to sew a straight
line, which i've been working on for at least the last 10 years. </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippxVAJ2qX_XHJzqB5GB3BgL8pduHte0F9Rn80-thn2japOZrJlS-WjNaGECxHnLx_8RN_rO759ILpe0IGZFCb6sk0PsrE5X_OH2nYVvTyhW0TcL89gzHIRal1d7hF1qpv8BXK7xrtg88/s1600/vanity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippxVAJ2qX_XHJzqB5GB3BgL8pduHte0F9Rn80-thn2japOZrJlS-WjNaGECxHnLx_8RN_rO759ILpe0IGZFCb6sk0PsrE5X_OH2nYVvTyhW0TcL89gzHIRal1d7hF1qpv8BXK7xrtg88/s320/vanity.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> What finally broke it for me was when I
was working on a wedding dress for my dear friend Courtney Thomas of
the photography duo WetFresco out of Windsor, Ontario. I was
perfectly pinning each little gather and sewing my tiny baby hem on
the soft fabric in the sewing room at school, and I stopped and
realized that my fellow students in their at the time (all in much
further advanced classes than I,) were working on a-line skirts and
other such simple garments. I was out of place. So one day I just
took out my Blackberry, emailed the President and walked out of my
classroom. Post-Secondary education and I haven't been friends since
2008. Meaghan stuck it out for a while longer but eventually joined
me in the working world outside any organized design institutions
which claimed the only road to success is paved in money and
connections. My perspective has always been that talent, and
creativity and initiative could overcome such barriers, and that
there was room for success for artists still, especially in a city
like Toronto. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">So anyways, Petey's up and going again
and I'm working on a menswear line, due for completion March 2012!
All I can say is that I've never done a line like this before and
I'cve already surprised myself at the new designs and ideas that I've
been keeping inside for months prior. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Get excited. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Anyways thanks a ton for reading, and
look forward to more pictures and udates in the upcoming weeks!
Thanks!</span></div>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-45851093190076529352011-12-13T17:17:00.000-05:002011-12-13T17:17:19.149-05:00Canadian Independent Music and its Influence on Street Fashion in Toronto<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> At my day job, I'm fortunate enough to
meet a lot of new people all the time. My particular circumstance
for the past few months has been that I have seen my place of work go
through almost a complete turnover of employees. That means meeting
and having to get to know new people very frequently, which of course
results in the development of methods of approaching certain
individuals with whom you take an interest. Are you from Toronto?
Did you go to University? Do you have a boyfriend, etc... One of my
favourites, due to the response's ability to speak volumes about the
speaker who has unintentionally offered such information is, “So,
what music do you listen to?” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> The twentieth century made this
possible. There are currently two types of people who can be
immediately categorized based on their responses to the previously
stated question. There are music lovers and there are other
people... and if you're a music lover, you know exactly what I mean.
If you're a music lover, you've spent many good hours of your life
with headphones on, pressing them into your ears to make it even
louder than it already is, blaring out of the ipod, cellphone,
laptop, walkman, stereo, 8-track, whatever. You're open to hearing
the most experimental of genres, and you have a deep appreciation for
the classics from ages of the past. There are of course many
sub-types under the category of music lover, but if you happen to be
one, and you meet another, you know that you understand each other
on some level as a result. It's quite the fantastic thing about our
generation's interpretation of the music industry. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sweetslyrics.com/images/img_gal/9704_mothermother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.sweetslyrics.com/images/img_gal/9704_mothermother.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> The Canadian music scene has, in the
past ten years been so impressive in quality and quantity that it has
managed, in the opinion of many, to out-do their American
counterparts. I'm obviously not talking about Nickleback or Celine
Dion... everyone knows that's mainstream bullshit created by an
American audience who can't get the image of Canadian culture being
nothing more than old men “rockstars” with terrible style and bad
facial hair. It's barely even worth mentioning in Canada because
we're so embarrassed of our unfortunate association with this
horrifying image. *<b>Sigh*</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylPIAkE_06eQkGiWO_51xMP502RKXt8n71d7XZNYK-sooSOGBDP2ZOKnF1VPcbwyfi46unG4NNppKL9iD32uOg1-vWnx731joOx2Ut3AylzCm-A5JlvsJxtndja0Xg0L8tA2mp7GEXWza/s400/phog+mural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylPIAkE_06eQkGiWO_51xMP502RKXt8n71d7XZNYK-sooSOGBDP2ZOKnF1VPcbwyfi46unG4NNppKL9iD32uOg1-vWnx731joOx2Ut3AylzCm-A5JlvsJxtndja0Xg0L8tA2mp7GEXWza/s320/phog+mural.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Since I moved to Toronto last January,
I've been engulfed in the shockingly impressive underground music
scene which not only exists here, but in the other major cities like
Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. Windsor was different. Windsor is
the type of city that has its own little scene that is completely
contained within the city limits. The music was fantastic, but it
didn't have the potential for national exposure like some of the
artists I've met and seen in Toronto. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> So what kind of influence foes this have
on the way people dress? Off the top of my head right now I can
think of at least ten of my male friends who all dress exactly the
same. Though it's kind of funny, I have to ask myself why this
happens. What is it about these people that makes them all dress and
act in similar ways?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.allgoodseats.com/images/arcade-fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://www.allgoodseats.com/images/arcade-fire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">As I walk down the crowded downtown streets of Toronto I look around at a sea of skinny jeans, cardigans and, now that it's winter, pea coats, and scarves, I wonder what's coming next and what all of these same people will be wearing five years from now. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Until then!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">V</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-831350524451750232011-12-09T09:53:00.001-05:002011-12-09T15:34:35.194-05:00Fashiongasms and Epiphanies: TO in the Wintertime<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGa7yOS7CKp4xhnejG_YvkLL9agXvU6ngJwRiOASAJfU3GwTBpuSeQ6d7x3WQBxyH4A94BeKst2TqoF_jrvxNIYHmofD1-VSydNFN16nQAb1WCLbUzfIA9VG-QI-dhD6Ir-ie5-iScSXo/s1600/sbux.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGa7yOS7CKp4xhnejG_YvkLL9agXvU6ngJwRiOASAJfU3GwTBpuSeQ6d7x3WQBxyH4A94BeKst2TqoF_jrvxNIYHmofD1-VSydNFN16nQAb1WCLbUzfIA9VG-QI-dhD6Ir-ie5-iScSXo/s200/sbux.jpg" width="143" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyone who knows me personally, knows that my day job is none other than coffee shop barista. It is
the accepted fate of any artist, that they should find some other
method of paying the bills and maintaining their fabulous artist
lifestyles while they toil away at their often fruitless, but always
satisfying creative outlet of choice. I like my job if for nothing
other than the ever present opportunity to meet all kinds of people
from all different walks of life. Especially working on King Street
West on the doorstep of the fashion district, some of our clientele
are nothing short of magazine worthy in their perfectly put together
outfits.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.matchesfashion.com/pws/images/catalogue/products/viv-y-88056-08_bck/xlarge/viv-y-88056-08_bck_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.matchesfashion.com/pws/images/catalogue/products/viv-y-88056-08_bck/xlarge/viv-y-88056-08_bck_1.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Both at work and in everyday life here
in Toronto, I see all kinds of fantastic and unique details on
garments and in all the many ways people dress themselves up. For
example, I recall a streetcar ride eastbound on St. Clair Ave,
approaching Avenue Rd where that big, beautiful old apartment
building is with the park and the vines and stuff. It's raining
outside and I look over and there's a man wearing a long black duster
coat down to his knees, and his head is mostly covered by the giant,
oversized gold and black umbrella he's holding to shield himself from
the falling elements. The image with all the colours and the rain
and the brevity of the encounter was so striking that it burned
itself into my mind and has existed ever since as an image I someday
hope to recreate with a camera, or a canvas.</span><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.dressity.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Kate-Middleton-Military-Coat-Alexander-Mcqueen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://www.dressity.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Kate-Middleton-Military-Coat-Alexander-Mcqueen.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHEcIP4jCbsF69I0WiDCQAj7RUuSweVK4xhspfLK_-zOiRlevoBNXNzwIrwbIuNscfwxtez-LIwyhfyqaePeBxgG5q9fjJu_minyQlOCaeGwTPWYnitougnzP-6om7LcWPcVNKrmmuX8/s1600/IMG-20111130-00019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHEcIP4jCbsF69I0WiDCQAj7RUuSweVK4xhspfLK_-zOiRlevoBNXNzwIrwbIuNscfwxtez-LIwyhfyqaePeBxgG5q9fjJu_minyQlOCaeGwTPWYnitougnzP-6om7LcWPcVNKrmmuX8/s200/IMG-20111130-00019.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><a href="http://www.dressity.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Kate-Middleton-Military-Coat-Alexander-Mcqueen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Twice today I got ideas for the womens
line of Spring jackets which will follow the mens, (construction will
be underway beginning in February 2012) from women I saw on subway.
I decided to go thrift store shopping for boots (I ended up getting
two of the most fantastic pairs of boots ever, one is brown suede,
thigh high with two zippers and buckles and the other is shorties
with a little heal and a basket weave pattern in leather around the
ankle. LOVE.) so I got on the Bloor line eastbound. The first
woman I watched for a little while, trying to figure out a way to
photograph her coat without her thinking I was a creep. I failed.
It was black wool, but around the shoulders, elbows and in some areas
of the front panels, there were darker black, textured appliques in
random fluid forms. It was really stunning the way it was done and I
immediately noted to myself in my phone to remind me to write about
the experience in this post. The second girl I only saw for a second
because she got on at the stop just before I got off and was a few
feet away from me standing by the door. Her jacket was a simple
double breasted fit and flare wool coat, but the sleeves were what
were particularly intriguing. Mid forearm, I'd say about 5 inches
from the wrist, began a 60 degree angled flare with six little
buttons on the bottom side. Not 17<sup>th</sup> century obnoxiously
or anything, but there was a little tiny bit of lace ruffling just at
the cuff as well, giving it this fantastic Little Women, turn of the
century feeling to a relatively modern looking coat. I just had to
make note of it.
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IReSWH3zE-wPo-EAdRjLMnie2H2vJYGRetz6KljEigGXm2kk0k8BURnhsjos1W8ySveNsggpfWQuDrY01-UtyRQnNYf5icoEqt3kXjyDTwIx9K5rW3RcPDf-8Nd_RC_fbsPhbFMIX3U/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IReSWH3zE-wPo-EAdRjLMnie2H2vJYGRetz6KljEigGXm2kk0k8BURnhsjos1W8ySveNsggpfWQuDrY01-UtyRQnNYf5icoEqt3kXjyDTwIx9K5rW3RcPDf-8Nd_RC_fbsPhbFMIX3U/s200/blog1.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've been working a ton lately, getting
full time hours and all, which is fantastic for my bank account, but
not so much for the personal life or the artistic life I love so
dearly. Last week for example I spent six straight days doing
basically nothing but sleep and work. However, in my down time I was
preparing for today when I would make the finalized pattern for the next item in my personal Petey the Troll collection of jackets and coats for Men.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRxGoIvM_TEOKHdBrYFbWisyjyHE5xOd2UEafXB2ftUQWia799DjtJy5TwYlIQDQcbUCbOLNh2PKxBXgXFzy1m7rZw3a7GU4vd7Mr-lzuzeX4MYcWWg4dklEDjM9OrSSxaWGsitMO6p0/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRxGoIvM_TEOKHdBrYFbWisyjyHE5xOd2UEafXB2ftUQWia799DjtJy5TwYlIQDQcbUCbOLNh2PKxBXgXFzy1m7rZw3a7GU4vd7Mr-lzuzeX4MYcWWg4dklEDjM9OrSSxaWGsitMO6p0/s320/blog2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Trench coat!!!! This has been the only
thing on my mind all week. I managed to complete the patterns for my
wedding dress commissions on my last day off, so I have nothing but my
sexy trench to think about today. It's a lightweight medium grey
wool with two defining linings; one plain black polyester and the
other a black, white, yellow plaid I've used in previous Petey
collections. There are front and back storm flaps, two side pockets
and two inside pockets, 10 front buttons and countless other buttons
scatter throughout.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm off now to put the rest of it together and I'll be posting photographs to my <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/VanessaPetey">Twitter</a> account as well as my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vanessapetey">Facebook</a> all day! </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">V</span></div>
<br />
</div>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-56293619677411066892011-11-28T19:12:00.001-05:002011-11-28T19:24:51.645-05:00Pea Coat versus Blazer and the Progression of Petey the Troll<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEwoqCFygpkYiO3EJ7NuHDzWDNu_rX3pBcDUU6z9Lad_Fqh_tCJ89SPpjMzlF5l2pB8Or51BJlnz1UV8boqWSKoqXzh_Iuamnp0MSmPVDvgV1g0jMx4YsQU4Bu6Xs2__JCsMxHVHueMw/s1600/Toronto-20110701-00476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEwoqCFygpkYiO3EJ7NuHDzWDNu_rX3pBcDUU6z9Lad_Fqh_tCJ89SPpjMzlF5l2pB8Or51BJlnz1UV8boqWSKoqXzh_Iuamnp0MSmPVDvgV1g0jMx4YsQU4Bu6Xs2__JCsMxHVHueMw/s320/Toronto-20110701-00476.jpg" width="320" /></a>Heyy thar,
interested parties and people who like clothes.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span>I've
got a couple days off at the beginning of this week as a result of a
client meeting this evening about a couple of wedding dresses. </span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span>The
bride is coming to have her measurements taken and to approve the
sketches and fabric swatches I've chosen for both her actual wedding
ceremony gown and her reception party dress. I'm also making the
bridesmaids dresses for this occasion, but those will be discussed in
further detail at a later date. If she agrees and likes my design,
I'll come back and tell you all about it, but until then, it must
remain a mystery to all those but the seamstress and her client (and
Josh, who was probably sitting next to me while I was
sketching...ahem.)</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKn-orx7Ii63dJKcWEJheK7K6VHdVwq4k3nckweGchVZoEqNspVdmwFEp7LN5vY9N9gRcQPsx5PImF1YYy7xHYoHj1glaR4JEZcVQ6s6JTrVfPrZWOcHFCfziAn42lwTMOi5emosZz5E/s1600/peacoat+inside+jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKn-orx7Ii63dJKcWEJheK7K6VHdVwq4k3nckweGchVZoEqNspVdmwFEp7LN5vY9N9gRcQPsx5PImF1YYy7xHYoHj1glaR4JEZcVQ6s6JTrVfPrZWOcHFCfziAn42lwTMOi5emosZz5E/s200/peacoat+inside+jacket.jpg" width="150" /></a>
I like timelines. I like schedules and having a plan for every hour
and every day and I like knowing way in advanced to be organized. I
never was a fan of surprise occasions, unless they are a planned
surprise. You betcha I've planned this hour of the day to sit down
and write a blog after hitting the pipe a few unglamourous times on
this lovely Monday afternoon. I've got two hours until I meet with
my client so let's get into it.
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa6iF5U8ajg8cXFHqydyqPVLv-ZtZh-k5yYO8lyvJlHn6oRn36PlmWHf-6XQV48ZCKJkCvdQznXf6qMT-CiCHaAsWcGv8xO69qeWcXcTqebGoIgUo0jvRhd6BYrHLlu61y_SoBGPXh88/s1600/peacoat+front+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa6iF5U8ajg8cXFHqydyqPVLv-ZtZh-k5yYO8lyvJlHn6oRn36PlmWHf-6XQV48ZCKJkCvdQznXf6qMT-CiCHaAsWcGv8xO69qeWcXcTqebGoIgUo0jvRhd6BYrHLlu61y_SoBGPXh88/s320/peacoat+front+view.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPzsUBFia3tl_v-BJS_ACAavf8IZoIH8rJr2fA8IIEBRl_fQD2MLrjnQTHxZgwdSL4_s0Sinl9Ofnci9bqQs3nuqy7nq7jFVmT0uf03bL1LmZ5msLoQL941-u_9zXgeIXa-EDPN8DXYE/s1600/peacoat+backview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPzsUBFia3tl_v-BJS_ACAavf8IZoIH8rJr2fA8IIEBRl_fQD2MLrjnQTHxZgwdSL4_s0Sinl9Ofnci9bqQs3nuqy7nq7jFVmT0uf03bL1LmZ5msLoQL941-u_9zXgeIXa-EDPN8DXYE/s200/peacoat+backview.jpg" width="146" /></a>
This week has been a strange one. Drama at work, drama with friends,
and feeling my winter urge to redirect my thoughts inward, has caused
for some sad nights, feeling defeated and hopeless, as we all do,
from time to time. One of the more positive results of these
feelings is that I tend to dive into my mind, and find energy that I
didn't know existed in an effort to create with originality and
efficiency. For example, I spent two weeks preparing a pattern,
looking for fabric and drawing sketches for a pea coat I was making
for Josh. I went the whole nine yards with this one. I started with
a basic pattern for a men's blazer, from which all other jacket
patterns can be made (with a little skill and a lot of knowledge
about the construction of clothing and the shape of the human body).
I then altered the pieces of the pattern in order to achieve a
different end result in terms of the style of jacket.
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
How does one turn a blazer into a pea coat?
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://i55.tinypic.com/3142buo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://i55.tinypic.com/3142buo.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Back up. What IS a pea coat? What is a blazer? Which pieces have
to be altered in order to make the necessary changes?
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.antiquemapsandprints.com/scansj/j-20592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.antiquemapsandprints.com/scansj/j-20592.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A pea coat is a double breasted style jacket, designed for sailors in
the British Navy during the Victorian era. Originally, it would have
only been found in navy blue, and would have been longer than the
typical styles we see in fashion today. The end result of Josh's
coat was going to include wrist belts, inseam pockets, epaulettes, a
partial waistband and an oversized collar. The colour we chose was
black, and the inner lining is the most wicked colour cream when it's
up against the black. The buttons are gold, it's just awesome. I
digress.
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The pattern I had to start with was a blazer pattern, so what's a
blazer? The word blazer is used commonly to cover a lot of
variations of the same sort of jacket. It's single breasted,
usually has patch pockets, and vents and is usually seen as part of
a suit, or as a uniform item. The style became popular as a result
of it's use in school uniforms at establishments such as Oxford in
England, or Harvard in the United States.
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In order to change this pattern into a completely different coat I
had to change almost everything. I shortened it, I straightened the
seams, took out the back vents and added the waistband, completely
changed the front panels from single breasted and symmetrical to
double breasted and entirely asymmetrical. Then I invented my own
collar and added the wrist belts, inseam pockets and epaulettes to
get exactly what I wanted.
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://www.amoeba.com/dynamic-images/blog/Eric_B/IanCurtis.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://www.amoeba.com/dynamic-images/blog/Eric_B/IanCurtis.jpeg" width="400" /></a>
When I got the fabric I cut it out, and then went into the sewing
room for eight straight hours to come out with a completely finished
coat. It's my most recent masterpiece, mostly because I was
surprised at how well the construction and creation of it actually
went. It reassured my confidence in myself as a seamstress. :)</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Next up in my menswear line is a trench coat. I've got a couple of
dudes in mind for whom I'd like to make this trench coat, but if
you'd like it to be you because you always really wanted a trench
coat or something, than hit me up!! (Now, I'm talking like, Burberry
Brit style trench here, not like, scary oversized goth shit or
anything... fyi.)
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrzTk4EhzuxqgBCnYyYHpobDJuDaw3fEcFRb4jenjWLvzicG70dsldFmytvQZP2mI_94wfDVWWGb7K8_X2N3k9ljl6cmfOQ51NuvdcKh7s5f3zqtrwhju-ZN1vVzyTPMr7334SwqaBL0/s1600/trench+coat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrzTk4EhzuxqgBCnYyYHpobDJuDaw3fEcFRb4jenjWLvzicG70dsldFmytvQZP2mI_94wfDVWWGb7K8_X2N3k9ljl6cmfOQ51NuvdcKh7s5f3zqtrwhju-ZN1vVzyTPMr7334SwqaBL0/s320/trench+coat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
One of Petey the Troll's trademark behaviours back in the day, was to
choose individuals we know, male and female, who have a look or a
style that we dig and that we think would fit our clothes. Then we
use that person as the inspiration for the garment we happen to be
working on and make it to their measurements as a prototype for the
finished collection. All I ask of these chosen individuals is that
they let me photograph them in the garment and use the pictures for
our website, this blog, promotion, portfolios, etc etc. If they
want to keep the garment afterwards, they could get it at the cost of
materials only instead of paying full price like everyone else! Get
it?
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So if you're interested, or know someone who might be, email me! I
can't guarentee 100% that you'll be chosen, but at least I'll know
you're down.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span>You
can get me at <a href="mailto:vanessapetey@gmail.com">vanessapetey@gmail.com</a>
or on my Facebook if you happen to be a friend. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
See you soon, thanks!!
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-79619174966317439572011-11-28T18:40:00.001-05:002011-11-28T18:59:02.047-05:00Winter Coats and Menswear – It's Working Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://welshrugbyblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/movember-212x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://welshrugbyblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/movember-212x300.jpg" width="141" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><-----Horrid</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's <a href="http://ca.movember.com/">MoMo-vember</a> and it's beginning to
get chilly underneath all of those horrid trucker moustaches here in
Toronto. Costume season is over and the holidays are on their way
and winter's mean-ice-pellets-to-face winds are causing the
widespread need for people to layer up their clothing and find this
year's winter coat to keep them warm and safe in the skyscraper-lined
wind tunnels we call downtown.
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ettrickgraphics.com/images/hawick/hawsnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://www.ettrickgraphics.com/images/hawick/hawsnow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Winter can sometimes be quite the
interesting time for fashion, though, providing new challenges and
opportunities to be both stylish and trendy, but also functional and
warm at the same time. I can hear my father saying “What does it
matter whatcha look like so long as you're prepared for the weather!”
Oh, daddy.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD29lrZiCaXqCL9rc4Am_j2KDSTJm4hNjgOkYdLN7siiRZd_mWFP3MN56Dfqjw1G7mEYEh9i3Q__8LfBHzeaqBlg3zrUyYYKIjPGPNEKiUMm_ZNO5iYvUGZvrZZYHqbl2D9ImG46toiy4/s1600/dress+sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD29lrZiCaXqCL9rc4Am_j2KDSTJm4hNjgOkYdLN7siiRZd_mWFP3MN56Dfqjw1G7mEYEh9i3Q__8LfBHzeaqBlg3zrUyYYKIjPGPNEKiUMm_ZNO5iYvUGZvrZZYHqbl2D9ImG46toiy4/s200/dress+sketch.jpg" width="191" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I currently have two major projects
underway both heading in a fantastic direction, but both being a lot
of work ahead of me. The first is the wedding I may have mentioned
in this blog before, the very last wedding I will be taking on for
some time. She's been a client of mine for about 6 months now and
she's consistently been an avid admirer of my work with Petey the
Troll and Petey Couture, in such a flattering way that I hardly want
to charge her at all. At this time we're still in the design stage
of the four dresses (including the wedding gown, yes yes!) and I've
been making sketches and technical sketches and searching for fabric
swatches etc. The fact that this bride is so open to my ideas and
allowing me to use my own creativity to produce her dresses will
definitely produce a better result than previous work I've done under
Petey Couture where the bridesmaids were weirdly specific about the
styles, colours and fabrics I used in the construction. After all
*<b>ahem* </b>I am an artist.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Gr5gqFTuPc2LA06SUMkQ57M8j714wp8B-UMZ16zZ1lWKsE0KHpK_fE2iIaJgYwcbvQKQ_o_XP1nHazvIO2nQLSJhmQ0gLX6hdw-j3gyXIbNJN2sS2B_mL-MdlQCyATCwSE056h2AftA/s1600/steven%2527s+blazer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Gr5gqFTuPc2LA06SUMkQ57M8j714wp8B-UMZ16zZ1lWKsE0KHpK_fE2iIaJgYwcbvQKQ_o_XP1nHazvIO2nQLSJhmQ0gLX6hdw-j3gyXIbNJN2sS2B_mL-MdlQCyATCwSE056h2AftA/s320/steven%2527s+blazer.jpg" width="215" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The second
project is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum and is
something I've been working on getting going for months now: Petey
the Troll Menswear Spring 2012. I'm expecting to be finished this
February 2012 with the design, construction, photography and
accessibility of this line. Part of my plan for the presentation of
the line is an old school photo shoot like Meaghan and I used to do
in the old days with WetFresco and yes, I'll be looking for models.
(I've actually kind of been thinking about it for a while and have
like half the guys picked for who I want involved in this project...
it's not creepy, it's pro-active.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> So now that the
updates are out of the way, let's talk men's jackets. Of the
previously mentioned collection, I've completed, thus far, only one
jacket for a friend of mine. This particular friend is a lot of fun
to dress, and we'd discussed elements of design on several occasions.
He inspired my design for a grey, fitted wool blazer with a
iridescent blue, brown and orange, paisley printed, polyester lining.
The key elements of the jacket include front flap pockets, two
bottons, with small detailing in black lace on the two front side
seams of the garment. This was an idea brought to me by the friend
in question, who challenged me to find a way to include lace on a
man's jacket which would still be tasteful and not too feminine. He
loved what I came up with and I decided that this would be the first
piece in this new collection. The theme is new ideas and new
beginnings.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAalaBO01yq-tP8BLJR5lQxs13Fg9RbB2FY7waQW5k9BiEAtClk0dzSluOo5Gn5Pd0aFFmyQIX3ciXuGYTEd-TRvaQTbsq5whTb3fDXS5bLUSbgxB4m3icVNWs2UfQunk4QRHBqg31jc8/s1600/peacoat+sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAalaBO01yq-tP8BLJR5lQxs13Fg9RbB2FY7waQW5k9BiEAtClk0dzSluOo5Gn5Pd0aFFmyQIX3ciXuGYTEd-TRvaQTbsq5whTb3fDXS5bLUSbgxB4m3icVNWs2UfQunk4QRHBqg31jc8/s320/peacoat+sketch.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I've just
finished the details on the pattern for the next jacket in the
collection: a pea coat for Josh, my favourite man in the whole world to dress. Black solid wool, cream, poly lining,
with 8 front buttons, an oversized tailored collar, two princess seam
insert pockets, epaulettes, and sleeve and mid back belts. It's
really well fitted and he's skinny as hell, so it looks pretty much
amazing. The buttons are small and brass and are not overstated.
The secret comes when he undoes his jacket to reveal the glowing
cream coloured interior with the inside breast pocket. It's fancy,
and I'm pretty excited.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i94HiprcMUTejnEY8SJmiAx_E5y4fgGjzajmhr96KFzLACp7OmGzjY0tuG_G8lPgGlj1ijIm4-EQ0rv6DeBKWJq4ug9YrL-71kDHZUv-whnADJ03_K1R63aUqmsoFFv8-uVUvI1csMg/s1600/petey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i94HiprcMUTejnEY8SJmiAx_E5y4fgGjzajmhr96KFzLACp7OmGzjY0tuG_G8lPgGlj1ijIm4-EQ0rv6DeBKWJq4ug9YrL-71kDHZUv-whnADJ03_K1R63aUqmsoFFv8-uVUvI1csMg/s320/petey.jpg" width="213" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> My
challenge for myself with this collection is to create 6-10 jackets
of different staple jacket and coat styles with my own variations and
versions interjected throughout. Stay tuned to read more about the
construction of this pea coat I am working on as the second piece for
the final collection, as well as further information on the history
of the pea coat and the remaining styles I will choose for the
completion of the collection by this February, 2011. </span>
</div>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-69055096064471439232011-09-29T18:45:00.000-04:002011-09-29T18:45:18.870-04:00Trends and Thoughts on Spring Ready to Wear 2012<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/S2012RTW/BURBERRY/RUNWAY/00520m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/S2012RTW/BURBERRY/RUNWAY/00520m.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
I've always had an appreciation for the sequential composition of the international fashion weeks which, appear periodically to show the world what hundreds of thousands of dedicated designers, artists, seamstresses have come up with in six months. I like that <a href="http://www.mbfashionweek.com/">New York's Mercedes Benz Fashion</a> Week comes first in the presentations of the really big fashion centers of the world. It starts it with a bang and reminds everyone in the world that it is indeed fashion week. Following them are<a href="http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/"> London</a> and <a href="http://www.milanfashionshows.com/">Milan</a>, both absolutely unique and fantastic in their own ways. They feature some of the biggest names in the industry from <a href="http://uk.burberry.com/store/womenswear/prorsum/">Burberry Prorsum</a> to <a href="http://www.armani.com/#/ga_menu/EN/home.html">Georio Armani</a> and all the while, the spectators know that the best is only yet to come. Paris, the undisputed fashion capital of the world is the last of the giants. Anyone who's anyone in the industry is in Paris at this point. It's like, maybe you can only get away from your fancy job in LA for one week so you have to choose which of the heavyweights to attend. Paris is always the one. Nothing beats Parisian fashion and everyone knows it. <br />
This season thus far has had significantly less drama than those of the recent past. No major deaths this season or firings of highly respected and then disgraced fashion icons. Just beautiful clothes reflecting a few major trends that seem to be dominating the runways on an international scale. <br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Back to Basics</b><br />
<a href="http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/11452203/homepage/name/homepage.jpg?type=sn" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/11452203/homepage/name/homepage.jpg?type=sn" width="158" /></a>Women these days in North America find themselves in a peculiar setting in which economic times are hard, budgeting is key and frivolity is limited. These major designers have identified this key aspect in the way women are dressing themselves and have both figuratively and literally weaved it into their collections. One identifiable aspect of this trend is the use of knitting and crocheting, an ancient handy craft which, until recently, has been seen as something only your grandmother spent her time doing. Thanks to the creative, resourceful new generation of young twenty-somethings, it's actually become all the rage. <br />
Examples of this trend can be seen throughout the collections of<a href="http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/S2012RTW-BURBERRY"> Burberry Prorsum</a>, <a href="http://www.prada.com/">Prada </a>and in <a href="http://www.viviennewestwood.co.uk/">Vivienne Westwood's Red Label</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Defining Ostentation </b><br />
<a href="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kva07t1ch21qzrg2so1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kva07t1ch21qzrg2so1_400.jpg" width="163" /></a>On the opposing end of the above theory, is the overly decorative and highly luxurious clothes being produced mainly in Italy. These two trends usually coincide as a result of two types of reactions to the same situation. Some women want to get back to hand crafted, earth friendly clothing, while others want to prove that the state of the economy and the world itself could not touch their high social standing and indeed, their pocket books. Why not wear a dress completely covered in jewels or strips of gold like in the<a href="http://www.dolcegabbana.com/dg/"> Dolce and Gabbana</a> or <a href="http://www.robertocavalli.com/index_rc.plp">Roberto Cavalli</a> shows? That'll show 'em how fancy we are.<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Classic Femininity vs. Androgyny</b><br />
<a href="http://s3.hubimg.com/u/1977210_f248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s3.hubimg.com/u/1977210_f248.jpg" width="232" /></a>Every season has its own version of this dichotomy of clothing styles which, occur throughout every collection in some form or another. After <a href="http://www.alexandermcqueen.com/">Alexander McQueen</a> brought back the big pointy shoulders for women, the power suit look has come back and women are now in some cases wearing clothes that were specifically designed and cut for men. On the antithesis is the typical Christian Dior Woman, hourglass shape which is still quite prominent across the fashion board. Flared skirt, fitted dresses with over-sized prints and feminine shoulder and necklines, the likes of which could be found in <a href="http://blogs.amctv.com/mad_men_season_2_publicity_photos/Betty,%20Joan,%20Peggy.jpg">Betty Draper</a>'s closet, are still quite present and relevant. <br />
<br />
Overall, it's obvious that duality of style, tone and overall concepts in fashion are the real theme this season. <br />
By this point, <a href="http://www.parisfashionweek.com/">Paris Fashion Week</a> is underway and the collections are coming out every day this week. Once they're all done (and I've settled in my new fab apartment!!) I'll be posting a summary of the most influential Paris shows and my thoughts on the overall season. <br />
<br />
Thanks for reading!!<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<br />
<div>
</div>
Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-23807981927867442392011-09-18T23:43:00.000-04:002011-09-18T23:43:20.961-04:00Moving Along...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdB_WkVFLtJxwxwCc1CKWrlYcxMztDQa6udbdLRdeM5Ol-ic01TWu3_HYDuEdeGdR_67CIDkg0Z8HfGse9fFR4LkCZwYysITbF3VmR9Df2-Mb3zlkOKR7W2FpEGrzgvaIin5_4f0aLwa8/s1600/272550_722639179358_122703816_37280409_2269244_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdB_WkVFLtJxwxwCc1CKWrlYcxMztDQa6udbdLRdeM5Ol-ic01TWu3_HYDuEdeGdR_67CIDkg0Z8HfGse9fFR4LkCZwYysITbF3VmR9Df2-Mb3zlkOKR7W2FpEGrzgvaIin5_4f0aLwa8/s200/272550_722639179358_122703816_37280409_2269244_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I just sat down here with this laptop to scribble out an update blog about Petey the Troll Apparel and my solo work as a costume maker/ wedding stylist / tortured, over-worked-under-paid seamstress. When I logged into the blog site I use, it looked completely different than the last time I posted something. New features, new design and the stats of all of my previous blog posts right there on the front page. Genius. So after I get over the initial "shit, it must have been a while since I posed anything if the entire interface is completely different" shock... and then take a look and the stats for my last post with this particular blog. I was ashamed and sad to realize that my last post was almost two months ago. :( </span><br />
<a href="http://hojo.csu.qc.ca/index.php?module=pagesetter&type=file&func=get&tid=5&fid=image&pid=308" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://hojo.csu.qc.ca/index.php?module=pagesetter&type=file&func=get&tid=5&fid=image&pid=308" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I have several excuses, most of which have to do with work and searching endlessly for the perfect apartment to fit myself, my boyfriend, Meaghan, and our three unruly, yet lovable cats. Not to mention an industrial sewing machine, a closet full of fabric and an unfortunate amount of shoes between the three of us sad fashion victims. The search has not been easy and has admittedly taken up the majority of my time over the past few weeks. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e_oNIizIVBj4Ojwe6AGV5qoWWUpPpxfUftBTis0zyAs3kfHIXn69ePwYJorJhzugeXRfSKfzTDr-H_uwIcu4dIXZ_yAKRu8gmkcVikGpV_bvJC4xU7I8yAwFTYhzWOnTGp2KhSH4h7w/s1600/Tang_JacketConstruction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e_oNIizIVBj4Ojwe6AGV5qoWWUpPpxfUftBTis0zyAs3kfHIXn69ePwYJorJhzugeXRfSKfzTDr-H_uwIcu4dIXZ_yAKRu8gmkcVikGpV_bvJC4xU7I8yAwFTYhzWOnTGp2KhSH4h7w/s200/Tang_JacketConstruction.jpg" width="151" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Additionally, I've spent almost the entire summer working on dress commissions from a variety of clients (some absolutely delightful, others...not so much...) which I've found less than likable and have decided to stop doing altogether. I have one remaining client to whom I promised bridesmaid dresses a while ago... so I'm doing this one last project, but will no longer be taking dress commissions hence forth, unless it is a personal favor for a friend or another exception as such. </span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_snmVBqfFeiY/TMQxC4-USEI/AAAAAAAAAI4/ve8qDIoLiRg/s1600/Fall+Winter+Fashion+Trends+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_snmVBqfFeiY/TMQxC4-USEI/AAAAAAAAAI4/ve8qDIoLiRg/s320/Fall+Winter+Fashion+Trends+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> What I've decided to do instead is look deeply into the study of the creation, construction and design of jackets and coats. Over the next couple of months (among a plethora of fashion show review posts ;) I will start writing more often about the goings on with Petey the Troll Apparel as we crawl out of our woes and start working again. Specifically, I'm going to start blogging about the history of some styles of jackets and coats as we know them today, and discuss my thoughts about jacket design in both mens and womensware in fashion. I'm pretty excited. :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So there it is, my apology and my update all in one go, hoping desperately that you'll still read what I have to say, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yours always, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Vanessa Petey Hughes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-15712741703925670602011-07-24T15:18:00.005-04:002011-07-24T16:15:56.730-04:00The Difference Between Art and Imitation in Fashion as Presented by the House of Christian DiorAlright so straight up I might say some bold things right now so agree with me or don't agree with me, whatever. I recently had the pleasure of viewing the latest Christian Dior Haute Couture collection by Bill<br /><img src="http://www.forgals.net/images/2010/01/Christian-Dior-Haute-Couture-Spring-Summer-2010-John-Galliano-442x300.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 442px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" /><div> Gaytten. For those of you who are unaware of the current situation at the House of Dior.... a few months ago there was a disastrous occurance involving the House's Creative Director and most valuable creative asset to the company - the now infamous John Galliano. Everyone remembers his horrible racist rant which effectively ended his career and caused irreparable humiliation for the Galliano and the House of Dior alike. His rather public dismissal from his position with the company was devastating mainly because of the undeniable and highly enviable talent of John Galliano as a fashion designer. He has since been involved in countless trials and hassels as a result of his blatantly despicable behavior, and his position at the House of Dior has of course,</div><div> been filled. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Bill Gaytten, the newly appointed Creative Director worked under the master himself for </div><div>more than a decade prior to the incidents which occurred this past February. He was one of his </div><img src="http://static.thehollywoodgossip.com/images/gallery/john-galliano-pic.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 460px; height: 276px;" border="0" alt="" /><div>most intimate confidants and facilitators and he understood the way that Galliano worked better than anyone else. He was</div><div> the clear choice for the position. Think back to when Leigh McQueen died in 2010 and he was replaced by his assistant, Sarah Burton, whose collection ended up being so staggeringly good that she was envied for her ability to continue the McQueen tradition with her own personal spin on it. Gaytten was I think meant to try and replicate this situation, but has unfortunately come </div><div>off much less than adequate in comparison to either Galliano or Sarah Burton herself.</div><img src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011CTR/CDIOR/RUNWAY/00280m.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 480px;" border="0" alt="" /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Part of the reason I went into fashion design and became so enamored with the fashion industry was John Galliano. I can still identify key features in many of his most eye popping collections with Christian Dior as well as with his own self-titled label. I was such an enormously huge fan of his. Very few other designers have had the ability to actually make me cry while witnessing the absolute beauty he was able to accomplish with clothing. His dismissal from Diorand the whole scandall in general hit me pretty hard. Every collection Petey the Troll has ever done has been influenced by his techniques and contributions to the ongoing dialogue about fashion and glamour.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The collection is presented in three parts. First we have the cocktail dresses and skirt-top combos, all presented with a clear attempt at high drama in the manner of John Galliano. The silhouettes were almost exactly the same as in some of the most recent Dior collections, featuring that famous "Dior Woman" look from the late 40s that John used so frequently. The patterned fabrics were just way too bold and over the top and the colour choices were frankly somewhat lack luster. The second section was horrifying. The models wearing theflowy full length chiffon dresses with the wild hair were just outrageous. Who said that <img src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011CTR/CDIOR/RUNWAY/00400m.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 480px;" border="0" alt="" />was okay for them to look like that out on stage?? As they walk by they swoosh their arms about in a manner not uncommon to that of Morticia Addams or Lily Munster. Weird. The last bit with the ball gowns is where the real Couture comes out. I personally would have been much happier if the show consisted of nothing but these types of dresses and drop all the other garbage.<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Not to say that most of these dresses aren't unnecessarily over the top. They come off more</div><div> as amateur art pieces than Christian Dior Couture gowns. The last one however, did have my </div><div>eye glued to the screen for the duration of her walk from thew beginning to the end of the runway. The choice of fabric and colour makes her look like an architectural masterpiece - perhaps the only win in the collection. Butttttt then the end comes and this suggestion is promptly ruined by the director's choice to have her standing at the back of the stage like a weird statue of liberty or something while the designers come out and wave their little hands. It</div><div> looked forced, it looked like they were trying to do something epic with something that just wasn't going to be epic. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>He had the key elements. He had the drama and the high contrast and the variety of fabrics and the typical Galliano style show going on with the beginning, middle and end, but in my humble opinion Gaytten was lacking one main thing in his collection. Where is the beauty?? Where is the elegance and grace of the Dior woman?? The Dior woman is supposed to have class and be the most beautiful woman in the room wearing the most beautifully constructed and</div><img src="http://www.fashioncollections.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Dior-Couture-Fall-2011-Bill-Gaytten.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 568px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" /><div> created clothing. Gaytten missed the boat on that one I think. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks that was my rant about Christian Dior. See you soon!!</div>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-41672326845145805122011-06-08T23:37:00.006-04:002011-06-09T00:22:15.942-04:00Solved Mysteries of Dressmaking by Vanessa Petey<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Usc5gtHwi7-pzNW7ZqTe625WaAZqwkT_tiRA1TYbcaxTD340VUBlZpM4LTATCu02Ugid3KhHsPsvCCK5ityiiROoVpgIIhGHorpWhvIlJxRPWVDKmw575Pu5rmmfftb4sG6ftLCG8w0/s320/Coco_Chanel.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Usc5gtHwi7-pzNW7ZqTe625WaAZqwkT_tiRA1TYbcaxTD340VUBlZpM4LTATCu02Ugid3KhHsPsvCCK5ityiiROoVpgIIhGHorpWhvIlJxRPWVDKmw575Pu5rmmfftb4sG6ftLCG8w0/s320/Coco_Chanel.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">Holla!</span></a><div><br /></div><div>It's been amazing not being in school anymore. I've had time to spend on small details of my commissions and have started thinking about a lot of new endeavours regarding Petey and where we should pick up after that horrifying 6 month hiatus. I watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1035736/">Coco Avant Chanel</a> today to try and get some inspiration, and I'm feeling pretty good about the whole thing.</div><div><br /></div><div> I recently posted a bunch of photographs of the progression of a prom dress I'm working on on</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JSLEu-5DvFWyljXXEgymLjM54XyS2pzLgDlPOPRRaeVjhbVcDbYovUBEB_FrebXB3huT4A8BCeeg_u5OqEGbXkjbDL46VIQqqCF8Vo1lwA4jUCXALSH-Satk8wwAZARQc2dEzUpAySo/s200/IMG-20110608-00427.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616067270237787746" /><div> Facebook for interested parties to see. I got a lot of positive responses because I have fantastic friends, but truly, this dress has gone from being something I had to rush through because I</div><div> was i</div><div>n school and short on time - to one of the best pieces I've ever made and something I'm really proud of (and hallelujah if it fits...) </div><div> One of my friends, a fantastic woman I met when I worked at Fabricland years ago, and also a wonderful seamstress and artist herself, comments regularly on my work. Although every comment I</div><div> ever get on anything are so greatly appreciated, it's different when the comment is coming from </div><img src="http://www.albertzoll.com/images/Separating%20Zippers1.jpg?osCsid=rauydrmaenbxhl" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 416px; height: 513px;" border="0" alt="" /><div>someone who knows the trade and could see the flaws that the untrained eye would likely miss. I</div><div> thanked her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a>, with a little wall post, and added that I continued to use her zipper trick on all zippers I'm installing, with the exception of the invisible zipper. Her response was lovely and on the end she</div><div> attached that even she was perplexed by the installation of an invisible zipper. </div><div> First I just was going to message her with a step by step guide to installing one from my own experience, but then I thought - WAIT. I have a blog for this kind of thing. </div><div>So here we are. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>How to Install an Invisible</b></div><div><b> Zipper - By Vanessa Petey</b></div><div><b>1) from the hem of the fabric up to the zipper notch, stitch. backstitch.</b></div><div><b>2) open the zipper and match the top closure of the zipper to the top edge of the fabric. the outside edge of the zipper should be level with the edge of the fabric to the notch with the teeth of the zipper facing inward.</b></div><div><b>3) baste stitch near the edge of the zipper with regular sewing machine foot. sew the entire length of the zipper down to just past the zipper notch where the two fabrics meet.</b></div><img src="http://www.pfaff.com/global/images/content/InvisibleZipperFoot-A.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 325px; height: 201px;" border="0" alt="" /><div><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>-when the foot reaches the slider of the zipper, leave the needle down in the <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>machine and raise the foot. slide the zipper closed and continue</b></div><div><b>4) do the same to the other side, making sure to match the tops of the zipper sides.</b></div><div><b>5) switch </b></div><div><b>to a zipper foot on the machine (an invisible zipper foot is good too... and some seamstresses will swear they never use anything else for an invisible</b></div><div><b> zipper, but I much prefer my method, so take your pick.)</b></div><div><b>6) press apart the teeth from the tape of the zipper and lower the zipper foot as close as possible to the teeth. sew down from the top repeating the method of moving the slider with the machine stopped and the needle down.</b></div><img src="http://handmadematters.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/invzipper.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" /><div><b>7) when the machine reaches the bottom of the zipper, simply veer the stitch off of the edge of the fabric leaving a tail. </b></div><div><b>8) repeat for the other side of the zipper</b></div><div><b>Done!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I actually find it more simple than any other sort of zipper in dresses, to be honest.</div><div><br /></div><div>So anyways that's what i thought I'd explain today, so if you're a sewer, you might have found it interesting... if not... well... see ya next time with something less painfully boring. </div><div><br /></div><div>LOVE!</div><div><br /></div><div>- V</div><div><br /></div>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-86949872078423394432011-06-08T23:37:00.005-04:002011-06-09T00:21:27.766-04:00Solved Mysteries of Dressmaking and Caffienated Beverages<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Usc5gtHwi7-pzNW7ZqTe625WaAZqwkT_tiRA1TYbcaxTD340VUBlZpM4LTATCu02Ugid3KhHsPsvCCK5ityiiROoVpgIIhGHorpWhvIlJxRPWVDKmw575Pu5rmmfftb4sG6ftLCG8w0/s320/Coco_Chanel.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Usc5gtHwi7-pzNW7ZqTe625WaAZqwkT_tiRA1TYbcaxTD340VUBlZpM4LTATCu02Ugid3KhHsPsvCCK5ityiiROoVpgIIhGHorpWhvIlJxRPWVDKmw575Pu5rmmfftb4sG6ftLCG8w0/s320/Coco_Chanel.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">Holla!</span></a><div><br /></div><div>It's been amazing not being in school anymore. I've had time to spend on small details of my commissions and have started thinking about a lot of new endeavours regarding Petey and where we should pick up after that horrifying 6 month hiatus. I watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1035736/">Coco Avant Chanel</a> today to try and get some inspiration, and I'm feeling pretty good about the whole thing.</div><div><br /></div><div> I recently posted a bunch of photographs of the progression of a prom dress I'm working on on</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JSLEu-5DvFWyljXXEgymLjM54XyS2pzLgDlPOPRRaeVjhbVcDbYovUBEB_FrebXB3huT4A8BCeeg_u5OqEGbXkjbDL46VIQqqCF8Vo1lwA4jUCXALSH-Satk8wwAZARQc2dEzUpAySo/s200/IMG-20110608-00427.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616067270237787746" /><div> Facebook for interested parties to see. I got a lot of positive responses because I have fantastic friends, but truly, this dress has gone from being something I had to rush through because I</div><div> was i</div><div>n school and short on time - to one of the best pieces I've ever made and something I'm really proud of (and hallelujah if it fits...) </div><div> One of my friends, a fantastic woman I met when I worked at Fabricland years ago, and also a wonderful seamstress and artist herself, comments regularly on my work. Although every comment I</div><div> ever get on anything are so greatly appreciated, it's different when the comment is coming from </div><img src="http://www.albertzoll.com/images/Separating%20Zippers1.jpg?osCsid=rauydrmaenbxhl" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 416px; height: 513px;" border="0" alt="" /><div>someone who knows the trade and could see the flaws that the untrained eye would likely miss. I</div><div> thanked her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a>, with a little wall post, and added that I continued to use her zipper trick on all zippers I'm installing, with the exception of the invisible zipper. Her response was lovely and on the end she</div><div> attached that even she was perplexed by the installation of an invisible zipper. </div><div> First I just was going to message her with a step by step guide to installing one from my own experience, but then I thought - WAIT. I have a blog for this kind of thing. </div><div>So here we are. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>How to Install an Invisible</b></div><div><b> Zipper - By Vanessa Petey</b></div><div><b>1) from the hem of the fabric up to the zipper notch, stitch. backstitch.</b></div><div><b>2) open the zipper and match the top closure of the zipper to the top edge of the fabric. the outside edge of the zipper should be level with the edge of the fabric to the notch with the teeth of the zipper facing inward.</b></div><div><b>3) baste stitch near the edge of the zipper with regular sewing machine foot. sew the entire length of the zipper down to just past the zipper notch where the two fabrics meet.</b></div><img src="http://www.pfaff.com/global/images/content/InvisibleZipperFoot-A.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 325px; height: 201px;" border="0" alt="" /><div><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>-when the foot reaches the slider of the zipper, leave the needle down in the <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>machine and raise the foot. slide the zipper closed and continue</b></div><div><b>4) do the same to the other side, making sure to match the tops of the zipper sides.</b></div><div><b>5) switch </b></div><div><b>to a zipper foot on the machine (an invisible zipper foot is good too... and some seamstresses will swear they never use anything else for an invisible</b></div><div><b> zipper, but I much prefer my method, so take your pick.)</b></div><div><b>6) press apart the teeth from the tape of the zipper and lower the zipper foot as close as possible to the teeth. sew down from the top repeating the method of moving the slider with the machine stopped and the needle down.</b></div><img src="http://handmadematters.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/invzipper.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" /><div><b>7) when the machine reaches the bottom of the zipper, simply veer the stitch off of the edge of the fabric leaving a tail. </b></div><div><b>8) repeat for the other side of the zipper</b></div><div><b>Done!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I actually find it more simple than any other sort of zipper in dresses, to be honest.</div><div><br /></div><div>So anyways that's what i thought I'd explain today, so if you're a sewer, you might have found it interesting... if not... well... see ya next time with something less painfully boring. </div><div><br /></div><div>LOVE!</div><div><br /></div><div>- V</div><div><br /></div>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-58897016358066463292011-06-02T16:52:00.003-04:002011-06-02T17:01:51.939-04:00Confessions of a Design School Drop-Out<a href="http://ficdn.fashionindie.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ralph-lauren-picture-3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 376px; height: 490px;" src="http://ficdn.fashionindie.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ralph-lauren-picture-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">“I don’t design clothes, I design dreams,” says Ralph Lauren, millionaire fashion business mogul and founder of the design label by the same name.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ralph Lauren started from nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He was the son of Jewish immigrants, growing up in the Bronx in New York and the only thing he knew he wanted to be when he grew up was a millionaire.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the 70s he enrolled in a local college for business with a specific interest in fashion design and after 2 years dropped out of school.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As a result of his own lines, Ralph Lauren Polo and Club Monaco as well as his countless investments in a long list of other American labels, the man is now worth $8.5 billion.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I came to a decision after much thought</p><p class="MsoNormal"> and consideration to leave design school, yesterday while I was sitting in class.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The truth is, I lost interest in the program some time ago and have since been struggling to keep my attention on anything school related for any length of time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I knew it was time to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For months now my physical health, social obligations and overall creativity have</p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/3816601424_023cdef0a3.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 421px; height: 500px;" border="0" alt="" /><p class="MsoNormal"> suffered in a seemingly irreparable way, which was something I could handle, if I felt that I truly needed the program or that it would benefit me to stay in it. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The straw that broke the camel’s back for me was when I realized how much I missed working on Petey the Troll.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Meaghan and I had serious plans when we arrived in Toronto this past January – none of which have even begun to come to fruition.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For me this is a problem that I can’t not fix.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So now I have a few directions I can take and things I can do in order to more directly achieve the goals I wanted to achieve 5 months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Over the next few months I’m going to be moving very quickly, releasing new info and items and photographs all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My next project is a sea foam green <a href="http://www.lightinthebox.com/Chiffon-Sheath--Column-Off-the-shoulder-Sweep-Train-Evening-Dress-inspired-by-Mariah-Carey-at-Oscar--FSH0653-_p92796.html">prom dress</a> for a lovely young girl by the name of Thyra.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tomorrow I’ll post a few pictures of the progression of a dress such as this (it’s chiffon!!) with</p><p class="MsoNormal"> some comments on why I chose to use certain techniques or methods.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span><o:p></o:p></p><img src="http://www.industrialsewmachine.com/images/Juki/lu2210-6.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 518px; height: 437px;" border="0" alt="" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">Oh ps. my fabulous friends and I are having a <a href="http://www.amctv.com/shows/mad-men">Mad Men</a> costume party and I'm working on a few vintage dresses that i'm so friggen excited about I can't contain myself. There will be photos soon. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">And o m g! We'll be getting an industrial sewing machine for our apartment really soon so production is about to go through the roof. You know what that means gurrrrls ;</p><p class="MsoNormal">Until next time, I’m Vanessa Petey, and I’m glad to be back. <o:p></o:p></p>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-62789875324804080812011-05-15T11:19:00.012-04:002011-05-15T12:08:01.803-04:00Confessions of a Design School StudentPetey fans, friends, admirers etc,<div><br /></div><div>This is a bit of a confession note/ a piece of writing inspired by my context and surrounded by </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOn0b3MmBOqGYHj6KrWzBLX_kIACSq2HhfGKIS3_e8HTgNKPqesbvWWxQcgg-qHPx4lIO-0nEo6KafxQ-YFlfpIxaENGc4XBTBge0nnY51jLA7qsCex21oqVSeWeOpxT48fVKqRfDx8zs/s200/blog+8.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606974414549296850" /><div>the current decisions I'm making in my life and more importantly, in my career. I felt like everyone should know, so here it is. </div><div><br /></div><div>Firstly, when I write my blogs, they're directed (generally!) to people either living in Windsor,</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS3zKqvYQaXbVvEvLayqqVuG9LUtJeXz-7hYIMVYCy6HKekYbKH_OFLb34dOHzf09JmL1sUV-S02G2a3fknmGPgCkmiWWXyYtaz7JUZSAgwvuVXh4SMkzPadMpnfKSjCOR3KeSU4szDk/s200/blog+7.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606974290309099282" /><div>my home town, or Toronto, my new home. In Windsor reside the people I miss, who have the most fantastic little art scene going on that no one else in the country knows anything about. These people are awesome, and it's for them that I started doing my work. In TO reside both my Windsor friends and my newest Toronto friends. These are by far some of the most interesting and unique people I've ever known and I count my blessings that they think I'm cool enough to be in</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTA6CURdaoJyQ0fvCKH3VDlrf202XCh7cEldTrastxqil9Glyi-EM3MmOLcRm9OEWmLwFB2iq_cM54D3YzZxZPWb_VI8Svpot98Sd_c1kDCOqaPGynoEL_iW5hzsVNoad8YJoQ8KyuaM/s200/blog+6.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606974165133550946" /><div>their beautiful lives. It's for all of the afore mentioned people and for those I have yet to meet</div><div> that I make these decisions today.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you know me, you'd probably say I made the decision to move to Toronto so I could go to</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiClJ7af7anabSVXxfX7pbDfQjnTKeMPLhLEb_0ZOzEA4bB1jtESCEAhpxYxzyObMPo52Q1sbsX5Sb7xn6dj69no5NI-TX8ePI8nxMeSetiTKKGchYVeFb-F5OxtrsRXI91VXp4EV-kYQ/s200/blog+5.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606974045860344034" /><div> Design School. That is indeed what it has seemed for the past 6+ months. But realistically, My choice was actually to go to Design School as an excuse and a reason to move to Toronto. I've been looking for one my whole life, that seemed perfect.</div><div>Now that I'm here I don't regret my decision for a second. My life has changed in ways I could never have imagined and I love every day. But I am beginning to feel those pesky feelings I felt throughout the entirety of my sad University career - that I was bored with it, that I wished I </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEv-W1WQMhFdmkg2A2hs-deN5i9Rdhs1BH70RXNHFWbfwOdjfjn05brEqVeHUSrlOD8cl9vIrHVUa01SotJgQDKx5vSifiQf7V2I2NtpMgwJJvUOc9l6dh5U-0B8ZzSMzB_EYR7nMaUfI/s200/blog+4.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606973722634894178" /><div>was working on my own art and that the likelihood of it coming to nothing in the end was a depressing eventuality to face. Here I am again in a post-secondary education system feeling the same feelings and thinking the same thoughts and </div><div>wondering if the choice was best or not.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKP7ftST9zTKC2_TKaxSCgEjXxroPmeBnAkiIvZ_SyEmPRDkr9Eix_OaQOQ9KYGMqIljxEZcXxmwX34YYHAzicultjsUwA8tVf2lzSPXLajvGfySd9KKukMYbhIPq9dcNMY3POYnZB08/s200/blog+3.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 128px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606973619522871426" /><div> Follow?</div><div>I miss working on Petey the Troll more than I can say. I try to work my creativity into some of our projects at school, but it can sometimes feel very lack lustre. Meaghan and I spend everyday during the week getting no sleep, rushing to get to work or school or anywhere all the time and</div><div> falling behind every step of the way. As for those fabulous friends I mentioned above, they are but a dream in my life, as I co</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9ZfFiPx_eSBurUvSojwbQbMdJ8Xq8FbpLN7kfE1srzp8ss3vS1N_iJpPL7ipoa1YDs02iXyTDy-GF_tdEs1WhG2ZK3o_2hZG_b9dTkSqq3a6WPnsMjPN6S2XZKa2Jl9DVFGa9WCrhgk/s200/blog+2.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606973521224143378" />nsistently become a worse friend who is less reliable and more likely to blow them off due to my insane hectic schedule.<div>The question now has become, How important is Design School to the development of Petey the Troll Apparel and its future as a fashion design company? How do we get away from the thought</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhvZ9V6vmgK9IQG0KIOyxOrCpNK_hZDhNWaE_Ci9LiN1cXzV4wgCH5_4rtRMxdmwWNOrFJgbQAOieT8EmH53bf0JEJKeDr5TfdZSqXjPM-_ODvbh6zfNsYvgchbAzINilk3lUH-m9hso/s200/blog+1.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606973415471774226" /><div> of becoming Joe Fresh and back to the thought of becoming Coco Chanel? And the biggest one of all is, Is it worth not having worked on Petey for almost 6 months and not seeing any time to work on it for the next year to finish a diploma that I'm not even sure will help get me anywhere I want to be? </div><div><br /></div><div>Time will tell. </div><div>Until then, </div><div>V</div>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-18422157481674871752011-05-08T12:39:00.009-04:002011-05-08T13:39:56.395-04:00Fabric, Petey the Troll and Wedding Dresses<span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">It's been like FOREVER since I last blogged, I know. Between school and<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ou7N794jO1LNziv4o4xErmnJBZhQVIGnaYnBJfvlnrZVn-yZe6FMdYrra3IJcA7gNThte_dbgZGUnhhaC0Vos5E6q5q01Wq69DWtVAPd6HEjyMmBDDpJQQVrpLPcns6zCwj5IdTRpmQ/s200/Toronto+.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604401031740124338" /> work and day to day life, (I have a new boyfriend, okay!!) it's been a very busy couple of weeks. ;)</span>There are a bunch of things that I wanted to blog about when they were current information such as the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1381989/Royal-Wedding-Kate-Middletons-wedding-dress-tribute-Grace-Kelly.html">Royal Wedding</a> and continuation of the <a href="http://www.papierdoll.net/themag/2011/04/15/john-galliano-fired-from-eponymous-label/">John Galliano saga with the announcement</a> that he would no longer be </span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfZcWjeSmhsZywT5MqKP54FQz1D39En0VnUtiqFIeaFL2drg-AU7BCdejS07gYcHnrY_vvCya3YY7GbVxrzj5DOBu6wSqjd58NM2tYZ-llrDvLmHR73oJDNRvrmiD1oLmyQDhNzFTBjA/s200/Fabric.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 149px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604400837120279186" /><span class="Apple-style-span" >the creative director of his own self titled line due to the unfortunate drama surrounding him since this past winter.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >As for Meaghan and I and Petey the Troll, we regret to inform that due to our dramatically over-packed schedules, we haven't been able to move forward creatively for some time. We are </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >currently in a period of growth as designers and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" > stylists and when we finally do start working again on our own creations, you'll understand why it took so long to get there. Hold tight!</span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CgqdtO7x96kVMJpBBKAy69KBx6aDE7uBi-2bRZ0npKH3ZdW9DHljljp4MwITRA0D8Bz-fxX4gsGc_6TponXqsnZCQunDdnjaFnXqT0HKCNMzpCAUDsMCXOEcTVFxCqK9Z1u33Jrt0eU/s320/dress.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 162px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604400458740618898" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >At the end of this month, my biggest and most important project yet will </span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYUyVA7eUHWd6joci27dAR8CIRv6iwdiaLgZla5nK-WXud3fL9LzEVwp0Nszw7ReB_KhB6jt4nBqGhQAb1FQ701WIpmEEwt6_O0UpEQhLquyPAxXwIKdUQNEgicnkobinK8X3Wiou1a0/s200/Flowers+for+Ayda.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604400698232718882" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >be walking down the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" > runway...ahem...I mean the aisle at the wedding of my sweet friends Justin and Courtney of<a href="https://www.facebook.com/wetfresco">WetFresco Photography</a> (the photographers responsible for 90% of the Petey the Troll photoshoots.) For obvious reasons, I can't post photographs of the work in progress, but be</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" > aware that after the wedding, I plan to post an album of pictures of this masterpiece</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" > creation of mine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Enjoy the random Toronto life pictures throughout this post and pull your dresses out of the suitcase - Spring is here.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLjSU2g13vvm0WZNe8LXxLRtmvPCAQiZXOY1gh8a9xc059IaXz5mdty7aRMZpDZeaFCPtlVLCoiGePPCNU18a-ldd2fC2i4-GNUHOF-t48rdNVP4qJ1F5qLz90jK1RNZU4Sx4n-qxsxE/s320/christians.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604400289810694098" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Until next!</span></div><div><br /></div>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-65584158831126292752011-04-11T00:06:00.010-04:002011-04-11T10:16:34.532-04:00New Clothes For SpringThere are several other things I could be doing right now, but my interest writing has been much more pronounced since I graduated from University last April. ...Cause like, I'm in <a href="http://idsgn.org/images/design-school-confidential/book__full.jpg">design school</a> now,<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyuIZeOEYUJKoIdgeL7dUk20l1ovIQYfB1HRgrrbXR8IzbySRGetyFcw9ySMTljXmhnqxlVQAoNKM28jPMn6eiOxci-3DQpT8ZQ9YqS_3LpShLUnmxbWVZvAneIQo-Z28ptaV_GLsLbE/s200/blog.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 177px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594198970977992690" /> but we don't do much writing. It's a lot more actual work than theoretical work. :P I have a lot of friends who are graduating this year and are currently in the process of finishing up their semesters with the twelve page papers and the presentations and the horrifying exams. <div><br /></div><div>I don't miss it. But before this turns into a "How I Gave Five Years and $20,000 to the <a href="http://www.backpackers.ca/images/maps/listings/University%20of%20Windsor%20Conference%20and%20Accommodation%20Centre%20far.jpg">University of Windsor</a> for No Reason" rant, let's talk about happier things, yes? </div><div><br /></div><div>Now that the weather is tolerable and we can all start wearing our good clothes again, all I can do is watch the people and their</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZg6MSAOMV1reNnftHopzd8FbZ7Fw478uPyJVa1DIFhp5OEwCm8BArm6-8ULw-Yo7jM5qce5ALsflfNXm-G6tJIes2cgc7hkEsvpxr2O49Ob70AjHcjOMQ9UcmIgFC200-2XkMUbwfIGA/s200/guy+to.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594200387768817826" /><div>fantastically unique sensibilities that can only be found in a city like Toronto. </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPDcFsCuIF4WjVeOKDkuOdp5-a0YlZwVojzmCJtryG0Lq9v45m0SyME2l11c7B3R9g4i2CxkjEAWACoVAUgN25qPffI8b8r1JhvXTYzbC3tEVwwcLEP4l1x4IJr7sf4l9fnRtMWUrqpE/s200/girl.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594201035349385010" /><div>They're the ones who are always perfectly dressed down to </div><div>the accessories with whatever style they're trying to pull off. They all have registered <a href="http://www.deanharder.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/starbucksiv.jpg">Starbucks</a> cards and</div><div> <a href="http://tctechcrunch.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/smartphoneimage.png">Smartphones</a> and are a generally hysterical and awesome city culture. </div><div><br /></div><div>Like for example, the other day I was down town after work and was looking for fabric for a gown I'm making for a girl's prom. (First of all, I love an age when I can go to a</div><div>fabric store, photograph it with my phone, send it to the client and she can make her decision and tell me what to buy right there. This is fucking Jetsons shit now man.) And there was one of these</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwCVXwidKqMMkUT0rEKn7zIl_VzDbyNoDJr6DL4KOasuvf-xhBd4SBEo9ak8SF7tUjHnX92MzePl_S5QR-jbapnlMBWoLwJ_Gk2hMoSucUFCWT7EXDqay98PpQ9pc8dwAMyOrQPS0DLI/s200/IMG-20110409-00284.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594201596028391746" /><div> crazily painted streetcars for that radio station Flow 93.5... and I just kind of was really impressed that something with such obnoxious, yet beautiful colours could be floating down Queen, nobody looking twice. Toronto is gorgeous.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I've got a really insane couple of weeks ahead of me, but I'm ready for it I think. I'm in good spirits and I've got LOTS of new clothes and it's awesome. Is there anything better in the world than buying new clothes in the spring?? Possibly buying new shoes in the spring... but that's really a whole other post.</div><div><br /></div><div>Later :)</div><div><br /></div><div>V</div><div><br /></div>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-60540192162831624492011-04-02T11:30:00.029-04:002011-04-03T10:14:00.618-04:00LG Fashion Week - Photo Diary of Vanessa Petey<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4kIs6AeaIhK4QbemZSyObErerGXD1UgK88vGk0tJJ0eIV2yu5_2v_fuQF64VM7JVenBmnw80FeJSFp6HNupPfn87BYQtHs4HaB6d7CzKJhpvnMQGdMhHKwM0_SPWxuOm1EZA_cdjz6g/s200/Toronto-20110401-00253.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591017172181515506" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9adeRHOdJ_aDVUDlOlf24VkhPvachnw7EupRLUHYSYDm9BuFatkD3dt1jMtS0Q7QEx1OhitPJJAEJVDstbk4WttZn2P9Q41ryCiTgL3g7Q_YohpxiXICd-_9gstOctx1DS9deImUbNvE/s200/Toronto-20110401-00233.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 149px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591016902497678530" /><div>Hey guys!<div><br /></div><div>As you know, LG Fashion Week here in beautiful Toronto has come to a close for this season. The last time I blogged I told you about y first day and how excited I was to see what the rest of </div><div>the week had in store. I must admit, despite the fact that we spent a lot of our time moving benches and taking orders, it really was ridiculously cool being backstage and seeing all the fashion drama happening right up </div><div>close. Of course, the entire time I had my BlackBerry in my hand and I took asmany pictures</div><div>and videos as I possibly could. :) </div>We'd get there in the morning </div><div>(12:45pm...if you stopped for a grande nonfat half sugar free caramel white mocha withwhip and caramel drizzle... I know I'm out of control, no need to remind me) and then we would have an </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsA21x6oaAKSNCYIlEmWGbgmAHjy6w4aQo-S7TNKd8uZjFSFdXllLAVsCEpN3KtdwIYOiLTkYLmmVh5LZ3qF_dVvkFxwyf3sjNElfEncCpUXE4sA6lQWfo6sy4r-gbVYEbZi30tHEirY/s200/IMG-20110401-00211.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591015090801744274" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Gho3BDK-4ZoJsqHesSPypEoamOlS5kNFE3wjAggxdFc7y5O5fIRjfpcNcPf728Ra1sIrhqh69VyQB9MMu6ZQSlpAH33gBTUc_HrQ8vm6G6vY4TDCu3xP0Wd43EAKQia1syp6hlELhFg/s200/IMG-20110331-00187.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 149px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591014419972866114" /><div>hour or two at the most to arrange all of the seating, place cards and gift bags in the studio before the shows. Every detail mattered. We had to measure the spaces between the benches to make sure they were exactly straight and aligned with one another. The place cards themselves were a big deal - all having to be lined up and taped down to ensure it was as visually appealing to the industry people as possible.</div><div>Obviously the stuff I really loved seeing was the sometimes </div><div>outrageous behaviour of the people in the industry backstage . Like for example, Jeanne Becker had a special seat at every single studio show, but she didn't actually show up to any of them. There were 6'11" </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cN2upXPFA6bDqRE_AYlJhQnsimoxLFRvnso_zjBMN869tURTRXhyJ7II3uu6J_L0gTLhmNdu9VAZawg9ypHEAHGrPO_NwmI90cP41z-J1_iImthm2bjWWrthpbvSa3PCHXz2nqkAOG0/s200/IMG-20110401-00194.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591014771403021442" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrz0f-b9APfkU8Sd3YtkiFS8Qflkm7s07XRPtlrrFiJVqW2hHWVHNRu6X3HP2c3FYHvFH7dRNfcYPqFx2kRrQ75hP3EBj8N0NeUgpOTcP7vPBmKtb_c7FhJMFVILxKxXpnvbN54QORzY/s200/IMG-20110401-00198.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 149px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591354056118455570" />models running around everywhere in shoes that I'm sure they needed special training to walk in, not to mention the people running the show who continued to insist that the "socialites" be taken care of first and foremost. :P Love it.But that's so boring.So here are some pictures for you to check out of my backstage fashion week adventures! Some of them are horribly blurry or grainy, but forgive me, it was a panicked situation at<div><div>best.</div><div>Thanks!!</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4nT_NkmqhjA0jjI45ucgg2mAW5S7j7Iwc7AzLHMTeoMpkv_L9LsgohvlD_4g_AbKaBm_42VYL9TCLv-TXBOya2KL5hmGRBS86asLgitKrAGNV6JrkmpOtWhYQugXTIR5FGZr86B8VRY/s200/Toronto-20110330-00159.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591356033264009954" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AUdcpXU8bUH28nmFeMS70y1emwG6D_5aFcZYpX7nxD-UWqmlQXUoZ1fYAssPzi5WIW0-ZAEZfdS6zfdS8MEB29445SLC4bbtsyVwdpmM-baZhKNiMFPp2iLXp5QSSkRxhyRetYT4zRg/s200/IMG-20110401-00202.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 149px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591354298483557602" /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzlK8sD-RmQTaoajAKm3fc0jttA9pL6nC7KxrwEGiYZ61zzcU_nH-FESw2SwTdwHBdK7awibK4_09CWEBi4CwGyeXNVKn5ru8MilUlB4Foh1CFz921hyphenhyphensQIJo2Xbwuh45UJsPIYVJ9NQ/s200/Toronto-20110330-00161.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591357346786983890" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-75105017856569732182011-03-29T17:03:00.006-04:002011-03-29T17:39:52.542-04:00LG Fashion Week - Life in Toronto in Early SpringHey guys!<br /><br />This is going to be one of those blogs where I update on Petey and my little Toronto adventures and whatever else is up. I hope it's mildly entertaining at least!<br /><br />This week is <a href="http://www.lgfashionweek.ca/">LG Fashion Week</a> here in Toronto, Ontario and I am part of a<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Rj1BaeEodvhVe-yP7q2u4SGUglwryPZNpJbtToHCafDGZ03qWUSuYoHR5p-ENMExpBxaE9vfv2HQ34EiDWNDnCnsVezpsriCdXEaalYAJ0ZJ6qEtVcmirj3bkln80zxzPPM_0-_R9UE/s1600/191295_650702281478_122703816_36888630_1426697_o.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Rj1BaeEodvhVe-yP7q2u4SGUglwryPZNpJbtToHCafDGZ03qWUSuYoHR5p-ENMExpBxaE9vfv2HQ34EiDWNDnCnsVezpsriCdXEaalYAJ0ZJ6qEtVcmirj3bkln80zxzPPM_0-_R9UE/s200/191295_650702281478_122703816_36888630_1426697_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589618223778359586" border="0" /></a> massive team of volunteers who make everything happen with the shows all week. We set up the runways and seating areas and make sure everyone is where they're supposed to be etc. So... that's all great and whatever, but in all honesty there is one major perk to working this event that we're all obviously there for: we get to watch all of the shows right up close and personal. *ehehehehe* It's wicked cool.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwcxecKT-W4paSWJQmaVqO07VGMzJ2ZPkTqYnFU9Ccs1gvlRJ0Wy6Ajy8ORpKKzAjig-VwA3QuYGp0MNiX0SA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Meaghan is also volunteering this week, but she's doing different kinds of work than I am so I'll get an update from her and talk about it later. I work in the "Studio." It's a smaller area for runway shows that are meant to be more artistically presented in a more intimate setting than a major runway. I spent a bunch of time measuring areas to put seating in to make it all look <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rlv.zcache.com/i_love_blackberries_heart_t_shirt_sticker-p217379935165512672tr4z_152.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 152px;" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/i_love_blackberries_heart_t_shirt_sticker-p217379935165512672tr4z_152.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>perfectly perfect and then got to sit in the second row corner, surrounded by industry people and press and sponsors and watch the entire show. It was a very cool thing to be a part of. (Watch the blurry video above that I took with my favorite new thing in the whole entire world - my BlackBerry/best friend, for a visual!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCNIotfbHT_C38qWaBg_tm80Si7qqXjI_zOX2k01rwOQtFeyrOHf8bibVSou97Lt7n9bGsBoPnEI70iAmo_o1ffk0TmigmhloEp1dXu5B8jEeL-UBBw50tkuQxC6JCuChwZ5mo9VOV7Q/s1600/199901_10150178552311885_511716884_8886565_3572405_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCNIotfbHT_C38qWaBg_tm80Si7qqXjI_zOX2k01rwOQtFeyrOHf8bibVSou97Lt7n9bGsBoPnEI70iAmo_o1ffk0TmigmhloEp1dXu5B8jEeL-UBBw50tkuQxC6JCuChwZ5mo9VOV7Q/s200/199901_10150178552311885_511716884_8886565_3572405_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589617598419801618" border="0" /></a>So other than fashion week, I am currently in the midst of a 3 month blitzkrieg of formal wear concluding with three bridesmaids dresses, one wedding guests dress, one prom dress, and one very important wedding dress for a very important <a href="http://wetfresco.com/">friend of mine</a>. It's going to be a little bit taxing, but i am definitely up for the challenge. Also Meaghan like, shaved half her head, which is crazy and awesome. Just so you know.<br />Ps. Petey is kind of on hold at the moment for the preceeding reasons. we're collecting materials and getting prepared to make the dresses but they are tragically going to have to be pushed back until the fall for release.<br />It's okay though. It'll be worth the wait, we promise. ;)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://smartcanucks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/starbucks-ottawa.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 207px;" src="http://smartcanucks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/starbucks-ottawa.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />(...this is also my way of saying, I'm sorry to those of you who read this, but I'll probably have to keep it to one update a week on the blog for the summer, I'm just going to die of exhaustion if i take too much more onto my plate... :D)<br /><br />Other than that, I've become obsessed with the clothing I get to see on customers at work these days. I work on King Street where the fashion people are and some of the jackets, coats, scarves, rings, bags boots, heels etc etc etc are flooring me. Not to mention on the street and in the subway and everywhere else.<br /><br />Keep it up, Toronto. You're fucking awesome.Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-63451904157102531262011-03-21T01:28:00.011-04:002011-03-23T09:00:46.792-04:00John Galliano - His work.Sooooooo I was totally going to blog <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P7gnT4mWjKo/SfD3tiCQhpI/AAAAAAAAATg/g0jFdaoKj5g/s400/John-Galliano.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 407px; height: 279px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P7gnT4mWjKo/SfD3tiCQhpI/AAAAAAAAATg/g0jFdaoKj5g/s400/John-Galliano.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>about John Galliano, I really was. But every time I started reading up on him, ya know, for references and view points etc, I found that nothing I could say could possibly improve his image at this point... and that if I tried, it would look ridiculous. So alls I'm going to do is say this:<br /><br />When I was about 11 or 12 I stumbled upon Fashion Television one morning on Star TV (Canadiana plug what what??) and saw the most beautiful imagery I'd ever seen in the creations of some of the top designers of the era. These included Alexander McQueen, back when he was just starting out, and Tom Ford when he was with Gucci, not to mention that (1997-98) was the time when Galliano was first hired at Christian Dior. I watched and drooled at everything I saw...especially Galliano. His chiffon bias cut dresses...his sense of colour and contrast that - seriously - I've been trying to copy ever since, not to mention his absolutely perfect sense of form and shape, evident in the majority of his Haute Couture work over the past 14 years.<br /><br />John Galliano's work at Dior, and with his own self-titled line, has really been the biggest influence on my own work as a designer and it absolutely broke my heart to see his downfall.<br />So without going into that story, here are a bunch of photographs of my favorite and most influencial John Galliano desings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/F2007CTR/CDIOR/RUNWAY/16m.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 291px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/F2007CTR/CDIOR/RUNWAY/16m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/F2008CTR/CDIOR/RUNWAY/00210m.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 294px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/F2008CTR/CDIOR/RUNWAY/00210m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/S2009CTR/CDIOR/RUNWAY/00300m.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 294px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/S2009CTR/CDIOR/RUNWAY/00300m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2010/fashionshows/F2010CTR/CDIOR/RUNWAY/00210m.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 276px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2010/fashionshows/F2010CTR/CDIOR/RUNWAY/00210m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2010/fashionshows/S2010CTR/CDIOR/RUNWAY/00210m.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 274px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2010/fashionshows/S2010CTR/CDIOR/RUNWAY/00210m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://justinelarbalestier.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/galliano4dior.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 273px;" src="http://justinelarbalestier.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/galliano4dior.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-26594928750369076552011-03-14T16:15:00.008-04:002011-03-15T11:11:19.487-04:00Fashion en Francais - The House of ChanelWOW I haven't blogged in a while. My bad... it's finals week so I've been working my ass off to get everything done before the end of the term. I've <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://image.absoluteastronomy.com/images/encyclopediaimages/c/co/coronet_corset_co.gif"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 232px;" src="http://image.absoluteastronomy.com/images/encyclopediaimages/c/co/coronet_corset_co.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>also been dreadfully ill, but enough with the excuses. I've got to get onto writing two posts today to make up for the lost time - one of which you're reading, and the next which will appear tomorrow.<br /><br />Ooooooooh this is my favorite part of Spring, no doubt. Paris Fashion Week rises above all the rest to exemplify the qualities in fashion that have us all coming back for more, beautiful season <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT5T_X6J1qccJoX7tTqju53qGIsGlaE8isHcjXg8lASkM4wMY0v_Q&t=1"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 202px;" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT5T_X6J1qccJoX7tTqju53qGIsGlaE8isHcjXg8lASkM4wMY0v_Q&t=1" alt="" border="0" /></a>after beautiful season. I actually have a specific love and weakness for French fashion thanks to my mother's very French background. Si une femme est mal habillée a Paris, on remarque sa robe, mais si elle est impeccablement vêtue, c’est elle que l’on remarque, apres tout. ;)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.chanel.com/">The House of Chanel</a> was founded by the one and only Coco Chanel (aka the single coolest woman of all time) in 1909 in Paris. Even then Chanel was known for an extremely high level of sophistocation, workmanship and a modern simplicity that in 1909 was something extraordinary to behold. Imagine being 21, having the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.motivatedsista.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/coco_chanel1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 188px;" src="http://www.motivatedsista.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/coco_chanel1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>squeeze into a corset every day, and one day this woman comes along and says you don't have to wear that corset anymore - straight is in. Needless to say she became very famous and successful very quickly and the reputation of the House has been consistantly respected as the most exquisite haute couture the industry has to offer. When <a href="http://www.ladybrillestars.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Karl-Lagerfeld.jpg">Karl Lagerfeld</a> took over the line in 1983, he renewed that sense of freedom and elegance to the line, maintaining the basic Chanel <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/CHANEL/RUNWAY/00730m.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 248px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/CHANEL/RUNWAY/00730m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>staple silhouettes and textile choices.<br />This season's collection was ridiculously good. It appeals to two types of people. It's got the classic tweed jackets and the lace etc, but Lagerfeld has paired the black lace with black leather to make long straiht dresses. The most delightfully surprising thing about the collection was the presence of lots of baggy pants and tops, giving the collection a tom boy feel that has been missing from Chanel for decades. These are clothes that both, the fashionistas who love the luxury will wear, as well as the regular women like me who realize you've gotta wear flats when <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/CHANEL/RUNWAY/00030m.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 270px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/CHANEL/RUNWAY/00030m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>you're running around the city with garment bags and sewing machines. AmIRightLadies??<br />I just loved it. And if I become a millionaire in the next little while, I'll be sure to buy up the whole line. LOL.<br /><br />Anyways I think this is an amazing step in the right direction for Chanel and definitely for the industry as a whole. After all, Dolce and Gabanna are making <a href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/DGABBANA/RUNWAY/00150m.jpg">matching hers and hers suits and dresses,</a> and Louis Vuitton is making <a href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/LVUITTON/RUNWAY/00120m.jpg">women soldiers and body guards</a>! Love it!<br /><br />Short and sweet and I'm off to write about what I've been dying to write about for weeks - check out my reviews of the John Galliano and Christian Dior shows at this season's Paris Fashion week. ;)Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-10422480472367278282011-03-06T15:08:00.007-05:002011-03-06T17:06:46.437-05:00Silver and Gold: Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2011On a carpet of sparkling gold, <a href="http://www.viviennewestwood.co.uk/">Vivienne Westwood</a>'s Fall 2011 Ready to Wear line was presented this week at fabulous <a href="http://www.modeaparis.com/">Paris Fashion Week</a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fashionetc.com/images/shows/Vivienne_Westwood_Fall_2011_Runway_Review/Main_photos/0012.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 257px;" src="http://www.fashionetc.com/images/shows/Vivienne_Westwood_Fall_2011_Runway_Review/Main_photos/0012.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/VWESTWOOD/RUNWAY/00010f.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 251px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/VWESTWOOD/RUNWAY/00010f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Every season, Vivienne Westwood reminds me of how completely unique and amazing she is as a designer, using one of a kind prints, a sense of shape and colour like none other and combining the edge of her punk rock roots with her upscale taste for luxury. This collection specifically seems to be a winner, and dare I say that it is probably my favorite collection thus far of all the fashion weeks for Fall 2011. there is something for any type of woman to wear from this line, from tailored banker suits with flounced collars to silver and gold layered dresses and sparkly shoes. Not to mention the smudgy black and white warrior makeup on each model that tied everything together with the final Vivienne Westwood bow. Sparkle dresses, fitted suits and and floppy tweed all in the same collection. Fab.<br /><br />Okay, I have a lot to say about the Jean Paul Gaultier show and it may turn into a rant about ageism in the industry, so I apologize, but enjoy.<br /><a href="http://www.jeanpaulgaultier.com/">Jean Paul Gaultier</a> is one of those timeless French designers who has managed to continue to be relevant and still completely off beat with what the rest of the industry is doing. Honestly I love him for it and this season's line is definitely no exception. What he did, which is so amazing, is he acknowledged a very large part of his clientele and a demographic that has more or less been in control for decades as a result of their large numbers - <a href="http://www.bbhq.com/bomrstat.htm">the baby boomers</a> - even though they are now getting up in age. His collection is totally inspired by the "old lady" look - even going as far as<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/JPGAULTI/RUNWAY/00070m.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 267px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/JPGAULTI/RUNWAY/00070m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> to put all of his 20-something models in silver beehive wigs. I thought it was clever, it was realistic and it was damn sexy.<br />I always read the <a href="http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/F2011RTW-JPGAULTI">Style.com</a> reviews of the shows before I write about them, along with many other articles and blurbs from the fashion hangers on (such as Hilary Alexander, Jeanne B ecker and of course <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JecFHg4CiZhzCkdvxiPXml4h8Fp9D8kVHkoWiHBaF-JoD8yQPClJheAJVQWnQEVHd5a1qBmE8pWd_YUaVV2smr2QwZZBOwpwJkQR4Im4ZtBvkt1vabigCyOW__0y_jREl6GHFlxbnfc/s400/anna6.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JecFHg4CiZhzCkdvxiPXml4h8Fp9D8kVHkoWiHBaF-JoD8yQPClJheAJVQWnQEVHd5a1qBmE8pWd_YUaVV2smr2QwZZBOwpwJkQR4Im4ZtBvkt1vabigCyOW__0y_jREl6GHFlxbnfc/s400/anna6.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Vogue.com.) Though the writing on this site is pretty hilariously flowery, it usually adequately describes the highlights of each collection, noting history and concepts throughout... but the review for this collection was less than pleasing to my fashion criticism-loving eyes. The author basically said the line was too old looking, and that "Even matrons don't want to be mumsy," but like, the thing is, these are the styles that I see on those really stylish older women I see on King street downtown, and I bet he's going to make a bloody fortune on it. So whatev. And it's a fucking gorgeous collection. I'd wear it.<br /><br />Two of my most favorite designers, who never fail to introduce new ideas into a season of collections that looked freakishly similar throughout. Gone are the pronounced box shaped dresses and geometric oversized patters. These two lines are quintesentially unique in their representations of the designers who created them. Really quite rejuvinating when i thought all the collections were looking great, but pretty much exactly the same. I am so excited to see what happens with the rest of PFW. Stay tuned for some of the biggies like Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent and Stella McCartney. (And who's excited to see the outcome of tonight's <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/mar/06/galliano-show-strikes-a-pose">John Galliano</a> show?? I am!!)Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-69060764210814669432011-03-04T16:07:00.008-05:002011-03-05T16:48:27.795-05:00The Drama and the Glamour: The Debut of Fall 2011 Paris Fashion WeekYou'll have to excuse the lateness of this post, I've been recovering from Galliano-related fashion depression for days now. More on that in it's own post, some other day. For now, I'd like to review the first of my favorite Parisd Fashion Week collections: three of the classic French fashion houses: The Houses of Balmain, Lanvin and Balenciaga.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Pbalmain.jpg/456px-Pbalmain.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 189px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Pbalmain.jpg/456px-Pbalmain.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I first looked at the lineup for PFW, I counted no less than fifteen shows that I wanted to see as soon as they hit the runway. I was delighted to see that the House of <a href="http://www.balmain.com/">Balmain</a> would be the first real eye popper on the list this season. The House got its debut at <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/BALMAIN/RUNWAY/00120m.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 263px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/BALMAIN/RUNWAY/00120m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>the end of the Second World War with Pierre Balmain, a man who would later be the tutor of the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and colleague of Coco Chanel. He would have been proud this season to view the new and interesting direction that the designer, Christophe Decarnin and his new stylist Melanie Ward, having only just started with the company this season. The collection was much less punky, as it has been in the past, but still maintained the edge the line is known for. This season instead the collection is almost disco inspired with a lot of metallics floating around. I'm absolutely crazy about those horizontal striped dresses...mmmm....<br /><br />The<a href="http://www.lanvin.com/"> Lanvin</a> show is always something special, especially since the House's designer Alber Elbaz took the reigns. The history of the House<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/LANVIN/RUNWAY/00130m.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 241px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/LANVIN/RUNWAY/00130m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> is fantastic. Jeanne Lanvin, a French housewife in the early 20th century designed and constructed dresses for her daughters to wear on a daily basis. From this modest beginning, in 1909 she was creating dresses for the most powerful women in Europe and was inducted into the Syndicat de la Couture, making her a bonified <span style="font-style: italic;">Couturier</span>. This season's collection was much akin to the tone of austerity, but in a very chic way, of course. Big black coat after big black coat made its way down the runway, but all under the shadow of extra wide brimmed hats reminiscent of 1940s maul-wear. The lovely accessories and the little <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/BALENCIA/RUNWAY/00300m.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 249px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/BALENCIA/RUNWAY/00300m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>flowy, sexy dresses were amazing too. All around it was a wearable, practical, beautiful show.<br /><br />Finally, we had the House of <a href="http://www.balenciaga.com/">Balenciaga</a>, one of my absolute Paris favorites. Cristobal Balenciaga (wicked name!) was the founder and original designer of the house and was so renouned in his time that he was referred to by Christian Dior himself as <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/26/style/26iht-rprada.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=miuccia%20prada%20%22mistress%20of%20us%20all%22&st=cse">"the master of us all".</a> Though, like Balmain, we always expect a certain roughness about the line, known for its fabulous period jackets and the highest quality luxury goods, this season was full of over-sized florals, large shapeless <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.mimifroufrou.com/scentedsalamander/Irving-Penn-Balenciaga-Dress-1950.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 225px;" src="http://www.mimifroufrou.com/scentedsalamander/Irving-Penn-Balenciaga-Dress-1950.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>coats (much like Prada, or pretty much any other designer this season...) and geometric patterns. They did manage to keep their rather somber, straight faced attitude with their clothing though, offering large fishnet inspired tops and<br /><br />It seems simplicity is in this year guys, have you guessed?<br />I'll be back tomorrow to talk about the Vivienne Westwood, Yohji Yamamoto and Jean Paul Gualtier shows this week in Paris!Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-52596701981080056212011-02-27T15:05:00.004-05:002011-02-27T16:26:14.265-05:00Concepts are BACK - Milan Fashion Week Part II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://milanitaly.ca/images/prada.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 228px;" src="http://milanitaly.ca/images/prada.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:relyonvml/> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:enableopentypekerning/> <w:dontflipmirrorindents/> <w:overridetablestylehps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} </style> <![endif]--><span style=";font-family:";" >Hey there, I've been making a real effort to see all of the high profile shows this season within a few hours of them happening. The internet is pretty amazing that way. This is Part II of my reviews of my favorite designer collections this season at <a href="http://www.cameramoda.it/intro.php">Milan Fashion Week</a>.<br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >When I first took a look at the <a href="http://www.prada.com/">Prada </a>collection this season, I was rather shocked </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/PRADA/RUNWAY/00170m.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 336px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/PRADA/RUNWAY/00170m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";" >at how dissimilar it was to Miuccia Prada’s usual sense of style as a </span><span style=";font-family:";" >designer.<span style=""> </span>I have to admit that I was rather critical of the collection, citing that it was “not Prada enough,” lacking the curvaceous, femininity of the Prada silhouette.<span style=""> </span>However, I stood correctly once I learned of Ms. Prada’s concept behind the collection of box shaped, geometric, Mondrian inspired pieces.<span style=""> </span>What Prada was attempting to do was explo</span><span style=";font-family:";" >re the idea of </span><span style=";font-family:";" >womanhood in 2011.<span style=""> </span>The majority of the pieces could very acutely be placed in both 1920s and</span><span style=";font-family:";" > 1960s fashion spreads, with their dropped waists and straight form lines.<span style=""> </span>Both of the previously mentioned decades were times of great change and growth for woman as a whole, and Prada wanted to nod to this idea of the ever evolving societal view of femininity in fashion.<span style=""> </span>Even with a</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/VERSACE/RUNWAY/00280m.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 278px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/VERSACE/RUNWAY/00280m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";" > high luxury brand like Prada.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >And surprise surprise!!<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.versace.com/en">Versace</a>’s show featured oversized geometric prints and box shaped garments with dropped waists!!<span style=""> </span>I must admit though, Donatella always knows how to spin a trend to make it </span><span style=";font-family:";" >quintessentially Versace. <span style=""> </span>She’s used bright, bold colours similar to </span><span style=";font-family:";" >the rest of the season to date, but the prints are much more subtle than say… Carolina Herrera’s line in New York.<span style=""> </span>She’ll put a shoulder-sized baroque curlicues, (once a signature symbol of the label) in bright yellow on a black dress, or she’ll synch a straight waist together with a belt and an oversized geometric buckle.<span style=""> </span>Then the leather numbers came. I was so afraid that the entire collection would be the same as all the rest, which is fab, but getting tired quickly, for someone who has been watching all of the high profile shows to date this season.<span style=""> </span>The leather was stunning.<span style=""> </span>I loved each one, and though I don’t normally consider myself a Versace girl,<span style=""> </span>I would rock the hell out of one of these outfits.<span style=""> </span>;)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/DGABBANA/RUNWAY/00190m.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 286px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/DGABBANA/RUNWAY/00190m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";" >Last but not least for my Milan Fashion Week highlights is the one and only </span><a href="http://www.dolcegabbana.com/"><span style=";font-family:";" >Dolce and Gabbana</span></a><span style=";font-family:";" >, one I’ve been eagerly awaiting as a loyal fan.<span style=""> </span>The show opens with a female model is a little boyish outfit wearing a cap with her hands in her pocket.<span style=""> </span>Hmm… I do believe I detect a hint that the designers were going to be stressing androgyny in this collection??<span style=""> </span>Well indeed, that was the case and the clothes represent two wonderful things to me.<span style=""> </span>Firstly, we have lots of collared shirts and sweaters, pleated pants and caps – in the real world, women love to dress like this.<span style=""> </span>It’s more comfortable, it’s more acceptable these days, and it is just lovely to go out dressed like a boy, walking around like you’re the man in charge.<span style=""> </span>Admit it. Then there were the dresses.<span style=""> </span>Some were oversized, billowy sheer fabrics, reminiscent of imagery associated with <a href="http://www.realbollywood.com/news/up_images/11128293.gif">witches</a> world-wide. :P Some, on the other hand, </span><span style=";font-family:";" >were the most beautifully built lace and metallic lame dresses.<span style=""> </span>Always a spectacle with the Dolce and Gabbana shows. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >To conclude, Milan fashion week is always a treat because there are so many spectacular Italian designers that no matter what there will be something beautiful to look at.<span style=""> </span>I found that with this season’s most reputable and intriguing designers, there has been a definite growth in the </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.woostercollective.com/Paris-1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 183px;" src="http://www.woostercollective.com/Paris-1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";" >conceptual aspect of the creating of a collection of clothing and the subsequent fashion show.<span style=""> </span>Whether it’s Prada’s exploration of the female spirit or Donatella Versace’s nod to her company’s ancestry by having her show take place in the <a href="http://www.dailyfrontrow.com/chic-report/article/live-from-versace-donatellas-return-to-via-gesu">same venue her brother Gianni</a> had years earlier.<span style=""> </span>Leave it to the </span><span style=";font-family:";" >fabulous Italians to put the depth back into fashion design.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >Until next week, when I review the first of my favourite collections from the most important city in the history of the fashion industry.<span style=""> </span>I have never been so excited for Paris Fashion Week!! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >Thanks for reading!</span></p>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806634941399573240.post-61560437313428798972011-02-25T16:48:00.002-05:002011-02-25T16:57:11.125-05:00La Moda Italiana – Highlights from Milan Fall 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/GUCCI/RUNWAY/00140m.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 334px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/GUCCI/RUNWAY/00140m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:relyonvml/> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:enableopentypekerning/> <w:dontflipmirrorindents/> <w:overridetablestylehps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><span style=";font-family:";" >It's <a href="http://www.fashionising.com/fashionweek/milan-fashion-week.php">Fashion week in Milan</a> this week and today I'm going to discuss the glorious Gucci collection, the ever <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">splendid</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Fendi</span> furs and the geometrically based neutrals of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Gianfranco</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ferre</span>. Bella!!<br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >The very first thing I noticed about the <a href="http://www.gucci.com/ca-en/home">Gucci</a> collection this season (it happens to be their 90<sup><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span></sup> anniversary this year) was the dynamic use of texture and colour.<span style=""> </span>The opening <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">outfits</span> were all in a rich blue/green colour, something close to a dark cyan on cerulean.<span style=""> </span>As the collection progressed, the colours became more widely ranged and brighter in nature.<span style=""> </span>There were silks, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">fur</span></span><span style=";font-family:";" >s, python and patent leather and a sea of other luxurious fabrics that Gucci, and indeed Italy as a whole has always been known for.<span style=""> </span>The over-sized fedoras said nothing but classic Italian </span><span style=";font-family:";" >elegance.<span style=""> </span>Can you imagine running into a woman on the street wearing these </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/FENDI/RUNWAY/00140m.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 241px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/FENDI/RUNWAY/00140m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";" >clothes??<span style=""> </span>Intimidation to the max.<span style=""> </span>Colour and intriguing fabric use is always something of interest to me and usually makes or breaks a runway show for my favour.<span style=""> </span>It may only be the first show of the week in Milan, but I’m already hooked.<span style=""> </span></span></p><span style=";font-family:";" > <a href="http://www.karllagerfeld.com/">Karl <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Lagerfeld</span></a> is a designer who will go</span><span style=";font-family:";" > down in history as never having had a failed collection for any of the fashion houses he associates with in the history of his career.<span style=""> </span>The <a href="http://www.fendi.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Fendi</span> </a>show this season was of course, no exception.<span style=""> </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Largerfeld</span> is known for his use of unique and not normally used furs with his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Fendi</span> line, and fur is a common theme throughout. There are also many flounced collars, (another favourite of Karl’s,) and the colour theme this season emanates prominently.<span style=""> </span>By adding coloured tights to any model’s outfit, the stylist has now changed the entire look from simple a chic to young, vibrant and still chic and simple.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/GFERRE/RUNWAY/00050m.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 274px;" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/GFERRE/RUNWAY/00050m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >I remember when <a href="http://www.gianfrancoferre.it/home.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Gianfranco</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Ferre</span></a> got into the industry a few years back. I watched him on fashion television and all anyone could say about him was that he would be the next big thing.<span style=""> </span>He has always been known for his tendency to make a grand gesture with his clothing and this season, following the overriding trend of fashion </span><span style=";font-family:";" >week, his geometrically based, neutral pallet of designs was not exactly up to his usual standards, in my humble opinion.<span style=""> </span>The collection was beautiful; don’t get me wrong, but the show as a whole lacked a certain grandeur that I’m perhaps used to with this particular designer.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><a href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/GFERRE/RUNWAY/00050m.jpg"><br /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:";" >This whole geometry thing that’s happening this season is really interesting.<span style=""> </span>The tendency to use dropped waists and minimal curves coupled with a rainbow of vibrant colours and a sea of </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www4.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Fendi+Great+Wall+China+Fashion+Show+Runway+40Zv_0osipTl.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 247px;" src="http://www4.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Fendi+Great+Wall+China+Fashion+Show+Runway+40Zv_0osipTl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";" >the most precious of animal skins is popping up everywhere.<span style=""> </span>History shows that when fashion becomes simplistic in nature, it is usually a result of mass cultural change in the midst.<span style=""> </span>Perhaps you would agree that this trend indeed fits the era in which we currently live.<span style=""> </span>We’ll see if it </span><span style=";font-family:";" >continues in other collections for the remainder of fashion week!<span style=""> </span>Check me out next time for my review of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Prada</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Versace</span> and the highly anticipated <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Dolce</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Gabbana</span> shows in the next few days.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><a href="http://www4.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Fendi+Great+Wall+China+Fashion+Show+Runway+40Zv_0osipTl.jpg"><br /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >Until then!</span></p>Mademoiselle Peteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12654294460187966671noreply@blogger.com