LG Fashion Week - Life in Toronto in Early Spring

Hey guys!

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!

This week is LG Fashion Week here in Toronto, Ontario and I am part of 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.
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 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!)

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 friend of mine. 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.
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.
It's okay though. It'll be worth the wait, we promise. ;)

(...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)

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.

Keep it up, Toronto. You're fucking awesome.

Hello Toronto!!

To all Petey blog readers!!

Here we are in Toronto!!!

This has been a dream come true for me in the literal sense. Ever since I started university I’ve been looking at apartments, making plans and dreeeeeaming of the day when I could really do it. Finally, with Meaghan and I’s decision to go to Design School, it gave us the opportunity we needed to get out of Windsor (as much as I love and will miss it) and get onto bigger and better things. We’ve been here only one day thus far, but already the improvement in positive energy and motivation is proving that has indeed been all worth it.

The closest subway station to us is St. Clair West, a lovely little location on the edge of middle town, with an ice cream store on the corner and an occult shop across the street. We’re five minutes on foot from groceries, banks and transit, and I’m currently sitting in a Starbucks about two seconds from our apartment. (By the way, a chick just walked in with a totally fab gray pull over coat with epaulettes and a big floppy collar – awesome.)

I spent a summer here two years ago doing some freelance stylist work and got to know the city really well. It was summer so I walked everywhere and my lodging was right on the corner of Queen West and Bathurst, which if you know anything about Toronto, is pretty much the busiest, most insane part of the city, with the exception of Dundas Square...which is just a zoo. I grew to love it quickly though, seeing very clearly that this was a place where I could be successful and happy living in the fast paced, high energy environment Toronto is known for.

We’re taking this week off to get out apartment together and get prepared to begin school and work. But starting January 6^th, 2011, we’ll be taking orders, doing alterations and getting back to it. Contact vanessapetey@gmail.com for any information you might need about Petey the Troll Apparel’s goings on in this great city, Toronto, Ontario.

Until then!

Petey fans and interested fashion parties!

I got into Toronto yesterday and have spent my time scoping out the best spots to advertise and deciding which marketing methods I should use for the promotion of our upcoming fashion show next Sunday, September 26 at The Velvet Underground!!
I`ve had the privilege of crashing with a friend in the Bloor and Spadina area right in The Annex so naturally that`s where I hit first. I had sandwiches at Sky Blue Sky which was totally amazing and stopped in at Honest Ed`s to buy clear tape (I brought ducked tape. BIG mistake.)
After I finish this post I`m going over to Chinatown and then to make my way through the U of T campus.

I started putting up posters in strategic locations earlier today but I`m finding that despite the fact that there are THOUSANDS of posters all over everything, that Torontonians stare at you like you`re committing an act of vandalism when you wrap clear tape around a street pole. Thus out I go under the cover of darkness in jeans and a sweat shirt as opposed to my perfectly put together skirt/blouse combo for day-wear.

Is it bad that I brought one suitcase entirely for accessories? Hmm.

Between meetings over the next two or three days I'm going to make time to hang out in Kensington Market, talking to local Clothing Collectives about (possibly?) selling our tickets for us and having some fliers in their stores. I might stop some people in the street in the Queen West area to spread the Petey word and maybe make some new friends!!

See you all at the show on Sunday or back in W-Town next week!
-VPH