Oh, George! Volume V Number II

Theme: Urban Renewal

Here are the words the class would use to describe this issue:

• Fun, not too serious
• Cheap 'n' cheerful*
• Fresh** (for spring)
• Flirty*
• Positive*
• Vivid, smart, intelligent
• Practical
• Distraction/uplifting/ daydream
• Inspiring/innovative
• Very real(istic)
• Glamourous, high fashion

Possible cover pictures

Movin' On Up

A rags to riches tale of a county kid, determined to succeed in a new industry.

I grew up in the county, hailing from a small town in the middle of nowhere that required a dedicated “trip” in order to find the nearest mall. When I did go to purchase clothes I dove towards the nearest skate shop, avoiding and ridiculing anything in between. My understanding of fashion left something to be desired, which explains why I’m so surprised that today I’d rather wear a collared shirt with tie when my younger days dictated that a skateboard tee would suffice.

I moved from my tiny town and home into a much larger house and city after graduating OAC. It wasn’t until I began to work in the service industry at a night club that I started to appreciate what being a well dressed young professional could do for a person’s confidence. Every evening I would watch men dressed in nice shirts with nice pants and matching shoes flirt with beautiful women who wore fancy flowing summer dresses that shone in the spotlights. The liquor flowed freely, but it was this new scene of style that I found so intoxicating.

After admiring the drunken crowds, I found myself buying nicer shirts. One day I looked in my closet only to find that half of it was filled with shoes and belts that matched! Without realizing it, I had begun to enjoy participating in fashion. The new fall seasons meant new sweaters; the next spring season meant more tee-shirts, with a healthy dose of footwear in between. I didn’t mean for it happen, but my newfound appreciation for fashion was too strong to ignore. I continued to work until I reached a tipping point, and after two years I made a decision, it was time to go back to school.

It was time to move to Toronto! So now I’m a kid from a county living in the biggest city Canada has to offer. Lot’s of stores, plenty of boutiques, and (depending on the area) more well dressed individuals in one area then the entire population of Saskatchewan. This was a daunting task for me; even before school started I had to learn to become one of you. Which latté do I order, what style works on what street, what am I doing here? It wasn’t until I got a job in the industry that things began to reveal themselves to me. If you want to succeed socially in school and in retail keep this in mind:

1. Buy cappuccinos at Starbucks and take it with you wherever you go.

2. Work at a retail store selling something. Start in the stockroom if you have to, just getting a job will give you inside information that schools can’t offer.

3. Look like you’ve always wanted to look. Before you were an outsider but now you’ll blend in.

4. Don’t be a brat. That doesn’t get you further in life and it won’t get you further in retail.

5. Have one foot in and one foot out at all times. Fashion is overwhelming so have space set aside to breathe.

Just remember boys and girls, if a hick from the county can do it, so can you!

L'Oreal Fashion Week Spring 2009 Preview-NADA

Fabulous was the theme for L’Oréal Fashion Week’s spring collections and when it came to Nada, it was fabulous indeed. Being inspired by Athena, the Greek goddess of war, models strut down the runway wearing everything from a gold cocktail dress adorned with metal coins, high-waist grey pleated harem pants and a flowing belted magenta tent dress. The show was styled by former Fashion Magazine editor, Tammy Eckenswiller who brought a modern eclectic touch to the Grecian inspired designs. By styling the outfits with stacks of chunky gold bangles, cocktail rings and ornate chandelier earrings, the designer looks were ready to be worn right off the runway. Nada is known for taking inspiration from prominent women throughout history such as, Alexis Carrington from the 1980’s power soap opera, Dynasty and her spring 2009 collection did not disappoint. The collection included a colour palette of olive green, magenta, purple, white and gold. The clothing was mainly made up of sinuous silk and jersey skirts and dresses that were contrasted with braided shoulder straps and brown leather belts. A soft grey spaghetti-strap tank top paired with a high-waist white flowing skirt with a braided sash belt would be a perfect look for prancing around town on a summer day and for anyone who wants to show off their tough side, just slip into a pair of the distressed leather pants that were paired with a sleeveless top embellished with gold metal coins. Nada Shephard has once again brought out the strong, sexy woman in all of us with her spring 2009 collection and will no doubt continue to dazzle L’Oréal Fashion Week in the years to come.

-Amanda Stines

Calling All Recessionistas!

The Economy Getting You Down?

You May not have to Worry as Much as You Thought!

For a while now all we have been told is to cut down on spending because we are in a recession. Are economists just scaring us or should we be worried? Should our fashion have to suffer because the economy sucks?

According to Gary North, Author of Mises on Money, “In recessions, fear grips consumers. They start looking for ways to cut back on spending”. The funny thing is that this fear seems to be mainly propagated by economists and the government. The ones who should be doing everything they can to reassure their country they can pull through this slump. They print articles on the need to be frugal, pretty much scaring us all into an early mid-life crisis! How many times in the last little while have you read an article about the recession encouraging consumers to spend less and make cautious decisions when it comes to purchases?

It is true there are potential consequences of the recession we should consider. A friend of mine was recently laid off from her part-time retail job at Le Chateau of which she worked on commission, because her ‘productivity was low’, “They wanted me to be selling $1500 an hour!” She exclaimed to me. I started in surprise. How on earth could one person sell that much in one hour? Especially in the midst of a recession! It’s not like she was working for frikkin Chanel!

This proves there are a couple of consequences we should still consider: job loss, a weak job market upon graduating, and the possibility tuition could rise depending on the length of this economic uncertainty. We should remember the impact of this recession in our later years so that we can make better financial plans for the future (because recession is always going to be around).

However, the amount of fear we should have for this recession should be directly proportional to the amount we have to potentially lose. Since we are students, most of us do not own houses and therefore do not have to worry about the value of our homes going down. Furthermore, most of us do not yet own big businesses that could pull us into debt, nor do we have much (or even any) stake in the stock markets. Since we have less to worry about, we shouldn’t restrict our wardrobes if we find a great deal on something special!

Since consumers seem to be listening to the economists warnings not to spend, is it possible to get your shopping fix and still ride out the recession practically unscathed? The answer is sad for businesses, but great for consumers! In an article titled A Black Friday like no other: How the economy is changing Black Friday, Dan de Grandpre CEO of dealnews.com says, “Make no mistake: Thousands of jobs are at stake, and so many stores going out of business is bad over the long-term. But in the short term, these stores must liquidate their inventory. Consumers benefit from liquidation sales.” Now wait a second. Aren’t economists telling us to spend conservatively? Isn’t the whole notion of a recession that we need to cut down? Well some of these sales may be too good to give up! I say, shop smartly. If you need new clothes don’t forbid the shopaholic in you from prospering, just make sure you find the best markdowns!

Since people will not be splurging like they used to, high-end labels will be hit hard by the recession. The solution, accessories! Designers will be marketing their handbags much more because they are cheaper then their other products. People may still buy an expensive bag if they realize it will last a long time and will far surpass the outfit they wanted that was more expensive in the first place.

So what else are high-end labels and brands doing to stay afloat? Not surprisingly, slashing their prices like everyone else! “Look for overpriced brands like Ralph Lauren, Coach, and Gucci to be dramatically discounted… at Macy's, Saks, and their own retail outlets. Saks is running web coupons that apply to high-end brands, a rarity. Even Tiffany is pushing free shipping deals,” states Dan de Grandpre. Of course labels will always be around but it’s good to know you may now be able to get that amazing Gucci bag for a steal!

I have always been somewhat of a bargain hunter myself and usually head straight to clearance in my favourite stores first. It seems this may become an even more popular trend for the itching fashionista; only in this case it’s time to become a recessionista! Someone who embraces the recession not as a time to be stingy with their wardrobe, but to embrace the discounts (both designer and non-designer) that will likely be popping up out of nowhere. So what are you waiting for? Now just may be the best time to update your wardrobe!

Hot on the Hill

Priscilla Levac shreds the hill and her new collection

These days there are so many different role models fluttering in and out of the magazines. Good ideals are hard to come by with scandals in the tabloids almost every day; why not look to Levac, a killer woman snowboarder for inspiration both on and off the hill. From Canada and sponsored by many notable companies, such as DC shoes, Spy and Monster; she only started riding when she was fourteen, now going strong on the snowboarding scene, she is one of the most adventurous up and coming women. 

When ever she talks about going to a snowboarding contest she gets so stoked; it’s wonderful for Levac to have a job that she loves, as well, she’s just starting her own company. How could a girl from a town as small as Montebella Quebec have achieved so much? Well it’s all thanks to her mother who moved her out to British Columbia when she was younger. She had to learn English when she moved there because she was never taught it when she was in Quebec. This is a great accomplishment for a teenager spending most of her time on the hill but that time certainly paid off. She was named Snowboarding Magazine’s female rider of the year in 2005, won the US Open of Snowboarding in 2004 and Queen of the Hill that same year as well as got second in the Session at Vail, CO. Levac thinks events are fun, but she’d much prefer to head off into the backcountry with snowmobiles and a bunch of good friends than pin a contest bib on. 

Daredevil Levac loves to go out into the back country and jumps off of cliffs with only a board strapped to her feet for fun, so starting her own under layer company must have been a snap. Her own company called Cilla started when she had a snowboarding accident and broke her fibula. As said in Pacsun’s Future Snowboarding on September 13th, 2007, Levac has always dreamt of creating her own company in the snowboarding industry and she “had the idea of first layers because most of them out there are pretty boring and not so functional.” Her contribution to women's snowboard fashion has been amazing so far; her functional fashion pieces include the June which is a fleece top with a waterproof band around the bum. Erin Comstock said on Cilla’s website that, “the waterproof band kept my bum warm all winter. I never ever got snow down my pants when I wore this top! It is the ultimate piece to snowboarding in!” The new collection will be coming out in ’09 but right now she has a few pieces in stores in North America and on her website: www.cilla.ca. 

When she’s not designing her new under layer line, she’s busy jibbing rails for movies or contests. Most notably she was in Love/Hate by Kidsnow Productions as well as Ro Sham Bo by Misschief Films, in these she does more rails but she loves jumps a lot more. Being an amazing women snowboarder means that many younger girls look up to her, she even has one fan who she is very personal with named Emma. Just like the the pop stars, she has a fan base, and with her new company’s designs she should be a figurehead for young snowboarding girls everywhere. Levac brings a new sort of sexy to the stage, instead of flashy dance outfits, she sports a more subtle attractiveness. Modeling for her new clothing line she has a modelesque body and this can be seen even when she’s riding the hill in her snow clothes with the guys, sometimes even showing them up a little. Many riders such as Mikey Lablanc even compare her to Mark Frank Montoya with her easy going but sometimes competitive riding style, it’s easy to see why she’s coming out on top.

However, despite her fearless nature, she is also quite down to earth, loving soy lattes that she makes herself and oil painting to jazz on a rainy day. She loves to hike with one of her best friends: her dog. She is a model for fitness through her job as well as on her spare time, snowboarding is a rigorous sport and she more than does her share to keep up with some of the top male snowboarders her age. She is anyone and everyone, showing what anyone can succeed when they have a passion for something so great it drives them forward for the rest of their lives. 

Cuckoo for CARO

Have you ever wondered what it would be like running your own fashion business? I sat down with Candice Lashley, who runs Caro Imports with her friend and business partner, Roseanne Selci. Candice is truly fashion savvy. Born in Barbados Candice grew up on the island as well as in Germany, her mother’s native country. She has been around the globe and back and is very open to unique and exciting fashion ideas from all over. Candice currently resides in Toronto running the business. In her own words she describes their business, “Caro Imports is a new import and distribution company operating out of Toronto, ON, bringing the newest trends in fashion jewelry from around the world to customers across North America. Our mission is to source high-quality exotic and unique fashion accessories from international destinations and to distribute them to Canadian and US retailers.” Caro Imports carries a line called A Cuckoo Moment that is designed and sold in Germany.

Q: What products does your company carry? What are the materials used? Where are they sourced and made?

A: A Cuckoo Moment is a very large line. We carry everything from, bangles, bracelets, necklaces, watchbands, hair bands, hair slides, belts, clutch bags, purses (big and small), organizers, and ballerina flats. The products are all made from exotic leathers from ostrich leg leather, stingray leather, and python leather. The ostrich leather comes from South Africa, and the stingray leather comes from Thailand. All the products are great quality and are hand crafted throughout Europe. The python is handcrafted in Spain and the ostrich and stingray are handcrafted in Italy. There are a wide variety of colours. The stingray comes in 25 colours, the python comes in 8 and the ostrich comes in 12 different colours.

Q: What made you decide to get into this business?

A: I have always wanted to be involved in fashion; especially accessories. I went to a trade show in Germany and met the designer for A Cuckoo Moment. She needed a representative in North America. I loved and believed in the product. I find the most unique pieces come from around the globe.

Q: What obstacles do you face on a daily basis?

A: Finding the right people to buy our product, and are willing to take a chance on a new product. We are definitely learning as we go, and have realized, knowing the right people comes with time. You always have to be a step ahead in fashion; you have to know what people are looking for.

Q: Were there high start up costs?

A: The biggest cost was buying inventory. We run an on-line business, so we do not have the expenses of brick and mortar operation. We pay a very low fee for a hosting package on the net, and our friend designed the site, which is self maintained. We always buy inventory in large amounts to lower costs as well. We have attended a few exhibitions, which does add to your over all expenses.

Q: Speaking of exhibitions, you were recently at The Clothing Show, here in Toronto and also The Mode Accessories Show. How did you find showing your products to customers there?

A: It was a great experience for us. We learned a lot more about the Toronto market; however, we will not be exhibiting our products there again. You really need to know your customer, when you want to sell your product. I found our product was too high end for those particular exhibitions.

Q: Because your products are made from exotic leathers, are your customers apprehensive about buying the products?

A: At first, people can be a little taken back when they learn what the products are made of. It’s no different then purchasing a product made of cow leather, here in North America. Just how we here in North America eat cow, other countries eat other animals that we my not be accustomed to. No part of the animal goes to waste.

Q: Do you think Toronto is ready for your kind of fashion?

A: Yes! I think Toronto is a fashion forward city, and customers want something new and unique. I find that buyers in Canada though often want to see if products do well in the States first, before purchasing. The retail sector is taking a hit because of the economic financial situation, and it can be difficult at times to sell luxury items.

Q: A Cuckoo Moment has been doing well in Europe, especially Germany, where it originates. Has the product gained any international press?

A: Yes, A Cuckoo Moment has been featured in, In Style Germany several times, as well as Sue Magazine and has also appeared in many leather, textile and trade publications.

Q: What kind of marketing strategies have you been using?

A: Mostly direct marketing. We have been focusing on stores where we would like to see our product being sold, and approaching them. Because we are a mainly a wholesale operation, we do not do any general advertising. Buyers that we have met have given us such positive feedback and realize this is a special product. Its important to keep in mind the different seasons buyers are making their purchases as well. We have been learning this as we go.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who was hoping to pursue this type of career?

A: Definitely do a lot of research before you buy anything. Know as much about the product as you can, believe in it, and be proud of it. Know your customer and their wants and needs. Network, make your contacts….this is so important.

For more information on Caro Imports, A Cuckoo Moment, and the products sold, visit caroimports.com

Interactive Models: when is to much, to much?

The lights are dimming, the two minutes until show time call has been announced. Everyone is quieting down and finding there sits, some are running to grab the idolized front row seats that only the people of most importance get unless you’re lucky. It is Wednesday October 22nd and everyone is waiting for the 5pm Playdead Cult and Damzels in this Dress show to begin.

For many in the room this is the 3rd day at L’Oreal fashion week and the third runway show for the day. The music begins and the first model takes her place, there is an amazing energy that fills the tented room we have been in and out of all week long.

As the music is pumping something noticeably different from the previous shows is happening, the models are interacting with one and other and look like they are enjoying themselves. This is a much different atmosphere for a runway than I have ever seen before. The stereotypical stick thin model walking down a couture runway show on Fashion Television we have all seen dozens of times. They usually look like they hate the world, death stare and all. So it was to a delightful surprise to see these young models having fun with what they do and being creative.
This was the first of a few shows at L’Oreal fashion week that you would witness models enjoying themselves, having fun and interacting on the runway with one and other.

Both fashion shows were very entertaining and had received a great response form the audience. It was nice to see these back to back designers have their models come out in unique pieces and interact, instead of seeing one model entering and one model exiting when they normally pass one and other completely ignoring that the other exists on that runway. Instead at these two shows the models high fived and blew a kiss. They had cute interactions that played off very well with what they were wearing and the feel of that particular runway show.

Four shows later it is now 8pm and everyone is waiting for the Andy The-Anh show to begin. The people who were once sitting on edge of there seats hoping to run and steal front row seats at previous day time shows are now sitting straight up in back row seats. This little white tent is now much fuller then earlier shows and everyone is waiting for the lights to dim and the show to begin.

The lights are now out and the crowd has been hushed by the excitement we all share in wondering what is coming next. To everyone’s surprise the sound of an electric violin starts filling the tent and there on the runway is a male violin player. The energy in the room immediately increases and everyone suddenly looks more alive, almost a second wind from the busy day everybody has had.

After being captivated by the brilliant lively electric violin, the show beings and models start strutting Andy The-Anh’s newest collection. After only mere moments an observation can easily be made, these models have been choreographed for this particular show. Three models walk out in there different colours of three similar dresses. One begins to walk then stops a third of the way, then the next and stops half way then the last walks the entire length of the runway. The first then walks the entire length while the other two pose and it continues until all three have made it back to the entrance way and are posing and then turn and walk off. It was a very creative way to show off three beautiful similar pieces and didn’t take away anything from the designers work. All the while this is happening; the electric violin is playing well known songs in the background. It was a show full of energy that made impressions on everyone in the audience. After a long day of runway shows on every hour, it was a phenomenal way to end the night, with a show that captured everyone’s attention not only by the clothing but by the music, energy and the models.

It isn’t until 8pm Thursday evening that a designer decided to flare up there runway show. The house is packed and why wouldn’t it be the gsus sindustries show is about to begin. Famous faces sit front row in the crowd and everyone is piling in trying to get a spot with some view of the show. The show begins with a break dancer and loud music, know one expected anything less. This particular runway show is very well known for there unique creative pieces and energy filled shows. The model/break dancer has successfully warmed the audience up for the beginning of the show; we are all sitting on the edges of our seats waiting for what comes next. The models are very interactive, they’re sexual with one and other two even passionately made out while walking by one and other on the runway. Shirts a being pulled up to reveal rock hard six packs and girls clapping there hands and chasing after male models. But when do you say enough is enough. These models are at this point taking away from what we are all really hear to see which is the designers newest line of clothing and accessories. Are you going to remember what outfit the models had on or remember the two models making out in the middle of the runway? After the show it is obvious that everyone shares the same feelings, as much fun as it was to watch it was too much. The models stole from what fashion week is all about, clothing.

Designers did a very good job this year at L’Oreal’s 2008 fashion week in Nathan Phillips Square. The controversy remains though, everyone wants there show to make a lasting impressions on the media and crowd, every designer wants to be talked about. At these shows they want to entertain the audience which is creative and when done correctly and designers have taken the time to not over do it and choreograph there shows with there models, it’s a very nice touch but they are taking shows to the next level. Some are getting carried away and taking away from the runway in a way. Is the fashion industry ready to hand in the traditional runway shows for these creative shows and when is enough, enough.

Bootylicious for the Runway

Is society finally making some room on the runway for plus-size models?

Women have been fighting with body image since the beginning. Does clothing on a stick thin model really make you want to buy the clothes? Or are designers the ones to blame for letting their designs be displayed by extremely skinny women.
So much debate has gone into the issues about skinny models, and many people think that runway shows should have average women walking. On the other hand designers are still making clothing that can only fit a certain amount of women. They need six-foot-tall models to slip into size zero clothing samples. Some of the world’s most famous and well known models are all very thin in size. The world’s skinniest model, Olga Sherer has walked 72 shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris. Some designers create beautiful clothing because they love to, and it’s their passion but they also want to sell their clothing to you. The media has portrayed beautiful and skinny women to be the image all women should want, and it’s not just designers, but magazines run ads with beautiful thin models to try to get you to sell the clothing or product.
Designers are not the only ones selling small sizes but retailer giants like Banana Republic are already selling clothing smaller then 0. This new size they are advertising is 00. Martin Hickman from independent.ie reports that Nicole Miller, also a popular retailer is planning on introducing “sub-zero”. “It said customers were complaining they had to take in the existing size 0 clothes.” In Nicole Millers defense, Alison Hodge a spokesperson for the brand reported that "We've introduced this new size for naturally petite women, not for models who have dieted themselves down to a dangerously low height-to-weight ratio." Are all these small women on diets from watching the runway shows? "Fashion is a mirror and many teenagers imitate what they see on the catwalk," said regional official Concha Guerra.
With so many health problems on the runways, changes are happening. A quick poll was done on the CNN website. The question was: “Do you agree that underweight models should be banned from fashion shows?” The results 80% said yes, and 20% said no.
A big change has happen in Madrid, Spain. Madrid was the first in the world to ban on overly skinny models at a top-level fashion show. It has caused anger between modeling agencies and raised restrictions in other areas. Madrid's fashion week has turned down underweight girls after information went out those women were looking to copy their skinny models bodies and developing eating disorders. CNN also reported that the “Madrid's regional government, which sponsors the show and imposed restrictions, said it did not blame designers and models for anorexia. It said the fashion industry had a responsibility to portray healthy body images.”
With that said there are some designers and retailers that sell to plus size women, but they are not couture clothing. Addition Elle, Pennington’s and even Sears are all catering to women that are happy with their bodies and don’t want to change a thing. They all sell fashion forward clothing.
Fashion magazines like Lou Lou provide women with fashion ideas and where to buy the best fashion. They also have pages for the larger women and where the best styles can be found. Glamour magazine has also started featuring more plus-size models. USA Today reports, Glamour's Leive believes the media has a powerful influence on women's body images and a responsibility to represent women of all sizes. "We do not run photos of anybody in the magazine who we believe to be at an unhealthy weight. We frequently feature women of all different sizes. We all know that you can look fabulous in clothes without being a size 2."
Television is also changing. After the popular TV show America’s Next Top Model hosted by famous model Tyra Banks aired, the public got to see what goes on at fashion shows, model shoots, and the model lifestyle. The show carried a few plus-size models that tried to make it to the top, but never made it close, until last season’s 2007’s winner Whitney, a student from Atlantic Beach, Florida became America’s Next Top Model, and the first ever plus-size model to win.
Even with so many problems with thin models, designers, magazines, and ads are still using them, but the transition is happening, and society is become more aware of the issues. People want a change, but it is up to society to change the ways. We should be catering to ever women out there. After all women come in all shapes and sizes!

Fashion Makes the Grade

Enrolment is up at Fashion schools, but is pop culture fuelling the trend?

What do Project Runway, The Hills, The Fashionista Diaries, and The Devil Wears Prada all have in common? They have all popularized the fashion industry and sent fashion school enrolments to skyrocket. Those educated in fashion used to be few and far between, but these days, young fashionistas are causing an uproar, forcing fashion schools to create more spots to fill this new found desire for fashion education. Project Runway is filmed at Parsons The New School for Design in New York, and since the show started airing in 2004 enrolment increased from 3197 to approximately 4000 in 2007. Mainstream America’s most well-known fashion school student, Lauren Conrad of the Hills, attends the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in California. FIDM’s enrolment in 2004 was 3191 and has since soared to 7500 in 2008. Coincidence? Not likely, but some may beg to differ.

The aforementioned shows have brought a large amount of attention to the industry, but do these shows and movies provide us with an accurate representation of the industry? The Hills follows a young woman that, in the span of two years, went from being a fashion magazine intern to appearing on the cover of that very magazine and showing her own line at LA Fashion Week. Project Runway launches a virtually unknown designer’s career by awarding the winner $100,000 to design their own line, a show at New York Fashion Week, and a spread in Elle Magazine. Talk to any new designer and they will surely tell you that these situations are not the norm. Many designers, in spite of being hugely talented, may never show at Fashion Week, and may never have their designs appear in a major magazine – and not for the lack of trying. So, are these shows setting up our young fashion enthusiasts for disappointment? Maybe not. If you watch The Fashionista Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada you may get a fairer representation of the industry. The Fashionista Diaries featured seven young interns that experienced the ups and downs of working in the industry – from losing a job to clashing opinions, low pay, and a rude and disrespectful boss. At the end of it all, only a couple of the fashionistas ended up with a paying job while the rest were left in the unemployment line. Similarly, The Devil Wears Prada showed viewers the trials and tribulations of the sometimes cutthroat fashion industry.

Celebrity designers have also popularized the industry and perhaps added fuel to the fire. Paris Hilton, Heidi Montag, J.Lo, P. Diddy, and even Eminem have their own fashion lines, making it seem like an easy task. They’ve attained fame and fortune, so with little or no fashion training or technical design skills these celebrities have decided to start their own fashion line? Yes, it sounds crazy and some fail, some succeed, but the cultural effects are lasting – young celebrity fans everywhere are convinced they can follow in the fabulous footsteps of their favourite star.

Although enrolment is up in fashion programs, jobs in fashion design, according to the US Department of Labour Bureau’s 2008-2009 Occupational Outlook Handbook, are going to slowly grow by only 5% until 2016. This is in large due to the fact that there is very little turnover and few new jobs are being created in the industry. Even worse, there is little or no job growth expected for buyers and purchasing managers until 2016. So why the high enrolment numbers? Well we can’t forget that there are so many fashion jobs outside of fashion design and buying. There are careers in fashion PR, fashion sales, fashion journalism, styling, wholesale, editorial, art direction, and retail – most of which are expected to grow in number in the coming years.

So pop culture may have caused more students to enrol in fashion programs or it may have simply reminded them of their already existing interest in fashion, but regardless of the cause, we can’t ignore the fact that students are signing up for fashion programs en masse. The positive side to fashion becoming a mainstream industry is that this once ‘dream career’ has made students see that fashion is an attainable sector to work in. Time will tell if the fashion industry’s over exposure in books, television, and movies is a good thing. In the meantime, it has encouraged creativity, eagerness, and has added a great sense of variety to the industry, and a little competition never hurt anyone!

Boots wit dem fur?

The modern day exploration of the fur trade industry.

Fur: it has a bad wrap. There are organizations of people protesting, throwing red paint and having a stigma for anyone who decides to wear pretty pelts. It was one of North America’s first traded products and helped the establishment of our nation as a trading partner to the rest of the world. It is the ultimate eco-friendly item and it keeps us extremely warm in those Canadian winters; arguably more so then any other material. Which begs the question: is it really all that horrendous?


Fur pelts have been around for hundreds of years and are still around today. Fashion houses such as Dior, Jean Paul Gautier, Dries Van Noten and Ralph Lauren are the tail end of names that use fur in their collection. The Hudson’s Bay Company was one of the first established businesses in North America. With Canada’s lush forests, large terrain and immense wildlife we are the perfect type of nation to exhibit acts of agricultural manufacturing. In fact, in the Canadian government, ranch-raised fur pelts are designated as a crop under the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act – therefore, the government as a whole still sees fur production as a means of ethical practice. We use animals for various things such as the steak on your plate, the wool sweater in your wardrobe, and the glue in your toolbox; so is it unethical to use the animal to its’ full extent? True, there are many acts of cruelty within the animal product industry, such as African tradesmen poaching elephants solely for their ivory tusks; or simply targeting endangered species. Acts such as these are difficult to ethically condone, however should be looked at in a different light than the fur trade industry.

With all the attention on the environment in the last decade, it is our daily struggle to adapt to eco-friendly products and resources, for they are renewable, recyclable, biodegradable and non-toxic. As far as apparel and fashion goes, there are designers and vendors who are trying to be animal cruelty-free. While doing so, they are creating man-made products that are harsh to our environment, our landfills and essentially putting trash in our backyards. Being against fur is looking out for different species, but is it worth our own demise?

Dating back to the Metis era, fur was a high commodity on the market because of its’ warmth in harsh northern winters – and still is today. As well as being a heat insulator, fur is looked at as the ultimate in luxury and has always been an integral part of fashion. With fur’s distant cousin (twice-removed): faux fur – it is known that it won’t last as long as the real family gem – real fur. Clothing is considered as your first method of communication; in the sense that it is the first thing others see to interpret what you could be like. The way in which people dress, weather known to them or not, says something about your personality. Would the Queen look as regal; would Jackie O’ look as polished; would Marilyn look as seductive; and would Courtney Love look as trashy?

Ultimately, people should be able to choose what is ethical for them. There are different sets of morals and beliefs from person to person, so why shouldn’t an individual be able to choose if fur is right for them? There tends to be hypocrisy in this subject to begin with. After all, topics such as these, which separate numerous peoples’ opinions, ironically tend to be shaded grey. Weather or not you look at fur as an agricultural product, an organic material, or just want something chic to keep you warm, there shouldn’t be a penalty for sporting your own sentiment

Interview with Angela Martin; Fashion Photographer

Interview with Angela Martin
Fashion Photographer
www.aymphotography.com

Angela Martin is a freelance photographer based out of Toronto, specializing in fashion and beauty photography. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts honors degree in media studies for University of Guelph as well as a diploma in creative photography. Her career has kicked off after her amazing experience as an intern in the art department of FASHION magazine (http:// fashionmagazine.com) On top of her already successful independent work, she also been shooting main spreads for Fashion Weekly Magazine. (http://www.fashweekly.com) Outside her busy schedule she loves going to see live music, theatre, reading a good book and traveling.

I know that your career has really kicked off in a short amount of time so I’m sure you have some work to be proud of. What is your most significant accomplishment?

Angela Martin: Having my work published in a nationally recognized fashion magazine, numerous times. I still get a little excited every time I see my work in print.

I can imagine, knowing you shot a spread and the rest of the country will see your published work.

With photography what would you say are your biggest attributes to the industry?

AM: I think if nothing else, I'm passionate, and I hope that shows in my work. I never stop thinking about photography, and I'm constantly thinking up new ideas and projects.CR: On the fashion side of things, if you could emulate anyone’s style who would it be and why?

AM: I really enjoy Jamie Nelson's work, she's a young up-and-comer from New York and I think she does really fun stuff with light, and her style is excellent!

How exactly did you get interested in this work and from that initial interest get hired?

AM: My program at school gave me a degree in Media Studies and diploma options in journalism, pr or photography. When I first started post-secondary education I actually started school in journalism, switched to public relations, and then took a year off after my second year. I was miserable, I dreaded going to classes. I decided to take a year off to focus on something completely different just to challenge myself. I took a one year certificate course at Sheridan College in performing arts. That year changed my life completely; I matured tenfold, and realized that in order for me to be happy I needed to pursue a career in something creative. Through my year in performing arts, I fell in love with photography while documenting my experiences.

It just so happened to be an option to switch into photography when I went back to finish my degree. In third year, I continued taking media courses, and jumped right into photography, taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd year classes all in one year. I proved to myself, professors and classmates that I could do it.

I graduated at the top of my class, winning an award for best in show in our graduation photography exhibition. I interned at FASHION Magazine the first summer out of school, and worked about four jobs at a time to make ends meet. Things have, I’m able to support myself solely on photography related jobs and I love it!

A long journey, but that time off really made you realize what you wanted to be. How exactly did you choose photography?

AM: It was almost fate that I discovered photography through theatre and was able to focus on that in my third and fourth years at university. I think I have always been interested in visual media, I just never fully realized that a career in that field was the best option for me.

What is a typical day like for you?

AM: One reason I love my work so much is because it allows me to do something different every day. I’m still working for FASHION, FW and also photo editing for a company called ikonica, it’s a great environment and keeps my Photoshop skills up to par with other professionals in the industry. Other than that, I have many different freelance shooting gigs, with many other different interested clients.

What are some responsibilities of your career?

AM: I need to be on top of my craft, very aware of my budgeting (being that I own my own business), and staying focused.

What made you choose the fashion industry?

AM: I've always been interested in the fashion industry, mainly in the imagery of fashion photography. I'm an only child and I used to spend hours in my room reading magazines, so my love for fashion images started at a young age.

What is the level of stress usually for you?

AM: I’m a strong believer in that; if you love what you do, things seem less stressful because you are enjoying yourself. Sometimes it's difficult to connect with someone creatively, and when that's a client, you run the risk of creating work that doesn't satisfy them. Communication so important in this industry, and don't forget energy & enthusiasm! Sometimes you just don't feel like turning on that outgoing persona, but you just have to take a few more swigs of that red bull and up the energy level.

What motivates you?

AM: Passion for the art, excitement in creating something tangible, and the need to be recognized.

How would you define success?

AM: If you are happy with your life and who you are as a person, I think that is ultimately what success is. You could be making peanuts at your job, but if you absolutely adore what you do and it gives you drive, I would call you a success.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

AM: I'd love to have my own studio, definitely. I'd like to be shooting fashion creative’s and editorials on a regular basis, and may end up teaching part-time, I love working with people in the creative process, and I think to teach would be stimulating and fulfilling.

What would you say to someone interested in getting into the fashion business?

AM: Be ready for tough competition, and be aware that you have to be willing to work incredibly hard in the beginning to get to where you want to be. Nothing is handed to you in this industry, but when you meet a goal that you've made, nothing feels more gratifying.