Very informative video on how to repair your denim. If you have a denim that you like don’t take it to any tailor because they can do more damage.

Here is our last of a series of videos from the SIFE Ryerson Fashion Show “White Noise”.

This interview is with the organizers Robyn and Diana who worked till 3am this morning to get this thing going. Good work girls!

Yo guy, fashion fans. This is MoVernie! How’s it going yo? Did you enjoy my first ever fashion video blog with designer Meghan Erin? If you like what you are seeing, keep on following. This week, we are showcasing our second episode of our fashion video blog with designer/singer-songwriter, Jay Manara and along with his crew at the Ryerson Fashion Show.

During the show, Jay got to get up the stage to share his stories to his success as a designer/singer, sharing his experiences with other up and coming designers who are chasing their dreams and goals. It was a very inspirational and motivational speech. He placed emphasis on being creative, continue to believe and chasing the dreams but at the same time, being able and willing to listen to feedback and constructive criticism to get better with the work and be able to listen and improve on the collection. Being able to balance the financial budget while carrying the passion for designing clothes are key. Designing is an important element but also being able to run the business with profit and being able to bring food to the table are also important in a day-to-day operation.

During the show, Jay also showcased his collection. In his collection, you will see a heavy influence of tattoo art and rock music culture. The brand is owned, operated and run by people who have lived and breathed the tattoo and rock music lifestyle for many years.
Rock Parlor believes in the individuality of people and design, and strives to deliver unique pieces that will make you want to rock (and I truly believe his collection is definitely make you rock!)

Until next time, MoVernie is outta here! Stay tuned for more fashion video blogs and be sure to check out FashionStyleBlog.com often.

This week in Industry Insider I’ll show you how I did one of my photoshoots from last year.

Here are the steps:

1. Come up with a big concept/theme
2. Select the models
3. Select the make up team
4. Select the styling team
5. Select the outfits – diagram each outfit
6. Choose and book the location
7. Take some practice shots to get the look you want
8. Set up the call time
9. Choose the best photographer for your fit

If you have any other suggestions, post below.

Downtown Toronto is rich in street-wear boutiques, but with so many, how do you pick the best ones?

In my small school located miles away from the city, people dressed the exact same way. My fellow school mates would buy clothes for the same brand names, expecting themselves to be unique even though everyone else had the same clothes on. Hollister, Aeropostale, Abercombie and H&M. The four apocalyptic disasters that were sent down to this earth to prevent people from having a unique and personal style. I always thought the people with the most up-to-date styles and the newest clothes were always the coolest people.  I wanted to be apart of that group, one of the cool kids who were known for their sense of style and trend-setting abilities. The one trip to downtown Toronto’s fashion district changed my life, every store there was so unique, so fresh and so hip. If I could name all of the stores I would, but out of all of them, five stores stick out:

Over The Rainbow:

Opened in 1975 as a premium denim retailer, Over the Rainbow sold jeans and apparel  from many different countries. As time passed,  Over The Rainbow increased it’s reputation and by 2007, the store was known as one of the go-to denim stores of the Country.

Over The Rainbow now sells over 250 styles of denim (largest selection in Canada) and carries over 100 different brands like 1921 and PRPS.

http://rainbowjeans.com/home.htm

Due West/Next Door:

Roughed up and edgy are the thoughts that come to my mind when I think of the ambiance of the store. Established in 1973, Due West is a mid-end retailer that has a very relaxed and chilled out vibe. When I first entered this store, I saw brands like Dom Rebel and G-Star, (which I personally don’t wear) and a lot of more street-ish and more urban styles of clothing. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is into the more graphic aspect of design.

www.duewestclothing.com

Next Door:

Next Door is probably my favourite stores out of the five. Located right beside Due West, Next Door sells higher end brands such as D&G, McQ by Alexander McQueen, DSquared and J.Lindeberg. You definitely get a more up-scale feel when entering this retail store, along with the simple and straight forward design of the interior. There is also a great contrast between the exposed plywood walls and the simple yet noticeable clothing showcase.

http://nextdoorclothing.posterous.com/

Show Room:

The first time I went into Show Room was during the 2009 boxing day sale. At first I thought it was going to be impossible to find something that I would actually like but I was surprised to see such a wide variety of clothes to choose from. After 20 minutes in the store, I had over $350 worth of clothes in my arms and I was walking towards the cash register. This two-floor store is filled with higher priced garments on the second floor and plenty of hip and up and coming brands on the first floor. From brands and labels that would get anyone spending every penny they have, including: Diesel, Cheap Monday, Miss Sixty,  Naked and Famous, Levis, True Religion and Lucky 7.

http://www.theshow-room.com/

Got Style Menswear:

Voted as the top menswear store by in Toronto by Now Magazine, Got Style is the leading menswear store when it comes to casual or business attire. The aesthetics of the store is what every man would want to see while shopping; flat-screen TVs, comfortable furnishings and a sleek interior. Got Style also has it’s very own male only spa which provides haircuts and hot-towel shaves.

http://www.gsmen.com/

Most people believe that a real fashion photo shoot requires tonnes of equipment, an amazing camera and lots of money. Lee Morris, from F Stoppers proves that you can do just as much with something as simple as an iPhone 3G.

If you have an iPhone, your true dreams of becoming a professional photographer are now so much closer. All you need now is $20,000 worth of lighting and a sexy model…

The great designer Tom Dixon collaborates with Lacorste to design the techno polo. The concept behind it is to minimize the packaging and make it as eco as possible. This was achieve by embossing instead of the printing on the box. I think the air tight sealed shirt packing looks cool, did it minimize the packaging? I think more could have been done.

HadeNatioN presents the first ever Deadly Sins Fashion Show which features Juzd clothing.

HadeNatioN is a new Toronto based company founded by Maral Azhadi and Steven Nicolas Harris that runs events in the GTA and raises money to provide grants for local indie film makers. Come support their cause and kickoff Valentine’s Day.

A hot night filled with gorgeous models, sexy lingerie, special activities for everyone, and special performances including Outspoken and Vivid MC. Then enjoy partying the night away with DJ Docta. Designers include:
Jing Liu, Becky MacKinnon, Natasha Gatto, Sui Generis by Jordan De Ruiter, Wanotrix Collection and more.

Founded by Paul Budnitz in 2002, Kidrobot has quickly become the most sought after and well recognized designer of vinyl designer toys and apparel. Aside from having an easy to navigate online store, they have retail locations across New York, San Fransisco, Los Angeles, Miami Beach, and even a bar/lounge at Circa nightclub in Toronto.

By time he reached high school Paul Budnitz was already coding safety analysis software for nuclear power plants. On the side, he was creating video games for the Commodore 64. He later enrolled in Yale for photography, film, and sculpture. While still in college, he started his first business venture creating clothing for museums which eventually evolved to modifying Levi’s vintage clothing and popular sneakers.

Fast forward to 1997, he caught on to the latest technology at the time which were the MiniDiscs by Sony. He would hack MD players and sell them through his website Minidisco.com which was coded by himself and would eventually sell for $7 million in 2001.

With his new found wealth and perhaps sheer coincidence, he stumbled upon the art of edgy vinyl toys that were originating from Japan and China. He was able to identify these toys as a form of popular art and included the passions he enjoyed in life: music, fine arts, fashion, cartoons, and graffiti. By integrating all the elements that he loved in life, this became the framework for Kidrobot.

The most appealing aspect of Kidrobot’s toys have to do with the plethora of unique artists that they collaborate with. Artists from all walks of life have collaborated with Kidrobot. Here are some that stands out:

Huck Gee – Meet Shiro Kidninja the 7″ assassin

David Flores x Disney: Probably my favourite piece its Thumper from Bambi

Burton – A collection of ski jacket, pants, and snowboard

Amanda Visell – One of the most detailed pieces the Wooden Donkey Dunny

eBoy

Colette

Krink

Frank Kozik

Tarina Tarantino – Jewelery collection

Takashi Murakami – Prolific contemporary Japanese artist

Tado – Famed UK duo

Lacoste – An exclusive set of 3 shoes that is paired with a Kidrobot toy

Playboy – Miss November 1978

When you read up on Paul Budnitz’s accomplishments and his philosphy in the way he conducts business, you will be inspired by his words of wisdom. One of my favourite quotes is:

“The other secret is not to be afraid of doing something stupid because, if it wasn’t stupid, everyone would be doing it. Kidrobot is without a doubt the stupidest, riskiest thing I’ve ever done, which means it’ll probably be the most successful and most exciting.”

Paul’s willingness to take risk has paid off as Kidrobot has quickly become one of the most internationally recognized brand. Coined as the father of designer toys, Paul Budnitz has been able to launch his own apparel line with Swizz Beatz along with being inducted in the Museum of Modern Arts. No easy feat considering Kidrobot has only been around for 8 years. Kidrobot continues to push the envelope, refusing to settle with the status quo. They are able to create edgy designs with this mantra:

“Limited edition, for me, has to do with how big a risk we can take with a design. The riskier the design, the smaller the edition because then we have to please fewer people to sell the toy. What an awesome concept!”

Last week we introduced to you the Top 10 Streetwear Sites you should check out for your latest fashion needs. Today we will talk about lifestyle magazines you should check out to stay current with the latest technology, fashion, hot women, and of course maintaining your health. You will also be able to find out what is Jing Liu’s favourite magazine to read. Read more to find out!

1. Maxim Magazine

The most coveted men’s lifestyle magazine featuring the hottest ladies gracing each month’s cover. Featuring topics ranging from technology, women, sports, sex, and comedy you’ll find the variety of topics enough to satisfy your craving. My favourite column is of course the Hometown Hotties. Check out the 2009 winners to see if you’re neighbour is on it.

2. GQ

Short for Gentlemen’s Quarterly, a lifestyle magazine focused on fashion, style, and culture for men, through articles on food, movies, fitness, sex, music, travel, sports, technology, and books. Now that winter is upon us full force, you should definitely read the article on Best Winter Essentials, staying warm while still looking cool.

3. Rolling Stone

Featuring some of the most iconic musical artist of every generation this magazine is devoted to music, politics, and popular culture. Be sure to check out the article on Go Inside The Battle Over Global Warming on how to do your part.

4. Vibe

A music and entertainment magazine founded by producer Quincy Jones. The publication predominantly features R&B and hip-hop music artists, actors and other entertainers. Check out the most anticipated 2010 Albums and see if you’re agree with Canadian native Drake being #1 on the list.

5. Esquire

The very meaning of Esquire is to denote social class and this lifestyle magazine offers nothing less. Known for printing on an over sized magazine with glossy paper, you will find unconventional topics gracing its pages. To check out some pretty ladies, be sure to read the Women We Love section.

6. Nylon Guys

A lifestyle magazine that focuses on pop culture and fashion. Its coverage includes art, beauty, music, design, celebrities, technology and travel. The name Nylon derives from the magazine’s often featured articles featuring New York and London

7. Vice

Not to be confused with Vibe magazine, this edgy and controversial magazine features content ranging from sex, drugs, violence, crime, and social issues. They have an interesting column on fashion DOs and DON’Ts that you should definitely check out to stay fresh.

8. Men’s Health

The men’s guide to fitness, sex, women, workouts, weight loss, health, nutrition and muscle building. You should check out this month’s article on the best and worst cities for guys. We love this lifestyle magazine best for the recipes, delicious recipes, easy to make and healthy!

9. Men’s Vogue

Men’s Vogue is a twice yearly men’s magazine that covers fashion, design, art, culture, sports and technology.

10. Antenna

Considered a niche magazine by all accounts, this is Jing Liu’s favourite magazine to read. The content you will find mirrors that of which you will find in an Asian pop magazine. It features content ranging from upcoming clothes and shoes from your favourite brands to lifestyle and popular culture. Jing loves the section where they show all the graphic tees, tons and tons of them!