Day Trip to Yanai

Yesterday I visited the beautiful city of Yanai. There is not a lot to do in this area but I asked the travel agency and they said to visit Yanai. I didn't really know anything about the city or what was there before visiting, but on arrival I grabbed a map and started my adventure. Unfortunately the English was limited in this city, but I did manage to make my way around just fine thanks to great maps and cartoons! I believe the city is known for its soy sauce! Here are some pictures from the day. It was gorgeous!!

Old houses and shops

Soy sauce shop

Lunch!

Back in Japan!

I am back in Japan for a brief period over Christmas and the New Year! It has been great so far. I have to say that it's different visiting as a tourist. You appreciate things a lot more and are able to relax and enjoy and not worry about rushing to get a train to get back to work. Japan really and truly is one of the most beautiful places in the world and I feel so lucky to be back here! Here are a few images from our Iwakuni adventure!

Iwakuni Bridge

Gardens
I forgot how magnificent the gardens are in Japan.

Iwakuni Castle

The view from Iwakuni Castle

Junya Tashiro Spring/Summer 2011

Merry Christmas eve everyone! Just wanted to share a few pictures from the latest Junya Tashiro Collection that showed at Japan Fashion Week. Their fabulous press representative Tina, has kept in touch with me since I left Japan, always sharing new images and thoughts on the collection. Thanks for this Tina and everyone at Junya Tashiro! Please check out the exciting website here :)

Janelle Monáe Meets Karl Lagerfeld!

New sensation and Grammy nominated American artist Janelle Monáe just recently met Karl Lagerfeld. Here is her meeting with him. Watch out for Janelle Monáe!



Here is one of my favorite videos of her..the other is TightRope but it's not available so click here.

Vogue-January 1923

The paper is finally finished! It was great learning about the fabulous fashion editor Dorothy Todd who wrote for Vogue from 1922-1926. Here is an image and quote from the January 1923 issue. Her fashion director Madge Garland also played a large role in the new direction Vogue took during this difficult period. Thanks again to Vogue UK.

"With winter now in full swing and an icy wind playing havoc with our constitutions, it behoves us to betire ourselves briskly, and to this end we provide ourselves with a coat that gives line to the figure and yet does not impair the deep breathing which we are told is so beneficial, and a skirt that is plain in style but not restricted in width."

Vogue October 1924

Thanks to Vogue.co.uk for information about their cover history! I am writing a paper on Vogue in the 1920's. Here is one interesting cover and a little bit about it! To see more covers click here.


The issue pays homage to Pablo Picasso: "Though by birth a Spaniard, this distinguished artist is by habit a Parisian and is now generally regarded as the most brilliant of living painters." Good table manners are also touched upon in this issue, with a passage regarding cutlery: "It seems very strange to think that at a time not far distant forks were as startlingly new as wireless was a short time ago."

An Interview with Amarsana Gendunova

I met the fabulous stylist Amarsana Gendunova at Toronto Fashion Week this year. Here is a short interview with her! She is currently composing a website so as soon as it is ready I will be sure to let you know.


1. How did you get involved in styling?

I never thought about being a stylist. Yes, I always loved to dress nicely. I believe everyone did. But I loved to dress other people too. I could see problems with looks and how to adjust them to make them look good! Back in Russia I was giving tips to a lot of people. And one day I started doing personal styling. In my city photo shoots are not popular and we don't have a lot of photographers. So i was not that involved or interested. However, I remember always looking at magazines and dreaming of somehow being involved in this amazing process. Later I moved to Canada. First of all I had to learn English properly and understand how everything works in Canada and of course meet people. To be honest I don't understand how everything(styling) started…i guess right time, right place ;-)

2. Where did you grow up and what has influenced your style and passion?

I grew up in Russia. My grandmother was very stylish. So when I was a kid, I would look at her clothes, try them on and do fashion shows with my cousin. My Mother has very classic and conservative style and my Aunt knows how to dress very well. I love all of their styles. When I was growing up with them I watched the way they dressed… and I mixed things I liked about their styles together. Obviously everything around me influenced my style.

3. What are your favorite websites, blogs and magazines?

I can not say, that I have any favorite websites and blogs. I always look at random ones.

I love French Vogue. There is not much advertising in it and I don't know french which is unfortunate but I still buy it sometimes.

4. Favorite project you ever worked on?

Every project is interesting and different. I enjoy them the most when the people I work with are on the same page as me. And it is important to have a good atmosphere during the shoot.

5. Most stressful styling situation and how you solved it!

I had a lingerie photo shoot for sharp magazine. I had a day and a half to get everything which was okay. However, at that time I had another photo shoot right after the lingerie one. And it was crazy time in school. So that one day I really wanted to stop time or do something that I could get everything done.

6. Your favorite go to pieces for fall.

Celine Bag and Philip Lim Necklace are my favorite pieces right now. Necklaces add interesting details to every outfit. With Celine bag everyone will look very elegant, classy and fashionable. Easy to mix and match.

Here are a few of the looks Amarsana has worked on!

New Lady Dior Video-Lady Grey

Get Your Guy Some Hey Dude for Christmas!

Looking for the perfect gift for that special guy this year? Get him something from Hey Dude! They have thirty years of experience in Europe and the U.S. bringing men great products made with non-toxic ingredients. "Go from Dud to Dude" instantly! So who do you think is the most iconic dude in the 21st Century?! Visit their site at HeyDudeSkinCare. I've put a few of my favorites..now it's your turn. Who is your favorite?!

Dude Wash- Removes dirt and oil to reveal smoother,
healthier skin. Price-$16.50 (4 oz)

Aftershave-Contains seaweed extracts and other proteins
to form a protective and moisturizing complex. $13.50 (4 oz)

A Holiday Soiree at Fashion Crimes

Come to Fashion Crimes this Friday to celebrate "A Holiday Soiree!" Shopping, treats and amazing deals await you at this event. Be sure to RSVP to info@fashioncrimes.ca. You can also visit their blog here for more great information! The store is located at 322 Queen St W, Toronto! Don't miss out :)

Fashion Group International Sample Sale

Last week I went to a sale with my fabulous friend, Anne for Fashion Group International. The most fabulous selections were in jewelry! Karen McFarlane of Jewellery by Karen, Patricia Lynne Pinkney and Maria Hall were just three of the great designers in attendance!

Jewelry by Karen
Visit her website at Jewellerybykaren.com

Patricia of Pangea Collection
Visit her site here

Maria Hall of Peru Productions
Visit her site here.

Some pieces from Nada Designs.