Keeping up with the slide show video trend as per requested from the very nice comments received on my previous post, here is my Fashion WishList for this summer... Added items that I love or would want in my closet. Enjoy!
I created a channel on Youtube called TheShoeFreakMtl -For more videos of all things fashion related, check it out.
Visit.Enjoy.Share!
-The.Shoe.Freak
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Shoes.Of.The.Day
This Shoes.Of.The.Day entry is different from my previous ones as it will only showcase pictures of my favorite shoes in a slide show video format...pictures from the extensive amount of research I do...Enjoy!
-Ladies.Shoes.Of.The.Day:
-Men.Shoes.Of.The.Day:
Do you guys like this video format? Please leave your comments.
-The.Shoe.Freak
-Ladies.Shoes.Of.The.Day:
-Men.Shoes.Of.The.Day:
Do you guys like this video format? Please leave your comments.
-The.Shoe.Freak
Saturday, June 18, 2011
My.Collaborations: YourKloset.Com
A few months ago, I had written a post about new and exciting collaborations happening with me and my blog. I had mentioned that I started writing for the blogazine YourKloset.com. Well into my 6th article written for them now, I wanted to share my feelings, experience and growth to you all.
First, the experience so far has been very fulfilling to me as yourkloset.com has allowed me to write about many topics, some more serious than other. It has also allowed me to share my experiences in this crazy industry of ours, not always positively I must admit, but it is the truth of my own experiences. One cannot always be jolly, and it is in adversities that you discover the good stuff.
My 6th article for YourKloset.com is done and online. It tackles something that hits home. As you all know by now, I work in the fashion industry as a designer but I also am a fashion blogger, hence the birth of The.Shoe.Freak a few years ago. These past few months, fashion bloggers have been getting the cold shoulder and harsh critics from people from the industry as well as the regular population, discrediting in many ways the work and credibility of the bloggers. In a very short period of time, I have been able to immerse myself in the fashion blogging world and I have come to meet incredibly talented, passionate and credible people running all the Montreal fashion blogs. The efforts, time and work they put into their craft (yes, it is a craft) is blindly overlooked and all this with no money, or very little for some, made out of it. The article has been getting a lot of buzz and I would love for you all to go read the article at Why so Much Hate Towards Fashion Blogs and Bloggers?...as I find it to be my most inspirational and direct piece so far.
I would love to hear your opinions, thoughts and comments on the topic.
Thank a lot for the support!
-The.Shoe.Freak
First, the experience so far has been very fulfilling to me as yourkloset.com has allowed me to write about many topics, some more serious than other. It has also allowed me to share my experiences in this crazy industry of ours, not always positively I must admit, but it is the truth of my own experiences. One cannot always be jolly, and it is in adversities that you discover the good stuff.
My 6th article for YourKloset.com is done and online. It tackles something that hits home. As you all know by now, I work in the fashion industry as a designer but I also am a fashion blogger, hence the birth of The.Shoe.Freak a few years ago. These past few months, fashion bloggers have been getting the cold shoulder and harsh critics from people from the industry as well as the regular population, discrediting in many ways the work and credibility of the bloggers. In a very short period of time, I have been able to immerse myself in the fashion blogging world and I have come to meet incredibly talented, passionate and credible people running all the Montreal fashion blogs. The efforts, time and work they put into their craft (yes, it is a craft) is blindly overlooked and all this with no money, or very little for some, made out of it. The article has been getting a lot of buzz and I would love for you all to go read the article at Why so Much Hate Towards Fashion Blogs and Bloggers?...as I find it to be my most inspirational and direct piece so far.
I would love to hear your opinions, thoughts and comments on the topic.
Thank a lot for the support!
-The.Shoe.Freak
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Shoes.Of.The.Day: Leopard
Animal skins are always on trend, however for Spring/Summer 2011, skins like Leopards are dominating the catwalks. What makes this particular trend strong is that it carries on for Fall 2011-12 and even Spring 2012. Therefore, get ready to see an onslaught of leopards in stores near you. Designers are creating new and fresher takes by mixing patterns with solid vivid colours, ornaments and hardware and/or mixes of different patterns. Lets see my favorites.
-Ladies.Shoes.Of.The.Day:
(Charlotte.Olympia.Fall.2011)
Who: Charlotte Olympia
What: Leopard print ponyskin pump
Why: Everyone knows by now my love for Charlotte Olympia's design and aestetic as I have posted her shoes before on my blog. Again, she delivers an ultra simple yet super sexy pair of pump that mixes wild and edginess but still remains sophisticated and chic. Love the fire red patent leather mixed with the printed leopard pattern on the ponyskin material. Super high heels, but oh so worth it. Swoon ladies!
How Much: $1050 Cdn (@luisaviaroma.com)
-Men.Shoes.Of.The.Day:
(Giaco.Morelli.Spring.2011)
Who: Giaco Morelli
What: Leopard print horsehide loafers
Why: Giaco Morelli is another designer that I have featured before on my blog. I loved everything about his Spring 2011 collection. And this pair of loafers is another example of great details combined creating an exciting pair of shoe. Love the studs which add a "badass" edginess to a normally classic type of shoe. The colours are also great and rich. I definitely need these in my closet, NOW!
How Much: $650 Cdn (@luisaviaroma.com)
What do you guys think? Too wild for your taste or just the right amount of Swoon worthiness?
-The.Shoe.Freak
-Ladies.Shoes.Of.The.Day:
(Charlotte.Olympia.Fall.2011)What: Leopard print ponyskin pump
Why: Everyone knows by now my love for Charlotte Olympia's design and aestetic as I have posted her shoes before on my blog. Again, she delivers an ultra simple yet super sexy pair of pump that mixes wild and edginess but still remains sophisticated and chic. Love the fire red patent leather mixed with the printed leopard pattern on the ponyskin material. Super high heels, but oh so worth it. Swoon ladies!
How Much: $1050 Cdn (@luisaviaroma.com)
-Men.Shoes.Of.The.Day:
(Giaco.Morelli.Spring.2011)What: Leopard print horsehide loafers
Why: Giaco Morelli is another designer that I have featured before on my blog. I loved everything about his Spring 2011 collection. And this pair of loafers is another example of great details combined creating an exciting pair of shoe. Love the studs which add a "badass" edginess to a normally classic type of shoe. The colours are also great and rich. I definitely need these in my closet, NOW!
How Much: $650 Cdn (@luisaviaroma.com)
What do you guys think? Too wild for your taste or just the right amount of Swoon worthiness?
-The.Shoe.Freak
(source: luisaviaroma.com)
Friday, June 3, 2011
Montreal.Fashionista.Challenge-Looks.For.$100: Part.1.The.Presentation
When fellow blogger Fedwa from www.lavietoutsimplement.com asked me if I wanted to collaborate by writing an entry on her great 'fashionista challenge: looks for $100', I instantly said yes and was rejoiced by the idea of collaborating any way I could on such an important topic. I was happy, proud and humbled that I was asked but also excited to write an entry that means a lot more than just the regular 'what's hot' item of the moment.
Therefore I sat a long time on this entry, thought about what I wanted to say, studied the documents provided and weighted the topic options I wanted to elaborate on. Because many topic options I did have, since Fedwa gave me carte-blanche for this assignment. Should I write about the looks, give my humble opinion on the shoes, or talk about the subject that led to the challenge in the first place?
In order to fully understand why the challenge meant more than just hot clothes for a nickle, we need to grasp the idea behind it. The premise of the challenge for the strikingly beautiful Fedwa (I must say) started after giving birth and caring for her child, neglecting herself in the process. She started feeling like many women do, unattractive physically and mentally afterward. But in all honesty, as men, we truly don't know how a woman feels about her own sense of beauty, especially after given birth and taking care of the newborn. The hard and painful misery of delivering a new life, we easily get, but the rest is kind of ambiguous to us. It was therefore refreshing in all its irony to hear, after doing research on the topic, the actual emotional pain and suffering a woman might go through as well. Refreshing because I, as a man, am now more aware and understanding of everything that lies behind the mood swings, the depressions, the spending habits, the need to transform and change oneself and so forth.
The fashion industry is all about portraying an unattainable image; an image of wealth, perfect bodies, and the beautiful stuff that everyone wants to have, own or be. We all know the side effects of such an industry: eating disorders such as Anorexia and Boulimia, low self-esteem, addictions, crazy spending habits, debts, etc. all in the quest of perfection and acceptance of some sort. All this pressure to be thin, gorgeous, beautiful, model-esque, desirable, seductive is a battle that probably most women go through, especially after giving birth. Feeling beautiful on the inside is much harder to feel when struggling with issues of such nature.
But for most women, the love of fashion and clothes never dies. Either therapeutical or because of pure love for it, spending money on clothes makes a woman happy and puts a smile on a face, even for a small period of time. And for Fedwa, footwear was her escape. As she mentions, her feet were the only part of her that didn't change and her shoe collection were the only stable and reassuring aspect of her wardrobe. By trying to find a solution in getting back to feeling good about herself and feeling beautiful, she created the fashionista challenge.
The Challenge
Fedwa enlisted 11 of the most fashion conscious bloggers in Montreal to create and style a tailored look to a pair of shoes in her closet with a budget of $100 only. Each month, a blogger look will be showcased and a contest will occur at the end of the year asking the general public to vote on their preferred look. Why $100 only? because Fedwa wanted the looks to be accessible to most women out there, and also showcase the creativity of the bloggers in question. Great challenge indeed!
Stay tuned for Part 2 of my entry coming up soon which will focus on the shoes proposed for the challenge.
And finally Part 3 (at the end of the year) will focus on the looks that the fashion bloggers created.
-The.Shoe.Freak
For more information on the challenge & the bloggers in question and their looks, please visit Fedwa's blog at http://lavietoutsimplement.com/mes-looks-a-100
Therefore I sat a long time on this entry, thought about what I wanted to say, studied the documents provided and weighted the topic options I wanted to elaborate on. Because many topic options I did have, since Fedwa gave me carte-blanche for this assignment. Should I write about the looks, give my humble opinion on the shoes, or talk about the subject that led to the challenge in the first place?
In order to fully understand why the challenge meant more than just hot clothes for a nickle, we need to grasp the idea behind it. The premise of the challenge for the strikingly beautiful Fedwa (I must say) started after giving birth and caring for her child, neglecting herself in the process. She started feeling like many women do, unattractive physically and mentally afterward. But in all honesty, as men, we truly don't know how a woman feels about her own sense of beauty, especially after given birth and taking care of the newborn. The hard and painful misery of delivering a new life, we easily get, but the rest is kind of ambiguous to us. It was therefore refreshing in all its irony to hear, after doing research on the topic, the actual emotional pain and suffering a woman might go through as well. Refreshing because I, as a man, am now more aware and understanding of everything that lies behind the mood swings, the depressions, the spending habits, the need to transform and change oneself and so forth.
The fashion industry is all about portraying an unattainable image; an image of wealth, perfect bodies, and the beautiful stuff that everyone wants to have, own or be. We all know the side effects of such an industry: eating disorders such as Anorexia and Boulimia, low self-esteem, addictions, crazy spending habits, debts, etc. all in the quest of perfection and acceptance of some sort. All this pressure to be thin, gorgeous, beautiful, model-esque, desirable, seductive is a battle that probably most women go through, especially after giving birth. Feeling beautiful on the inside is much harder to feel when struggling with issues of such nature.
But for most women, the love of fashion and clothes never dies. Either therapeutical or because of pure love for it, spending money on clothes makes a woman happy and puts a smile on a face, even for a small period of time. And for Fedwa, footwear was her escape. As she mentions, her feet were the only part of her that didn't change and her shoe collection were the only stable and reassuring aspect of her wardrobe. By trying to find a solution in getting back to feeling good about herself and feeling beautiful, she created the fashionista challenge.
The Challenge
Fedwa enlisted 11 of the most fashion conscious bloggers in Montreal to create and style a tailored look to a pair of shoes in her closet with a budget of $100 only. Each month, a blogger look will be showcased and a contest will occur at the end of the year asking the general public to vote on their preferred look. Why $100 only? because Fedwa wanted the looks to be accessible to most women out there, and also showcase the creativity of the bloggers in question. Great challenge indeed!
Stay tuned for Part 2 of my entry coming up soon which will focus on the shoes proposed for the challenge.
And finally Part 3 (at the end of the year) will focus on the looks that the fashion bloggers created.
-The.Shoe.Freak
For more information on the challenge & the bloggers in question and their looks, please visit Fedwa's blog at http://lavietoutsimplement.com/mes-looks-a-100
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Bags.Of.The.Day: Schoolboy
Remember the time when everything that was a mere reminder of school left you cringing in agony? Well oh how times have change! In today's fashion world, there is no bigger trend than the Schoolboy bag for both guys and girls out there. Influenced by the whole Vintage movement, the Schoolboy has made a comeback. Every shop, boutique and designer carry their own variations and all the top designer (Mulberry leading the way) are being copied or used as influences. Its hip to carry a schoolboy these days and the "looks-like-i'm-going-to-school-but-i'm-really-not" look is all the rage. Heck, designers like Mulberry have had a rebirth of some sort because of that one particular bag (and its many many many different variations since than). Lets check out my favorites of the schoolboys' out there.
-Ladies.Bags.Of.The.Day:
(Mulberry.Spring.2011)
Who: Mulberry
What: 'Alexa' leather satchel
Why: This bag is in my opinion the one that started the whole schoolboy craze and onslaught. A regular squared satchel shape with minimal but perfect detailing; Mulberry hardware and logo in a cool antique brass color, braided detail on the handle and double flaps and tabs. Also, the leather used is luxurious. How many copies of this bag have you seen since? and how about the lock? An 'It' bag for sure!
How Much: $1,200 Us (@net-a-porter.com)
***Check out below the rest of the ladies Schoolboy bags worthy of mention:
(Miu.Miu, Proenza.Schouler.'PS1', Cambridge.Satchel.Company, Rebecca.Minkoff)
(DKNY, Zara, Asos, Waikoloa)
-Men.Bags.Of.The.Day:
(Zara.Spring.2011)
Who: Zara
What: Leather briefcase
Why: Gorgeous briefcase in a buttery caramel leather. The details are clean and simple, no overdose, simplicity here is the name of the game. The construction is rigid, very masculine. The hardware used is polished with one center tab and 2 side ones with pockets for functionality. Zara is great at detecting and right away producing hot items of the moments and definitely this Zara briefcase is a hot item. Great Bag.
How Much: $179 Cdn
***Check out below the rest of the Men Schoolboy bags worthy of mention:
(Cambridge.Satchel.Company, Marc.By.Marc.Jacobs, Polo.Ralph.Lauren, Asos, Matt.&.Nat)
Do you fancy the Schoolboy look? Leave your comments/feedback.
-The.Shoe.Freak
-Ladies.Bags.Of.The.Day:
(Mulberry.Spring.2011) Who: Mulberry
What: 'Alexa' leather satchel
Why: This bag is in my opinion the one that started the whole schoolboy craze and onslaught. A regular squared satchel shape with minimal but perfect detailing; Mulberry hardware and logo in a cool antique brass color, braided detail on the handle and double flaps and tabs. Also, the leather used is luxurious. How many copies of this bag have you seen since? and how about the lock? An 'It' bag for sure!
How Much: $1,200 Us (@net-a-porter.com)
***Check out below the rest of the ladies Schoolboy bags worthy of mention:
(Miu.Miu, Proenza.Schouler.'PS1', Cambridge.Satchel.Company, Rebecca.Minkoff)
(DKNY, Zara, Asos, Waikoloa) -Men.Bags.Of.The.Day:
(Zara.Spring.2011) Who: Zara
What: Leather briefcase
Why: Gorgeous briefcase in a buttery caramel leather. The details are clean and simple, no overdose, simplicity here is the name of the game. The construction is rigid, very masculine. The hardware used is polished with one center tab and 2 side ones with pockets for functionality. Zara is great at detecting and right away producing hot items of the moments and definitely this Zara briefcase is a hot item. Great Bag.
How Much: $179 Cdn
***Check out below the rest of the Men Schoolboy bags worthy of mention:
(Cambridge.Satchel.Company, Marc.By.Marc.Jacobs, Polo.Ralph.Lauren, Asos, Matt.&.Nat)Do you fancy the Schoolboy look? Leave your comments/feedback.
-The.Shoe.Freak
(source: net-a-porter.com/asos.com/ssense.com/littleburgundyshoes.com/rebeccaminkoff.com)
Monday, May 23, 2011
Fashion.Events.Montreal: Simon.Chang.Store.Opening
Last Month, I was invited to attend the opening of the Simon Chang store in posh Centre Rockland in Montreal. I decided to bring my mom as a guest as I know she was a big fan of the Canadian designer, and has bought many of his clothes throughout the years. A cocktail-and-finger food event was held inviting media and faithful customers to discover the new ins and outs of the boutique and collection. Mr.Chang was there himself to greet and mingle with everyone. I discovered a very pleasant and charming man who literally spoke to everyone and was happy doing so.
(Simon.Chang.Back.Mural.+.Changing.Rooms)
The space itself is pretty and has a feeling of luxury, which goes well with the 'image' of its location. Nice chandeliers hanging from the ceiling as well as cages, tables, picture frames and what not add to the chicness of the space. The clothes are well displayed and it is very easy to see everything as it is not clustered by any means.
As for the collection itself, it caters to the Simon Chang clientele very well. There was nice evening gowns, mixed with nice summer suits and stylish daywear. The brand has also expanded into the accessories field with lots of nice head bands, bags, necklaces, jeweleries, belts and so forth that will make the younger customer walk-in and take a look.
However, the prime customer of the Simon Chang brand will always remain the 35-60 years old fashionable and fashion savvy lady. They will find what they are looking for, that is for sure.
As for my mom, she ended up having a great time trying on lots of clothes she liked, even getting help by Mr.Chang himself in the process. She walked away with a gorgeous black fitted dress to the knee with a big rounded collar and a smile.
(my.beautiful.&.stylish.mom.with.her.new.purchase.&.look.at.those.knee-high.boots!!!)
Nice evening indeed.
Go check out the Simon Chang boutique in Centre Rockland, on the first floor. Or visit his website at www.simonchang.com
-The.Shoe.Freak
(Simon.Chang.Back.Mural.+.Changing.Rooms)The space itself is pretty and has a feeling of luxury, which goes well with the 'image' of its location. Nice chandeliers hanging from the ceiling as well as cages, tables, picture frames and what not add to the chicness of the space. The clothes are well displayed and it is very easy to see everything as it is not clustered by any means.
However, the prime customer of the Simon Chang brand will always remain the 35-60 years old fashionable and fashion savvy lady. They will find what they are looking for, that is for sure.
As for my mom, she ended up having a great time trying on lots of clothes she liked, even getting help by Mr.Chang himself in the process. She walked away with a gorgeous black fitted dress to the knee with a big rounded collar and a smile.
(my.beautiful.&.stylish.mom.with.her.new.purchase.&.look.at.those.knee-high.boots!!!)Nice evening indeed.
Go check out the Simon Chang boutique in Centre Rockland, on the first floor. Or visit his website at www.simonchang.com
-The.Shoe.Freak
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