Storyboot Project

For the month of October, Victoire displayed the Manitobah Mukluks 

Storyboot Project--a collection of artist-made mukluks and moccasins. 

Designed in partnership with Aboriginal elders and artisans across Canada, the  

Storyboot Project helps Aboriginal communities achieve self-sufficiency by ensuring the sustainability of 

traditional Aboriginal arts. The initiative offers a 50/50 profit sharing agreement with the artisans – 

providing a true partnership in the business of promoting their designs abroad. Each Storyboot is 

handmade using traditional methods & materials that have been passed down from generation to 

generation, often taking artisans days to finish a single pair. The partnership with Victoire was the first of its kind for Manitobah Mukluks. And, if you ask me, a very fitting collaboration between two mindful companies.

I was given a pair of the moccasins to play around with and snap a few pictures of. It was hard not to fall madly in love with how beautiful they are, as well as simultaneously gush with appreciation for the craft, detail, materials and manner in which they're made and sold.

the other side

Last year, one of my nearest and dearest friends, Cristin, and I decided to throw an art show under a collective we started called UnderBelly Art. We organized the event kinda just because and kinda just to see what kind of magic we could make with some like-minded people in the city. Our first event Yards of Chinatown, although made possible through no formal plan and the most minimal of budgets, was the cat's meow! We had a weird and wonderful group of artists, performers and patrons soaking up the community love (and spiked refreshments) and adoring local art all day long.

Since this event last summer, Cristin and I have been gearing up for another summer large-scale outdoor art event, along with a slew of other strange and mystical pop-up art events for the Fall. 

Our big bang summer art show, PillowTalk (with Mr.Sandman) is taking shape and drawing near (Sunday, August 12! Woo!) Right now, we're organizing our community-driven art projects that are taking place all through July in preparation for the show. As well, we are sending out a call to all artists, performers, musicians, artisans, or anyone with an inspired idea or industrious spirit to participate in the show. 

The atmosphere of the concept of 'pillow talk' simply breeds conversation, so we’re asking all participants to reinterpret, redo or reenact a moment inspired by the pillow and help us transform a space in order to explore the conundrum of sleep and dream life. If you're interested in participating or would like some more information, give me a hola! underbellyoutfit@gmail.com

You can also keep up-to-date of projects and art opportunities by liking our Facebook page. Or you can follow our every move via twitter @undrbellyoutfit

Thanks for showing interest or getting involved. Mad love!

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The UnderBelly Art Collective hosts large-scale and pop-up events that present the community with an opportunity to come together to initiate new thinking or weave a different social fabric for the arts. Taking the form of a gallery, a performance space, a gathering for miscellaneous ideas--you name it--UnderBelly aims to create a welcoming and highly accessible venue for artistic freedom and exchange.

Our creativity is expressed through the love of thought. Love of art. Love of sounds. Love of love. We are looking for the beauty in every moment--we cheer on the tug of war between artistic abandon and structure. We applaud the moments that are simultaneously chaotic and harmonious. We encourage the heroic experiments of the maniacally over-ambitious, while provoking curiosity and curating a new experience. Like a black hole, Underbelly wants to draw you in and make sure you can’t escape our pull. But this isn’t rocket science. This is magic.

[website launching summer 2012] 

osolee

I've been meaning to post this forever ago but heck, better late than never. Earlier this year I was asked alongside a few other local bloggers to intrepret and create the lookbook for the very talented and very lovely Lee Ann Lacroix's newest initiative Osolee, an online jewelry shop that offers pieces with just the right amount of tough luxe. 

I just so happen to love lookbooks that transcend the garment or piece and are, instead, relevant to the style or overall vibe of the brand--which is why I was so excited to be asked to be part of Osolee's launch. Each blogger was asked to  represent a piece from Lee Ann's collection based on their own style. Be sure to check out the Osolee website to see the entire lookbook. 

Thanks again to Lee Ann and Carolynn Lacasse for the great opportunity. x

he said, she said

 Two weeks ago my friend Remi asked me to help him out for a photo project commissioned by Milk for their Prom Switch Photo contest. He said "cross dressing in the street?" and I said "I'm in!" As you can see by the results, no regrets were had. 

Remi and I had spent a wonderful afternoon dressing up, and down, while amassing a small neighborhood audience and experiencing only minor humiliation and few accidental gropings. 

If you're interested in participating in Milk's photo contest, check the contest details below.

xx

Hello Prom Season! The dresses, the dancing, the decorations, the end of high school? Think this time of year couldn’t get any more exciting? Well, Milk is about to make it even more awesome!

To get in the spirit for Prom 2012, we want YOU to get a little bit creative and take part in Ottawa’s funnest contest of the season!

Welcome to Prom Switch! Inspired by Hana Pesut’s “Switcheroo” series, we decided to take a spin of our own.

Here’s the low-down: 

• Partner up with your prom date or a friend and take two photos - first wearing your own outfits, and then in the next photo… switch!

• Milk will be creating a Facebook album with all of the photos. Participants will have ONE WEEK to get as many people as possible to “LIKE” their photo.

• The winner will get an amazing prom prize pack featuring some of our favourite places to help you get prom ready! Including a manicure/pedicure, hair styling, make up application, flowers and a gift card for jewelry! How could you resist?!

Email your photos to promswitch@milkshop.ca by April 15th, 2012 to be entered.

later, at the bar

images Remi Theriault  

Sometimes just going for a drink can change the course of your life. Instead of pacing back and forth in your apartment tallying up your to-do list or trying to think of a word that describes the thing you have no idea you're trying to write, go drink some fine grained liquor. 

Trust me. People's advice sounds much better and you end up talking about oysters and other important details of the evening like the creme fraiche in your ceviche, thinly sliced meats and the handful of characters behind the bar.  

Good things happen to those who go for a drink. Which is why I went to Whalesbone recently with a whimsical lady friend, who sings lovely songs, and a talented gentleman friend, who takes lovely pictures. 

See above. 

a moment like this

Q&A/MIM

Being the lady about town that I am (and also having a wicked job that gives me the freedom to pursue my other projects) I often end up in the wrong place at the right time. For example, about a month ago I was lurking around the Models International Management studio and poked my head in to hang out with Jessica D'Angelo and Dana Pizzolato, two of the wickedly cool gals that who work for the agency. Just my luck, that day there was a shoot with one of their models. While I was there I snapped a few photos of their gorgeous space and, in order to stay true to my annoyingly inquisitive nature, I thought I'd ask the girls a few questions about the agency. Enjoy a short n'sweet Q&A with MIM. x

What distinguishes MIM from other agencies? 

Honesty and integrity. We create a partnership with our each of our models, providing them with adequate training from modeling, style, hair and make-up coaches, while working with them to help build their modeling career.  

Where do you search for new talent? 

We are constantly scouting! There are so many beautiful faces of all ages just waiting to be discovered whether it be on the bus, in the mall, or on the street. If we see someone who we think has potential, we will often approach them and invite them to come to the agency meet with our team, whether it be one-on-one or in an open casting environment. 

Do you have recommendations for aspiring talent? 

Confidence and dedication, just like anything else, will bring you a long way. Being a hard worker and open to feedback is essential when working in the fashion industry. It is important for new talent to understand that there is a lot to learn, and being open to the learning process is a great quality for aspiring models to possess.

What's important for potential candidates to know when applying to MIM? 

Research is the best first step when choosing if the modeling industry is right for you. Looking into agencies in your area, and meeting with representatives will give you insight into which agency is right for you. It is also important to research the fashion industry itself. Although personality and confidence is a big part of modeling, it is undeniable that image will play a large part as well. Understanding your look and which market would best suit your image is a great thing to be aware of before committing to modeling. 

What is MIM bringing to the Ottawa fashion community? 

Models International has been an established agency in Ottawa since the 70s, and has constantly pushed to stay at the fore front of the fashion industry locally and internationally. We promote fashion-forward and classic style with our models. Owner Sophie, along with stylist Renee are opening a women's boutique at the end of the month, Viens Avec Moi, which will be an extension of the agency. They will provide styling and shopping consultations for their shoppers, models, and clients. 

What are your thoughts on the Ottawa fashion community? Is there one? How can it be improved? 

The fashion community in Ottawa is small, but recently thriving. There hasn't always been a strong community for this industry in Ottawa, and although we will never be New York or Toronto, Ottawa definitely has some talented individuals who make the community what it is! Every client, model, photographer, or artist that we meet working in Ottawa has always been passionate and excited about their work - that's what makes Ottawa's community strong! There is definitely a demand for fashion in Ottawa, we just have to understand that it might be different than other major cities.

Dana Pizzolato is a booking agent and takes care of the web development. She has been with the agency for over a year and a half and has really brought a spark to MIM. 

Jessica D'Angelo is the newest member to the team, and she works on the Public Relations and does styling as well. Jessica loves her work and is very excited to be part of this amazing team.

The Uniform Experiment

For 30 days I put myself through a fashion experiment testing the idea of a fixed-look and examining issues surrounding the notion of "fast-fashion" and over consumption. Ef Magazine and I joined forces to create a series documenting my exploits which will be published for the next four weeks on their gorgeous revamped website. Read about day one here. I hope you'll follow along.

I want to send a special clin d'oeil to Nixxi, a brilliant line based out of Vancouver who sponsored my little escapade. I was completely honored and grateful when this uber-wicked Canadian brand approached me to be part of this project. Ef will feature an interview with Nixxi along with the outgoing experiment. I urge you to check them out! x

www.nixxi.ca

sweet outside, nuts on the inside

Portrait of the last few days

*

Taking part in some very productive hibernation.

Waking up most mornings with the feeling that something has changed, something subtle, something I don;t quite understand yet.

Saw The Coppertone at Raw Sugar. Dope.

Toying with the idea of starting a band with my friends. None of us sing, but we can all almost play an instrument....I might just stick to dinging a triangle and writing lyrics.

My new neighboorhood is in sandwich heaven. Two blocks away--German Town. Four blocks away--Bowich. 

x

i'mnotdead

Nope. Just took an enormous step back from all things social and all things digital for a while. Let me tell you: it was a great escape! Sometimes getting away from all internet distraction is the best and quite possibly the only way to get some clarity when things around you are not so clear. But I’m back with a bang and have a lot of wicked projects and news to share with you guys. I don’t want to give too much away but stay tuned this week for the launch of a fashion experiment series I did for Ef magazine in partnership with Canadian design line Nixxi.

Before I sign off, I want to quickly say thank you to all of the people who read and follow my blog. What a year it’s been –probably the most thrilling, tumultuous, revealing and important year I’ve ever had! Through this blog, you have all been here to witness a strangely intimate part of my life and I want to sincerely thank you for all of your support, comments, critiques and opportunities. 2012 is going to be a good ride!

heart-shaped bruises

My photography skills have been questonable lately. So have my general "being normal" skills--especially those needed for walking and stuff. 

This post is named after a fancy little bruise my ass earned after I tripped down the steps at the Whalesbone over the weekend. Oh yes, my clumsiness has been a whipping good time ;)

These quick snaps pretty much sum up the fun parts of recent times....excluding the graceful plumett of course.

The part of life not pictured here is fragmnted pieces of my disorganized self.

Life in boxes. Check. Boatload of work. Check. Project deadlines advancing quickly. Check. Lack of substantial sleep. Double check. Normally, I'm fairly good at holding things together, but alas, it's about time I smashed my life up and figure out what to do with the pieces.

x