Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2014 RTW

Recap: At first, it took a while to settle in, but once it did, realization came in floods. The set. Marc Jacobs' set for Louis Vuitton. It was a walk down memory lane!  There was the fountain from Fall/Winter 2010, the elevators from Fall/Winter 2011, the carousel from Spring/Summer 2012, the clock from Fall/Winter 2012, the escalators from Spring/Summer 2013, the hotel doors from Fall/Winter 2013, the print from LV's collaboration with Stephen Sprouse...but wait, it was dark; it was all dark.  This was not a collection of celebration, but a collection of mourning - mourning the departure of one of our most influential designers from one of the world's most influential labels.  The clothes themselves reflected Louis Vuitton's past 16 years with Jacobs: a mix of extravagance, and street fashion.  There were barely-there, sheer bodysuits and baggy, oversized pantsuits; grungy motercycle boots on the bottom and over-the-top ostrich plume headpieces on top; ornate jackets dripping (literally) with jet black crystals and slouchy denim pants rolled at the ankles.  Even before Jacobs walked out for his final bow, the audience was standing in preparation for an ovation.  And as he headed backstage, something happened that I have never before witnessed at a fashion show: the audience stalled for a couple of seconds before getting out of their seats.  Usually audience members are eager to run out to their next show, but this time, the audience lingered, trying to absorb the final, fading moments of Jacobs' overwhelming legacy.

Verdict:  If anything, this was an emotional collection.  It played at your heartstrings.  As each reference to past collections revealed themselves to me, I could feel the tears pushing at the back of my eyes.  The grand scale of the show brought shivers to my arms, and at times, I could do nothing but exhale in exhaustion from the formidable, almost emotionally draining collection.  Farewell, Marc Jacobs.  You will be mourned. 

Watch the entire show here.

Image Source: Style.com

Rick Owens Spring/Summer 2014 RTW

So first I had my ever-ambitious Fashion Week Marathons, where I made comprehensive reviews of collections as they came out. Then I had my Fashion Week recaps, where I briefly commented on my highlights at the end of the season. And now, after admitting defeat, I am going to attempt a hybrid of the two: shorter, but more frequent, reviews of individual collections. Just going with the flow and adapting to my new hectic life schedule. Let's see how this goes, shall we? First up on my marathon list: Rick Owens Spring/Summer 2014 RTW.

Recap: In this high energy fashion presentation, the art of step dancing was brought to life by women from four step dancing sororities, all wearing creations that were hiked and slashed to provide optimal movement - a true departure from Owen's usual draped, somber attire.  But the clothing really didn't mean anything the instant the first group of women walked down the runway.  It was electric.  The scowls set in their face (used to intimidate the competition) radiated strength, and with each movement, power and energy could be felt pulsating through the room.  Each woman had her own personality, and you could see it in her dance; you could feel it in her motion. 

Verdict: This could have easily been the most memorable moment of Fashion Week.  It was a slap in the face - a slap in the face that fashion considers to be ideal and beautiful.  For once, a forceful fashion presentation that actually wasn't about the clothing, but rather the woman, her culture, and her beauty. Round of applause for Rick Owens.

Watch the entire show here.

Image Source: Style.com

3rd Year and 18th Day!

So...school has finally gotten so busy that I forgot to mark my blog's birthday, hence the ridiculous post title. I would have almost written off my own birthday (which is 4 days after my blog's birthday) if it weren't for my amazing friends who surprised me with a dinner while I was in the midst of completing a group project.  So much love.

3 years.  It's not really a special number.  No one holds big celebrations for such an odd number.  But to me, it's another year gone by that I've stayed true to who I am.  Being in a business program, you learn a lot about self-marketing.  You're told to use social media as a tool, to network, to find those connections that will open doors...and I sit there and think, sure, I can do that, but in terms of my blog, I will never use it as a catalyst towards exposure and fame.  My blog is me, not a business.

If there's one thing that remains sacred, it's my blog.  I will not worry about SEO, I will not create numerous social media outlets for my blog, and I will not post to become popular.  I post for myself and I post from the heart.  Recognition may be a result, but never the driver.

Happy belated birthday, Red-Soled Fashionista.

Image Source: Birthday

Reality Hurts

Let's get real. Being a girl who has decided to pursue a career path (or should I say an uneven, barely visible dirt road with skidding debris and sharp rocks) in fashion, publishing, and business, I've learnt a harsh truth:

There will always be people better than you.

From sitting in a room surrounded by classmates whose intelligence seems unmatched, to hearing about people my age (or younger) who are already living the career I've dreamt about for years, life ahead appears to be an uphill battle.  I sit quietly in my room wondering, "Am I really cut out for this?"

But if there's another thing I've learnt over the years, it's that I am not a pessimistic person.  If I were, I would never be in fashion.  Fashion is for the dreamer, the believer, the nerdy girl back in Grade 8 who knew she wanted to get into the industry, despite everything around her that made it seem like an impossible dream.

See, the corollary is this: There will always be people better than you, but you will always be better than them at something else.  In fact, let's get rid of this whole "better" business!  Success is defined differently for each and every one of us; success is personal.  I'm not saying it's easy - getting there requires headstrong self-confidence.  I would never be where I am now in fashion if I weren't confident in my own skills and abilities.  I've never had formal fashion training, and have only touched the tip of the iceberg in terms of experience, but as they say, dress for the job you want, not the one you have. The moment you become discouraged and let go is the moment your dream dies. No one can stomp down your aspirations but you; your own insecurity is the only thing you have to fear.

So while I may see a fellow 20-year-old travelling the world, witnessing the industry's finest fashion first hand, and parading through numerous high society events, there's nothing out there to say I won't be doing the exact same thing at 25.

Image Source: Wallhere

Poppy Barley: Made to Measure

One of my goals this summer was to engage in my local culture scene. I didn't end up getting as involved as I wanted to be, but I did get the opportunity to discover a beautiful art gallery, a fantastic street for boutique shopping, and attend a local fashion and art event. The fashion and art event is what I would like to elaborate on today.

So you know how I'm on the hunt for a pair of pointed toe flats? Well, if I had copious amounts of money, I would buy myself a pair of Poppy Barley Custom Made to Measure flats.  Poppy Barley was one of the vendors at the event, and it had me enraptured the instant I walked towards its booth.

Actually, saying that I would only buy this if I were well-off is a misleading statement.  In fact, at $170 for a pair of custom, made to measure flats, Poppy Barley is an absolute steal!  You pay equal amounts for a pair of flats from Town Shoes, and don't even get me started on how much a pair of designer flats costs.  However, being a broke student means that $170 in itself is too much for anything.  But anyway, let's move on to what Poppy Barley actually is.

Poppy Barley is a company based in Edmonton that produces luxury handcrafted custom footwear (mainly flats or riding boots) for women looking for that perfect fit.  The name comes from the fact that shoemakers traditionally used barleycorns and poppy seeds as measurements for footwear.  Essentially, the process Poppy Barley customers go through includes choosing the preferable style of shoe, picking from swatches of quality leather material, deciding on whether to decorate the vamp with select hardware, and finally, getting their feet meticulously measured to determine the perfect fit.  As with any high quality product, it's all in the details - padded insoles, arch supports, and goat leather lining.  Seriously, all of this costs only $170?!

What drew me to the shoes in the first place was the pure classicism of the shape.  They immediately reminded me of a pair of Tabitha Simmons loafers I had seen in Vogue, which I have subsequently been pining after for some time.  Simplicity at its finest.  On top of that, I could tell from just looking at the shoes that they were well-made, with rich, high quality leather material.  Feeling the shoes...I could feel a familiar warmth of adoration spreading from my heart.

Of course, with the ability to custom design your shoe, I had to check out the Poppy Barley website and visualize what my ideal shoe would look like. This is it (photo courtesy of Crown Photography):

Even though there are limited customizations based on what material and styles are available, I still can't believe how this pair of Mary-Janes is SO ME.  Beautiful robin egg blue paired with shimmer from a gold heel - 100% my style.  I came up with this custom design with such ease!  I had a bit of a debate over what style of shoe I wanted (I honestly love all three styles), but it soon became obvious that the Mary-Jane style modernized with a slight d'Orsay design was the winner.  And from there, it was even easier.  Light blue is my favourite colour, and I'm a fan of sparkle/metallics, so the colour combination was almost a given.  In terms of which colour went where, I always look for a smooth vamp, making it without question that the gold pebbled leather belongs on the heel.  I decided against hardware because I wanted to keep it simple and classic.

As an average girl living the life of a fashion lover, I'm always desiring the unattainable.  If only, one day, this pair of flats could become a reality...

Check out Poppy Barley's website, and create for yourself a pair of shoes that is SO YOU.

Image Source: Poppy Barley 

First a Rose, Then a Kiss

I love trying on things when I shop, but doing so under the scrutiny of a stranger whose main goal is to get you to spend money is unnerving, to say the least.  In no other instance does this become more apparent than when shopping for makeup.

I went out shopping for new lipstick last month to replace an old Elizabeth Arden tube I had.  Almost the second I picked up a lipstick to try, a saleswoman popped out of nowhere to assist me, which was fine and dandy until she started recommending all sorts of colours even after I said I would take a look by myself.  Under the pressure to buy, I walked away towards another counter, only to be handed the same experience.  Shopping for someone like me is tough - I have very specific wants and details that I look for, and very few people have success recommending fashions to me.  When I buy something, it means it's 100% something I want: it makes my heart beat faster, my mind whirl with ways to wear it, and my conscience feels completely satisfied that my money is well spent.  With such specifications, really, the only person that can help me shop is myself.

So with such an intimidating lipstick shopping experience, I'm surprised I managed to find a colour!  Presenting Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Ultra in Rose.

Although all the pinks the salespeople kept on recommending were verging on Barbie doll level (do I really look that young...), this pink is less bright, making it more akin to normal lip colour.  Because I've always used Elizabeth Arden, it has become a brand I trust. Furthermore, the reason I gravitated towards Rose was because when my mom was younger, she had already determined that rose was a flattering colour.  This colour gives my pale lips a natural flush, while its beads of shimmer coyly hint that I'm made up.  The formula is so amazingly smooth, with the lipstick feeling almost like a good, thick chapstick.  I never thought lipstick could be so moisturizing!

The price of this was about $30.  Apparently this is considered fairly expensive (I don't normally buy makeup, so I wouldn't know), but the blindingly shiny "gold door" tube in itself is worth it.  I fully understand why women whip out their lipsticks after meals...with a tube like this, applying lipstick is a public affair.  Now I finally have an answer if someone ever asks me what my colour is.  Darling, it's Elizabeth Arden Rose.

Image Source: London Drugs, Beautylish

Summer Lovin'

The night before my last exam of the school year, my mind was whirring.  Not with my course material, but with my blog.  I had been putting off my blog for the past year or so to focus on school, and had only been able to post about once a month.  The guilt began settling in, and my desire to keep my blog going for as long as possible led me to promptly set up a Facebook page for my blog the next day.  It was my first step towards rejuvenation.

Next step: blog more often.  I spent hours upon hours drafting up posts while I waited for my flight home.  This past summer, I have managed to bump up my post count to four posts a month.  Hardly close to the daily posts I used to make, but come now, I was young and naïve back then!

And finally, an idea I had toyed with about a month before summer: guest blogging.  In my stupor of studying, I discovered that there are many guest blogging opportunities out there.  Breaking out of my own little territory, introducing myself to other bloggers, and gaining exposure through other channels...I was only left pondering why I hadn't pursued guest blogging earlier!  Unexpectedly, and thrillingly, guest blogging was a huge success from the start.  I received such positive feedback from the bloggers I approached, and at one point, I even had so many guest post deadlines on my plate that I encountered major writer's block.  Here's a compilation of all the guest blogging I've done (there were many other opportunities, but one person can only write so much!):

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Rose & Pine: Fashion's Game of Musical Chairs - I speak my mind on some of the latest designer changeovers.

Rose & Pine: The Great Gatsby: '20s Inspiration - I deliver fashion tips inspired by my most anticipated movie of the year: The Great Gatsby.

This Girl's Life: A Shady Afternoon - I pick out the season's top shades.

This Girl's Life: Floral Fanatic - I teach you how to tackle florals - from beginner to advanced.

Anni's Bubble: Midriff Mama - I try my hand at making one of the runway's most daunting trends more practical for stylish moms.

Chic and Casual: One Step Ahead - I reveal a strange new trend in footwear that has me itching to embrace modernity.

What's Hanging: Florida Florals - I get inspired by Robyn of What's Hanging's trip to Florida and cook up some outfits worthy of the beachy state.

All Things Unpredictable and Chic: I See Right Through You - I show you how to wear lucite.  Clear and simple.

Makeup by Lauren P: Top Summer 2013 Hairstyles - It's never too late to look at the season's hottest hairstyles.

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But this isn't it.  I came across an advertisement looking for paid fashion bloggers in May, and without hesitation, sent in samples of my work.  Just like that, I was contacted and now, for the first time in my life, I'm getting paid to do something I truly love.  Here's a look at the work I've done so far:

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Only Swimsuits: Top Swimsuits for Every Body Type

Size Plus Dresses: Top Plus Size Summer Dresses

Vintage Fashion London: How Dandy: Yves Saint Laurent's Le Smoking

Dress in Style: Surviving the Summer to Autumn Transition

Lily and Coco: Top AW 2013 Hair Accessories

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I first knew I loved fashion writing when I sifted through every occupation I could imagine and assessed whether I was willing to go through the work required for each one.  Time and time again, I came to the conclusion that a future towards any other career would be a burden.  But when I looked at the work required to get into publishing, I felt such strong conviction and excitement.  You cannot deny when you feel a feeling like this that it is your heart's true calling.  I was willing to do anything - to push myself beyond my comfort zone - to achieve my dreams.  I've started from the lowest rung in the ladder - being a nobody in the vast world of fashion - to slowly, somtimes painfully, but always happily, climbing each individual rung.  I'm not saying I've made it anywhere near the top (and I may never), but it's been a steady progression up.  Hard work pays off.  Couldn't be truer.

Looking back, I MUST thank my friends.  The feedback I've received from them has been phenomenal.  They have always, always been my biggest supporters.  I'm so grateful to have friends who never question me even when I question myself.  In those nights of laying in bed wondering whether my passion is a mere hobby, I remember my friends and it's through their confidence that I gain my own strength.  Thank you, my dear friends, for your incredible support.  This is not my accomplishment, but ours.

Image Source: Photo 1, 2, 3