Picture Perfect: Hunting Season

Few days ago, Shot by LoveLost invited me to his studio and collaborated on a fashion editorial. Because both of us are photographers, this final product has the best of both worlds.

The theme of this editorial is about the relationship between hunters and preys. We portrait the preys as lost souls because some of the hunters love to disguise themselves and hunt these animals down. At the end of these hunting games, the lost souls will arrive at a different world, whereas the hunters will continue to be the kings of the food chain. In these images, can you define the preys and the hunters?

For this series, I have chosen accessories from Canadian designers Breeyn McCarney, VAWK, NobelSole, Krane and Baffi Collection to collide with Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Brooks Brothers, Bench, G-Star Raw, Cor Sine Labe Doli and Cole Haan. In my opinion, this is one of the best shoots I have ever done!

Who says Canadian designers are not good enough in the International fashion hunting ground?

Photos: Shot by LoveLost (instagram)
Style: Marcus Kan

Cage 

Dragonfly print tie by Alexander McQueen; Zipper tie by Krane

Destroyer 

Tie by Valentino; Jacket by G-Star RAW

Ray of Inspirology: Doll House

I remember back in 2011, Breeyn McCartney and Christopher Lewis created a very interesting collection and the dresses were all made of paper. Recently, the duo has teamed up with Shannon Wolf for an editorial shoot based on this collection, and of course, the pieces are still made of papers.

I personally like the images a lot as they are quite surreal. With the help of the makeup, the model has really transformed into a life size paper doll. Some of the pieces are redesigned so the images have excited me. Here are just some of my favourite photos and you can visit Superior Magazine to see the complete series.

Courtesy of Shannon Wolf 

Ray of Inspirology: Vessel by Natalie Kucken

Breeyn McCarney showed her Vessel collection, a collaboration with artist Irena Komadinic, last Tuesday and it was a breathtaking runway show. Roughly two weeks before it, I was invited to see her editorial shoot and that was also the first time I met Natalie Kucken, a very talented young photographer.

Below are some of the images from this series and they are very dreamy and romantic. The best part is how Natalie can blend her style, the clothing and the setting nicely to create this urban vs dreamy atmosphere.

If you want to see the complete set, you can visit our Facebook Fanpage. Seriously, this is a photographer you should keep in mind from now on, as I see potential in her!

Game[On]: Breeyn McCarney & Irena Komadinic Vessel 2012 Collection

I still remember 2 years ago, I was invited to my first fashion show and this opened the door for me to enter this fashion industry. Today, I hope all my readers can support this talented fashion designer.

Breeyn McCarney, a dear friend of mine, had her first signature line show back in 2010 and it was a mesmerizing collection. Now fast forward to 2012, she is once again going to have a show and this time, she is working with an illustrator named Irena Komadinic. The concept of this collection is based on human heart. After seeing a few sketches, all I can say is, it's worth the wait and I am excited to be one of the audience in May. Now, both artists are asking you for a little help and I think it will worth your money.

At this moment, they are looking for people to sponsor the event in May. Even though this is an intimate event, the first 10 people who are going to donate will get an invite to see the show. Also, depends on the amount of donation, you will be receiving something from the artists. The rewards range from original sketches or something special for you. If you are a fan of fashion and want to recognize emerging designers, this will be the best opportunity to show your support.

Please click here for more information on how to donate to this runway show.

Icon: I Scream Awards - Breeyn McCarney

It's the second last day of our I Scream Awards series and we hope you enjoy reading the interviews! Today, we have our final winner, Breeyn McCarney, whom we are a fan of her collections! Time to take a look at what she thinks about 2010 and the future plans!

Photographer: Marcus Kan

Makeup: Janet Vu

Hair: Markus Timothy

Stylist: Colton Rice

Clothing: 69 vantage, The Refinery, C'est Moi

What was the most memorable thing you had done this year with your career? Why?
That would definitely have to be my fashion show for the fall/winter collection of the signature line that took place in March at The Courthouse in downtown Toronto. The collection, Hard-boiled Wonderland, was inspired by the photographs taken by Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre, called The Ruins of Detroit. That was my first independent fashion show, and it was what got me noticed here in Toronto. With help from Magnet Creative’s Gail McInnes, who did an amazing job setting up the event, the show turned out really well, and I’ve been able to successfully move forward with my career.

How do you view the fashion scene in Toronto right now?
The upper tiers of the Toronto fashion industry can be very difficult to gain any sort of respect or break in. I really wish that Toronto as a fashion community would be more encouraging, supportive and celebratory of our young designers, rather than have them fight so hard on their own. My experience within the fashion industry in other countries has shown me that it can successfully be much more supportive of young talent. The overemphasis on commerciality and underemphasis on creativity has yet to make any mark on the global scene, which I know is something we all desperately want. I think it’s time to take a new approach, embrace creative and daring designers, and let the Canadian aesthetic develop beyond plaid, toques and parkas.

What are you aiming to achieve with your blog/career/website in 2011?
I plan to create a small F/W collection of carefully constructed and thoughtful pieces not for retail. I also plan to do a S/S runway collection that will include commercial derivatives of my more editorial style pieces. Most importantly, I plan to continue building my business and aesthetic as slowly and carefully as I have so far, appreciating the challenges and adventures that each new day shows up with.

This is it! This is the final interview we have related to the I Scream Awards. Tomorrow, we are going to show you the group shots we have done to put a sweet ending of this event! Stay tune! 

Graphicology: Another Word For Pink Art Work

I am excited to present you this seires of artwork, just because I know this illustrator is going to go huge in the future!

As many of you may remember, I have done a shoot for Another Word For Pink awhile ago and I always want this series to be an artistic set. I know Emily Taylor through fashion photogrpahy class ( you should remember I have a feature about her) and always know she is a great illustrator. I am very honored that she takes this opportunity and has done an amazing job on these 3 photos. Words cannot describe how excited I am when looking at this series.

Bravo Emily! I know you will be a star! Breeyn, I am thankful that you trust my decision.

Click here to check out other amazing works by Emily!

Photo: Marcus Kan 

Illustration: Emily Taylor

Clothing: Another Word For Pink

Evolution: Another Word For Pink S/S 2010 LookBook

This is such a great shoot and we are glad Breeyn is giving us this opportunity to do something great!

Back in May, Breeyn McCarney has asked us to shoot the lookbook for her secondary line, Another Word For Pink. We have decided to do the shoot at High Park during sunset period and we have to say Kelly Burrow has done a great job on posing and wearing Breeyn's latest creation! We love the natural sun light and even though we do not have a lot of time to shoot (remember we are shooting at a sunset period), the outcome is amazing!

If you love these 3 dresses, you should approach to the official website of Another Word For Pink and order them. They are in limited production so if you want one of them now, you better act fast! We do believe this collection is fun and trendy and it is good for some summer parties!

[Un]Discovers: Breeyn McCarney

Thanks to Breeyn McCarney for her kind invitation for us to attend her solo show earlier this month - Hard-boiled Wonderland. As we were astounded by her whimsical and detailed design, we interviewed Breeyn to get to know more about herself and the collection.  The following photos showed some pieces from the collection in some unseen combination and details. Thanks to our photographer, Marcus, who spent another day with Breeyn to take a new set of photo of the collection off the runway.  We, a la mode, are honoured to have this exclusive interview and photos with our new favourite designer.

Trendology: Video and Lookbook from Hard-Boiled Wonderland by Breeyn McCarney F/W 2010/2011 Collection

We are extremely excited right now!

Yesterday we have attended Breeyn McCarney's F/W show and you may have seen the photos we have posted on the blog.  Today on her official site, there are more things for us to look at. First, the video for the runway show is here and now you can watch the show in case you want to see the models in action!


Courtesy of Breeyn McCarney (source: ianflett@youtube)
The next thing that is on her site is the look book for this collection! The photos are all done by Mike Lewis (as you may remember, his editorial on fantasticmag is featured sometime ago on this blog) and we have to say the photos look great! Marcus is loving every picture he sees in this who set and Jessica Gradwell looks stunning in Breeyn's clothes! You can order the necklaces online now so better head to her site and order them! Here are more information for the shoot.
photo: Mike Lewismodel: Jessica Gradwellstyling: Mariko Laurenhair/MUA: Erin Carpenter 

Trendology: Hard-Boiled Wonderland by Breeyn McCarney F/W 2010/2011 Collection

Tonight we got invited to Breeyn McCarney F/W show, it was our first fashion show to attend for this year's Toronto Fashion Shows and we had a really great time and met some great people.

Talking about the collection, it was inspired by the novel, Hard-boiled Wonderland by Haruki Murakami.  Personally I haven't read the novel, however I have the knowledge that it's a strange and dreamlike novel.  I have this dreamy and imaginary mood by looking at Breeyn's design tonight.

The used of materials are very soft in this collection; distressed cotton, silk and wool, mohair, cotton/bamboo jersey all gave a very soft touch to all the pieces.  In addition to these materials, Breeyn put a lot of details to make the pieces more than delicate, including hand-beading with vintage pearls, hand-embroidered detail, leather leaf applique, hand-knited silk/wool/mohair, and hand-painted flowers and lace detail.  Adding onto these amazing combinations, the floral accessories, may be very small in comparison,  added a final touch to the dreamlike mood.

We loved all the pieces of this collection, but if we have to pick one, it has to be the beaded dress with 15oz of black seed beads! The beads are hanging down loose from the chest and swings along with the motion.  The beads give a lot of movement to the pieces, yet having this mysterious feeling when it's put together with this very dreamy collection.  Fabulous work!

Breeyn, if you are reading this, we just have to say you have done an amazing job in this collection. We are looking forward to see your next show!