Friday, August 28, 2009
Waiting for BC Fashion Week
For now I'm satisflying my thurst for fashion on this: Vogue. And the movie: The Devil Wears Prada, with homemade coffee, pepper brie and grape snacks. Can't wait for BC Fashion Week. So the other day my BFF Joses was still up at 3am in the morning putting together a portfolio for his muse/model that he wanted her to try out for the 2009 BC fashion week. I gave her my best wishes and XOXO, and a handkichief for the very nervous Mr. Reyes whos heart was almost jumping out right in front of us. I sure do understand his nervousness for his muse. ( BTW Olga sweetie u are fabulous no matter what !!)
BC Fashion Week is THE week that anyone in fashion would die to be going. The wonderful fabulous new designs that will be filling up our senses and give us millions of little tingles in our veins for the rest of the season is surely a feeling that I cannot describle it in words. I'm so looking forward to this event of the year. If you see me at a stationary store picking out new leather covered notebooks and shiny new ball point pens, no, I'm not going back to school. A celebration of fashion deserves great notebooks and pens to go with it. Not to mention I'm not taking my hands off them, I can only imagine me writing away at my seat.
If you see me and I didn't say hi back, well, I'll say it in advance: HI MY LOVELYS!!!!
For more info about BC Fashion Week: www.bcfashionweek.com
Labels: BC Fashion Week, BC., Vancouver
Monday, April 13, 2009
Finding New Moon: Ms. Sunny Moon and her Wearable Arts
It is no laughing matter when a career change comes into question. For Ms. Sunny Moon, however, it is about her passion, her talent, and the meaning of her life when she decided to become a Jewellery designer by travelling half way across the globe for her dreams.
Finding New Moon: Ms. Sunny Moon and her Wearable Arts
Article by: Kaila I. So
Photos courtesy of Ms. Sunny Moon
Sunday afternoons in downtown Vancouver has never been as peaceful as I have ever seen as I was scheduled to meet with Ms. Sunny Moon at Caffe Artigiano near the “Glam Shrine” Holt Renfrew. Dressed in a white long sleeve dress shirt and topped with a princess short sleeve grey cardigan sweater and black dress pants, Sunny was slipping on her fresh grounded drip black coffee as I walked in, losing my breath for running up couple of staircases out of a parking lot that seemed more like a maze.
After a very warm greeting and getting my coffee (not black, I wish I can, but I am no where brave enough as Sunny.), it was inevitable to start our conversation with our afterthoughts about Vancouver Fashion Week aka where and how we met.
“Oh it was so exciting for me, it was my very first exhibition event at a Fashion Week and I was able to meet all these wonderful industry professionals that I would otherwise have no chance to meet with.” Sunny was lit up in excitement as she continued to talk about how she got involved.
“I was an Arts and Scripture student at University of Korea. In year 2007 I decided to come to Vancouver to study at Laselle College for Jewellery Designs. I was sad to leave my families and friends behind but this is my dream and I really really really thought that I can do this, to be able to design my own collection of jewelleries.”
And my god she can. I remember I had a fifteen minute break between the fashion shows at VFW and I had to get my bottom off my seat (Throne, actually, because it was at the front row.) to reconnect my blood circulations. That was how I found “them”, the “New Moon Wearable Art” jewelleries collection at a table booth, and I was hopelessly gravitating towards them, like a moth to the brightest lights, being allured away by their unconfined yet structural shapes that speaks such a powerful statement visually, I had no choice but to surrender my full attention and my ladies room time just so I can get her digits. No I am not hitting on the designer, just the collection, but yes, she is one of the most stylish and elegant lady I met at VFW. And to my biggest surprise, we shared a similar background in fashion: Modeling.
“I started modeling actually at the recommendation of my mother.” Sunny recalls as she take another slip of her black coffee. Brave girl.
“My agent sent me to modeling trainings and a few months later, I found myself working in the industry, getting jobs, and I was getting more and more passionate until when I realized I really do love my job as a model. I was able to meet these wonderful people and be in touch with so much creativity, it began to make me felt an awakening inside, of me and my possibility of designing. Finally, I told myself, maybe I can really do this. And here I am, in a city that I like, designing jewelleries, exhibiting my work at shows, getting positive reviews from the industry and having my own list of clients that like my stuff. I have to admit that it is all a wonderful experience and I am living in what I thought I could achieve.” Sometimes listening to advices from parents do put you in the right direction, In Sunny’s situation, it was a without doubt the best career suggestion a mother can give to a daughter.
This is what happens when two girls with similar career background (who both moved on to a retired model/something status) get together and chat. We move off topics. I tried hard to have control over my excessive chatting and failing it seems not bothering at all to Sunny. Travelling, food, where to hang out, some old industry experiences. . .lucky us that the café was half empty because it was the Easter Sunday. We were laughing and rocking our chairs back and forth. Professional images? It was out the window the moment we met.
Directing our conversation to her designs, I cannot help it but to fall in love all over again with her collection. “I called my collection “New Moon Wearable Arts”. My concepts came however for a lot of different inspirations. Most of the time it has to do with my background in Scripture Arts. I often like to apply my ideas into jewellery design using concepts of scripture making. I like my pieces to have a statement, a different element to the current pop cult. I tend to stay away from looking at other jewellery designs because I have my own mix pot of ideas that I have developed during the period when I was doing modeling. I have seen so many elements in design; I want to break away from being slotted into one specific category of design. That is the reason why my collection is “Wearable Art”. If I have to be called as in some form of genre, I would like to be a genre of Art.”
And this is what drawn me to her designs; originally timeless, elegantly romantic and with a magical artistic touch.
“And this is what it means to me, my designs, are art. It would not be me if it is not my art. It would not be art if it was not original design. And it would not be design if it is not done with passion.” Sunny smiled brightly she look at me and look out the window glass door of the café. A column of light broke through the heavy Easter Sunday clouds and shone on the Holt Renfrew sign across the street. One day, I thought, I will not be surprise to see Sunny’s collection being displayed at HR. As I draw my attention to the happy looking Sunny, she broke into an even happier smile. “I hope summer comes soon, it is the best place to be in summer. I love Vancouver.”
We are glad to have you here too Sunny, you bought light to the west coast. Best wishes, with love.
Xoxo, Kaila
Labels: Caffe Arigiano, Holts Renfrew, Jewellry, Korea, Laselle College, New Moon Wearable Art, Sunny Moon, University of Korea, Vancouver, Vancouver Fashion Week
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Fast Forward to Summer
I do feel that the winter has been lingering around a little bit too long. There is almost no more guilt left within, nor do I need a reason to justify my wish for "her" departure. It seems that half of my wish was granted to me as the sun broke through the clouds and smiled at me. Now all I need is for the sun to NOT set until 10pm and a cup of coconut vanilla mango ice cream while I sit by the seashore enjoying the summer breeze. Too early for day dreaming? Apparently, but I can't help it.
Oh yes. . .there should be spring before summer. . .my apologies Lady Spring, with love~
My top 5 Spring activities:
1. Nothing beats having a picnic sitting by a circle of Cherry Blossom trees with your lord and lady friends. Sandwiches, cookies, juices and cakes. Lovely. Tiara? Sure! It is the best season to be what you dream to be. Just, make sure it goes with your dress.
2. Drive to a local resort and have a day spa experience. I always love Harrison Hot Spring, just 2 hrs drive east of Vancouver. After the spa, do visit the local chocolate factory and maybe the bee farm. Be sure to buy some of the fresh honey while you are there. I espcially like the rose flavoured honey. It is NOT rose infused, the bees picked pollens FROM the actual rose. Try some with your coffee or tea. It is spring afterall, try something new.
3. Although it might still be too cold to take a walk by the beach, but I assure you, the beach have a different feeling in every season. In spring, the wind is softer, the air less salty, the sidewalk has less people... you will have the beach to yourself. Bring you pet friend or a book along. There is no time to relax like a time like this.
4. A road trip. Anywhere. Best though if the flowers are starting to blossom. Get your Hermes scarf and Chanel sunglasses ready. Be sure to bring a few relaxing albums to play while you enjoy the scenery.
5. Have a coffee with a friend by the neibourhood cafe. Time to catch up on what's going on around your world before everyone is too busy with the endless daylight in the summer. If you do baking, why not bake them a batch of cookies? Could be better than the cookies from the cafe, who knows^^
Just, try to kick the habit of sleeping in late my love.~xoxo~~
Labels: Harrison Hot Spring, Vancouver
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Stay in Grace
Typically I am not a rushing person. However, I do have some bad time management moments and today is one of those. When looking back at it now ( 9:00pm, sitting in my cozy den with my self made Starbucks coffee and creme bulee from Meinhardt, calmed and back to my own self) it was quite intense.
I have one thing to do today, and it was to go to downtown Vancouver and do a foreign exchange transaction. After observing the currency for a week, today is THE day to get the best rate. Yes, I do pay attention to the international fianical market. And no, I do not depend on it to survive but being a fashionista I like to be in the know of everything. EVERYTHING. Imagine having nothing to talk about at a cocktail gala. How cold.
The insituition closes at 5, and I left my loft at 3:30 thinking I would make it in time easily but boy was I wrong. It usually takes 3o mins to get to downtown for my area which wasn't too difficult. Today, however, I got JAM STUCK two blocks away from my destination for 20 mins due to road works. Alot of road works. While I silently express my anger in my own head, I still had to find a decent parking lot. Not spot, a lot. Getting a parking spot at 4pm in downtown is almost as crazy as winning the lottery. And out of all the lots I had to pick the one that I had never been into. Struggling to find my way out of the lot, I had no choice but to speed walk through Holt Renfrew. I apologize here to all the HR staffs for not paying attention to their beautifully decorated halls, nor their ever so automatic greetings. Getting the highest exchange rate would have to come before checking out all of the reduced price designer bags. ( I know. . how could I? but I did, so I guess I was rushed to the max.)
In the end I made it with 10 mins to spare.
And was once again stuck in downtown due to rush hour traffics.
So I thought: " . . . ain't getting myself stuck in no traffic girl." and ended up having a very cozy dinner with myself and the game. The hockey game. Washionton 5, New Jersey 2. Like I said, I like to be in the know. Otherwise what should I talk about while having a honey lager with the gentlemen ^^?
Labels: hockey, Holt Renfrew, honey lager, Meinhardt, Milestone's, Starbucks Coffee, Vancouver
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Something Priceless
When everyone was entangled in frustration trying to decide how to end year 2008 with a blast, I ended mine on the 30th ( I like to be at the very front of the trend.) doing something that's totally not on the list:
1. Lunch with a good friend, Zi, and a new friend, Patrick, @ the elegant Milestone's on Brunette Hwy. Special medal of honor to Zi, who droved his front wheel drive manual automobile, in the snow, and on the ice, on a tuesday, all the way from the west side to the suburb for a 1pm luncheon. Friendship? Definitely priceless.
2. Followed by attending an art gallery exhibit @ Autumn Book Gallery on W.4th, Vancouver, supporting an artist friend, the very lovely and talented Ms. Michelle of artatsnow, whom had pieces showcased, and SOLD within the first 10 minutes since the event started. Congrats to the now new proud owner of what should have been priceless: the invisible force of talent of an art guru expressed on a visible medium.
3. Put the cherry on top with a quiet dinner with my dear princess sister Jessica @ The Earls on W. Boardway. She has also given me a surprise christmas (post christmas actually) gift: a beautiful coat designed by Jessy the Queen B of fashion herself. It's so one of a kind, so elegant, it is still hanging on the front door of my closet. It is priceless.
And at the end of the day, I was still bounded to the tradition of the last moments of an old year: looking back at what I had done and haven't done. I had done less than what I should have, and I haven't done more to make myself doing less of doing less. All in all, I had put my new year resolution into three simple goals:
1. Now that we have remastered and almost going to print the second LOCUS album, let's get the third album done and DONE this year. Seriously. Life's too short. (Jason and Kelvin are you reading this ^^?)
2. Buy that John Variato "Vintage" fragrance. Unless I magically receive one from my fairygodmother.
3. Spend more time going to lunch than dinner. I am more awake during lunch time becausee I do not drink wine with my pastas at 1pm in the afternoon.
Labels: Autumn book gallery, Jessica, John Variato, LOCUS, Michelle, Milestone, Pat Pan, The Earls, Vancouver, W.4th St, Zi
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Good Evening, Beautiful Montreal~
A 10:40am flight isn't exactly early, but it is quite the wake up call this morning when all three of my alarm clocks played symphony at 0600 pacific time. With my recent restlessness, it wasn't so hard to leave the comfort of my den, but I still slipped into the shower to wake up properly. Actually, it was a second shower in about 4 hours. Saturday night isn't really a "go to sleep early" night for the norms of the norms and certainly not for me when LOCUS is on a "crunchier than crunch" recording schedule.
Note to Kel: For the first time in like a month I did fell asleep for the most peaceful 20 mins on your sofa. ( . . or Bryce's sofa. . ? Daniel's? . . . .whoever it is, thank you~~)
Finally arrived at YVR, grabbed my Lady Nicky ( my co-worker and roommate for 4 days in the Grand Deluxe Embassy Hotel by Hiltons), got my Pumpkin Spice Latte Double Foam Double Whip (. . .yes. . .WHIP, DOUBLE), got my VOUGE Novemeber issue, got totally ready and felt actually happy, and the unthinkable happened.
I was told to take off my boots while going through security.
WOW.
Note to all fashionistas: Trust me when I say match your socks whenever, whatever.
After that very shocking drama ( in my point of view), we boarded AC 194 ON TIME, and sat very comfortably in front of each of our very own very individual touch sensor flat TV screen, and I found myself enjoying Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of Crystal Skulls, followed by The Sex and the City MOVIE. Repeat: individual touch sensor flat TV screen and watching The Sex and the City. Almost forgot I wasn't going to the NYC.
And when I say how much I appreciate instant chicken noodle soup, I'm being at my most honest ever. It was pretty much the only HOT "entree" on board. The conversation my band was having about how if Macdonald's certain burger would stand up to the completition against the fancy downtown burger parlers? I think at least Macdonald wins against the half hot half cold so called COLD deli meat sandwiches they served on board. I pity the woman that ordered it, paid for it, and ate the bread only. . . .
Once we got out of the very chaotic Trudeau airport we can't help it but felt. . . silent. On a Sunday evening around 7pm there was literally NO ONE on our block of areas near our Embassy.. . . How lonely the gargoyles must be on top of all the Victorian era style beautiful bulidings. . . . I can almost hear them sigh. . . . .( . . . .no, it was me. . . .when we got lost around our block. . . )
Eventually, it was a late dinner @ Tatami Sushi, dining on top of a bowl of fish tanks listening to soft lounge jazz/house music, a walk around the St. Jean Pierre, a quick pick me ups at a local cafe, and a very hot shower back at the Embassy. Everything seems so artsy and beatiful in Montreal, I better catch up on some culture with VOUGE tonight before I go to sleep. Lucky I bought the BC version. I can't read French.
Labels: Air Canada, LOCUS, Montreal, Sex and the City, Tatami Sushi, The Embassy by Hilton, Vancouver, VYR
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