v覺ve issue 4.2
STRIKE GOLD! Strike Gold! 1
Contents
Hidden Treasures Hunting down Spring/Summer trends in Toronto’s best vintage shops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Iconic Inspiration The items we covet from our unlikely beauty icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 How to Wear a F***ing Bra Top David Pike captures the perfect fit (again!) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Shared Style A photo essay by Kavin Wong on looks that are better together . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Austra Katie Stelmanis on the stage, style, and where to shop when at home in TO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Rita Liebheffer An interview with the model turned editor turned designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Laura Lynn Petrick Our cover photographer shares her love of shooting on film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Field Guided The ups and downs of life online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Going for Gold Photographed by Dan Epstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Pursuit of Perfection Tips to help you get over yourself . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Diamond Jubilee Photographed by Albert Huh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Sportswear Fashion and fitness are matched . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 A Few Minutes with Julian Minutes Our resident male answers your burning questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
COVER: Photographed by Laura Lynn Petrick Styled by Natasha Hunt Dress CHLOE COMME PARRIS Necklaces MAGWOOD Cuff KORA at RAC BOUTIQUE THIS PAGE: Dress ACNE at THE NARWHAL Cuff ALESSANDRA at THE NARWHAL Bracelets MAGWOOD NEXT PAGE: Blouse RAC BOUTIQUE Blue skirt RAG & BONE at THE NARWHAL Taupe Skirt CHLOE COMME PARRIS Leather bracelet RAC BOUTIQUE Bangles COURAGE MY LOVE Model GILLIAN (Ford Models) Hair MORGAN MACDONALD Makeup JULIA (Ford Artists)
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EDITOR’S LETTER vive’s summer MO is keep it moving and we’re taking off in the season’s sportiest trends and metallic embellishments. STRIKE GOLD! features an allstar lineup of golden girls at the top of their game; musician Austra, designer Rita Liefhebber, top-blogger Fieldguided, and vive’s cover photographer Laura Lynn Petrick won us over with both their talent and real-girl charm. Dan Epstein speeds things up in Going For Gold before MF Miller helps us catch our breath with tips to kick back and cool down when the Pursuit of Perfection becomes a losing game. The Olympics on the horizon aren’t the only event being celebrated in the UK in 2012; Seo Cho gets inspired by Brit streetstyle and candy-coloured pop in Diamond Jubilee by Albert Huh. Right before the finish line, Lara Cardoso breaks down the issue’s trends and Chloe Wise illustrates how to wear ‘em. So on your marks, get set, go! Enjoy this issue, we love you so.
vive Editor Skye Kelton Art Director/Illustrator Julian Ng Associate Editor Laura Kathleen Maize Assistant Editor Seo Cho Online Editor Catherine Sands Phillips Photo Editor Jenn Peters Contributing Editor Natasha Hunt PR Director Nickie Minshall Associate PR Director Andrea Grand Financial Director Victoria Stephenson contributors
Albert Huh Amanda Caswell Chloe Wise Dan Epstein David Pike Emily Kellogg Kavin Wong Lara Cardoso Laura Lynn Petrick MF Miller Sherry Dubeau Sunny Dhal
124 Cumberland Street, Toronto M5R 1A6
City Style Guide
HIDDEN TREASURES text by Sunny Dhal photographed by the Ghost of Jenn Peters
Toronto has some of the most finely curated vintage shops in the world, and knowing where they are can mean the difference between scoring great finds and hopeless rummaging through junk. Sunny Dhal points you in the right direction, and shows you how to incorporate vintage pieces into the summer’s hottest trends. Searching for vintage gems in the city is treasure hunting at its best. Transforming clothes from different eras into covetable trends makes for a one-of-a-kind wardrobe. Here’s a peek at some of the vintage pieces found in my treasure box, scavenged from my favourite Toronto boutiques:
Penny Arcade is a great boutique to find a variety of different pieces—a range precisely measured out between contemporary pieces with bold colours, and classic apparel with soft pigments. The vintage piece that I found here was a LWD with a twist. The cutout paisleyinspired design made it lady-like but sexy, as seen on the runways of Diane von Furstenberg, Chanel, and Ralph Lauren.
Magwood is the crème de la crème of vintage shops in Toronto. Its quaint and modestly decorated interior makes it easy to navigate. The pieces you will find here are of top-notch quality. Magwood offers a pristine collection of vintage gems all steamed and hung to perfection —picture your grandmother’s old sweater after the luxury treatment. My favourite piece was an Hermés sports jersey. The delicate floral print and silky exterior of the piece dresses up the low-key and understated silhouette—perfect for sportswear luxe.
I Miss You Vintage is a shopping delight. Located right off Queen and Ossington, this place is always full of action and bourgeoning with designer digs. I found an adorable Sonia Rykiel skirt and a green printed top—this striking combo gets points for summer brights and its bird print à la Jil Sander.
Pretty Freedom is tucked away in Kensington Market. Nestled amidst a slew of vintage shops, it’s rather easy to overlook amidst the chaos and clutter. But this is a vintage boutique with a face-lift. The first thing that strikes you about this boutique is the colour blocking. Everything in the store is perfectly Roy G. Biv’ed. “We pay attention to the way we merchandise. It is important to pay attention to detail,” says coowner Jodee when asked about the methodical arrangement. And they come by their organization naturally: owners Jodee and Helena met while working at American Apparel and spent four years opening new store locations together. Finding this floral maxi skirt was a breeze. It’s not always a good idea to do vintage head-to-toe, but by pairing it with a fresh white top and casual denim vest, the ultimate vintage outfit was born!
Asymmetrical pieces were in demand on the Spring runways—from Alexander Wang to Jason Wu, asymmetry was a key element in both shapes and prints. I found a beautiful asymmetric top at the Salvation Army. With its architectural contouring and obscure geometrical design, this collared top is right on trend. But its best quality? It can also be worn as a shirtdress. Trying to find pieces at the Sally Ann is truly a hunt. However, once you find something, you’ve undeniably found a treasure. v
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Beauty with the Burgundy Girls
I C O N I C INSPIRATION text by Amanda Caswell & Laura Kathleen Maize
Always looking to celebs for style inspiration? Us too. We love to take our beauty cues from a wide variety of style icons, gals who rock their unique looks without a second thought to predominate trends. Whether it’s a fresh face or a painted beauty, these looks are anything but ordinary.
THE LOOK
Mariel Hemingway, Cara Delevingne We love Mariel’s laidback approach to beauty, best seen by her appearance in Woody Allen’s Manhattan. An easy centre-part, a fresh face, and some major eyebrows put her delicate features on display. Full eyebrows by Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in “Medium brown” This powder will enhance your brows and make them look naturally full. Use a thin, angled brush to apply, and finish with a cream or wax to keep everything in place. Flawless skin by Garnier BB Cream in “Light/Medium” Part sunscreen, tinted moisturizer, primer, and foundation, this stuff works wonders. Without caking on a lot of product, your skin will look radiant and clear. A no-nonsense hairstyle by Goody’s Quik Style Paddle Brush This brush is a quick and easy way to get the moisture out your hair while getting those 100 strokes a day. THE LOOK:
Courtney Love, Taylor Momsen We love Courtney Love’s babydoll dress, combat boot, and ripped fishnet, grunge-grrl style. Think “not a girl, not yet a woman,” but with chain-smoking and whiskey. Red lips by M.A.C lipstick in “Russian Red” A bold red with a matte finish, this lipstick’s got plenty of staying power— perfect for all-nighters. Smudged eyes by Stila Smudge Crayon in “Black” This thick black pencil is perfect for layering on day after day, or lining (and smudging) from your waterlines and outwards. Mussed-up hair by Lakme K.Style Hottest: Chalk Tap this fragrance-free dust on your roots and rough it up—you get all the matte texture and mega volume of bedhead, without a full 8 hours or a morning tumble in the hay.
THE LOOK:
Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry This hiphop babe likes to claim she’s not like Barbie, but her style is ripped right from little girls’ scrapbooks—exaggerated everything in technicolor hues, from toes to the top of her teased weaves. This master chameleon is comfortable in every colour, and her style speaks to the fantasy of beauty generally, how playing dressup can be artfully done. Painted lids by Makeup Forever Aqua Cream in “21–Turquoise” This peacock colour is perfectly loud—and since it’s cream eyeshadow, the colour will stay strong and won’t settle in your creases. Candy lips by Smashbox Be Legendary Lips in “Pout” Creamy pink lips are a staple for this gal. Make sure to get a highly pigmented colour for super opaque coverage—the more cotton candy coloured, the better. Bright tresses by Colour Bug by Kevin Murphy in “Purple” These solid hair shadows are perfect for changeable colour creatures—in one night, out the next. 6
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HOW TO WEAR A F***ING
BRA TOP photographed by David Pike styled by Skye Kelton
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1: Blazer THEORY at THE BAY Bralette DIEPO Skirt BCBG Necklace LOVE OF MINE 2: Vest JOOL at LAVISH & SQUALOR Bralette DIEPO 3: Blazer T. BABATON for ARITZIA Bra PRINCESSE TAMTAM at NEARLY NAKED Pants H&M Shoes ZARA 4: Jacket 3.1 PHILLIP LIM at ARITZIA Bralette PINK TARTAN Shorts THEORY at THE BAY Necklace LOVE OF MINE 5. Top MINK PINK at LAVISH & SQUALOR Shorts J BRAND 6. Raincoat FREE PEOPLE at THE BAY Bralette FREE PEOPLE at THE BAY Skirt BCBG at THE BAY Necklace LOVE OF MINE Ring HOUSE OF HARLOW at LAVISH & SQUALOR Model CHLOE WISE Hair & Makeup MILENA IAIZZO
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SHARED
STYLE No man (or woman) is an island, especially when it comes to style. Even unique and personalized dressing can be influenced by the people that we spend the most time with–so we grabbed our favourite duos and asked them to show us how their style has rubbed off on each other.
LDS dress EYNO rning and R N E o n, RI the m g clea D AD N AN wake up in somethin O E L e to ard— d.” JAY te oth lik lf forw “We b ur best se y) understa o ll t a u u p s to d (u nt an elega
RONEY L EWIS AN D MOUN “We don’t A TRAOR really inte E, RONEY nd to dres happens. + NANI s the sam I guess gre e, it just s at minds so in sync ort of think alike with each . Because other we we’re always so rt of matc h.”
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n Wong y Kavi b ze d e h rap en Mai photog Kathle a r u a y L text b
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austr Profiles
KATIE STELMANIS is a writer, songwriter, performer, gypsy goth, and all-around awesome chick. We chatted with the Austra front-woman about music, style, and her favourite Toronto haunts. text by Laura Kathleen Maize photographed by Vanessa Hayes
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ra I’ve heard that you’re a classically trained opera singer. When did you start singing? Can you tell me a little bit about your training? I started singing when I was about 10 years old. I was in a choir in Toronto called the Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus. I did that until I was 16, and then I started studying opera privately until I was around 20 and then I stopped all that and started playing in bands. And from that background how did you start creating the kind of music that you write and perform as Katie Stelmanis? It was a relatively slow process. When I was around 19—I guess it was a transitional point in my life—and I started to discover a lot of music that I didn’t really know existed. I originally started making computer music because I had the idea that I wanted to make soundtracks. So I bought a MIDI Setup basically because I wanted to set up all these orchestral samples, and I started making music based on those samples. And then instead of transitioning into real instruments I just got more into the electronic world and over time started making slightly more accessible electronic music. Does the touring and travelling life come naturally to you? Yeah, I guess so. I started booking my own tours back in 2008, when I put out my first solo record, Join Us. I was really inspired by what a lot of the Toronto indie bands were doing—like, Fucked Up was doing a lot of touring at the time, and I had a lot of friends who were booking their own tours. Basically a lot of the bands on Blocks record label. The Creeping Nobodies were booking a lot of their own tours, and I was really inspired by that. So I was booking shows primarily in Europe. And I remember in the beginning touring wasn’t super natural. I was feeling like I wasn’t that into travelling and I just liked being at home in Toronto. But I think over time I just got addicted. And now I have to be moving constantly.
And you’ve had the opportunity to play all over the world, right? Like Switzerland, Germany, Iceland… What are your favourite places that you’ve been? I think one of the places I’ve enjoyed playing in so far is Istanbul. That was pretty amazing. And then generally in Eastern Europe—those have been our best shows. We got to play in Latvia on New Years Eve which was incredible because I’m half Latvian as well, so they were pretty excited about it. That was an amazing experience. What are the places you miss the most in Toronto when you’re away? I miss a lot about Toronto when I’m away—whenever I come back to the city I have my mainstays, you know? I always go to the Golden Turtle. And I really have a thing for Pizza Libretto and just everything in my neighbourhood. I lived at Dundas and Dufferin, and I still spend time there whenever I’m back. You know, Dufferin Grove Park, the farmers’ market on Thursdays? I love it. Is there much of a difference between your style on and off stage? Yeah, I think so. I feel like when I’m on tour and off stage I get a little bit lazy because we’ve been in a van for so long—so I’m just in jeans and a T-shirt all the time. But now that I’m not touring anymore I’m able to get a little bit more creative which is enjoyable for me. My band… we take our onstage presence pretty seriously, and we really try to work together as a collective to create a cohesive image. And so definitely, when I’m on stage, I have stage outfits. And I like separating the stage persona from the real life. It just makes it more exciting and different. It’s fun to play a different role. How would you describe your onstage style? It changes all the time. Our latest description has been “gypsy goth,” whatever that means! [Laughs.] I don’t know. Do you see any similarities between your style on stage and the kind of music that you’re putting out? In the beginning a lot more so, but I’ve started to really enjoy trying to contrast [with] the music that we’re playing—I’m really into contrast. And when we’re onstage we have a pretty upbeat, dance-oriented live show. […] I think we try to contrast that by wearing some pretty classic pieces like long dresses. We did a lot of shopping when we were in Istanbul and Eastern Europe, and we liked to pick up pieces that you wouldn’t necessarily expect. We like to contrast the kind of pop-electronic sound with, like, different-looking outfits. Where do you like to shop when you’re in Toronto? I loved Chase Garde for shoes, but now they’re closed down, which sucks. My favourite store is Penny Arcade—Rachel’s store at Ossington and Dundas, I go there pretty much every time I come to Toronto. But generally I love most of the vintage on Ossington—they have lots of good stuff there. v
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Rita Liefhebber’s cool-girl eponymous label emerged after she spent years in the industry as an Elmer Olsen model and then as FLARE’s fashion editor. We caught up with the designer in her corner of the Bazaar, a pop-up shopping extravaganza hosted by Toronto’s Rac Boutique. How much time have you been spending in Toronto lately? It’s been back and forth a bit. I just got back from Nashville on Wednesday night. I was there styling Carrie Underwood for the cover of Elle Canada. Nashville’s beautiful. She was so sweet and the weather was gorgeous. What else are you working on at the moment? I do the styling pretty much full time and the label whenever I find time. I’m doing a lot of stuff for the Bay. They’re such an old company but they’re doing so many new things with B-Insider, so it’s an exciting time to be part of their team. How much do you think about the market when you’re designing? I think about what’s done well for me in previous seasons, and I do carry through a lot of the same shapes from season to season because that’s become my customer and what they like. I think there are so many trends every season that you’re always going to fit into something—and I’m not really a trend-driven line anyways.
RITA LIEFHEBBER 12
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How has being an editor and stylist influenced the line? As an editor and stylist you’re always trying to find something new and different. I find that the lines that don’t try to fit themselves into a trend are what you want to feature […] because if everyone’s doing the same thing then you have the same story over and over. That’s influenced me as well. How would you describe your line to a girl who’s never seen it before? It’s in the contemporary genre. It’s very natural, easy to wear— a lot of girls have been coming back and saying it’s like pajamas. There are boxier silhouettes. It’s all a little bit masculine. And obviously you have the hand-dying and the hand-knitting, so [there is] a lot of hand-done work. What were you like as a little kid? Oh my gosh. Well as I’ve been told, because I can’t really remember, my mum used to say, ‘Are you sweet like sugar or are you sour like a pickle?’ and I’d be like, ‘Sour like a pickle!’[…] I don’t think I was a particularly sour kid. I was pretty happy and easy going. Maybe you just didn’t want to be like everyone else. I guess so! It never occurred to me to say, ‘Oh, I’m sweet like sugar.’ But I did like to play dress up, for sure. I had a big dress up trunk and this long red skirt and this piece of silk that I’d make into a cape and run around in. When did you first become aware of fashion? I always noticed things that my mom had. She always had a keen eye and aesthetic, and I’ve taken that with me a little bit. She had these amazing Marimekko bags. She still has a great black and white striped one and it hasn’t aged a day since I was little. Marimekko was so big in the 80s and it’s kind of come back. But I didn’t really get into the fashion industry until I was 15, when I was discovered for modeling at Il Fornello by Elmer Olsen. I was a hostess. How tall are you? Five feet nine and a half. I modelled for six years. Did you enjoy it? Yeah, it was amazing. I lived in New York, Tokyo and Europe. The experience was incredible. Obviously modelling has its difficulties. You have to stay a certain body weight, your skin, hair, and nails need to be in check, and it’s chaotic sometimes. One day you’re in one country and then you take a red-eye to another—and you still have to be perky and look good. You meet new people everyday so you learn a lot of social skills, that’s for sure. If you hadn’t modelled do you think you still would have found yourself in fashion? I think so, because even before I was modeling […] Mikhael Kale, who has his own line now, [and I] did our own weird little photo shoot hang outs. Then modeling officially came up and then years later we had our line together. So I’m sure in some capacity I would have come around. Looking back though, if I were to become a parent and if my 15 year-old daughter said, ‘Hey, I’m going to go to Milan and go all over the place,” I don’t think I would allow that. Strike Gold!
It’s worked out all right for you… My dad was really chill about it. I should practice that as a parent, I’m sure but…[Laughs.] What’s been your biggest learning curve? […] For the line specifically, I didn’t go to school so learning how to pattern draft and learning how to operate this kind of business was challenging, and I’m still learning. Luckily I have a lot of friends who are designers and who have their own businesses […and they] have really helped me. They’ve told me this is where you get your zippers, and this is where you get your whatever, because otherwise you go to Queen Street and you spend a million dollars because you don’t really know any better. Where do you get your inspiration from? A lot of it comes from fabric or yarn that I find. All the yarns that I source are discontinued finds. Once I purchase them you can’t get them anymore. Some of them are older or vintage. Same thing with the fabric—some of them are small runs. Often times it’s a feeling, sometimes it’s something in nature—but it’s never super literal. Do you remember your dreams? Um…not often! What did you dream about last night? I didn’t dream about anything! Wait, actually that’s not true. I dreamt about my best friend Jenny and [me] during the end of the world. I knew we were in great danger and she was driving this utility truck like a rock star, and I was on top of it and people were shooting us and throwing things at us. I must have been having back pain because things kept hitting my back. What are your long term dreams? That’s a really hard question because up until about two years ago I really thought I knew what I wanted, and I had this fear that it had passed. But life kind of throws you curveballs and certain things come to light that you didn’t even think were important. Now it’s all kind of changed a little bit. But I’d like to have a sustainable business that runs itself and makes a profit. I’d like to have my studio—it doesn’t have to be big—and keep doing what I love, and be excited about the work that I’m doing. That’s all I can hope for. Realistic long-term life dreams! What’s your secret to looking good? Simplicity! It always helps to have a smile, but everyone knows that. Not everyone knows that…. Oh, if you don’t look approachable, then no one wants to hang out with you or have anything to do with you. I’ve definitely paired down on a lot of things, from what I eat to the beauty products I use. I only use coconut oil from the health food store on my face. I’m keeping everything really simple. I always like those girls who look natural and effortless. I try to look like that! Not complicated.
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text by Skye Kelton photographed by Albert Huh 13
photo by Albert Huh > < photo by Laura Lynn Petrick
LAURA LYNN PETRICK Amidst a flurry of activity between hair and makeup changes, Laura Lynn perches on a velvet recliner and speaks calmly and quietly. From behind the lens, she instills serenity on set. Much like with her work, the longer you watch her, the more you like her. If you feel like cooking her dinner, include little Thai chillies.
text by Skye Kelton
How did you start taking photos? I began taking photos in my teen years, started out with a couple junky digital cameras, shooting the crazy debauchery in Thunder Bay. I was compelled to document my days and evenings and late mornings, but grew tired of the shooting digital. It was at this time that my father passed along my grandmother’s Yashica FX 3 Super 2000, and I became inspired to teach myself the practice of film photography. I found the film practice and aesthetic timeless and treasured each shot. From then on, I decided to be strictly a film photographer and always had a couple rolls of film with me. If you were to shoot anything your heart desires tomorrow, who and what would be involved? Jimi Hendrix, in a hot air balloon at sunset, while he plays the Are you Experienced (1967) album. That would be ideal. Do you have a muse? I would say I have a grand collection of muses. One day I’ll make a book that will showcase the muses I’ve encountered. My beautiful best friends Leslie Schumacher and Kai DaveyBellin are muses I’ll have forever. Do you look up to other photographers? To be honest, I am a bit out of the loop, and not all that familiar with other photographers in that sense. I certainly adore many photographers work, but I would say I look up to my mom and dad. They live the life! When you’re not taking photos, what are you doing? If I’m not taking photographs, I’m in the hot sun relaxing with wine and good company. v Check out our online video with Laura Lynn and learn more about why little Thai chillies are better than Habaneros.
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FIELDGUIDED
Toronto offers a myriad of amazing blogs, and Fieldguided is one of our favourites. Anabela Carneiro operates the blog, along with a line of hand-made artistic goods, including scarves, prints, and those oh-so-famous Kate Bush-lyric totes.
text by Laura Kathleen Maize
When did you start blogging? I had LiveJournal in like 1999. I think I worked out my blogging related kinks then—it was very confessional. Fieldguided started when I made it for a class: I was doing a master’s degree in Library Studies and I had to take a very basic computer class. They had us create a blog as an assignment. And then I kept it up! But I never intended for it to be read by more than five people. How would you describe your blog? It’s hard to say… it’s sort of everything. I try not to make it about me, so I don’t really consider it a lifestyle blog. I guess it’s about things that I like. People use “lifestyle” as a blogging catch-all, but then I look at other blogs that are really lifestyle blogs like Deuce or something, and that’s not me. It’s not a fashion blog; it’s not a design blog; it’s just… It does incorporate a lot of those things though… Yeah. I don’t think there is a term for it, really. You should make one! [Laughs] Yeah, I should. A lot of the blogs I read are about exactly that—they’re about everything and nothing in particular. What’s your favourite part about having Fieldguided? It’s amazing to get feedback and comments from people all over the place. And as I said, I never intended to have an audience or like… readers. I still feel uncomfortable saying “my readers” because it’s like, who are you? But it’s amazing when I can make an off-hand comment about a colour of lipstick that I’m interested in and get six different people recommending different things that I should check out. That’s pretty cool. [My favourite part of the blog is] dialogue with people all over. Have you had any negative experiences while working on Fieldguided? I’ve had the occasional anonymous comment that wasn’t very kind, but I don’t really let those get to me because they’re obviously one-dimensional. And at one point I was taking sponsorships, so I had ads on my blog from independent businesses. When I was taking people’s money I felt a lot of pressure to blog constantly. Did you have to write about specific things? No, and I didn’t really charge a lot. I guess it’s hard to say what’s “a lot.” I did feel a lot of […] pressure, because the more you post, the more hits you get, [and] the more hits they potentially get... And that becomes a financial transaction. That was a difficult period for me in terms of angst and, like, what am I doing? But now it’s generally really positive. It must be if you’ve kept it up for five years. That’s a long time!
photo by Dan Epstein
Yeah. Every once in a while I’ll have a friend look at my blog and they’ll make a comment and I’ll feel really misunderstood. Like… “No! You know me! That’s not me!” […They’ll] suddenly lump me in with like this Hello Giggles cupcake thing. And I’m like really? […] When that sort of thing happens I get a little frustrated, but it’s not a big deal. On the days when you’re coming up with creative content, and it’s really difficult, what do you do for inspiration? Where do you go? When it comes to that kind of thing—and it happens all the time, I’m constantly in that state—I try to maintain a list of potential ideas. When I’m feeling most uninspired, […] I force myself to go somewhere and take pictures, and do something out of my comfort zone. Like what? Like when I visited the Fortnight Lingerie studio. I can be really shy. Asking “Can I come to your house/studio?” is something that I have to force myself to do. But then it ended up being really great, and I was glad I did it. Can you talk a little bit about the separation between who you are online and who you are in real life? I don’t see a big difference. There are certain things that I won’t talk about [online]. I mean, I try not to swear because you never know, like, which fairly religious person might be into our tote bags. And I feel like sarcasm doesn’t [translate] well online, so I try to refrain from being overly sarcastic or cynical. What kind of advice would you give to girls out there who are interested in starting a blog but don’t know how to start. How did you start? And how do you stick with it? […] I think it’s really important to be yourself—it sounds cheesy! —but people are really interested in other people. It’s important to not fake it. I edit myself, but it’s still me, it’s still true to who I am, and I stand behind it. And then in terms of sticking with it? I don’t know… I’d like to figure that out too. Well, five years is impressive! Yeah, I mean if only five people read it I probably would have abandoned it long ago. Where do you see Fieldguided going in the future? That’s a good question, I wish I knew. I would love to expand the line. Maybe make silk-screened clothing? We do have a couple of collaborations in the works. I would love to be able to do that full time and have the blog on the side. That’s the dream, but I don’t know if it’ll ever happen. But if in a year, we’re still going at the same pace, that’s fine too. I feel like I have enough going on. I don’t know, is that depressing? The same place in a year? I’m pretty happy with how things have been going. v
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GOING FOR
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GOLD photographed by Dan Epstein styled by Skye Kelton
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PREVIOUS PAGE: Vest MAURIE & EVE at BICYCLETTE Dress RAG & BONE at THE NARWHAL Shoes ZARA Sunglasses PINK OPTICAL Belt, Necklace, Bracelet, Ring BCBG
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Tank VISION STREET WEAR x CHLOE SEVIGNY for OPENING CEREMONY at THE BAY Leggings BLQ MKT at REMIX Shoes ADIDAS at SVP SPORTS Necklace CUCHARA Bracelets REMIX Ring BCBG
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Bustier & Shorts MARA HOFFMAN at THE NARWHAL Necklace THE LEATHER ATELIER Bracelet REMIX Bracelet CUCHARA
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Model JILL (Elite Model Management) Hair QUYET NGUYEN Makeup MILENA IAIZZO
Top ISABEL MARANT at JONATHAN + OLIVIA Jacket ISABEL MARANT at JONATHAN + OLIVIA Skirt MAURIE & EVE at BICYCLETTE Shoes ALEXANDER WANG at JONATHAN + OLIVIA Sunglasses KSUBI at PINK OPTICAL
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Dress SANDRO at THE BAY Jacket ISABEL MARANT at JONATHAN + OLIVIA Bracelets THE LEATHER ATELIER
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FML (Fix My Life)
Seperate the good stress from the bad. These tips will help you cope! text by MF Miller illustration by Julian Ng 22
It usually hits me at three in the morning: the surge of anxiety that will keep me up for a few hours, until my body gives into sleep from the sheer exhaustion of tossing in bed and turning ideas over in my mind. I think about how far away I am from my career goals, how far away I am from owning that ideal home, how far away I am from having a lust-worthy wardrobe. I eventually remember emails that didn’t get sent, offers from friends for coffee dates that I’m not sure why I am ignoring, bills that have been forgotten even though they are sitting on my dining room table. All of these things—the dreams for the future and the typical tasks of the everyday—leave me breathless at times, frazzled at others, and quite honestly, feeling like a failure. I keep wishing for the perfect life, the perfect look, and the perfect résumé. In reality, we all can think of endless reasons why we are not hitting that perfect mark. I am in my mid-twenties, saddled with student debt, working a go-nowhere retail job, and wearing sale-rack scores. I tend to live inside my head a lot, and my stress is cyclical—stress breeds stress. I neglect simple things like getting my hair cut. Then every morning when my hair does not settle quite the way I would like it, I feel shabbily put-together, which makes me more stressed out about my appearance. Once I make that haircut a priority, I instantly feel far more dressed and presentable and the stress is gone. Or at least diminished. We don’t think twice before rattling off a list of everywhere we fail but can we not just as easily make a list of where we succeed? I can stress about where my career, wardrobe, or artfully-styled apartment is not, but when I take step back, I have to admit that I’ve got a lot of loot in my life. I am slowly but surely figuring out my professional goals. I have set out to stop shopping on impulse and hold out for really great, classic pieces of clothing. I have resolved to put up more of my art collection and surround myself with things that compel and inspire me. Despite worrying that it’s not, my life is full now— not at some tomorrow at the end of a rainbow, but at this very moment. I have a loving partner who is inspiring and supportive and wonderful friends who are full of their own dreams and can relate to many of the pressures in my life. And the greatest luxury I have is time. I have time to figure it all out and to do inspiring work and go out for coffee with those that love me. I even have time to collect some beautiful items to refresh my regular old outfits. vivemagazine.ca
Some tips to help you deal with the stress: Keep organized: Making lists can help you stay on top of all of your tasks while also keeping things in perspective. When you write out all of your goals, it’s much easier to recognize what needs to be done now (picking up the dry-cleaning) versus what you need to block out time for (researching business degree schools). You can keep a few lists going, but be realistic and don’t let them overwhelm you.Ticking off items feels great and helps motivate you to keep up the good work.Don’t beat yourself up if not everything gets done immediately. These lists help you sort your tasks and they’ll change from time to time. You are just one person, after all. Don’t compare too harshly: It’s easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to others who seem to have things more together than you do. Remember that no one anywhere succeeded overnight. The most successful people in business, fashion, art, and life have all put in an incredible amount of work and effort. Cut yourself some slack, acknowledge the good stuff you have done, and think about what you would like to aim for in the future. Read inspiring biographies of your favourite people—it’ll give you a better perspective of the amount of work it takes and you’ll be able to get a look at habits that helped those people succeed. You don’t have to do it all or be good at everything: Forget what you’ve decided Wonder Woman looks like. She doesn’t exist. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you are not where you should be —especially if that person is you. Life is a process and you can only do what feels right for you. Drown out the parent who is pressuring you to get a traditional job or the magazine article saying that you should be in a longterm relationship by now. If you are not there yet (or don’t ever want to be) it is okay to say so. Priorities change. Some months, all you can think about is work, others your social life is front and center, and some days are wholly yours. You get to decide what’s important and it’s perfectly okay to let some things take a back seat when priorities shift. Don’t beat yourself up if you feel like you’re not getting everything perfect all the time—just try to focus on the items that matter most to you. Strike Gold!
Give yourself the night (or weekend!) off: Remember to give yourself a break every once in a while. If you’re feeling saturated and worn thin, let yourself off the hook and indulge in small ways that help you replenish and regain your perspective. Stop checking your facebook, your twitter, your phone, your hair, and just do something that is completely for you. Maybe this means buying a new magazine and losing yourself for an hour, going for a drive or bike-ride all afternoon, or having a gossip session with a girlfriend where no stress talk is allowed. However you love to spend your time, do it and let the feeling that you should be doing something more productive float away. You fool more people than you think: Remember that you are your harshest critic. Other people don’t necessarily see you the way that you think they do. You may feel like you don’t have it all together, but to some onlooker you may seem like you have it all. Perspective is relative and your magnifying glass is thickest on your own limitations. It’s unlikely you would subject a friend to the judgment you use on yourself, so ease off and remember all of the good things you have in your life. Don’t discount personal growth. The road to perfection is a list that we each create for ourselves and no one else has your master copy. Figure out what is a priority for you, what you can let go, and where you can find an opportunity to grow. It’ll be far more rewarding than comparing yourself to what you think others are expecting of you. v
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DIAMOND JUBILEE On Tia Dress 69 VINTAGE Bodysuit REMIX Bag TOPSHOP Socks TOPSHOP Shoes DR. MARTENS Necklace URBAN OUTFITTERS Bracelets BICYCLETTE On Dayana Sweater SAM&LAVI at BICYCLETTE Top TOPSHOP Jeans JOE’S at BICYCLETTE Belt ALDO Shoes LUXURY REBEL at SAUVAGE Sunglasses KAREN WALKER at PINK OPTICAL
photographed by Albert Huh styled by Seo Cho
Sweater BY MALENE BIRGER Top TOPSHOP Shorts BB DAKOTA Bag ALDO Belts ALDO Shoes CHINESE LAUNDRY at REMIX Necklace REMIX Ring COCOA JEWELRY
Top TOPSHOP Shorts URBAN OUTFITTERS Belt BICYCLETTE Bracelet BICYCLETTE Bracelet BIKO Watch BICYCLETTE
NEXT PAGE: On Tia Pullover FREE PEOPLE at THE BAY Bra URBAN OUTFITTERS Skirt SANDRO at THE BAY Shoes NINE WEST Hairband TOPSHOP Necklace BIKO Bracelets COCOA JEWELRY Shawl on chair ZARA On Dayana Cardigan PINK TARTAN at THE BAY Top ZARA Skirt ROBERT RODRIGUEZ Sunglasses KAREN WALKER at PINK OPTICAL Necklace worn as Bracelet REMIX Shoes ZARA
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Bralette URBAN OUTFITTERS Top URBAN OUTFITTERS Dress URBAN OUTFITTERS Necklace URBAN OUTFITTERS Bracelet BIKO
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Models TIA (Ford Models) & DAYANA (PUSH Creative Management) Hair JACLYNN RANDALL Makeup AMANDA BLAIR
Dress ZARA Crown TOPSHOP Necklace ZARA
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Try This Trend
SPORTSWEAR Love the season’s sportswear trend but not sure how to wear it without looking like you’re going for a jog? We’ve picked three of our favourite athleticinspired looks for you to run with.
RACING STRIPES It’s not the first time we’ve seen these stripes across the runways, but Acne, Rag & Bone, and Canada’s very own Smythe showed some of the best stripes of the season. Sport your own and zip into the fashion fast track. Wear them with: Let your stripes shine in combination with solid colour blocking or mix and match stripes and chevrons to create a dynamic matchup. Sleek lines add a racer’s edge to any items in your wardrobe. Sporty accessory: Accessorize with a two-toned tote or a clear plastic hard case. Both have a sporty and streamlined feel, but will easily blend with the season’s other trends. THE BRIGHT ANORAK This trend, seen on the SS12 runways of Victoria Beckham and Altuzarra, is a practical investment for city girls who don’t mind getting a little wet and windblown. Try it in a bright colour or clear PVC. It will be a savior on the days you forget your umbrella. Wear it with: If you’re opting for a vivid colour, let it be the main focus. It will brighten up your look any day of the week. A clear, PVC version will match just about anything. Pair it with a printed pant or neon pool sandal. Sporty accessory: Since you’re already sporting a more casual look —at least in your outerwear—you can get away with a canvas tote instead of your everyday purse. No need to keep it simple here: the more colours, patterns, and prints the better! THE SNEAKER These hidden-wedge high-top sneakers made an appearance on the Marc Jacobs, Isabel Marant, and Chloe SS12 runways. Comfy and chic? We couldn’t be any more excited about this item. Wear them with: A simple pair of cut off shorts will do the trick–or you can dress to impress with a razor pleated skirt or leather circle skirt. Throw a simple tee or sweatshirt on top to add even more athletic flare. Sporty accessory: Complement these sneakers with a kepi-style cap that stood out on the Topshop Fall 2012 and Victoria Beckham Spring 2012 runways. Half civil war militia, half fashionista, and totally pulled together. v
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BADvice
A FEW MINUTES
WITH
JULIAN MINUTES Do you prefer two pieces, one pieces, or retro bikini in-betweenies? Also, do I have to trim or wax down there or do you mind if my fluffy bits poke out a little? Do you remember that Saved by the Bell special where they went to the beach? I kind of remember Tiffani-Amber Thiessen in a bikini but when I was eighteen or so, an older, sage-like friend of mine brought up Zack Morris’ armpit hair situation. When Zack put his arms down with no shirt on, his armpit hair poked out the sides. My soul puked a little bit when I heard about that so every so often, I trim down my own armpit hair—sometimes even Bic it down to the skin. That said, if I can keep it together most of the time, so can you. No fluffy bits poking out the side. What the hell is that anyway? And girls in swimsuits are nice either way. Just punch your weight. If you’re a regular girl, keep a regular swimsuit. But if you think you’re a pussycat doll that can rock the side-cuts with jean shorts with the top button open, do it. Some people might be bummed out but whatever, you’re not asking them advice, are you?
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Here’s a real fashion question from a dude: should your socks match your pants or your shoes? Hey. Yeah, I get that you’re confused about matching your socks to your belt or what not right now but let’s be honest. Your friends don’t care what colour your socks are and if they really do, they’re not your real friends. I don’t want to sound like your mom but if they really care about your sock colours, they can probably go to hell. Wear whatever socks you want to. The weirder it looks, the better. Listen though, I’m kind of going through a dark phase right now. Let’s talk about your socks later.
Julian Minutes is a Toronto-based graphic designer who has no real qualifications for this job other than he runs his mouth too much.
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