The Sweetest Touch.

I'm not sure how it happened, but I've noticed a shift in my wardrobe. Minor changes, but they are signifying a gradual change. Typically, I shy away from red, a color that intimidates me. Bold, unapologetic and direct, I've been one to select anything other than crimson or scarlet, for fear of inviting too much attention. Perhaps this seems comical coming from someone who frequently wears 3+ patterns in a "power clashing" fashion (as friends have so hilariously defined it), but I really am very shy when it comes to red. In keeping with renewal and a fresh start, it seems like the perfect time to adventure into new directions, both sartorially and in life. Cherry red seemed like the perfect mate to an Aritzia piece that miraculously got consigned at my work. I've been pining for this sweater since I saw this post back in 2010. The sweetly macabre motif encapsulates my tendency to simultaneously be bitingly sarcastic while wearing what is considered "cutesy" clothing. Good things come to those who wait...

Speaking of which, two very special corners of the Internet so kindly featured me recently. First off, Style is Style was mentioned in a super sweet article about winter style on Refinery29(!!!) The fact that Refinery maintains an opinionated, well-informed and socially aware voice while delivering up-to-date fashun news is one of the many reasons I find myself clicking on many of the stories.

My dear friend (who just so happens to be a splendid author among other things...) Christina Cooke and I sat down to discuss what it means to be queer and black, and growing up in environments that were seriously lacking in representations of both. I've been trying to push myself to share my experience, despite how much it terrifies me to be so truthful in such a public space. Christina is one of the most welcoming people I know, so it was easy to feel comfortable sharing some feeeeeeeeelings and thoughts with her. Feel free to take a gander for a conversation that is definitely different than what I typically post on this space. I'm excited to share this one with you!

Thrifted skirt, fox fur collar, London Fog coat | Gift vintage shirt
Joe Fresh tights | C/O Surfdome Cheap Monday cat eye sunnies
Talula sweater, Dolce Vita ankle boots (from Front & Co)

It's A Wonder.

Back in the beginnings of my exploration of the great depths of the internet, and the creative types it contains, I was introduced one way or another to Caitlin Shearer. A woman of immense talents, I was immediately taken with her ability to make paintings and illustrations that were filled with detail and realism, and yet encapsulated a nostalgic fantasy world which I yearned for. Not to be pigeonholed as simple a saccharine, cutesy artist, the scope of her vision involves both the sweet and the sensual. Pinups, heroines, novelty prints and fairy tales are a few of the subjects which Ms. Shearer has beautifully captured. I was lucky enough to send her a few questions about what drives her to make art, her future plans and candy, of course.

When did you start making art?
I'd always been encouraged to create as a child (doing things like pottery classes, making beaded bracelets for friends, drawing in crayon on the walls, whoops...) but became obsessed with drawing and painting when i was about 15. I started painting as a job when i was about 19-20.

Have you always wanted to be an artist, or was it something that became more of a career due to natural progression?
It was something i was absolutely fixated on so it wasn't actually a decision i had to think about making - it happened naturally, which was very lucky. Now I've altered my path and am studying a diploma of fashion design in order to combine these skills more in the future.

It's clear that you have a nostalgic feeling to your paintings and drawings; where do you draw your inspiration from?
I love the golden age of Hollywood, vintage clothing, relics from the past - I appreciate fine craftsmanship and an utter devotion to beauty so anything that holds onto those traits tends to get me excited. It's not really about wanting to belong to another era - it's more like appreciating things that have survived into the modern age and then seeing them through modern eyes.

How do you stay motivated and inspired?
It can be incredibly tough - to be honest I'm completely burnt out at the moment and have no inclination to paint. Studying full-time saps all my energy so I'm waiting for a while, mulling things over and then would like to attempt something entirely different - maybe ceramics or large scale abstract pieces.

Many of your illustrations depict women who are heavier than the "Hollywood" norm we see in mainstream media; you lean towards hourglass, fuller figured women. Is that a conscious choice in your art work, or is it coincidental?
I don't find today's beauty standards particularly encouraging or capable of making women feel worthwhile - voluptuousness and abundance reflects a full and valid life in my opinion. I've always had a fondness for rounded bodies - must have been because I grew up looking at my mothers old classical art textbooks. I just draw what I love and also what I know - so, what I see in the mirror and the people I see around me is what I ultimately put into my work.

You've begun making dresses and apparel with original prints, and I know you are currently in fashion school. Would you consider yourself more of a clothing designer, or a fine artist? What is your favorite media to create in?
I have no idea how to answer that - just a girl who wants to make beautiful and meaningful things. This is a funny time for me - very transitional - trying to decide how to mash all my passions together and learning to sacrifice one thing to take time to learn another.
I don't even have a favorite medium right now - a good black pen for writing in my diary - now things are more about tactility and life - cultivating love and cutting up food and painting walls and lying in the ocean.

I noticed several adorable candy and sweet themed prints in your creations; what is your favorite candy?
licorice allsorts!

A big thanks to Caitlin.
You can find her several places on the web: her blog, shop, and tumblr.

The Archetype.

The Archetype (10th and Main) is one of my top 5 shops in Vancouver. I'm not usually a fan of stores which sell solely new merchandise, but the selection is incomparable in this shop. I stopped in last week for a quick Q&A with the owner, Charlotte Lippold, to find out more about how the store came about.


In speaking to Charlotte, I found out that one of the keys to her success is a long standing career in the fashion retail market in Vancouver. Back in the 70s, she left nursing to join her husband in running Cabbages and Kings, which was one of  Vancouver's first vintage shops. She dreamily regales, "We used to travel to England and all over the place buying vintage clothing in Dickens's-like rag yards buying vintage clothing by the pound, bringing it back". 


After Cabbages and Kings, they went on to create one of Vancouver's first alternative stores, The Underground.  Opening in 1985, "it was the go to place, first people to bring in PVC clothing, hair color, just that edgy stuff that wasn't available." In pre-Internet times, the local goth/punk scene now had a place to get all the necessary digs. After The Underground came Blondies, a pin-up inspired boutique in White Rock, which eventually led to The Archetype (orginally known as the Arch).

You immediately get sense of a very specific customer when you walk in, and I wondered whether that was intentional. Being of a very fashion foward nature, Charlotte says "We kind of pick what we like". Being in a store like this one makes me want to eschew stores like Forever 21 or H&M, the stores which tend to steal customers away from The Archetype. "...You can't blame people for going, you buy a top for 10 bucks you wear it a couple of times and you throw it away. For me I like to keep my clothes for a long time." That sensibility carries on to the merchandise, bringing a selection of on trend but not garishly trendy items.

As for what to wear this spring, she mentions she looks forward to "All the bright color. I love the color, it makes me happy just seeing it. Especially coming out the winter and greyness, it's exciting to see all the color and the bright prints, high waisted jeans and cute dresses."

Doing a little apres interview window shopping, I found a new box print, pan collared top to lust after. If you are in the neighbourhood, I definitely recommend a stop at The Archetype. A shopping stroll on Main Street isn't quite complete with a look in here!

Shout Out.

I'm going to need all the cold weather inspiration I can get,
it's going to be real cold in NYC this weekend.
Sunny, but really darn cold.
Hopefully I look as cool as this lovely lady (don't remember where I got the picture, sorry!)

P.S. Rebecca posted an interview with yours truly on Chictopia yesterday,

check it out if you would like :)