TODAY IN PR CLASS: TWO HOURS OF TWITTER
Yes, jealous much? Today we spent the first two hours at the college creating Twitter accounts and exploring the Twitter world. I had already created an account, and if you visit my first tweet ever, I joined solely for CreComm purposes. It can be seen here at my Twitter account, lennieanne. Just like blogging, however, I noticed that I slowly had to get my "tweet-groove" going. I would tweet, maybe, once a day or every two days, and they happened to be very irrelivant. I don't know if it happens to be a CreComm revelation, but after listening to Melanie explain the opportunities one has with Twitter, I began adding and tweeting like a mad woman. My list of Twitter members that I'm following just doubled, and the members following me tripled (then again they happen to be my fellow Section 1-ers).
This compares to my blogging experience. As stated in my previous post, I would barely blog. Now, however, even when I spot something interesting, or discus something interesting, or come across anything that interests me I just can't wait to blog about it. The wonders of CreComm and Web 2.0!
I've decided to change my apporach to blogging and tweeting. This isn't only about personal networking, it's about social networking. Rather than keep everything personal, I must explore local and social options. For example, because this is a fashion blog, I don't have to only blog about my fashion interests - which is what I've been doing! I have to be a little more proactive and discuss Winnipeg news and current issues and what's in the media! I've been to narrow minded, and in CreComm that's definitely a "no-no." So if I once again begin to trend into a too "personal" view point, let me know! I don't expect you to slap my hands when indulged on a keyboard and have you scold "Bad, Lennie." A friendly reminder would suffice. Thanks, friends!
Labels: blogging, crecomm, lennieanne, Twitter, Web 2.0
BLOG ASPIRATIONS
I admit, upon receiving this blog as a CreComm requirement, I slowly began my decsent into the world of blogging. I would only blog a couple times a month, believing my blog to be basically pointless and slightly embarrassing. Now, however, I find this outlet to be incredibly useful and entertaining. In addition, the ability to express your point-of-view (regardless of the number of readers or not) has been suprisingly liberating. With this in mind, I've started to follow quite a number of blogs with various content. This being a fashion blog, however, I will only mention a few fashion blogs I've come to love.
Bryanboy is a former web developer from the Philippines who began blogging at the age of 17 from his home in Manila. Since then, he has developed into a fashion icon, attracting over 180 000 visitors to his blog per day, and has become such a recognized fashion figure he is well known to the fashion community (ie. he was personally invited to the Victoria's Secret Fashion show and has a Marc Jacobs bag named after him!). What's impressive is his ability to "take over" the online fashion world. Although there is quite a bit of Asian influence in fashion, it is incredibly difficult for that of Filipino nature. Fashion of the Philippines, afterall, is a bit more conservative and traditional. Bryanboy, however, has been able to make his mark in the industry, and yet is so level headed he openly posts his home and cell phone numbers on his blog! Risky but too cool!
Style Rookie, previously known as The New Girl in Town, is a blog so professional it was believed to have been written by industry professionals. The blog, however, is strictly the product of a fashion-loving 13 year old. Tevi Gevinson began blogging at the age of 11 from her suburban Chicago home, and has since become such an icon she has acquired over 50 000 followers. She has appeared on various magazine covers, has met many "big names" in the industry as well celebrities, and has been personally invited to events such as New York Fashion Week. Do I need to say why this blog is so impressive? She's 13 years old! When I was 13, my biggest dilemma was figuring out whether or not Dance or Drama would be my grade nine elective. Not to mention the fact, however, she has adorable style and is completely in-tune with her designers and the trends.
As a last desperate plea, I am searching for someone to please order this bag for me online with their credit card! I will fully provide you with the cash, my credit card just happens to be M.I.A! This may seem completely irrelivant and "pathetic," but I first laid my eyes on this incredibly cute bag when it was ordered for one of our customers at the store. Since it arrived, however, it is now completely sold out in the entire company! Help needed, so let me know!
Labels: blogging, Bryanboy, fashion, marc by marc jacobs, Natasha, Style Rookie, Tevi Gevinson
THE GIRLS CONFESS
I just wanted to put a quick tid-bit that a very practical and fashionable "accessory" for guys is cologne. Upon visiting the Red River Campus at Notre Dame, a few of my fellow section one girls realized that guys wearing cologne simply make a difference. I find that the little extra effort can make all that extra difference. Regardless if this seems pointless or unimportant, it was just a quick thought that I wish to express to the rest of the world. I don't stand alone in this front, though. I'd like to see what other people think. Yes? No? Neutral?
On a side note, take a look at all the fragrance and cologne ads that run now a days. I touched point on this during my "Good Ad/Bad Ad" experience. I will be posting various fragrance ads in the near future, and I'd like to hear your opinions! Till then!
Labels: cologne, fragrance, Notre Dame, Red River
DECEMBER MEANS VICTORIA'S SECRET
The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, that is! The world's most beautiful models stomping it out on the runway in extremely animated and pricey lingerie, who wouldn't want that? The show itself doesn't air until the first of December. If this event is unfamiliar to you, Victoria's Secret airs a Christmas-themed fashion show of lingerie radically enhanced with wings, glitter and crystals. A tid-bit that might trigger your memory was the Victoria's Secret Fashion show that aired I believe two or three years ago, which marked the retirement of runway diva Tyra Banks.
Honest question though: does appreciating this show or finding it entertaining push my feminist beliefs back 10 years? Is there harm in looking forward to a show of this kind? Being a woman, does this relate or retract from how males are seen when appreciative of this event? Please, let me know because I am clearly green.
In other news, London fashion staple Burberry now designs houses!... Or not. Burberry has been attempting to branch out from their signature beige cross-plaid pattern (known as the Haymarket check) for sometime, especially since the hire of Rose Marie Bravo from the United States. Bravo approached her position as a rebranding of the line, attempting to sway public view of the brand from just simply raincoats and the signature pattern to a high fashion line. Bravo recruited young starlet and fashionista, Emma Watson, and controversial international model, Kate Moss, as faces for the brand.
To their disappointment, Norwegian artist Jens Werner has decided to paint the entire exterior of his home with the famous Burberry Tartan design. The disappointment mainly originates from the constant re-issuing of the Burberry design from shoes, to backpacks, to even baseball caps! Burberry became famous for its raincoats after the label was commissioned by the War Office to adapt its officer's coat to suit the conditions of contemporary warfare. After the war, the garment became popular with civilians, eventually expanding into an international fashion brand.Labels: Burberry, Fashion Show, Tyra Banks, Victoria's Secret
"THIS IS OUR GESTURE OF DEFIANCE TO THE TALIBAN"
Here's an amazing article about Pakistan celebrating their first Fashion Week, found on a Yahoo Article for the Associated Press. It's just a remarkable accomplishment for Pakistan to successfully hold an event of this kind, especially with their history. According to the article written by Chris Brummitt, the event was postponed twice due to security issues. Here's more information:
KARACHI, Pakistan – Some women strode the catwalk in vicious spiked bracelets and body armor. Others had their heads covered, burqa-style, but with shoulders — and tattoos — exposed. Male models wore long, Islamic robes as well as shorts and sequined T-shirts.
As surging militant violence grabs headlines around the world, Pakistan's top designers and models are taking part in the country's first-ever fashion week. While the mix of couture and ready-to-wear fashions would not have been out of place in Milan or New York, many designers made reference to the turmoil, reflecting the contradictions and tensions coursing through this society.
The four-day event, which was postponed twice due to security fears and amid unease at hosting such a gathering during an army offensive in the northwest, is aimed at showing the world there is more to Pakistan than violence and at helping boost an industry that employs hundreds of thousands of people, organizers said.
Many of the models, designers and well-heeled fashionistas packing out each night said the gathering was a symbolic blow to the Taliban and their vision of society, where women are largely confined to the house and must wear a sack-like covering known as a burqa.
"This is our gesture of defiance to the Taliban," said Ayesha Tammy Haq, the CEO of Fashion Pakistan Week. "There is a terrible problem of militancy and political upheaval ... but that doesn't mean that the country shuts down. That doesn't mean that business comes to a halt."
The shows are taking place in Karachi, the country's largest and most cosmopolitan city, in a five-star hotel just next door to the American consulate, which was bombed by Islamist militants in 2002. It's two hours by plane from the northwest, the heartland of al-Qaida and the Taliban, and has largely been spared the violence sweeping the country over the last month.
"Unfortunately, it is the bad side of Pakistan that gets everybody's attention," said top Pakistani model Nadia Hussain as hairdressers and makeup artists fussed over her backstage. "It has never been this bad, I don't know what will happen," she said, as fellow models chain-smoked cigarettes.
While many of the city's 12 million people live in slums, hip cafes and restaurants in wealthy neighborhoods draw sophisticated crowds of young men and women into the early hours, more often than not speaking English with each other and wearing Western dress.
While the shows in Karachi resembled fashion weeks in other parts of the world, there were no foreign designers or buyers. The organizers decided not to invite them given the precarious security situation.
"Who is going to come here with such negative stuff going on?" said Tabassum Mughal, a young designer who employs about 30 people. "Those who are here already are leaving."
Textiles make up some 60 percent of Pakistan exports and are worth around $12 billion dollars a year. The country's cotton and silks are among the finest in the world. But the industry has failed to grow in recent years amid political unrest, violence and chronic power shortages.
As if on cue, a power cut during the fashion week's opening evening left the hall in darkness for several minutes.
The fashion industry represents a tiny fraction of the country's textile exports.
"We are still doing the 30 dollar a dozen T-shirt business. There is no value added," said Haq. "We should be employing millions of people, not hundreds of thousands of them."
Designers presented a mix of clothes, some drawing on traditional Pakistani outfits and tribal motifs, others that had little or no sign of traditional aesthetics. In a culture where nearly all women dress modestly, many outfits were too racy for local tastes.
"This does not represent what we are as a people," designer Ayesha Tahir Masood said. "Only 0.001 percent of Pakistani women would wear these clothes, and then only in a controlled environment when drunk out of their minds."
Another article found on Yahoo Fashion News summarizes Rhianna as one of the recent receipients of Glamour Magazine's Women of the Year. Rhianna is praised for her recent and public stand against domestic violence after her then-boyfriend, Chris Brown, this past February. Rhianna joins nine other women and women achievments in this years' awards, including First Lady Michelle Obama and historically-linked Maya Angelou. Take a read at these amazing women and their accomplisments.
Lastly, here's my Lookbook pick of the day. I love it, and it's everything I love about dressing for fall! Now if only we can determine if she was actually warm? This also makes me miss my bangs, but I've been told blunt bangs make me look young. Till next time, friends!
Labels: fall, Fashion Week, Glamour Magazine, lookbook, Pakistan, Rhianna, Women of the Year, world
A FASHIONABLY RELAXED WEEKEND
I don't know if it comes with age, if it's the result of a hectic CreComm lifestyle, or if it's the daily grind of working a full time job, but I've come to appreciate my days and evenings off. My summer was filled with going out, "partying" till the wee hours of the morn. A routine of waking up early, working one or two jobs, going out right after work, going out to eat after going out, going home, waking up early again... it was tiring. Lately, I've still been able to enjoy a few of my weekends (when not submerged under school work), but rather than the loud and crowded bar scene I opt for something a bit more relaxed. I've come to appreciate the simplicity of a relaxed good time. I'm fairly tired, but here's a quick recap of the weekend I had (and more photos will surface in time).
After working a fairly slow 8 hours at work on Saturday, I started off (lame I know) playing with contrast and colour on Adobe Photoshop. I have to learn how to up my Photoshop game, and train to be an Adobe "master" like my good Section 1 friend, Bre. In all honesty, I was waiting for my good friend John to finish cleaning his house.
John was preparing for an Aritzia reunion for Sunday. He cleaned his place and did some grocery shopping prior to his day of cooking. His fridge is my bestfriend - everything I'd wish to have in mine (with exception of the Silk brand soymilk).
We decided to watch a movie and settled on "The Box." I applaud the movie for keeping one's attention, but it wasn't for me. I don't know if I'd consider this a "spoiler" or what not, but I would rather have my movies provide me with an actual ending. As long as the movie was, it felt like only received half of what the story should have been. Watch it and tell me what you think, but I would suggest this science-fiction thriller as a rental item. In addition, here is $30 worth of food, and we barely ate it. Two pond-sized drinks, popcorn bigger then my head, nachos that could feed three, and two bags of candy.
Sunday was incredibly busy at work, and Santa arrived at the mall today (looking suprisingly skinny if I may add) igniting the Christmas spirit. After selling till my feet fell off, I headed to John's for the Aritzia dinner party. I love his apartment, and the food looked great.
After waay too much food, a lot of time catching up, and good conversation, we started to take a pictures... A lot of pictures. Here is 4 out of our *unknown number* of photos.
I don't know if this is a temporary opinion, but it's a good feeling enjoying the weekend in a more relaxed fashion. The season is young though, and with Holidays and New Years coming up, you never know what opinions can change ;D. I'm pretty sure, though, not everyone has lost themselves in the party-version weekend, so I'd like to know what everyone else does on their valued days off. I'm looking for new ideas, because bar nights are behind me. What are the new weekend trends? Till next time!IT HURTS TO SPEND
I originally began this blog with the intention of introducing my new babies (err... purchases). Yes, today I received the phone call that my Marc by Marc Jacobs bag was in!
It wasn't until I got home did I realize how insane I must be, frivolously spending all this money. I remember my brothers face when I walked through the door, the signature leather-protectant storage bag in hand. "Really, Lennie? Another bag?" he asked. My heart sank. My spending tendencies are ridiculous, so I made a promise to myself, and I'm asking all you out there to act as witness. I will refrain from over spending, and if I do happen to break this rule, I will expend a personal donation for a greater cause. Today, after realizing that the only one pleased with my new bag purchase was myself, I began to clean my room and has now separated a fair ammount of clothing for donation. I really hope after posting this promise I become more proactive. I will continue to document any progress in this act, and please, share your ideas! Next stop: Christmas Cheerboard!Labels: donations, marc by marc jacobs, over spending
KILLING TIME ON A THURSDAY MORNING
One might question why I've been posting so often recently. No, the answer isn't because we only have about four weeks of classes left for this term, but because I finally have some time! Opting out of one of my classes has actually provided me with a fair ammount of time, and I am pleased! Today, however, required an 8am due time for a few of our journalism assignments. Sadly, I wasn't able to make it here last night, so here I am, after handing in said assignments, killing time until my seminar/first class at 11.
So what's a girl to do with some time on her hands? Rather than finishing up some homework or catch up on some sleep, this girl has decided to do some online shopping. Upon reviewing one of my favourite sites I realized this information would be far more valuable if I shared it to the public, so here is one of my favourite not-so-secret sites.
Although shipped from the United States, gojane.com has such low prices for their items, they'll be cheaper than the regular retail store with shipping and duty costs included! Personally, I'm not a big fan of their clothing items, but girls, you must check out gojane fresh shoes! Upon browsing their selection, I am aware that there are many many choices one would not even consider! Look above, however. I purchased that same first pair of brown boots last year from gojane. My price before shipping costs? $26.00! This years price? On sale for $19.99! With shipping and what not, my boots eventually cost me around 35.00, which is nothing compared to prices you find in the mall. My latest purchase? Right below the brown boot, I did purchase the black ankle boot, also known as the "bootie." The price? $26.80! Buyer beware, however, because this site isn't so much a kept secret anymore, especially with rave reviews from the US, expect shipping to take a long time. So be sure to grab your shoes early.Labels: booties, boots, deals, gojane, online, prices, shoes, shopping
LACK OF COMMENTS
As pointed out by one of my BFFCCs, my template would not allow comment posting on my blog. As I attempt to figure this out (hopefully by this weekend), I've installed a comment box on the side of blog (please see to your left) so in time, please feel free to use that! But be nice, please... only kidding.
In other news, Salon 52's Contessas took place November first. More formally known as the Canadian Hairstylist of the Year Awards, the Contessas are Canada’s longest-running and most prestigious awards honouring excellence and creativity in salons and among salon professionals across Canada. Not only do they focus on hair styling, they also judge on colour, texture, and make-up. The link is posted above, so I urge people to please check out the Salon 52 website because these stylists are talented. We're not talking about your typical "haircut and style" kind of look. The artists volunteer their time to specifically craft their styles on their models heads, are involved in selecting the make-up and wardrobe for their models, and oversee the photoshoots for submission to the Contessas. How would I know, you ask?
Yes, I admit, that was me last year as a submission for Sherlyn Sampang of Winnipeg's Vault Salon and Spa located right in The Exchange. She won Student/Apprentice Hairstylist of the Year last year, and let me tell you, the process was daunting. Sherlyn had to do a series of styles for photograph and submission, and I myself was at the salon for about 12 hours for my styling and shooting alone. Yes, I also admit that that is my hair and it is not a hat as some people have questioned. Feel free to take a look at the site, because I kidd you not, quite a few of the submissions are incredible. Also a side note, eTalk finally did a segment highlighting one of my favourite fashion websites! Whowhatwear posts up and coming fashion trends, as well as fashion highlights from celebrities and non-celebrities alike. One of my favourite things about whowhatwear is how nearly all the items they feature on their site are available for purchase online! Just shop the store! If you haven't seen on my blog, whowhatwear also releases periodical videos appropriate for trends for the season. So if you're curious, hit that link above and check it out! Till next time!
Labels: contessa, fashion blog, hair, online, salon 52, style, whowhatwear
GAGA OVER LADY GAGA
My apologies over my lack of posting - school has been so hectic in combination with all the changes at work and what not. Kudos to my fellow classmates and instructors who are able to upkeep their blogs regularly along side balancing their schedules. On a side note, Aritzia will be having an anniversary sale roughly around the week of November 18th - 22nd, so visit me and I'll be more than happy to help you out!
A few fashion-related headlines have caught my eye recently, one being the release of Lady Gaga's latest music video, Bad Romance. I have always had a soft spot for Lady Gaga and her fearless fashion choices. In her latest video she triumphantly dons one of Alexander McQueen's pieces. If her personal style isn't exactly your cup of tea, one can at least give her a hand for slipping in full head-to-toe sequin accented top/skirt/legging/boot combination. I know what I'll be wearing for Halloween 2010... or not?
Labels: Alexander McQueen, Aritzia, Bad Romance, Lady Gaga, sale
