A Softer World

I've been feeling a little cynical lately, and nothing makes me smirk more than the webcomic known as A Softer World. The photography is always visually interesting, and the captions themselves are a delight. For your pleasure, maybe just amusement, here are some favorites that I pulled from their extensive archive.

That Binge Was Monumental!

I know making lists isn't traditionally proper blog etiquette, but if I was to write all about this last weekend, it would be one epic blog post. So, I present to you, my weekend, abridged:


4 year anniversary of local record shop, Blueprint
1 free show
5 great bands, including Lethbridge's own Cheif Mountain, Moby Dicks, and Fist City
1 weekend rental car
5 hours to Edmonton
4 friends from BC
1 friend from school
1 friend from Michigan
1 spot on the guestlist, compliments from said Michigan friend (Thanks buddy!)
The Flatliners & Against Me! under the same roof
Rock the fuck out, pissing of most of the people around me
Pizza and hangouts with The Flatliners
3 hours to Calgary
1 friend convincing me to go to the show in Calgary
2 shows for the price of one
Lose my friends before The Flatliners even play
Rock the fuck out even more!!
Backstage access, thanks to The Flatliners and their crew
More hangouts with The Flatliners
Getting to watch Against Me from backstage
Getting to meet 3/4 of Against Me
Free bong from The Flatliners
2 hour trip home becomes a 3 hour trip due to rain and dark
20 minute nap outside of a Super 8 somewhere in rural Alberta
3 hours of sleep
1 day of school to catch up on

.......Would I do it all over again?
Fuck. Yes.

Live Through, Live Strong, Carry On (& On & On..)

As much as I love clothing/fashion, anyone who knows me know that my true love will always be music. So as such, of course I'm going to blog about music, even if this is supposed to be a "fashion blog".

But I digress!

In a week's time I'm going to be on my way to Edmonton, Alberta, to see two of my most favorite bands play under the same roof. Both of which, have been the topic of my blog in the past: Against Me! and The Flatliners. What's even better, is that a friend of mine is touring with The Flatliners, and has been so kind as to put me on the guestlist. Wow! Guestlist?! How can I say no!?

This will be my fourth time seeing The Flatliners, but my very first time seeing Against Me! To make things even more exciting, some friends from BC are going, and I'll be going with a good friend of mine from school who graduated last year. It will be a huge reunion of people I know that haven't seen in a long time, seeing two of my most loved bands.... it's just something I can't pass up.

So, without further ado, allow me to share with you the latest video by The Flatliners, called "Carry The Banner." Check it out, get their album, and if they're coming to a town near you, go see them!



And while you're at it check out this awesome video of Against Me! featuring Tegan (You'll have to go to YouTube to see the video)

I'm Sick, Your Tired, Let's Dance

Canada is often underrated when it comes to things such as music and fashion. When in such close proximity to our American neighbours we tend to be outshined by Hollywood and New York.

However, we have one thing that America doesn't have. Emily Haines.

For those of you who don't know, Emily Haines is the front woman for the Canadian group Metric, and also has Broken Social Scene and her own solo career, not to mention several cameos in the songs of other well known artists.

Not only is she one of the most talented women in the music industry today, but she's also so stylish and cool it hurts.

My dear, you are my sick muse.

Your Career Will Never Wake Up And Tell You That it Doesn't Love You

Oh Lady Gaga, you always give me reasons to love you.

Well, it's been a long four months of summer, that have suddenly seemed to disappear in a time warp. And now it's back to school for my second year of fashion!


I couldn't be more excited, but more frazzled. Despite having done a bit of blogging, and a lot of shopping, I haven't done much in the way of keeping in touch with the fashion world!


This is going to be a big year. I won't be graduating with my class, as I've decided to do a 3 year diploma, favoring work and grades over getting it done with. I will, however, be designing my own collection for Spring/Summer (more to come on that regard!), and will be taking on a hopefully important role in the year end fashion show.


So what's in store for me this semester? Well, let me tell you!


I'm extremely excited about my courses this semester. I'll be taking my second Pattern Drafting class - one worde: draping. Finally! Garment Construction, where I'm assuming we will be contstructing garments that were drafted in the previously mentioned class. Computer Pattern drafting, and last but most certainly not least - Surface Design.


I must say I'm most excited about Surface Design. I would love to make that one of my specialties!


I've also decided I'd like to take some courses in PhotoShop. For some reason it's not offered as part of my curriculum. Guess I'll need to upgrade my computer in the near future!


Now it's just a matter of getting re-inspired. I'm not entirely ready, but as with everything else in life, I don't mind jumping in head first.



"Walk, Walk Fashion Baby. Work it, Move that Bitch Crazy. Walk Walk, Passion Baby. Work it, I'm a Free Bitch, Baby."

Label Whores.

Labels? by MoppyHead featuring Hermes bags

Whatever happened to the old adage "Money can't buy you happiness?"
Suppose it can't, but it can buy you that BMW, that Louis Vuitton bag, and that Chanel jacket. It could also put a pool in your backyard and a maid in your kitchen that you can pay minimum wage because she came from Mexico.

Okay, I suppose I sound bitter. But I can't seem to wrap my head around the label obsession of the average consumer. Something about carrying a Louis Vuitton bag screams "Status" that it makes people feel wealthy, and important. Even if they nearly maxed out their credit card to afford it. What is it about designer labels that cause people to become so... impractical?

I have never cared about brands. I'm willing to pay decent enough money for a good quality garment, but you'd never catch me spending hundreds of dollars on jeans, a bag, or even shoes. Maybe jewellery but even now I'm happy with my $40 rings and cheap, cute accessories. I am more satisfied when I discover a thrift store gem. I think it's kind of funny that I'm going to school for Fashion Design when I don't really care a whole lot about what's going on in the world of fashion. The most I've ever actually attempted to follow the industry has been in this past year. I haven't always hated it, I quite admire the work of designers like Betsey Johnson, Marchesa, Vivienne Westwood, and Alexander McQueen. But I just as much admire the work of many of the sellers on Etsy.

I just don't really understand the nature of the fashion industry. There are people who actually DECIDE what the colour trends are going to be. Self-proclaimed fashionistas feed into this, eating up the latest September issue of Vogue and proudly sporting their latest [insert luxury designer brand here] shoes/bag/outfit/whatever, and before you know it the season is over and it's onto the next trend. Sure, some privileged people can afford these "luxury" items - I'm not sure what is so luxurious about them, since I've never actually held them in my hands - but why are they really buying it?

I suppose there are a variety of factors that come into a customer's buying habits. I don't understand why a Brand name would be one of them. There are some things I do think should be considered:

• Fit - Is it flattering on your body?
  
• Comfort - Can you walk in those shoes?
• Quality - Will it last longer than a year? Or more?
  
• Fabric - Is the quality of the fabric good? How does it feel on your skin?
• Emotion - How do you feel when you wear this? Does it make a statement that you want to make? Does it make you feel confident? Happy?
• Ethics - Was it hand made? Domestically made? Or was it outsourced? Was it produced ethically?
  

Really, the only time price would even be of importance is if it was a good quality item for an extremely good price point.

Fashion is one thing, style is another. I think style is how you use clothing to express yourself, to make a statement of your personality. Style is also about how you put your outfit together in an appealing way - kind of like using the elements and principles of design. But at the same time, it's about wearing what you feel like. Fashion on the otherhand, is this omniscient presence, a commercial clusterfuck that controls the minds of consumers.

I have seen many people who just wear whatever they want. As long as it's put together well, I can appreciate it. Even if it's not, if they bring an aura of confidence to what they're wearing, then I can appreciate that too.

I guess I just don't get the big deal. I don't know why some people care. Perhaps this is why I will never make millions off my designs. I don't need to, I just want to be able to live comfortably, doing what I love.
It just leads me to a song I previously posted recently:

"Is there anybody thinking what I am? Is there any other alternative?"

U.P, U.P, and away!

I just stumbled upon this interesting video about something called The Uniform Project, where one girl wears one dress for one year, to raise money so children in India could go to school, and also to raise awareness for sustainable fashion. The result is an awesome and amazingly executed charity that has raised over $100,000.

This project also defines the differences between fashion and style. With a little bit of creative genius, this girl was able to wear the same dress every day for 365 days, and each day she looks awesome.
I could go on about how amazing it is, but see for yourself! Pure class.

Uniform Project Picture Book from The Uniform Project on Vimeo.