Posts tagged DRIVEN

Get to know Sarah Kelsey! She is fun, fashionable and a Faulhaber friend - you probably recognize her as the style Editor at The Huffington Post Canada or giving tips on Global’s The Morning Show.  Some of her other work has been featured in the Globe and Mail, National Post, ELLE, Fashion Magazine and Canadian Living.

We can start with a bit about you: A little bit about me… welll… I’m the Style Editor over at The Huffington Post Canada — so my daily gig involves sourcing the latest and greatest fashion and beauty trends and writing about them. I also whip up stories about stylish society folks and events (TIFF, Fashion Week, red carpet galas, etc.). In my spare time, I’m the host of a segment on Global TV’s ‘The Morning Show’ called ‘Sarah Says’; it’s all about cool products and trends people in Toronto should pay attention to. I’m also a contributor to the National Post’s Home section. Outside of all that jazz, I’m a Toronto lover and a big fan of cottaging. I’m a bit of a foodie, an aspiring wine connoisseur, a mean baker, a yogi and a runner. Oh, and I love dogs — but I haven’t found the right “woman’s best friend” yet.

What gets you up in the morning? My day! I love what I do, and I’m super lucky to be doing it. I’m also blessed to have kick-ass friends, an awesome partner, a loving and tight-knit family and a cute little house (which I moved into in March). All in all, I get up to live… Whether it’s good or bad (because, trust me, I’ve had some low times), it’s a blessing to be kicking it in Toronto. 

The soundtrack to your life? If you could describe your life in 5 song titles…what would they be? Classic rock! I love everything Q107 and the Wolf 101.5. From The Band to The Rolling Stones to Bob Dylan, rock is what I was raised on. When I’m in the mood to relax or to cook, I tend to listen to jazz (vocal, not instrumental), and my go-to party soundtrack is all 80s/90s (best.karaoke.ever).

What is the best advice that someone has ever given you…did you follow it…? Say yes to every opportunity you’re given. In school, I said yes to every internship I was offered (even unpaid); now, I never turn down a freelance writing gig. There’s a learning opportunity in everything, no matter how large or small it is. 

Do onto others. I haven’t always been an editor. I got to where I am because I interact with PR people (I make sure to respond to every email I receive), chatted with a lot of journalists who’ve been around for a while and have asked a lot questions. I realize it takes a lot of work to nab your dream job, and I’m always willing to help the next generation of journalists reach their goals.

Take leaps of faith. This is key, professionally and personally. When I signed on to work for AOL, people thought I was crazy (what did the company have to offer?). Fast-forward two years and a purchase of The Huffington Post later, and I’m now working for the most-visited newspaper website in Canada. That’s a massive achievement. 

Bust your butt. Never take something for granted. Ever. Work hard, laugh a lot, help people, be kind, learn from your mistakes and have fun.

We would love to hear a little more about your experience in Africa if you are up for it.  What you and your team did is quite amazing. Travelling to Africa has always been a dream for me. Before I decided to be a writer and get my post-grad journalism degree at Ryerson, I studied International Relations and Peace and Conflict Studies at UofT… I spent the bulk of my time studying the politics of the developing world with a focus on Africa.

I got the opportunity to visit the continent this past June/July with several coworkers. As a company, AOL/The HuffPost works with charities to give back to the community — one of our charities of choice is Free The Children (who operates in Kenya). After raising funds to sponsor a village in the Maasai Mara, several employees were offered the chance to see the work Free The Children does first-hand. We visited with community members and elders, learned about the Maasai culture, built part of a school and an X-Ray facility and learned what life in Africa can be like.

It was completely transformative. The entire experience, especially seeing the poverty that exists in Nairobi, changed me as a person. Kenya is a magical place — it’s home to the birthplace of humanity (the Great Rift Valley). I suggest everyone take a trip to the continent at some point — it’s incredible. 

GET IN TOUCH: @sarahkelsey; sarahkelsey.ca; pinterest.com/sakelsey

At FPR  we have been lucky to work with dozens of talented designer and artists over the years. This past fashion week we had the privilege to manage ASHTIANI by Golnaz Ashtiani’s Spring/Summer 2013 runway show for the third consecutive season. We met Golnaz at the Toronto Fashion Incubtor’s New Labels Runway Competition and Show in 2011 when she won the title of Best New Label and our praise. Since then, we have been hooked. The creative powerhouse (in a pint size package) is ever evolving, growing her brand with each collection. With stockists in London, England, Honk Hong and Toronto, ASHTIANI has proved itself a label to be coveted.

1. What designer do you admire the most?
Alexander McQueen, he was a genius and the most creative designer of all time.

2. What defines success to you?
Real success for me is staying true to the vision I have and being able to do what I love the most and be recognized on an international level.

3. What is your proudest moment thus far in your career?
I have done so many collections so far that I’m very proud of, however designing a dress out of White Cashmere bathroom tissue in support of breast cancer was the proudest moment for me.

4. Three things you cannot live without?
My collection of vintage magazines, my MacBook and BlackBerry phone.

5. What has been the hardest lesson you have learned throughout your career?
To have patience and be more open to constructive feedback.

6. Favorite fashionable destination?
London and Milan. You could never look overdressed in these cities.

7. If you could dress one celebrity in ASHTIANI – dead or alive – who would it be?
Kate Middleton - she’s the only one I admire.

8. As your career predicts, you are constantly changing your product and making it new again and again, where do you look for inspiration?
I like to work on classic silhouettes and make them modern and suitable for our time. Most of my inspirations come from old movies and vintage magazines I’ve collected over the past years.

To see the SS13 collection premiered at World MasterCard Fashion Week please click here.

FPR bestie and Wang-wearing girl about town, Diane Chan, is AZURE Magazine’s Managing Editor. When not travelling to visit international design shows and scouring the earth for the latest architecture projects, this petite fire cracker enjoys checking out Toronto’s hottest restaurants, hitting the yoga studio, and reading up on the economy. With experience at Wallpaper* Magazine, the Telegraph Magazine in the UK and a stint in fashion, this editor is a multi-talented force to be reckoned with.

Photo: Dermot Cleary at the Thompson Toronto.

Tell us about your career in design.

As a youngster, I read a lot of Vogue and watched a lot of Fashion File, so naturally aspired to be Canada’s Next Top Model. After a growth spurt evaded me, I gravitated toward design and enrolled in the Ryerson School of Fashion. One year of all-night sewing sessions and a frustrated pattern-drafting instructor later, I switched streams and graduated with a fashion marketing degree before going on to work for Gucci and Ralph Lauren.

My passion for writing (and an Englishman) eventually took me across the pond to study journalism at the London College of Fashion. Upon completion, I was offered posts at Wallpaper* Magazine and Condé Nast’s Tatler; choosing between the two was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make. After 48 hours of soul-searching, I accepted the position with Wallpaper* doing special projects (a.k.a. PR) and later moved to the Telegraph fashion desk, where I worked under the helm of Hilary Alexander (sort of – she was on the Daily and I was on the Magazine). It was quite a surreal experience, especially upon discovering she and I see eye-to-eye (physically-speaking).

What do you love most about being back in Toronto?

A two-and-a-half-year diet of bangers ‘n’ mash truly made me appreciate this city’s varied, creative and flavourful cuisine. Also, as a marathoner and hot yogi, I dig the active culture. That being said, I adore London’s idiosyncrasies and could easily tuck into an English fry-up (eggs, baked beans, black pudding, etc.) every day for the rest of my life.

Dream dinner date? What would you order?

Stoli and sweetbreads with Hamish Bowles, Vogue’s International Editor-at-Large (and the quintessential dandy). Since a table of six is preferable, other invitees would include: Tyler Brûlé (Monocle editor a.k.a. Mr. Zeitgeist), Sally Singer (New York Times T Magazine editor, formerly of Vogue), Roger Federer (classiest athlete alive), and Jerry Seinfeld (just for laughs). If not pressed for time, we could join the Shake Shack queue in Madison Square Park for melt-in-your-mouth Shack burgers.

Favourite new designer?

Lee Broom, last year’s British Design Awards ‘Designer of the Year.’ His work is dark, glam and whimsical, with a mix of modern and traditional. Sort of like the industrial design world’s answer to Alexander McQueen. Like McQueen, Broom is blessed with style, grace, and British wit. Watch his space.

Favourite place in the world?

At the risk of sounding cliché: Paris, New York, London, and Barcelona, for such obvious reasons as culture, architecture, fashion sense, and overall vibe. They also feed my penchant for cobblestone streets, obscure galleries, boutique hotels, and public drinking (save NYC).

Item in your closet most treasured?

A mint green skateboard from Pharrell Williams promoting his Billionaire Boys Club line. Fashion-wise? My first pair of Christian Louboutins: platform Mary Janes.

Best party you’ve ever been to?

A Gucci party at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London hosted by creative director Frida Giannini, with DJ Mark Ronson on the tables and surprise guest Duran Duran. Close second: an intimate dinner for Viktor & Rolf thrown by Wallpaper in a Paris gallery.

Motto to live by?

U.K. graphic designer Anthony Burrill and my parents said it best: Work Hard and Be Nice to People.

Touché. Love all things fashion, food, and design? This whiz knows how to use her hashtags, follow Diane on Twitter!

She is the assistant Fashion Editor at FLARE magazine and one of the sweetest people you will meet. She is quiet and reserved but we have seen her giggle, and its infectious!

Meet Truc Nguyen, lover of all things Fashion.

Tell us a little about your career in Fashion (where/ how did it all Start)

I grew up watching Fashion Television and wanted to be a fashion designer, and originally I went to Ryerson University for Fashion Design. After completing a few fashion internships with everyone from the Royal Ontario Museum to Joeffer Coac and Marc Jacobs, I decided to pursue a career in fashion publishing instead. While doing my Masters degree in Communication and Culture at Ryerson and York (a joint program between the two universities), I started an internship at Vogue in New York, which led to a series of amazing opportunities at Conde Nast and beyond that have really helped me launch my career in fashion.  

I worked on the first two issues of Vogue Living magazine, then as a fashion assistant at Teen Vogue for almost two years. Afterwards, I freelanced with different stylists which was a great learning experience because one week we’re styling editorials for Elle UK and Numero Tokyo and the next we could be in Atlanta hanging out backstage at the Soul Train Awards! It was a fast-paced and incredibly exciting job, and I learned a great deal from the experience. Before moving back to Toronto, I worked full-time as the Market Editor of an online fashion company based in Chelsea.

What do you love most about being back in Toronto?

Both my husband and I are from here, and it’s been great to be able to spend much more time with our families and friends now that we’ve moved back. Beyond that, the city has grown and changed so much since I was in college and I’ve been happy to explore all the new restaurants and shops that have opened up since we moved to Williamsburg.

Crazy NYC parties? (the version you can share)

I’m actually a bit of a homebody, but what I love about New York was that there is always the feeling that anything could happen.

One of the most memorable NY parties that I ever went to was while I was an intern at Marc Jacobs and we were all invited to his fashion show and afterparty during fashion week. Lil’ Kim performed (it was right before she went to jail) and everyone, from the seamstresses to my fellow interns (including future CFDA Award winner Joseph Altuzarra), had such a blast.

Dream Dinner Date and what would you order?

I would love to have dinner with Cathy Horyn and Grace Coddington, because I think they would have such amazing insights into the business of fashion, and great stories to share about their amazing careers. We could share the bo ssäm prix fixe dinner at Momofuku Ssäm and then walk over to Death + Company for a nightcap.

Favourite new designer?

He’s been around for a while now, but I’m still obsessed with J.W. Anderson. I had the opportunity to buy one of his sweater samples earlier this year and it’s definitely one of my favourite pieces that I own.

Favourite place in the world?

It’ll have to be a toss up between the state of Vermont, Phillip Island (just outside Melbourne, where the daily “Penguin Parade” takes place), and Bangkok. A random mix, I know, but I can’t pick just one!!
 
Item in your closet you treasure most?

Joeffer Caoc and Kelly Smith from his design team custom made my wedding dress for me years ago as a present, and it was such a treat to design it with them. It’s in storage but I’ll always treasure it as a memento of that special day, and in some ways as a symbol of my years working in Joeffer’s studio as an intern and freelancer.

Motto to live by?

Tempus fugit.

Writer. Editor. Media Relations Contractor. Principle of Wallace Media. Associate Publisher of Content for The Kit.  Mr. Doug Wallace does it all.

A veteran of women’s lifestyle journalism, he has experience working in the fields of music, film, fashion, beauty, food and home décor.  And lover of the health benefits of baby aspirin.

What’s your morning routine? Breakfast of champions?

I start working at 6:30 or 7 a.m., so I usually get super-high on coffee, and plan my full day plus everyone else’s. I write a hundred emails, then wait for the rest of the world to wake up. Breakfast of champions includes a host of vitamin pills, including the baby aspirin, so I stave off not only deep-vein thrombosis but senility. Oh wait, too late.

 I cannot live without my….?

Have I mentioned baby aspirin? Tequila would also fit in here. I’m going with iPad, because I’d wear it on a chain around my neck if the cool kids did.

 Favourite city in the world?

We just got back from visiting a friend in Osaka, which is like the “Montreal” of Japan, all sexy and fun. Everyone’s stylish and the food’s great. London, though, is the coolest city in the world.

 Two things you don’t know about Mr. Doug Wallace?

He is published in Pig Latin. People mistake him for Kurt Browning at the airport.

 If you weren’t a journalist, what would you be?

Can I say Roy Orbison or do I need to be practical?

On Wednesday, June 6th 2012, THOMAS SABO kicked off the Canadian Grand Prix festivities at the renowned W Hotel in Montreal, not far away from the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Together with THOMAS SABO ambassador Nico Rosberg and sponsorship partner MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, THOMAS SABO celebrated its partnership with Formula One – the royal class of motor sports. International fashion, lifestyle and sports media attended the intimate event and mingled with sexy Canadian pop star Kristina Maria who is making her mark on the music charts with three well-known singles including “Let’s Play” and “Co-pilot”. Kristina Maria was spotted wearing her new favourite items from THOMAS SABO, “It Girl Sport Watch” and black “Buddha bracelet.” 

Other stars such as television and radio personality Anne-Marie Withenshaw attended the event to wish Rosberg good luck and show off her THOMAS SABO “Winged heart Cloverleaf” pendant. She sipped Moet Chandon and enjoyed the Spring Summer 2012 Collection on display and picked out her favourite items for the season.

Montreal-based celebrity, chef Chuck Hughes, delighted food-lovers around the world with his hit TV show “Chuck’s Day off” and Montreal restaurants Garde Manger and Le Bremner. The celebrated television personality attended the THOMAS SABO Montreal Grand Prix event and admired the Spring Summer 2012 Collection sporting his THOMAS SABO “Rebel at Heart Watch.”

The THOMAS SABO Spring Summer 2012 Collection sparkled as the 75 guests enjoyed exquisite catering by OTTO Ristorante and signature cocktails like the “Silver Sabo Racing Flash“ and “Mercedes Silver Arrow“. Thanks to DJ Abeille, guests were in the right party mood.

Photo credit: Sebastien Roy

As the Fashion & Beauty Editor for HELLO! Canada, stylist of Oh So Cosmo and the woman behind StyleHog.com Julia Seidl is one busy lady. Meet the pearl adorned Torontian who inspires us.

What was your first job in the fashion & beauty industry?

My first job was working as a stylist for Jones Apparel Group. I would head to Holt Renfrew and The Bay stores across Toronto to merchandise their major brands like Jones New York, Nine West and Anne Klein.  It was a great first job because I got to work independently which taught me a lot about time management but it was sometimes a bit scary, like when we had to throw in-store events and host fashion shows. I learned a lot about presenting in front of an audience during that job which has really helped me as I moved on in my career.

What has been the highlight of your career to date?

Getting to interview Beyoncé - that girl is too beautiful for words!

What excites you about your job?

Since Hello! Canada is a weekly magazine, I’m always working on fresh content so I’m always excited to work on new pages - I never get bored!

What is your favourite city to shop in?

Predictably Paris - what can I say? There’s nothing like it!

What can’t you live without?

A comfortable pair of heels - and no, that’s not an oxymoron. 

Career Swap?

An efficiency consultant - I’m always looking for ways to save time and minimize wasted effort.

Fashion Must?

Silk blouses - I have like 20 in a rainbow of colours and they are my go-to top when I can’t decide what to wear.  Equipment makes the best but Joe Fresh is a close second!

Best advice you’ve ever received? 

Treat people the way you would like to be treated.

Best or worst fashion moment? 

I’m sure I’ve made many a fashion mistake along the way (it’s all about experimentation anyways!) but the one that stands out is when I wore striped rainbow jeans in the 8th grade - I loved them at the time but now I wonder how my mom ever let me out of the house!

Vintage and/or Designer? What is your go to vintage store/designer?

Like most people, I subscribe to the high/low philosophy - I try to buy designer shoes and handbags because those will last me the longest and then fill in the rest with a mix of high street and vintage finds.  Best vintage store is for sure Value Village or Goodwill - as much as I appreciate well-edited vintage boutiques, I hate to pay a finder’s fee when I shop.  As for designer, I like to hunt for deals so I’m obsessed with Yoox.com and if I do decide to splurge, I go Net-a-Porter all the way!

Au Canada, la mode s’épanouit comme une branche de la culture de chaque province, quelle que soit la ville où l’on se trouve.

Mais la ville qui possède le plus de designers talentueux et une communauté créative qui inspire le plus la mode d’aujourd’hui est définitivement, Montréal. L’équipe Faulhaber vient de rentrer de Montréal, régénérée par la beauté de la ville et la province de Québec, « terre de nos aïeux » et  « des plus brillants exploits » !

Ici, la société qui est présente pour tous les défilés importants et qui organise Semaine Mode, véritable célébration de la création, est le Groupe Sensation Mode, une société créatrice d’événements de mode novateurs, multi-sensoriels et interculturels. 


Grâce à l’ambition de sa mission et à l’excellence créatrice manifestée dans l’exécution de son concept, le Groupe Sensation Mode a pu gagner à sa cause des franchises de rangs mondiaux et des commanditaires de premier plan. 
A ce jour, Groupe Sensation Mode produit et réalise les plus importants événements de la mode au Canada et même à l’international avec des concepts comme le Festival mode & design de Montréal, les Semaines de mode de Montréal, Fashion Theater (Londres, New York, Tokyo, Berlin) et Fashion & Opéra (Montréal, Los Angeles, New York).

 Jean-François Daviau, co-fondateur et co-propriétaire du Groupe Sensation Mode, passionné et acteur depuis longtemps de la culture mode dans la Belle Province répond à nos questions.

 Quand avez-vous créé Sensation Mode et dans quel dessein?

Sensation Mode a été créée au début des années 2000. Nous étions motivés à l’époque par la démocratisation de la mode.  L’idée était de briser la frontière existante entre la vitrine et la rue.  ”Il n’y a pas de mode si elle ne descend pas dans la rue” déclarait Coco Chanel.  Nous croyons que la mode est un art et nous explorons des nouvelles façons de la mettre en scène. L’expérience créative ne fait que débuter et nous souhaitons que les gens embrassent cette créativité et ces mutations.

Combien de temps faut-il pour organiser SMM ou FMDM?

Ce sont des productions qui nécessitent entre 4 et 6 mois de pré-production pour chacune d’entre-elles.  Elles demandent le travail et la contribution de 200 employés pour leur réalisation et dans le cas du FMDM c’est près de 60 millions de dollars qui sont générés en termes de retombées économiques.

Trois choses qui facilitent votre vie (ou votre travail) ?

Mes garçons, la créativité et le café. 

Un conseil à quelqu’un qui veut faire ce que vous faites?

La mode et le design sont des univers passionnants et colorés.  Il n’y a pas de voix unique mais l’on doit être prêt à recevoir la critique des autres tout en croyant en sa propre vision.  Sinon, on n’y survit pas longtemps. 

 Quels ont été vos défilés préférés au FMDM12 et est-ce que vous préférez la haute couture ou la mode de la rue?

Il y a eu de très beaux moments au FMDM comme Mode et Opéra et le défilé de Jean-Paul Gauthier.  Au Festival, nous célébrons la mode sans frontière.  Que ce soit la couture ou le prêt à porter, nous nous permettons d’explorer et d’innover, de déconstruire et de produire une relecture au goût des stylistes.

 Parlez-nous de la 22ème SMM, les moments majeurs, les meilleurs souvenirs? Et aussi des erreurs à ne pas reproduire?

Le travail des créateurs est le plus important. Je vois chacun des créateurs se passionner pour leur travail et le présenter saison après saison en cherchant toujours à innover.  Connaissant l’ampleur de leur  tâche et les suivants depuis des années, je ne peux qu’admirer le résultat de tous ces créateurs qui s’investissent dans la SMM .

Avec la participation du bureau de la mode, nous avons l’occasion d’accueillir des médias internationaux qui ont pu découvrir la SMM. C’était extrêmement stimulant d’observer ce regard extérieur sur la SMM qui, aujourd’hui, est de plus en plus perçue comme une plaque tournante unique pour la présentation et la notoriété des talents créatifs. 

 Xx L’équipe Faulhaber RP

Randi Bergman, has become our information source for all things fashion, art and cool. Recently, Randi has produced some very cool  Fashion Films featuring many of Canada’s home-grown talents, just another way she is fostering the growth of Canadian fashion content.  After living and working in New York, she brought her astute knack for writing and style back to her hometown of Toronto where she is the award winning Online Editor at FASHION Magazine. 

When you lived in New York what was your favourite place to visit?

Central Park

How did you land your freelance gig with Interview Magazine?

I had interned for them when I was living in New York, so when I moved home, I got back in touch about writing fashion and arts features for the website as well as covering the occasional Toronto event. 

Longest your phone has ever been off?

12 hours, and only because that’s the longest flight I’ve been on.

Best vegetarian restaurant in Toronto?

Fresh. Been eating there regularly since high school, and still love it as much as ever!

Currently obsessed with?

Downton Abbey

Techno or Folk? Vintage or designer? YSL or Balenciaga? 

Neither. Both. Both. 

Best trip?

My second time in Israel

What is the best information source for fashion besides FASHION (where do you get your info from?)

WWD, Vogue UK, The Telegraph, and Twitter, obviously

Best way to stay ahead of the curve?

Be yourself

How far in advanced do you plan your stories?

For larger concepts, can be a few months ahead, but most are only a few days

Journalistic Idol?

Sally Singer

This season FPR partnered up with the amazing team at IMG to help make the runway show of MARTIN LIM, the inaugural winner of the Mercedes-Benz Start Up initiative, a smashing success.

While the crowds congregated and FDCC volunteers in red wigs and leopard gloves scurried around the tent, FPR was at the check-in, on the runway and backstage. With lists and run-of-show schedules in place, we gathered for one last debrief before pre-show pandemonium set in. The following is a photo diary from behind-the-scenes at the MARTIN LIM runway show last night.

The FDCC, IMG and FPR team work to make the runway picture perfect. 

Make-up and Hair stations backstage, a beauty junkies dream.

The husband and wife design team MARTIN LIM are interviewed by the Montreal Gazette pre-show.

Designer Pao Lim from MARTIN LIM puts finishing touches on models before they hit the runway.

Places everyone… 

Pack the room and clear the runway…

Here we go!! 

A view from the front row.

MARTIN LIM Fall/ Winter 2012 Prêt-à-Porter.

Post-show backstage interviews with In Fashion’s Glen Baxter.

Finally, the interviews are done, the photo ops are over, and its time for a toast! Santé!

Be sure to stay tuned for the next Mercedes- Benz Start Up competition, coming to a city near you.