Blog: http://foryoursatisfashion.com/

1. What originally inspired you to start foryoursatisfashion? What does it mean and when did you start it?

I started my blog September of 2009 and my music started February 21st. What originally inspired me to start satisfashion. This may sound a little bit cheesy, but it was when I saw bryanboy and how he was doing all his stuff and talking about fashion. I always loved fashion. Fashion has always been a big part of my life because of my mom. She would have her label and I would use to watch her do all the good stuff. So basically what inspired me are the motivation of bryanboy and the backup of my mom. I knew the knowledge of fashion but I just didn’t know what to do with it so seeing other bloggers, it motivated me to do the same.

2. What is the role of bloggers in the fashion industry? Do you think it’s going to grow?
Literally, I think its literary outlets for designers.
It’s like how the world turns, you always need that cycle. The past season was at its peak. Fashion bloggers are like free advertising, and designers will go to them and it will connect the content. Now we have had all the fun with that, it’s time to get to business, so fashion bloggers are now going to do the business side.

3. What does a typical day look like for you?
A boring day for me is literally, on the computer all day. Finding any new blogs, new people to connect with, and networking. I sit at the computer from when I wake up to when I go to sleep. To me twitter is the most important thing I have for the blog because my blog posts are connected to twitter.
4. How do you build such a large amount of twitter followers?

Originally, my persona (Jay Strut) right now started February 3rd 2009. It started with music on myspace then it evolved to my blog and twitter, and then my fashion blog came forth. And now that’s what I focus 75% of my time on. I try to follow people that follow me because I like to connect with people.

5. How would you describe your music? Do you plan on releasing an album or signing with a record company any time soon?

I went through a lot last year. Some guy told me to be my manager and he said he said he was going to edit it but I haven’t heard back from him since. I would call my music Kanye West and Lady Gaga’s love child. My music has a lot of inspiration from Lady Gaga. Not only her music but her fashion and liberation. I always look at her vintage performances because those are the best. I try to make my music as energetic as possible. I have my slow-med tempo songs but I love the beat. I want the bass to explode when I’m performing. Two things that really inspired me to get on stage is when I was at a club in Oakville summer 2009 when they started playing my song and at the American Apparel Rummage sale. I felt like I did something right and that made me really happy.

6. Do you want to pursue more music or more fashion?

I have to do both. Music and fashion are so vital to each other. It’s the best of both worlds. I also do a lot of sketches at home and make music in my basement. I want to do both. If I am presented the opportunity, I would have to go with music first because music is so hard to get into, and I always can do blogging on the road. I will try to fit both in as much as possible.

7. Who’s your fashion icon and why?

Kanye West and Lady GaGa are on top of the list, followed by Michael Jackson. Rihanna, and Prince. I would try to be a fusion of all of them.I love Lady GaGa, and how she is so open about her fashion and how Kanye West has a classy and tailored take on urban style. Michael Jackson because of his hair mainly, and the same with Rihanna. Prince, because he is spontaneous and crazy colors. I want to be bold like them in what I wear and also in life too. Before 2009, I was too shy and I have been shy my whole life. Coming to the city, made me grow out of my shell.

8. Who are your favorite designers? And what 2010 S/S collection did you like best?

Orschel Read does a couture line for men, and it’s amazing. I also like Gareth Pugh, Alexander Wang. I recently got into Hugo Boss because ofFashionably Yours. I also love Jeremy Scott, Karl Lagerfield and Chanel, Balmain, and Lady Gaga’s Haus of Gaga. One of my big goals is to get a piece of Balmain and next big goal is to get a cole de chien from Hermes. I love Burberry Prorsum from Spring 2010, David Elfin’s blue tailored suits for men and women, and Alexander Wang.
9. What are your favorite blogs and websites?

Bryanboy, I look for him for motivation and a funny response. I also read Kate loves me, fashiontoast, and a lot of the main stream big ones. In terms of Toronto, I go to Danielle Meder’s finalfashion, Anita’s I want- I got, and online magazines like Fashion Weekly. I also check out my money bags, bagaholic, and Jak and Jill.

10. What are some of your shopping spots in Toronto? What is your key fashion item?

My favorite shopping spots in Toronto is Bloor Street and I’m not afraid to say this but the sales section of Holt Renfrew. They have the smallest sizes and the biggest sizes and the most weirdest things that the Canadian that are unwilling to step out of their box, and won’t buy. I also like Queen Street’s Fashionably Yours (http://fashionablyyours.ca/), because they have amazing stuff at a very affordable price. And also, H&M, Urban Outfitters,
and Forever21. Hermes cuff is my key fashion item that I won’t leave the house with.

11. What are some of your goals and plans for 2010?

To take fashion week Toronto by storm, to start performing in Toronto, and to liberate myself. Turning 19, I can finally be myself 100%. Finally, I’d like to thank those that give me feedback and show support in that even if it’s negative. It’s all motivation for me.

http://www.urbanebloc.com/
eye of the blogger

1. Originally, why did you start urbanebloc?
I started the blog because I needed a creative outlet. When I was designing for a specific brand or association, or in school and in personal life I didn’t have a place to put all the designs and things that I found. It just seemed like a good home for it. I wanted to be a journalist growing up and I love graphic design so it was a good way to mash everything together and to produce something that was uniquely my own. I officially started it August 2007, but I became more active a year and a half ago.

2. How do you think fashion media has evolved? And the role of fashion bloggers in the industry?

It has evolved in the sense because people have become more accepting, because you have that imagery that fashion is elite and only caring about the who’s-who in fashion. Now, a lot of power has shifted towards these people that are self-created. People have not only accepted but recognized it as a new form of creativity and something that is original.

3. What do you consider when your blogging and preparing material? What are some suggestions you can give for aspiring bloggers?

I just kind of pick and chose whatever catches my eye. Blogging is pretty instantaneous, I don’t like to think “too-too” much about it because by the time you decide, it’s done and gone. I like to talk about things that are current and things that are really unique that will make people take a double-take. I try to incorporate things from all over. I don’t want to focus specifically on fashion because there is a lot of stuff in music, fashion technology, up and coming things, local Toronto fashion. I think that makes it more unique and meeting inspiring people. In terms of tips for inspiring
bloggers, I think blogging is not overthinking it because it’s not like print media. It’s being able to look at a lot of different things and self editing and really figuring out what your own style of writing is. A lot of people can just spit out the facts, but it’s putting out your voice that really makes a difference.
It takes a lot of passion. People can see through if you’re not genuine about it. What makes a good blog is someone that knows what they like and knows how to share it. And someone that has a creative take like Yulanda from little thoughts has incredible photography that I’ve seen in fashion blogging that deserves to be recognized.

4. Who are your favorite designers?

From last fashion week, I liked Katrina Tuttle. Evan Biddell and Greta Constantine are great. I like looking
at designers that have beautiful focus on their craftsmanship and coming up with something really original and new. I liked Nada lace Victorian style clothes from last season. It was very beautiful and amazing because it was such delicate material.

5. Who is your fashion icon?

I like Rumi from FashionToast. I really like the things that she pulls because some of them are classics and put together outfits that you never thought about. I really like people that mix in vintage.

6. How would you describe your personal style? And where are you favorite places to shop in Toronto?

I like to mix things that are really girly to things that are more boyish. I try to mix different concepts. I like a lot of patterns and I shop vintage sometimes. For vintage, I recommend 69 Vintage Depot on Bloor. I like it when vintage is merchandised in a very beautiful way and organized and it’s almost like you’re going to a boutique. I like buying a lot of local designers like Jessica Jensen and sometimes shop at the clothing show. I also recommend Blossom Lounge on Unionville and The Rage Toronto.

7. What do you think Canadian fashion industry has to offer?

I think it has a lot offer. There are a lot of different types of culture and it’s so multicultural that it really pulls from different elements. There is a lot of potential and opportunity for people to make a name for themselves in the industry. We have great retailers like Holt Renfrew that have their support in Canadian fashion.

8. What does a typical day look for you?

I work full time uptown but there are a lot of events going on. It’s kind of a day and night contrast, in the day you’re focused on something completely different from fashion and in the night all the other stuff emerges. I try to fit in a lot of different things like shopping, surfing the internet, twitter, and meeting a lot of people.

9. Coming from a business background, what made you choose what you are doing right now instead?

I always was a creative kid. I think I had an origami business when I was in grade six. I was always the type that really liked to somehow figure out how I can combine both. Business is a good foundation, it’s really good to be aware of what going on and how things function, but you need the creative element to take you to the next level. Having the understanding of both worlds has been very helpful and beneficial to what I am doing.

10. Aside from blogging and writing, what do you do in your spare time? How do you de-stress?

As of lately, I’m trying to do snowboarding, to remove nothing to do with anything kind of thing. A lot of what I blog about are my hobbies. I like to go to live events, I like reading random books and discovering new music. I like wandering downtown and take photos and learning about videos. I have a couple of art projects on the go and I also event plan. I’m trying to start Lip-Dub TO where you dub over videos with people singing to it- just a lot of fun random things.

11. What are some of your favorite blogs and websites?

I really like looking at clothing related lookbooks. I like local sites like 1LOVETO that create a lot of amazing culture-based content, blog TO, Yulanda’s little thoughts, and Danielle’s final fashion. And also other blogs like FashionToast and the Satoralist. I like it when people send me new things and getting connected with people.

12. What are your plans and goals for 2010?

This is the year to do things bigger and better- I hope. I want to step out a little more out on my own and try to travel more and capture things that aren’t just local. I want to experiment a little more with personal style and international things. Also to get out there more and meet people that are not only just in fashion but also in music or technology.

Interviewed by Amiee Wu
eye of the blogger

http://www.fashionmagnet.ca

1. When did you get involved in fashion at first? What inspired you to do so?

I grew up in Glasgow, Scotland and moved to Canada in 1989. My interest in fashion started when I was 8 – I wanted to be a makeup artist and loved playing with my mum’s makeup. I wanted to be a fashion designer in my teens and was lucky that the high school in Oshawa I went to had a fashion program. It wasn’t until my teacher said the chances of actually owning your own label were slim in Canada and most people who go to school for design end up becoming a pattern maker or in manufacturing. It was then that I decided to change direction.

I was the head coordinator for our school’s fashion shows and even had the opportunity to organize a show for The Bay in the Oshawa Centre. That’s when I realized that I wanted to coordinate fashion shows. I went to Humber College for Fashion Arts, which covered a wide range of courses, including PR, trade show management, and styling.

In my first year I got an internship at a modelling agency as the men’s booker and stayed there for over five years. I was also really lucky that one of my teachers at Humber hired a lot of the students to assist the shows that she did, and she introduced me to Erika Larva who also would hire me for shows.

I then worked with Susan Langdon at the Toronto Fashion Incubator. (Susan to this day, is one of the most powerful influences in my career.) I then moved on to B&M Models as the Senior Marketing and Promotions Director and after a few years, found myself at the Plutino Group where I represented fashion stylists and hair and makeup artists. Then I left to focus on building The Style Box – a showroom where celebrities could come and borrow Canadian designers to wear on the red carpet. The original name of The Style Box came from my blog which started in 2006. The Style Box closed in December 2009 and I launched my publicity and event management company, Magnet Creative this February with my new blog Fashion Magnet as a compliment to the business.

2. What do you do exactly now? What does a normal day look like for you?

I’m always working so many different things. My schedule can vary. Usually, I’ll wake up in the morning and read all my blogs, see if there is anything interesting on twitter, then reply to emails and look through my to dos. I generally will have two, three meetings with potential clients and other people in the industry.

3. What are some blogs you recommend?

I Want I Got and Final Fashion – who happen to be two of my very good friends. I will read Perez Hilton, The Cut, and Fashionista as well as WWD and a long, long list of others.

4. How would you describe the Canadian fashion industry? What do you think the challenges are? How do you think the industry has evolved?

I think one of the most amazing things that have evolved is the access people have to Canadian designers. With the internet, many designers have online shops and can build an international clientele and with social media, has changed the landscape with so many people who are passionate about promoting Canadian designers. TV shows such as Project Runway Canada have brought the public closer to our industry as well.

Most of Canada’s population is centered in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. The fact that they are so far apart and we don’t share the same resources or networks hinders the industry in some ways.

5. What roles do you think bloggers have on the fashion industry? Is this just a temporary thing or will it get bigger?

It is definitely not a temporary thing. Bloggers have their own voice. The best fashion bloggers are the ones who are devoted to it. Anyone can have a blog, it more about who has a unique voice. They are also independent, so they don’t have an editor to answer to. When you are working for a brand you have certain restrictions and things that you can’t say. It’s going to evolve and change.

6. Which do you like best about working in the industry?

It’s the people, for sure. People that work in fashion get such a bad rep with movies like The Devil Wears Prada and TV Shows like Ugly Betty, but people actually working in the industry are the nicest people I’ve ever met. There is no way that I would be in the industry if all of the movies were true. Watch Kell on Earth, where you can see it is a lot of hard work. When you’re working on a fashion show, the days leading up to the fashion show, no one is sleeping. You’re working on seating charts, figuring out the politics, and all the little details.

7. What other designers do you like? And specifically what Canadian designers?

I love John Paul Gautier, Alexander McQueen (may be rest in peace), Vivienne Westwood, and Viktor &Rolf. Each season it does change, but those are my main ones right now. Canadian designers I admire include Lucian Matis, Izzy Camillerri (who still does limited pieces), and I’d be all over Philip Sparks if I was a man.

8. How would you describe your personal style? And what are some of your shopping spots in Toronto?

I’m a little bit 1940s/50s pin-up, fun, flirty, feminine. I like to be a little more lady like and love my heels. Doll Factory on Queen Street East is one of my favourite stores and is owned by one of my favourite Canadian lines: Damzels in This Dress – gorgeous, retro dresses.

9. What is your key fashion item?

It’s not an actual fashion item, it’s red lipstick. You could be wearing no make up and a boring outfit, but with red lipstick you are good to go.

10. Who is your fashion/style icon? And why?

Dita Von Teese, absolutely. She is such a classy lady, she puts so much effort in to her style, She is flawless. I love Tilda Swinton and how she takes so many risks. I think she is fantastic, but so brilliantly bizarre too. Lady Gaga, I think she has an extraordinary stylist. Her style is more costume than clothing, which I love – it’s so creative. What’s amazing about Lady Gaga and her influence is seeing so many celebrities kind of trying to imitate her style now.

11. What do you like to do in your spare time? How do you de-stress?

I absolutely love and adore pop music and the history of rock and roll. All that kind of type of stuff ties in with fashion. I love going to concerts, seeing smaller bands to grand scale shows. It’s definitely my passion to source out new music.

12. What places in Toronto do you recommend for watching live music?

Horseshoe is pretty good. A lot of great brands will play at the MOD Club, Phoenix, and the Opera House is fantastic. I definitely prefer the smaller venues than the big stadium shows, which are not as intimate, but I recently saw Kylie Minogue and Pink. The way that the larger shows are presented with costumes and theme plays a lot into fashion. YouTube is also my best friend when it comes to watching new music videos.

13. What is your life’s motto?

Just living every single day with compassion and understanding that the troubles you think you may you have are not as big as you think. Everyone has their own stories and troubles, and talents, and just realizing that we are all the same, yet unique in our experiences and helping one another out is important. Not destroying the ego or thinking that you are better than anyone else. Regardless of what position you are in life, if you can make a difference in this lifetime, helping someone really carries on – a simple smile can make the world of difference.

14. What are some of your goals and plans for 2010?

I just launched my new company and I am focusing on my various clients and events. I want to continue to grow as a person. A lot of my goals include all that kind of personal growth stuff, using my time effectively and finding that fine balance between work and downtime.

During the time of our interview, we received free cupcakes. Having a lucky streak, Gail has often won prizes throughout her life. If there is a draw, she will usually win it. The best thing she has ever won, she says was a year’s worth of jewellery from Soos Jewellery.

Blog: http://finalfashion.ca/
Photographer: Jason To

1. Initially, you started final fashion to document your senior thesis. How do you think it has evolved and grown?

The blog has evolved and grown along with me, and through the process I have learned things and made mistakes. I’d like to think that I’m a little bit less ignorant than I use to be. I was a know-it-all fashion student and now I’m a lot more aware of what I don’t know.

Like a lot of people with hobby blogs, I was at a point where I wanted to help the blog support itself, so I brought in sponsorship this year. It’s been an interesting process, trying to turn something that was really personal into something that was a little more professional. However, at the same time it’s more informal, not necessarily boiler-plate, cover-letter sort of professional. People still want to see that there is a real person behind the URL, so it’s interesting to figure out what the fine balance is between being professional and being candid and real.

2. What do you think role of fashion blogs has evolved in the fashion industry? And how much influence does it have?

I think no matter what there is going to be more blurring of what a fashion blog is versus what mainstream media is. I think the delivery mode of media has become less important in the past. Individual influence has more to do with reputation – built on consistency and hard work – than it does with whether someone is a blogger, a TV personality, a magazine editor or a newspaper journalist.

3. What is difference between Toronto and New York fashion week? What’s your view on Toronto fashion industry and how do you think the industry has grown?

New York fashion week is in a fashion capital and is an international affair. Press from everywhere comes to check it out. Whereas, Toronto’s fashion week is much more of a local affair, and so they have vastly different characters. When you are going to New York Fashion Week you feel like you are the center of fashion universe. When you are going to Toronto Fashion Week you feel like you are the center of Toronto, and to some extent, Canadian fashion.

When you are in New York it’s apparent that there is a lot much more real business going on. There are a lot more deals, more show room events, and a lot more people talking about sales. There are a lot more celebrities and a lot more of everything which is obvious, because it is New York.

4. After completing your fashion design degree in Ryerson what influenced your decision in going into illustration? And is the role of a fashion illustrator in a Canadian fashion industry?

I went to school for Fashion design but I wasn’t totally enthralled about being a designer. Although I love a lot of aspects about creating things. I love technical things and learning new techniques, but I never really felt this dramatic desire to see my name in labels. And also, I found that the work opportunities for fashion design graduates weren’t really appealing to what I want to do for the rest of my working life. After a certain period of time it became apparent that people were interested in my illustration work, and I started to get more freelance jobs, so I went with that.

There are all kinds of fashion illustration and every illustrator has different skills and style. I’m very lucky that I have a fashion design education that I understand the language of designers and how clothing is made, so I am able to do a lot of work for a fashion designers which is more technical in nature. As I am sort of growing my business and getting into more things, I find that I have more opportunities to do stuff that is more artistic and more creative. Rather than taking all my cues from my clients, I’m beginning to actually come up with concepts and do projects that I want to do, and sort of make a small business ventures just out of my own ideas which is something I didn’t really have the confidence to do before.

5. Your blog is very Toronto-focused, what do you love about Toronto and the Toronto fashion industry? What are some of your views on the industry?

I love Toronto because for the first time I was able to create a group of friends that were my own. I love Toronto because it is a very cosmopolitan and liberal city. It is a place that is easy to find opportunity and it’s also not too far away from my family. However, the fact is that my blog became more Toronto focused was not a deliberate decision. It is because I love meeting new people and writing about the events that I go to. It’s really cool to have the opportunity to be very involved in a community. Toronto also has a lot of amazing people that are doing amazing projects.

6. How do you start your day?

I’m an early riser. I tend to get my best work done in the morning. I usually get up at 6:30 to 7 AM and check my email and all the things as a blogger you compulsively want to check.

In the afternoon, I try to focus on stuff that is not so mentally tasking, like taking photos, finding material to blog post, run errands, and making phone calls. In the evening, if there is an event to go to, I’ll go to that. If not I will usually hang out and continue to work, read, listen to music, watch movies, and hang out with my cats.

7. What are some advice you would give aspiring bloggers and fashion illustrators?  How did you get into the business?

It is better to just start doing it than to agonize over all the details that are involved with it. Get yourself a blog and keep it simple. Once you have it pretty much the way you want it, stop fooling around and start building content. Commit to doing it on a regular basis. Lots of blogs start but people just give up on them. It’s highly unlikely that you will be a super star blogger within just the few months or even the first couple of years.

It is absolutely critical that if you are committing to the idea of being a blogger or promoting your business as a blogger, you don’t give up and persist, even if it seems like nobody is really noticing what you are doing. You have to get comfortable with the idea that not everything that you do is not going to be perfect, or even validated. You just have to throw it out there and you’ll learn from the things that are not so great, and also the things that turn out well. You will be surprised by the things that end up becoming popular sometimes. There is no secret to it, hard work and persistence are the qualities that define success.

8. Where do you see your career headed in the next few years? And what do you hope to accomplish?

I’m already pretty content with the progress I’m making. I try not to be too content with it because there are always things you want to do and dream clients that you’d love to work with. There are ideas that you haven’t put into action yet. There are always things that you want to do. I have committed in my own mind to go on the path for 10 years. I’m in a privileged position to be able to do what I want almost all the time, and I think in terms of goals I’m the sort of person where process appeals more than end goals. The fact that I’m living the life that I want and doing the things I enjoy very frequently, feels like I have already won.

9. How would you describe your personal style? Or the style of your illustrations? Where do you get some of your inspirations?

Naturally I am inspired by fashion, and of course am indebted to all the great fashion illustrators who came before me.  I learned as a kid by drawing by imitating Betty and Veronica comics, and I can’t seem to really shake that early influence no matter how hard I try. Somehow your style just evolves naturally, just from the type of material you use and the things you like to consume. It just seems to come out of you.

For my own personal style, I would call myself a fashion blue-stocking. I am not a person who particularly relishes the idea of styling myself or dressing up. I don’t like having my picture taken very much and I’m not a socialite. I love great jeans and basically, wearing things I don’t have to think about. I’m more interested about what other people are wearing than what I am wearing. I sort of see myself as behind the scenes then more being part of the show. Since I am a freelancer, I don’t really have a disposable income for shopping and I get a lot of joy from shopping. I’m just not that kind of fashion person.

10. What do you do in your spare time?

I spend time with the people that I love. As for hobbies, I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes and things like that. I adore watching comedy TV shows.

I love reading books and I’m a huge mediaphile. I watch The National, and follow Canadian politics and international news. Like I said, I don’t have great sense of work-life separation when it comes down to it, so a lot of things I do for fun could very easily be classified as work.

http://iwantigot.geekigirl.com/

1. What do you consider when you’re blogging and preparing material? What are the more technical
things you consider? What advice can you give to aspiring bloggers?

Since I have a technical background, I do all the administration for my blog. I guess it is a little unusual for some blogger since they don’t have the technical background. I had a virus on my blog last year that I had to spend a month trying to get rid of. There are also maintenance issues, new updates, plug-gins, and minor changes that you have change in the code. I’m lucky that I have that background so I don’t have to rely on a third-party or hire someone else to do it, but it does add to the workload that I have to deal with. If you’re hosting your own site, you have to think of these maintenance issues.
I think the biggest thing I could say to anyone is if you can keep going, you will be fine.  I think now people have this idea that if you start this blog, you’re going to have thousands of people right off the bat reading your site, and that’s just not the way it works. I had very few viewers when I first started, but it just something that has to be personal, so you can keep up with it and eventually people will come read your stuff. And content, content, content, is key. I post between three to ten times a day sometimes, so people who come back daily will have new content. So keep writing and keep going. Things aren’t going to be amazing right off the start but if you keep working at it and if you have something that people gravitate to, then it will happen.

2. In your blog, you feature many runway reviews; what did you like this season (spring2010)? What can you predict will be popular this year?

I really love the military influences, uniforms, and how it spun into modern clothing. I also really like summer leather. Celine was one of my favorite collections, just because it was so beautiful and well-made. As for predictions, I think the farm-type style with Chanel and Ralph Lauren is kind of bringing back denim and colouring. I think it will be pretty big for the summer. You’ve also got your typical stuff for spring like linens and safari kind of styles, and flowing dresses.

3. How do you think the economy has affected the Canadian industry specifically?

That’s an interesting question, I once asked Andy The-Anh that question. He said to him as a Canadian you have to fight so hard anyways, to get anywhere so it really hasn’t changed anything.They still have to fight just as hard as anyone else to get buyers to come look at the show, so to him it really hadn’t change the game at all. I just have to work as hard as I always have, maybe push myself a little bit more. You still need a good product when it comes down to it. You need something that people would want to buy it, and you still have to work really hard to get noticed.

4. I know one of your favourite designers is Rick Owens, What other designers do you like? More specifically, who are your favourite Canadian designers? What was your favourite show from S/S/ 2010?

I like Nicolas Ghesquière from Balenciaga and Alber Elbaz from Lanvin. I also really like YSL back in the day and Karl Largefield blows my mind all the time. He is amazing. The guy is a genius! I love John Paul Gautier, Alexander McQueen, and Phoebe Philo. From Chloe to Celine, she knows how to make clothes that people want to wear. I also love Greta Constantine and [am] very honored to have a dress named after me. Jeremy Laing is also another great designer that I’ve always really enjoyed since he first came out. Phillip Sparks also has some awesome menswear, and I wish they had clothing in my size.

5. Who is your fashion icon and why?

I have a few. I love Grace Jones. She pulls no punches and just does it. I think Daphne Guinness is pretty awesome too. She is one of those fashion aspiration people that people just love to see. She is just so much fun. I also appreciate what Lady Gaga does in fashion, and watching her videos are just a blast.There are also a lot of people locally that I admire too, Natalie Lecomte from Holt Renfrew always looks immaculate. You also have people like Suzanne Boyd, who also looks really good whenever I see her. I kind of gravitate to the local people that I know, and I can pick their brain about their style.

6. What is on top of your “I want” list right now? What are some of your favourite items on your “I got” list?

On top of my I want list is Alexander McQueen Mongolian fur biker jacket and an Asymmetrical black leather corselet belt by Zoe Hong. Some of my favorite items on my I got list is my Rick Owen’s fall jacket. I also just recently got a Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag and a pair of Lanvin pants, which I am in love with. When Hazel had its liquidation sale, I got an aqua dress with embroidered beading, a white short mini dress that is beautiful, and a pair of J. Mendel pants as well. And they are the best pair of pants I’ve ever put on. I understand why people pay so much for these things, because clothing just doesn’t feel the same way on. The quality is really amazing.

7. How would you describe your personal style? What are some of your shopping spots in Toronto? What is your key fashion item?

It’s all over the place. I really like street style like legging, skinny jeans, oversize t-shirts, sweatshirts, but I also like dressing up and more tailor business wear too. It’s kind of all over the place. I really like straight lines so I’m not to into romantic frilly type of things. I love color but I also really love black. I’m also as comfortable in heels as I am in running shoes. My style is all over the place.

Where do I shop? I love Fawn on Queen and Crawford. She has the best selection of clothing there, and they also carry complex geometry pieces and some of my favorite Canadian designers. I also love Chass Gardée , a shoe store on Queen and Dovercourt which is probably less than a year old. They have amazing shoes and they always bring stuff you don’t see around at a affordable price range. And of course I love Holt Renfrew. I usually do spend a couple of hours in the store. It’s a lot of fun.

8. How would you describe Toronto fashion?

It’s pretty small. You have your group of people that are creating with the local industry that is here. It’s like all the other industry in New York and Paris, you get a small community feel in the industry.

9. What does a typical day look like for you?

Usually during the day I’m at the office. I don’t do any blogging during the day at work. After work is over I’ll usually have an event, showroom, or preview to go to and it depends on what it is. Whatever time I get home, I’m back on the computer usually doing maintenance stuff, answering emails, creating some posts for the next day, and answering comments and stuff like that. Usually on the weekends, I kind of take off from blogging. However, if I’m not going out, I’m still on the computer searching for things to talk about and keeping up on the industry. Online shopping, browsing for new blog posts.

10. What are some sites you recommend?

I read the Bible, WWD.com. I got myself a subscription last year and that’s been a lot of fun. It’s a really good site and pictures of the collection a lot earlier so it’s nice to have the first access.I also like the Cut blog for NY mag’s blog, style bubble, and jakandjil. I always love looking at Tommy’s pictures! And more local sites like finalfashion and also just twittering. Selectism is also another good site that covers men’s wear and Highsnobiety. Notcot that has a similar to the I want site, that they post things every day. Sneakerfreaker is cool to learn the latest knicks that are coming out and things like that. Those are the ones that I check on a regular basis but I’ll come across other sites as well.

11. Aside from blogging and writing, what do you like to do in your spare time? How do you de-stress?

I play a lot of squash, I am an ex-athlete. I hate going to the gym and running on the treadmill, so I need a sport with an objective and structure. In the summer I like to roller blade a lot. I also like hanging out with friends, reading, shopping, and wandering around Yorkville.

12. When did you start getting involved in fashion?

In 2006, I started writing for blog TO. I guess I got more involved as in attending fashion week and interviewing designers. I’ve always really liked fashion and grew up watching Fashion Television. Jeanne Beker has definitely influenced me.

13. What are some of your highlights of 2009? What are some of your goals for 2010?

The blogger’s window at Holt Renfrew was definitely a big highlight. And also having Greta Constantine name a dress after me. I was name Toronto Fashion hero for Now Magazine which was such an honor. At the end of the year, just getting that crazy email about she takes the world woman of the year honorary. Those things stand out the most.
I like to carry out with 2009, getting my name out there and getting more traffic on the site. I’m not making too many crazy goals or things I need to do and I’m just taking things as they come.

14. Where do you want to take I want I got? Do you plan on becoming a full time fashion blogger?

If I were to do something full-time related to I want I got, I would want to be a consultant the people that need advice about their fashion business. I’m actually really lucky, I like working for IT. I’m a total science nerd, so I really like the analytical side. I can’t really see myself at a fashion office. We’ll see, I could change.