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.