I want – I got x Shrimpton Couture: The Anita Edit

I want - I got x Shrimpton Couture
I want – I got x Shrimpton Couture: The Anita Edit

On my birthday last week, I had the pleasure of dressing up in some amazing, amazing designer vintage finds from Shrimpton Couture. Cheri Federau, owner,  invited me to her gorgeous Toronto condo to play dress up and take some photos. It was awesome! Biba Forever!!

I want - I got x Shrimpton Couture
I want – I got x Shrimpton Couture: The Anita Edit

The photoshoot wasn’t just for fun, it was part of my stint as a guest editor on Shrimpton Couture where I’ve chosen a selection of my favourite vintage items available on the site.

I want - I got x Shrimpton Couture
I want – I got x Shrimpton Couture: The Anita Edit

You can see the complete Anita Edit on Shrimpton Couture here. Readers can save 10% by using the code Anita at checkout.

Check out all the photos at the I want – I got x Shrimpton Couture Editorial Page.

images: courtesy of Shrimpton Couture

I’m a Moon Apparel Ambassador + 20% off the Ottoman Dress

The Moon Apparel Blogger Ambassadors
The Moon Apparel Blogger Ambassadors

This seems to be the year of starring in ad campaigns for me which is pretty freaking awesome. Earlier in the spring, I was in the MasterCard Stylicity campaign and now for fall its Moon Apparel. They have gathered some of their favourite Canadian bloggers to show how we incorporate Moon Apparel into our wardrobes. Like the Stylicity campaign, this is a paid gig. Gotta love feeling like a working model 🙂

In celebration of individual street style, MOON Apparel has partnered with 10 Canadian fashion bloggers in five cities across the country. The bloggers were specially selected by Mimran Group Inc. to become members of an ambassador program set to launch October 8th 2012. The bloggers were challenged to bring their best fashion flair forward by integrating their individual style with clothing pieces from the fall 2012 MOON collection and accessories from their existing wardrobe to create seasonal fashion looks. Captured on the streets of their cities, the bloggers turned the lenses on themselves to shoot their looks. Each ambassador will post their favourite look and style tip of the season on their respective blogs and invite their readers and followers to enjoy an exclusive offer from MOON. Check back with the Yellow Dot Blog each week for the full scoop on Canada’s newest style influencers.(source)

You can see all the blogger’s looks on fashionmagazine.com but my style selection for the campaign is the Ottoman Dress. It reminds me of Alaïa but this I can afford. From October 15 – 18, 2012 you can receive 20% off The Ottoman Dress on moonapparel.com by using the promo code IWANTIGOT..

Save 20% on the Moon Apparel Ottoman Dress with the code IWANTIGOT
Save 20% on the Moon Apparel Ottoman Dress with the promo code IWANTIGOT

Moon asked me to talk about my look (which is a pretty typical fall look to be honest) and give some styling tips for the dress.

This is a classic fall look for me. I contrast the ladylike Ottoman Dress with a rock and roll edge. To achieve this I use the standard: opaque black tights, black flat boots and a leather jacket.

This knit Ottoman Dress is my favourite piece from fall 2012. My look can be adapted slightly with motorcycle boots or even some black converse. The dress is also perfect for colour blocking. Pair it with bright tights or a cardigan. It’s time to break out your colour wheel. To create a more classic look use a white or black button up shirt, black tights and black pumps. Finally, on those really cold days add a turtleneck for extra warmth.

I really enjoyed this campaign because I had free reign to do whatever I wanted. Each blogger receive a package that includes pieces from the fall collection. Our job was to style it and capture it. I received the Ottoman Knit Dress, Riding Pant, Snakeskin Blouse and Pencil Skirt. One Sunday, I put together looks for everything but the skirt and bundled them into a garment bag. There was a quick stop at the Eaton Centre MAC cosmetics for makeup applied expertly by Lainee Diona. Then onset stylist April Wozny and photographer friend Dave Yan, who brought two friends along as his assistants headed over to U of T. We did it guerrilla styles in one of the building at the University of Toronto. No, we didn’t get permission and strategically placed ourselves outside of camera range. Moon only required one look but I’m posting the others for fun. It was a fair bit of work and we should show it off.

I paired the Riding Pant with a black Complex Geometries tank top, plaid Smythe blazer, Rebecca Minkoff MAC Bag and Ash Boots. I paired the Snakeskin Blouse with a Nine West clutch, Club Monaco over-sized blazer and cobalt blue pants from the Gap. The earring and ring are from Jenny Bird and the bangle is Hermès.

From October 15 – 18, 2012 you can receive 20% off The Ottoman Dress on moonapparel.com by using the promo code IWANTIGOT.

geekiviews: The Little Black Book of Style

The Little Black Book of Style
The nice people from Harper Collins Canada send me the Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia to review. I gladly accepted as I love free books, and she gave me something to blog about. Nina Garcia is the Fashion Director at Elle Magazine and is one of the judges on Project Runway.

Ruben Toledo illustration
The first thing I noticed about the book is the fantastic illustrations by Ruben Toledo. They make the book worth buying alone. The book has a well rounded focus and adds some historical context that is normally found in other offerings of the same genre. I’ll give you a little breakdown of each chapter

1. Be Your Own Muse – basic intro to the book basically telling people that how you present yourself is important, blah, blah

2. The Basics – Great list of items that should be in everyones closet. The items that are the basis of a great wardrobe. It emphasizes wearing what is looks good on you, buying your size and purging your closet.

3. Inspirations – Describes the influences of the following areas: Film, Music, Travel and Art on fashion and the major players

4. What to Wear When – I found this section particularly funny, but I guess some people need guidance. Some of the funny guides included: How to dress on a plane, How to dress for a summer weekend and how to dress for winter.

5. Insider Tips and Tricks – Here Nina has picked the brain some of major players in fashion.

6. Fashion Cliff’s notes, decade by decade – great reference to fashion trends and major designers for each decade.

I’ve read a few style book and I really like this one because it’s not done in a bubble. Historical references and trends need to be considered and many style books avoid this topic.

The Eaton Center is doing a promotion, if you buy $200 of merchandise from any fashion retailers you will receive a copy of the book for free. Little black book of style promotion information

Bamboo Closet

I want – I got reader Malou wrote to tell me about her online store Bamboo Closet. The store features handmade products by independent designers from the Philippines and the rest of Asia. Created in October 2006, Malou with her partners Isa and Joanna have created a company with a mission to “empower the artisans and their communities by developing a sustainable business capacity to compete in the global marketplace.” They also promote “social consumerism” by educating buyers to the origins of the items they purchase.

I particularly liked the handbags the site has to offer.
Bombshell Wristlet bag
Bamboo Closet - Bombshell Wristlet Bag

Katol Tote
Bamboo Closet - Katol Tote

In addition to handbags, the store carries a variety of handmade items like jewelery, pet accessories, home decor, art and clothing. Bamboo Closet has graciously offered I want – I got readers a 10% discount on all items. Please use the discount code IWG202710 at checkout. This offer will expire on April 1, 2007.

images: BambooCloset.com