Panties for Peace

From Panties for Peace:

Starting today, women in Quebec and across Canada are invited to donate their panties to a unique international effort to bring an end to Burma’s brutal military regime and the profound suffering it is inflicting on the population of Burma.

A Montreal press conference held today marks the official launch of Panties for Peace!, a national campaign led by a coalition of feminist and civil society organizations coordinated by la Fédération des Femmes du Québec (Quebec Women’s Federation) and the Rights & Democracy Network.

Panties for Peace! was conceived last October by Lanna Action for Burma (LAB), a women’s organization based on Burma’s border with Thailand, in response to the military regime’s violent crackdown on monk-led pro-democracy demonstrations. The campaign plays on the regime leaders’ superstitious fear that contact with a woman’s underpants will rob them of their power. Women in Australia, Singapore, the Philippines, Brazil and across Europe have since heeded LAB’s call to post their panties to local Burmese embassies to protest against the regime’s massive violations of human rights, especially those committed against Burma’s women.

“The horrible aftermath of Cyclone Nargis has helped remind us all of the military regime’s corruption and tyranny,” says Lanna Action for Burma. “The regime is now in a weakened state and we must use every power at our disposal to see it toppled once and for all.”

Along with their call for panties, Montreal organizers are also raising much-needed funds that will be sent directly to organizations working with victims of the humanitarian crisis inside Burma.

“In recent weeks we have all watched with horror the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Burma and this is a unique and important opportunity for women in Quebec to get involved and help raise funds and awareness about the military regime’s systematic use of rape and other brutalities against our sisters from Burma,” said Michèle Asselin, President of the FFQ.

“The Rights & Democracy Network will see to it that Lanna Action for Burma’s message is heard across Canada through our delegations on more than 30 Canadian campuses,” said Sophie Rondeau, the Network’s coordinator. “We welcome this opportunity to show our solidarity with the courageous women of Burma.”

More information available at www.pantiesforpeace.ca

Don't Miss This Documentary: Eleven Minutes

Join Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) at the screening of "Eleven Minutes", a feature documentary that follows fashion designer, Jay McCarroll and his year-long journey of designing and preparing his first independent runway show and clothing line after winning the first season of Project Runway.

"Eleven Minutes" screens on Tuesday, June 17 at 7:00pm in Theater 222, Innis College, 2 Sussex Avenue, U of T Campus, one block south of St. George subway station.

Tickets are $8 but if you are a TFI Member or Fashion Design Student you can get in for $5. Go here to buy your advance ticket using most major credit cards. Tickets will be held at the door. Last date to take advantage of reduced tickets is May 30, 2008.

Strike a Flash Mob Pose

FASHION Magazine is jumping on the flash mob bandwagon for Luminato. On June 7 they are hoping the masses will come out dressed in white to strike a pose in Toronto's Dundas Square for a full five minutes for some good old-fashioned freeze modelling.

If you want to be involved or, for an even better lark, to go and poke fun at the participants check out FASHION Magazine for all the info.

Flash mobbing has been around for about five years - being held in cities all over the world and isn't new to Toronto either - with large groups of people randomly freezing in busy public areas, suddenly participating in silent raves and pillow fights. Oh what silliness!

Don't Miss This Seminar: Promostyl Trendforecasting Seminar Fall/Winter 2009/2010

TFI's Promostyl seminar will inspire and help you to develop an innovative collection that's right on trend with what retailers and customers are looking to buy.

Come and gain insight on the influences, colours, fabrics and silhouettes for F/W 2009/2010. International trend research and design company, Promostyl, presents its semi-annual visual presentation exclusively for TFI members.

Tuesday, July 8th, 2008
6:30pm Doors open for Coffee & Networking
7:00pm Presentation: ONE SEMINAR ONLY!
8:00pm Join us for a discussion at the TFI Members Meeting
Location:Metro Hall, 55 John St. (at Wellington), Toronto

Your e-mailed receipt as proof of payment & TFI membership card

TFI Members ONLY: $35.00 + GST = $36.75
Browse through a range of Promostyl books on hand for tonight ONLY on accessories, menswear, fabrics, colours and more!

The TFI Members Meeting will take place after the seminar. Join us for an insightful discusion at no additional cost!

Register securely online at www.fashionincubator.com/shop or call TFI Admin at 416-971-7117

REGISTER NOW to reserve your seat at one of TFI's most popular presentations.
SPACE IS LIMITED! Tickets will NOT be sold at the door.

SPONSORED BY: CITY OF TORONTO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and PROMOSTYL

Join TFI today! Visit www.fashionincubator.com to become and Outreach Member!

Don't Miss This Event: Free Your Game Launch Party

Fashion Scares!

I love Hallowe'en. I love the whole turmoil involved with figuring out what to be each year. Then searching for the costume, the hair and all the accessories needed to transform for that one night of craziness. One year I actually made my own Bjork swan dress: one month of white feather searching, gluing and finger burning - I never wanted to see another white feather after that!

But now the pressure is on this year for the 22nd annual Fashion Cares, aptly called Fashion sCares which is set for Saturday, November 1, 2008 - a Halloween-themed extravaganza! It's the first time the event has been held in the fall since its inception.“This year we’re putting the fashion back in Fashion Cares with a spectacle that will blow you away: imagine Haute Couture meets Halloween meets Paris is Burning and you’ve got an idea of where we’re going,” says Michael King, the 2008 Chair.

Let's hope this one makes everyone forget last years chilly outdoor Distillery misstep. Watch the FashionTelevision clip from 2007 here.

General admission tickets go on sale September 6 and will be available through Ticketmaster.

Since 1987, Fashion Cares has raised over $10 million dollars for the AIDS Committee of Toronto(ACT).

Start thinking of costumes now!

Posting Forecast?

It took exactly one week for my prediction to come true. Perez posted about my new fave Swedish pop tart Lykke Li today with her new vid for I'm Good, I'm Gone. It was only a matter of time... I'm good!

HBC's Olympic Gear Goes East

I'm really impressed with the design of HBC's collection for the Beijing Olympics. The designer Tu Ly put a lot of thought into it combining western athletic gear with Asian symbols. I love the graphics incorporating the Canadian maple leaf with the five Chinese elements: water, fire, earth, metal, and wood; and the number 8 - which is a lucky number in China. With the Olympics beginning on the 8th day of the 8th month, at 8 minutes past the 8th hour in '08 it seems fitting the Olympics are being held in China. (Let's not get political here - let's focus on the athletes...)

Of course some of these items should not be worn together unless you like that old-school rapper look, but it's better than Team US's boring "tennis anyone" Ralph Lauren designs.

View the bamboo and organic cotton collection and photo shoot here - you'll see some incredible moves by the models.

There has been some flak given to the fact that they were produced in China, but to give them credit, I don't think there is a manufacturing plant in Canada that has the man power to produce such a large order and to maintain the current prices. Am I wrong?

Check out the entire line here.

Go Team Canada!

Don't Miss This Show: Lykke Li

I really love my Swedish pop. Next up is Lykke Li (pronounced kinda like Loiykee - erm, kinda...) Her debut album Youth Novels was released in February in her homeland, was released in North America today, but won't be released in the UK until June 9th.

I am in love with this song Little Bit. Fave line "And for you I keep my legs apart." Oh those pop tarts! Glorious sugary goodness!



She's playing Mod Club with El Perro Del Mar on Sunday, May 11.

This is one girl I am surprised Perez hasn't posted about - yet.

Get Thee to Gsus

I'm not one to often post about samples sales, (Geekigirl does that best) however, today we ventured to gsus sindustries for their bi-annual massive showroom sale to grab some steals before it opens to the public tomorrow- and let me tell you - there are lots of steals to be had!

T-shirts $10
Jackets from $30
Blouses $25
Dresses $20
Jeans $50 for one, $100 for three

The sale runs from Wednesday, May 7 through Friday, May 9, from 10 am to 6 pm at 543 Richmond Street West at Portland. Get there before the crowds get crazy!

As the cashier said, "it's better than shopping at Winners" - Amen!

Sneakers and Snapshots

Adidas had their launch party for their new store at Dundas Square last night. The crowd was less fashion and more corporate - which is a nice break from most of the events I end up at. Aside from a bottomless wine glass and nibbles, the funnest part of the evening was the photo booth set up for guests to take their own photos which were then displayed on a massive screen inside the store for all the party-goers to catch brief glimpses of themselves. Of course, we instantly set-up camp and had our own mini-photo shoot.

Meaghan of the 'Deadly Nightshades"

After the fashion show filled with hot bods from NAM Models, we collected our $100 gift certificates and hopped in a cab to check out the opening of Spice Route - INK and the Liberty Group's new bistro/bar. The place was packed full of posers and tossers, but who were we to say no to some more free drinks and silliness? Overall a great night! Thanks Norwayne, Shane and the ever-deadly and always fantastic Meaghan!