Follow Your Dream - Start Your Own Fashion Business!

A message from the Toronto Fashion Incubator:

Don't let the recession get you down! Now is the time to follow your dream and start your own business! Join us for this two-part series developed for new fashion entrepreneurs

Part 1: The Business of Getting Started

Are you passionate about owning a creative and exciting fashion business? Do you have what it takes to be successful? This intro for beginners is just for you!

Find out about: The ins and outs of the fashion industry, Financing options, Government regulations, Developing a collection, and Low-cost marketing ideas.


Part 2: DIY Business Plan in 5 Easy Steps

It's easier than you think. A business plan is an invaluable tool that helps you to plan, organize and clarify your business goals. It's a necessary document when applying for financial assistance.

Come to this seminar to learn about:Starting with what you know,Pricing your products, Setting realistic sales goals, Establishing a budget, Understanding the financials

Part 1: Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Part 2: Wednesday, February 18, 2009

5:30pm- Doors Open for Coffee & Networking
6:00pm- Seminar Presentation

Toronto Fashion Incubator
285 Manitoba Drive, Pod 3, Exhibition Place, Toronto

Cost: Buy one seminar or both!
TFI Members: $35.00 + GST per seminar or get both parts for $60.00+ GST
Non-Members: $50.00 + GST per seminar or get both parts for $85.00+ GST

Available NOW online at www.fashionincubator.com/shop

Suggested Supplemental Reading: Visit TFI Shop to read about our guidebooks "How to Start a Fashion Business" and "How to Prepare a Business Plan for Your Fashion Business". If you have already purchased TFI's guidebooks join us for this insightful two-part seminar to have any questions answered.

If Shakespeare Had A Sister

I was going through some old tapes and found Shakespeare's Sisters' second tape, Hormonally Yours.

(Yes, I have kept some of my fave tapes and even records from back in the day - mock if you will, but I know you probably have something completely embarrassing like Milli Vannilli's ill-fated first release.)

I loved how different they were from all the other female singers before them. I remember finding out that one half was Siobian Fahey from Bananarama and being quite shocked. Who knows what they are doing now. This bring me to one of my favourite songs from the 90's, Stay.



Of course, when on YouTube and I see my favourite comedy duo French and Saunders' name come up, I just can't resist clicking. I completely forgot about this parody! God, I love those girls!



I wonder who Shakespeare would have preferred as sisters?

Don't Be a Don't

Vitamin Daily - "Canada's premiere online guide to the good life." - recently posted a cute promo video, Don't Be a Don't which follows a "Don't" around. Check it out on their main page where you can also sign up for their daily updates for the city closest to you.

Happy Dead Bra Day!

On Friday, February 13, secrets from your sister celebrates its third annual Dead Bra Day Sale. Donate a used, washed bra and receive a 25 per cent discount towards the purchase of a new bra at regular price. The matching set of panties will also be discounted by 25 per cent. Purchase two bras (one at regular price and the other at 25 per cent off), and receive a 16-ounce bottle of Soak Wash absolutely free. secrets from your sister will be donating all bras to Sistering, an organization devoted to helping homeless, under-housed and low-income women in Toronto.


The Dead Bra Day Sale will be held at both secrets from your sister store locations (560 Bloor Street West and 2501 Yonge Street). The Bloor Street location will be open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and the Yonge Street location will operate from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Each store will also be raffling off a free bra and panty set and all customers who make a purchase that day will be eligible to enter.

Lenka Brings the Show to Toronto

"There once was a little girl. She was born in the bush. Her parents called her Lenka. Her first friends were trees. Her father played the trumpet, she sang with him when she was 6. She grew up a bit. They moved to the big city (Sydney). She went to school. She danced a bit. She acted a bit. She went to art college. She started to sing a bit more… She joined a band called Decoder Ring. They created an album called Somersault, which was the soundtrack to a feature film of same name. It won lots of awards. She got called things like an "ethereal songstress" a "pocket rocket" and "breathy, strangely haunting." (Rolling Stone Australia) She flew on a plane and landed in Los Angeles. She hid away in studios and emerged with new songs.


She released her debut solo album in September and made a video where she got to fly thru the air like Peter Pan. People liked her songs and used them in lots of TV shows and films, like Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy. She was named VH1's "You Oughta Know Artist", iTunes Single Of The Week, and people began to write about her in magazines and newspapers. Blender Magazine called her quirky and hot, Marie Claire compared her to a fresh coat of fuchsia paint and called her surprisingly cool. But hot or cool... all of the people who have come to find Lenka have discovered that she is still really that girl singing to the trees. "

My current fave Lenka is coming to Toronto this coming Monday to play an intimate show at The Drake Hotel. Tickets are only $10.50 (plus those not so fun Ticketmaster charges, which pretty much double the price!)

LG Denim DIY Contest

LG is looking for some of Canada's top "Under 25" designers to participate in upcoming design contests in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

The LG Denim DIY contest is looking for young designers to design and create a fun, original pair of jeans to win a $5000 design contract with Sears Canada, flatscreen TVs from LG Electronics and more.


Winners will receive:

* Winner will be announced at LG Fashion Week
* Pitch designs to fashion experts and network with industry VIPs
* Make valuable contacts with Sears, one of Canada's largest mass market retailers
* Mesh with the manufacturing side of the business and the process of bringing new fashion designs to market,
* Exposure to Canadian fashion media (cross-Canada PR campaign will be engaged around the contest) and potential for gratis publicity and press coverage

They are only accepting a VERY small number of entries. E-mail LGDenimDIY@gmail.com if you would like to learn more or contact Cameron Gordon at HighRoad Communications 416-644-2252.

Fashions of the Future

I love watching old videos about fashion, especially ones that try to predict what people will be wearing in the future. One of my favourites is from the 1930's where American designers were asked to "forecast what Eve will look like in A.D. 2000".



"Ooh, swish!"

Madonna in W Magazine

Some images of Madonna's shoot for the upcoming issue of W Magazine are floating around the web. Here they are for your viewing pleasure.

Receding? I don't recall her hairline going that far back...

The former boy toy prefers her own boy toys.

I am a long-time fan of Madonna - having bopped around to "Everybody" back in 1983 and being yelled at by my mum in 1985 to stop singing "Like A Virgin" - so I'm excited to see how her recent split from Guy will translate to her creativity.

Elmer Lends His Eye For Canada's Next Top Model Cycle 3

Elmer Olsen made the rounds today on Canada AM and ETalk to announce himself as a new judge for the third cycle of Canada's Next Top Model. If you missed it, you can view his Canada AM interview with the queen of Canadian fashion Jeanne Becker here.

I'm not sure if this means that Elmer Olsen Models (the agency) grabbed the contract over Sutherland Models (the agency and school) to snag the winning girl. As soon as I confirm I will let you know - most likely though.


Perhaps the old "third times a charm" saying will hold true and the next title winner will actually become a top model. Andrea disappeared back to Whitby oblivion and Rebecca didn't quite make a splash either - though she is a lovely girl.

I have a feeling this season will be a good one.

Update: Just got the official press release. Sutherlands is out and Elmer is in:

In another TOP MODEL first, leading modelling agency and fashion industry powerhouse Elmer Olsen Model Management joins Cycle 3 of CANADA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, CTV announced today. Top agent and fashion veteran Elmer Olsen brings his experience and expertise to the table as he hits the road to participate in CANADA'S NEXT TOP MODEL's first-ever cross-country regional open-call casting tour, beginning this Friday, January
16 in Vancouver. Additionally, this year's winner will receive a modelling contract with Olsen's firm, Elmer Olsen Model Management.

CTV also confirmed additional prizing details for Cycle 3 the hugely-popular, Gemini-Award winning Canadian production. In addition to the modelling contract, the winner of CANADA'S NEXT TOP MODEL receives a $100,000 beauty contract from Procter & Gamble (P&G), which returns as a signature sponsor for the third straight year. Finally, the winner will also be featured in an editorial spread in FASHION Magazine.

"Nothing makes me happier than finding that one geeky tall girl transform into CANADA'S NEXT TOP MODEL and having her graduate to walking a runway in Milan," said Elmer Olsen.

In addition to P&G and FASHION Magazine, LG Electronics returns as a key partner for the series. CANADA'S NEXT TOP MODEL is presented by Cover Girl(R), Olay(R) and Nice n' Easy(R).

Design in Space!

I bought Barbarella on DVD ages ago and never got around to watching it till the other night. WHY it sat on my shelf for so long I have no idea! It is one of the funniest, campiest, and still relevant from a style perpective. Still can't get over Jane Fonda getting neekid in the opening sequence! And being so promiscuous - the little tart!


(I wonder how long that will last on YouTube before someone flags it.)

If you haven't seen it yet - you have to! If not, just to see this incredibly hilarious sex scene.

Let's not forget Kylie Minogue's ode to the opening weightless strip scene from the movie in her video, Put Your Self In My Place.



What inspired me to take that plastic covering off was my update from Windfall Clothing for 2009's Buy Design theme - it's Barbarella and all things in space!!! Stay tuned for more details! It was one of my favourite parties of 2008 and for sure will live up to (if not surpass) all expectations this year too!

The Women Fashion Show

I finally had a chance to watch the 1939 version of The Women yesterday. What a great film! And the cast is entirely women! For a lover of old Hollywood movies, I'm surprised I hadn't seen it before.

One of my favourite things about old movies is the fashion and this clip is just a perfect example of how Hollywood's costume departments influenced womenswear back in the day.

You can read about the designer Adrian here.

(What's really interesting is that this is the only colour segment in the movie.)