p a l e d o t s

Bodysuit

2011-01-30T20:08:00.000-08:00

Bodysuit photographed by the wonderful Armando Rafael + modeled by the beautiful Marianna

True Oasis: Prada, Marfa

2010-10-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

Back in August, I went on an art extravaganza road trip with Steve. The idea was to fly to Houston, rent a car and drive through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona in ten days, while making pit stops at as many museums and exhibitions of some of our favourite artists. My favourite stop had to have been this Prada store in the middle of nowhere, between the cities of Marfa and Valentine, in Texas. It is literally plopped on the side of the "loneliest highway in the United States", miles away from any sort of civilization, so it's not very hard to miss!

The "store" is a site specific, permanent land art project created in 2005 by artists, Elmgreen and Dragset. It is modeled after the typical Prada boutique and houses the Fall 2005 collection of handbags and shoes. Unfortunately, store hours are not very accommodating, as holidays, weekends and every other day in between, they are closed. PERMANENTLY!!! All those wonderful accessories so close, yet so far! I'm beginning to think it was built as one giant tease for all us fashion lovers. You've been driving hours and hours in the blistering hot Texas summer sun and in the distance you see the words "Prada"... is it an illusion?! NO! Can you get in? NO!

There are a few shelves of shoes on the back wall and two display tables of handbags, and because of the incredibly bright sun, I was able to get some pretty trippy reflection shots.

The ever innovative house of Prada, does it again - like everything else they do - taking window shopping and destination shopping to a whole other level! A true oasis.

Peruvian Dolls

2010-09-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

Speaking of dolls... I went on vacation in Peru in August, and ended up snapping a ton of shots of traditional hand-made dolls (along with purchasing a ton too many!). I've decided that you can never have too many dolls though, and if I'm going to start a collection, I need a variety, right?!

In any case, Peruvian dolls were definitely varied. Here are some shots:

Peruvian man doll wearing a chullo.

Dancer and and her pet llama.

Doll family!

I love the two shots above of the 'mother and child' dolls.

These dolls are made out of burlap and stuffed with old newpaper.

Life size doll!

Dollyland Dreams

2010-09-11T15:01:00.000-07:00

There is an overwhelmingly large time gap between my last post and this one due to busy schedules, holidays aaaaand... (you know, the usual excuses). My hiatus has come to an end just in time for fashion week and, more importantly, because HOLY SMOKES, I am so completely blown away by something I saw yesterday during Fashion's Night Out, that I have to share it...

Artist and illustrator Andrew Wang, the brilliant mind and hands behind The Kouklitas dolls, was present at Barneys for a special exhibition showcasing over thirty of his handmade rag dolls dressed in the latest fall fashions or posing as fashion icons.

Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington

The resemblance in appearance and personalities of these fashion icons is remarkable and their hand painted facial expressions are spot on. I instantly recognized the dolls of one of my favorite couples, "Rusabeledo", through the unique character that shines through their faces and outfits. Looks just like them!

Ruben and Isabel Toledo

There were even tribute dolls to Alexander McQueen...

...and dolls wearing miniature garments inspired by a variety of other designer's collections.

Nina Ricci

Céline, Rodarte, Proenza Schouler

Alaia

Marc Jacobs

The best part is, Andrew makes custom dolls. Now, who wouldn't want a 27" version of themselves complete with perfect skin tone and favourite outfit?!?!!!

Whereabouts...

2010-02-27T20:51:00.000-08:00

I've been MIA. Resting. Relaxing. Taking a breather and turning off the old noggin for a little TLC in good old, calming SouthEast Asia. Precisely what I needed.

I've been back in NYC for almost a month yet my brain is still in vacay mode, even with the millions of projects that need to get done with impending deadlines. MILLIONS. I need a little magic from Mother Time here. The kinds of time for doing and not the kinds of time for procrastinating.

So, as I sit here and think a little about what I should be doing... why not post pics from VIETNAM?

... Unforgettable trip.

Rags in Rubble and Love

2009-12-25T00:50:00.001-08:00

Egon Schiele's reckless allure + 'Grunge Era' attitude

= a knitwear collection by Angélique

Dark Stitches

2009-12-23T22:37:00.000-08:00

After intensely working with knits for half a year, I have a new found love for the material.

Check out the sweater I designed. Chained Hooded Cardigan with braided knit tie, ribbed sleeves and ribbed hem trim.

Carapace

2009-12-22T09:44:00.001-08:00

Remember those corset sketches? Well, here it is, the finale. I worked on this bad boy for awhile, figuring out a design, trying to get a perfect structured fit and the style lines just right, and sourcing for the right fabrics to suit my vision. I ended up using three tones of mink wool from Scotland.

All in all, it turned out to be quite an accomplishment and definitely an advancement in my skills. Corsets require a lot of under support so I gained experience working with a ton of boning and lining in order to get that tight fit.

The corset is part of a mini collection called "Carapace", in which three pieces were created: the corset, a pair of cuffed shorts with pockets in the same wool and a pair of leggings with interesting seam detailing.

HAVEN

2009-12-12T08:22:00.000-08:00

It's an exciting time for my two older brothers who have fostered a concept a few years ago and managed to focus energy, passion and time to build from ground up their first HAVEN shop location in Edmonton. Now around three years later, with the same vision, their second shop is opening its doors in Vancouver with a Grand Opening today and 3 year HAVEN anniversary celebration.

Check out their site and drop in the shop for exclusive goods, if you're ever on the west coast of Canada.

Congrats Daniel and Arthur!

Clutter Report

2009-12-10T20:09:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year again... December madness!
December is just one of those months when things get a little hectic in my life,
and usually when that happens,

THIS HAPPENS!

The result of the end of the semester + project overload + deadlines + all-nighters + small apartment + upcoming holidays. Basically, my life is a MESS right now!

The mattress has become a new storage unit, the coffee table is now a dish rack full of mugs and I can barely see the hardwood floor of the living room. There are projects on the go in every area; walls are covered with brainstorm sketches, magazine clippings and fabric swatches are flying everywhere!

Santa, I'm asking for one of three things this Christmas:

1. Can you somehow magically make the apartment grow?

2. Can you send some elves over while I'm asleep so that I'll find that they've completed all my finals when I wake up?

3. Can you send some elves equipped with brooms and dustpans to help me tackle this clutter?

Any one of these would be a dream come true...

S.O.S.

ANYTHING?!!

# 1 on your 'good list',

Revisiting Roots

2009-12-03T18:16:00.000-08:00

My Mom in Vietnam in the '70s

So, for the upcoming holidays, I've decided to take a nice warm break and vacay in Vietnam with my mom. Its been forever since I've been back and surely a lot has developed and changed but, I'm hoping that the couple things that left a lasting impression on me years ago will remain things I encounter on this trip as well, mainly the warmth of the Saigon sun (its usually around +30°C in January!) and the incredibly friendly, laid-back and generous people. Other expectations include, many many bowls of yummy traditional vietnamese Phở soup, along with ice cold mangosteen, jackfruit and three colour drinks, fresh fruit, limestone cave diving in Halong Bay and, most of all, the abundance of super affordable markets full of clothes! shoes! clothes! jewelry! and clothes!

I especially am expecting to go nutso shopping with my mom. I've always loved shopping with her, because she has an engrained sense of style that is completely chic, along with a resourceful and creative eye. She finds unique ways to put items together and always manages to make an outfit work... I mean, check her out in the pic above back in the day, sporting the Sophia Loren sunglasses, ultra bell bottoms and black and white peter pan collar tunic, on that moped! What a rebel! We're talking traditional Vietnam back in the day here, when most girls walked around in constricting 'áo dài', the customary form of female dress. To this day, she still has that same unique sense of great style to go against the grain, never wanting to follow trends, she is always seeking the new. Which completely works to my benefit seeing as half my wardrobe consists of awesome coats, custom jewelry, vintage bags and rare designer pieces all from her closet! I have a lot to thank her for!

So, that is why I love shopping with my mom. And, not only does she have impeccable taste, she is a real expert in Vietnam when it comes to whipping out her native language at merchants and bartering away for the best bargains at all the little markets!

I love my Mom, I love Vietnam, and I love shopping! Can't wait, let the countdown begin!

Sketch and Ride

2009-11-30T17:14:00.000-08:00

Some pages from my sketchbook (click to enlarge) ...

I spend my time during the long 45 minute subway commutes to Manhattan and 45 minutes back to Brooklyn sketching away on the train... If I didn't have my sketchbook, I think I would die... actually. Sorry to all the other commuters who have to smell the fumes from my toxic prismacolour markers. At least it's better than those girls who whip out their nail polish and start painting their nails... or even worse, the ones who bring out their nail clippers. Ew.

Tim Burton

2009-11-29T11:00:00.000-08:00

I love watching people as they go about what they do best... painting, baking, sewing... it usually means more to me than enjoying the final product b/c you get to learn a little something through the process and get a hint of the inner workings of their mind. You get to pick at it a little, see the mishaps and victories that ultimately leads to the final product.

Tim Burton's complete retrospective exhibition at the MoMA did just that for me. Allowing fans to go inside his brain and see prelim sketches, character models, personal drawings, letters to producers and costume samples, never intended to be seen, for final projects from his really early work like Vincent and Stain Boy to Beetlejuice, Big Fish and more recent projects like Sweeney Todd and Alice In Wonderland.

This is Tim Burton's 21ft inflated "Balloon Boy" that greets you at the entrance of the MoMA

If you're a fan of Burton's work and don't get the chance to see the exhibition first hand (that runs until April 26th), you must get your hands on the exhibition book, The Art of Tim Burton, which weighs a million pounds and is packed with all the behind the scenes work/sketches, etc...

... and complete with a ton of fold out pages...

Amazing stuff... seriously.

Turkey, turkey, turkey...

2009-11-26T22:16:00.000-08:00

I was lucky enough to celebrate Thanksgiving twice this year, a Canadian Turkey day back in October and the American version today! I must say, my American friends really know how to host the perfect Thanksgiving dinner, combining korean dishes with the traditional turkey feast, with the addition of my homemade stuffing, though disastrous to make(being my first time) turned out to be quite the hit!
Great friends...

Delish food...

Yummy five-course dessert...

... No matter where you are, or how you celebrate, that's really what Thanksgiving is all about.

... Sail away... away ...

2009-11-24T20:12:00.000-08:00

It must've been that strong sense of nostalgia that came across me this weekend that propelled me to make and embroider a fuzzy sweater with mini 'creatures' on it, sailing away to another land... or maybe it was the influence of watching Where the Wild Things Are on Friday... either way, I wanted to make something easy, happy, something that I could comfortably throw on and wear casually (b/c lord knows, I'm not wearing that bodysuit I made a few weeks ago on a daily basis!).

I started off by sewing up a basic five pattern piece crew neck sweater...

Found some gems, buttons and embroidery thread and stitched away...

... and Voila! ...

... sailing away by night...

NYC Essentials

2009-11-19T18:34:00.000-08:00

I was flipping through old sketch books and found the above page!!! I love looking back through old doodles because they are in a way my own personal diary, a story of a certain period in my life through drawings... what I thought, felt, noticed. Well, several years ago I travelled to NYC for the first time for a quick summer vacay and on the plane ride home, quickly sketched up what I thought were "New York Essentials" at the time.

That was about four years ago though, and things have certainly changed! Especially after living here for awhile, I realized that it is impossible to sum up this city in one page!! There are too many little style quirks that are area specific. Although, nothing ever belongs to a region and trends will always overlap and be influenced, there are certainly things you can pick out and say are general 'essentials' of a neighborhood....

With that said, it is definitely time for an NYC Essentials update! :

I'll eventually get around to completing a few more areas, and I of course can't forget my hood, BK. I also stumbled upon 'essentials' pages for Tokyo, Paris and London in the same sketchbook so, I'll eventually get around to posting them (although they're also definitely in need of an update!). I'll need help on Tokyo and London though... its been years!!!

Dun Dun Dun...

2009-11-16T15:58:00.000-08:00

So my latest project is a little daunting... a corset! Considering I'm merely in the ideation stage (and the fact that I've never made a corset before!) it's definitely going to be awhile before unveiling the finale, so in the meantime, here are some quick sketches of potential designs.

Rad Hourani

2009-11-15T11:15:00.000-08:00

100 New Fashion Designers, Hywel Davies

I got this wonderful book as a gift not long ago about up and coming designers. Every designer is written up for good reason, but one in particular, Rad Hourani, really caught my attention.

I've always heard the name here and there and have seen pieces of his in local stores, but have never taken the time to check out his whole body of work until fully reading his interview in the book and checking out his site. Amazing 'aseasonal', 'asexual' collections and striking videos and B&W images.

Check it out.

This week I decided on one thing...

2009-11-11T22:24:00.000-08:00

Most of my mornings involve this: me lunging myself into a packed train from Brooklyn to Manhattan, with a massive bag on every arm. Coffee in one hand, holding supplies in the other, usually a large roll of pattern paper, with rulers jutting out in all directions, markers flying across the train, smacking people in the face with my T-square and toppling over at least 3 people for a few stops until someone frees a seat or gives me room to at least hold on to the pole up above... and when I finally see that empty space on the pole for me to hold onto, I reach up quickly, and riiiiiiiiiiiip. OF COURSE, the lining of my tight fitted leather jacket has to tear just a little! And a little more and more EVERYDAY!!! I cant take this anymore. I've decided that gone are the days of tight sleeves and massive bags. From now on I am going for the sleek cuts and the wide sleeves with enough room for a comfortable range of movements! No more fussing with massive bags, no more ripped jackets!!! This is what I've decided... or at least until people have a little consideration for the poor, struggling design student carrying way too much for her own good.
So, until I find the perfect wide sleeved jacket, the next time you see me, push over please!

Zebra Wood

2009-11-08T10:08:00.000-08:00

A coffee table in the making... stay tuned for completed pictures. Once my boyfriend, Steve, buffs his creation to perfection and once we somehow find a way to carry it up 5 flights of stairs to our Brooklyn apartment, there will definitely be some pics of it in all its glory in the center of the living room!

Hye...

2009-11-06T15:23:00.000-08:00

'Intellectual eccentricity' done right by Hye. With a sleek monochromatic silhouette, and a touch of metallic gold headphones, there's no way these oversized glasses could go wrong. Add texture with a black velvet blazer... perfection!

The Badder, the Better

2009-11-05T20:21:00.000-08:00

Since I was a kid, I've always loved vintage and second-hand shopping. There's something about the hunt and that feeling you get when you find something you'd consider a treasure at a garage sale or scoring a Rag and Bone jacket for 20 bucks. My friend Alex is the same way. So, when she came to visit me in NYC last winter, there was no doubt we were going to take advantage of the abundance of amazing vintage stores and flea markets this city had to offer... and knowing Alex, I was definitely in a hunt for the most outrageous stuff we could find. Like this sweater...

I know, it's hard to know what to think when looking at this thing. A combo of mélange gray, black and pink, cable stitching, intarsia, stripes all in one???!! What era did this come from?! Oh, and on top of that, the back has a completely different pattern going on! Basically, it's a fisherman sweater gone really bad(which was totally my first thought), BUT with closer inspection and a quick try-on, I fell in LOVE! Oversized. Comfy. Falls perfectly where it should when worn with tights, add a giant scarf and it's just the way I like it... and you know what, the colours actually compliment each other quite well! I forgot how much I loved it. Now, I can hardly wait to find MORE MORE MORE.... bring on the bad sweaters!

Sloppy Shapes + Chunky Yarns

Shred sheer, cover me up...

2009-11-04T17:16:00.000-08:00

My latest creation.

Flat view + Inspiration

Natalie...

2009-11-03T09:04:00.000-08:00

Every time I run into Natalie I know I'll be complimenting her on at least one of her many quirky accessories. Whether it be fuzzy purple leopard slip-ons, a colourful Fendi Zucca print tote, vintage heart-shaped sunnies or a screen printed T-Rex bag, Natalie isn't afraid to mix and match and have fun with her outfits. The fact that she can pull off bright purple finger nails one day, and sport Mrs. Pac Man on her thumbs the next, is an ode to her ever changing personal style that compliments her fun-loving personality to a tee!

I can easily write a whole month worth of posts on 'Natalie's Nails' alone!

Go Runners Go!

2009-11-02T15:31:00.000-08:00

The annual NYC marathon brought with it a whole myriad of runners who've seemed to forget to take off their Halloween costumes from the night before!

Cheering on from the sidelines!

Country love...

Go #60945!

All I can say is, who sponsored this guy??!!!

Can you imagine running 45km in that?!

Needle&Thread + Paper&Pen

2009-10-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

Isabel is a fashion designer. Ruben is an illustrator.

Isabel and Ruben in their NYC loft. source

Together they form the perfect marriage between design and art, combining the best of both worlds as they collaborate on projects and in the unique way they interact, finishing each other's sentences and bouncing ideas back and fourth. I had the opportunity to meet the couple for the second time yesterday at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where Isabel accompanied Ruben for a special talk and book signing of his new cover illustrations for a few Penguin classic novels, which include, "Pride and Prejudice", "The Scarlet Letter" and "Wuthering Heights". I especially love how Ruben's new cover designs will attract a new crowd of readers to these wonderful, classic books...

My dear friend Fiona gave me the gift of "Wuthering Heights" for my birthday and I cannot stop staring at the cover!!!...

Instead of signing his books, Ruben opts to personalize each one w/ a portrait! Look it's me, and he even wished me a Happy Birthday!!!!!

During the question and answer period, I couldn't help but zone into and nod at everything the couple had to say on matters regarding fashion, art and pursuing your dreams. If I could, I would gather all their remarks and compile it into a book called "Quotes by Ruben and Isabel". Here are a few of many noteworthy comments that made my heart flutter just a little faster:

"Don't try to fit in, don't be what's needed out there. When you're doing something you love, people know where to find you" - I. Toledo

"Fashion is about being an outlaw or a rebel" - R. Toledo

My favorite response was when someone asked Reuben how he manages the constant exchange of ideas along with the criticism that inevitably follows suit in a cultural capital such as New York. He responded by saying:

"New York is a constant flow of ideas, it's like an incredible olive oil of ideas, the important thing is that you create your own bubble and stay in it" - R. Toledo

Living in New York for over a year now, I have found that it can be extremely easy to be influenced by current trends or directions of thought in design and art, simply because information is so accessible and constantly being exchanged. A friend sends you a link to their new favorite band, a list of the top ten fashion designers is featured in a mag, headlines are dictating today's newest hem length. The struggle is to filter all the stimulus, take to heart what is relevant to you and to find a place where you are comfortable and know you can excel.... your own little "bubble".

No wonder they're my idols, right?! So much so, that I feel the need to morph their names together. You know, some people have Brangelina or Tomkat? I have Isaruben. Wait. Rusabel... no, Rusabeledo. YES, that's the one... RUSABELEDO, my idols.

Sugar in my Veins...

2009-10-27T08:57:00.000-07:00

Passed by Dean and Deluca on Broadway and saw these:

I know, beautiful right?! I simply couldn't resist, so I got one of every flavour!... I would venture to say that macaroons are my favorite sweet treat. Not only do they remind me of the cute little Parisian pastry shops that I miss so much, but whenever I see one I feel like getting dolled up, inviting a whole bunch of girl friends over, and having a pastry/tea party (like that one scene from Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette!)

I can't seem to help it and it's starting to become a theme here (especially since that recent trip to ChickaLicious!), but SUGAR has been on my mind all week! So, as I sit here typing this post (sugar running through my veins), I couldn't help but daydream about my very own 'pastry party'... I'd imagine it would look something like this:

xA!

One Sweet Day

2009-10-26T17:51:00.000-07:00

Chicka, chef and owner of ChickaLicious, is a master chef that has the ability to mesmerize any customer seated around the open kitchen that dominates this intimate dessert bar, located in the East Village. While preparing orders from the 3-course Prix Fixe menu (yes 3 COURSE DESSERT!!... kill me now!), chef Chicka and her assistants create an assortment of innovative dishes that are a work of art in themselves, right before your very eyes. They work with incredible skill as they pull out torches, mounds of ice, exotic wines, jelly-like cubes and petits fours and combine fresh fruit with liquid something or other (who cares what it was, it tasted like heaven!). It is a truly magical experience to watch masters with such skill do what they do best... Magical, both for the eyes and taste-buds!

Fig Brulée being torched to perfection...

Fromage Blanc Island "Cheesecake" resting on a bed of ice. Amazingly light and rich!...

Warm Chocolate Tart with Peppercorn Ice Cream and Red Wine Sauce...

Petits Fours... The lavender chocolate truffles simply melt in your mouth!

The whole experience at ChickaLicious almost made me want to retire the needle and thread, skip some fashion design classes and take up pastry lessons instead... hmm, maybe in another life?

Crunch It.

2009-10-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

What's better than that satisfying feeling against your soles you get when stepping on a pile of crisp and crunchy leaves that first Autumn day brisk?... Stepping on a pile of crisp/crunchy leaves in a brand spanking new WOOL AUTUMN COAT, preferably easy and oversized. You know, the kind big enough to curl up and fall asleep in. Just drop the temperature in New York a few degrees please, and I will be ready to bring my bulky, tulip-petaled gray coat from Opening Ceremony, out of the closet and back into rotation, where it belongs!

Dot N°1

2009-10-24T14:46:00.000-07:00