This month's spotlight goes to Thakoon Panichgul. Born in Thailand raised in Nebraska. Thakoon is a rising star among the fashion industry. Showcasing his first ready to wear collection in 2004 and a former fashion editor at Harpers Bazzar, Thakoon is a talent to recognize. Getting his big break when Anna Wintour herself, suggested Thakoon to do a collaboration with Gap that led into doing collaborations for hogan, nine west for accessories and target. He also had the oppourtunity to dress Michelle Obama. After that people were all of a sudden listening. Thakoon is known for blending different influences into his work, imparting a feminine spirit into a youthful sporty line. At the end his collection always came out with elegance with an underling hint of playful wit. His designs are clean with an eye for detail. His designs are compared with the likes of DVF, Derek Lam and Michael Kors.
Thakoon is my spotlight of the month not only because he's one of my personal favorite designers but, also the way he always seems to push a little bit further with his collections and, how innovated he is. I find him truly inspirational in every aspect.
I've posted up some of his designs dating between 2010-2008. Take the time to click on his link that I have also added to my "style" category and admire his talents.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Slam dunk
I just posted up my latest shoot with photos by Ben K. Um lets just say im AMAZED. I love it so much. One of my favorite photo shoots by far. The model is a new face from NEXT canada. I've worked with her a few times now and she's great! Great attitude, listens to direction, doesn't need direction at all! Every time Ben wasn't shooting her, when she was standing casually it was always the perfect pose. I love models who make my work so much easier and enjoyable. It makes me want to keep styling! If you scroll down a little you'll see the inspiration photos for this athletic shoot that I just posted up.
My night shoot was great as well. I can't wait to see the images. It was my second night shoot and the rest of the teams first night shoot. It was shot downtown right on Granville street. Everyone thought it wasn't going to be busy for a tuesday night but, surprising enough it was. So, that only meant the odd questions here and there and guys gawking at us. The theme of the shoot was grunge/ cool girl. Alex is a new face from NEXT canada. Who was so awesome. Such a super chill and laid back attitude. She had her own accessories when coming on to the shoot which, were perfect for the theme so, my job was half done. Even with the crowds Alex kept going with the flow and delivered every time when Ben started shooting.
I had a discussion with one of my team members about they way I styled Alex. The styling was very Kurt Cobain grunge. So plaid shirts wrapped around the waist, combat boots etc. I used a lot of the same articles of clothing but in very differen't ways. That's what a STYLIST is isn't it??? they actually style the shoot? Not just buying and returning from Zara, H&M and, just re-creating another look book for a company that has already done their campaigns. Its all about how to work with what you have and, if you can think outside the box instead of having so many quantities of clothing to make sure the model has enough outfits. A pair of scissors is my right hand man on shoots. The way i styled Alex was super fashionable and just plain cool If I could pull the grunge look off I totally would! Alex's makeup wasn't overly dramatic either. Very NY or LA. Its odd to see peoples reaction to the way alex had her makeup,hair and clothing. They stared at her like she was an animal and had the guts to ask her if she was okay. My team member and I were looking around the area where we were, to see what was "acceptable" in terms of fashion. Apparently when its Summer its either short prom dresses at night, liquid tights with crop tops, or super short shorts that look like underwear paired with long tank top. Super inspirational!! NOT!! I brought up topic on how the way Alex was dressed and how it would be so acceptable in differen't parts of the city, provinces, states, countries etc except for vancouver. Why is that? Are we so afraid to be so "different" it wasn't like I put Alex in a head to toe sequences gown. It's quiet sad actually. On how we aren't socially acceptable to everyone except those within your comfort zone.
If there's not inspiration in the city or within the people who walk among the city, how do the local designers get inspired? Its unfortunate that most designers have to create a collection within where they live. To cater to the certain crowd of where they are from. For Vancouver, Vancouverites are known for their laid back style. We're trampled by the lululemon's and TNA. So, it makes sense for a designer to cater to that comfortable market knowing it will sell. But, is that what it's all about? just a sale? Since we are so far behind in fashion, it's hard to find a good , creative and innovated designer to promote. As, a stylist I'm always keeping my eyes open and ears up for the next big talent.
I'm thinking of starting up a month to month spotlight post. Where I find who I think are the best talents out in the world. Let it be in architecture, painter, photographer, model, designer, food stylist, wardrobe stylist etc. I'm going to dig deep! I will make it my personal goal to promote an actual talent once a month starting in August. To let whoever is reading or following my blog that there is so much talent out there that just, needs a little bit of a spotlight. We just need to be open minded instead of pushing them away. In the mean time enjoy my "athletic shoot" and come back when I post up the night shoot with Alex.
My night shoot was great as well. I can't wait to see the images. It was my second night shoot and the rest of the teams first night shoot. It was shot downtown right on Granville street. Everyone thought it wasn't going to be busy for a tuesday night but, surprising enough it was. So, that only meant the odd questions here and there and guys gawking at us. The theme of the shoot was grunge/ cool girl. Alex is a new face from NEXT canada. Who was so awesome. Such a super chill and laid back attitude. She had her own accessories when coming on to the shoot which, were perfect for the theme so, my job was half done. Even with the crowds Alex kept going with the flow and delivered every time when Ben started shooting.
I had a discussion with one of my team members about they way I styled Alex. The styling was very Kurt Cobain grunge. So plaid shirts wrapped around the waist, combat boots etc. I used a lot of the same articles of clothing but in very differen't ways. That's what a STYLIST is isn't it??? they actually style the shoot? Not just buying and returning from Zara, H&M and, just re-creating another look book for a company that has already done their campaigns. Its all about how to work with what you have and, if you can think outside the box instead of having so many quantities of clothing to make sure the model has enough outfits. A pair of scissors is my right hand man on shoots. The way i styled Alex was super fashionable and just plain cool If I could pull the grunge look off I totally would! Alex's makeup wasn't overly dramatic either. Very NY or LA. Its odd to see peoples reaction to the way alex had her makeup,hair and clothing. They stared at her like she was an animal and had the guts to ask her if she was okay. My team member and I were looking around the area where we were, to see what was "acceptable" in terms of fashion. Apparently when its Summer its either short prom dresses at night, liquid tights with crop tops, or super short shorts that look like underwear paired with long tank top. Super inspirational!! NOT!! I brought up topic on how the way Alex was dressed and how it would be so acceptable in differen't parts of the city, provinces, states, countries etc except for vancouver. Why is that? Are we so afraid to be so "different" it wasn't like I put Alex in a head to toe sequences gown. It's quiet sad actually. On how we aren't socially acceptable to everyone except those within your comfort zone.
If there's not inspiration in the city or within the people who walk among the city, how do the local designers get inspired? Its unfortunate that most designers have to create a collection within where they live. To cater to the certain crowd of where they are from. For Vancouver, Vancouverites are known for their laid back style. We're trampled by the lululemon's and TNA. So, it makes sense for a designer to cater to that comfortable market knowing it will sell. But, is that what it's all about? just a sale? Since we are so far behind in fashion, it's hard to find a good , creative and innovated designer to promote. As, a stylist I'm always keeping my eyes open and ears up for the next big talent.
I'm thinking of starting up a month to month spotlight post. Where I find who I think are the best talents out in the world. Let it be in architecture, painter, photographer, model, designer, food stylist, wardrobe stylist etc. I'm going to dig deep! I will make it my personal goal to promote an actual talent once a month starting in August. To let whoever is reading or following my blog that there is so much talent out there that just, needs a little bit of a spotlight. We just need to be open minded instead of pushing them away. In the mean time enjoy my "athletic shoot" and come back when I post up the night shoot with Alex.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Publication
Being a freelance fashion stylist in Vancouver, is hard enough. Trying to find a publication that's worth a submission in Vancouver is even harder. What makes a good publication? What makes certain publications worth crawling all over,for them to show case your work? Is it the cool name? the people who run it? the type of editorials and stories they mention? What makes certain Vancouver publications worth everyone's time, when they aren't even recognized around the world. Isn't being published somewhere in europe or NY or T.O let it be online or even in print more satisfying then being published in a "Just got bored one day so, lets start up a fashion magazine website?"
Wouldn't it make sense to anyone that if someone is running and started up a fashion website or magazine that they should have some background in fashion instead of just being a "fan". Everyone's a fan of fashion in their own way. Does going to almost every event the city has to offer make you such an important person to know? even at the end of day everyone knows you aren't the one who decided at the end what goes into your website or magazine? Is being in your own bubble and circle of friends make you think you're "branching" out into the fashion world? Especially when you promote your website or magazine all about how you like to promote local talent in every aspect. I understand there's a lot of new and up coming, great talent out there but, at what point do you end up going back on your own word on selling yourself out by not promoting local talent. What makes certain publications worth the time and read? Quality over quantity?
At some point and time everyone is trying to be one step of another. We never really take the chance to actually sincerely help each other out. We are all nice to each other's faces. But, behind close doors we all back stab each other in one form or another. Sometimes people don't even know that they are doing it. That's why it's so hard to build relationships with photographers,makeup artist, hair, model agents etc when there's hundreds of others that are knocking at their door with a bigger and better oppourtunity. We can all say to each other that we will be loyal to each other or show it through our actions since, actions speak louder than words. Then slowly but, surely it all goes away.
I've started to do some brainstorming... How hard is it to start up a fashion website or magazine? Besides the obvious points of; the time needed to be invested in it, the crew you need to actually do it, to actually find a crew that you work well with and not bud heads so much, and a crew that can bring something bigger and better to the tables, and a crew that have the same ideas as you with, wanting to take it to the next level, meaning out of vancouver! But, wouldn't it be fun to start up something that just needs a few months to catch on to people, having them submit then eventually having hundreds of submissions to you in a day? Even market your website or magazine across the world. To put yourself out there instead of waiting for them to come to you? I'm just saying personally if I was to ever start up any kind of fashion website or magazine I wouldn't go back on my word on about how and what my website or magazine is all about. It's almost like a challenge. We all can fall in and out of the main focus but, to truly stay in it and to truly live up to your word and not to sell yourself out and, to push yourself to promote local talent to promote local stores etc is a challenge in its self.
I've posted up some magazines worth the read and the look through to see what these little fashion website and magazines are competing with. Indie or not it's just a title that you gave yourself and its a choice on how you want to promote yourself. At the end of the day the magazines and fashion websites that are actually inspirational, make money, are known around the world, and feature different artist all the time is successful. In my opinion anyways. Being invited to little fashion shows here and there and interviewing friends is just a another way of saying you've given up on your website or magazine.
I'll be posting up photos of my newest shoots to come! tonight is a night shoot! so stay tune.
Wouldn't it make sense to anyone that if someone is running and started up a fashion website or magazine that they should have some background in fashion instead of just being a "fan". Everyone's a fan of fashion in their own way. Does going to almost every event the city has to offer make you such an important person to know? even at the end of day everyone knows you aren't the one who decided at the end what goes into your website or magazine? Is being in your own bubble and circle of friends make you think you're "branching" out into the fashion world? Especially when you promote your website or magazine all about how you like to promote local talent in every aspect. I understand there's a lot of new and up coming, great talent out there but, at what point do you end up going back on your own word on selling yourself out by not promoting local talent. What makes certain publications worth the time and read? Quality over quantity?
At some point and time everyone is trying to be one step of another. We never really take the chance to actually sincerely help each other out. We are all nice to each other's faces. But, behind close doors we all back stab each other in one form or another. Sometimes people don't even know that they are doing it. That's why it's so hard to build relationships with photographers,makeup artist, hair, model agents etc when there's hundreds of others that are knocking at their door with a bigger and better oppourtunity. We can all say to each other that we will be loyal to each other or show it through our actions since, actions speak louder than words. Then slowly but, surely it all goes away.
I've started to do some brainstorming... How hard is it to start up a fashion website or magazine? Besides the obvious points of; the time needed to be invested in it, the crew you need to actually do it, to actually find a crew that you work well with and not bud heads so much, and a crew that can bring something bigger and better to the tables, and a crew that have the same ideas as you with, wanting to take it to the next level, meaning out of vancouver! But, wouldn't it be fun to start up something that just needs a few months to catch on to people, having them submit then eventually having hundreds of submissions to you in a day? Even market your website or magazine across the world. To put yourself out there instead of waiting for them to come to you? I'm just saying personally if I was to ever start up any kind of fashion website or magazine I wouldn't go back on my word on about how and what my website or magazine is all about. It's almost like a challenge. We all can fall in and out of the main focus but, to truly stay in it and to truly live up to your word and not to sell yourself out and, to push yourself to promote local talent to promote local stores etc is a challenge in its self.
I've posted up some magazines worth the read and the look through to see what these little fashion website and magazines are competing with. Indie or not it's just a title that you gave yourself and its a choice on how you want to promote yourself. At the end of the day the magazines and fashion websites that are actually inspirational, make money, are known around the world, and feature different artist all the time is successful. In my opinion anyways. Being invited to little fashion shows here and there and interviewing friends is just a another way of saying you've given up on your website or magazine.
I'll be posting up photos of my newest shoots to come! tonight is a night shoot! so stay tune.
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