apiana que

Small Town Charm

2012-01-17T22:19:00.000-08:00

So I have made the move to what I call "TV Land" I have never lived in a small town before and so far I'm doing ok. Calgary is not that far away and its like a little adventure learning about the small towns here. down side? having to cancel/rearrange photo shoots and meetings because I cant get into Calgary because of these crazy storms we have been having. Here are some photos I took of this small town charm. (still no people though cause I'm still not used to the whole.. be friendly with everyone/neighbours thing)

The drive out

view of my backyard

yes I can just pull over stand in the middle of the street and take a picture

view from my bedroom

Marv's soda shop! love this place.. I'm thinking I should work here in the summer.. dress up everyday!

my float

marv sang us a song

everything vintage, from the original soda shop working jukeboxes and all

they have a bird that meows like a cat, strangest thing! haha

I have also spent a lot of time re-learning html and have built my modeling website, take a look at http://www.ashleyquan.com/ ill be re-working my apiana que one soon!

happy new year!

2012-01-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

2011 was a crazy year for me, and upon reflection it is hard to believe the things that can happen in one year! from graduation to doing shows, being in magazines, moving to another country.. and then back again and all the things you learn along the way. 2011 will have always been a good year for me and I'd like to think i did pretty good for myself. in school i started to notice my name becoming recognized and even outside of school finding myself on the top 100 list of emerging designers in Canada and being at number 40 i think is a pretty cool accomplishment. But this is just the beginning. Ive been taking a lot of time to evaluate what i want out of life and trying to combine my passions to set out a clear road for myself. you can only make things happen if you take charge, and you can only go as far as you allow yourself so i am not giving myself any restraints. 2011 was good, 2012 will be better! i look forward to my new adventures!

Mario Nail Art!

2011-12-25T22:02:00.000-08:00

Ok first off, Merry Christmas! however this is not a Christmas post.. that will come later.
So how did I spend today? I spent it painting my nails with Mario! I found this new technique that involves painting the image on a sand which bag and then transferring it to your nails. I found this technique on YouTube HERE. I used this for the Mario and Luigi on my thumbs, but I painted the rest on my nails the regular way with a paintbrush. I guess the good thing about my in-ability to paint large pictures or own large brushes comes in handy when I'm painting my nails.

Happy Holidays!

New Items for Sale!

2011-12-21T21:56:00.000-08:00

Its about that time of the year again and since last year when I released my hand painted leather gloves, they have become quite popular. So this year I went on the hunt for paintable gloves and this year I found mid forearm gloves in color!

I have posted the first batch of gloves including the gloves seen in my fall 2011 collection. I have many more coming so keep checking! here is the link to my etsy account

apiana que etsy account

happy shopping!

Believe in Fairies

2011-12-13T20:12:00.000-08:00

Check out these photos that were in the December issue of Onmag, a fashion magazine from Argentina. The writing is in Spanish but translates to "believe in fairies". The photography is by Fela dales, makeup by Trena Olfert, hair by Joanna Kemp. Models: Irene R. Ashley Q. and Brittany B.

So excited to have my work published in a magazine in a different country!

If you have a mac/iphone/ipad you can check the link to the magazine HERE, otherwise check out these screen caps

Just Because

2011-12-08T23:11:00.000-08:00

Ive been told that I have a magnetic personality and an addictive personality.

Not because people like me, but because I become addicted to things I love, and I set off alarms.

If I had a blogging app on my phone I'd probably blog more often.

The mascot from the hitman game last friday grabbed my head and "made out" with me during a promo. umm is this bestiality? mascot-ality? either way definitely something that I have not encountered before.

All these anti-bullying campaigns are really making me take a look back at my childhood. You never see people talking about the kind of bullying I went through though. Once I mentioned it on a social media outlet and I was called conceited, fat, ugly and full of myself among other things. However it has inspired me to maybe expand on my "meat dress, paisley dress, or whatever I may have called it" print where I first started to make art opening up about what I went through. Maybe work on doing a more intimate show and call it "Things a 15 year old girl should never hear". Every single person goes through bullying in some form or another I just pray that one day I can leave it behind me, and that everyone else can grow past what has happened to them as well to become a stronger person.

a mash up of some images where I modeled for Jessica Armstrong for the past show at art central we did as well as the upcoming performance for artawearness at acad.

busy little bee

2011-12-04T15:05:00.000-08:00

I keep making a list of things I would like to blog about in my head yet it never seems to happen. In my Professional life things seem to be going very well! I recently dressed KD from "the girl with the messy hair" blog for the fashion Christmas event at the core and I’ve got been painting and working on products that will soon be appearing on my blog and etsy. However what I didn’t expect to be taking off is my modeling. It has always been something I enjoy doing but I never really thought I would take it any where. When I was preparing to move to LA I started realizing how much I missed modeling as it took a back seat to designing and recently I’ve kind of picked it up again. keep an eye out you may see me on a billboard from one of my recent or upcoming campaign shoots :) oh and if you do, send me a pic!
In the next week or so I should hopefully be getting some pictures up and I will make a conscious effort to blog online rather than in my head.

P.S I started watching Sons of Anarchy and my goodness I am soooo hooked. Love that show, I keep saying its like veronica mars but for adults.

An Interview with Krystle for ACAD

2011-11-15T19:42:00.000-08:00

Here is an interview that Krystle Mendoza wrote about my inspirations, concepts, how I define art, and wearable art.

Krystle is currently a student at ACAD in the fibre department, she also keeps a blog as the textilequeen, click the link to check her out. Her work is based heavily on wearable art and I cant wait to see what else she comes up with!

Click HERE to see the interview on the ACAD blog.

two questions wernt posted on the blog, but if your interested to know more.. keep reading

q:Designers usually have a story behind their work, what kind of story do you look for when designing your collection?

a:My work has a somber feel behind it because I usually gravitate towards concepts that have a dark secret in them or as I like to call it "the ugly truth covered up by the beautiful, the embellished and the lavish". In 'Lover, Come home' The female waiting for her lover to come home is oblivious to the destruction and bloodshed that her lover is facing. HoweI tend to reference events or practices that no longer exist such as binding feet. I use these as a way to examine experiences we face now and how they parallel things that our ancestors had to face even if what is happening in the modern world is more or less severe.

q:Since most of your works are wearable, what do you enjoy about making them?

a:My favourite part is and always will be the printing. I love what I do as a textile artist and as a printer. Designing clothes has always been a secondary thing for me that opens me up to a different market and audience. However I do love designing and challenging the garments as well as the sewing-just probably not as much as the printing and artistic expression that goes into the first steps.

Look Who I Met

2011-10-20T20:11:00.000-07:00

ok, so lately I've been doing a little bit of promo work as a way to fund my art. It is a really good deal since you work as little or as much as you want (given that there are jobs to do at the time) so it is quite flexible for my art schedule. in September I went around downtown with TELUS giving out roses and footballs for TELUS, in August I worked at cirque du soleil as part of the infiniti tour, and this month I am working with TD with their hot chocolate truck.

I've found that doing promos has actually helped me in more ways than just earning some money. I have always been a rather shy person who didn’t talk to a lot of people and when I did, if I didn’t know you I would feel kind of awkward talking to you. Now I may not be as outgoing as I would like, but I am more likely to start up conversations with people. I guess this started with when I first started doing "promotional" work at the beginning of summer(I use "" because technically what I was doing - it was illegal to promote it and no, it was not prostitution or anything like that). I remember telling people, "I got a job where my main job is to randomly talk to people, I know.. I hate talking to people". Now I am more comfortable meeting people and I think this is a step in the right direction :)

For this TD job, I have been rotating between beeing a mascot and being a spotter. This job is deff different because my job is not to talk to people but as the mascot interact and get peoples attention to bring the experience of the promotion to a higher level. basically I just dance non stop the entire time Im in the suit and well it seems to work haha. Funny how I keep getting finding jobs that pay me to dance while carrying heavy things lol. Last week we were at wordfest and they pulled me aside to pose with franklin! If I had known franklin would be there I would of brought my sister along to see him.

working at cirque du soleil had its perks, other than seeing the show every night on the screen in the tent. I learned that 5 minutes before every show the mosquito would come out and shoo people into the big top. So when I saw the show for the SECOND time I made sure to stay and wait to get my photo with the bug!

OH and one of the big perks of working promo? The people you get to meet. At cirque du soleil I got to talk to the traveling employees about the textile department for cirque, got to go into the vip tent to take a close look at some costumes and talk to head of security about how they are made. At my current promo my manager even has connections to people from marketing of cirque du soleil in montreal.

Oh I may not have mentioned this, but I would maybe like to spend a part of my life learning and being a part of the textile team behind cirque du soleil (if you didnt already figure that out). All I need to do is become fluent in french :)

love.dance.art

2011-10-15T01:04:00.000-07:00

There are two things in this world that sometimes confuse me, because they are the two things that I cant really describe why I love them. art, and dance. I was going to wait till morning to write this, but it is in me right now. I love to dance, and I love to create art, I cant explain why and I often wonder why and what force drives people to want to create, and dance well thats harder because as styles change you kinda really are just flopping your body around. A few years ago, I was quite involved with both aspects of my loves and I made the descision that I would fully commit to art, and just dance when I could.

However now that I am not in school or really working that much, its really wierd but Ive been feeling kinda unmotivated. However now that I have some dance back in my blood, I get excited to work again and be creative.

I always thought that I had to choose one or the other and now I know that I need both. Dance motivates me, and art keeps me passionate.

When I was younger and I liked a boy, if I wanted him to like me back I always had the mindset "well, he just needs to see me dance". For those of you that have seen me dance you know, once I start, I cant stop.

(This was brought up by my seeing footloose today, man I love dance, and I love dance movies)

Rivalry

2011-10-13T20:48:00.000-07:00

You got to find it interesting when different people from different areas of the globe both come up with the same idea, both market it well and yet probably dont even know about eachother. My facebook still thinks I'm in LA so I get ads from there, today I looked at one of them and it really reminded me of a calgary brand

first up is stellar hoods from calgary
www.stellarhoods.com

and today I found out about Schoodie from LA who is trying to completly brand the hooded scarf as a "schoodie"
www.schoodie.com
*schoodie I like your idea of flipping the hooded scarf and using it as a bag, should of been a bigger part of your "teach me how to schoodie" video

(this one is mentioned in the next paragraph)
www.jalu.ca

Stellar hoods website says that it was founded in july of 2009 and schoodie was made in october of 2010 so I have to say congrats to stellar hoods for marketing first; but honestly I remember seeing it first from space angel which is now jalu (from calgary). since space angel is no longer around and jalu is not producing the "barminder" anymore I cant really find dates other than a youtube video from march of 2009. Maybe there is more comapnies just like this, and maybe they started even earlier, and lets be honest the idea of attaching a scarf and ahood has probably been around for quite a while in the knitting world, but it was smart of these three people to market something that maybe hasnt been done before.

I guess the point of this is, no matter what you do, you there will always be rivalry. When your a kid they tell you "there will always be someone smarter or faster than you" and in art school they tell you "everything has already been done before, nothing is ever new or original". I guess the key part is taking what you do, and doing it your way and if you find someone who is doing the same thing as you, embrace what they have to share and dont let it deter you off of your own path.

If i could be anything...

2011-10-06T23:18:00.000-07:00

I'd be a (hip hop) dancer. Ive always had a dream to be the star of a dance movie. I dream about it, day dream about it. Dance runs through my blood and it makes me happy. Girls flock to movies because of actors they love, male actors have never been someone I fantasize about. I have however been known to fall in love with dancers. People I know, performers I dont, male, female.. their movement captivates me. Dont get me wrong, I love what I do, but if I could do anything, it would be dance.

Then again it isnt just dance that I am attracted to, I think it is just talent in general.. there are a few artists Ive met in the past few years in calgary that I am just head over heals for, what would we do in this world without creativity and self expression?

Live cosmo givaway

2011-09-30T08:37:00.001-07:00

live cosmo is giving away one of my pureses on their site TODAY only! so you can enter to win by clicking on the link below

enter to win

with a little help from my friends

2011-09-12T20:42:00.000-07:00

I am lucky that I have had some good people helping me with my transition back, and while I haven’t made it to half the events I said I would, it is time to start networking again.

I was able to make it to the Haultain and First fashion show, which had my good friend Chantel Traub in it. Chantel and I have worked closely together in school over the last 3 years and while at some times it may have felt like competition, it only made me stronger. Having someone to bounce ideas off of and someone who is also good at what she does pushed me to try and be the best I could be as well. When I was at Haultain and First I had this idea, or daydream of the two of us traveling the world to see each other’s shows. Let’s hope that day isn’t too far away.
To see some of her work you can go HERE.

I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me :)

Summertime in the LBC

2011-08-27T18:31:00.000-07:00

Summertime in the LBC

What an experience these last few weeks have been. I wouldn't say things have exactly gone according to plan but I think that everything happens for a reason and while this outcome was not what I planned for, I am excited to take the time for myself to learn and grow as a person. I've realized that I have always been trying to accomplish things too fast. I want to accomplish as much as I can while I am still young, and there is nothing wrong with taking a little bit of time at it. I go into every new challenge expecting to ace it on my first try, but sometimes I think I forget to breathe while I do it. So, now I am going to practice breathing.
So what led me to this realization? A series of challenging events which made me really look at what my plans were and what I needed in my career, and long walks exploring the LBC. Here are some pictures of what I encountered along the way.

Dreaming a New Ending

2011-08-16T00:17:00.000-07:00

Do you remember your dreams when you wake up? I'd say 85% of the time I remember everything.
Ever since I was little I’ve had these recurring dreams of people chasing me and trying to kill me, I always feel the strain of trying to run as fast as I possibly can. The strangest part is when my dreams connect together example: one night I had a dream that my mom was shot.. a few days later I had another dream that my mom shot and after I rushed over to her, she assured me that she was ok esp. since she had been shot before and survived and I joked through tears "I know -you're like 50 cent". So anyways in these strange dreams of mine I run for hours and hours always with a man chasing me, most of these dreams end up being involved somehow with my grandparents house. In all of these dreams it either goes until I wake up, and in some dreams I die, and then it starts over again (which I know people always tell me it is impossible for you to die in your own dreams but trust me I do).
So the other night I had one of these dreams, funny thing though. Someone saved me. I've never had someone save me before… Also I don’t usually recognize the people from these dreams (except close family), and I know exactly who was the person that saved me.

Saying Goodbye's

2011-08-06T12:12:00.001-07:00

The countdown is on, with now less than a week to go, I am feeling the nerves set in. Last night was my going away party and even though I thought it would be different, it was just like every other party I've thrown. Maybe it is a consequence of my work habits. When I am caught up working I don't make time for anything (unfortunately this sometimes includes eating). This makes it hard to keep close bonds with many friends, and as my birthdays always show (and now my going away party) it means a small turn out, and some awkward periods of standing by myself. There is a lot of people that have made a huge impact on my life, and a lot of people that I am going to miss. I believe in "quality interactions" with people, and there is many people who I may not be necessarily close to, but to me some of the most meaningful interactions came from these people. Especially this summer I have made a lot of new friends. Thank you Calgary and everything you have given me. It is time for me to explore something new and unknown. I just pray it works for the better. Positive thinking, that is what has gotten me though and what will continue to help me grow.

I want to write a book.

2011-07-17T22:43:00.001-07:00

All I know, is that it would start with Patsy Cline.

blending in the color

2011-07-14T13:46:00.001-07:00

So here is an update of what I have been working on this summer, surprisingly Ive been doing color! lol. Since this time last summer I released my "first collection" which was jackets so I decided to go along with that theme just bigger. All I knew was that I wanted alot of color so I asked my sister "what is really colorful that isn't a rainbow?" and her answer - chameleons. The more I read about them the more interesting they became and this was the birth of my new six color repeat print. in a week and a half I printed 24 yardages. needless to say by the end I couldn't feel my hands haha. Anyways in my lack of posting I figured I could slowly catch up, by posting the things I have been meaning too. But this time I will refrain from posting them all in the same day haha.

Here is a breakdown of what my printing proccess looks like.

Parkshow 2011

2011-06-13T18:28:00.000-07:00

Once again Paul Spenard did a wonderful video of my work at parkshow. here is a link to the video paul did for calgary fashion.

Calgary fashion for parkshow 2011

A Great Discovery

2011-06-12T16:03:00.000-07:00

I don't usually do fashion posts, but I stumbled upon this designer and was incredibly impressed. Pauline Von Dongen is from Amsterdam and is only 2 years older than me and has accomplished soo much. Now with a Masters in fashion design she was been winning awards in Europe and creating quite a name for herself. Take the Time to check out her website, its quite fascinating. I love the way she plays with the fabric and texture, and worked on a video collaboration for one of her collections. She also doesn't categorize herself within "spring 2011, or winter 2012" is just per year. I can't wait to see what else she does.

Pauline Von Dongen's Website

Etsy

2011-06-08T20:05:00.000-07:00

apiana que shop
hours.
24/7

The Art Gallery of Calgary

2011-06-08T20:01:00.000-07:00

The Gallery Shop

117-8 Ave SW
Calgary, AB T2P 1B4
P. 403.770.1350

hours.
Tuesday through Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday, Monday and Statutory holidays: Closed

A Little Help From my friends

2011-06-01T19:59:00.000-07:00

Hey guys this is a call out to everyone who supports me, I currently am competing in an art compition with sunridge mall.. follow this link and it will take you to a place where you can vote for me. remember you can vote on every picture once a day so make sure to come back and help me win this!

sunridge contest

also, I stumbled upon this link which lists canadian designers and I made top 40 but this is all based on votes too, so if you like you can vote there too (I dont win anything with this one.. just bragging rights!)

canadian fashion

For Ainsley

2011-05-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

This is a purse I made out of my test fabric for my grad piece. It has a printined silk organza lining, and a printed natural silk pongee exterior with leather detailing. I feel I will be starting up my etsy account soon.

Behind the Scenes of my Grad

2011-05-24T12:26:00.001-07:00

Front of my Grad dress

Back of my Grad dress - the trim is made from my painted silk

The fibre majors made our own shawls. This one was made from my hand woven silk bamboo, dyed, and printed with the imagery from "The Three Graces vs. The Three Fates"

2011-05-24T12:14:00.001-07:00

Photos of my grad piece
30ft of printed silk organza hung from the ceiling which leads to an antique bench which I have reupholstered using fabric that I wove (silk bamboo fibres)and printed. Seated on the bench is an embroidered silk lotus slipper accompanied by a sewing kit. The imagery is of various lotus slippers on the bench, and the scroll-like hanging is of the x-ray of a bound foot. I like to work with the idea of hiding the ugly behind something beautiful or as I like to title it "Covering up the Ugly Truth with the Beautiful, Embellished and Lavish".

Shooting with Fela Dales

2011-05-22T16:56:00.000-07:00

At the end of the school year I fell in love with a piece that Lydia A Maxted Miller made in one of my classes. She let me borrow this piece and Fela and I did a photoshoot in my living room with it. Here are some of the photos from that day.

A Little Old now,

2011-05-11T11:57:00.000-07:00

I did this drawing for my FINA class show but I wasn't happy with the photo they gave us, so I've been waiting for a nice day to photograph it myself.. you may remember this image from Here at the time, I couldn't find my prismacolor pencil crayons other than a purple, so I changed the color of the silk a little..

The theme for the show was documentation, so this drawing is a documentation of my fibre works (32x25" graphite and pencil crayon) it was also a way to get back into drawing, since I haven't technically drawn since first year, I also don't usually use pencil crayon or color so I'm playing with that a little bit more now.

I Swear I Haven't Disappeared

2011-05-05T19:54:00.000-07:00

I have finished all the classes in my undergraduate and my convocation is coming up. So what have I been doing?
A lot of planning, painting and embroidering.... and watching alot of online tv..

I have designed a colorful shoe collection, a woman's classic b+w Hollywood collection and a female+male jacket collection

sooo I'm going to try and do them all?
I am mostly excited to do the shoes, and the men's collection. The men's line is going to be labeled H. Magee so be prepared!

Bring it on

2011-04-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

In school they prepare us for both positive and negative feedback. I was told that you will always receive a negative response for every show and here is my first experience. I understand why though. Fabricated was a success I would say - minus some technical difficulties. These difficulties seem to like to follow me. I think that changing models in the dark may not be the best idea, esp when I have to start changing models myself and miss checking the girls over before they leave for the runway. I just about died when I was watching the video and saw the bra walking the runway in one of my open backed dresses, BUT live and learn.

Fabricated was a great experience and I feel it was very different from Parkshow.

For my readers who saw the show (either one) it is important to know that I don't show for the intention of selling. I show, to show - my collection was slow paced because it fit the concept.

From both the positive feed back, as well as the constructive critical feedback Ill grow.

Post-Fabricated

2011-04-17T23:34:00.000-07:00

first review up from fabricated HERE from NuBEings Society

Excited to be getting positive feedback from the collection, getting interest from people wanting to buy some of the pieces! Most of these pieces will be one of a kind however next season will have a little more oppertunity for purchasing.
hint? black and white, dresses, blazers, womens, mens, twilight zone.
thats it, until next season!

I have also created some apiana que basics that will be going on sale. Doing a photoshoot soon and then the pictures will be posted under a new heading "shop" very exciting!

Also I have been accepted into the Contextual Residency Program for the 3rd year so I am very excited to get working this summer! hardest part will be getting through the month and a bit between school ending and residency starting.

I have also stumbled upon my twitter account that I appearntly started when twitter came out and then... forgot. so now you can follow me on twitter (as much as Ive always said I would never end up on twitter) @apianaque

sneak peak

2011-04-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peak of the video from parkshow, paul spenard was also at fabricated last night so there will be a video from there as well

park f/w 2011

fabricated f/w 2011 preview video
I found this one on facebook, taken by Len the model director of Imodel Management who supplied the models to the show

Additions

2011-04-13T22:11:00.001-07:00

Cali models an original apiana que childrens dress

Media Links

2011-04-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

Here is some links to media that I have forgotten to share

Setsugetsuka a community movement
Ready! Set! Get Fabricated
Park 2011 review
The Weal - Fashion Hits the Runway

Updates

2011-04-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

This week is my last week of my undergraduate! so exciting!
This Saturday is also Fabricated so make sure to check that out! I will have an additional 3 dresses from what was shown in Park.
for the link to the facebook event page, click HERE

In the mean time to some real photos, here is some process photos

2011-04-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

sneak peak for fabricated, lots and lots of pleating!

2011-04-11T18:52:00.000-07:00

forgot to take pics for the first 2 layers, but here is starting at layer 3

layer 4 complete

finished print

Process photos of printing part of my grad piece, this pattern is one ive shown before however this is printed on hand woven silk/bamboo

Antler Magazine

2011-04-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

Check out the latest issue of Antler Magazine with photos of my work as the feature!

So Inspiring

2011-04-02T23:26:00.000-07:00

Sky Lanterns in Indonesia
This looks like a must see

csulb bound

2011-03-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

In about 6 months I will be a california girl. There was only two spots avaialbe and I got one of them. Excited to be in LA and with a special someone when I got the news :)

OneRepublic feat. Sara Bareilles - Come Home

2011-03-21T22:33:00.000-07:00

If my collection had a theme song, this would be it. please take the time to listen to this, its so perfect.

Did You Miss Parkshow?

2011-03-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

yes? well your gonna get a second chance to see my collection,
no? well maybe you just like to support

I have been invited to show my collection at fabricated!

event link here

For everyone who saw my collection at Parkshow I will be including a few more pieces just to keep things interesting

Also we will be shooting the outfits in LA next week so check bach for photos!

Here is some photos from Ian Harding at Parkshow
photos

Ive Become A Hat Person

2011-03-16T22:44:00.001-07:00

I originally set out for this hat and I finally found one I like. Thank you Aldo for this 100% wool hat. You can bet I'll be wearing this a lot in LA next week :)

Apiana Que History

2011-03-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

Apiana Que was started in April of 2007, originally for a leather accessory line. Wanting the name to really represent me, I used the month of april to derive "Apiana" and added Que so that the company name would have my initials; Phonetically app-e-anna cue. As a graduate of ACAD (May 2011) from Fibre I grew a strong intereset in print making (esp in the repeat) while I explored different forms of display for my printed work, garment making became one of them. While I dont call myself a fashion designer I enjoy making collections that have a story or concept behind them, challanging myself to investigaete pattern and technique. Some of these garments are made for performance, with the fabric interacting with the model during a runway show, and some are created for photography; this allows me to display my art in a way that can reach many people.

Park Show!

2011-03-13T00:01:00.001-08:00

Tonight was fairly successful! (minus that they put chantel traub's name with my collection, but hopefully people figured it out)
In case anyone missed it, or need images to connect the work to me, here is some photos my friend took for me
when the professional photos come out, ill post those as well!

Tonight is the night

2011-03-12T17:19:00.000-08:00

all sorts of pop songs just popped into my head.

I hope everyone is coming to watch!
here is my official artist statement. I will post accompanying photos tomorrow.

Lover, Come Home
This collection is all made of hand printed fabrics, which derive from hand painted stencils inspired by the theme of this show.

The first prints completed for the collection look at the slave trade, and after colliding with a major storm, the dead, dying slaves were being thrown overboard. The two other prints that accompany this scene are an air war – where people are jumping out of planes that are exploding into a damask pattern, while bombs are floating around them. The other references the holocaust using the decaying body as an icon reminiscent of a mermaid leading sailors in the ocean. The print that reads, “come back to me” is the key that ties all the prints together.

When comparing Fransico Goya’s The Third of May with Jacques- Louis David’s The oath of the Horatii intrigues me in looking at another persons perspective. While the main prints depict what the soldiers are enduring, the “Come back to me” print in the format of a woman’s dress tells the story of the woman waiting at home for her lover to come back to her unaware of all the destruction occurring elsewhere.

Behind the Scenes

2011-02-27T23:31:00.000-08:00

Here is a behind the Scenes look at the Grimm Cinderella shoot with Kim Vincent - here she is cutting holes in my shirt with a steak knife

Shooting

2011-02-27T22:35:00.000-08:00

It seems as though when something happens, everything happens. This week was reading week, and I definitely did not have time to read. Aside for the loads of work I have to do to get ready for parkshow I agreed to do some modeling. In the last week I have portrayed : a hippie, a black and white paper dress grungy look, a mistress, and a Grimm Cinderella. This Fri/Sat is ArtaWEARness where I will be modeling for Claire-Simone in her piece. for this I will be a Statue that comes to life.
As march approaches so does the busiest month of the year for me. This week is Artawearness rehearsals and show, parkshow meetings and fittings, and setting up for our FINA show. next week is getting ready for parkshow and fibre fortnight. the next week we is fibre fortnight and our Jacquard weaving show, and the mini show/ silent auction. the next week I am off to LA <3 as well as the show n sale (Ill be selling stuff, but wont be there in person). The day after I come back from my trip is the closing for our FINA show and then march is over wheww. oh ya, and also in the next two weeks I should find out if I got into CSULB eep. Then finals and Im done school ahhh everything needs to slow down! (and somehow this list of craziness doesnt even include my school load :S)

facebook event pages
Artawearness XI
Parkshow
Fibre Mini Show
Spring Show n Sale

hope to see everyone at all these events!

Overdue- FINA show preview

2011-02-22T20:16:00.000-08:00

This photo really doesnt do it justice. When it is finished there will be proper documentation. The show goes up on monday. OOr better yet, you could go see it in person!

Happy Valentines Day - Announcement

2011-02-19T19:32:00.000-08:00

Feb 14th was the birthday of Jasmine Herron, who passed away last year. A graduate from the fibre department. One of the girls in my department sold fake moustaches in honer of her and the money went towards her scholarship. I wasn't afraid to wear mine in Banff, These pictures were taken in the GAP change room.

I made this top Sunday night because I felt like going all out for valentines day. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out, however it was supposed to have a skirt that had an anatomical heart print but that one just wasn't working out so i X'd it.

The fantastic hat I found and ended up buying. <3

A few weeks ago was the parkshow industry mixer, I didn't want to announce until I had a chance to talk to Kara but I was invited to be a designer for this seasons parkshow. It is march 12th and I expect everyone to be there. For this collection I am playing to their theme of 1930's boudoir and burlesque. However I will be changing it to my own using my own prints to explain the story.

This collection is about the woman staying home during the war hoping her husband or lover would come back to her. This is growing off of the print I did for the Turner's Dress using the come back to me print as the ground to the collection. We explore different prints that depict war truths and deaths made into elegant dresses and garments for women who are thinking of their lovers. the first print was of the boats with bodies floating around after the dead, sick and slaves were being thrown off during the storm. Last night I finished the next series of air war, using fighter planes bombs and people jumping out of the planes with parachutes. where the bombs and planes are exploding it turns into a damask pattern - expect pictures soon.

Also my FINA class is having a documentation show in our school library starting on Feb 28th I will be showing a drawing (which I haven't done a real drawing in so long, it feels kinda nice). click HERE for more information.

Guess Who Just Came to Visit My Print?

2011-02-08T12:57:00.001-08:00

Dr. Daniel Doz

Pretty Little Liars

2011-02-08T12:13:00.001-08:00

Ok I admit, Im a little bit addicted this show and I really want this hat. They have it at Urban Outfitters but it doesnt come in this color. I guess I will be on the search for this hat.

The Wizard of Doz

2011-02-08T11:40:00.000-08:00

new print for the Poly & Esther gallery wall in our department. this is a picture of Daniel Doz, our new president. so this is a commemorative textile!

2011-01-28T21:15:00.000-08:00

Here is the finished Come Back to Me fabric, after the devore process. This will be making a dress for a show which I will announce next week.

Sky Watching

2011-01-28T20:59:00.001-08:00

Lately I have been obsessed with watching the sky from my studio during sun-rise and sun-set. Its a different view from every window and it is just so captivating. The other day I realized (after taking a bunch of photos) that my color aesthetic (grey based purples and currently grey based pinks) is actually colors from the sunset. Lindsay from my studio mentioned that the colors in the sunset are actually regional and change based on where you are.

I was reading in the paper about the Mona Lisa and "new discoveries" and blah blah blah all it said to me was that people are crazy. But what really caught my eye was that they were no longer referring to it as a "masterpiece" but a "masterwork". Last semester one of my teachers mentioned that we shouldn't refer to our work as "pieces" because that meant they were a piece of a whole and that we should reference it as "work". Really interesting that this is now being applied to historical "masterpieces".

Here is a stage of fabric that i was experimenting with. I dyed this cotton with procion dyes and then sewed it with polyester thread to a polyester backing so that I could devore it using my "come back to me" print. which completely changes the fabric.

Below, is the first glimpse of The Adventures of the Moustached Fish in The Social Script! enjoy.

2011-01-28T20:57:00.000-08:00

New Print

2011-01-12T13:58:00.000-08:00

So here is the product of my first week of school. I was at school for 2 days all day before my first day of school and on my first day of school I made this print. It is 5 layers (which made 7 colors) on natural silk pongee with a sheer silk organza layer floating in front of the print. The base fabric is different images of lotus slippers and the top layer is the x-ray of a bound foot.

2011-01-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

Here is Something I Haven't Done in a While

2011-01-05T21:16:00.000-08:00

I keep saying to myself that I am going to post, and then I don't. Well I am catching up, and with some big news too!

Finally I posted the shoes for Glen.
For show n sale this year I experimented painting leather gloves, and boy did they go over well. I posted one photo but I sold 5 pairs. I have more in the works now.
Which leads to the next item. I have signed the contract, and will now be sold at the Art Gallery of Calgary store front. My gloves and jackets will be sold there as well as some more experimental stuff. In the works I have painted leather purses, and printed lap top sleeves and lap top cases. I am very excited. (which they have not yet recieved, but expect the first batch very soon)
What sparked the lap top series? I have a new lap top! That is from this century! That I can actually save things too, all very exciting. Thank you Best Buy Boxing Day!

On a more serious note, this next week I will be focusing on getting my MFA application to CSULB in. It isn't due until the 31st but get it in early to be processed and ready to go, so everything will be sent in to be received by the 15th. woot.

Also, expect to see the adventures of the moustached(moo-stash-ed) fish coming in prints (expect wallets, laptop cases, t-shirts etc) soon.

Who is the moustached fish? He is a prankster (because every prankster needs a moustache), who lives under the water and plays pranks on the humans and other predators. He also encounters theory such as that from Freud and Lacan in his daily life. He is coming!

Also with all of these changes happening, I will be (fingers crossed) starting up a real website soon with a proper portfolio and everything (the blog will be kept.. how could I not ramble?)

2011-01-05T21:13:00.000-08:00

2011-01-05T21:04:00.000-08:00

Setsugetsuka

2010-11-11T13:28:00.000-08:00

Paul Spenard just released a video of the fashion show part of my show that happend in August. At the end of the video you can see the dancers in the finale walk.

I am thankful for his work on this video and I hope you all enjoy it.

Click here for the video

CSULB

2010-11-06T23:44:00.000-07:00

So on Wednesday I visited Cal State Long Beach. A school I am hoping to go to for my masters and just being there really made me re-evaluate what My work is and what it is about. And I had a revelation (kind of). At my current school we have become so comfortable producing work that is somewhat commercial and practical. Which made me re-evaluate the dresses I have been working on. I got re-inspired for what I want to use garments for and they are going to become almost more installation based. I am very excited and cant wait to get something completed so that I can finally show everyone what I have been trying to describe. :)

I have been back for 2 days now, and I am missing LA very much. More specifically you.

With Love, From LA

2010-11-01T00:48:00.001-07:00

So now that midterms are over, and I'm feeling very confident about them; I have taken a break and am in LA. Things Ive been doing? Halloween / birthday party for my cousin Veronica and her LG friends, fire pit star gazing, family dinners, and today a Lakers game. All I can really say is Life is Good, and the vacation isn't over yet!

2010-11-01T00:39:00.000-07:00

Ace Ventura and Poisen Ivy
my dress, is one that I made to go along with my other cotton/dyed/discharge printed dresses.
the back panel is also a devore (burn out) velvet.

Kooza

2010-11-01T00:35:00.001-07:00

I wanted to post as soon as the show was over, but I was very tired.
Kooza was amazing! oh and did you see the costumes?
I bought the costume book during intermission. Having front row was soooo good since I got to see some of the costumes up close (like the off white wood grain print on the white leggings of the dancers). The show was so inspiring and I think it will be the inspiration for my graduation piece. exciting stuff...

Midterms..

2010-10-18T23:44:00.001-07:00

So now that school is back in full swing and all my midterms start this Thursday I am back to my old habits of staying at school till close (I tryy so hard to leave by 11:30 or 12. I feel like that is some sort of accomplishment of not staying too late), and going back to school after I get off of work. I miss my family haha. Its hard to balance school, work and a life. I have also had to sacrifice hot yoga, as much as I really liked it it is just so hard to wake up at 6 every day when your not getting home till one. Luckily a much needed break is coming soon. Ten days. Nine if you count the fact that is it now past midnight. I am so excited.

I am in the finishing stages of my next dress (which is also doubling as my Halloween costume lol), and I have also done some documentation so photos of shoes I painted for Glen will be posted soon.

I also wonder what will happen to the studios after I graduate. I almost never see other people late at night, I wonder if after I graduate all of the studios will be empty after 10?

Lets hope I survive this next week.

(I think my blog is still running on LA time, it says that I posted this at 11:44 but it is now almost 1)

Fall Lighting

2010-10-08T23:18:00.000-07:00

I am so in love with fall, and the lighting and colors right now. I decided to show the pictures from the first two dresses we shot yesterday. Glen is so amazing I love when he shoots my work. I figure that even if I do the get into Art aWEARness the details of the dresses will not be visable that night. This dress is based off of J.M William Turner's The Slave Ship and I wanted to shoot this piece to kind of mimic the painting, with the colors of the sunset (obviously we couldnt get the colors that intense) and the reflection in the water. I am very happy witht these photos.

2010-10-08T23:10:00.000-07:00

This is just one of the many photos we took of Coco, all of which were amazing! cant wait to see more. This dress is based on the idea of male objectification of the female. After conceptualized it reminded me of Jenna Sterbak's meat dress.

again, the photos is taken by Glen Co

Sneak Peak!

2010-10-07T21:09:00.000-07:00

So the photo shoot today with Glen Co and Coco was amazing :) I am very excited to see the photos. here is a behind the scenes shot I took.

Crazy Coincidence

Yesterday my family and I watched "The Wedding Singer" which led the conversation to "Never Been Kissed". So today I am in my studio and one of the girls brings up Never been kissed. Then getting in my car to go home after the shoot "Video Killed the Radio Star" was playing on the radio. wierd right?

2010-10-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

I want to say a big thank you to Sabrina who is in Fashion PR and wore one of my pieces to Edmonton fashion week as well as Alberta Fasion week. This piece was shown in my show Setsugetsuka on one of the dancers, but I love how she decided to wear it to the events!

I am sort of torn about putting up pictures of my new wearable pieces. I am thinking of using them to apply to Art AWEARness at ACAD in which case I would want the show to be their debut.. But I have a really exciting photoshoot planned tomorrow with Glen. Maybe I will post the "Fashion Photos" but not studio photos of the pieces? (that will also be a new navigational button soon, to get better detail of my pieces). Or maybe I will just post the ones from the shoot tomrrow (there will only be two pieces) and keep the rest a secret until I know if I am in the show or not? hmmm...

AFW

2010-09-29T15:14:00.000-07:00

So Alberta Fashion Week has come and gone, and even though I was only there for one night I had a blast!

Brook Fung for Peeko Appearal is so amazing. I absolutely love her work. This is my second time modeling for her (the last was at the Park Show) and both times I just want some of her pieces, this time around I know for sure I will be getting some (thinking the removable shoulder pieces).

Here are some photos that photographer Ian Harding took from that night

New Navigation

2010-09-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

Holy uploads batman!
haha so this is something I've been meaning to do for a while, but now there is navigation on the right side that you can click to jump to any of my work: custom shoes, hand printed, hand woven, painted silk, wearable and process pictures. this makes it easier than trying to scroll through old posts to see my work and is one step closer to a new website, which I hope to do soon but Im not sure when I can actually do this. Now that I have this process set up, I will be more on top of things taking pictures and uploading them.
So what promted me to do this? Sabrina, a fashion PR wore one of my silk pieces (look up wearable, its the purple hooded piece, hope to have photos of Sabrina wearing it as well) to Edmonton fashion week and next week will also be wearing it to Calgary fashion week.
Speaking of alberta fashion week, I will be modeling for one of my fav local designers Brook Fung for Peeko.

I also am already in the works of my new "collection" I say it like that because Im not sure its a fashion collection but rather a collection of dresses that fit into my art point of view
Stay tooned for more pictures!

side note: Im also pretty bummbed because I burned all between my thumb and pointer finger on my left hand at work. Dont realize how much you use this part of your hand until it is super tender :(

2010-09-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

Weaving - two color bamboo pattern on a four harness loom

2010-09-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

The Hunter, From the wearable arts class's show 'Regalia', made of silk dupioni and rabit fur

Elephant Dress, From the wearable arts class's show 'Regalia'. Trunk made of bullet casings

2010-09-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

Elephant Trunk, constructed box, lined and upholstered with a two color repeat print

Pin Up Girl dress mulit layered hand cut silkscreen print

Midsummer Night's Dream repeat print

Midummer Nights Dream detail

Bicyle shorts, hand printed, sewn and the clasp made from various metals

some newer, some older

2010-09-25T00:38:00.001-07:00

Circle Prinz shoes - made for the C!pher Famous competiton (that I won)

Lady bug shoes for mom

Elephant shoes for Art and Sole at the gallery (2009)

Blue Willow inspired "Bound" shoes

2010-09-25T00:30:00.000-07:00

These images were shot by my friend Andy Dinh and they turned out exactly how i wanted them to. (note the last fourth and fith image have a multi-layerd hand cut/painted silkscreen print)

2010-09-25T00:19:00.000-07:00

(this last one was alos hand woven using silk and bamboo)

These photos are from the photo shoot we did with Ben Hayden and Ben Tsui. amazing thank you guys! Also I feel so lucky to know such amazing models. You all did a great job.

The Dancers, and the Talented Mr. Glen Co (Photography)

2010-09-24T09:26:00.001-07:00

The First Days of the Year I Graduate

2010-09-10T22:26:00.000-07:00

So I have officially started my last year at ACAD. Im excited, and scared and excited. But boy do we ever just jump right into things. First day we discussed our grad paper, and we have to go over out outline next week. Its not as scary as I initally feared. thank goodness. I still havent had all of my first classes yet, so hopefully I can be successful at all of them.. I need to work my but off try to win some scholarships and maybe sell some shoes (?!?!?!) to make it to LA.

I miss LA. My heart is there. You really are my heart.

Anyways im getting excited about some of my proposed projects so this semester should produce some exciting things! As the semester goes on I'll post photos of my work

post-setsugetsuka

2010-09-05T21:56:00.000-07:00

Well the show is now over, it was a great success and I want to thank everyone who made it possible. From the dancers, to the models, photographers and of course the people who came to support me Thank You Soooo Much!

So now what? After the show I just slept for about 2 days straight (not including when I was at work) and then I started to feel unproductive, after spending the whole summer constantly having something to work on. Soo yes I guess this means I am a keener but I started working on my prints that I will be starting when I start school.. so I've already started my first project.

When I was raising the topic of Asian identity last year foot binding became a main interest for me. I began dealing with the idea of "Covering up the Ugly Truth, with the Beautiful, the Embellished, and the Lavish" which was actually the title of one of my social science papers. So this year to continue on with that theme i will be exploring foot binding prints more but will start to include prints that are based off of famous paintings that have a morbid subject to them but made beautiful.. the first painting (which i have already completed the design for the print) is that of Turners -The slave ship. I am also currently working on Goya's the 3rd of may and Rubens - Rape of the daughters of Leucippus. Many classic prints have subject matter like this so its not hard to find inspiration. These prints will then be turned into wearable pieces, if the last series was linen jackets, this series will be cotton dresses.

Also I have started Hot yoga. I started on thursday and so far have gone every day (excpet today because there wasnt any classes before I started work). I plan to make this a regular part of my day/life.

Oh also, I have decided that I will not be persuing a fashion diploma in Italy but rather go to CalstateLA for a masters in textiles and fashion (fingers crossed).

Setsugetsuka

2010-08-15T02:21:00.002-07:00

For everyone we met last night, (and I apologize if I approached you more than once) here is the FACEBOOK LINK TO EVENT

or you can read the information here:
A Debut exhibition by Ashley Quan, A Fibre major entering her last year at ACAD.

The event will take place at the Engineered Air Theater in the Epcor center (it has its own entrance on 9th avenue SW). Doors will open at 7:00pm and the show will start at 7:30pm. The opening act will be a breakin’ performance by local crew Grim Reminder, followed by the main performance by 5 amazing local dancers, and concluding with a mini fashion show. It is recommended to arrive early as the seats will be first come first serve, and artwork and show information will be arranged around the venue.
Tickets are $10 at the door. There will be a bar located in the lobby, and unlike other theaters you are allowed to bring your drinks into the theater to enjoy during the show or while you are just looking at the displays.

Setsugetsuka is a body of work that has been in process from beginning to end for about two years. The name Setsugetsuka comes from a series of paintings by Tokugawa Nariaki at the LACMA which represent the feeling of this show: in a word, in a phrase, in a poem. Quoted from the plaque accompanying the paintings:
“Setsugetsuka is a timeless Japanese poetic phrase symbolizing three of the four seasons (winter, autumn, and spring). Here ( to view the original paintings follow this link http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BACKMOhXs1I/TCpQ1awvUEI/AAAAAAAAADE/gofCru8baVw/s1600/DSCF1128.JPG), each character is written in black ink, in archaic Chinese style. This combination of Chinese-style “power” and Japanese-style “delicacy” in one work is extremely unusual and visually arresting.”

This series of work is a representation of my heritage. I am half Chinese and half Irish, and I have been looking to hold onto my Asian heritage while living in a western world. This created the idea of using traditional Asian techniques/imagery as the foundation for the pieces. The main pieces are pieces of silk that are hand dyed using a painting technique of bokashi, which is a Japanese term meaning from this color to that. The imagery used is inspired by Japanese print artist Kastushika Hokusai’s series of flower prints where he successfully portrays the idea of movement and atmosphere in the prints. The performance is to create an idea of atmosphere where the silks represent the seasons that spin around leaving the viewer lost in the center. Each dancer is also a representation of an animal living within their environment, a Japanese crane, frog, octopus, monkey and a woman. Their spirits dance with each other creating harmony and balance.
The jacket collection is based on traditional Chinese imagery silk screened onto linen which are then transformed into jackets. This story is about women escaping the ball to meet her lover and being caught in her love affair.

Thank you for your time and interest, I hope to see you at the event.

So it all sets into motion.

2010-08-08T11:31:00.000-07:00

Now that it is August things are really moving. The event is now out there with a facebook event as well as some advertising. today I have been working on the music and trying to make a check list because the next few weeks is going to be a little insane. tickets should be released by the end of the week. I am really nervous right now but luckily I have a wonderful support team helping me out. Now if only I could give away the sewing and construction haha. Today is also the first day I go back to work, and this week I only have one day off. This slightly adds to the stress a little bit, but I do need to be able to pay for the venue, and save for my next trip to LA. wish me luck.

Post-LA

2010-08-04T23:31:00.000-07:00

So life continues after LA it seems.

After LA I flew to Vancouver for the circle prinz competition where I won the sticker contest (click the link to see my winning submission). Thursday I met up with my friend myles and had an awesome time going around the city and seeing the sites. My hostel was pretty cute I would say. There was a vintage desk that I really wanted to bring home with me. As more friends arrived in the next two days I got to party/eat with some new friends and go to the beach to celebrate a kids first birthday with old friends. I ended up missing the circle prinz event! I know, ridiculous since thats why I went to vancouver. I kinda wish I stayed in LA that extra weekend.

Met up with my parents in Van for my last night and then we drove off to Kelowna to visit with my Aunt and a cousin. Kelowna was small (it has only one shopping mall) and the beaches wern't as nice as LA or Van, but it was nice spending time with family. My cousin and I tried to get mani/pedi's but of course it had to be a long weekend and everything was closed. we accidently wandered into a "gentleman's relaxation and massage" place that was furnished with leather couches, a big screen tv and stripper poles with a mirrored background, with rooms I couldn't see behind this. oops. After a few days in kelowna it was time for the drive back to Calgary, with a pit stop in revelstoke to visit another cousin and her baby.

Many hours later of me trying to sleep but really just thinking of him to try and pass the time we are back home. Its kinda weird because the whole time of thinking of going back home I kinda pictured everyone from LA waiting for us. Back to reality. First night in Calgary and best way to spend it? go to Shiboya and bubblemania. New fav drink at bubblemania: nectarine/lychee with green apple jellies. yumm.

I Left My Heart at LAX

2010-07-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

A look at some of the people I met, places we went and over all good times spent in LA

Celebrating my Birthday at Tokyo Delves: including dance contest on chair, sake bombs and performances by the servers. Over all one of the best nights probably of my life.

The Japanese Gardens: Amazing. I want this in my Backyard.

This trip to LA surpassed my expectations ten fold. I cant wait to go back (the plan is to go back in october) I met so many new people and prob one person in particular that changed everything for me. I cant seem to sum up my trip in words because there was just so much. I decided to make these photos because I thought it was the best way to describe my trip. It took alot of my strength to not cry at the airport. I miss you all and cant wait to see you again. Love.

There are times, when you'll need someone...

I will be by your side

There is a light, that shines

Special for you, and me...

listen

Changes

2010-07-18T02:25:00.000-07:00

I guess lately I haven't really had any ideas as to what to post about. As my vacation starts to feel more like home, and home starts to feel like a distant memory. Here is where I really want to be, and meeting people who make here feel even more right. I miss certain people from home and I miss sushi from work (mmmm craving the flames roll sooooo bad right now) I am in no hurry to go home. If I didn't have the show in august to prepare for I would probably consider staying down here until school started.. man that sounds so good right now.

On a side note: Things I would normally blog about

I got a horrible burn on my hips at the beach :(
Went to a Tiki themed drive in movie theater
I am assisting with codename (a production company) to film a music video. spent all day today/yesterday doing prepwork and will spend all day tomorrow/in 7 hours helping with the filming.
I am entering the sticker contest for circle prinz and am super excited about my entry.
Will be shooting more jackets next week
Lastly. My trip to Vancouver has changed.

Palm Springs

2010-07-12T22:49:00.000-07:00

Watermelon Nails! needed something new for all the fun adventures we would have in palm springs. Palm springs was an amazing vacation within a vacation. when we first got there it seemed hot beyond belief (around 100-110 degrees, I have no idea what that would be in Canada) but once we got in the pool and in the air conditioned villa the heat didnt bother us at all. So busy I didnt take any pictures other than this one? So much fun though, didnt want it to end, and for sure will look forward to going there again.

Here is an amazing bracelet i just bought from St. Eve an LA designer who makes jewelery some from vintage things and such. I love this. Check out her site here.

Toronto's Bazaar: Heroes Edition

2010-07-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

Choreography by Saxon Fraser. Click for link to video.
Really Amazing.

Because I'm a Black and Gold Kinda Girl

2010-07-07T18:41:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we went shopping and i refrained from buying anything. Instead I asked if we could stop at the local fabric store on the way home. In roughly and hour and a half i whipped up this dress for easy summer wear. its a jersey knit with a long gold zipper and linen leftovers from my hand printed fabric I used for a jacket. Very comfortable.

Also today i felt my first earthquake. It was small but still made my stomach woozy feeling.

Finally.

2010-07-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

So now that I am almost finished the next set of jackets to shoot. I am finally posting the last shoot.

Happy Fourth of July

2010-07-05T01:21:00.000-07:00

Today I got to be an honorary American. the best part of having my nails painted like this.. I can wave my fingers and say I'm waving a flag. Lame I know, but fun never the less. I even recieved a compliment on how awesome my nails were from the checkout lady at walmart. Today we went to a pool party that was kind of like a pot luck. except I think there was more beer than there was food, and the boys had brought 6 pounds of meat..

After it got dark at about 8:30-9ish (weirdest thing about LA. back home it doesn't get dark until 10-10:30ish), we traveled to another house which seemed to be quite the effort after all the beer was gone. We climbed onto the roof and set up to watch the fireworks. Because LA is so big, each community is considered a city so each city was doing their own fireworks. being on the roof we could see about 4 fireworks shows at a time. this was pretty cool, I just wish they were closer to where we were. And yes, the photo above is one I took of fireworks..

So now that I have been here for one week and three days.. I am starting to majorly crave some sushi. I am not thinking I need to pig out or anything but a roll or two would be delightful. Here is a "spicy tuna roll" done Yardhouse style. It is edemame beans and cucumber for the bottom layer, then covered in seared ahi tuna (aloott of tuna, i couldnt finish it all) and then covered in guacamole. wasabi soysauce around the edges and the red rooster hot sauce (dont ask me how to spell it). Good, yes. Feeding the crave? no.

Don't Just Scroll Past this Video

2010-07-04T00:59:00.000-07:00

If you havent already watched this.. watch it.

If you have already watched this.. watch it again.

Remember, Alex is a classically trained ballerino.

(Video may not work, click to be redirected to the video on youtube)

El Tipiacs

2010-07-04T00:52:00.000-07:00

If you ever travel to LA, this is a place to go to. There is always a line outside, but it is worth the wait.
Always order a Horcheta (milk and Cinnamon).
and come with a large appetite. The portions are Huge, but makes for delicious left overs.
My Dad ordered the Manuel special.. They have a challenge if you can finish this you get a T-shirt and a spot on the wall of fame. My Dad had no intention of finishing this, he knew it would make great breakfast in the morning.
I ordered the Okie de Pollo. Not quite as large as my dad's but still pretty huge (on man vs. food i believe they said it weighed two pounds). Amazing. but still had to take half of it home.

Finally, a Name

2010-06-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the cousin and I went to the LACMA Museum, it was so amazing. I have been to museums before, but this was the first time i had been to one that was more modern. I got to see works by so many people we studied in Art History, dating back to the bauhaus and even some of my favorite pop artists. It was interesting to see some of the textiles mis-labled (the plain weave linen was neither linen or a plain weave). The most exciting part by far was the Japanese Pavilion. They even had a special exhibit on Utagawa. Not my favorite Japanese print artist but was still awesome to see. When descending the spiral ramp we got to see many scrolls and then there was one that stopped my cousin and I. it is colligraphy for Snow, Moon, Flower. When put together it is Setsugetsuka "a timeless Japanese poetic phrase symbolizing three of the four seasons (winter, autumn, spring). Here, each character is written in black ink, in archaic Chinese style" (quoted from the plaque). Now i need to learn to pronounce it properly. However this seems to embody what alot of my show is about. Seasons, atmosphere, poetic movement. we saw it, and it was just like.. This is It

Mark's Bar Mitzvah

2010-06-28T12:36:00.000-07:00

so this entire weekend was devoted to my cousin Mark who just turned 13. friday we went to service and then dinner. saturday we went to service which took up the entire morning and then a lunch at the temple, had a few hours for a break and then off to the party. Mann Jewish people know how to party. start off with family pictures and the cousins fooling around with taking pictures and then the party motivators come in and keep all the children and three twenty-somethings dancing. barely even stopping to eat dinner we did choreography, running games (after the first few rounds i took my heels off for my safety and the safety of those around me). my cousin got hit on by tommy (11 years old) who thought she was 14, my other cousin(who is older than me and V) got i.d. right after the two of us ordered wine. and the three of us got invited to party with the motivators after the party at a place called whiskey. we didnt go though. so sunday is the after party pool party, we ate leftover food chatted swam in the pool (more like floated on a floatation device) and took naps around the pool.
The cousin and I. Here is the dress i had been working on. it has my computer chip design hand-printed on silk. it is one shouldered and pleated/darted around the neck

Th walls were upholstered. As soon as we stepped of the elevator i was like "the walls!!". It blew my mind!

Justin Beiber: Strumming my Pain with his Fingers

2010-06-26T00:38:00.001-07:00

"this song is about Justin Beiber, too bad he wasnt around when it was made"
I am now in LA. and a mix of Justin Beiber and the Fugees came to this statement. Other than the not-so-fond of flying and passing about four car accidents every time we drive, things are going smoothly. Will admit though, the lack of shoulder checking really freaks me out. First meal: chipotle. I have been craving this small mexican chain restaurant, but this was just a snack. For dinner a friend hideki, who works at the boiling crab got us in for dinner. The average wait to get into this place at dinner time is one to two hours. Here you order seafood by the pound which is cooked in a bag with seasonings and put on the table. There is no plates or utensils, you use your hands and be prepared to get dirty. I didnt hesitate and my hands were bright orange by the end. I also developed a crushing technique when I needed to break into the hard shell of the crawfish. This little suckers shell is hard to break and ends up being alot of work for a small piece of meat, but not when you crush them!

After dinner I found this awesome vogue from taiwan. The guy seemed very confused that I was ok that it wasnt in english.
Today was the first part of my cousins bar mitzvah so we ate quite a bit for dinner at vactorio's. But the best part of my day was doing the hem stitch on my dress for tomorrow while putting my feet in the pool!
oh yes. I bought a new camera. hence the usage of more photos than usual. I got the photos back from the shoot for some of my jackets. I have gone through them and narrowed them down to the best ones. will post those maybe on sunday.

So Much to Do, So Much Rain.

2010-06-17T23:13:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was one of the busiest days I have had in quite some time. a few days ago AW called to cancel my shoot in the morning, so I planned to make a brand new piece for the jacket shoot. I designed and printed a computer chip print on a silk satin sandwash (my favorite silk to work with). Then wednesday morning I get a call from AW, they had a model no-show and needed me to come in. After the shoot was finished I hurried home to work on the jacket and make up for lost time. a few hours later I whipped off to kensington to meet up for the calgary fashion interview. It went well I wasnt really too sure what kind of questions would be asked but it kind of covered everything, from my inspirations to what I see in the future, to modeling, art, hip hop, dance, fashion, everything. Run through the rain back to my car to go home to put the finishing touches on the jacket and pick up some last minute accessories for the shoot.

9:30 pm rolls around and Im off to fish creek park to scout locations. I then learn that it is actually closing and Im being kicked out. great. After figuring out some new arrangements we wait for all the models to arrive so that they can follow me to the new location. We waited, and waited and i had one model no-show. this made me a little upset and I felt even more disorganized even though i had planned so much and kept being thrown curve balls. The shoot however went amazing. The models were fantastic and bared the cold and the little bit of rain that was still lingering around and we managed to pull shots that was exactly what i was looking for. even if we needed to drive my car up the curb a little and use my headlights for lighting. Once I have these photos, I think this blog will get a little re-vamping.

Exciting stuff.

Consider This

2010-06-13T23:43:00.000-07:00

When eating in a tatami room at a Japanese restaurant, do not put your bare feet on the wall so that your legs cover where the server needs to serve you, and your feet are beside the servers head. Feet belong on the ground.

Thank You