Sochi 2014

Roots Canada Hooded Varsity Jacket

Roots Canada Pom Pom Toque

HBC Olympic Team Mittens

Rag and Bone Skinny Heritage

Roots Roll-over Tribe Boot (Julia)

Roots Lori Cabin Sock (Me)

Buckle Moto Boots (These are amazing)

While some of you were soaking up the sun on some warm island down south over your school break…I was freezing my buns off! But please, do not feel bad for me (or for my buns) because I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Russia and be a spectator at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. 

Before the trip, the news tried to flatten our enthusiasm for the trip by highlighting the political unrest in neighboring Ukraine, the unfinished Olympic facilities, the abundance of stray dogs, and public bathrooms with no stalls. However, I couldn’t wait to experience a culture that ate giant perogies on the daily, to see the result of Putin’s $53 Billion investment, and to converse with people from all around the world. I feel sad for those individuals that shied away from the trip (especially the family and friends of athletes), because it was definitely a rewarding and safe experience. In terms of safety, I would have to say that this may have been one of the safest Winter Olympics to have visited due to the high level of security. There were security personal standing along the railway, in fields and in camouflage huts throughout the mountains. But I must stay that the security was anything but invasive. 

The positive energy at any Olympic games is incomparable and indescribable. People from all around world, even with their vast differences in opinions, come together, drink beer, and enjoy each others company. It sounds so cheesy now as I try to mold my experience into words so all I can say is, even if you aren’t a sports fan, try and get out to an Olympic games once in your life. 

My older sister Julia and I had some fun in Olympic Park taking these photos. Russians wanted to join in the fun and take pictures with us. For some reason, that they cannot even explain, Russians love Canadians. I have never felt so much like a celebrity in my life. They constantly wanted to take pictures and drink with us and my fellow Canadian spectators. The response that we received only makes me more proud to be a Canadian. 

For our Olympic style, Julia and I pulled from the Sochi 2014 Canadian Olympic Team Collection at Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) and the Canadian Collection at Roots. I find the Roots collection is more consistent in its aesthetic with vintage inspired details, while HBC provides a range of both bold and classic designs and graphics. I love my varsity jacket style sweater and classic toque from Roots, and no one can deny the popularity of HBC’s Canadian Olympic Team mittens.

2013 Fall Fashion: Presented by Fisher and Company and Accents

 

These fashion videos are bound to provoke closet envy with an emphasis on pattern, color and texture, as nature’s vibrant hues dissolve into grey, and the last trace of summer fades from our complexions into paleness (well, in my case…into transparency). 

I gained the opportunity to wear these beautifully styled outfits by working with two connected local boutiques located in London, Ontario, called Fisher & Company and Accents.  Fisher & Company provides both contemporary brands such as Philip Lim, Elizabeth and James, Rag and Bone, and J Brand, in addition to more classic brands such as Marc Cain, Michael Kors, Riani, and Diane Von Furstenburg, in order to accommodate women of all ages. 

This great boutique provides an unparalleled and personalized wardrobe planning and purchasing experience by using what they call “the Formula.” The formula of (F&C)+9=36 uses Fisher & Company’s style expertise and 9 key pieces to create 36 different looks. In addition, they provide the customers with a journal of personal style, which consists of 36 pictures of the complete looks, for easy reference by the customer on a day-to-day basis. To top it all off, the stylists will work to involve your favorite and most stylish pieces in your current wardrobe when styling to ensure a new wardrobe that is comfortable and uniquely you. Whether you are starting a new job (hint, hint, my Ivey peeps and other upcoming grads), or just looking for a wardrobe facelift, this system will make dressing fun and easy. 

Adjoined to Fisher & Company is Accents, which is an accessory boutique that provides customers with both trendy and classic shoes, bags, scarfs and jewelry. The boutique houses brands such as RED Valentino, Rebecca Minkoff and my new personal fav, Canadian jewelry designer Dean Davidson. By working in combination, these two stores provide more clothing and accessory options and better customer services to increase your chance of finding a truly individualistic style.

The Nineties

URBAN OUTFITTERS vegan moto jacket

ARITZIA sweater

WOLF print scarf (similar here)

MICHAEL KORS faux leather and twill pant (similar here)

JUICY COUTURE chain-link bracelet

ALL SAINTS 'mom' leather boot (with calf hair here)

The nineties was the era of the slacker and group pop bands, grunge and chunky heels. Now, less than twenty years down the road we are seeing the styles of this time reemerge as inspiration for the winter wardrobes of both men and women alike. The true grunge style of the era consisted of tattered, wrinkled, layered and oversized pieces, and was a sartorial representation of nihilism that developed among members of a new fringe alternative rock scene.  

But the runways have been showing more of the decade than just the fashions associated with grunge. Have you noticed the resurgence of ‘JuJu’ Jelly shoes? Or that thick soled, almost orthopedic looking footwear are all the rage again? And what about those Dr. Martens? I know I will be kicking myself for letting my mom throw out my and my sister’s pairs back in the day. I still love those chunky lilac colored boots with the distinct yellow stitching. But not only are 90s inspired shoes taking a toll on our bank accounts this year, styles such as slinky Posh Spice-esque spaghetti-strap dresses, crop tops similar to Kelly’s from Saved by the Bell, and Johnny Depp type moto jackets worn during his time dating Kate Moss, are also taking up real-estate in our closets. 

To be honest, I could go on and on about all the fashions of the era making a comeback today, but who really wants to read it. I thought, instead, I would show how styles worn by some of the most iconic men and women of the time are perhaps even more relevant in your closest today. I have also styled my personal outfit around my 90s inspired ‘mom leather boot,’ as I call them, and a vegan biker jacket (similar to Drew Barrymore’s). These ‘mom’ boots are my favorite purchase in a long time. They can be worn anytime, whether it is casually during the day with a boyfriend jean or dressed up at night with tights and a high-waisted, flared mini. 

I will finish off this fashion blog post with a revelation for all those 90 kids out there. Did you know that Space Jam had a Pulp Fiction reference in it? During the movie, Yosemite Sam and Elmer Fudd, sporting black suits, shoot out the teeth of one of their opponents during a basketball game. As a kid, I naively assumed that they were emulating the scene in Men In Black (which didn’t come out until the next year). However, the black suits, white shirts, black ties and poses were in fact a tribute to the classic movie, and one of my personal favorites, Pulp Fiction, directed by Quentin Tarantino. To see the clip from Space Jam click here.