Not-So-Basic Black, The Halloween Version

Trust that Pauline would look fabulous, even on Halloween! There were a few people out today in unique costumes of their own making--more photos to follow

Big Style in Small Packages

Both of these young women are very petite, but each makes a big style statement

Dress-ed Up

Spotted on the way into the Visual Arts Building--an actual dress, not a top masquerading as a dress, but a grown-up, pretty, patterned dress. And I like the trench coat too.

Breastest Day Ever!

On October 25th, Weezi Design Studio and photographer Dana Brushette hosted a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research called "Breastest Day Ever". It was also the launch for the calendar shot by Brushette that features pinup-style portraits of women who have had, or have, breast cancer. It was a wonderful opportunity for people to mingle, shop, have a cupcake, and support a good cause. As part of the fundraising, five lucky women were able to get their portrait taken by Dana for a reduced fee, after having their hair and makeup done by the talented stylists on hand for the occasion. The woman in the photo with the pink and gold locks models regularly for Dana. Dana's fabulous pinup-style portraits as well as her other photography can be seen on her website: www.DanaBrushette.com

Photographer Dana Brushette, rocking her colourful curls!

Getting her face done by makeup artist Missy Costa

Almost-too-pretty-to-eat cupcakes were available if you needed a sugar fix

Missy Costa, with her flower-adorned beehive

The Bag Lady

Jane is not a bag lady, but she owns "The Bag Lady", which is a charming little cafe/variety store located at the corner of Pall Mall and Maitland Streets. They have great soup, sandwiches and salads, and the place has a quirky retro vibe with formica tables, a big comfy couch, and kitschy books, toys and knick knacks on the walls and shelves. For more information about The Bag Lady cafe, check out this link on the Weezi.com website:
http://www.weezi.com/static/big_pics/bag%20lady%20variety.html    
I photographed Jane at "The Breastest Day Ever", a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research hosted by Weezi's Design Studio and pinup photographer Dana Brushette, that was held on October 25th.

Perfect Coordination

I love the subtle colour palette, and how perfectly she has coordinated everything she's wearing

Multi-Layered

In a city where most of the men wear boring suits or baggy jeans and hoodies with skulls on them, Joel stands out as having his own eclectic look, and always manages to incorporate different fabrics and patterns. He would likely not describe himself as "stylish", but I think he has great style.

and he has this cool Planet of the Apes t-shirt..

Black and White on Richmond

I dragged this young woman out of the store she works in in order to take her photo. The striped cowl-necked top balances out the bubble skirt perfectly.

Pretty Purple

Great colour against the black, and I love the red lipstick

Be Yourself -- It's Sexy!

I was one of six people interviewed by a young woman who writes for the Fanshawe Student newspaper for an article she was writing about "What's The New Sexy". She was looking for alternative takes on what is considered sexy. I'm was happy to get some publicity for my blog, and I thought she did a reasonable job making me not sound shallow and clothing-obsessed (which I can be, on occasion). Read the story here: http://www.fsu.ca/story.asp?ibangYear=0910&storyID=301&sectionID=8&issueID=9#

Sunny Afternoon

You can't go wrong with a great denim jacket

Geek Chic

More men should wear bow ties (with or without Converse running shoes)

Rainbow Bright

This young woman's beautiful smile and the cheerful combination of colours in her outfit brightened an otherwise grey and blustery day.

Not-So-Basic Black

One of my favourite blog subjects, Pauline, was heading out to an event last week and she let me take some shots of her before she left. I thought she looked very rock and roll, especially against the backdrop of the turquoise dumpster!

The Uniform Project

A student at UWO turned me on to this website, called The Uniform Project. Begun in May 2009 by friends Sheena Matheiken and Eliza Starbuck, it was created both as an experience in sustainable fashion, and as a fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement which is revolutionizing education in India. The idea was that Sheena would wear one dress for one year--the dress was designed by Eliza Starbuck, and she made seven identical dresses that would become Sheena's main item of clothing for 365 days. The dress itself is a miracle of versatility and can be worn as a dress, tunic, top or jacket. The best part of her outfit is how she accessorizes it--scarves, hats, socks, gloves, collars, etc., most of it thrifted or gifted. I am astonished at the variety of looks she has been able to achieve in the last 6 months with this one dress, and it truly is a testament to creativity and resourcefulness. Donations to the Akanksha Foundation can be made through the website, and you can see Sheena's outfit of the day. The next time you look in your closet and say that you have nothing to wear, take a look at Sheena's website for bit of inspiration.

Saffron Road Celebrates 20 Years

One of Richmond Row's flagship stores, Saffron Road, celebrated 20 years providing London women with fashion-forward clothing from designers such as Lida Biday, with a customer appreciation event, complete with cocktails and a fashion show. I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to get some photos of stylishly-clad women, and there were more than a few of those, but at one point, I felt like I was at a reception following a particularly elegant funeral--I was surrounded by black, black, and more black. When questioned about her lack-of-colour choice for the night, one woman explained that "black is easy--it's slimming, and it's not difficult to co-ordinate". I certainly can't argue with that, and my wardrobe contains a substantial amount of black, but what about pairing it with some colour, like this woman did with her strikingly- patterned long jacket? I also love her hair--what a unique style statement!

As the only man present at the event, this guy would have stood out no matter what he was wearing, but I was glad to see he was wearing something other than black. I like the subtle plaid of the pants, and the shape of the brown suede jacket keeps it casual, but still dressy.

50 Posts!

When I started this blog in April 2009, I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to find enough people in London with their own unique street style to keep it going, but I've made it to the six-month mark, and managed to reach my first self-assigned goal of 50 posts! Thanks to all of you brave, stylish people who let me take your photo, even though at the time you wondered who I was and why I wanted to photograph you. This blog celebrates you, and the spark you bring to the streets of a city that is quite often all-too-homogenous. A big Thank You also to my readers (let me know you're out there--leave a comment!) and to Scott Schuman, aka The Sartorialist, for the continued inspiration.

Saturday Night at the Roller Derby

The Hi-Tones (of Duke Sedan and the...) display their classic Rockabilly style as they wait to play the half-time show at the Roller Derby on October 3rd at the Western Fair

Weezi was plaid all over

Saturday Afternoon on Richmond

great dress, great accessories, great smile...enough said

Sweater Weather

I love this young woman's entire look--it has a hand-crafted look that isn't sloppy or cutesy. She is dressed for the cool weather and still projects her own style

Brrrrrrrrrrrr!

Yes, after the Summer that never was, Fall has arrived, and as demonstrated in the photos above, it's all about boots, layers, and of course, the ubiquitous Black.