Moda Mama

Fashion Week and the Persistence of Black Clothing Everywhere: A Call To Arms

March 27, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

Kimono – Arnhem // Top – UO // Jeans – Dittos via UO // Boots – Locale // Necklace – bought in Spain // Rings – F21 & misc

This week has been all about Toronto Fashion week – or World Mastercard Fashion Week. What I’ve found most interesting in attending the shows is that while the clothing on the runway is fascinating and creative, this isn’t the case in the fashion industry attendees. *before anyone gets up in arms, I’m not talking about every single person – I’m talking about numbers here. The vast majority*

The shows are vibrant and unique, and though they aren’t all things I personally would wear or I personally love, they are all interesting to look at. I’m sorry to criticize or rub people the wrong way, but the persistence of a sea of black at fashion week is to me unacceptable. I’m not saying that wearing black is uninspired. It’s that the black outfit is interesting if it’s the only one. But when the same outfit – you know, the black tight pants, black heels and a variety of ‘urban chic’ blazer/top – is multiplied by five hundred it becomes banal.

The attendees of fashion week are those in the industry. The leaders, the representatives, the lovers. This is where we should all be showing our own personal style. Where colors, textures and patterns should come alive.

I’m not talking about peacocking *that fad of wearing ridiculous clothes to be photographed by the press at these events* I’m talking about every attendee celebrating the freedom of expression and joy of design that I feel fashion affords. But no, I walk in and see twenty black pleather leggings, ten thousand black pumps, and a vast ocean of black with a very occasional dot of color.

Is it wrong for me to make a call to arms for us, the industry representatives, to celebrate what’s beautiful about fashion – self expression and personal style? If so I don’t want to be right.

I’ll be that non pleather-legging-flat-booted-bright-colored-messy-haired pariah, and it’s okay that I stand alone. I’m an introvert anyway.

You Can’t Take the Nerd Out: Star Wars Vans

March 19, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

Top – FreePeople // Jeans – Dittos via UO // Beanie – F21 // Bag – Lucky Brand *hand me down* // Star Wars Shoes – Vans

Regardless of what may come. Regardless of shifts in my style. I have been and always shall be a nerd. *Anyone catch the Wrath of Khan reference?*

So when a good friend shared a picture of the Star Wars Vans his wife got him. I immediately commented with, “WHERE?!?!!?”

They were on sale, and the next day I had called to have them set aside in my size, because there was no way I wasn’t getting a pair. Now, I have A New Hope on my feet, and it makes my geeky little heart sing every time I look down at my feet.

Which I do a lot now, and I really wish they’d stop putting poles and people right in front of me suddenly.

What to Wear to an Indie Launch Party.

February 17, 2015
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4 COMMENTS

Lace top – FreePeople // Jeans – Gap // Belt – Lucky Brand // Scarf & Clutch – gifts from Poland // Necklace – Natalie B.

Just before the mountains of snow descended upon us, before the weather fell to a painful minus thirty nine degrees celsius, before Toronto turned into the ice planet Hoth, I went out. I went out and got some photos on a balm plus one degree day. It’s sad to think that I long for the warmth of plus one.

I stood there taking pictures for the launch party of another brand, and I remember thinking, “This isn’t too bad. I could handle this kind of Winter.” Oh what a fool I was. I had no idea what was coming. Every year around this time, the outfit posts slow, because I doubt you guys are interested in seeing the same pair of eyes peeking out from under the same blanket day in and day out…sitting beside a space heater.

*sigh*

*linking up with Style Sessions*

Spelly Service

February 13, 2015
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10 COMMENTS

Spell-gypsy-collective-kimono-fringe-scarf

Kimono – Spell Designs via Turquoise Lane Shop // Top – Ruche *old* // Jeans – Dittos via UO // Necklace – TopShop // Scarf – SheInside

I know customer service. I run my own business, and to me customer service is paramount. There are many talented people who can deliver a wonderful product, and that’s true of any business. But what sets certain companies apart is their customer service.

I recently had a terrible experience with a company that shall not be named because I don’t like to speak ill if I can avoid it. Without getting into details, they did not disclose certain aspects of the product and were downright rude when I contacted them regarding it, and did nothing to resolve the situation. The whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth – metaphorically. I will certainly never shop there again.

What’s poignant is that at the same time I had an issue arise with Spell. It was simply an unfortunate series of events, with no one being at fault per se. They could have done what the other company did, which was essentially to say, “Whatever. What are you gonna do about it?” But no.

Not only did Elizabeth, one of the owners, contact me and make sure I was taken care of, but also Emma, one of the customer service reps, was methodical in her resolution. They went above and beyond. Above and beyond what I hoped, and certainly above what I expected.

By doing so, I felt like I was valued not just for my credit card number, but valued as a person who they want to have great retail relationship with. I feel like customer service is about the bigger picture: knowing what your company’s mission statement and attitude is towards others. And Spell certainly has a very positive one.

Plus, the clothes are super awesome! That Hendrix jacket on my dreamlist. And clearly, not even a snowstorm will stop me from wearing one of their kimonos.

*linking up with Trend Spin*

Functionality and Personality

February 10, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

Raglan Top – Spell Designs // Blazer – Zara // Jeans – Gap

A bad cold all week *read: snot, coughing, and other yuckiness* plus -24 degree temperatures outside meant that I’ve been living in PJs and fleece pants in the house. And knitting. I’ve been on the couch binge watching Law & Order: SVU and knitting. I know how to party y’all!

Or I know how to sit on my butt and be sick.

But, this blazer, jeans, and graphic shirt combo was something I wore a bit ago to work on a photoshoot. I was shooting the promo shots for a web series, and there’s always that fine line that I have to tread in my wardrobe as a photographer.

My clothes have to be functional – I move gear, balance, build, and twist myself into strange positions if need be to get the shot – but I also need to maintain a certain level of professionalism. So, it’s that balance of professional cool and functionality.

And hey, a little personality doesn’t hurt either.

Here’s an action shot from the day that my assistant took.

This Is Who You’re Dating

January 30, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

Star Wars Leia Shirt – TeeFury // Cardigan – hand me down // Jeans – Gap // Beanie – UO // Socks – FreePeople // Boots – Locale

Andrew and I went out on a date. Dinner, a little shopping, and a movie. Yup, this was my hot date night get-up. Just a little reminder of exactly who he’s with…sci-fi obsessed nerd girl.

Some ladies might put on a sexy red dress and heels, I put on my Star Wars shirt and beanie. Oh yeah, hawt.

*sarcasm fully intended*

Limited Time, and Reading My Mind

January 26, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

Lace Top – Ruche // Sweater – hand me down // Jeans – Lucky Brand // Boots & Natalie B Necklace – ThreadSence

Apologies for the lack of photos today. There are legitimate reasons.

One being that I’m very picky with photos and therefore dislike the majority that Andrew takes when he takes my shots. I prefer to tripod self-timer it, because that way I get exactly what I pictured in my head. It’s very hard to get someone to read your mind, I’m still working on it.

Two, it was so freaking cold outside that day. I had only about two minutes worth of fortitude in that wind and weather and as we all know, good photos take time.

merci
xoxo

p.s. You can totally tell in that full picture that I’m freezing my butt off.

Trying But Not Too Much: Events That Aren’t Too Fancy

January 21, 2015
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8 COMMENTS

Beaded Sequined Top – UO // Jeans – Lucky Brand // Boots – Browns // Bag – Target // Earrings – ThreadSence

I had the pleasure of meeting up with a girlfriend for an exclusive fashion show preview. Quelle beautiful fun! It was a fairly intimate event that didn’t call for the most glamorous of get-ups, but still required a bit more effort. So skinny jeans, thigh high boots, and a sequined top seemed like the perfect way to say that I tried, but not too much.

As much as I love the fact that my daily life calls for super casual, I love to dress up. So when given the chance I’m all over it. I would’ve worn a freakin’ ball gown if not for the fact that it’s Winter, and therefore freezing.

Merci.
Xoxo

It’s That Time of Year

January 12, 2015
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4 COMMENTS

Cardigan & Jeans –
UO // Top – Free People // Scarf – I forget *old* // Boots – Locale // Necklace – Monserat de Lucca via Beau and Bauble

That time where it gets so cold that I can barely stand leaving my house. That time where I literally run outside for two minutes to grab outfit photos because that’s all I can bare. Yup, it’s that time. Where I laugh and shake my head at my own stupidity for going outside at all.

Happy Winter!

No Hats In Bed

January 6, 2015
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4 COMMENTS

Cardigan/Kimono & Dittos Jeans – UO // Top – Free People // Scarf – made by me // Boots – Locale // Bracelets – gifts // Earrings – F21

A few nights ago, my girl was crying in her sleep. I went into her room to investigate why:

“Shhhh, why are you crying,” I asked as I stroked her hair.
In her sleep she answered, “I don’t want to wear a hat!”
“You don’t want to wear a hat?”
“No”
“Well, you’re in bed, so you don’t have to wear a hat, okay?”
She nodded and nuzzled into her blankie.

This whole conversation in her sleep.

Category :Jeans