Miguel Correia, PR intern, writer and fashion enthusiast, charmed us at first sight. His gorgeous smile had me giggling (inside) like a school girl. As we started talking, my internal giggles subsided and evolved into respect. It was exciting to speak with Miguel because I sensed that he had a genuine excitement for fashion and that he was working hard in pursuing his passions. Miguel is certainly busy - he is currently a PR student, interning with fashion label, Kavi Kavi, and at Salim Remix Clothing, a Toronto-based consignment shop and working at Over The Rainbow, Toronto’s go-to for jeans. It takes a lot of heart, soul and sweat to succeed in the fashion industry (and any industry, for that matter), and Miguel seems well on his way.
Miguel described his style as simple but current. His wardrobe is full of pieces that don’t go out of style and, in some cases, which he has been collecting for years. One really can’t get more classic than a pair of jeans and a gray t-shirt. Yet, we loved how modern his look was, owing to the cut of his clothes, the resulting silhouette and of course, his disarming smile.
Story by Irene Kim. Photo by Melissa Sung.
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The Goods:
Top, H&M
Jeans, Nudie’s
Shoes, TOMS
Annie looks positively 60s summer chic in her Diane von Furstenberg plaid dress. All that’s missing is a scarf wrapped around her hair and we’re good to include this red lipped beauty in a segment of Mad Men. The setting is seemingly fitting given that Annie works in Toronto’s own Mad Men-esque hub, Bloor and Bay street, where advertising agencies line up, or stack up I should say, like homes on tree lined streets in suburbia. The dress, made by the doyenne of dresses, is one in which I am mad about. It’s simple, yet ultra feminine, perhaps because it is evocative of a time where women were meant to be perfect wives and beautiful lovers at the same time.
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The Goods:
Dress, Diane von Furstenberg
Toronto Street Style: Striking Style Inspired by Unlikely Coupling
Make-up artist Ashley Lovsin is a photographer’s dream - striking, stylish and a radiant spirit to boot. First, her hair. I have always appreciated a great short cut on a woman and looking at Ashley, how could one not appreciate it too? The cut highlights her features and captures her personality beautifully. She has done many variations of the short cut in the past, and this one in particular was inspired by an unlikely coupling. The side shave was inspired by talented Swedish pop star, Robyn (“doing amazing things these days!”), and the platinum white by the dignified elegance of ladies of a certain age. I love hearing from where people draw their style inspiration as it reminds me that inspiration can literally come from anywhere.
As for her outfit, Ashley’s black could very well have been white. The combination of sheer materials and delicate details resulted in a feel that was far from somber, but rather sweet and light!
But, even Ashley, with her bold style, feels security with a little length on top of her head. I understand where Ashley is coming from, but I say to go with whatever she wants - her instincts are right on!
Story by Irene Kim, photos by Melissa Sung
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The Goods:
Top, Sirens
Skirt, Value Village ($2.99!)
Shoes, Spring
Workwear Revival 
This is exciting! I have been published in the Toronto Standard! Please check out the article by clicking on the title above, and let me know what you think. This is a big feat for me because I am a loyal reader and fan of the Toronto Standard. The writing that comes out of that publication always amazes me. I’m so honored to be a published writer there!
I noticed Emily’s cool, assured stride as she was walking along Spring Street with her mother. It is apt to echo Mona’s sentiments here about sounding like an old fart. As I listened to Emily tell me with such poise about her years of experience in the fashion world, I was surprised to learn that she was still in undergrad. I firmly believe that the confidence with which one wears their outfit will make (or break) it and Emily illustrates my point.
Emily described her style as “do-it-yourself” and “whatever happens”. She made me laugh when she noted that her necklaces were her re-incarnation of “tacky gold belts” (yes, I remember those from the 90’s) and hand-made feather details. Turning to street style as inspiration and stores such as Forever 21 that are on trend but wallet-friendly, translates into a large canvas on which Emily can experiment. With her confident approach to style, I look forward to see what she comes up with next!
Story and photo by Irene Kim
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The Goods:
Dress, Forever 21
Seeking Journalism Interns Globally
Hello everyone! Geeky Chic, Inc is looking for fashion journalism interns and writers from Toronto, Montreal, NYC, Beirut, Seoul, Paris, Berlin… OK, our upcoming magazine is global so we’re really looking for contributors everywhere. Can you point me in the right direction as to the journalism schools I can contact to submit a job posting for interns? You can send me your recommendations to mona@geekychic.ca
Thank you!
Mona
New York and Toronto Street Style: Summer Delicates
White on white is definitely a colour matching situation that is hard to pull off, at least in my books. Safer circumstances in which women can go full on white is typically in the summertime and even then you’d be hard pressed to find an outfit that does not look tacky. Not in this case, not even close. Both Angela and Irene look spectacular in white.
The linen shorts on Angela (above) and Irene are incredibly summer chic, and this is a measurable attribute, people. Amidst the scorching heat we seem to be enduring, these shirts and knitted shorts make their owners look breezy and comfortable next to their hot and bothered neighbours. The cool (pun intended) trick to both Angela and Irene’s white outfits is they feel delicate, but their materials, which are made of heavier fibres, feel comfortable and practical at the same time. Notice how both their tops have longer sleeves! And the only glisten to be had is of the variety that seeps from their style. White, comfortable outfits are in full throttle here, and I need an encore.
Photo credit: Irene Kim
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The Goods:
Angela
Shirt, The Gap
Shorts, Club Monaco
Shoes, H&M
Bag, Aldo
Dog, King Charles Cavalier (my favourite!) named Finn
Irene
Cable knit shirt, Banana Republic
Shorts, Club Monaco
Shoes, Marc Jacobs
Bag, Gucci
Sunglasses, Marc by Marc Jacobs
1 year agoNew York Street Style: Jolie Laide gives Jolie a run for it’s money
Comptoir des Cottoniers is a French brand that captures the French aesthetic of effortless chic, an essence closer to “jolie laide” in the sense of unconventional attractiveness than to stilettos and mini skirts striding along cobble-stone boulevards. One could peg the likes of Charlotte Gainsbourg as a leading lady of this style, with her simplicity and ardor wrapped in Balenciaga.
I felt like a mini-celebrity entering Soho’s CdC, as all of their sales associates approached me to point out that I was wearing one of their dresses! One of the associates who approached me was Thea Murvanidze, a Georgian-born, New York-based artist with an effervescent personality and dressed head-to-toe in CdC (with Frye boots). Not surprisingly, Thea’s craft inspires her fashion and, most likely, vice versa. In her fashion choices (and her art, perhaps?), Thea said that she likes to mix and (un)match textures and colours, and the masculine and feminine, with interesting and surprising results. True to her word, she chose to wear her very feminine and flowery jumper with heavier leather boots and aviators - in true jolie- laide form. (I loved Thea’s jumper so much that I ended up buying it for myself!)
The Goods:
La Combi-Pantalan, Comptoir des Cottoniers
Boots, Frye
Ballerinas, Lanvin
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Photos and story by Irene Kim
1 year agoBeirut Street Style: Emily Cremona takes a leap into the wild
This post marks my last of the current inhabitants at Starch in Beirut. Though I am looking forward to seeing what new labels arise from the boutique-cum-design incubator, I want to pay one last homage to the crew.
This is my second piece on Deena Wassef, Lebanese Egyptian designer for Emily Cremona. Make no mistake, she is a force to be reckoned with. Such is the case with her S/S 2011 collection. Ah yes, the collection, with it’s greige tones, asymmetrical lines and deconstructed volume. Where Danielle from Deviations designs for the playful princess in women, Deena designs for her counterpart, the pale and deranged princess. Such is the look that is Emily Cremona, an intended contradiction in it’s own right among the mainstream in Lebanon. If you check out the collection in store (hurry! the collection will not be at Starch for much longer) or on the website, you get the sense that the inspiration is somewhat akin to a rather despondent Alice in Wonderland, both physically and mentally lost in the depth of the woods. This visual genius stemming from Deena Wassef is worth keeping tabs on as she is takes her first steps as an independent local designer.
Geeky Chic becomes Geeky Chic Inc.
I have some exciting news for Geeky Chic. On Wednesday, Geeky Chic became Geeky Chic, Inc. Yes, people, we’ve gone corporate. This is not to be confused with the suit wearing, stuffiness that is often associated with the word. In fact we incorporated Geeky Chic to start making magic, the kind that will take the street style blog to a whole new dimension. I cannot divulge much at this point because we are in early stage development of this exciting new venture, but I will tell you some. First of all, who is this “we” I speak of, you ask? Quick story behind that: on a fine winter’s day I spotted a beautiful tartan wearing woman whose picture I had to take. So I did, and immediately after that we forged a friendship based on almost identical outlooks in life(style), ambitions and dreams. Months later I approached her to become an integral part of this idea I had for a business and through a series of conversations she joined me. She is now a partner and driving force behind Geeky Chic, Inc.
So why Geeky Chic, Inc? Well, it started with the blog. The one differentiating factor behind it are the stories and depth of content behind every picture I take. It’s what you all like about the blog too. So I took that notion and ran with it towards an idea that extends it in scope and scale. I decided to start a global online magazine based on niche, quality and in depth fashion journalism. Up until this point, I cannot reveal more but believe me when I say, this is something I am over the moon about. I’ve put a great deal of thought, planning and HEART into this, and i’m beyond excited to launch and reveal it. This won’t happen for another two to three months.
I’d like to close by saying that a substantial portion of my inspiration to go forward with this idea is the feedback and love you all have given me behind the stories i’ve endeavoured to tell on Geeky Chic. This blog is not going away for the time being, and when the magazine launches we will find it a home in the magazine.
So for now… thank you and stay tuned!
Mona
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