Geeky Chic

The Genteel is launched!!

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:05:35 -0400

It is with great pleasure and tremendous excitement that we announce the launch of our online fashion and design magazine, The Genteel ( www.thegenteel.com ). It’s almost hard to believe we’re finally here. We have come a very long way in such a short amount of time. My partner, Irene, and I have worked very hard to create a product that is founded on our deep passion for fashion, journalism and life! And here we are, curtains drawn back. We could not be more thrilled and proud of our baby.

This online magazine is the definitive source for informed men and women such as yourselves, who desire global, in-depth, and intelligent stories on fashion and design.

We could not have done it alone. Our global team of contributors shape The Genteel. On a daily basis, the publication dispatches thought-provoking and insightful articles from the streets of Oslo, Toronto, Beirut, Moscow, United Arab Emirates, Seoul and beyond. Today a contributor from Tokyo joins us!

I always said that The Genteel is to be viewed as a fashionable “Economist” publication. Our daily bulletin includes stories told through the lens of Business, Culture, Society, Design, Best Kept Secrets, Commentary and Street Style.

At this point I invite you to visit The Genteel [ www.thegenteel.com ] and enjoy a new perspective on global fashion and design. We also encourage you to “Like” our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/TheGenteelMagazine and follow us on Twitter @thegenteel as we will be promoting stories as they come in.

Sincerely yours,

Mona Chammas
Editor-in-Chief, The Genteel

Seeking male correspondents for The Genteel

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:32:00 -0400

The Genteel magazine editorial calendar for September and the first two weeks of October is packed! Though we’re missing male contributors as the line up is dominated by female correspondents (not a bad thing!) If you or anyone you know is interested in contributing to The Genteel, please let us know at contribute@thegenteel.com. Local (Canada) or international. For more information on The Genteel, see previous post.

Thanks

Mona

—-

Mona Chammas

Editor-in-Chief

The Genteel

Unveiling of The Genteel

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:15:56 -0400

Hi all,

You’ll notice a slight hiatus on Geeky Chic. This is because i’ve been busy with the production and editorial line up for The Genteel, my new online fashion magazine to be launched on September 20th. A little about The Genteel for those of you who are new to the idea.

The Genteel is bringing something fresh to fashion publication. We’re all about bringing quality fashion journalism to our readers through an international lens of business, culture, society and design. We are global in scale, reporting from the ground-up, beyond the fashion hubs of Paris, New York, London and Milan. We (as writers, readers, fashion enthusiasts, life-long learners and engaged citizens) would love to find and read content of this depth and subject matter, and we strongly believe there are readers and writers who feel the same. What does this mean for this blog? Well, it will eventually dissolve. Good news is we are bringing it with us to The Genteel as a street style column. I am heading up The Genteel as Editor-in-Chief, and Irene Kim, my business partner, as Editor-at-Large

Since we are a global magazine, not only are we looking for international writers, but local writers who want to scale their repertoire. We’re are also about stories that discuss fashion in various contexts across cities. In addition, part of our vision is to be a platform from which writers can build their brand and profile.

Anyone who is interesting in joining our growing network of foreign correspondants can e-mail contribute@thegenteel.com. Please send us your storie ideas and pitches. We’d love to hear from you.

Otherwise, see you on September 20th!

On turning 30: A tipping point

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 15:30:00 -0400

Today I turned 30, and while I’ve knowingly beaten that fact into most of your heads, it’s a monumental age for me for so many reasons. When I was but a youngling I would often gaze out the window of my overly cramped and tiny school bus wondering what it would be like to be 30. I also had this provoking sensation that I was meant to do something tremendous. I felt different as a child, and obviously I didn’t know what that meant at the time or what it would translate to. All I knew is that I did that weird thing in the bus when I would just shut you out, peer out and wonder about my life. I guess that’s not such an uncommon thing to do when you’re a kid who’s insanely introverted. Nevertheless, I felt different and at times was labeled weird, which in retrospect is a compliment.

Little did I know when I was 11 or so that whatever that feeling of being different was would ALL unfold in my 20s. In light of this, I’d like to dedicate some time to virtually pen an ode to my 20s. Oh, 20s. You have been so harsh and so kind. You gave me my first experience away from my parents, far, FAR away at 21. You made an independent out of me. You outed me to my family at 22. You gave me my first, honest relationship the same year. It ended in turmoil. The next one ended similarly, and so did the one after that. Good times! You also taught me to love deeply for the first time, and so on. You made me move to 4 different cities across oceans, on my own, and to move homes 8 times. You taught me to get far, very quickly. I got hired a WHOLE bunch of times, and got fired once. You taught me to follow my dreams, by starting a business, which brings me passion and happiness beyond what I thought would be the case when I was 11, contemplating 30.

Want to know why else turning 30 is momentous? I’ll tell you. When I was 11, I was petrified of my father. Those of you who grew up with me in that sleepy island of Cyprus know how scary he was when he would yell at us from within his bedroom that overlooked the pool, where we would jump and splash around, for disturbing his daily siesta. At 20 I was distant from him, and he from me. There was love for sure, but distance undoubtedly. I remember one day in my early 20s I made fun of my father for sticking to archaic ways of running his publishing business. I wanted him to go digital, and he just didn’t get it. So what he proposed instead was for me to run his publishing house using technology to evolve and innovate. How do you think I responded to that proposition? Yep, I dismissed the idea before it could settle. My father always peppered in the notion of me becoming a journalist when I was younger. I said no. He offered me his publishing company based on in depth reporting on oil economy and country risk profiling in the Middle East. I said, hell no! And now, my friends, I am 30. My father and I have never been this close. I am also the owner and CEO of a publishing company. I am the Editor-in-Chief of a global online fashion magazine to be launched late September. Have I come full circle? Perhaps. What I do know is I ran away from something my father put in front of me for 28 years, until that one pivotal year in which I yielded. In fact, I came to what seemed most natural to me on my very own, in my very own way. I’ve never felt more connected to my Dad even though we don’t speak regularly. You know what? I’ve never felt more connected to myself.

So, yes, turning 30 is momentous and I plan on milking it for as much as it’s worth. Here’s to an epic 30 years ahead! I truly love and cherish all who have supported me on my journey to get here.

Yours,

Mona…

Your daughter

Your friend

Your colleague

Your Editor-in-Chief

Your sister

Your cousin

You aunt

Your CEO

Your future girlfriend

Your future wife

This lovely French woman’s silhouette furnished by the...

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:31:00 -0400

This lovely French woman’s silhouette furnished by the loose fitting silk shirt and trousers was sheer comfort in the blistering heat. Sure she was covered head to toe, but she looked abundantly more comfortable in her own skin that most of us sweat buckets on 5th Ave.

In fact, I always wondered what a lady would like if she wore clothes out that resembled chic pajamas. Now, I do! If one could wear pajamas on 5th Avenue, these would be them. Though practically invisible in this photo, the trousers were decorated with the most delicate white pattern. It reminded me of a porcelain object, softly dotted by paint. I especially love how you could just see her legs through the fabric, but not much. Very sexy in a smoke screen sort of way. I think this woman looked fantastic without much effort, really.

Heidi, who works at the Ralph Lauren store in Soho, New York,...

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:50:57 -0400

Heidi, who works at the Ralph Lauren store in Soho, New York, was just too good to miss. So much to the fact that I pulled her outside for a quick photo opp and a chat. Her all encompassing Ralph Lauren outfit was resplendent in detail and geo-era influences. I mean look at the dress. The detailed patchwork reminded me of an art canvas, where material replaces paint, and an amazing melange of colour and texture comes to life. It’s worth noting that each patch was made individually and then combined. Such inspired work by Ralph Lauren, whose vision for this dress rise from Indochine.

What’s great about Heidi’s style is the range she’s chosen to wear from Ralph Lauren. Often is the case that sales clerks from boutiques bear a homogenous look from the brand they represent. Not Heidi, though. She’s managed to unite both the orient and Lauren’s wild west styles with the denim jacket, vintage cowgirl shoes and belt from Lauren’s runway collection. Sublime.

Toronto Street Style: A Saga of Girl Crushes

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:57:12 -0400

Like Mona, I have had my share of girl crushes before, but have you ever had a family crush? You know, where you have had to think twice about breaking-up with an ex because you would have missed his/her kin? Melissa and I spotted Stefanie and her family (mother, father, aunt and uncle) taking a stroll on a hot Sunday afternoon in Toronto. We started chatting, and as it turns out, all are involved in the arts in one way or another - actors, interior designers, screenwriters.They were all very warm, the ladies very fashionable (sorry dad!) and also very supportive of our upcoming magazine, The Genteel!

Naturally, creative expression runs through Stefanie’s veins – she studies fashion design, shuffling between Toronto and Paris to learn and develop her craft. She looked positively angelic in a radiant summer white dress, with a chic gamine cut to match! Her pop of colour a la clutch and scarf completed her look perfectly. Stefanie, I am looking forward to following your work!

Writing by Irene Kim, photos by Melissa Sung

——

The Goods:

Dress, Line
Shoes, Aldo (not shown)
Bag, Louis Vuitton
Scarf, Ted Baker
Sunglasses, Ray-ban

Ever spot someone and wish you two were friends? When I saw...

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 21:37:54 -0400

Ever spot someone and wish you two were friends? When I saw Nicole and spoke to her for 2 minutes, I did. Park for a second the fact that her rocker chic aesthetic and her magnificent jawline are totally disarming. It’s that she looks like she can own a game changing night out on the town, and one should be so lucky to join the ride.

Alright, style talk. I seldom use the word fierce, wary of sounding like a clichéd fashion writer, though I will make an exception this time because the occasion is so fitting. Nicole does indeed look, ahem, fierce, and I will attribute it beyond those avant garde Rick Owens ankle boots. There’s an appreciable effect in looking grand in an oversized black t-shirt and black leggings. Indeed, the boots certainly add that edge, however her overall style is that much more pronounced by the entire package, Nicole 360 if you will. I love Nicole’s look. It’s so, “I don’t give a shit”. I think women who can pull that off and look this good deserve a hat tip.

Leave it to style maven June Ambrose to knock us off our feet...

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:30:34 -0400

Leave it to style maven June Ambrose to knock us off our feet with shockingly amazing garb. Spotted at New York Fashion week last February, June was wearing a pair of Skeletal Heels made by Toronto darlings DSquared from their Fall/Winter 2010 collection. Untrue to form, June ditched her signature turban for a bowler hat.

Speaking of bowler hats, how chic does June’s daughter, Summer, look with a bowler hat of her own? June and Summer were not the only fashionable mother daughter duo during fashion week in New York. Remember Tessa? Watching mothers and daughters bop around fashion week to catch the shows reminded me of my mother taking me with her to all her social functions. It wasn’t a pain as one might think. Quite the contrary, actually. I would assume my own little world and interpretations amidst all the movement and noise. I suppose this also applies to the young girls who accompany their mothers to the shows. It would be such a marvel to become intimately acquainted with how children interpret what they see at the runway and on the street during fashion week, and what it means to them. Take note, Moms.

I’ll be in New York this weekend, and in anticipation of...

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:17:31 -0400

I’ll be in New York this weekend, and in anticipation of the trip, I’ve decided to rummage through photos I took during New York Fashion Week. There are a handful left I have not published, and I owe them due attention. Like this photo, for example.

The unfortunate thing about sub zero winters is that dreaded winter coat. If you are of the sensible variety during winter, you’ll know what i’m talking about. Glorious looking or not, the coat hides all that style you wish you could show off without freezing your behind off.

What this young gentleman achieves through smart layering is a proper reveal of his outfit. He’s made small, yet significant styling choices such as tying his jacket with a nondescript belt, as if it was a curtain opened just wide enough to check out the goods beyond. The comfy red velvet scarf is such a chic touch to the academia look cued by the leather belt, attache and the moccasin boots.

Miguel Correia, PR intern, writer and fashion enthusiast,...

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:50:00 -0400

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.

——

The Goods:

Top, H&M

Jeans, Nudie’s

Shoes, TOMS

Annie looks positively 60s summer chic in her Diane von...

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:54:00 -0400

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.

——

The Goods:

Dress, Diane von Furstenberg

Toronto Street Style: Striking Style Inspired by Unlikely Coupling

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 09:54:01 -0400

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
——
The Goods:
Top, Sirens
Skirt, Value Village ($2.99!)
Shoes, Spring

Workwear Revival

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:18:00 -0400

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...

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:57:00 -0400

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

——

The Goods:

Dress, Forever 21

Seeking Journalism Interns Globally

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:14:25 -0400

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

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:35:45 -0400

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

——

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

New York Street Style: Jolie Laide gives Jolie a run for it's money

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 11:41:00 -0400

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

——

Photos and story by Irene Kim

Beirut Street Style: Emily Cremona takes a leap into the wild

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 09:56:54 -0400

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.

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 09:48:38 -0400

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