Style Atelier

Scarves, Scarves, and More Scarves!

Style Atelier — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 06:16:02 +0000

Like many others, I like wearing scarves during the crisp autumn season and I’ve started a collection that is slowly growing. As I incorporate scarves into my fall/winter wardrobe, choice of scarf hasn’t been the issue, but rather the monotony of the way I wear them. When I came across this brilliant video by Wendy from Wendy’s Lookbook, I knew my monotonous scarf wearing days were over and had to share my discovery: 25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4.5 Minutes!

What are your favorite ways to wear scarves?

xoxo,

First look at fall

Style Atelier — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 03:30:42 +0000

I can’t believe it’s already nearing the end of September… and this is my first outfit post for fall. Eep! SA truly appreciates your support and love and we promise to do a better job of keeping updated on a regular basis.

I actually wore this outfit to work today which is on the casual side, but with the little bug that I caught a couple days ago, I couldn’t be bothered with “work” clothes and was more lax in my choices. I’ve had a few questions about where I get my textured tights so I shall divulge. I don’t actually like to shell out the big bucks for tights because I’m not very good to them and they don’t usually last very long. When I have friends or family who make a trip to Korea, I’ll usually ask them to pick some up for me as they are cheap and good quality. When this is not an option, I check out Joe Fresh and Ardene. They usually have some great varieties and colours for about $5-$8 if not cheaper.

Jacket: Club Monaco; dress: from Purr Clothing; scarf: Banana Republic; tights: Ardene; boots: F21; bracelets, watch, and ring: David Yurman, Links of London, Philip Stein, Tiffany; sunnies: foldable Ray Ban Wayfarers

How are you wearing tights this fall? Send me an e-mail with your pictures: angela@styleatelier.ca.

Oh là là! Lanvin!

Style Atelier — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:30:52 +0000

Another video post, I know… BUT this is good so humour me, please!

L’amour fou

Style Atelier — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 20:05:37 +0000

I apologize for the lack of posts this week…

Still hoping this lovely and moving film about the iconic Yves Saint Laurent will make its way to a theatre in Calgary.

Enjoy the long weekend, everyone!

This Week’s 5 // Men’s Edition

Style Atelier — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:24:25 +0000

Occasionally I do a “5 things” type of post highlighting my 5 favorite things of the moment. I thought I would tweak that a little and try one geared towards men. Are you ready?

1. Simon Spurr

This one actually evolved from three-piece suits and patterned suits to British designer Simon Spurr. Think sharp, tailored suits influenced by vintage elements juxtaposed with modern aesthetics. Someone at Corduroy magazine described it as “Don Draper meets West Village hipster, with just a touch of British swagger”. I couldn’t have said it better.

2. TOMS White Perforated Leather Classics

I love white shoes. I also like slip-ons. These ones have perforated leather in addition to my former shoe likes. As we all know, TOMS also gives a pair of shoes to a child in need when you purchase one. I think it’s a no-brainer that it makes my list.

3. Prada suitcase

For the style conscious traveller, this Prada hardshell suitcase with a vintage feel will fit the bill. I love that they’ve taken the old briefcase and given it new life. I prefer the ivory version, but traditionalists will be glad to know black is also available.

4. Pen Type-A

The folks behind CW&T have designed a clean, minimalist stainless steel pen with a sleeve that doubles as a ruler. It has a smooth barrel with a dime screw at one end to allow cartridge replacement.

5. Tommy T and Bobby V

Who doesn’t love a perfect white tee? Orlebar Brown‘s Tommy T and Bobby V lightweight cotton t-shirts have just the right lean-relaxed fit ratio in addition to curved front and back hems for an even greater fit.

All images via Simon Spurr, TOMS, Prada, CW&T, and Orlebar Brown.

“Happy” Outfit and Rundle Ruins

Style Atelier — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:07:45 +0000

I didn’t expect to find another historical gem in the city so soon after mentioning the first library in Calgary in the last post. Well as luck, fate, or just plain coincidence would have it, I stumbled across what is known as the Rundle Ruins along 12th Avenue SE at 6th Street SE. A quick Google search (what would we do without Google!) and a click onto the Beltline Heritage Group website and I know now that it is the site of Calgary’s first major hospital and the second General Hospital built in 1894 and demolished in 1973. Any Calgary history buffs out there? Although I find history pretty fascinating, I’m no expert and would love to find more historical sites like this in the city.

Image via Beltline Heritage Group.

I’ve been in a bit of a funk the last couple of days so to cheer myself up I pulled together a look composed of items that normally make me happy: boots, vests, silk tops, and nauticality. A cool photo location and a “happy” outfit is not a bad antidote for a funky mood! We can often fall into the trap of pairing the same tops and bottoms, recycling the same outfits over and over again. Pulling out your favorite items to create an outfit is actually a simple exercise in putting together new combinations of tops and bottoms. I probably wouldn’t have thought to wear the Hervé Léger-style skirt so casually with an open vest and boots, but I think it works and am happy with the end result and new look.

Silk tank: Club Monaco; vest: Banana Republic; skirt: Tristan; boots: F21

Loafin’ around

Style Atelier — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:45:21 +0000

Two favorite things about this outfit post: loafers and the old library. For those of you who are unfamiliar, this is Memorial Park Library in Central Memorial Park (between 12th Avenue and 13th Avenue SW off 4th Street SW). It is the first purpose-built library in Alberta, opening its doors to Calgarians on January 2, 1912. Neat tidbit on this library: Andrew Carnegie funded 80% of the cost and encouraged City Hall to fund the rest. The library was closed when I got there, but I remember briefly visiting it a long time ago and what I recall is that it is just as beautiful inside as it is outside. I know most people don’t visit libraries much anymore, but they are neat places especially if it’s an old one so if you’re loafin’ around one afternoon I encourage you to check one out!

Speaking of loafing… I don’t know what it is about loafers, but I adore them. My mom always used to say I was weird for liking “granny-ish” shoes, but whether it’s the prep appeal, the tassels, the comfort, or all three elements, they definitely have a cool factor about them and I am excited to see them return with a vengeance this fall. They are the perfect alternative to ballet flats and can be worn with virtually everything. As with flats, it’s great to have a pair of loafers in basic black, but also look out for different leathers (supple calf vs structured patent), colours (camel, burgundy, chocolate brown), and texturing (faux croc, pebbled leather).

Blazer: Aritzia; silk top: Joe Fresh; shorts: Club Monaco; scarf: department store in Korea; loafers: Topshop; watch: Philip Stein; bracelets: Tiffany

Alexander Wang small heels, $495 Forever21 loafer shoes, $23 TopShop loafer shoes, $66 Cole Haan mocassin shoes, $198 Jeffrey Campbell leather flat shoes, $115 Sperry moccasin loafer, $90 Christian Dior flat slip on shoes, $550

Have a terrific weekend!

Power Couture

Style Atelier — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:21:54 +0000

Fashion will not wait. Four words Calgary native and Toronto-based Caitlin Power self-motivates with. The petite powerhouse has created quite the stir within the local fashion community as well as nationally over the past few years. And with a self-motivator like that, Caitlin has not waited around since graduating from Lethbridge College with a Diploma in Fashion Design and Merchandising. She has already produced three collections and a fourth much-anticipated F/W collection is to be released later this month.

Caitlin’s self-titled high-end women’s ready-to-wear brand appeals to the sophisticated, independent, and powerful woman looking for a polished look with some rock ‘n’ roll edge apparent in the classic silhouettes with a twist inspired by distinct architecture, superior tailoring that combines feminine and masculine lines, and leather elements that mark all the collections.

F/W 2011 is inspired by Victorian Goth and foregoes the obvious colour blocking, cut, and detailing of previous seasons for a darker palette with quiet hints of green to target and showcase subtle details on an ensemble of dresses, shorts, skirts, bustiers, and dress shirts. Although the collection is described by the designer as the most wearable collection to date, it is by no means a boring one. The signature leather details are more lucid while the silhouettes of dresses and blazers are more precise. The piece that epitomizes the collection is the black sheath with leather shoulder panels that is beautifully detailed with individual flower pieces set with a black bead much in the style of paillettes.

The fashion scenes in Calgary and the rest of Canada may be evolving at a snail’s pace as the mass slowly absorbs fashion culture, but with major talents like Caitlin Power emerging, it is worth anticipating and nurturing the development of Canada’s fashion industry.

Caitlin Power F/W collection will be available mid to late August at Mealan (Calgary), TNT Boutique (Toronto), Homegrown Boutique (Toronto), and online at Ukamaku.

Caitlin Power will also be featured at PARKLUXE, a fund-raising initiative by PARK.

“I don’t consider myself a very fashionable person, I just like to create.”

Caitlin Power F/W 2011 lookbook images by Jason Eng from Caitlin Power. Photo of Caitlin Power by Jessika Hunter.

Secret Rooftop

Style Atelier — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 02:00:39 +0000

I must divulge a secret. Ok, maybe it’s not top secret because I’ve already told many people and I’m not the only one in a city of roughly one million that knows about this place. It’s my own (or I like to think it’s my own) rooftop patio oasis at the Mission Starbucks in Calgary, complete with music and heat lanterns for chilly summer evenings. I love to go to this hideout to enjoy an Americano, study, hang out, and people watch (extreme people watching available with zero creep factor!).

Cardigan: Banana Republic; silk tank: Club Monaco; linen pants and belt: Zara; patent flats: Maria Sharapova for Cole Haan; watch: Michael Kors; necklace: Heart Oiseau.

Since I’ve divulged my secret rooftop patio, won’t you tell me where your secret hideouts are?

The man ring

Style Atelier — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:28:50 +0000

There is renewed interest in fellow Canadian Ryan Gosling these days and it doesn’t involve his on-off-on and now very off ex-girlfriend (and also Canadian) Rachel McAdams. Crazy, Stupid, Love has women going gaga over his chiseled abs and good looks, but more than good looks and a good movie is Jacob Palmer’s wardrobe which is simply amazing. While I could write an entire post on his perfectly tailored suits and black sweater that has just the right amount of sheer, I want to steer away from suits to focus on jewellery for men. When I noticed Ryan Gosling’s character sporting a couple of sizeable baubles on his fingers throughout the movie, I was intrigued. Why don’t men wear more jewellery? I suppose there is a stigma of sorts attached to certain men who wear a particular style of jewellery, but just as the right necklace or earrings can add a level of refinement to a woman’s outfit, so can a man’s jewellery take the suave level up a notch or two.

As such, I take a cue from Jacob Palmer and introduce you to the man ring. Women wear right-hand rings and cocktail rings in addition to engagement and wedding rings. There is no rule saying men can’t also wear fashion statement rings. When choosing a ring, I suggest you focus on simplicity, details, or overall “art” appeal. Also, experiment with which finger you sport the ring. A ring you might never wear can have a different feel worn as a pinky ring and vice versa.

Links of London 20/20 XL ring and Tiffany Paloma Zellige ring

Asos BLACK stainless steel ring and Louis Vuitton Stand By Me ring

David Yurman Petrvs Horse ring (similar to one worn by Ryan Gosling in Crazy, Stupid, Love) and Tiger’s Eye Chevron ring (also worn by Ryan Gosling in Crazy, Stupid, Love)