Lenna x Coco Indie by Julia Rabkin

Photography: Julia Rabkin
Model: Lenna @ Elite
Hair: Matthew Paul
Make-up: Kris Erin Beauty
Dress: Wins Designs

fun size

Instagram snaps from behind the scenes!

Thowback: A.I.

Andrea Iyamah FW13 Collection

Photographer: Willyverse
Models: Mouna (Spot 6), Quinn (B&M)
Stylst: Thea Acierno
Makeup: Natalie Scoccia

Waiting for Tonight

Prom inspired lookbook featuring Spring 2014 dresses by Jordan de Ruiter. #playdressupeveryday

Photographer: Carrie Jade
Model: Murphy
Styling: Thea Acierno
Designer: Jordan de Ruiter
Location: High Park

Instagood

 Just a few instapics to give a behind the scenes look at all of the assisting/volunteering/shooting I've been doing. Always push yourself with new experiences and keep learning from others! Follow me @theaxadriena xo

Sister Sister

I am so glad to finally be able to share these images! The day saw hair and makeup take place in a hotel room and wardrobe changes being done inside a vehicle. Whoever said fashion was glamourous? It really is a labour of love and I wouldn't have it any other way! The weather was gorgeous and passersby watched the girls in gowns float through the garden.

Photographer: Charlotte Brown Photography
Models: Jess & Nikki
Makeup & Hair: Angie Di Battista

Anon

A month ago, I worked on Andrea Iyamah's Fall/Winter 2013 campaign video. It is always such an interesting experience to work with incredibly creative people. William Turner, who wrote and directed the film, has such a unique point of view on the world. Check out the video below and more of his amazing work here.

Kiana and Jess

Two gorgeous new faces with Peggi Lepage came out to play dress-up with myself and Megan Breukelman by the water. Moms were on set and were absolutely a joy. Plus it was fun to work with pieces by TWB Co. and Jordan de Ruiter. I also had to play makeup artist for Kiana, not too bad if I say so myself. Here are a few shots!

Photography: Megan Breukelman
Styling: Thea B.
Models: Kiana and Jess with Peggi Lepage
Some wardrobe provided by: Jordan de Reuiter and TWB Co.

Andrea Iyamah Swimwear

A few weeks back I was invited to be a part of the production for Andrea Iyamah's 2013 swimwear campaign. The day was full blown back-to-back shooting. First with the campaign video, followed by the campaign images as well as the product shots for her e-commerce. We had four models, a behind the scenes videographer and a full team of hair, makeup and a styling team. I was very excited to have had a hand in directing the makeup looks for the models as well, it was a great feeling to be able to put my touch on multiple aspects of the shoot. Check out the fashion film below, shot by Willyverse, followed by the behind the scenes video by Andrew Zidichouski.

Andrea Iyamah Swimwear 2013 - "Nkwor" from William Turner on Vimeo.

The collection is inspired by her ethnic background but has a modern twist with unexpected cutouts, neons and colour-blocking. There are so many looks in this collection that I have my eye on once swimsuit season starts. Check out the collection on her website.

Pirate Bay

I can't tell you exactly when this shoot took place - it was sometime last spring though, overcast, before the sun started coming out. I do remember how I felt about our model that day. Hillary. She has an amazing head of hair (to die for!), beautiful light skin, freckled, and great movement. We put her through the ringer. Teasing her hair and then combing it out, asking her to pose in freezing cold water, and having her climb all over dangerous rocks. Hillary is a real trooper, so relaxed and willing to go there with you to make your vision come to life. I love her, she's a dream.

The ship is one a recognizable spot as you drive down the QEW toward Niagara Falls. Originally from Quebec, it was built in 1914 and made its way here in 1997. The first time I saw it, I remembered it being wood (covered in 1991) but a fire in 2003 would reveal the steel body again. I really responded to the decay of the scenery and the subdued earthy colours around us.

Megan Breukelman shot these images and it was the first time both her and I were trying something moody. Ryerson graduate Sarah Elizabeth had some great pieces to go with the location. Megan was so pleased with the result that she put it in the premiere issue of her online magazine Atlas.

Photographer: Megan Breukelman Photography
Model: Hillary 
MUA: Ashley Burke Make Up
Hair: Stefanie Grigo
Styling: Thea B.
Designer: Sarah Elizabeth 

Teeny Weeny Bikini

A few months back I met with designer Ashley Eady to catch up on life since I interned for her at Teeny Weeny Bikini Co. Her latest designs - a line of 50's remake suits - had just come through from the manufacturing company and were ready for the new season. Ashley is all about keeping it real so she often handles a project herself. This time around she wanted to experience working with a whole team, so it was completely serendipitous that I told her I was working on a portfolio as a fashion stylist. We immediately started planning a fabulous shoot to showcase the new pieces.

This project has meant so much to me for so many reasons. Ashley was the first person I interned for so it felt really great to revisit that experience in a new way. I am also really proud to say that we used some real models for the shoot (a first for me). Every woman can wear a teeny weeny bikini, and that has always been the back-bone of Ashley's line. In fact, Monica and Genna are actually TWB Co. customers! All in all, the images are fantastic; everyone was so great! I love every single one of them because each shot is just so alive with joy and colour! See more here.

Photography: Megan Breukelman
Models: Heather, Monica, Genna, Ashley
Makeup: Kaitlyn Shrubb
Styling and Hair: Thea B.

FASHION films

They say a camera takes a piece of the soul and watching that footage back, seeing the creativity or rawness, can help you get to know someone like you never had before. Film is an amazing medium by which to share an idea and when those images are focusing on fashion, I can't help myself. It's a great way to visualize the designer's inspiration for a collection. Who is the woman wearing this? How does she feel?

I've been following a new series of videos conceptualized by Fashion Magazine's online editor Randi Bergman. As producer, Randi is connecting Canadian designers and directors for weekly collaboratives. In it's third week, each short thus far has had a completely different feeling. Although I haven't read how long this series will last, I'm really excited to see more of these unions. This kind of project is special to me because it is a great way to bring more attention to the Canadian fashion industry. And I'd like to see that happening on an international scale in the future.

Check out the first installment by Eva Michon featuring Calla Haynes and follow the rest of the series here.

Nuit Nouvelles

NUITS NOUVELLES from John Londono on Vimeo.
The final slot at this past season's LGFW belonged to Montreal's very own Denis Gagnon. Prior to the runway, Gagnon debuted a fashion film titled Nuit Nouvelles (above). It was moody, mysterious, hazy and edgy. Models frolicked in a forested area, floated in water and danced around fireworks. It felt a little bit like The Virgin Suicides, which I very much enjoyed. My followers should know by now that Gagnon is my absolute favourite Canadian designer and based on who I saw front row, it is clear that the top taste-makers of  the Canadian fashion scene adore him too.

Fashion Television's Jeanne Beker and Greta Constantine designers Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill.

Contrary to the video's moodiness, the runway was actually very light-hearted, romantic and very French. Models skipped down the runway in florals, gingham, satin and pleats with fresh, simple make-up and loose, dishevelled hair styles to the sound of C'est Si Bon playing above.

Gagnon's trademarks were present in black, white and leather goods but the champagne shade was something new. The looks were fully accessorized from head to toe, featuring belts, watches and bags. The floral backpack was the biggest hit (not pictured). There was a juxtaposition of de-construction and tailoring offered with femininity and a laid-back sexy cool. Seeing the floral pattern layered on top of itself in different garments was interesting and pulled me into a lavish, over-indulgent feeling.

To give the audience even more cheer, Gagnon gave us two wedding looks and a playful makeshift ceremony. The beautiful model wearing a springy take on the tuxedo wed another model wearing a lovely, lady-like satin trench coat. The nuptials were officiated by the camera pit, and the models shared a kiss while church bells rung in the background.

This past summer I visited the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to see The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, where I picked up the table top book and saw an interview with Denis about how JPG has influenced him as a designer. He said "I adored his energy, I even dressed like him. I followed everything he was doing closely and tried to interpret the designs he showed on the runway." Gagnon reminded me a lot about what I had learned about Gaultier this past summer and it was evident that what inspires me about him still inspires Denis too. If you read my post about the experience you would see the similarities.

It was all there: the energy, the humour, the effervescence. And I loved it.

insectia

Vawk designer Sunny Fong gave a beautiful collection inspired by insects this past October at LG Fashion Week in Toronto. Keeping feminine silhouettes definitely prevented this collection from looking too literal and the outcome was sexy, ethereal and exotic. The highlights of this collection featured looks with laser cut details, sheer fabrics and wing motifs on his stunning gowns.

What was most incredible to see was the presence of atypical models on the runway. We saw a mature model (above right) and a plus size model (from Ben Barry Agency, below center), both of whom worked the runway and represented for all women.