In the Studio: Lace Cat Ears

It's been a busy few months as I've been busy working on some wholesale orders for the last little while. These cat ears were individually hand sewn onto each headband. Doing the same task repetitively put a strain on my hands, but that is the price of making handmade products.

So while making one product can take just a few minutes, making over a hundred pieces was another challenge on its own. Tasks that took easily a few seconds turned into a few days.

I am blogging less these days, but you can get our most recent updates on Instagram or Facebook.

Golden Fields

I got these photos sent to me last week from wedding photographer, Courtney Bowlden. These photos make me want to dig up my cowboy boots and venture into the country side for a day. Our Love at First Blush gold dipped feather earrings add the right finishing touch to this photoshoot. Don't you think?

Credits

Photographer: Courtney Bowlden

Model: Jamie B.

Earrings: Love at First Blush

California Sun

Playing on Butterfly Beach with this fringed cape I bought in Las Vegas. I styled them with my favorite turquoise feather earrings from my online shop.  It felt very Bohemian with feather earrings and flowers in our hair.

The drive through Malibu up to Santa Barbara was beautiful and picturesque. Every beach has a different vibe, a different feeling.

Postcards from Los Angeles

There's nothing like a California sunset to breathe new inspiration into our next collection. The warmth of the city and the relaxed atmosphere has been greatly welcomed these past few days.

I love California beach culture- the grungy rock influence of Venice beach or the fun ambiance of Santa Monica pier.

Eating fish tacos, Thai iced tea on the beach, feeling the sand between our toes while the sun sets, or catching a midnight rickshaw ride with friends are these unforgettable moments.

Wanderlust: Las Vegas, Nevada

Missing my early flight in the morning, I almost didn't make it to Vegas.

Fortunately I was booked on a later flight and I arrived in Vegas to the sound of chiming bells from the slot machines. It was hot and humid, but the excitement of this place made me forget the weather. After all, its one of the cities that never sleeps. This year, I decided it would be the perfect opportunity to walk the trade show and check out the Sourcing section at Magic.

Every morning, I would get up early to watch the sunrise from our Wynn hotel room and watch the golden light spill over the mountains. The view is nothing short of beautiful. And you know that saying, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? Yes it rings true.

California Dreaming

via pinterest

It's been a while since I last wrote here. A lot has happened over the past few months and it hasn't slowed down since.  I'll be off to California next week to source for new inspiration, soak up the sun and check out a trade show. You can follow my travel adventures from my instagram.

I've been thinking a lot of where I see this brand heading and I'm excited to share with you some changes over the next few months. I hope you will always be pleasantly surprised with what we create because I am always constantly inspired by all of you.


♥ Sabrina

Heat Wave

A fashion editorial just in time for this summer's heat wave, featuring a custom designed crystal bra from the Sabrina Chin label and pulled together by one of my favorite stylists, Emilie Debonville. This girl's talent never seizes to amaze me.

Credits:

photographer: Anthony Turano

Mua: Nisha Gulati
Hair: Judy Bellefueille

Stylist: Emilie Debonville
Model: Jeniffer Steele (Sutherland / Folio)
Asst: Judith Cosette

Colour Theory

Inspired by the bright pops of color found at the leather supplier and in tiny pockets at my studio.

Customer Love

The best part of my job is getting feedback from all of you. I get emails every week and sometimes the occasional photo and I am just so humbled and blessed to be doing what I love.

Estelle sent a few photos from France that I just had to share. Beautiful, soft and dreamy, the photographs are taken by Latifa Messaoudi. Our black and gold feather necklace can be found here. 

Follow our Facebook page to see my most recent posts or our Instagram feed for everything behind the scenes.

Credits:

Photographer: Latifa Messaoudi

Model: Estelle Prost

Accessories: Love at First Blush

Paris Decor

My memories of Paris are forever engrained with balconies overlooking open courtyards and terraces, tiny cafes and historic monuments - a beautiful, romantic city. I'm incorporating Parisian chic into parts of my home and creative spaces.

Found here: 1. Paris balconies 2.  Antique Floor mirror

Birds of a Feather

Birds of a feather, flock together. More ink inspiring me this week. 

Top Left to Bottom Right: 1. Leg tattoo 2. Finch Wings 3. Owl on shoulder 4. Owl Sleeve

Model for a Day

I took a day off to help a friend model some pieces from her collection. A full day was spent running up to the roof, back down into the foyer, in front of stairwells and doors scouting for the best back drops. It was fun to be a model for day. We styled and shot over 30 dresses over the course of 6 hours.

Collaborating with another designer and making creative serendipity are two of my greatest passions.

How to wear:

My friend recently asked me  how to wear her Gold Dipped Black Feather Necklace. Since it's such a bold accessory, it really needs to be the center of focus of the outfit. Adding a bit of leather to your wardrobe automatically raises the coolness factor up a notch. Here's what you can pair your necklace with:

1. Black blazer / 2. Dressy sandals / 3. Ripped Boyfriend jeans / 4. Raven Tank / 5. Oversized Leather Clutch

Let me know if you like these posts.

Gemstones

Inspiring me this week, faceted and unrefined treasures from the earth.

From top left to bottom right:
1. Nallik necklace 2. Raw Quartz and Amethyst Stones 3. Pamela Love Bangle 4. Soap Rocks

Press

I'm incredibly grateful for all the press we've been receiving in the past few days. We've been featured in Toronto Life as one of the top 15 finds at the One of a Kind Show, and a photo of our turquoise feather necklace has shown up in the pages of Now Newspaper. I never dreamed that I would be able to achieve all of this when I posted my first listing on Etsy.

Thank you to my fans and supporters for stopping by my booth at the One of a Kind Show. I love meeting every one of you. It never gets old to hear how you love the pieces or to see your faces light up when you try them on.  I'll be there until Sunday in the Etsy section.

Thank you. I truly mean it.

♥Sabrina

Ink

I'm constantly collecting photos of new ink on arms, thighs, and legs and they somehow manage to end up on my pinboards. A lot of my work is heavily influenced by tattoos that are illustrative and artistic, or dreamy and romantic.

My long cuffs have imagery that is very similar to tattoos. Often evoking a moment caught in time as the Bird in Flight Cuff, or embodying a type of animal as in the Peacock Cuff. Maybe one day I will get a tattoo, but wearing one of my cuffs is perfect for me.

Editorial

I'm always happily surprised every time I see my leather accessories in a photo shoot. I finally got a chance to meet fashion stylist, Emilie Debonville, after exchanging emails back and forth a few months ago. I love how the gloves and arm harness add a bit of edge to each outfit but doesn't overpower the whole look, just as how I imagined they would be worn.

For the full spread, please click here.

Credits

Photographer: Thierry Quenette

Assistants: Julie Soto, Mélissa Poirier et Sylvain Granier

Stylist: Emilie Debonville

Models:  Raphaëlle (Montage) et Mimi (Specs)

MUA: Alex Veizina Dussault

Hair: Daniel Manzini

Studio Space

My studio away from home is an old Elementary classroom shared with other creative designers located in the Mile End. I love the remaining chalkboards and lockers still in the hallway. The space reminds me of my fashion schooling at Ryerson. During deadlines we would be in the sewing lab all night, sometimes taking short naps underneath the cutting table. If we got caught sleeping, our profs would have shut us down.

I've been hard at work producing enough inventory for the One of a Kind show. Working, creating and designing in this studio space has proven to be very productive and inspiring.

This is where the magic happens..

Transparent

I've been noticing a return to plastic, resin and acrylic in clear and transparent materials. Clearly these Lucite and plastic accessories are much more modern and sophisticated the second time around.

From top right to left 1. Plastic rhinestone bag 2. Asymmetrical cluster earrings 3. Lucite Cuff  4. Maison Margiela Glass Slippers

Giveaway! One of A Kind Tickets

I'm excited to announce I will be traveling to Toronto for the One of a Kind Show on March 27-31. I'll be in the Etsy Section, Table 32. If you're in the Toronto area and would like to come see select pieces from our new collection, you're in luck! I'm giving away a pair of free tickets and the winner will be drawn at random next Thursday.

Leave a comment below to enter and tell us why you want to see us!


***update: Random generator has picked number 2. Danielle you've won the tickets. Congrats!***

Geometry

Though I mainly work with curvilinear lines and organic forms, the simple shape of a triangle repeated in different patterns has such a bold and striking impact. Yes, math and fashion can be sexy together!

From top left to bottom right: 1. Sheer back details 2. Triangle clutch 3. Geometric Tattoo 4. Issey Miyake Pleats Bag

In the Press: Flare Magazine

I just picked up the March issue of Flare Magazine yesterday. I'm delighted to be mentioned as one of the Canadian Designers on top of the trends. Top model Poppy Delevingne is spotted wearing a pair of Lace Cat Ears.
Ours are available here.

Haute Couture Spring 2013: Valentino

images via style.com

I have developed a greater fondness for Valentino after seeing the film a few years ago. These are a few of my favorite pieces from Valentino Couture Spring 2013. The neckline on the right looks like piped icing on a cake.

Haute Couture Spring 2013: Elie Saab

Images via  Style.com

If you've been following me for a while, you'll know that one of my favorite designers is Elie Saab. Every time I see his Haute Couture collection, I feel like I'm drifting through clouds of pastel cotton candy. His confections are always dreamy pastel gowns whipped with elegantly placed beads and lace. The beauty is definitely in the workmanship of the lace and applique details.