In her Closet: A Shoe Designer's Wardrobe

I first met Sun at the "Fashion Corporation" about 3 years ago. We shared an office and she assisted in my department for about two weeks until she was moved to the denim department. We shared a communal candy jar that we couldn't manage to keep full and she would tell me about her crazy internet dating stories. Of course, I did have to warn her not to ever jump into some stranger's white van, but that is another story for later.

Fast forward 2 years, and she now works as a shoe designer in Montreal and has a beautiful apartment in the Côte-des-Neiges area that is influenced by her Korean roots and her Mexican boyfriend. She has hoarded a collection of towering black heels and a colorful wardrobe mixed with a bit of vintage to clothes she has collected from places she has visited.

She also handmade her portfolio book which she showed me. Future aspiring fashion designers take note, her portfolio is immaculately made, well presented and professional.

If you like my blog series, please let me know in the comments and I will continue to post. You can check out my past "In her closet" posts here.

Every girl needs a colorful hand beaded bolero vest

Add a colorful neck party to your bolero vest

Heels bought from a shopping trip to London, Topshop

the pristine living room

her collection heels from Korea, Zara and Topshop

Inspirational fashion illustrations, Handmade Pug Pillow bought from Souk@Sat in Montreal

 These are her dress technical drawings from her portfolio. I think she should illustrate for WGSN.

 Trend board and shoe designs from her portfolio. This is basically a lesson on how you get a Shoe Designer job.

Because you can never have enough black shoes. Denis Gagnon heels for Aldo, Chunky heels from Korea,

Vintage dress handed down from her mother / Small ukulele

Just outside of her Brickstone apartment in Montreal

Detail shot of floral embroidery dress she bought from Mexico

In her Closet: Candice's Collection

This is the second part of my series on Mel's and Candice's apartment in the artsy St. Denis area in Montreal. Catch the first part here of Mel's space.

I met Candice through Mel as they are both roommates and friends since fashion school. Candice is a natural red head and her room is full of cool and clean blue hues. She also works for a large fashion retailer as a designer and principal product developer. Her collection of vintage shoes is extensive but you'll have to see that for yourself.

She is also a fellow blogger and runs Dandelionheart, a blog full of dreamy images and inspiration.

 

royal blue DVF heels, tambourine

Candice's collection of vintage shoes

ruffled sheer chiffon blouse

collection of necklaces hanging on a picture frame

rings and bangles

vintage camera

kitchen space

chest full of art supplies and collection of magazines

Candice sitting in the alcove

In her Closet: Melanie's Colorful Collection

This weekend, Mel and Candice allowed me to photograph their apartment for my blog series, 'In her Closet', an intimate look at Fashion Designer's spaces. Mel and I used to work in the same design office, but she is leaving the corporate world to pursue her own creative projects. Congrats Mel!

She's a painter, musician and fashion designer and shares a colorful and cheerful apartment with Candice, who is also a designer (more on her space in the next installment). Be sure to check out Mel's blog on local fashion, food and music here.

fashion illustration book/ vintage and new rings

Mel's favorite heels

Vintage Singer sewing machine passed down from her Grandma

colorful brushes/ pin board of past music concert tickets

Collection of books/ vintage chiffon top

Collection of shoes (she stores them in her guitar case)

Vintage shoes/ Vintage sequin top

Mel playing her guitar

Creative Spaces: In Her Studio

Most of my friends in the fashion industry have such creative spaces and closets full of... well, clothes. I've started a new series that looks at the inner workings of my friend's closet spaces and also, creative spaces. Let me know how you like the series!

Going to fashion school with JI, I have always admired her illustrations for it's quirky factor. We've been friends since our very first year down to our graduating collections together. Sometimes we had to pull all-nighters in the lab to finish our collections, but we would always finish on time.

Her medium of choice is ink, marker and watercolor. Be sure to check out her illustration blog here.

Words from JI:  "My inspirations come from everything around me. I can be inspired by the great artists like Egon Schiele and Frida Kahlo or just simply mesmerized by the mess in my room."

"I am also influenced by androgyny and  gender roles.  More specifically, I am inspired by women’s roles in society and their self empowering energy."

"It may sound very cliché, but I wanted to be in  fashion as long as I can remember.  It was the only option I gave myself."

In Her Closet: JI's Vintage

I've been busy in Toronto this past weekend visiting my designer friend, JI, and doing loads of vintage shopping.

My friend allowed me to take some photographs of her fashionable and colorful home. Her room is like taking a trip to your favourite vintage boutique and loving every piece you find. JI has a quirky sense of style and has a huge collection of shoes, clutches, jewellery and vintage hats, all on display like a showroom.

Singer sewing machine, Collection of new and vintage jewellery

Topshop harness, vintage dress, BCBG heels

Vivienne Westwood heels, Assorted Vintage and Designer Shoes

Assorted Vintage Jewellery

Collection of Vintage Hats