Global Is

About two weeks ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in Brébeuf's fashion show: Globalista. It was an incredible experience, and all the profits went to charity. I modeled for Brandy Melville, Annie 50, Unttld, and Maison Marie Saint Pierre. Here is the outcome!

Pictures by VP Photography and Chartrand Photographie

Enjoy!
Katia

Philia

I have this theory about friends.
It all started one tiresome morning in philosophy class last year, where my mind was elsewhere. Not that I didn't enjoy the classes, but I was dozing off. Ironically, I don't know how and why, my mind started philosophizing about friendships - more precisely, its structure. As I was doodling, I came up with this diagram that I still use today as visual support to my explanation (haha). With my skillz on Paint, let me depict this for you.

1. Squares: The best friends. Note that the number of these people can vary a lot. You've been through so much with them, have so much in common and connect deeply. You'll definitely want to keep contact with them throughout your life.
2. Triangles: Great friends, who are super chill to be with and with whom you share significant experiences. Definitely feel their vibes, text and can easily hang out together. Life may separate you from them, but if you get the chance to meet up again, things will most likely be as they were when you left off.
3. Swirls: Your entourage, fun people, friends of friends, those you happily say hi to in the hallways but conversation rarely extends to anything deeper. It's always fun to see all of them at events.

I admit I'm quite peculiar but I guess the timing is also right. Being at the end of Cegep, I realize that it is a time when most of us go through a mini identity crisis, or at least start 'filtering' through our friends, choosing to stay close to a few and distancing ourselves from the remaining. I'm sure this is done many times throughout life, but nevertheless, a somewhat similar diagram can apply to one ultimately.

Anyhow, this shoot is a little more editorial. And don't worry, the escalator was shut off.

Photos: Dahye :) (Thanks for another pair of shoes hehe)
Pants: Zara
Mink jacket: my Grandma's

Enjoy!
Katia

Concerti

Between balancing working hard and playing hard, I do manage to squeeze in some time for leisure, mostly related to the arts.

During the last few weeks, I spent one of the days with my music friends living the Plateau life and attending a 3 hour concert: H-mollmässan by J. S. Bach. Actually appreciating classical music, we were mesmerized by its timeless beauty. However, the last hour, all of us really became distracted just like kids. Understandable though. 

Drawing mostly remains within class hours simply because it keeps me awake and helps me concentrate.

But what I wanted to share the most is the concert I attended with Dahye. It's almost been a week and I'm still internally freaking out. 

What happened is that she invited me to go to a hip/low key/indie concert with Hippo Campus and Night Riots opening for The Mowgli's. The main reason we went is that she actually knew the band members of Hippo Campus, having gone to high school with them in Minnesota. I had also heard some catchy tunes from The Mowgli's so hey, why not? When we entered the concert hall, right away I felt its warm and welcoming ambiance. Christmas lights hung on the ceiling and the crowd was ever so cheerful and responsive, especially the front row. Hippo Campus was amazing - they gave it all by playing until they literally were drenched in sweat and blood. Good job guys, you're gonna go real far. 

Then came Night Riots. Okay. I had no clue who they were before, and man was that about to change. Just while they were setting up, Dahye and I were already like something along the lines of: "Who. are. those. hunks.", and "Right? And don't even get me started on their hot attitude and jawlines." Still, I had no idea what to expect from their actual music. When they finally started playing, I was so overwhelmed by their stage presence that I had to stop dancing to the beat and stare at them (ahaha). It hit me, the first impression. All of the members were truly into their music and managed to deliver a heartwarming experience despite the attractively sinister image they projected. At one point, Travis, the lead singer, reached out to the second row and took my hand from the crowd and as he was singing, looked with his piercing green eyes into mine and smiled, as if he was serenading just for me, just for a second that lasted forever. Honestly I melted. And the guitar solos, and the electro, and the beat, and the vibes, and the passion, and the cheers, and the, and the...

Their show ended, but I was thirsty for so much more. Luckily The Mowgli's delivered a spectacular performance full of vibrant energy. Not only was their music catchy, but we got a little taste of their upcoming album that was just released! Dahye and I went to the washrooms, and after some weird selfies and dropping her phone into the sink (and laughing about it for five minutes straight), we came back out to the side of the stage, which came out even closer. We conveniently decided to stay there, and who knew that I was going to be able to give a props to the bassist while he was on stage and a big thumbs up to the drummer, as he responded with a huge enthusiastic smile and beat.  

Here's the thing: I got to meet everyone.  

Not even by chance. Most of them were at the bar, and all you needed was the audacity to approach them. 

It was so great to watch Dahye finally reunite with her childhood friends and catch up. He was really jovial, and apparently I have the same name as his girlfriend back in Minnesota. Wow, one must be patient with long distance relationships on tour. 

I also happened to see the lead singer of The Mowgli's sitting right across from me after the entire show had ended, just catching up on social media. Him. Right next to me. Yeah, I just had the guts to go up to him and to congratulate him. We took each other's hands and he gave me a sincere appreciative look. Sadly, I didn't take any pictures not to ruin the moment. 

Now with Night Riots, we actually first got to meet them right before The Mowgli's' show in the back of the concert hall. Right away I introduced myself the French-Canadian way - with la bise (kisses on the cheek). I didn't want to show how nervous I was, but it ended up dissipating much easier than I expected. Conversation flowed like a river, mostly about poutine, and within minutes we had already exchanged so much. The next time I got to see them was towards the end of the show. I was going to back to grab my coat and noticed that they were there, as well as one of the members of Hippo Campus, and heck, we just ended up dancing to the beat and hugging at the end! I felt so lucky, we talked and talked - because they're actual people too off the stage - until it was time to leave. I'm now hooked to them because they're ~contagious~. 

It's weird, but I've never fangirled this much. Rationally, I think that this show especially stayed with me due to two key facts:

• That the performance was delivered with sincere and visible passion; 
• That every single band member was not only approachable and down-to-earth, but actually chill human beings.

Please don't lose that. 

Hippo Campus

Night Riots

The Mowgli's

Travis Hawley

Enjoy!

Katia

Work Break

Have you ever done six hours of intense research just to write one sentence? Me neither, until today. At this point, I could feel like a philosopher.

Student struggles aside, here is an outfit that is appropriate for just about any formal occasion feat my trusty cobalt trousers and a slit black top. With high waisted trousers, I would usually wear a crop top to compensate for its bagginess, but this is just as good because aside from being tight, it is actually able to feature the entire pant. 

'Officializing' with the world what's currently on my shopping list:

• A beautiful flowy summer dress, preferably linen
• Marant-esque heeled sandals
• Jo Malone or Le Labo lavender or orange blossom perfume

Honestly at this point I have what I want, trendy items included. I just stumbled upon a printed silk off the shoulder dress in my mom's clothes that otherwise never caught my attention. Score!

Photo credits: Dahye
Top and shoes: Zara
Trousers: American Apparel

Enjoy!
Katia

My Views on American Apparel

The long post - forgive me - is to compensate for the last short one? READ IT DON'T BE LAZY :)

As many of you know, I have been working at American Apparel for almost two years now, and despite still being one of the youngest, I am the most senior employee of my store, even compared to my manager. When I catch up with friends, one of the most common questions I get is "how's AA?" "You know, the same ol' good thing" I usually reply along those lines. Same? I'm starting to question that now. The company's been going through lots of change and media buzz, and our new CEO Paula Schneider hopes to reform it for the best.   

AA gave me a particular set of ~vibez~ differentiating it from most other mainstream companies. That's what really attracted me to it. Its image was always a more natural and down to earth one, promoting all body shapes and ethnic diversity. It also got sexier, borderline porno (that's been suppressed luckily), than other lines of clothing due to less photoshopping. I mean, for example, other lingerie lines' models are just as naked and provocative, if not even more, but just more plastic looking, that's all. AA's advertisement history remains a controversial one, but these are my views. Totally pro sexy, but anti porno. It also emits a rather 80s retro/artsy image, promoting art by collaborating with all sorts of eccentric emerging artists for its collections. 

When I started working there, my wardrobe lacked many timeless basics - now it's overflowing with them. But since I have all the basics I'll ever need, I find it harder to know what I want from there. They're really good, especially that they're sweatshop free and made in downtown Los Angeles, but I do get my trendier pieces from other stores, and even thrift shops tbh. AA recently had a massive 90% off sale to rid itself from all of its wackier pieces and is revamping its entire wardrobe, so I'm curious to see where that will lead to. Beyond all of the company's external matters, my own store is like a mini heaven where just a whole bunch of awesome people like to work and and chill together. 

I honestly love American Apparel. I've lived through its 'glory years', am now experiencing its 'reform' and hope to see it come through as an even better and successful business in retail.

So here is a head to toe look with some of my favourite basics from there. 

Photos: Dahye (I always add funk and embarrass myself in the bloopers of her amazing YouTube videos) S/O to your Zara shoes for this look.
Outfit: American Apparel

Enjoy!
Katia

A Premature Take on the Seventies

Took out my trusty ol' Isabel Marant for H&M blouse for this occasion since the je ne sais quoi look is always timeless and appreciated. I want to spend more time getting lost this summer, whether it's here or in some foreign country.

Pictures: Dahye
Top: Isabel Marant for H&M
Hat: vintage

Enjoy!
Katia