Symphonie Fantastique

A 9-year-old musical genius and fellow pianist of mine decided to share his favourite work with me: Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique. More specifically, he asked me to check out the 4th movement entitled March of the Scaffold. Rather dark for a little boy, I thought. Also surprisingly not your standard Mozart of Beethoven. Immediately however, I plunged into the piece's twisted setting and was awfully impressed by his taste. So on a quiet afternoon at my little computer corner, an apple in my mouth, I looked up this piece's origins - quite particular indeed. A hopeless love in the midst of the romantic era leading the composer to write this piece while consuming opium, turned into a five-movement favourite of the French people. Almost an autobiography, Berlioz himself notes. I realize that I can absolutely love popular music, but remains that I cannot be impressed by it, as opposed to classical music. I also realize that the fact that this symphony has a story to it makes it so much more interesting. Each of the five movements represent a stage in the story, the final one sweeping the auditor away into a macabre world of shades and witches dancing at the lover's funeral through sound alone, that is. It is a whole universe worth entering. 

It finally feels like summer here in Montreal, and boy am I glad to wear light layers. Liiiiiiinen pleated pants add structure to an opened top, and the soft colours scream summer. 

Pictures by Dahye!
Top and Trousers: American Apparel
Monk-strap creepers: Zara

Enjoy!
Katia

On Top of the World

Like many, I just crossed a big step. Cegep, that is. Looking back at it, it may have been easy to feel that everything was at its right place, that life was easy and just works itself out for you. Living by your parents' means yet trying to figure what you want for your own life, a comfort zone basically the continuation of high school yet an insightful taste of experiences. Somehow we got bored of it after two years, but when the end approached, I at least could feel a whole new wave of uncertainty coming forth, life itself being thrown at me. A part of me liked what I had grown accustomed to, but the other part of me urges for the freshness of the future. Now I know I am speaking as if something major is on its way even though it is just university - one day that will also get habitual, but may life never. 

Studded sandals: Ralph Lauren
Silk dress: vintage

Photos by Dahye (Who has a new domain!)

Enjoy!
Katia

Flared Flair

 My friend once invented an inspirational quote to make fun of all of the ones out there: "If you always say no, then you'll never say yes", I think it was. Horrible indeed, but there is some truth to it if you think about it. There are so many opportunities that require stepping out of one's comfort zone, and if your brain is always dictating you to remain a couch potato, so many of them will have slipped away. In other words, yolo (also horrible).

On a different train of thought, I am tackling two trends at once - double denim and the omnipresent seventies. I really do love wearing flares once in a while, but I'm still just experimenting. Recently I've been looking for my signature everything, whether it's style or perfume. I think I'm inclining towards natural fabrics such as silk and linen, a little bit more flowy and feminine, but I'm still quite unsure of where I'm heading. Nevertheless, the seventies being in just means that thrifting is back!

 

Denim shirt and trench coat: vintage owns
Flared jeans: Zara
Sherpa crossbody: Ecoté (Urban Outfitters)

Enjoy!
Katia

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

Updated LBD

Let me talk about my tastes in music. I used to spend a lot of time digging up underground labels and scavenging unconventional sounds, but now that era is over. Now that I rarely have time, I mostly go with friends' recommendations, some link-to-link discoveries, as well as my own pretty solid collection that I have built throughout my humble existence. 

As an easily influenced preteen, I was content to follow Virgin Radio's top hits. No comment. Then I made the groundbreaking discovery of the Beatles, which got me crazy into rock music. Being the timeless basis but thirsting for more diversity, I opted for my dad's vinyls, the most convenient option. I remained in this 'safety zone' for a while, anew satisfied with Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, aka the typical Hipster Phase. My friends from my amateur band once recommended the Red Hot Chili Peppers to jam on, and I instantly fell in love with them, hence owning all their albums on my iPod Nano 4th Generation and crying at their concert. They will forever be my true first love in music. 

As time went by, I ran out of their tracks to listen to, so again, I had to move on. At that point I was desperate for something similar - alternative rock - but to no avail and unsatisfied. Being a classical musician, what I look for the most in music is a complex melody. The lyrics come in second surprisingly. 

One day, my friend told me about this band with so much passion and conviction in her eyes that I couldn't not check them out. That was Alt-J. I still cannot get over how amazing their music is. It's as if they created a genre of their own combining electro, alternative and whatever experimental they're doing; keep it up. I even heard that the composer of the band has a classical music training, so maybe that's why they are so satisfying to my ears. 

I would say that I am still in that phase, but it is coming to an end soon. However, I have forged throughout my teenage and early adult years my official taste in music, generally oscillating between alternative and indie rock and mellow electro, with a beautifully complex arrangement. Oh, I've also recently been into French 80s pop. I must admit that this musical path is almost archetypal for pre-millennials and that a lot of people could probably relate; nevertheless, I am happy with it. Obviously I am super opened to all music genres, and depending on the context I will find some more appropriate than the other (ex: drop-dat-bass rap when the Sun goes down), but I am referring to the music on my phone. 

Finally, a handpicked sample list of artists who have earned Katia's respect, no particular order:

• Red Hot Chili Peppers (absolute must)
• Alt-J (can't get enough of it)
• Radiohead (90s kids will know)
• Chromeo (they are the gods of sass, timing and beat)
• Angus and Julia Stone (their voices crack me down each time)
• Étienne Daho (tb to your parents' honeymoon)
• Talking Heads (talkative heads)
• Haim (got the 'tude)
• Atoms for Peace (combination of Radiohead and RHCP. No way.)
• Iron and Wine (peaceful and soothing)
• Chet Faker (sensuality at its finest)

Photos: Dahye :)
Dress: Zara Studio (one of my best purchases ever)
Loafers: Zara

Enjoy!
Katia

China Photo Diary

[Warning: dangerously long post ahead.]
Just wanted to share a considerable amount of OOTDs from my trip to China last summer. It was above 40 degrees Celsius most of the time too. Still, one of the best experiences in my life!

Enjoy!

Katia