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

Cold Hearted

Current mood:
Chet Faker - 1998

Just soak in the music, NOTHING else.

Canadian weather strikes again. Instead of unleashing the Goose, why not spend these last snowy days layering as much as possible. Not just a coat over a sweater, but how about a scarf over a coat over a jacket over a top - trust me it'll keep you just as warm.
I combined two major trends in this look: denim dresses and dresses over pants and skirts. As sub-trends of the big 70s wave seen everywhere from streetstyle to runways, it allows you to be stylish without screaming copy-cat. However, I still can't wait to wear this tunic by itself!

Pictures: Dahye my boo
Dress and boots: Zara
Coat: Vintage
Scarf: hand knitted

Enjoy!
Katia Houle

The Stains of Glass and Today

Just having a thought on the word 'basic', here referring to people and actions. I would never classify people myself, but I am able to observe some traits of this behaviour. According to the Urban Dictionary, it is defined as:

"An adjective used to describe any person, place, activity involving obscenely obvious behavior, dress, action."

Basically (no pun intended), I think that basic people follow pop culture and popular trends recurring in social media and consider it as the ideal way to be. It isn't done consciously most the time, as it is incorporated into their Habitus and is reflected in their daily actions. It's obvious because it's cool, and it's cool because it's obvious. Being basic in one context can be completely different in another, but let's say in first world countries, a cup of Starbs and night out selfies are one of the most flagrant examples. However, eating green foods or wearing a fashionable look just because it is trendy can just as well be the case. If there aren't any deeper motivations for an action other than immediate appearance, that is when something becomes basic. If you truly believe in encouraging Starbucks as a company or choose to eat healthy as a lifestyle, then your actions make sense. Being a little basic isn't a bad thing, and I think that we are all guilty, because it is impossible to escape the influences of what is constantly being presented to us. I myself am guilty of many basic things, and I even consider fashion blogging itself as one of them. Just look at the number of fashion blogs out there that are so similar one to the other. Yet this gives us something in common with the people who share this conviction, and allow us to unite, and even reshape this basicness. 

I guess that its modern-day antonym would be hipster, which is around the lines of someone trying to be different and not influenced by society. Nonetheless, hipsters becoming more and more common and following the same type of path, could they also identify as a type of basic? 

It isn't simple. At the end of the day, I think that being basic or hipster / same or different  isn't the question, it's about how you eclectically incorporate surrounding elements into your person and make proper use of it to nurture your personality and entourage. I look up to the people like Neil Degrasse Tyson who isn't afraid use the tools of the modern era to humourously tweet the latest astrophysical discoveries, and whether he's sipping on homemade fair-trade coffee or a Frappuccino.  

Pictures: Dahye
P.S.: This babe just uploaded a new lookbook that I filmed on her YouTube channel, and once again my sassiness is featured in the bloopers.

Shirt and boots: Zara
Clutch: Want les Essentiels de la Vie
Trousers: Dr Azhu Studios

Enjoy!
Katia

Cornered

Posting something rather office appropriate since my March Break simply doesn't exist this year because I am spending it working at an internship for Pfizer. I mean, I'm actually far busier than school days. I'm surrounded by dynamic businessmen in a professional environment, sitting at my own office, with my own laptop, security card and tea doing marketing analysis literally from 8-5. Not to mention two hours of commuting to get there and two more to get back. That aside, it's a wonderful experience, where I get to apply what I have learned in the classrooms my entire life for the first time. 

I've been wearing this coat everywhere. For this outfit, its purpose is to structure the looseness of the unbuttoned white shirt put together with a leather skirt with pleats on the edge. The trendier way to wear it right now is with a colourful turtleneck popping out and/or with flares. But again, probably not at the office where I'm currently working.  

Pictures: Dahye :)
Coat: vintage
Shirt and skirt: Zara
Shoes: Alberta Ferretti

Enjoy!
Katia