It's like a heatwave

In these tumultuously heated times, one can only anticipate how discomforting and unnecessary putting together an outfit can be. Sometimes, you just wanna throw on an old 'fruit of the loom' tank and flips flops and be done with it. But come on party people, we can do better than that. Here is my oh so gorgeous buddy Emily. I put together some of these outfits (did not take long mind you) keeping at the forefront, the fact that it is 49 degrees here in Toronto. They're breezy, lightweight pieces. And even just adding a flashy hat or a crochet sweater to an all too casual outfit can give life to your look without compromising anything. We all know the benefits to a hat on a sunny day, and the crochet can let good old oxygen dance on in, everyone wins!

till we meet again, 
Skye

Hey Stinky: Shave Your Arm Pits!

Thought of the day:  If you are one of those people who choose not to shave your arm pits, don't also be one of those people who refuse to wear deodorant !  JUST SAYIN'!

Okay I know we live in progressive times, when woman no longer need to fit into a sterotypical ideal of what the world wants them to be.  And I truly feel that this is a great time to be a Woman.  Glass cealings are being smashed every day by pioneers in fashion, science, politics and so on.  But in this progression I feel have we lost some gender rules that should be reinstated.  Like SHAVING YOUR GOD DAMN ARMPITS!   Out here on the West cost it seems to be widely acceptable to grow a bush under your arms, and that is something I can just not get down with. 

 Once upon a time in m life, I too rocked crochet tops and patcholli, listend to Janis Joplin and ate mushrooms for breakfast.  But I drew the line at excessive, stinky, unsighly body hair.  Here are a few woman that should also draw that line......

AND AS FOR ME:  I'M Back in Action!

IN OTHER NEWS, Yesterday I signed my first legal contract as a freelance designer.  I'm going to be creating Tech Packs for a company that develops collections for major labels- AND according to the contract- that's about all I can tell you.  I must say it was a little intimidating.  I defiantly translated some of the complex lingo in google.
I'm starting to feel like I might be one of the lucky ones.  Like I might be able to make this whole fashion thing work as a career.  The other day someone even described me as "Driven".  DRIVEN?  Really? ME?  I guess I never really saw myself that way.  When you have a clear picture of what you want out of life, you gravitate toward it with ease.  When that picture becomes foggy, like it has over the past year, it starts to feel like a struggle.  So, yeah, I guess you could say I'm driven. But mostly driven by the fact that I have absolutely NO back up plan if this doesn't work out.  Well I guess I could always give Medicine a shot!

A Big Huge Wiener and Back Lane Graffiti

Wow I can not believe how many people have viewed my blog in the last few days.  Pretty Cool! OH and THANK YOU!  

I stayed home sick from work today and I feel like a bag of trash.  That being said I can't really think of anything worthy to write, so look at these pics and I'll see you tomorrow!  

Honesty this could have read: "I love Kung-Fu"-Bruce Lee- and I still would have found some sort of meaning in it because it's from Bruce Lee.

A Little Back-Lane art.  This space was so small I don't know how people got back there to paint it.  Amazing.  

More Street Wisdom

 This Guy makes me feel Equally scared and happy.  And a little hungry.

This is taken through a giant hunk of metal sits on the corner of Granville and Georgia.  I'm not sure what it is, but I'm sure it's some sort of west coast expresionist art.  Hobo's like to sit on it. 

Does anyone remember Alex Mac?  It looks like the blob she used to turn into on that show!

For those of you living under a big giant rock.... When Vancouver lost the Stanley cup, all hell broke loose on this corner.  After the volunteers boarded up the giant shop windows.  People began writing messages of peace, love, and unity on the sheets of wood.  One clever person even wrote "First Riots-Now Graffiti??? Get it together Vancouver !!!!

This older lady is still keeping it gangster with a broken arm.  Although the botox doesn't allow you to see it- She's actually smiling right now!

Bad Tattoos and LOUIS VUITTON in the Streets of Vancouver

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NO NO TO CAMEL TOE

This post is not going to be deep, or smart, or enlightened.  This is a few thoughts on- YEP- CAMEL TOE! THAT'S RIGHT- THE DREADED CAMEL TOE.

This topic crossed my mind as I watched an attractive young lady cross the street wearing an interesting pair of trousers.  By interesting, I mean that it look as though her lady parts were eating the fly of her pants.   Not to long ago one of my male friends, who's opinion I respect very much, informed me that some camel toe is sexy.  He said that it is comparable to a girl seeing a "nicely formed outline" on a guy.                           HOLD UP- WHAT?????  Because I think it's more comparable to seeing a guy rocking a greasy mullet and beat up Brooks runners! Here is what is wrong with camel toe:

IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT!

HEY YOU!- YEAH YOU - LOOK AT MY EARRINGS! (Day 4)

Don't have much time today.  But check out these sweet earrings I made from recycled leather.  Just finished a little collection for a potential buyer out here.  I'll be sure to throw up some pics later on.

Thought Of the Day:  Leggings ARE pants.  I know this because I am currently wearing a jumper that is so short, that if I was not wearing leggings you would see my bum.  There for Leggings ARE pants!

Day 3

So yesterday was awesome.  I started doing some graphic design and today I will be taking to the streets to snap some pics of street fashion, for 51 Cities, a magazine I'm going to be contributing to.  "Street Fashion" is a strange thing in Vancouver.  For Women, you have the young that look old and the old that look young.  20 something girls with polyester novelty print blouses tucked into highwaisted (sometimes camel-toe accentuating) tope pants, with huge clip on bejeweled earrings.  And then the hip, wife of a business tycoon, type.  These ladies might be stoked about the way they look, but you would never be able to tell becuse the botox is ristricting all facial movment.  No Disrespect to Botox ( See you in a few years Mr. Botox Needle)   And then we have the men.  Oh the men.  Let me say this- I come from Winnipeg- where the only time you see this many men is suits, is if your standing outside of a courthouse!  And there is simply nothing better than a man in a well made suit.

I will be posting pics from my rainy day street adventures so stay tuned!

Peace- Thank You for sharing my day with me!

Day 2

FOR THE RECORD:  I am really happy but I have to act casual when I take pics from my computer in Starbucks- People Stare!

So what did my day consist of yesterday you ask?  Well I developed a list of international designers I would like to show at Van Fashion Week, I came up with a design challenge for fashion students, and generated a load of awesome promo ideas for Vancouver Fashion week.  And miraculously, I did not encounter a single person who gave me a bad vibe.  (Accept the dude who looked like the Asian Guy from The Hangover- He insisted on reading one of my proposals over my shoulder and felt it was necessary to announce there was spelling mistakes- DUDE IT HASN'T BEEN SPELL CHECKED-  I let it slide b/c he seemed socially challenged)  I have to admit, being surrounded with business people is a lot more peaceful than a room full of cut throat fashion-heads.
But Let me just say this.  I come from a small city.  I went to a modest school.  My shoes cost $25.00 and my necklace came from an Asian Market and cost $5 (bartered down from $7 of course).  All those things considered, you would think that I would not be anyone's first choice in the fashion industry.  But there is something to be said for modesty and hard-work.  I'm starting to realize that competition makes you feel like there isn't enough in the world for you.  As if what you have to bring to the table isn't good enough.  Some people are raised/born with confidence, wether that is a result of a fat trust fund or a flawless smile.   For the rest of us, we have to pretend until we can actually be proud of who we are as individuals.  Pretty proud right now.
In other news:  My first pay check will be spent on shoes!

A NEW DAY.

When I moved to Vancouver I envisioned myself stomping down Granville with coffee in hand on my way to my awesome job. Now I'm sitting at Starbucks on Granville waiting to go into the beautiful building I can see through the window. Thoughts become Things!  Today is my first day with Vancouver Fashion Week working in PR.  Yesterday I was fully prepared to hop on a plane and drag my sorry ass back to Winnipeg.  Today I get to do something great.  People say "You have to start somewhere"  - I'm so happy this is my somewhere.  

An Article about Me in Vancouver Fashion

 Face of the Future ~ Trisha Petrovich

By ASHLEY PEFONIC

Illustrations by TRISHA PETROVICH

Years from now Trisha Petrovich will be the Creative Director behind a top selling fashion label, loving what she does and utilizing every one of her wild ideas. To all those people who tried to steer her career in a different direction, she'll look back and say "I told you so!" Growing up in Winnipeg, the idea of a career in fashion seemed to get strange looks, but this talented designer knew it was the right decision for her. 

Interested in fashion from an early age, Petrovich was a girl happy at home who drew stick people with dresses. Giving herself every opportunity she could to be involved in fashion, Petrovich worked in retail after high school. Hard work paid off and soon she was taking charge of visual direction for 13 stores in three provinces. Petrovich's passion did not go unnoticed and with her boss' encouragement, it was time to take the next step and commit to the Fashion design program at the University of the Fraser Valley.

Talent and passion would not be enough to prepare Petrovich for the entire creative process that goes into designing a full collection from concept to construction. "In fashion school you are the designer, the drafter, the seamstress, and the salesperson. I guess you could say I was a little naive to this fact at first." Yet along with the challenging process comes the rewarding lessons. With no right or wrong answers in design, Petrovich had to rely heavily on her own personal taste and judgment. Learning to trust her perspective and stay true to her vision were the most important lessons learned in school.

Appreciating fashion trends while always wanting to be on the edge of the next big thing, Petrovich designed her grad collection for "a vivacious young woman who is a taste maker!" The Electronic Love grad collection is inspired by the "constant electronic vibe running through life and manifesting in music, art and fashion." Described as "IN. YOUR. FACE; young and sexy," the collection challenges the common notion of taste. The most difficult and research-intensive garment for Petrovich to create was the LED light piece. Lights are sound activated and flash in sync to music. As a nod to the future as depicted by pop culture (think "Tron" and "The Jetsons") and in exaggerated details in shape and colour, the collection has a very "tongue-in-cheek attitude toward fashion."

Petrovich is excited to get involved in the creative process of a Vancouver-based company. "I'm an ideas person. I love taking a small concept and turning it into something larger than life." When asked for a style philosophy she believes it's as simple as "...show yourself. If your style shows who you are, than it has served its purpose."

You can follow Petrovich's work and read her lifestyle and fashion blog at http://fashioningherlife.blogspot.com/. Best of luck!

For more information on the fashion program at the University of the Fraser Valley go to http://www.ufv.ca/fashion.htm

Jonas Bevacqua of LRG dead at 33

It is with a heavy heart I inform the reader of this post that Jonas Bevacqua, creator of LRG has died at 33. MR. Bevacqua your perspective and creations will live on. Your vision and dedication to your craft has been an inspiration to me and countless others. RIP
Here is what we know: (Courtesy of http://vainstyle.com/?p=21052)

June 1, 2011-vainstyle.com

Every loss of life is a sad occurrence, but some deaths resonate louder and harder across this journey we call life. The fashion industry and the world has experienced a great loss with the recent passing of Jonas Bevacqua, the co-founder and creative director of Lifted Research Group, also known as LRG. With Jonas only being 33, the creation and development of the LRG brand has always been at the forefront of his thought process. “I didn’t feel there was a clothing company to bridge the gap among all these different things that we were into – that spoke for that melting pot of what was going on. That’s what LRG was all about.”

Since it’s creation in 1999, Bevacqua, business partner Robert Wright and the LRG brand has always been on a two way street of support and benefit with a host of celebrities, actors, musicians, artists and athletes, all of which have shared the brands sense of style and overall concept of community. Hymie Betesh, Chief Executive of DrJays.com told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday of the groundbreaking brand, “In essence, they almost created a new genre in sportswear.”

There has been no official word on Bevacqua’s cause of death, but he is survived by his fiancé, son, seven siblings, his mother and father, and a world full of friends, colleagues and fans. Our thoughts, prayers and sincerest condolences go out to all who have had the opportunity to be touched by the wonderful life that was ended far too early.

BABY I was Born this Way!

Go ahead- Guess which one is me!  Yep that's right, the one with the pink 2 piece suite who seems to think she is posing for the cover of a fashion magazine.

Its been about a month since I finished fashion school.  For someone that thrives under stress and chaos, a month is a very long time to be alone with your own thoughts.  And it is an extremely long time to sit around and read all of the online statements by fashion students from around the world who are struggling to find a job.
Just as I was starting to get discouraged by the lack of response I was getting to my countless job applications, Oprah came through for me.
I was driving this morning and the station I was listening to was playing clips from her final show.  Her final words really moved me and got me thinking about my place in this world and what I was supposed to be doing.

In a nutshell she said this:
Follow your calling.  Everyone on this planet has a calling.  You might not get paid for it, it might not be glamorous, but every one has a calling.  So follow your joy.

For one reason or another, I was slapped in the face by a memory of a video that was taken of me when I was 3 or 4.
There I was, chubby little Trisha, in her JEM and the Holograms night gowned.  Braided pigtails and way-to-thick bangs!  I sat on one of those fuzzy chairs that every kid has sat in at one point or another (See Below)




I was holding something, maybe a hair brush, and giving an interview to myself.  
WORD FOR WORD this is what I said:  "Hello. I am a little girl, and I am always fashionable,  ALWAYS FASHIONABLE!" I went on to detail how I was following all of the latest trends, which involved me flipping my pigtails with more sass than any three year old should ever have.
This got me thinking about other random childhood memories.  I started thinking about the first dress I ever designed, a spaghetti strapped sun dress with peace signs all over it.  I remembered being in my Nana's basement.  The house was full with my crazy Italian family, Aunts, Uncles, and all of my cousins.  It must have been late 90's because I remember my Dad loosing his mind when I started cat walking to "I'm to Sexy".  I would just go bananas when that song came on.
In an effort to calm me down, someone usually had a back up pen and paper.  I would sit for hours and draw stick men with dresses.  No Hands, No Feet, JUST DRESSES!

So back to Oprah.  Everyone has a calling.  I really feel like the best way to define that calling, is to reflect on who you were as a child, before the real world got it's paws on you.   Before you were worried about money, or status, or bills.
 So I took a little walk down memory lane.  Went through old birthday cards, sketch book drawing, and notes from Jr.High  I found a drawing that one of my best friends did when we were 12.  It was of my first boutique.  Hilariously called "La Trisha Boutique" (Because everything is cooler in French apparently)
As I searched through years of debris, I read words from people that said things like "I'm so proud of you for following your dreams"  and "You were meant for this".
 And just when I thought I had lost it,  there it was.  My calling.

In an industry filled with "No", "Can't", and "Don't"  it's easy to loose sight of  "Yes" "Can" and "Do".  Sometimes people think they are doing you a favor when they tell you "How hard it is out there".  But here is what I think:
Its really hard to hear whats calling you, when your listing to other people's noise.
That's my Oprah moment.  

  


My Legs  be achin' from the dreams I be chasin'

Two years ago I woke up one morning and decided to move across the country to go to fashion school.  Not even two weeks ago I was in the final lap of that race.  Some how, by the grace of the universe, I managed to make it through.   Its funny how not even 14 days ago I thought I would die from lack of sleep or caffeine overdose, and now I'm leisurely writing about it on a sunny patio still clutching an oversized and over priced coffee.

BUSTED: After 3 days of no sleep I grabbed a large piece of fabric and fell asleep on a table at school.  

I often compare fashion school to a bad high-school boyfriend.  At the time you thought he was so horrible for forgetting your 2 week anniversary or giving you a CD that belonged to his ex-girlfriend, but looking back you realize that all of the bad things weren't really that bad.  You realize that the really hard shit actually just made you stronger.  And you realize that all of the good things are what you cherish the most.  The successes you had far out weigh the disappointments.   

This is the most important thing I learned in school:

Human beings need sleep!  Its just part of our system.  As integral as food or water.  But a funny thing happened when I awoke from the hibernation I was in for the last two weeks.  I realized that there was a whole in my heart where the stress used to be.  I'm currently searching for something to fill the void.  I'm not sure, but I think that thing might be writing.  Sharing my experiences and perspective with other like minded people.   

 Let me give you a little perspective on what this journey was like.....

My Account of my first day at school- Written Tuesday, September 8, 2009 

So today was my first day of Fashion school. It could only be described as a direct reenactment of every scene in the 1996 classic, CLUELESS. 

I drove on the free way for the first time in my life holding on to the stearing wheel for dear life.  Coming from Winnipeg, I had never driven past 50 KMH.  Oh and one more thing, I had only passed my driving test about a month earilier.  A driving test administored by a man in his late 40's that I basically sweet talked into passing me.  You know how they are suposed to fail you if they have to grab the wheel?  Aparently not if your wearing a short skirt and a low top!  

Back on to the highway.    I talked to myself the whole way. "Alright Trisha there is a red semi on the right, and a huge mother of a van on your left....now get in-front of it" then I would talk shit to the high way... "Thats right , I GOT THIS" 

I got to school in a pool of sweat and had to reapply my deodorant in the parking lot. I later realized that the reason why people were flipping me off and honking at me was becuse the speed limit is 100 KMH.  I was going 60.

The parking lot was a whole other ball game. Thank god for my Winnipeg licence plates b/c they got me so much help, and the parking patrol guy told me to not worry about paying when the machine ate all of my loonies. 

The classes were sweet and my fashion drawing instructor was the quintessential "Cool teach" That tells you to take your textbook and rip it up. 

In my textiles class we had to go around and say our name.  I felt the need to share a little more.

 "Hi I'm Trisha Petrovich, and I drove on the freeway for the first time today". 

The whole class slow clapped awkwardly as if to say "who the hell is this chick". 

After my first class I was starving. I walked out of my class room and right into a huge poster that said "Stop Darwin Lies" a ANTI evolution rally. At first I thought it was a joke, and then I realized it was a CRAZY campus christian group. GREAT! 

 As I left my class I followed the sound of bad university radio and the smell of cheese burgers. I managed to find myself in the line for said cheeseburgers (don't know how that happened). I grabbed one, stood there eating it and pretended I was looking for my friends (Like I had super eyes that could see back to Winnipeg).

 I approached some hippy dudes (not smelly hippy, more of hipsters really). I asked them where I could find some coffee. The one guy replied by saying "AAAH if you could drill a whole like right underneath me that is where it would be" OKAY THANKS CHEECH! FML

So I made my way to the "cafeteria". I say it in parenthesis b/c I've never been to a school cafeteria that had its own Starbucks coffee bar and on site sushi chef. SOLD!

I don't know if it was the 3 cups of coffee I had before the ride home, but man was that a scary mother of a drive, The only good part was when free bird came on the radio and I sang along "DDDDDRRRRRIIIIVVVVEEEE ON FFFFFFFRRRREEEEEE BIIIIRDDDDD"   Luckily for me someone had told me that the outside lane was for slow moving traffic.     I stayed in that lane the whole way home.

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