Idiosyncratic Style

Occupation?
Costume Designer for ‘Indie’ Canadian Film and Television

Current Project?
Just finished shooting a feel-good Hallmark Channel TV movie called Family Gathering starring Natasha Henstridge and Harry Hamlin.

What’s Next?
Showcase TV comedy series Pure Pwnage based on the popular web series of the same name about a pro gamer and his skewed version of reality.

Extra Credit? 
Secretary of CAFTCAD (Canadian Alliance for Film and Television Costume Arts and Design), an organization to promote Canadian Costume Design.

Idiosyncratic Style? 
Colour, Costume and Comfort. Days on set can be pretty long, so for me it’s all about wearing clothes that feel like pjs or nightgowns! Being around and shopping for great clothes and accessories inspires me to add, remove and change pieces (hats, scarves, necklaces, etc)  in my own ensemble all day long. I do get some pretty funny looks sometimes, but I forget that the ‘perfect’ outfit in front of the mirror is often ‘too much’ for ‘civilians’. I don’t mind looking a little ‘costumey’ because it makes me smile and ultimately I like to put together outfits (for myself) that make me laugh at loud.

Your Worst Fashion Crime?
Combat boots, cut off jean shorts, oversized tuxedo shirt and blonde spiky hair.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?
Probably Julia Roberts cause of her great hair, huge smile and box office draw.

Don’t have a ton of cash to shop accessories this season? Create your own one-of-a-kind layered necklace at almost no cost. Inspired by of the moment designers, you can make your own version to showcase your idiosyncratic style.

(clockwise from left) Tom Binns, Abs and Janice Savitt

STEP 1: GATHER SUPPLIES
Look through your jewelry box for pieces of jewelry that you don’t wear or are bored with. If you haven’t got a lot to work with, check out thrift stores for small bags of broken jewelry or even find some cheap pieces from a mall jewelry store. You will also need small jewelry pliers and some fine jewelry wire that can be found at any craft store. You can also pick up new jewelry closures and extra lengths of various interesting chains at reasonable prices.

STEP 2: PREP YOUR PIECE
Start to take apart all the jewelry you have acquired. Separate all the bits into different groups (closures, chains and charms). Choose a design theme for your necklace, something to keep you on point throughout the creation process. Seperate the pieces that support your design theme (tone, style, bling…)

STEP 3: BUILD YOUR NECKLACE
Choose your base, a length of chain you will use to build the rest on. I like to use small safety pins to secure pieces together temporarily, because sometimes the design changes as you work. Once I am sure of placement, I then use the jewelery wire to neatly secure the pieces together. If the safety pins support your design, go ahead and leave them in or add them later. Try to have a lot of fun throughout this process, play with the placement and the pieces you use to find the most interesting combinations. Be sure to securely fasten a closure to the ends of the necklace.

STEP 4: WEAR YOUR CREATION
Your new necklace is simple enough to wear for day and cool enough to wear at night, so wear your new designer necklace anywhere with the pride of knowing you made a unique piece that no one else will have and you didn’t even have to open the wallet, just your mind and creativity.

The Gun Metal Tangl Necklace was made for less than 20$.
The Layered Nautical Necklace was made from found objects and cost 0$.

Edited by Jordana

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I am completely in love with all 3 seasons of the British teen drama Skins. The show’s storylines are entertaining, but what has me hooked is the fantastic styling of costume designer, Edward K Gibbon. Edward creates costumes that tell you something integral about the character upon visual observation, but that are also completely stylish in their own idiosyncratic way. I am infatuated with all almost all of the character’s style, but somehow narrowed it down to my top five.

1. Cassie Ainsworth Season 1 & 2
Cassie beats to the tune of her own drummer. She favors vintage and one-of-a-kind clothing that give her a style all of her own to match her quirk-ridden personality. She battles personal demons of self-loathing manifesting as anorexia and other self-destructive behavior, but she is the first person to see all the wonderful qualities of others.  Life never ceases to amze her and she is in a constant state of “wow”.

2. Effy Stonem  Season 1, 2 & 3
Effy is a complex character and the only one to play in all 3 season. At times she is a wee bit of a sociopath, like her brother Tony, void of any outer emotion and manipulating others feelings in a human chess game. At first, her style is good English girl by day, wild child by night, but by season 3 she is an all the time bad girl. Her style is total f*cking rock star. Even when she is dressed trashy, there is an editorial quality to the look that makes you want to be at least a little bit like her.

3. Naomi Campbell Season 3
Naomi is extremely passionate about her ideals, politics and principles. She isn’t afraid to stand up for what’s right and that is evident in her style, which stands out on it’s own and doesn’t feel the need to follow any trend of the moment. She is often headstrong and certain of herself, until, well a personal journey takes place which leaves her certainly unsure of herself. Her style is always full of interesting ideas that will inspire personal style.

4. Chris Miles Season 1 & 2
Chris is the consummate party boy. He is the guy you think you will hate, but you end up loving. Chris is always up for experiencing whatever life has to offer and without thought will follow wherever the fun is taking him. Chris lives in the now, he does what will make him the happiest in that particular moment, which is evident in his personal style which is part clown, part raver and all pure fun.

5. Thomas Tomone Season 3
Thomas, an immigrant from Congo, is full of unconditional love for life. He has a maturity and a human kindness that isn’t often found in teenage characters. His style is never fussy and showcases his cool, casual and bright disposition. If there was a character that I wished was a real person in the world, it would be Thomas.

Whether you are going back to school or just excited about fall fashion, pay attention to your soles this season.  The newest shoes from your favorite designers seem to have a personality all thier own, so let them do the talking.

THE PROM QUEEN

Manolo Blahnik | Sergio Rossi

THE VALEDICTORIAN

Tod's | Cole Haan

THE ART MAJOR

Christian Louboutin | Dolce & Gabbana

THE VARSITY HERO

Yohji Yamamoto | Balenciaga

THE DRAMA CLUB STAR

Anna Sui | Dolce & Gabbana

THE DETENTION LEGEND

Burberry | Alexander McQueen

THE CHIC FREAK

Miu Miu | John Galliano

What clique does your shoe style belong to?