Idiosyncratic Style

Idiosyncratic Style favorite, Fashion Designer Breeyn McCarney for her signature label, Breeyn McCarney and it’s budget-friendly sister line Another Word For Pink.

Breeyn wearing her own designs | Photographed by Christopher Lewis

Working on?
My F/W 2010 collection and my first independent fashion show (Thursday March 18, 2010). As soon as that’s finished I start the Another Word For Pink (AWFP) S/S collection, plus commissions for personal pieces including bridal gowns.

Favorite piece from your F/W10 collection?
So hard to say, I’ve put so much time, energy and thought into all of them. I am excited to wear the grey plaid jacket. I make a selection of sample sizes for stylists on editorial shoots and charity fashion shows, but I try to make the sample jackets to fit myself, too. They take so long to make that I’m unlikely to re-make one just for myself. So I wait until the season is over and then it’s mine.

Breeyn McCarney F/W 2010 Collection | Photographed by Mike Lewis

Your Creative Block Remedy?
Wow, here is a reveal. I talk to my ‘imaginary friend’. Ha ha ha…

Your Fashion Icon?
Vince Noir (The Mighty Boosh)

Your Idiosyncratic Style?
Vagabond. I think I might be a bit sloppy, but glam sloppy. Almost everything I wear is vintage or thrifted. I think Marla Singer (Fight Club) had great style (but cleaner).

Breeyn wearing a thrifted coat | Photographed by Christopher Lewis

Your ‘Old Faithful’?
A t-shirt my dad gave my mum 34 yrs ago wiith “Big Steve loves me” on the front and “So watch out” on the back. It’s black with awesome orange fuzzy letters. It’s the most perfect fitting t-shirt. It’s pretty threadbare, but I keep wearing it.

The Best Book?
Catch-22

Your Most Influential Artist?
Alexander McQueen. I was so destroyed the day he died. I’ve already got the concept for my F/W11 show and there will be a nod to McQueen in it. He’s shaped my whole approach to fashion – the detail, the craftsmanship, the tailoring…

Breeyn wearing a Natasha Ferro cape | Photographed by Christopher Lewis

Your Favorite City?
London, England.

In a time machine you’d go back to?
I really like modern amenities like hot water and clean plumbing, but even from a strictly ‘fashion’ stand-point, I reckon we’re the in best one now. Lots of things in the past looked nice, but it wouldn’t be so great to faint going up some stairs because your corset is too tight. Now we have so many options.

Your Guilty Pleasures?
Lady Gaga and watching the same movies over and over.

Your Favorite childhood game?
Dress up.

Breeyn wearing a necklace from her collection | Photographed by Christopher Lewis

Your ‘Superhero’ name and power would be?
Undefined Girl. Unfortunately, I can’t reveal my powers in an interview.

The cause you would give your all to?
The planet. It’s dying, and it makes me sad.

Your Style Advice?
No sweat pants. No Uggs. No jammies in public. Other than that, dress in what you’re most comfortable in.

What’s next?
Big things? I never know, I just work as hard as I can and see where it goes. I’d like to try for Project Runway Canada if they do another season.

Breeyn wearing items from Value Village | Photographed by Christopher Lewis

You can follow Breeyn on Twitter for updates, info and fun ‘tweets’.

Highlighted in the February issue of FASHION magazine, I thought you might want to know a little more about Edmonton fashion designer, Jessica Halabi.

What are you working on now?
I am beginning to design my F/W 2010-11 RTW Collection. Also, I am busy with many custom-made garments in the works… like too many to count!

What’s your Idiosyncratic Style?
On a work day, I’m a ripped jeans and converse girl. I love chunky rings. I appreciate wearing the kinds of things that other girls in “Conservative Edmonton” may not. When I dress up, I like high-waist skirts and wearing pieces I created. Usually, I’m busy dressing everyone else that I kind of forget about myself.

What do you never leave the house without?
Earrings, Mobile phone and a bra!

What song do you never get tired of?
“True Love Waits” by Radiohead

What is your favorite piece from your current collection?
It would have to be my colourful hand painted tights and most of my hand painted garments. It is a lot of fun for me to incorporate the painting into my designs.

Jessica Halabi hand-painted tights

Who is your greatest artistic influence?
Gustav Klimt

What is your constant source of inspiration?
Art and the female form.

What is the best book you have ever read?
FML.com. I also LOVE reading poetry and books by Khalil Gibran, who wrote one of my favorite quotes, “To work with love…is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart as if your beloved were to wear that cloth“.

Excerpts from the Jessica Halabi Collection

What was your favorite childhood game?
Old school Nintendo (still love!)

What is the first piece you ever made?
Like most, I began making doll clothes, but I created them from coloured balloons.

A Halabi designed doll dress

What is your guilty pleasure?
Oh jeez I have to add an ’s’ to that! Here we go - salmon skin sushi, eggnog, shish tawook (Middle Eastern)… and I’m just going to stop there because this could get a little embarrassing…

What’s your favorite city?
Beirut

What are you working on next?
I’m showing my F/W Collection during both Edmonton & Alberta Fashion weeks.

Jessica Halabi on the runway

For more information on her designs check out www.jessicahalabi.com

Toronto Costume Designer, Melissa Stewart, recently blogged for IdStyle’s NYE post and I thought you would definitly want to know a little more about her.

Photographed by Robert Barton-Taylor

What are some highlights from your work this year?
It’s been a busy year. In September, I designed Running Mates an indie feature starring Henry Winkler, DJ Qualls and Graham Greene. I also designed another feature in December - a sci-fi thriller where I got to built an alien costume using foam, poly urethane, a gas mask, wet suit - It’s great to get your hands dirty.

Describe your Idiosyncratic Style?
Urban Confusion! My style suits the moment and my mood.

Your signature scent?
Gaultier Le Classique & Madame.

Photographed by Robert Barton-Taylor

Your fashion icon?
David Bowie - He can pull off so many looks & just keeps getting better with age.

Your favorite childhood game?
Making sock puppets.

Name the most influential artist on your work/life?
Chanel, Balenciaga, Terry Gilliam, Wes Anderson, Zombies & Zombie Fighters.

Photographed by Robert Barton-Taylor

The worst fashion crime you ever committed?
My ginormous raver pants. I made them myself because I didn’t think the store-bought ones flared enough. My mother said I was sweeping the floors with them.

Your ‘old faithful’ - most worn piece of clothing?
Probably my Hunter rain boots - practical and fashionable.

What celebrity would you most want to work with?
I’d love to design a film with Cohen Brothers or Wes Anderson and of course, Terry Gilliam. In terms of actors - Penelope Cruise. It would probably be really fun or total hell - either way I’d love work with her - she’s such a brilliant actress. I’m also a huge Jeff Bridges fan - I’d love to dress him!

Photographed by Robert Barton-Taylor

Your worst guilty pleasure?
Meat!

Your favorite pair of shoes?
My Tom’s wrap boots.

What’s next?
In addition to film gigs, I’m designing & sewing a mini-collection of blouses and dresses with a 50’s twist - hoping to get the ball rolling in the off-season to have a collection ready for Spring ‘10. Stay tuned for more info…

Photographeb by Robert Barton-Taylor

Idiosyncratic Style takes a peek at Roller Derby Captain, Melissa Emerson.

Occupation?
Hair Stylist at ‘Cure Salon & Spa in Toronto.

A good day at work?
A busy day with lots of creative styling. I really enjoy doing hair styles of different eras like the late 50’s or early 60’s.

Celebrity you’d love in your chair?
Don Cherry. I think any person who is able to take their passion and utilize it in so many ways while still maintaining their personal style would be ultimately the most interesting to learn about and from.

Idiosyncratic style?
Eclectic and Eighties, it’s all about accessories.

Signature scent?
Dolce and Gabbanna Light Blue

Can’t leave the house without?
Cell phone, cold fx, accessories and gum.

Favorite childhood game?
Truth or Dare

Fashion icon?
Can’t name just one - Cindy Lauper, Alexander McQueen, Coco Chanel…

Fashion Icons: Cyndi Lauper, Alexander McQueen & Coco Chanel

Best book ever?
Battle Royale

Free time spent?
Roller Derby with the Smoke City Betties in theToronto Roller Derby.

Name & number?
Hot Roller, #48.

Your start? 
My downstairs neighbor was involved in Roller Derby, so I asked her to teach me to skate and she asked me to come check out the sport. By the time I learned how to skate, I was already hooked.

The Smoke City Betties & Melissa - photos via smokecitybetties.com

Theme song?
Stronger - Kanye West

Guilty pleasure?
Television teen dramas - everyone should check out Make it or Break it.

Best spot in the world?
Curled up on the couch with my girlfriend and our four cats.

Photograph by Dana Brushette

Occupation?
Photographer who specializes in making women feel beautiful.
I recently guest judged on the tv show Re-Vamped (watch it - epidode 4 online) and photographed the Pink Ribbon Pin-ups 2010 Calendar.

Current Project?
Dana Brushette Photography is joining with Weezi Clothing Studio to present The Breastest Day Ever to raise money for the Breast Cancer Foundation. It’s also an open house with a variety of amazing door prizes. The event is on Sunday October 25th at Weezi Studio (204 Albert St, London Ontario) open house from 12-5pm.

Dana Brushette photographed by 666 Photography

Idiosyncratic Photography Style?
I really like to work vintage elements into my photography. When I am creating a pin up or an edgy fashion photograph my style is light and fresh, flirty and fun as well as, sexy and sensual. Sugar and spice and every thing nice (and naughty)… everything a woman inherently is.

Signature Scent?
Vanilla Chai … I really like the spicy scent.

Never leave the house without?
My wallet… I love to find a vintage bargain

Photographs by Dana Brushette

Most Influential Artist?
Gil Elvgren- pin up artist

Worst Fashion Crime Committed?
I use to wear different plaids together … in a bad way!

Fashion icon?
Irving Penn, photographer who’s iconic fashion images are still used today.

Photographs by Dana Brushette

Go-To Source of Inspiration?
My dreams are a great source of inspiration as well as vintage books and magazines, like vintage Vogue.

Guilty Pleasure?
Vintage Lingerie.

Photographs by Dana Brushette

Favorite Food & Drink?
Popcorn (love it all buttery)and Pink Soda.

Favorite City?
As of now, Montreal … so much fun!

What’s Next?
I’m always looking for an adventure with my camera, a challenge or something new and exciting. I would love to bring on the road and tour around. Ultimately, I would love to be on T.V more, maybe even my own show.

Photographs by Dana Brushette

Want a photo shoot with Dana Brushette for a gift or just for yourself? Check out her holiday special or think about a fun group “pin up class” booking for you and your friends. More information at Dana Brushette Photography.

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.