A True Genius.

Tribute to Lee Alexander McQueen, an artist and a craftsman first.

mumstheword is born! http://www.etsy.com/shop/MumsthewordKnits

Last winter, I posted some behind the scenes pictures of a little photoshoot that i did with the help of my lovely friends for a project called mumstheword. This is a collaborative project that i started with my mum, which we are both extremely excited about.





My Etsy Shop: MumsthewordKnits
is finally up! For now I am proud to present three styles of headbands with brooches that are currently for sale. We have a whole fresh batch of knitwear coming soon for Fall/Winter 2010. so stay tuned!

Here is the story of mumstheword:

Melanie Cheung (daughter) is a fashion design school graduate who recently moved to Montreal from Toronto, Canada. She found her first winter in Montreal to be very chilly.

Kathleen Cheung (mother), a cancer survivor took up an old hobby of knitting while recovering. She began sending her hand knit scarves to Melanie and her friends to help them get through the treacherous winters.

Melanie designed some new ideas for knitted headbands and scarves, which her mother would create. Melanie also began creating accessories to be worn with the scarves and headbands.

The mother-daughter duo had been thinking of ways to help the COLON CANCER CANADA, and decided to start selling the knitwear and donate a portion of the profits to the organization.

Mumstheword was born...

The Yellow Bird Project

The Tallest Man On Earth - A Field Of Birds from Yellow Bird Project on Vimeo.

The Yellow Bird Project is a non-profit organization, whose mission is to raise money for various charities through selling t-shirts designed by various musicians. The project is designed to promote the artist, as well as their choice of charity.
The impressive lineup of musicians include many of my favourites. The theme song for the charity was recorded by The Tallest Man on Earth (listen above).

Here are a few of the T-shirt designs that are currently on sale. For more check out. www.yellowbirdproject.com

Andrew Bird - Pegasus Special Riders Inc

Spare-Ohs (Andrew Bird) from jbhmusic on Vimeo.

Au Revoir Simone - Transportation Alternatives

Au Revoir Simone "Fallen Snow" music video from Jason Drakeford on Vimeo.

Bon Iver - Interval House

so many foreign worlds. from {katie} on Vimeo.

Devendra Banhart - The Teenage Cancer Trust

Cibelle & Devendra Banhart "London, London" from Tom Haines on Vimeo.

Elvis Perkins - The World Wide Fund for Nature

Elvis Perkins - Doomsday from Steve Legare on Vimeo.

The New Pornographers - ALS

"Myriad Harbour" The New Pornographers from Fluorescent Hill on Vimeo.

Rilo Kiley - Free Arts for Abused Children

Rilo Kiley - 'Silver Lining' from the infantry on Vimeo.

The Shins - The Nature Conservancy of Canada

The Shins "Know Your Onion!" from Sub Pop Records on Vimeo.

and a whole bunch more, all raising money for many more worthwhile causes.

An Horse - Postcards

A Cool video for today:

Sufjan Stevens: for old time's sake

I've been listening to a little old time Sufjan lately...

Sufjan Stevens- Concerning the UFO sighting near Highland Illinois


I used to play this song every day on repeat. Something about the banjo I think...

Sufjan Stevens - For the widows in paradise, for the fatherless in Ypsilanti

Ink Storm

Ink Storm by Mark Van Gennip

European Carry-all?

Pret a portobello, is a great source for finding one of a kind vintage and new items. The site features all of my favourite vendors from London's markets, selling their items online. These satchels are from Lila
and vida vida

Thanks to Paper-Doll, for introducing me to this wonderful site.

Ain't got no

Villagers - Home

I've been very into Villagers lately. The lead singer reminds me of someone, but i can't yet figure out who it is.

St. Vincent - Paris is Burning

This is probably the 5th or 6th stop motion-song combo that I've posted now. This was never something that i had originally intended to do, but people keep making cool little stop motion animations to songs that i really like. I think it's all worked out very well. Here's another one:

Water & Oil

Fashion trends inevitably and often unintentionally echo social and political circumstances. However, deliberate social commentary through fashion are often shyed away from by major fashion companies in order to avoid controversy and uproars.

In Some cases, companies will purposefully launch controversial campaigns but mostly as publicity stunts rather than being fueled any actual political concern. Often when this happens serious issues tend to be ridiculed and glamorized through fashion rather than making any kind of profound statement. Just think back to Diesel's rediculous and in my opinion embarassing "Global Warming Ready" ads. Or trends such as "Dumpster Chic."

In light of this, I am refreshed (yet disturbed by the actual content) that Vogue Italia published this grotesque, creative and quite profound editorial commenting on the recent Gulf oil spill. While the images do possess a sort of haunting beauty, scenes of the models drowning in oil do not attempt glamourize the reality of the situation. This type of editorial would almost definitely never be published in American Vogue.



















all images (fashion gone rogue)

Arcade Fire - Sprawl II

Just listening to the new Arcade Fire Album "The Suburbs," as i set up my etsy shop. I wasn't a huge fan of their last album "Neon Bible," but so far I'm really into this new album. I also saw them perform at Osheaga and they were amazing.

Sprawl II:


Deep Blue:

Villagers - Becoming a Jackal

Villagers - Becoming a Jackal

Iggy Pop - The Passenger

Just because i like it

Musical Muses

Some very fashionable ladies who happen to be in some of my favourite bands:

Binky Shapiro of Little Joy







Jade Castrinos of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros









Victoria Legrand of Beach House








Emily Haines of Metric








and of course Joanna Newsom

Tracy's Waters - Patrick Watson

(Tracy's Waters - Patrick Watson, from the Album Wooden Arms)

I was listening to the Album "Wooden Arms" today. It reminds me a lot of last summer, (my first summer in Montreal) for various reasons. I've been lucky enough to see him perform live 3 times, in very different venues. Each performance was completely unbelievable. I also just want to mention how beautiful his website is, you can check it out at the above link.

(photo credits: Nisham Says Hi)

my growing obsession with expired film...

Fuji Rock

I love this girl's outfit choice for this year's 13th anual Fuji Rock Festival in Japan. Sure the Osheaga Fest in Montreal had some great artists on their lineup, and there were some note-worthy fashion choices among the crowd...but what i would give to have been a part of this festival for so many reasons!

(style.com)

Silver Soul

I saw Beach House at the Osheaga Festival in Montreal. They were completely mesmerizing. (I must say though, all that swaying in those silver bodysuits sort of gives me the creeps)

This is great song off of Joanna Newsom's newest album "Have one on Me." Joanna Newsom is a bit of an idol for me. Not only is her sartorial elegance recognized by the fashion crowd but she's lyrical genius and a true musical virtuoso.

Inquietude

The haunting work of Leon Spilliaert (1881-1946)

All is full of love

Equally innovative and bad-ass. Well done Dsquared.
(bleach black)