Lana Grant, Singer/Songwriter

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Fashion Defining Moments - Clothes Paired With Personal Memories

Like music, fashion is an element in our lives that shapes special moments, emotions, and lasting memories. 

From birth many of us are plunged into the traditional white Christening gown that is elegant and a significant feature in this religious ritual. Most have saved, cherished and passed down these gowns as an heirloom within the family unit.

From there we move through our childhood with both good and bad clothes defining moments.

Starting off with our parents deciding what our style is and forcing it upon us from an early age. I still have a few nightmares of the pretty plus brown velour jogging suits and polyester pants and tops I was presented with. Luckily I can relive my nightmare anytime I want with many of those fashion captured on camera and stuffed into weathered, yet cherished family photo albums.

We mature and begin our own independent journey of style, which looking back I still question some of my choices, but all of these styles made a statement and represented who we were at the time.

I still recall vividly my grade nine peach taffeta prom dress and my grade twelve shimmery purple silk gown, both beautifully hand sewn by my talented mother. As well, my stunning store bought off-white wedding dress delivered on making me feel like a princess for that day. Most of us held onto these as long as we could almost suffering as we parted with them (even though we only ever wore it the one cherished time)
 Kate Middleton Wedding Dress Pic
We often look at clothes as an exterior reflection to our interior selves, so our selections are usually something we have put some thought into. Even with overflowing closets we can still find room for the right outfit, accessories or glorious shoes...there is always something out there catching our eye!

My love of clothes came at such an early age…

My mom was a seamstress and worked from our family home both mending and creating. She had her special room in the basement of our home that was always tidy and full of sunshine. Her sewing machine was her pride and joy and the ironing board nearby was another well used item. Tucked neatly into a nook in the room were tons of threads and fabrics along with her Vanda and Mary Kay make-up bags of products she had tried her hand at selling at one point.
Women sewing and socializing
I remember being paid a quarter to pick out hems and zippers in need of fixing…I think I pushed it up to 75 cents as I grew older and more money hungry – as there was a delightful candy store at the end of my street that received most of my earnings.

There was always a peace-fullness in that room with the hum of the machine pedal, the lure of the radio playing softly in the background and the concentration applied to the handwork. I think that’s when my love and care of clothes truly began.

The art of sewing is becoming such a dying skill…For generations my mother’s family were talented at everything from sewing to knitting, etc.! I never picked up the skillset myself beyond the basic repairs. But, I have a super fashion talented cousin (Janet Hill) who went all through fashion school and I thought her designs were so fresh and unique and she even made beautiful hand painted scarves and unique dyed patterns from fabric she would pick up during her worldly travels! Though she’s now back in school wanting to be in the legal field, I hope she still has a desire to carry her talent with her in some capacity. I've left some great links to some articles and video from her previous fashion work.
http://www.glossmag.ca/issues/9/fashion/8-live-in-colour.html
http://www.fashionologie.com/LOreal-Toronto-Fashion-Week-Janet-Hill-Capsule-Spring-2009-2432533?page=0%2C0%2C25#0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf6FiEftCV0

I was inspired to write this recent article about fashion after stumbling upon the unique and quality work of a local fashion design (Lisa Drader-Murphy – “Turbine”)

I love the feminine cuts and unique fabrics within her line (I was really drawn to her upside down dress pictured below - modelled by Lisa herself!)…plus she makes the most awesome belts (Obi Belts) + so much more…and she lives in my city!! Have a peek at her website: http://www.turbine.ca/

So this week, make a point of dressing up (high heels and all!)…grab your spouse, date or best friend and head to a yummy restaurant or decadent club and see how good it makes you feel! Would love for you to share a fashion moment or memory from your present or past...

What people are saying?

on July 27th, 2011, susan said...

Oh, Lana, you never cease to amaze me on the things that you remember growing up and the way you are able to write your blog.  This was a good one. Congratulations!

on August 11th, 2011, Lana Grant said...

A little update to this fashion blog….I recently had the pleasure meeting and enjoying the company of Lisa Drader-Murphy for an enlightening afternoon chat. From that encounter, I believe I have found a new great friend and a kindred spirit.

I’m also happy to announce I’ll be taking part musically in her upcoming Turbine Fashion Showcase on October 15th in the Schooner Room at the NS Casino! Tickets are going fast! 

Click here (or paste into browser) to see the event link:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=159139614161100

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ルブタンは彼が彼の靴に女性が感じる方法を好む、 <a >クリスチャンルブタン靴</a> これは彼がそれらを設計する理由であると述べている。彼は、女性が自分自身のために、他の人々のためだけでなく、セクシーな見てみたいことを知っていると、靴の美しいペアを身に着けていることは部分的に自信のために、部分的姿勢と、それに役立つこと。
1992年に、ルブタンは、パリで彼の最初の店をオープンしました。それは彼がそれ以来欲望の対象となっている伝統的な赤の唯一思い付いたこともこの年でした、そして彼の商標です。 <a >クリスチャンルブタン靴</a> 2007年に、彼は商標赤裏をするためにアメリカに出願をし、他の会社が百貨店では、例えば、それらを使用することができなかったことを確認する。クリスチャンルブタンは彼の靴を見ていた、彼らは完全に見えなかったことが苛立ってきたときに赤の唯一のアイデアは、から来ました。彼の助手はルブタンが撮った彼の靴をベースに使用される赤のマニキュア、と彼女の爪をペイントしました。ルブタンは、オプラ特別な時にビデオでこのことについて話しました。オプラは、彼女が靴デザイナーの大ファンですが、他のファンがマドンナ、ビクトリアベッカムが含まれていることを述べている。ジェニファー·ロペスは、ずっと前に “ルブタン”と呼ばれる曲をリリースしていない。
彼は連続してシャネルとYSLで靴屋でした。 <a >クリスチャンルブタン</a> 1988年に、クリスチャンルブタンの靴を生産するためにディオールでロジャーVivierの実行に参加、彼の友人に説得されました。マスターの監督の下で、靴を作る彼の技術はすぐに一人一人に知られていた新しいレベルに引き上げた。その技術は靴を作るのより成熟であることだったクリスチャンルブタンは、彼自身のブランドを設定します。彼によって行われた靴はきれいな色で、主流に独立した傑作の名で行って、それが現れたときが心配大いにあったエキゾチックな一杯でした。
1963年に、氏はクリスチャンルブタンは、彼の成功への道を開いた彼の幼年期のParis.His特別な経験では、労働者の家族に生まれました。コー​​ンヒールのペアのアイコンは、彼がパリ海洋美術館を通過したときに、彫られた床を踏みつけないように女性を訓戒することを目的とした彼の目を、6826を消した。<a >クリスチャンルブタンポンプ</a> それは、彼は靴のペアはとても素敵になります最初に見つかったであるかのように美しいハイヒールのこのペアを見て、彼、13歳の少年が、あまりそれに熱心だった。その時、パリの豪華さと散逸あった、経済の復活を受けていた。クリスチャンルブタンは、カラフルな世界の誘惑に何のスタンドを行うことはできません。
彼はしばしば最も有名なナイトクラブの放蕩を楽しむために宮殿に行きましたが、その時、彼はこの場所をold.Inわずか14歳で、彼は同時に、何であったかファッション実現するために始めた、彼は徐々に情熱だったステージでのパフォーマンスやダンスの女の子に。 <a >クリスチャンルブタンポンプ</a> ナイトクラブに滞在したので、彼は勉強を中止した。デザインの開発を追求しながら、彼はいくつかの奇妙な仕事をしていた。しかし、靴を設計することは彼のために画期的であったクリスチャンルブタンの靴を作成して、彼の後者の成功の伏線。

By beispLypecity on May 18th