shegotstyle: Super Red in SoHo
What's your power color? For as long as I can remember, mine has always been a shade of obnoxious cherry red. My business cards, my favorite shoes, my website branding - I always gravitate to red. So, after many months of debate, I finally decided to dye my dark auburn locks a bright red, just to switch things up and to see if red is my truly my power color. Despite a few mishaps due to my clumsiness - the white jacket pictured became red all along the collar thanks to night of dancing - I literally sweat my hair color out - I love it. I feel like a better, more confident and honestly, despite the color being "fake" - a more authentic version of myself.
This past Saturday, I was running around SoHo and the East Village and had time to grab coffee from my god, La Colombe, with my friend and fellow creative Corey Chalumeau. Corey's been shooting street style for awhile now so naturally, we turned our catch up session into a photoshoot. It was the first hot (20 degrees celsius plus!) day on the East Coast so I took advantage by doing minimal layering. The skirt I purchased from downtown boutique Blue and Cream after a shoot with Revolt TV during NBA All-Star. The mesh tee I picked up at Nike Lab during NBA All-Star as well while the Helmut Lang blazer is a staple in my wardrobe whenever I travel because it is so versatile. My lipstick is actually the same one that Agent Carter actress Hayley Atwell wears for her role. I ordered it a few months ago and it just so happens to match my hair perfectly - talk about a happy accident! Check out the details and photos below. More style editorials coming soon, stay tuned!
Details
Photography: Corey J. Chalumeau
Hair: Original box color by myself - Vidal Sassoon VS pro series; red color gloss by Lyndsay Musso at Self Salon Brooklyn.
Sunglasses: Celine from Tina Catherine in Chelsea.
Blazer: Helmut Lang from Jonathan+Olivia in Toronto.
Top: Nike Women from 21 Mercer/NikeLab.
Bra: La Perla black lace from La Perla in the Meatpacking District.
Skirt: A.L.C. Clift Skirt from Blue and Cream.
Rings: Maison Margiela from FarFetch.
Bracelet: Nike FuelBand gifted from Nike.
Lipstick: Red Velvet by Besame.
shegotgame: Soccer Jerseys Are My Graphic Tees
Ah, January - the coldest month (at least here in Canada) - is also the time of year when we're supposed to put into action all of our hopes, dreams and resolutions of the new year. Mother Nature, you can be quite the little bitch. It's only fitting that I received these images from last summer from my friend and former theScore (RIP) co-worker, Michael Andrew Reid, during the coldest week of the year. But in keeping with goals and personal resolutions (I will blog more, I will do my hair at least once a week...the usual), I figured why not lift frosty spirits and focus on a warmer, slightly less layered time and outfit.
As a sporty girl who works in fashion (or a fashiony girl who works in sports, depending whom you choose to ask), I love integrating not just athletic wear but actual jerseys into my regular wardrobe. I'm also a bonafide jersey collector - I tried to quit a few times, but why fight what you're good at - right? Soccer jerseys have long been the mainstay of men for mixing in a sporting shirt into a casual outfit as they fit much like a regular shirt, albeit in a performance material. They're much more tailored than say an authentic hockey sweater, and much less long than an NBA jersey. But why let the boys have all the fun? The World Cup led to a lot of fun jerseys mixed with some boring, basic ones but all in all - there was plethora in the streets of Toronto (I live by Little Portugal aka the all green and red everything neighbourhood) and New York City. One of my favorites was this Team USA soccer jersey as it had a few of my sought after elements when it comes to the overall aesthetics of athletic pieces - bold colours, clean lines, effective logo placement, and flattering fit and colours. As a Canadian girl of French heritage, the tricolour (ha!) and unabashed lover of New York, Americana, and captain Clint Dempsey, the US jersey was the right choice for me.
I hunted far and wide (okay, Nike and Moddell's in downtown and midtown NYC) for my own Nike Football USNMT Road World Cup jersey. I thought about going men's, women's or kids - but the women's sold out, the men's silhouette was too long and boxy so the kid's jersey fit just right - as did the reduced price point. I've had my eye on the perfect, unstructured white blazer season after season and I finally found the perfect one in this boxy, rouched sleeve blazer by Helmut Lang at Toronto's own Jonathan + Olivia. I went in a purchased it before we started the shoot for about $200, instead of the retail $670-$750 because there was a pale peach foundation spot on the garment. After I consulted with my dry cleaner (I had gone to check it out the day before and consulted it with my guy Wayne, who I see more than father) I purchased the jacket knowing he could get it white and right. I paired the jersey with my favourite distressed Lee jean shorts by Fruition LV, which at this point were beginning to fray a bit too aggressively on my rear, so I put on my Nike Pro Combat 3 inch shorts underneath for coverage and comfort. After all, denim on pale skin in hot weather, isn't so comfortable, so the shorts wicked any sweat and kept my keeps from making appearance on Ossington Avenue. Keep your cheeks on the beach, ladies. I added a pair of black thigh high stockings and my black leather Browns Shoes stiletto over the knee boots that I bought back in 2011, that so happen to be trending now AGAIN to edge the outfit up a bit. Pro tip: if you have athletic thighs and calves like me, try a stretch leather boot instead of one with a zipper! I wore my usual gold and rose gold jewelry - my Nike Fuel Band, Maison Martin Margiela ring (they came in a set of 4, I've lost 3 - help!), various rings a Balenciaga "inspired" cuff from Quebec department store Simons and my wolf ring from the Campbell River Museum - my birthplace. The bags are by Mishka NYC (thank you!) and Zara. My hair was cut and blown out in a Bardot-esque (my Frenchie-ness, yet again rears it's head) by Palm Sunday finished off my white acrylic nails that I miss everyday. The flushed face is courtesy for the worst summer stomach flu of my life - Jesus be a make up artist!
I feel like the Lang jacket really brought it all together to take it from cut offs and a tee to a more sophisticated place. This is roughly what I wear on a daily basis in the summer, give or take stiletto boots for a more sneaker. Next time you reach for a graphic tee and heels, why not a try a jersey instead to add a little sporty spice to your life, or some stiletto boots if you're feeling more posh than sporty. Let me know what you think of the look and you can shop the pieces and similar styles below.
Jersey Judgement: Nike NCAA National Championship Uniforms
We're only six days into 2015 and it's already a historic year in sports, especially in the NCAA. This college football season marks the first ever national championship playoff, and two Nike teams - Ohio State and Oregon - have made it to title game on January 12th. The uniforms leaked last week as they were available to purchase via the Nike Store but now, Nike Football has finally released the backstory to uniforms and some very intense photos.
Much like the last series of NCAA football uniforms, the Nike Mach Speed uniforms embody a superhero theme, complete with menacing wings and capes. (Imagine if Nike made the mascots too? They'd be terrifying yet amazing.) One of the most interesting details of both uniforms is the use of the fractal diamond swoosh on both the pants and jersey, which is almost holographic and reminiscent of 90's swooshes on sneakers.
The Oregon Ducks uniforms is sleek and tonal, using a white jersey, wolf grey pants and silver accents on the clothing and on accessories like the wings on the helmet and the diamond swoosh. Little details are harder to appreciate, like the fact that the chest graphic on the Ducks' base layer is angled specifically to 27 degrees to represent the Ducks 27 bowl game appearances. However one glaring commission from the Ducks kit is the lack of their two primary school colors - green and yellow. The only whisper of green is in the gloves, which reveal the color when the player flexes his hands. Nike is known for using the Ducks squad as their gear and apparel test monkeys and since there is no repercussion from the NCAA governing body on colorways, Nike is free to experiment and give the Ducks custom jerseys for single game!
The Ohio State is more traditional with the use of color blocking and is inspired by the stylings of the 1968 Buckeyes uniform. The Buckeyes will sports a home red jersey, also with wolf grey pants and silver and white touches. The updated old school uniform features the traditional grey helmut, ready to be adorned with Buckeye stickers as well as stripes down the pants, across the shoulders and in the center of the helmet. It should be noted that between the two teams there are only six colors used. Gone are the days of a clashtastic final match up a la any Boise State game.
If I had to pick a favorite between the two uniforms, one that updates the past and the other that looks to the near future of sportswear - it would be the Ducks. The silver wings, the tonal styling (very on trend) and little details really make the uniform special yet still understated. Take a better look at the uniforms and in-game accessories below and let us know which team you'd ride with aesthetically speaking and your pick for the big game on Monday.
Source: Nike.com
shegotgame: New Jordan Brand Boxes for 2015
As you may have heard, Jordan Brand is getting back to the basics with a high end twist for 2015. The Brand is releasing some of their most infamous retro silhouettes remastered in premium materials, like the good ole days. Since the new, more luxurious sneakers are going to be dropping soon, Jordan Brand couldn't have the shoes come out in just any old boxes so they're upgraded their boxes. In keeping with the black, gold and white theme Jordan Brand has been playing with for the last few years - and used in their new Flight23 stores. The redesigned boxes are black with gold embossed Jumpman and "23" insignia on the exterior. The interior features natural cardboard with white tissue paper that is marked with the number twenty-three. The brand new boxes arrive beginning in 2015 and will be used for both retro and new performance releases. No word yet if the GS release will get the black boxes as well. What do you think of the new Jordan boxes and creative direction? Is it fitting with the new premium image and price tag or is it just more hype? Let me know what you think.
shegotgame: Megan Ann Wilson for Toronto Raptors x Mitchell and Ness "North Side" Collection
As a Canadian NBA stylist, one of the top three questions I get asked by family, friends, colleagues and strangers is, "Do you work with any Raptors or other Toronto teams?". My answer up until a few weeks ago was no. I have Canadian clients who play in the United States, I've written for Canadian publications and wrote about the Raptors - but I've never actually partnered with them on any projects.
All that changed on Hallowe'en when I was cast to be apart of the latest campaign for the new clothing collaboration between the Raptors and Mitchell and Ness. I was asked by the Raptors' social media department if I was interested in being part of an upcoming photoshoot. They were looking for influencers that best represented the mix of sports and fashion, given that it's an apparel collaboration and I was top on their list. Being a Toronto girl, the Raptors are the main reason why I became a basketball fan, I was honoured. Originally I was under the impression that is was going to be more a social media outreach campaign with other selected influencers, but it turns out it was a little different from that.
My first look that was left on the cutting room floor. Shirt by Mitchell & Ness x Toronto Raptors "North Side" collection, sweater by Simons, tech pack sweatpants, rose gold Fuel Band and black Huarache sneakers by Nike, vintage gold necklace, rings by Maison Martin Margiela.
I was cast as one of the models (that still feels weird to type) for the newest collaboration between the Toronto Raptors and one of my favorite sportswear brands, Mitchell and Ness. The North Side collection is exclusive to the Raptors' Store at Real Sports at the Air Canada Centre so the creative departments from MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment) and Real Sports wanted to do something different to celebrate the special collection. For the campaign, I modelled alongside Raptors' in-game host Kat Stefankiewicz, NBATV's Akil Augustine and MLSE producer Mark Vanella. The four of us were given two t-shirts each and styled ourselves with an "urban" look using our own personal wardrobes. We were told to bring jeans, hoodies and plain sneakers - so I had to branch out a bit since my style isn't the usual denim and a t-shirt look. We had a make up-artist/hair person who kept us as natural as possible and I think that was possibly the least amount of make up I've worn for a shoot or when I've been on television. However, it was nice to feel like myself because quite frankly, I spend maybe 5 minutes on my make up on a daily basis.
The creative crew going over selects from the shoot - note the rain gear.
We shot on a cold Hallowe'en morning outside of the Air Canada Centre in the rain and wind. Naturally, being that there was no one on the shoot and my slightly obsessive attention to details, I took over some of the styling duties like helping Kat pick her looks and pinning Akil into shirts. Being in front of the camera and a face of a marketing and advertising campaign is certainly new territory for me! BLUE STEEL.
My second look for the campaign and the final edited image used for the campaign. I'm wearing a "Property of the Six" t-shirt from the Mitchell and Ness x Toronto Raptors collection and a Toronto Raptors Mitchell and Ness snapback available at the Real Sports along with camouflage tailored sweatpants by Zara, black leather jacket by Religion, red pony hair booties by Opening Ceremony, rings by Maison Martin Margiela and Simsons and my "Leo" nameplate necklace.
It was a great time on set on location at the ACC and I was never so thankful for a Second Cup close by for some necessary caffeine. It was great to work with fellow creative professionals from Toronto and collaborate on a project that so many people from the city would see. It turns out the photos will be used pretty much everywhere! Our group photo is currently being used on the main page of RealSports.ca, as part of a print/banner advertisement in front of the store and will be featured as part of the social media, digital and print marketing campaign - crazy!
We are all such serious models. From left to right - Akil, Mark, myself and Kat.
I feel very blessed that I was handpicked to be apart of the shoot and represent my hometown to its fullest. I've been lucky to find some success in the US Market but it means a lot that Toronto is showing love for my work and my passion too. If you're in Toronto or follow the Raptors or Mitchell and Ness online - make sure you keep an eye out for images from the photoshoot and please tag me in them as @shegotgame. You can check out the final images from the photoshoot below and I'll be sure to share some of the advertisements as they come out in a later post. It's true what they say - do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life...just make sure you have enough and good shoes!
