GEORGIE magazine Issue 4 (Digital Edition) by Georgie Magazine

ISSUE 4

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contents

Profile Angie M

COVER Girl Talk

Photo Spread 1 Chiaroscuro

LISTENS Kid Sister

DESIGN A Gentle Fawn

Photo Spread 2 Baroque-n Hearts

PROFILE Xue Wang

BEAUTY Fawn Over Me

CARES Good Kharma

On the Cover Girl Talk Photo: Ashley Champagne

georgie Publishers Georgie Inc. Editor in chief Georgie Creative director Nathan Marshall Photo editor Ashley Champagne

INTRODUCTION It’s the last issue of the first year, and we are so pleased at how it has all unfolded. Relationships we’ve made and expanded, new and old, have allowed this to be an amazing experience. Thank you to everyone who has supported Georgie in any way. Your enthusiasm

Photographers/illustrators/Designers Ashley Champagne , Amanda Diaz, Kele Dobrinski, Jennilee Marigomen, Nathan Marshall Writers Grace Glowicki, Heather Noel, Colleen Nuc, Nathan Marshall, Andrea Steen Copy editor Jude Zuppiger

and openness has inspired us to create, connect, expose and to move

PR/Marketing Michelle Gibson

forward. This year has been about trying new things, motivating and

Special thanks

encouraging creativity in our readers, and growing. Our goal has

Lauren Hughes (Mousy Brown’s), London Miles Art Gallery, Kyla & Stacy (The Common), Nikki (Nicola Gavins Makeup Artistry), Fiona McNair (Hi-Fi Models), Drew Marshall, Erin Monaghan, Ali Schick (Suka), Sarah Duke, Jill Coursen, Kirsten Klontz, Paul MacDonald, Elise Truong (Sweet Carousel), Gabriela Cruz

been to share our love for the arts, fashion, design and people. We hope you’ve felt it.

Inquiries info@heygeogie.com Advertising sales@heygeorgie.com www.heygeorgie.com Copyright © 2010 Georgie Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada. -------------------------------------------------------------------Georgie Magazine is published four times a year. The views expressed in these pages are not necessarily shared by the publishers.

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Stylist Gabriela Cruz (FOOSH & Bamboo Ballroom)

Text Grace Glowicki Photo Amanda Diaz

profile

The Colour of My Soul - 2008

Temple of Thoughts - 2008

What I admire most in an artist is the cultivation of a distinct

“Prince” depicts the music icon himself belting out a tune whilst doves fly about.

style. When looking at Angie M’s

work, the first thing I noticed was her

Bold colors and flowing strokes convey a beautiful sense of move-

very driven sense of style. That is not to say

ment, making it appear as though sonic beats have been translated

that she is confined within a certain genre, be-

into Angie’s language of paint. “I listen to a wide variety of music and

cause she isn’t. While her most proficient pieces are best described

it ignites what I begin to create,” she explains. “When I listen to a song,

as urban realism, her other works bear the marks of cubism, surreal-

the rhythms produce images in my head like flashes of tiny pictures.

ism, and graphic art. The common factor in all of her work is, in a word,

I pull colors, shapes, characters and expressions from those images

intensity. From paintings heavy with movement and color, to smoul-

and translate them into sketches and paintings.”

dering portraits sketched in pencil and graphic art resembling high gloss graffiti, these creations are anything but quiet.

In this way, I see the connection people have made between Angie’s work and the famous performance painter, David Garibaldi, whose

With such a well-developed style, it is no surprise that Angie has

“Rhythm and Hue” act involves him pumping out tunes while he in-

been artistic from a very young age. “My mother would read me the

tensely “feels the music” and paints portraits of famous musicians. She

Hans Christian Anderson classic, “The Nightingale”. I fell in love with

has also been compared to Justin Bua, who coined the style ‘Distorted

the singing nightingale and felt inclined to begin drawing it; this was

Urban Realism’. Like Bua’s, many of Angie’s pieces depict characters

around the age of four. From there I began drawing my own charac-

frozen in musical moments.Yet, she lacks his darkness. Bua seems to be

ters inspired from other children’s stories.”

focused on a certain type of underground beauty, while Angie emerges as more optimistic. Her pieces celebrate music and movement.

Perhaps her gravitation towards the singing nightingale was an early indication of her obsession with music culture. Several of Angie’s

Due to the raw uniqueness of her style, it came as no surprise when I

pieces convey music-inspired images. A painting titled “Breaking the

found out Angie was untrained. “My priority was to develop my style

Boundaries” portrays two break dancers caught in motion. “Rhythm”

in an organic way. I’ve thought about art school and know the value of

shows a woman grooving in front of a collection of speakers, and

it, but I wanted to explore art development without formal training.”

M.J - 2010

Prince - 2009

As is the case with many Edmonton artists, An-

the intent of expression. I am most proud of my

it and for creative expression, I think you can

gie’s artistic community is tight-knit and ultra-

dedication to my work and pursuing growth as

easily be an artist in any society as it’s some-

supportive. “The scene here is small – could

an artist.”

thing that comes from within.”

be lack of funding or lack of public interest.

Curious about the process of becoming an

The people who are involved have a strong

artist, I asked Angie about her own transition.

Angie’s favourite painting is her newest: “I

sense of unity and respect for one another.

“For me, it was when people started recogniz-

don’t even have a title for it yet but it’s an abstract

The nice thing about it is that it’s easy to stand

ing my work and style. For the longest time, I

surreal painting on the creation of the world. A

out and get noticed by your peers. I think there

would paint and not show anyone. Then I start-

new topic for me to explore in my work. I have

is a lot of underground talent emerging and in

ed putting my work out on social networks and

been listening to a lot of Prince for this one.” The

time it will grow into a bigger art culture.”

online, and noticed a really strong response. It

connection between Prince and the creation of

was then that I started taking my work more

the world is lost on me – maybe because it’s

seriously and considered myself an artist.”

baby-making music? Regardless, her newest

Despite Edmonton’s small scene, Angie M has had successes many artists would dream

work is infused with the intense conviction that

about – her work has been featured at shows,

When asked whether she thinks it is hard to

festivals, on blogs, and she has received com-

live as an artist in our society, Angie replied

missions for everything from independent al-

that it depends on one’s definition of an art-

For anyone who wants to check out this fabu-

bum covers to business cards. Despite these

ist. “If you want to be accomplished, wealthy

lous artist, you can visit her website, www.ang-

accomplishments, she stays true to her artistic

and successful off your art, it can be difficult

iem.ca, or see her work on display at FOOSH.

roots. “Selling my work has never been my

depending on what city or market you live in.

priority,” she reflects. “I mostly just work with

If you are doing art for the sheer pleasure of

9 georgie

makes Angie’s work so intriguing.

Untitled - 2010

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listens

Makeup Nicola Gavins Stylist Ali Schick Assistant Stylist Gabriela Cruz

id Sister has it all: looks, tal-

Where did you come up with the name Kid Sister?

ent, charisma, and it doesn’t

My brother picked it for me. I couldn’t pick my own name

hurt that Kanye West is her

‘cause I couldn’t think of anything. My brother came up with

friend either. After climbing to

the name after remembering that old school commercial with

the top with her debut single

the Kid Sister doll. [Proceeds to sing the Kid Sister jingle]

“Pro Nails”, featuring longtime friend Kanye West, Kid Sister,

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

otherwise known as Melissa Young, is quickly becoming

I have a lot of people in my life who influence me. The DJs I used

one of Hip Hop’s most promising “femcees.” The 30-year-

to listen to in the late 90’s, and I’m not going to name any names

old artist began performing under the name “Kid Sister”

‘cause I don’t want any thirsty bitches stealing my ideas. I’ve

in 2006, following encouragement by her brother Josh, also

recently been listening to old tapes I had back in high school,

known as J2K of the Chicago DJ duo, Flosstradamus. She

and I have a car with a tape deck, so it’s awesome!

has since been signed with Downtown Records and in 2009 released her debut album, Ultraviolet, an eccentric mix of

What’s your favorite part about touring?

hip hop, R&B and electro. Even for those who aren’t big hip

It’s the actual shows that I love. I literally love performing;

hop fans, Kid Sister has mass-appeal through her smooth

that is the best part of everything that I do. Sometimes I wish

old school flavor, infused with pop sensuality and a person-

someone could take care of the whole writing and recording

ality that would charm the designer pants off Anna Wintour.

part of the job and I could just perform, like some of those

With her growing fan base and a tour underway, Kid Sister is

pop stars out there. I get to go up on stage and do my thing

showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

while people clap for me. It’s the best job ever!

You released your first album just a little while ago, has any-

Has anything embarrassing ever happen to you on stage?

thing in your life drastically changed?

I was on stage one time with these loose jeans. They were

Well, I just finished moving into my place in L.A today, so

slipping down and I had this pink and green underwear on,

that’s a pretty big change. So now I have two places – one

which was riding up. All you could see was this large flash of

here in L.A and one in Chicago. Two places, two faces, let’s

bright cloth – for the world to see – and I was on stage just

go! I’m excited to live in L.A

strutting my stuff.

I just want to continue making music, making visionary ground-breaking music. That’s my dream and I’m already living it, so I just want to keep this momentum going.

What’s the one interview question you can’t stand? “How is it working with Kanye?” My answer is always like, “How do you think it was working with him? Obviously awesome.” But I actually don’t really mind that question. I appre-

So it sounds to me like you’ve hit the big time.

ciate all questions.

[Laughs] Yeah, well I’m now living a little more comfortably. I’ve lived in some of the worst apartments, driven the worst

Name one word to describe yourself.

cars and worked crazy hours, so it’s nice, but I wouldn’t say

Feisty. And emo. I can be very emotional at times.

I’ve hit the big time yet! Everyone needs to slum it for a while – it builds character. And I’ve slummed it for nearly

I have to say I wasn’t too familiar with your music until a little

a decade! I definitely appreciate everything I have. I’m like,

while ago, but I can officially say that you have attracted one

“Wow! A sink that actually drains!”

more suburban white girl to your fan base roster. [Laughs] I love hearing that! But my family is from Iowa, so

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I bet they’re even whiter than you. Come on, the chicken

I just want to continue making music, making visionary

dance? I know how to do that.

ground-breaking music. That’s my dream and I’m already living it, so I just want to keep this momentum going. The fact

So what’s your schedule like for the next three months?

that I’ve made it to where I am is pretty incredible.

I have a European tour in the fall. I just got back from Canada, which was super fun. I just finished up recording a mixtape

You’ve recently released a single on the Jersey Shore soundtrack

with A-Trak (Kanye West’s DJ) and I’m enjoying a Bud Light

called “Lookout Weekend” with Nina Sky. How did that happen?

commercial on the television set right now, which is pretty

Well the song “Lookout Weekend” is a Debbie Deb remake

exciting. I’m also recording a new song with Paul Wall for his

I did with a New York twin duo named Nina Sky, who are

new album, which is super cool. Afrojack is coming out with

super cool. But to tell you the truth, I still don’t have cable so

his new album called Ministry of Sound and I’ll be hitting

I’ve never watched the Jersey Shore. But I did see the one

the studio with Travis Barker tomorrow. So it’s going to be a

where Snooki got punched in the face! Basically my label

whirlwind for me all over again, or maybe just a continuous

asked me if I wanted to do a song for the soundtrack and I

whirlwind from when I first started.

was like, “Fuck ya!” So I guess it just happened. Now I should really go watch the show! So I’ve noticed that there are probably about a hundred people on Youtube asking for your hand in marriage. Are you single or should we hook something up? I am definitely single! Let’s hook something up!

13 georgie

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profile

XUE WANG TEXT HEATHER NOEL

Less than two years ago, Xue Wang did what many struggling artists only ever dream of: she left her career to follow her passion. She relocated from China to the UK at the age of 22 in order to finish an education in fashion design. Upon working in the field, however, Wang discovered that what she really wanted to do was oil painting. Although she developed a hobby of drawing at an early age, the serious pursuit of a career in visual art was new to her, and must have seemed risky. Yet Wang already seems to be making a name for herself in London. Drawing inspiration from fairy tales, vintage toys, and film noir, her artwork has captured the imagination of many by eerily combining childhood elements with darkness and sensuality. Her doll-like subjects stare out from her paintings through eyes that appear almost indifferent to their fantastical surroundings, yet there is also something expressive about them – like they’re trying to tell us something. Wang’s work was recently featured at the London Miles Gallery, one of the UK’s foremost galleries for surrealist, pop, lowbrow, comic book, and illustrative art. She took some time to speak with Georgie over the phone about her work, her influences, and the differences between fashion and visual art. 15 georgie

The Last ‘Leg Over’ - 2010

WHEN DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN VISUAL ART?

IS THERE A NARRATIVE HAPPENING BETWEEN THE

When I was little, my mom sent me to these drawing classes.

PAINTINGS OR DOES EACH TELL A NEW STORY?

I think that’s where I got hooked. Later on I did a degree in

I have done one-off paintings but I don’t think they’re going

fashion. When you’re a teenager, girls just love fashion, and I

anywhere. Currently I’m doing a theme about a fun fair in the

was one of them. After my degree in fashion in China I moved

night. I think for the future I’m going to work as a theme. It’s

to London. That didn’t work out really well for me so now I’m

better for my own development. When you find a subject, then

going back to art again.

you really get into it rather than doing one-offs.

CANYOU TELL US ABOUT THE TRANSITION FROM FASHION

YOU SPOKE OF THE DOLL-LIKE FIGURES IN YOUR PAINTINGS.

TO THE VISUAL ART WORLD?

DO YOU DRAW INSPIRATION FROM ACTUAL TOYS?

Fashion is purely industrialized. It’s very commercial and I

DO YOU HAVE TOYS IN YOUR STUDIO?

think that my creative mind just didn’t suit it very well. I worked

Well, I made one. I made a silicon one myself when I was at

for a few years in fashion and because it’s only about making

Uni. My Uni had a work shop, and with technicians to help me,

clothes, it’s sort of limited.You can’t show people what you really

I made a doll. What I’m drawing now is slightly different, but

think. You have to think about what’s going to sell, and that’s the

still the figures are big-eyed, with a big head and a small body.

essence of fashion. But in art, it’s more creative and you can

Apart from that, I don’t have any other models.

show people what you really think. People appreciate it more.

My paintings look

innocent and naive, but they are really adult-minded IS THERE LESS PRESSURE TO MAKE A CAREER IN VISUAL

IN SOME OF YOUR PAINTINGS, SUCH AS “THE LAST LEG OVER”,YOU SEEM TO BE CREATING A SPECIFIC TIME PERIOD. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHAT ELEMENTS TO INCORPORATE INTO A PAINTING TO INDICATE THE PERIOD? “The Last Legover” portrays the relationship between the Tin Soldier and Cinderella. I’ve done Cinderella with 20’s hair – that’s a period I really love. The environment was a doll’s house. I go into museums regularly. I take pictures of the toys and the furniture inside the doll houses. I just kind of put them together and play around with it, but I do try to make it look vintage and old – a kind of timeless look, but still look chic.

ART THAN IN FASHION? Definitely not! In fashion you have to worry about the cost of

YOUR PAINTINGS STRIKE A RESEMBLANCE TO MARK

material, the market and the customer. But in art you have to

RYDEN’S WORK. IS HE AN INSPIRATION OF YOURS?

do it from beginning to end all by yourself. From your research,

Yeah, I discovered him when I was doing fashion in London.

your sketching, and your painting, every brush stroke is done

That was 2005 and that was the first time I ever heard of him.

by you. In fashion you can pass it on to someone else, and

I was in China before and everything is clothes and...you don’t

people have different jobs. Art is so personal, and it’s definitely

really hear anything. You don’t see many things either. Ryden

not easier than fashion!

is one of the top artists I like. I also like Frida Kahlo and Henry Darger. And also some other artists like Alfred Kubin. He’s a

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE THEMES AND MEANINGS

Victorian artist doing illustrative...kind of evil, figurative work –

OF YOUR PAINTINGS?

really cruel. I think my work is kind of sweet and cruel... There’s

I’ve got this fascination with childhood elements. I discovered

a point where it meets and people don’t know if it belongs to the

it a long time ago, but since I did a degree in fashion in

cute catalogue or the evil catalogue.

London, I’ve rediscovered this theme – playing around with

17 georgie

childhood, dolls, etc. I made a really good collection from it.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR ART GOING FROM HERE? DO YOU

I like fairy tales, a stage set and fun fairs. This kind of thing

SEE YOURSELF WORKING IN OTHER MEDIUMS?

just fascinates me. My paintings look innocent and naive, but

I’ve done colour pencil and watercolour pictures before. Before

they’re really adult-minded, so it’s a bit creepy. I don’t really

I did oil painting, all my girls were done with a colour pencil and

shout out what my paintings are about. Different viewers have

watercolour, and it was like pure illustration. But you don’t get

different feelings towards them.

this richness of the image, so I’m doing only oil now.

Heart Break - 2010

Godzilla is Ill - 2009

19 georgie

High Tea - 2010

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21 georgie

cover

TALK HEATHER NOEL

Ashley CHAMPAGNE

Sled Island, 2010. Girl Talk is closing out the Friday night show at Calgary’s Olympic Plaza. There is a chill in the air, forcing eager fans to cram together like cattle between the speakers. From the moment the music starts the crowd begins to move, streams of toilet paper and confetti fall from the sky, a pack of dancers in colourful outfits takes the stage, and in the middle, behind his laptop, Gregg Gillis bounces along. Gillis is the man behind Girl Talk and perhaps the most successful mash-up artist working today. His particular brand of bastard pop consists of compiling various Top 40 samples and working them into danceable sound collages. On his 2008 album, Feed the Animals, he used over 300 songs as source material, averaging around 20 distinct samples on each track. When we met Gillis backstage for the Georgie photo shoot, he was surprisingly soft-spoken and unassuming. It was hard to imagine that this was the same guy known for tearing off his clothes onstage while playing gangster rap. “I don’t think of it as an alter ego, but I definitely behave differently onstage than I behave anywhere else in life,” he explains during our interview. Gillis describes his performances as a natural extension of his personality and insists that there is no prescribed set of behaviours which make up some contrived Girl Talk persona. Nevertheless, he admits to his own theatrics. “I think with any sort of band or performance you’re up there putting on an act to a certain degree. In life I’m pretty low- key but when I get on stage I don’t want to sit up there and bore people.”

His shows are anything but low-key, and boredom is rarely

creasingly more frequent. “I think people build something

reported. In fact, Girl Talk may be best known for the fren-

up in their minds about me, just like I’ve built things up in my

zied dance parties that continuously fill clubs around the

mind about musicians I like, or my neighbours who I don’t

world. On the importance of the live show, Gillis remarks,

know that well. You build up these images about people

“It’s a huge part of the whole Girl Talk thing. I feel like it’s

around you based on what you can gather.”

an entirely different beast than the albums, but they’re both almost equally important to me. I tour half the year and I’ve

It hasn’t always been sold out shows and molestation at-

gotten a name out there by touring and people knowing the

tempts for Gillis. At its genesis, Girl Talk was an experimen-

show, so the show is extremely important. I kind of view the

tal act, playing to crowds of 15 to 20 people while Gillis held

shows as being a more functional outlet for the style of music

down a day job as a biomedical engineer. But early on, Gil-

I do. At the shows, I’m focusing a bit more on making it some-

lis made a conscious decision to push the boundaries of

thing that people can dance to and celebrate to.”

the experimental electronic music scene by incorporating

Gillis spends the bulk of the year touring, playing two or

ground-oriented music shows,” he explains, “so back then it

three shows a week. It’s been three years since he played

was about trying to challenge that underground music scene

Edmonton but he remembers his last visit vividly, specifically

with pop music.” In a scene where pop music was essentially

the eager fan who thrust a hand down the front of his pants

taboo, Gillis challenged norms by demonstrating that musi-

while he performed on the dance floor. “I appreciated the

cal tastes don’t need to be so black and white and, above

gesture, in terms of just showing enthusiasm for the show,”

all, by proving that pop is not evil. Although he has since

he says, completely deadpan, “but I was pulling the hand out

departed from that scene, Gillis still appreciates noise and

of my pants and the hand was resisting like it wanted to stay

experimental music. He is, however, weary of its tendency

there. So I kind of had a battle and had to force myself out of

towards elitism: “I think a lot of times, in more experimental

a hand job so I could continue playing.”

styles of music, it can be viewed as potentially pretentious if

pop music into his act. “I was playing at these more under-

you’re aiming to make music that’s only going to be enjoyed In recent years, such celebrity treatment has become in23 georgie

by a couple of people. And pop music can be viewed as

watered down if you’re trying to sell it to everybody...Regard-

they were taking these familiar bits and making something

less of what kind of music you’re making, you’re still going to

crazy out of them. You could hear it and have that sense of

have an album cover, you’re still going to have a band name,

nostalgia – it definitely takes you somewhere – but then they

so you’re still packaging a product.”

manipulate those feelings and take you somewhere else.” In June of this year, Gillis began work on Girl Talk’s fifth album.

Of course, even Gillis will acknowledge that his music’s ap-

He describes it as similar to the last album but with more

peal is due in part to the incorporation of already established

repetition and greater variation in the length of samples.“I

hits. But Girl Talk tracks have the unique and enviable quality

think each album kind of gets closer and closer to what I’m

of being endlessly surprising and yet instantly recognizable.

doing live,” Gillis says, but perfecting the sound is a long and

Although you may know at one moment that you are hearing

meticulous process. “I’m very detail-oriented and I’m kind

Kelly Clarkson, the Zombies, and Nine Inch Nails simultane-

of neurotic about it, so I end up working twelve hours a day

ously, it will be an entirely different (and equally unexpected)

to get 30 seconds done.”

combination in 15 seconds. In a sense, listening to Girl Talk is like boarding the nostalgia train. On the dance floor, you

It may be a while before we see the next album completed,

might begin to think your life is flashing before your ears – at

but Girl Talk fans can rest assured that as long as there is pop

least the FM radio part.

music, Greg Gillis will have an instrument. “I’m always listening to the radio. I have satellite radio in my car and I listen to

“I grew up on a lot of hip hop, and back when I was a kid I

local stations as well. I don’t even have to listen to the radio.

didn’t know that much music. I’ve heard The Partridge Family

When you go into a bar they’re playing music, or the grocery

theme music sampled in hip hop, and I’ve heard other famil-

store...We’re just constantly bombarded with songs. I have a

iar things. I’ve heard The Price is Right theme sampled in rap

running list of songs I want to get to, and I never catch up with

songs. Whether you love it, hate it, or whatever, you remem-

that list. There’s never been a moment in ten years of doing

ber it a certain way and then they kind of twist it and take it

this when I thought, ‘man what should I do next?’”

somewhere new...When I found out about people like John Oswald, or Kid 606, what I liked about their work was that

georgie

design

Agentlefawn

Text Andrea Steen Photo Jennilee Marigomen

25 georgie

Danielle Requena seems consummately Canadian. She’s very polite and sweet; she has good grammar and is conscientious. Raised in Edmonton and now living in Vancouver, the 30-year-old is the lead designer for Gentle Fawn, a Canadian clothing label known and loved by women from Stanley Park to Peggy’s Cove. The name “Gentle Fawn” springs from a kitschy ceramic fawn figurine collection. Requena mentions they now have over 50 fawns in the entrance of their design office. That is quite the fleet of bambi figurines! Gentle Fawn has seen well-deserved success in Canada and the US (the clothing line is carried in over 500 stores) and is now gaining popularity in Europe. This fawn may be gentle, but is certainly not timid. Requena’s laid-back, unpretentious vibe echoes the spirit of the label for which she designs. Known for its attention to detail and functionality, Gentle Fawn was launched in 2003. Although the brand is not even a decade old, its timeless qualities make it seem as if it’s been around for much longer and guarantee that it will be popular for years to come. Gentle Fawn is practical yet pretty, durable and never boring. I would wear it at the cabin or on Whyte Ave, making it more of a Canadian uniform than yoga pants or lumberjack coats. Requena describes the pieces as imaginative, unique, charming, playful and

metal and liked wearing band shirts. The only problem was that all

expressive. I would call them just plain cute. And they’re designed

these shirts usually only came in men’s sizes, so I would have to cut

by a cute girl who always wanted to be a fashion designer.

out the screen prints and sew them onto tighter fitting t-shirts.

As a child, Requena loved drawing and sketching outfits. She

When I think of design school, all I can picture is Project

learned to sew from her mother and wanted to be a designer for as

Runway. Can you describe your experience?

long as she can remember. After two years of studying Psychology

It’s funny you say that, because I often think about school when I’m

at the U of A, she decided to go to design school.

watching the show. We all got a little crazy and stressed out at times but it was a really good experience for me and I learned a lot about

Were you that kid in school always modifying your clothing

fabrics, sewing, pattern drafting and how to make interesting story-

to create something less generic?

boards. The program was a one-year course (12 months straight)

Yes, I was! The first time was in grade 5. I had this amazing pastel

and we designed a mini collection and had a fashion show at the

yellow t-shirt with an airbrush-style silkscreen of a cat. I cut the bot-

end of the year. My theme was “Modernist Punk” – a mix of 60’s

tom hem into tiny strips of fringe and attached beads on the ends.

mod and 70’s punk. It was so much fun designing that collection and

My parents wouldn’t let me wear it to school because it was a crop-

seeing the results of everyone’s hard work on the runway.

top, so I wore it to gym class. I wanted everyone to see it and wanted to show it off, but I had nowhere else to wear it. Fashion before func-

Describe what you would consider your “break” into the in-

tion I guess.

dustry.What pivotal moment got you to where you are today? Honestly, being at the right place at the right time and network-

What type of style did you have as a youth?

ing has gotten me where I am today. I was working at the newly

I went through a few stages when I was younger. I wanted to be a

opened Gravity Pope in Vancouver. Gravity Pope often lends shoes

hippy in grade 7, so I wore these hideous brown floral polyester

for fashion shows. Normally my boss would attend the shows and

shirts with corduroy bell-bottoms. Then in grade 8 I was totally ob-

help organize the shoes, but one day she was really exhausted so I

sessed with grunge and I wanted to be Angela Chase from “My

went instead. I made friends with one of the girls who was working

So-Called Life.” After that I started listening to punk rock and heavy

backstage at the show and she helped me get my first design job.

How did you come to be at Gentle Fawn? I used to work at Flosport and I made friends with a girl there who eventually moved to Gentle Fawn. When the company started growing they needed additional help. I started as an assistant designer, and within a year, I was the head designer. I work closely with 2 other people on the design team, and together we present each collection to our brand managers. Fashion designers often design a collection around a common theme – would you say this is your process as well? We always design around a theme, but it changes each season. We usually have 3 themes and they each have their own color palette and fabrics. It really helps with the design process and we can figure out what fabric belongs where, and what type of graphics we want. What do you love most about the fashion industry? Alternatively, what do you dislike most? I love the energy and excitement that happens at the beginning of each season as everyone is anticipating the new collections. I dislike how the fashion industry has made a lot of women perceive themselves in a negative way – there is so much pressure to be thin. How would you describe your own personal style today? I like to mix vintage and contemporary looks together. If Gentle Fawn had a soundtrack, what type of music would Would you consider yourself a Gentle Fawn type? If I designed

you assign it?

clothing I would make clothes that I would want to wear. Would

It would probably be a mix of songs from the 60’s with indie rock mu-

this be considered a bit self-fulfilling? Or is this just how it goes?

sic from today, like The Beatles and Arcade Fire.

I am definitely a Gentle Fawn girl and have been from the start. It’s great being able to design clothes that I would want to wear, but I also

In some sort of parallel/alternate universe, you must choose

have to stop and think about all the other Gentle Fawn girls out there

a decade from which all of your personal style must come.

and make sure I’m creating pieces that they will fall in love with too.

You can only wear clothing from a certain time frame. Which time period do you choose and why?

What trends are you loving right now?

I would choose the 1920’s. I love the silhouettes, the haircuts, and the

Sheer chiffon maxi skirts, wool ponchos or blanket style sweaters, and

fact that you could look so sexy and actually be comfortable at the

anything in camel or nude tones.

same time. I actually incorporate my love for the 20’s into my work. I love designing 20’s inspired dropped waist dresses, and we usually

Which other designers do you most admire?

have one or two in each Gentle Fawn collection.

I really admire Mary Quant for starting the fashion revolution of the 60’s. She designed clothes that were completely different than what every-

Canadian designers are no slouches (DSquared2, anyone?) and Dan-

one else was doing and she started the mod look. Another designer

ielle Requena holds her own. She’s down to earth (something the fash-

that I admire is Phoebe Philo; she so adeptly balances her personal life

ion industry desperately needs) but not without a touch of whimsy,

with her career. She was able to move the offices of Céline [Philo is

weaving her love for 60s mod with a contemporary edge and a hint

Céline’s Creative Director] from Paris to London so that she could be

of 20’s glamour. Lucky for us the future of Canadian fashion is in such

close to her family. The fact that she has a family and is still designing

capable hands.

some of the most sought after garments in the industry is impressive. 27 georgie

georgie

beauty

Photo Ashley Champagne Hair LaurEn Hughes (Mousy Browns) Makeup Nicola Gavins Models Jasmine Ming-Wai Ma, Daniel Carriere, Jill Scott Brandon L. & PATRICIA J. (Hi-Fi Models)

georgie 27 29 georgie

CHIAROSCURO PHOTO ASHLEY CHAMPAGNE MAKEUP NICOLA GAVINS HAIR LAUREN HUGHES (MOUSY BROWNS) MODEL ALANA Y. (IMAGES MODELS)

BLAZER (SMYTHE), BRACELET: COUP RING (SARASWATI), JEANS: BAMBOO BALLROOM RING (BBJ): NOKOMIS

HAT (RACHEL F), RING, SKIRT, SHIRT: NOKOMIS

DRESS: NOKOMIS BELT (BRAVE), RING: BAMBOO BALLROOM NECKLACE: STYLIST”S OWN

JEANS, SHIRT (FREE PEOPLE), NECKLACE: (KIKO) BAMBOO BALLROOM RING (BBJ): NOKOMIS | RING (ALKEMIE): COUP

JACKET (MASON), PURSE (REBECCA MINKOFF): COUP RING, TIGHTS: STYLIST’S OWN

BAROQUE N 39 georgie

HEARTS

Photo Ashley Champagne Photo Assistant Karmen Meyer Hair Lauren Hughes Stylist Erin Monaghan Makeup Nicola Gavins Models Deanna P. & Levi W. (Hi-Fi Models), Bonnie R. (Beatrix Mae) Flowers Flur (flur.ca) Cakes Whimsical Cake Studio

gloves: Swish | Accessories: Stylist’s Own | FEATHER HEAD PIECE: HEADCASE

LeVI W.: jabo, pants & wig: Theatre Garage DEANNA P.: Shirt & Accessories: Stylistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Own

JACKET: Redemption Gloves & accessories: Stylistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Own

georgie

45 georgie

cares

TEXT NATHAN MARSHALL PHOTO Kele Dobrinski

GOOD

KHARMA Kharma is a unique new design initiative certain to pique the curi-

helped Kyle with the design and strategy to launch his organization

osity of conscientious consumers and design enthusiasts through

called Ride Ataxia. Since then, he’s raised over one million US dol-

the ardent task of “making consumption beautiful”. Founded by

lars for Ataxia Research!

New York City-based graphic designer and art director, Kele Dobrinski, Kharma uses design as a medium to create awareness and

I was totally inspired. I felt like I needed to do something too, but I

raise funds in support of a variety of cause organizations. “This is

knew that I couldn’t do it alone. And I guessed that other designers

What Matters to Me” is the highly appropriate project launch title

had similar stories that they would be willing to rally behind.

for a collection of limited edition t-shirts featuring designs by nine participating graphic artists. Each t-shirt references a particular

Why Kharma and why with an H?

cause the designer is passionate about, with a substantial portion

Not to wax too philosophically, but it’s a blend of Karma and Dhar-

of the sale going directly to that cause. For the t-shirt collector, this

ma. There’s a duality to it. Karma speaks to the cycle of good that

isn’t anything you are going to find at Urban Outfitters. The current

starts with a buyer choosing to support something positive. Dhar-

collection offers one of a kind emotional communication through

ma is defined as “one’s righteous duty”. This represents an obliga-

detailed illustrations. This inspiring group is making good use of

tion that we feel companies should adopt – to use commerce as a

their talents to make a difference in the world by balancing the act

means to solve some of the real problems within society.

of consuming with the act of giving . Dobrinski sits down with Georgie to give our readers something to think about.

How did the nine participating designers come together for “This is What Matters to Me”?

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I reached out to the designers in the industry that I admired most.

I’ve been a designer and art director for the past six years. Now I’m

Frankly, the ten artists whose work I envied the most. Mario and

somewhere between that and a serial entrepreneur. In advertising,

Emil were the first two responses I received. I was so excited! I

I worked primarily on Ray-Ban for the past few years, but for a long

knew from there I’d be able to bring others on board.

time I’d had the desire to go off on my own. Last year, I left my fulltime job to pursue projects like Kharma, while taking on some of

We had ten, but at the last moment Siggi Eggertsson had to pull

my own clients for art direction and design work.

out. He was extremely busy at the time with other projects. It was a sticky situation, but I had to make the call. I would definitely love to

What inspired you to get Kharma rolling?

work with him again. His work is incredible.

When I was in high school, my best friend, Kyle Bryant, was diagnosed with Friedrich’s Ataxia. Friedr... what? Yea, that was our reac-

So we ended up with nine: Emil Kozak, Gary Fernandez, Grand-

tion too. Turns out it’s a disease that slowly takes over your coor-

people, Keetra Dean Dixon, Marta Cerdà Alimbau, Mario Hugo,

dination, similar to ALS (Lou Gherig’s disease). Three years ago, I

NoPattern, Non-Format, and myself.

then give those organizations a voice. Take Surfing4Peace for instance – a team of surfers taking on the problems in the Middle For someone who is visiting kharmanyc.com for the first

East with a couple of surfboards. That takes balls! I’m not going

time, what would you like them to know before purchas-

to kid anyone – it’s still just a t-shirt. But it’s a medium for a mes-

ing a shirt?

sage that our consumers believe in.

Actually, nothing. This was one of the most important aspects to me. Design always comes first. People need to like the product

Will you be highlighting new causes in the future?

on the shelf, then second, discover some incredible causes and

Definitely. I’ve found a few that I’m talking with at the moment, but

learn that they’re supporting something really great.

we’re always looking for new ones. If anyone wants to connect with us, you can always reach us at development {at} kharmanyc.com

With Kharma, consumers will discover that each design conceptually tells a story about an amazing, unique organization. Also they’ll

We’re putting together our line for next season and working on

discover that 40% of their purchase goes directly to the organiza-

some projects that take us beyond just a t-shirt brand. Designer col-

tion. But that isn’t why they’re going to pick it up off the shelf.

laboration will always be a part of what we do, so we’re always on the lookout for new talent to work with. If you support what we’re

What impact would you like this to have on the people who get to wear your shirts? I hope that we can inspire people with the stories that our shirts tell. We strive to find amazing and unique organizations and 47 georgie

doing, “Like” us on facebook, tweet about us and help us grow!

theÂ worksÂ callsÂ toÂ enter! applicationÂ formsÂ onlineÂ atÂ www.theworks.ab.ca ;OL >VYRZ (Y[ 4HYRL[ ;LU[Z ;HISLZ Â°EarlybirdÂ DUEÂ FebÂ 15,Â FinalÂ AprilÂ 15,Â 2011 TheÂ WorksÂ ArtÂ MarketÂ (TheÂ WorksÂ GalleryÂ Consignment)Â DUEÂ AprilÂ 1,Â 2011 TheÂ WorksÂ FoodÂ StreetÂ Â°EarlybirdÂ DUEÂ FebÂ 15Â FinalÂ AprilÂ 15,Â 2011 TheÂ WorksÂ StreetÂ StageÂ DUEÂ AprilÂ 1,Â 2011Â Â

yearÂ roundÂ volunteerÂ opportunities! wouldÂ youÂ likeÂ toÂ helpÂ yearÂ round?Â Â ContactÂ dawn@theworks.ab.caÂ forÂ moreÂ informationÂ TheÂ WorksÂ 10635-95Â StreetÂ Edmonton,Â AlbertaÂ T5HÂ 2C3