Posts Tagged ‘KL team’
We love Robyn Chalmers AKA Fashionista514
Isn’t she fabulous? Just look at this lady…stylish, multitalented and totally self-made star. I met Robyn in 2008 when she worked as an intern in my studio. She did sewing, cutting and helped to grow the business in it’s early years. She invested a lot of heart in all that she did. Within a year she was also the most beloved big sister/baby sitter/best friend to my manager’s daughter Aya, taking her horseback riding and swimming. Where do you find an intern like that, I ask you?
This is Robyn today. I think she looks stunning. I might add that she has always looked this good. She used to be the only one in the studio with full make-up and heels. The rest of us were barefoot and wearing our cozies. I was still living in my studio at the time and often showed up for work in the most unglamorous outfit of all: my pijamas. Robyn once told me that she brought her headshots to modeling agencies and they all turned her away, telling her to loose 15 pounds first. Well, that was not an option for Robyn. If you read her blog, you will come to learn that she loves food about as much as she loves fashion. So, Robyn marched away from the modeling agencies horrified that the industry is still that narrow minded and started taking pictures of herself. Thus her blog was born: Fashionista514.com
Robyn is also the reason our blog was born. She started it, bought the domain name, set up WordPress and wrote the first 100 posts. Thank you Robyn. It wouldn’t have happened without you. You are an amazing manifester! You are a star!
Above are pictures taken by Barrie Macleod at out photo booth party last year in the store. Robyn did the make-up for over 60 women who were all undressing and getting dolled up for the camera. These team shots were taken at the end of a long night.
I love this picture. It was taken the day before my fashion show last year. I was dropping by fashion week to deliver my press packs and I saw Robyn in the lounge. Italian Vague (am I remembering this correctly Robyn?) had a photographer there who took a picture of her (without me) just because she looked that good. This week she is celebrating her 1 year anniversary as the founder and star and writer of Fashionista514. Congratulations! We love you!
Because ideas don’t emerge from a vacuum. We create in a community.
The artist expresses a distilled idea culled from the pulsing, flowing, churning well of our collective experience and reflections.
Our shared experiences lead the artists of our communities to reflect on common themes in a kaleidoscope of variations providing interesting parallels.
I find it so much more interesting to dress in many artists than to simply build my whole out fit from one designer. That is why I choose to offer over 75 different designers in the store. Sure its more work, but its worth it.
I try and find artist who communicate an interesting dialogue with their own work and that of Katrin’s. I love finding great outfits among the offerings of so many different artists. I love how each outfit created can belong entirely to the person who is wearing it in part because the combination they have selected is theirs alone.
When you buy from within your community you are already part of the art at its inception. The art belongs in part to you and you are part of art, the artist, and the community. The reach of the communal net begins at home and extends out around the wold.
At boutique Katrin Leblond that means beginning with Kat’s creations and then looking at what is creatively being generated in her immediate neighborhood: The Plateau, and then looking at the context of that in the greater Montreal area, and then further out in Quebec, and then in Ontario, and the Maritimes, and then the rest of Canada, and then further still, till you are culling a bit from the USA, and a bit from Serbia, or Mexico, or Thailand,or… . It’s like a fashion rock being thrown into a pond of design ideas. The biggest splash is at the center and the ripples get lighter and lighter as they move away from the center but they still travel out quieter and quieter as they go across the whole lake.
It’s about dressing yourself while answering the question “What are you part of?”
Don’t forget…..
Your life is your most powerful art. See you at the boutique.
erin
The store is committed to local. What does that mean for the store. How Boutique Katrin Leblond expresses local.
It’s cool to know that there is an artist half way around the world sharing an interest in similar visual themes to a collection that Kat is working on here in Montreal. There is all these great Montreal artists of course we are going to sell their stuff.
I am leaving you for the weekend with some gorgeous photography (some of Kat’s personal picks) and a little preview of what she will bringing home with her when she gets in on Saturday… can’t wait to (hopefully) take a sneak peak at all the new fabrics and trimmings for the studio!
Hope to see everybody on Sunday at the Design Open House event! There will be scarfettes being made in one corner and swatches for the upcoming collection being displayed in the other! Be one of the first few to view Kat’s new collection in progress and experience the studio!
Happy Weekending!
xox
Last week I got together with the incredibly beautiful and talented Anna Freda – one of the unique ladies that bring the KL universe to life on an everyday basis. Ana is almost sprite-like. Tall and slender with a cropped pixie cut and a kind twinkle in her eyes (that might sound seriously cheesy but when you meet her you might succumb to the same description yourself). For those of you who may have never experienced her in person, Anna has walked many a catwalk for Katrin’s Montreal Fashion Week shows as well as performed in-boutique for some of the many KL events and soirees… she is the girl with the glow, with the endless confidence… the one with the “it” factor. So really, it came as no surprise when I discovered she is a practicing flamenco dancer when not helping ladies of all ages cover themselves in KL goodness 
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Anna is one fifth of the Montreal based contemporary flamenco group Compasion (Compas being the rhythm of flamenco mixed in with the groups passion for the art). Compasion will be performing here in Montreal tomorrow for their Juvance spectacle which will also tour in Toronto, Quebec and Temiscouata. Anna describes Juvance as a rejuvenation of the soul and spirit through creativity. When I asked her what flamenco meant to her, I got exactly the fiery, passionate response I was looking for… “It’s a raw energy of savage expression, an untamed, wild nature that means so much more than just the dance itself. It is the epitome of passion itself communicated physically”. Anna applies her performing philosophies to her in-boutique ethic stating that it is a natural interaction for her to be outfitting others who are curious about expressing their own inner personalities and passions.
When Compasion (info on show time and venue) performs, every element of their dress and stage setup are deeply thought out and colors and textures quickly translate to emotions and feelings. Skirts and pants dictate moods and lighting creates the desired aura. Anna understands the importance of everything coming together in unison to create desired effects and sensations. Juvance is about new beginnings and Anna and her dancing partner have chosen fuschia as their symbolic means to represent healing joy and the beautiful sight of new flowers in spring (a KL favorite). The group take pride in their non-traditional approach to flamenco and it’s usual costumes, only incorporating the established shoes into their routines… everything else is a creative free for all and inspired by what they truly love. Anna aims to have all future costumes made by Katrin for her groups productions including so many of the beautiful colors and textures we all love so much. In fact, while doing this interview Anna was sporting the KL Sexy Dress Tunic in a pattern of golden yellows and oranges, browns and punchy pinks. She says she tries to apply the symbolism and significance of color when dressing people in the boutique, matching moods and personalities with the appropriate shades (how cool is that)?!?
Amongst her many inspirations is a deep, unconditional love for Michael Jackson and all things musical, mastery and artistic excellence (when one has mastered his craft) alongside innocent and genuine people. She holds a deep respect for all who are able to overcome their fears as she relates quite closely to them. Although she may appear as a cool, calm and collected lady with a whole lot of stage presence, she is actually quite introverted and has to push and prepare herself for her onstage offerings…. pretty hard to believe considering how well and naturally everything seems to flow when she is in front of you struttin’ herself down the catwalk 
. That is why we love Miss Anna though, she realizes that her natural gift is something that MUST be shared for the rest of the world to adore.
Dearest Anna, the best of luck (not that you need it) for tomorrow’s show and I will see you there!
xox
The entire KL team is buzzing with excitement and anticipation of this evenings Sensation Mode presentation! Get to know these familiar faces because you will be seeing them scattered all around the Bonsecours Market… they are the unique love fueled team headed by the divine Katrin Leblond who make the KL universe go round We are loud, proud and some kick ass confident women! On behalf of the whole team, I would like to thank Katrin for creating an everyday environment where employees feel like a family and team… where our individual personalities are encouraged and nurtured and appreciated for their strengths. Where wackiness is endearing, ideas and dreams possible and beauty endless. I love working with you all and am SO proud to be part of the crew again!!!
So come say hi, don’t be shy… meet the very people who craft your favorite KL ensembles, make the Boutique such a warm and inviting place and keep you informed on KL happenings WE want to meet YOU and hear your voice!
The show is gonna kick ASS (and I have a sixth sense about these things…)!
Défilé de Mode- Fashion show
le mercredi 3 mars, 18 :00h, Wednesday March 3rd, 6pm
Marché Bonsecours, 350 Rue Saint-Paul Est, Vieux Port
Venez au paradis. C’est un appel à toutes les femmes : déesses, ensorceleuses, prêtresses : adorez et soyez adorées. Découvrez-vous à nouveau. Exultez! Venez à la rencontre de la Grande Reine Hiémale, inclinez-vous devant l’ Exo-Vierge, soyez envoûtées par la puissance de la Vieille-Sage, et imaginez vous avec l’air de toutes les nymphes…
Come to paradise. Calling all women: goddesses, witches, and priestesses, worship and be worshipped. Tumble into yourself. Be uplifted. Meet the High Queen of Winter, bow before the Un-Virgin, experience the power of the Crone, and discover yourself in the allure of all the vixens…
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