Tomorrow

One of a Kind starts tomorrow!

go go mama is in booth Z-15.  Stop by and check out our new canvas clutches!!

TorontoShopoholic.com Features go go mama

Thanks to Jane Martin at TorontoShopoholic.com for the lovely write up on her new go go mama dress!

http://www.torontoshopoholic-blog.com/?p=106

One of a Kind Show - A little friendly competition!

I'm gearing up for the One of a Kind Show in Toronto.  It starts in two weeks!!  Still so much to do.
I feature go go mama at the OOAK.  Knit dresses (bamboo and this year a super, loosely woven linen) for women and girls.
I have a new product this year as well - more to come on that....



But - in the mean time, I have 5 complimentary passes to give away.

First five responses I receive, with "OOAK Ticket" in the subject line will receive a complimentary pass!
Please send your email to jennifer@gogomamadesign.com.  Good luck!

Anastasia ready for the Gemini's

Anastasia sent me these pictures - just before leaving for the Gemini's.  A pre-taping before the big night.
I LOVE this dress on her.  It fit like a glove.

Ivy Lam did Anastasia's makeup and hair and as always, it is perfection.
www.ivylammakeup.com

Anastasia Philips at the Gemini's

I had a call last week from someone related to Anastasia Philips (Murdoch Mysteries), an up and coming Canadian actor.

She is presenting at the Gemini's and is also nominated.


If you are watching, she will be wearing House of Groves.
Best of luck, Anastasia!

To see more of Anastasia's work, click here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2107127/

Post Show Press

Thank you David Livingstone ("Mr. Livingstone, I presume" - always wanted to say that and missed my chance!), Erin O'Brien, Kate Kennedy, Rebecca Zamon, Tiffany Merritt, Samantha Speisman, Septembre Anderson, Lauren at frontrowmag,

www.thestar.com/living/fashion/article/878773--house-of-groves-impresses-with-both-ruffles-and-restraint

lifewise.canoe.ca/FashionWeek/2010/10/20/15763636.html

www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/sweetlife_at/25149/house_of_groves/

www.flare.com/blog/post/30695--house-of-groves-chloecommeparris-marthe-aime

www.ellecanada.com/blog/?p=2403

www.fashionmagazine.com/blogs/fashion/at-the-shows/2010/10/19/fashion-week-first-timers-jennifer-waters-of-house-of-groves/

www.frontrowmag.com/ 

The National Post and The Toronto Star

One would never guess that in a former life I had a TON of media training.
Ah well!   Life on display....

From the National Post
http://www.nationalpost.com/life/Fashion+Week+Jennifer+Waters+goes+from+Microsoft+Mama/3696004/story.html

From the Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/article/878103--if-annie-hall-was-a-girly-girl

Press from Fashion mag

Thanks to Septembre at Fashion Magazine!

http://www.fashionmagazine.com/blogs/fashion/at-the-shows/2010/10/19/fashion-week-first-timers-jennifer-waters-of-house-of-groves/

The Latest Press

Eye Weekly:
www.eyeweekly.com/style/Object%20of%20Desire/fashionweek/citystyle/article/103856

The Sun:
www.torontosun.com/life/tofashionweek/2010/10/14/15692456.html

Now Magazine:
www.nowtoronto.com/lifestyle/story.cfm?content=177097

She Does the City:
www.shedoesthecity.com/house_of_groves

Soon to come.... The National Post, Fashion Magazine, Preston Catalogue and Flare Magazine

A little peek...

Spring Summer 2011

The inspiration was a lady-like Annie Hall.

The feel of the installation is Annie Hall crossed with a Hampton's garden party.

Moving leaves will be projected on the wall. 

Model Casting, The National Post and the Bell Celebrity Gala or Thursday

Chris and I on the carousel!

Thursday was a ridiculously busy day and a completely surreal one.

One of the those days when you are scheduled down to the minute and you can't afford for anything to go wrong.  Thanks to two helpful friends who came to my rescue I made it through the day!

Button run, blow out appointment, model casting with Melissa Leong from the National Post who met up with me for a piece that is coming out on show day, pick up passes from the FDCC, makeup done by Ivy Lam, pose for snaps for the Post story and then off to the Bell Celebrity Gala.  

In between, the usual things that you just have to accomplish during the day when you have a family. Anyway, madness could easily have ensued.  Thankfully, I was saved by my lovely friend Liz who gave up her appointment at Blo so that I could have clean and kempt hair and also to my other quick thinking friend Joy, who realized I had left my keys behind and tucked them into the flower pot (I guess that hiding spot is gone)

I felt a bit like I was watching the day from outside myself.  Especially as I sat in my dining room, with Ivy doing makeup, chatting with Melissa and watching Chris and the photographer setting up for the shoot, it was all very, very surreal. 

Anyway, model casting was successful, Melissa was so easy going (thank you!) and the Bell Gala in support of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health was great - there was even a carousel!  Had a brief conversation with Coco Rocha and tried to be cool with Jeanne Becker. (ha!)

The Sponsors

All those accessories you see on the runway... they are usually sponsored. 

I am working with incredible sponsors for this show:  Nine West, Brunswick + Co, and of course The Fashion Collective!

Thank you!!!

Two great new articles

Not sure if I mentioned that I was sponsored for LG Fashion Week by an incredible trio called the Fashion Collective?
Dwayne Kennedy, Brian Richards and Kate Mullin.

Here is a blurb from an article in Eye Weekly:

"Sometimes, the names to know during LG Fashion Week aren’t always on the official schedule. Case in point: The Fashion Collective is a group of style enthusiasts (publicist Kate Mullin, stylists and partners Dwayne Kennedy and Brian A. Richards) who have joined forces with the goal of repping Toronto’s coolest, newest talents, and providing all the creative support and services the ruling Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC) currently doesn’t"

House of Groves was also in Eye Weekly as one of Fashion Week's "Fresh Faces".

For the article on The Fashion Collective:  http://www.eyeweekly.com/style/fashionweek/article/103891

For the article on House of Groves:  http://www.eyeweekly.com/article/103856

Dean Davidson and Tricia Campbell-Hall

Video Editorial 2010 from Dean Davidson on Vimeo.


The incredible Tricia Campbell-Hall of stylist fame worked with a few of my pieces for a video she was styling for Dean Davidson Jewellery.

Check it out - gorgeous stuff.

The Week in Pictures

Montreal Fashion Week.  The outside of Le Showroom.

A scout from Paris approached me to participate in the Pret a Porter show!!

From the TFI Press and Buyer's Breakfast.  Great event this year!  Met with Elle, Flare, Cosmo TV, the National Post....

Lots of colour in the House of Groves Spring Summer 2011 collection.  Here is a preview of the black.  Linen, Waxed Cotton (love!), Cotton, Silk

Pop up Shop Tonight

House of Groves and go go mama items to be had!

A Press Page. Finally!

I had a spare hour before I left for Montreal last week and sent press links to my web editor.

A new press page is now up on the House of Groves site.


Looking forward to the Preston Catalogue editorial when it comes out!

Out of the frying pan and into the fire - Montreal to Toronto

Still getting caught up from Montreal Fashion Week and now head first into Toronto Fashion Week.
House of Groves was asked to participate in LG Fashion Week as part of a group of emerging designers.  I chose to do an installation versus a runway show. 

So excited! And soooo much to do!

As I am now on the schedule I guess it makes it official.

October 20th at 3 pm - Will you be there?

House of Groves on LG Fashion Week Schedule

Montreal Fashion Week! Countdown...

Montreal Fashion Week - Le Showroom

Last minute prep for Montreal Fashion Week!
Clothes look gorgeous!  Will post more pictures soon but here is a peak of what's to come.

Now I just need to book that hotel room....

Eight and a Half.org

 

When I was growing up I watched alot of black and white films.   Some of my favourites were The Pride of Miss Jean Brodie and the original Great Expectations. They were either introduced to me by my parents or stumbled upon.

I just discovered Tilda Swinton's organization that provides world cinema access to children aged 8 and a half.  Eightandahalf.org. "Its aim is to create a new birthday: a film birthday, at the age of 8½, that celebrates the power of cinema to expand children’s horizons and welcomes children into the wider world of movies, beyond what is normally available to them at the multiplex or on their TV screens."

Of course I am a fan of Tilda Swinton.  How can you not?  And, after going through this site I am really excited to see a great list of films, many of which I didn't know of. 

Three cheers for Tilda Swinton and Eight and a Half.

Preston Catalogue

Lent out a TON of pieces to Preston Catalogue for their September issue.   Preston is a "luxury  lifestyle publication" that features design, architecture, fashion and art. 

I received my things back today (box above).  Can't wait to see what they do with the pieces.  The styling and photography are amazing in this mag. 

Browse here for an online issue from Preston.
http://www.prestoncatalogue.com/PC10/pages.html

I Hate Perfume

I went for a run the other day and did not have a very good one.  You know the days when not even "te-te-te-te-telephone" can get you moving and jogged into Ewanika (http://www.ewanika.ca/) on Bathurst for a retail energy boost.  I always run with my debit card tucked into a pocket.

There are some great new canvas-treated leather handbags but what really caught my eye was the range of perfume from Christopher Brosius of Brooklyn, NY entitled CB I Hate Perfume (http://www.cbihateperfume.com/).  Here is the thing, I really do hate perfume.  I hate the falseness of it, the uniformity, the unnaturalness and the blanket coating of sameness that perfume lends, all in the pursuit of individuality.

When I smelled Christopher Brosius' water based scents I fell in love.  He makes scents such as In the Library, that bring back memories of wandering around the best vintage book store on a cold and windy day or Black March that captures that damp, earthy smell of anticipation in early spring.

I am going back to Ewanika tomorrow to break my perfume ban.   The next time I am in NYC I might just make an appointment with CB for a custom blend. 

http://www.cbihateperfume.com/

Press!

Must update the House of Groves site with press info

Here is a start.... (on the blog instead!)

Tweeting....

@houseofgroves

School for Stylists

A new school for stylists is opening in London called the London College of Style.
Founded by celeb stylist Wendy Elsmore and former stylist Kate Smith.
Classes start this fall.  They even have e-Learning.


http://www.londoncollegeofstyle.com/


I've included a clip of legendary fashion editor and stylist, Grace Coddington.  I love the line "I'm told the very modern thing is not to touch the girls."

Found! Vintage Chairs

For our never ending reno.  When will it be over??? Damn you, reno gods.
Our temporary house, a coach house, was uncomfortable for the first month, charming for a few afterwards (it is a little slice of Hansel and Gretel in the city) and is beginning to get irksome. 

In the long interim, we have been browsing.  We found two gorgeous vintage chairs from Montreal.  What to cover them in?  There is one school of thought that is backing cow hide.  I think it would look gorgeous, but I don't know if I would ever be able to sit on them with bare legs.   Decisions....

Cowboys and Vampires and Couture! Oh my!

I went to a play earlier this week called The Haunted Hillbilly, based on a book written by my friend Derek McCormack.   Derek is the Tom Ford of words - edited perfection.

Live music, talented actors, delicious language and a couturier vampire. Could you ask for anything more?

A description of the play from the production company, Sidemart.ca:

Haunted Hillbilly is a theatre-show-event, a cowboy carnival caper with a big ole dollop of deep country. It's a cautionary tale, about the rise and fall of the Lonely Boy, a guileless bumpkin turned supernova superstar by a meddling, impeccable vampire couturier.

Wallace Simpson and Annie Hall

Wallace Simpson

Diane Keaton as Annie Hall

What do they have in common?

They (in combination with a gorgeous felt hat that I found in a little vintage shop) are my inspiration for Spring Summer 2011.

I love the tailored ease of the 30's and 70's. Maybe it is in response to the heat we are having this summer, but I am longing for feminine dresses that aren't too twee (to quote Emma Thompson on Audrey Hepburn. And, though I love Audrey Hepburn, I really do not like My Fair Lady. If you haven't heard the fuss yet, here is a link to her comments http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/blogs/popculture/2010/08/emma-thompsons-harsh-audrey-hepburn-critique.html)

Le Showroom

Gearing up for Spring/Summer 2011! Designs are underway, fabrics selected and samples being sewn.

House of Groves will be presenting at Montreal Fashion Week for Le Showroom and also in Toronto. Toronto details to follow....

If you are in Montreal on September 30th, it is open to the public on the last day. Drop by and say hi. (Don't worry, I'll update before then!)

montrealfashionweek.ca

Surprise!

I was purusing the Fashionism.ca page (part of Sympatico) and had a surprise - me!

fashionism.ca/fashion/contentposting/storming_the_runway/4c09fde1

Because I am not a huge fan of pictures of myself, I'm posting one of my faves from the runway.

Fall 2010 Trend Report

Fall/Winter 2010 trend reports

Full-skirted Dress
http://www.fashionmagazine.com/fashion-file/slideshowarticle/1372/5/



Criss-cross Tail Dress

70's Flare - Long and Lean
http://www.fashionmagazine.com/fashion-file/slideshowarticle/1372/9/



High-waisted Flared Pant

White
http://www.ellecanada.com/fashion/trends/fall-winter-2010-11-trends-report/a/34637/2



Cashmere and Leather Dress

Lace
www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/trends/2010-2011-autumn-winter/100716-romantic-lace.aspx



Lace ruffle blouse



Lace and leather dress

Isabella Blow and Daphne Guinness

Isabella Blow

Daphne Guinness

The first time I saw Isabella Blow was on Fashion Television as a child. I fell in love. She was unique and sincere. Those qualities leapt through the television screen and it was her particular world of fashion that I longed to be a part of.

Daphne Guinness wrote an article in the Financial Times explaining her buy out of Isabella Blow's things from Christie's.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/d8045e62-8560-11df-aa2e-00144feabdc0.html

True Blood Premiere

True Blood season premiere tonight at Astral Media/HBO. Sooooooo excited!!! I love True Blood, despite the fact that I hate watching violence. For True Blood though, I endure it and just turn my head away. It generally means that I miss quite a bit of the show and Chris has to provide play by play's.

At the Mad Men premiere, Christina Hendricks came (something Chris will never get over as he had to miss it). Wonder who it will be tonight? I am hoping for the Scandinavian fellow. If you don't know, he is front and centre in the pic above.

On another, unrelated note, a friend sent me a link to this site. www.fashematics.com. Brilliant!

Lost Footage

Not really.....Not lost, just not posted previously.
Did I ever mention that I am a veteran insomniac? There is not a time in my life that I did sleep well, even when very young. I remember good sleeps like people remember good meals. Anyway, couldn't sleep last night and didn't feel like working so I watched the September Issue. (I know! What took me so long!)

Loved, loved, loved it. Then read a ton of reviews on it. And, I think people have it wrong. Yes, Grace Coddington is absolutely brilliant and talented and has immense personality. But, Anna Wintour is not who she is because she is not also brilliant and creative. She has vision, the ability to execute and to decide. It is a collaboration, not one winning over the other.
Grace Coddinton's story seems more steeped in sadness on the outside, but I would imagine that it is Anna Wintour who struggles with acceptance and insecurity when the flashbulbs aren't going off. Parents and family have a funny way of never letting up their stranglehold on you. Even when they have forgotten the tease, you retain the ghost of it forever.

The September Issue inspired me to post some pics from behind the scenes at the Fall/Winter 2010 photo shoot. Here I am, no makeup and sporting winter weight. I think part of why I love Lady Gaga so much is that I recognize and have great affection for her nose and the fact that she hasn't done anything to it.



Me - standing in for Rachel (hence the block) while Chris does the lighting.



Natalya Willy (fellow designer and friend) and I.



Ivy Lam, makeup artist extraordinaire.

Power Ball 12

So .... how was Power Ball 12? In a word, fun. People watching is elevated to a sport at the Power Ball with glittery people in abundance including the Greta Constantine duo (Steven Wong and Kurt Pickersgill), Tommy Ton and Evan Biddell in a kilt a la Alexander McQueen. The candy was great, the hors oeuvre's, not so much.

Like all events everywhere, the company you keep makes the event. Was with the ladies from Hello mag and a designer friend. Sadly, my phone (with pictures) seems to have died over the weekend. I've posted some pics courtesy of NOW magazine and Eye Weekly.

What to wear?

Going to the Power Ball tonight. I'm wearing the shorter version of the House of Groves guipere lace dress with leather trim. Pairing with Chie Mihara Kohnan shoes and H&M earrings.

If you haven't checked out Chie Mihara shoes, you must. Well crafted, fantastic looking and comfortable (of all things!).

www.chiemihara.com

Pew - Church not Pepe

We bought an 11.5 ft. church pew to go in our dining room which (when the reno's are finally done - argh) will be long and narrow. We're at that age when holiday dinners stop being at your parent's house and start being at yours. Is that when you know that you are an adult? (Or is it an ongoing process? Just had one of those birthdays.) Anyway, we need seating for about 25 people.

I worked at an antique store in uni and had assumed that sourcing the perfect one would take ages. Luck kicked in and it took only a few days of searching online. Reasonably priced, too. I love the detail on the side.

Now, where to find a table that long! I'm thinking of getting one fabricated out of stainless steel with oak trestle-style legs and pairing it with white Eiffel chairs on the other side.