'The New Chic' Laura Blokhina by Sigurd Grunberger for Elle Denmark May 2011 [Editorial]

These editorial photographs are what inspired myself to cut my hair super short. I love the fact that in today's age a woman can cut her hair..even buzz it, wear a pair of slacks and even a suit. I believe it's definite empowerment. In my opinion, today's age woman is a woman who can embody the essence of man. And still make it look dayum good! ;)








Elle Denmark May 2011
Shot by: Sigurd Grunberger
Model: Laura Blokhina


My short new-do. =) -km

Ann Ward in "Beauty in Vogue" May 2011

Ann Ward, from America's Top Model has won a cover of Vogue Italia and also a spread in "Beauty in Vogue". During the competition she shot these photos in Italy and many of them have yet to be published. I love the fact that the photographer has shot these photos in black and white, in my opinion black and white photos always seem to depict more emotion. Here are a preview of her "Beauty in Vogue" shots. This girl really embellishes the essence of quirky. Check out those eyes! Wide-eyed beauty for sure.

A Closer Look- Pure In Plastic. NRT.

I would probably describe the clothing line by Nicole Rita Tomney, "NRT", in three words.. edgy, rock, and extreme. Extreme it definitley was. On April 2nd, me as well as four other models, including my twin sister, got a chance to showcase the edgy rock clothing line "NRT" on April 2nd in a fashion event called "Pure In Plastic". I was happy to be apart of this fashion show because its not your typical "pretty-girl" fashion event, the mood was scary and dark which is exciting to do as a model.
Here is the video that will be showcased on World Fashion Channel, as well as photos from backstage and on the runway.

Having a little fun backstage.. =)







The Designer, Nicole herself...

The NRT Clothing Designs..




The Runway Video- Showcasing on World Fashion Channel.

Pure in Plastic - NRT by ESP from Paul Spenard on Vimeo.
All photos provided by Tony Chan Photography. Video provided by Paul Spenard. All models from Sophia International.

Africa- Huge 2011 Fashion Influence

See how the prints and colors literally "POP" in this Louis Vuitton runway show. Even the afro hair! This season of color is so much fun.
Ladies, seriously quit the weaves and rock the fro. =) It's all about Mama Africa.

KIKI tips to pull off the 2011 SPRING look!

The Look...

Marc Jacob models for 2011 New York fashion week.


And what rules you'll need to pull it off...

Number 1.
Go for a bright matte lip this Spring, neon pinks and royal reds are in right now, so go crazy with lip color. Its fun, and also the perfect time to experiment with it. Also, tone it down on the face makeup. Meaning, no blush and little foundation. But if you must.. do a light pink shade for blush and concealer to hide those imperfections.


Number 2.
This season for clothes, try to wear clothes that float when you walk. For example, dresses and flowy pants are a good place to start. For my edgy fashionista's try a flowy jumper or romper. Color is HUGE this Spring so please don't be intimidated, go All out! Not only is color big this spring, print is also. Try a printed pant with a bright matte color for a top. Trust me, with all this color you'll be turning heads.



Number 3.
For day shoes go with a "Rihanna" type T strap sandal. It's laid back, sexy and practical. For night time, high colorful heels are a must. For fashionista's, try even a high floral heel. They're popular this season and will always be a conversation starter.

Steve Madden T strap sandal.

..and HOT floral heels for the night. ;)

Accessory tips for 2011 look:
-Match the color of your lips and nails.
-Wear big "stand-out" rings.
-Wear bright colorful bags/clutches.
-Wear bangle type bracelets.

Lykke Li. (Photos by Patricia Reyes)

Lykke Li is a HUGE fashion icon of mine. She is one of my fav's when it comes to personality and style..even her music speaks volumes. Check this song out, "I'm Good, I'm Gone". This British bombshell is chic and bold at the same time, love it! Patricia Reyes does a good job of capturing Lykke's personality in these photos.

Calgary Herald Newspaper Article on us for NOH8! =) =) -Jan 4th

Taylor Duecain,proud as ever,lol =)
and the Calgary Herald article just below...


"The Picture Perfect Image of NOH8"

Calgary fashion photographer puts creative work before profit

By Theresa Taylor, Calgary Herald



Stephanie Lynne Mud, Mimi Mayes, Taylor Smith, Catherine Oshanek, Sean Paul, Taylor Duecain, and Kiki Mayes take part in Calgary's NOH8 photo campaign. The photo shoot was organized by Duecain and Oshanek.
Photograph by: Catherine Oshanek
Catherine Oshanek is about as down-to-earth as they come.

The Calgary-based fashion photographer admits with a giggle that she would rather not wear makeup and usually goes out "looking like a slob."

Rare words to hear from someone so deeply involved in the image-obsessed style business.

But don't let her low-key attitude fool you -- Oshanek's photos are a sleek contrast to her laissez-faire personality. She founded her company, White Cedar, two years ago and hasn't looked back since.

In fact, Taylor Duecain, a Calgary model, recently recruited Oshanek to shoot a NOH8 Campaign series in Calgary. This photographic silent protest, created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska, is a response to the passage of California's Proposition 8 (which doesn't allow same-sex marriages), and is meant to show support for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender people.

Many celebrities -- including Ashley and Pete Wentz, Mel B. (a. k.a. Scary Spice), Slash (Guns 'N' Roses) and Kim Kardashian -- have taken part in the project, which shows them with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world. Photo shoots depicting non-celebs have been set up across America.

Duecain and Oshanek want to inspire other photographers and models across Western Canada to join the campaign and put together their own projects.

Oshanek's NOH8 photos will soon appear in Club Sapien and Twisted Element nightclubs in Calgary, as well as in OUTLOOKS, Canada's GLBT magazine.

"Working in the fashion industry, many of my colleagues are of other sexual orientations, so I thought this would be a fantastic opportunity to get involved with, to stand up for their rights," she says.

Duecain says he brought Oshanek into the project because "she's just loads of fun to work with, laid back and relaxed, no pressure."

Oshanek admits she doesn't exactly fit into the stereotypical "artsy-fartsy fashion photographer mould."

She believes her attitude comes with how she cut her teeth in the business.

The journalism grad was valedictorian of SAIT Polytechnic in 2005. She honed her craft shooting car crashes and other grisly news scenes for a small-town weekly newspaper in southern Alberta before deciding to leave the industry.

"I began having regular nightmares about some of the stuff I was shooting," she says.

Experimenting with fashion photography was, at first, just a hobby.

"I've had no real training other than basic Photoshop and what I learned as a news photographer. When I bought my first set of studio lights, I didn't even know how to turn them on," she says with a laugh.

You wouldn't know it from her current shoot list. Linsay Willier, Canada's Next Top Model 2009 finalist, wrapped up a portfolio shoot with Oshanek last fall, while Adejoke Taiwo, a Calgary-based fashion designer and former Project Runway Canada contestant, has Oshanek booked for this month.

Last summer, Oshanek was hired to snap shots of B.C. model Sonja Hanson. Those photos helped secure Hanson a spot with Wilhelmina, a renowned New York City modelling agency that helped launch the careers of Natalie Portman and Katherine Heigl.

Volunteering her time to creative projects and causes she believes in, such as NOH8, is as important to Oshanek as bringing in the bacon.

"I started doing this full-time about two years ago. At first, I was just chasing the money --I began to forget that it's supposed to be enjoyable," she says.

"It was when I started getting into creative shoots, art for art sake, and contributing to campaigns such as NOH8 that my business actually really began to pick up -- I got a buzz going about myself and my work also started getting better. "

You can see more of Oshanek's work at facebook.com/wcedarand whitecedarphotography. blogspot.com.

ttayler@calgaryherald.com
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

Read more at:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/picture+perfect+image+NOH8/4055715/story.html#ixzz1A8DnamYL

- - - dopeness!!
haha see how they even used my fashionista model nickname -Kiki.
loves it! teehee
I guess we really can spread the word and truly make a difference.
This gives me hope for gay rights.
=) xoxo