Fashion off the grid

Getting back to nature doesn't have to mean going without
Published September 17, 2009  by Fast Forward Weekly writers in Fashion

This fall indulge your wild side with a pallet of neutrals in luxurious fabrics like leather, silk and fur. Mix crystals, chains, pearls and metals to add shine and texture.

Photography: Colin Way

Styling and writing: Leah Van Loon 

Hair and makeup: Teslin Ward

Talent: Courtney Baker


Comments: 25

robin wrote:

Wow gotta say this rag has hit a new all time low. Seriously, your promoting the fashion of dead animals? Thats disgusting, I used to look forward to Thursdays simply because your mag came out then,now I'm repulsed futher and futher every week. You have lost a a fan and supporter I will never pick up one of your trash rags agian.
FFWD is a fucking joke.

on Sep 17th, 2009 at 1:32pm Report Abuse

bazookajoe wrote:

oh boy- love the paper- but gotta say- ball was dropped here!
who in the world thought fur was a good idea in an alternative weekly fashion showcase?????

on Sep 17th, 2009 at 2:28pm Report Abuse

calgaryhumper wrote:

Robin: YAWN

on Sep 17th, 2009 at 2:29pm Report Abuse

sgwc wrote:

give me a break on the dead animal comments. if the model was wearing head to toe cotton, would you make comments about how cotton is one of the worst crops out there to grow because of the gross use of water, and the depletion on minerals in the soil, the huge carbon footprint it takes to grow, i think not. if the model was wearing less discreet dead animals such as a leather belt, and a pair of shoes would you have even noticed. probably not. save it sistah, it's a fashion editorial...if you don't like it, too fucking bad.
and by the way...there is no such thing as alternative any more. i think the pictures look fantastic, dead animals and all.

on Sep 17th, 2009 at 7:52pm Report Abuse

sugar n spice wrote:

The pictures don't feel realistic to me there is no grab.

on Sep 18th, 2009 at 1:27am Report Abuse

MizzFortunate wrote:

Really...sugar n spice, clearly the pictures grabbed you enough to feel inclined to come here and make a comment about them.

To the dead animal comments.....I completely agree with SGWC's comments.

This was a beautiful editorial which was definitley "alternative" to the indie rock, ray-ban, skinny jean expectations of a small representation of FFWD readers. Not all readers of FFWD share your opinions nor did FFWD drop the ball in any way. They simply offered something different than what is expected of them by some of their readers. Too bad so sad I say!

Spring 2009's editorial looked like something directly parodied from the pages of Nylon, nothing new or inspired. This new editorial is a step in the right direction for FFWD's limited fashion coverage and is a true and honest representation of the sometimes obscene nature of the fashion industry. Hatchets, fur and bears!! I loved it!! Keep up the great work FFWD!!


on Sep 18th, 2009 at 11:07am Report Abuse

bazookajoe wrote:

MizzFortunate
Let me Guess!
You shot that spread?

on Sep 18th, 2009 at 11:14am Report Abuse

MizzFortunate wrote:

HA!! In my dreams!! I have ZERO artistic talent, I wish that weren't the case. Appreciating something doesn't mean I created it.

on Sep 18th, 2009 at 1:03pm Report Abuse

Drew Anderson wrote:

I didn't shoot it either, but I am the editor responsible for trusting the amazingly talented team behind the shoot. I am also the editor who received the content, did a little dance of happiness at the incredible job they did and gladly put it in the paper.

I stand by that decision. Animals in any shape or form as fashion is always going to ignite debate. I don't know why we, as an alt weekly, should be forced into some vegetarian-only photo shoot. I agree with the above comment that this is alternative. It is unique and tells an interesting fashion story, which is the point.

This is a wonderful spread. I loved the concept from the get go and love the execution even more.

Drew Anderson

on Sep 18th, 2009 at 2:18pm Report Abuse

McCommunist wrote:

Really, MizzFortunate? A spring fashion spread that resembles an actual fashion magazine is a bad thing? I thought it looked like Nylon in a good way. I think it's unfortunate you feel the need to put down someone's work to prove a point. You're better than that.

For the record - fur or no, the fashion issues always impress me. They're a hell of a lot better than what you see in other independents. Kudos to everyone involved.

on Sep 18th, 2009 at 3:56pm Report Abuse

Drew Anderson wrote:

Good point McCommunist and thank you. The people responsible for the last issue did do a fantastic job (they've done most of the issues up to this point).

on Sep 18th, 2009 at 4:17pm Report Abuse

MizzFortunate wrote:

I am just offering my honest opinion, I didn't put it down, I just didn't like it and I don't like Nylon!!

I liked this one better than that one!!

SO put that in you pipe and smoke it McCommunist!! :)

on Sep 18th, 2009 at 4:36pm Report Abuse

MizzFortunate wrote:

i mean your pipe...not you pipe....clearly there is too much in my pipe!!

on Sep 18th, 2009 at 4:38pm Report Abuse

mmm, I bet wrote:

i'm with robin.

i appreciate the nature and animal inspiration. but these arrangements didn't impress me - not to negate the work or effort of those who created them.

but if you're going to use those inspirations, why not use vintage furs. they're cooler.

i am definitely disappointed in ffwd's apparent ignorance here. i've always considered it a paper with a conscience. not for me now. do what you like, but i won't be reading your mag anymore.

on Sep 19th, 2009 at 11:59am Report Abuse

Leah* wrote:

Why are vintage furs "cooler"? How would the use of vintage furs make this any more conscious?

The use of fur in this spread is obviously done with a humor I think may have gone over some heads. I don't think anyone expects someone to wear a bear on their back! Calling someone else ignorant simply because you don't understand is unnecessary.

on Sep 19th, 2009 at 1:15pm Report Abuse

Leah* wrote:

Some items that didn't get credited from the cover...

Black bearskin and rabbit pelts - from Buckskin Leather Company

Mustard taffeta dress with crinoline, Black leather vest, Brown leather harness belt - by Gary Graham from Primitive

Suede stretch pants - by Elie Tahari from Holt Renfrew

Black strap front boots - by Boss from Gravity Pope

on Sep 19th, 2009 at 8:13pm Report Abuse

mmm, I bet wrote:

Leah*,
i see that my impatience with FFWD has influenced the delivery of my opinions. i'll try to be more gentle.

i have a preference for vintage furs because they're more rustic and have an interesting depth to them. i consider them more eco-conscious because they are re-using something that's already been resourced - like using recycled over new.

i do understand the humor intended in the cover photo - it's just not to my taste.

i'm assuming you contributed to this spread - and while i do not share the same perspective on the theme, i appreciate your hard work.

on Sep 27th, 2009 at 6:08pm Report Abuse

Leah* wrote:

Thank you! Yes I am the stylist and this shoot was my concept. I also like vintage furs and own quite a few including foxes with the heads attached which were some of the inspiration for using the bear for this story.

I am glad to promote a discussion as fashion is often an overlooked industry in Calgary. I am disappointed however in the lack of tolerance for another viewpoint to the extreme of never reading the paper again. Would you react the same way if it were a columnist expressing an opinion that you disagreed with? Surely the editors deserve more credit than that and frankly so do we.

on Oct 1st, 2009 at 2:04pm Report Abuse

mmm, I bet wrote:

I understand your point. I have had some frustrations with the paper prior to this which are the foundation for my stance. I'll try and keep an open mind, and sit some place where conviction meets up with flexibility.

I agree, it is nice to have a discussion!

on Oct 2nd, 2009 at 7:15pm Report Abuse

bazookajoe wrote:

frankly huh! omg

on Oct 5th, 2009 at 7:55pm Report Abuse

Drew Anderson wrote:

callitlikeiseet:

I'm not sure I understand your reply here. What are you referring too?

I would also like to know, in the spirit of discussion (which I think is the real point of journalism, and this paper in particular) what problems you have had with the paper mmmm, I bet?

on Oct 5th, 2009 at 11:34pm Report Abuse

mmm, I bet wrote:

now, i said frustrations not problems.

i can tell yer a feisty one Drew, so i'm hesitant. ;)

but, in the spirit of discussion as you say.

i noticed a big drop in content a while ago, which was disappointing (no one's fault i imagine). i've felt a lack of edge, gradually, over the last several months. what i mean by that is a detection of a little more trend, a little less obscurity, which is not to my preference. i've perceived the 'letters' maybe designed in a subtle way to make the paper look good, as opposed to be really honestly taking criticism. and most recently, i have a dear friend who was a long time writer (of one of my fave columns) get neglected and eventually dumped for what i felt was inferior coverage. this last event was obviously colored by her side of things, but nonetheless i was sad to see the column disappear.

that's it. i'm sure you're all doing a great job behind the scenes. that's been my experience as a reader. as for now, i accept it for what it is and appreciate the value that offers. i still enjoy the music/art coverage.

there is one thing you could answer for me. have you thought about releasing music and event previews a little earlier? there have been quite a few events i wanted to check out but missed because they were over by the time i could read the article. that would be a really nice thing.

regards

on Oct 12th, 2009 at 6:54pm Report Abuse

Drew Anderson wrote:

Aw, I'm not too feisty, just an editor, and I like to hear feedback, whether good or bad. So, thank you (see that wasn't so bad).

We have seen our page counts go down, which does hamper our ability to get more coverage into the paper. I am curious, however, who's column has been dropped (don't out your friend, just curious), I don't think that's happened to anyone but Jose Vogels and she was syndicated.

As for the letters, we print everything we get, unless it will get us sued.

I'm glad you like the art coverage (I'm responsible for that too).

Thanks, we're always trying to do better and it's good to get people's honest opinions.

Oh, and for the advance notice thing. Sometimes it's just not possible. We have a policy not to write about things unless they're happening during the week of the paper. Admittedly that means sometimes things happen the day the paper comes out. Alas.

on Oct 12th, 2009 at 9:51pm Report Abuse

sickgrrll wrote:

mmm.....I don't share your opinion. I have been reading FFWD since it's inception and I can honestly say that I have been thrilled watching the paper evolve significantly over the last year or so. Politically I always felt that it nestled itself in neutral territory, it never took much of a stand about anything. Now I find that it comes out with provocative,,, politically charged issues on a weekly basis (Did you miss the expose on the Art Gallery of Calgary or how about the recent Farmer's Market debacle??). What kind of edge are you looking for? What do you define edge as?? My definition must be significantly different than yours. I found publishing a fashion editorial using fur in FFWD extremely edgy! It was a risk and something completely different for FFWD. Look at the discussions it sparked!

Oh ....and for the record, I have also seen plenty of letters openly criticizing FFWD, you should look back and read over them (they are archived on this site).

Just my two cents, for what it's worth.

on Oct 13th, 2009 at 9:51am Report Abuse

mmm, I bet wrote:

thanks Drew, that's a nice reflection.

and sickgrrll - everyone's 2 cents is worth a lot, that's what we're here for!

we all look for something different - i do think everyone's 'edge' is in a different spot. i'm glad to hear you're enjoying the paper's evolution.

i'm sort of enjoying my own evolution, being humbled by an interesting discussion with strangers.

on Oct 16th, 2009 at 2:03am Report Abuse


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