Sneak Peek at COVEN by Sonia Kang Spring-Summer 2012 Collection

Forgoing some of my signature taxidermy accents I decided to challenge myself to use a lot of the supplies I had lying around that weren’t bird skulls. This was the result. I have a few more pieces but I’m waiting for the Edge Kote on the leather to dry properly before I add more embellishments. I posted this on Facebook and out of everything I had recently made this got the most attention. I can see why - it’s modern, edgy, and a little different. I have been really attracted to asymmetry lately because there’s something about unbalance and imperfection that just draws me in. This is a concept used by Japanese potters who believe imperfections are what makes their art human. This piece is a bit of a One-of-a-kind piece. But, I think I will replicate the asymmetry again but with a different look.

My supplier is currently still casting them and I hope to at least get the bird skulls by next week. I’m excited because this will be the first time seeing bone and black colored skulls in what I believe is a different type of resin. If the quality of the resin is what I like then I will soon start getting my larger skulls casted in small quantities for Bird Skull Clutch production which I am slating for the end of March to beginning of April. Testing has been good so far but I should really make a couple more clutches before I feel confident enough to sell. I have a waiting list of 5 people really really want the clutch. I have their color schemes, too. Hahaha. One customer, a man, wants colbalt blue leather. Awesome. 

In other news, I have started my business plan for COVEN by Sonia Kang. I’ve always been the type of person who is careful and tries to plan ahead. I’m impulsive but with business I always try to put a little more thought into my actions. On loose leaf paper, the business plan is at least 35 pages long and covers everything from going local within Canada and the US to establishing myself in a more international market. I have a German contact, a French-UK contact, a probable Japanese contact… I’m still looking at the economical news on the Euro situation before I make a move. I plan to at least establish a FW2012 Lookbook to make my advance as easy as possible. I’m lucky, to have made so many friends in the fashion industry because it has helped me see how I can do this more professionally to the standard within the industry. :)

Post-Valentine’s Day Post

Yesterday, was Valentine’s Day and it is always a kind of third Christmas for me.

I won’t elaborate beyond the fact that I am an individual who is well loved. :) I’m grateful that I will always have my support systems in place. Be it my significant other, family, or friends. I love you all. Thank you, for being there for me and supporting me. Valentine’s Day always reminds me of just that. Not the lovers, haters, or being single…just that there needs to be more love in this world. A very sentimental blog post for my new brand. Hahaha. I know.

In other news, yesterday I was on my way to meet the stylist, Tasha Farrington of Pretty Deadly Stylz who had borrowed my COVEN by Sonia Kang items for a Menswear photoshoot. Funny story, I also slipped on a giant dog turd on my way to meet her… I did not fall so that was good. But my poor shoes will need a good cleaning. :(

The positive thing was that the photoshoot turned out quite well according to Tasha. The team I heard was great and to be honest I was so relieved that she chose my items. She’s so awesome and she’s worked with a lot of my friends notably Kallvis Gents and Veruca Cyn (among others). They have all highly recommended her and having finally met her I can see why. I’m so new to this whole process and I’m glad that the first stylist I have ever worked with was so rad AND professional. I’m also grateful that this photoshoot was for Menswear and I hope that it will be an official magazine editorial. Time will tell. I can’t wait to see the results!

I have another photoshoot in a few months but I believe this will be for Womenswear. I’m also looking to prepare at least two Lookbooks in a few months for both Quaintrella’s Bridal Collection and COVEN by Sonia Kang’s FW2012. Normally, in the fashion industry I would be launching FW2012 now but I usually work with small stockists boutiques not department stores so the timelines are not as advanced.

Oh, before I forget! I would like to congratulate my designer friend, Veruca Cyn for getting published in February’s Issue of Ellements Magazine!!! Please, check out her post on it here: http://www.verucacyn.com/2012/02/published-in-ellements-magazine.html

Dysfunctional Progress

Veruca and Me - Picture: Iris of Blackiris Design

 I have been very sick for the past few weeks. It was a combination of medical issues and the flu which to be honest has been one of the LONGEST colds I have ever experienced in my life. I couldn’t walk for a few days because I felt so weak and I couldn’t go to classes or work. Even when I felt slightly better because constant nosebleeds kept me home. Imagine having 4 nosebleeds a day triggered by a mere sneeze. Not pretty.

However, the recent days have proven to be fruitful in playing creative catch-up. I had the opportunity to meet up with friends after being so sick. I actually have a funny story. Iris of Blackiris Design and Veruca Cyn were shopping on Queen Street this pass Saturday for supplies and new materials. We bumped into Veruca’s old friends and one of them is the manager of a store in Yorkdale Mall and she bought my mermaid half-circlet headpiece right off my head while shopping. This is something that has NEVER happened to me. Hahaha.

But, it looked amazing on her hijab and also opened my eyes to an under-appreciated market here in the West. One catering to Muslim girls who wear hijabs. Normally, they use plain pins or safety pins to fasten their hijabs to their heads but what if they had the option to use a more elaborate contraption that included clips and chains in the back? Crazy - right? But, there’s an idea that I might be working with that has a lot of potential because I have had Muslim girl friends who have complained before the lack of ornament to the pins they used - but it never occurred to me until a Muslim girl bought my headpiece right off my head that there was a potential.

Quaintrella Mermaid Half-Circlet Headpiece (SOLD)

I will definitely be making COVEN by Sonia Kang pieces of the half-circlet which will include more intricate and a slightly morbid aesthetic. Lately, I have been drawn to the potential shaping of leather for the half-circlets. We shall see - it is my first time working with leather. People have a tendency never to believe me when I say this. I’m very intuitive with what I do and I can generally make what I do look like I’ve been doing this for years. :)

My upcoming FW2012 Collection is very edgy. There will be a lot of leather, chains, detailing, and of course use of taxidermy castings.

Little Devil Outfit Shot and new COVEN by Sonia Kang First Updates!

It is quite rare I ever consistently do outfit shots and this does sadden me a bit. But, it is a New Year’s Resolution of mine to try to take more outfit shots! I had actually just dyed my hair my synthetic red. I actually bought out the stock of this red at Pacific Mall when Palty (Japanese hair dye company) announced they were discontinuing it. So, that is the last of my synthetic red shade until I get another Japanese brand or find more of this color. So sad.

This outfit was for the first day opening of Underworld Awakening. (Outfit: COVEN by Sonia Kang Braided Leather Hairband, XXI asymmetrical collar lace blazer, H&M tanktop, Danier leather studded belt, Le Chateau Short Velvet Pencil Skirt, H&M leg warmers, Aldo wedges, and COVEN by Sonia Kang bird skull clutch)

I love nothing more then seeing women in catsuits in movies. Kate Beckinsale in PVC is no exception. I loved the movie and am so happy Michael and Selene have a child together. I hate how so many stereotypical fantasy-horror movie genres make vampires dead soulless sterile beings. Life would be so much more beautiful if they could have children with each other (or so the sappy romantic in me would like to think). Then again, there are probably a few sick vampires out there who would abuse this biological advantage. But, let’s not get into the technicalities. :) I definitely think the plot has been getting better as every movie is made in the Underworld series. I really wish I watched it in 3D now.