Style Profile: Erica Wark

Erica Wark is a fashion journalist and freelance stylist. She isn't afraid to take risks; whether it's sporting the latest in fall fashion trends or fierce beauty looks, for her, anything goes (unless it's Lulus at the bar). Erica's about to take the fashion world by storm - and saying so is most certainly the safest risk.

Name: Erica Wark

Age: 25

Occupation: Fashion Journalist and Freelance Stylist

Site: http://www.ericawark.com/

When and why did you start your blog?

I started my blog back in July 2010 wanting to add my voice to the blogosphere.

How would you describe your site?

It's a collection of things that I find inspiring and fascinating in the fashion industry as well as bodies of work that I've either been published in or looks I've put together to help inspire other fashion fans.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Everywhere - from magazines, to other blogs, to celebrities, to movies, to designers, and even from friends and strangers who I see on the streets.

Describe your personal style.

It's quite chaotic - I'm always wanting to try new things, new trends and new concepts in my wardrobe. So, to categorize it into one word would simply be impossible, haha.

What was the best style/beauty advice you were given?

Take risks. They usually pay off when you truly love something and are passionate about it.

Where are your favourite places to shop?

I love so many different places, but New York is definitely my utopia in terms of shopping. I love the little boutiques you find in Soho, as well as intermix and of course, Bloomy's - always find great deals there. In terms of online, I adore asos.com and my-wardrobe.com. In Ottawa I love BCBG, Holts, The Gap, Banana Republic and the boutiques in town - Trustfund, Schad, Road Trop and AMH Style.

Style/Beauty Pet Peeves?

I hate seeing women wearing Lululemons to the bar...

What are the five essential items that every woman should own?

A great pair of jeans, a perfect nude pump tailored blazer, a great handbag, and a hot leather boot.

Where do you see yourself and your site in five years?

My site will be going through some changes shortly so I'm really looking forward to that... five years? I hope to be speaking fashion on a more National- and International-level.

Learn more about Erica and her take on fashion by visiting her website, or follow along on twitter.

All images courtesy of Erica Wark.

A Star is Born

I ordered this dress from ASOS weeks ago, and couldn't have been more pleased when I found it shoved into my mailbox one day after work - such an amazing surprise! I couldn't wait to tear open the package and take this baby out for a spin.

The dress is a tad bit shorter than I would normally go for - especially when sitting, I was not expecting to feel that much of the chair underneath me.

But isn't that what fashion's all about, pushing our boundaries?!

Yes, that is the tag hanging out the back. I wasn't sure about the size - ASOS lists their items in UK sizing, and I wasn't sure how that would translate - but after this mini-photoshoot I knew this dress had found a home in my closet.

This was my first ASOS purchase, and I doubt it will be my last.

They're selection of fun, and colourful pieces - available in petite sizes - is too much too pass up.

I can't wait to wear this dress with a pair of tights and boots and rock it all through the winter.

Dress - ASOS; Heels - Aldo

Ottawa Fashion Week kicks-off tonight. Petite Adventures'll be there ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the latest looks for Spring 2012. Hope to see you there!

Style Profile: Ottawa Fashion Week

We're less than two days away from the S/S 2012 edition of Ottawa Fashion Week. In this special Tuesday edition of the Style Profile, we learn all about this premiere fashion event from the Public Relations Director, Christine Achampong. 

Who: Christine Achampong
I've worked within the OFW organization since 2008 : first as a production intern then as the assistant to the Executive Director then as the Creative Director and now as of January 2011, PR Director.

What: Public Relations Director

Where: Ottawa Fashion Week

When: September 28-October 2, 2011

When did OFW get it's start?

The first season of Ottawa Fashion Week was in May of 2008 

What was the inspiration to start OFW?

OFW started as an off shot of the now defunct Canadian International Modelling Agency (CIMA) and an on-line magazine called "Substance Magazine". We had these amazing resources (models, make-up artists, hairstylists etc...) through our work with CIMA and Substance and we decided stage our first runway show called "Mantra" at Canadian War Museum. The success of that event and the feeling of being part of something so unique in Ottawa propelled us to start planning regular runway shows in Ottawa. 

Who can we expect to see in the upcoming OFW? 

The overall goal each season is to get bigger and better - this season's move to the newly built Ottawa Convention Centre and our amazing designer roster is a huge step forward. Some of the headliners showing this season at OFW are Simon Ekrelius from the UK, Alexis Reyna from Spain and Montreal style veteran Samuel Dong - and that's just the beginning of our amazing roster.

What can we expect from this seasons shows?

The production plans, clothes, hair and makeup are being kept top secret but this season is definitely going to be a milestone for us in terms of the caliber of designers showcasing on our runway as well as the types of shows that are going to be seen on the runway.

Favourite OFW moments?

The end of our first season at the National Gallery of Canada in October 2010, Hussein Rashid (the Executive Producer of OFW) and I were sitting in the runway room just before the runway/staging was taken down and he looked up at me and said "We actually did this...?". The next day we had a huge article in the citizen with the headline "Congratulations Ottawa, you did it!"....I remember tears streaming down my face while I read it at my breakfast table the next day. Every season I have the same big sigh of  relief at the end followed by an immediate panic attack that I need to start planning the next one five days later.

Favourite places to shop in Ottawa?

My mother's closet! It's convenient because it's always open and everything is free! 

Favourite Ottawa designers?

I've been a fan of McCaffery Haute Couture forever, I always make it point to walk by and window shop when I'm on Sussex. David really knows his stuff. These days its more common for great designers to uproot themselves and move to Toronto or the US, I'm proud that we've managed to keep a great talent like his in Ottawa.

What can a first timer expect at this seasons OFW?

Lots of fun and free activites! 

We have some amazing sponsors on board this season: 

The Loft/Le Spa, Rowenta and L'Oreal Professionnel will have touchup stations available in the lounge area for all of the ladies to get last minute touchups before and in between shows

We'll also have a photobooth where attendees can have their pictures taken, the photos will be uploaded on our facebook page after the event and can uploaded.

Live entertainment by some amazingly talented individuals like Lidija Marie, Samantha Chan, May-Jun and Rnee Landry + Sound of Lions Band

There's definitely enough activities to keep everyone busy for all five days of the event!

For more information about Ottawa Fashion Week, including the schedule of fantastic designers, or to buy tickets, visit : www.ottawafashionweek.ca.

Can't make it to all the shows? Don't worry, follow the conversations on Twitter and you'll feel as though you were right there in the front row: @OFW_LIVE.
Also be sure to check out : @amoimurphy, @sincerelysab and @coolgirlchris for behind the scenes commentary during OFW.

Formal... with a twist!

There's something about a day full of meetings that makes me turn to basics. But as M. Night Shyamalan would say on Robot Chicken: "...with a twist."

Please excuse the towel on my head

This black pants are my go-to when I need to be ultra-professional (also seen here). This particular day I had a meeting with my director and our creative team to approve the promotional materials for an upcoming nation-wide celebration, so I thought I needed to put my best foot forward.

But that didn't mean I couldn't have a little fun - for that I threw on the poodle shirt (also seen here). 

Blouse - Final Touch from Barefoot Contesst; Pants - Talula from Aritzia

There's something about this poodle shirt that dances between the lines of professional and quirky - exactly what I'm looking for in my work wardrobe.

If only I could find a few more tulip poodle shirts.

Staycation into Fall

Mid-way through my staycation, Mother Nature decided it was time for fall. Overnight (literally) the temperature and humidity just disappeared. It went from shorts to pants weather in the blink of an eye.

So, I followed suit. I thought the colder weather was the perfect opportunity to try out my new flared pants - and of course, I threw on an orange shirt for a pop. 

You may have noticed orange was a trend throughout my staycation - I swear, I didn't do it on purpose, it just happened. 

The jeans and short sleeve blouse were the perfect combination, I was warm enough, but not hot. 

The perfect combination for this shoulder season.

Shirt, Tank, Necklace & Cuff - SmartSet; Jeans - H&M; 

Although the weather had shifted, it wasn't so cold that I couldn't take my peep-toe wedges out for one last spin.

Shoes - Aldo

Style Profile: Emily Woudenberg

This week's profile is taking a different approach. Up-and-coming Canadian designer Emily Woudenberg chats with Petite Adventures about fashion, inspiration and her cactus, Liliana.

Name: Emily Woudenberg

Age: 20

Occupation: Fashion Designer/Student

Location: Toronto, ON

Site: www.emilywoudenberg.com 

When and why did you start your site?

I've had a website forever, I started designing websites really young - probably 16 - and have kept up with it making it a part of my collections.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I really love the city and the art culture. I get really inspired by other artists, and am always going to shows in Toronto.

Who are your style/beauty icons?

Keira Knightly in "Domino". Natalie Portman in "V for Vendetta". Emily Haines from Metric. and Milla Jovovich.

Describe your personal style.

Minimal. Androgynous.

Style/Beauty Pet Peeves?

You know when you see that person whose style just seems to absolutely suit who they are. You can just feel how they are by how they present themselves. Even if it's not on trend, their style is their own. People who don't do that peeve me. I feel like a lot of young women just follow trends, you have to be older to find yourself in what you wear.

What do you never leave home without?

My sketchbook.

What are the five essential items that every woman should own?

Hard questions. I like pieces that are easy to wear but still very flattering; kind of grungy, but I love plain v-necks, boyfriend jeans, slacks, leggings and a good jacket.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I want to start selling my clothes as a profession. In five years I would hope I am able to make a living off my designs full-time, selling across Canada. Here's hoping.

Learn more about Emily by visiting her website and follow the fashionable (and sometime cactus-related) conversation on Twitter.

All images courtesy of Emily Woudenberg.

Staycation: It's All About Orange

One of the best parts of being on staycation is being able to do all of the things you can't do as a regular working girl, such as, taking long, leisure, lunches.

For that, there's nothing better than a pair of sandals and a shift dress.

In orange, obviously, as that was the theme of my staycation.

Dressing up and eating out... I could really get used to this lifestyle.

Dress - Banana Republic Petites; Shoes - Aldo

Real Single-girl of Centretown

The first two days of my staycation were more work than play, so on day three I took advantage of the nothingness that filled my calendar and did just that: nothing.

It was fantastic.

The weather was nice, but I was staying home to read (NB: Bossypants is the greatest book I've read in a long time, pick up a copy - you won't regret it!). Just because I was lounging didn't mean that I had to slum it up. So, I thought to myself, what would a "Real Housewife of [insert city name here] wear" so I pulled on a maxi-dress...

I've owned this dress for a while - I am in love with the pattern, both orange and peacock, as Rachel Zoe would say, "I die" - but I could never figure out when and where to wear it.

Day three of the staycation seemed like the perfect day to pull it out of the closet.

And, it was!

The dress was perfect for everything that I had scheduled that day: lounging...

and putting away my newly acquired wine glasses.

Dress - H&M; Belt - Jacob

Never has doing housework and nothing felt so chic.