TREND BLAZER

What happens when the music festival you work for experiences huge growth in merch sales? You start an online store, of course - that's at least what we did at the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival. 

Released in early December, the team (myself included), felt offering our merch online is a great opportunity to reach our audience in new ways during the off-season. Also, it allows people the opportunity to buy our different products, which are pretty rad by the way, easily online instead of waiting in line at the event itself. 

Here are couple other reasons selling online is a good idea (all stats pulled from shopify.com): 

The Internet reaches 30% of the global population and there are more than 2 billion users worldwide (Source: We Are Social).

40% of worldwide Internet users have bought products online (Source: Statista)

Mobile reaches 86% of the global population and there are more than 5.8 billion subscribers worldwide (Source: We Are Social).

The value of mobile commerce transactions is expected to exceed $3.2 trillion per year by 2017 (Source: Juniper Research).

Ecommerce spending in the U.S. alone hit approximately $262 billion in 2013, up 13.4 per cent from $231 billion in 2012 (Source: Forrester Research Inc.).

Visions of cozy sweaters, mugs of coffee, and rich colours keep us warm and our spirits high when the cold takes over in Saskatoon. And one of this year's lushest of colours is cranberry. Conceptualized by TRND BLZR's newest contributor and style guru, Madison Prosofsky, this collection of berry goodness is worth braving chill temperatures for. 

Where to shop it: 

1. Cranberry Jumpsuit

2. Nars Lip Colour

3. Booties 

After my first National Arts Marketing Project Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, I've arrived home full of inspiration for the work I do in music and fashion. A session I felt compelled to share featured data from JWT Intelligence with support from Tumblr. The session revealed 10 of the world's cultural and social trends for 2014 and how they relate to the rapidly expanding digital landscape. Providing you with as unbiased information as possible, I think you will find the topic very interesting as it relates to your work, social and private life. 

1. Immersive Experiences 

People want to lose themselves in experiences that takeover most if not all their senses. The thoroughly researched and discussed Millennial generation drives this trend with their tendency to value experiences over things and are constantly seeking once-in-a-lifetime, unique and shareable experiences. A particularly interesting example of Immersive Experiences is the German horror film, Last Call, wherein the victim calls a member of the audience for advice on how to get out of danger. Or how about this viewing of Life of Pi in Paris where the audience sat in row boats while watching the film. 

2. Speak Visual 

Do you speak french or Chinese? Well there's a new language on the block - visual. If you've ever texted an emoticon, photo, or video its fair to say you speak or have spoken visual. This trend is largely driven by society's impatience and thinking that it's just easier to explain what I'm thinking or what I'm doing with a photo then type an entire text. Social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and Vine allow people to share their lives visually with words becoming secondary. 

3. Age of Impatience 

Does squeezed for time, on-demand economy, or "always on" resonant with you? It's likely because you live in the age of impatience. The majority of society's attention span doesn't last much longer then a couple minutes until we are on to the next thing. In the digital space people will check out of a website after 3 seconds if they don't find something of interest to them. Our mobile devices have also trained us to be constantly connected and increased our need for immediacy to the point where almost nothing happens fast enough. But it's not all bad - promise! Have you ever used Amazon Prime? The fastest shipping in the industry. How many shows have you binge watched on Netflix this month? Downton Abbey? Walking Dead maybe? Sometimes you just need something now! 

4. Mobile as a Gateway to Opportunity 

As we know mobile is huge. I'm guessing you've checked your phone at least twice - if your still reading this article. Almost everyone in the world uses or has access to a smartphone. The lowering costs of mobile devices and the ubiquitous nature of the internet is providing access on a mass scale in a world that is not only connected or grouped by nation, but also by social networks. For example, Facebook is technically the second largest country in the world with a population of 1.2 billion. So, yes, we're online and using our smartphones - now what? Amazing opportunities have emerged, such services like Doctor on Demand where you can video call a doctor and have prescriptions sent directly to your pharmacy following your digital appointment. Imagine all the hundreds even thousands of things your phone does and how that will evolve.

5. Telepathic Technology 

Emotional recognition and brain computer interfaces are being developed that can read our brain waves and control technology we are using, such as robot vehicles, which are becoming more and more common. This technology is also seen in less evasive ways on music streaming sites like Songza. 

6. End of Anonymity 

Our personal information is being collected every time we go online, make a purchase, or watch a You Tube video. It can be creepy, unnerving, and creates paranoia within internet users. The positive side to this trend is digital marketing messages will evolve, becoming highly targeted to the point where you will likely not encounter an advertisement or message that hasn't been carefully crafted for your tastes, interests, values, and behaviours. 

7. Raging Against the Machine 

Despite our apparent love of technology and mobile devices there is a rising movement that in equal parts hates technology. People have fear and resent the devices they've grown accustomed to and fret about what's been lost as a result. There is a higher value placed on things or experiences that feel human with the realization that 24/7 engagement is tiresome and anxiety inducing. Non-profit, charity UNICEF has fuelled this trend with their promotion of donating fresh water for every 10 minutes that you don't touch your phone.  

8. Remix Tradition 

Amongst Millennials, traditional Sunday Mass is not resonating, however, the act of "gathering" has not completely fallen off the map. There are groups in larger cities like New York and London who hold "Sunday Assemblies" - non religious based meet-ups where people either discuss current events or issues. Other forms of remixing tradition are more and more eloping couples, the growing acceptance of gay marriage, and "Friends"-giving dinner (occurs when people can't afford the flights home for Thanksgiving and instead celebrate with their friends). 

9. Proudly Imperfect 

Does shifting through picture, upon picture, upon video, upon picture of perfect family photos, vacations, or photo shoots on Facebook become tiring? How can we continually live up to these standards of perfection? We can't. Everyday life is messy and at times chaotic. And we are reaching a point on a mass scale where we are embracing imperfections and striving to not look perfect. The poster child of this trend is Jennifer Lawrence. Her honest candor and humour have made struck a cord with the public that instills legitimate authenticity. 

10. Mindful Living  

In the Fall of 2013, Malorie Urbanovitch, received the top prize from Mercedes-Benz Start Up Competition. Showcasing her collection at World Mastercard Fashion Week for a panel of expert judges, including the founder of Fashion Week, Robin Kay, she claimed the top prize. Since then her label has been catapulted onto the national stage through an agreement with Canadian wide retailer Gravity Pope. Women are picking up this designer's minimalist knits and luxurious coats across the country. 

Malorie's F/W 2014 collection will be shown at Park Luxe Saskatoon this Thursday. Check out her look book below. 

About Mercedes-Benz Start-Up

TRND BLZR sat down with Rebecca King and picked her brain on design, the upcoming Park Luxe event, Mercedes-Benz Start-up, and her plans for the future. 

Q: How long have you been working as a designer? 

A: I graduated design school in 2005 and have been working in various areas of the fashion industry from theatre to college level instructor, all while working for myself. I have been producing my label since 2006 under Rebecca King. 

Q: In your opinion how has the Saskatchewan and Western Canadian fashion industry changed since you’ve been a working designer? 

A: When I launched my line fashion designers were rare - there were no fashion shows or events besides local charity events. I started doing my own fashion shows and selling my work at them in 2007. Now there are groups who aim to support the local fashion community in each city. Together we are all working together to achieve national industry standards and stay competitive in the Canadian fashion scene. 

Q: Describe your style in 3 to 5 words. 

A: Modern, cozy, textured, masculine, tailored. 

Q: You have shown in Park Show twice in Calgary. What spinoff effects have you noticed for your business since being involved with their organization and shows?

A: Three years ago I was new to the fashion industry in Calgary and didn't know where to start. It turned out you have to get involved with Park and the rest will flow from there.

Q: Where do you see your label in 5 years? 10 years? 

A: I would like to look into knit manufacturers alongside my cut-and-sew knits. I'll continue to perfect my product and narrow in on what is uniquely Rebecca King, which I believe is my style, cut, and wearability, as well as, my sweater coats. Now that I have more experience I'd like to take on more stores and do less personal sales. I'll be branching out more into Vancouver and eventually down East. I think the hardest part about growing is managing your growth, or keeping up to it.

Q: You have become the Queen of pop-up shopping in Saskatoon. Any plans to open a boutique or showroom?

A: No not for now, I love my pop ups! They are really fun and help me to keep a good balance between studio and public time. 

Q: You were a finalist in Mercedes Benz start-up twice. How was the experience? 

A: Great! This is the best thing out there right now for getting noticed as an upcoming designer. The judges are made up of top industry professionals who pick the top 40 designers from across Canada and narrow it down to top 20, those top 20 (myself included) get a private high end fashion show at Mercedes Benz. Then the top 8 are sponsored to show at Toronto Fashion Week, which many of my peers have gone one to do. The experience gains designers significant publicity. 

Q: How do you balance the hectic life of a designer with family commitments? 

A: Fortunately, when we stared our family I had many years of experience behind me and I was able to pass off work to other people - a step I should have made long before. It is a struggle to keep up, but I do what I can. I am still a full time mom working only part time from within the home, as well as, evening and some weekends for events or travel. Balance is what I strive to maintain everyday. 

Q: Any words of wisdom for emerging designers? 

A: It is hard to give advice as it took 10 years of learning to get to where I am today. There are so many different paths you can take and ways to work it. I just continue to try and grow using what works for me and taking small risks along the way. Get ready to work hard, learn about the industry and what's happening around you. 

Q: Do you find Saskatoon a creative and conducive place to work in fashion? 

A: I find Saskatoon to be very supportive of my work and I feel very blessed to have their support. I am enjoying the many changes that have happened since moving away 3 years ago. I feel like I am coming home to a much different city and I like the way things are going. Finding resources and actually functioning as a fashion designer from Saskatoon is challenging and involves a lot of travel and shipping. It can work - it just involves longer wait times or more travel. 

Q: Having left Saskatoon and returning 3 years later what changes have you noticed in the fashion community?

A: I don't find it to be changes just within the fashion community, but more within the Saskatoon arts community as a whole. People are putting themselves out there and showing off their creative side weather that be in new street festivals or restaurants. It brings everyone out of their homes to share in it together.   

Park (Promoting Artists - Redefining Kulture) is a Calgary based non-profit organization promoting Western Canadian fashion designers and artists. Since its inception they have presented the following events Park Show, Park Sale, and Park Luxe. The former features the designers living and working right within Calgary, the second is the annual market held for designers and artists to reach the broader market, and the later is Park's high-end fashion show featuring designers who have gone on to be featured on the national stage. 

Park Luxe is making its debut in Saskatoon, Thursday, October 30th for one evening only. The event will feature Canadian fashion designers, Caitlin Power, Malorie Urbanovitch, and Rebecca King with Cayman Islands style maker, Michael Gallagher. Expect a healthy dose of style within the crisp white setting of Rouge Gallery and enjoy delicious appetizers from the culinary genius' of Ayden Kitchen and Bar. 

Oscar De La Renta passed away Monday, October 20th at the age of 82 after battling cancer for over 8 years. The Dominican Republic born designer lived in Kent, Conn. with his wife Annette and despite his trying illness his business grew by 50% during the last years of his life. 

Best know for making women feel beautiful and his esteemed and accomplished client list, De La Renta’s gowns were red carpet staples at every major fashion, film, and art event. The designer began as an apprentice under Cristobal Balenciaga in Spain, worked for Lanvin in Paris, and settled in New York when we accepted a position with Elizabeth Arden. His self titled label opened for business in 1965 when his couture designs finally fell within his own moniker.

In memory of this fine designer enjoy a sampling of some of his finest work. This visionary artist and style maker will be greatly missed. 

Today’s Style Picks feature a stunning Michael Kors watch I found from homegrown retailer, Spareparts. Be sure to check out their brand spanking new online-shopping-vortex here! 

1. Black Booties, Nasty Gal

2. Black Cocktail Dress, Elizabeth and James

3. Rose Gold Watch, Michael Kors

Local boutique, WHITE DHALIA, is celebrating their 1st birthday on October 16th! An off-shoot of the popular in-greenhouse-boutique in Dutch Growers, this 5,000 square foot shopping paradise has every bit of feeling as H & M, Zara, or Mango.

European design runs throughout the store with lines including: Vera Moda, Yas, and Noisy May, while enveloping you in high contrast style (the store is completely black and white!). WHITE DHALIA is also a strong supporter of local design through sponsorship of Saskatoon Fashion & Design Festival (SFDF) and carries local designer, Laurie Brown's, spring and fall collections. Below is an image from SFDF's 2014 campaign, which included looks from WHITE DHALIA and Laurie Brown. 

The party will include a store wide 25% discount, wine and cheese, and the musical stylings of DJ Anchor. Bring the ladies out for a little pre-weekend fun and shopping!