Grace & Savannah

Camera: Minolta X-7A + Asahi Super Takumar 55mm f1.8
Film: Konica Minolta Centuria 400

© Photo by Lian Leng

These two friends had an interesting style that somehow complemented each other~

Grace

Occupation: photography student

Denim shirt, pants, shoes: Irland

Tshirt: Zara

Sunglasses: Black Market vintage

Bag: Costa Blanca

Savannah

Occupation: acting student

Shirt: Urban Planet

Leather jacket & Bag: Walmart

Pants: H&M

Sunglasses: Black Market vintage

Thalia

Camera: Minolta X-7A + Asahi Super Takumar 55mm f1.8
Film: Konica Minolta Centuria 400, expired

© Photos by Lian Leng

I liked her laid back style, with those red shades giving the whole look a touch of playfulness~

Occupation: Model for Sutherland

Sweater: American Apparel

Jeans: Wonhundred

Shoes: Dieppa Restrepo

Bag: Marc Jacobs

~ Fashion Inspiration ~

Here’s a little sketch of a girl, inspired from ‘Odile’, the character of Jean-Luc Godard 1964 movie “Bande à part”. 

I was watching it last night and found the black and white images absolutely beautiful, and terribly inspiring! 

…I found myself wondering, what the real colours of her clothes might have been.

© Illustration by Qin Leng

Qin~ Sunset

Camera: Minolta X-7A + Asahi Super Takumar 55mm f1.8
Film: Fujicolor 400

© Photos by Lian Leng

Oversized jacket: vintage, Japan

Sweater: Reversible easy sweater, American Apparel

Stockings & Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Rebecca and Ryan

Camera: Minolta X-7A + Asahi Super Takumar 55mm f1.8

Film: Fujicolor 400

© Photos by Lian Leng

Rebecca
Occupation: Barista
Sunglasses & Vest: Kensington Market
Sweater and Skirt: Urban Outfitters

Ryan

Occupation: Musician

Hat: Big it up

Tshirt: Topman

Cardigan: H&M

Shorts: Urban Outfitters

Belt: Jay Lindeberg

~ Dressed up for Fall ~

© Illustration by Qin Leng

Mackenzie Duncan & Arta

Camera: Minolta X-7A + Asahi Super Takumar 55mm f1.8
Film: Fujicolor 400 Japan

© Photo by Lian Leng

Fall has finally come, and I have to say, I am really enjoying how people are embracing the new season. I also particularly find that men in Toronto have an amazing sense of style, keeping it classy and sophisticated, yet unpretentious. Unfortunately, about 80% of the men I approach on the street refuse to be photographed, mainly because they feel uncomfortable in front of a camera or simply have no interest in having their photo posted on the web, which is really a shame. I think I have to work on my approach ~ any suggestions are welcome ~

Luckily, Mackenzie was kind enough to let me photograph him. Soon after, his friend joined and I was delighted to see that she had a great sense of fashion as well! 

It was also a great coincidence to find out that Mackenzie is an extremely talented fashion photographer. Definitely take a look at his impressive work @Mackenzie Duncan!

Mackenzie  Duncan

Occupation: Fashion advertising Mackenzie Duncan

Jacket: Uniclo

Pants: Levi's Nomad

Shoes: Red Wing

Arta

Occupation: Editor

Shirt: Zara

Vest: TopShop

Pants: Levi's

Shoes: Vintage Depot on Ossington Ave

Purse: Annexe vintage, Montreal

Ring: vintage Cartier, NY

Outfit2~American Apparel Fall Collection ~ Official photoshoot~

35mm film
Camera: Minolta X7-A + Asahi Super Takumar 55mm f1.8
Film: Fujicolor 400

120 Medium format film
Camera: Hasselblad 503CX + Carl Zeiss 80mm f2.8
Film: Expired film from 1999 Reala 100 + Kodak Portra 400NC

Check out the photoshoot for the first outfit here~

Model: Justine
Assistant: Qin Leng

© Photos by Lian Leng for American Apparel

~Reproduce her Look~

Top: Long sleeve turtleneck

Pants: Riding pants

Shoes: Bobby leather shoes

Outfit1~ American Apparel Fall Collection ~ Official Photoshoot

35mm film
Camera: Minolta X-7A with Asahi Super Takumar 55mm f1.8
Film: Fujicolor 400

120mm Medium format film
Camera: Hasselblad 503CX with Carl Zeiss 80mm f2.8
Film: Reala 100 expired from 1999 and Kodak Portra 400NC

Big thanks to Qin Leng and Justine for making this possible!
Qin for finding those amazing locations and giving great suggestions on framing and angles!
Justine for being such a pleasure to photograph but also so much fun to hang out with! Above all, thank you for always looking so gorgeous and natural despite the cold weather! Among us all, this shoot was the hardest on you and I really appreciate your flawless work ~ 
Check out our "behind the scene" photos

© Photos by Lian Leng for American Apparel

~ Reproduce her Look~

Top: Silk crop tee + burgundy fisherman pullover

Skirt: camel corduroy circle skirt

Stockings: thigh-high socks

Shoes: Bobby leather shoes

~ Lost and Found photos of Japan ~

Camera: Hasselblad 503CX
Film: Expired from May 1999, Reala 100

© Photos by Lian Leng

Developed the films (which look great btw!) from the shoot for American Apparel's fall collection, when I found those old photos I took from my previous trip to Japan. I had completely forgotten about them. These were taken in Fushimi Inari temple, Kyoto.

~Tweed Ride~

Camera: Minolta X-7A + Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm f1.8
Film:  Fujicolor 400

Stumbled upon the Tweed Ride while on my regular photoshoot strolls on Queen street~ 
For those of you who have no clue what this event is about (and I personally had never heard of it before either), it happens once a year in Toronto, where a group of people wearing tweed, and basically dressed up in the ~1930-50's, bike around the city of Toronto.
The route is revealed to the participants the day of, so it's impossible for an outsider to know where their stop locations are.

But as determined as I am, it was too good of an opportunity to get great fashion photos to give up! So I decided to follow them as best as I could...on foot!
I don't know how I managed.... but I definitely got my share of workout for the day~ Couldn't feel my legs after that.....but it was definitely worth it!

I hope you'll enjoy these few shots~

© Photos by Lian Leng

 I arrived just when they were starting a hat competition ~

Leeay Aikawa

Occupation: Illustrator/designer, specializing in collage and fashion illustrations. Check out her amazing work @ LeeayAikawa
Hair band: DIY
Coat: Stella Luna (Queen St. West)
Fur Collar: Sunday antique market @ St. Lawrence market
Shoes: vintage store on Gladstone and Dundas
Purse: Kensington

Virginia & Barnabe

Such a lovely couple, I wish I had more time to photograph these two. It was a real pleasure chatting with them~

~ American Apparel Photoshoot ~ Behind the Scene

We've been requested a month ago by American Apparel to do a photoshoot for their new fall collection.
Today was the last session and boy was it cold!!! only 10°C (50F) with strong winds from the North, BrrrRRRrrrr~~~
Here are a few "behind the scene" photos by my friend Galaxy. Dropped off the films today so they should be up shortly! Stay tuned!
And I have to say, a million thanks to Justine for being such a fun, cooperative, and patient model! Justine you're amazing~♥

~ Reproduce my Look ~

Camera bag: GuyLook