~ Wishlist Winter 2013 ~

We're only mid-January and I'm already getting tired of winter.... "Vivement le printemps!"
Unfortunately, if you're like me, living in a city with 5 months long winters, all you can do is make the most of it ~ This can be done with layering, mixing textures, and adding a few punch of colors ~ And don't forget to reuse your summer dresses by overlaying them with a sweater ~

Lian & her Hassy

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

Film: Fujicolor 400

© Photos by Qin Leng

I absolutely love my Hasselblad, which was a bday present from Qin ~ How lucky am I !
Due to its size and weight though, I haven't been using it much for my street fashion shoots. 
But honestly, the sharpness and gorgeous bokeh you get with it is just out of this world and I've decided to use it more from now on.
For those of you who'd like to see what I'm talking about, take a look at some of the photos from my photoshoot for American Apparel fall collection HERE and HERE
Denim shirt: Tokyo
Shirt: Tokyo
Sweater: Value Village
Boots: Spring

Hayley

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

Film: Fujicolor 400

© Photos by Lian Leng

Just Classy! Great way to take up a notch this simple sweater & jeans look with an oversized blazer and Chelsea boots. The green complements her hair color beautifully!
Occupation: Capital markets
Sunglasses: Oliver Peoples
Sweater: Aritzia
Jeans: Rag & Bone
Blazer: Zara
Boots: Top Shop
Bag: Proenza Schouler
~ Reproduce her Look ~

Galaxy & I

Camera: Hasselblad 503CX + Carl Zeiss 80mm f2.8
Film: Kodak Portra 400NC

© Photo by Qin Leng

I love this shot of us~ Galaxy decided to tag along for our photoshoot for American Apparel Fall collection that day. This was taken right after, we had such a blast ~

Julia

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

© Photos by Lian Leng

She simply defines street style at its best ~ I love her laid back sporty look and her clear complexion without a trace of makeup. Just perfect!

Occupation: Student

Denim jacket: hand me down from her sister

Shirt: dad's scout shirt (that is so cool~)

Tshirt: Kingston

Bag: Kingston vintage store

Leggings: Lulu Lemon

Shoes: vintage store on Queen St.

Aaron & Jordan

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

Film: Fujicolor 400

© Photos by Lian Leng

It was hard to contain my excitement when I found these two ~ They really make you not miss summer one bit with such style! I seriously love Fall fashion as it brings out people's creativity with more room for layering and accessorizing. I can almost happily say "Toronto and your cold winters, bring it on!", but I will refrain as I know I will regret it soon enough :p
Aaron
Occupation: Zara Digital Merchandiser
Sunglasses: streets in NY
Jacket and Jeans: Zara
Sweater & shoes: vintage
Bag: Joe Fresh

Jordan
Occupation: Makeup Artist
Sunglasses: vintage
Jacket: Zara
Shirt: vintage
Pants: H&M
Shoes: vintage
Clutch: Cheap Monday
~ Reproduce their Look ~

Dionne & Lauren

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

Film: Fujicolor 400

© Photos by Lian Leng

© Illustration by Qin Leng

What a great pair ~ There's just such a cool vibe from these two, and I love how their styles complement each other, with one more boyish while the other more feminine. Great way to see how you can style differently a look with leather jacket and ankle high boots. 
They remind me of Qin & I in a way~
Dionne
Sunglasses: Public Butter (vintage)
Jacket: Forever21
Bodysuit: American Apparel
Skirt: Forever21

Lauren
Occupation: Graphic Designer
Denim shirt & jeans: H&M
Boots: vintage
~ Reproduce their Look ~

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

~ 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

~ Galaxy ~

Camera: Minolta X-7A, with Asahi Super-Takumar 55m f1.8
Film: Ferrania Solaris 400

© Photo by Lian Leng

My good friend Galaxy~ I absolutely love going out with this girl! So much to talk about that we often don't even realize it when the clock hits 2am~

She also has great style and I know from experience that bringing my camera on our "dates" is a must~

Dress: Club Monaco

Fedora hat: Little Burgundy

Bag: Zara

Shoes: TopShop

~Reproduce her Look~

~ Night Out @ Cold Tea ~ Meagan & Melissa

Cold Tea is definitely one of my favorite go-to location in Kensington Market~! 
Beer at a very decent price, great interior design with rustic wooden benches, molding details on the walls, and a mixture of detailed wall papers with vibrant green paint. And to top it all, plenty of stylish people~
Spotted those two girls from a distance on the patio and asked them for a photograph. I really loved the background in this shot, which I find complemented these girls' styles.
I was pretty excited that night as I had decided to bring a flash for my vintage Minolta. Unfortunately, it was so dark outside, that I could barely see the settings on my camera, which resulted in underexposed shots as my flash failed to trigger. Luckily enough, with the help of my friend's iphone and some of my photoshoping skills, I managed to get a not too bad photo of these two lovely girls.

Meagan (Left)

Top: American Apparel

Shorts and bag: Value Village

Boots: Urban Outfitters

Melissa (Right)
Jacket: Value Village
Shorts: Urban Outfitters

~Frame it Up!~

© Photos by Lian Leng

~Frames for all kinds of faces, all kinds of styles~

Just for fun, here's a compilation of some of the coolest eyewear styles in Toronto this summer

Kelly

Camera: Minolta X-7A with lens Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm f1.8
Film: Ferrania Solaris 400

© Photo by Lian Leng 

I was so busy texting on my phone that I almost missed her~

Being a merchandiser for Urban Outfitters, you can really tell she knows how to style herself! I was instantly attracted by this look which gave her so much character and attitude: the long hair, unique features, and this fun mismatch between a delicate and light top and skirt with those amazing shoes with a 'heavier' metallic detail.

But when she turned around, I was blown away by her tattoo. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Audrey Kawasaki's work, she's this extremely talented Japanese-American artists who's mastered the art of portraying women's sensuality and innocence.

Occupation: Merchandiser at Urban Outfitters

Top: Forever21

Skirt: American Apparel 

Shoes: Urban Outfitters (by Jeffrey Campbell) 

Tattoo: Reproduction of an artwork by Audrey Kawasaki, done by Tattoos by Evelyn (Toronto)

~ Reproduce her Look~ 

~Lian & American Apparel~

Camera: Minolta X-7A with lens Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm f1.8
Film: Ferrania Solaris 400

© Photo by Qin Leng

Top: Crop Tee from American Apparel

Bottom: Riding pants from American Apparel

Purse: Vintage Liz Claiborne

Shoes: from Korea

Justine

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

© Photo by Lian Leng

Loved her velvet tshirt! I've always wanted one of those tight crop Ts~ 
So when she told me she'd just bought it from American Apparel, I headed there right after the photoshoot and got myself one as well :)
Occupation: photography student

Velvet crop tee: American Apparel 

Skirt: Pacsun ~only 5$!

Shoes: Aldo

Bag: H&M

Earrings: Anthropologie (flower), Durumi (diamond)

Ngadi Smart

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

© Photo by Lian Leng

© Illustration by Qin Leng

Loved Ngadi's style! Eclectic with taste is what I'd call it ~
Occupation: Freelance artist, find her work @ Ngadi Smart
Glasses: Queen & Spadina (maybe from Timeless Apparel?) (Only 5$!)
Denim vest: American Eagle
Purse: from her grandmother
Tshirt: Forever21
Skirt: Value Village
Shoes: Forever21
Belt & bracelets: England

Qin on a lazy Sunday afternoon ~

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

© Photo by Lian Leng

Top: Forever21

Pants: Jeggings from China

Shoes: Forever21 (for a pair of shoes that cost me less than 20$, they're amazing for rainy days~)

Alexa

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

© Photo by Lian Leng 

© Illustration by Qin Leng

Found Alexa on my way home from work. I walk College St. everyday, but the uninteresting area, among all the hospitals. So it was a huge surprise and a breeze of fresh air to spot her in her adorable stripe t-shirt romper.

Occupation: Works at American Apparel

Glasses: Prada

Hair: House of Lords on Yonge St. (25$ a cut!)

Romper: American Apparel

Shoes: Timeless Apparel, Queen St.

Purse: Vintage from Flash Back, Kensington Market

~ Reading @ Dark Horse Cafe ~ Illustrated by Qin

© Illustration by Qin Leng

A really cool girl we saw last weekend at Dark Horse Cafe in Toronto.

She had this amazing hair, and everything she wore matched perfectly. 

Love the soft pastel colors of her outfit too!