“Toronto Fashion Incubator director Susan Langdon with some of her famous alumni in front of the Incubator building. Back row, from left to right: Joeffer Caoc, Kingi Carpenter of Peach Berserk, Farley Chatto and John Muscat of Line. Front row, left to right: Shay Lowe, Ashley Rowe, Jen Kluger of Foxy Originals, Jennifer Halchuk of Mercy, Gail McInnes of Magnet Creative, Golnza Ashtiani and Rita Tesolin. Sitting, TFI director Susan Langdon.”
I love them all. Luis, who is on my invite, is the colourist and owner of Hair on the Avenue. He was really fun. No barriers, just really let go with me. As a photographer, that was just amazing. There were other really fun ones too: with Gail McInnes I ended up eating haggis with her, that was a lot of fun.”
“Edward Burtynsky, photographer. Philip Sparks, fashion designer. Roberta Bondar, first female Canadian astronaut in space. The list of people Natalie Castellino photographed for Citizens—20 portraits of Torontonians on view at Red Bull 381 Projects—reads like a dream dinner guest list. “It all stemmed from wanting to capture Toronto,” Castellino explains. “It started as a loose thing, and then grew into something I hadn’t anticipated and took on a life of its own.”
Can you share any behind the scenes anecdotes or favourite memories from any of the shoots?
I shared some really amazing moments with the people I photographed. But lunch with Gail McInnes at the Caledonian definitley stands out. Gail insisted I try haggis. I’m always up to try new food at least once. It’s a kind of savoury pudding containing sheep’s pluck—the heart, liver and lungs with spices, and, in this case, it was fried. So I tried it… along with a couple of pints. I don’t think I’ll have haggis again, but it was a fun shoot.”
“You can never miss her in a crowd with her hot red lips and gorgeous outfits. This week we chat with Gail McInnes, owner and director of Magnet Creative Management.”
“It’s a sentiment shared by Gail McInnes, a public relations and special events pro who launched her own firm, Magnet Creative Management, in Toronto in February 2010. “It’s like entering a marriage,” says McInnes of the compromise, trust and commitment required by partners. (She speaks from experience: A previous business venture went south when she and her partner realized they had different views on the direction the company should take.) McInnes recommends that each of you be clear on your roles from the start—talking about your end goals and noting any discrepancies between them. “[Draw up] a partnership agreement [which includes salary info] and have a lawyer look at it,” she counsels. Also get into the habit of holding regular meetings to bring up any concerns before they escalate. “Keep lines of communication open,” she says. “It should never be a power struggle.”
“The exciting and dynamic fashion industry presents a wide range of possible careers, but it can be difficult for a novice to determine exactly what each involves. Fashion: The Industry and Its Careers, 2nd Edition offers a thorough and informative exploration of fashion careers across the board, including designer, textile manufacturer, retailer, wholesaler, illustrator, model, product developer, journalist, publicist, trend forecaster and more. For each career covered, readers will learn about what to expect on the job, required education and training, how to advance to a management role, relationship to the industry as a whole and future outlook. This 2nd edition has been completely updated to reflect recent developments in technology, world economics and globalization.”
An article I wrote, “Interview With a Buyer” on Fashion Magnet was recently published in Fairchild Books’ Fashion: The Industry and Its Careers, End Edition by Michelle M. Granger.
Listed as one of six Scots “on top of the fashion tree” alongside Sam McKnight (celebrity makeup artist), Faye McLeod (Visual Creative Director, Louis Vuitton), April Crichton (Creative Director, Sonya Reikel), Angus Monro (Casting Director), and Joe McKenna (fashion editor and stylist).
“As we prepare for World Master Card Fashion Week’s first season in Toronto, TDot TV Fashion Insider, Gail McInnes, gives you an up close look at Arthur Mendonca’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection”
“We are thrilled to announce that TDot TV Fashion Correspondent, Gail McInnes, will be one of the celebrity models walking for “Runway for a Better Way”, a fashion show in support of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) during the upcoming Ottawa Fashion Week.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be participating in ‘Runway for a Better Way’ during Ottawa Fashion Week to benefit UNICEF. It’s a bit surreal to be finding myself on the runway in Canada’s capital city with so many well-known faces, but I couldn’t think of a better cause to support. The funds raised from this event will be used to better the lives of children around the world, and knowing that I was a small part of it means so much. Ottawa Fashion Week has grown so much over the past few years and I can’t wait to see all the design talent the city has to offer” said Gail.
Other celebrity models scheduled to appear in the show include Gabrielle Miller (Corner Gas/Call Me Fitz),Rosey Edeh (ET Canada), Tré Armstrong (So You Think You Can Dance Canada), Erica Wark (CBC’s Steven and Chris), Leesa Butler (www.f-list.ca), Casie Stewart (www.casiestewart.com), Elizabeth Manley (Olympic Silver Medalist), Cory Lee (Degrassi), TL Rader (Professional Ballroom Dancer) andSolange Tuyishime (UNICEF Canada Ambassador) – in designs by Rachel Sin (www.rachelsin.com) ,DeMOYO (www.paidemoyochideya.com) and Sarah Stevenson (www.sarahstevensondesign.com) with jewellery by MMCrystal (www.MMCrystal.com).”
The Ottawa Fashion Week Board of Directors announced this season’s charitable partnership with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Canada. A runway show, titled “Runway for a Better Way” in support of UNICEF will be organized and co-hosted by Ottawa native, Kevin Carroll (www.allaccesswithkevin.com/) on Sunday, February 19th 2012 in the Confederation Ballroom at the Westin Hotel Ottawa (11 Colonel By Drive). The event will feature celebrity models Gabrielle Miller (Corner Gas/Call Me Fitz), Rosey Edeh (ET Canada), Tré Armstrong (So You Think You Can Dance Canada), Erica Wark (CBC’s Steven and Chris), Leesa Butler (www.f-list.ca), Casie Stewart (www.casiestewart.com), Elizabeth Manley (Olympic Silver Medalist), Gail McInnes (TDot TV http://gailmcinnes.com/), Cory Lee (Degrassi), TL Rader (Professional Ballroom Dancer) and Solange Tuyishime (UNICEF Canada Ambassador) in designs by Rachel Sin (www.rachelsin.com/) , DeMOYO (www.paidemoyochideya.com/) and Sarah Stevenson (www.sarahstevensondesign.com/) with jewellery by MMCrystal (www.MMCrystal.com).
“He’s not the first to screw up a lyric in America’s national anthem. Christina Aguliera did the same thing when she sang it (at the Super Bowl last year),” says Gail McInnes, owner of Magnet Creative Management, a Toronto-based publicity and brand management agency. “In this particular case, he needs to apologize right away, especially when dealing with something that is held so close to people’s hearts. He needs to be transparent about why. Was he nervous? And then say something positive about the experience and hope his fans will forgive him. He may not have gained any fans with this performance, but his real fans will forgive him.”
“As shallow as the Fashion world may seem, there is a silver lining of good in the form of Windfall. Founded in 1991 this unique award-winning charity provides BRAND NEW clothing and assistance to 64,000 people in the GTA who are in need. Windfall provides for children, for women who seek refuge in shelters, and for people in need of work.”
“The great news is that this Passion for Fashion program I completed has this great little middle? Aside from the cash prize competition the best part I think is the MENTORS. I now have FASHION INDUSTRY MENTORS. You have no idea how excited I am over this and I have Mentors who have experience in adding environmental value and charitable causes to their businesses. Something, I strive for. This is so great! I met most of them yesterday and I was so impressed by all these people who are just willing to help budding entrepreneurs like myself. The Fashion Tribe was there too! What a great thing.
I would like to personally thank, Gail McInnes, our lovely coordinator of PFF for doing this. Without her, this program would not exist and I wouldn’t have ever found the niche I belong in. I met lovely Mentors and had great insight into the industry. THANK YOU, GAIL! :)”
“We sent our photographer Becca Lemire to the most glamourous NYE party in Toronto to snap pics and survey the vivacious crowd on what their big resolutions are for 2012. From curbing one’s poutine habits to changing the world, here is what partygoers had to say about the year ahead.
“No New Years resolutions – every day should be a day to find something to change” – Gail McInnes”
“As the city gears up for the biggest party night of the year, we surveyed some of Toronto’s most sociable butterflies about their favourite nighttime pastimes in 2011.” by Paul Aguirre-Livingston
“Easy & The Fifth hosts a masquerade ball featuring Toronto’s fashion elite (Anita Clarke, Shinan Govani, John-Paul Ricchio, Gail McInnes & our Winter print issue‘s Eye For Style glamour gal, April Wozny). $100 for an all open bar, people.”