“Sartorial Canadians put their best Fashion forward, to celebrate ELLE CANADA 10th year anniversary in Toronto. Bold colors, statement pieces, dramatic makeup prevailed…”
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Miss Sly: PEOPLE STYLE @ ELLE CANADA 10TH ANNIVERSARY
March 14, 2011Elle Canada’s 10th Anniversary Style Snaps
March 14, 2011
At ELLE Canada’s 10th anniversary party on March 10, 2011 with Ryan Johnson of FILLER Magazine.
Full post here.
Sunday Mail (UK): Fashion guru Gail gets lippy with Canadians
March 14, 2011
“Gail McInnes is the Scot teaching Canada how to dress. [...] She might have lost her accent, but Gail hasn’t lost her roots. The 34-year-old revealed: “I’m Scottish and proud of it. It influences everything I do.” [...] Gail herself has a distinctive style, loving old Hollywood glamour, corsets, fur and animal prints. She added: “I love corsets and polka dots. I suppose you could describe my style as a bit like Hollywood pin-up meets Dita von Teese. I love Bettie Page and lots of red lipstick.” After working as a booker with a top model agency, she set up The Style Box, the country’s first ever Canadian designer rental showroom for celebs looking for red-carpet glamour on a budget.”
Read the article here: http://twitpic.com/497cy9
Canadian Fashion Industry Legend Passes
February 14, 2011Originally published in TFI News, January/February 2011
Canadian fashion pioneer Judy Welch passed away in her sleep on January 19, 2011, at the age of 74. Known by many as a nurturing, vivacious character, Welch was a force in the Canadian industry, guiding and cultivating the careers of many of today’s top fashion professionals. Welch, a dancer by training, entered the pageant world, winning the titles Miss Toronto and Miss Maple Leaf-Canada. She was also the first Miss Canada to compete in the Miss World pageant in 1957. Soon after, Welch ventured into the world of modelling as an agent.
Her namesake company, Judy Welch Agency (JWA), was the first to send models internationally. Her roster boasted the best of the business, including supermodels Linda Evangelista and Monica Schnarre, as well as Naomi Campbell in the early years of her career. In 1999, Welch was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Modelling Association of Canada.
“I remember walking into her house on Roxborough Avenue [where she ran her agency] for the first time. I was a little taken aback by the chaos that greeted me,” says Schnarre. “Her personality was also overwhelming as she greeted me. There were numerous people manning the telephones and a constant flow of people coming through what seemed to be a revolving door. Seeing all this made me turn to my mother and say, ‘I want to sign with Elite.’ But my Mother wanted me to be with Judy and her instincts were right. Judy’s nurturing and flair for the business were exactly what I needed and she is solely responsible for starting my career.”
Not only was Welch responsible for altering the lives of many models who travelled the world, she also guided the careers of photographers, fashion stylists, and hair and makeup artists.
“I was a young, junior stylist in the city when I met Judy for the first time; probably sometime in 1985. I had only known about her through reputation,” says Suzanne Lindsay, owner of SLAM photography agency. “She was a presence like no other. She taught me about casting and what to look for, believing in what you do and how to jump into something with both feet. She was intimidating at first, but once she took you under her wing, she was soft, caring and dedicated to you. Her house was always full of models and she had so many parties. Before my time, her parties were attended by Lee Majors, Burt Reynolds, and all those ’70s hunks! When the Rolling Stones came to town, they partied at Judy’s!”
In her later years Welch could be found selling her own collection of hand-beaded jewellery at the St. Lawrence Market. A private funeral for family and close friends was held on January 27. A public memorial service will be held in February at one of the Liberty Group’s venues in Toronto. Her website, www.judywelch.com, currently being updated by friends and family, has a page for anyone connected to her to leave their condolences and will also have updates on the public memorial.
Image: Ed Goodfellow Photography
The Perfect Little Pink Dress
February 11, 2011
For those of you who were around the Toronto fashion scene in the early to mid 2000′s, you would have been familiar with a fun, colourful and girlie clothing line called Wonderlust Clothing by Hannah Tikkanen.
I first met Hannah in 2003 when I was the program and communications coordinator at the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) at the time and Hannah came in for a tour of the resident studios when the TFI was still at Queen and Dovercourt. (That was during the pre-Drake days of Queen Street West.)
I was instantly drawn to her positive attitude, her ability to always be smiling and her sense of good girlie fun. She soon moved in to the TFI and was a finalist of the TFI New Labels competition. She is now one of my dearest friends and I’ve miss her so much since she moved out west to Vancouver a few years ago.
Now she’s doing what most people who know her would say is “so Hannah”; stylish party dresses for weddings, proms and special occasions with her aptly named company, The Little Pink Dress.
Each dress is custom designed and constructed for her clients in her atelier in Vancouver where she serves cupcakes and champagne during fittings and consultations.
“What I love about what I do is that I get to be a part of these incredible moments in people’s lives, and get to help realize their dream dress fantasy. The fact that fittings are always a party, and we all have fun is the icing on the cake!” says Hannah on her recently revamped website.
Hannah designs her dresses and head pieces through a close relationship with each client, incorporating beading, embroidery, Shibori fabric dying, silk painting, silk screening, vintage fabrics and trims, and even existing heirloom pieces. She makes every dress in Vancouver and uses eco-fabrics and trims as much as possible. Her Giving Back program promotes local and national charities, including The Cinderella Project and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
- Bridesmaid, grad and party dresses start at $600.00
- Bridal dresses start at $1500.00
- Girls’ dresses start at $300.00
If you’re in the Vancouver area and would like more information about having a custom dress made, contact Hannah directly at 604.616.6848 or visit www.littlepinkdress.ca.
Originally Posted in Fashion Magnet.
LCBO Classic Cocktails Featuring Mad Men Fashion Designer Janie Bryant
February 4, 2011
With fashion stylist and reporter Jen Tse and fashion blogger Anita Clarke of I Want I Got.
(Image courtesy of It’s Alll Style To Me.)
IT Business: ContractTailor.com Offers Do-It-Yourself Legal Documents by Briony Smith
January 25, 2011
“Gail McInnes, owner of PR firm Magnet Creative will not move forward with a new client without a signed contract detailing the responsibilities and obligations of each party, including payment schedules, a breakdown of the services provided, and also noting a non-disclosure of all terms discussed between both parties.”
Read the full article here.
Globe & Mail: Naughty or Nice at Amber Nightclub
January 1, 2011
At D2 Squared and Greta Constantine’s holiday event at Amber Nightclub. (Bottom left with Anita Clarke.)
Last Minute New Years Resolutions? Need Some Ideas? by Jen Tse
December 31, 2010
“Gail McInnes is Toronto fashion’s faery god mother in red lipstick and good pumps, a Wonder Woman incarnate. A knowledgeable saavy personality, you might have seen her in magazines and shows such as ET and Elle Magazine. She heads Magnet Creative, a fashion marketing and branding company. She not only works with established brands but helps develop young upstart designers. I call her fashion with a heart.”
Read the full post here.
Fusion of Effects One Year Anniversary Event
December 20, 2010
Celebrating the one-year anniversary of Toronto fashion blog, Fusion of Effects. Clockwise from top left: Jason Howlett (photographer), Marcus Kan (Fusion of Effects), Christopher Turner (Sympatio.ca), Tarek Al-Azbat (Nella Bella), Luis Rajiv (fashion stylist), Juan Carlos Gaona (Magnolia), Septembre Anderson (J’Adore), myself and Renee Stylvestre-Williams (Freelance journalist).
YYZ Living: Favoured spots to shop
December 7, 2010
‘”The most fashionable PR maven in the city. Gail works with the who’s who of Toronto fashion, while often being among those who standout with her lavish wardrobe.”
View the article here.
Toronto’s Most Stylish House Gets Fashionable
December 5, 2010Originally published in TFI News: Oct/Nov 2010
Event Photos by Biserka Livaja
Courtesy of Schwarzkopf Professional
The house that Canadian Architect magazine called “a captivating architectural experiment of movement and beauty” became the setting for Toronto Fashion Incubator’s (TFI) first annual fundraiser, Behind the Scenes with Canada’s Top Designers, on Tuesday, November 9th. Integral House, an award-winning 5-storey, 18,000 square foot prestigious Rosedale home featuring staggering panoramic views, floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a concert hall, opened its doors to philanthropic hearts, the fashionable elite, and the architecturally-curious. Guests from Vancouver and New York City networked with designers, architects, editors and socialites including Suzanne Rogers and Ainsley Kerr.
Three top Canadian designers, David Dixon, Joeffer Caoc and Lucian Matis, all Ryerson University graduates and all members and alumni of TFI, showcased their spring 2011 collections in an intimate presentation where guests discovered the untold stories of behind-the-scenes inspiration, drama and challenges through the inquisitive questions of host Glenn Dixon, one of the interior design stars on W Network’s Take This House and Sell It!.
Integral House owner, Dr. James Stewart, a mathematician, musician and author, shared his own stories on the house stating that when he first met with architects Shim and Sutcliffe he had asked for only three requirements: curves, glass and a performance space. The house took six years to plan and another six years to build.
While sipping on wine from the Portuguese Trade & Tourism Commission and enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres, guests were invited to the Schwarzkopf Professional gift lounge to select personalized items with help from hair care experts. Guests also enjoyed M.A.C Cosmetics gift bags and a raffle draw sponsored by Acura Canada.
The event raised almost $30,000 for the non-profit TFI. Net event proceeds will fund TFI’s annual New Labels® Fashion Design Competition and runway finale which is set to take place on April 14, 2011.
Et Cetera: Business opportunities arise from partnership in the city
December 2, 2010
“Naulls’ mentor for the program was McInnes, a Humber fashion arts graduate, who he said helped him model his business plan and assess the potential for readership.”
Read the entire article here.
Examiner: Gail of All Trades
November 11, 2010
“Its obvious that this jack-of-all-trades knows exactly what it means to work in the fashion world. Her exceptional work ethic and strong industry networks, have allowed her to work with some of Canada’s best. It seems that Gail McInnes and any company she partakes in, will meet its goals and expectations.”
Continue reading on Examiner.com: http://www.examiner.com/fashion-in-toronto/gail-of-all-trades#ixzz1KIxq5eFq
Walk The Walk For Windfall
October 29, 2010
On Wednesday, October 27, Shopgirls Gallery Boutique hosted their 2nd annual in-store fashion show and fundraiser: Walk the Walk for Windfall. Featuring 6 models made up of customers and friends of Shopgirls, including me! Read my post about the event at Fashion Magnet.
For Those About To Shop One Year Anniversary
October 28, 2010
With Bamboo Magazine’s Donna Bishop at hte One-year Anniversary of For Those About to Shop.
On The Fourth Floor: How to network in the fashion industry
October 6, 2010
“With LG Fashion Week coming up, we have fashion on the brain. And, more importantly, how breaking into the fashion industry can be tough. It’s competitive, and a zillion people would kill to get a foot in the door.
One of the most effective ways to break through is by networking. Getting out, talking to people and just making friends – not necessarily because you are looking for an opportunity, but because making friends is the best way to have someone think of you when an opportunity does arise.
One of the best in the biz is Gail McInnes. She is a pro networker, and has had great success in the fashion industry as a result. She shared some of her tips with us – take notes!”
How to Effectively Network in the Fashion Industry
Just like dating, networking can be a nerve-wracking experience for those who might feel intimidated or overwhelmed. Remember, you have something to offer each and every person you meet. Most people in the industry are open to meeting you. We want to support and promote those with talent and passion for our industry. We want to suss out the next generation of talented agents, artists, photographers, models, etc. who we may end up hiring or working with in the years to come – and that might just include you.
The best way to meet people is to go to as many industry events as possible. Never turn down an invite if you can, you never know what chance encounters can alter your career path. Nothing is more effective in getting people to be around you than an infectious smile and, if you love what you’re doing, you will be smiling. A positive attitude is contagious. Carry business cards with you at all times. If you don’t have company cards – make your own.
Just like your career, building a rapport with someone won’t happen overnight. The more you are seen, the more someone will remember you. If you meet someone for the second time, introduce yourself again, stating what you do, where you work and how you first met as a courtesy. If it feels awkward, it probably is – simply wish them a good evening and walk away. Next time, they may be the first to say hello.
Don’t feel you have to rush to build relationships with people in the industry and certainly don’t force it either. If you are naturally drawn to one another, then it will happen faster than most, but for the most part it will come like any good friendship – with mutual trust and respect.
View the entire post here.
Dose: TIFF Survival Guide
September 8, 2010
Who: Gail McInnes, owner of Magnet Creative, fashion promotions management company. www.magnetcreative.ca
How long have you been attending TIFF?
I’ve been working TIFF for over a decade. Though it may seem glamorous going to all these events and parties, it is the most exhausting time of the year with most days starting at 8 a.m. and not ending until about 2 a.m. I’ve only ever seen two movies at TIFF. For me, being able to sit for two hours with popcorn in hand is a luxury.
What essential items do you keep in your purse during the festival?
-My Blackberry: Uou never know when the perfect Twitpic opportunity will arise.
-Vitamin Water: I have to get some fluids in my system and vitamins; I cannot afford to get sick during TIFF.
-Protein bar: To make sure I at least have something to eat between running around the city .
-Elizabeth Grant’s The Socializer: My little extra 8 hours of sleep in a tube.
-A pair of flats: Standing in heels all day is killer. I’m hoping to get my hands on a pair of Damn Heels to wear during the down time.
What is your best advice for festival newcomers?
If you’re working during TIFF, try not to enjoy the open bars too much. It’s hard to remember that you’re there to work. Limit the booze – there are ten whole days to be running around and a hangover is not a fun thing when you have a thousand things on your to do list and a hundred people to be nice to. If you’re just looking to have some fun and star gaze, the best places to hit this year would be Roosevelt Room, Cheval, Nyood, Brant House, and C Lounge, but it may cost you a pretty penny to get in with inflated cover charges. TIP: Get there early – most of the celebrities only come by for the red carpet arrivals and leave shortly after.
Read the full post here.
Globe & Eh?: Twitterview – The Globetrotter
August 21, 2010
“PR and Fashion Expert Gail McInnes
Gail McInnes, the self-described “Scottish lass”, was born in Glasgow,UK and is now one of Toronto´s most inspiring Jill of all trades. Being, amongst many other things, a fashion promoter, editor, business owner (www.magnetcreative.ca), networker and coordinator of the Toronto Youth Employment Services “A Passion for Fashion!” program (for more info go to: www.yes.on.ca/get-informed/yes-programs/passion-for-fashion), we´re glad this inspiring woman had time for a little twitterview.”
Read the entire interview here.
