Toronto Fashion on Cumberland St in Yorkville
Written Alexia Antonio – Miss Teenage Toronto 2017
All photos by Alexia Antonio
“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” —Coco Chanel.
Fashion Icon Coco Chanel had a major impact on women’s clothing and in the fashion industry. The quote expresses staying true to one’s self and style – because every woman is truly one of a kind.
This quote’s meaning embodied us this weekend while in the heart of Toronto fashion hub – Cumberland Street in Yorkville. The street was selected due to its unique style and fashion diversity. Its home to a wide range of styles from everyday streetwear to top designers such as Tania Health and Kate Spade. The mood surrounding the street is created and displayed with bold colors, creativity and unique designs. One particular area of the street showcases and celebrates femininity with the use of pink roses draped over walkways and embroidered on window displays.
The street’s style is also reflected by the clientele and visitors in the area – who are always dressed stylish and on trend. The three muses selected were my inspiration for the selection of the Yorkville area and selected based on their unique style and individuality. I photographed and interviewed the ladies and found a commonality with all three – they all used fashion to express themselves and their individual style. The full interviews are available to watch at: missteentoronto.com
Cool Girl meets Chic
Emily is 18 years old student attending Western University. She’s going into her second year studying Psychology and American Studies. Emily is a fan of designer Jeremy Scott and his cool and smart style clothing designs. She confidently strolls in Yorkville wearing a velvet tanned button up short skirt, paired with a black short sleeve turtle neck. Her footwear is tanned stiletto tied up boots and carries a black leather purse. She completes the look with her signature “E” Necklace, which she never leaves the house without.
Emily describes her style as “edgy” and loves to mix and match with “nude beige and black colors”. Emily’s outfit is the definition of Cool Girl Chic. I asked Emily, if she could speak to thousands of young Canadian girls about their fashion choices, what would she say to them? Emily without hesitation responded by expressing “Whatever makes you happy, whatever makes you feel comfortable, is the best!”
Get The Look
Top, Randy – $30.00
Skirt, Nasty Gal, $60.00
Purse, Kate Spade – $158.00
Elegance Meets the Modern Day Gal
Nihan is 17 years of age just and recently graduated from high school. She dreams of having her own fashion clothing line. Nihan describes her fashion style as “Lazy Chic” as she aims for her outfits to look “Organic” and “Natural” and have an overall effortless look. She accomplishes this look by wearing black Levi jeans, a black bralette with a sheer top overlay.
She adds a jacket over her shoulders and wears a pair of white sunshades. She gravitates to classic black and white colors and sheer materials. “I love things that are sheer!” she expresses. Accessory wise, Nihan always wears her Pandora silver ring as it has sentimental value to her. I asked Nihan, if she had the opportunity to create her own shoe line to empower young women, what message would she write under the shoe to them? Nihan said “I would write I”, “You need to feel like your true self and make sure it’s comfortable!”.
Get The Look
Levi Black Jeans – $60.00
Costuming Black Books – $100.00
Sheer Shirt, H&M – $30.00
Black Bralette, Urban Outfitters – $25.00
Cream Jacket, Mango – $200.00
White Sunglasses – Guess, $150.00
Classic Rock Meets The Future Girl
Arya is 28 years old and is working as a successful Stage Actor while completing her Theatre degree at York University. Arya explained her style fluctuates “It varies day to day depending on how I feel”, “But usually I would say it’s very edgy with a Boho kind a feel to it”. Arya is a fan of designer Alexander McQueen and carries an open-minded attitude towards fashion and embracing various styles much like the late designer.
She’s wearing a white star top, black jeans, black boots and completes her look with the classic black leather jacket. She’s finished her look off with multiple accessories. Her signature style is her bold hair color and seeks only perfection when it comes to her styling. When asked what type of accessory she would design to promote the empowerment of women, she replied “It would be a black leather cuff, in the front of it would be two silver sterling hands holding each other”. This accessory is a reflection of Arya and represents the strength of women.
Get The Look
Black Shoes, Nordstrom – $120.00
Black Leather Jacket – Le Chateau – $199.00
Necklace, Aldo – $20.00
Skull Ring, Aldo – $20.00
Black Cargo Jeans, Marshalls – $39.99
White tank to with stars, Marshalls – $19.99
Your classic Modern Girl (Me!)
I’m 19 years old and going into second year at York University in the AMPD (Arts, Media, Production & Design) program. My passions are with photography and writing. Some of my recent awards include Outstanding Achievement for Film & Editing and my recent accomplishments include writing a children’s book which reflects my platform and girl empowerment. I describe my fashion style as modern with a mix of 50’s chic. I enjoy wearing bright colors and pieces that convey confidence.
I’m seen here photographing Emily, Nihan, and Arya for Street Chic Magazine. I’m wearing a one piece jumpsuit in a bright hot pink and black heel shoe.
Get The Look
Hot pink jumpsuit – Zara – $150.00
Steve Madden shoes – $100.00
With all my wardrobe selections I aim to project a confident style while staying true to my individual style. If I were to have my own shoe line, the message conveyed would be about the empowerment of girls. Under the shoe, the message would state my platform’s campaign “Find Your Beauty Inside”.
The purpose is to inspire all girls to positive; to be confident; believe in themselves; to be FEARLESS; and they will accomplish everything they set their minds to and accomplish their dreams.
I cannot stop loving this blog article! Good photos, wonderful writing, and perfection interpretation of “Fashion”, which is to ““Find Your Beauty Inside”. Great job! Alexia!
Thank you very much for the opportunity Lily! I enjoyed the challenge and working on the project!
This is so cool! Thank you so much for featuring me on this article!!
I’m glad you liked it! Thank you Nihan for taking the time to be interviewed! You had such a radiant energy throughout the shoot!
Thanks so much for the opportunity! Love the article and loved shooting thanks Alexia and Street Chic!
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the article Emily! Thank you for your wonderful, honest, and thoughtful answers you gave during my interview with you!
Alexia, thank you so much for the marvelous opportunity! I am so thankful you stopped me in the street. What luck! 🙂 You made my day of errands a day of glamor. Love Street Chic. All the best of luck with the Miss Teen Canada Pageant this month. I know you will shine.
Thank you Arya for taking the time to do a quick photoshoot and interview with me! Your creative interview answers were lovely! And thank you! 🙂
Really well written article Alexia! What a great way to share inspiring messages!
Thank you so much Elexus! I’m glad you felt inspired while reading the article and watching the interview!
😊🌟🦋
I really like this article! I liked how you interviewed the women on their style. You took some really cool fashion photos to!!
Thanks Maddie!! Yes I really wanted honest answers from women and how they feel when they project their style to the world! 💃🏻🌟🦋😊
I’m so happy you liked my photos as well! 📸
Wow amazing article and video interviews!
You are quite talented! I look forward to seeing more.
Con Con!! 😊 I’m sooo happy you loved the article and interview!!! 💕💕💕💕📸 Thank you!!!
The video was awesome!!!! i like the questions you asked the girls,those were great! I like the shoe question.
Thank you Casey! 😊
I’m glad you thought my video was awesome!!!!!!! 📸🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I wanted to ask questions that related to both fashion and my platform. And how fashion can have such an impact on young women if we can make insiring messages through fashion. Such as your favourite question! “If you had the chance to design your own shoe line..what message would you write under the shoe to empower young women”. 🦋🌟💃🏻
Well written article Alexia. My daughter loved the Toronto promotion and the Video. Good luck in the Miss Teen Canada Pageant Finals you’ll will do amazing!
Alexia you are perfect! Go get them girl
Alexia on the other side of the camera. Keep up the good work! 📷💖✨
I LOVE THIS PIECE. Such good quality writing and that red jumpsuit is just so lovely on you! Great work Alexia!
Absolutely loved this read! That red jumpsuit is killer on youu! Great work Alexia!
Loved the article, it was a great read!! Keep up the good work!
It was a good read with an empowering theme. Great job Alexis 🙂
*my phone autocorrected Alexia to Alexis -_-