Feminist Fashion Bloggers: November roundup: Sexuality

Feminist Fashion Bloggers: November roundup: Sexuality

Shopping around

For Those About to Shop is excited to announce it's new location at OnSugar
Follow us at our fresh new site where we'll continue to chat about fun and ethical shopping, and add some new, exciting features to the mix.

One-stop shop

Eco-fashionistas are a dedicated bunch. Committed to earth-friendliness, they'll put in the legwork to ensure their beauty products are truly unmalicious. Through word of mouth or trial and error they travel far and wide to stay true to their sensibilities.
What's that? There's a place that stocks cruelty-free make-up and organic shampoo and fair trade body lotion? And you don't need to leave home to get your hands on all of them? Dedicated not only to the environment but also to supplying its customers with the best possible products, Green Beauty is the one-stop shop for your enviro-conscious beauty needs. The website features tried, tested, and true options such as DaLish cosmetics, Pangea Organics skin care, and Tashodi fair trade bath and body. There's even a dishwasher safe glass drinking straw to preserve your lipstick and reduce touch-ups.

Wonderful Women

Kim MacGregor is a former fashion model who knows how it feels to stand on the border between an industry with a narrow definition of beauty, and personally wanting to promote self-esteem in all women. With acclaimed fashion photographer, Arline Malakian, who also brings integrity to her art (she spearheaded the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty), MacGregor presents a breathtaking homage in the poetry collection Be A Woman, which captures through words and photographs the beauty and grace inherent in all women.
Malakian and MacGregor's challenge is to garner one million nominations for the Be A Woman award. Website guests will nominate five women in a series of categories and the nominees are honoured with an uplifting letter telling them how amazing they are. The goal is to appreciate more and judge less, and serve as a reminder of the true meaning of beauty.

Representing reality

When Cheri Milaney showcased her fall collection at Toronto Fashion Week (above), she made the gutsy move of eschewing professional runway models in favour of women of divergent shapes, sizes and ages. Staying fiercely committed to the needs of the women who wear her clothes, Cheri's show injected some much-needed truth into the one-size-fits-all beauty ideal represented at typical runway shows. The crowd was serenaded by a live violin player whose instrument represented the sexy silhouette of a woman.

Like Chanel, Cheri believes the woman should wear the dress and not the other way around, and that it should accentuate her best features, be comfortable and flattering. Tailored jackets, coat dresses, and flattering flowy and wrap tops typify her collection. Designing and manufacturing mainly in Vancouver, Milaney is inspired by the culture, style and fine fabrics of Italy. A complementary line of jewelry is custom-made for each collection.

Creating with a conscience

Mimi and You, a one-of-a-kind necklatier, devotes its collection to the remarkable courage of women who have left abusive situations to start life anew. Founded in 2005 by sisters Mitra (lead designer) and Mina Mortazavi (head of sales and marketing), Mimi and You creations have adorned the necklines of Nelly Furtado, Chantal Kreviazuk, and Jully Black.

Mimi and You hosts necklace-making workshops at various Toronto shelters where women can express themselves and their hopes for the future through the creative process. Proceeds from the resulting creations are then donated to Shelternet.ca, Canada's first and only national on-line resource and support network for abused women.

Inspired by the bravery of the women at these workshops, Mimi and You began Celebrate Courage, a monthly event at the exclusive Spoke Club: participants donate $20 and spend an evening crafting original and unique necklaces. Pieces are then sold with proceeds again going to Shelternet.ca.

Vintage Value

On a quiet stretch of Ossington just north of Queen lies a fabulous collection of well-priced upscale vintage finds. The boutique, I Miss You, has a sophisticated, relaxed feel, reminiscent of the New York vintage spots, where customers are free to browse undisturbed and staff is happy to help when called upon.
On a recent Saturday afternoon visit, a Missoni knit skirt and sweater set was going for a song ($195) and the sparse-in-a-good-way selection of glamorous gowns gave one the feeling of being inside Bette Davis's closet or some other version of an old Hollywood dream. When a girl has a party to attend and can't afford to drop a bomb on a dress, she can head to I Miss You and get gussied up for far less than you'd expect.
63 Ossington Avenue