Allow me to introduce a new feature that I will be posting every Monday: the Be-spoken Questionnaire. Twenty-five questions to delve deep into the psyche of the stylish. Sometimes I look at people and wonder, "what makes you tick... why do you dress the way you do?" Now, dear readers, I will know, and so will you!
The first subject for the Be-spoken Questionnaire is Natalie Dawes. I can honestly say that Natalie is one of my closest friends. We've done everything together. One of my most vivid memories of our adventures together is the day we packed up my Toyota Tercel and moved from our small prairie town to Toronto. We didn't have jobs — or housing — lined up, but we followed our dreams and had so much fun along the way. During those years of friendship I've seen Natalie's sense of style blossom into a full-fledged fashionista. One of my favorite shopping pastimes with her is to sit back and watch her SPEND!
Natalie and I dressed up to dine at The Asiate in New York. Note Natalie's exquisite makeup application!
1. Name: Natalie Christine Dawes
2. Claim to fame: Umm. That's a tough one... I'd never claim to be famous, so how about what I'm proud to be: daughter of Jack & Jeanette, aunt to Kaylee, a true friend, mom to Louis Arnold and an up-and-coming communications professional.
3. If you could wear any designer exclusively, which one would you choose (money is no object)? Why? I'd have to say Michael Kors. His pieces are beautifully made, suit my aesthetic and stand the test of time. Although Chanel wouldn't be all that bad either!
2. Claim to fame: Umm. That's a tough one... I'd never claim to be famous, so how about what I'm proud to be: daughter of Jack & Jeanette, aunt to Kaylee, a true friend, mom to Louis Arnold and an up-and-coming communications professional.
3. If you could wear any designer exclusively, which one would you choose (money is no object)? Why? I'd have to say Michael Kors. His pieces are beautifully made, suit my aesthetic and stand the test of time. Although Chanel wouldn't be all that bad either!
A look from the Michael Kors Fall '09 Ready-to-Wear Collection
4. If you had to wear a mass-market brand, which one would you choose (money is tight)? Why? Banana Republic. They've got clothes for almost every occasion; I love their classic, slightly preppy style; and it's pretty well-made stuff.
Vivica equestrian flat boot from Banana Republic
5. What was the first clothing purchase that made you excited about shopping? Describe the item. When and where did you buy it and where did you wear it? My Gucci sunglasses. While not technically clothing, accessories are my number one thing. I bought them at the Edmonton Holt Renfrew while visiting Rick. I wore them everywhere — EVERYWHERE — because they made me feel like a star. Such great memories.
6. Which aspect of the entire outfit head-to-toe do you pay the most attention to? Accessories, for sure. Bag, shoes, jewels, scarves.
7. Which current trend has jumped the shark? Or, which current trend should be fed to the sharks? What does jump the shark mean? I don't get the first part of this question. Fed to the sharks...ankle boots. Absolutely detest them. [Editor's note: I will be taking out the "jump the shark" reference in future questionnaires — both people I've shown it to had no idea what I was talking about.]
8. Look into your Swarovski crystal ball. What do you think the next big trend in fashion will be? Elements of the 80s...cardigans, bright colours in outerwear.
6. Which aspect of the entire outfit head-to-toe do you pay the most attention to? Accessories, for sure. Bag, shoes, jewels, scarves.
7. Which current trend has jumped the shark? Or, which current trend should be fed to the sharks? What does jump the shark mean? I don't get the first part of this question. Fed to the sharks...ankle boots. Absolutely detest them. [Editor's note: I will be taking out the "jump the shark" reference in future questionnaires — both people I've shown it to had no idea what I was talking about.]
8. Look into your Swarovski crystal ball. What do you think the next big trend in fashion will be? Elements of the 80s...cardigans, bright colours in outerwear.
Red Frill Trenchcoat by Anna Scholz, at Lola & Gigi
9. What’s the most beloved item in your closet, dresser, or shoe rack? My Louis Vuitton wallet. It goes everywhere with me.
Pochette Wallet in Monogrammed Canvas by Luis Vuitton — I was there for this purchase... New York, 2007
Updated suiting from the Giorgio Armani Fall '09 Ready-to-Wear Collection
12. Biggest style blunder (merely saying you lived through the ‘80s doesn’t count, I want details: Where to start? Or end? Let's just say my entire high school career...blue, oversized framed glasses; teased bangs; a NKOTB t-shirt that made entirely too many appearances. I could go on. I just had no clue. In fact, I didn't have a clue until you and I moved to Toronto and you became my personal stylist available 24-7.
13. Where do you go to get your fashion or style-related information (blogs, websites, magazines, television shows)? First and foremost, Rick Zayshley and Be-spoken; Vogue; the Sartorialist.
14. Favorite department store(s): Bergdorf's, Macy's, Holt Renfrew (although I wish most of the sales people would get over themselves) and The Bay...who doesn't love Bay sales? Boutique(s): Right now, Lola & Gigi.
Inside the Lola & Gigi showroom in Toronto
15. Is there an item that you’re continually on the hunt for? Even though I have more than 40 bags in my collection, I'm always on the lookout for the next one.
16. Style-wise, are you more London, Paris, New York or Milan? Why? New York — no nonsense, serious style. I love the city and I love New Yorkers' style.
16. Style-wise, are you more London, Paris, New York or Milan? Why? New York — no nonsense, serious style. I love the city and I love New Yorkers' style.
17. Word association time: Shoes — Christian Louboutin. Leather — I've got nothing. Basics — The Gap? Bags — Louis Vuitton. Jewelry — Chanel...I'm currently lusting after Chanel pearls (specifically the ones Anne Hathaway wore in The Devil Wears Prada). Sunglasses — I love my Louis. Underwear — hmmm. Often wish I didn't have to wear it. Makeup — MAC.
Black pearl necklace from the Chanel Spring/Summer '09 Collection
18. What was your first fragrance purchase? Why did you choose that one — what criteria did it meet? Would you wear it now? It was Polo Sport by Ralph Lauren. I think I liked it because it was fresh and not too flowery. While I probably wouldn't wear it today, those criteria still ring true.
19. What fragrance(s) do you wear now? Cheap and Chic by Moschino; Daim Blond by Serge Lutens; Marc Jacobs by Marc Jacobs
19. What fragrance(s) do you wear now? Cheap and Chic by Moschino; Daim Blond by Serge Lutens; Marc Jacobs by Marc Jacobs
Cheap and Chic's Olive Oil-inspired bottle by Moschino
20. Memories are deeply linked with our sense of smell. Can you recall the scent your mother/aunt/grandmother wore? What was it? Describe the impression it gives/gave you. I don't know what it was called, but Grandma Whyte always smelled like a combination of roses and baby powder. To this day, I can her scent and it brings incredible comfort and wonderful memories of great hugs, great food and carefree summer days on the farm.
21. Can you recall the scent your father/grandfather wore? What was it? Describe the impression it gave/gives you? Neither my dad nor my grandpas wore any scent. When I remember my grandpas and when I think of my dad, I smell honest, hardworking, real men.
22. Is there a movie, an album, or some sort of creative work that inspires your style, or at least goes hand-in-hand with it? Rene Russo's wardrobe in the Thomas Crown Affair — I LOVED it. It was all Michael Kors. And I loved her kicking-ass-and-taking-names attitude and unashamed sensuality.
23. Past or present, real or fictional, famous or not, who is your style icon? Why? Is there an iconic look or photograph that comes to mind when you think of him or her? Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Clean, classic, elegant, beautiful and confident.
21. Can you recall the scent your father/grandfather wore? What was it? Describe the impression it gave/gives you? Neither my dad nor my grandpas wore any scent. When I remember my grandpas and when I think of my dad, I smell honest, hardworking, real men.
22. Is there a movie, an album, or some sort of creative work that inspires your style, or at least goes hand-in-hand with it? Rene Russo's wardrobe in the Thomas Crown Affair — I LOVED it. It was all Michael Kors. And I loved her kicking-ass-and-taking-names attitude and unashamed sensuality.
23. Past or present, real or fictional, famous or not, who is your style icon? Why? Is there an iconic look or photograph that comes to mind when you think of him or her? Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Clean, classic, elegant, beautiful and confident.
Holly Golightly after a night of being fabulous. I think her cat looks very much like Natalie's feline friend Louis Arnold
24. You’re about to eat your last meal on earth and you want to impress your host (or maker). Where are you going, what will you eat, and, most importantly, what will you wear? Of places I know (and since I've yet to make it to Italy and Paris), I'd say Capo in Calgary. Beautiful, simple food. Superb, unassuming service. And a room so well-styled that it complements the food and doesn't overpower the occasion. At the very least, I'd have the lobster gnocchi and the seafood entree and wear something that made me feel confident and fabulous.
Capo restaurant in Calgary
25. Any final words of wisdom? Final thoughts? Be a guru and tell us something deep. Savour every aspect of life. I'm just learning to do so and, so far, it's been enlightening and a blessing.
Continued reading:
www.salons-shiseido.com (Daim Blond by Serge Lutens)
Thomas Crown Affair @ allmovie.com
Breakfast at Tiffany's @ allmovie.com
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