An interview with photographer Felix Wong

Ah! One show down and four more to go..

There was so many flashing lights and cameras going off that I thought it was appropriate to post this interview. I have been saving it for a bit but it’s time to share.

Enjoy!

Photography is one of my main inspirations and when I saw the work of Felix Wong in Cheek Magazine Issue 14 I fell in love.  A few months later I met Felix in the flesh and as I started chatting with him I naturally asked him questions about photography.What I initially found out was that Felix’s work is amazing ( I  knew that already), he is such a sweet guy and he’s only 23!!

I wasn’t able to dig as much as I had intended to as we were in studio working but Felix being one of the nicest people I have met offered to answer all my questions so I could share it with you. We did make time to take photos of us surfing the loose wood boards with male model Peter Tomasz from Nam Models. Another one of the sweetest people I’ve met, he loves chocolate and  he’s a great model!

Interview with Mr. Photographer:

Name: Felix Wong

What program did you attend where and when?

I graduated from the Professional Photo-Imaging Program at Langara College in Vancouver, BC in 2007

Did you always know you wanted to get into photography?

No, I came across photography by accident. A friend of my dad was a commercial photographer back in Hong Kong, but I had no interest in it at all when I was young. I had an interest in architecture and engineering.  It wasn’t until we came to Canada and a friend of mine ‘made’ me take the photo class with him back in high school so he would not be by himself.  So I took it just for the heck of it but after the first roll of film I’ve taken, I was in love with it.

Were you shooting fashion in school and if not when did you realize you wanted to shoot fashion?

I also came across fashion photography by accident.  Just right before I went to Langara, I was in Whistler, BC one night with my family and I was browsing through the photography magazine section at the grocery store.  At the time, I was mainly interested in landscape and wedding photography.  Then an issue of Elle Canada with Heather Marks on the cover caught my eye…of course, I did not know what Elle Canada or who Heather Marks was back then.  I flipped through the magazine to the main editorial continued from the cover by Chris Nicholls, and I had thought to myself…wow, this is very very beautiful, from the lighting, to the aesthetics and the model.  I ended up buying the magazine and researching Chris’ website.  After seeing his work on his website for the first time, I just knew it then right there…this is what I wanted to do.

Who have you assisted and do you think it has been a valuable experience?

I think it was only sensible to assist Chris since it was his work that got me interested in the whole fashion photography business.  In fact I did, I did a 2 weeks internship with him here in Toronto when I was attending Langara.  I then moved to Toronto in the summer of 2008 and ever since, even till today, I still assist him.  It has truly been an honour assisting him, watching and understanding how he works, I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am.

What has been your favourite shoot so far why?

There hasn’t been one yet, I can’t sit down and clearly point the one out. There might be certain elements from each shoot that I like, but there hasn’t been a favourite one yet.

What photographer’s work do you admire?

On the top of list would be Chris, and then Greg Kadel, Ishi, and Camilla Akrans.

What magazine would you like to see your work in?

Numéro, Vogue Paris, Flair, Flare

What’s your next step after Toronto?

Eventually, I would like to end up in New York.  When?  I do not know.

Any future jobs you are looking forward to?

It’s almost midnight and all I can think of is just Mini Eggs

Dream gig?

I haven’t thought that far ahead yet.

Any advice to fashion photography students?

Taken from my own personal experiences, remembering to take off the lens cap and turn on the camera seems to help with the picture taking.

Thank you Felix!!

To see more of his work:

http://www.felixwongphoto.com

http://www.felixwongphoto.blogspot.com/

Surfing!

Felix put the timer on 2 seconds!  Running to get in on time. He thinks he’s super man.

xo Kenia

Mass Exodus 2010 In Bloom in the National Post

Read about Mass Exodus 2010 In Bloom in the National Post!

For the full designer lookbook and promotional video check out: A sneak peek into our In Bloom

xo

Kenia

The wonderful wizard of OZ, Evan Biddell and his new studio boutique

On the second day of writing my final essay of the year (yippie!) I received a text much like the one I received for Fora’s launch. This time I was much less hesitant as I had such a good time at the launch that I thought what the heck, maybe I should go out more often. This time I headed to Evan Biddell’s new studio boutique called Oz on guess where Ossington st!

As I arrived a lovely girl was performing at the front of the room playing a beautiful  song on her harp ( a harp!).  To my left was a bartender from Reposado who offered me a delicious cocktail (yes, I am way over the legal drinking age) which tasted of sun and spring. The interior resembled a boutique space  you would find in Montreal, exposed brick, high ceilings and raw hardwood floors. For a moment I really thought I was Dorothy. (“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”)

On mannequins lined up against the wall was Evan Biddell’s Spring 2010 collection and his Fall 2009 collection spread over a stainless steel wall held with magnets.

There I ran into the lovely Anita Clarke from I want, I got, Jamil Juma from JUMA and who else but the man  of the hour, the wizard of Oz himself Evan Biddell.

If you have a chance do stop by the studio,  follow the yellow brick road to the land of Oz conveniently located at 134 Ossington Ave. right between Queen and Dundas.

With many parties, art openings and live model photo shoots to come I’m sure  Oz will be one name that we will keep hearing about.

xo

Kenia

image from http://iwantigot.geekigirl.com/2010/03/23/oz-studio-boutique/

Image from http://iwantigot.geekigirl.com/2010/03/23/oz-studio-boutique/

A sneak peek into our In Bloom

IN BLOOM

“He’s the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along”

Finally, finally the day has come. So much dedication and anticipation for this video and designer lookbook and here it is!

Thanks to all who contributed to these projects, those special beings who made this all come to life.

Enjoy!

xo

Kenia

Mass Exodus 2010 In Bloom

An interview with JUMA.

Mass Exodus is all about promoting Ryerson’s graduating designers and their final student collections. During the production of Mass Exodus the wardrobe committee spends a lot of quality time with the designers and sees all the hard work that goes into producing a collection. What better way to find out some interesting info than to sit down with the designers of a successful Canadian based clothing line and see what kind of advice they give the graduating designers.

For this interview I got a hold of a very busy Jamil from JUMA, the contemporary fashion brand from our own city, Toronto Canada! They’re clothes are amazingggg.

Thank you JUMA for the fun day!

xo

Kenia

Head Wrappers, Drumming Troupe, Fundraiser and Fashion Show

In October the Princess Margaret Hospital approached Ryerson’s School of Fashion to organize a fundraiser and fashion show that would incorporate the The World Head Wrappers, Big it Up hat shop and select musical artists. This event would assist in raising funds for Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, specifically for the chemotherapy patients in the hospital.  The Mass Exodus class was selected as the organizers and we were all very excited to be able to contribute to such a worthy cause.

The World Head Wrappers introduced us to their beautiful art of using fabric to make creative head pieces giving cancer patients an inexpensive option.  Big it Up donated diverse hats for the runway and the Mass Exodus stylist team gathered garments from different retails stores around the city.

The November 19th event held at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex was a complete success and here are some images from the special day. Thank you to Sarah Blais for photographing the event!

For more information please visit The Ryersonian and The Eyeopener

Here are some behind the scenes casting images I took:

Backstage and Event Images from Ms. Blais:

OFF THE MAP- The Ones To Watch

Check out OFF THE MAP Web Zine,Spring ’10 Issue#3: Make Your Mark !

Appropriately named The Ones To Watch, OTM features a sneak peek into some of Ryerson’s School of Fashion graduating designers. The full collections will be appearing on the Mass Exodus Runway April 7th & 8th.. special thanks to Aimée , Tara and Lynsie for all their hard work!!

Some images from the designer meetings:

xo

Kenia

FORA, MTV’s new online magazine blossoming in the concrete jungle.

It was Monday morning 11:00 am and I received a call from Mama boss lady. It had been another late night and I answered half asleep.

Mama Boss Lady: “I know this is really last minute, but we need you to go the Fora launch.”

Half asleep: “What is Fora, when and what time?” ( The only thing I was thinking about was my two essays, due in 2 days. One essay per day, missing Monday’s classes, eating in between, maybe some sleeping. Coffee, candy, rockstar.)

Mama Boss Lady: “It’s the new MTV online beauty magazine that’s launching in April. You have to sit through the  taping of The After Show, I think Kelly Cutrone is being interviewed.”

Half awake: “Ummm, yaaa. Ummm Ah ok, I should probably go.”  (Remember I was half asleep.)

A couple  hours later I was sitting laughing at Kelly Cutrone criticizing the interns outfits ( she was actually really pleasant) and being surprised that she had convinced me to buy her book.

The taping lasted approx. 2 hours and we headed upstairs to an open bar and a dark room. (Great I can’t have a drink, I have an essay to write.)

I had some water and chatted with the very nice people from Fora magazine. It was announced that there was a prom theme and a photographer at the front room to take your prom picture. Prom all over again. Oddly enough, I think my photo came out very similar to my actual prom photo. ( I wore  Todd Oldham plasticized  jeans, a black sheer like top and black leather/ lucite platform heels!)

I received the photo today and laughed at my somewhat miserable face. I had a great time, thank you to MTV and Fora. I will definitely be checking out their launch on April 5th!

The method behind the madness.

It takes 8 months, 38 students, 2 instructors, a few bad marks in other classes to give birth to our baby In Bloom. So I thought it was about time that you met the mothers and yes one father of ours truly.  

Mama Exec   

(Mama boss lady)  

 Mama Casting.Hair.Make-up

 

(Mama purdy) 

 

Mama and Papa PR 

 (One daddy: Awww)
 

 

Mama Choreography.Music 

Lighting.Script.Open & Close 

(Mama likes to keep busy) 

 

Mama Design and Branding 

 (Mama give me an identity) 

 

Mama Sponsorship. Food
 

 (Mama feed me) 

 

Mama Set Design. Front of House 

Access Control
 

(Mama gave me a beautiful house) 

 

Mama Wardrobe. Coordination
 

(Mama designer clothes) 

 

 

Dressers, you are wanted.

We are currently looking for dressers for April 7th and 8th!

If you are interested please email wardrobe@massexodus.ca