DEE-DEE SHKRELI

1. Please tell us a bit about yourself… 

My name is Dee-Dee and I run a small business called Dilly Daisy. I design and sew adorable clothing, put them on cute models, take pictures and then sell them to adorable girls all over the world. Although I am from Windsor, ON, I visit Toronto often. My favourite places to go are the awesome beads shops on Queen Street, anywhere in the Fashion District and China Town, which has the best selection of sunglasses.  Last time I was here, I hit up Kensington Market for the first time and scored some great vintage finds.  

2. Describe your personal style. 

Personal style for me is a reflection of how I’m feeling, which usually is Happy, so I dress very bright and colourful. I love mixing prints like polka dots and leopard with bright colours like hot pink and baby blue. I like bright make-up and always wear matching eye shadow and cute flowers in my hair.  

3. What does “Alternative” mean to you? 

Alternative, to me, means being different and going against the norm, the mall and all that is supposed to be set in stone. Doing what you like and not being a zombie to what you’re told or just expected to be. 

4. What is your most memorable experience relating to your field?  

For me, the most memorable moments are every time I get an email or phone call from a customer telling me how much they love what they have bought. Each time it feels better than the last time and will never get old. 

5. What do you love most about your career? 

I love it all. I love creating something from fabric with my own hands and ideas. I love dressing gorgeous girls in my clothes and having them walk down a runway for everyone to see. I love making clothes for girls all over the world and getting the sweetest email responses back. I wouldn’t change a thing. I love every bit of it.  

6. What is your ultimate goal? 

I would love for Drew Barrymore (a life long favourite of mine) to wear Dilly Daisy. ^_^ 

ANDREA LUCARELLI

My band UNDADOGG will be performing at this year’s [FAT].  We will be bringing our mix of dark trip hop, indie alt-rock, drum and bass, moody breakbeat style to the show- think Massive Attack meets Garbage and has a baby… 

1. Please tell us a bit about yourself…

My name is Andrea Lucarelli and I am the lead singer and business manager of local Toronto band UNDADOGG- I am also a Belly dancer- I am an instructor and also perform as a solo dancer, and my day job- I work for an indie record label/recording studio. I love Music first and foremost- my life pretty much revolves around it, and definitely fashion as well, which go hand in hand! I design my own clothes and jewelry on the side, love photography and art as well. I am Italian so food and good wine are definitely high on the list as well. My fav spots in T.O; I’m kinda out of the club scene these days- but Tattoo Rock Parlour, Andy pool hall and the Drake are spots I like to hit time and again. I perform so much in the city at bars that it’s hard to get in a night of fun, although I always seem to manage!!! I’m definitely looking forward to patio season in T.O as the summer rocks pretty much anywhere you go in this city! 

2. Describe your personal style.

My personal style is a mix of a whole bunch of influences, and definitely changes day by day, with my moods. I don’t like to put myself in one box, but have the freedom to express my emotions through my outfits. Dresses and super high heels are a staple in my wardrobe for sure. Id say I like to mix up a gothic Lolita sort of style with a 50’s pin up rockabilly look, bondage and hints of 40’s fashion and even 80’s flavour sometimes come though as well. I do like to keep up with the latest trends, but am definitely not one to follow them, I don’t believe in things coming “in” or going “out” if I like something, I’ll wear it, no matter the time, place or trend. 

3. What does ‘alternative’ mean to you?

Alternative is a pretty big umbrella I think, I use that term to categorize my band’s music sometimes because it has a pretty open meaning, for me it means the opposite of the mainstream, whatever that may be; an alternate way of doing things. 

4. What is your most memorable experience relating to your field?

Hmmmmmm, hard question…lots of great memories so far, difficult to pinpoint just one. I think the first time hearing one of our songs on the radio was pretty memorable, a little gleam of hope that we may actually be able to achieve some commercial success in this business!!. 

5. What do you love most about your career?

I have a few different careers, that all somehow mesh into one, so the main thing I like is that I keep myself busy and I never get bored. Music is my passion so getting to work in this field sometimes doesn’t feel like work, which rocks! I think just being able to be creative on a daily basis really feeds my soul, so that’s what I love the most. 

6. What is your ultimate goal?

Ultimate goal- success! Id love to make a good amount of money and do what I love- not have to worry about next month’s bills, be in demand as a performer, and get to see the world through my career. 

UNDADOGG - [FAT] performance
Wed April 9th at The Distillery 

Check our MySpace page for all updated gig listings, we play quite a bit;
www.myspace.com/undadogg

My personal Belly dance page;
www.myspace.com/madamebellydance 

All class info and contacts to hire me for an event are all on there. 

ROMANY WILLIAMS

1. Please tell us a bit about yourself… 

I’m Romany Williams, it’s a name that’s lacking in good nickname potential. I was commonly referred to as “CD-Rom” in elementary school and I don’t look back on it with fond memories. It’s easier to just call me Rom, at least I find it that way when trying to yell my name to someone new over the music at Andy Poolhall. It’s one of my favorite spots to hang out in Toronto because I have a bit of an infatuation with the 60’s. I’m a girl that’s all about peace and love, and music is what I’m most passionate about. I’m a full time Journalism student at Ryerson, I moved here from Vancouver two years ago. Now I live in between both cities, but I’m really a West Coast girl at heart. Toronto comes alive in the spring time and I love to walk and explore the city because there is so much I still haven’t experienced here yet!  

2. Describe your personal style.  

Just like my taste in music, my personal style is all over the map. I dress with my mood, one day I’ll be hippie inspired with a crocheted vest and wild curly hair and the next I’ll be preppy. I dress wherever the wind blows… 

3. What does ‘alternative’ mean to you? 

Alternative means the choice that everyone has to deviate from the norm, from the capitalist driven world of malls. It’s empowering, alternative means making your own clothes and dreaming your own dreams and [FAT] provides the perfect platform to celebrate just that. This is exactly what I’ll bring to [FAT], an attitude that will rock the alternative vibe! 

4. What is your most memorable experience relating to your field? 

As a fairly inexperienced model, the most memorable and valuable experience about participating in events like [FAT] is the people you meet doing it. The amount of creativity and energy of everyone involved in [FAT] specifically is infectious and one of a kind. 

5. What do you love most about your career? 

[FAT] is a rewarding show to do because of its alternative standpoint, the combination of fashion, art and music is perfect. This is what I love most about modeling, being able to join in on the fun of these events while promoting extremely talented designers, artists and musicians.  

6. What is your ultimate goal? 

My ultimate goal is to keep getting the opportunity to take part in events such as [FAT] because I love meeting new people and being new to the city, this is pretty valuable.

Carte Blanche Artist KATRINA RANDELL

This year, I’ll be doing BOTH runway and exhibiting with Chris Blanchenot with our “Violence in Fashion” series.  

1. Please tell us a bit about yourself…

I’m a full time communications and business manager in the post and broadcast field and a part time model and art director working closely with Chris Blanchenot of Carte-Blanche Photography (www.carte-blanchephoto.com). I love doing the nerdiest stuff imaginable, watching, downloading and talking about Battlestar Galactica, hosting dinner parties, playing video games and reading comics and non-fiction like Chuck Klosterman and Malcolm Gladwell. My alter-ego is a pin up model called Sally Spitfire. She used to fight in the PFL but is now retired. You can see her sexy self at www.artlitwell.com under the Parkdale Pinups Section.

2. Describe your personal style

Vintage mixed in with uber-modern. Stores like Cabaret and designers like Amie Scott and Marmalade clothing are amazing. Currently, I’m really digging my super high waisted jeans and for spring, I’m looking at getting back into bellbottoms and frilly girly dresses.  

3. What does ‘alternative’ mean to you?

I guess it means against what the mainstream says is beautiful, but I feel like the mainstream should be the alternative because it’s not reality. The majority of women don’t look like Agyness Dyen and we certainly can’t all wear $300 leggings. 

4. What is your most memorable experience relating to your field

When one of my company’s clients in Vancouver said my name sounded familiar then asked me if I’d ever worked under the name “Sally Spitfire” then told me he was a fan of me when I was in the PFL. That happened in November of last year – more than one year after I’d left the league. That was amazing.   

5. What do you love most about your career

Just having as much fun as humanly possible. I think if it’s not fun, it’s not working. All this serious, dour, mean and underhanded stuff is so not necessary in life!  

6. What is your ultimate goal?

To retire at 30. That’s sooner than I’d like to admit. Better start playing the lotto

Check these out: 

  • www.myspace.com/populationme
  • www.modelmayhem.com/katrandell
  • www.carte-blanchephoto.com
  • www.artlitwell.com
    •