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Josette Blackwood
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About Josette
I've lived in Toronto my whole life. I currently work in communications but will be going back to school in the fall to work on my post-grad in publishing. I've recently become a regular TTC user again after eight years, and as anyone who has given up her car for public transit knows, there are a lot of mixed feelings that come with that. At least I’m getting acquainted with many styles and trends I may have passed by on the highway.
Who is your style icon and why?
My father. He doesn't dress up very often but when he does, "Oh boy!" He was a tailor back in Jamaica, so he really understands lines, cuts and silhouettes. I think most of us (my siblings and I) get our sense of style from him. He's very much a show-off.
What's your favourite item in your closet?
A black dress I bought from Bebe last year. It's short, very low in the back, and ties into a big bow at the neck. It's just very free and easy. I can wear it alone, with wide leg jeans or textured leggings with boots. I bought it for a date that didn't happen, and instead of returning it, it became my perfect little black dress.
What was your favourite childhood outfit?
My kindergarten picture was taken in this: A velvet, navy blue dress with big white and blue lapels that had a red bow that tied in the middle at my chest. I matched it with my white knee high socks, and my white-, pink-, and light-blue sequined purse. I was hot.
What's your worst outfit ever?
It was a green and pink polka-dot two-piece. The top was green with pink polka dots and the bottom, vice versa. Think early ’90s. It was very watermelon chic.
Name a current celeb whose style you admire and tell us why.
Kanye West. His style is unmistakably and unapologetically his own. He’s at times eccentric, but he always looks polished and well put together. No one can ever say that he's trying to look like someone else; although, he has a world of imitators. It's people like him whose style I admire—men and women who have a strong sense of what works for both their bodies and their personalities as opposed to wearing something just because it's fashionable.
What's a trend you hate?
I know they have a name but I don't remember what it is so I'm going to call them the "Lawrence of Arabia" scarves. The checkered ones with the fringe. Let it die! I like scarves in general and think that the right one can really add to an outfit, but there are no sand storms we need to be protected from in Toronto. They're like the Che shirts and the Von Dutch line a few years ago. Stop it! We don't live in a desert.
Why do you love the shopping/fashion scene in your town?
It's always said, but it's true: Toronto is so incredibly diverse! From people's tastes, to our cultures and nationalities, we're such a mix. We are one of the fashion capitals of the world and with good reason. You can go to Yorkville, Queen Street and Kensington Market to get high-end, trendy and vintage in one trip. In another you can go to Gerrard Street for a sari then to Spadina for material for a Kapolei dress. Not to mention the amazing design talent that comes out of the city and the very beautiful people who we have walking our streets that either deserve to be, or think they should be, on a runway. Fashion is taken very seriously in Toronto.
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