Adrian Mainella: Fashion File Host

Adrian Mainella, the host of CBC's Fashion File has been working on the internationally renowned television show ever since winning the Fashion File host hunt last spring.  Since then, he has re-mastered the show to cater to a new and younger audience.   He studied at York University studying theater, drama and literature.  After graduation, he went on to pursue fashion marketing at Ryerson University, and lastly business.  

After pursuing a great deal of schooling, Mainella went on to work at RBC as a banker, and met a client at the Toronto Fashion Group.  He was brought on the team which led to other fashion related jobs such as host of Diva on a Dime.  He only recently escalated into fashion super stardom from winning the Fashion File Host Hunt, which has given him the opportunity to travel the world, report on fashion events and also write a monthly interview in FASHION Magazine. 

Mainella said that the best way to prepare for an interview is to "do as mush research as possible, I like to know as much as i possibly can about the subject that I'm interviewing only because I think that as often very simple open ended questions, if there is a kind of tangent that the subject takes in the interview, i will be prepared to know what they are talking about and  go with the story that they are talking about." 

He warns that if journalists over research their subject, "you sometimes start creating your own story in your head.  9 times out of 10 the story that you go in with isn't always the story that you leave with."  Letting the subject take control of an interview is important, because it leads the story to place that you wouldn't normally imagine. "You have to be very cool and comfortable with letting go of what your original ideas were of the story because if you start directing ht interview you'll lose a really good story"

Mainella suggests a simple and effective technique of warming up an interviewee with off topic pleasant conversation. Its important to make the person feel comfortable, while making small talk.  "You can kid of judge the person's mindset at that point". The person that you are interviewing can be as nervous as you are, so its good to break the ice. 

He also points out that template questions should be avoided. Every interview is different and requires special attention and tailoring. 

Mainella explains that sometimes sour interviews cant be avoided, but they can be corrected. "Sometimes you catch people on an off day.  Everyone wants to show you their sunday best,  they're always looking to show the best version of themselves, and that doesn't always apply to the story." The best way to salvage a story thats gone sideways is look the subject in the face and say "you know I completely understand, during our time here together what would you like to talk about?". Everyone has bad days,  something has happened in their lives that you have no possible way of avoiding.  "The best strategy is to keep it simple, while giving them the option to talk about what they want to talk about".  If misfortune has befallen you, and you're past the point of no return, it is in no way is it a reflection on you.  Journalists are reminded to understand that it is an issue of time and place, not personal character.  A good journalist never ever reacts to a subjects sour grapes. 

While its important to stay on good terms with interview subjects, Mainella assures that a good journalist can't always people please.   If there is a clash with a subject,  "you may get offended, they may question your intelligence. it might be because you asked them something that upset them, or  have gotten some information wrong.  You may have been misinformed about something, don't trust Wikipedia!"  A good interviewer keeps their head high, and eyes on the prize. 

Mainella says that the most important question a journalist can ask is the follow up question.  The follow up question trumps all other because it has the ability to open up a whole new can of worms that can and will take the interview to the next level.   "It makes the best journalists because they are listening to what is being said, and they aren't afraid to go for it." However, it should always be in good taste, "you can go for the jugular, as long as you do it in a way thats professional". He is forging important relationships with people in the fashion industry, and explains that, "once you get into the cirlce, youre in, and making those interviews gets much easier."

Mainella has truly made a name for himself in learning the important skills of interviewing, and shares that the longer and harder you work, the easier it gets. 

Joe Fresh Style

Joseph Mimran, creative director for Club Monaco and Alfred Sung never fails to impress. Silver hair slicked back and clad in an equestrian blazer, white button up shirt, and jeans, the designer carried himself with a confidence to make any fashionista notice. A tad intimidated, the first thoughts in my head were, “This is the man who designed my Girl Guide uniform and all of my favorite serious clothing choices!" Men and women across Canada find his taste infallible in any situation, as have I from the second grade to, most likely, my grave.

Mimran’s collection of affordable and fashion-forward pieces available at Superstore were among the first to be shown throughout L'Oreal Fashion Week.

On Oct. 22, the show kicked off with Canadian supermodel Heather Marks in a simple white button-up shirt and plaid silk-pleated skirt. Models continued to mill though the runway in low wedge gold round -oe pumps and adorably preppy white dress shirts, which looked like they had popped out of a 1960s romance movie.

When asked about how he has affected the fashion sense of Canadians, Mimran said: "I hope that I've affected it in a really positive way. I hope that there is a sense of style that when people think of Canada, they think of what I've contributed."
  
Stripes, plaids, and even neon brights were re-translated on the runway for what Mimran calls "a rebirth of the classics; a redefinition, a merging of French style with preppy style which is uniquely Canadian".

"This season I was very 60s inspired; I was thinking of doey-eyed girls, very long legged girls. You know, Heather Marks was a perfect model because she's quintessentially Canadian."

You don't have to be a supermodel to appreciate the collection. Featuring mini skirts and large floppy sun hats, the collection reflected a youthfulness that will be appreciated by all Canadian women.

Mimran said fashion is all about everyday life. "The influences that are out there, (I) sniff things out and reinterpret trends." One of the favourite trends being reinterpreted this season? Neon pinks and yellows! It’s definitely going to be a sunny summer for 2008. Mimran also recreated the little white dress using floral appliqué, white stone beading, and flattering cuts on all body types. Keep your eyes peeled this spring before all the goodies are gone!

Canada’s Most Stylish: Emily Ames

This month, GLOSS got the chance to have a chat with the winner of the Globe and Mail’s Canada’s Most Stylish, Emily Ames. The eclectic redhead shares her most memorable lessons with GLOSS in getting that Je ne sais quoi effect and separating yourself from the masses.

GLOSS: What is your favorite fashion find from your shopping spree prize?
EA: I snagged a fantastic leopard jacket made from rabbit fur by Bebe. It’s just massive and ostentatious and will glide seamlessly into the eclectic mix of clothing that I call my wardrobe.

GLOSS: What are your tips for fall fashion? How will you update your wardrobe for it?
EA: I’ll probably begin by chopping off all my hair back into a cute short cut as well as incorporating lots of interesting hats into the mix- channeling the late, great Isabella Blow. As I have a yet to become a milliner’s muse, I’ll most likely stick to more subdued hats. Oh and lots of neck scarves, copping a Faye Dunaway-classic. Additionally, I will most likely feel compelled to bring my short shorts into the mix by layering a couple pairs of opaque tights underneath them.

GLOSS: What inspires you in your styling?
EA: I get utterly giddy around designs that manage to simultaneously burst with creativity while also succeeding in maintaining a tailored appearance.

Catherine Deneuve in Belle de Jour just baths in sixties couture by Pierre Cardin and Yves St. Laurent. Absolutely stunning aesthetic in that film which I find undoubtedly inspirational. I also have a penchant for Kate Jackson of The Long Blondes who does a fine execution of a sultry secretary-chic look that manages not to shriek horn-rimmed glasses.

Yet, my all time fashion icon remains to be the magnificent Edie Sedgwick, despite the suffocating saturation of hype that was Factory Girl. The woman defines fashion for me.

GLOSS: Your favorite designers?
EA: If I had millions of dollars I’d dress myself in any collection that Hedi Slimane has illuminated by Dior Homme. I’ve fallen in love with Jeremy Scott’s flair for the outrageous, and Luella Bartley rock n roll amalgam of edgy feminine is really appetizing. The classic shapes of the sixties pioneered by Balenciaga make me weak in the knees. Nicolas Ghesquiere has done a fantastic job reinvigorating the namesake to remain modern and current as ever.

GLOSS: What are you best finds for a girl on a budget?
EA: A $5 vintage fur hat that mounts on my head like a gigantic Russian Folklore-esque crown. It’s pretty attention seeking and I most definitely have to be in a “look at me- no shame” sort of mood or it really doesn’t fly while I sit on the bus.

GLOSS: How do you set yourself apart from the crowd?
EA: To be honest, “that’s so hot right now,” doesn’t really appeal to me, at all. I don’t intentionally do major trends unless I can reconfigure them into my wardrobe with the utmost of ease. That’s not to say I don’t get inspiration from Vogue or Nylon or ID, rather that I would prefer feeling like my outfit is a cornucopia of references all mashed into one well style entity. I like the idea of looking at fashion like adult dress up- putting unusual clothing elements together to make something utterly fresh that wakes me up in the morning and makes me excited to embark on another busy day. I’d hate to feel like I’m merely posing in my clothing.

GLOSS: What are you taking in school, what do you plan to do with your degree?
EA: I’m half way through a Specialization in Media Studies at the University of Western Ontario. The program is an interdisciplinary theory based course load that ranges from Cultural Studies to Technoculture. I couple my in school endeavors with various extracurricular activities like editing and writing for various campus arts mags, hosting and producing a radio show, and also VJ-ing for local TV show on Rogers. I’m really into writing and hope to fuse my passion for music, fashion, and culture into an exciting future career.

GLOSS: What is your favorite piece of clothing and why?
EA: By far one of my most prized pieces is my worn in Harley Davidson black vintage tee that reads “Been to Hell and Back” on the backside of the shirt. It’s far too oversized and I have to pin the back to make any resemblance of having a waist, but the soft, worn, cotton is utterly heavenly next to my skin. Nothing compares! It’s very Easy Rider meets the flair of Marianne Faithfull in Girl on a Motorcycle…well I like to think so at least.