Photo Inspiration: Liz Taylor as Cleopatra

Loving this picture, and the jewellery of course.

Behind The Scenes: The Making of the Booth

These past two days have been spent putting together the Biko booth at the Spring One of a Kind Show in Toronto.  Here you'll see the set-up process in a series of photos, taken by my shady cell phone camera. Nonetheless, you'll get an idea of the blank white slate we're given, and the amount of props and details that are necessary to make our own little temporary boutique!

The Show opens tomorrow (Wed. Mar 30th) and runs until Sunday (Apr 3rd).  Come visit Biko at BOOTH J-12! I'll also be doing jewellery-making demos in the centre aisle on Wednesday evening from 8 - 9pm, and on Saturday from 6 - 7pm.

*More final booth photos (with proper show lighting) to come soon...

LAUNCHED: Biko's New Site - www.ilovebiko.com

It's official: We're up and running! Oh the happiness that everyday life will soon get back to normal... I didn't realize how much mental energy it would take to get this beautiful new beast going!

I have so much thanks to give to Karolina and Neil at The White Room, who went above and beyond to get the design and art direction just right. It's been a pleasure working with you guys, and I'm looking forward to our next phases: Lookbook, photoshoots, etc. etc. (The list didn't end at website!)

Back to the new website: We've got a full e-commerce site now, which I know is dangerous (as in tempting) for some, but it's the future already! To celebrate the launch, we're offering free shipping on every order worldwide until April 30th. And while you're online shopping, feel free to pop some bubbly and join me in a toast; I know I'll be celebrating!

Visit www.ilovebiko.com.

Our Sex and the City Moment

We can't forget the opening credits of the show, where Carrie sees her ad on a passing bus. Well folks, Biko's time has come too!  The lovely One of a Kind Show team chose a few designers/artisans and their work to highlight for their campaign this Spring 2011.  They visited the Biko studio a couple of months back for a photoshoot of myself and my work process, and the results can be seen everywhere!  On buses, streetcars, in magazines and newspapers. I'm very excited to be a part of this campaign, and the show (on from Mar 30 - Apr 3) is going to be great!  Come visit me at booth J-12.

Thanks to Lee-Ann Woon for this photo.

One Week To Go: Chaos Vs. Serenity

One week until the release of the new www.ilovebiko.com site!
There's so much going on at once, and my desk is overflowing.

Exhibit A: Chaos

The rest of the studio hasn't been torn apart, thank goodness. Looking up, my new orchid flower makes me a bit more relaxed.

Exhibit B: Serenity

Spotted: Biko on Toronto Life Blog - The Goods

Toronto Life Magazine This Month

Look what I discovered in the April issue of Toronto Life Magazine!  That's me!
The Spring One of a Kind Show is only three weeks away (yikes!), and the ad campaign is beginning to roll out this week! 

NYC: A Cell Phone Camera Photo Story - Part 2

So, NYC had its work cut out for me.  After all, there is no such thing as all play and no work in that city.

I awoke to find the city blanketed with a layer of snow.  It was so beautiful!

At the edge of Central Park, the trees looked especially pretty.

I visited many trade shows to get an idea of where Biko belongs in the NYC circuit.
This one, called Capsule, was pretty damn cool.  I want in!

Holy digging!  This is the most insane of my many suppliers...
rooms upon rooms of chaos in different forms. The boxes never end!

See that tiny walking path?  You're lucky to even GET a path.
Most times you need to crawl OVER the boxes. 
Ah, the beauty of working with vintage pieces!

A picture of the floor.  I felt guilty stepping on all these shiny parts,
but it was unavoidable.

Ta da!  This is some of the stuff I left with (from a different supplier). 
Goods to turn into magic for fall or next year's collection.

NYC: A Cell Phone Camera Photo Story - Part 1

I spent last week in NYC getting tones of work done, and gaining much inspiration.  Normally I take my huge Olympus camera everywhere with me, but toting it around while lugging supplies wasn't in the cards this time.. my trusty cell phone camera had to do!

Smallest plane. Ever.  Most turbulent ride too.
However, my love affair with Porter Airlines began that day, perhaps partly
thanks to the large glass of wine they poured as soon as we were airborne.

Just what the doctor called for (at 11:30am), on an empty stomach,
while fighting a hangover and fearing the shaky ride.

I was the luckiest girl alive. I scored a beautiful place to stay in through a
great friend, and I got to cat-sit this beautiful kitty named Kitty.

As soon as I dropped my bags, the sunshine begged me to go outside and take a long walk.
I love this old church on 5th Ave, surrounded by modern skyscrapers. 

The dirt and grime in the subways adds tons of character. 
Love the graphics and mosaics in all the stations, especially the station with floating hats! 
The hats add a wardrobe accessory to each passenger when they stand in front of them
(and most of the time they don't even notice)!

Child piano savant being pimped out by his dad who's standing off to the side hustling CDs.
He was so amazing, most passers-by couldn't help but stop and stare.

See that crowd up at the front?  That's the 2 hr lineup I skipped, due to dining solo. 
One of my favourite things about solo travels is never having to wait in line at the shit-hot restos. 
This restaurant is Momofuku.  It is simply amazing.  

The best bowl of ramen noodles ever.  Thanks Momofuku.

After my dinner, I headed to Brooklyn to see my good friend Kym. 
Such good times!

...And this was only the first two days!  I didn't take THAT many more pictures, but I will save the crazy NYC supplier photos for tomorrow.... they are so insane they deserve their own post.

It's a Date.

It's official!  Mark your calendars... only 20 days to go!