I’ve always wondered what occurs below us, under the streets and sidewalks, while we’re focused on what’s happening on the surface of our lives.  Photographer Jeremy Kai shows us what lies beneath: Limitless awe and beauty. Kai went on a journey  through the passages of underground waterways that lie below cities, and showcases these marvellous landscapes and unexpected life in his beautiful book, Rivers Forgotten. The tome is published by Koyama Press, whose mandate is to promote and support emerging and established artists.

Rivers Forgotten, $25, available at Indigo, Chapters and select independent stores including Book City, The Beguiling, Magic Pony and Nomad.

I became enchanted with Aaron Leighton’s illustrations thanks to a good friend who gave me Leighton’s book, Spirit City Toronto, as a Christmas present. Soon after, I emailed Leighton to declare myself a fan of his dreamy creations. Then, I was fortunate to meet him randomly at a Toronto bakery, and eventually, I had the pleasure of working with this amazing artist.

Leighton’s work is playful, full of humour and life, and includes a range of styles, from character design to layered collages that have an air of spontaneity, showcasing the kid that lives inside Leighton’s super creative mind. Check out Leighton’s work on the RSVP page of ELLE Canada’s August 2012 issue, and visit his website, aaronleighton.com

Fashion was on full-display in NYC for Fashion’s Night Out.

Midnight Madness at Henry Bendel and a window at Bergdorf Goodman; Photos by Beatriz Juarez

By Beatriz Juarez

New York City streets are always filled with amazing style, but for Fashion’s Night Out, they got an even bigger dose of high-end fashion. Live models were on display in store fronts (including a male model taking a shower at Gant!), celebs were on hand to DJ and party, colourful cocktails were served by models at the Juicy Couture store, and the streets were lined in yellow carpet, thanks to Tiffany & Co.

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Step inside Andy’s world with Harper’s street exhibit.

Harper's July 1956; Photo by Beatriz Juarez

By Beatriz Juarez

During the 1950s, Andy Warhol became one of New York’s most successful and prolific illustrators for magazine, advertising and books.

One of his most prestigious and fruitful collaborations was for Harper’s Bazaar. The magazine’s art directors turned to him with increasing regularity as the decade progressed. While very few Warhol’s original illustrations featured in the magazine exist, this exhibit presents some of his finest contributions to the magazine, reproduced as they were originally published. These page reveal his artistic aspirations and aesthetic directions that would lead him to international fame as the Prince of pop for the next three decades. View more from the exhibit after the jump.

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We hit the streets in search of the most amazing bags in NYC.

Our art director, Beatriz, is in the midst of New York Fashion Week attending the hottest parties, shows and events. She’ll be reporting back on all her finds for spring/summer 2011 trends in this blog, so stay tuned … but in the meantime she hit the NY streets in search of one every girl’s favourite fashion items — handbags. Check out a few of these swoon-worthy bags Beatriz spotted and tell us which you like best.

Lanvin, The Happy Bag; Photo by Beatriz Juarez

More bags after the jump!

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Fashion buzz

By Beatriz Juarez. Images courtesy of Lady Mosquito

Lady Mosquito, which is located at 1020 Queen Street West (just west of Ossington), showcases work from modern, young and super-talented Peruvian designers such as Vaçide Erda Zimic (whose worked has been featured in Latin American Vogue), Carolina Restrepo and Susan Wagner. Selected with a careful eye by store owner Cynthia Villegas, this unique range of handbags, purses and accessories add a bright and colourful  kaleidoscope of South American style to the already fascinating eclectic texture of Toronto ‘s Queen West district. Put your pan flutes away. This is the real Peru! Check out their online store:  www.ladymosquito.ca

The perfect man

Top: Cover for The Interesting Bits, Personal work, Illustration for The New York Times. Bottom: Berlin Map and cover for 3x3 Magazine and one of illustrator Martin Haake's favourite pieces.

By Beatriz Juarez

My latest crush happened in a matter of seconds—five to be exact. I was browsing around my local bookstore when I suddenly noticed him. He was charming, elegant and poised in an intoxicating insouciant British sort of way. Cover boy material, definitely! Which, is what he was. Yes, my latest infatuation was the cover illustration on Justin Pollard’s book The Interesting Bits. I’ve always loved illustrations and I find it immensely entertaining chatting with the masterminds behind these creations. It turns out that Martin Haake was the talented artist behind this captivating illustration. I bought the book and went home to google him. Haake was born in Germany and studied Communication at The University of Arts in Berlin. He’s lived in Hamburg and London but now calls Berlin home. His clients are impressive: Vanity Fair, The New York Times, Playboy, Penguin Books and Yahoo just to name a few. Surrealists and DADA artists influence him, as well as illustrations from children’s books from the 1950’s. For inspiration, he also flips through old magazines and consumer catalogues from the former GDR/East Germany from the ‘60s and ‘70s that he finds in flee markets. Haake says his “cut-and-paste” style allows him to create “imperfect” images. “If some of my illustrations get too perfect, I have to draw them again,” he tells me. (Yes, I tracked him down and sent him a fan note!) “It’s very important for me to keep a certain kind of naïveté in my work because I feel there is a lot of beauty in failed drawings.” A man who appreciates flawed beauty—no wonder he’s my new artistic crush. If you’re intrigued …
check out his work at www.martinhaake.de

IPad destiny and dreams

By Beatriz Juarez, Elle Canada’s Art Director.

I’ve never considered myself to be a superficial person. Or, at least that is what I’d like to think. Considering that I’ve worked in fashion magazines for more than a decade, I still see myself as someone who prefers simple
things, spending time with friends, chatting about Mexican soap operas and singing cheesy pop tunes out loud. (Vanilla Ice’s “Ice, Ice, Baby!”) I have a weakness for Hermés scarves (the Jeu Des Omnibus et Dames Blanches, being my most recent indulgence.) Then there’s my fondness for handbags—I’m under the spell of a purple suede Proenza Schouler at the moment, but the $3,000 price tag holds me back.

But… retail resistance was futile when it came to my latest love affair—the G3 iPad. Unlike Noreen (see “IPad envy” blog below) I’m more akin to Lara (also, see “Addicted to accessories”blog below) when it comes to all things techie. My laptop and iPod were presents from my ex, which I never really wanted, but eventually got used to them. I also own an iPhone (courtesy of my ex as well), but I only have it on when I go out.

Last week, I was having dinner with my dear friend Honor, and her husband, Nick who spent most of the night playing with his new iPad. He showed me all the applications, including some features from some magazines. I thought it was cool, but I didn’t feel I needed one. Then on the walk home,  it came to me—this vision of me sipping coffee in one of my favorite places in NYC, Café Mogador and working with this gorgeous, thin, slick piece of technology. The seed was planted. I suddenly NEEDED an iPad. I checked my finances and set off to the Eaton’s Centre Apple store the next day and put my name on a waiting list.

This isn’t the first time an “spontaneous vision” influenced my life. I’m a graphic designer now because when I was 18, and touring the university campus that I wanted to attend,  I saw a group of young women wearing chic white lab coats and carrying stylish paint and brush cases. I asked them, “What are you studying?” And they replied “Graphic Design.” That was all it took. I enrolled in the program that fall and insisted my mother buy me the most expensive brush case. I never thought graphic design would be my calling, but I fell in love with it and the romance goes on today.

I just received an email that my iPad has arrived. After work today, I’ll be heading off to purchase my first gadget that I’m buying for myself and as with my Hermés scarves, I can’t wait to show it (and pay it) off. And as with my career, I hope the romance goes on for many years.