Saying Goodbye / Reaching the Zenith

I know that I've been absent lately, and I know that there's a lot happening around me; so I'm here to clear the air, gain some ground, and let you all know why I've been so quiet and clandestine. Without going into the raw specifics (because I assure you, the reason, when you come to know of it, will be worth it); Dylan In The City is closing. Saying goodbye to you - amazing readers, blogosphere, and all the opportunities that have come with a combination of my blog, my Hairstyling career, and some of the incredible friends, artists, and entrepreneurs I've met along the way. But don't fret! I'm not fading into obscurity (well, maybe I have been a little bit lately, haha!) I'm rather just on the road to something greater, newer, and inherently better.

As you may have read in my earlier post, my career and my focus in the Fashion Industry is about to take a drastic shift. A shift for me, my industry, my clientele, and everything I've built so far. In the midst of this shift I have come to the conclusion that I will have the added benefit of focusing more on my writing, my editorial skills; all the while learning and building on this new path away from Hair. That being said, Dylan In The City isn't closing for just any reason; it's evolving and giving way to something much greater. Something that I've been working on so passionately that it's kept me away from here; which may account for quietness. Well, that and all this transition. 

Come Fall 2013, expect a big, new, wonderful pop from me as I launch a brand new online venture: Zenith. The apex, the highest point, the best, the ultimate, the vista, the absolute. Zenith will be the personification of those iconic and powerful words. In what sense I can't say yet, because I'd rather not spoil the surprise; but I'm hoping that you, and many more, will join me in celebrating it. It will be greater than a personalized blog; it will be powerful, interesting, and a collaborative congregation of people who simply love art. What's not to adore? I'll be working on it all throughout the Summer, and I will be updating it's progress as usual on my many Social outlets / @TheDylanDias. I am so, so, so excited to start my new path that Zenith seemed the best way to express it. This time it counts. Fashion is my world, beauty is my world, creativity is my world - it's my Zenith. What's yours?

xoxo
▲D

The Fashion Frontier / An Update

Yes, I am still alive, despite all your worries! I have to apologize blogosphere, for taking a much needed and slightly clandestine leave-of-absence from any serious writing here at Dylan In The City. A very busy beginning to the year, both on a personal and professional level, has been quite the trip. From shows, to photo shoots, to very busy salon days, and to personal commitments! My life needed a tune-down, and I refrained for a bit from any events and anything outside of my day-to-day work as a hairstylist, including blogging, to be completely and totally honest. But Spring is here in Toronto, finally! And the energy of blue skies and bright sunshine is not without it's perks. I have a lot to say about where I'm headed and a lot to say about what I plan to do this year - with this blog, with my path, and with Fashion in this enigmatic city of ours.

For quite a while, even before I started writing here, I've been dwindling and balancing between the worlds of Fashion and Beauty. As a busy hairstylist, I am constantly grounded to my trade work day-in and day-out that comes before anything else. I've built a long-standing clientele and have worked tirelessly and passionately within this industry for almost 7 years. Though both Fashion and Beauty are totally related and intermixable industries, there is a gap that exists, and it exists only for the professional behind it (as opposed to the media in front of it). I've enjoyed the privilege, honour, and pleasure of changing people's lives, their actual energy and pride, with the work that I do - but I believe I am officially over with it. And I don't mean for that to sound negative, because it isn't. My relationship with Beauty will be an honourable one, something that has forever changed me. But recently, in my dive into Fashion freelancing, I find myself gravitating towards the apex of an industry that powers itself from clothes, and not hair. I feel myself being drawn to an industry I've been obsessed with for years, and it's just finally come to a point where I had to make a decision to be a hairstylist in Fashion, or be Fashion. So, to be frank, I've decided to leave the Beauty industry that I've spent an innumerable amount of energy, hours, and incredible experiences in. Like a bittersweet break-up, it is both sad and exciting. I feel that I followed my heart into hair, and I also am following it to leave it behind. I dream now of working with clothes, working within the industry, and turning my freelance creativity, journalism, and vision into an editorial career. I want to take Fashion further, further in Canada and further in the World; further than a Salon position would allow me. This is why I've been so absent lately - a lot of introspection, a lot of challenges to consider, and even more sensitivities between clients and myself. Though, I'm happy to say, most people have been outrageously supportive.

I plan to return to school this fall to learn and specialize in Fashion as an industry and business. My intention is to nurture what I've already learned in my years of working behind-the-chair both in Fashion and in-Salon, and to also learn more how the industry works and I where I can find my fit. I have dreams of working in Editorials and Editing, taking Fashion back to a time of opulent and striking visuals - I want my creativity, my writing, and my view of Fashion to be heard; and I am more than willing to put the work in that I need to. School will present me with the tools, and I can't even describe how excited I am to run with them after it's complete. With the start of a new direction into a new career, I have also decided to launch an exciting new project scheduled for a Fall/Winter release this year. A project that will re-define Fashion Media in Toronto and provide a source unlike any other. A project that will jump leaps and bounds ahead of an ordinary, innocent blog like this and into an arena of cutting-edge, high-end fabulousness. A project that will be the precursor to the beginning of the legacy I intend to leave in this industry.

I can't say what it is, and I can't jump ahead of myself. But, in all fairness, I just wanted everyone to know. This is why I've been quiet, this is where I'm headed, and this is what I'm creating. I hope you all join me on the journey.

xoxo,

Dylan.

Session / Eugenia at Home

Photography / Jeffrey Chan

MUA / Christina Calder

Hair / Dylan Dias

Featuring / Eugenia (Elmer Olsen)

The Burberry Effect / Prorsum Womenswear + Menswear, Fall 2013

The Burberry Effect means more than the perfect trench; though, in reality, you could never do better than Burberry if that was your only concern. We're talking the greatest fabric on the planet. We're talking tailoring at a level that's museum-worthy. We're talking consistently re-imagined colours and silhouettes that somehow maintain the same principles of style, class, culture, and identity at the core of it's aesthetic. We're talking refinement, luxury, prestige, and presence all at the same time. Hmm, I guess we are talking about the perfect trench after all, aren't we? Well, look no further than Fall for the 2013 Season; we're talking Burberry Prorsum

▲D

Beyond The LIM IT / 3.1 Fall 2013 #Womenswear

This post is long-overdue blogosphere! The incomparable Phillip Lim give us perhaps my favourite Fall Collection this year - littered with blocked and bright leathers, fantastic trenches, glossy pants, and urban knitwear. A Collection that boasts an aesthetic that is so Lim - with the right amount of streamlined chic and the right amount of youthful street style.

I am beyond obsessed with the coats in this Collection. Phillip Lim for Fall is always so architecturally pristine - with an 80's flare for the dramatic; the turquoise and beige overcoats exude a New York flair that is super-chic. Beyond that it has to be the pants and the boot wear - bagged leather, textured and cut with a bold shape. The lines, overlapped textures, and layered pieces are visually brilliant and an urban nod to a little but of 90's as well, if you can see it! The layering of line and colour remind me of a diverse cityscape; and it's held together by a fantastic, stark, and seasonally-sound palette of slate greys, whites, camels, and glossy blacks. A visual symphony of proportion, line, texture, and colour - I wish I could wear it all, especially that turquoise-on-a-teal-edge overcoat. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

I know I post a lot about Phillip Lim, but represent his work is almost a must for me. He is, as I've said before, one of the most impeccable and talented modern designers in the world right now, despite his young age and relatively short career thus far. His taste is consistently and elegantly on-point season after season; and the construction of his pieces, beyond just the tailoring alone, is always a masterful composition of form, colour, and texture. It's as if he is creating incredible buildings that you can both appreciate from a distance and right up-close, in terms of grandeur and presence as well as the finest detailing. I could own every piece in this entire Collection. Bravo!

▲D

ReMARCAble Feature with Marca College / #BeReMARCAble

So happy and so thrilled to be featured as a Success Story on Marca College of Hair & Esthetics' Official Website (the Beauty School that started me on this industry path). Have a gander at my little write up! Featuring a minor summary of my work and, hopefully, doubling as a bit of inspiration to future Marca hopefuls. Marca College was much more than just a school for me - before I knew it, it changed my life. Slowly, and then exponentially, transforming my character completely, honing my skills, and thrusting me into an entirely new life from the moment I stepped out of it's doors.

Here's to you Marca, thanks for the feature and even more so for the memories.

Read my Success Story here.

KAWAII Sneak Peek with Allysa Hollywood

I was just on set two days ago with a fantastic team to put together the vision of powerhouse Fashion Photographer Allysa Hollywood! I usually don't update about Editorials until they come into completion; but we had such a great time working together creating some absolute magic that I had to partake in this teaser pic posted by Allysa on her own website.

KAWAII is meant to be a unified clash of bright colours, textures, and the glory of youth; taking inspiration from Japan-esque loudness and the urbanity of true Street Style. Featuring select pieces from talent like Caitlin Power and Love Thy Fitted; the aesthetic took the best of Spring in seasonal sheer, contrasting print, and power pigments - layered, layered, and layered. Styled by the enigmatic and brilliant Beaucoup duo Godfrey Mensah and Tolu Ogundare, with Makeup by the awesomely talented Geneva Fong and Hair by myself, of course. The spread featured Brodie from ELITE who was stellar and was captured entirely by Allysa Hollywood with the assistance of Toni Ekunah.

Can't wait to see where this spread will end up when it's complete! There are a lot more exciting Editorials coming my way that I also can't wait to share with you all, including some fantastic Magazine publications! Much love to all my creative friends who make this possible!

▲D

New York City with Heather Lawton / #FashionWeek

Where have I been?! Well, many places, doing many things! I apologize for my slight absence. Regardless, Fashion hasn't escaped my eye and I am absolutely loving some of the fantastic things I'm seeing for Fall/Winter 2013 from all over the Fashion Circuit. I simply cannot wait to see what some of the best talent in this country will have to offer come our very own Toronto Fashion Week in March.

I've been incredibly busy working on a number of freelance projects this year! 2013 began rapidly with some great opportunities for magazine spreads, published editorials, and new artist collaborations! February has only just arrived and I think I've already planned out most of my freelance hours through until the end of the Spring. I'm so excited to share with everyone the fruit of all our work; all of which will, in due time, appear right here on DylanInTheCity. Working with different artists, enthusiasts, and even designers has been an ongoing, growing process for me; I'm so thankful to able to share creativity with people who embody the very essence of it. It really is a magical thing.

Incredible Photo by © Steve Kelley

What's the latest? Why, New York of course! She does look lovely. I'm sure you remember the last Fashion Film I helped produce and participate in with powerhouse Directors Jossyl Bacalla and Toni Francis for JUMA last year. Well! We have a new direction. The team and I are partnering with Heather Lawton, a fresh and dynamic NY-based designer that's relatively new to the Fashion stage, to produce a short Mood Film to embody the energy of her aesthetic. As a result, I will be in town for New York Fashion Week (!!!) this year, as well as a guest at Heather Lawton's Fall 2013 show in Chelsea.

I couldn't be more excited for not only NYC but the chance to meet and build a rapport with Heather, who is essentially my first New York connection. Her taste is minimalist but bold, and she often plays with unique, graphic shapes in her pieces while maintaining a simplistic, chic tonal palette. The girls and I are planning some vibrant and intense visual ideas for this film, and we couldn't be more thrilled to be collaborating with a designer of Lawton's skill and potential. New York used to be just a photo on my wall, as I used to say, and Toronto used to be larger than life itself. It's amazing, the places we've come from and the places we go. For the first time I'm not just going to New York for New York - I'm going to New York for Fashion. Fashion takes me there.

I'll be flying to New York City next week and will be updating you all on my adventures in the city! Both on the Runway and off, so be sure you're tuned into my network to see everything first hand - from our meeting with Heather Lawton to Bryant Park to the streets of Midtown. Share it with me.

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook1
Facebook2

Vine / @TheDylanDias

From Toronto to NY,

▲D

#Obsessed with VALENTINO

Haute Couture, Spring/Summer 2013.

There are few other Houses that can evoke such sublime, epic beauty with such elegance, grace, and technical mastery. And that RED. Shoot me, Valentino must be a gateway to Heaven.

3.1 Phillip Lim / Fall 2013 Menswear

One of my favourite modern designers shines even brighter this Season with his slick, textured, and urban Fall 2013 Menswear Collection at Paris Fashion Week.

Epic, which has easily become synonymous with the brilliant Phillip Lim himself, is all I can say about this fantastic presentation. The rich, black, glossy, over-sized knitwear(esque?) pieces are my absolute obsession this Season! I absolutely love the idea of using a traditionally chic medium, like Leather, and using it to create super modern, ultra trendy pieces that are beyond the traditional, classic silhouettes they are normally associated with. The black on black on black is fierce! The blocked pants, both in colour and texture, are so hot it drives me nuts! The entire aesthetic is so high quality but so effortless and urban at the same time; it's almost like Street Style meets High Fashion with en edge of vintage revolt.

Phillip Lim's Fall 2013 Menswear Collection presents a dark, androgynous, and sexy aesthetic that is ultra mod in a youthful light; futuristic Menswear on the streets of an artistic, cosmopolitan hub. Everything about it is totally on-point that I wish I could own a single piece of every outfit presented, from beginning to end. Best!

▲D

Testing With Elite / #OnSet

Here are some fantastic captures from a recent shoot I did with talented photographer Allysa Hollywood and Makeup Artist/YouTube Celebrity Geneva Fong. We did a test for ELITE with some fantastic, fresh talent - Blair Lee, Carly M., and Franco. Would love to work with this team in the future again.

As always, keep up-to-date on my latest Fashion projects, shoots, and collaborations through Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

▲D