The Fashion Design Council of Canada invited me to attend a cocktail event at the Royal Conservatory of Music announcing the new title sponsor of Toronto Fashion Week is World MasterCard. The change in title sponsor switches the name of LG Fashion Week to World MasterCard Fashion Week and includes a new logo for the event that is scheduled for March for the Fall/Winter 2012 Collections at David Pecaut Square. I’m counting on this new venture to give up and coming designers more recognition not to mention putting Canadian Fashion on the map.

Canada Reads! My Book: On a Cold Road, tales of Canadian Musicians- Author: Dave Bidini

Hi Guys! Wanted to let you all know I’m one of the celebrity panelist along with Arlene Dickinson (Dragons Den) Alan Thicke (Actor) Shad (Juno award winning Rapper) and Anne France Goldwater (Lawyer) on CBC Canada Reads! I’m scared shitless but I will kill it for the massives! I love my panelists Arlene Dickinson(MY Canadian Mentor), Shad (The sickest Canadian Lyricist), Anne France Goldwater (The Ballsiest Canadian Litigator, HAVE TO GET A PICTURE WITH HER!) and Alan Thicke (The most Charming Canadian Actor)

CANADA READS CELEBRITY PANELIST

My visit to Dalian China was wonderful. I was well received by the Mayor of Dalian Li Wancai who first off called me a “Classy beauty” and named me “The Hurricane” model on the runway!  I was truly honored and appreciative.

Me and my Walk This Way Workshops made it’s debut in China with an emotional welcome that I will never forget. In all my years as a model I was told that both China and Japan fashion markets will never be for me due to my “Avante Garde” look and attitude. Yes, I was told this by many! Upon my arrival here in China, I was greeted with honor and respect, which to be truthful to you all, I have NEVER received from MOST of my peers within the industry. I don’t strive off of recognition, however, I am human and it does feel good to know that my work that I have and continue to put out is appreciated. Enough with the crying! LOL! Back to my new found FAVORITE country CHINA! Guys, you would not believe how different the REAL Chinese people are! They are kind and humbly appreciative . Also, the country is BEYOND developed! China is a mixed of old and modern world that would blow your mind. So far I’ve been to Shanghai, which is a posh city for business men and women from all over the world.  Don’t get me talking about the food! OMG! The best Chinese food is in China people! My skin is the skin of a newborn baby, thanks to the food! I had a great time touring the tallest building in China, Shanghai World Financial Center. Now, I have a major fear of flying and heights, I pushed my limits by not only flying across the world for 18 hours, but also going to the top floor (100) of this building! When I realized there’s glass floor beneath me I almost had an heart attack! For some reason, I decided to stay standing there looking at the 360 degrees view of Shanghai, I cried. The shopping in Shanghai is not the greatest, but the CUSTOM MADE /TAILORED shopping in Shanghai is THE GREATEST! I’ve had suits made for 400y ($65Cdn! YES PEOPLE)! My fave custom designs so far are my floor length cashmere cape and silk floor length dresses! From now on, I am wearing MY DESIGNS! Sorry people! LOLOL! Now, there’s so much of China for me to tell you, this is just a preview, I will be doing quite a few more blogs on my trip so stay tuned!!

I was honored to be the Keynote Speaker at this years QBFFI 2010. The students at Queens are so amazing, not only smart go getters, but they are fun fun fun and for my second year speaking at the event I was not surprised at how much of a great time I would have.  After my speak they had a fashion show featuring aspiring student designers which I look forward to seeing I’m a fan of new designers.  A wonderful weekend with wonderful people! Vive La QBFFI!!

Queen’s School of Business will be hosting their fifth annual Queen’s Business Forum on the Fashion Industry (Q’BFFI) October 16th and 17th and Ms. McKenzie has been promoted as one of  the Keynote Speakers for the this years event. 

Q’BFFI is a unique and refreshing  Canadian student-run conference that has sparked interest from some of the most influential people in the fashion industry.  In past years, students have heard from:

Sarah Casselman, Fashion Market Editor of Fashion Magazine
Harry Rosen, Founder of Harry Rosen
Ben Barry, Founder of Ben Barry Model Agency
Robin Kay, President of Fashion Design Council of Canada
Brian Hill, CEO of Aritzia
Chip Wilson, Founder of lululemon athletica           …among other notables.