With a piece of lingerie inspired by a Dolly Parton song, Fortnight Lingerie had no trouble capturing the hearts of wornettes everywhere. Their 2012 collection takes its cue from the classic rock muse, providing women from sizes 30A to 38E the chance to float away and follow their creative spirit—be it under the pencil skirt she wears to work, or in the privacy of her bedroom. When WORN was given the pleasure of using a few pieces from the most recent collection in Cut and Print, the photo shoot inspired by Ed Wood Jr. for issue 14, the entire production team was left drooling over the intricacy and subtle charm of every stitch and strap. Handmade by designers Christina Remenyi and Addie Chown in their lovely Toronto studio, each garment feels as if it holds its own mysterious past. Here, we speak with Christina to get to the bottom of where Fortnight Lingerie began, their inspirations, and even some of their own dirty laundry.

Tell us about how Fortnight came to be. When did you decide to start designing together?
I’ve always been drawn to lingerie, but had a hard time finding designs that I actually wanted to wear… They were either too basic, or too elaborate. I really wanted to create a line of lingerie that presented a new vision of feminine style by embracing structure, tailoring, and modern design all at the same time.

I studied lingerie design and construction overseas, after graduating from fashion at Ryerson University. I also worked in a bra-fitting boutique where I witnessed firsthand the huge void in the market for fashionable lingerie in a wide range of sizes. I spent several years developing this idea and when I was ready to develop a (very) small collection, I magically met Addie [Chown]. She had just come back from traveling across Central America and was looking for temporary work. Addie came on to help with pattern-making and production, and the rest is history! Addie has since become an integral part of the development, design, and growth of the company. Addie had worked for notable Canadian designers in Montreal and Toronto before joining Fortnight Lingerie.

Describe your work process.
Iʼm closely involved in every aspect of our garments’ creation. Most days Iʼm in production and part of the sewing process. Right now weʼre working on a new collection, which is a really exciting time. Addie and I start by searching for new fabrics, then we go through a rigorous testing stage, where we make sample after sample to ensure the fabricʼs ʻperformance abilityʼ and to perfect the fit of each new style we design.

Why lingerie?
Lingerie is so rich in history, controversy, beauty, and craftsmanship. Iʼve always been drawn to this layer of clothing, because itʼs the secret weapon behind every womanʼs wardrobe.

What made you decide to provide a wider scale of sizes in your designs?
Itʼs really shocking that so few sizes are typically available to the North American consumer versus the European. This really never made sense to me. Because fit plays such a huge role in the impact and value of lingerie, I wanted to design a line that was accessible and wearable for women of many shapes and sizes.

Where does the inspiration for your pieces come from?
Iʼm constantly inspired by my surroundings, including art, movies, magazines, and music. The great thing about lingerie is that weʼre not pigeonholed into a particular fashion trend, and we can design based on what we think is beautiful and what we believe women will want to put on, first thing in the morning.

Besides your own designs, what is the most treasured piece of lingerie you own? How and when did you acquire it?
My boyfriendʼs mother is an amazing antique hunter… for Christmas she gave me a flawless 1920ʼs pink silk bra. The careful construction and delicate details are such an inspiration to me.

What fictional character would you most like to see in your designs?
Margot Tenenbaum.

Interview by Casie Brown
Video by Mackenzie Duncan and Brett Rostrup
Music by J. Eygenraam
Photography by Mackenzie Duncan

Greetings, Wornettes! You are interested in the unknown. The mysterious. The unexplainable. The fashionable. That is why you are here, on the WORN Fashion Journal blog.

Now, for the first time, we are bringing you the full story of what happened behind the scenes of Issue 14’s Ed Wood-inspired photo shoot, Cut and Print. We are giving you all the evidence based only on the secret testimony of the miserable stylists, photographers, and models who survived this terrifying ordeal. The incidents, the shoes, the beautiful Gladstone Hotel.

My friends, we cannot keep this a secret any longer. Purchase Issue 14 here and now to find out the TRUTH. Can your heart stand the shocking video of the photo shoot inspired by Edward D. Wood Jr.?

text by Haley Mlotek, with some help from Tim Burton
video by Daniel Reis

It’s been a long and moderate winter. But just because we weren’t buried in snow doesn’t mean we can’t kick up some sand. Have you been sighing for shorts? Silly to step into strappy sandals? From sundresses to seersucker, unpack your summer best early at our Issue 14 Launch Party, The Beach Ball!

WHAT AND WHEN
On May 12, 2012, celebrate the release of WORN Fashion Journal issue 14 in sunny style.

Get a little colour Butterdream Sweets will keep things bright with rainbow macaroons

Get teas’d Pina Colada cocktails made with real tea from Tealish (quantiteas limited)

Get snapped You’ll be your own best souvenir in our postcard themed photo booth

And when the sun goes down, get off that rock, lobster, and do The Swim. Ride a wave of sweet summer sounds as our DJ spins a mix of oldies guaranteed to mash your potato.

DRESS CODE
Roll your cuffs, spaghetti your straps, and drop your socks. Summer rules apply.

WHERE AND FOR HOW LONG
May 12, 2012
The Dovercourt House
805 Dovercourt Rd. (just one block north of Bloor St.)
Bare-legged at 9 p.m.
Sweaters back on at 2 a.m.

Order your $10 ADVANCE TICKETS NOW
or pick them up at
Robber 863 Queen St. West, Toronto
Upside Dive 269 Queen Street East.
Freedom Clothing Collective 939 Bloor St. West

Or pay $12 at the door

ALL TICKETS INCLUDE A FREE COPY OF WORN’S BRAND NEW ISSUE!

No need to stash a bottle in that towel…this event is licensed.

Can’t make it to our Beach Ball launch party tomorrow? Not to worry—you can preorder issue 14 online! Orders and subscriptions will be sent out next week.

Issue 14 is jammed full with great content, including (but definitely not limited to) an Ed Wood photoshoot, the surprising history of home ec, a directory of bras, the hot debate surrounding altering vintage, and everything you wanted to know about tutus. Don’t delay—order your copy today!

It’s a Beach Ball from worn on 8tracks.

We’re busy picking the songs to dance to at our issue 14 launch party this weekend. What are some of your favourite beachy tunes? Let us know in the comments!

We know that dressing for a theme party isn’t always a walk on the beach, so the styling department here at WORN thought we would help out all you sunbathing Betties and fun-loving Freddies planning on attending our issue 14 launch party. Myself and new style intern, Rachel, took a break from hanging out at the surf shack (read: the overheated WORN office) and visited some local Toronto shops to serve up a few inspiration outfits for Saturday’s Beach Ball.

Putting together the above looks of red-hot culottes, stripes, and tropical floral prints from Robber was a breeze. Let your legs out of hibernation, and the sun kiss your arms in shorts and a rolled up button down—or let nature be your inspiration and throw on a floral dress. We’re sure you’ll have no problem hanging ten in outfits like these.

Summer nights and vinyl go hand in hand, which made it really hard to resist stopping by Of a Kind- the adorable and handsome canine pictured above didn’t hurt, either. We browsed through Beach Boys albums between ogling their collection of woven hats and bags.

If itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny bikinis mid-May aren’t your thing (not that we’d judge), slap on an ankle length nautical skirt, cuff those linen trousers and get your feet wet. Might we also add that this is the perfect occasion to dust off that Cool Runnings tank you ironically bought at a garage sale three summers ago, or bust out that oversized tee you painted a sunset on that summer you were bored and lonely at your grandparents’ cottage (I know I’m not the only one).

This is what I imagine every beach-goer in the late ’80s and early ’90s wore. Right down the street from the WORN office, Philistine was a treasure trove of cutoffs, neons, and silk blazers that would stop any Miami Vice heart cold. But if Crockett and Tubbs aren’t your jam, a breezy lace frock over a floral mini-dress is the perfect mix of Courtney Love and Castaway; sadly, volleyball named Wilson and smudged eyeliner are not included.

Photography By Brittany Lucas
Styling By Casie Brown and Rachel Walker

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been an avid magazine hoarder. Whether I’m saving my pennies in a piggy’s belly or eating Mr. Noodles for a week’s time, I have always managed to find a way to purchase my favourite magazines. Piling atop my coffee table and emptying out my wallet, my favourites include Russh, Lula, and of course, WORN.

Making up one third of the current wave of publishing interns, I recently finished my first year at University of Toronto as a Book and Media Studies major. I grew up in a city right above Toronto, and though the sparkling city lights were always within view, out there it’s mostly suburbia and more suburbia. Though reflecting, I’ll admit that growing up suburban definitely had a strong influence on the way I dress and how I perceive personal style and fashion.

Current Inspirations

Stevie Dance
While most stylists tend to create looks that I would never even attempt to recreate, Stevie styles clothes with practicality and eccentricity in mind. (Coincidentally she’s also styled some of my favourite editorials during her time at Russh.)

Le Projet D’amour
Hila Shachar’s an Australian writer who never fails to deliver when it comes to quality posts. She recently wrote a piece on Romantic Femininity that I’ve read at least half a dozen times since it was published.

Blushing Ambition
Annabel Ly seems like the type of girl I wouldn’t mind being friends with. She’s got a great sense of style and she likes to eat.

Lulu and Your Mom
If it wasn’t for Lulu, my knowledge of fashion would be limited to one sub-board on a Korean pop fan site. She’s easily one of my favourite bloggers and writers because of her honest advice concerning pretty much everything—fashion and style included.

Ben Trovato
One of my go to sites for inspiration. I like that it showcases original photography and videography styles from a number of different artists. Some of my favourite fashion photos come from this site.

photography by Brittany Lucas

Marie M. Lodi, AKA Agent Lover, is a real dream boat. Born and raised in Southern California, she spent her younger years indulging in ’80s and ’90s pop culture, and now spends her time keeping up her website AgentLover.com, writing for ROOKIE, brunching with pals, and making her delicious cake hats. She has great bangs, a wicked dress collection, and an amazing sense of humour. Agent Lover talked to WORN about baby hoodrats, Latina girl gangs, teenagers on the internet, and where she finds style inspiration (anywhere and everywhere).

How would you describe your personal style?
1960s Satanic French schoolgirl with just a touch of baby hoodrat.

Do you ever imagine yourself looking completely different than you do now?
My hair has been every kind of colour, so my days of abusing it with bleach and dye are over! I don’t think my hair will be anything else but dark. As for the bangs, I do wonder if I will let myself look like geriatric Bettie Page or if I will eventually grow them out. Only time will tell! As for the clothes… ALL BETS ARE OFF! I might be wearing velvet assless chaps tomorrow, who can say?

When did you start making your Cake Hats, and what was the inspiration?
About four years ago, I did a photoshoot at Madonna Inn. It was a Marie Antoinette-ish, tea party-theme, so naturally I wanted to wear a cake on my head! I found a fake cake at a craft store and attached ribbon to it and that was that. Afterwards, my friends Emi and Nate suggested I should just make my own cake hats. Now, whenever I have a crazy idea in my head, these two are the geniuses who help me figure out how it will come to fruition. After some experimenting and my dad’s culinary knowledge (he’s a chef), the Cake Hats were born!

It seems like you’ve tried to work almost anything into a hairpiece or hat—is there something you’ve been dying to work into some headwear and haven’t had the chance to yet?
Oh man, I think I have covered almost everything! I’ve done huge gold insects, sea creatures, pizza, fruit… and there was this hat that looked like lips with a cigarette sticking out that Emi made for me me, based on a vintage photo a friend had sent. I do love me some food themes so a taco and burger hat are definitely in the future! Maybe a book-themed hat? I will need a library function to go to, of course. The ultimate creation will have to be a hat with a little me on it, wearing a hat with a little me on it, and so on and so on. IMAGINE!

If you were to dress like a piece of food what would it be and what would the outfit look like?
Well, I was pizza for Halloween and I do have a corn on the cob costume! Again, I’m sure those aren’t the last of food-themed outfits in my life!

You share a few of the Wornettes’ love for John Waters, and that comes as no surprise considering your mastery of a deliciously cool and tacky style. What do you love so much about John Waters?
He is so great, isn’t he? I remember LOVING Crybaby and Hairspray when I was a kid, then in high school I got into the less mainstream ones like Polyester and Female Trouble. I only surround myself with good-hearted and intelligent perverts, so I just think he and I would get along really well. I wish there was a book called “365 Days With John Waters” where I could read his wise words on the regular like they are daily affirmations.

What attracts you to vintage shopping?
To start, I think a lot of the clothes back then were made better. These days, you get a cardigan at Forever 21 and it turns into a ball of string after one wash. I also love the look and style of the older eras and would rather wear something that makes me look like a 1970’s librarian than a beige Kim Kardashian bandage dress. I just feel the old things are more soulful, if that makes sense. Although, let me be clear, if I randomly feel like wearing a bandage dress tomorrow, I WILL AND NOBODY CAN STOP ME! (It definitely wouldn’t be beige, though.)

There’s a lot of teen girl culture floating around your blog, whether it be your obsession with valley girls or your recent interview with Francesca Lia Block. You also write for Rookie. What are your thoughts on teenage girl culture today?
This is something I actually think about often. Teenagers these days literally have the world at their fingertips. They are exposed to so much more information than I was so it makes me wonder what the ultimate effect will be. For instance, if you hear about anything—let’s say a band that you think is interesting—in mere minutes you know their history, what artists influenced them, what other bands sound like them, who they dated, etc. When I was a teenager it wasn’t so easy! It was all magazines, movies, and word of mouth. I remember the very first time I heard No Doubt, it was when I watched Clueless at the movie theater. I was like, “OH MY GOD, WHO IS THIS!?!?” There was some sort of magic in that, you know? So I wonder, do teens today get bored and jaded a lot faster because of the constant, endless, super-speed flow of information? But on the other hand of this double-edged sword, this readily available information can be so educating and wordly! I get impressed (and intimidated) by what some of these teens are talking about. All I cared about back then was making out to Marilyn Manson and watching Gregg Araki and Troma movies! There’s so much going on these days though, of course they have to be well-informed! On the THIRD hand (hehe) I think about if you were to make one stupid mistake online… it will be on the Internet FOREVER… so that’s scary too! I thank the Universe all the time that the internet wasn’t around when I was a crazy teen. I guess it’s hard being a teenager no matter when you are/were one.

You wrote a fascinating post about creating Chola style. Besides the personal connection to this style (your anecdote about your cousin had me smiling), what do you love so much about the look?
Well first of all, I LOVE the movie Mi Vida Loca, which is about young Latina women growing up in gang culture in Echo Park. Huge, huge influence. Really though, it’s just a Southern California thing. It’s such a part of the culture growing up. As for the look, you always have to appreciate someone who understands that makeup is a form of ART… and Cholas definitely do. I learned a few makeup tricks from some homegirls in junior high.

Dress obsessed: Do I dare ask… do you have a favourite? What makes a great dress?
That’s like asking me to choose a favorite child! My current favorite is a striped black and blue Betsey Johnson dress. I wore it the other day with neon yellow socks and a bun with a bow on the top. I felt like a waitress from Earth Girls Are Easy. I love that dress because it’s comfortable to wear and accentuates my curves. That’s what makes a good dress for me—something that complements my body that I can also move easily in… in case we need to make a run for it. I also love a dress with versatility—something I can wear with boots or high heels.

Do you have a dream dress?
Uh oh… I can go ON and ON with this question, girl! I I have always been obsessed with the Marjan Pejoski dress that Bjork wore to Cannes in 2000, as well as this pleated peach dress she wore to the 2005 Venice Film Festival, whose designer is not listed anywhere! Because of those two looks of hers, I subconsciously flock towards coral dresses and ones with flowy pleats. I once found a vintage dress that is somewhat a combo of the two that I actually wore on the shoot we did for this interview! I also still adore the dresses from both Luella and Moschino Cheap and Chic Spring ‘10. And I’d love all of Anna Karina’s dresses from Une Femme est une Femme and Pierrot le Fou.

You started Agent Lover on Livejournal. What was it like turning something so personal into a website? What’s different? What’s the same?
When my friend Klaus convinced me to switch to my own site, I knew I had to do things differently because “the public” wasn’t going to get my weird posts about going to Las Vegas wearing Hulk Hogan masks along with my weird made-up slang and inside jokes. I first focused on fashion and shopping which evolved into outfit posts. After a while of finding my vibe, I started incorporating my 80’s and 90’s pop culture knowledge. When it comes to clothes, I have always been more influenced by a character in a movie than Fashion Week so I naturally progressed into talking a lot about that too. Now I think it’s a good mix of everything I like and strangely enough, the stupid slang I have always said is now understood and is also said by my readers! I basically feel like my blog is one big slumber party where we can all bond over things and say, “Oh my god, you remember that too?!?” A Rie-Rie’s Playhouse, if you will.

You had a really inspiring stay in Tokyo. What was the biggest fashion surprise you stumbled upon?
I loved how nobody seemed to bat an eye at anything when it came personal style. We saw everything from punks to goths to Little Bo Peeps to “normal people” who would be the most stylish people ever if they were in America. Everyone is effortlessly chic there. Here in the States, there will be at least one person staring at you if you are wearing hot pink knee socks and some grapes on your head. What’s the big deal? I’m just trying to live my life! UGH, TAKE ME TO TOKYO WHERE I BELONG.

Who are your top five fashion superheroes?
Betsey Johnson has always been my favorite designer. There never has been and never will be anyone else like her. She has had such a fascinating life, and she cartwheeled her way into the fashion world with her colorful, wild clothing. Mona May is the costume designer behind Clueless which obviously started everything for many of us. She also did the costumes for Romy and Michelle and the MTV show Just Say Julie, which brings me to Julie Brown. Did you see what she wore to the Earth Girls Are Easy premiere? It was a tight white dress with a wire hem. It looked like a UFO! So incredible! And then there is Bjork who I’ve already talked about. I just love people who don’t give a F and take risks. Nowadays everything is orchestrated by a stylist, WHICH IS FINE… but it was just a bit more interesting and raw back then. And finally, the late Chicano singer Selena Quintanilla, who is sitting on a bedazzled moonbeam up in heaven looking down on all of us. She inspired my love for sequin bras and big gold earrings.

text by Jenna Danchuk
photography by Lisa Kannakko

What inspired this outfit?
Honestly? I would have to say it’s a tie… between my two very fashionable cats (seriously: one sports a bowtie and the other is named Coco Chanel). My shifts at WORN present rare opportunities to play with my favorite dressing concept: themes. This very cat themed outfit seemed like just the thing to keep the giddy smile my cats give me in the morning on my face all day. I mean, how can I not smile when wearing this level of cat-ness?

Tell me about one of the items you’re wearing.
This sweater has quickly turned into one of those items I will create any excuse to wear. I’m cold? Cat sweater. Bored? Cat sweater. Need a hug? Cat sweater. Since the moment I saw it on Little Doodles, the blog of one of my favorite whimsical doodlers, I knew it had to be mine. I ordered it from Indonesia in the middle of the night while vacationing in NYC. It was sold out by morning. Since ripping it from its pristine yellow envelope, I have barely had the heart to peel it from my torso for a wash. My favorite detail is the fuzzy grandma-like embroidered words.

What’s the best book to read in this outfit?
I’ll bypass my childhood favourite A House Full of Cats at the risk of sounding juvenile and take the more adult route. Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer is by far the most extensive, well-written animal related book I have ever set eyes on. Foer delves into the intelligence levels of animals, from cats to turkeys, and deconstructs the reasoning behind choosing to eat some but not others. This intelligent piece of literary journalism is a must-read for animal lovers and meat lovers alike. I figure if I’m going to wear my cat obsession on my sleeve (or chest, rather), I may as well do so while curled up with a great book about animal rights amongst good company.

Of course, by “good company” I mean cats.

What style icon would wear this outfit?
I’m going to go out on a limb and say Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, if she were to exist in modern times. The black ballet flats combined with her obvious love for Cat, her cat, would make her a perfect candidate to showcase this cat-tastic style.

Shopping Credits: Earrings from H&M, sweater by The Balletcats, shorts by Cheap Monday (re-appropriated from when my trans boyfriend was living as a girl), shoes from Marc by Marc Jacobs, mask from the Worn offices (as seen on the cover of issue 13).

I’m in my last semester of my degree at Ryerson University in Toronto, majoring in Culture Studies and minoring in English. It took me a brief interlude as a sorter in a thrift store and having an existential crisis to get here, but I somehow made it through. This fall, I’ll be attending York University to complete my Master’s Degree in Gender, Feminist, and Women’s Studies. Not only will I be a Master in all things feminist-y, but also the world’s leading expert in GB Jonesian aesthetics. Aside from being a critical thinking, jargon slinging academic in training, I make a nice espresso and buy too many tschockhes, which makes for a deadly combination.

My best pieces of clothing were thrown out by my mother. This list includes my ratty Sailor Moon night gown that I cut into a muscle tee and a pair of boy short underwear with an anatomical drawing of the female sexual organs on the back. Now that I’m an adult, I can pick things out of the garbage for my wardrobe and get away with it. My life long goal is to recover that muscle tee from the Windsor, Ontario dump, but I think I’m dreaming. I’m really excited to be working with WORN. Fashionable friends and a magazine with a high word count? What more could a gal ask for? Also, working on my writing and researching skills and considering the political implications of my wardrobe sounds pretty fun, too.

Current Inspirations:

Second Hand Smut
My Retro Porno Tumblr. I “curate” (does that make it sound more professional?) a tumblr page full of retro pornography images. Yes, I said porn three ways. You have been warned.

Ken Russell’s “The Last of the Teddy Girls” photos
These photos by the late and great director Ken Russell document working class girls in neo-Edwardian dress, and an important and early part of British youth culture. The teddy girls were rebellious before there were rebel grrrls.

The Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives
I started volunteering at the “CLGA” almost two years ago, and it was love from the start. The CLGA collects and preserves LGBTQ historical materials from Canada and around the world, and their treasure chest is always growing. My favourites? Queer zines, the amazing vinyl collection, and matchbooks from gay bars and elsewhere. They inspire my perspective on style and design, as well as my personal politics.

Cathy of California
Cathy of California is who I want to be when I grow up. She draws inspiration for her craft projects directly from vintage craft documents, and has even written a fantastic book on the topic, Vintage Craft Workshop. She’s a feminist historian in my eyes.

John Waters (on fashion and in general)
I am a loyal snub-ject of the king of trash. Words to live by.

photography by Brittany Lucas