Dahye Jung answers some key questions on what drives her passion, the amazing opportunities she's found in her field and the new directions she's exploring in an interview with P[h]assion! What inspired you to begin your blog? I started my blog back in 2011 during high school, simply out of my desire to share what I love about photography and design. Back then, blogging was not a huge industry yet and as a teen who was obsessed with the internet, I thought it was fascinating how there niche communities were forming online. Starting my own blog came out of my curiosity to be part of this new way of connecting with people, out of a genuine intention to have fun! Has your blog given you any cool opportunities to go to events, shows or meet influencers you admire?
Yes, 100%! Blogging has opened up many exciting opportunities and allowed me to connect with people that I admire. Some of the most memorable opportunities were being invited to New York Fashion Week to cover as an accredited media, and being featured in Holt Renfrew's national campaign. These were benchmarks that really gave me validation that my blog brings value to my audience, and certainly motivates me to constantly seek ways to improve. What can we expect next? I can't say it just yet... but there is very exciting news coming for the blog in 2018. I have grown and changed so much especially during university, and I want this new platform to convey that change. Let's just say, its going be REAL TALK! Stay tuned. ;)
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Leah Lamarche is a Graphic Designer in the fashion industry that also moonlights an extremely successful Fashion and Beauty blogger! Lucky for us, she decided to sit down and answer a few quick questions about starting her blog, building her success and her next steps! What inspired you to begin your blog? I’ve wanted to blog since I started watching fashion and beauty bloggers on YouTube back in 2012 or so. But I was right at the beginning of school studying graphic design and I didn’t have time to focus on starting a blog, so I promised myself that when I was done school that I would start a blog. And that’s just what I did! I got my first job out of school In the fashion industry about 3 months after graduation and once I was settled in my work routine, I launched my fashion and lifestyle blog in the beginning of 2015. In the blog I talk about what it’s like to be part of the fashion industry in Montreal. The styles that I’m into, the fashion events I go to. And sometimes just random lifestyle things that I like to share! Has your blog given you any cool opportunities to go to events, shows or meet influencers you admire? Yes!! It took a while but having the blog has allowed me to meet a lot of people in the fashion industry in the city and eventually got invited to a lot of event; fashion shows and launches in the city! My very first invite was to Barbe Rose lingerie fashion show back in March 2015. I got to meet the models and the designer and sit in the VIP, It was a really nice experience! In fact they have all been great and I’ve met so manny great people. Recently in the past year or so I have tried my hand at modeling in some fashion shows. Something I never thought that I would do. I’ve found it so much fun and such a rush! It’s nice to be able to experience fashion from a different perspective, being the “object” or “performer” rather than the audience! It’s cool! What can we expect next? To tell you the truth, I’m not sure just yet. I’m sort of going with the flow right now and see where it all takes me! I’m wanting to continue with the modeling for now. I think I would like to take my blog to the next level and get into more edgier fashion and photography. My blog over very everyday fashion lifestyle at the moment, which is great because that is my life lol! But it would be super fun the experiment with some dynamic fashion that I have never tried before! Check out her blog here Follow her on Instagram to keep up with her stylish content @leahlamarche "The blog is not just about beauty, it is about embracing the beauty we are all individually and naturally given. The way we chose to see the world creates the world we see".
Name: Francesca Di Re
Faculty/Year: Faculty of management, U2 Committee Position: Co-Director of Sponsorship What is your experience with the HIV/AIDS community? What about this cause touches you and makes you want to create change? This is my first experience with the AIDS/HIV Community. I don’t believe that one must be directly affected by a cause to want to get involved with it. HIV and AIDS affect millions of people worldwide. Although drugs and treatments have been developed to help prevent death, a direct cure has yet to be found. My involvement, has more to do with the compassion and heartache I feel for those who are suffering rather than the cause of the suffering. With P[h]assion I saw the opportunity to help create a change within a community and took it. I hope that this year through sponsorship opportunities we can meet our greatest goal yet and donate $10,000 to AIDS Community Center Montreal. I am the type of person that looks to give back and be helpful to others. Knowing that this money will go towards the education for AIDS prevention, counselling, testing and research efforts is all I need to want to get involved as much as I can. Do you believe fashion has the power to affect positive change? Where do you believe fashion succeeds or fails to create real, tangible social action? I think the fashion industry does try to affect positive change but it can do a lot more. Of course, creating a collection and raising money for a cause is a great start but efforts shouldn’t stop there. These collections are often forgotten about along with the issue. Companies in this highly competitive industry should completely immerse themselves in a cause they believe in. They should constantly put efforts in this cause and remind consumers each year of its importance. That said, certain retailers such as H&M or ALDO have raised awareness for AIDS whether it be through the Fashion Against AIDS foundation or their own initiatives. They’re campaign ran for a year and then ended. As I said, these efforts should have been sustained to have a larger impact.. That is what P[h]assion aimis to do; use fashion to raise awareness and donations for a cause in need on a yearly basis. How have social initiates made an impact on your life, or someone close to you? It may be through the HIV/AIDS community or another social/personal issue. My grand-mother was not only affected by breast cancer but ovarian cancer as well. I think that if it weren’t for the support groups that are put into place through social initiatives she would have made it through. Being affected by such a powerful disease can be emotionally and physically draining. I’m more than happy that she had these people to turn to and to understand exactly how she felt. Whether it be cancer, HIV or AIDS, social initiatives make a difference in the lives of people who are affected as well as their families. If a sick person can get even an ounce of help or ease through these social initiatives then they have done their job. Name: Siena Cui
Faculty/Year: Management U3 Committee Position: Clothing Coordinator What is your experience with the HIV/AIDS community? What about this cause touches you and makes you want to create change? My experience with HIV/AIDS community actually started through P[h]assion. I’ve been with P[h]assion for 2 years now, and I remember ACCM came in for a workshop regarding HIV /AIDS and it was really helpful. I felt that there are still a lot of misunderstanding and stereotypes from people towards this community. Engaging with organizations such as P[h]assion definitely helps ourselves and others to close these gaps. Do you believe fashion has the power to affect positive change? Where do you believe fashion succeeds or fails to create real, tangible social action? Fashion definitely have the power to affect positive change, but it’s also true that it’s a double-edged sword. It’s a big industry, meaning that it has the power to initiate large enough movements and influence, examples such as diversity in the models (size or race wise) and emerging new fashion capitals and designs all reflect that. However, at the same time, this industry also largely depends on consumption. Runway collections aiming for social impact can make a change, but probably not as perfect as they aimed for. Do all people who wear the Dior feminist shirts fully understand feminism? Or are they just buying it because it looks “cool” and “trendy”? How have social initiates made an impact on your life, or someone close to you? It may be through the HIV/AIDS community or another social/personal issue. It’s a really really small thing but I took a course in Fashion Buying and learned that the fashion industry is actually the second largest polluter in the world. I’ve seen videos of how fast fashion productions can in fact take other people’s lives away and harm the environment at the same time. Knowing this actually helped me to rethink what my wardrobe are consist of; how much clothes are just sitting there forever without being worn and what alternative brands/ways I should shop in the future. Name: James Terrasi Faculty/Year: U1 Management Committee Position: Director of Choreography Do you believe fashion has the power to affect positive change? Where do you believe fashion succeeds or fails to create real, tangible social action? I do believe fashion has the power to affect positive change. What we choose to wear often goes beyond practicality; it’s a means of personal expression. As such, we are naturally influenced by the brands we choose and the causes they support. When companies we like develop their business models around social initiatives, they have the power to raise our awareness of important global issues. The “one for one” program is an example of this, where Toms Shoes donates a free pair of shoes to a child in need with every retail sale. As our awareness increases, we as consumers can choose to only support brands that we deem socially responsible, creating a virtuous cycle of positive action. Name: Rachael Atkinson
Faculty/Year: Management U1 Committee Position: Clothing Coordinator Do you believe fashion has the power to affect positive change? Where do you believe fashion succeeds or fails to create real, tangible social action? I believe that because everyone participates in fashion in some capacity it has the power to make positive change. For example, many clothing lines have recently released sustainable pieces, from fast fashion brands such as H&M to runway designers like Tom Ford. This movement is something that is accessible to most people regardless of their socio-economic status or even their interest in fashion and for this reason I believe that fashion can work to raise awareness and make change for a variety of issues. How have social initiates made an impact on your life, or someone close to you? It may be through the HIV/AIDS community or another social/personal issue. The way in which I have seen an impact in my life through social initiatives is the sense of community that occurs when like-minded people come together to solve problems and help others. Furthermore, having the opportunity to partake in social initiatives has opened my eyes to some of the issues people face in their lives and has made me a more informed, appreciative and generous person. Name: Deanna Duxbury
Faculty/Year: Arts U3 Committee Position: Director of Media What is your experience with the HIV/AIDS community? What about this cause touches you and makes you want to create change? Last year, my position as Director of Community Engagement really allowed me to experience ACCM and learn more about the HIV/AIDS community in Montreal. I spoke with volunteers and engaged in an intense interview with an individual that lives with HIV. There is so much stigma and injustice surrounding HIV/AIDS purely due to a lack of education and ignorance. Medicine has advanced so far and yet so many people are still ostracised and devalued because of an unfounded fear. It’s more than just contributing to the funding to find a cure for HIV/AIDS, this cause is important to me because ACCM contributes to aiding those that live with HIV/AIDS everyday. I hope that in supporting ACCM and spreading awareness, P[h]assion creates more inclusive and compassionate environment on and off campus. Do you believe fashion has the power to affect positive change? Where do you believe fashion succeeds or fails to create real, tangible social action? The important thing to understand about the influence of fashion is that it is founded through individuals. Fashion is the designers, the influencers, the editors and the shoppers. It moves through real people that have the power to direct awareness, allocate funds, spread truth and gather masses. That power should never be underestimated, but it must be understood that it derives not from a piece of clothing but from an intention and will. The power to make change in society is a human power at heart, and fashion is a vehicle that can drive it. How have social initiates made an impact on your life, or someone close to you? It may be through the HIV/AIDS community or another social/personal issue. Social initiatives have, in many ways, changed my perspective on life. I have a passion for literacy, and support Indigo's “Love of Reading” fund that helps build up libraries for local schools. I’ve worked on the ECOuture Fashion Show to help promote environmentally friendly fashion. I volunteer with the Book Fair that gives every penny to Student Aid at McGill. I’ve made a point to donate to women’s shelters wherever I live and am an active advocate for global women’s rights. Of course, everyone participates in these kinds of things. We’re surrounded by them and drawn to them, in university. What I admire most is actually Hannah Taylor’s “Ladybug Foundation”. It was founded when she was only eight because of a moment of compassion for the homeless. It takes real initiative to carve out a place for social justice in the world and inspire others to build on that desire to make change. In the future, I hope my desire to influence social change can make even a fraction of that impact. I want to do more than contribute. I want to be a force that calls out to others and hopefully then we, as a community, can manifest real action. Name: Madison Frehlick
Faculty/Year: Management U1 Committee Position: Promotional Coordinator What is your experience with the HIV/AIDS community? What about this cause touches you and makes you want to create change? Although I am not personally affected by HIV/AIDS, I believe it is so important to help where I can. I have been privileged in my life with health and people to support me, and now I want to give someone else that same support. It’s easy to take a step back and say “it’s not my problem, it doesn’t affect me”, but if everyone were to become a bystander to a community of people who are in need of help, how could meaningful change occur? Chances are, you know someone who is affected by HIV/AIDS, whether it be someone who is directly affected or they know someone who is. Do you believe fashion has the power to affect positive change? Where do you believe fashion succeeds or fails to create real, tangible social action? I definitely believe that fashion has the power to affect positive change. An example that comes to my mind is the brand Aerie. They have become known to promote body positivity, and it’s showing real results. While scrolling through my Instagram explore page, I have come across photos of girls who are posting unphotoshopped photos of themselves because they saw that Aerie’s models were real women with real curves, shapes, and blemishes. To have realistic body images being portrayed in fashion, I think it’s an incredible thing! Name: Romina Berbari-Daou
Faculty/Year: Management U3 Committee Position: Executive Director What is your experience with the HIV/AIDS community? What about this cause touches you and makes you want to create change? Last year I joined P[h]assion because I wanted to get involved in something meaningful and the club’s model interested me. As a promotional coordinator I got a first taste to the world of the HIV/AIDS community and ACCM. After having learned about the cause and it’s stigma I decided I wanted to help make a change a break the barrier between the HIV/AIDS community and the Montreal one, which is why today I am working with P[h]assion for a second year as executive director. Do you believe fashion has the power to affect positive change? Where do you believe fashion succeeds or fails to create real, tangible social action? Fashion is the way we can attract people’s attention. It’s meant to be looked at, to be appreciated and is many people’s passion. That’s why it’s a great way to open people’s eyes to the cause because they might see “P[h]assion” and think we’re just a regular fashion show, but then when they start interacting with us that’s when we wheel them in and educate to make a change. In this way fashion has the undercover power of making heads turn towards something more important. People are already aware and love fashion, now let’s leverage its influence towards a better cause and make an impact. Social action is whatever action that makes it work, makes a change. If you have a platform with people you can influence, like designers, you can use it to make a true difference and a social action that will have an impact. How have social initiates made an impact on your life, or someone close to you? It may be through the HIV/AIDS community or another social/personal issue. Last year our now Director of Media, Deanna, had an interview with someone that ACCM helps. When I read her article it gave me a more personal approach and insight on the community and that’s when P[h]assion really started becoming meaningful on another level to me, hearing someone with HIV/AIDS speak openly about their experience. Director of Community Engagement, Deanna Duxbury
Hint: There’s a song recommendation at the end of this interview! Deanna: Hey Chris! Thanks for meeting with me. I’ve never interviewed a DJ before so I’m excited to learn more about what you work on and your role in the show! Chris: Thanks! I love fashion- I follow it online but not more than that. I have extensive background in all kinds of events so the P[h]assion Show, for me and my role, is much more about what type of music and style I can bring in for the crowd. I’m really excited to set the mood. D: So, what is your history with being a DJ? How did you get into it and what is your sound? Chris: I started about 5-6 years ago. I was 15 at the time and so young. I got into Avicii. His break out song was Levels, and one of my very close friends used to listen to a lot of house- I used to despise house. Like I could not listen to any type of sound that did not have lyrics in it. And then he gave me Avicii and I thought this was kind of cool! I started listening to deadmous5 and the first time I read the name I pronounced it dee-add-moose-5. I didn’t know anything about them! So I started getting into the culture of EDM around 2012. All the popular DJ’s we know now were upcoming like Swedish House Mafia etc. I started to think about becoming a DJ through watching YouTube videos and seeing what they do. I was like, “This is insane! It’s just one person at 4 decks, controlling thousand and thousand of people! I want to do this”. So my cousin got me a little board, like one of those cheap little boards, connected it to my laptop and I started playing around with it. That was also when Sweet 16’s were happening right. So, one of my close friends invited me and I asked her if she wouldn’t mind if I played. It was somewhat of a disaster because my sound system broke down and I didn’t know what was going on back then. From then I evolved and started playing more Sweet 16 gigs. Actually, honestly, I got my start by playing 50th anniversaries, like wedding anniversaries. Like, my starting crowd was 75 and above. So I have a very unorthodox way of coming into being a DJ. It’s only now that I’m performing for huge crowds and clubs and parties. I still do wedding, baptisms and Sweet 16’s though. D: Out of curiosity, how did the above 75 crowd take to your music? What was your sound like back then that it would appeal to that kind of crowd? C: So I actually had to sit down with my mom before those shows. I come from an Armenian and Egyptian background so a lot of the crowd was from that background as well. She just looked at me and said, “Look, Chris, you can’t play what you think you’re going to play”, so I said “Yes mom, I know”. So we sat down and said we need to research old music- like old school Middle Eastern artists and French artists. D: That’s really cool! It gave you a great base to really get into your cultural roots. C: Oh definitely. I feel I’m much more flexible when it comes to the crowd than most. I don’t mean that in any kind of offensive way but when you get into playing so many different crowds with culturally different backgrounds and age differences, you get used to being flexible and easy. For example, tonight I’m going to play for first year counsel (IRC), but like I haven’t prepped for tonight. I’m bringing my laptop and coming in and going to do what I do best. I don’t prep for any gigs other than weddings most of the time. D: Fair. C: Fair, yeah. I mean I listen to what’s in right now (Spotify is my baby right now). That helps me keep up with the music trends. D: It’s really interesting that you have that base of diversity and base within your own culture. Do you bring that out when you’re making your own mixes or songs? How much is your sound situated in your cultural background? C: Yes, I actually realized that when I got into the club scene more. Just for the record, I don’t have a residency anywhere. I decided not to go through that path. I decided to play private events, I think it’s much more rewarding, in terms of the connection you make with the crowd. In terms of sound, when I was getting into clubs I thought I could only play EDM but I realized I ended up tending towards playing things with Spanish and middle eastern influence. I mix them in a way where you don’t feel the cultural influence that strongly. D: Like you’re not culture shocked by the sounds (if you’re used to receiving more of a mainstream house vibe) but you’re enjoying an ethnic experience. C: Yes! Feeling like the crowd receives it well. They have the initial, “This is different. But I enjoy this”. I feel like there are two types of DJ’s; the type that really wants to bring out their own sound sand go about it their own way and the DJ that likes to gage the crowd. And, for me, the priority is to get people dancing. So, I always have that consciousness where my duty is to the crowd first and then to me. That’s why I separated my online persona from what I do live. That’s why when anyone asks me for my Sound Cloud to listen to my stuff my first response will be, “That is not what I play live”. I use that as an outlet to really move the sound towards what I prefer or what I feel. D: It’s like your creative space but not your commercial space, where you perform live. C: Exactly, but I enjoy both equally to be perfectly honest. I don’t feel like I’m sacrificing anything through either route. D: You feel as if you’re not selling out. You enjoy your own music and the experience of catering to the crowd. C: I enjoy it because whenever the crowd is dancing I feel the crowd pushing and I keep pushing and I get to feed off that energy. It just gets lit. D: Haha, yes lit. C: I had to bring it in! D: What would be your favourite event or venue to play? Do you have a favourite experience as a DJ? Or a favourite type of event you like to cater to? C: I like to play the mainstage. Not to say I don’t love playing events like weddings- D: But in those situations you’d be creating someone else’s moment. C: Exactly. When you’re on a main stage it’s a whole different dynamic. There’s that physical hierarchy level where you’re a bit above and get to watch the whole crowd. That’s really cool. I experienced that for the first time about 3 years ago. My first large crowd was 1000 people. Then I moved on to 5000 the year before. D: Would I know some of the places you played? C: Maybe! I’ve played the Olympia twice, I’ve played a couple clubs here in Montreal. I’ve done Belmont, Jet, La Boom 3 or 4 times, Telus Theatre was my first big one where I went ham. The Telus Theatre was really cool because it was a CEGEP event. I was repping my CEGEP at the time. It was 5 Anglo CEGEPs that got together and each one sent a DJ. I was sent from Marianopolis College. The headliner was actually an artist I used to follow on Facebook so I was shocked. I was like, “Oh my god! I’m opening for him! Literally an hour before him!” Another cool event is the Armenian festival here in Montreal. It’s like 5-10 thousand people that show up. This year one of the biggest stars from Armenia, Arman Hovhannisyan, came to perform and I was his opening DJ. I got the opportunity meet him and his band, and that was probably the largest crowd. D: It’s like a festival feel! C: Yeah but really, really, really hot. So yeah, he was a really sweet guy! Really, really sweet guy! D: It’s always great when someone you look up to is really nice. I guess, on that note, do you have fans? Is that a thing that you experience? C: Haha, no. I have my friends, I mean I consider my friends my fans. They always keep me up and make fun of my name. Yeah, they keep me happy about this. D: Your DJ name? C: My actually name is Christopher. So my DJ name is Chris24. So they make fun of me for that. I wouldn’t say I have fans, but my friends are a solid fan base. I’ll go to them and be like, “Guys listen to this please, tell me what you think.” D: So are you your own manager and self-starter? C: Yes, I do everything freelance. D: In that case, for anyone who is trying to start out in that industry, what advice would you give on getting work? C: Word of mouth. Word of mouth, a lot of the time. A lot of networking. Know the right people. Always be humble. D: That’s a great piece of advice. C: Honestly, I’ve seen a lot of DJ’s be cocky and it doesn’t usually go over well. They aren’t liked. I mean, I’m a management major. I’m at Desautels right now and one of the key things I can takeaway is that, more than what you do, if I like you as a person I will believe you and trust you enough to do the work for me. Honestly, when I started playing for the first year and a half I wouldn’t get paid anything. People would ask me why I wasn’t monetizing this. D: Of course, now everyone wants to hustle and monetize their every move. C: Yeah but for me it was more about having fun first and the money coming later. When the opportunity presented itself, it was great but sometimes I still look for the opportunity over the monetization. It’s a lot more rewarding sometimes. D: Would you bring this into your career? How do you think this plays into any future plans you have? C: Honestly, I don’t know how it plays in. I’ve really just been seeing how this goes along. A lot of people will ask if I’m a full time DJ and I say no. D: Sorry if these questions about the future sound like your family at thanksgiving. C: No, no! I enjoy these questions; I haven’t been asked many of them before. I always say that if I were able to produce a song that hits millions that would be super rewarding as well as being a kick-starter for a career in DJing. I don’t see myself doing any of that any time soon. Honestly, I enjoy DJing more than I enjoy producing and in the current market space (and this is for any up-and-coming DJ) no one playing the mainstages has reached where they are without playing their own music. DJing has become an outlet for producers to actually express their own music and own cataloguing in art. With the technology now, the volume of producers has increased. Sound Cloud, of course, is a major outlet for any producer. Kygo, that’s the example, he launched his career off of Sound Cloud. I remember him 4-5 years ago and then Firestone came out and he went off of that. 3lau. Best example. He was one year out of business school, sick GPA, almost got a job but left it to go play a year and now he’s making bank and living off of what he loves. He got into it by making mashes in his dorm room. I mean, I enjoy much more playing in front of the crowd than sitting in a studio for hours. D: My last question would then be about your own music background. You seem very self-taught, but did you have any formal training to get where you are now? Do you think it’s necessary? C: I actually used to play the piano before anything else. I did that for 10-15 years. Not professionally but I dabbled and took courses in school. That was back when I started DJing. Ironically, I don’t like playing the piano in front of other people but I like DJing in front of massive crowds. I feel nervous when I’m playing the piano but when I’m DJing it’s a different environment. D: I think it’s a different culture as well. There’s a different expectation with the audience you have and the music you play. C: The performance would be different was well. When you play the piano you’re in your own bubble trying to interpret the music but when you’re DJing you’re actually exchanging energy. I feed off of the crowd’s energy so I usually like to open for myself rather than having an opener to get the crowd going. I love opening and closing and playing everything in between, even if it’s 5-6 hours. I like getting my crowd pumped up and ready for my own set and then be able to switch gears when it’s time to hit the main stage and hit the main music. I get to see the crowd go from 0% to 100% and to 0%. D: Did you want to add any last advice about the fashion show, being a DJ, inspiring artists? C: Yeah, I guess I want to say I’m really excited for the fashion show! It’s the second fashion show I’ve played. It’s a different setting because it’s not a dance setting but I still need to get people vibing with it. It’ll be interesting, I’m going to play a lot of stuff I don’t normally play live. And there’s a lot more room for me to manipulate the music than what I’d do live. I’m ready to take on whatever! So, for advice: work work work. Have fun! Fun first, monetization later. Stay humble. No one likes someone that’s cocky. D: Thanks for meeting with me. Lastly, any song recommendations I can add in here? C: What do you listen to? D: Classic/Alternative/Indie Rock? C: I’ll give you one song. It’s an oldie but I still hear it played in DJ sets now. It’s by Pendulum and called The Island. It’s the artist from Knife Party who actually switched gears. D: Thank you!! Note: I loved the song. Ready to get pumped at P[h]assion? |
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December 2017
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