2011 marked the beginning of B-Insider. A place to celebrate the happenings of the Hudson’s Bay Company and the many fashionable things happening here; it also was a vehicle to celebrate great Canadian talent who are doing amazing things within this big and bold country and around the world. From writers to photographers and all that in between we can proudly say B-Insider is made up of Canadian talent. People who are fueled by their true passion. We are always looking for new talent in the world of photography, writing, models (unsigned) and everything in between. Send us a note and a link to your work at binsider@hbc.com. Wishing you all the best n 2012. Make sure you keep checking up on what we are doing.
x B-Insider.
Photography: Riley Stewart. Make-Up: Natalie Blouin
SARAH NICOLE PRICKETT | WRITER
1. How would you define 2011? | The year 2011 will go down in history as being about riots, rebellion, and revolution. All of that is real. But for me, I felt that it was the year in which the future overtook us; in which visions of the apocalypse became escapist fantasies; and in which we began to abandon all hope of saving our planet (environmentally and otherwise). In fewer words: the end of the world isn’t the end of the world anymore. Merry Christmas!
2. What was your favourite event, moment or experience at The Bay in 2011? | Tough, but I’d have to say it was the time I cut myself and spewed red, red blood all over the White Space. The sales peeps brought out like a fireman’s first aid kit. Don’t worry, I bought something.
3. Favourite Fashion Moment of 2011? | Andrej Pejic closing Gaultier Couture as the bride, upending a pristine couture tradition, and making a heart-rending (if accidental) statement about the rights of everyone, everywhere, to marry whomever they love.
4. What music, movie, TV show could you not get enough of? | I listened to M83′s Midnight City one million times.
5. How do you usually ring in the New Year? | With champagne and glitter, tears, and my world-best friend and probably six a.m. pizza.
6. What is your New Years Resolution for 2012? | To daydream before I check my phone every day, to finish everything I start, and to get healthy so I can fight the zombies!
1. How would you define 2011? | This year has been a year of growth for me in my abilities, experience, perspective, and the people I have become close with. Looking back twelve months ago, I had no idea I’d come this far or in this direction.
2. What was your favourite event, moment or experience at The Bay in 2011? | I was able to travel to Vancouver in October to cover several events, including the launch of The Room. It was an amazing trip with perfect weather and was where I’ve taken some of my best photos thus far.
3. Favourite Fashion Moment of 2011? | It’s not so much a moment but rather the overall excitement that 2011 was really important and substantial for menswear. Men started to relearn how to dress themselves and take pride and ownership over their appearance.
4. What music, movie, TV show could you not get enough of? | Justin Vernon, aka Bon Iver, put out an incredible record this year that I’m obsessing over, almost as much as his last full-length. I’ll be posting my annual best-of album list on Facebook shortly.
5. How do you usually ring in the New Year? | I like to be around friends all year-round but particularly on New Year’s. The venue is less important than sharing that part of the year with my best friends.
6. What is your New Years Resolution for 2012? | To continue to get better by continuing to listen, learn, and grow. Maybe hit the gym a bit more.
7. Favourite blogs, twitter, YouTube videos, site of 2011? | My favourites: @endofayear + www.clientsfromhell.net. I spend a lot of time on Instagram. Also, I could not get enough of Chloë Sevigny’s videos.
JACLYN LOCKE | PHOTOGRAPHER
1. How would you define 2011? | A year of change and development: the best year of my life so far.
2. What was your favourite event, moment or experience at The Bay in 2011? | Shooting on location with Kate Corbett and Natalie Blouin for Heatwave, our swimwear editorial. It was the hottest day of the summer, and we had so much fun! As for an event, the Topman launch party complete with competitive ping-pong tournament wins my vote.
3. Favourite Fashion Moment of 2011? | Savage Beauty and the Alexander McQueen Exhibition.
4. What music, movie, TV show could you not get enough of? | TV show: American Horror Story. Music: Washed Out’s Within and Without. Movie: Drive.
5. How do you usually ring in the New Year? | Always with friends and a little champagne.
6. What is your New Years Resolution for 2012? | I’m a bit of a workaholic, so I promising myself more yoga and relaxation time.
7. Favourite blogs, twitter, YouTube videos, site of 2011? | Any “Hey Girl” Ryan Gosling Tumblr does it for me. This oldies music Tumblr, Before We Were Born, is great to listen to when working, cooking, or entertaining guests. SHOWstudio.com is one of my favorite sites for inspiration, and “Shit girls say” Part 1 and 2 is home grown and brilliant!
JANO BADOVINAC | MODEL + INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER
1. How would you define 2011? | MASSIVE!
2. What was your favourite event, moment or experience at The Bay in 2011? | I enjoyed them all.
3. Favourite Fashion Moment of 2011? | Spring/Summer.
4.What music, movie, TV show could you not get enough of? | Washed Out’s Within and Without.
5. How do you usually ring in the New Year? | Friends, food, and laughter.
6. What is your New Years Resolution for 2012? | Make more of my sketches a reality and increase my field goal percentage by dunking as much as possible.
7. Favourite blogs, twitter, YouTube videos, site of 2011? | Watching “Dutch profiles” while eating breakfast.
EMMA SHERMAN | MAKE-UP ARTIST
2. What was your favourite event, moment or experience at The Bay in 2011? | Boys with Beards: during that shoot I knew the B Insider was going to be amazing, and I was so grateful to be a part of the team. The clothing was handsome, classic, and strong, just like our models.
4. What music, movie, TV show could you not get enough of? | Band: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Book: Just Kids. TV Show: Jersey Shore Season 4. Flick: Tree of Life and Attack the Block.
5. How do you usually ring in the New Year? | Falling apart and putting myself back together.
6. What is your New Years Resolution for 2012? | I will not cut all my hair off this year.
7. Favourite blogs, twitter, YouTube videos, site of 2011? | Commonsorts is a gem; if you haven’t gone, you need to go visit them.
ADAM LEVETT | PHOTOGRAPHER
1. How would you define 2011? | 2011 was the best year of my life—hands down.
2. What was your favourite event, moment or experience at The Bay in 2011? | My favourite experience at the Bay was getting to work with the immensely talented team at B Insider, a team that embraces creativity, takes chances, and works extremely hard.
3. Favourite Fashion Moment of 2011? | I really like SALEM. They look a bit mental. The clothes they’re wearing…you and I will wear two years from now.
4. What music, movie, TV show could you not get enough of? | Music: SALEM—they’re weird and amazing. Movie: Martha Marcy May Marlene, a perfect movie; I wish id made it. TV show: Friday Night Lights, watching it in bed with my girl, Sarah
SALEM.
5. How do you usually ring in the New Year? | Being isolated up north with hot chocolate, snow, fire, and the dark.
6. What is your New Years Resolution for 2012? | To be less of a jerk.
7. Favourite blogs, twitter, YouTube videos, site of 2011? | My favourite twitter is @jacky_jack_jack ; my favourite blogs is jjjjound ; my favourite website is hedislimane.com/diary; and my favourite YouTube video is SALEM’s “King Night”
NATALIE BLOUIN | MAKE-UP ARTIST
1: How would you define 2011? | Momentous. From social uprisings throughout the world to countless natural disasters, it’s been an unforgettable year.
2: What was your favourite event, moment or experience at The Bay in 2011? | Do I have to pick just one?! It’s definitely a toss up between standing front row at the Kills concert for the Topshop opening and having the chance to work with Jessica Stam.
3: Favourite Fashion Moment of 2011? | Favorite fashion moment of 2011 would have to be Florence Welch on the red carpet circuit. She’s never disappointing in some sort of Givenchy Couture or Alexander McQueen.
4: What music, movie, TV show could you not get enough of? | Music: Twin Shadow and The Kills. Movies: old black and white films; I’m addicted! And the fashion is amazing.
5: What is your New Years Resolution for 2012? | How do you usually ring in the New Year? | I usually try to ring in the New Year away from home. This year I’ll be dancing in the streets of Cartagena, Colombia!
DAVE SYNYARD | WRITER
1. How would you define 2011? | There’s intrinsic duality to my 2011: school and the real world. But for the first time, I think they finally fused. The past academic year was overloaded with Shakespeare, Foucault, and Canadian politics. The two intertwined with my first viewing of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” at Stratford, with seeing the occupy movement occur and thinking about the democratic deficit, and witnessing how discursive formations of power-knowledge exist within society (thinking about organic food). In a different yet also positive light, it was also a year of new beginnings: from having a new, very special person in my life to meeting many great individuals.
2. What was your favourite event, moment or experience at The Bay in 2011? | The Topman party at the Bay. Because who doesn’t like great music, great people, and great drinks?
3. Favourite Fashion Moment of 2011? | I bought my first suit…
4. What music, movie, TV show could you not get enough of? | Music: The Damned Things: Ironiclast. Movie: Inland Empire. TV Show: The Colbert Report.
5. How do you usually ring in the New Year? | Music, friends, and drinks.
6. What is your New Years Resolution for 2012? | I stopped making new-year’s resolutions a few years back. Having said that, I would like to spend more time working on my creative writing, a decision made in late December.
7. Favourite blogs, twitter, YouTube videos, site of 2011? | Vice.com, particularly their amazing documentaries.
COLLEEN HENMAN | EXECUTIVE EDITOR, B INSIDER
1. How would you define 2011? | Exhilarating. After years of breaking off little pieces of my creative soul and handing them over to my school or former workplace, I finally feel like I’m doing something worthwhile, alongside some pretty amazing individuals, as seen on this very page. Some serious kudos go out to Christopher and Kate who brought me into their family and fed me a hefty serving of Proenza Schouler and Topshop, topping it off with Mugler as a smooth digestif. My appetite is insatiable at this point. I can’t move on to the next question without acknowledging Dave, with whom I’ve shared some amazing moments and whom also put up with me during the most chaotic of time. What a year…
2. What was your favourite event, moment or experience at The Bay in 2011? | Two words: Proenza Schouler. Those boys are great!
3. Favourite Fashion Moment of 2011? | Sammi of Jersey Shore gets a makeunder – Ummmm, like? Love!
4. What music, movie, TV show could you not get enough of? | Music: Austra, Bonjay, Band of Horses, Beirut, Bon Iver, The Kills, Twin Shadow, Fleet Foxes, Holy Ghost, M83, Jamie XX, James Blake (love how the latter two alphabetically show up next to each other EVERYWHERE), The Weeknd, PJ Harvey, Sufjan Stevens, Timber Timbre, and who can forget Lana Del Ray. Movies: The Future and Melancholia. TV Shows: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Arrested Development, Breaking Bad, and Dexter.
5. How do you usually ring in the New Year? | Getting ready for five hours to go to a party occupied by sweaty turquoise satin, and then moving to another party to then, of course, be occupied by sweaty purple satin, followed by a two-hour taxi wait during White Juan or an event of the like. YAY!
6. What is your New Years Resolution for 2012? | Since I have a phobia towards commitment, I shall not commit to any such resolutions, as I know the minute I do commit that negates any possibility of one ever happening. But I may think about going to the gym. Just think…
JASON HUDSON | PHOTOGRAPHER
1. How would you define 2011? | 2011 was the year of major changes. It was also a year of taking responsibility for myself and facing a few fears and it’s paid off.
2. What was your favourite event, moment or experience at The Bay in 2011? | The Anna Dello Russo appearance/party, meeting people like Oscar de la Renta, and the Proenza Schouler boys were highlights for sure.
3. Favourite Fashion Moment of 2011? | Being backstage at Marc Jacobs SS2012 was pretty special. Seeing him smoke cigarettes while watching a rehearsal on the floor of the NYC Armoury, a building that still contains live ammunition, was pretty great.
4. What music, movie, TV show could you not get enough of? | I can never get enough of 30 Rock. Fashion-wise, the stories of Bill Cunningham and Tom Ford rank pretty high.
5. How do you usually ring in the New Year? | I always ring in the New Year quietly and with close friends. Gone are the days of trolling the streets in the cold, hoping it will be spectacular. We make it by hunkering down and surrounding ourselves with love, food, and booze.
7. Favourite blogs, twitter, YouTube videos, site of 2011? | Twitter is big for me. I love following stand-up comics; jokes throughout the day keep me smiling. Must-follows: @robdelaney and @robinmccauley.
KATE CORBETT | EDITOR AT LARGE, B INSIDER
1. How would you define 2011? | What a wild year! Personally and professionally it has truly been the most exciting year of my life, and I am so thankful for all of the opportunities and people I have met.
2. What was your favourite event, moment or experience at The Bay in 2011? | When I got a random phone call from Christopher Sherman about an opportunity to work with the Bay. My life has never been the same since!
3. Favourite Fashion Moment of 2011? | When Anna Dello Russo came to the Bay, it was an exciting moment for Toronto.
4. What music, movie, TV show could you not get enough of? | The old seasons of the original Beverly Hills 90210—best show ever created.
5. How do you usually ring in the New Year? | I usually keep New Year’s really low-key. Surrounding yourself with the people you love is always important.
6. What is your New Years Resolution for 2012? | Every year I have the same New-Year’s resolution: to not be so rushed and enjoy life. I’m usually good for the first month but then struggle the other 11.
7. Favourite blogs, twitter, YouTube videos, site of 2011? | “Marcel The Shell With Shoes” on YouTube video. They even made it into a children’s book, and, yes, I own it!
RILEY STEWART | PHOTOGRAPHER
1. How would you define 2011? | From camping, to photography on film, to finding a new pet budgie on my balcony, another great year has flown by.
2. What was your favourite event, moment or experience at The Bay in 2011? | I am so glad that the Bay brought the affordable style of Topman to Canada!
3. Favourite Fashion Moment of 2011? | The best moment from 2011 had to be the aw-struck McQueen show in New York City; fashion as an expression of a designer’s inner monster was simply beautiful.
4. What music, movie, TV show could you not get enough of? | TV: Big Brother is my favourite show, year after year. Music: discovering Timber Timbre through a good friend.
5. How do you usually ring in the New Year? | I usually ring in the New Year with my family and friends.
6. What is your New Years Resolution for 2012? | My New-Year’s resolution is to know better than to make a New-Year’s resolution.