5x5: Girl Drummers!

5x5 Clothing
RA RA

Girl drummers! Female drummers! 

5x5 realizes that fashion can't just be about style--walk the walk, talk the talk, and rock the rock! 

So who best to teach us about rock than female drummers. 

Take Sandy West (pictured above). One of the first female rock drummers to ever make it to the top, in her band The Runaways.  Sandy played drums since she was a kid, and damn she was a fucking hard hittin' drummer.  After the demise of the Runaways, she apparently turned into a thug strong-man, breakin' people's arms for money owed.  Bad ass. 

Next up, Lori Barbero, drummer for 1990s punk grunge band, Babes in Toyland.  Babes in Toyland worked their asses off to be respected in the boy world of punk rock, and damn, they were a tight outfit.  A drummer on par with dudes in the same scene. 

More recently, uber indie and practically unknown LA band Static Static has a solid girl drummer named Lesley (last name unknown!).  A punk rock dance band they have been described as "out of place, but still sharp and heavy enough to fracture your skull if provoked, and full of enough angular and bent noise to cave in your prettiest features before you know what's happened."  I agree. Lesley is simple but fucking solid, the way I like it.  

When I was in Barcelona Spain last year, I had the pleasure of checking out Chiquita y Chatarra, as part of their label Discos Humeantes' anniversary party.  A two piece girl rock band,  I was sold on their seering guitar and dancey beats. Both girls play drums, switching up between bass, guitar and drums.   

Here in Thailand we have rock band Abuse the Youth's drummer Jureeporn Gamontummagul.  Tending toward more of a hardcore style, Jureeporn definitely holds her own as the backbone of this band. Sweet kit set up too. 

And of course, you have yours truly, drumming for all girl Itchy Band in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  When I say PUNK, you say, TURN IT UP!!  Check out our new album We Didn't Land on the Moon.  




Also something I just found, Tom Tom Magazine, focusing on all girl drummers. Wow cool! 

Romance is in the air, Happy Valentine's day!

Ha Ha!!

5x5clothing

LOLA

Hearts are in the air!

With Valentine's day just around the corner, it's time to consume and buy some over priced candies and flowers!  Me personally, I'm a lil jaded when it comes to Valentine's Day.  I think you should show romance to your lover daily.  Do special things that show you care about them every now and again.  The day can also make you a lil depressed if your lover forgot, or got you something you hate. (like white chocolate when you love dark)  Also if you currently don't have a lover, or you just broke up;  last thing you want is cupid running around with lovey 

How cute is this! 

dovey who the fuck cares bull shit. 


Did I say I was a lil jaded... 5555 yup! 


But my personal views aside, I do love the idea of the cuteness of the day.


With cute lil Valentines you can pass out, leaving a lil note to someone you have your eye on.  The overly dramatic balloons in restaurants, it's like New Years in February, you're guaranteed to get  laid!   Oh yeah, I said it!!

Now for some super cute tips, to help have fun on the day and night!!  


Dress in a super hot simple red dress and make a heart cut out for your love.  How special would that make them feel?!?! It's like a page right outta grade school, and you picked them... awwwww 

 If dresses aren't your thang, Try rocking some super sexy heels for the night!  Pair it with your super skinny dark denim pants and a simple tank top & cardigan will be sure to please.  Try pairing it with ruby red lips! Meow you're on fire now!!  Always remember the romance goes both ways, and your lover shouldn't be forgotten.  Mix it up this year, send him the flowers at work! (make sure the roses are pink).


Going on a date, why not bring him some chocolates or a heart shaped balloon?  Going on a first date, cinnamon hearts are simple and not too suggestive (that your crazy, and scare the guy off)  cause come on, your first date is Valentine's Day!  Have fun and think outside the box!


HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! Won't you be our Valentine?!

xo Lola

5x5 Clothing: No Exploitation, All Party

RARA
5x5 Clothing


5x5 Clothing does not steal babies, pillage and/or pilfer, or exploit garment workers. 


We employ seamstresses working out of their own homes for fair wages.


Not to down on anyone's party or be a neg-vibe naysayer, but the modern garment industry, especially in Asia, is a hellish choice for mostly poor women trying to survive and support their families. 


Here is a picture of skulls from the killing fields in Cambodia, a genocide instituted by the maniacal Pol Pot in the 1970s.  Afterwards, Cambodia went through decades of strife and reform, eventually stabilizing and becoming one of the centres of the modern garment manufacturing industry.  


Even though the International Labour Organization has said that its routine checks of Cambodian garment factories ensure the rights of these workers, recent mass sickness at H&M factories in the country have left many skeptical.  

Road in Cambodia leading to the garment factories

Here in Thailand, hundreds of thousands of people from Burma flood into Thailand looking for work opportunities that simply don't exist in their country that has been fucked up by successive generations of military junta, including economic mismanagement and a war waged against the ethnic minority peoples.  
Where do they end up? In the garment factories on the border, working 11 hour days for 2$, locked up, with their ID confiscated by factory owners, modern-day slavery.  


Big name fashion labels, such as Tommy Hilfiger, have been caught using these factories under false company names, only to shut down operations and open up at other nearby plants.


My friend has been involved in investigating these factories; factories are locked up from public view, looking more like jails than factories, security guards keeping people out, and often, also keeping workers in.  


Grooooooooan, right? Ok Ok, you've heard it before, so have I.


So let's talk about something nice: 


5x5 Clothing is big on limited runs that enable us to use home-based seamstresses and give them fair wages that are exponentially more than they'd earn in a factory, and even more than they'd earn as a typical home-based seamstress.  All clothes are cut and sewed by hand, using end of the roll and vintage fabrics.  


Now that is something good!  Party in your 5x5!


p.s for more info on the modern garment industry read this 

5x5 Clothing: Anita Pallenberg "Sexy Fucking Bitch"

5x5 Clothing 
RA RA


If Keith Richards calls you a "sexy fucking bitch," I pretty much think that means you get to rule the world, at least for a couple decades.


And it appears that is just what sexy bitch Anita Pallenberg did..and depending who you talk to...still does.


So I hope I don't have to introduce who Keith Richards is but honestly, I had to "remind" someone who that was recently--I almost screamed 'the guitarist of the Rolling Stones, you fiend'.  


Ms Pallenberg was the girlfriend of said Keith Richards, and eventually gave birth to two of his children, but only after she was the long-time girlfriend of the other Stones guitarist, Brian Jones.  She later had some sexy relations with Mick Jagger as well. Holy!


So I've been reading Keith Richard's autobiography Life, and while most of it is about music and touring, there are glimpses of all his fab ladies over the years, including Anita--her style and position as Queen of Kool back in the early 60s and on.  

Richard's notes that Anita had a "huge influence on the style of the times" and that he usually just wore her clothes, anything that was "lying around".  Full lace berry-juice coloured blouse, with grape mini skirt and low slung belt, and matching rock boyfriend.....shit.  

Not just a rock girlfriend, she had roles in a bunch of movies at the time and knew all the avant-garde directors and performers throughout Europe and especially in Rome, where she was born.  Her roles included The Great Tyrant, in Barbarella [pictured above].  

 T-shirt jumper! Camel-toe!  

And according to Marianne Faithfull:  "She gave this incredible smile, which was quite frightening too, all those teeth. Like a wolf, like a cat that got the cream. . . She was gorgeous because she was so beautifully dressed, always in the perfect costume".


Glorious sixties hip chick, we salute you! 

5x5 Clothing: Paging Dr. Spencer Reid!

5x5 Clothing 
Lola

K, guilty!  I have a total crush on Dr. Spencer Reid!  Umm who is that you might ask? He is the super cute nerdy doctor from Criminal Minds (a TV show, following cases from the behavioral unit within the FBI)

In real life Dr. Reid is Matthew Gray Gubler, former Fashion Model!!

What I love about him, in general, is how he doesn't seem to try when it comes to dressing himself.  Simple, classic cuts that look great and make him look amazing!  He pays attention to what is hot and makes it his own.  

He is for sure my top "Hunk" pick 

Fun fact:  He played an intern in "Life Aquatic"

5x5: New Hotkid Rip It Into Pieces Video!

5x5 Clothing
RA RA


So if you haven't yet seen Hotkid's Rip It Into Pieces video, oh boy are you missing out!


Not only do you get to see Shiloh ascend to the skies in a Bowie Labyrinth inspired handmade faux-leather, one-armed jacket, but you also get to see glass boxes of squished wrestler-painted Toronto indie rockers.  To that I say, YES!


Since Shiloh is a 5x5 Girl, we knew she'd have the fashion visuals of the video down, so I asked her to give us some of the details on inspiration for the video.


RA RA: How did you come up with your warrior-esque goddess costume?


Shi: I had a vision of myself suspended in air wearing some elaborate flowing gown, some ridiculous unreal costume, that would just be really visually stimulating.  I told the director, Alon Isocianu, my plans to make such an outfit and he was into it.  A week before the shoot Alon asked how the dress was going and if he could see a picture of it.  I told him it was going well, "almost done," when in fact I had not yet started said costume.  So I got some material from Value Village, and Lens Mills (wicked end of the line fabric store in Cambridge, ON) some tassel material and tools from downtown T.O. and started construction.  I wanted something long, big and dramatic but not too overwhelming so i made a bustle half skirt thing that could be worn over a shorter skirt.  I wanted a more structured top, referencing Lady Gaga;    
         

Or even Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

After watching Labyrinth before going to bed one night, I was struck with the inspiration to make a Labyrinth-Bowie style jacket.  

I had used this cheap stretchy fake leather material once before for a Halloween costume so I grabbed some and started hacking it up.

I embellished it with rhinestones I had off an older dress and friend's collection of metal trinkets she had since high-school.  In a manic high i actually beaded an intricate pattern on the front tassel loin cloth piece, which you obviously cannot see in the video, but they are there believe me. The one arm tassel was probably inspired by the Macho Man - may he rest in piece.     

RA RA: how about your jeans and shirt ensemble?

The jeans I got at the Value Village in Cambridge on a 50% off day.  The very sheer undershirt material tank I've had for quite some time, not sure where I got it.  The boots are Aldo and I've had them forever as well.  The necklace was sent to me my by foster child Marsella from Indonesia; It's got an awesome energy to it, I think it helps me stay grounded when I have it on.  

I wanted to try and elongate my legs so high heeled boots and high waisted pants was the trick. I also wanted to contrast the crazy outfit with something really simple but still sexy.      

RA RA: And the hair and makeup?

My good friend, hairstylist Jenny Smylie did the hair for the shoot.  She brought the long feathers and the blond extensions for the up-do with my costume.  We had to keep in mind that Alon was going to be working with the green screen so we had to keep the hair rather clean - no big frizzies because it would be impossible to substitute the green screen in post production.  I loved the big hair! We also had two wonderful make up chicks workin with us that day - they drew on 80's wrestlers and traditional war paint for the extras. It was the first time I ever had airbrushed makeup on--pretty neat really!                                 

Check it out fer yourselves, ladies! Girlfriend knows how to rip it up!

                      

5x5: I Just Can't Get Enough of Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. Bags

5x5 Clothing
Lee Lee



Anyone that knows me and knows me well, is aware of my love affair with all things L.A.M.B.

L.A.M.B. (Love, Angel, Music, Baby) is the creative outlet of Gwen Stefani. It all began as a purse collaboration with Lesportsac in 2003 and lasted only a few short years. Together, they created super cute purses, wallets, coin purses and duffel bags in a ton of shapes, styles and prints. After the collaboration ended, Gwen went on to build the L.A.M.B. brand into a clothing, footwear, and accessory line.

My first L.A.M.B. bag was given as a gift. A 2nd generation Large Backstage Bag in red. She was beautiful and so unexpected.

My love affair continued on when I discovered my favourite shape, the Hella Hobo. I have since made it my mission to own almost every single print.



All of my hobos on display. I'm only missing a few hard to find prints.
Because these are now practically extinct I'm not sure I'll ever have them all.



Two of my faves are first generation bags and feature the beautiful guitar strap and are super rare.
Of course my second gen leopard hobo is right at the top of the list.
Like you already know, I'm a sucker for all things leopard.                                                           





And as if having a bizzillion bags wasn't enough, I can't forget about all the accessories. Not so practical, the heart shaped wristlets are super cute and just big enough to hold a few bills and ID.

I love my hot pink metallic wallet I purchased on Boxing Day but the pink paint is starting to wear. Sadly not the best quality.

My most recent L.A.M.B. was a gift from my dear bf Lola.

Mostly leather, this bag is a step up from my other painted canvas totes (I have three others), and features a monogrammed silk lining.  Ooh la la

And my love affair with LAMB doesn't end here... It branches out into Gwens more youthful line Harajuku Lovers (dare I mention my canvas tote and matching shoes?) but please don't get me started... that's a whole other blog...

5x5: Fall Line in the Works!

5x5 Clothing
RA RA


So I arrived back in Thailand from my hot n heavy trip back home to Canada, and immediately, hit the sweaty alley of Sam Peng fabric market.


While not suffering from a hung over battered heart, the jet lag was enough to put anyone in a sort-of mind smear.  But when it comes to fabrics, textures, colours, shapes, no one was ever harmed by some LSD-esque influences.....right?


Anyway, suffice to say, everything went smooth, and I completed the mission within 2 days, and dropped everything off to our lovely seamstress.  

A tripper's dream?  or nightmare??

So the highlight of my trip was this Button-Man.  His shop is on the main street (not the crowded alley) so I actually had never seen him before.  

A glorious shop filled with many wondrous things, the best of which were the buttons. 

In the Western world, I'd have to say, given our fast n cheap consumption habits, the art of buttontry has been lost.  I could have fawned over these lil brass and glass beauties all day. Unfortunately, however, these babies go for over $1.50 per piece!! 


So, like, what I'm trying to say is: get ready for the fall line, 5x5 Girls!  It will be a non-hippy, dazed-inspired, glass-button-longing, ready-to-conquer, fashion indulgence!

Who are you 5x5: Shi Shi - I'm a Rocker

5x5Clothing
Shi Shi


"I'm a rocker, and I'm a roller too honey…" and when I was 8 years old I was Miss Sportswear Canada. Not a word of a lie! I remember that competition well.  My mom had set me up with a little rain cape and black shiny rain boots, an ensemble she had put together from the "Sally Anne." I did my little turn about the floor to that old classic "Cruella DeVil" from
101 Dalmatians. 

Cruella DeVill

I hadn't rehearsed my routine like the other girls; It didn't matter though because once I got up there something just came over me. I spun around, whirling with the cape up to my eyes like some 8 year old Bella Lugosi. A cape can be quite the accessory.


I also remember I  had a little costume for baton competitions that was inspired by 1930s' flappers, complete with garters and a head piece.  My mom made it herself.  I remember the pins sticking into me as she fitted it to my body. The costume had a little slit in the back, and by the second year of wearing it, the slit clearly revealed the crack of my fresh little bottom!

Flapper inspired costume - bum slit not shown

I was reminded of these fashion excitements the other day when I was getting ready for a video shoot.  You see my band Hotkid was very lucky to get a video grant.  The concept for the video involved different psyched out vignettes and so I suggested I make my own outrageous costume for one of the scenes; a "Labyrinth Bowie" inspired jacket, a victorian inspired bustle dress and a traditional native/cowboy loin cloth thingy.  I was thinking to myself "where the hell did I come up with this." 

Vid Costume

Anywho, that's pretty much what 5x5 is for me.  A collective of chicks pulling on their fashion past and present to create clothes for babes who don't want to wear the same thing everyone else grabbed off the sales rack.  5x5 maintains that  DIY ethos by supporting independent seamstresses, making beautiful and unique clothes.  I have a feeling that the 5x5 styles are just going to get wilder and more outrageous, and I can't wait to see what happens.

Who are you 5x5: Lee Lee: Leopard Princess

5x5 Clothing
Lee Lee

It's a really exciting time in fashion right now and it seems anything goes. The louder, crazier and more outrageous the better. Think Lady Gaga, Keisha, Katy Perry. But it's most exciting to help create what's next.

I myself am less of a risk taker and like to stick to the classics. I love anything girly and black. Feminine ruffles, lace, bows...anything cute... and am a total sucker for leopard print anything (side note: I question when I should stop wearing so much leopard.. surely there must be time in my life when I take a break from my fav print... or do I roll with it and settle nicely into my cougar years?).

I tend to wear a ton of black with a few pop colours here and there. My new obsessions include my nails, rings, scarves and l.a.m.b. bags. I guess I'm more of an accessories gal and it's something I look forward to exploring with 5x5.

So why 5x5? It's important to me because we have the potential to fill the void in many closets for the need of unique and interesting clothing. Our tight assortments, which are in limited runs, allow us to blow through styles quickly so that we are always offering something fresh and exciting. After all, fashion these days is faster than ever with new trends popping up every week.

I know we cannot be something to everyone, but I hope we can be something to those that matter. The ones with their finger on the pulse of fashion. The fearless ones looking for something more, something unique. The ones that care about products made with love, and the ones that search out hand crafted goods. Because as our motto says, 5x5 loves you and we want you to love us too!

xoxox,


Lee Lee

Who are you 5x5: Margot: Saucy Stories

5x5 Clothing
Margot 

An eager "Can I have 5 minutes of your time?" and a hand raised displaying five long hot-pink nails is what got me into this whole gig. Ra Ra approached us ladies at a party and pitched her idea for a clothing company with quick-turnaround limited-run pieces made in Thailand. I like what I hear... but the ultimate clincher was the stress on collaboration. Five ladies. Different styles, different influences, different contexts. Aren't 5 heads better than one?

Professionally, I'm fresh off the literary boat.  When it comes to fashion, this gives me a sense of the importance of narrative: please allow me this moment of cheese, but when I get dressed in the morning, I truly don't just put on an outfit, I put on a story. You know what I mean.

At this point, with all the goodness that the previous half-century has to offer, fashion is becoming more asynchronic than ever; I don't discriminate between old and new if it works with the theme I'm going for. One of my all-time favourites is what's known as "hey, d'you know you look like you're going on a safari?"-- cruising around town in a cream-coloured silk button-down with square breast pockets, a pair of high-waisted tan slacks (mom butt and all) held up by a square-buckled brown leather belt. Crude jewelry. Another fave is the haute crust look pictured here.

A dress made for a country singer
makes good in the country.

But is another clothing company really what this world needs right now? I admit I've wondered it, but I am proud to say that first and foremost we strive towards a sense of integrity as a collective, and that's what sets us apart. Ra Ra profiled the textile saleswomen she met at the fabric market, as well as the seamstresses who worked on our first run of pieces. How often have you really known who made your clothes, who measured out the fabric and who handled that chalk?

That's what I love about 5x5, and I really hope you'll love it too!

With love from

Margot

Who are you 5x5: LOLA: Hot n Bothered

5x5Clothing
LOLA


For me, it all started when I was visiting RaRa in Thailand 2 years ago.  Seeing first hand the wonderful markets and super hipster vibes Bangkok had to offer was overwhelming.  I finally understood what she had been boasting about for years!!  From amazing one of a kind hand made jewelry, to weirdly shaped clothing, to super cute hair pins and accessories, the sky truly was the limit.  Thai style was simply blowing my mind not only for the outrageous clothing, (like good old wolfy), but also the “Thai sizing” :you have to be pre-teen to fit into many items, and I often felt like an amazon woman shopping, while the girls giggle at you as you try to cram yourself into those shorts you just have to have!!

As for the future of 5x5 (with the help of you) we plan to have each team member design their own line.   We as a group want to dress you with functional clothing that has a purpose in your life, makes you feel good and can go from day to night, with a great price tag!!  

My favorite item from our Spring/Summer line has to be the Misfit Dress.  It’s flattering and sexy without being so short that your vagina is hanging out (unless you touch your toes! wowzers!!).  I love how it’s perfect for all seasons, looks great with woolly black tights, boots and a jacket, or straight up flip flops and bare (pasty--in my case) legs.

I would suggest a coloured belt (red is best!) to define your waist.  Or take it as far as some gold thin chains and high top chuck Taylor's.  Hair: messy side braid to show off the back or a huge messy bun on the top of your head.  Add some hot bronze hoop earrings, and hit the town!  The dress doesn’t wear you in the slightest! 

So whats new for us?  Ra Ra is home for a 6 week visit, which means late nights, beers and shows!! (she has a natural talent to get you out and doing shit!!).  We are getting ready to do our official launch party at not my dog in Toronto this Tuesday. And Shi Shi's band Hotkid is about to go on tour with Sloan for a lil east coast Canada/USA tour.  

Thanks for your support thus far.  Hope you dig what we are doing; it’s truly from the heart and with your help we will be here for a while!!

xo

Lola

Hems and Stems: 5x5 Clothing Launch Party

5x5 Clothing


5x5Clothing loves you! and wants you! to come! to our launch party!

Join us to celebrate the launch of 5x5 Clothing, an independent fashion line inspired by Thailand's DIY scene, converging in Toronto.

Come drink beers on a patio, flirt with some babes, do a little dancin' and find out what 5x5 has up our short and daring hems.

Venture out to Parkdale and we'll give ya a 15% discount on any of our pieces!

See ya there!

JUNE 21, 2011--7 PM TO 12 AM-- at NOT MY DOG, 1510 Queen Street West, TORONTO 


xoxoxoox

5X5: RING OBSESSED

5x5 Clothing
Lee Lee

Pssssst.. I have a secret. I looove RINGS!

I can't help it.
The bigger the better.
Love the type that take up almost your entire hand.

Leopard print? Makes me weak in the knees.
Sparkly and tacky? I gotta have it!

They don't need to be expensive, infact the best ones are usually under $20.

I find them everywhere and anywhere.

You can never let your guard down or you might miss a hot gem.

So if you happen to come across something hot, call me up! I'll be down there asap to get my lady fingers on!

xoxo Lee Lee

FUR FUR FUR FUR FUR!!

5x5 Clothing

Lola

Fur.

Fashion Do, or Fashion Don’t: the topic of many heated discussions everywhere. 

I love the way “real” fur looks and feels, but naturally I hate the method by which it's collected. 

Despite the red riot acts, fur is still popular for 2011--especially with our cooler-than-usual Toronto spring!  From fox jackets to wolf shoes, fur seems to be making a quite a come back. 

Prada is never ashamed to let their vision hit the run ways. Their bold and tactful colour blocking almost gives the illusion that the fur isn't real!! 

Hitting the streets hard, Anna Dello Russo's already jumping aboard.  

Surprised!?!  I’m not, what a quick “shock alert”!! Throw on a man-fur and be talked about for weeks!! Smart or dumb, you decide....

And Kate Moss does look good in this monochromatic evening look, even though it's fur.

It's  a hard topic to discuss. 

Animal products have helped us stay warm: wool, leather, silk, and mole hair (just to name a few) are often considered “okay” materials to use.  Even though the hide from the cow is not “humanely” removed (in most cases) it hits the streets with fewer repercussions, in comparison to fur. 

I don’t like the idea of cute lil furry animals getting killed so we can look good either, but on the flip side, I can understand why it's not going to drop from the runways or the streets.