Behind-The-Scenes: The SS12 Campaign Shoot

This has been the most eventful week here at Biko.  The day before we launched the SS12 collection online (here), we went on set to Michael Alberstat's studio for an impromptu photoshoot for the campaign.

I had the most lovely and talented team, and I couldn't be more grateful for all their hard work that made this shoot happen.  A very special thanks to creative director Karolina of The White Room, photographer Michael Alberstat, makeup and hair artist Anna Nenoiu and Ford model Mackenzie Loop. Also, thanks to my assistant Carly Blackman, as well as Michael's assistants!

Now - on to some behind-the-scenes goodness:

Michael's studio is just a dream. I would kill to work in these surroundings.

Wardrobe and makeup.

Prep time.

On set - Mackenzie workin' it!

We love her! We were oooh-ing and ahhh-ing at the computer screens the whole time!

Two shots from the bunch. Mackenzie is a true Biko girl!

A well-deserved lunch break for the team. Great company and a successful day!

A Day in the Life of Biko

It's crunch time to release the SS12 collection, and I awoke yesterday with the idea to take photos throughout the day to document the goings-on in the studio.

Morning latte, in my favourite mug, made by ceramic artist Hugo Didier.
(Breanna you'll laugh at this one)

Rocks waiting to be wrapped.

Wolfie the Biko mascot, wearing an assortment of random pieces that
needed to be hung.

Interns Carly and Courtlynd organizing samples to be pinned for reps.

Bracelet and necklace samples being made, and a very messy desk!

Working away.

SS12 samples laid out and ready to be pinned.

Intern days are often (healthy) lunch days out.  

Stay tuned for more on the SS12 Collection, to be released very soon.

Oh Crazy Month of December...

The best way to put it is to say that it's been one very intense and productive holiday season.  I've been going non-stop the whole time, and its been greatly rewarding and exhausting.  I'll do my best to give the picture-book version of what I've seen and been up to.

It all began with the Toronto One of a Kind Show, which opened its doors on Nov. 24th and continued for 11 jam-packed days, until the 4th of December....

I was given a non-corner booth this time, which required extra thought on my part to
figure out how to allow shoppers in without making it feel claustrophobic.  

Wolfie never disappoints.

Texture and shape.  Makes me happy. 

My friend Danielle Hession's beautiful work.  I've commissioned her to create a custom
piece for me, and I cannot wait to meet up with her and get it going!  

The day after the Toronto show ended on Dec 4th, I regrouped, repacked, and flew to Vancouver just in time for set-up at the Vancouver One of a Kind Show.  Set-up took two days, and the show ran from the 8th-11th of December.

A view of the beautiful mountains, the ocean, and the new Vancouver Convention
 Centre, where the show takes place.  I love the huge raindrop sculpture!

The Vancouver One of a Kind Show's entrance featured a huuuuuge chalk wall,
which visitors were invited to personalize.  

Biko's set-up here was quite different from the Toronto show. I was given a 5x10 corner
booth, and I ordered a white hardwall as my backdrop.  C'est chic, non?  

Perhaps the white wall looks even better than the dark brown wall I'm used to...
what do you think? 

I used several vintage boxes over black leather to display product.
Easily transportable and fun!

I was lucky enough to have the sales help of my friend (and talented photographer)
Marlis Funk.  We had tons of fun pretending this corner of hanging necklaces was
a mini jail cell.  Oh the silly photos we have from this impromptu shoot!     

Holiday lights on my walk down Burrard St after the show one night. 

After the shows were finally over, my friend Melanie (of Mena Dragonfly) and I treated
ourselves to a well deserved spa day.  The following day I took a trip up to Whistler,
and even went skiing! (You don't understand, I hadn't been skiing in about 12 years!).
This shot is taken high above the mountain, while traveling from peak to peak
 (Blackcomb to Whistler). 

I'm finally back at my home base in Toronto, filling last-minute online orders and beginning to plan the next Biko collection.  Yes, it never does end around here, but that's just fine.  I'm thankful for a great jam-packed season, and I couldn't love doing this any more.

I'll be back in a day or so with my last-minute holiday gift guide/wish list.  Stay tuned!

The Biko 'Behind-the-Scenes' Video Is Online!

We take you behind-the-scenes of the latest Biko campaign shoot, called Golden Haze. 
The day was long, but each person on the team is so very talented and such a pleasure to work with... it felt like we made magic happen that day...

To see the final product of the shoot, visit the Biko Lookbook here.

Biko – Golden Haze / Video by Dan Graf

NYC: Supply Shopping

I spent this last week in NYC, taking in all that great city has to offer.  While I ate my little heart out, enjoyed the company of friends, and found inspiration in so many places, I also scheduled Biko meetings and shopped for supplies for future collections.  Here is a tiny peek at some of the materials I'll be working with in the near future.

Behind The Scenes: The Making of the Booth

These past two days have been spent putting together the Biko booth at the Spring One of a Kind Show in Toronto.  Here you'll see the set-up process in a series of photos, taken by my shady cell phone camera. Nonetheless, you'll get an idea of the blank white slate we're given, and the amount of props and details that are necessary to make our own little temporary boutique!

The Show opens tomorrow (Wed. Mar 30th) and runs until Sunday (Apr 3rd).  Come visit Biko at BOOTH J-12! I'll also be doing jewellery-making demos in the centre aisle on Wednesday evening from 8 - 9pm, and on Saturday from 6 - 7pm.

*More final booth photos (with proper show lighting) to come soon...

One Week To Go: Chaos Vs. Serenity

One week until the release of the new www.ilovebiko.com site!
There's so much going on at once, and my desk is overflowing.

Exhibit A: Chaos

The rest of the studio hasn't been torn apart, thank goodness. Looking up, my new orchid flower makes me a bit more relaxed.

Exhibit B: Serenity

NYC: A Cell Phone Camera Photo Story - Part 2

So, NYC had its work cut out for me.  After all, there is no such thing as all play and no work in that city.

I awoke to find the city blanketed with a layer of snow.  It was so beautiful!

At the edge of Central Park, the trees looked especially pretty.

I visited many trade shows to get an idea of where Biko belongs in the NYC circuit.
This one, called Capsule, was pretty damn cool.  I want in!

Holy digging!  This is the most insane of my many suppliers...
rooms upon rooms of chaos in different forms. The boxes never end!

See that tiny walking path?  You're lucky to even GET a path.
Most times you need to crawl OVER the boxes. 
Ah, the beauty of working with vintage pieces!

A picture of the floor.  I felt guilty stepping on all these shiny parts,
but it was unavoidable.

Ta da!  This is some of the stuff I left with (from a different supplier). 
Goods to turn into magic for fall or next year's collection.

Behind the Scenes: In the Studio Tonight

This is true procrastination in the form of photography.  I've been meaning to take some good pictures of the Biko studio to share for quite awhile now, but the time has never been right.  Now's not the perfect opportunity either (I should really be working on the next Biko collection), but I'm taking a tiiiiiny little break over here.  One day I'll even show you how nice the sunlight is in here during the day!

So, this is what I'm looking at right now:

This is my attic studio, at the entrance looking in.

I love this skylight on the upper right side.  It faces east,
and brings in beautiful sunlight early in the day.

This is the workroom.  I'm in LOVE with the magnet wall.. yes, the WHOLE wall is magnetized!
South facing large window, perfect for people-watching, boo-ya!

That mirror just opens up the space really nicely.  Oh, and there I am!

I'm now attempting to dismantle last season's wholesale boards,
in order to prepare for the next season.