Toronto’s Best Dressed: Kenia Avendano
Black-on-black outfits can easily verge on boring, but this week’s best dressed—spotted on Ossington Avenue—is an exception. Kenia Avendano makes monochromatic interesting by combining trendy accessories with a vintage dress and statement jewellery. We talked to the 29-year-old Ryerson fashion communications student to find out how she stays chic on a budget.
Tell us what you’re wearing.
The dress is from the ’80s—I found it at a Vancouver consignment store called C’est la Vie. The sandals are from eBay, but the shipping cost more than the shoes. The jacket is from H&M, and the tights are from American Apparel. The most expensive thing on me is the ring from Jacflash, which cost $280.
Do you always wear black?
Yes, but I play with texture and silhouettes or add a flash of colour with accessories and makeup. When I wear bright colours, I feel too flashy.
But you’re wearing a lot of trendy pieces—how do you avoid going overboard?
I think mixing trendy pieces with timeless garments is the key. For me, it’s balancing something that’s in now, like the tights, and something I can wear years from now, like the dress.
Are there any looks you’re not into at the moment?
The headband across the forehead is something that needs to go away. I know trends come and go, but it should have gone months ago.
Have any cost-cutting fashion tips?
I’m obsessed with clothing, but I’m a student, so I buy inexpensive items and make them look like a million bucks. It’s something a lot of people have to do right now.
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![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/style/torontos-best-dressed-july-8/&title=Toronto’s Best Dressed: Kenia Avendano&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/kenia2.jpg&description=Black-on-black outfits can easily verge on boring, but this week’s best dressed—spotted on Ossington Avenue—is an exception. Kenia Avendano makes monochromatic interesting by combining trendy accessories with a vintage dress and statement jewellery. We talked to the 29-year-old Ryerson fashion communications student to find out how she stays chic on a budget.
[caption id="attachment_8360" align="alignleft" width="310" caption="(Photo by Krist Papas)"][/caption]
Tell us what you’re wearing.
The dress is from the ’80s—I found it at a Vancouver consignment store called C’est la Vie. The sandals are from eBay, but the shipping cost more than the shoes. The jacket is from H&M, and the tights are from American Apparel. The most expensive thing on me is the ring from Jacflash, which cost $280.
Do you always wear black?
Yes, but I play with texture and silhouettes or add a flash of colour with accessories and makeup. When I wear bright colours, I feel too flashy.
But you’re wearing a lot of trendy pieces—how do you avoid going overboard?
I think mixing trendy pieces with timeless garments is the key. For me, it’s balancing something that’s in now, like the tights, and something I can wear years from now, like the dress.
Are there any looks you’re not into at the moment?
The headband across the forehead is something that needs to go away. I know trends come and go, but it should have gone months ago.
Have any cost-cutting fashion tips?
I’m obsessed with clothing, but I’m a student, so I buy inexpensive items and make them look like a million bucks. It’s something a lot of people have to do right now.
Get Toronto's Best Dressed delivered to your inbox every Wednesday with the Toronto Life Style newsletter. Sign up now >>){kind=link}
Cute outfit down to the ankles… but really, who wears all black in the summer? Love her hair though.
She’s adorable; I want to put her in my pocket.
wow, puffy sleeves and puffy pockets!
I’m really feeling the bold-shouldered blazer… A tailored jacket is summertime sexy ! The exaggerated shoulders define a silhouette. Kenia keeping the rest of her look simple is the perfect juxtaposition
Lose the leggings.Now there’s a trend I wish would go away (besides headbands and those scarves/shawls everyone is still wearing)
Really great outfit. The all black outfit in the summer time is a really great standout to all the flashy colour out there. I love the strong shouldered blazer, it gives the outfit a nice touch and the leggings play up the outfit too. Usually when I see all black it looks so boring but this outfit is unique and smart. My favorite look!
Black on black. On black. Tief Schwarz.
Different shades and shapes of black bring out the metaphysical. Loves it.
Touche on shipping ebay, I feel your pain!
“Only great minds can afford a simple style”
-Stendhal
La ropa que ella lleva estan bella como ella misma!!
yay! you finally got it! took you long enough.
Beautiful Woman. This girl is always on point!
29 year old student?
People do go back to school. Oh right furthering your education is only for the young. What an ignorant comment…
Only one degree allowed!
I would be curious as to what her education is for.
love it! first best dressed you got right. she looks very chic and i love how she’s mixed high and lo.
love the look. what are your thoughts on topiary?
HI,great web site
lookie lookie
http://www.joeisthenewblack.com/tag/kenia/
ew honestly. you look like shit. talk about trying to hard? especially with the pout…hun go look at yourself in the mirror. complete trash.
you look old too.
so stop trying to dress ‘hip’…or better yet, stop trying to think you’re all that. because your not.
you look nastaaaaaaaay and hideous.
Hey anonymous, you think you’re tough for shit talking people on the internet? haha you’re a bitter envious loser. Why so upset princess? did your man happen to check her out?
Maybe if you weren’t such a miserable ugly bitch you’d get laid once in awhile.
I love this video. I just really neeedd to say that. This video makes my heart sing and weep at the same time, and it makes me want to change the world. Change perceptions. Alter the ideas of what pretty is or should be, smash ’em down with new definitions and conceptions of beauty. I love this video.