Month: April 2011

[FAT] 2011 – Fashion Schematics Day 1

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[FAT] is upon us again. I’m taking it really easy this week so I’ll be heading to [FAT] on Friday. I had my roving photographer Paul Baik on the scene opening day. I asked him to send me his top 15 photos of the night to post. Here are his choices. Martin Lim Asphyxia Belinda Visag Catherine Cichy DeMoyo Emily Woudenberg Thea Barber Jessica Clayton Joy Couture Joy Couture Lubica Lubica Paria Lambina Zanete Auzina Zanete Auzina Thank you Paul for the great photos of the night. images: Paul Baik

unScripted: Opening Night Gala Performance Party – May 13, 2011

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Canadian Stage Visionaries are thrilled to present unScripted: Opening Night, the annual gala fundraiser in support of Canadian Stage, one of the country’s leading non-profit theatre companies. This unique celebration, which plays on the theme of backstage drama from the 1920s to the 21st century, will be held at One King West on Friday, May 13. The evening includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and dancing, as well as exciting celebrity-curated live performances and dramatic installation spaces, inspired by the glamour of opening night at the theatre. Artistic concepts will be brought to life by a stellar roster of Canadian talent including fashion designer Evan Biddell, Republic of Doyle’s Allan Hawco, stage director Weyni Mengesha, filmmaker Charles Officer, visual artist Charles Pachter, Slice and ReVamped expert Kaitlyn Regehr, The Company Theatre’s Philip Riccio and unScripted event host, MuchMusic’s RAPCITY host, Tyrone “T-RexXx” Edwards. Proceeds from this fundraising initiative will support the youth and community initiatives of Canadian Stage, working to make the theatre experience more accessible to future artists and new audiences. The unScripted: Opening Night Gala …

Flare Magazine x Aldo Spring Summer 2011 Shoe Launch Party

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The Flare Magazine x Aldo Spring Summer 2011 Wedge is now available. They celebrated the launch with a VIP party at the Bloor Street store that gave attendees first access to buy the shoes.   Ever dreamed of being in an editor’s shoes? Well, try them on! Created in collaboration with FLARE magazine’s wickedly stylish fashion director, Liz Cabral, this style takes spring’s hottest trends in stride. With naturally sexy python, the sleekest wedge and a flash of fluoro orange, it’s a brilliantly of-the-now shoe for style whizzes like you!   The shoes looked really good in person. I heard many people say they were comfortable. It was hilarious seeing how many people were wearing the shoes in the store.  They were like an army. They are available in Toronto at the Toronto Eaton Centre, Yorkdale and Bloor Street locations. Retail price is $135See the website for other locations across the country. I have a short video of Liz Cabral talking about the Flare x Aldo Shoe and the other selections from the Aldo spring …

Line Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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Line continued their ready to wear expansion for the fall winter 2011 – 2012 season. The season adds coats and pants to their traditional line up of knits. The collection was very 70s in terms of palette and style. Typical colours like orange, blue, mustard, beige and burgundy complimented neutrals of black and grey. The knit textures included cable, crochet, patchwork and loops. Line was one of the many designers that used fur this season but it was used sparingly. I always talk about my granny nature with fur and Line stuck to the traditional with raccoon stoles, collars and trim. The rabbit fur biker jacket was an interesting modern take on fur but I felt the raccoon vest was overwhelming on the body. My granny fur sensibilities didn’t prevent me for loving the rabbit fur knit which was used in some beautiful open wraps. The floor length cable knit dress sounded great on paper but didn’t deliver for me in person. It seemed a bit too restricting, perhaps a side slit would help. The …

When Tommy Met Anna at The Room

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The Room continues to bring big names in the fashion game to Toronto and I freaking love them for that. Recently Anna Dello Russo visited Toronto with Tommy Ton for a photo exhibit called When Tommy Met Anna. The brainchild behind the whole event was one of my favourite dancing partners in the city, Rui Amaral. Rui is a fashion curator and together with the team from The Hudson’s Bay they put together an amazing event and exhibition. The Room is thrilled to be hosting a stunning and intimate 81 image photo exhibit showcasing the inimitable Anna Dello Russo, Editor-at-Large of Vogue Japan, as seen through the eyes of her close friend and Canadian visual journalist, Tommy Ton. In celebration of this photo gallery Anna Dello Russo and Tommy Tom will appear in The Room at The Bay Queen Street for a public autograph signing. The photos are a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of the relationship between a photographer and his muse with some never-before-seen images that capture Anna and Tommy’s private moments. The …

i want: Marc By Marc Jacobs Dries Wedge Booties

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These Dries Wedge Booties by Marc By Marc Jacobs are fun shoes.  There is a lot going on with the brown trim and patent leather  navy but I like them  a lot.  They are very schoolboyish.  I can see a myself in these with a pleated skirt, white tshirt and a schoolboy type satchel (like PS1 or Chloe).  The rubber sole on the shoe should make the 4″ heel more bearable. images: ssense.com

WORN Fashion Journal’s Issue 12 Release Party: The Fancy Pants Vintage Dance – May 7, 2011

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Worn Fashion Journal‘s Issue 12 Release Party: The Fancy Pants Vintage Dance – May 7, 2011 WORN Fashion Journal invites Toronto to celebrate their sartorial seats at our Fancy-Pants Vintage Dance and issue launch. On Saturday, May 7th, 2011, celebrate the launch of WORN Fashion Journal Issue 12 with a tribute to two-legged tailoring. Do you long to lindy in your leggings? Charleston in your churidars? Do you jones to jive in your jodhpurs and burn to boogie in your Oxford bags? Maybe you can’t dress for success – but you can show ’em who wears the pants. However you interpret trousers, get your best pair on and shake your moneymaker at the Fancy-Pants Vintage Dance. And when you’re done parading your pretty pantalettes, get a leg up. Show off your shimmy as our DJ spins a mix of oldies guaranteed to put some ants in those very fancy pants. The Dovercourt House 805 Dovercourt Rd. (just one block north of Bloor St.) Pants ON at 9pm Pants OFF at 2am (But seriously, don’t. We’ll …

BOLDLY, a charity event in benefit of the Assaulted Women’s Helpline – April 28, 2011

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BOLDLY, a charity event in benefit of the Assaulted Women’s Helpline – April 28, 2011 Over a year in the making, 18Karat is proud to present Boldly – a fundraising event in benefit of the Assaulted Women’s Helpline. Boldly is an event based on and inspired by our community – the individual members, businesses, and organizations that have come together in support of each other and those in need. At the center of this event is the Boldly Collection – a collection of 10 handcrafted jewellery pieces created by Toronto based goldsmiths and designers inspired by their interpretation of the evenings theme strength and courage. Each piece will be raffled during the evening event. I was asked to be one of three judges for the event. We are tasked with determining the winners for the Boldly Collection Best in Design and Best in Show awards.  There are some very beautiful designs in the running.  I’ve already had my insider access to the pieces ahead of time for closer inspection.  The final decision hasn’t been made …

Nail Fun at I want – I got

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I had to take a break from nail polish after Whistler because I broke a nail pretty badly while I was on vacation. I was waiting for it to grow out and it finally did.  So I’ve been back to nail fun. Wearing OPI Don’t Mess with OPI.  I’m still looking for an army green or moss colour that isn’t Joe Fresh. Wearing Butter London Blagger and Deborah Lippman Today was a Fairytale Wearing Butter London Blagger. This is a spring 2011 colour and it looks better on it’s own. Wearing Butter London Dosh. This is a spring 2011 colour.  This is turning out to be a favourite shade of mine. Wearing OPI Y’all Come Back Ya Hear.  Of course I love anything that matches my beloved Toywatch.

The Roaring Twenties: Heels, Hemlines and High Spirits at The Bata Shoe Museum

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I attended the opening party for the new exhibit at the Bata Shoe Museum: The Roaring Twenties: Heels, Hemlines and High Spirits. Born in the age of post-war exuberance, nurtured by the dynamism of the machine and seduced by the lure of the exotic, the Roaring 20s infused modern society and fashion with an energetic modernity. As hemlines rose, shoes became increasingly important for stylish women and many of the decade’s exceptional shoes illustrate the electrifying synergy between fashion and design. The Roaring Twenties: Heels, Hemlines and High Spirits focuses on the wardrobe and widening horizons of the “New Woman” and looks at how the myriad influences of the period such as cinema, jazz clubs, and world travel influenced the shape of fashionable footwear.(source) The Roaring Twenties: Heel, Hemlines and High Spirits exhibit is on now at The Bata Shoe Museum. It also has a series of lectures and events that you can view in PDF format for details. See all the photos I took at the The Roaring Twenties: Heels, Hemlines and High Spirits …

Flare Magazine x Aldo Spring Summer 2011 Wedge

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This is the last of the collaboration news for the day. Flare magazine’s fashion director, Liz Cabral designed a shoe with Aldo. Unlike some of the collaborations these will be products for retail in limited quantities. Ever dreamed of being in an editor’s shoes? Well, try them on! Created in collaboration with FLARE magazine’s wickedly stylish fashion director, Liz Cabral, this style takes spring’s hottest trends in stride. With naturally sexy python, the sleekest wedge and a flash of fluoro orange, it’s a brilliantly of-the-now shoe for style whizzes like you! They will be available April 27 in Toronto at the Toronto Eaton Centre, Yorkdale and Bloor Street locations. Retail price is $135See the website for other locations across the country. image: aldoshoes.com

DUY x Aldo Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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  Aldo Shoes is on a collaboration roll too.  During Rouge Fashion Week they partnered with Greta Constantine on some limited edition footwear.  DUY paired up with Aldo during LG Fashion Week for a limited edition collection of accessories. This collection of elegant and slightly rebel shoes and accessories pays homage to his Muse, her sophistication and distinctive sense of aesthetics. Faithful to her vision, the various pieces of this collection integrate the elements that made Daphne Guinness famous: leather, textured materials (python, lace), prints (leopard) and fur (pony), caramel hues and dark shades (grey and black). The FW 2011 ALDO collection of shoes and accessories for DUY is an stunning blend of radical chic, flexibility and accessibility. A collection which truly combines modernism, sophistication and elegance.    

DANIER x George Antonopoulos Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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The DANIER x Greta Constantine Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collaboration was just announced but few weeks ago there was another announcement from the DANIER team. DANIER continues their Canadian designer collaborations by announcing a partnership with renowned fashion stylist and director, George Antonopoulos. F/W 2011/12 will see a debut design capsule collection, OBJECT, sold at select DANIER retail locations across Canada. Object will be comprised of sophisticated separates for women, bringing a singular aesthetic to the Canadian consumer. “My philosophy behind OBJECT was creating modern classics in leather that are effortlessly integrated into anyone’s wardrobe. Attainable and affordable, the designs are investment pieces translated in leather to create a new language of dressing,” says Antonopoulos. Antonopoulos has earned an impressive reputation within the Canadian fashion landscape through his work as both a creative director and stylist with publications such as Flare, Fashion and Cheek Magazine. DANIER is excited to have the opportunity to bring this Canadian talent’s forward thinking vision into the retail arena; OBJECT will debut to the Canadian media this spring. DANIER …

Denis Gagnon x Aldo Spring Summer 2011 Shoes

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It’s been collaboration news central the last few days. Denis Gagnon is selling limited quantities of his Spring Summer 2011 shoes at his new Montreal store. In conjunction with the official opening of the Denis Gagnon boutique, scheduled in May 2011, Denis Gagnon and ALDO will be releasing the samples from their Spring/Summer 2011 shoe collaboration to be sold exclusively at the designer’s first stand-alone boutique in Old Montreal. In limited quantities, the samples will be sold for $150.00 per pair. 15% of the total sales will be donated to the Farha Foundation in Montreal. Lucky Montrealers! images: courtesy of Aldo

DANIER x Greta Constantine SKIN Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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Design duo, Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill announce an exciting collaboration between their signature line Greta Constantine and iconic Canadian retailer, DANIER. The capsule collection aptly tagged Greta Constantine SKIN, will see the self assured and modern Greta Constantine woman re-imagined for the DANIER brand and will be available at select DANIER locations Fall 2011. “Each season, DANIER is dedicated to offering our customers garments aimed to inspire their dressing. Aligning our brand with the captivating Canadian design label, Greta Constantine, has allowed us to further expand the scope of what that inspiration will be,” says Jennifer Steckel Elliott, VP Marketing, DANIER. The collection will be comprised of six looks primarily featuring second layer pieces, seamlessly offering a new and bold direction for the DANIER woman. “We wanted to develop pieces that exuded the ease and understated elegance of our Greta Constantine line,” explains Kirk Pickersgill. Stephen Wong adds, “Creating pieces for a broader demographic allowed us to consider what ‘affordable luxury’ truly entailed”. I cannot wait to see what DANIER x Greta Constantine collection. …