Thank you Elle Canada for these great February 2013 covers. I normally hate celebrity covers but I’m completely bias here, it’s Janelle Monáe and she is awesome. Subscribers to the magazine got the white cover while newsstands, the red.The interview is online and you should read it at Elle Canada. I kinda want to break out my suspenders and tie again. images: courtesy of Atlantic Records
I raved about the Chanel Paris-Édimbourg Métiers d’Art Pre Fall 2013 show. It was a giant spectacle in a Scottish Castle and full of glorious knitwear. The Chanel Spring Summer 2013 Haute Couture show doesn’t have the grand scale of the Scottish Castle but takes us through a stroll through a garden. Best of all, Karl had a black model. (Yes, I pay attention). And she’s Canadian!!!. I love some Grace Mahary!. Doesn’t she look stunning? As with all Chanel show’s you need to see the video. Here’s the full collection Chanel always does a great job of capturing close ups and beauty shots. The “Enchanted Interlude” is very pretty. I love the makeup. I tracked down this Making of a Chanel Haute Couture dress from Spring Summer 2013. The work is detailed and meticulous. The only thing I didn’t like about the collection was the shoes. I can’t deal with the shape of the open toe. If they were closed , I’d be all over them. images: style.com
Last week, Holt Renfrew invited me to private lunch for Emily Weiss and Nick Axelrod from the amazing beauty site, Into The Gloss. Emily is the Founder and Creative Director and Nick is the Editorial Director. I’m a fashion blogger that doesn’t really read fashion blogs but Into The Gloss is amazing. It’s full of great, well researched features on the beauty routines of industry players in the fashion scene. You can find profiles on people like Iman or Liya Kebede or even a random scientist. I love features on science nerds. We are out there! Emily and Alex were in town to host the Holt Renfrew Powder Puff Party. Emily also curated a Skincare Renewal Guide for Holts showcasing her top choices of skincare products available at Holts. It’s really high/low with heavy hitters like La Prairie and La Mer. It was very informative because I never seen face cream for $475. However, It’s not all crazy, prices start at $20. There is something for different budgets. And because people want to know, Emily …
There is only one word for the Valentino Haute Couture Spring Summer 2013 collection, exquisite. Everything is just beautiful. I’ve never felt this way about a Valentino haute couture show before. The video really seals the deal. images: style.com
The Charlotte Olympia Cruise 2013 is influenced by Brazil. I’m in love with the Glamazon collection lookbook more than the shoes. Check out the gallery below for the rest of the lookbook photos.
I went to the opening of the SORRY, I’M NOT SORRY, I’M NOT A JEWELLER by Dina González Mascaró show held at the Ossington Philip Sparks shop. Dina is an Argentinian, born Vancouver based artist visiting the city for the Interior Design Show and the Toronto Design Offsite Festival. She has a Master’s degree in Fine Arts with a specialization in sculpture but she is a self-taught jewellery artist. Dina’s jewellery is very much and extension of her artwork. I really love what she does as it’s so unique. She is really pushing design in a different direction. The jewellery has added dimension and structure not normally seen. Strong women wear these pieces otherwise they end up wearing you. I’m not a cyclist but her bike series is amazing. The wheels move on the mini bikes and the wheel pendant is just perfect. If you are in Vancouver you can visit Dina’s shop/studio, JewellerBau. She does custom work as well. At the opening Dina described a set of wedding bands she created for an artist …
Charlotte Olympia makes shoes and handbags I really like. I guess I can add sunglasses to that list too. The brand partnered with Linda Farrow to create the Feather Cat Eye shades. She’s got a great eye for accessories which isn’t surprising because Charlotte Olympia Dellal has amazing style. These sunglasses are around $410 and available online at luisaviaroma.com, charlotteolympia.com and lindafarrow.com. images: luisaviaroma.com
The Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer 2013 collection sealed the deal. I’m drinking the Raf Simons at Dior koolaid and it’s delicious. This collection is a stroll through the gardens. Think the opposite of Galliano’s floral display of Fall 2010. This is subtle and wearable. The devil is in the details in this couture collection. I even love the shoes even though they look completely uncomfortable. I’m still trying to figure out the shoe tight business. Are they like thigh highs with a shoe attached. They look amazing regardless of construction. The video is out and it’s in HD. Everything about this is beautiful and it just brought such a smile to my face. Pat McGrath’s crystal lips was the cherry on top of this collection. The detail shots give you an idea of the incredible work by the atelier under Raf’s direction. I love these gold and emerald heels. images: style.com
I’m not going to lie, I haven’t been paying much attention to McQueen after Alexander died. Not that Sarah Burton isn’t doing a bang up job, it’s just missing something for me. That being said, I do love this Dragonfly Spine Lace dress from the Resort 2013 collection. images: alexandermcqueen.com
Cue the new handbag obsession, the Givenchy Antigona. Ricardo Tisci introduced the Antigona in 2010. This boston style bag comes in a variety of skins and colour combinations. Right now the above blue and black combination is my favourite. It’s $2300 at Bergdorf Goodman. The handbag is named after Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta who are all characters dreamed up by Sophocles. The orange Givenchy Antigona is $1989.22 on farfetch.com. The brown and black Givenchy Antigona is $2426.00 from shopzoeonline.com. The Antigona comes in three sizes. You can get an idea of the price range from this link.. Givenchy is available in Toronto at Holt Renfrew. images: bergdorfgoodman.com, luisaviaroma.com, lyst.com
I loved the Lucian Matis Fall 2012 ad campaign and Lucian has just released a video documenting that process. image: courtesy of Lucian Matis
The Mary Katrantzou Spring Summer 2013 collection took stamps and money gave it the Katrantzou spin. It was one of my favourite collections from the season. This Alias Gown looks like pretty foreign currency. What country it’s based on, I have no idea. The gown is a stretch jersey so I bet it fits like a dream. As everything that is gorgeous, it costs a fortune, $2,495USD at Barney’s. You can find Mary Katrantzou in Canada at The Room @ The Bay. images: lyst.com
John & Jenn is the diffusion line from Line Knitwear designers John Muscat and Jennifer Wells. The collection features lots of stripes, bright colours and textured lightweight knits. I’m loving the stripes and bright colours of this collection, nautical and a little 80s. The model is a little thin looking in these shots for me though. John & Jen is available at TNT, Holt Renfrew and Mendocino. The price point is cheaper than Line Knitwear with nothing over $200. images: courtesy of John & Jenn
Come Up To My Room, The Alternative Design Show starts this week. I’ve always really liked the event and covered it extensively for blogTO in 2007 and 2008. Come Up To My Room (CUTMR) is the Gladstone Hotel’s annual alternative design event. CUTMR invites artists and designers to show us what goes on inside their heads. Coming together in dialogue and collaboration, participants are limited only by their imaginations, making CUTMR one of the most exciting shows in Toronto. As this is an important anniversary for this ever-expanding show, the tenth installment will emphasize the idea that formed the basis for the very first CUTMR – occupying and altering a space in a dramatic, conceptual, or experimental way. So, CUTMR is 10 years old and now you can view all of the past events thanks to the Come Up To My Room 10 Year Archive Project. Attend the event at The Gladstone Hotel this week and see what you missed over the years online.
I’m on the hunt for a great all around bag. Ideally it would have a messenger strap but I think I can overlook that it’s missing from the Marni Flap Bag. It’s a great size and comes in colours to match many outfits. The form is reduced to its pure essence, laid bare to expose the precision of the cut and beauty of the leather. The material used is fine calf leather on a monocolour or bicolour panel. Studs decorate the bag leaving its shape clean and graphic.(Source: press release) The photos show styles from the Resort 2013 collection and the Spring Summer 2013 Marni fashion show. images: eastnews.ru, tooklookbook.com
Thom Browne is one of my dream designers. He’s not for everyone and a lot of his designs are considered just weird to people. Thom Browne is a fashion week favourite of mine as his shows are always thought-provoking, unconventional and damn entertaining. I dream of owning his collections (both namesake and Moncler Gamma Bleu) season after season but I might be able to pull of a random sale purchase at Last Call like my Jil Sander blazer. His stuff is crazy expensive. I’m such a nerd about Thom Browne that my heart fluttered when I saw that the Thom Browne twitter account favourited my tweet about the Pre-Fall 2013 collection. I don’t know if Thom actually runs that account but it’s the possibility that he does that makes me so fangirly about it. Anyways, this dress. I can’t even. Adorable Whales, skeletons and tennis rackets. Random and cute always wins me over. The accordion pleats on the back of the dress are great. I would wear this to work and everywhere. A pair of …
I’m so incredibly excited about the Lancôme and Alber Elbaz beauty collaboration. This is going to be massively successful. “Alber Elbaz is, without a doubt, one of the world’s most influential fashion designers. But beyond that, he is also the most talented, explains Youcef S. Nabi, Lancôme President. His sense of luxury, his vision of femininity and that hint of audacity resonate perfectly with the new values of the Maison Lancôme. We are extremely proud and happy that, with us, he is set to channel his universe into the world of make-up for the very first time.â€(source: press email) The collection will be available in June 2013. Check back for updates. image: Courtesy of Lancôme
Come Up To My Room – January 24 – 27, 2013 Exhibition Hours: Thurs 6-8pm, Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-5pm | Exterior, Café, Ballroom + 2nd Floor Gallery Opening Reception: Sat Jan 26, 2013 | 7-11pm | 2nd Floor Love Design Party: Sat Jan 26, 2013 | 10pm-2:30am | FREE | (this is the official closing party for the Toronto Design Offsite Festival) Panel Discussion: Evolution – Designers Conversations in a Collaborative City: Sun Jan 27, 2013 | 1pm-3pm | Gladstone Ballroom This year CUTMR welcomes 25 individuals and collectives drawn from the worlds of architecture, industrial design, fashion, and contemporary art to transform the Gladstone Hotel both inside and out with site-specific and immersive installations. For the first time, CUTMR will break through the walls of this historic venue, adding design installations to the hotel’s exterior and surroundings. Site-specific furniture, lighting, and art will push the boundaries of design throughout the Romanesque red brick of the hotel’s gallery rooms, public spaces, and beyond. The exterior installations will be created primarily by CUTMR alumni, …
I like bold jewellery and there are time when the simplest designs have the most impact. I would say Melanie Georgacopoulos jewellery falls into the latter category. I love the simplicity of the design and that it’s not conventional. The Half gold covered ring peacock and Half gold covered pearl ring white both contain natural pearls and 18K solid yellow gold. Simplicity from this London based designer comes at a price of $1,095.00 CAD. You can find these rings and more from Melanie Georgacopoulos on the Toronto based website Kavut.com which also carries some other great jewellery brands.
It took me a long time to get into Shourouk Jewellery but these two really great, colourful necklaces have sucked me in. The Sierra and Cora Bamako set of two silver-plated Swarovski crystal necklaces is perfect for creating different styles. It’s like a 3 for 1 deal. Orange and black may bring up a Halloween association for most but that’s not me. I don’t associate black and yellow with bees either. So, I don’t ever get hung up about the combination. It looks great on this Wax silver-plated Swarovski crystal necklace. Images: net-a-porter.com
Hello sparkly shoes from RED Valentino. These menswear inspired flats are gold glitter-sprayed canvas with antique rose details like patent leather piping and grosgrain laces. I’m utterly smitten. You can get these beauties on net-a-porter.com. images: net-a-porter.com
Swimwear rarely grabs me but I gasped when I opened the Eres Swimwear Spring Summer 2013 lookbook. I don’t wear tiny bikinis so I loved all the one piece and high waisted options Eres presented. I like the limited use of prints in the collection and the abundance of colour options. Eres swimwear is simple in design but so luxurious looking. Eres is a Parisian brand that began in 1968. Designer, Irène Leroux grew up in the swimwear business and opened a boutique the same year and revolutionized the swimwear industry by selling all year round. Eres is also responsible for changing the shape and design of swimwear resulting in better fitting and looking swimsuits. During that time, swimwear was exclusively a summer product. In 1996, Chanel purchased Eres. In 1998, Eres debuted the lingerie line. As you can imagine a brand owned by Chanel is going to be expensive. Eres is just that. You’re looking a prices ranging from $300 – $700. Le sigh, always the way. Eres has a store in Toronto! I …
Every wardrobe needs a red dress in my opinion. The Blair dress by Preen is the perfect shade of red and features my favourite “New Look” silhouette. Preen keeps it simple with a leopard jacquard trim on the neck and back. You can get this dress on Moda Operandi, it ships now. images: modaoperandi.com
I’m in love with Layla Cosmetics Nail Polish. It’s a 60 year old Italian company whose founder is responsible for bring nail polish to Italy in the 30s. I’ve tried a couple Holo like polishes but the Layla polish really delivers the perfect Holographic effect. I haven’t tried Nfu Oh yet but I’ve heard it’s good too. I purchased the charcoal/dark grey holographic called Flash Black. I figured I should get a neutral looking one to start. I really love the colour. Layla says you don’t need a base coat for this polish and that buffing your nails before application should be ok. Holographic polishes have a notorious reputation of being hard to apply so I purchased the Nfu Oh holographic base coat. It worked really well and suggest buying it when using these types of polishes. The application was very easy but I allowed more time to dry between coats. You have to allow the base coat to dry completely first for best coverage. The photo shows two coats but I’d use three for …
United Nude has another fun collaboration for sale. This time they teamed up with graffiti artist Niels Shoe Meulman. His specialty is Calligraffiti which combines calligraphy and graffiti. You can see some of Shoe’s (he goes by that name) work on his website. While graffiti is his main discipline he also produces sketches, photography and drawings. I love the neon green version of the Calligraffiti shoe but it comes in black and off-white for those that aren’t as adventurous. The laser cut leather upper spells out “Unruly Shoe” which is one of those charming details that I fawn all over. The heel is 5.1 inches and that includes the platform is 0.8 inch platform. You can buy the Calligraffiti Shoe on UnitedNude.com. They are $550.00 which is less than the press release quote of $750. images: unitednude.com