All posts tagged: Fall 2011

I want – I got’s Versace x H&M Top Picks

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So, H&M x Versace is approaching. I’m sure many people will be lining up on November 18, 2011 to get a piece of this collection. I will not be one of them but I did get a preview of the collection at the H&M Toronto headquarters. “The collection for H&M is the essence of Versace. For the collaboration we’ve brought back from the archives, as well as from more recent collections, some of the icons of Versace, such as the bright prints, the Greek key and daring cuts. I can’t wait to see how H&M’s wide audience will make these pieces their own.” Donatella Versace. “Versace’s collection for H&M is a moment in fashion. It is full of strong pieces that stand out, with colours, prints and cuts that are clean and precise. The women’s collection is flattering and full of dresses, while the men’s collection is very sophisticated. When I think about Versace I think of iconic items. With this collection for H&M we’ve got the essence of Versace.” Margareta van den Bosch, creative …

i got: Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Nail Binge: NARS, Dior, Chanel

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I’ve had some fun buying some of the Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 nail polish options. NARS NARS is one of my go to nail polish brands.  It has a beautiful, slick finish and with a nice brush.  The polish wears well for me too.    I got the entire Night Series collection (Night Rider, Night Porter, Night Flight, Night Breed) because I couldn’t choose. The Night Series collection is based on the iconic NARS Night Series Eyeshadows.  I also had to have the Fall 2011 colour, Galion. Chanel I got The Oracle to pick me up the Les Jeans de Chanel colours that were limited edition for Fashion Night Out 2011.  I had Melissa from Tips Nail Bar to incorporate them into a great blue gradient manicure because I couldn’t choose just one to wear.   I love Chanel nail polish it wears very well and has staying power. Dior I saw Apparat, the new limited edition Dior Nail Lacquer for Holiday 2011 on my new favourite beauty site Temptalia.  The photos on Temptalia looked …

i want: Banjo and Matilda Fall Winter 2011 Striped Sweaters

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I’m attracted to striped sweaters this winter. This fixation is primarily for the Breton stripe variety. Right now, the Holy Grail of all Breton stripe sweaters would be to own a Jean Paul Gaultier original but these Banjo and Matilda cashmere ones will be just fine. Banjo and Matilda sweaters are available at Holt Renfrew. images: courtesy of Banjo and Matilda

Gareth Pugh x MAC

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MAC has teamed up with Gareth Pugh for their next makeup collaboration. It’s pretty damn cool looking. To think Gareth Pugh is to think beautifully distorted, sculptural, otherworldly proportions… avant-garde mash ups of materials (from PVC and Perspex, latex to leather, mink to metal, Gareth reworks them all into breathtakingly original clothes)…an extreme attitude… In short, no one could accuse Gareth of being conventional. Or predictable. Cue heavyweight geometric packaging encasing some seriously chic standouts: a duo-chromatic nail polish that flashes from emerald to amethyst. A compact Beauty Powder that turns all skin-tones a sophisticated matte. Lipglasses that go from super-subtle (worn alone) to statement-making when layered over Lipstick. Lashes that redefine the shape of what a fake lash could, or should, be… “They’re about contradiction and the struggle between lightness and darkness,” says Gareth of how he creates his inspired collections. So too his debut approach to makeup. Every piece is unique, experimental, precious and intriguing (just like Gareth’s designs)…and ready to be played to your lighter (more ethereally natural) or darker (sinisterly sophisticated) …

Toronto Life Stylebook and Toronto’s 12 Most Stylish People

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So, its been a funny year for me. I was one of the city’s most stylish people according to Derick Chetty of The Toronto Star and I helped choose Toronto Life’s 12 stylish people. It was weird being judged and then to flip the coin and do the judging. My partners in judging crime included Fashion editor-in-chief Bernadette Morra, The Bay’s Christopher Sherman and torontolife.com’s Kevin Naulls. It was a really interesting process to be a part of. I’m pretty proud of our selections. Get over to the Toronto’s 12 most stylish people post on torontolife.com and check them out. Just don’t read the comments, I haven’t. It’s pretty cool that our stylish Torontonian list was featured in the first print edition of the Toronto Life Stylebook which features fall fashion finds, Toronto’s Top 200 stores, street style and fall fashion trends. It can be found on newsstands or purchased online. The only thing that rubs me a little wrong is the illustration of me used. I’m gonna be blunt, it’s a distorted, ugly version …

Final Fashion x Jabberdust Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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Leah Barrett, Jabberdust designer, emailed me to let me know that a little project she worked on with Danielle Meder of Final Fashion is available for sale. Last year, Leah approached Danielle about illustrating some design concepts for the company. Danielle explains the whole process in this snippet here from her blog. Designer, entrepreneur, professor and blog reader Leah Barrett approached me with a project. Leah’s label, Jabberdust, is a line of scarves and accessories that features incredible handwork. Leah works closely with factories in India to showcase the possibilities of embellishment. Her background is in production management, and she surprised me with a rare proposal. I’m paraphrasing here – Leah said: “I’m very comfortable with the production aspect of the business, however I find the conceptual aspect of design more challenging. Would you be interested in designing a number of concepts and illustrating them – it can be anything you wish – and I will take those ideas to the factories and handle the technical development of the samples, and if they’re successful, the …

CND Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 LookBook and Video

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The CND Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 LookBook was a neat little take away from my Shellac manicure experience. It talks about CND trends on the runways, designer partners and even step by step instructions to recreate a few styles. I’ve included a few pages of the lookbook here but you can download the full thing on the CND website.   Jen Kao’s nails (1st photo and below) are amazing.  So much work and layers of polish were needed.   Our cover concept plunges into the moody, trippy twilight-world of Jen Kao, embellished underwater-Avatar fantasy swirls and dominatrix swagger.  Our team created cloisonné-like, decidedly decadent nails edged in golden dagger-tips. The designer’s new collection spins a psychedelic head-rush of peacock tones in silhouettes cut for strutting: cinched, fringed corsets and the pure funk of purple satin platform boots. Flyness overload! Ziggy Stardust era references, like sharp-shouldered jackets in acid-bright prints and lurex leggings, call for nails that can’t wait to boogie down the dance floor. (source Lookbook) CND also created a video for the fall winter …

geekiview: The Pillow Boot by Cougar Boots

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Last year, I reviewed some boots on the site. I made a flippant comment about not caring about Cougar because the don’t make my childhood pillow boot anymore. I was completely wrong. I learned at a preview that the classic boot was coming back for Fall 2011. The anticipation for the Cougar Pillow Boot has been building for months. I’m a such a sucker for some of these retro trends and thankfully Matchstick send a pair over to me. In 1976, a Canadian classic was born. A tan leather, calf-high lace up with its famous red lining took an entire generation by storm. This fashion icon is the inspiration behind the new Cougar Pillow Boot. Made with soft, supple leather this next generation Pillow melds a decidedly vintage look with a modern twist, while still giving you the option to romp through the deepest Canadian snow.(source: Press release) The weather isn’t conductive to a functional review but I’ve been wearing them around the house and they are very comfortable boots. I like the updated design. …

I want- I got’s H&M Conscious Collection Fall Winter 2011- 2012 Top Picks

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I’m liking the new H&M Conscious Collection Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection. I picked up a few pieces from the Spring Summer 2011 collection and I see a few fall pieces that I like. This season the H&M Conscious Collection takes influences from romanticism and Swedish folklore.  The collection features recycled wool and organic fabrics like cotton , linen and hemp. The Conscious Collection collection uses embroidery and lace this season and I’m hoping they look good in person too. I’m never into H&M shoes but I love, love, love these booties. The Conscious collection will be available staring October 6, 2011 at the Eaton Centre, Yorkdale and Bloor Street locations in Toronto. Other Canadian locations are Downtown Montreal, The Pacific Centre and Metropolis at Metrotown. images: courtesy of H&M

Alex & Eli Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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Alex & Eli is an American based brand created by two Parsons graduates, Aja Singer (who is Canadian) and Anne Zeman. Their focus is suiting for women with tailored silhouettes and unusual detailing. I knew Aja and Anne were after my heart when I started to read the style names. As an unapologetic Star Trek fan, I was delighted to see things like The Vulcan Blazer, Enterprise Pant, the Voyager Blazer, the Kirk (it’s a jacket), Transporter Skirt and the Replicator Jacket. It was doubly delightful that the clothing looked really good. Womenswear influenced by menswear with a modern twist, how could I not love this. I finally saw a few pieces of the collection at the newly opened Intermix on Bloor Street. Great quality and looks just as good in pictures as real life. images: courtesy of Alex & Eli

If I Had Hair, I’d Want This Cut

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I usually delete all hair related emails that come to me. I don’t have hair and because of that I never cover hair products on I want – I got. Emails that provide me offers of free haircuts and styling services often receive a snide remark on twitter. Sassoon Salon has been on the receiving end of one of my twitter rants but the press release I received about the MINIMUM collection got my attention. The MINIMUM collection’s latest colouring techniques, developed exclusively for Sassoon Salon by European Colour Director Peter Dawson, precise placement of ‘accents’ of colours add tone and contrast, working in tandem with the shape and cut of the hair to create sweeping accent lines that bring the look to life. I love the colour and shape of this haircut. It has a very futuristic mod feel and I love hunter green. If there was some way to transport this blonde woman’s hair to my head I might consider returning to team hair. Until then I’m a loyal member of team bald. …

i want: adidas Originals x Star Wars Wampa Sneakers

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The adidas Originals x Star Wars collaboration always gets me excited each season. I’m so curious to see what new combinations they will come up with. I love the Wampa Sneakers from the adidas Originals x Star Wars Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection. Total Wookie action. They are even made from faux pony hair. You can see the rest of the sneakers in the adidas Originals x Star Wars Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection on Highsnobiety.com images: Highsnobiety.com

I want – I got’s Aldo Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Top Picks

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Aldo used to be my inexpensive shoe fix years ago and then I discovered the joys of Nine West. For the last couple of seasons, Nine West hasn’t produced styles that I’ve been interested in so I’ve switching my fix to Aldo has once again. Here are my top shoe and handbag picks from the Aldo Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 lookbook.  My top pick is the mustard tassel wedges.  So cute. I tend to like the non-faux leather handbags at Aldo but these ones look good in photos and I love a structured bag.  Lots of animal print choices in this lineup.  It took many years for me to appreciate the style and I prefer to incorporate it via accessories. images: courtesy of Aldo

Greta Constantine SKIN for Danier Now Available

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Finally the Greta Constantine SKIN for Danier collection has hit the stores. Last week there was a trunk show at the Danier store in Yorkdale with a discount of 35% off. You bet I took advantage of that to get me some product. Kirk and Stephen were on hand to help shoppers choose and style their Greta Constantine SKIN for Danier pieces. I ended up purchasing the grey suede Awi Vest and the black obi belt. Check out all the photos from the Greta Constantine SKIN for Danier Trunk Show You can take a closer look at this 6 piece collection on the Danier Website. images: courtesy of Danier

Illusions d’ombres de Chanel

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Illusions d’ombres is name of the new Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 makeup collection from Chanel. I only really concern myself with the nail polish but I loved the imagery that went a long with the product shots. There are 3 polishes for fall, Peridot, Quartz and Graphite. They will be available at Chanel counters beginning August 22, 2011. I’ve placed a lot of my metallic nail polishes on the back burner recently because their bright counterparts are more fun and a bit obnxious.  However, Chanel’s metallics are making me rethink that decision. Peridot is a green and gold combination. Graphic sounds really interesting with silver, gold and platinum combined together. Finally, Quartz is a bronze and pink mixture. images: courtesy of Chanel Canada

The Celine Uniform

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I received this in a Celine email blast a few weeks ago when the Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 treatments were being given to all the designer site. If I had to pick one designer to wear only, I think I could totally love the Celine uniform over and over again.  Celine is available at Holt Renfrew Bloor Street and Calgary.   I find it weird they aren’t listed on the website. images: celine.com

Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Ad Campaign

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I like the Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Ad Campaign and I don’t. I love that Mariacarla Boscono and Naomi Campbell are participating but the expressions in the photos seem a little forced. I’m usually a Givenchy die hard but the fall winter 2011 – 2012 season wasn’t appealing to me. Doesn’t make much sense since I usually love cat imagery. The men’s campaign is better executed. Behind the Scenes video Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Ad Campaign Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 fashion show images: theFashionSpot.com