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
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
My favourite ad campaign of the fall winter 2011 – 2012 season is Lanvin. There is something about the symmetry and movement in these shots that makes me smile. Raquel Zimmermann and Karen Elson are fantastic models and are some of my favourites. Of course the fall winter 2011 – 2012 collection from Lanvin is gorgeous. Watch the Lanvin Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 fashion show Backstage at Lanvin Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 fashion show images: thefashionspot.com
The colours in this editorial for Dazed & Confused’s July 2011 issue are so rich.  The flowers are a perfect backdrop for the colourful clothing worn by model Lisanne de Jong. The editorial was shot by Viviane Sassen. Some people in The Fashion Spot forums were complaining that Lisanne’s face was covered in most shots. I thought it was refreshing that her face wasn’t the focus of the shots.  It brought the clothing details to the forefront. images: fashiongonerogue.com
So Banana Republic and AMC are teaming up to create a limited edition collection inspired by Mad Men.  Janie Bryant and Banana Republic designers worked together to create the 65 piece collection featuring men’s and women’s apparel and accessories. They will be available in Banana Republic stores across North America and online starting August 11, 2011. “Working with Janie to gain a true understanding of the ‘Mad Men’ look and feel was a delight,†says Banana Republic Creative Director Simon Kneen. “Janie was instrumental in helping us achieve the series aesthetic and standard of authenticity with this capsule collection, offering sketches, her own inspirations and actual artifacts from the production set to help inspire the ‘Mad Men’ within all of us.†“Collaborating with Simon and his team to design this collection was an experience I’ll never forget,†says Bryant. “It’s so rewarding to help create a collection that will allow fans of the series to channel their own ‘Mad Men’ style and take home fashionable items that are modern, not costume.†Banana Republic send me …
I’m in love with these spring summer 2011 Viktor & Rolf shoes. It’s the colour. images: tooklookbook.com
The vibrant gowns sealed the deal on the Giambattista Valli Resort 2012 collection for me.  I wanted to wear them all. I was glad to see some tasteful animal print too. images: vogue.com
Proenza Schouler’s Resort 2012 collection sees the boys moving away from Navajo blankets inspirations. Â They’ve thrown in patchwork, marble prints and a 70s colour palette. Â Amazingly it works with typical Proenza flare. I can’t wait to see the complete lineup of accessories. The handbags and shoes are looking pretty good from these shots. images: vogue.com
Peter Pilotto‘s Resort 2012 collection is probably hard on the eyes for some people. I think that obnxious factor is what indeared me to this collection. The prints are photographs of classical jacquard and lace that were fractured and zoomed in to give a microscopic feel. images: vogue.com
Chip And Pepper Wet Wear brings back high school memories. It was very popular during those days to be sporting the two bulldogs and celebrating beach culture in Richmond Hill. The return of Chip And Pepper Wet Wear for Spring Summer 2011 season is at the perfect time for me to feel nostalgic about the line. Chip and Pepper came to town for a preview that was held at the close to completion Templar Hotel. The 27 room hotel is going to ultra luxury with a Chef that will make you whatever you want whenever you want. I’ll probably never see the inside of the place after the preview because it will only be open to hotel guests. It looks like it will be pretty damn swank looking, so maybe I’ll be able to arrange a tour for I want – I got and report back my findings :). Chip gave me the warmest welcome I’ve ever experienced at a press preview. How can you not love a man who offers you a beer right after …
Givenchy Resort 2012. Be still my beating heart. This more than makes up for the Givenchy fall winter 2011 – 2012 collection that I didn’t enjoy all that much. The accessories were quite good for the fall winter 2011 – 2012 collection though. images: thefashionspot.com
Preen Resort 2012 is the stuff that dreams are made of. I’m truly, madly and deeply in love with what Justin Thorton and Thea Bregazzi have got going on for this resort season. The collection has loose Japan references influenced by a kimono Thea bought many years ago. The Preen Resort 2012 collection can be pre-order till June 22, 2011 on Moda Operandi. Their collection photos are amazing, check it out before they are gone. images: vogue.com
I missed the Danier Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 preview a few weeks ago. I wanted to see the new line OBJECT created by George Antonopoulos for Danier. I had twitter to keep me updated that day as I slaved away at the office. The lookbook images are pretty damn good looking. These are my top picks from OBJECT by George Antonopoulos for Danier Fall Winter 2011 – 2012. I didn’t know what to expect from OBJECT exactly. I know George.  His style and taste is impeccable. It would only make sense that OBJECT reflect his sensibilities.  I’m in love. I love the contrast in textures in pieces.  The menswear influence is quite strong. I’m glad to see that I could easily wear most of this stuff to the office without much of a side glance from my coworkers.  They know me too well nowadays. I have some serious thinking to do this summer about my fall Danier purchases with OBJECT, Greta Constantine and Mark Fast coming. It might be time to expand the leather options in …
While I was in Vancouver, I learned about a New York based fashion line called Primary which has a Canadian connection. Â Vancouver native, Cleo Schroeder worked in the film industy in costume and styling before branching into design. She moved to New York to attend Parsons School of Design in 2007 as part of that transition. Primary was created in 2010 by Cleo and Steven Ahn. The first thing you notice about Primary is this incredibly striking model staring back at you. Christina Caradona serves at model/muse for Cleo. Leather, silk and wool are fabrics of choice for Primary luxe casual looks. I love the whole collection with the skirts, dresses and jackets being my favourites. Primary is available online at primaryny.com and in Vancouver at Charlie & Lee. images: primaryny.com
DANIER x Greta Constantine collection is so good. I had no inside access to these designs this time around. Â So, the debut of the collection at the Neubacher Shor Contemporary gallery was a complete surprise. The gallery is a beautiful space with adjustable white walls, a huge window and exposed brick. It’s a great space for hanging artwork with the high ceilings. The six look collection ranges in price from $399 for a sleeveless bolero with exaggerated lapel to $999 for an asymmetrical, draped coat with rounded back. Key colour motifs include black, slate, eggplant, walnut, and lava, in a variety of fabrics ranging from Italian lamb leather to silky suede. As part of the capsule, Kirk and Stephen designed a contemporary take on the obi belt, a welcome addition to each look. “We sought to find a happy medium between fashion and function; to offer silhouettes that were appealing to the eye and still flattering on a variety of different body types,” explain Kirk and Stephen. The collection features several jacket types in leather …
Jonathan Saunders‘s Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection was in my top ten. I love the colours, prints and silhouette. Jonathan Saunders was inspired by Paul Outerbridge‘s early photography, glass from well renowned glass designer, René Jules Lalique and English painter, Euan Uglow. I’m looking forward to a print and colour heavy fall. You can find Jonathan Saunder’s at The Room in Toronto. images: vogue.com
Collaborations are the news in Canadian fashion so it’s good to see something that isn’t about one. Greta Constantine has created a capsule collection called Primer which consists t-shirts done Greta Constantine style. Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong of Greta Constantine are bringing their master drapery and attention to fit to a whole new audience. The capsule collection, aptly named Primer, serves as the base coat for a woman’s wardrobe and is to consist of both separates and dresses. But don’t expect basics. Every piece in the collection features a subtle feminine twist like leather straps on a tank top to allow for easy belting or draped t-shirt dresses with exaggerated pocket detailings. This is all part of Stephen and Kirk’s desire to re-imagine contemporary staples. As Stephen elaborates, “designing the collection demanded that we consider what makes a t-shirt so perfect. Fabrication, lengths, colours. While a woman may be willing to suffer through a pair of heels, comfort without looking comfortable is what we sought to achieve with Primer.” The line, with prices ranging …
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 …
I wasn’t able to attend the CHLOE comme PARRIS Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 show at LG Fashion (boo). I found this CHLOE comme PARRIS fashion film for fall though.
I wasn’t a big fan of the Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection. There was a lot of WTF going on for me. I didn’t like the black panther prints much either. The accessories (minus the horrible shoes) are looking very promising though. I like the execution of the black panther in the jewellery a lot. images: WWD.com
Textile artist, Anu Raina debuted her hand crafted clothing line at LGFW. Anu Raina Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 features hand dyed and printed pieces. She used details such as excerpts from her poetry, painting and embroidery. “This collection is an extension of my Autobiographical artwork titled Chapter 2, Page 1, that is going to be exhibited at Pearson Airport from April16 to October 3, 2011,†says Anu Raina “”My work has evolved as a juxtaposition of my urban and the traditional self that I left behind. In this collection, I have tried to trace my own transition. I have used motifs like haystack, paisley, Talim – a weaving code of Pashmina shawls – marks I made with toothpaste on the mirror, and the things I grew up with around me. I have tied it all with a poem in French I once wrote about my mother, which would roughly translate in English as: When I was little I woke up very late. I would wait for my mother to come and wake me up. …
Samuel L. Jackson was the only massive celebrity to attend LGFW. Random is the only word to describe his attendance at Klaxon Howl. One of my favourite moments of LGFW was tweeting about Mr. Jackson’s arrival. Ha Ha. Some people thought it was an April Fool’s joke. I did miss out on getting a photo with him but I did see him in the flesh. I guess when The Hudson’s Bay is backing your line things like this can happen. Klaxon Howl fall winter 2011 – 2012 was a very commercial menswear collection. The military influenced collection used a white, grey, blue, brown and black colour scheme. There was a lone coral coloured button up, which seemed out-of-place in the collection. The collection featured the basics: coats, denim, button up shirts, vests and pants. There was a lot of buzz about the handbag collaboration between Klaxon Howl and The Hudson’s Bay. The fashion show was half runway and half presentation. I think the main runway room is too large to pull this format off successfully. …
Comrags is one of the long-standing Canadian brands that are showing no signs of slowing down. They’ve been around for 28 years and they have a very established customer base and brand. The Fall Winter 2007 – 2008 collection was my first Comrags fashion show. They show ever few seasons at LG Fashion Week. I wondered what the Comrags print would be this season. The endless possibilities they could come up with for for Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 excited me. The collection was typical Comrags: lots of easy to wear dresses, full skirts, couple of pant options and belted jackets. It’s a very retail friendly collection, stylish and uncomplicated. The models didn’t wear heels as per the usual Comrags MO. I loved the floral prints. The wide leg pant looked great with the Trotsky jacket. I want the complete runway look (with platforms of course). Comrags Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 linesheet stated this jacket was made a material called silver wool. The fabric has an unusual finish. Other fabrics used in the collection …
At the Greta Constantine Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 fashion show we got a preview of the new video by C. Hudson Hwang. You might remember that he created the Erza Constantine spring 2011 preview video and the Greta and Ezra Constantine spring summer 2010 videos. Well, the video is now complete and ready for public consumption shot, cut, motion designed and directed by C. Hudson Hwang models: Christina Kaszap [elmer olsen] Frances Coombe [elite] Andrea T [next] Rochelle Ten Holder [next] Dani Seitz [sutherland] Anna Shevchenko [push] Jeannine Smith [ford] Dajana Antic [elmer olsen] Julian G [elite] Nick Gonko [elite] Krystal Reeve [next] Tea Moir [sutherland] Bria Castello [elmer olsen] Shelby Furber [elmer olsen] Danielle W [elmer olsen] Jenica Vandermeer [ford] Kassandra Gray [elmer olsen] Sarah Barnes [elmer olsen] Renee Thompson [elite] Bayan Peterson [sutherland] Richelle Dobson [sutherland] Kristy Nykilchuk [elmer olsen] Caitlin Dudar [elite] Joanna Lapiesza [elite] Music: Children of the Revolution (written by Marc Bolan) by Neon Indian [Lefse Records / Static Tongues] Greta Constantine is designed by Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen …
Amanda Lew Kee’s fall winter 2011 – 2012 collection started out so strong. The first third of the collection was very promising. Unfortunately, the middle part of the collection was a little lost and the last third of the show was a risky gamble with colour that didn’t pay off.  There was a lot of good elements going on the in the collection but they got lost among the unfocused elements. In my perfect world Amanda would have continued to explore the silhouettes she opened with in fabrics that weren’t metallic. The rule about taking off a piece of jewellery before you leave the house applies to everything in life. In this case, less would have been more. The collection was in desperate need of an edit. The leggings and jersey tank dress are too American Apparel to be on the runway. Those looks weren’t show material for me but the things you show to buyers in a showroom. The flower embellishment left me puzzled. Was it a deliberate design feature or some last-minute …