Toronto Fashion Week: VAWK Fall 2013 Collection

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By the time the 4th day of WMCFW rolled around, all I wanted to do was NOT make my way to the tents, and stay at home, wrapped in a cozy blanket watching bad TV…but if there’s one show that I simply couldn’t miss it’s VAWK, so off to the tents I went.

As usual, Sunny Fong did not disappoint. VAWK Fall 2013 collection was once again chock-full of drool-worthy coats and stunning dresses. He does those so well! Fong’s fall collection was inspired by hunting, and featured custom-made prints created by the designer himself, plenty of fur accents, as well as stag and wolf leather appliqué tops, that even the models backstage were swooning over.

I, on the other hand, was swooning (and still am) over VAWK’s outerwear and gowns. In less experienced hands, details like pleats on a coat could’ve been all wrong, but in Fong’s masterful hands, the end result was subtle, elegant, and simply stunning, making me want to rip those beautiful clothes off the models’ skinny backs and run into the night with my precious VAWK loot.

What do you think of VAWK Fall 2013 collection? What are your favourite pieces? Share in the comments.

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Toronto Fashion Week: Pink Tartan Fall 2013 Collection

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The  morning of Pink Tartan’s Fall 2013 show, I read the interview Flare’s Emily Ramshaw did with Kimberly Newport about the new collection, and was pleasantly surprised to find out that Pink Tartan’s president and head designer is a fan of American Horror Story. Such a fan in fact, that her entire fall collection was inspired by one Constance Langdon. If you watched the first season of AHS, you already know that Constance (played by the glorious Jessica Lange) was one classy lady. Well, a husband-murdering lady, but classy nonetheless. And Pink Tartan’s fall collection was spot on Constance – elegant, with a vintage flare, and just the right hint of mischief. The collection definitely felt older than spring’s Charlotte Free-inspired butterfly-printed line-up, but it also felt more timeless. Classic (and flattering) silhouettes, and statement outerwear dominated the fall show, and I found myself drooling at the sight of some pieces…like the blue fur coat, which sadly, I won’t be able to afford, but can certainly daydream about.

The wigs seemed to cause a bit of a controversy among the show-goers I spoke to, but as a huge fan of AHS, and Jessica Lange, I loved this particular styling choice, and was delighted at the sight of an army of Jessica Lange lookalikes strutting their stuff. If I squinted hard enough, I could almost imagine that it was the real deal.

All in all, I really enjoyed Pink Tartan’s Fall 2013 collection, but hope that the next show isn’t inspired by the second season of AHS, because asylum chic might be a little too much, even for a die-hard fan like myself.

What do you think about this collection? Are you a fan of AHS? Share in the comments!

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Toronto Fashion Week: Jeremy Laing Fall 2013 Collection at the shOws

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Canadian designer Jeremy Laing is known for creating quietly cool clothes that are the opposite of flashy. His strength is in well-thought-out details and immaculate cuts; his clothes don’t shout, they whisper. But it seems for his Fall 2013 collection, Laing has decided to spice things up.

Most of the collection was still signature Laing, with beautifully-cut pieces, leather detailing, flowy skirts (and dresses), and classic palettes, but…added to the mix was gold lamé seersucker. Present in more than a few looks, the shiny (yet lightweight) pieces were a (good) shock to the eye, and added that certain je ne sais quoi to the designer’s fall collection. And though I wouldn’t be brave enough to wear gold lamé head-to-toe, I would certainly love to add a shiny motorcycle jacket to my growing collection of fun outerwear.

Apart from the not-so-lame lamé, I fell in love with the black and white striped print – a result of a collaboration with a Toronto-based artist Vanessa Maltese. The “broken” stripes paired with a pop of yellow was my favourite combo on the runway that night.

At the end of the show, Laing gave a quick interview, walking the attendees through the inspiration behind a few of his favourite pieces, sharing that his clothes are “hard to sew” but “easy to wear”, and having seen his pieces on cool-girls like Anita Clarke and Sarah Nicole Prickett (worn effortlessly, it seems), that statement certainly rang true.

What do you think of Jeremy Laing’s Fall 2013 collection? Share in the comments!

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Toronto Fashion Week: Jean-Pierre Braganza Fall 2013 Collection at the shOws

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It’s official! Jean-Pierre Braganza is one of my absolute favourite Canadian designers. His Spring 2013 collection took my breath away last year, and I simply loved his Fall 2013 show. With Asian-inspired prints, origami-like folds, and elegant outerwear, Braganza’s fall collection was a treat to see up close and personal.

My favourite pieces included the elegant structured blazers and flowy draped gowns, and while last season’s prints were more my steeze, I appreciated Braganza’s fall prints all the same. The mesmerizing photo-print tunic was definitely something I would  add to my wardrobe next season.

All in all, I was really happy to be able to take in Jean-Pierre Braganza’s Fall 2013 collection in person at the shOws. He’s an incredibly talented designer, and it’s thrilling to watch him succeed.

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Toronto Fashion Week: Joe Fresh Spring 2013 Collection

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Joe Fresh gives good show. Everybody knows that. And though it’s been proven many a-times before, Joe Fresh Spring 2013 show in particular, was one for the history books.

First things first…Pat Cleveland is a goddess. Pat opened the show sashaying, gliding, and dancing to the beat and down the runway, past the cheering and clapping audience, looking very much like the definition of fierce (sorry, that’s the only word I could use to describe it). It was glorious!

As for the clothes, I loved it all. Bold stripes, graphic prints, and silver leather pieces from this collection will be sure to make the upcoming summer a cool one…and my closet a happy one. I already have the entire Joe Fresh Fall 2012 collection in my closet (or at least most of it), Spring 2013 will soon follow suit.

Some of my favourite pieces included a metallic dress with cut-outs, metallic jackets and skirts, and black and white everything. Come spring, there’s a good chance you’ll see me camping out at my local Joe Fresh on truck days, stalking these pieces like a lioness stalks her prey. And to be honest, I’m really looking forward to it.

What do you think of this collection? Share in the comments!

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Toronto Fashion Week: Lucian Matis Spring 2013 Collection

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Toronto Fashion Week might be over, but some shows are still pretty vivid in my mind. Like Lucian Matis Spring 2013 collection – my favorite of the week. This being my second Lucian Matis show ever, I sat in awe, while model after model walked by, wearing  one amazing look after another.

The show opened with beautiful Moroccan tile printed dresses of my dreams, bright, colorful, flowing. With pops of blue, orange, yellow, and red, the collection was vibrant and beautiful, making me dream of a sunny vacation away, somewhere impossibly glam.

But it wasn’t all prints and flowy dresses. Matis closed the show with a few stunning croc-embossed edgy leather pieces. I imagine those will be the most expensive of the lot, but a girl can dream, right? I mean, how amazing is that boxy leather jacket?! And that skirt? Ahhh…these are the times when I wish I could rock a sample size, and score some sweet Lucian Matis loot of my own. Oh, well…maybe next year.

What do you think of the Lucian Matis Spring 2013 collection? Share in the comments.

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What I Wore: Streetstyling

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Fashion week is over, and after days of running around, not having time to eat or sleep in order to take in as much fashion as I possibly could, I can now relax and look back at all the fun I had. One of my fondest memories of last week was meeting Maxim Kopanygin, Flare Magazine’s street style photographer extraordinaire and as it turned out, a friend’s brother. Small world!

Even after hours in the rainy cold, outside of the tents, Max had the most positive energy…and his photos are amazing too! Pretty sure he has a huge future in fashion ahead of him.

Speaking of the photos, both of these outfits feature pieces I picked up during my last visit to Vaughan Mills mall - the gorgeous Maryam Keyhani necklace and green Prada clutch from Holts Last Call. Both purchased on major sale, and both special pieces I will treasure for years to come, and  which made my fashion week dressing that much easier! Now that’s what I call a good buy.

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I Wore: 1st Outfit: Leather Jacket, Necklace – Zara; Sweater – Winners; Skirt – H&M; Clutch – Prada (Holts Last Call); Sunglasses – Elizabeth and James

2nd Outfit: Trench – Burberry; Shirt, Pants – Joe Fresh; Necklace – Maryam Keyhani (Holts Last Call); Shoes – Zara; Bag – Flare x Aldo Shoes

Photo Credits: Maxim Kopanygin

Toronto Fashion Week: Holt Renfrew Hot at 175 Runway Show and Pink Tartan Spring 2013 Collection

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Yesterday was Day 1 of World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto, where I attended two of the most highly-anticipated shows of the week - Holt Renfrew Hot at 175 and Pink Tartan Spring 2013.

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I arrived nice and early to check out backstage hair and makeup prep, and to have a quick chat with Grace Lee, Maybelline Canada’s lead makeup artist. For the Holt Renfrew show, Grace created a polished “it-girl” look, classic and wearable, while Jorge Joao, Redken’s lead stylist, chose loose waves with a side part to match.

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Instead of showing Spring 2013 arrivals, Holt Renfrew presented a special edition runway celebrating the best of what’s in store and on-trend now, showcasing brands like Jeremy Laing, Smythe, Carven, Kenzo, MSGM, and even that now almost iconic Tom Ford gown that Gwyneth Paltrow wore to The Oscars. I loved the styling and the selection, which reminded me of all those fall pieces that I am still craving this season.

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Next up was Pink Tartan. Rocking her signature pink locks, model Charlotte Free opened the show in a midriff-baring bustier/full skirt combo. Head designer Kimberley Newport-Mimran shared that she chooses her models for their vibrant personalities, and with pink hair to match, Free was a perfect choice for Pink Tartan’s spring show.

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The collection itself featured delicate lace frocks, subtle metallics, pastel-coloured trapeze coats (Newport-Mimran’s favourite), brocade separates, full skirts, perforated leather, and Aldo Rise x Pink Tartan collaboration shoes (classic pumps with geometric heels). It was full of feminine, oh-so-pretty retro-inspired pieces, and despite the fact that I’m not a girlie girl, I loved it all. Will have to check out this collection once it becomes available at the flagship location in Yorkville in a few months.

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Overall, Day 1 was a blast! I got to see a lot of great fashion, hung out with fellow Stylicity bloggers Anita Clarke, Gloria Chik, and Crystal Gibson, visited backstage with Maybelline and Redken, and had a quick chat with Kimberley Newport-Mimran – all in a day’s work. Stay tuned for more World MasterCard Fashion Week coverage, as I attend some of my favourite shows later this week.

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Toronto Fashion Week: Canadian Essentials from eLUXE

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Toronto Fashion Week is here, and our city is buzzing with excitement of SS13 collections, street style photographers on the prowl, and media, bloggers, and industry folks flooding the tents on King Street. And since I wasn’t able to hit the shops last weekend to pick up a few things to wear this week, I checked out eLUXE’s wide assortment of Canadian-designed pieces instead!

From a roomy bag, to a statement blazer, to oh-so-necessary eye cream, it has never been easier to add a few Canadian pieces to your wardrobe (and beauty cabinet too!). And with special MasterCard Stylicity eLUXE deal ($25 credit when you spend $75 or more, $25 off purchase of $75 or more), the timing couldn’t be more perfect. So take advantage while you can!

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Toronto Fashion Week: Jean-Pierre Braganza Spring 2013 Collection at the shOws

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Tuesday marked the first night of the shOws and The Collections, and judging by the sheer amount of talent I’ve seen so far, this season, I’m in for a treat.

Last night, my personal favorite was Jean-Pierre Braganza’s Spring 2013 collection presented at the shOws. Braganza collaborated with Ukranian artist Zinaida Lihacheva, creating a gorgeous mixture of bold graphic prints and structured cuts, with origami-like folds and pleats present throughout the collection. And while there were sexy cut-outs and color-blocking aplenty, Braganza’s fluid silhouettes remained elegant and wearable, while keeping their edge. It’s no wonder that this collection received a lot of praise when he first presented it at London Fashion Week back in September.

I included some of my favorite moments from last night’s show below, but you can also see the entire Jean-Pierre Braganza Spring 2013 collection on Style.com. And trust me, you want to see the entire collection. It’s that good.

So what do you think of these pieces? Would you buy/wear any of them? Share in the comments.

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