Events | Style Blog | Canadian Fashion and Lifestyle News

What They Wore: Greta Constantine Poolside Prom

31 August, 2016 Nelia Leave a Comment

Leave it to the fab team behind Greta Constantine to make high-school chic by throwing a perfect end-of-summer Poolside Prom bash complete with Prom Kings and Queens, cheerleaders, and glam frocks. Speaking of beautiful clothes, models moved through the venue wearing pieces from the brand’s spring/summer 2017 collection which will be presented during Paris Fashion Week in October. But from the sneak peek that we got, I can already tell that it’s going to be one gorgeous collection.

“Models donned silk tulle overlays featuring voluminous sleeve detailings, boned bustiers, and exaggerated ruffles, atop rust-, metal-, and copper-hued slip dresses. The silk tulle pieces were in fact translated from existing silhouettes in the duo’s signature microfiber and silk wool fabrications from the Greta Constantine spring 2017 collection. The minimalist-maximalist tension that underlined each look, as well as the emphasis on semi-transparent fabrications, loaned a darkly romantic air as night fell and the temperature rose.”

Prom guests sipped Apothic Wine and Proof Vodka, nibbled on hot dogs and caviar-topped chips, and posed for the Yearbook Selfie Wall. I pasted my selfie over the spot that read “The Next Coco Chanel”, and even though it’s not exactly true, it felt good to dream big at Poolside Prom.

What do you think of Greta Constantine spring/summer 2017 collection sneak peek? Share in the comments.

More photos after the jump!
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You Are Invited: TIFF Soirée with Michael Fassbender

30 August, 2016 Nelia Leave a Comment

TIFF time is the best time to be in Toronto, and what better way to kick off the festival than at TIFF Soirée on September 7th with actor extraordinaire Michael Fassbender as the guest of honour?! In case you’re not familiar with what TIFF Soirée is all about, I asked maxine bailey, the Vice-President of Advancement for TIFF, to share her thoughts on what to wear to this gala and why TIFF Soirée is a not-to-be-missed event this September.

Q: What is your inspiration for this year’s TIFF Soirée Outfit?
A: Comfortable Glamour. Is that a thing? If it is, I’m going for it. TIFF Soirée is ALL about dressing up, but making sure my feet comfortably make it through the following 11 days. Lashes, big hair, sparkles and glitter, AND, comfy shoes. After all, this is the launch of our 41st Toronto International Film Festival and a fundraising gala to support our year-round outreach activities the other 354 days.
Q: Does the choice of a special guest influence your style decisions for the event?
A: I believe, most of the men and women in attendance, will be dressing for our fabulous guest of honour, Mr. Michael Fassbender. I mean, who wouldn’t. Mr. Fassbender makes you want to up the ante!

Q: What makes TIFF Soirée one of the best galas of the festival?
A: It’s a fantastic kick-off to the Festival, it gives you a sense of all that is to come for the next 11 days! And, much more importantly, funds raised from this event enable TIFF to reach out to youth in under-served communities and provide access to high-quality opportunities to learn about and engage with film, bringing film screenings, director discussions and workshops to community partners across the city FREE of charge through our outreach programmes. Our core outreach programs (Pocket Fund, Special Delivery, Reel Comfort) emphasize access, inclusion and diversity.
Q: Is it important for you to incorporate Canadian-designed clothes into your TIFF Soirée look?
A: Absolutely. For the 7th year in a row, I’m working closely with my lovely co-designer, Susan Dicks, who makes the bulk of my Festival clothing. It’s important for me to feel and look good as we race through those 11 action-packed days so leading up to the Festival, I scour fabric stores and land on the doorstep of Susan’s studio with ideas, Pinterest pics, and tons of ambition.

And there you have it, if you love Michael Fassbender, would like to contribute to future TIFF initiatives, and can’t wait to dress up to celebrate the 41st Toronto International Film Festival, then you should definitely attend the TIFF Soirée on September 7th. The evening will start with an exclusive onstage conversation at TIFF Bell Lightbox, followed by a rooftop cocktail party…and of course, Michael Fassbender will be there too. Tickets are still available and can be purchased HERE. See you there?

More photos from past TIFF Soirées after the jump!
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You Are Invited: Best Buy Life & Wearable Tech Expo and Fashion Show

23 August, 2016 Nelia Leave a Comment

Sponsored Post
Do you remember The Jetsons? I used to watch that cartoon as a kid, dreaming of flying cars and helpful robots, thinking that it was all just a far-fetched fantasy. Well, in many ways, the future is here. Though we still don’t have flying cars, and only some people have robots in their houses, wearable tech is everywhere from smartwatches to wearable cameras, to virtual reality headsets – there are gadgets out there that we could only dream of just a decade ago. And if wearable tech is something that interests you (and if you live in Toronto), you should definitely stop by the Best Buy Life & Wearable Tech Expo and Fashion Show at Yonge and Dundas Square this Thursday. The expo is a full day interactive event, showcasing the latest wearable tech available at Best Buy.

I’m already a huge fan of Fitbit Alta, but I can’t wait to learn more about gadgets like Muse Brain-Sensing Headband, iON SnapCam, and Smart Rope! The event will include demos, panel discussions, a fashion show, and some cool surprises. If you can’t attend in person, make sure to follow hashtag #LifeandTech on Twitter. See you on Thursday!

EVENT: Best Buy Life & Wearable Tech Expo and Fashion Show
WHERE: Yonge and Dundas Square, Toronto
WHEN: August 25th, 2016 11am-9pm

Photo Credits: Best Buy Plug In Blog

Yayoi Kusama Exhibit is Coming to Toronto’s AGO in March 2018

16 August, 2016 Nelia Leave a Comment

When I first read the press release, March 2018 seemed much closer than it actually is…but no matter, 1.5 years is a small price to pay to finally have a proper showcase of Yayoi Kusama’s art in Toronto. Yup, a Yayoi Kusama exhibition is coming to AGO in March 2018, and I can’t wait!

“In March 2018, this exhibition will offer a unique opportunity to experience six of the renowned artists Yayoi Kusama’s most iconic kaleidoscopic environments at once, alongside large-scale, whimsical installations and key paintings, sculptures and works on paper from the early 1950s to the present. It also marks the North American debut of numerous new works by the 87-year-old artist, who is still actively creating in her Tokyo studio.

Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors makes its ONLY Canadian stop at the AGO from March to May, 2018. A selection of more than 60 paintings, sculptures and works on paper will also be on view, showcasing many of Kusama’s lesser-known collages, made after her return to Japan in 1973. These works trace the artist’s trajectory from her early surrealist works on paper to recent paintings and soft sculptures, highlighting recurring themes of nature and fantasy, utopia and dystopia, unity and isolation, obsession and detachment, and life and death.”

This is a big deal, and mark my words, in our age of selfie sticks and Instagram stories, this exhibition is going to be EVERYWHERE – in people’s Facebook profile photos, on Snapchat, and obviously all over your Insta. Kusama’s art is colourful, fun, and highly photogenic…so mark your calendars and get your credit cards ready – you don’t want to miss this one!

More about the exhibition after the jump!
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What I Wore: Power Ball 2016 – Pleasure Principle

6 June, 2016 Nelia 3 Comments

Just look at those inflatables behind me, happy and unaware of the night ahead of them. By the end of Power Ball XVIII: Pleasure Principle, most of those animals would be deflated and Inflatable Culture installation taken apart, creating numerous colourful photo-ops for partygoers throughout The Power Plant. As I mentioned in this post, Power Ball is one of my favourite parties of the year, and this year’s event did not disappoint. Apart from the inflatables, other art installations included Ungentrified by Lorna Mills – a collage of gif-like raunchy video clips, Opium Den by Karen Tam – “response to stereotypical portrayals of Chinese in the West”, complete with a gong and lanterns, Anaglyph by Jordan Sodenberg Mills – mirrors that created trippy 3D reflections, perfect for surreal selfies.

After checking out the installations, I devoured some delicious bites by Parts & Labour, and tried a non-alcoholic jello shot, which luckily wasn’t one of the chicken broth flavoured ones. It seemed that everyone in town was at the party, and I spent the rest of the night socializing and trying not to trip on my Erdem gown. It was definitely a night to remember, and I am already dying to find out what the theme for next year’s Power Ball will be.

So tell me, did you attend this year’s Power Ball? What was your favourite installation? Share in the comments!

More after the jump!
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You Are Invited: Power Ball 2016 – Pleasure Principle

26 May, 2016 Nelia 1 Comment

We are less than a week away from Power Ball XVIII: Pleasure Principle aka one of the best art parties of the year in support of The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery. If you know me, you know that I do not enjoy most galas, but Power Ball definitely falls into the DO NOT MISS category. Last year’s Power Ball XVII: Appetite for Excess was ridiculously fun – with over-the-top food displays (think story-high pastry towers, humongous loafs of bread, octopus chandeliers, and white-gloved hands popping up from tables to feed the attendees), colourful ball pits, and so many more exciting art installations. This year’s theme invites guests to explore their desires through various art-filled spaces at the gallery.

“VIP ticket holders start the evening at 7 p.m. with modernist cocktails prepared by BarChef, and a special production by New York-based artist Ryan McNamara. Remaining spaces open at 9 p.m., showcasing work by several Canadian artists including an opium den installation by Karen Tam and an exploration of (over)stimulation and sensuality by Laura Kikauka, among many other works. Chicago house music pioneer DJ Mark Farina and two of Toronto’s most talked about DJs, Teo Nio and CRSB, will provide musical entertainment throughout the evening. Max Mara will also have an on-site presence throughout the event with visual installations that represent the brand’s heritage, as well as performances by contemporary ballet dancer and choreographer Javon Jones, winner of the Max Mara Young Visionary Award for the National Young Arts Foundation.” Sounds pretty amazing, non?

Considering this year’s theme, I feel like I can probably get away with wearing the same dress I wore last year…and while I am certainly tempted, I am still on the hunt for something else to wear. Right now, I am thinking feathers, velvet, chokers, body chains and sexy heels. If you’re stumped for ideas, I put together a list of my fave Power Ball-inspired pieces below.

Tickets are still available HERE, and if you’ve never been to Power Ball before, I highly recommend this event as a date night, girls night out, or just a fun and fancy outing on a Thursday night. Pro tip: make sure to take Friday off, because going home early is not an option. See you there?

WHAT: Power Ball XVIII: Pleasure Principle
WHEN: June 2nd, 2016 at 7pm (VIP), 9pm (General)
WHERE: The Power Plant, 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto
TICKETS: www.thepowerplant.org

You Are Invited: Operanation 2016 – Queen of the Night

3 May, 2016 Nelia Leave a Comment

Last time I wrote about the annual Operanation party, I proclaimed it the “Met Gala of Toronto fashion”, and with good reason – I’ve never seen so many impeccably-dressed people in one place. Well, this year’s theme is Queen of the Night, and I just know it’s going to be a night to remember.

Canadian electro-pop band Dragonette is slated to collaborate with soprano Ambur Braid and the COC’s Ensemble Studio artists for an intimate performance. Other highlights will include open bar and culinary delights, a massive chocolate display by Brandon Olsen, live art installations by Gillian G, as well as custom-designed “Queen of the Night”-themed temporary tattoos and colouring books.

Following the on-stage performances, partygoers will be able to dance the night away to DJ Diego Armand or step into the Four Seasons Centre rehearsal space for live band karaoke with Toronto fave Good Enough Live Karaoke. I am not sure if I’ll be brave enough to follow in Dragonette’s footsteps by singing karaoke in front of a bunch of strangers, but perhaps after a few drinks, I’ll be slightly more daring? Either way, this year’s opera party promises to be an epic night of indulgence and wicked fun. Will you be there to enjoy it?

WHEN: Thursday, May 19th at 9pm
WHERE: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
145 Queen St W, Toronto
TICKETS: $150 per person
DRESS CODE: Queen of the Night

All funds for the 12th annual event go directly to supporting the COC Ensemble Studio, the nation’s premier training program for Canada’s young opera professionals. Tickets for the party portion of Operanation: Queen of the Night start at $150 per person and are available online at Operanation.ca or by calling COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231.

Met Gala 2016: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology

3 May, 2016 Nelia 3 Comments

The first Monday in May is here and so is the annual Met Gala aka Fashion Oscars. After poring over hundreds of celeb pics, I have to say that it was probably one of my fave red carpets in a while…which is why I had such a tough time choosing my faves. This year, there were so many interesting dresses, I couldn’t narrow down my choices to the usual “best” and “worst”, and so, I am just going to post all of the looks that I’d found either exciting, or super boring/terrible, so that you can judge for yourself.

Perhaps the red carpet was extra exciting thanks to this year’s theme – Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology. Anna Wintour arrived wearing one of my fave looks from CHANEL Haute Couture Spring 2016 collection, and knowing first-hand how important both technology and innovation are in creating a lot of the CHANEL looks, I loved her choice that much more. Other stand-outs included Solange in an origami-like David Laport frock of my dreams, Zoe Saldana sporting a gown with an exaggerated peacock-like train, Nicole Kidman in an ethereal caped creation, Kristen Stewart in yet another stunning CHANEL dress, Claire Danes in a glow-in-the-dark ball gown, and Lena Dunham, Jenna Lyons, and Jennifer Konner in custom-made J.Crew tuxes – so fresh and so cool, though perhaps not exactly adhering to the theme of the night.

I have to say that I was very disappointed to see Michelle Williams in a completely forgettable and way-too-casual dress, which was made even worse by her terrible new bangs and drab makeup – a rare misstep for this usually stylish actress. Other misses included Grimes in an ill-fitting dress and dishevelled hair, SJP in a puzzling get-up, Kerry Washington looking like she was going to a Halloween party dressed as a witch, and a whole bunch of people like Elle Fanning, Katie Holmes, Amber Heard, Emily Ratajkowski, Maria Sharapova, among others, who wore completely forgettable dresses, definitely not worthy of the Met Gala. Last, but not least, Taylor Swift, who was the co-chair of this year’s event, totally missed the mark in a cocktail dress that could have come from Banana Republic (no offence to Banana Republic, but it’s usually not Met Gala appropriate).

And there you have it, my faves and not-so-faves from this year’s Met Gala. Which looks did you like? Share your best and worst in the comments.

More after the jump!
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Karl Lagerfeld’s “Obra en Proceso / Work in Progress” Exhibit Coming To Havana

25 April, 2016 Nelia 1 Comment

Back in October I wrote about the upcoming CHANEL Cruise 2016/17 show that will be presented on El Paseo del Prado in Havana, Cuba on May 3rd. But if that wasn’t enough reason for you to book a flight to Cuba, now it’s been announced that as part of the month of French culture in Cuba, the House of CHANEL will be presenting the exhibition “Obra en Proceso/Work in Progress” by Karl Lagerfeld at the Factoria Habana in Cuba, running from April 28th to May 12th, 2016.

“This exhibition, divided into three sections representing the designer’s main interests – fashion, architecture and landscapes – brings together more than 200 of Karl Lagerfeld’s photographs. It explores the great diversity of subjects, approaches and techniques that define the very personal and subtle interpretation that makes Karl Lagerfeld’s photography.”

Unlike some of the other exotic destinations for the CHANEL Cruise collections, Cuba is so much more easily-accessible for those of us in North America. Flights are affordable and quick from Toronto…and I really wish I could jump on a plane and check out this exhibit. What about you? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Photo Credits: CHANEL

You Are Invited: CHANEL All Access Beauty Event at Holt Renfrew

19 March, 2016 Nelia Leave a Comment

I am not a morning person, but I sprang out of my bed bright and early to preview the new CHANEL All Access Beauty Event at Holt Renfrew earlier this week. Located on the Concourse Level of the Bloor Street flagship, the CHANEL space is as chic as it gets. Don’t call it a pop-up shop, but it certainly feels like one!

Running until April 10th, this is definitely one of those “RUN, DON’T WALK” events. Not only can you choose from a selection of complimentary services* (Makeup Master Class from a CHANEL pro, anyone?), but there’s a “create-your-own-gif” photobooth, complete with cool props like the lipstick piano and drum set. And if that’s not enough excitement for you, cocktails will be served every Thursday from 5pm-7pm. Magnifique!

The space itself is a visual gem – with rows upon rows of lipsticks and nail polish in various poppy shades, glam vanity mirrors, and other très CHANEL details. At the end of my visit, I walked out with the new Rouge Coco Stylo, which quickly became my new favourite lipstick/balm. It’s super moisturizing, glides on for a smooth and creamy application with a superb colour pay-off – a must-have summer lipstick.

CHANEL All Access Beauty event at Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street will be held until April 10th, so make sure to stop by and find your own perfect lipstick and nail colour, or simply pretend to be in a CHANEL band. You know you want to!

*Check out the list of complimentary services after the jump!
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