Giles Deacon

What They Wore: Met Gala 2015 Recap

5 May, 2015 Nelia

Ok, so first things first – to me, The Met Gala is all about taking risks, embracing the theme, and going all out. This event is not the time to pull out your LBD, your prom dress (I’m looking at you, Elizabeth Banks!), or your ice-skating get up (unless the theme is ice-skating, that is). With that said, I don’t think Beyonce, who so many consider the Best Dressed of the evening, brought her A-game. She wore a gown that revealed a lot of skin, not unlike JLo, and completely failed at embracing the night’s theme – “China: Through the Looking Glass”, and while my top picks are probably not going to be crowd-pleasers, I firmly stand by my choices.

My top looks of the night included FKA Twigs in a crazy-cool Christopher Kane dress (yes that’s a penis, and no, Robert Pattinson does not deserve her hotness), Georgia May Jagger in an Asian-inspired Gucci robe, Solange in a Giles Deacon flying saucer amazingness, which totally did not adhere to the dress code, but was so bonkers I loved it, Chloe Sevigny in a very theme-appropriate JW Anderson creation that is sure to land her on some Worst Dressed lists, but I thought she pulled off flawlessly…I also loved Grace Coddington in silk pajamas. I know, it’s pajamas…but it’s Grace effing Coddington, and she had a flight right after…and she looks awesome and comfy.

In other Met Gala news, SJP wore a dress designed by H&M (!!!), and Emily Ratajkowski wore a pretty Topshop frock…fast fashion on the Met Gala red carpet? I never thought I’d see the day. I loved Dakota Johnson’s CHANEL handbag, which was super cute…and while her disco-ball dress did look smashing on her, perhaps she should’ve opted for something a little more fancy. I have to say that I didn’t love Rihanna’s “omelet” gown, but I’ll take it over what Kanye West’s wife wore any day…Also, there’s a photo I can’t find right now, one where Rihanna’s going up the red stairs and it looks like an image from a fairy tale. Points to RiRi for taking a risk.

I also thought Anne Hathaway, Miley Cyrus, Carey Mulligan, Diane Kruger, and Keri Russell deserve shout-outs for their awesome outfits last night…they weren’t my faves for the occasion, but were notable nonetheless. Lastly, Emily Blunt looked lovely in a caped Prada…but there’s something about this look that’s just not doing it for me…perhaps if it was in a different colour?

So here you have it, my recap of the Met Gala 2015…Share your faves after the jump!

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What They Wore: Celeb Looks from Met Gala 2013

7 May, 2013 Nelia

This year’s Met Gala theme was “PUNK: Chaos to Couture”, and since so many of the celebs in attendance nailed it, I couldn’t simply post my fave looks and be done with it. This time, I chose to bring you not only my fave looks, but also the runners-up, and the headscratchers all in one post.

Let’s start with my faves. I loved the ornate Dolce and Gabbana dress on Katy Perry, the grand headpiece on SJP, the elegant Margiela on Gwen Stefani, the stunning, but decidedly NOT punk Givenchy gown on Rooney Mara, and an orange moomoo-like goodness on Ashley Olsen. None of those looks screamed punk to me, but I found these dresses to be interesting, fashion-forward, and gorgeous too. Well, SJP’s panty-flashing Giles gown wasn’t exactly my type, but if anyone could’ve pulled it off it’s her.

Apart from my top 5, I enjoyed so many other looks! From Giovanna Battaglia gilded head-to-toe goodness, to Solange Knowles looking lovely in a Kenzo gown that was perhaps a tad too casual for the Met, but beautiful nonetheless, to Emma Watson in a very sexy Prabal Gurung…there was no shortage of fashion porn at this year’s gala. Some celebs decided to don simple LBDs to the event, which in my opinion was a total waste (I’m looking at you, Michelle Williams), but others made up for it with punk hair (Miley Cyrus), and studs galore (looking gorgeous, Sienna Miller!).

All in all, I loved this year’s fashion offerings. I hate wading through a million photos of boring outfits, and this year there weren’t too many.

So now it’s your turn! Which celebs brought their A-game to the 2013 Costume Institute Gala, and which crashed and burned? Share your opinions in the comments!

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God Save The Queen: Panel Discussion/Trunk Shows

26 October, 2010 Nelia

The morning after the oh-so-fabulous God Save The Queen party at The Room, I woke up excited and ready to go. Why excited, you might ask? Well, not only did The Bay fly the fab Brits into Toronto for a party, the designers were also on hand to showcase their Spring 2011 collections, which were open to the public the next day. Unable to pass up such an incredible opportunity, my schedule was planned around the The Next British Invasion.

Having apparently missed Charlotte Olympia’s trunk show, I was a bit bummed, but was really looking forward to the panel discussion with the designers and Bronwyn Cosgrave at the helm. And it was well-worth the wait!

Having prepared for the day by reading some of the designers’ previous interviews, it was still fascinating to hear the Q&A straight from the artists’ mouths in an intimate environment. Designers were asked about their personal journeys and how they came to be who they are today. Best response of the day definitely went to Charlotte Olympia Dellal, who, when asked why she chose to design shoes of all things, replied with “What girl wouldn’t want to make her own shoes?”. A response that drew many ladies in attendance to nod (and whoop) in agreement.

Jonathan Saunders offered some insight into collaborating with Topshop, while Nicholas Kirkwood shared stories about the upcoming opening of his first standalone store and the late Isabella Blow – style icon credited with much of Alexander McQueen’s success. Giles Deacon provided some comic relief for the day, by addressing Cosgrave’s “Lindsay Lohan” question by saying that he had to get rid of “loads of needles” at Ungaro…”sewing needles that is”. Mark Fast let us in on reasons why he chooses to make his clothes by hand and Erdem Moralioglu told us that his secret for dealing with bad reviews is to “move on quickly”.

I know that I’ve said this before, but it felt almost surreal to be listening to these incredibly talented designers lined up in front of us, gathered in the same room. And judging by their interaction, one could definitely tell that they genuinely enjoyed each other’s company too. Erdem confirmed this by offering that they “have a wonderful sense of community where we all know each other and we’re all friends”. They certainly seemed friendly enough – no claws in sight.

The panel discussion was followed by a string of trunk shows, featuring beautiful Spring 2011 clothes from London, which even Jeanne Beker couldn’t resist attending.

By the end of the day, one could clearly see that both events were hugely successful – an incredible opportunity for Canadians to get a glimpse behind the curtain of the fascinating world of British Fashion Royalty, courtesy of The Room and its creative director Nicholas Melamphy. And judging by the direction The Bay has taken as of late, and by the willingness of the new and established designers to be seen and for their brands to be carried at the venerable Canadian retailer, this might be one of the first events of such scale in Toronto, but it certainly isn’t the last. I can’t wait to see what’s in store next!

Marios Schwab, Leith Clark, Erdem Moralioglu, Jonathan Saunders, Giles Deacon, Nicholas Kirkwood, Olympia Dellal

Nicholas Kirkwood and I. He shared that he was going on a quick trip to Niagara Falls right after the trunk shows – a place we all take for granted, yet it’s fascinating for the Brits. Who would’ve thought?

My fave Kirkwood for Rodarte wax heels…drool…swoon…le sigh.

God Save The Queen: The Next British Invasion Party!

21 October, 2010 Nelia

Last week, the most amazing thing happened. A group of prominent young British designers landed in Toronto to be feted at The Bay’s own Room on Queen St. Having swooned over many of their collections on Style.com for years, it was an incredible experience to have been able to meet and mingle with such creative geniuses as Canadian-born Erdem Moralioglu and Mark Fast, Jonathan Saunders, Nicholas Kirkwood, Giles Deacon, Marios Schwab, Tom Binns, Mary Katrantzou and the lovely Charlotte Olympia Dellal – all huge names worldwide, and all partying together at the same Room at the same time! When I first got the invite, I think le boyfriend went deaf from my…ahem…excitement. Huge thanks to Sandra for the invite! You’ve made my year!

I must say that I was quite nervous and starstruck by most of these talented individuals, and as Sharon of The Backseat Stylers put it, sometimes you have to remind yourself that designers too are people. If there was one designer that I really REALLY wanted to meet it had to be Erdem. I’ve always been fascinated by his beautiful, feminine designs and thankfully, the designer himself was just as charming in person. As a Canadian, who once upon a time went to Ryerson, he said that it felt great to come home, where he still has a lot of friends and family.

Later on at the party, I also got a chance to meet and speak to Charlotte Olympia Dellal, whose fun and fab outfit (peep the banana clutch) and whimsical shoes stole my heart, as did her cheeky personality.

Other attendees that night included Tommy Ton of Jak and Jil, whose photos are a huge inspiration to thousands of fashion lovers everywhere, and who is also notably a Canadian, Lisa Tant of Flare Magazine, Dan Levy of MTV Canada, and dozens of amazing Toronto bloggers. I had such an great time hanging out with Sharon and her hubby, Kimberly of The Souls of My Shoes, Lisa – The Hip Urban Girl, and meeting stylist Tricia Campbell Hall.

There were so many stylish people to photograph, so many beautiful (and I mean REALLY beautiful) clothes and shoes to look at – I can truthfully say that this was the event of the year in my books. So much talent and fashion under one roof, it was intoxicating.

And that’s the thing about the new Room at The Bay. It offers a wealth of labels to even the pickiest of shoppers, all carefully displayed in a gorgeous, brightly lit space, featuring trunk shows straight off the latest fashion shows, and giving its customers an opportunity to actually meet the designers. Even on a regular shopping day, The Room is an experience in itself, but pair it with what happened at The Next British Invasion gala, and you’ve got yourself a sure recipe for a night to remember. It might not feel like The Bay you already know, and perhaps it isn’t. This newly-improved Bay is way better!

What I Wore: Dress – Jacob; Blazer – Zara; Socks – H&M; Bag – Prada; Shoes – Miu Miu

Photo Credits: Style Blog, Last Photo Courtesy of The Backseat Stylers

Don’t Miss – This Week in Toronto!

13 October, 2010 Nelia

LG Fashion Week is almost here, and it seems that Toronto is buzzing with excitement! But until next week, there are plenty of things to do and see for fashion lovers in the city. Here’s a list of the do-not-miss events happening this week:

1. God Save the Queen at The Bay (Friday, October 15th)

If there’s an event this October that makes one forget about Toronto Fashion Week altogether, this one is it. For all those Brit Fashion fans, The Room at The Bay is hosting a two-day “British Invasion”, which includes designers Mark Fast, Erdem Moralioglu, Jonathan Saunders, Charlotte Olympia Dellal, Nicholas Kirkwood, Marios Schwab and Giles Deacon showing off their designs, fresh off London Fashion Week runways. And though Thursday night is guest-list only, Friday, October 15th is free for all.

Spring 2011 trunk shows will include Charlotte Olympia at 11am, The Next Wave of British Fashion Panel Discussion at 12pm, Giles Deacon at 1pm, Erdem (woohoo!) at 2pm, Nicholas Kirkwood at 3pm, and Jonathan Saunders at 4pm. This is your chance to see Spring 2011 collections up close and personal before they even hit the stores. Definitely an opportunity not to be missed. See you there?

2. Eleven Boutique Celebrates Canadian Art & Fashion

This month, Eleven celebrates top Canadian fashion designers along with the work of local Canadian artists; beginning with an installation by Toronto born artist Jenna Pietrobon, amongst a backdrop of this season’s most coveted Fall fashions and accessories. Closing the celebratory month is a shopping evening partnering with local neighbour, The Guild Shop, the Ontario Crafts Council’s retail gallery since 1932.

Eleven Art Installation
When: Now Showing until October 15th

Celebrating Canadian Art and Fashion
When: Thursday October 28th, 5pm – 8pm

Eleven, a boutique that carries a lot of Canadian fashion/jewelry brands is a must-visit on your next trip to Yorkville. And if you can squeeze in some culture, while supporting Canadian art & fashion? Even better.

3. Sears Canada LG Fashion Week Promotion

As one of the Fashion Week sponsors, Sears teamed up with LG for the following fashion week promos:

– Visit one of the participating stores and fill out a ballot to win 1 of 5 V.I.P. tickets to the Sears Attitude Fashion show at LG Fashion Week on October 20, 2010.

– 1 of the 5 ticket winners will also win a LG Steam Washer & Dryer* (Selected winner must be present at the Fashion show on October 20 or will forfeit the prize).

– Purchase a new LG Steam Washer & Dryer and receive a $100 Sears Gift Card, October 8 – 24, 2010

4. Dare to Wear Love Show

Ok, so this one is not happening this week, per se. But it is for a good cause, and tickets are already available, so you’d better move fast if you’d like to attend. This year, all seats are being sold in order to raise funds for the grassroots organizations in Africa on the frontlines of the AIDS pandemic, supported by the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

At 8 p.m. on Friday, October 22, ticket holders will have the opportunity to attend an exclusive cocktail party in the Fashion Environment at Heritage Court. Following the party, guests will experience Dare to Wear Love, an uplifting and unforgettable show full of African-inspired fashion, dance and music.

More than 25 talented designers including Brian Bailey, Evan Biddell, Damzels In This Dress, David Dixon, Comrags, Linda Lundström, Lucian Matis, Pat McDonagh, Jason Meyers, Nada, Kingi Carpenter, Izzy Camilleri, and many more will produce one women’s or men’s ensemble for a mix of professional models, celebrity models and friends of the designers to wear down the runway. Each designer is given six yards of eye-catching fabrics sourced from Africa to create their one-of-a-kind look.

What They Wore: Met Gala 2015 Recap

What They Wore: Celeb Looks from Met Gala 2013

God Save The Queen: Panel Discussion/Trunk Shows

God Save The Queen: The Next British Invasion Party!

Don’t Miss – This Week in Toronto!

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