Hayley Elsaesser

What They Wore: Power Ball 2019

7 June, 2019 Nelia

When it comes to The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery’s Power Ball, you go big or go home. And this year, with new presenting sponsor Holt Renfrew, guests of this notorious art bash brought their outfit A-game. I spotted lingerie as clothes, a frock fit for Marie Antoinette, sheer dresses, lots of neon, extravagant headdresses, and lots more. Partygoers had fun with their clothes at 21 Club, and it showed.

Beyond fashion-watching, Power Ball: 21 Club was full of immersive artist projects, vibrant performances, and delicious food and cocktails. Toronto-based artist Bruno Billio presented an enlarged version of his Tron209 room, “a work that engages with bygone visions of the future by manipulating everyday objects and spaces with tape and black light”. Outside, guests took selfies with Max Streicher’s large-scale inflatable sculptures, Sleeping Giants, sipped bubbly from the FIOL Prosecco bar, and indulged in delicious sandwiches from Arthur’s and desserts from Ricarda’s. And just in case that wasn’t enough, there were also 2000 Krispy Kreme donuts to indulge in, if you were still hungry.

The party also showcased the talents of Toronto’s diverse LGBTQ community curated by Tobaron Waxman of the Intergenerational LGBT Artist Residency, with stage performances by Carlotta Carlisle, Tynomi Banks, Flarington King, Gay Jesus, and Dainty Smith and Imogen Quest of Les Femmes Fatales Burlesque.

We came, we danced, we sipped bubbly, watched great performances, indulged in yummy bites, and interacted with fun art…and it was all just as promised – Toronto’s most thrilling art fundraiser. If you missed Power Ball: 21 Club, there’s always next year, but for now, check out the rest of the photos from this year’s party below.

More photos after the jump!
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Style Guide to a Smooth Valentine’s Day

1 February, 2017 Nelia

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It’s no secret that Valentine’s Day is one of my favourite days of the year. I live for the cutesy boxes of candy and chocolates, can never say no to a cheesy teddy bear or two, and want to buy (and wear) heart prints all day every day during the month of February. Regardless of whether I’m coupled up or blissfully single, Valentine’s Day has always been my jam. Needless to say, I don’t mess around when it comes to planning my Valentine’s Day outfit and activities. Below are some of my personal Valentine’s Day tips, in case you need a few ideas.

1. #ChooseToSmooth
While I don’t generally encourage people to go out bare-legged in February, Valentine’s Day is certainly an exception to the rule. Wintertime can be quite rough on skin in general, and while some people use this time to let their leg hair grow wild, I find that shaving my legs regularly helps keep my skin nice and smooth, especially when I use Gillette Venus Swirl razor and shave gel. Venus razors are specifically designed for women’s curves with 5 individually adjusting Contour blades, and give me a quick (but long-lasting) shave, while gently exfoliating the skin all at the same time. And even when I’m too lazy to use the shaving gel, the water-activated MoistureGlide serum provides enough glide for a smooth and comfortable shave. As a result, my legs look and feel great during those rough winter months whether I’m grinning and baring it for Valentine’s Day, doing Barre on weekends, or just lounging around the house with le bf.

2. Plan Ahead
If you plan to go out on Valentine’s Day, then making a reservation ahead of time is key. Most restaurants will have various Valentine’s Day specials, but if you take too long, your options may be quite limited. If you’d like to try something new, Lavelle (where these photos were taken) is one of the city’s most beautiful new restaurants, with super romantic views of the city and a Valentine’s Day menu to drool for. Pre-buy your tickets online, and enjoy a (stress-free) romantic Valentine’s Day dinner.

More after the jump!
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What I Wore: CHANEL Cruise Cuba Graphic Tee

1 September, 2016 Nelia

A while back I wrote about the amazing CHANEL Cuba Cruise 2017 collection, and the one piece I really (REEEEALLLY) wanted to get my hands on was the colourful graphic tee. Well, dreams do come true, because I finally got to wear one to the CNE last weekend! And while the collection won’t be hitting the boutiques until some time in November, I predict that this t-shirt is going to be one of the hottest items, and will most likely sell out immediately. So if you’re really serious about owning one, make sure to call your SA and ask to put one on hold in your size.

I love that graphic tees are making a high-fashion return. As you can see, I was inspired by the runway show styling, and paired my tee with a tweed pencil skirt, but of course, you can wear yours with denim or leather, under a blazer, or over a dress, dress it up or down. These tees are super versatile and a little retro, and I’m officially obsessed.

Do you like the graphic tee trend? Share your thoughts after the jump!

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What I Wore: Juicy Fruit

29 March, 2016 Nelia

I try to wear as many Canadian pieces as I can during Toronto Fashion Week, but sometimes the cutest options in your wardrobe are from Zara and you just have to go with it. With the exception of a few accessories this entire look is from Zara…from that fun yellow moto jacket to the colourblock shoes, and I love it all. The hem fringe on the jeans is very trendy right now, the striped sweater is a new MVP in my wardrobe, and paired with my trusty faux fur Prada stole, the jacket looks a lot more expensive than it actually is. Funny enough, if my hair wasn’t a unicorn-technicolour-dream, I probably wouldn’t wear so many bright colours together all at once, but for some reason, having rainbow hair has given me a new kind of DGAF attitude, slime sunnies and all.

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What I Wore: Pins and Brooches

25 March, 2016 Nelia

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I picked up this T by Alexander Wang bomber during The Outnet’s clearance sale, and loved the simplicity of it. But when it came time to wearing it, I found that it was missing something…turns out it was missing several pins and brooches. After arranging a few of my faves on the jacket, it finally looked complete!

The rest of the outfit came together like a charm thanks to a few stand-out accessories – my new fave Bulova watch – so elegant and timeless, my old fave fuzzy Prada clutch – a perfect match to Odessa Paloma Parker’s Shrimps stunner, and the most amazing choker from Jenny Bird – the one you probably have seen a million times on my Snapchat (@styleblogca if you want to check it out). With other accessories, this would’ve been a completely different look, but I am pretty happy with the way this one turned out. What do you think?

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Toronto Fashion Week: Best of Spring 2016 Collections

14 February, 2016 Nelia

Let’s pretend it wasn’t -19 this weekend, and instead look forward to spring and spring fashion. Last season of Toronto Fashion Week was one of my absolute favourites, with Canadian designers showcasing some serious talent. And while some designers like Matthew Gallagher create made-to-order garments only, others like Hayley Elsaesser have online stores, where you can pick up your fave spring pieces very soon. As such, I put together a list of my favourite pieces from the shows I attended last season. Supporting Canadian fashion industry means investing in clothing made by Canadian designers, so next time you’re considering a special occasion purchase or looking to add some excitement to your wardrobe, give one of these amazing designers a try. You may just become a lifelong fan.

Hayley Elsaesser

Hayley Elsaesser has firmly established her reputation as the go-to for crazy-fun but wearable clothing. Her prints are always on point, and her Spring 2016 Carnival of Curiousity collection was both printastic and fabulous. Once again, Hayley cast models and non-models in a wide range of ages, sizes, and ethnicities for her runway show, proving that literally ANYONE can pull off her clothing. Standouts from her collection included rainbow-printed faux leather dress, poodle-printed everything, and “Admit One” sequin pieces.

Matthew Gallagher

For his Spring 2016 show, Matthew Gallagher sent a line-up of vibrant and luxurious garments, complete with floaty capes, sexy cutouts, and exaggerated skirts. The collection was seriously beautiful! Even Lady Gaga is a fan. The ribbon dress was my personal fave – both a piece of art and something I could see myself wearing comfortably and often. All garments are hand-crafted and made-to-measure in Gallagher’s Toronto studio. You can get in touch and order your very own gown here.

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Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2015 Favourites

30 September, 2015 Nelia

WMCFW is coming, and while this season’s focus will be on Spring 2016 collections, I wanted to revisit last season’s shows, and share my Fall 2015 favourites. If you’re on the lookout for cool Canadian designs to invest in, perhaps you’ll find a few new faves as well.

Mikhael Kale
Mikhael Kale has long been at the top of my fave Canadian designer list, and still his Fall 2015 collection managed to exceed all of my expectations. Artful embellishments, creative shapes, a mix of textures and exciting colours – it was my favourite collection last season, and one I would almost go as far as to compare to couture – it looked exquisite! So far, I only own one Mikhael Kale piece, but I am certainly itching to add more from this incredibly talented designer. Select pieces from his Fall 2015 collection are available at Holt Renfrew, so make sure to check them out in person – I have no doubt that you’ll be impressed.

Hayley Elsaesser
Ever since I laid eyes on Hayley Elsaesser’s Spring 2015 Heavenly Bodies collection, I’ve been in love with her particular brand of eclectic maximalism. Her Fall 2015 Midnight Cowboy collection was true to her colourful aesthetic, full of fun prints executed on fairly classic silhouettes. There were matching knit crop top/skirt co-ordinates, bomber jackets, sweater dresses, and even a few things for the boys. I guess girls aren’t the only ones who want to have fun.

VAWK
It’s hard to believe that Sunny Fong’s fun but sophisticated ‘DOT du JOURS’ Fall 2015 collection was originally inspired by Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. There’s no trace of silliness that defined the animated film; instead, the collection was sexy and vibrant – with flirty cocktail dresses, glam gowns, and Sunny’s specialty – cool coats. Rounded shapes (meatball-inspired?) were featured prominently, adding an architectural feel to the collection. Another great showing from one of my fave Canadian designers.

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What I Wore: Appetite for Excess

16 June, 2015 Nelia

I’ve been in love with Hayley Elsaesser’s designs ever since her first WMCFW fashion show. The “Heavenly Bodies” collection was my gateway into the crazy-fun world of Canadian/Aussie designer Hayley Elsaesser, and it’s still one of my fave Canadian collections ever. I really connect to the playfulness of her prints, her choice of modern cuts, and the overall over-the-top aesthetic of the brand.

So when I learned that the theme of this year’s Power Ball was Appetite for Excess, I knew exactly what I wanted to wear – the Mouthy maxi in neoprene. Luckily, I had an amazing CHANEL Dubai clutch to complete my look of excess, and with a touch of glitter in my hair by Kelly from Medulla and Co, I was ready for the art party of the year.

But what I realized that day as I was riding the streetcar on my way to the hair salon, is that not everyone is as comfortable as I am with crazy prints, because a lot of people stared at me in befuddlement. But to me, this look is as normal as anything else in my wardrobe, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

More photos after the jump!
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What I Wore: In Living Colour

12 June, 2015 Nelia

Springtime is the best time to bust our your most colourful, most eclectic, most funtabulous pieces, and I think this lovely CHANEL Multicolor Jersey Flap bag totally qualifies. It elevates the most basic of outfits, adding a touch of whimsy and excitement.

I wore this outfit to work the other day and someone literally exclaimed “YOUR EARRINGS ARE GREEN!” with her eyes wide as saucers…I mean, yes, they are green…and yes, I work in an industry where green earrings raise eyebrows. Le sigh.

In case you didn’t know, CHANEL is currently having a summer sale, so for those of you who’d like to snag a little of that CC goodness, make your way to your nearest store and enjoy the deals. There are some really cool shoes available up to 50% off…jewelry and clothes too! It’s a dangerous place to be right now, but oh-so-good too! Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Happy Friday, lovelies!

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Toronto Fashion Week: Best Beauty Looks from Fall 2015 Shows

13 April, 2015 Aleyda

Another season of World MasterCard Fashion Week has ended and as always, I am here to give you a quick recap on my favourite beauty looks from Fall 2015 shows and how to achieve them, so let’s get to it!

Hayley Elsaesser was the belle of the ball last season with her bright and quirky spring collection. And her “Midnight Cowboy” fall line was just as good – a combination of 70’s glamour with a touch of Uma Thurman from Kill Bill.

Grace Lee the Head Makeup Artist for Maybelline started her beauty look with a sheer natural palette using Dream Wonder Liquid Touch Foundation and Face Studio Master Prime in Blur + Illuminate all over the face. She then created a translucent smoky eye look using a mix of molten brown shades (Plum Fusion and Taupe Crazy) and added a highlight in the form of Color Tattoo’s Tenacious Teal to the center of the lower lid. The eyes were then finished off with Brow Drama and Lash Sensational Mascara. For the two-toned lips, Grace used Color Sensational Lipstick in Rebel Bloom first as the base and then Vivid Rose on the center of the lips to create an ombre effect.

Redken’s Head Stylist Jorge Joao decided to incorporate blocks of color to the hair to reflect Hayley’s vibrant style. Hair was primed with Pillow Proof and then flat ironed to sleek perfection. He then made two tight braids on each side, which were then wrapped around to created 2 side buns. The ends of the braids were left sticking upwards, creating an almost bird-like effect. The look was sealed with a healthy dose of Control Addict 28 to keep stray hair in place.

Essie’s Lead Nail Artist Rita Remark was inspired by the animal print Hayley had in her collection and decided to recreate it on models’ nails. By blotting one color on top of another she was able to create a fun yet versatile look. Rita used Naughty Nautical, Meet Me at Sunset, Butler Please and Mod Square to achieve this exciting combo.

More after the jump!
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What They Wore: Power Ball 2019

Style Guide to a Smooth Valentine’s Day

What I Wore: CHANEL Cruise Cuba Graphic Tee

What I Wore: Juicy Fruit

What I Wore: Pins and Brooches

Toronto Fashion Week: Best of Spring 2016 Collections

Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2015 Favourites

What I Wore: Appetite for Excess

What I Wore: In Living Colour

Toronto Fashion Week: Best Beauty Looks from Fall 2015 Shows

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