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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

More after the jump!
[Read more…]

Fashion, Fashion Week Canadian, Canadian Designers, Fall 2015, Fashion Week, Hayley Elsaesser, Helder Diego, Mackage, Malorie Urbanovitch, Mikhael Kale, Pink Tartan, Toronto, Toronto Fashion Week, VAWK, WMCFW

Styled by Nelia: Wear Canada for Canada Day

27 June, 2015 Nelia


Canada Day is around the corner and this year we wanted to showcase some of the wonderful Canadian brands available at Yorkdale. Some, like HBC Collection are iconic and can be found in many Canadian homes, while others like Erin Kleinberg and ela handbags are less mainstream, but nevertheless deserve your attention.

If you did a quick glance inside your wardrobe, how many Canadian brands would you find there? Adding just a few more Canadian pieces to your wardrobe every now and then would help support local brands and designers, while promoting Canadian fashion industry in general. So many designers have to leave the country in order to find popularity, and it’s really sad, because the talent is all here, we just need to help nourish it.

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So next time you’re looking for a work outfit, skip your fave fast-fashion retailer and consider picking up a few well-made items from Judith & Charles or Pink Tartan (avail at Holt Renfrew). Instead of buying a “designer” purse, invest in a timeless bag by ela or Mackage (avail at Holt Renfrew and Mendocino). Buy a stunning Dean Davidson (avail at Holt Renfrew) or Jackson Rowe (avail at Mendocino) jewelry piece that you’ll keep forever, or a trendy Brave leather belt (available at Mendocino) that will go with all of your outfits.

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Once you take a look around, it’s really easy to find cool Canadian brands, and Yorkdale carries so many – ALDO, Aritzia, Brave, Cougar, Danier, Dean Davidson, Dsquared2, Dynamite, ela handbags, Erin Kleinberg, HBC Collection, Honey, Jackson Rowe, Judith & Charles, Mackage, Pink Tartan, RW&Co, RUDSAK, Tristan, Wilfred, and so many more!

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I’m not saying that you should avoid all non-Canadian brands, but with so many amazing local designers, adding a few more Canadian pieces to your wardrobe should be a breeze. And what better time to start than Canada Day?

Share your fave Canadian designers in the comments, and HAPPY CANADA DAY!

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Photos and Video by Max Kopanygin

Fashion, Shopping, What I Wore Aldo, Dean Davidson, Ela Handbags, Erin Kleinberg, HBC Collection, Holt Renfrew, Jackson Rowe, Judith & Charles, Mackage, Mendocino, Pan Am Team Collection, Pink Tartan, Styled By Nelia, The Bay, Yorkdale, Yorkdale Style Council

Toronto Fashion Week: Best Beauty Looks from Fall 2015 Shows

13 April, 2015 Aleyda

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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!

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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.

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More after the jump!
[Read more…]

Fashion Beauty, Brow Drama, Color Sensational Lipstick, Control Addict 28, Dream Wonder Liquid Touch Foundation, Essie, Face Studio Master Prime, Fall 2015, Fashion Week, Grace Lee, Hayley Elsaesser, Jorge Joao, Mackage, Maybelline, Narces, Pillow Proof, Redken, Rita Remark, Toronto Fashion Week, WMCFW

Toronto Fashion Week: Best Beauty Looks From Spring 2015 Shows

21 November, 2014 Aleyda

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Another season of World MasterCard Fashion Week came and went in a whirlwind of lipstick and hairspray and I am here you give you a quick recap of the most noteworthy looks of Spring 2015.

Make Up

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Haley Elsaesser had one of the more unique looks of the week. Haley’s “Heavenly Bodies” collection reflected a very bright, sparkly mix of pastel colours and prints. To prep the skin, Maybelline’s Head Makeup Artist Grace Lee used Dream Finish BB Cream, making the skin  look smooth and flawless. After highlighting the bridge of the nose, top cheekbones and eyes, she finished the look with two-toned red and pink lips. Color Whisper in Faint for Fuchsia was applied on the top lip and Color Whisper Oh La Lilac on the bottom.
Star Product: Maybelline’s Color Whisper in Faint for Fuchsia and Oh La Lilac

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Matthew Gallagher’s collection was inspired by the “Rebirth of Spring”, so the make-up reflected this through a mix of soft nude/bronze colours. Skin was made to look fresh and dewy with Dream Wonder Liquid Touch Foundation, contoured with bronzer and then highlighted (with focus on the top of the cheekbones and underneath the brow). Lash Sensational Mascara was applied generously on the lashes, with the final touch of Color Elixir by Color Sensational in Breathtaking Apricot lightly blotted off to give it a worn-in look.
Star Products: Lash Sensational Mascara in Black and Color Elixir by Color Sensational in Breathtaking Apricot

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Mackage’s inspiration came from “a hip well-traveled girl on the go”. Smooth, matte skin created the perfect palette for this natural look. Eyes were kept simple, yet strong with a coat of Great Lash Mascara and the new Eye Studio Brow Drama gel on the eyebrows (a new favorite product of mine) to create a strong brow. The lips were the unique part, with Grace creating an ombre look using Color Sensational Creamy Matte in Magenta as the base all over the lips and then taking Color Whisper in Oh Lilac and gently blotting it on the center of the lips. Natural, but really cool.
Also, noteworthy was the fresh take on the models’ nails with Essie’s Lead Nail Artist Rita Remark taking blue polish and placing a dot on the half-moon at the base of the nail. Fun and easy!
Star Products: Eye Studio Brow Drama in Dark Brown

Best Hair Looks after the jump!
[Read more…]

Beauty, Fashion Week Beauty, Fashion Week, Grace Lee, Haley Elsaesser, Jorge Joao, Mackage, Matthew Gallagher, Maybelline, Pink Tartan, Redken, Rita Remark, Spring 2015, Stephan Caras, Toronto Fashion Week, WMCFW

Styled By Nelia: Timeless Outerwear Trends

10 September, 2014 Nelia

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With fall on our heels, it’s time to start updating our wardrobes. Sandals and shorts may not have as much wearability once rainy weather sets in, so off they go to the back of the closet, and out come the sweaters, the boots and the leather pants. As with every new season, there’s excitement in the air, and temptation to buy lots of new trendy clothes. And while I don’t discourage you from jumping on the trend bandwagon, sometimes a girl can’t handle any more one-season-wonders in her closet. Last month, I stopped by Mendocino – one of the trendiest stores at Yorkdale – to find 3 items that are in this season, but won’t go out of style for at least a few years, and maybe ever! I focused on outerwear, because living in Toronto, you really can’t have too many coats and jackets, and here’s what happened:

Three Timeless Outerwear Trends After the jump!

[Read more…]

Fashion, Shopping Clover Canyon, Coats, Fall Style, Free People, Line Knitwear, Mackage, Max Kopanygin, Mendocino, Shopping, Styled By Nelia, Yorkdale, Yorkdale Style Council

Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 Roundup

9 April, 2014 Nelia

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I suppose it’s not a bad thing that spring is taking its sweet time getting here, because last month’s Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2014 shows feel as relevant as ever. Even if I am getting quite fed up with my winter clothes, I wouldn’t mind wrapping myself in some covet-worthy leather jackets, beautiful printed dresses, and fuzzy mohair sweaters that I saw on the runways in March. This season, thanks to Best Buy Canada and VIVA Beauty from Best Buy, I was fully prepared for the craziness of fashion week – my survival kit included a fancy Canon DSLR camera, complete with a brand new SD card, and some beauty goodies to get me through the week looking fresh – it was a lifesaver! This season, I also didn’t attempt being in several places at the same time, but selected a few days and a few designers to support, and I have to say that it really worked out well for me. I didn’t feel as burnt out as usual, and I still got to see and shoot some amazing Canadian designers at work.

One of the highlights of my week was Beaufille. The latest collection from Chloe and Parris Gordon was full of standout pieces worthy of a good catfight. Loose silhouettes, paired with cleverly placed slits and hook-and-eye embellishments, embossed leather and of course the piece that stole my heart – the red moto jacket of my dreams – it was all very wearable, modern, and oozed the cool factor. Definitely my favourite collection from the Canadian sisters. The only thing I hate about this is the fact that I’ll have to wait forever (6-8 months) to get my hands on my fave pieces.

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As usual, the Joe Fresh show was complete and utter mayhem. Even without a top model headliner, the show was packed, with people spilling out of their seats, and for good reason too. Once again, Joe Mimran showed a collection of affordable pieces that still managed to get hearts racing, and that will pretty soon be available not only in Canada and the US, but in 23 other countries worldwide! Not too shabby for a brand that began at a grocery store, non?

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But despite the big expansion news, Joe Fresh Fall 2014 collection was as Canadian as they come, what with a ton of cute jackets (wool, moto, puffers, you name it!), intarsia sweaters, and faux fur dominating most of the looks. But perhaps because winter and I, we are done professionally, my personal faves were the lovely dresses printed with ethereal images of landscapes and nature. Once these hit the stores, be prepared to fight me for them. Elbows up, ladies!

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Pink Tartan Fall 2014 was another collection quite heavily influenced by Canadian winters. While Kim Newport-Mimran stuck to her signature ladylike aesthetic, she mixed in a few unexpected patterns and fabrics, making this one of my favourite Pink Tartan collections ever (with the exception of this one).

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The collection was very “glam cocktail hour at the chalet”, what with cozy intarsia sweaters, black and red buffalo check, fur stoles, and ginormous fur mittens, mixed with full skirts, metallic dresses, and leather pants. Practical and chic? I would like one of each, please and thank you.

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Always a personal favourite, Mackage Fall 2014 show definitely did not disappoint. With scattered faux maple leafs lining the runway, the models rocked some of the best outerwear pieces I’ve seen all week. Clearly, co-creative directors of the brand Elisa Dahan and Eran Elfassy know what Canadians both want and need from their winter wares – style and function, and boy did they deliver!

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Fur trims, quilted leather everything, pops of fuchsia, Black Watch tartan pieces, oh my! It was unfair how good everything looked…and also quite dangerous for my wallet. And don’t even get me started on their bags! Simply put…this collection was the bomb-dot-com.

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More after the jump!

[Read more…]

Fashion, Fashion Week, Trends Beaufille, Canadian, Fall 2014, Joe Fresh, Line Knitwear, Mackage, Pink Tartan, Toronto, Toronto Fashion Week, VAWK, WMCFW

What I Wore: Cold Weather Essentials

12 November, 2013 Nelia

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I finally got my Mackage jacket, you guys! It’s stylish and warm and I love it so much, I would probably sleep in it if I could. Same goes for my new Acne Pistol boots. I don’t know why it took me so long to finally make the leap, but now that I own these bad boys, I hardly ever wear anything else (on my feet, that is). If you are looking for a pair of comfy, versatile ankle boots, I highly recommend these.

Isn’t it funny how some pieces get so much wear, while others hardly ever see the light of day? All of the pieces from this outfit are definitely hard-workers and will surely be worn all the time this winter – fleece-lined tights from H&M, cashmere sweater from Joe Fresh, Club Monaco leather skirt, kitty ears toque from Zara, my new fave bag from Proenza Schouler, and of course, the two pieces I mentioned above. Throw in my super-warm Canada Goose parka into the mix and you have my winter wardrobe in a nutshell.

What about you? What are your cold weather essentials? Share in the comments!

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mackage-jacket-ps11-tiny-acne-pistol-9

More after the jump!

[Read more…]

Fashion, Organic Style, What I Wore Acne, Acne Pistol, Club Monaco, Fall Outfits, H&M, Joe Fresh, Mackage, Organic Style, Proenza Schouler, PS11 Tiny, What I Wore, Zara

Toronto Fashion Week: Mackage Spring 2014 Collection

5 November, 2013 Nelia

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I know I’ve mentioned my Mackage obsession before, but after seeing the brand’s Spring 2014 collection designed by by Elisa Dahan and Eran Elfassy…my crush has totally intensified. We may be talking about love here, people! You see, Mackage does great winter coats, but that’s not all! Mackage Spring 2014 collection included beautiful leather skirts (in shiny leather, red leather, see-through chiffon), perforated leather tops, moto leather jackets in a variety of colours (my fave were in white and red), cotton and leather trench coats, and bags, bags, bags! I’ve actually been quite obsessed with Mackage’s bags since I first saw them at last season’s show, and I have to say that the new spring pieces were just as covetable. With those cool arrow closures, structured designs, and a great variety of leather finishes – those bags are (still) firmly on my wishlist.

Overall, I loved Mackage Spring 2014 collection – it was sleek, modern, and wearable, and I honestly am very excited to see these pieces hit the stores. Is it spring yet?

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More after the jump!

[Read more…]

Fashion, Fashion Week Canadian, Elisa Dahan, Eran Elfassy, Mackage, Spring 2014, Toronto Fashion Week, WMCFW

Wishlist: Mackage Fall 2013 Collection

7 October, 2013 Nelia

mackage-fall-2013-jackets-coats

During last season’s WMCFW one of my absolute fave collections was Mackage Fall 2013. Already well-known for their outerwear, the brand’s Fall 2013 collection was particularly strong, featuring modern silhouettes, flattering cuts, and great fabrics. Checkered moto jackets, leather lapels and sleeves, fur collars – it was so well-executed, I found myself coveting every single coat on the runway. But outerwear wasn’t the only thing that got us all drooling, for fall, Mackage finally introduced the brand’s first collection of leather handbags. Beautifully-made, with creative touches like arrow closures and mixed leather finishes, these bags weren’t good, they were amazing. I remember thinking “Can these bags be in stores without having to face yet another fall?”

Well, although my wishful thinking couldn’t stop the summer from ending, the good thing is…Mackage Fall 2013 collection is now in stores! On my personal wishlist are the Shanty checkered moto jacket, and Titan Large Blue Cross-body Bag, but I truly love so many other pieces, that picking favourites wasn’t an easy task.

What about you? How do you like Mackage Fall 2013 collection? Are you into their bags? Share your faves in the comments.

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See Mackage bags after the jump!

[Read more…]

Fashion, Shopping Canadian, Coats, Fall 2013, Mackage, Shopping, Wishlist, WMCFW

Shopping: 5 Pieces Worth Splurging On

15 August, 2013 Nelia

Investment-Pieces-Bag

I often get questions from friends and readers alike, asking me to cover what I consider investment pieces – expensive clothing and accessories that aren’t a waste of money. And while  most of the usual “investment” pieces aren’t really that great of an investment if you are looking to make a monetary return, in my opinion, sometimes it pays to spend a little (or even a lot) more on something that will make you happy for a long time, something of superior quality and craftsmanship, something that you could eventually pass down to your grandchildren. So if you are looking to buy something of substance, here are my top 5 pieces worth splurging on, and brands to invest in.

1. Quality Bag

A great quality bag is a must-have for any (and every) working woman out there. Unlike men, we really do need a place to stash our wallet/lipstick/compact/iPad/iPhone/book/snacks/keys/life…A woman’s bag is something that gets used day after day, so why not make it a great one? A timeless high-quality bag is definitely my number one investment piece to consider. Yes, a cheaper one would certainly do the job, but if you consider cost-per-wear (total price paid divided by the number of times the item is used), even a pricey purse could be affordable. If you love your bag, it’s almost a guarantee that you’ll wear it everywhere and with everything. And given the quality of your investment, you’ll have it for years to come instead of being used up and thrown out like a cheaper version.

If you are going to make the leap and buy an expensive bag, you should consider its longevity. You don’t want to buy a super-trendy piece, only to realize that it’s totally passé three months later. Invest in a classic shape, and a solid colour. It doesn’t have to be “boring” black (although black is the most versatile), but make sure to pick a colour that you could pair with a few things in your wardrobe, and one that would make you smile too.

Brands To Invest In: Chanel, Prada, Balenciaga, Hermès, YSL

Investment-Pieces-Statement-Accessory

2. Heirloom

Whether it be a luxurious timepiece, or a pair of  in-your-face of sunnies, every woman should have a statement accessory to make her outfits pop. Investing in a piece of jewelry, or an accessory that will surely become an heirloom some day down the road is much better than spending the same amount of money on a pile of fast fashion baubles that will break or become discoloured after a couple of uses.

One of my fave pieces in my jewellery box is a turquoise YSL Arty ring. Every time I wear it, I get compliments left and right, and I have yet to find an outfit I couldn’t spice up with that pretty cocktail ring. Same goes for my classic Chanel brooch – so far, I’ve pinned it to my blazers, shirts, and sweaters, but it can also be worn as a necklace, and a faux belt buckle. Don’t you wish your mom or grandma passed down something like that to you?

Brands To Invest In: Cartier, Tiffany and Co, Chanel, Prada, YSL

More after the jump!

[Read more…]

Fashion, Shopping 7FAM, Acne, Burberry, Cartier, Chanel, Charlotte Olympia, Christian Louboutin, Hermès, Investment Pieces, Investment Shopping, J Brand, Levi's, Mackage, Manolo Blahnik, Prada, Rag and Bone, Ron White, Shopping, Valentino, VAWK, Yorkdale, YSL

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WHO IS NELIA?

Nelia Belkova is a Toronto-based fashion and lifestyle blogger by night and a financial analyst by day. She loves to travel, read gossip sites, eat sweets, and cuddle up to her husband and her cat on the couch. Read More…

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