Category: Fashion

March 14, 2012

Pantone Colour of the Year:

PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango

Pantone the authority of colour, announced that 2012’s colour of the year is Pantone 17-1463 Tangerine Tango. I am so excited for this to be the colour of the year. It is such a vivacious and happy colour that is both fun and sophisticated. You can easily incorporate it in your beauty, home decor, fashion and accessories. What more could you ask for? Here are a few inspirations for you to take home:

For the Home: Vases from CB2, Pillow from Crate and Barrel

Clothes: J Brand Jeans at Dealuxe, Tank at Aritzia

Accessories: Giussepe Zanotti shoes at SSense, Kenneth Jay Lane Earrings at Net-A-Porter, Marc by Marc handbag at Shopbop

Beauty: Deborah Lippman Lara’s Theme Polish, Stila Outrageous lipstick at Sephora

March 2, 2012

For The Boys

Stolen Riches are amazing premium dress laces thought up by founder David Barclay, allowing men to make a fashion statement using their laces. I am crazy about these and they are a fun way for the boys to incorporate colour in their work wardrobe for little expense, each pair of these laces retails for $14.50. Stolen Riches has over 100 yrs of manufacturing experience so you know these luxury laces will last. There are a range of colours available from neutrals such as: Mission Blue, Folsom Black, Moville Green, Der Alte Burgundy, Gipper Brown and brights such as: Portsalon Red, Buster Purple, Tiqui Orange, Dickie Blue, Isolar Silver. All I can say is men you are super lucky! Really wanting a pair, hopefully soon they will make it for us girls…hint hint David.

February 29, 2012

Spring 2012 Trends

Neons + Neutrals

One of my new favourite trends that was seen with Resort 2012 collections, as seen at Stella McCartney, and on the Spring 2012 runways, BCBG Max Azaria, was the presence of neons and neutrals. Being a child of the 80’s I have always had a soft spot for neon and the interpretation of mixing it with neutrals makes it so fresh and modern for 2012. Here are some great pieces to incorporate this trend in either a big way or a small way:

1… Hanky Panky Nude Attitude Bralette. $54 USD. www.shopbop.com. I love love love this bra. How fun to add the trend in with no major commitment as no one else needs to see this but you. If you do want to show it off more, where it with a loose tank over top and let hints of the neon peek out.

2… Jeffery Campbell Colourblock Corset Lita Boot. $196 USD. www.urbanoutfitters.com. These booties are so much fun and allow you to start working the trend now with jeans and a sweater and then in warm weather with a cute dress and bare legs.

3… Emilio Pucci Sequin Maxi Skirt. $8005 USD. www.net-a-porter.com. This is definitely an investment piece or you can just look at the concept for inspiration and find a more affordable version somewhere else like www.allsaints.com etc. I just love how there is such a great mix of neon’s and neutrals in the design that allows it to look like a beautiful piece of art.

4… Sashi New Nugget Bracelet. $26 CDN. www.dealuxe.ca. These Sashi bracelet is a fun accessory on its own, or wear a bunch of them stacked together.

5… Tkees Mixed Palette Flip Flops. $55 CDN. www.holtrenfrew.com. Tkees are still my ultimate luxury in flip flops. The leather with the memory foam makes them so comfortable and I love this new addition with the neon straps. They just make me so happy. Can’t wait to live in these this summer.

6… Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Caroline Small Cross Body Bag. $225 CDN. www.dealuxe.com. The combo of the leather and the printed canvass make this a great bag that can be used everyday. The cross body is my favourite style as it lets me keep my hands free and clear to run my errands and shop.

7…T by Alexander Wang Draped-Back Stretch Jersey Mini Dress. $155 USD. www.net-a-porter.com. This grey and lemon yellow patterned mini dress is just so much fun. I feel I would live in it for day and evening. I love that the pattern is so small that it will allow the dress to remain timeless. On my wishlist for sure.

February 8, 2012

Spring 2012 Trends

Go Overboard

Nautical had a strong presence with many of the resort 2012 collections. It always has been a favourite look of mine as it has a great fresh feel for spring and now is the time to go overboard and really play with it as seen on the runway for Yves Saint Laurent and The Row. Here are a few great inspiration pieces to get you started incorporating a little bit of a nautical influence when getting dressed.

1. Joe Fresh Marine Dress. $29 Cdn. This is such a fun and affordable way to get in on this trend. I love the band of red on the bottom for a pop of colour. Wear it with tights now and great wedges in the spring.

2. J. Crew Merriweather Jacket. $148 US (on sale $120 USD). With the arrival of J. Crew here in Toronto, my J. Crew love has grown. This jacket is a fun way to have the nautical trend both for work and weekend. You can dress it up with great pants and a blouse for work-wear and then really play with it when off duty.

3. Yves Saint Laurent Rivierea Starfish-Print Canvass Wedge Sandal. $745 USD. If you have the budget, how fun are these? I love the blue and white colour scheme and the playfulness of the starfish motif. I would wear them with a great pair of bell bottom jeans or a fantastic mini dress. For a really fun full nautical feel it would make a great outfit with the Joe Fresh Marine Dress.

4. Kain Label Devyn Sweater. $152 Cdn. This sweater is great with the layered look built right in. Pair it tucked in with chic pencil skirt or wear it untucked with casual khaki’s like the All Saints Filter Chino.

5. Alice + Olivia Olsen Stripe Stretch Silk Playsuit. $295 USD. Playsuits are a lazy girls way to look put together in no time. The halter neckline and the wide stripes make it a fresh take on the nautical feel.

6. All Saints Filter Chino. $95 USD. These slimmed leg rolled hem chino’s scream hanging out on the water and yachting. They are perfect for casual Friday or the weekend. I love the idea of them with a the J. Crew Merriweather jacket and a beautiful blouse and heels for casual Friday and then pair it with the Kain Label Devyn sweater for casual.

7. Gorjana Anchor Bracelet. $50 USD. This is a great way to work a little bit of nautical in to your everyday wardrobe. I am a huge fan of Gorjana jewelry and this anchor bracelet in gold plate or sterling silver is just to fun to pass up on.

February 1, 2012

Line I Love…

I am currently crazy about Joes Jeans Fifty Five Colours for women. They are right on trend with the bright jeans and you can get them in Fifty Five Colours! They are available in skinny jeans and shorts and there is truly a colour for everyone. What a great way to start brightening up this season with some great coloured jeans. You can go super intense with the neon’s or a more subtle with the sorbet shades or the the classic colours. Definitely worth a look.

January 27, 2012

Spring 2012 Trends

Light Bright Accessories

Colour is one of the biggest trends seen on the runway this season and a great way to start incorporating it without it being too scary is with some great accessories. I also recommend starting to incorporate them now to help get into the fresh spring feeling during the winter blahs that everyone is feeling. Here are a few great pieces to get some inspiration.

1. Dannijo Capucine Necklace. $445 USD. This is such an amazing piece, I instantly fell in love and snatched it up when I saw it in one of my favourite stores, The Narwhal, here in Toronto. I have already started wearing it with sweaters and it is a great piece to just add with a basic white tee or tank in the spring or summer.

2. Forever 21 Lacquered Heart Earring Set. $3.80 Cdn. These are so cute and a super affordable way to incorporate the Neon and bright colour trend into your wardrobe and also one of the most subtle and least costly commitments to the trend.

3. Christopher Kate Printed Modal and Cashmere Scarf. $530 USD. I am in love with any cashmere modal blend scarves, they feel like heaven when you wear them. This scarf buy Christopher Kane scarf would brighten up a winter coat now and then look great with a navy blazer in the spring.

4. Proenza Schouler Ps1 Medium Suede Satchel. $1975 Cdn. The Ps1 is such a classic and timeless bag and definitely on my wishlist. The tropical green is a a great way to brighten up the bag and helps distinguish it from all the boring black handbags out there.

5. CC Skye Neon Riviera Cuff. $375 USD. This cuff is such a great mix with the neon yellow and gold and is such a great statement. I could see it with one of the amazing printed maxi dresses that came down so many runways or with a military styled look for a fun pop of colour.

6. Aldo Fravel Suede Shoe. $90 USD. These suede shoes from Aldo are right on trend with the return to the pointed ladylike toe and the bright neon peach colour. I would love to see this with a great pair of skinny denim and a silk shirt.

7. Brian Atwood Claudia Embroidered Suede Pumps. $2115 USD. These shoes are a work of art, from the stunning electric aqua suede to the embroidered backs, they are a true statement. Your best bet, pair them with simple separates and let the shoes be the statement and show them off!

January 21, 2012

cb2 Now Open

Finally after much anticipation cb2 has finally opened it’s doors in Toronto. The extended wait definitely was worth it, as the newly restored former Big Bop has been brought back to it’s old glory on the exterior and it is a fantastic shopping experience on the inside, the furniture and accessories are like candy for the home. Here are a few pieces that I am lusting after:

Parlour Bold Chair $899

Concrete Nightstand $349

3-Piece Anemone Vase Set $39.95

Cage Brass Pendant Lamp $199

Versus Galvanized Trunk $179

The store is definitely worth a visit…happy shopping.

December 2, 2011

Breaking News…

H&M + Marni!

So the news is out, H&M‘s next designer collaboration is definitely one worth lining up for…at least for most true fashion fans. The collaboration is with the amazing Italian brand, Marni and it will be released March 8, 2012 in 260 stores around the world.

Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director of Marni says that it is going to be a great partnership with H&M. Shoppers can expect to see vivid colours and bold prints along with the signature Marni clothing staples, with full pleated skirts, dresses, cropped trousers and jacquard knit, and fabrics range from silk to crisp cotton poplin. There will also be jewelry and accessories. All I can say, is finally, H&M has gotten back to the amazing designer collaborations that fashion fans want.

November 10, 2011

Gem

The Alexander McQueen tribute to his styling aesthetic was published in the fantastic online magazine Bamboo Magazine. Here is the final story:

October 1, 2011

Ode to Alexander McQueen

Behind the Scenes of a Shoot Inspired by Alexander McQueen

Anyone who knows me, knows that the designer who has always been my fave is Alexander McQueen. This summer I had the opportunity to attend the McQueen exhibit at the MET in NYC and I got so inspired by his incredible artistic genius and creative vision that I absolutely had to do a shoot that was a tribute to him and his incredible styling aesthetic. Here are some behind the scenes images from the shoot I did, shot by Cory VanderPloeg and hair and make-up by Sandra Yang and the incredible Natasha from Ford. A true dream team.