Photo(s) of the Day: Holiday Treats

In the spirit of holiday dresses, feast your eyes on this beautiful one draped on Miss SJP. I love the bright fuchsia colour and brocade detail of this fabulous dress. Attending her premiere for her film, Did You Hear About The Morgans? Sarah Jessica Parker shows that colour can be worn year round.

Amanda

Holiday Treats: Party Dresses

Hello Everyone and Happy Holidays!

Now that the holiday season has arrived all of us can take break from studying, working and minimal amounts of sleep. For now is the time to catch up with friends, spend time with family and take in the holiday cheer. What better way to spice up the holidays than in a fun, colourful cocktail dress. After months of wearing sweater dresses and tall boots its time to shimmy your way into a fun, colourful holiday dress.

Enjoy!

If you know me, you know that I love colour in its brightest shade. The right colour can bring out

the best in you and make you

stand out in the holiday crowd. Some of my favourite colourful looks for the holiday season include these shiny and ruffled looks by Valentino, Oscar De La Renta and Alexander McQueen. The jewelled and feathered details on the emerald Valentino coat is gorgeous and perfect alternative to a down feathered, puffy jacket. I love the satin look by Oscar De La Renta it's a nice jewel tone shade that stand out against reds and greens. If you want something festive and fun, check out the pouffy number by Alexander McQueen.

Sequins are a fun trend that don't seem to ever go out of style. They are the perfect way to sparkle and shine at your holiday events. The best way to wear a sequin dress is to look for one that is short with a simple shift silhouette. If you go to long, you will look like an elongated disco ball and too fitted? Well you don't even want

to go there.

Details and colour are always fun options, like these dresses by Diane Von Furstenberg and BCBG. The ruffles and patterns add a special touch for those of you who are little unconventional in your holiday fashion choices.

If a chic and elegant look is for you, then you must wear either of these dresses. The fitted yet draped style is simply divine and scream sophistication. The black dress by Badgley Mischka dress would look wonderful underneath a leopard-print trench or fur shawl. Everything during the holidays is fun with a little dash on animal print. The blue BCBG dress channels a Grecian vibe that would be sure to bring out you inner goddess.

We all know one of the best parts of the holiday season (besides family time and yummy food, of course) is the dressing up part. So get out there and shine in that holiday number!

Amanda

Indigenous design meets High Glamour: MCD Jewellery Show

Melissa Clemente's recent show for her Spring 2010 line, epoch was a true hidden jem in the mist a dark alleyway at Bathurst and Adelaide. As you walk in and you are instantly surrounded by groovin' reggae beats and the hippest hip hop tunes.

Opening her show with a powerful performance by Philipino artistic group, Santa Guerrilla the stage was set for a show filled with dancing and an eclectic mix of feathers, wood pieces and surgical steel. Clemente was inspired by Phillipine and tribal culture which was apparent as the models dressed in black, made their way down the runway showcasing gold plated necklaces and red rubber beads.
Standout out pieces include a pair of earrings with shoulder grazing gold chains with red beads adorned at the ends. These earrings are perfect for anyone who wants to stand out at a holiday event or New Years Eve party. In fact all of these pieces are not for the faint at heart. Clemente's designs are meant for a woman who wants to stand out with an extra dose of glamour and a hint exotic flair. With a pair of yellow floral print disc earrings with large red beads being fit for a queen.
For all the ladies that love a statement necklace Clemente had you covered. With materials ranging from, fringe, glass and bamboo these exquisitely designed necklaces were as fabulous as the earrings. My favourites included a white feathered necklace offset by a collection of gold chains a la Chanel and a longer full necklace with an assortment of red, white, black and crystal-like beads that were reminiscent of a tropical fruit. Another memorable piece includes a bib-like necklace that was decorated with the same gold discs used on the chandeliers in many Philipino households.

The Melissa Clemente Designs jewellery show left me feeling inspired and excited. As a lover of costume jewellery and accessories that tell a story, this pieces did that and more. True standouts for the eccentric fashionista who loves to visit the AGO or the young fashionista who wants to have a fun night on the town.

Amanda

A Day in the Life: MADAM Vintage

This past Monday I had the joy to help musical theatre actress and entrepreneur, Cara Leslie prepare her store, MADAM Vintage for an upcoming interview with the Toronto Star. As soon as I walked into the cute space at Gladstone and Stonehouse, I knew that this shop was full of potential.

There was a selection of men's clothing including old school trucker hats, plaid shirts, '70's style tees and super-soft leather jackets. (You gotta love a guy in a leather jacket) The woman's selection had several Chanel-inspired tweed blazers, a purple snakeskin skirt and tons of accessories made of buttery smooth eel skin.

As I helped merchandise and organize the wide array of sweaters, dresses and more, Cara was able to tell me a little about the unique pieces that she has in her store. For example, most of the cowboy boots and eel skin accessories are from the Canadian prairie province of Alberta, most of the items in the store are Canadian and there are many pieces with a personal touch such as, a knit Hello Kitty sweater straight from the Harajuku district in Japan.

It's so nice to see a young entrepreneur feel so passionate and really believe in her store. It was great to work with her and I look forward to what the future holds for this great vintage spot!

Amanda

Photo of the Day: Melborne Fashion Week

On a fun search for the latest at Fashion Weeks around the world, I stumbled upon this lovely runway shot of the above clean, chic designs. The designer is Kirrily Johnston, an Australian designer who clearly has an eye modern sophistication. Anytime I catch myself down under, I would love to see one of her shows!

Amanda

It's a Fashion Show Frenzy!

Even though LG Fashion Week is done and over, don't think that there aren't still plenty of fashion shows to enjoy. With the holiday season right around the corner, right now is the perfect time to get inside and enjoy some fashion!

On November 2oth, head over to the Atlantis Pavillions (995 Lakeshre Blvd. to be exact) to view the designs of AIME by Monica Mei, Thieves by Sonja den Elzen and Rachel Jasmine Chan in the R4 Fashion Show, that shows reducing your carbon footprint does not have to sacrifice style. Fashion insiders, Amanda Brugel and Candice Batista will be in attendance to let you know that being eco-concious and fashionable go hand in hand. If you would like to win VIP Passes to attend this fashion soiree click here and for more information on this event click here!

Just six days after that, Melissa Clemente Designs will be presenting her spring 2010 jewellery line entitled, epoch. Taking place on November 26th, 2009 at the The Cryptic Canvas 8 Waterloo Terrace, this show takes an indigenous aesthetic and presents it in a contemporary context. Very DVF F/W '09, don't ya think? Cocktails begin at 7pm and special guests include The Fiesta Filipina Dance Toupe and Dj Hollyrock. Be there or be squared.

If you were unable to attend LG Fashion Week, make sure to get your cool weather fashion fix at these great shows.

Enjoy!

Amanda

Fashion Gives Backs This Winter with CHFI's Give-A-Kid-A-Coat

With the weather getting colder and colder, fashionistas and fashionistos, are looking for different fashionable ways to bundle up and stay warm. While looking fashionable is a top priority to many of us in that Canadian chilly months, staying warm is the only concern for children whose parents cannot afford to purchase a warm winter coat.

That is where local Toronto radio station 98.1 CHFI comes in, with their Give-A-Kid-A-Coat Drive. Between November 6th and 8th be sure to make your way to the Scarborough Town Centre to donate a new or gently used clean coat. Coats are accepted in all sizes to accommodate children of all sizes, so don't forget to bring that winter coat you bought last year with the tags still and never wore. Also, be sure to bring that impulse purchase that you bought six weeks ago and can't refund because it is past the store's time limit for refunds.

Remember that your donation will make a very lucky child enjoy the chilly winter in comfort. One person's trash is another person's treasure, so get out there and donate!

For more information, click here.

Amanda