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

Luck be a Lady: LG Fashion Week Round Up! Part Deux

Nada, Pink Tartan and Joe Fresh weren't the only clothing lines that seemed to pick up the feminine and elegant memo for their spring 2010 collections. New York-based bridal wear designer, Romona Keveza, David Dixon and Project Runway Canada runner-up Jason Meyers each seemed to have a lady in mind when designing their springtime collections.

-From personal experience, I know that Romona Keveza is a woman that knows what she wants and always follow her instincts when it comes to her designs and boy does it pay off! Primarily known as a bridal wear designer, Romona Keveza has designed countless elegant, gorgeous wedding dresses (and recently evening dresses) that can make any woman feel absolutely beautiful. As a former intern in her design studio, I often spent days burried in her dresses and loved every minute of it. A Romona Keveza dress is not only a beautiful dress but a dress that has something special. Making her debut at LG Fashion Week, Romona Keveza did not disappoint. Showing a collection filled with her signature pieces such as the belted waist, sweet heart neckline and the silk satin fabric. My favourite looks from this collection include the gorgeous chratreuse one shouldered gown pictured above and the ruffled skirt cocktail wedding dress. Kudos to Romona!

-David Dixon apparently had yellow on the brain for his vision of spring 2010. His collection was filled with cocktail dresses in cream, bright yellow and black and evening gowns in bright blue, cream and yellow each adorned with a varied collection of embellishments. Several separates added a dose of glamour to the classic look including, a yellow belted ruffled coat with a black skirt and cream blazer reminiscent of Dior's New Look paired with a black and grey patterned skirt. My favourite part of this collection would have to be the colourful cocktail dresses, the cream and yellow grecian-inspired embellished draped dresses and the general ooozing of GLAMOUR!

-Jason Meyers was fresh and sassy with his spring 2010 collection filled with hot, sexy caged heels, plenty of leg, ruffles and a good dose of white. If you are in search of a fun party dress once the temperature rises, look no further, Jason Meyers has it cut out for you with his asymmetrical blue-grey and white fitted dress and soft pink dress with a bubble hem and sweetheart neckline. However it is the softer, understated looks that really caught my eye. The white shirt dress to the left, seems to be a warm weather staple that is showing no sign of slowing down and a simple white dress paired with a soft grey cardigan is a casual look that every girl should have in her wardrobe. Another favourite is the silk skinny pants worn with a slightly unbuttoned white collared shirt. This is one of my favourite looks of all time for it is absolutely classic, ladylike and sexy all at once. Meow!

Amanda

LG Fashion Week Round Up!: Numero Uno

So now the famous LG Fashion Week has come to a close and may I say that this fashion week had to have been my favourite thus far! In addition to a new venue, increased (and deserved) exposure, the designers pulled out their very best. Each collection took a risk in it's own right and made something that was truly memorable. Elegance, romance and modernity sums LG Fashion Week Spring 2010 for me. What about you? Check out some of the loveliest looks for the warm season.
-Nada Sheppard is always one to take a calculated risk when it comes to her designs. Her clothing always show women in a strong, powerful way that screams glamour. From her Dynasty-inspired collection from a few seasons back, to her Utopian leather dominatrix looks of Fall 2009, Nada never forgets to show that a strong woman knows how to dress and her Spring 2010 line is no exception. Filled with painted lace and perforated leather, the collection that aims to express, in her words, "infatuation" did just that with bouffant hairstyle and sexy pencil skirts. Despite the strong looks, the collection also had an element of soft Romanticism with touches of silver and lavender.

-Kimberley Newport-Mimran. Now she does she know style or does she know style? Her spring 2010 collection was nautical, sophisticated and defined city chic! Black and white stripes dominated the runway appearing on fitted mini skirts, wrap dresses with exaggerated shoulders and open cardigans. Sequins added shine to pants and boleros, showing that just because the temperature is rising, it doesn't mean you have to put away the shine. The models made their way down the catwalk with that oh-so-cool fashion attitude with loose hair and a subtle red pout. In the Pink Tartan world chic is the name and fashion is the game!

-Joe Fresh Style is slowly, if not already, becoming Canada's go to spot for affordable and irresistibly stylish pieces. Being the most anticipated show of LG Fashion Week for the past 3 years, the Joe Fresh show made a statement with underwear being worn as outerwear. Theodora Richards daughter of rock legend, Keith Richards kicked off the show filled with, as Mr. Mimran himself describes "transparency". Sheer blouses and skirts in nudes, creams, yellows and pinks pranced along the runway creating a soft, clean look for spring. One of my items were the white clogs and loafers as well as diaphonous pink skirt. For one who does not wear running shoes and finds flats terribly uncomfortable, these are a chic, fresh approach to the famous flat and the floaty pink skirt will bring out the inner ballerina in all of us.

Stay tuned for LG Fashion Week Part Deux!

Amanda

LG Fashion Week Has A Fresh Start!

LG Fashion Week has kicked off with a bang at its new venue at 1030 King Street West right smack dab in Liberty Village.

Last night, Holt Renfrew hosted its bi-annual media cocktail party to start off Toronto fashion week in style. A mini runway show featured looks from Greta Constantine, Pink Tartan and Denis Gagnon. Kimberley Newport-Mimiran stayed true to her impeccable style and featured a delicate cream floral dress with a gold chain statement necklace while Monsieur Gagnon took a structured approach to leather jackets.

Project Runway Canada season two winner, Sunny Fong debuted his clothing line Vawk's French Polynesian-inspired Spring 2010 collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Detailed leather and fuschia decals with an array of cream coloured separates came down the runway.

If you still haven't got a chance to get tickets to the tents, no need to fear! Consumer tickets are available to purchase on-site, click here.

If you want to go to one of the most hottest LG Fashion Week after parties, be sure to check out The Official presented by the F-List. Tonight the party will feature a designer spotlight of Heidi Ackerman and a Vibgyor installation. It's a $20 cover with free entry if you bring your LG Fashion Week laminate. For more information, click here.

'Til tomorrow.......

Amanda

Mind, Body and Sole: Do it Yourself Aldo Style!

Have you ever walked into a shoe store and thought, "The boot would look really good if it had a little fringe"? Maybe you thought,"If only that shoe had a few studs, I would rock it".

For all you aspiring shoe and accessory designers out there, here is your lucky chance to express your creative side in the form of a shoe or autumn accessory. Canada's favourite shoe store, Aldo in partnership with Teen Vogue, is currently holding a DIY contest that allows you to personalize your favourite autumn shoe and accessories.

Break out the bedazzler, some fringe or florals and start decorating your autumn accessories whether they are tall boots or "shooties" ( stiletto meets bootie, term courtesy of uber-stylist Rachel Zoe), clutches or hobos.

The lucky winner will get to collaborate with the Aldo team on a design for their Fall/Winter 2010 Collection. Hurry up with those designs as the contest ends October 30th, 2009 the day before Hallowe'en.

For more details, click here!

Enjoy!

Amanda

The September Issue Comes Up North

The september issue of any fashion magazine, as we all know, is the most coveted issue of the year. What other month's issue is an inch thick filled with photos of chunky knits, tall boots and jewel tones, assisted by hundreds of tips of how to put it all together? Does any other issue inspire you more? Does any other issue have you dreaming of walking on a crisp fall day, smack dab in the middle of a fashionable land where peacoats, leather jackets and fur vests rule?

Canadian fashionistas (and fashionmistas) it is time to rejoice! The much-talked about fashion documentary, The September Issue is about to come up North! On Friday, October 23rd, 2009 none the less, the last day of LG Fashion Week. What better way to end a week at the catwalk?

Finally, we Canadian fashion lovers can really see what's like to translate the favoured fall fashion season onto print. For a sneak preview, click here for the trailer and here for show times.

Amanda

Where Fashion and Art Collide: The Photography Exhibits

If you are looking for the perfect fall afternoon excursion, why not visit the Royal Ontario Museum or the Art Gallery of Ontario? Each are currently hosting exhibits honouring fashion photography from now until January 3,

2010.

The ROM is showing Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008 presented by the Bay, in celebration of Vanity Fair's modern version 25th anniversary and its older version 95th anniversary. The exhibition is a collection of 150 iconic photographs from Vanity Fair including portraits of old Hollywood celebrities such as Cary Grant, Louis Armstrong and mommy dearest herself, Joan Crawford. For more modern photographs, check out Prince William, Liza Minelli and Madonna from her Evita phase. This exhibition is definitely a must-see for art goers and fashionista's alike.

Next stop is the AGO, which features the work of the photographer who revolutionized fashion photography in the 1920's and '30's, Edward Steichen former chief photographer of Vanity Fair and Vogue. The Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, the Conde Nast Years, 1923-1937 exhibit features over 200 photographs of Steichen's work including a 1932 cover of Vogue and a photograph of several models wearing Chanel circa 1928. If you would like an early look of fashion photography from one of fashion legends, this exhibit is the place for you!

Go on and get out! Celebrate fashion's greatest pieces of photography! Whether it be for inspiration, an history lesson or pure imagination make sure to see these iconic exhibits, for cold weather is never an excuse to not see what the fashion world has to offer, especially with all the fabulous fall clothes to choose from.

Enjoy!

Amanda