Red Carpet Fashion at the Toronto International Film Festival

The Toronto International Film Festival is officially over. For those of you who were unable to visit the some of the screenings you will have to wait to see if they get picked up. 

P.S. Fashion lovers, the film about Coco Chanel's love affair with composer, Igor Stravinsky should be out in March.

In the mean time let's all enjoy some red carpet fashion!

Amanda

J to the O to the E to the Fresh: Lou Lou Magazine Fashion Block Party

On a humid Wednesday night, swarms of eager shoppers filled the Joe Fresh shopping boutique in Yorkville's, SassaFraz. 

As a Joe Fresh employee and lover of all things fashion, I had the privilege of participating in this exciting fashion event. The large second floor of SassaFraz was a cool escape from the sticky evening and served as a cool retreat to shop, shop, shop! 

The room had minimal decoration with the fall/winter '09 styles from Joe Fresh lining the cream coloured walls with white ornamental trees in the centre of the room. The fall/winter '09 Joe Fresh fashion show played in the background as make-up demonstrations for the Joe Fresh make-up line took place. Shoppers were able to sip on champagne, dine on hor d'oeurves and browse the racks of affordable fashion.

The shopping clock struck 6pm and from start to finish the event was packed from the cash register to the entrance. Popular items, such as the faux leather motorcycle jacket, classic argyle sweaters and bell-shaped skirts sold out in about an hour. (Typical Joe Fresh which is known to sell out of its popular styles in a matter of days!)

All in all it was a joyous occasion that brought together Toronto's fashionably elite, working girls and everyday women together, who were able to bond over their excitement of this spin on shopping. 

Amanda

LG Fashion Week is Making Some Ch-Ch-Changes!

Last Spring, L'Oreal Fashion Week became LG Fashion Week Beauty by L'Oreal Paris and introduced showroom presentations. For the upcoming presentation of the spring collections, Toronto's fashion week also has no shortage of alterations.

1) The tents will no longer be at Nathans Phillips Square. Where is this new location? 1030 King Street West, just east of Ossington Avenue. This new space will include a permanent structure as well as the traditional tents. 

2) Many of the designers that had shows in past years, will not be debuting their spring designs this season. The list includes fashion week regulars, Zoran Dobric, Aqua Di Lara and Joeffer Coac.

3) On the bright side, that makes way for many new designers to show what they got! This includes, the very talented New York based designer, Romona Keveza, Project Runway runner-up Jessica Biffi and Stephen Frame and Yasmin Mahrous of the clothing line, Frame.

4) OCAD is the school of choice for this season and will be presenting their clothing in a practical and literal fashion. This presentation will be taking place at OCAD on 100 McCaul Street and admission is free!

5) Toronto-based clothing line, JUMA are the new guest contributors of the LG Fashion Week Beauty by L'Oreal Paris blog! They will be providing all their insights about fashion and their clothing line. 

Stay tuned for LG Fashion Week updates and if you are interested in attending or volunteering click here!

Amanda

Alien Tattoos

Checkout this great collection of some quality space alien tattoos. They seem to be quite a popular tattoo design among those who believe in the little green men in flying saucers (UFO).

Enjoy this neat picture gallery of Alien tattoo artwork.

Canadian Fashion is hitting the American Airwaves

Canadian twin design duo, DSquared seem to be very busy as of late. First, they were honoured by Canada's Walk of Fame earlier this month, they made an appearance at Ryerson University, launched a highly anticipated eyewear collection and are now hitting the small screen!

"Launch My Line" is the latest reality show based on fashion to hit popular American channel, BravoTV. The show will follow 10 accomplished fashion designers paired with a public figure who has a desire to enter the world of fashion design. The teams will face various challenges and the celebrity who is able to successfully climb the fashion ladder will get the chance to debut their very own fashion line! Not too shabby. DSquared will serve as hosts for the fashion meets pop culture competition. Good job boys!

Canadian favourite, the celebrity-inspired television series "Look-A-Like" is now airing on Wednesdays at 8pm on the American TV Guide Network channel. Titled, I'm a Celebrity Look-A-Like for its American viewers, the show will have the same favourites such as, Paul Venoit on make-up, Jeff Altenburg on hair and Alissia Marciano on fashion styling. 

It is nice to see that Canada's cherished fashionista's are receiving well-deserved recognition south of the border. If you happen to be in the States, don't forget to check out your fashionable Canucks on the telly!

Amanda

Dog Tattoos

Dog tattoos are becoming one of the fastest growing types of tattoo designs in the market today, and there is no wondering why, i mean who wouldn't want they're favorite four legged friend tattooed on them for life.

Checkout this picture gallery of some great dog tattoo ideas.

New York Fashion Presents Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear

New York Fashion Week is under way and boy has it delivered. From the looks of things colour, leather and eclectic styling is here to stay. 

Many of the designers have taken inspiration from '80's brights, African safari and the heavenly palette of soft blue. Distressed denim and boyfriend blazers are being shown along with leather leggings and grommets galore!

Here are some of my personal favourite looks for Spring 2010. Oscar De La Renta (photos 2 & 4) shows that colourful prints combined with shine do work. These looks just scream sophisticated, stylish voyager. 

Catharine Malandrino (photo 1) also seemed to take inspiration from the exotic, accessorizing this aqua green flow-y dress with a floral head band. The look is also reminiscent of the 1960's revival style that is often seen on Nicole Richie and Rachel Zoe. 

Marc Jacobs (photo 3) had a kaleidoscope of colour walk down the runway. Neons, plaids and florals mixed and match creating a fun, upbeat look for spring. Models wore headbands similar to the famous bunny ears of Louis Vuitton.

Amanda

Fall Inspirations: Coco and Behati show you fall fashion

HoltRenfrew.com has recently posted a fun take on fall fashion. Models du jour and YouTube starlets, Coco Rocha and Behati Prinsloo star in the iconic companies Fall 2009 vignette. 

Taking place in Queen Street West's Gladstone Hotel, the girls parade around in falls latest styles similar to the style of their cute YouTube videos. 

To view the cutest fall inspiration click here. 

And for all you stylish boys out, there is one for you too!

Amanda

Fall Inspirations: Flare Magazine + HM = Happy Shopping!

Don't you love all the fun shopping events going on lately? If so, you are in luck because here comes another one!

Exactly one week from today at 6pm, Flare Magazine will be hosting a special fashion event at Bloor street's H&M location. You will be able to sip on sparkling beverages, dine on delicious hors d'oeuvres and shop! (which I highly suggest because you will receive a 20% discount!)

This event will also include a special fashion presentation and a free gift item with purchase, for the first two hundred fashionable shoppers. Does it get much better than this?

To attend, you must RSVP here. 

Happy shopping!

Amanda

Maybe by Sarah Catalfo is in the Top 10!

Congratulations to Toronto fashion designer, Sarah Catalfo for making it into the top ten of the Art of Fashion Design competition!

Among the other contestants, Maybe by Sarah Catalfo will be judged by Canadian heavy weights Brian Bailey, Shawn Hewson of Bustle Clothing and Project Runway Canada, David Dixon, Nicole Gouveia and Fashion Magazine's, Sarah Nicole Prickett.

I have no doubt that she will shine. If you are interested in attending the design competition taking place during Toronto's Nuit Blanche visit, www.artoffashion.org.

Amanda

Purrrfect Vintage at the Cat's Meow

As I was walking down Avenue Road, I spotted three gorgeous red dresses. One had a sweetheart neckline with ruching along the front and side seams. The second was short sleeved with a frilled skirted piece above a pencil skirt accompanied by a large floral print. The third was passionate red goodness. 

The home to these lovely dresses was The Cat's Meow Vintage. One of my favourite vintage stores, this boutique carries Pucci, Oleg Cassini and Dior. Each of the pieces are in excellent condition and stand out against the simple white walls. As I browsed through each of the fabulous dresses, it took me back to images of yesteryear, where women dressed like proper ladies and gossiped over Sunday tea.

The original Catwoman, Eartha Kitt a chante in the background purring her desire to be evil and I don't know about her but this place does the opposite for me. Some of the pieces that I cherished, were a thick strapped sheath dress with a criss-cross in the back with a large colourful floral print and a white eyelet dress with a Tiffany blue belt and A-line skirt. This store had me daydreaming of strolling the streets of the Toronto circa 1955.

If you are ever in need of something really precious, unique and beautiful, then you must pounce on The Cat's Meow located at 180 Avenue Rd. This clean boutique also has a wonderful collection of costume jewellery, silk scarves and hats.

Amanda

Amanda's Fashion Spotting.......

On an afternoon stroll yesterday in Yorkville, I saw none other than the Canadian design duo, DSquared! 

Chatting and laughing, they walked down Yorkville Avenue looking chic as ever wearing rolled up jeans, loafers, a crisp white shirt and to-die-for blazers. Boy can these guys dress!

Dean and Dan are in town to accept their Canadian Walk of Fame honour, pay a visit to Ryerson's fashion program and am I sure catch a TIFF movie or two.

What fashionable sightings have you seen?

Amanda

Dolphin Tattoos

Dolphin tattoos are a great unique choice of design. The dolphin is a wonderful creature that is widely considered to be one of the most intelligent creatures in the world.

Dolphins tattoos are commonly very bright and vibrant and contain light shades of blues, greys and green. And they also symbolize a persons love for the ocean and water in general.

Enjoy these delight Dolphin tattoo pictures.

Fall Inspirations: Fall Fashion Finds

Here are some of my latest fashion finds. Each evoke a certain sophisticated femininity that I love. 

Photo #1: The fucshia bubble skirt (from Joe Fresh) is a really fun piece that adds a little flirtiness and ease to my fall wardrobe. Paired with a black turtleneck, statement necklace and some booties will make for a look that is a paired-down version of glamour. 

Photo #2: Believe or not, that motorcycle jacket is only $49 (kudos to Joe Fresh). I like to wear it with a white ruffled top (from Joe Fresh) because it adds a soft touch to the edgy jacket.

Photo #3: The nautical look is one of my favourites and I love that this dress (from Anthropologie) has adds that appeal with a shade of green. The fit is divine and I can't wait to wear it with a grey or yellow knit cardigan.

Photo #4: This is my new favourite skirt (from Anthropologie). It fits like a glove and has a classic yet modern look. The thick tweed-like weave is puurfect for fall and it goes just about anything from, the ruffled top (above) to a classic knit sweat.

Amanda

Knuckle Tattoos

Knuckle tattoos were once only common among bikers and gangsters but as the times turn more and more people are choosing more and more visible tattoo choices.

Checkout this great picture gallery of knuckle tattoos.

Nintendo Knuckle tattoo