Fashion is Not the Same Without A Little Competition

As fashionistas know there is always a little competition within the fashion industry. Whenever you read a magazine there are always photographs with celebrities attending a fancy event accompanied with the question, "Who Wore it Better?" so it is only fitting that the competition thing continues to thrive.

Anyone who has been a fan of CityTv must be familiar with one of Canada's television queens, Marilyn Denis. The former host of the lifestyle t.v. show, CityLine for 19 years and co-host of CHUM FM's morning radio show is heading back to the small screen with a brand new show called, The Marilyn Denis Show which she describes as a magazine coming to life.

Now before the show comes to air, the producers are looking for a set of regular on-air contributors to comment on lifestyle, relationships, fitness and FASHION! If you are interested in a career in television and fashion, the on-air contributor could be you! Click here for all the details.

The fun opportunities do not end there! The saucy and stylish channel, CosmoTV is having a Blogger Girl contest to look for a sassy blogger who can also vlog and blog about the hottest places in town, dating and most importantly, FASHION!

The three finalists will fly to Toronto for a luxurious weekend of styling, shopping and a guest appearance on Oh So Cosmo with the winner being the official CosmoTv blog correspondent for Toronto's LG Fashion Week. The contest ends October 15th. Click here for details and have fun!

Enjoy!



Amanda
amandasfashionspot@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/AFSpot

Fashion A,B,Cs with Tim Gunn

The Tim Gunn we all know and love from Project Runway has really made his mark on the fashion industry. From his television show, Tim Gunn's Guide to Style and his books, Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style and Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lesson to Making it Work he has now taken his knack for giving advice on how to "make it work"in the fashion world to the world wide web!

MarieClaire.com has posted this article written by Mr. Gunn himself and just like the advice he provides on Project Runway, it is nothing but to the point and every bit helpful! My favourite tips are "Take the high road" and "Never underestimate karma". These tips are great advice because as fast-paced as fashion can be, it is always important to rise above the crazy and stay focused. Karma is something that is relevant in ALL industry's and just as important in fashion 'cause you should always to treat others that way you wish to be treated!

Enjoy!

Amanda

amandasfashionspot@gmail.com

https://twitter.com/AFSpot

Is Cheap the new Chic?: Frugal Fashion Week Has YOUR Summer Jam-Packed!

With all the fashion competition television series around, ever wondered what it would be like to witness one first hand? Well here is your chance!

On July 24th, Frugal Fashion Week presents their eco-fashion design contest finale with Cheap is the New Chic. At the much anticipated finale, you will witness the three finalists, Devlyn Van Loon, Erin Summer and Mady Bone display their eco-friendly clothing lines inspired by the theme: FRUGAL, FABULOUS, WEARABLE AND WELL-PRICED with each collection provided by Goodwill.

The runway show will be followed by a Q&A session and with the winner being chosen by none other than you! Meaning if you attend this event you will be able to decide who is worthy of the highly coveted title of the Cheap is the New Chic fashion designer.

The winner will receive mentorship sessions with Toronto fashion insiders and all three finalists will have their collection sold at the online store, Shrimpton Couture. Proceeds from the sale of the collection will go to benefit Goodwill.

The event will take place at Nyood (Upstairs) at 1096 Queen Street West in the T.Dot from 6pm to 10pm with the accompaniment of free swag, Frugaltinis and more! Tickets at $10 and are available at www.frugalfashionweek.com.

Enjoy!

Amanda

Models Hit the Catwalk in a Whole New Way

We are now in the age of the slashies, i.e. models turned actress, actress turned singers and now we have models turned fashion designers! Joining the likes of Kate Moss, Milla Jovovich and Erin Wasson, Canadian models Coco Rocha and Monica Schnarre now have their own respective clothing lines!

Miss Rocha's line is still in the process of being designed and developed, however she recently posted a naming challenge on her blog Oh So Coco, where fans can submit possible names for her upcoming fashion line. My favourite possibilities include, the very Canadian Chinook, the floral Oleander and the short and sweet, Rocha.

The youngest model ever to appear on the cover of American Vogue and 6ft tall, Monica Schnarre's clothing line, Tall by Monica Schnarrre is currently being sold on The Shopping Channel. Being designed with the help of Project Runway Canada alum, Lucian Matis the clothing line is made specifically for tall women.

Stay tuned to see what these Canadian gazelles have to offer in their fashion designs, they may be coming down a runway near you!

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 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

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

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

House of Jazmine hits MTV Canada

Over the past couple years, several fashion related television show have hit the airwaves, Project Runway, Project Runway Canada, the Next Top Model franchise, Stylista and the list goes on. The latest one to hit television is MTV's House of Jazmin, a reality show that follows young L.A. fashion designer, Jazmin Whitley put together her fashion collection, Li Cari. 

Like all fashion related television shows, this one seems to be entertaining and worth tuning into. Jazmin Whitley is a fresh 20 years old and has had aspirations of becoming a fashion designer for much of her life. Her main influence is the Coco Chanel and she strives to be a good role model for other budding fashion designers.

Check out House of Jazmin on MTV on Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 at 10:30pm. 

Amanda

Project Runway Preview!

If you are as excited about the upcoming season of Project Runway USA as I am, then check out this preview by clicking the link below!

Enjoy,

http://perezhilton.com/tv/index.php?ptvid=9cf4964bc5248

Amanda

Standout Looks for Spring/Summer '09 from LG Fashion Week

For Spring '09, Season One Project Runway Canada winner, Evan Biddell showed a string of cool, easy breezy pieces in mainly white and grey. Accented with hot, leather heels these looks are ideal when you are in the mood to fresh look and a lil' edgy.

Models disguised as Grecian Goddesses pranced down the runway at NADA's Spring/Summer 2009 fashion show. The purple and green outfits adorned with braided belts and shoulder straps are ideal for any fashionista who wants to unleash her inner goddess!

In a 1950's meets 2009 Spring/Summer collection, Kimberley Newport-Mimran takes inspiration from the poodle skirt era and transforms it onto the catwalk. The gorgeous looks are ideal any fashionista that wants to look like a lady.

Amanda

A Day in the life of a Toronto Fashionista......

Ever wondered what it would be like to volunteer for LG Fashion Week? Read ahead to find out!

As a budding fashionista and proud Canadian, one can only imagine my excitement when I got the opportunity to volunteer at LG Fashion Week (formerly known as L’Oreal Fashion Week). It was February 2008 and I had been looking forward to the possibility of attending Canada’s premiere fashion event. Toronto’s fashion week was originated by the FDCC, an acronym for the Fashion Design Council of Canada, as a way to garner publicity and attention for Canada’s fashionably elite. LG Fashion Week aims to put Canadian fashion designers on the map and it has does an incredible job. Attracting the likes of Jeanne Bekker, Joseph Mimran, Nada Shephard and Shawn Husein, LG Fashion Week has definitely made itself the place to be for all things Canadian fashion.

I had so been looking forward to being a part of Toronto Fashion Week. I remember spending my Valentine’s Day sitting in front of the computer typing up my application to volunteer. I guess most people were celebrating the day of love with their sweethearts, but I felt my love for all things fashion satisfied me more. Passing up the opportunity to volunteer for LG Fashion Week was not possibility to me. The platform that it had created for Canada’s top fashion designers is something that had been very inspiring to me. Unfortunately, the last thing that Canada is known for is fashion and LG Fashion Week along with the FDCC assist with this by putting our Canadian talent on the map. It is events like this that make me realize why I love the fashion industry and why it is so important to support home grown talent.

It was now a grey February morning and as I followed with my daily routine of checking my e-mail, I saw an unread message and it was from none other than the FDCC! I opened the message and it was my volunteer schedule. I was to monitor the Fashion Environment and report to duty the very next day. The excitement bubbled up inside of me as I fantasized about all the fabulous clothes I would be able to see, the industry insiders I would be assisting and the gorgeous models strutting down the Canadian catwalk.

On my first day I helped with the set up the runway and main fashion environment at Nathan Phillips Square. I hustled down to the FDCC to package gift bags and assist with model fittings and got the chance to speak with one of the gorgeous models. It was a long day but definitely well worth it. After all, I was taking part in the hippest fashion event in town.

Finally the shows began. I fulfilled my duty as a LG Fashion Week volunteer that was to monitor the Fashion Environment. I picked garbage off of the floor, greeted guests and made sure the event ran smoothly. In between each of my tasks I couldn’t help but admire all the fashionable people that surrounded me. Toronto’s hottest fashionistas carried Gucci bags, wore the sleekest Louboutins and exuded style with their Prada sunglasses. The likes of Eva Avila, Stacey McKenzie and Iman mingled during the event and I could not believe that I was a part of it! Each fashion show played on a jumbo screen and I was able to watch Project Runway Canada winner Evan Bidell’s first fashion show. With all the fashion, excitement and fabulousness I was excited, overwhelmed and inspired all at the same time. Being a part of this made me realize that not only did I love the fashion industry but I belonged in it and the fact that this amazing event was held right in my hometown made me think, Oh Canada!
Amanda