Park Avenue Princess: Siman Tu Gallery

On a lovely stroll today in the afternoon, I basked in the sunlight and admired all the very fashionable people on the Upper East Side. One older woman was donned in gold linen pants accompanied by a gold twin set and fabulous sunglasses. Another wore a tunic style dress with embellished sandals. If there is one place to spot out something special to add to your collection of clothing or accessories, New York is the place so it was no surprise to me when I stumbled upon the beautiful Siman Tu Gallery.

As I walked in, I was immediately greeted by the sparkling diamonds and breathtaking freshwater pearl necklaces accompanied by French music, live chirping birds and garden-like vignettes. Siman Tu after all, is a haute couture jewellery designer who has had his exquisite necklaces grace the necklines of Barbara Walters, Anne Hathaway and Tyra Banks as well as made frequent appearances on Gossip Girl.

His pieces are absolute standouts with their hint of glamour and sophistication providing just the right amount of detail. Favourite pieces include: a medium strand pearl necklace with a delicate floral brooch attached at the top, fit for a princess or very elegant lady and gorgeous turquoise chandelier earrings that would match perfectly with a large turquoise statement necklace, each both featured on Gossip Girl.

The beautiful pieces are all handmade in house at the flagship store on 860 Lexington Ave. so if you are in the area be sure to visit this store because you will not be disappointed.

Amanda

In the Pink!

With that warm summer feeling in the air and the sun shining down with floral dresses peeping up everywhere, there are now more pink things out there besides your cheeks, nails and lips.

Canadian designer of covetable fashion line Pink Tartan and George Brown College Alumni, Kimberley Newport-Mimran will be opening the very first Pink Tartan flagship store in none other than the highly fashionable Yorkville. The future Toronto fashion hotspot is sure to draw shoppers far and wide being located in the historical 77 Yorkville Avenue building that is a perfect for the ladylike designs. The boutique is set to open this fall just in time for your cool weather wardrobe.

The rosy spring colour takes it namesake to a whole new level with Victoria Secret's sister store, PINK which has hit Canadian soil at Toronto's Yorkdale Mall. The bright and colourful brand features cute athletic clothes, loungewear, bra and pantie sets as well as an ode to the true, north, strong and free nation of Canada with adorable t-shirts that feature some of Canada's many notable places.

Be sure to check out these Toronto's fashionable pink places!

Amanda

America's Next Top Model is Back with a Bang!

The popular modeling reality show is back and debuts this Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 at 8pm on CTV.

Tyra Banks promises that this season will be memorable with a number of notable changes. Number one, there will no longer be an experienced supermodel who is consistently part of the judging panel. Each week there will be guest judges including, Lauren Conrad former star of MTV's The Hills, Keeping Up with The Kardashian's star, Kim Kardashian and model Chanel Iman. Number two, the theme of the upcoming season will be, How Short Can You Go and will feature models who are 5ft 7in and under. 

If you would like to read my opinions on the new season of America's Next Top Model, click here.  And don't forget to check out the new season, as it is sure to be entertaining as always!

Amanda

Rant of the Day: America's Next Top Model

As we all know America's Next Top Model has been around for 12 seasons and despite the lack of public and professional success of the majority of the winners and contestants, the show is still going strong. No one can really deny what the popular television show has done for many young girls and aspiring models. Hell! There was even a riot at the auditions among the model hopefuls of the upcoming season.

Tyra and Co. have done more than just mould your everyday girl into a potential supermodel, they also focus on each contestants personal struggles and adversities that many of them have faced in their daily life and even more so on the television show. One season had contestant, Heather who had a rare form of autism, cycle 3 had Amanda who was legally blind and most recently, Tahlia who had third degree burns on the majority of her body.

By casting these girls, Tyra has shown that no matter what differences may set each of us apart to never let anything get in the way of your dream and this brings me to the premise of the upcoming season of America's Next Top Model, which will only cast potential models who are 5 ft. 7 inches or shorter. All I can say is, What The Fluff?

As an individual who is 5ft. 5 inches myself, I find this idea ridiculous! Within the fashion industry of the western world, please tell me where there is a market for models under 5ft. 7 inches? When people think of shorter models, they often bring up supermodel and fashion icon Kate Moss but like every rule there are exceptions and she is IT! The cycle 3 winner of America's Next Top Model, Eva Pigford was 5ft. 7 inches and don't get me wrong I was rooting for her all the way, but honestly how far has she exactly gone in the modeling world?

I guess I find this new premise to the popular modelling show puzzling because if Tyra would like her show to be unique, why not have a season devoted to only plus size models? How many cycles have had beautiful plus sized models? Diana Zalewski, Tocara Jones, Whitney Cunningham and cycle 9 winner Whitney Thompson for example. There is a HUGE market for plus sized models, why not capitalize on that and inspire all the big and beautiful ladies aspiring to have a realistic, modelling career?

In year the 2009, being plus-sized is no longer a taboo. Playdead Cult/Damzels in this Dress featured a plus-size model in their SS09 fashion show. John Galliano and Jean Paul Gaultier have done the same, featuring famous plus-size model, Velvet d'Amour in their respective fashion shows. So I beg the question, why NOT have a season featuring plus-size models? Where my ladies at?
Amanda