A Mighty Hoot

Possibly the biggest owl ever featured on the blog?! Awesome stuff from Julie, done by Lorin Hay at Fuzion Ink in Norfolk, Va.

Black Dynam-hoot

Markus sent in this bookish owl, done by david maynard @ black metal tattoo company in strongsville, ohio.

Nuit Blanche Doin' it in Style: Art of Fashion Iconic Power Competition

It was a cold and rainy night for 2009's Nuit Blanche and all the fashionista's were in the Fermenting Cellar of the Distillery Disctrict. 

What was happening on this night you ask? The Art of Fashion 2009 Design Competition. This year the theme was iconic power and the top ten design finalists debuted their fiercest designs. At first glance the Fermenting Cellar appear to be black, feathers and velvet galore but after a closer look the designs shone through. Each designer was required to submit designs that symbolized iconic power and this theme was interpreted in very unique ways. Here are some of my personal favourites:

1) Pink Ladies, a design duo who were inspired by the iconic Canadian artists, The Group of Seven. The ladies chose six iconic paintings from the Group of Seven and recreated them in the form of an outfit fit for a futuristic warrior woman. 

2) Harsh Crystalis, a clothing line created by Ryerson University Fashion Design Grad, Kelly Henderson. Zap! Pow! Kabam! Bright yellow, blue, red, green and purple, this collection is for women on the hunt who is ready to fight justice.  Sparkly accents, avant-garde lines and a slight Parisienne influence, this collection instantly stood out. 

3) Maybe, the up and coming clothing line by Toronto's Sarah Catalfo featured lace, lace and more lace. Catalfo took inspiration from her 2009 collection, Bandits in Bows and showed that just because the temperature has dropped, it doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style. Using heavier fabrics for the collection she created a beautiful kimono inspired black silk taffeta jacket and a purple sequined mini dress.

Clothing design wasn't the only feature of the Art of Fashion event, accompanying the design booths was a trunk show featuring Canada's jewellery design talent. Slashpile is a unique jewellery line by twin designers that take moments in their lives, whether it be overcoming addiction, genetics or their aspirations and express them through jewellery. My favourite piece was a pair of earrings that slightly resembled an atom. There was also LAG Concepts which creates beaded statement necklaces and floral arrangements, a very intricate and unique concept indeed. 

It was a joyous evening, a fabulous evening. In attendance were designers Zoran Dobric, Project Runway Canada's, Jessica Biffi and competition judge, David Dixon. It was truly a place where designers could support designers, something that this Toronto fashionista certainly approves of.  

Amanda

Hootless Bastard

This great reader submission comes from Jesse, done by Nate Corder.

White Hoot

Lee sent in the above, as yet unfinished chestpiece.

Chanel on the Big Screen: Coco Avant Chanel

If you were as frustrated as I was when you could not find the movie listing for one of the biggest fashion movies of the year, Coco Avant Chanel fear not my friends. 

On the film's official website ,you will be able to see full listings for the film, which at this point appears to only be showing at the AMC Theatre right by Yonge & Dundas. The show times for the film appear to be from today until Thursday with the last film showing at 9:35pm, so hurry up and get there!  

Amanda

Razzle, Dazzle Me :The Fall Clothing Show

This past weekend was The Fall Clothing Show. A famous affair where designers, vintage connoisseurs and craftspeople extraordinaire come together under one roof and sell their best pieces. 

This year there was something for everyone: an abundance of wool pieces including cloche hats and shredded wool shawls, popular feathered headbands and mix 'n' match clothing from House of Spy. There was an excellent selection of vintage clothing ranging from 1940's to 1980's, full of fur coats, plaid shirts, leather boots and evening dresses, this section of the event certainly had you covered for the chilly season. 

Although this was The Clothing Show, I must say it was the jewellery and accessories that took centre stage. Colourful feathered head pieces were everywhere, eclectic layered and charmed necklaces could be found on nearly every table and almost every vintage booth had an assortment of classic quilted bags (Is it just me or is Chanel in the air?) and interestingly, bright yellow pumps.

Between my mother and I, the only items that we picked up were a beautiful selection of vintage jewellery including, a cameo necklace, a diamond brooch, a pearl necklace, a gold plated anchor charm bracelet, cream quilted bag and gold chain link bag. 

I guess this all goes to show that you that cannot judge a book by it's cover (in this case a title) because you never what little treasures you may be able find. 

Amanda