A cottage-inspired runway look from Michael Kors’s Spring/Summer 2012 show.

Story by Chloé Berge

Nothing is more relaxing than a weekend at your cottage or cabin, but some of us tend to be a bit too relaxed (read: sloppy) when we hit the dock. Go from disheveled to dynamite with these expert fashion tips from Nicole Manek, a Toronto stylist with Judy Inc.

Expert fashion tip: GIVE YOUR FLIP-FLOPS A REST

In lieu of ultra casual rubber flip-flops, try a metallic sandal and add a little bling to your natural surroundings, says Manek. Choose a metallic that suits your skin tone – rose gold is universally flattering – and wear them with a crisp white sundress.

Expert fashion tip: THINK OUTSIDE THE TANK TOP BOX

Instead of pairing your cut-offs with a tank top, try a fitted or short caftan. Manek suggests choosing one that’s lightweight and fitted enough to show your shape but still comfortable. Stay away from sheer fabrics so that it can do double duty as a dress and beach cover-up.

Click through for more cottage dressing fashion tips!

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The view from the yoga pavilion. Image courtesy of Justin Harrington.

Yoga classes, included in package at the COMO Shambhala Estate, Ubud, Bali

Where: The COMO Shambhala Estate, Ubud, Gianyar 80571, Bali, Indonesia

The vibe: Believe what people tell you – Bali is a magical place. The beaches, the jungles, the people, the food – all of it truly is a good as everyone says. You just need to get there to experience it yourself.  At the COMO Shambhala Estate you’ll be tucked away on a mountaintop in the jungle – not a beach in sight, but you won’t mind. This sanctuary is hidden to offer the most peaceful and Zen experience you can have while you reconnect through yoga, wellness and the spa. Stay in one of the suites, or if you want to get really swanky do as the celebs and the elite usually do and book one of the exclusive huts. The only sounds you’ll hear are of the grounds people sweeping up leaves off the grass, crickets, frogs, rain and soft chants at prayer time. If you’re looking to relax, detox and not gain 20 pounds while on vacation, this is the spot for you.

What: Yoga in the jungle? Yes, please!
I’ve already digressed on another reason why Bali is a magical place (read about my best-ever massage here), but I do have one more to add (and to also convince myself that I must go back). On my third day in Ubud I was already walking around the acres of the COMO Shambhala Estate like I had found my true inner Zen. Nothing could faze me. A snake appeared outside my hut the night before – my reaction was calm. That mini 6.2 magnitude earthquake that shook my entire hut in the middle of the night? I barely flinched (ok, I did, but went soundly back to sleep after a call to the front desk assured me it was “just a little one”). Yes, I was in a place of inner peace and more than ready for my early morning yoga session in an open-air pavilion overlooking the scenic jungle.

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Dean and Dan Caten, designers of DSquared2. Image courtesy of DSquared2.

There are few things more exciting – or, ahem, Canadian – than gathering around a television to watch our national men’s hockey team earn the gold medal during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. And it’s funny how these iconic moments of collectively rallying around hometown sporting heroes – not to mention the uniforms the athletes wore while underneath the international spotlight – tend to live on with us, almost more so than the final medal tally (almost). We’ve asked a few of our favourite Canadian designers – both expats and local – to share their favourite Olympic memories with us. Here are the moments that win gold in their minds and what they’re looking forward to most for the coming Summer Olympic games in London.

Dean and Dan Caten, designers of DSquared2

Gold medal fashion moment: “When we dressed the talents for the opening and closing ceremonies for Winter 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. And then Whitney Houston’s performance of ‘One Moment in Time’ at the Summer 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.”

Fave Olympic spectator sport: “Naturally, swimming and diving…for the hot hunks in trunks!”

Read on for more fashionable Olympic moments from some of your fave Canadian designers!

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Backstage at Chanel Haute Couture, Fall 2012. Image courtesy of Chanel.

A diverse crowd that included Diane Kruger, Alexa Chung, Sofia Coppola, Laetitia Casta and Clémence Poésy turned up for Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2012 show. As guests milled around the Grand Palais, they stopped to have their photo snapped in front of a painted frame (like the cloud-printed sheath you posed in front of for high school photos, just a million times cooler), which set the stage for Lagerfeld’s “New Vintage” collection.

The set for the Chanel Haute Couture show was also characteristically over-the-top. According to WWD, the collection was shown atop a double stairway and had a luxe garden party vibe. White camellia-topped trees and white wicker furniture lined a path of Chanel silk that wound its way to the staircase. A sky mural—which reportedly took over three weeks to make—served as the perfect backdrop for the collection and transformed the Grand Palais into an ethereal wonderland.

The main standout in my mind however, was the sweet-meets-strong look that Chanel’s Creative Director Peter Phillips created backstage. Phillips contrasted rosy doll-like cheeks (Chanel Joues Contrast in Rose Initial, out this fall) with a striking metallic eye that evoked an innocent but don’t-mess-with-me vibe. The retro-inspired eye was kept modern by mixing chrome and silver shadow with a light beige eye liner. Phillips used the beige liner (Chanel Le Crayon Khol in Clair) on the lower waterline to help brighten the eye area and minimize any redness.

To create the glam-rock eye at the Chanel Haute Couture fall 2012 show, Peter Phillips used:

• Chanel Ombre Essentielle in Furtif (from the fall 2012 collection
• Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eye liner in Noir Intense (from the fall collection)
• Chanel Le Crayon Khol in Clair
• Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara
• Chanel Recourbe Cils de Chanel

For more fashion week highlights, read on!

The Coveteur co-founders Stephanie Mark and Erin Kleinberg. Photography by Jake Rosenberg.

This Canada Day, we’re proposing that along with beaver tails and maple syrup, we celebrate Canadian fashion as one of our iconic national symbols. And with an endlessly talented well of Canadian designers, models and supporters to draw from, we’re pretty sure our homegrown style has earned its national pride status. But don’t just take our word for it: Here’s how some of the most influential and creative fashion personalities in the country celebrate, well, the most influential and creative aspects of Canadian fashion this year.

The Coveteur, Erin Kleinberg (co-founder and designer) and Stephanie Mark (co-founder and stylist)

Erin Kleinberg

Canuck-style celebration: “I love to spend Canada Day having brunch (and a BBQ!) with my family and boyfriend. We usually spend the day lounging by the pool and relaxing. This year, I’ll be heading to NYC with my boyfriend for a weekend escape. Ideally we’d be going to Palm Springs – my home away from home – but this will do! I lived in NYC for a while so it’s always nice to go back when it’s not for work purposes, especially during this time of year. I’ll definitely be hitting up our favourite spots – Gemma, La Esquina, Otto and The Spotted Pig – strolling Central Park and likely doing some damage at Barneys.”

Candian fashion love: “I think Canadian fashion is a bit underrated and undiscovered. Being a Canadian designer (once upon a time), I know first hand how hard it is to make a name for yourself and be successful. I love that Canadian fashion is celebrated by the community on a local scale and praised by the global fashion crowd, too. My line, erinkleinberg, was carried everywhere from Holt Renfrew in Canada to Barneys, Saks and Neiman’s in the US, to Lane Crawford in Asia. It was really gratifying to see my stuff sell around the world alongside other Canadian designers like Erdem, Mark Fast, Smythe and Jeremy Laing. It’s a true testament to the fact that Canadian designers are having an influence on the global fashion market.”

Read on for more stylish Canada Day celebration details!

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Peplum perfection at Dior, Spring/Summer 2012. Photography by ImaxTree.com

It’s almost the long weekend, and what better way to celebrate that with one of this season’s most fashionable cocktails? Here are our top tips for matching your look to your libation.

City: Vancouver
The hot spot: Hawksworth Restaurant (801 West Georgia St.)
The fashion vibe: Refined ladylike
The cocktail: Try the Hotel Georgia cocktail, if you’re a daring drinker. Plymouth gin is mixed with fresh lemon juice, almond syrup, and orange blossom water. The pièce de resistance? An egg white for extra froth! (Like we said – only for the daring!)
The look: Peplum, if you please! Sure, adding a frill of fabric around the hips may seem like a strange idea (much like adding egg whites to a cocktail), but it’s a super flattering way to emphasize your waist (and derrière!) Not convinced? Check out style-setters like Kate Middleton and Blake Lively for pointers.
Runway inspiration: Peplum was undoubtedly one of the hottest trends on the spring/summer 2012 runways but we were particularly fond of the pieces by Giambattista Valli and Christian Dior.
Fashion difficulty level: Master class.

City: Toronto
The hot spot: The Harbord Room (89 Harbord St.)
The fashion vibe: Smart, casual.
The cocktail: Try their signature summer cocktail, the S.O.A, which is only available for a few months. Tequila, lime juice and ginger beer are combined with berries in a balsamic preserve, then shaken over ice — the result? A smooth, tart drink that’s oh-so refreshing.
The look: Relax on the patio in one of this season’s fabulous pastel pieces. Since coloured denim is such a fun trend, why not try mint green capris? We also love the look of a lady-like pastel sundress.
Runway inspiration: Issa London’s fabulous frocks and Ralph Lauren’s pastel flappers.
Fashion difficulty level: Beginner.

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This image and post should be viewed while listening to some form of ‘take your bags and leave/in fact, don’t bother, I’ll go and you can watch me walk away. Swish this, homie‘ Beyonce-type summer anthem. Photo by Liuda Hara for Moroccanoil. Hair by Orlando Pita of Orlo Salon

Ponytails rule. Let’s face it – we’re all already making them (the ponytail “trend” is really just a “ponytail, obviously” situation), and the catwalks keep on churning out great updates to classic staples. So it’s silly not to keep tweaking the different styles you’ve got in your hair style arsenal.

Take this beauty from the Carolina Herrera Spring Summer 2012 show, created by my man, Orlando Pita. It’s an elegant, looped tail wrapped at the nape of the neck, and it would look as great in the office this summer as it would out for drinks and a flirt on a patio later that evening. (Hopefully it’s a patio blasting “Run The World”.)

Here’s Orlando’s hair tips on how to create the perfect summer ponytail: Read the rest of this entry

Brother-sister duo Jordin and Tamara Mimran (of the Mimran family fashion dynasty) at a preppy-beach themed party.

With their summer collections in stores (and the Fall/Winter 2012-13 runway shows behind them), Canadian designers are taking some much-needed beach recovery time and bringing along their favourite summer reads and playlists to help then unwind. We caught up with a few of our favourite homegrown designers behind some of Canada’s hottest labels to find out what fashionable books and summer tunes—would you expect any less?— they’ll be relaxing with under the sun this season.

MOON, designers Tamara and Jordin Mimran
Based in: Toronto

Summer read: Tamara, The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy by E L James
Beach playlist: Tamara and Jordin:
1. Dragonette, “Let it go.”
2. Ellie Goulding, “Lights.”
3. Calvin Harris, “Feel so Close.”
4. Young Galaxy, “We Have Everything.”
5. Vacationer, “Good As New.”
6. M83, “Mightlight City.”
7. Recloose, “Can it Be.”

Read on for more beach reads and summer tracks from Canadian designers…

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Valentina and Angela Phung, owners of The Store On Queen.

The best way to put up with a missing fashion niche in the city – a fierce, OTT sartorial eclecticism – is to fill it yourself. And that’s just what designer Angela Phung and buyer Valentina (a one-name wonder like Cher or Madonna) are doing with the launch their joint fashion venture, The Store On Queen, which officially opens its doors this Friday, May 18.

The playful duo were introduced by a cousin of Valentina’s but moved in similar fashion circles, so their first meeting was inevitable. After discovering their shared interest in opening a Queen West shop over lunch at The County General on Queen Street in February, they entered into a committed fashion merchant “marriage” – “Yes, we even have rings!” says Valentina – after they spotted a for sale sign in a storefront and immediately decided to make it their new home.

The girls were still painting and prepping the boutique the day before their exclusive pre-launch party Thursday night. I caught up with Valentina, who took me through her and Angela’s fashion history and what they hope to bring to Toronto’s trendy Queen West strip.

How did you get your start in fashion?

Angela studied fashion design at Fanshawe College in London, Ont., for three years. At 18-years-old, she was ranked among Canada’s best up-and-comers and was chosen as one of eight Canadian young designers to compete in the International Young Fashion Designers Competition in Paris. In 2006, Angela was chosen to showcase at Toronto Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2007. After graduating, she decided to postpone her career to join the family restaurant business. She decided to take a year off and moved to Toronto in October 2011.

I worked for a leading Canadian retailer, both as in-store management and interned as a buyer at their head office. I left after nine years and opened a unisex boutique in Canada, which I sold to travel after three years. I also have an online shop, shopsundayvalentine.com, which I started when I moved here, and will switch over to TSOQ. Also, I have been obsessed with fashion and being different since I was probably five years old.

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Sweet treats with a fashionable twist: the Royal Jubilee-themed Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley in London.

England is known for many wonderful things – its designers, street style stars, museums – but its cuisine is not one of them (steak and kidney pie, anyone? Didn’t think so). But, without doubt, one of its most delicious traditions is afternoon tea: dainty sandwiches, fresh scones and delectable cakes all washed down with the world’s best teas. While this tasty ritual has been adopted in other parts of the world, no one does it quite like the Brits.

So, in my quest to find the ultimate afternoon tea, I’ve had the pleasure of sampling some of London’s finest offerings and present here a mini-guide to the capital’s best tea experiences, complete with recommended fashion looks for each one. The next time you’re in town – to, you know, shop, buy real estate, catch up with Will and Kate – set aside a few hours for this most enjoyable of customs.

1. The Berkeley ($63; Wilton Place, Knightsbridge)

Combining two of our favourite things – fashion and sweet treats – the Berkeley’s Prêt-à-Portea celebrates our sartorial heroes with cookies taking the form of fluoro-yellow Louboutin stilettos, a vanilla cake in the guise of a Fendi bag and other delicious offerings that change according to the season’s current collections. This year, in honour of the Queen’s jubilee, the Berkeley is offering a special royal-themed tea: Nibble on confections in the shape of the infamous Philip Treacy fascinator Princess Beatrice sported to last year’s royal wedding or the maple leaf hat that the Duchess of Cambridge wore on her visit to Canada last summer.

What to wear: Cutting edge spring fashion from the top designer labels (or your best approximations). We love the water theme that swept the Spring/Summer 2012 runways in the form of prints, scalloped textures and lovely variations on the colour blue.

Runway inspiration: Mary Katrantzou, Versace, Chanel

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