Elle Canada - The Elle Word

1. Black out beauty 
The smoky eye is getting extra vampy —think a deeply saturated, one-tone colour over the entire lid (barely any graduation in colour), courtesy of the Smashbox creation at Lucian Matis. Smashbox makeup artist Lori Taylor layered on black cream liner as a base, then swept an intense black shadow on top, blending the line and edges slightly with a Q-tip. The result? A deep black, smoky eye set against porcelain skin and nude lips. “We wanted to do something a bit more sensual and mysterious because the collection is so dark. Mystery is the key word for the hair and makeup,” Matis told ELLE. As the models strutted down the runway, the focus was on the linear cuts and striking eyes. Mysterious, indeed.

2. Drama, drama, drama
Lucian Matis showed off a theatrical collection in the grand ballroom of the Royal York Hotel. We loved the crocheted dresses, elaborate feathered garments (including a wow-inducing ballgown) and pant suits with leather lapels—but our hearts went out to the poor models who wore nipple tape under their revealing frocks. Ouch!

3. Dance off
At the annual Holt Renfrew designer mash-up presentation, the lights dimmed over the rows of fashion goers who lined the catwalk as a spot light shone over a charming man at the head of the runway. The crowd fell silent in anticipation of what he had in store for them. To everyone’s amazement he broke out into a full on tap dance, spinning and dropping into the splits. A definite crowd pleaser!

4. The cat’s meow
One trend that’s finally trickled onto the runways of Toronto? Cat fashion! Lucian Matis showed Louis Vuitton-esque kitty ear headbands at his Fall/Winter 2012 show while Smythe put black panther hats on the runway during the Holt Renfrew show.

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She’s on the verge of making it big, Hayley McKee (Elmer Olsen Model Management), takes us through the daily life of a model during fashion week. She’ll be blogging for ELLE Canada for the rest of the week to give you backstage access to all the Toronto Fashion Week shows.

Watch the clip and get to know a little bit about this up-and-coming Canadian model.

Model diaries: Meet Hayley from Noah Lehava on Vimeo.

“Excuse me ladies, Rico is ready for his makeup,” says a severe-looking woman as she nervously consults a clipboard and frantically gestures behind her. Why is it she’s on edge? Enter Montreal-native Rico a.k.a the Zombie Boy (you may recognize him from Lady Gaga’s video, “Born This Way”). Rico strides into the room—rocking a spiked leather vest and baggy pants complete with an authentic gas mask hanging from his belt loop—that’s almost as stare-worthy as his body art. Covered in head-to-toe tattoos, Rico won the Guinness World Records for having the most bones and insects tattooed on a human body.

In short, senior M.A.C makeup artist Melissa Gibson has good reason to cock an eyebrow at his “ready for makeup” face. Ever the professional, she strikes up a conversation as she reaches for a bottle of face moisturizer.

You may think having a tattoo-covered man in a fashion show may be a bit distracting but as designers Elisa Dahan and Eran Elfassy explain, Rico was the perfect model to capture their mood for Fall/Winter 2012. “We saw Water for Elephants and it so haunting but beautiful,” says Elfassy backstage at the runway show. ” We wanted to capture that feeling of dark but playful and sophisticated.” Looking around at the theatrical stage (decorated with hanging parasols, vintage popcorn machines and tinkling carnival lights) I can see the melancholy circus connection, and then of course there is Rico. “How perfect is he for the show?” asks Elfassy. “When we found out he was Canadian, we knew we needed to have him. Canadians need to stick together!”

How then do you translate OTT circus appeal into a makeup look?

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Paris closed out the “Big Four” fashion-week shows with international trendsetters displaying true Parisian chic throughout the entire week. Stylish accessories and attention to details were on everyone’s fashion list this season.

THE GIRL: Ceylan is a fashion editor at Turkish Marie Claire and a blogger on www.thestylebyme.com

SPOTTED: Jardin des Tuileries.

HER STYLE: Haute minimalist.

WHY WE LOVE IT!  The sophisticated monochrome look is rich in textures in a VSP of Vespucci wool and leather coat, VSP suede pants, VSP boots and Marc Jacobs clutch.

Click here for the French spin on being a mod eclectic. 

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Chanel’s fashion show is one of the highlights of Paris Fashion Week. The fashion style setters always save their best for Karl. This year, regal flair was in the air at Le Grand Palais as everyone made their way through the dramatic entrance. Here are some of the best looks from that morning:

THE GIRL: Ana is a handbag designer at www.analeena.com

SPOTTED:  Le Grand Palais, Rue Winston Churchill before the Chanel show.

HER STYLE:  Cavalier chic.

WHY WE LOVE IT!  The Alaia feminine-waisted coat is beautifully accessorized with the cardinal red fur boa and Analeena crocodile handbag.

What other chic-lets caught Nicole’s eye. Click here.

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1. Heather Marks & Zombie Boy
Eran Elfassy and Elisa Dahan, the brains behind Canadian label Mackage, brought back some homegrown talent to open and close their Fall/Winter 2012-13 runway presentation. Calgary-native and international super model, Heather Marks, set the tone for the dark and brooding ambiance with her equally powerful strut. After the brigade of mixed leather, wool and fur ensembles the show’s big finale featured the brash swagger of Montreal-born Zombie Boy (recently seen alongside Lady Gaga in her “Born This Way” video).

2. Dead man walking
Stepping in to the Fermenting Cellar in Toronto’s Distillery District (30 min before show time) to see Zombie Boy’s handler leading him down the catwalk during dress rehearsal, shouting: “Sashay! Sashay!” We’re not surprised that the tatted-up Rick Genest (a.k.a. Zombie Boy) who closed the Mackage runway, didn’t sashay.

3. Carnival fare
Set in the scene of an underworld circus, bathed in deep blue and purple light, the Mackage carnival was in full force. Pink candy floss, ice cream sandwiches, two-bite caramel apples and mini-corndogs circulated through the fashion crowd, while hoopers and stilt walkers performed.

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Whether the style mavens met on the right or left bank of the Seine this weekend, their looks were impeccable. The overcast skies didn’t dampen the fashion scene. Here’s who caught my eye.

THE GIRL: Caroline is an executive fashion director at Tank Magazine.

SPOTTED: Jardins des Tuileries.

HER STYLE: Uptown girl with an edge.

WHY WE LOVE IT!  The meticulously paired lace-detailed Burberry trench, Louis Vuitton shoes and cool Alexander Wang sweater give this look an unexpected edge.

Need some more streetstyle fashion inspiration? Click here.

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The fashion elite met a few times over the weekend in the beautiful Jardins des Tuileries where many shows took place. Here are some of my weekend favorites:

THE GIRL: Ulyana is a Russian photographer and designer www.ulyanasergeenko.com

SPOTTED:  Jardins des Tuileries.

HER STYLE: Haute cowgirl.

WHY WE LOVE IT!  The jeans and shirt get an upscaled look with Ulyana’s own cape design. Bonus: the boa feather detailing.

For more casually chic Parisian style (the reason this city inspires us so!) click here.

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Paris is at its stylish best during fashion week. Although the sartorial scribes and sages have been at it for the last four weeks, Paris is where the “ante goes up.” Here are some of my favorites from yesterday:

THE GIRL: Elodie is a stylist.

SPOTTED: Quai Andre Citroen before the Balenciaga show.

HER STYLE: Boho ballerina chic.

WHY WE LOVE IT!  Elodie creates an edgy feminine look with her vintage Comme Des Garcons asymmetrical dress paired with a Balenciaga leather jacket and studded Prada shoes. Bonus: the tulle accent.

FASHION WEEK FAVOURITE ADDRESSES: ” I love to hang out at Colette in the library area. They have great fashion books.”

Who says wearing black is boring? For more inspired stylish takes on this fashion staple click here.

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