Photography by Barbora Simek
Joelle Litt
Wearing: Vintage shoes, David Dixon pants, Line Knitwear jacket, & Wilfred tee
About the look: “I have three of these Line Knitwear jackets and only six were made, sometimes I like thinking about who has the other ones.”
Must see TFW show: “I am the biggest fan and ambassador for Line Knitwear so their show is my biggest must see.”
Click through to see more detailed shots of Joelle’s TFW look…. Read the rest of this entry
Image by Savo Sok.
WHO: Sharon Ng Hayes, backseatstylers.com and Chartered Accountant
BEAUTY OBSESSION: Red Lips
WEARING: Equipment blouse, Phillip Lim leather jacket, Club Monaco pants, Charlotte Olympia heels, Celine bag, Banana Republic necklace
Arthur Mendonça’s standout Fall/Winter 2012 show. Image courtesy of Jenna Marie Wakani.
Star power
Only Arthur Mendonca could command a packed audience at four in the afternoon. The Toronto-based designer, who was a last minute addition to the Fashion Week calendar, showed a stunning collection of patent leather jackets and dresses, hammered silk blouses and llama wool coats that were styled with jaunty bowler caps. But it was his finale ballgowns that got the biggest reaction, with oohs and aahs heard as one model emerged in a silk crepe drape skirt with patent leather details reminiscent of Angelina Jolie at the Oscars.
Rebel yell
“I’m trying to perfect my unisex canvas,” Rad Hourani told ELLE backstage after his superlative RAD by Rad Hourani show. Hourani’s artistry was on full display in sharply cut military-style jackets, coats with voluminous folds and lots of luxe leather. Lately, Hourani has been mixing colour into his signature dark palette, and for Fall/Winter 2012, he played with two shades of green: khaki and forest. Both hues, he said, were inspired by the forest near his country house in the south of France: “Nature is very powerful, no?”
Golden girls
We’re pretty sure that peplum is one of Joeffer Caoc’s favourite things this season, given that the playfully fanned cut dominated most of the designer’s Fall/Winter 2012 collection—though The Sound of Music show tune blasting as models came down the runway was kind of a giveaway. Dubbed “Remix”, the ultra-feminine collection dazzled with copper jersey tops, gold and black sequined dresses and gilded tweed suits—much like the regal fare we saw emerge from Dolce & Gabbana and Moschino during Milan Fashion Week earlier this month. One of our favourite Joeffer things for fall? Wide-collared coats in deep mustard and rich plum.
Until the world ends
Montreal designer Travis Taddeo admits that his “doomed generation” collection was inspired by social chaos and recent global turmoil. It’s fitting then, that his palette consisted of smoky greys, charcoal blacks and soft creams, with unexpected pops of cerise. “I imagined this woman who is not happy or sad about the world, which is about to explode,” says Taddeo in a pre-show video. “But she’s not going to give up.”
Fashion with heart
At Dare to Wear Love—an event held in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation—Trish Stratus proved that she can work a runway as easily as a wrestling ring. Harkening back to her WWE days, the wrestler-turned-fitness guru effortlessly picked up a seated audience member and tossed him over her shoulder while sporting a Cydelic by Choryin-designed dress. Do we even need to mention she was in heels?
Grace Lee surrounded by media backstage.
Things are behind schedule backstage on Day 4 of Toronto Fashion Week. And it’s hot, buzzing with energy, with models running from hair to makeup to fittings. Then there’s the slew of flat irons and blow driers working overtime. Managing to keep their cool, Grace Lee, lead makeup artist for Maybelline, and Jorge Joao, lead hairstylist for Redken, still create two flawless looks for Pink Tartan and David Dixon. Here are the details on how to get the looks.
1. Dark lips and gold eyes at Pink Tartan
With Kimberley Newport-Mimran going back to her Pink Tartan beginnings (think lush fur coats, and gorgeous fitting blazers ideal for work wear), the designer wanted something very classic and clean in beauty and hair and the focus to be on a deep, berry-red lip.
MAKEUP: “Kimberley really wanted to emphasize a strong, ox-blood lip,” says Lee. “So we used Wine & Forever 14-Hour Lipstick. It’s like that perfect rich burgundy red lip.” With such a statement lip, the rest of the makeup was kept soft, but the eye was nearly as gorgeous as the lip. Lee created a dewy, shiny glossy lid by mixing Bold Gold Colour Tattoo eye shadow with clear Baby Lips lip gloss “I think they should patent this for me! I’ve been doing this [mix of Baby Lips and shadow] for everything!” she exclaimed. “It’s almost like a 24-karat gold on the eye.” The outer corner was dusted with a touch of nutmeg-hued shadow for definition and a couple of coats of mascara. “That lid is just perfection. It’s really about the lip and beautiful glow.”
HAIR: Hair was soft and simple—and as an added bonus—super easy to DIY. Newport-Mimran wanted a center part, so Joao created a super sleek, yet soft look by flat-ironing for pin-straight, Gwyneth Paltrow-esque locks. “We wanted something that was really timeless. We didn’t want it to look too contrived,” explains Joao. The team used Redken Argan-6 Oil for shine before ironing, then worked in a texturizer for a bit of grit. “It’s not just that soft, mushy hair, it gives it just a little bit of an edge.” After finishing with some shine spray, the models were set to walk the runway with their newly smoothed hair tucked into Newport-Mimran’s chic coats. Read the rest of this entry
Sleek glamour at Pink Tartan Fall/Winter 2012. Image courtesy of Jenna Marie Wakani.
From 9 to 5 to cinq à sept
At Pink Tartan, the coats and jackets resting lightly on models’ shoulders—à la best-dressed Gwyneth in Tom Ford at the 2012 Oscars—offered the perfect metaphor for the brand’s appeal. Pink Tartan is about being polished, chic and seemingly effortless—it’s fashion for the weekend getaway crowd. But designer Kim Newport-Mimran also understands the needs of the working woman. Who wouldn’t want to stroll into the office wearing one of their gorgeous fitted blazers or camel coats?
Rough and tumble
This season, instead of presenting Ezra Constantine along with its sister label Greta at an offsite location during “rogue” fashion week, Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong opted to show their menswear line in the World Mastercard tents. Models wore harem sweatpants and jackets with what we’re calling “dude sequins” adorning the sleeves. The accessories were also notable– think bondage style leather face masks and giant safety pins right out of the ’90s.
Power play
Calgary native Caitlin Power’s eponymous label is known for its sleek, architectural lines and androgynous tailorings but her most obvious switch-up came from the drastic makeup that complemented her techo-inspired Fall/Winter 2012 collection: full, black lips and muted, white-blond brows. Grace Lee, Maybelline Canada’s head makeup artist, created the look to match the futuristic vibe from the mix of black leather, blue neoprene and silk chiffon fabrics.
Image by Savo Sok.
WHO: Ola Olenska, Silpada.com
FASHION INSPIRATION: Perfume ad campaigns
STYLE ICONS: The Olsen sisters and Shenae Grimes
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In this special series, up-and-coming model Hayley McKee reports on her Toronto Fashion Week adventures.
10:45 a.m. Joe Fresh rehearsal
My busy last three weeks are beginning to catch up with me. I could barely stay awake today on the GO bus as I came into Toronto! But I got my morning coffee and was off to the tents for the Joe Fresh rehearsal. We finished rehearsal at noon—who would have thought that it would take two hours to perfect the catwalk? Only for one of the best shows in Toronto, and this one definitely is! Then it was off to the Fashion Design Council of Canada.
12:30 p.m. Rad Hourani casting
Once I got to 30 Maud Street, I was surprised with an amazing opportunity! I was chosen to get the hair and makeup done for the Rad Hourani show, to show Fashion Television! I couldn’t believe I got the opportunity to go on Fashion Television again for such a remarkable show! I can’t give away anything on the hair and makeup yet (stay tuned for tomorrow!), but I’ll just say the clothes are the coolest collection I’ve seen so far. Don’t miss this one!
3 p.m. Line hair and makeup
Back at the tents for hair and makeup for the Line show. My hair was gelled into a sophisticated bun, and the makeup artist created a big rectangle of eyeliner above the eye! HOT! The clothes were a whole other story—from furs to knitted sweaters, they were perfect for cool days. I wore a leather jacket with a long fur west over top, and I think it was my favourite piece I’ve worn so far this week.
Image by Savo Sok.
WHO: Sarah Magwood, owner of Magwood (magwood.ca)FAVE FASHION FILM: Gigi
STYLE ICONS: Isabella Blow and Michelle Harper
FASHION WEEK SURVIVAL TIP: Bring an extra pair of shoes if you’re going to be out late, a snack and a bottle of water.
David Dixon, Spring 2012
It’s the fifth and final day at LG Fashion Week and the FDCC saved two of Canada’s best designers for last in David Dixon and Denis Gagnon. At David Dixon, Malcom Mclaren’s genre blending tunes served as inspiration for a spring collection that celebrated the art of creating harmony from a mix of different fabrics. Italian matte jersey, silk organza, Chantilly lace, embroidered cotton, metallic paisley, tulle, leather, sequins, silk wool—it was all there and as dizzying as it sounds the results were, for the most part, elegant (white cocktail dress with black lace overlay), chic (super high-waisted pencil skirt with sheer black blouse) and utterly feminine (buttery yellow skirts embellished with laser cut silk flowers). In other words, quintessential Dixon. Read the rest of this entry
Caitlin Power, Spring 2012 (Photo courtesy Jenna Wakani)
Newcomers Goinaz Ashtiani and Caitlin Power were finalists together in last season’s TFI New Labels Competitions (Ashtiani took home the crown) and this season they’ve teamed up for a joint presentation, pitting Ashtiani’s feminine sophistication against Power’s futuristic androgyny. Highlights included Ashtiani’s violet-hued silk charmeuse jumpsuit and Caitlin Power’s Blade Runner-esque silk blouses with blue or orange contrast seaming.
Krane, Spring 2012 (Photo courtesy Jenna Wakani)
Krane designer Ken Chow gave the boys something to cheer about with his signature waxed cotton and leather pieces including tailored blazers, moto-inspired jackets to casual toppers with hidden straps for a hands-free way to throw your coat over your shoulder. Leather harnesses, Doc Marten boots and Chow’s expertly constructed carryalls, messenger bags and totes completed the collection. Read the rest of this entry
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