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
In this special series, up-and-coming model Hayley McKee reports on her Toronto Fashion Week adventures.
11:30 a.m. At my agency
What a week! I can’t believe today was the last day….I wish every week could be Fashion Week! But what better way to start the last day than with a glimpse into the next step in my career? I had a go-see with IMG NY this morning and it was so great to start thinking about travelling next year—not that I haven’t thought about it for months now! I just have to wait for Bootcamp 2 Bigtime this summer and then I can travel around the world. It’s all happening so fast—I can’t believe it! After a nice coffee outside, enjoying the beautiful day, I was off to the tents for the Joeffer Caoc show!
3:30 p.m. At the tents
I went right into hair and makeup for the Joeffer Caoc show. I did this show last season and it was so great to see how far I’ve come since then! After the show, I was rushed quickly into hair and makeup for Rad Hourani with only minutes to spare before we had to go backstage. AH!
7:30 p.m. RAD by Rad Hourani show
After a long rehearsal to perfect the finale, the show was ready to begin. It started late but when is fashion ever on time really? The beautiful intro video ended and we were off, as each stylist ran down the line of models to perfect the symmetry of each gorgeous outfit. As I lined up, I realized that I was closing the show. I walked out towards the cameras, alone on the runway. I turned and the shadow of my silhouette was cast across the huge screen as the lights dimmed.
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
In this special series, up-and-coming model Hayley McKee (left) reports on her Toronto Fashion Week adventures.
10 a.m. Magazine shoot
Only one word can describe my day today: unforgettable. I met up with the Fashion Television crew (who are filming my Toronto Fashion Week experience), and I felt ready to take on the busy day ahead with cameras following me the whole way. First, we were off to a magazine shoot which I only found out about last night! I could hardly contain myself—I was ecstatic! Who could have asked for a better surprise? But it turned out that my day was full of surprises—some good, some not so good…
12:30 p.m. Fashion Design Council of Canada
I was off to 30 Maud Street for the Travis Taddeo casting, but when I got there, the place was empty! I immediately called my agent and he told me that the location had changed. That’s the life of a model—last-minute changes and just going with the flow. Thank goodness I had Fashion Television with me—what a crazy thing to film! Sadly, we couldn’t make the casting at the new location, so we headed over to the tents for the first show of the day.
1 p.m. At the tents
I immediately head into hair and makeup for the studio show Ashtiani. I did this show last season and I love Golnaz, the designer, so it was great to get back together again! After the show, I was chosen to go out and do press for the show wearing my beautiful dress from the collection. This is where I had my next surprise…meeting Amanda Laine! She is one of my model icons and I got to ask her for advice, while the Fashion Television cameras rolled. It was so incredible—one of the best parts of my week! Amanda was so kind and she gave great advice: she told me to always thank the designers and to be kind to everyone because you never know who you will run into in the future. I really took that to heart.
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.
Caitlin Power Fall/Winter 2012. Image courtesy of Jenna Marie Wanaki
Attending Toronto Fashion Week can feel more exhausting than going to the international runway shows. Maybe that’s because Toronto fashion week lasts for so long—we’re talking about 12 full nights of catwalk action if you include the off-site presentations—and even Paris Fashion Week only goes on for 9 days. Above all, it’s an endurance test, and it’s not easy to concentrate if you aren’t in the right head space. Here are some tips for staying happy and healthy at the tents.
1) Don’t forget to eat.
On Monday, I went straight from the office to the Lucian Matis, Korhani and Holt Renfrew shows. I forgot to pack a granola bar in my purse and by the time the Holt’s show ended, I felt like I was having full-blown hunger hallucinations. (My apologies to the alarmed cater waiter at the Holts cocktail who I almost tackled for food). If you’re concentrating on your stomach, you won’t be able to fixate on what’s happening on the runway. Don’t leave home without trail mix, an apple or a protein bar for emergency situations.
2) Don’t be late for shows
Seats go fast, and having to bump someone who has already made themselves comfortable in your spot is always awkward. Most of the time, fashion shows start at least 15 minutes past their call time—so imagine my surprise when I showed up for Adrian Wu at exactly 2:00 to find that the show was about to start. I lost my front row spot and had to stand for the duration. Lesson learned!
Image by Savo Sok.
WHO: Ola Olenska, Silpada.com
FASHION INSPIRATION: Perfume ad campaigns
STYLE ICONS: The Olsen sisters and Shenae Grimes
Read the rest of this entry
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.
Heather Marks on the Joe Fresh catwalk. Image courtesy of Jenna Marie Wakani.
Model moment
Joe Fresh always attracts some of the world’s top modelling talent, and at last night’s shows, a veritable constellation of stars stalked the runway—Heather Marks, Alana Zimmer, Anais Pouliot, Meghan Collison and Kate King. (Perhaps their extra fierce gaits were inspired by the pre-show video montage from Blow-Up, featuring legendary model Veruschka.) We also loved the heavy-on-the-houndstooth ’60s-inspired collection, full of structured coats and sweet mod shifts.
Clear eyes, full heart, can’t lose
Bustle Clothing designers Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow know how to put on a show. First, the Toronto-based design couple tapped model (and fashion week fixture) Stacie Mackenzie to open their runway presentation in the sole womenswear look (Daisy Dukes and a coybow hat!) Then, a bevvy of male models—who looked like they had walked straight off the set of Friday Night Lights—took to the catwalk. One model in particular, (who I heard someone behind me refer to as “totally yummy”) elicited hoots and cheers from the predominantly female audience every time he appeared.
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