This is what we call a masterpiece

Lanvin S/S 2010.

I don't think I've ever been as excited about a collection as this one. I've always been a fan of Alber Elvaz's trademark ruffled, dainty dresses but they always seemed out of my reach; they represent ladies who lunch in Yorkville, go shopping at Holts and have a driver. In other words; beautiful but not for most of the population.

This collection started out that way; with elegant ruffled dresses in black bone and salmon and stylish suits paired with one leather glove but what transpired after was a triumph of dress-making.

Masterfully draped knee-length dresses in nude, blush, light pinks, peach and poppy red; one-shouldered jumpsuits, floor-length dresses filled with gold sequins and belted leather pleated cocktail dresses and puckered quilted jackets.

What made this collection was so great was that it was completely unexpected. Each outfit was different and shocking.
I had to go through the collection several times to catch all the details; I'm sure the photos don't do it justice.

And let's talk about jewelry: Art Deco huge necklaces, cuffs and belts in jade, purple, red and gold.
The shoes were stunning: chain-links draped down the front made them edgy but elegant.

I think this is one of the best collections I've ever seen. Bravo Monsieur Elbaz. Bravo.




(Photos: style.com)

The sexiest collection I've ever seen

And it's not Balmain! Rick Owens S/S 2010 was all geometric angles, layers of fabric that whipped awkwardly between models' legs and asymmetrical cuts; that doesn't sound too sexy right? But even though it wasn't obviously beautiful, the trapeze shapes, the angular leather motorcycle jackets and the spiky cuffs made me want to rip the clothes off the models and put them on me for a steamy night out.

There is something to be said about clothes that don't show off the figure of a woman's body; the shape may look odd but it's in that quirkiness that I find beauty and femininity.

Here are some of my favourite looks:






(Photos: style.com)

The best Rachel Zoe parody ever

I've been having a hell of a time trying to watch the new season of The Rachel Zoe Project. The new season is only airing in the U.S. and is not available on iTunes Canada. Therefore I have had to resort to more sinister means of acquiring the series. You all know what I mean. And in the process, my poor computer has come in contact with several viruses, some of which are still lingering. But it's all worth it because I finally discovered how to get the show.

This season is really different from the last one; Rachel has moved her studio to a loft, there are a lot more employees, Taylor and Brad actually get along and there is even more drama.

But I think I have found my new favourite pastime: watching Rachel Zoe parodies.

Comedian Beth Crosby writes, produces and stars in The Rachel Zoe Project Parody and she is brilliant. She enunciates "may-jor" with the right Zoe flair, she wears the huge sunnies and she even bats her eyelashes in the exact same way Zoe does.

The people who play Taylor and Brad are also hilarious; "Brad" has an awesome meltdown and Taylor feigns disinterest at everything.

Watch it!

Toronto Film Fest

This is really off topic, but I've got "She's Like The Wind," "Hungry Eyes" and "Cry To Me" on rotation. RIP Patrick Swayze.

Back to the topic at hand.

The Toronto International Film Festival has been keeping me very busy at work; covering the premieres and red carpets, but also covering the fashion scene.

Celebrities at TIFF usually go all out; sometimes with amazing results and sometimes they make me question their sanity (or their stylist.)

Here are some of the ones that made me take notice:

Tilda Swinton

Not many people understand Tilda's style and believe that a lot of what she wears is ugly. Her style is very different from what most celebrities wear. She isn't trying to cater to the masses and that's one of the reasons why I love her style. It suits her. If she wore a ballgown it wouldn't work but what she's wearing here is perfect for her.


Penelope Cruz


Penelope just glows in this outfit...or might that be because she's reportedly pregnant? Either way, she looks cute and chic in this dress.

Grace Park

I had to throw Grace in here because she plays Sharon/8/Athena on my favourite TV series, Battlestar Galactica. I hate the outfit though. The lacejust looks cheap and the skirt is out of place. She's gorgeous but has no sense of style here.

Eva Green

It's hard to tell what she's wearing but I can't just blame it on the photo. She's wearing all black and the clothes are shapeless! You can't even see her gorgeous figure. She needs to vamp it up à la Vesper Lynd in "Casino Royale."

Drew Barrymore
I had a very strong reaction to this Dior dress: Yellow. Like in "The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" all I could think was that colour. But I really like it; it suits Drew's quirky personality and it reminds me of tattoos.

Colin Farrell
The open collar does it for me. That's all.


Carey Mulligan
She's touted to be the next "It" girl like Ellen Page was last year, and she looks so uncomfortable on the red carpet that it's very endearing. I really like what she's wearing here; a twist on the classic little black dress and shiny red shoes. I wish I could pull off short hair.

Amanda Seyfried
I love this look so much. A chic blazer over a blouse and skirt and killer bondage-esque heels makes for a seriously sexy look.


The colour alone makes this dress hot. I love how she doesn't have to show off a lot of skin to look sexy.

Pretty young things

I'm sure most of you have seen the cover of I-D's Sept. issue starring Chanel Iman, Sessilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn and Arlenis Sosa. But since we don't see covers featuring black models often, I wanted to post the cover here.

And WHAT a cover it is! i-D's covers are usually really saucy, with models winking and giving smoldering looks. This one is no exception.

The colours really catch my eye. I love the metallic makeup on the models' skin contrasted with the graffiti background. It's such a sexy cover.

I haven't bought the issue yet so I don't know what's inside or whether the girls give interviews (I hope they do) but the cover alone makes me want to buy it.

i-D usually has that effect on me; the covers always lure me in. Like this one. Models winking! They get me everytime!





So here is a behind-the-scenes video of the girls at the i-D shoot:

A Valentino surprise

A year after premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, Valentino The Last Emperor is finally coming out on DVD Sept. 8 (I pre-ordered mine already!)

Last September, I was very fortunate to screen the movie, in the presence of Valentino himself, then party with him and his posse at the after-party, and finally, to cap off a crazy weekend, interview him, his partner Giancarlo and Emperor director, Matt Tyrnauer. That was probably the highlight of my career. How can I top that? Maybe if Karl Lagerfeld gave me a call...

So it goes without saying that if you are a fashion lover, then you must see the documentary.

And now I have some cool news! The team behind the movie, in partnership with Phase 4 Films and Decades Inc. are giving away a vintage Valentino gown! The winner will also receive the DVD.

All you have to do is send an email to valentinodvdcontest@phase4films.com with your name, address, phone number and email by December 31, 2009. You must be at least 21 years old.

Unfortunately this contest is open only to residents of the United States (sorry Canada!)

So fellow Canadians, even though we can't enter the contest, I strongly suggest getting the book Valentino Themes and Variations which has beautiful detailed photos of his couture gowns. It's almost as good as the real thing...right?

Body business

In the fashion biz, it's pretty rare to hear models talk. They're models for a reason, right?

I am of the view that models should talk more; about what their jobs are like, whether they are being treated fairly, whether they have body issues; hell, just talk to us about the fabulous clothes you get to wear!

And while we do sometimes get snippets backstage during Fashion Week, and we sometimes get a few well-known models on a cover of a magazine talking about their fabulous lives, it's still a rare thing when a model speaks out on her own accord, and in all honesty, about her life as a model.

Last year, Model.Live followed three wannabe models trying to make it during Fashion Week. It was a very honest look at the struggle of newbie models. A few weeks ago, Jezebel's resident brainiac model "Tatiana" revealed herself to be Jenna Sauers;

who eloquently wrote about the unglamorous life of modeling. Last year, model Ali Michael spoke out on national TV after she was sent home from Paris for aing "fat legs" even though she hovered around 105 pounds.

And now model Crystal Renn has penned a memoir called "Hungry," detailing her journey as a thin model, who had heart palpatations she was so skinny, to being a successful plus-sized model.

Renn says that when she was first scouted, at the age of 14, she was told to lose 55 pounds. She lost the weight but when her agent told her to lose more, she realized she couldn't diet anymore. That's when it was suggested she become a plus-sized model and it was when she became a healthy size 12 that her career took off.

She says:

"I got to my lowest point, when I couldn't go lower, and it was either, 'I'm going to die and not accomplish the dream,' or, 'I can become a plus-size model and keep the dream,"' she said in an interview. "I am healthy now, the healthiest I've ever been in my life - both physically and mentally."

I'm not going to wax on about how fuller figured models are practically ignored by the fashion industry; that's for another post when I can think of something new to add to that discussion; but I'm just impressed that Renn, who is still in the middle of an incredible career, is brave enough to call out the industry on his thin obsession. More models should take a cue from her.

Anna and Dave

Last night, the Queen Of All Fashion, Anna Wintour, appeared on David Letterman to promote The September Issue. It was amazing.

I barely noticed Dave's questions because all I could do was stare at Anna's reactions. She would alternate between tight smiles and her cold hard bitch face. That woman gives the best bitch face. I love her so much. My favourite part is when Dave asked her what a person could get if they had a $20 fashion budget and she disdainfully replied "you could buy lipstick."

It's obvious that Anna wasn't completely comfortable being up there surrounded by people who are most likely on $20 fashion budgets, but she gamely answered Dave's questions and tried to make little jokes. Please. Get that woman back to the offices of Vogue so she can boss people around!

Another great moment was when Dave asked her what the fashion industry is doing during the bad economic times and she replied that she was going to be at a Macy's in Queens. Queens! Can you picture Anna freaking Wintour in Queens autographing t-shirts? It boggles my mind.

Part one:



Part two:

Oh happy day! I die!

Can't believe it's here....been waiting so long like this. Rachel Zoe, where have you been all my life? Finally, The Rachel Zoe Project Season 2 is premiering tonight! I think it's only in the U.S. though but that's what bit torrent is for!

Up until a few weeks ago, I have been in serious Rachel Zoe withdrawal. But then she launched her website and I signed up for her daily newsletter where she promotes her favourite products.

But you must watch this crazy, fabulous woman. I can't believe that it's taken this long for her to be on TV because she's so much fun to watch and her assistants, Brad and Taylor, are hilarious.

So for your viewing pleasure, here is a clip of this season!

What's Your Persona

Last Friday I met up with fellow Toronto blogger Krist Papas, of the blog whatsyourpersona. Krist is a street fashion and portrait photographer who has also contributed to Toro and Toronto Life.

We had fun talking about photography (Karl Lagerfeld is a genius), fashion (does anyone wear anything besides H&M in this city?) and blogging (how influnetial is it?)

Check out some of his beautiful photos:





(Photos courtesy of Krist Papas)