Thursday, April 30, 2009

Matthew Williamson for H&M

Matthew Williamson's new capsule collection for H&M debuted last night in New York City. The party took place on the east coast's biggest party yacht. some of Hollywood's hottest came out to support the British designer suc as Mary-Kate Olsen, Helena Christensen, model Chanel Iman, and Alexis Bledel. Canadian model Daria Werbowy was Williamson's date for the big event.

"I think it's an amazing collaboration and I think H&M makes really great choices in the designers they pick and Matthew is a given for H&M," said Helena Christensen. Williamson is just one of many designers that H&M has collaborated with. Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld and Viktor & Rolf are just to name a few. The collections are often coveted from everyone from celebs to models to students. During this economic time it allows everyone the opportunity to own quality clothes with a designer name.

These collaborations with famous designers are a no-brainer for H&M. The publicity is huge and the lines usually sellout in minutes, with women beating each other over their head with their handbags just to get their hands on it.

Williamson is best known for his work with Pucci, and his H&M line doesn't stray far from that. The line is full of vibrant colours (this pink mini with the thick belt is one of our favourites!) and exotic prints (such as peacock). The second part of the line debuts May 14th and will include menswear and swimwear.

"I wanted to create a strong urban collection fused with the brand's signature symbols and shapes. It's been fascinating to search back through my archives to isolate the most iconic pieces, then rework them for H&M," Williamson told British Vogue recently.

These collaborations with famous designers are a no-brainer for H&M. The publicity is huge and the lines usually sellout in minutes, with women beating each other with their handbags just to get their hands on it. So if you think you can roll into an H&M the day after it debuts and expect to get everything you wanted...think again!

The line will be offered at the Eaton Centre and Bloor St. W. locations.


















Writer:Kate Murphy

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Canadian Stars

Dean and Dan Caten, the designers of Dsquared2, will be honoured in September during the Toronto International Film Festival with their very own star on Canada's Walk of Fame. The duo join other fashion insiders Linda Evangelista and Daria Werbowy with the prestigous honour.

"Canada is our birthplace and will always remain in our heart. It is with enormous pride that we accept this award and we hope to serve as inspiration for young emerging talent to follow their dreams," says the designers.

"Fashion, music and all of the arts have become forces to be reckoned with across Canada. The people involved continue to evolve into a class of individuals that Canada is pleased to claim as its own. We could not be more proud to be inducted into such a community."

Writer: Kate Murphy

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Littledoe is Love

Littledoe is Love is this really great company that specializes in high quality headpieces. Canadian and Toronto native Chase Cohl, a former NYLON intern and lead singer for the folk-rocky Weepaw, creates all of the pieces by hand. Chase only uses rare antique materials. All of her headdresses are one of a kind and custom orders can be placed on the website.

"It started last February when I was going to some event I can't remember and I got it in my head that I wanted to wear flowers in my hair," explains Cohl. And that was it. People "were attacking me, they all wanted one".

The headpieces are certainly inspired by Native American culture, but they also have a strong 70's hippie vibe.

"I am not trying to rip them off. I have such respect for Native American culture. I did a road trip from Toronto to L.A. in June and I was wearing a tall headdress as we drove through Santa Fe. We stayed at a Native American owned hotel, and I got nothing but compliments."

The headdresses aren't cheap and can cost a few hundred dollars, but there is something that is absolutely timeless about her creations. They're an investment that can be handed down from generation to generation. They are also a great focal piece for a bedroom or can be used as a decorative piece in your house.

The chances of you rocking one of these things at a club or out shopping are slim-to-none, but they are works of art.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Monday, April 27, 2009

American Maternity



While involved in a lawsuit with infamous director Woody Allen, American Apparel have actually found time to design. America's largest clothing manufacturer has grown from the fedora wearing, Cochella attending hipster scene and branched out into maternity wear.

It's nice to see that expectant mothers can be comfortable and stylish.

The days of the dreaded "mom jeans" are finally over. Except in Jessica Simpson's wardrobe.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Leopard Louboutin's


These are Christian Louboutin's newest creations. They're not sky high stiletto's, but leopard print sneakers.

Think the soles are red?

Writer: Kate Murphy

Friday, April 24, 2009

House of Harlow 1960

Nicole Richie stopped by Holt Renfrew in Toronto this week for the Canadian debut of her new jewellery line House of Harlow 1960. The line is named after her one year old daughter, who is named after actress Jean Harlow. The line is also inspired by her love of 60's fashion. Richie was also inspired by the jewellery she picks up on her worldwide travels. Hundreds of girls showed up to meet the designer and she documented her trips to Toronto and Montreal on her Twitter page.

Richie teamed up with celebrity jeweller Pascal Mouawad on House of Harlow 1960. The lines features a mix of different materials and styles, including leather, silk strings, chains, rivets and gold-plated metals. There is also a storng African feel to the pieces. The line includes rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and headpieces.

The line will be sold exclusively at Holt Renfrew in Canada.


Some photos provided by Who What Wear.
Writer: Kate Murphy

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Fashion Takes Action

FAT Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week is a multi-arts festival with a mandate of showcasing artistic disciplines rooted in fashion and their exploration of clothing and the body in today's time. The festival emphasizes this mandate through the showcase of fashion design, photography, installation, video, performance, music and dance, in an effort to push forward and redefine our perception of the fashion phenomenon.

FAT is Toronto’s first-ever arts & fashion event which defines our style consciousness, bringing the public and the industry the mutually exclusive possibilities of fashion-forwards fused with music and art. This multifaceted annual event showcases 200 of the most innovative fashion designers, visual artists, musicians, performers and dancers across the country and abroad. The Distillery District hosts various FAT runway shows, live performances and installations featuring talented upstarts and established artists redefining style and influence. It runs from April 21-24.

Gold Medal Glory

Canadian designers Dsquared2 will help design and produce the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Expectations will be high for the ceremonies, especially considering the spectacle of the Beijing Olympics last summer. Twin brothers Dean and Dan Caten are promising viewers that they "will be awestruck".

Let's just hope that the Canadian Olympians can accessorize DSquared2's outfits with a beautiful gold medal hanging around their neck.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Fashion in Wonderland

On Thursday, the Humber Fashion Arts Class of 2009 hosted a fashion show themed, “Lost in Wonderland”, at Phoenix nightclub. The class of 16 girls received donated fashions from a mix of clothing stores including H&M, Ya Ya & Co. and SODAliscious as well as unique designs by Jen Sadzak.

The men’s fashion was casual everyday wear that showed trends for the spring season including jeans, button-ups, and a colourful red ensemble from head-to-toe with a white shirt to break it up. One the other end of the spectrum, the ladies’ fashion was much more risqué and far from everyday wear. The wardrobe team displayed their take on Wonderland with dresses that stood out as one of a kind pieces. The fabrics used included mesh, cotton, silk and lace along with some jeweled embroidery. The collections were eclectic, showing metallic ensembles to a feathered blue dress. They also showed trends for the spring that consisted of pairing a floral print top with striped capri pants.

The show was indeed a success and it looks as though there is some fierce fashion talent coming out of Humber College and into the business world of fashion.



Writer: Talia Freilich

Monday, April 20, 2009

Diamond in the Rough

In 1996 Karen McFarlane, wife, mother and grandmother, ended a 25-year career in health care and chose to invest in her natural design talents. With her signature as her trademark, Karen embraced the very new challenges of growing her own business.

“Creating beautiful things has been a life long passion,” says McFarlane. “ A love of art, architecture and travel, as well as fashion, has influenced my design skills. I am inspired by the materials before me and prefer to use multiple elements to add richness and a feel of luxury to my pieces. Collaboration with fashion designers, stylists, retailers, media, and customers, has been very rewarding. In spite of work days that stretch into the night, I feel most fortunate to be able to indulge in my passions and continue to develop as an individual as well as an artist.”

Now in her 12th year of production, the Canadian designer creates an exotic, original, couture line of jewellery and accessories. Jewellery by Karen designs are limited in edition, hand worked and finely wrought in her Dundas, Ontario studio. The line features evening pieces, daywear, and most recently bridal creations. Both of the moment and timeless, the Jewellery by Karen line is best described as “wearable art”.

Jewellery by Karen designs have received much attention from the fashion industry and are sought after to complement high-end fashion collections. Karen’s design talent is in demand to customize accessories for private clients, fashion designers and stylists. Her work has appeared with couture as well as ready to wear lines on runways, in fashion photo shoots and window displays, and has been featured in trade and fashion publications.

Distribution includes high fashion boutiques and accessories stores across Canada and the US. Jewellery by Karen designs will soon be marketed to European countries.

My connection with Brandon Dwyer: I have come to the attention of a number of stylists, designers and celebrities in the Toronto area. Many of my contacts have come by "word of mouth" after collaborating and showing with others. Sara Jay is the stylist who introduced my work to Brandon, first for his look book photo shoot.

Her jewellery has been featured in Lou Lou and Life & Fashion magazines.
Writer: Karen McFarlane press kit

Friday, April 10, 2009

Thievery

Thieves by Sonja den Elzen unveils their Spring 2009 collection in the 3rd installment of the F-list's Designer Spotlight Series.

Wednesday, April 15
6pm - 9pm

Cosmopolitan Hotel
8 Cobourne Street

The Thieves label brings luxury to contemporary, men's and women's eco-apparel. Designer Sonja den Elzen cultivates modern aesthetics and eco-fabrics with high end street fashion for a truly original result! See for yourself in an evening of cocktails, clothes & conversation. Guests and cameras welcome.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Birthday Girl!

We wanted to wish Vivienne Westwood a happy 68th birthday!!!

We're big fans of the designer and hope she continues doing what she does for many wear to come.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Welcome to Wonderland...

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Kanye's Kicks a Hit

A few weeks ago we told you about that Kanye West had his own line of Louis Vuitton shoes coming out. Kanye also just released his new shoe collaboration with Nike called Air Yeezys.

The shoe was released Saturday at Livestock in downtown Toronto. People lined up outside of the store since Thursday (some were coming from Buffalo, New York) just to be the first to get their hands on the new kicks designed by the rapper. Livestock said that they had more people outside waiting for the shoes than they had shoes in the store.

"It's easily the biggest release we've had since we've opened," Livestock's assistant manager Hektor revealed to MuchNews. Livestock co-owner Skam explained why these sneakers are such a huge deal to sneaker freaks: "It’s basically Nike's first shoe with someone that's not an athlete."

The shoe retails for $260, but can be found on eBay for as much as $600.

Naturally, every pair of Air Yeezys flew off the shelves within minutes.


Writer: Kate Murphy

Coco's Crib


Here are some scans of Coco Rocha's gorgeous New York City apartment. Her apartment is as stylish as she is!

Writer: Kate Murphy

Monday, April 6, 2009

Brandon R. Dwyer Fall/Winter '09 Launch

On Friday night the CFA family got to see the debut collection of Project Runway Canada contestant Brandon R. Dwyer at the Devil's Martini Bar and Lounge in downtown Toronto.

The show had a really great vibe. It was intimate and fun with dance music and a giant disco ball that centred the runway. This show was a little more excitable than most because it featured a prominent model in the fashion industry. Victoria's Secret model and Dwyer's muse (pun definitely intended!) Andi Muise opened and closed the runway. She's the face of his collection and is dear friends with the designer.

Even though a Victoria's Secret model was prancing down the catwalk, Dwyer's clothes were definitely the focal point. The line includes quality made stuctured pieces but still maintains an edgy feel, best seen in the leather mini dress. He chose quite a dark pallet of colours with black, deep purples, and a jewel-toned green. The line is sophisticated and is best suited for evening wear. The most important aspect of Dwyer's collection is that every piece is wearable.

We were thoroughly impressed with Dwyer's collection as well as the atmosphere for his debut. You can expect to see great things from Brandon. His collection is expected to be available at Holt Renfrew across Canada.

He certainly has a bright future ahead of him.

Jewelley by Karen McFarlane. A post on her is coming soon!

Writer: Kate Murphy

Some photos provided by Terry Ting/ Southcreek EMI / Zuma Press.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Molded Shoes


I just saw these Alexander McQueen shoes on Heidi Klum for an apparent Vogue spread and I have to say I am kind of obsessed with them. They are part of his Spring 2009 collection, which means they should be in stores now. I mean they're molded to your feet!!! This is great for people with foot fetishes and really gross for people who have an irrational fear of feet. I think they're pretty cool.

I have so many question. I wonder if they're more comfortable to wear? Maybe you're feet won't slip forward and cause women to get dreaded hammer toes. I wonder if each pair is molded to the individual's foot or is it one size fits all? If that's the case I have to say that I feel bad for women whose second toe is longer than their big toe.

Leave it to McQueen to think of something like this.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Jumping for Lacoste pt. 2


Back in October we told you that Hayden Christensen had signed on to be the new face of Lacoste's newest cologne Challenge. The ads were based on Hayden's movie Jumper and the commercials were set to ad in France.

Finally the ads have been released in North America. This is the press release describing the cologne:

Challenge opens on notes of fresh energy and tangerine and lemon enhanced with a touch of bergamot. In heart, ginger blends with lavender and purple leaves, which make(s) it more soft and sensual. The teak and ebony wood in the background provide a solid and powerful fragrance midway between tradition and modernity.

I couldn't make this up if we tried! I'm sure it smells great, but I don't think I could've smelled all those scents in one cologne. For those of you who don't know (I didn't, I Googled it!) bergamot is a "pear-shaped fragrant citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia". See, you learn something new everyday! The bottle is also meant to resemble a tennis raquet.

Lacoste Challenge will be available in May in both 40 and 50ml bottles.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Britney for Candie's

This is Candie's new ad campaign featuring Britney Spears. The line includes apparel, footwear, swimwear, intimates and accessories available exclusively at Kohl's.

"I had so much fun shooting the Candies for Kohl's campaign. My favorite set-up was against the gigantic wall of pink cotton candy."

A full size, limited edition, pull-out poster will appear exclusively in the April 15th issue of Us Weekly Magazine.

We just have one question: Do girls actually wear Candie's?

Writer: Kate Murphy

One Small Step for Man...

Louis Vuitton has added one of the most famous trivia answers to its new advertising campaign.

Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon's surface, will be shooting the new LV ad campaign with famed photographer Annie Leibovitz and fellow astronauts Jim Lovell and Sally Ride. The 79 year old astronaut will pose for the photoshoot sometime this week and the campaign takes place in an unknown U.S. desert.

This has got to be one of the most unusual/AMAZING! ad campaigns in recent years. LV is certainly stepping outside the box and is choosing to work with unconventional people to help sell their brand...and we totally love it!!!

Writer: Kate Murphy