Loose Threads

Follow Jessica Stam on Twitter - Twitter

Jimmy Choo for H&M's men's collection - Nitrolicious

Sneak peek at Nicole Richie's Winter Kate shoe collection - NRichienews.com

Mary-Kate and Ashley talk Olsenboye - Youtube

Lady Gaga covers FLARE - Coco Perez

Photo provided by Google Images.

Posted by Kate Murphy

Kate Moss for Top Shop Christmas Collection

THE DRESSES:

Photos provided by Nirolicious.

Posted by Kate Murphy

Olsenboye

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are extending their billion dollar business to a new, cheaper line for JCPenny. The girls already have two fashion lines, The Row and Elizabeth and James, but those lines are incredibly expensive. The new line called Olsenboye (terrible name!) is a line of casualwear and accessories inspired by trendy cities from all over the world.

“Ashley and I felt strongly about creating a unique experience to reach the teen customer,” Mary-Kate said . Ashley added, “Olsenboye is an extension of the Dualstar brand delivering trend-based fashion at affordable prices.” The collection will include jeans, tops, dresses, skirts, shorts, jackets, accessories and handbags. Sizes range from 0-15 and will retail from just $20-$50!

A sneak preivew of the collection hits stores on November 6, but the line will not be officially released until February 2010

Check out a video of the collection here.

Photo provided by People.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Toronto Events

Hot party dresses to get you through cold winter nights

As soon as November hits, invitations for holiday season parties start rolling in -this is when you realize you’re going to need a couple of hot little party dresses to get you through the month of December.

I’ve come up with a few little numbers that will help you celebrate in style – take a peek at my December fun, flirty and festive line-up.

The Bridget Dress is from The Milly Collection by designer Michelle Smith. She is known for mixing couture technique with street sensible feminine style to create pieces that will stay in your regular rotation year after year. My favourite thing about this hot little number is the sexy back cut out and the billowed sleeves. Plus you can’t go wrong with gold lame over the holidays!

Photos: http://www.shopbop.com/

Where there’s a celebration there’s bound to be some booty shaking, and the Talulah dress from Wink is the perfect piece to wear when your holiday gathering involves a dance floor. The sequin detail will make you sparkle and the Ostrich feather trim will sway perfectly as you break it down. Make sure you pair this dress with a bold pair of heels to complete the hot look!

Photo: http://www.bloomigdales.com/

Photo: http://www.bloomigdales.com/

Finally, for the night when you want to be the most glamorous girl in the room, check out the Divinity Dress from designer extraordinaire Nanette Lepore. This dress will hit all your curves in the right spot. Plus, the detail of the tweed and ribbon in the front lets you rock the dress with minimal accessories and maximum impact. Pair it with tights and sky-high heels to complete the ensemble.

Whatever the season and reason for celebration, make sure you make an impression by heating things up and turning heads by incorporating these into your party rotation.

Writer: Monica Wejman

Pink Tartan S/S 2010

Kimberley Newport-Mimran debuted her Pink Tartan Spring/Summer 2010 collection in front of a crowd that featured Ben Mulroney, Degrassi stars Lauren Collins and Adamo Ruggiero, former Maple Leaf Tie Domi with his Nip/Tuck girlfriend Kelly Carlson, the Beckerman sisters, Seamus O'Regan, and most notably her husband Joe Mimran.

The show was so popular that the public were squashed into the bleachers like sardines, even forcing people to sit on the stairs (can you say fire hazaard!). The show was fun and exciting. In classic Pink Tartan fashion the clothes were edgy yet sophisticated, strong yet very feminine.

Sequins became a major focal of the collection, but it was handled in a way where it wasn't over the top. It was balanced with simple boyfriend blazers.

Another trend that doesn't seem to be losing any steam are the strong shoulders, which were seen on dresses and shirts, not just blazers. Belts were also used on a number of the looks. They were used to sinch the waste and then tied in a way so the strap would hang down. The theme for the dresses was "the shorter the better". One of the major standouts of the show was the caramel coloured brown leather jacket/skirt combo. It was quite a departure from the rest of the collection, but it didn't feel out of place.

The collection is definitely wearable, but didn't feature anything that was necessarily transcendent or groundbreaking.

Photos provided by Sun Edmonton.

Writer: Kate Murphy

LG FASHION WEEK

LG FASHION WEEK

Beckerman Sample Sale

Olympic Fashion

The Canadian Olympic clothing was unveiled a few weeks ago and it looks like the Hudson's Bay Company's head director Suzanna Timmins felt inspired by SCTV's Bob and Doug McKenzie. "Canadian style means we're relaxed and we're comfortable," Timmins said. "We don't take ourselves too seriously and we know how to have fun but we also want to look professional."

Along with the classic red and white Canadian colours, black and grey were added to the designs. "It's dynamic, bold and athletic," said Timmins. "It's inspired by sport and infused with Canadian style."

Timmins made it a point of noting that Italian Vogue recently featured a spread on a "Canadian look" which featured parkas and plaids. We no doubt have to thank DSquared2 this. "That's our style so why not take these items and make them part of the core of the collection."

One of the models for the clothing was Steve Yzerman, the exective director of the men's hockey team (arguably the most important job to Canadians). "As soon as you pull on these colours, you think about Canada and what it stands for — quiet determination, hard work and sharing the load," he said. "These are values all Canadians share. You think of heros like Gordie Howe, Terry Fox and Rick Hansen."

The clothes are expected to gross over $500 million worldwide. The prices of the clothes range from $10 for toques, $20 T-shirts, $20 scarves, $55 hoodies, $100 quilted jackets.

You can find the clothing at Hudson's Bay Company and The Bay. Writer: Kate Murphy

Art Meets Fashion at Nuit Blanche

Walking through the Distillery District during Nuit Blanche is like entering a fantasy world filled with interpretive dancers, whimsical lights, and expensive coffee. Nestled in the midst of all of this was the Art of Fashion design competition.


Instead of the expected fashion show (runway, seating, etc) the Art of Fashion design competition created art instillations filled with ten young designers and their innovative designs– their pieces all centered around the theme of Iconic Power.

The night was unique as these designers had the ability to meet with powerful players in the Canadian fashion industry such as Brian Bailey and David Dixon - both of whom were circling the crowds judging each of the designers pieces with their fashionably seasoned eye. The event was also a fantastic way for the ten designers to gain exposure to the huge Nuit Blanche crowd.

Among the designers was Sheila Lam, who divulged to me that some of her strongest inspirations derived from the Book of Revelations and Judgment Day. This was definitely apparent when I looked at her editorial display, which was filled with corseting and angelic, delicate fabrics.

Sheila’s display, with its powerful imagery and shocking point of view, helped her to stand out from the crowd…literally! And after it was all over and every last vote was counted, it was Sheila’s Revelation that stood victorious amid all the other Iconic Powers.

The designers helped the public discover fashion for the sake of art, not just for the sake of clothing.

Writer: Jenelle Spadaro