Loose Threads

LG Fashion Week was a total success! Lots of great designers showed off their Fall/Winter 2009 Collections and helped put Toronto on the map. Lots of great celebrities also showed up to support fashion week including Iman, Elisha Cuthbert, and Canadian supermodels Coco Rocha and Irina Lazareanu. We'll have pictures and some reviews of the shows up this week.

The Canadian Fashhion Association and FABRIC magazine were well represented. Our very own blog, The Daily Thread, was featured inside LG Fashion Week's media room. Unfortunately my batteries in my digital camera died and I was left with only my Blackberry, which doesn't feature the most sophisticated camera in the world. I took a picture of our blog anyways (above). It's something we're proud of. It's nice to know people are reading it and nice to get some attention within the fashion world.

We also wanted to let you know we've joined Twitter. To be honest I don't know what to make of this whole Twitter phenomenon. Do we as a society need to know every detail of everyone's lives the second they are living it? I mean do I really need to know/see Demi Moore steam Ashton Kutcher's suits while in her underwear (if you have no idea what I'm talking about click here) or be a witness to Lindsay Lohan's late night breakdowns (ugh, click here). The answer to these questions is a resounding HELL NO!!!!...or is it? Before Twitter I didn't spend my day thinking about what Ashton Kutcher or Lindsay Lohan were doing every second of every day, yet when the opportunity to spy on these people came up I seem to have taken it. I suppose it's the voyeuristic nature of our society. Twittering is more intimate than candid celebrity shots because it comes from the celebrities themselves. So I guess I have a love/hate relationship with Twitter. I could live without it (very easily I might add), but I suppose if the opportunity exists to spy on these people I'll take it...and hate myself for it in the process.

I suppose if you're a company or a band it's a good way to connect with people and have a channel of communication. So that's the angle I'm going for. I will become a total hypocrite and tell you that CFA has joined this cultural phenomenon. Visit us at twitter.com/canadianfashion. We already have some followers so I guess there are people out there who want to know every little thing we're doing or not doing. Weird. CFA is an association providing a service to the designers in Canada who need help. We're a platform to help upcoming designers and other industry insiders. We're actually doing constructive, productive things with our tweeting. We're not tweeting about what we had for breakfast. So I hope you enjoy it! Actually I hope you hate youself for enjoying it. Then you'll understand the conflict I feel towards Twitter.

P.S. You should totally follow Russell Brand's Twitter. It's thoroughly entertaining and he tweets exactly like he talks.

P.P.S. You should also follow Shaquille O'Neal's Twitter. You might be able to catch up with him at a restaurant.

P.P.P.S. Ugh! I really hate myself.

Writer: Kate Murphy

The Gallery!

We are excited to announce the opening of The Daily Thread’s Gallery! Be sure to check back each week as the Daily Thread will feature a different photo editorial each week. As FABRIC Magazine proudly grows into our Spring/Summer 2009 issue, we are on the look out for photographers and editorial contributors. If you are interested in photographing for our magazine or our daily online Thread as a photographer, please contact Sean Beckingham sean@fabric-mag.com. If you are interested in writing for our magazine or our daily online Thread please contact Cora Nijhawan at cora@fabric-mag.com. If possible, please include a sample of your work or a link to your website and/or online portfolio. We can’t wait to hear from you and make this issue the best it can be!

Photo courtesy of Dexter Quinto. Check out more of Dexter’s work at www.dexterquinto.com

MODEL UPDATE

FABRIC Magazine’s very own Model Update! We are going to update you on three amazing Toronto Models: a well known veteran, a rising star, and a new face in Toronto. In that order; Elmer Olsen’s Daria Werbowy and Amanda Laine and Stylus Models' Nicole J.

THE FRONT AND BACK OF FRENCH VOGUE

Canada’s own Daria Werbowy was discovered walking around 5’11 at age 14. Her career began with Susan J. Model & Talent, soon after Daria signed with Elite Model Management. Currently in Toronto Daria is represented by Elmer Olsen Model Management, and internationally by the International Modeling Group (IMG) in New York, which is her mother agency. Since then, Daria has risen to the top of the international super modeling realm, fronting campaigns for Lancome, Prada, YSL, Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Hermes, Valentino, Versace, Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Featured on the front, back, and feature editorial of Paris Vogue's August issue, shown above, in addition to a fashion spread in the September Paris Vogue. Werbowy was quoted saying she would retire at 25 and move home to her Toronto suburb, only weeks from her 25th birthday (November 19th). We can only wait to see what she does... we’re hoping she decides to work here in Toronto!

A RISING STAR

They sure are creating some supermodels over there at Elmer Olsen; 5’11 Amanda Laine with legs from here to Saskatchewan is on the rise. Winner of the V A Model Search Amanda received a three year model management contract with Supreme Management in New York. This rising star has already done runway for Prada, Marni, Marc Jacobs and Balencianga. Amanda has representation in Toronto, New York, London, Milan and Paris.

FABRIC to FLARE

Pick up the November issue of FLARE and check out the new face of Toronto, Nicole J. Sixteen-year old Nicole J., scouted and represented by Canadian industry mogul Cynthia Cully former agency director of FORD Models Toronto and current agency director at Stylus Models. Cully, who has been at Stylus for less than a year, is well on her way to creating an agency to be reckoned with. Only a few months ago Nicole was featured in her very first editorial shot by Toronto native Ryan Faubert in our very own FABRIC Magazine. The phenomenal 6 page editorial spread in FLARE shot by renowned photographer Max Abadian is one of two editorials for Nicole this month; she is also featured in Anokhi. Nicole can also be found on two additional pages of FLARE (the table of contents, and a feature page). Be sure to keep an eye out for this new face as Nicole is still to be published in an upcoming issue of Verve Girl. Nicole J. is represented by The Agent-C & Stylus Models in Toronto and Montage Models in Montreal.

Salon Alert: Pop Hair

Having our office on trendy Queen West not only means that we get to be just a few seconds away from all the hot shops and restaurants, but when cool new stores and salons open in the Fashion District, the FABRIC team is all over it - literally. Today marks the rebirth of a salon by Husband and wife team Gisella and Sandro. This creative and visionary duo have teamed together to bring Pop Hair to 471 Richmond Street West, and were kind enough to let the team at FABRIC have a first peek at the awesome result. This brand-spanking-newly renovated second floor studio features 6 chairs for all your cut, styling, and colouring needs and wants, as well as a coffee bar and lounge/waiting area. The icing on the cake is that Pop Hair also offers make-up services to compliment your new 'do. Newly sponsored by cosmetic giant Wella Sebastian, the original Pop was under the name 'Pop Design' at its old location on Spadina and Adelaide, and has gotten an image and name makeover in the last 6 months. The product is a gorgeous new salon with vision, panache, and no doubt - style. Check it out next time you're in the area!

Call now to book your hair appointment, and if you mention our blog get 10% off your next cut. Prices range from $30 for men/$50 for women for a cut and style with a Studio Stylist to $55 for men/$80 for women for a cut and style with an Artistic Director.

Pop Hair / Studio 202 / 471 Richmond Street West, Toronto / M5V 1X9 / 416-363-7007 / style@pophair.com / www.pophair.com

Photographs by Sean Beckingham, FABRIC Magazine

See and Be Seen!

If you've picked up the latest issue of FABRIC Magazine you'll see a story called Spy vs. Spy, our women's feature editorial that was shot a couple months ago at a great location with an even better view. Last Thursday, the very same condos at 11 Brunel showed us how it's done with a fantastic party! From incredible catered food to jugglers, dancers, and everything in between, this was one of Toronto's hottest parties of the weekend, and FABRIC was there to check it all out. In addition, FABRIC got the chance to distribute 500 copies of our magazine at the party and good times were had all around. Check out the pics!