Si Style Magazine Editorial

I have always been a fan of Vogue and I always will be, but sometimes I get tired of looking at repetitive editorials month after month.  It's nice to see new and refreshing ideas every now and then! Go See News is a great place to find all of the current editorials and fashion news.  I have been receiving their emails for years, but often found them difficult to read and too wordy.  They are now featuring images, large captions and short descriptions in their email newsletters and I find them very useful and easy to read!  Here is one of the editorials I really enjoyed from their most recent email newsletter.  The images were taken by Pasquale Abbattista and the model is Michelle Schermer for Si Style magazine.  Richard Widmer was in charge of styling.  Am I the only one that gets bored of Vogue are you a dedicated reader and fan?  Would love to hear your thoughts :)

Vogue Men Japan and Jiro Dreams of Sushi

I've been thinking about Japan a lot recently: about the two years I spent there and the wonderful people I met!  Perhaps this is because I just saw Jiro Dreams of Sushi which is a really interesting and inspiring documentary about Jiro, his family and his lifelong pursuit of the perfect sushi experience.  Jiro is 85 years old and still running his own sushi shop in a Tokyo (Ginza) subway station and has achieved a three star michelin rating.  It is truly worth seeing and an inspiration to those of us aspiring to big dreams and careers.

Quite conveniently, I also saw this spread of images on Go See News US and it really reminded me just how stylish Japanese men are.  I always felt like they had such a unique sense of style, whether business or casual.  Here are a few pictures from Vogue Men's Japan.  Am thinking about creating a "highlights of Japan" post, about my travels and adventures in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.  Thoughts?

Daisuke Uedo for Vogue Japan

Images via Go See

CAFTCAD Wardrobe Sale June 2nd!

It's back, it's back!  The CAFTCAD wardrobe sale is returning June 2nd!  I had a wonderful time there last year and found my precious Louis Vuitton!  Check out last year's post here :)

UPDATE:

Art of Fashion Event: Call for Designers!

Last year I visited the Art of Fashion event with my very good friend Mindy. She won't be joining me this year as she has moved to Calgary, but I will be attending the event again! We had a great time. There was shopping, music, entertainment and more! I even met my wedding fascinator designer Elizabeth of Elizabeth Victoria. Here is my write up from the event last season.  It truly is worth a visit. 

For those of you designers, get your stuff together and show your collections at Art of Fashion. There is always a fantastic turn out of people and plenty of opportunities to network and share ideas! It's a truly and inspiring event! 

Art of Fashion is a non-for-profit organization which focuses on creating platforms for exposure and experience for emerging designers. For the past 14 years, Art of Fashion has supported emerging Canadian designers through annual fashion events with designer boutiques and competitions. The organization was created and found in 1998 by Michelle Planche, President of Paradigm Events Inc. The event is produced by Paradigm Events Inc. which provides dynamic and professional event planning for special events and corporate conferences in North America. Art of Fashion is produced entirely by volunteers! 

CALLING ALL DESIGNERS

Designers of Fashion & Apparel, Jewelry & Accessories, Lifestyle

Art of Fashion proudly presents:

THE 14^TH ANNUAL

DESIGNER BOUTIQUE

Saturday, June 16^th 2012, 10:00am-5:00pm

Schwarzkopf Academy

Calling all fresh talent and emerging designers to participate in the highly anticipated annual Art of Fashion Designer Boutique. This established and key industry event showcases a carefully curated and inspiring show of original and innovative collections of apparel and accessories. It provides an exciting and exclusive sales opportunity to designers to present their work to buyers and sell directly to the public. Every year, The Art of Fashion Designer Boutique strives to bring together like-minded, but uniquely creative designers to exhibit their creations. Come and be among other inspirational designers - promote your designs and share ideas.

Launched in 1998, Art of Fashion is a Toronto-based, not-for-profit organization committed to fostering the careers of emerging Canadian apparel and accessory designers by creating platforms for exposure. Without the support available in places like New York, Paris, and Milan, it can be a steep uphill battle for Canada’s talented designers to launch their careers. For the past 14 years, Art of Fashion has supported emerging Canadian designers through annual fashion events, with the main attractions being the design competition and designer boutique. Art of Fashion is driven entirely by the support of volunteers.

Applications are DUE MAY 31^st, 2012.

Please visit our website: www.artoffashion.org to download applications or email aofdesignerboutique@gmail.com for more information.

Sunday adventures - St. Lawrence Antique Market

Last Sunday I visited the Sunday St. Lawrence antique and book fair.  Mother's Day and sunny weather drew large crowds and vendors as well.  I love thrifting at antique fairs and taking photos of interesting pieces, but oddly enough I never find anything!  I did manage to find some antique money at one of the tables and picked up a beautiful and unique necklace.  It's not antique, but looks it and is perfect with my new leather jacket and Louis Vuitton purse.  Am quite into browns as of late as you can see in the images.  I wore my new super comfortable maxi (my Mum picked up for me on her last visit) and brown gladiators from my travels in Japan.  Do you have vintage markets you enjoy going to? Favorite purchases?

The necklace is created by designer Irina Pertseva and she has an etsy store here!  She makes everything by hand and is ever so friendly and patient with us indecisive shoppers!  Thank you Irina :) 

New necklace

With my new necklace :)

Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet Favorites!

Love, love red carpet looks!  Having been to a ball myself and worked in fashion, I know just how much attention to detail and work goes into making the gowns and jewelry and styling them as well.  Stylists will often pull multiple looks, jewelry, shoes, clutches, belts and accessories months and weeks prior to big events.  It takes a sharp eye and patience to ensure a red carpet look will wow the audience and cameras too!  At the Oscars everyone pretty much sticks to the same repetitive looks, except maybe Gwyneth Paltrow and her Tom Ford cape gown this year.  Actresses are more willing to take more risks at events like the Cannes film festival 2012 in the images below.  Here are some of my favorite looks! Who are your favorites?

Love the strong business feel of the top paired with the feminine skirt

Great structure!

Sophisticated simplicity and fantastic belt!

This feels very Kate Middleton-esque

Go Jane Fonda! How smashing does she look here?! 
(Images via style.com)

Summer is Here?!

Is the good weather here to stay at last?  Let's hope so!  In the spirit of summer being right around the corner, I thought I would share a few of my summer beach/picnic must haves! Yesterday afternoon I visited Trinity Bellwoods Park with my very good friends and we had a lovely picnic.  It is still a bit chilly in the evenings, but it's glorious to be out and about in the sunshine.  We had home made gluten free salads, healthy rosemary crackers and of course tiramisu and chocolate mousse for desert.  I guess the desert kind of ruined the whole point of the healthy dinner, but we've got to have some fun right?! One of the things I have realized just recently is the importance of having a healthy social life outside of our busy work schedules. It is important to keep up with all of your friends, get out and about and of course exercise is also always good too.  Will be doing a post about that coming up soon!  I've got many new things on the go including: a 10 kilometer running training clinic at The Running Room, yoga retreats, festivals, fashion events and of course a very big adventure..stay tuned!

Not the ideal picnic attire, but I'll do anything to be in the sun and with friends!

The beautiful park!

Trusty light leather jacket, Louis Vuitton and Flare magazine.

My lovely Vancouver blogger and long time friend Lisa

Wong has written an article for the June issue!

Good reads are ever so important! I've started reading Now

frequently for the best news on events and great movies!

This week's issue also has a pull out featuring all of the

big concerts and festivals taking place this summer!

A few must haves!  Lacoste bag, H & M sunglasses, H & M fedora and dress

and Bandolino wedges available at The Bay!

Video Picks: Three New Fashion Videos

Here are my favorite videos of the week thus far!  

Jil Sander F/W 2012 Men's

Trailer for Advanced Style

Not fashion, but a wonderful wonderful film out June 1st

Friday Night Live at the ROM

Another Friday, another Friday Night Live at the Rom!  Last Friday Anne Cayer and I attended the Friday Night Live at the Rom Photography exhibit.  Unfortunately we arrived too late to see visit the gallery, but we still had a great time!  It was a full house and by the time we left, the main area had turned into a dance party.  It is such a great way to end the week and the entrance fee is only nine dollars after 6pm.  You can't beat that!  Afterwards we went for yummy dim sum in China Town.  The perfect Friday.  Here is what I wore! Visit the Rom website here for more information.

Louis Vuitton

Naturalizer Wedges

Thrifted Jean Jacket

Guess blouse

H & M jeans

American Apparel body suit

Necklace from France!

Anne with her beloved Nella Bella bag

I was not impressed when I discovered we were walking there!!

I survived

Rom bucks!

Anne loves dinosaurs!

Annie's French Accents - Shopping Event!

Last week I paid a visit to Annie's beautiful French Accents boutique in Yorkville.  My Mum Colleen met Annie during her time working at Isabelle's Rue Pigalle.  Annie was so welcoming and eager to show me her favorite pieces in the store.  Some of her colleagues were also in attendance!  Sharon Ramesbottom is a jewelry designer and personal stylist and Beth Brady is a collector and distributor.  They both were ever so lovely and eager to show me some of their favorite jewelry designs as well.  If you are looking for exquisite European clothing, then go no further.  Annie's is on the second floor of 111 Yorkville Avenue and a must see!  My favorite pieces were the Soisire Soiebleu sneakers and the unique handbags.  Bravo Annie!

One of Annie's exquisite dresses

Annie (French Accents) and Isabelle (Rue Pigalle)

Quick shopping trip!

Some of the jewelry pieces at Annie's boutique

One of Beth's vintage necklaces

One of Sharon's beautiful necklace creations

Beth and Sharon (stylists and jewelry designers)

Soisire and Soiebleu

These sneakers are made from vintage fabric

and one of a kind!

Bags made from old military fabrics

Saisei - Edizione Limitata

Yes it's a necklace!

And a bracelet!