100 UNFORGETTABLE DRESSES by Hal Rubenstein and forword by Alber Elbaz. Harper Design, 2011

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

The dedication of this book truly lets you know that you'll be seeing beautiful women and dresses.  It is: "For Molly.  I keep looking for the dress that's as lovely as she is."  For each dress, there is a story about its designer, creation and wearer.  Hard to choose favorites?  Absolutely.  I'd like to have each on a TV frame so that I could start my mornings being inspired by a dress and its history.  There are wedding dresses: Carrie Bradshaw's in the Sex in the City movie, those for Linda Christian and Grace Kelly and for royalty, Princess Diana and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.  Then there are American 'Royals' Michelle Obama (Jason Wu, Canadian designer!) and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.  There are feather dresses for Cher and Ginger Rogers, a silk slip for Elizabeth Taylor (Butterfield 8) and similarly cleverly clinging creations for Marilyn Monroe (Happy Birthday Gown) and Cher (Dress for the Costume Institute at the Met). Loved the green and gold tent dress for Phyliss Diller, with matching gloves and boots. 

My top 3:

The Book Jacket Photo of the top of Jacqueline Kennedy's Versailles Dinner Gown.  Made of ivory silk, by Hubert de Givenchy, its hand embroidered bodice of lavender, yellow and green florals in silk ribbon and seed pearls, was to show the French that Americans were about more than hot dogs, rock n' roll and blue jeans.

The Dragon Lady Gown, for Wong Lin Tsong, (Anna May Wong) is a classic cheongsam made for the movie, Limehouse Blues and is a black satin of gold and silver sequined dragons, one up the front of the dress and one down the back.  I chose this not only for its drama but also because Anna May Wong was the first female Asian-American movie actor. 

Last but not least, is Audrey Hepburn's Evening Gown for the movie, Sabrina.  It's made of white organdy with embroidered black flowers.

Beauty and talent, such inspirations!  All 100 are well worth a second look and an indepth read.

Greta Constantine's Summer Pool Party and Fashion Show

On Thursday, August 22nd, fashionable Torontonians gathered to celebrate another fabulous Greta Constantine collection. The event was hosted by Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong at the grand home of Krystal Koo and Michael Cooper. Upon entering, we found a beautiful pool, cabana, stoli cocktail bars and, of course, a fashion party would not be complete without a floating pool boy. Models wearing sleek body suits, sailor pants and shimmering ball gowns paraded out to the pool as the night wore on. And to our shock, the models joined the pool boy, in the water, in their beautiful gowns later in the evening! Partygoers included Jeanne Beker, Anita Clarke, Natalie Lecomte and Stacey McKenzie. 

It is so important to celebrate and support amazing Canadian talent! I am always inspired and intrigued when viewing a dramatic Greta Constantine collection. Here's to you, Stephen and Kirk, for creating ever playful, glamorous and outstanding designs. Bravo!

Moi and the fabulous Chloe Berge

Zara dress

Top - Thrifted from Treasure Seeker Colleen

Express belt and necklace

Thrifted zebra heels - Thrifted from Treasure Seeker Colleen

Diane von Furstenberg and the Tale of The Empress's New Clothes

Published in 2012, Diane von Furstenberg and the tale of The Empress's New Clothes, is the story of wrap dress designer Diane von Furstenberg.  Camilla Morton has also written fairy tale versions for other designers: "Christian Lacroix and the Tale of Sleeping Beauty" and "Manolo Blahnik and the Tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker". The tales are illustrated by the designers themselves and in this one, by DVF Studio.

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Whimsical and inspiring, the two stories are really about the realities of work in a grown up world, the power of vision and persistence and believing in oneself.  They are also about knowing one's audience, whether it be in the royal kingdom or the fashion world.As Morton says: "Diane wasn't guessing or telling women what they wanted.  She knew.  She lived it, believed it, designed it, and this attitude made her designs right for every occasion."

The princesses' clothing always features crowns: dresses, stockings, pj's, whereas Diane's feature hearts, as in her motto: "In love is life".  Her signature wrap's design is hearts and her intitials and even her Eiffel tower is topped with a heart.

My favorite in this book of two tales, is a great illustration of Diana Vreeland with red lips and nails, set against her classic red walls.  Love the copy of the 1970 letter from Vreeland, then Editor in Chief of Vogue, endorsing Diane's collection as "absolutely smashing" and "what we need".  Was this a gift from a kindly fairy godmother?  No, it was a powerful show of support for a fresh, new and now classic look for women who live outside of glass houses. 

Philip Treacy, Iconic Hat Designer for Isabella Blow, Alexander McQueen, Grace Jones, Madonna, Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel and more

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

Brand new, 2013, Philip Treacy by Kevin Davies, Phaidon Press, this fabulous book of photographs is by long time friend and terrific photographer, Kevin Davies. Because the Deighton Cup is coming up this weekend in Vancouver, (think hats and fashion galore, horse races and social event of the season) I am thinking about hats and how to find the most unique stand-out, ever. And here it is, on the cover of the book. It's Grace Jones in purple lipstick and fabulous, pointed feather arrows, like a brilliant sun around her face. Treacy and Jones make a great team because, "She loves wearing hats and he loves making them."

In his forward, Treacy says: "Every hat I have ever made has begun in my mind as a photograph." His creations and Davies' photographs of them, on the models, in the process of being constructed and at the shows, make this book, one that you can't resist opening and reading right through, right away.

A young designer, Philip Treacy began his career in 1990, in London. Milliner for the top fashion shows, he was first to design a couture show devoted to hats.  Films and film stars feature his creations and royalty, too. "Over 30 of Treacy's hats were worn at William and Kate's wedding. Five time winner of British Accessory Designer of the year, undoubtedly someone in Vancouver will be sporting one of his eye-catching creations.  (Yes, people shop near and far to look their very best at Deighton Cup)

This is a two year collaborative project and also the product of twenty years of friendship, shared vision and artistic perfection. Both Tracy and Davies comment on the photos and the making and taking of them.  The photos are usually in black and white, which lends an aura of mystery and theatre to them.  The hats are photographed in color. I love how Treacy credits his teachers, Micheline and Shirley Hex, who taught him at the Royal College of Art. He deems them, "the unsung heroes of hat design.  Kevin Davies and Philip Treacy are fantastic listeners and observers. They very much value the people around them and their art greatly reflects this.

Philip Treacy's hats and Kevin Davies' photos bring to mind the dance, and, of course, the horse races!  And...we're off!

Fred Astaire Dancing on Discs: Paris Haute Couture, s/s 2003

My favorite photo is Fred Astaire Dancing on Discs: 

Paris Haute Couture, s/s 2013. Remember, that Fred often wore a hat 

(think Top Hat) and carried a cane as he danced.

Paris Fashion Week - Haute Couture, Orchid Collection

My favorite hat, in this book, is the Paris Fashion Week, 

Haute Couture creation from the Orchid Collection.

Book Jacket - Cover Photo - Grace Jones - "She loves wearing hats
and he love to make them"

The inspiration - The Deighton Cup

Back to Vintage - Gladstone Flea Market and Vintage Shopping on Queen West

Continuing on with the vintage focus; this weekend I visited the Gladstone Hotel Flea Market and ended up meeting some great local Toronto designers!  

First up - Shoshanah Kuper of 3rd Floor Studio! Loved her fun playful dresses full of patterns and in flattering and fun shapes. Visit her website here to see where you can find her pieces in Toronto.

Next up - Lisa Carrie Goldberg of Leftovers! She designs jewelry that mixes art, craft and science. Her pieces are made of biological materials, like the below lobster tail made of leftovers from the St. Lawrence market!

A few photos from the market 

After the Flea Market, I walked to a few vintage stores past Dufferin and picked up a beautiful vintage briefcase purse for $10 at The Public Butter vintage store. Everything was %50 off, so it was a good day :) 

Vintage purses are always great investments and statement pieces. 

The Public Butter and my new briefcase :)

The Gladstone Flea Market takes place on the first Saturday of every month in the summer and is curated by Toronto's fashionable to bring you the best vintage and local designers! The event is organized by knitting and DIY expert Laura Hopf of Scarffaces and Limberlina. 

Let me know if you would like to hear more about vintage in Toronto and Vancouver! Would love to hear your comments :)