Must Haves For Winter 2009 – Top Ten List

10) Pattered stockings or leggings: So cute with a simple black dress or simple skirt. And can show your personality and a some color to your winter blues!! Great with Ankle booties too!

9) Ankle booties!! Coming in great colors like purple & red with the basics too! Theses look great with every outfit, and go from day-to-night very easily!! I LOVE my booties!!

8 ) Leather coats: Makes any casual outfit look rich and amazing!! Black and brown are hot with a big 80’s inspired collar. Great for right now, before it gets too cold, and also a great Finnish to a layered look.

7) What would a cold winter day be without a great hat or toque!?!?

6) Great Winter shades, not only to reflect all that snow thats coming soon but to feel great with one more accessory.

5) Suede over the knee Boots: are back from last year! great with skinny jeans or just leggings, i think black or brown are the best color so they blend with your outfit more.

4) Long Earrings: Dangling with feathers or metal one ear or both is all very hot this season!

3) A great sheath dress- every girl needs a new dress for all the holiday parties! Make a statement and be the best dressed!!

2) Something Purple: Jewel tones are very hot, especially somethings rich amazing doesn’t matter if its tiny or your whole dress, you need something purple!!

Last but Never least the Number ONE thing to have this winter 2009

1) Fur: whether its real or fake fur- there is amazing fake fur out these days!! This is all over the run way, from full jackets, cuffs, collars, hats and anywhere else they can think to put it!!

Black is Black

Going into autumn and getting closer to winter everyday means that we see the dark skies more than we see the sun. Its true already I am waking up in the dark and definetly coming home in the dark. This is showing in the fashion of  today. Black Black Black. Its true I do have my favorite black cashmere sweater and may pair it with wool dress pants on occasion with a chilly morning. But we dont want to get caught in a rut of blackness. So I do believe that an amazing black out fit has the power to make anyone feel like a million bucks. Just dont wear it every day!

 

Montreal Fashion Week: Denis Gagnon

Denis Gagnon, the leader of fashion in montreal! This 2009 spring/summer collection was so popular that Montreal Fashion Week put on a last minute second show because there was too many people in line, to the most anticipated show this year. The dresses were multiple shades of grey and black with a futurist liquid-like dresses accessorized with sliver beading and multiple zippers some functional but most not. Amazing sharp but soft ruffles played up in collers and side embellishment.

And of course it wouldn’t be a Gagnon with out some flare at the end. This time, glasses with a black nose and lots of flashes mostly dark.

Montreal Fashion Week: Helmer 2009

This was an amazing show of impeccable design with an amazing transition of dark black lace to color patchwork dresses. Staring out with a dramatic church like tones from Gregorian chants. Helmer’s Flawless dresses would make any girl gush for a night out on the town. The extraordinary beadwork, feathers and ribbon lead the design with the embrace of dramatic hats and veils. From the dark funeral ambience to the bright day dresses this show was a hit. Also spotted in the front row was Canadian fashion icon Philippe Debuc.

Montreal Fashion Week: BARILÀ

A very entertaining show, not because of the fashion so much, but because of the models. No one could walk in heals, it looked like model training camp. Falling multiple times as well as slipping over the rose petals that were scattered on the runway. Ended up in bare feet walking down the runway. A huge distraction from the show as a whole. Since were on the subject the make-up was also poorly done one these models, and didnt match the collection at all. Thick black crow brows and bright huge lips was not spring hip to me. But you can be the judge.

On to the fashion: This 80’s inspired collection was a fresh new look to high waisted pants and belly shirts that hung perfectly off of the bosom. The print and pastel bright color  were very spring-y, fresh new colors with a 60s style pattern to the glazed linen and vegan leather. The pants and skirts had a lovely pleated ruffle at the top, belted at the hips and came down lose,  a key piece i believe for spring 2010. Also Many simple dresses with over sized pockets, frills and deep v-necks made its way on the runway in between the shorts and t-shirts. 

To top off this eyebrow raising show, the designers Sabrina and Claudia Barila ended with a short film to conserve water ” Tous Pour L’eau Pour Tous” which gave them a standing ovation in the end. 

If only half of the designers in the world we as half as good as Alexender McQueen, our fashion world would be so inspirational and less copy cut ameri-cana. Fresh ideas, new technology, different design, and  a mind of his own. Thankfully someone can actually think for themselves, instead of just copying off each other. KoDo’s to McQueen for shaking up the cat walk, into tiger walk. Not to mention his sky high hoof platforms! Please check out this video and you to will be moved! I give this show a gracious 10/10                             http://alexandermcqueenlive.showstudio.com/

Oh yess the 80’s are back!!

Top Fashion must haves for this fall is like going back in time, but that doesn’t mean you can go shopping in your mothers closet!! New twists on these 80’s inspired looks shoulders a whole new look!! Big shoulders are hot hot hot on the runways but in 2009 they have extreme shape and geometric lines to them. Popping out vertically this time around gives your shirt/blazer or jacket the extra Oomph its needs to be noticed! 

 

Sparkles are all you see!!! Sequins are everywhere this year!! Pants, jackets, purse, shoes, you cannot get away without them!! This extra shine gives fall a whole new outlook on the rainy somewhat drab autumn we are having. 

Shoes for fall are exciting this year as seeing the first red leaf! Multi textured, strappy sandals are perfect for wearing into the colder days because you can pull them off with tights. These textures are everything from animal print mixed with suede mixed with leather…. any combination goes!  Also the cone like talon is coming back bad, finally taking the stiletto out of the lime light for a least one season. 

Texture doesn’t just end at the feet this year… suede, fur and feathers are all back and look great in a layered look to keep warm for these colder days. Don’t forget your pashmina and your gorgeous shades with these fresh new looks for fall!

When in rome…

Leaving my beloved city of fashion and culture has put my expressions of art and style in the slow lane. Since I have ventured into the Wild West, I have been overwhelmed with jeans, t-shirts, plaid and overall blahhh. The lack of something special and extraordinary has now led me to a hunt of what Calgary fashion is all about. One positive of Calgary is when the sun goes down some people exchange their jeans…. Anything further than jeans and a tee is a step up for me! So as my search for fashion in Calgary continues…. I have decided to try out this Calgary cowboy look…. Well ok I might not too far into the sequins cowgirl shirts including shoulder pads; as I expect to see at this years stampede. But I am on the search for a great vintage belt buckle. During Stampede ordinary people become cowboys, and cowboys become heroes. Please stayed tuned for more photos, and blogs about Calgary…. the Search for Calgary Fashion.

Put Some Color On

Gucci Floral Dress Spring 09

SPRING SPRING SPRING

These are the sweet words I have been waiting for all winter long. If you haven’t noticed women take any chance to throw on those short shorts or a mini skirt as soon as that warm sun comes out. There are always those girls jumping over mounds of snow in their strappy sandals and skirts. I am one of those girls! Ill take the first opportunity to put someone fresh and spring like on! So since these days are slowly multiplying its time think about your spring color pallet. Primary colors seem to lead the way this season, but from a girl who doesn’t always follow the rules I go with any bright colors that will help forget those grey cold days. Floral as usual is a popular favorite, I would recommend a smaller detailed print over an enlarge one because its more flattering and more feminine. Also abstract print is everywhere; in bright contracting colors this is following the trend of the 50’s. No Matter what saturated colors are needed to revive us back to summer health. As Calvin Harris says “ Put some color on!”

Monteau Inspired Shift Dress

Montreal Fashion Week 09

I am unusually disappointed with Montreal fashion week. Not only is it two days shorter than the spring shows, but also there were less designers and a lack of quality. Almost all the shows are public. I guess that’s good for the average ista but it also makes them less appealing and under valued to invited guessed. I guess they needed the extra bodies since they lacked the va va voom in designers. I expected more from this city, it better be back in full force come this fall. At least last falls schedule was extremely exciting with local, national and international designers, it was hard to choose which night was the better show. Last week was more of a snooze for the hype that I constructed from previous experience. Designers that did break my heart this week were regulars like Helmer, Marie Saint Pierre and Rudsak. The exceptional thing that did come out of this week is the alluring dress to kill party. Which always makes multiple magazines spreads… a so-called page 6 of the stylized elite of Montréal