Month: September 2010

Accessories

Have a ?

Accessories that Give Back

I am definitely one of those people that loves when a big design house or corporation produces a good or product that a portion of the proceeds goes to a given charity. Many of us give donations, but it is nice to purchase something where the portion of the money you used to pay for it goes to a specific charity. Here are a few of my favourite accessories that are giving back!

Humanity For All Leather Wrap Bracelet:

Humanity For All Leather Wrap Bracelet

These leather wrap bracelets are amazing, they come in a range of colours and a portion of the proceeds of each bracelet purchased goes to support non-profit organizations. The whole concept behind this brand is to  bring back humanity and no longer make kindness a random act. The inspiration words done in silver foil on the wrap bracelets really gives a positive message. I have bought them as gifts for many people and they have all cherished them.

Links of London Friendship Bracelet:

Links of London onexone Friendship Bracelet

Links of London has done an adult take on the friendship bracelet. This one here is done in the colour combination of ONEXONE charity group and a portion of the proceeds from every bracelet sold go to support children in need.

Marc By Marc Jacobs Tote:

Marc by Marc Jacobs Totes Exclusive To Holt Renfrew

This exclusive Marc by Marc Jacobs to Holt Renfrew tote that Marc Jacobs designed is being sold at $48 in all the Holt Renfrew locations across Canada and is available in 4 shades; black, white, blue and fuchsia. From each tote purchased a portion of the proceeds go to Marc Jacobs charity Vision Spring, a charity that helps those in undeveloped countries get glasses. The theme of the actual tote itself is inspired by an eye chart. A great purchase and an affordable way to own a Marc by Marc Jacobs bag.

I’m Obsessed

Menswear

I felt I needed to give the boys a little fashion love, so I decided to do a little post of my favourite menswear pieces for fall, these are definitely what I like to see a guy in. I feel it is pretty easy for any man to put a suit on and look pretty good, though please please please remember to get it tailored to your body! But I definitely find the casual look a much harder one for many to achieve well. I am not talking about the great stylish men around in the city, these are idiot proof basics and accessories that any man can pull off and look great.

Leather Jacket:

A leather jacket is absolutely key for anyone. My favourites are more of the bomber style for a casual look like this one from Danier which is very affordable:

Leather Bomber

Hoodie:

The hoodie is definitely a bit of a younger look, but I think it looks great. I prefer the zip hoodie as I love seeing layers done right on any guy. It is an amazing casual piece. I love this cashmere one by White + Warren:

Cashmere Hoodie

T-Shirt:

“I’ve always thought of the t-shirt as the alpha and omega of the fashion alphabet.”  – Giorgio Armani. The t-shirt is an iconic classic, be it plain or a cool graphic tee, it is truly a must in anyones wardrobe. There are many different necklines to choose from as well as styles. But really no one can guy can go wrong with a classic white crew neck you can find them at all price points, my favourite is probably this one by American Apparel:

Organic Fine Jersey Short Sleeve Tee

Jeans:

“I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and nonchalant. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity – all I hope for in my clothes.” – Yves Saint Laurent. Jeans are any wardrobe staple and again another iconic classic. Again like the tee there are many styles and brands out there, but I will always say you can’t go wrong with a great pair of dark wash straight leg Levi’s:

Relaxed Straight 559 Jean

Everyday Trainers:

My absolute favourites would be the Chuck Taylors by Converse. They have been around since the 1900?s. The Chuck Taylor is truly a style I love on everyone, be it little kids and adults. I love the classic look and yet it also still remains chic, I also love how you can make them more sophisticated like these ones that have been done in leather:

Chuck Taylor Leather Ox

Classic Aviator Sunglasses:

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, I truly feel the majority of the population just looks that much sexier when they wear aviator sunglasses. I don’t know what it is, but this classic style really seems to work for just about everyone. My favourites are the classic gold frame Ray-Bans:

Large Frame Aviator

These classic styles are definite must haves in any guys wardrobe and can be tweaked and adjusted to fit their personal style, but they always look stylish. Just make sure you buy the right size…baggy but jeans are just not sexy!

Lanvin Update!

As of today you can now go to the H&M website and view the countdown to the Lanvin collection for H&M and even a video with Alber about the collection and why he chose to do it. The collection images themselves will be released November 2 so Save the Date! AND definitely Save the Date for November 20th when it will be released in selected stores!

Click here for a link to the site with the countdown and video.

I’m Obsessed

Dedicated Post:

Chanel Fall Nail Polish Colours

So every season Chanel always seems to come up with the best nail colour trend defining colours, Le Vernis Nail Colours have always been on every fashionista and fashion and beauty editor’s nails and wish lists. Will we ever forget Black Satin, Noir Cermaic, Jade, Particular, or Nouvelle Vague? Well this fall they have quite a few colours up for grabs, some of them very limited and very hard to get your hands on, and one that has now, so I have been told, been added to their line-up, just like Black Satin was. Here are the shades that I am truly lusting after….

Paradoxal

Paradoxal

This is an incredible dark grey with an iridescent violet in it…definitely looks incredible on the nails, and if it is any indicator, even though it is no longer limited edition, they still can’t keep it in stock and there are wait lists.

Black Velvet

Black Velvet

This is an amazing velvety black with more of a matte finish. One word of warning this limited edition shade definitely needs a base coat, it grips your nails like I have never seen before. I love the velvety matte finish, I feel that is a fresh take on the normal shiny black we have been seeing everywhere.

Les Khakis

Les Khakis

These three shades were limited edition shades created for Vogue’s Fashion Night Out and they were launched at the Chanel in SOHO. So many people were lusting after them in other cities, that some Chanel counters got them, though I can tell you there was a definite wait list for them – I was one of them on it! I have to admit, I love all three shades:

Khaki Brun

This one looks a little more green in real life. I absolutely love it, it is a nice warm shade that really flatters many people and makes a great every day colour.

Khaki Rose

This is a more pinky brown version of particular. It is a colour that I can see all ages loving and is incredibly sophisticated.

Khaki Vert

This one is probably my absolute favourite of all the fall shades. It is the perfect Khaki green, is more cool toned then the other two shades in Les Khakis. It is most likely going to be my go to colour for the whole fall season. I absolutely love it!

Chanel has definitely done it again as Peter Philips has been creating some incredible colours that women are going nuts for. I can’t wait to see what they have in store for Spring 2011!

On Set

Look Book Shoot for:

LOVAS by Wesley Badanjak

Everyone gets to see the final image from a photo shoot, and they don’t really know what really happens behind the scenes to get to that image, so I thought I would give some insight.

To give you a bit of a background on the line, LOVAS by Wesley Badanjak is a great line by a talented designer, Wesley Badanjak who also works for Canadian womenswear designer David Dixon as his production manager, it is a woman’s wear line for woman aged 25 and up. It is impeccably tailored and fun to wear. This is a little glimpse of what happens behind the scene to put this look book together for LOVAS spring 2011, and for those who don’t know what a look book is, it is a sales tool that shows all the looks in the designers collection for buyers and other industry members to view the whole collection.

Accessories:

Besides having the clothes to show off, you also need great accessories to help create the whole feel of the designers vision. Wesley worked closely with amazing jewelry designer Rita Tesolin and had her create custom pieces that complimented his collection.

Cuffs by Rita Tesolin for LOVAS
Earrings & Rings by Rita Tesolin for LOVAS
Necklaces by Rita Tesolin for LOVAS

These were definitely fun to play with!!!

Stylist Tools:

Every good stylist has an arsenal of tools in their kit to make the clothing and everything else look absolutely perfect for the camera. My kit contains: electrical tape to tape the bottoms of shoes to keep them clean, pins, clips, clamps, toupee tape (for taping clothes down where they need to stay), tights, shoe horn, lint brush, silicon bran inserts, nipple covers etc. To give you an idea of what sometimes needs to be done, here is a back shot of a dress, that I had to tailor to fit the model better, with clamps and rubber bands.

Alterations Using Clamps

See, many times the clothes don’t fit the models perfectly either, I pretty much always have to take it in in one way or another to make them look absolutely perfect.

Having Fun:

You have to try and have fun on set as well, especially as in this day we were in the studio with no air conditioning and it was 35C outside! So when you have a good team, and everyone has a great attitude you can have a ton of fun.

On Set of LOVAS Look Book Shoot

This is myself, Wesley and our models on set.

Stay tuned for the final images….

Wardrobe Experiment: Wrap-up

Final Thoughts

So this experiment was definitely an eye-opener, it was much more difficult than I expected it to be.  I always knew I have tons of clothes, as I will never deny my shopping addiction! But I would still struggle with looking in my closet and feeling like I had nothing to wear, or I would just keep wearing the same thing over and over again since I really liked it or got great compliments wearing it. This experiment pushed me out of my comfort zone and also forced me to rediscover many of the pieces of clothing that I had purchased that I then just never wore, or I did wear and then forgot about it. I would recommend anyone giving it a try, as it forces you to shop within your own wardrobe, and who knows, maybe you will be like me and discover some old favourites again.

Breaking News!!!

Lanvin for H&M!

Alber Elbaz

The newest designer collaboration has been reavealed today, and for me it is a very exciting one! Lanvin the fabulous line currently designed by the wonderfully talented Alber Elbaz  is doing the latest designer collaboration with H&M. These collaborations have been incredibly successful, I will never forget the past collaborations: Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Viktor & Rolf, Roberto Cavalli, Commes Des Garcons, Matthew Williamson, Jimmy Choo, and Sonia Rykel. Some I will admit are better than others, but I am very excited to see what Alber has come up with.

I know there have been some mixed reviews on these collaborations, but I have to say I think they are a great opportunity for many fashion lovers to own a piece of history at an affordable price since many of us unfortunately can’t afford to buy the real Lanvin.

Stay tuned as the full collection images will be revealed November 2, and as of right now be prepared to see me lined up November 20th to get my hands on some great pieces of Lanvin and much more attainable prices.