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L'Oréal Fashion Week: "It" Week

The fashion-induced buzz (possibly fueled by strawberry-flavoured Rich Prosecco in a can) under the FDCC big top is about to come to and end. Last night I caught Saniya Khan, whose sari-inspired collection was a contrast to all the cocktail gowns and streetwear I'd seen so far. And today, the fashion masses left work early to catch Paul Hardy's presentation, an absolutely charming collection of floaty, fluffy dresses and sophisticated, voluminous skirts all set to a fairytale-type soundtrack.
Following Paul Hardy was Nada Yousif, who presented her first runway show. The former Degrassi: The New Generation extra chose candy colours and lollipop stripes and added kangaroo pockets to mini dresses and skirts giving the range a fun, youthful air. Four of the cast of Degrassi sat in the front row to support Yousif and after the show she was whisked off to chat with Jeanne Beker, an interview that was broadcast live on screens around the tent.
All in all a fun, crazy, busy, exhausting fashion week - as usual. I am retiring to my bed for 24 hours where I will try not to think about fashion but may end up planning my spring wardrobe anyway.

L'Oréal Fashion Week: "It" Night

Well, Wednesday night was definitely the night to hit the fashion week tents at Nathan Phillips Square. Not only did some of the most popular designers show, but there were a lot of bared and accentuated body parts. The crowds were out of control and the Schick Quattro-sponsored "Booby Booth," where fashionistas can anonymously flash their assets for a camera in support of the Rethink Breast Cancer foundation, was actually getting some action – of course that may have had something to do with the free Vin de Pays D'Oc wine tastings.As expected, the Fashion Grindhouse, featuring collections from Damzels in this Dress and Play Dead, was incredibly entertaining. Each started with a kitschy little video about life-size dolls gone wild and finished with a parade of quirky, enthusiastic models made up like dolls, rocking the runway. Bum cheeks and nip slips weren't planned but actually added to the attitude and the models whose privates were bared played it off with confidence.
There was a virtual mob scene at Andy The-Anh, whose collection involved a lot of flirty waterfall ruffles down the back and along the bum of his sexy dresses – a detail the camera man made sure to catch every time. And unfortunately, I got to see lots of the bum shots. Because of the mob scene – and a quick dinner that went too long – I was late for the show and had to watch it on a screen next to the runway but it was impressive nonetheless.
David Dixon's show featured huge white fabric waves stretched along the runway and a soundtrack of crashing water and as usual, his collection was feminine, architectural and modern all at once, with three-dimensional details that were half flowers, half ruffles.
I arrived at This is London just after the Gotstyle show because I decided to stay to watch Common Cloth and was happy I did. The 70's-inspired collection was a nice contrast to the more formal clothes at Andy and David Dixon. High-waisted denim shorts in raw denim and baby pink looked great on the models but I worried about what they might look like on me. But the flowy, cropped tops layered over simple tanks reminded me of their first ballerina-themed collection.
Oh, and the Rockport event did indeed end with me sporting a fabulous new pair of knee-high leather boots. As a habitual ballet flat wearer, I had no idea Rockport shoes were stylish – and so ridiculously comfortable.

L'Oréal Fashion Week: "It" Boys

It was a day of cute boys. First was the Philip Sparks show at Town Shoes with cute, geeky-looking bespectacled models and Sparks himself, who is undeniably adorable and ridiculously likable. The clothes and much-talked-about Philip Sparks for Town Shoes shoes were fabulous. I have to admit that menswear runway shows don't usually excite me, but Sparks' collection was fun and original, while still feeling classic. The pieces that got the audience whispering excitedly were two jackets, a windbreaker and a trench, made out of the kind of ripstop plastic that's usually reserved for tarps. Sounds bizarre but with Sparks' technical skills, they looked like works of art.
My second show of the day was Ginch Gonch, and while there were girls in the show, I would bet that most of the audience was looking at the greased up, gyrating (22 of the mannequins gracing the catwalk were professional dancers) guys in their skivvies. The underwear itself was totally fun. Those who could tear their eyes away from the well-defined abs would have seen monkey, leopard and Native Canadian prints graced the briefs and hoodies.
Tomorrow: A long day starting with an event at Rockport shoes (where it's rumoured that attendees will get a free pair) and ending with another all male show for men's store, Gotstyle at nightclub, This Is London. I'm predicting that the Fashion Grindhouse, featuring labels Damzels in this Dress and Play Dead Cult will be a highlight – and that the Fashion Grindhouse after-party at the Play Dead Mansion should make for an interesting end to the night.

L'Oréal Fashion Week: "It" Show

As suspected, the Project Runway Canada show was the "it" spectacle to see. Even Canuck catwalk pro Heather Marks, who was in Joe Fresh's 8:00 presentation, watched from the front row alongside Fashion Television's Jeanne Beker and editrixes from Canada's top fashion mags. Iman in person is just as statuesque and (although it's stereotypical to say) gazelle-like as I imagined. I can't say much about the actual runway presentation but to prevent a spoiler situation, we still don't know who the finalists are.
Now on to Tuesday. I'm looking forward to Philip Sparks' lunch and runway show at Town Shoes. Of course Ginch Gonch, known for saucy men's unders (and ladies' stuff too, I guess) should also be fun. The jostling to get a prime seat could rival Project Runway!

"It" Fashion Event

Join me for Toronto's L'Oréal Fashion Week and get the backstage scoop on the best collections, parties and gossip – okay, okay, the media pass-scoop. But I'll share my invites and experiences so you'll feel like you were there.
Fashion week kicks off today at Nathan Phillips Square in New York fashion week 7th on Sixth-inspired tents.
According to Canadian press, the tents cover 30,000 square feet and the runway is 61 metres long. The six day event will feature more than two dozen designer collections.Tonight's "It" event is the Project Runway Canada show which, because it's being taped for the reality tv series, is top secret. All attendees, especially media, have been embargoed to keep details of the finalists' collections confidential until the episode airs so I'll fill you in tomorrow on everything I'm allowed to spill.

"It" Movies

Kirsten Dunst, Kate Hudson and Rita Wilson make their directorial debuts at Clinique counters at Bay stores across Canada today. In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Clinique's classic scent, Happy, Glamour magazine partnered with the cosmetics company to produce three short films, directed by Hollywood "it" girls. Each film was based on a true-life story submitted by Glamour readers about a moment in their lives when they felt empowered and happy and Clinique is screening the films and giving away copies of the dvd at counters until October 14.
Dunst's film, surprisingly enough, is a psychological thriller starring Winona Ryder. Hudson's features step-dad Kurt Russell and Wilson's film, features the actress and Harper's Bazaar columnist singing during the closing credits.
Glamour's Reel Moments program was launched in 2005 to create new opportunities for women to get behind the camera. Reel Moments alumni include Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston.

"It" Menswear

Toronto's Philip Sparks, a former Stratford Festival costumer, is quickly making a name for himself among Canada's finest fashion talent as a menswear master. To accompany his third collection, for Spring 2008, Sparks collaborated with Town Shoes to create a line of stylish men's footwear, which will be unveiled during Toronto's L'Oréal Fashion Week. Last season's stand-out hit was a metallic leather bomber jacket and Sparks fans are anticipating what Spring will bring. Male or female, with a boy to dress or not, Sparks' presentation promises to please. The clothes are fab and the boys who walk the runway aren't so bad either.
Photo: Mary-Theresa Lawlor for Philip Sparks

"It" Spot

The man who indirectly brought fame to club kids like Amanda Lepore and Heatherette’s Richie Rich, is opening a new 55,000 square-foot entertainment venue in downtown Toronto. Peter Gatien, an Ontario native, first opened nightclub Limelight in Florida in 1976 and opened other incarnations across the country – New York’s being the most notorious. If you’ve ever seen 2003’s movie Party Monster, you know the drug-riddled violent tale.
But that was clubland New York in the ’80s. This is Toronto’s CiRCA, which launches with an invite-only red carpet affair on Thursday. The venue promises to be “much more than a nightclub,” designed to showcase art, fashion, music and film, complete with state of the art screening room, catering kitchen, live concert stage and a room created by hipster toy company Kidrobot’s Paul Budnitz.

"It" Skincare

The press kit for Chanel’s newest skincare collection, Beauté Initiale, is totally charming with illustrations by Italian erotic comic book creator Milo Manara. The images depict a (full-dressed) comic version of the face of the campaign, Shalom Harlow riding a bike with a little one in tow, strutting her stuff in Chanel duds and

reviewing blueprints with a hunky construction worker.
The best part of the collection of course, is that it seems to work. The eye gel for one, actually diminishes dark circles and puffiness. Beauté Initiale, is aimed at women 25 to 35, who, according to Chanel, don’t worry about their age and wonder if a skin cream is really necessary. Unfortunately – and if you’re in this age-range you know it’s true – this is also when wrinkles start to appear, the circles under your eyes get darker and your skin just doesn’t look at radiant as it used to. Chanel promises to slow the aging process with an Energizing Multi-Protection Fluid and cream, both with SPF 15, a Spray Serum enriched with energy-drink ingredient Taurine and the eye gel.

"It" Show

All the backstage backstabbing and catwalk cattiness come to Canada this fall with Project Runway Canada.
Supermodel Iman plays host while Elle Canada's Rita Silvan and Bustle clothing's Shawn Hewson judge Canada's 12 designer hopefuls. L'Oréal's beauty gurus, Eddie Malterre and Eric Del Monaco handle makeup and hair, respectively.
Three finalists head to Toronto's L'Oréal Fashion Week in late October where a winner will be chosen. Insiders say that the designs are more impressive than the U.S. version but that the bitch-factor, while in effect, is more subdued. Talent and manners, what else would you expect from Canadians?
Check out behind-the-scenes photos, blogs and more on Slice.ca
Project Runway Canada airs Monday nights starting October 8.
Photo: courtesy of Slice

"It" Bag

I have finally found the eco bag of my dreams. While the Anya Hindmarch version is a bit of a status symbol (even with its cheap and chic price), the Baggu bag is totally convenient. Each rip-stop nylon bag holds up to 25 lbs of groceries, clothes, shoes, whatever and fits into a teeny little, pocket-size pouch. You no longer have to run home and pick up your earth-friendly canvas totes before hitting the market. Just carry the little Baggu in your purse and shop without plastic bag guilt.

"It" Collection

Roberto Cavalli for H&M
H&M is going glam just in time for all those cocktail parties November brings – and they’ve called in the expert. Roberto Cavalli, best known for ultra-sexy, curve-hugging animal prints, launches his capsule collection for the masstige retailer on November 8. In true Cavalli style, the line includes lots of leopard and lavish gold as well as evening wear for guys.
Ads for the campaign were shot by fashion photographer Terry Richardson at Cavalli’s residence in Florence, Italy. They feature top models like Anouk Lepère and Canuck Jessica Stam as well as socialite muses Julia Restoin Roitfeld (the daughter of Paris Vogue’s Editrix-in-Chief), Lydia Hearst (publishing heiress-turned-model) and Theodora Richards (Rolling Stones’ Keith’s daughter). Even Cavalli himself (centre) makes a cameo.
In Canadian prices: Silk leopard-print wrap dress (on Anouk, back left), $149; Leopard-print corset top (on Astrid Munoz), $69.90; Silk zebra-print dress (on Julia), $119; gold halter dress (on Lydia), $349; Ruffle front sleeveless blouse and shorts (on Leigh Lezark), both $59.90; Tuxedo (on Cavalli), $349; Suit (On Nicolas Malleville), $299; gold sequin beaded dress (on Jessica), $299.
Photo: Terry Richardson

"It" Purse Accessory

Powdering your nose in public is so passé. For the holiday season, the "it" compact is filled not with pressed powder but with solid perfume.
Thierry Mugler's star-shaped, limited edition Angel Rêve de Parure comes in a perfume ring as does Marc Jacob's daisy-shaped Daisy, while Gwen Stefani and Sarah Jessica Parker have launched precious purse accessories. Look for Gwen's L, L.A.M.B. Fragrance in a gold double "L" square compact and Sarah's covetable faceted flower compact.
L, L.A.M.B Fragrance Gwen Stefani, Solid Perfume Compact, $42

"It" Product

T3 360 Boost
You've probably seen Orlando Pita's name in hundreds of fashion magazines. Of course, unless you follow celebrity hair stylists, the name may not ring a bell. But rest assured that most of the inspiring looks that come down the runway each season are created by Pita.
And now you can have him help with your hair on a daily basis. Check out his product line for T3, coming soon to Sephora stores. T3 makes salon-quality hair dryers and irons and has collaborated with Pita to create products of the same calibre. Boost is a dry-feeling serum that coats hair, protects it from your flat iron and keeps it straight for days so styling is almost as easy as if Pita made house calls.

"It" Product

Women all over the world – wrinkled or not – are clamouring for Boots No7 Restore & Renew. Called Protect & Perfect in the UK, the product has been proven, by a BBC documentary no less, to actually repair damage to skin’s structure. Protect & Perfect’s results can apparently only be matched by prescription products. No wonder there are waiting lists! In the UK, thousands of bottles are being produced hourly to keep up with demand.

Boots Restore & Renew is now available at Shoppers Drug Mart.

"It" Spot

The ckIN2U lounge in Toronto
For two nights only – tonight and tomorrow night – visit Calvin Klein's IN2U lounge in the club district, at 312 Adelaide Street West, for $2 drinks, ckIN2U fragrance samples and techno-flirting. Visitors are given a Virgin cell phone and an ID tag so they can get texty with guests who catch their eye.

"It" Accessory

Relli Jewellery
The newest trend in jewellery has very little to do with actual jewels. Designers like Lanvin, Marc Jacobs and Marni, whose accessories are just as coveted as their clothing, are mixing down-to-earth elements with precious metals.
Toronto jewellery designer, Maria Passarelli picks up on the trend with wooden beads and semi-precious stones in her customizable collection. Check out her work on Facebook in the group "Relli Jewllery" and if you see something you like, email her for prices or make a custom request.

"It" Inspiration

Britney's Breakdown
Tabloid princesses like Nicole Ritchie, Lilo and Britney have become muses for photographer Steven Meisel, who produced a rehab-themed fashion shoot for Italian Vogue. The issue, which hits stands this week, features models like Sasha Pivovarova, Agyness Deyn and Canuck, Tasha Tilberg sitting in group therapy, yelling and paparazzi and going bare, meaning both getting a crew cut and flashing unmentionable areas while exiting cars.
Get a sneak preview on wwd.com

"It" Makeup

M.A.C's Strange Hybrid collection is a midsummer night’s dream. Moonflower Eyeshadow, a washed out aqua colour, Permaplum Powerpoint Eye Pencil and rosy pink Flowerplay Lipstick conjure visions of plush gardens and fairy princesses – but not in a little girl’s birthday party kind of way. Strange Hybrid is like the original versions of your favourite fairy tales, all dark, tragic and magical. Check out the full selection online or at M.A.C counters.