The return of the black supermodel

As suggested previously, I stated US Vogue should follow suit with Italian Vogue and release an all-black issue. Especially since Anna Wintour always mentions 'how the “supermodel” needs to return and replace actors from magazine covers', and most recently 'how ethnicity need to return to the runway'. As one of the most influential fashion magazines why not use their journalist powers for good and use a black (non-actor) model for a cover. Rumor has it Keira Knightley is going to be the cover girl for Vogue’s September issue. Not as disappointing as last year’s cover girl Sienna Miller, but still why say one thing and do another? So I did a bit of research. In 2008, 6 out of 8 covers featured white actors, 2 out of 8 featured white supermodels and then the controversial April issue featured Gisele Bundchen with LeBron James. I miss the days of the supermodel. It seemed so diversified in the 90’s and early 2000 with Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Veronica Webb and Alek Wek ruling the world with their stunning work. This year Liya Kebede is the only black model on Forbes’ Top-Earning Models list and she only placed 11th. Rising star Chanel Iman (a merge of two great names in fashion) seems to be one of our only hopes in the return of the black supermodel. She is only 18 and has appeared on the cover of US Vogue once as one of 'The World's Next Top Models' and has been making a name for herself on runways since 2006.

Renowned photographer Mario Testino reveals the September Vogue cover star: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/the-secret-diary-of-mario-testino-what-the-worlds-most-glamorous-photographer-saw-859682.html

Images: designersla.com, models.com

Best-Dressed: The Canadians Vanity Fair missed

Vanity Fair released their International Best-Dressed List today and I noticed not one Canadian made it. This is no shock, since it is an American publication it would be dominated by Americans (well mostly New Yorkers.) It makes me wonder - who are our most stylist Canadians?
Hmmm...Barbara Atkin, Evangeline Lilly, Stacey McKenzie, Dean & Dan Caten, Rachel McAdams, Nelly Furtado, Jeannie Becker, Anna Paquin, Michael Cera, Ryan Reynolds, Marie Genevieve, Rita Zekas, Derek Chetty, Jully Black and Elisha Cuthbert all have style, but who could make the list?

Jessica Stam, Kincardine-born future supermodel, at the Met's Costume Institute Gala.

Jay Manuel, Toronto-raised Fashion Stylist and Canada's Next Top Model host, looking dapper.

Coco Rocha, Toronto-Born fashion phenomenon.

Joshua Jackson, Vancouver-born actor, who raised the bar on his personal style after dating fellow actor Diane Kruger.

Oh well, Canada maybe next year. Check out who did make it on Vanity Fair's Best-Dressed List: http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2008/07/carla_bruni_michelle_obama_and.html

Images: www.style.com, www.wireimage.com

The times they are a-changin' back!

It’s hard to find quality television. Most television shows right now are "reality" and a source of superficial entertainment that compels me to use my television for mind-draining relaxation before sleep, weather information and background noise. Last year my boyfriend, who enjoys anything regarding heavy drinking and decades past, introduced me to AMC’s Mad Men. The show offers a glimpse into life during the 1960s at Sterling Cooper, a Madison Avenue advertising agency. Last night the second season kicked off on Valentine’s Day 1962 with hints of many changes to come into fruition. The next few years the mini skirt will be revealed, drug use will be rampant and a social revolution will occur. It was such a exciting time in history and the show captures the sixties so well.

One of the highly praised elements of the show is its accuracy with costumes and props. The clothing is so immaculate, high fashion and classy. Since fashion is always recycling old ideas and making them fresh again: will Mad Men influence fashion this fall? Let's hope so...down with sweatpants.

Image: www.vanityfair.com

"It" Band gets a shout-out from Vogue

What is it about fashion and music that goes so well together? The Virgins, my favorite new band of 2008, were featured in This Week's Parties section for Vogue's website, www.style.com. They performed for the opening of 303 Gallery in lower Manhattan. The Virgins are a New York City "it" band who just dropped their first major label, self-titled album in June. Their album reads like an assorted diary of sexual encounters, Rich Girls and "a good night's fun". New Wave beats, vibrant vocals and a dance-rock sound define the band's inviting charm. The Virgins may be one of the most relevant new bands around, already hipster approved from such hit television shows as Gossip Girl and Entourage.
Give them a listen: www.myspace.com/thevirginsnyc

The band's signature style: rolled up pant cuffs

Image: www.style.com

Technorati Profile

Ebony & Ivory

As we all know Italian Vogue has come out with "The Black Issue" as a response to the white-washed runways plaguing the fashion industry. http://www.thestar.com/living/article/465978

Now is the time when American Vogue should release a similar concept for one of their upcoming issues. Black models have come so far and this is not the time to regress. Besides everything is better when it's balanced with equal amounts of Ebony and Ivory.

Naomi Campbell & Kate Moss for Paris Vogue

Image: www.zimbio.com

Isla Moda: Luxury & Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld has signed a deal with Dubai Infinity Holdings to design the world's first fashion island, part of a new Dubai development called The World. Isla Moda, fashion island, will be a luxury island paradise home to a hotel, residential villas and boutiques. Karl Lagerfeld, one of the most influential designers in the world, will be focusing on the interior designs.
Dubai is an amazing tourist and shopping destination situated on the Persian Gulf Coast. This new development is set to put Dubai on the map for fashion and be the location of high profile fashion shows. Homes will be completed by 2012 and will only be available by invitation.
Dubai Infinity Holdings also plans to include four more designers to design along with Lagerfeld. It's like the the fashion five coming together to make fashion history and a world-class, luxury destination. Who should the other four be? McQueen, De La Renta, Balenciaga, Versace are my guess.

Image: Wall Street Journal

If you stop hating your body, will you look good naked?

Fashion may be based on the latest and greatest trends, but true style is based on looking good. This year I discovered a fabulous television show on slice called “How to Look Good Naked” hosted by British fashion stylist Gok Wan. Unlike other fashion industry-based shows that offer a one-dimensional makeover, which gives a woman self-confidence for a few days until she slips back into old habits, HTLGN goes behind the seams. The formula starts with some self-esteem building exercises and ends with them ready to pose naked. Most of the women featured have misconceptions of their own body image and find endless amounts of flaws in their lovely figures. I was a total body hater at age 12. It was such an awkward age and two of my closest friends thought they were fat at size 2, which is very disturbing considering our age. After trying to follow magazine diets and working out constantly, I realized my body was never going to really change and I actually kind of liked my body. Since then I wear what I want with confidence, eat healthy and refuse to deprive myself of Taco Bell. While I feel confident about my size, I notice many of my friends still hanging on to their negative body image issues. Women need to start loving their bodies and this show serves as almost a public health service to stop the hating. One of the first stages of the HTLGN program is to deal with misconception. Gok will ask the featured woman to choose where she belongs in a line up of half naked women arranged from small sizes to larger sizes. All of the featured women think they are at least two sizes larger than their actual size.

Go to www.channel4.com/life/microsites/H/htlgn/index.html for more.

Weaved into this journey of self-confidence are tips on how to look good naked, as the show claims in their title (*tips such as bronzer to define muscles, endermologie used to reduce cellulite, high heels to help legs look longer*), and how to look good dressed. The latter is one of the most useful parts of the show. Using runway*sorry catwalk* footage they show different styles of one trend and which body type it would look best on. An example from last night’s episode featured the maxi dress, which petite girls should wear with small prints while tall girls can wear with large prints to carry your eye across instead of up and down. It’s very logical and very relevant to women who want to wear the latest style while looking good and celebrating their size. Beware of the American version of HTLGN. No offense to Carson Kressley but the show seems to miss some crucial elements in an attempt to make it their own.

Image: www.virginmedia.com

American Appeal

Sweatshop free, multiple colours, cotton jersey blends, simple cuts of various clothing you can reliably find season after season – yet isn’t it just a t-shirt? So what’s the big appeal with American Apparel? My favorite item has to be their nylon-tricot, black tights that look like leather. I bought them back in November ’07 and now they seem to be the “it” item on the fall ’08 runways. At the same time of offering fashion forward pieces, they can keep a girl comfortable seven days a week in colourful tights and oversized t-shirts. Many of their signature looks are categorized as “hipster”, especially with their embrace of 80’s acid wash and neon colours. Almost anyone could find at least one wearable item in American Apparel and I suggest you do. Even with its simple demeanor, a t-shirt long enough to be paired with a belt is a style within itself.








American Apparel Swimsuit

Lohan's leggings a success?

So apparently Lindsay Lohan's new leggings line is sold out? If you want a pair of new leggings, you will have to go on a waiting list?? They cost $100 dollars and up a pair? Really?
Isn't the U.S. economy boarding on a recession?
I guess the real question here is...who is willing to buy, let alone wear, these leggings?

For the love of Batman

I have just finished reading a review by Peter Howell in the Toronto Star for The Dark Knight, which opens tonight for midnight screenings across the GTA. I have tears swelling up already! (It’s going to be sad. Health Ledger’s final performance and the beginning of Two-Face.) The article mentions how “the movie is almost Shakespearean.” With so much tragedy, humour and reckless human behaviour weaved into Batman’s intricate storylines I can see why that comparison can be justified.
Back in 1992 I use to watch Batman: The Animated Series. An darkly-stylized, Emmy Award-winning animated series that remains my favorite cartoon of all time and even one of my favorite series as of now (Check out episodes like: Harvey and Ivy, Heart of Ice, Two-Face, Almost Got ‘im.) The storytelling of Batman and his friends and foes is so interesting I can understand why Hollywood keeps going back to it and we keep watching. There needs to be a good Batman/Catwoman movie again. I loved Batman Returns but Catwoman needs some redemption after the Razzie-Award winning movie Catwoman circa 2004 starring Halle Berry in the worst get-up I have even seen. Worst than pajama pants tucked into Uggs! *Shudder* Ok maybe I went too far but I refused to watch a movie about my favorite Batman character because of that costume.
At this year’s annual Costume Institute gala at the Met the themed was Superhero: Fashion and Fantasy and featured original costumes from the Batman movies (including the Catwoman costume Michelle Pfeiffer wore in Batman Returns circa 1992!!!) and famous designers interpretations. The event also included some fantastic, bold fashion statements from the attendees. It's definitely a year for the superhero look and bold colour choices!



Images: Getty Images, Wireimage.com, google images
Left to Right: Christina Ricci in Givenchy Haut Couture, Zac Posen with Kate Mara in his designs, Venus Williams and Andre Leon Talley in a red Chanel cape.

French Connections Fall '08

I must admit to loving the clothes-simple, chic and well-made for a global clothing chain-yet the show did not seem to measure up. Last night at Ultra Supper Club, French Connections debuted their Fall 2008 Men's and Women's wear. There was no point-of-view on the runway, not even from a commercial angle. Nothing seemed to flow well and there was no climax. Most of the clothes we've seen before. The only drama of the night came from the liquored up, rowdy crowd. The clothes still have classic appeal but to stay relevant with their younger audience it's time to freshen up.

The Return of the Supermodel

Anna Wintour always makes references to the return of the supermodel. How celebrities have taken over magazine covers, cosmetic deals and sometimes even the runway, while models have become nameless. I completely agree with their return. I was about ten during the supermodel era, it's was fun and kind of magical and they introduced me to fashion and beauty.

Although models have been left in anonymity, Gisele Bundchen changed that in 1999 when she became the leader in the return of the supermodel after lifeless late nineties runway. Currently, Gisele is still the highest paid supermodel, despite leaving Victoria Secret she made $35 million dollars according to forbes magazine.

Many model are fantastic right now and my favorites are the super cool, Agyness Deyn and Toronto native, Coco Rocha. Agyness has the best personal style I've seen on a model since Kate Moss.

Coco is Canadian, a professional Irish dancer and tremendously unique because of it. Her claim to fame is opening the Fall '07 Jean Paul Gaultier runway show by performing a celtic high-stepping dance down the catwalk.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK3tGZtJB7s


Luv them!

Images: www.minifroufrou.com

Canada denies refugee status to U.S. war resister

It makes me sick that we have a conservative government and the things I always thought Canada would stand for are no longer. Robin Long, a 25-year-old tank commander fled to Canada to avoid the U.S. invasion of Iraq, will be the first war resister to be deported and abandoned by the Harper government.

Summertime in the city

It's summertime and that means one thing to Torontorians: Cottages! The time honoured tradition of escaping from city life to be one with nature and drink yourself stupid on a beach.
When packing for up North the key is to keep it simple and skimpy, but that doesn't mean skimping on style.
The top five must-haves for cottage life are:
5. Jelly Sandals-Although barefoot is appealing occasions do come up where you need footwear. Just this past weekend I was in the country and in a effort to pack light I only bought a pair of simple, white canvas shoes. When I arrived I found out there was a wedding reception I would be attending. The Jelly Sandals made a comeback this year and I wasn't sure what to think of them until I found this clear, chain link pair at Old Navy for five dollars. Simple, elegant and very affordable.

4. Iconic Sunglasses- The larger the better is still my philosophy with sunglasses. Audrey Hepburn's legendary Breakfast at Tiffany's oversized, black sunglasses are perfect anywhere and anytime.

Image: www.oldnavy.com

3. Bright Coloured Shorts - Shorts are big this year, especially with the arrival of more dressy styles. Trouser shorts and satin styles are great for the city, but for the cottage American Apparel's thick knit jersey safari style shorts in gold are bold, hot and very comfortable.

2. Maxi Dress - Flowly, hippie-inspired and you can eat as much as you like without showing it- makes this trend extremely lovable for the summer months. Zara offers a wide variety of maxi dresses from tropical prints to purple plaid.

1. Swimsuit - The swimsuit is the most important cottage life staple. Balance your choice between a flattering cut and cutting edge style. Check out Ed Hardy's Vintage Tattoo Swimwear for the hottest look on the beach http://www.edhardyswimwear.com/
Image: www.americanapparel.net

Ed Hardy Swimwear was recently launched in Canada with a fashion show at Ultra Supper Club's rooftop patio.

Quote of the Day

" (Croc Shoes)-it looks like a plastic hoof. How can you take that seriously? I know it's comfortable; I understand that. But if you want to dress to feel as though you never got out of bed, don't get out of bed." Tim Gunn tells Time Magazine www.time.com

Philip Treacy: The greatest milliner of our time

One of the most prestigious events for the UK's high society is Royal Ascot Week which kicked off June 17 this year. The undeniable star of this event is Philip Treacy and the unbelievable hats he creates. No offensive to the jockeys, but it's all about the hats. Treacy is Ireland's most well-known name in the international fashion industry. Much of that title is owed to the late Isabella Blow that put him front and centre of the fashion world in the early to mid-nineties. She was Treacy's muse and wore all of his fabulous hats. Theirs was one of the best fashion relationships ever. Hats are still lacking in popularity in North America, even though they are the definition of style and take your look to the next level. It's time to bring back hats!

Image: www.vogue.co.uk