Break out the Winter fashion

After a long hiatus, Toronto Hearts Fashion is back with a new trend report. The weather has been beautiful until now. The chill of Fall and Winter is upon Toronto which means balancing fashion with warmth and versatility.

Fur
Sorry Peta, fur has been embraced this season by such designers as Oscar de la Renta, Balenciaga and Miu Miu. From trapper hats to fur arms and gauntlets to vests to trim on heels, fur is everywhere.

Camel wool coat, blazer and suits
Vogue Mexico was all over Camel coloured wool coats and I am too. The trench coat has been a staple and top Spring trend for a while now. The Camel coat seems to be the winter response to this trend due to its effortless elegance. It's definitely a investment piece that will pay off, not in dividends but in timeless quality.
In addition, blazers and suits are still a staple for the wardrobe. I'm sticking with my classic black sports coat-style blazer, however styles range from Band/Military glam ala Michael Jackson to 80's style with structured shoulders.

Red and Purple
I very much enjoyed the way Oscar de la Renta used both Red and Purple silks together in one look. Although it might not work for everyone these colours are big this season, particularly Red. Bold, sexy and a return to glamour.

Wrap skirt
Everyone is in love with Alexander Wang and what's not to love? His slinky, parted-in-the-middle wrap skirt is a masterpiece of draped fabric. Expect to see them in all the fast fashion stores.

Prints
Everything from unique abstract prints (Balenciaga) to houndstooth (Alexander McQueen) to strips and classic leopard have been out on the scene causing a stir.

What's on top of your head?
Women's hairstyles have been big, bold and curly throughout the pages of magazines this season, matching the retro trends on the runway. Besides volume and teased hair, I like the idea of hair accessories working their magic and taking your style to the next level.
Such as: Pom Poms!!! (as seen in Teen Vogue )
Headbands
Feathers clips
Cocktail hats (Try Lilliput Hats on College Street )
Bejeweled Bows

Alas! What's on your feet?
Booties aren't going anywhere and the same goes for tights. Yet the latest booties are more ornamental with studs, swarovski crystals, fur, bows and sometimes all of the above. There is also an abundance of suede.
Over-the-knee leather boots are high in demand and add instant sex appeal to even casual looks, while wedge boots are gaining momentum due to their versatility and comfort.

Can khaki become a trend again?

The last time khakis were cool was in the mid-to-late 90's when cargo pants were all the rage. The military look of khaki drawstring cargo pants paired with a camouflage tank was the last gasp from the grunge era -- defined by it's "anti-fashion" fashion statements.
The Gap is hoping to change the way we view khaki and their store with the unveiling of their 3rd consecutive collection of Gap Design editions. The collection features classics (in 2007 they took on the classic white shirt campaign) designed by CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners. This year Alexander Wang, Albertus Swanepoel, Vena Cava designers, Lisa Mayock and Sopie Buhai, are the participates reviving the casual threads with jackets, dresses and hats. I'd usually stay away from khaki, but the prospect of a khaki motorcycle jacket designed by Alexander Wang for under $100 intrigues me and "Beige is the new Black".
The collection is available across Canada and can be found in the following Gap stores in Toronto: Eaton Centre, Yorkdale Shopping Centre and 60 Bloor Street.

What does a fashion icon want for his birthday?

Other than cake.....

Men's fashion is a bit of a mystery to me. Simplicity and neutral colours is all it takes to look attractive. Most men are happy with the lack of options and uniform appeal. Yet I have a feeling some men are a little jealous of the fashion world’s devotion to women.

Fortunately for those style savvy men there is Kanye West and his sneakers. West always looks sharp and definitely keeps his fingers on the pulse of what’s hot in fashion. His latest endeavor is the exclusive Nike Air Yeezy sneakers. So other than $300 sneakers, what does it take to be fresh to death ala West? View his 10 essential items on Style.com:

http://men.style.com/fashion/10_essentials/060309


Image: Secret Society NYC

2009 Met Costume Institute Ball

This year's Met Costume Institute Ball could be described in one word- inspiring. Unlike the sea of black or cookie cutter gowns with mermaid trains seen at award shows like the oscars, this ball brings out the fashion elite with the balls to wear something risky. I disagree with every best/worst dress list because for this one event there should be no rules. Almost all the celebrities in attendance embraced their role as a platform for their accompanying designer's creations and wore their garments with charm and grace.



Here are some favourites:

(Left to Right: Molly Sims in D&G, Alek Wek and Cindy Crawford in Versace)




(Left to right: Liv Tyler, Kate Hudson and Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs with Kate Moss, who hosted the Met Ball with Anna Wintour and Justin Timberlake)




Images: www.style.com

More, more, more...

Dior, LV, Donna Karen and Marc Jacobs, oh my!
More super hott (and experimental) looks

(Left to right, top to bottom: John Galliano with Marion Cotillard, Leighton Meester, Iman and Anne Hathaway)

Images: www.style.com

Quote of the Day

"For some men, the only thing more intolerable than the sight of a powerful woman is the sight of a powerful woman they don’t want to sleep with."
- Paul Campos, Law Professor at the University of Colorado

In regards to comments on whether or not Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor are too fat to be appointed to the Supreme Court.

Lady GaGa is the real deal

In her rise to fame with the cleverly titled "The Fame" album, Lady GaGa has received a surge of good and bad press focused on her racy lyrics and outrageous costumes. Many do not understand the lack of pants, the hair bow and the disco stick but they don't need to--she already has your attention. With comparisons to Madonna and Britney as well as quality songs, strong vocals and showmanship to back her up, Lady GaGa IS a bona fide pop star that will continue to rise. ( I even put my money where my mouth is and made a little wager that her next album will produce a #1 hit single) The future of pop music is here!

In terms of her fashion icon status, Lady GaGa is pushing the boundaries of fashion with her style, on and off stage. You may not always love what she's wearing, but you definitely appreciate her originality when the rest of the world seems to lack any inspiration. Conclusion: Rock those frocks Lady GaGa!