The Gap & FASHION Magazine Event

The Gap and FASHION Magazine are hosting an evening of cocktails and shopping on Wednesday, February 11, 2009. You are invited!

Don’t forget to rsvp at prrsvp@gap.com.

Strike a Flash Mob Pose

FASHION Magazine is jumping on the flash mob bandwagon for Luminato. On June 7 they are hoping the masses will come out dressed in white to strike a pose in Toronto's Dundas Square for a full five minutes for some good old-fashioned freeze modelling.

If you want to be involved or, for an even better lark, to go and poke fun at the participants check out FASHION Magazine for all the info.

Flash mobbing has been around for about five years - being held in cities all over the world and isn't new to Toronto either - with large groups of people randomly freezing in busy public areas, suddenly participating in silent raves and pillow fights. Oh what silliness!

L'Oreal Fashion Week: Fall 2008 - Day Four

All refreshed and revived, I was energized and ready to celebrate the last night at the tents. Paul Hardy showed first. Thankfully, I knew we had front row seats and were escorted personally by the fantastic volunteers, but by the time we got there - someone had taken our names off and were sitting there. With the evidence destroyed, we couldn't prove where we should have been placed, but we were taken care of and gained our rightful spots - just two seats over. Now, I admit I have sat in seats that are not mine before - however, I only do that when everyone is in the runway room and the announcement has been made to "move forward." Seat stealing is not cute. But we focused on what we were there for - the clothes.


Paul Hardy's models, for the most part, came out bottomless - models wore skin-coloured hose with nude granny undies. I'm not sure if that was because he'd forgotten, or just didn't have time to make a bottom. Another thing that baffled me with his collection was the "bibs" as necklaces. But the kicker was the (er, how do I say this delicately?) strategically placed feathers "down there" that looked like someone forgot to shave. Reminded me a bit of this sketch from Smack the Pony. After the show we headed to the Sponsor lounge for some champers at the VIP party hosted by Travel Alberta.

On that topic, I do find it quite bizarre that Travel Alberta happens to be a main sponsor - just under L'Oreal. The province apparently dropped a few hundred thousand dollars to the FDCC. Councillor Shelley Carroll quoted to CityTV, "What it says to me is there are provinces in this country that understand that this is not just culture, it's not just fun. It's pure economic development." Good point. Ontario: time to dig in those pockets and support our local designers. If they make money - we all make money.

Rudsak has really nice coats, but each season I know each show tends to drag. There are only so many coats and bags you can look at. Look - a coat. Look - a bag. Look - a coat and a bag... (You get my drift.)

Actor and fashion lover, Amanda Brugel front row at Rudsak.

After Rudsak we headed to the bar to grab a glass of wine where we discovered that the $12 cans of Prosecco went down to $10, while house wine went from $6.50 to $10 a glass!!! So, I went with the Prosecco, but being the lady that I am (cough, cough...) I asked for it in a wine glass. Who drinks bubbly with a straw anyway?

Kimberly Newport-Mimran's label, Pink Tartan closed the night and the week showing a more rock and roll side with models wearing Doc Marten's and biker gloves made specifically for the show by fashion stylist, Juliana Schavinatto. The actually clothing was typical Mrs. Mimran - classic, wearable with a hint of mod.

Lucian Matis and fashion stylist, Peter Papapetrou

Then it was off to celebrate Zink Magazine's Canadian launch at the Spoke Club. The venue was packed, tossing the fashion crowd in with the private club's members. The magazine has some great Canadian content - articles on designers, editorials, and profiles. Lucian Matis is one of the first advertisers and fashion stylist Peter Papapetrou is profiled in the magazine. (Both pictured above.) I drank just a little too much wine to make it to the Drake for Monica Schnarre's DJ debut and fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity.

My liver is going on an extended vacation and my feet have quit on me, but I know it was all worth it for Canadian fashion - and we do have talent!

L'Oreal Fashion Week: Fall 2008 - Day Three

By day three, fashion fatigue was setting in. My feet were starting to ache and the rain was wreaking havoc on my hair. I decided to catch up at work and skip the BRATZ presentation of Diesel Kids - as cute as I am sure it was.

Comrags Finale

I did get there for Comrags' show at 7pm. It was a very lady-like collection, almost 40's collection of very well fitted clothing. The forest theme of the show backdrop was continued in twigged brooches. Very pretty.

Andy The-Ahn

Andy The-Ahn followed with a really hip, elegant collection featuring some lovely ruffled blouses, coats and dresses.

I was debating whether to stay for David Dixon, but the crowds were getting to me and I wanted to be sure that I had a great spot to see the one show that I couldn't miss - Dragonette, who were performing at the Flare Magazine & Fido party at the Drake.

Dragonette Performs for Flare

I was able to get a spot right in front of them. Fantastic! The lead singer was sporting a new short, rock n' roll 'do - which, at first, I wasn't sure of, but now completely love on her. As with most corporate events bands are hired for, the crowd was very conservative and few danced. I can't wait to see their Phoenix show in a couple weeks where I know everyone will know who they are. After a few Belvedere cocktails, I hopped in a cab - Cinderella styles at the strike of midnight - to try and catch up on some z's.

Zink CANADA Launches

New York-based ZINK Magazine is officially launching their first Canadian edition during the three major fashion weeks in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

The “Blame Canada” themed issue features some of Canada's best emerging talent - focusing on fashion, photography, beauty, and entertainment.

Editorials in the premier issue were shot by top Canadian photographers Paco Garcia and Geoff Barranger.

ZINK Magazine was founded 6 years ago in New York City by Canadian-born model Isabelle Sabourin, aided by her husband, publisher and editor-in-chief, Sheriff J. Ishak.

Hopefully, I'll be able to get my hands on a copy sometime next week. I'm hoping it's a good one - despite the "theme."

FASHION Magazine Celebrates 30 Years

Canada's first magazine devoted to fashion, celebrated their 30th anniversary with an exclusive VIP sit-down dinner and party at the Moss Park Armoury in Toronto recently. Attendees were treated like supermodels, having to enter the room on a runway created just for the night and having faux FASHION Magazine cover photo shoots.

The issue features Canadian models Heather Marks, Julia Dunstall and Meghan Collision on the cover, while inside the "Our Girls" portfolio features some of FASHION's favourite models from the past three decades.

View the video of the event here.