FASHION Magazine

If being selected for Toronto Life’s annual Most Stylish list isn’t in the cards for you, being invited to its launch party may be the next best attainable goal. The annual kick off to TIFF has become a must-hit fall event—so much so that Milan-based Dsquared designers Dean and Dan Caten have made it their […]

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See the Operanation 2014 party pics » As I mentioned earlier this month, this year was my first time co-chairing Operanation, the annual gala benefiting the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio, amongst other things. As such, it’d be something along the lines of self-important to dub Operanation 2014 the best party of the season/year/century so […]

The post Operanation 2014: 38 party photos from inside this year’s gala turned rave appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Go inside the party »

Those with a sunglasses problem might want to steer clear of Toronto’s new optical candy store—Cutler and Gross might just make you an addict. The decades old British brand has landed on Queen Street West, opening its latest instalment of bright popping eyewear to some serious cool kid fanfare at a party last week. Hosted by The Coveteur’s Jake Rosenberg and Stephanie Mark, the fête saw eyewear enthusiasts like blogger Anita Clarke and the Globe and Mail’s Odessa Paloma Parker throwing some (literal) shade, aided and abetted by Cutler and Gross design director Marie Wilkinson, who flew in for the occasion from London.

It’s a good thing the party was limited to a few hours. Each guest could have easily spent all day long trying on each and every one of the store’s 1,200 models, which include the brand’s quirky collaborations with labels like Giles, Alberta Ferretti and Maison Martin Margiela. But hey, don’t take my word for it. Head on over to 758 Queen Street West in Toronto for your own eye popping experience.

See the photos from Luminato 2014 Opening Gala »

A festival is never complete without an impressive party to kick it off, and last night’s Luminato art festival opening party was nothing but. Toronto’s elite, bloggers and artsy attendees joined co-chairs Rupert Duchesne, Joseph Mimran and Kimberley Newport-Mimran to mark the launch of the 10-day art festival with creative director Jörn Weisbrodt and hubby Rufus Wainwright at the helm of the festivities. Besides drawing Canadian notables like Toronto mayoral candidate Olivia Chow and celebrated stage director Atom Egoyan, Isabella Rossellini was there to promote her upcoming on-stage debut, Green Porno. In tune with the night’s theme, Berlin Underground, the opening party was held in the outskirts of downtown Toronto (Toronto Port Lands to be exact) at the Hearn Generating Station where the abandoned industrial space was transformed into a one-of-a-kind venue for a 450-deep dinner and party. Complete with leather-clad dancers/artists lounging in corners, 1930s German propaganda on projected screens and neon lights bouncing off the exposed industrial interior, the party could not have taken place in a more suitable location. Well-dressed guests (ranging from black-tie attire to jumpsuits and much-coveted crop tops) had the chance to not only get their makeup retouched by on-site YSL makeup artists in super glam vanity stations. From a hopping DJ and buzzy dance floor to a flipbook station and 3D printers, it’s safe to say that last night was nothing short of extraordinary.

See the party pics »

For those with a severe case of spring fever, Monday is just another chance to party. Such was the case earlier this week at Toronto’s La Societe, where the keen toasted the launch of Veuve Clicquot’s first ever Yelloweek (through May 11), a week-long of bubbly pairings at the city’s best restaurants, spas, galleries and more. The event also served as an informal launch pad for Greta Constantine’s Resort 2015 collection. As models mingled with the crowd, they showed off the duo’s latest wares: jacquard-weave wrap dresses, vibrant body suits and killer collar details. Bring on spring!

For more information on Yelloweek and how to book your experience, visit yelloweek.com.

See the photos from Holt Renfrew’s Uncrate India party »

We gave you a behind-the-scenes peek at how Alexandra Weston and Waris Ahluwalia curated the Holt Renfrew H Project Uncrate India collection. We shared 50+ artisanal items from the collection. And now it’s time to take a look at the incredible bash that Holt Renfrew threw last night in celebration of it all. The Bloor Street store was transformed into a vibrant Indian market, welcoming hundreds of guests adorned in sari-inspired attire. Rooms were tented with pink and orange fabric for an intimate feel, gilded bird cages stuffed with flowers hung from the ceilings and guests were greeted upon arrival with a shower of rose petals. But the lavish extravaganza didn’t stop there.

See all the street style from Toronto fashion week »

Another day, another blizzard. Despite Tuesday’s mild temperatures and snow-barren streets, yesterday’s freak snowstorm had fashion insiders reaching for their jackets, toques and mitts—anything to keep warm and dry. As you can imagine, with a winter that just won’t quit, Torontonians have an arsenal of stylish cold weather duds ready at a moment’s notice.

Stylist Matthew Chow colour blocked his way into our best street looks, with grey and white accents breaking up the black, and white toe capped Nike kicks, a clever way to disguise snowy shoes. Toronto Fashion Week founder Robin Kay turned up the glam, looking like a fabulously wealthy Russian, in a dark fur hat and coat, finished with a black Chanel quilted bag and knee high black boots. Street style stars Samantha and Caillianne Beckerman were somewhat subdued in a palette of blues and greys, still maintaining an element of fun thanks to a furry purse and stuffed bear. Micah Cameron from Hudson’s Bay and model Courtney Fallow braved the storm, both donning opaque tights and black booties. Blogger Anita Clarke brought her typical spunk and energy to the day; navy printed trousers and a Phillip Sparks shearling collared army jacket finished with sensible hiking boots. At least someone was enjoying the snow.

See our blogger-approved picks » With the rise of the online resale market, Canadian ecommerce site Trend Trunk has gone one step further making buying another form of social networking by connecting buyers and sellers through its marketplace of fashionable closets. This week, the site is holding their first ever Blogger Fashion Week, which runs […]

The post Canadian ecommerce site Trend Trunk launches a blogger-centric online fashion week appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

See all the Operanation 2013 party pics »

On Thursday night the Four Seasons Centre was decidedly catering to just one season, with the expansive performance hall transformed into a luscious garden of evil. Filled with party goers and potted plants alike, the green-tinged space was all for the Candian Opera Company’s Operanation fundraising gala, themed as “A Night of Temptation” for its tenth iteration.

While all-black ensembles were by far the most popular fashion statement, texture allowed for individuality. From mesh cut-outs and ruffled pleats to velvet and sequin add-ons, the little black dress (or gown, for that matter) certainly stood out at Operanation. Darker colours, such as navy-blue and deep jade-green—as seen on soprano Leigh Anne-Allen and The Hudson Bay Company’s Megan Loach—provided a different take the all-black trend and should make inky gowns a gala must. And on the opposite end of the colour spectrum, bright primary colours stood out in the sea of dark shades, including Tatiana Read in red, FASHION’s editor-in-chief Bernadette Morra in blue Viktor and Rolf, and a hit of yellow, courtesy Odessa Paloma Parker’s Jeremy Laing number.

See the party photos »

The Room at Hudson’s Bay went full Anglo on Tuesday night with its celebration of two Brit shoe designers, Nicholas Kirkwood and Sophia Webster. Held in the store’s palatial new shoe department (seriously, it’s 20,000 square feet), the soiree served as a shoe shopping kick off as well as, well, just another excuse to party. Toronto’s style setters were in fine pre-fashion week form, pulling out all the outfit stops and the Nicholas Kirkwood chevrons to boot.

Kim Tanenbaum modelled her mother-in-law Carole Tanenbaum’s jewels just perfectly overtop an all-black outfit and Kirkwood’s wholesale director Josephine Papasavvas brought the party’s requisite Peter Pilotto factor alongside a stomach-bearing crop top. West end cred was sufficiently represented by Prince Innocence’s Talvi Faustmann and Josh McIntyre, who matched in long black trench coats. Hair statementing was a thing too, especially for a certain top-knotted shoe associate who delighted us with his kabuki-like appearance and definitive newness on the scene. You go girl.

See the Drake One Fifty party photos »

The Drake Hotel can easily be credited with introducing Bay Street types to Queen West, and now, with the launch of Drake One Fifty, they’re reversing the flow. Nested between Toronto’s tallest skyscrapers and expense account-funded bars, the Drake has transplanted its signature sense of (dare we say hipster?) style into a standalone restaurant that will change the scene of the downtown core.

While the space has been on the radar of Toronto’s style set for months, doors officially opened earlier this week with a jam-packed party. From Holt Renfrew’s Moira Wright and Jennifer Daubney to artists Tommy Matejka and Niall McLelland, the guest list was a perfectly curated uptown/downtown mix. In typical Drake Hotel fashion, Drake One Fifty is as much about art and interior design as it is the food. Most of the dining room sits under a huge wooden pergola, designed by Brothers Dressler, book-ended with artwork by Douglas Coupland and Micah Lexier. (You’ll also be sure to see the extremely photogenic emerald-green leather bar stools and banquettes in the background of Instagrams for years to come.)

See the Greta Constantine summer party photos »

A half naked male model, a midtown mansion and one stellar Spring 2014 collection reveal—what else could you ask for on a late summer’s eve? Last night, Greta Constantine hosted its annual summer party at the beautiful home of Krystal Koo and Michael Cooper. Taking place around the couple’s stunning aqua blue pool, the fashion show-meets-party had lanky models parading in the duo’s latest wares—a sailor inspired wideleg and boatneck combo, a juicy orange bodysuit, a bronze figure-hugging evening gown and the piece de resistance, an itty bitty men’s speedo. (Whether or not that last one can accurately be referred to as a collection piece though is beside the point, right?) As the night progressed, Greta devouts including Anita Clarke, Natalie Lecomte and Stacey McKenzie toasted with Stoli cocktails while Chatelaine’s Tyler Franch and Redken’s Sean Godard posed for selfies by the tiled cabana. All the makings of a perfect summer sendoff, even though we really don’t want to send it off at all.