FASHION Magazine

A local told me today that on this, the first Saturday of the festival, the city reaches its maximum capacity. I felt the sting of that truth while waiting 30 minutes to get a cup of coffee at Canada’s own Cow’s ice cream parlor/café—oddly, a festival hot spot.

Some People Have Real Problems by Sia

Having shot to cult fame with her goosebump-raising single “Breathe Me” on the last episode of Six Feet Under, Sia is back with a full-length album full of quirky lyrics meshed with lush arrangements.

By Kate MacLennan

If you’re anything like me, right about now you’re in an eleventh hour panic for at least a couple holiday presents. Exhale. We’ve got some last minute gift ideas that any fashion savvy soul could pull off as her (or his) own.*

Hunter rain boots (from $129)
*Vancouver availability listed, but most items available across Canada.

With a slew of holiday parties either postponed or not attended because of other holiday parties, this fashionable girl could not pass up the chance to check out the soon-to-be-happening Tattoo Rock Parlour on Queen West. For the upscale rock crowd, the venue has VIP booths, a stage for live bands (Dragonette are set to play there on New Year’s Eve), a comfy downstairs bar where we ran into Tanya Kim from eTalk Daily and PR man about town Kevin Pennant, and a tattoo parlour with an artist at the ready until 2 a.m. Good or bad idea? It’s up to you.

Outdoor café. Lauren and Brody are lunching, and it’s highly romantic, as usual. “Wow, your eyes look very beautiful right now,” Brody says. “They look very blue…ish. I need to get some eyes like that.” He could use some new eyes, as his just won’t stop wandering: “Little cuties everywhere,” he remarks offhandedly, checking out another girl. He glances back at Lauren long enough to notice that her bluish eyes have narrowed. “Kidding,” he says.   

With the holidays fast approaching, this fashionable girl has been hitting the scene. It has been quite a busy week, kittens, beginning on Friday at the newly renovated Windsor Arms tea room for high tea, and ending with the North American premiere of the non-alcoholic drink soon to be on everyone’s lips.

Today, the FASHION crowd looked a little weary–hence the dark oversized sunnies and the venti Starbucks cups. But like stylish soldiers, we fought through the crowds to get to our seats to see more cool Canadian fashion. On with the shows…

FASHION arrived at the tents ready for a full (read: long) evening of spring shows. We arrive at our seats just as the lights dim and take our place in the front row beside The Toronto Star stylist (and FASHION’s fab friend) Derick Chetty.

Damzels in this Dress (left)

Slightly soggy but still devastatingly stylish, FASHION headed back to the tents for round two. On the way into the media lounge, we spotted our fave male fashionista and ultimate charmer, Fashion File‘s Adrian Mainella. After a quick catch-up and an air kiss or two, FASHION sprinted back to our seats for the evening’s shows.

The blue skies and mild breeze felt as though spring had sprung…and according to the fashion calendar, it has. FASHION started the day at the Tevrow + Chase spring presentation.

View a slideshow of Spring 2008 looks from Tevrow + Chase.

View a slideshow of Spring 2008 looks from Joe Fresh.

This morning I was scheduled to do a CBC NewsWorld interview at 7 a.m. to discuss the launch of L’Oreal Fashion Week in Toronto. After travelling to fashion weeks around the globe I thought long and hard about what truly defines Toronto’s fashion week and how we differ from the other fashion capitals.

What was a girl to do with the party of the year fast approaching? Why, borrow a fabulous floor-length gown, pull out the mile-long faux eyelashes, grab her best red lipstick and pop the champagne. And luckily for her, in true girlie style, she had her co-workers alongside her to chat, drink, and ooh and ahh over every hair, makeup, and dress moment leading up to the big night.