FASHION Magazine

Step into the Louvre without leaving your living room.

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No opera has ever had a collection of precious ornaments to go along with it, even the most famous ones. Not Giancomo Puccini’s La Bohème, which captures the trials of young love between main characters Mimi and Rodolfo. Or even Georges Bizet’s Carmen, the story of a man named Don Josè who is lured away from […]

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In honour of the upcoming world premiere of Rufus Wainwright’s Hadrian (on the Canadian Opera Company stage in October), the COC dedicated the theme of this year’s #Operanation to the gods of ancient Rome. The 14th annual Operanation transformed the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts into a coliseum of wonder. The atrium filled […]

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Last night, a bunch of queens took to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts for Operanation, the Canadian Opera Company’s annual gala fundraiser—over 1,000 drag queens, society queens and karaoke queens to be exact, who embraced the event’s “Queen of the Night” theme in leather, lace and all things moody/sexy/cool. (Yours truly took […]

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The cherry blossoms may not be, but party season is here. First up? Operanation, the Canadian Opera Company’s (epic) annual gala fundraiser, which I co-chair. Anyone who attended last year’s event will know that I enjoy a zany theme and 2016 is no different. This year’s, Queen of The Night, is what you’d get if […]

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At last night’s Centre Stage gala, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts transformed into Simon Fullersville for the third annual live opera competition. Eight mega-talented hopefuls belted out their best Mozart (and Verdi, Rossini and Puccini…) arias for a chance to win cash prizes in support of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio. […]

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See the behind the scenes shots and outfit selects » For those who watched episode upon episode of charity galas, masquerade balls and silent auctions on Gossip Girl, wondering “yeah, but actually?”—This one’s for you. This year, I ascended the ranks of Waldorf wannabes everywhere by becoming a co-chair of Operanation, the Canadian Opera Company’s […]

The post What it’s like to co-chair Operanation (+ what to wear to this year’s event) appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

See the Centre Stage gala photos »

Last Tuesday night, the Canadian Opera Company held its first annual Centre Stage gala at the Four Seasons Centre in Toronto. The event focused around the company’s Ensemble Studio, a training program for emerging opera talents. Part benefit, part performance audition, Centre Stage pit nine hopefuls against one another in the battle for entry into the ensemble as well as a few hella generous cash prizes. And because no singing competition can do without some showmanship, Rufus Wainwright lent his skills, playing the host role for the night in a sparkling Moschino suit. He even surprised the crowd by performing a few of this favourite songs including “Les feux d’artifice t’appellent” from his opera Prima Donna.

After each finalist performed a piece from the likes of Verdi, Bizet and Mozart, soprano Karine Boucher was crowned winner of the judges’ award as well as the night’s audience award. She won the fashion award too, in a floor-length gown covered in gold sequins and featuring a diva apropos plunging neckline. Tenor Jean-Philippe Fortier-Lazure and bass-baritone Iain MacNeil place second and third respectively.

See all 5 Valentine’s Day date ideas! »

With a few days to go ’til February 14, it’s time to get your Valentine’s Day plans in motion. First, let your friends, family and significant other feel the stylish love with our adorable eCard valentines, which were created in conjunction with Worn Fashion Journal. (So take a moment to send a few, we’ll wait!) Next, if there are any Valentine’s Day gifts to cross off your list, check out our complete guide to gifts for your boyfriend, girlfriend and best friend—or even yourself, if you feel so inclined! And of course, what would a guide to Valentine’s Day from FASHION be without a little style advice? Our Style Panel has 10 suggestions for what to wear on February 14, including the best ways to match all those red and pink items in your closet.

But wait! Now that you’ve sent your valentines, bought some gifts and dressed the part, what are you actually going to do for Valentine’s Day? Whether you’re spending the day with yourself, treating your best friend to a night of fun or getting romantic with a special date, we have five foolproof suggestions. Our Valentine’s Day dates include custom cocktails, twirl-worthy skating outfits and a surefire way to spend the night snuggled in the comfort of your couch. Ready to get romantic? Read on.

View the influencer profiles »

We spoke to 12 Canadian women who are making their marks not only across our country but also around the world. From the young photographer Petra Collins who despite only being 19 has gained international acclaim for her work, to Farah Mohamed, who at a young age fled her birth country to seek refuge in Canada, the ladies featured here have found success across many broad spectrums. Familiar face Caroline Issa is regularly spotted in our street style snaps and mentions here how she gave up a high paying job to instead fulfill her love of fashion by working in that industry instead. Whether it is in activism, writing, singing or art, these women have a strong passion for what they do and can inspire others to do the same. From all ages and all walks of life, these 12 Canadian women have talent and vision that knows no bounds.

Or jump to: DJ SHADYAKISS |BENNI LEIGH | JULIA DAULT | FARAH MOHAMED | CAROLINE ISSA | KAREN AZOULAY | ESI EDUGYAN | ANITA MAJUMDAR | LEANNE SHAPTON | SEMI CHELLAS | PETRA COLLINS | SIMONE OSBORNE

See the full gallery of Operanation party pictures »

Last Thursday opera lovers, patrons of the arts and faces who frequent Toronto’s party circuit came together to support the Canadian Opera Company for Operanation 9: Sweet Revenge. Attendees reflected the event’s theme of high-brow-opera-meets-pop-culture-concert well: Women in floor-length evening gowns navigated the many staircases of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts with ease—proving there’s no architectural challenge a mermaid dress can’t master—while others used the Centre’s sprawling steps as seating throughout the night.

Actress Gabrille Miller looked stunning in a peplum’d dress from Lucian Matis Fall 2012 while Nelly Furtado had two costume changes throughout the night, starting with a gown by Denis Gagnon and later switching into a Holy Tee dress. On the third floor a group of Argo players attracted many eligible ladies—perhaps the popularity of The Bachelor Canada has given the CFL a new social standing?

View the photo gallery »

It’s not very often that an evening can be described as unforgettable, but Operanation 8: A Muse Ball was exactly that. Last Friday, the Canadian Opera Company’s annual gala took over the three-storied lobby of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, a glittering venue that had passersby on University Avenue gawking through the windows, and with good reason.

Yorkville’s Rac Boutique put together a fashion installation of custom-made designs by Canadian labels like Calla, Joeffer Caoc, Ashley Rowe, and Greta Constantine. Since the wares were showcased by models more mannequin than mortal, more than one of the 1,100 guests was excused for mistakenly fondling the ladies’ outfits. But really, who could resist copping a feel of that floor-length, electric-purple Arthur Mendonça number?