FASHION Magazine

By Kate MacLennan

Fashion parties always trickle to a minimum under the August sunshine, but by the first week of September, the bulk of the style community has happily bid sayonara to its summer threads and is eagerly embarking on the important mission of building a new autumn wardrobe. So if there’s one event you don’t want to miss, it’s fall’s first fashion fête, bound to be a gawk-fest of au courant clothing, not to mention a choice opportunity to network and dish.

By Kate MacLennan

At Christmas, Toronto’s Bloor Street Holt Renfrew looks spectacular, its windows glittering with holiday frou frou and its racks dripping with effervescent frocks. I only mention it because last week, as I was strolling by the picture panes of our paint-barely-dry Dunsmuir Street location, it occurred to me that we’re probably in for a treat this year.

Into each and every fashionably frenzied life, there comes a time to recharge the Energizer Bunny batteries. A time to find inner Zen, not the closest H&M. A time to acquire more chi than Gucci.

Recently, between drowning in work deadlines and tossing out a life preserver to save my sinking Visa (the summer sales had turned me into a trend-driven Tasmanian devil), I decided it was time to breathe and reboot on a stylish summer vacation. Unfortunately, the closest thing I had to the smell of sea air was the Michael Kors Island fragrance wafting over from our beauty department. But with my mind wandering from Mainbocher to Maine, and with no immediate getaway appearing in my crystal ball, the question was raised: In the summer, what is a city girl to do? The answer: Find a higher power, or rather tower. Destination: The Four Seasons Hotel’s rooftop pool for a little stylish summer sizzlin’.

When it comes to making an entrance (or an exit) at any posh holiday party, chicettes everywhere turn to the Fab Five:

1. The LBD (little black dress)
2. The bold cocktail ring
3. The hot shoe
4. The statement bag
5. The mini “glam” slam (polish, primp, perfume)

Don’t be the strife of the party–plan your outfit in advance to avoid becoming a part of this fashionista folk tale…