FASHION Magazine

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.

View our top 5 picks »

The shop: I’ve written about London, UK’s LN-CC before, and I’ll write about them again, because there’s hardly a store like it. Set deep in Dalston in a cubist lair-like space, all raw wood and amber lighting and the smell of incense and cloth, it feels like a more organic future. And because they launched online concurrently, their e-shop is just as far out in front of the pack: their seasonal editorial shoots are so exquisitely on-point, they’ve landed on Style.com. If you’re not on the store’s mailing list, sign up now—you get as much sartorial inspiration as temptation, promise.

The goods: LN-CC, which does nearly three quarters of its business online, sells the best new London designers (J.W. Anderson before you knew who J.W. Anderson was), the most adventurous European labels (Givenchy, Ann Demeulemeester, Commes) and a host of international finds (like high-tech knitwear by Philadelphia’s Lauren Manoogian, or earrings by Canada’s own Jaime Sin). It’s easy to shop for two, too: the men’s section is (a rarity) as good as the women’s, with owner-buyer John Skelton hewing close to his own eclectic—but functional—taste. Just don’t fall for a $400 leather boot strap, because that’s why the Eurozone is collapsing.

None of this so-called curation comes cheap, as you can see, so I suggest keeping a clear head (when are you going to wear a dress that, judging from its price, is made entirely from Edie Sedgwick’s lost sequins and a unicorn’s hair?) and one tab open to their sale page. I am waiting, waiting, waiting for my recurring dream shoes, the derby wood platforms by shoechitect ETS Callatay, to land there. If only there were a god…

What’s the one event that’s sure to draw throngs of artists, social busybodies and high rollers alike? The annual Power Ball, held in support of the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, is the one stop on Toronto’s gala circuit that you really don’t want to miss.

The theme of this year’s fest was The 13th Floor, described by the organizers as, “A place you’ve never been before. A party untouched by time and cloaked in intrigue. Hidden surprises, altered realities, a playground for the imagination.” And what a playground it was. Held in the labyrinthine lakefront gallery, the party was attended by more than 1,700 people in what felt like 13 different rooms, each with its own theme and soundtrack.

On the Toronto scene, Jaime Sin (jaime-sin.com) is one of the coolest night cats. She’s always curled up in the DJ booth, glossy black hair over eyes, or stalking the periphery of the dance floor in wicked Acne heels. And though she’s been playing at—or promoting—parties for years, she never ages a second. Creepy. So it’s no wonder that her eponymous jewellery line is witchy and tough—even more so, now that she’s added a wee Halloween collection.