FASHION Magazine

See all the photos from the Upgrade book launch party »

Is there anything more enticing than a promise to make your regular old life extraordinary? It was this premise that inspired Rana Florida to write her latest book, and the reason why a very swishy crowd gathered to celebrate the launch of Upgrade on Tuesday night. Held at the home of Suzanne and Mark Cohon, the party attracted a mix of Toronto’s most stylish and most social. It was certainly a who’s who of the city’s creative set—a group more likely to be featured as an Upgrade case study than those in need of the book’s advice.

Holt Renfrew’s Moira Wright (in a sleek black pantsuit and tuxedo jacket) mingled with Greta Constantine’s Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill, who were just days away from jetting off to Paris. The guest of honour was decked out in a stunning Clover Canyon dress—purchased just for the occasion—and Rana wasn’t the only one in digital prints and vibrant colours. Alexandra Weston toned down her purple, blue and grey Peter Pilotto skirt with a leather moto jacket, while Jane Apor’s fluro-orange clutch and heels added a pop of colour to her ensemble. Twitter Canada’s Kirstine Stewart was also rocking some orange, with a pair of bright pants that should probably be on everyone’s fall must-have list.

Jump to: RACHEL ROY, DESIGNER | AMY VERNER, WRITER | ESSIE WEINGARTEN, ESSIE FOUNDER | ELAINE LUI, LAINEY GOSSIP | LEANDRA MEDINE, MAN REPELLER

Wear the same polish as your mom? Today’s vintage Mother’s Day photo tribute comes from a lady who’s done just that: nail polish titan, Essie Weingarten! Read on to discover how sharing beauty rituals inspired her brand…

Jump to: RACHEL ROY, DESIGNER | AMY VERNER, WRITER | ESSIE WEINGARTEN, ESSIE FOUNDER | ELAINE LUI, LAINEY GOSSIP | LEANDRA MEDINE, MAN REPELLER

Next up in our weeklong tribute to stylin’ fashion industry-spawning moms, we’re going back in time with some seriously beautiful photos of a mother responsible for not one, but two of our favourite ladies: The Globe and Mail‘s Amy Verner and jewellery designer Jane Apor: