FASHION Magazine

See all the Toronto Life Most Influential 2013 party pics »

At first glance, a party where every guest is nose-deep in a magazine may seem like the least social event ever. However, when it’s the launch party for Toronto Life’s annual Most Influential issue, a quick read-through is totally necessary: while everyone who made the list was invited, none of the Most Influential guests knew how they ranked. Hence the frantic-yet-totally-casual flipping of pages upon entry by guests like Robert Deluce and Charles Khabouth. Held in the ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton, deep red lighting and a swanky live band made the space feel like a Swing Era soiree.

While Toronto Life’s editor-in-chief Sarah Fulford was quick to make a few drunken stupor jokes, neither of the issue’s cover subjects—that is, Bill Blair and Rob Ford—joined in for the festivities. Sure, it would have been good for gossip, but they wouldn’t have added to the impressive style that permeated the event.

See the Drake One Fifty party photos »

The Drake Hotel can easily be credited with introducing Bay Street types to Queen West, and now, with the launch of Drake One Fifty, they’re reversing the flow. Nested between Toronto’s tallest skyscrapers and expense account-funded bars, the Drake has transplanted its signature sense of (dare we say hipster?) style into a standalone restaurant that will change the scene of the downtown core.

While the space has been on the radar of Toronto’s style set for months, doors officially opened earlier this week with a jam-packed party. From Holt Renfrew’s Moira Wright and Jennifer Daubney to artists Tommy Matejka and Niall McLelland, the guest list was a perfectly curated uptown/downtown mix. In typical Drake Hotel fashion, Drake One Fifty is as much about art and interior design as it is the food. Most of the dining room sits under a huge wooden pergola, designed by Brothers Dressler, book-ended with artwork by Douglas Coupland and Micah Lexier. (You’ll also be sure to see the extremely photogenic emerald-green leather bar stools and banquettes in the background of Instagrams for years to come.)

See the street style image from New York Fashion Week »

The sun was out on day four of New York Fashion Week Spring 2014. So were the style stars and their accessories. Carine Roitfeld’s wrap-around sunglasses were totally Star Trek and totally amazing. Just as great was Giovanna Battaglia’s pilgrim belt that was so wide it could probably double as a shirt (see below re: crop tops).  But it was neckgear that was the must-have accessory of the moment. These jewels were so chunky they were essentially clavicle armour. Case in point: Man Repeller Leandra Medine’s Frankensteinian choker.

Also out in full force? Shoulders. Like those of Moda Operandi’s Taylor Tomasi Hill and Danielle Prescod, who were just two of the showgoers to embrace the off the shoulder and strapless looks. And it if wasn’t a shoulder it was (still!) definitely a tummy. If the sidewalks have anything to say about it, crop tops will be around for a while.

See the photos from the Toronto Life Most Stylish party »

Toronto Life has officially claimed TIFF’s opening night as their own. Last night the magazine toasted the city’s best dressed with the launch of the Toronto Life Fall Stylebook and the reveal of their second annual Most Stylish list. And what a celebration it was: from the moment the elevator doors opened into the ballroom at the Shangri-La Hotel, the party was in full swing.

Leather was the texture of choice for most partygoers. From moto jackets to mini skirts to body-hugging dresses, fall’s influence was certainly in the air. Of course, summer’s influence was still in effect, with floral prints and neon brights being popular style choices, from Jenna Bitove’s flowing Hawaiian-inspired gown to Amanda Brugel’s punchy minidress. However, the guests who took risks stood out the most: Anna Abbruzzo’s pink hair caught our eye—but it was her Roland Mouret eyeball skirt that stole our hearts. And a trio of very stylish twenty-somethings in fur coats, meshback hats and logo tees circled the room with a larger-than-life presence. Lesson learned: when in doubt, go all out.