FASHION Magazine

See our batch of summer street style from Toronto »

Summer is finally here and whether or not it actually feels like it, Canadians are so desperate for some respite from a never-ending cold spell that we’ve been flocking to those friendly familiar sunny dens as much as possible. For any cool kid in Toronto, the definitive place to hang (and be seen) during the summer months is the west end’s Trinity Bellwoods park. Each Saturday and Sunday, the grassy fields, tennis courts and dog bowl fill up with cute picnickers, athletes and flower crown sellers looking to have a good time. Over the past few weekends, photographer Stefania Yarhi’s been hanging around the ever-popular spot capturing the most stylish maxing on relaxing time. All the hallmarks of summer street style are present in these 20 photos shot at Trinity Bellwoods, including floral prints, flow-y dresses and the requisite Kenzo baseball hat. Amongst our street stylers, we caught notable Torontonians including Magwood Boutique’s Sarah Magwood, and The Coveteur’s Stephanie Mark. Because where else would anyone be?

See The Room’s Viktor & Rolf party photos »

Viktor & Rolf’s love affair with Toronto began last night with a fittingly springy fête at Toronto’s Hudson’s Bay Queen Street flagship. In town to celebrate their recent collections as well as to do press spots for their upcoming Dolls retrospective exhibit with Luminato this summer, designers Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren sported matching embroidered jeans (Horsting’s featured sunglasses while Snoeren’s featured moustaches) and matching thick rimmed frames, making them the ideal models for Toronto’s new eyewear-specific blog, The Spectacled.

In keeping with the Dutch duo’s eccentricities, The Room was transformed with newly papered walls featuring the Fall 2013 runway room’s eerie black and white floral print, a string quartet playing instrumental takes on pop music and strapping waiters, who passed many a prettily-decorated Perrier-Jouët champagne flute while wearing V&R-esque (and maybe even a little Denis Gagnon) glasses.

See photos from the Holt Renfrew Rag & Bone party »

Toronto is so desperate for springtime, that not even last night’s biblical style storm wouldn’t stop its style inclined inhabitants from flocking to Holt Renfrew for a party in honour of Rag & Bone’s neon-heavy spring collection. Packed to the racks of the department store’s third floor, partygoers—including designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville, who made it in the nick of time after hours of flight delays—seemed especially eager to throw down to the DJ tunes and get crafty with the makeshift graffiti board that had been installed on a nearby wall.

And now for the fashion: Spring’s graphic black and white trend was embraced by many partygoers, most notably by stylist Mariko Lauren who channeled Wednesday Adams in a peter pan collar dress and wide brimmed hat and the always-fabulous Kealan Anne Sullivan, who artfully paired a vintage policeman’s hat with a black velvet cape, a white turtleneck sweater and beat up jeans. Socialite Stacey Kimmel braved gravity in a skin-baring halter black dress with selectively geometric fabric slashes. And at the other end of the spectrum, designer/photographer Ashley Rowe went for the kaleidoscopic effect with her lime green active suit suit, turquoise-dyed hair and gal pal stylist Cara Joy Purkis who wore head-to-toe red.

If the high cost of going to the spa is keeping you from enjoying frequent afternoons of relaxation, have we got news for you. WaySpa, the online spa marketplace, is bringing Spa Week to Toronto from April 15-22, 2013. Think of Spa Week as Summerlicious for your mind, body and soul: luxury spas offer premium treatments for just $50—but for one week only.

That’s right: you can book a facial, massage, manicure, pedicure and more at some of Toronto’s top spas for only a fraction of what they usually cost. At the top of our wish list is the Luzren oxygen facial at Moksa Day Spa, the dead sea scrub body treatment at the Shizen Spas at the Cosmopolitan and Pantages Hotel and the Eminence organic blueberry soy sugar glow at Novo Spa. But there’s so many to choose from! The complete Toronto Spa Week by WaySpa treatment list is available here and we suggest booking ASAP—especially if you have your eye on more than one.

See our street style photos from Toronto and New York »

On a cold and blustery day, bundling up and staying warm is essential. And while we may have had unseasonably warm temps over the weekend, the forecast is hinting that winter is not over just yet. So, what better way to take shelter from the storm than with the season’s It hat: the toque, which street style photographer Stefania Yarhi captures in these photos from Toronto and New York.

Spotted on countless street style blogs and anointed by Man Repeller herself, the toque is a part shabby and part chic way to take shelter from the snow and rain while providing a pop of colour and that perfect amount of slouch. Toques have long been a Canadian staple and these photos prove that they are still just a popular. While most of the time toques are being sported out of necessity, they are a casually cute accessory and can be added to most any outfit. There are many different styles of toques and many ways to wear them—Yarhi has captured a number of them. Pulled farther back allows the back of the hat to slouch downwards. Pulled down tight allows for an extra bit of fabric to stand up high. Meanwhile, pom poms are a welcome addition, which add a bit of whimsy to the style.

See the Uncle Otis and Levi’s party photos »

Levi’s, the iconic denim brand, has launched its first pop up shop with Uncle Otis in Toronto. To celebrate, over 125 guests filled the space for a launch party last night. In attendance were Hiroshi Awai from Creep Clothing; United owners Sydney and Michael and The Crow’s Nest barber shop boys. The event included a chance to peruse the Spring 2013 collection. The pop-up shop, which officially opened today, was designed by the Uncle Otis team. The space is based on the current Levi’s theme, so expect lots of rugged interiors that Levi’s is known for. The Levi’s shop in shop will be going on for all of 2013, including the spring 2013 and fall 2013 Levi’s collections.

See the photos from Solange’s Toronto concert »

When one of pop music’s definitive rising stars rolls into town, Toronto’s hippest music lovers take note. Case in point: Friday night’s sold-out Solange concert at the Danforth Music Hall. Beyoncé’s little sister proved that she was much more than just that as she sauntered on stage in a beautiful cobalt and brown printed Ostwald Helgason dress, black heeled sandals and a Diana Ross-style afro that seemed to prompt mounting hair-envy with each flick and twist. Solange’s set was stellar, if a bit subdued, and the carefully clothed crowd drank each of the live renditions right up. Double that that for her cover of Selena’s epic ballad “I Could Fall in Love.” And triple that for her popular single “Losing You,” which she pre-empted with an “I want you to dance!” command.

December is here and with it comes the inevitable wind chills and flurries. Brace yourself against such unpleasantries with a warehouse full of tights, a Russian love affair and a mug of Glühwein. From Montreal to Edmonton, here’s what we’re up to this weekend.

See what we’re doing this weekend »

Go inside Guerlain’s new Toronto boutique »

Legendary French fragrance and beauty brand Guerlain revamped its Toronto boutique just in time for the holiday season. The Bloor Street shop (which originally opened in 2003) has changed both inside and out to offer a more spacious shopping experience based on an architectural vision that came directly from Paris. Notably, the exterior façade has been completely redone, taking inspiration from the brand’s emblem, the imperial bee. The iconic bee perfume bottle—which was designed in 1853 for Guerlain’s Impériale Eau de Cologne—is also featured prominently within the store, including a selection of collector-worthy bottles which are hand-painted with gold detailing.

Boo! Halloween is here and you’ve your Kimye costume is ready to go. Whether you’re celebrating Friday, Saturday, both, or neither, there are plenty of events, haunted or otherwise, to take in this weekend. Beautify yourself on the cheap, peep some Bond accoutrements up close or eat some brains for breakfast. Trick or treat!

Read on and find out what to do this weekend »

See the Holt Renfrew designer showcase photos »

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to see a entire fashion season’s most important moments capsulized, last night’s Holt Renfrew opening showcase at World Mastercard Fashion Week last night was your dream come true. Set to a soundtrack by real-life DJ couple Brendan Fallis and Hannah Bronfman (who both donned Holt Renfrew’s “Girls” sweater designed in collaboration with Justin Broadbent), models including Amanda Laine walked in 67 looks of Fall 2012’s best internationally and Canadian-made wears.

It’s here! The streets of Toronto will be taken over on Saturday night for the city’s annual all-night art party. Given just how much there is to see during the 12+ hours of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, we’re dedicating the entire Weekend To-Do to the most stylish exhibits and goings-on—from the festival’s kick off at 7:03pm and well into sunrise. On our list? A photo exhibit at the Philip Sparks boutique, an all night-dance party and a fancy mug of hot chocolate. (With some great art and live music thrown into the mix!)

Start planning your Nuit Blanche itinerary! »