The prettiest polishes for spring and summer

- May 3rd, 2012

We’re in the little bubble of spring where it’s still too chilly for summery separates, but everyone’s itching to wear something plucky. (The exception here is your crazy neighbour who’s already in shorts.) Thankfully, you can brighten up the final remains of your winter wardrobe with cheerful colours on your nails.

Lacquers are bright again this spring and summer, but slightly toned down from the full-on neon hues that were popular the last couple of years. My favourites are rose, lavender, peach and teal palletes – the last of which will look great against Pantone’s colour of the year “Tangerine Tango,” and most coral and blush pieces.

Retro tones – think Cadillac car paint from the ’50s  – are ladylike and sort of cinematic, Essie even dedicated their gorgeous resort collection to Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor. Here are my favourite polishes for the warmer months, with a nod to my favourite filmmaker.

Broadway Danny Rose

Quo by Orly Just Married, GOSH Blissful, and Bourjois Paris So Lacque Rose Lounge. (Supplied)

Quo by Orly polish in Just Married, GOSH polish in Blissful, and Bourjois Paris So Lacque in Rose Lounge. (Supplied)

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Celebrate ‘Mad Men’ with style

- March 22nd, 2012

I’ve been a fan of “Mad Men” since I saw the promos for the first season on AMC in 2007. (They were essentially shots of men with side-parts running around in suits set to Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good” – you can see why I’d be hooked.)

After a fairly slow burn for the first two seasons, it’s an understatement to say “Mad Men” has caught on – you know something is huge when one of the world’s biggest retailers (The Gap Inc.) dedicates capsule collections to it.

Last fall’s Banana Republic Mad Men Collection must have followed the series’ success, as the brand released a second collection this month in anticipation of the show’s long-awaited March 25 season five premiere.

What makes Banana Republic’s piped golf shirts and floral shift dresses stand out from other ’60s-inspired lines is that it was created in collaboration with Jane Bryant, the show’s Emmy award-winning costume designer, who actually plucked inspiration from looks on the show.

My interest in the show has waned; my interest in vintage styling has not.

 

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Fashion Week(s): By the numbers

- March 22nd, 2012

Fashion Week from an editor’s point-of-view: My semi-annual numerical round-up of  World MasterCard Fashion Week and off-site shows that bookended the event.

35.5 – Hours of work, outside of my regular gig.

30 – Runway shows over five days at World MasterCard Fashion Week.

26 – Seasons of Toronto Fashion Week (it’s official name changes with major sponsorships. ie. last fall I attended LG Fashion Week.)

19 – World MasterCard Fashion Week shows I attended.

11 – Cups of coffee, including two venti Starbucks, which should count for about three each.

10 – Whole grain, fig and fruit and nut bar-based dinners.

Off-site fashion: Lucian Matis, Jean-Pierre Braganza and LOVAS (one of my favourite dresses). (Magnet Creative, Dave Abel/QMI AGENCY, Brill Communications)

Off-site fashion: Lucian Matis, Jean-Pierre Braganza and LOVAS (one of my favourite dresses). (Magnet Creative, Dave Abel/QMI AGENCY, Brill Communications)

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Fashion Week survival kit

- March 15th, 2012

Twice a year, Toronto Fashion Week offers the style set the cruel and conflicting combination of very little sleep (as many of us juggle coverage with our day jobs), and a reason to look our best in front of well-manicured attendees and shutterbugs.

This vain desire usually wanes by day three to a vague hope that we don’t look our worst. Basically, if I can manage to hold off a full-on goblin transformation to Friday afternoon, it’s because the following items keep me going.

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Oscars beauty how-to

- February 28th, 2012

Now that we’ve give Oscar gowns their due (see: red carpet report card), it’s time to take a closer look at the prettiest moments in beauty. Like many of the dresses, makeup and hair looks were exceptionally distinct this year, with scarlet lips and lashings of lashes coming through as a clear trend.

Here’s how to re-create some of the great beauty moments:

Jessica Chastain. (Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.COM)

Jessica Chastain. (Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.COM) Read more…