Wednesday 29 February 2012

Maison Martin Margiela

Maison Martin Margiela will be featured at the WERKSTIJL/WORKSTYLE exhibition that will be taking place from the 28th of February to the 30th of September, 2012 at Museum Rotterdam. The exhibition is an interesting examination of the relationship between function and fashion, and will feature two key pieces from Margiela's work from the Spring/Summer 2012 Collection, Artisinal. Pictured below is the iconic "Pen-Cap Smoking Jacket." 


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Tuesday 28 February 2012

Lucian Matis for the Fall/Winter 2012 Season

Just received my invite for Lucian Matis' Cocktail Reception and Showcase (in celebration of his Fall/Winter 2012 collection), pre-Fashion Week, at the Fairmont Royal York next month! I'm an avid believer in supporting local artists with real skill and Matis, unlike many others, is one of Toronto's most talented gems when it comes to design work. His pieces are usually strikingly beautiful and very feminine with incredible structural detail and fantastic quality of construction. He is one of my favourite young designers to emerge with strength and character from this city, and considering his recent success, it's easy to see that he has an even brighter future ahead. I will be covering his wonderful reception as well as his runway show come the beginning of Toronto Fashion Week in March! I'm totally excited! Are you?


Rodarte Being Fantastic (F/W 2012)

Rodarte's latest runway is a wonderful exhibition of 30's-inspired frocks and almost militant-esque 40's-inspired jackets and suits. Fantastic leather work staple this entire collection together; did you see those rounded lapels!? They are just divine. Vintage is always understated and never boring, and if re-created correctly, is always in style. These are classic shapes that will never die. I have a new love for Rodarte.


Rodarte FW2012 New York Fashion Week Runway Show from Bo Matthew Metz on Vimeo.


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Monday 27 February 2012

Parkchoonmoo Fall/Winter 2012

The ponchos, the flowing knits, the fur, the silk, the black, the slate, the white! Korean designer Choonmoo Park's latest Fall/Winter 2012 collection (at New York Fashion Week) redefines what luxury can actually look like. This showcase is anything but gauche, but at the same time, it is just as interesting. I love the way she has feminized the traditional masculine form, as well as her use of strong lines of demarcation. Everything is blocked and angled; it almost looks like it could be casual recreational wear 1000 years into the future. This is one of the most interesting collections I've seen at Fashion Week.


Parkchoonmoo - NY Fall Winter 2012 from FashionStock.com on Vimeo.


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Sunday 26 February 2012

The Academy Awards in Dresses

Some of the gowns at this year's Academy Awards were simultaneously on-point in trend and execution! There were some really brilliant and stunning pieces! To me, when it comes to a fantastic Oscar dress, the dress must never overshadow the presence of the actress wearing it. It's true, fantastic dresses, even as gauche or extreme as pieces by McQueen or Gaultier should be appreciated and admired when worn; but it can only be worn by someone who's presence matches and surpasses it. It's all about energy, personality; the frequency you emit as a person. If you think about it, that's why fashion is so important as a whole. It can be as stunning as ever as a piece created, but when it is worn, it is only as powerful as the person who can wear it. Fashion, in it's functional sense, is meant to be a reflection of your character. So, who are you? The dress should answer that. A single person can take a dress to a fantastic height as fast as they can destroy it. Here are some of my picks for not just the most beautiful dresses of the night (because there were many!), but the most beautifully worn dresses:

Emma Stone stuns in Giambattista Valli and Louis Vuitton. This gown is a brilliant example of Oscar-worthy elegance at it's best. It is a feminine, chic, effortless, and has a slight bit of interest around the face with the soft, over-sized bow that creates the illusion of an asymmetrical neckline, quite cleverly so. But the real reason it is so wonderful is the brilliant magenta hue and how it enhances Stone's stunning skin and eyes.


Leslie Mann is a powerhouse in this classic, sparkling example of beautiful draping from Roberto Cavalli. Cut in all the right areas, Leslie's gorgeous figure is enhanced by some fantastic hip-hugging drape work. The sequence and textural lines add just the right amount of interest in the waist, cutting the torso into an elegant hour-glass that floats away from the body like water; and the deep, rich navy is the perfect example of a pseudo-neutral done right.

Natalie Portman has consistently been the epitome of youthful class since her early days of film-making; and her dresses have always matched. Here, wearing a vintage Dior gown from Spring 1954, Portman looks refined, intelligent, and gorgeous. The simple, polka-dot pattern is an understated whimsical play on such an elegantly cut gown; empire waist, strapless, floating softly away from the body. The bold jewelry and fantastic black clutch make Portman look like she is straight out of 50's era Paris, stunner!

Louise Roe really surprised me in this piece by Black Halo! I have to say, this dress is the perfect amalgamation of structure and form with evening wear. Too often do we see stunning gowns oddly matched with blazers to create structure and add refinement. Sometimes they look fantastic, don't get me wrong, but this dress does it in a whole different way. It uses the shape of a jacket as the basis of the dress itself. The belt cinches in the waist at just the right spot to create the illusion of a fantastic blazer, but it quickly cascades below in layers and intersecting pleats of structured fabric. The result is a geometric, very modern dress that is as feminine as it is powerful. A statement piece without being tasteless or over-the-top. Fantastic. Not to mention that it's literally white hot, one of the best trends for the winter season in fashion.

Shailene Woodley in Valentino! This dress also surprised me because of it's unusual essence. We don't normally see tapered, long-sleeved dresses at events as glamorous as the Oscars, but this dress does it but measures up all on it's own. The white, once again, is definitely on-point with the season; but the texture on top and the streamlined texture down the centre of the fall, separated of course by the empire cut, make this dress the best example of stunning without the pretentiousness. With the sleeves looking almost like knitwear, this dress, which so many designers struggle to do, perfectly builds the bridge between casual and elegant for a night out in the city.

Penelope Cruz never ceases to look absolutely glamorous at every red carpet event. Her taste is never in question because it is consistently classic at every possible opportunity. Here, in Armani Privé, there is no exception to the rule. There is nothing uniquely interesting about this dress like the others, but it is so stunning on Cruz it could not go without mention. A beautiful and soft, almost lavender blue, takes this dress to the next level.

Glenn Close looks brilliant in this gorgeous forest green Zac Posen piece. A perfectly cut bodice cinches into a stunning fall that mermaids toward the back. Pair it with a blazer of the same tone (good on you Close!) adds the right amount of interest without taking away from the beauty of the dress.

Jessica Chastain is a queen in this Alexander McQueen gown. It's not easy to pull off a McQueen, and although she isn't my favourite look of the night, I'd say she did a fantastic job all her own. The beautiful gown is embellished in mirrored textures and patterns of gold, and Chastain did exactly right when it comes to accessorizing it, barely anything at all! Don't take away from the glamour that's already there, add a bangle and call it an outfit!

Kristen Wiig, one of my favourite comedy princesses, is a stunning sight in this nude gown by J. Mendel. Nude is a very big thing this year, but it's not easy to pull off if you don't have the right skin tone. The fact that Wiig has dark hair has pulled this look together for her. Her tresses add just the right amount of darkness and warmth to bring out the blue in her eyes, and the dress, oh the dress is just stunning all it's own! Simple, elegent, soft, without the need for the sparkle at all. Nude done right.

Anyways, there are many dresses I could nit-pick on and love. But to me, out of the dresses I've seen so far, my best dressed would have to go to the stunning Gwenyth Paltrow  in this incredible piece by the iconic Tom Ford. An elegant, white hot gown that brilliantly hits Paltrow in all the right spots. Stopping at just the right area and draped over by a beautiful, pristine cape of the crispest white! Paltrow has taken refinement to a whole other level than most of the women there on this night. Angelic in every sense; this dress is an absolute, stop-in-your-tracks, eyes wide open, stunner.

What were some of your favourite dresses at this year's Oscars? Have your say below!

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Friday 24 February 2012

Michael Kors Fall/Winter 2012

Michael Kors' latest Fall/Winter collection at New York Fashion Week is a stunning, glamorous reminder of what his brand, identity, and aesthetic is all about. In true Kors style; luxurious, rich, and very American - classic shapes, rustic warm colours, and total, over-abundance. Over-sized fur toned and tailored to be almost primal in shape are the epitome of cabin chic in this brilliant showcase of proportion and texture. And of course, what would a Kors collection be without a few stunning staple evening gowns? 


Michael Kors Fall 2012 #MBFW from Envision Studio on Vimeo.


Watch the show in its entirety below, courtesy of FashionStock.

Michael Kors - NY Fall Winter 2012 from FashionStock.com on Vimeo.


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Thursday 23 February 2012

I Run in Prada

This is a random OMG post! While on a shopping promenade with my best friend (what we do too often to combat the stress of everything else in life) I came across these gorgeous Prada runners! Can you even believe? They are the perfect shoe for any athlete who needs to maintain their level of fabulousness on a daily basis! Bedazzled in gold and ruby, they are as much of a conversation piece as they are brilliant footwear. Just thought I'd share! What do you run in?


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The Libertine Aesthetic

Libertine Fall/Winter 2012
New York Fashion Week




I find this collection unusually impressive. Libertine is expanding on a new aesthetic; the over-sized and exaggerated proportions of brilliantly constructed coats and sweaters. The metal detailing on every piece adds, simultaneously, a punk edge and a glamorous sparkle. The monogram pieces are brilliant and in-your-face, and just chic enough to be reminiscent of Louis Vuitton in a small way; except maybe meeting Westwood halfway. Libertine is liberation.

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Marni at H&M Official Spot

Academy Award winner Sofia Coppola has directed a fantastic spot for H&M's latest designer collaboration, Marni at H&M. Set in Marrakesh, Morocco (perhaps in a slight homage to the great Yves Saint Laurent, who found much of his inspiration to create timeless, feminine pieces in the gardens of this city), the collection boasts beautiful, bold patterns, sunset tones, light fabrics, and a unique mix of texture and print for both men and women. The collection has been highly anticipated after the success of the recent and mammoth Versace at H&M and is expected to arrive in select stores on March 8th of this year. Getting in will be difficult and a hassle, but with Toronto Fashion Week approaching and the weather warming up, is there any better time to update your wardrobe? And why not with the absolute latest for the season? I'll be in line for Marni at H&M, and if you're reading this you probably should be too!

Marni at H&M Directed by Sofia Coppola from MOD Magazine on Vimeo.

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Monday 20 February 2012

MCQ Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2012


One of the greatest fashion houses in the world, Alexander McQueen, launched it's 2012 Autumn/Winter Prét-à-Porter Collection just a few hours ago in London for Fashion Week. The collection is a beautifully tailored mix of textural florals, Gothic-esque fabrics of weighty and brilliant hues, as well as almost militant tailoring. 

For the men specifically, Burton showcased some fantastic dark leather, a huge trend this season, in ensembles of black on black, as well as military green and camel. Long trenches and loose fitting slacks add an edge to the collection that is almost historical in a sense, reminding me of 30's inspired cuts. I really like this idea, and have actually seen it pop up in a few other designer's works this season. The traditional, slim cut of the 60's suit will always be a classic, but the 30's silhouette of slightly over-sized fabrics and a weighted fall are very interesting to see again.

There is a lot more textural play with the female designs. Burton has given us vibrant, blood reds that shine like velvet; as well as ornate, leafy prints over heavy trenches, and dark, over-sized crinoline. Tailored suit jackets meet overblown and over-sized 50's skirts. This collection is all about fabric; heavy, weighted layering of a variety of textures, and leather, leather, leather; everything that I love about winter!

I should mention that we've also been seeing a lot of two-toned pieces this Fall/Winter season, and McQueen is no exception. I'm a huge fan of seeing blocked colours in over-sized pieces, and Burton's work on two-toned trenches and coats at this year's collection is simply fantastic; but not so far from the two-toned pieces we've already seen in seasonal collections by Carlos Campana as well as 3.1 Phillip Lim just a bit earlier this year. What can I say? Give me a trench, add a texture, add an interesting line, and it's the greatest new thing I could ever put on. Burton's collection under McQueen is brooding and fierce, I love it. 



To view the collection in it's entirety, now would be a good time to visit NowFashion, which is a fantastic site that uploads photos LIVE during fashion events. As long as it remains available, the collection is currently up in its totality for public viewing.

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The Fashion Matter: Burberry Prorsum

Burberry Prorsum showed today in London just a few hours ago. Their Autum/Winter 2012 Collection was highly anticipated, and although this trailer is a little hammy, I'd have to agree that I'd fly just for it as well. Unfortunately, London, as beautiful as it is, could not find it's way into my account this year. There just wasn't enough room! But Europe Fashion Week, as a whole, has proven to be incredibly tasteful this year. This teaser compilation does a good job at making evident how important, significant, and powerful fashion can be; as a social outlet as well as an art. I can't wait until the energy of Fashion Week hits Toronto again, just under a month away! I'll have updates on Burberry Prorsum A/W'12 as soon as more information becomes available.


Burberry Prorsum: F/W12 Womens Show Trailer from Bagaholicboy on Vimeo.


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The Incomparable. Live Stream this afternoon!


Alexander McQueen Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection will be streaming LIVE from London Fashion Week today at 3:00 pm EST! Watch it here, I know I will behttp://on.fb.me/xpSlhH

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Saturday 18 February 2012

GOD SAVE MCQUEEN by Babette Pauthier

Lee Alexander Mcqueen will forever remain in my heart as one of the truest, realized artists I've ever come study and admire. Sometimes his work is so astounding it feels as if not of this world; like his vision was too far beyond it to even keep him here. There are few who could make me cry by making a dress; but he did, more than once. I would fly a monogram skull necktie in his honour, I would fly it like it was a flag of freedom.

GOD SAVE MCQUEEN
Babette Pauthier


GOD SAVE MCQUEEN from BABETTE PAUTHIER on Vimeo.


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3.1 Phillip Lim, Fall/Winter 2012

Phillip Lim (3.1 Phillip Lim) is an extraordinary tailor. The simplicity of his forms are so powerful because of the finest details; blocks of colour, intersecting lines, layers of fabric. Even the way he creates flowing knitwear is of masterful structure. His latest Prét-a-Porter Collection in New York for the 2012 F/W Season is no exception to the aesthetic.

3.1 Phillip Lim Fall 2012 Women's Runway Show from 3.1PhillipLim on Vimeo.

Monochrome neutrals are back and brilliant. What began the SS'12 Collections of Fashion Week has once again inspired an embrace of the basic. Black, white, slate, camel, navy, forest, even scarlet; have become the new staples of Winter. Over-sized, flowing knits of incredibly crisp white meet powerfully tailored blouses and coats of almost regal stiffness. There is a real amalgamation here of a gone-but-not-forgotten 80's aesthetic with crisper, modern lines. A new embrace of an imagined torso, an exaggerated silhouette, which gives the entire collection an almost youthful whimsy, despite it's contemporary palette. It is effortlessly rich without the need to be, and in true Phillip Lim style, is a complete abandonment of everything overly-textured or overly-accessorized. Simple shapes, simple blocks, interesting lines, brilliant hues; with the slightest metallic just in sight. It is a fantastic expression of a timeless, chic, and urban aesthetic. And those over-sized clutches! Did you see the over-sized clutches?!

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Friday 17 February 2012

The Origin of Monsters

The Origin of Monsters
Kristen McMenamy for LOVE Magazine. By Tim Walker.

 

 




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LOUIS VUITTON - Marc Jacobs at Les Arts Décoratifs: "Fanclub"

The Louis Vuitton Marc Jacobs Exhibition opened in Paris on March 9th, 2012. It runs until September 16th of this year; worth the trip to Paris? Yes! Paris is worth the trip to Paris, after all.
















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Thursday 16 February 2012

Canadian Catwalk/Toronto Fashion Week


World Mastercard Fashion Week is just under one month away here in Toronto! I couldn't be happier, Toronto Fashion Week is like my ultimate Christmas holiday on repeat. One week of incredible people, influential artists, up-and-coming young, Canadian talent, and all the fantastic clothing and dramatics to follow it up <3

This year, as in last, Fashion Week will be taking place at the tents at Metro Hall on King West in downtown Toronto from March 12th-17th. Registration under the FDCC can be made here once you've taken a look at the newly released designer calender here!




The buzz in the city seems to be over the excitement of Greta Constantine's men's incarnation, Ezra Constantine, and it's participation in traditional Fashion Week. The Constantine duo are adored by Canadian and international buyers alike for their diverse, feminine aesthetic that is both powerful and classic. In recent years they've pushed aside participation on the runways of LG Fashion Week in favour of Rogue Fashion Week (fashion shows that take place outside of the FDCC during the same month) but have since made a return to the runway for this season. For me, this is incredibly exciting. Ezra, as I see it, is the personification of the creative, androgynous male using unique lines and shapes. It's reminiscent of the iconic Phillip Lim, of 3.1 Phillip Lim, and is similar in concept to my own design work; I can't wait to see it head down the runway, and perhaps see both Wong and Pickersgill once again this year. Some incredible talent, including favourite staple designers as well as new, fresh names, are going to be participating in WMC Fashion Week this year. Don't miss your chance to be inspired, be scene, and be seen!!!

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