Published Session / VIVA FRIDA for COCO Magazine

VIVA FRIDA / COCO Magazine (May 2013 Part I)

Photography / Allysa Cervantes 

Makeup / Erin Heather

Hair / Dylan Dias

Wardrobe / Joanna Plisko

Featuring / Jovana (B&M)

Working with this team creating this spread was nothing short of magnificent! Total cohesion in execution, challenging work, fantastic visuals; creating VIVA FRIDA was as exhausting as it was rewarding. A great experience and one of my absolute favourite Sessions throughout my entire portfolio. I am so glad COCO shared this epic vision spearheaded by the incredible, adorable, charming, and wonderful Allysa Cervantes. View the Magazine Spread here, where you can also order it in print! More amazing Sessions to come! Keep it locked. #SupportLocalFashion

▲D

The End of LABEL Clothing

It's with extreme regret that it's come to my attention that LABEL, one of my favourite local design houses (and one of the best Toronto has to offer) is closing it's doors. Robinson and Sydoruk are one of the most talented design teams in Toronto; and we've hailed them before - for their fantastic, urban aesthetic and deep-rooted commitment to sustainability in Fashion. They are a brilliant picture of the talent this city and country have to offer the industry, and it will be incredibly sad to see their iconic line, LABEL, discontinued.

It's unclear whether the team will pursue their own, individual futures within the design world in Toronto come the end of LABEL; but one thing is for certain, their talent will be missed by so many enthusiasts, like myself, who've been nothing but privileged to see the evolution of their work and the evolution of LABEL.

LABEL will be hosting a Closing Sale & Party in light of their decision to disband. It will be an amazing chance for everyone to not only bid farewell to the Fashion House, but to also get your hands on brilliant LABEL merchandise, the likes of which you won't be able to get again! The deals will undoubtedly be insane, with items starting as low as $20 and including pieces from Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 Samples. The sale will be ONE DAY ONLY and will be taking place next Thursday, April 25th, 2013 from 12 NOON - 11:00 pm at Levack Block (88 Ossington Avenue in Toronto). Be there!

Also, if by chance you happen to miss out on this incredible chance to score some rare LABEL gems, be sure to head over to our good friends at Homegrown Boutique! Being huge LABEL lovers and supporters since their beginning, Homegrown has a fine selection on some of the best LABEL pieces to date - they will not last!

Sad to see you go LABEL! Thanks for the awesome.

▲D

Evan Biddell Launches Online Shop

Hello Fashion! It's me again, here to tell you that Spring 2013 couldn't look any better. With the flurry of new, local lines emerging, gaining ground, and making serious headway; I have been in nothing but a positive mood. There are so many amazing things happening right now for me as well; so many things I'm excited to share with you - but it will have to wait for now. That aside, it's great to see some of the most talented people this country has to offer create some of the best pieces I've seen this Season. In the spirit of things, I thought I should let you know about one of my favourites: Evan Biddell.

The incomparable Biddell has just launched his very first Online Shop celebrating his brand. We couldn't be more thrilled being a fan of Biddell since the very beginning. Boasting aesthetics that are always neoteric and uniquely defined by bold textures, colours, silhouettes, and new interpretations; Biddell's Online Shop offers consumers and local fans the chance to taste it for themselves if they, by chance, haven't been able to make it down to Queen Street in Toronto. This Season we are being treated to magnificent Chiffon in Paintbox hues and even some select Pop Art pieces from his celebrated presentation at Toronto Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2013. We are absolutely smitten with his Collection of sheer capes, cowls, and wraps! Over-sized, flowing, and so wicked! Definitely wish I could own them all. Congratulations Biddell! It has been a fantastic privilege to see your empire and aesthetic grow and evolve.

▲D

Day 1 at World MasterCard Fashion Week / Chloé Comme Parris

Opening night at World MasterCard Fashion Week saw iconic, sister-lead Design team, Chloé Comme Parris, return to the tents with an epic Fall 2013 Runway presentation. Embodying an attitude, aesthetic, and feel that was a nod to an unrefined and urban 90's era look; Chloé presented gunmetal graphics, over-sized fits, and schoolgirl stockings re-imagined to a classic soundtrack.

We were enamoured from the very beginning. Strutting out to Nirvana, knits tied around their waists, thigh-length dresses and over-sized moto-jackets; easily adaptable, retro fits. But, I should say, smartly adapted for a modern Fashion era by using mirrored graphics, patterned stockings, shiny shoes, and fantastic, glossy leather! An awesome palette of dark olives, sheer, and black dominated the Runway; while the 90's came out brashly in midriff cut tees, spaghetti-strapped dresses, and brazenly cut coats. I can't really say too much beyond that. Describing the Collection as is is the best I can do; and just saying that I absolutely fell in love with the feel. It felt like looking into the past a little bit, but it was so modern and wearable in today's evolving market. Listening to the music and seeing the girls; sweaters around their waists and braids in their disheveled hair, took me immediately back to Summer in the 90's; just cooler. It was wicked, urban, so hip, and it didn't pretend not to be. It wasn't subtle, but it was unique. A wicked presentation.

Credit for the amazing photos to George Pimentel and FLARE

▲D

Trending! EMERALD for Spring 2013

Get ready! It's time to fine-tune that fantastic Spring wardrobe you've been putting together! And if you haven't already checked out my Top Trends of the Season rundown, then there's no way you're as prepared as you should be! Haha! However! All joking aside, there's one colour you simply must make sure you save room for in that wardrobe of yours; the first Power Colour to emerge this Season - Emerald.

The magic of Emerald Green is making a splash in Fashion and we are anxious to see it explode for Spring/Summer! The richer, more luxurious, and more sublime cousin to basic Green; Emerald is both a fresh, invigorating tone for Spring as much as it is deep, refined, and elegant. With no question of a doubt our most anticipated new colour for the Season, Emerald is a fantastic way to embrace jewel-tones in your accessories - from your shoes, to your purse, to quite literally emerald earrings! But let's not stop there, there's so much you can do with this amazing colour.

Like we've spoken about on our trend post; colour on colour is one of the best looks this Season to play with; and it's perfect for Emerald. Green on Green finally has a purpose that goes beyond St. Patties! So sport it! That fantastic Emerald Maxi you've been hiding in your closet with a bold Emerald Summer hat? Or maybe that great Emerald carry-all you've been eyeing in Yorkville with a Seasonally on-point pair of Emerald skinnies! It's the naked Green truth ladies, so where do you keep your Emerald?!

And I don't want to make it sound like Emerald is this single, secular tone, because it isn't! Colour on colour goes way further than that. Playing with that tone while incorporating other Green hues is probably the best way to enjoy Emerald this Season. Pair it with Grassy Greens, Blueish Greens, Forest Greens, and even Yellow Greens to bring out that jeweled Emerald. Emerald also works best as the star hue of your outfit; bouncing off fantastic Spring neutrals like Off-White, Beige, Camel, Soft Greys, and of course Seasonal Black; as well as complimentary essentials like Maroon or Deep Violet!

Emerald can be just as versatile as you are! So experiment in different ways you can add it to your wardrobe. There's no need to be as bold or brash as many of the photos I've featured - using Emerald as the star performer. The jewel tone is a vibrant and rich hue, it can take your outfit to an iconic level just by it's subtle appearance in a pair of amazing earrings, a great shoe, or even a fantastic Spring nail colour. Buy, post and share your #Emerald story this Spring, I'd love to see it!

▲D

The Top Trends of the Season! Looks for #Spring2013!

Spring is slowly dawning upon us! And that means it's time for some Spring cleaning; not only for your home, but for your wardrobe! Spring is an exciting time of year; inspiring renewal, growth, and newness with the birth of a new Season. 2012 is gone and it's time to actively embrace all that 2013 can offer for you! An updated wardrobe is a personification of that energy; and not to mention a flattering way to appear on-trend, significant, and socially aware.

So, with that being said, what should you look for this Season? This Spring we are seeing a lot of fantastic trends start to materialize in a variety of diverse ways! Straight from the Runways of some of the greatest designer showcases last Season to even the re-emergence of some 2012's most popular colours. Gone are the days of single trends and single looks. Here is my list of some of the Top Trends of the Season! What are the hottest looks for Spring 2013?

1  /  Jail Time

Monochromatics couldn't be hotter this Season. Black and White are back with fearlessness in a new way; with stripes, blocks, geometric shapes, and eye-catching orthogonals. The colour combination itself is probably the most iconic of Spring; having been the tones of choice for the last few seasons during most of the Fashion Week circuit. However, the patterns are certainly new! From Marc Jacobs to Michael Kors; stripes, lines, and lined prints of all kinds are perhaps the most prominent visual trend this Spring.

2  /  Paintbox 

It's All Colour Everything girls! Pops of colour here and there to add visual boldness will always be in style; but what's the hottest trend for colour beyond that? Match on match, bold on bold, pop on pop! We absolutely adore these bright, bold, paintbox hues that are layered and layered on one another. A total appreciation of the brilliance of colour - we are seeing Reds on Reds, Blues on Blues, Yellows on Yellows, and everything in between. Colour on Colour is an extremely confidant and fearless appreciation of colour; it takes power to pull off, but I am a firm that everyone can do it with the right attitude. And, in a sense, Colour and Colour is a real nod to a retro-era look of matching hues with hues to create balance. Remember that time when your Mom would wear that lavender cardigan with those lavender nails and that lavender bracelet? It's back, just with more boldness! The bag, the coat, the necklace, the shoes! It works, and it's fierce.

3  /  Denim Nation

The Return of Denim is probably the most exciting Spring trend for me this Season! Denim has been an obsession of mine for a while; there are few other materials that can be equally unique, worn by anyone from any style story, and still exist as a classic neutral while constantly re-inventing itself. The birth of Denim, particular the Jean, is arguably the single most prominent and significant contribution to Fashion in Fashion history; at least medium-wise! We are seeing Denim on Denim everywhere - in dark, light, acid, grunge, torn, and ombré! It's 90's, a little retro, youthful, and energetic! A throwback to a simpler time, Denim is both nostalgic and totally new. Experiment with cut-offs, embellishments, Denim accessories, and even layering Denim onto modern looks with more chic fabrics! The most versatile fabric of this Season.

4  /  Sheer Brilliance + Heavy Metals

It's all Sheer and it's all fabulous! Sheer was especially popular during much of the Fashion Week circuit for the Spring 2013 Showcases last year. Light, flowing fabrics that were opalescent, translucent, and soft; in dresses, blouses, and pants (and even creeping into the creation of some ultra-modern transparent accessories!). We absolutely love the femininity of Sheer - it's brash, uninhibited, and sexually powerful though it remains itself a very soft touch. Perfect for layering for Spring, Sheer allows endless ways to layer tones and textures upon one another; while providing every opportunity to show some skin for the Season! And what's Sheer without Metal? Metallics couldn't be hotter for Spring! We've seen them the last few seasons but they are back in a brash display! Foiled, bright, and in full head-to-toe glam; Metallics have managed to take centre-stage beyond just accessories alone.

5  /  The Mod Club

Remember all that retro we keep talking about for Spring 2013? Yeah, it's real, and it's more than just the 90's and the 80's. Designers are also pulling out fantastic Mod elements from the 60's into bright, bold, graphic design palettes for the Spring 2013 Season! Boldly cut, graphic dresses dotted with geometric lines of equal boldness are dominating, powerful elements directly from the Mod era. From Balmain to Vuitton, we are seeing Paintbox tones and Mod shapes - it's about confidence, colour, having fun and being young at heart. Yet another bold and powerful way to bring in the newness of Spring for 2013.

6  /  Leather Vision

It's Leather baby, and it's back! The single hottest material for Fall 2012 is back and totally new for Spring 2013! Yes, that's right, Leather AND Spring! Could it get any better? Designers are using the medium in new, lighter ways - Leather t-shirts, skirts, maxi dresses, and Bermuda shorts! It's all Spring, it's all athletic, and it's all glossy, rich, seductive, and brilliantly Leather. We absolutely adore this trend. Our favourite Fall fabric re-creating itself in a Spring wardrobe? What's not to obsess over? And it's not just the material, it's the boldness! Just like Denim and just like Paintbox Colour, we are seeing Leather layered on Leather take centre stage! It's about bold, bold, bold this Season! Don't hold back.

7  /  It's Too Big

Over-sized, over-dramatic, and too big! We love it when that top is a little too big; bagging over those great skinny-cut pants or that fantastic skirt. Over-sized shapes have been trendy since last Season and there's no shortage of the awesome. Another retro-nod to an 80's-90's era aesthetic, over-sized shapes evoke youthfulness in a more modern, stylish, and chic way with blouses, dramatically-cut overcoats, and perfect trenches. We love it big! And that's what she said...about her clothes!

8  /  Emerald City

Emerald is THE Colour of the Season! So much so that we can't fit it all in here! This is here to remind you that it's ALL Green and it's ALL fabulous. Stay-tuned for a full forecast about the brilliance of Emerald and the many different ways you can sport this iconic colour on my next Trending for Spring 2013 Post! For now, here's a taste of Oz.

Remember, it's not just what you wear, it's how you wear it! Look for ways to make these fantastic Spring 2013 trends uniquely yours! You will always look your best when you feel your best. Happy Spring!

▲D