ReMARCAble Feature with Marca College / #BeReMARCAble

So happy and so thrilled to be featured as a Success Story on Marca College of Hair & Esthetics' Official Website (the Beauty School that started me on this industry path). Have a gander at my little write up! Featuring a minor summary of my work and, hopefully, doubling as a bit of inspiration to future Marca hopefuls. Marca College was much more than just a school for me - before I knew it, it changed my life. Slowly, and then exponentially, transforming my character completely, honing my skills, and thrusting me into an entirely new life from the moment I stepped out of it's doors.

Here's to you Marca, thanks for the feature and even more so for the memories.

Read my Success Story here.

Holi-daze In The City / Winter Update!

First and foremost I have to apologize to the you, the internet masses, for being so scarcely active these past two weeks! Fashion doesn't stop my friends, and neither does the internet, and although I haven't said a whole lot I assure you I've been paying attention; it's my life, after all. To say that the holidays have been overwhelming is an understatement in the very least! Between very busy salon shifts, holiday events and parties, and of course making time to see my family in between the bustle; it's been more than difficult to ensure I get to say something on here that's meaningful.

Well! I'm happy to be back. And the least I can do is tell you where I've been. A few previews here and there have been an exciting and interesting taste of what a lot of fashion houses are planning to embrace for the Spring season. But of course, as we all know, there's the trend of the house and the trend of the consumer. I plan to write up an article about what I think you should be planning for come Spring 2013 - just so you have a little time to prepare, be ahead of the curve, and make an impression.

What's even better than Spring and ripe for the grabbing? Winter fashion! Winter has been epic in terms of style this year - the gold, the black, the leather, the fur, the feathers, the oversized knits! And are we all still on a stud fix? Because I am! The trend of trends this season! I'm going to be compiling a small gallery of some of my favourite Winter Street Style from right here in the city. Toronto style for Toronto weather! Speaking of which, I hope all my fellow Torontonians are enjoying the flash blanket of snow we were buried under this week! We might be dramatic about it but at least we have style; don't forget that faux fur or that black leather this week.

Fashion aside, I'd love to hear what everyone has been up to for the holidays! Like I said, for myself it's been a few parties here and there but I mostly spent the few days I had off with my family. I don't get to see them too often, and just getting a day here or there to spend quality time with them is sometimes all the rest and excitement I need. Speaking of which, my mom and I take Christmas decorating very seriously! (Are you surprised?) And we went all out, yet again, for a fantastic tree this year! Over-sized, masquerade feathers, huge gold and red embellishments, and ribbons, ribbons, ribbons galore! We love anything that glitters, drapes, and adds almost too much texture - because, well, when it's Christmas, it's almost never too much.

I'd absolutely love to see some of your work this season too! Be sure to email me your photos.

DylanInTheCity is still in it's young, growing stages; but it's been such a pleasure of mine to write about fashion from the heart that I've been thinking of expanding my voice. Talking about things in the city that matter to me, and introducing how important art is as a whole besides just Fashion alone. Keep it locked, because as always, I'd love to hear what you guys think.

Be safe this holiday season; and enjoy the rest of it with bright, open arms.

Best,

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TORONTO 2012 / Our City in Hyperlapse

Beautifully composed by Stefan Kordiuk

#Feelin' this Track // Azari & III, Reckless With Your Love

#TDotMusic

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Fashion's Night Out 2012 x Toronto

Before I start I need to hand it off to DaintyGirl for letting me in on this! I honestly had no idea this event was coming to Toronto until she posted it through her fantastic lifestyle blog of the same name. Now! Let's get to the gritty. FNO (Fashion's Night Out) is coming to Toronto! Yes, the New York City-based nightly event of fashion, fabulousness, and of course, retail, is finally hitting the streets of the Big Smoke.

What to expect? What not to expect! Retailers across the city are participating this year with fantastic deals on some of their best merchandise. Everything from Designer Exclusives to In-Store promotions are expected; including nightly soirées, contests, Designers appearances, cocktail events, and beauty advice from at least 20 of Toronto's freshest retailers. 

The event itself started 4 years ago as a way to boost the industry's economy; and encourage and celebrate fashion - building consumer confidence in the market as a whole. Some of the retailers taking part in Toronto's version include Yorkdale Mall, RAC Boutique, Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI), Holt Renfrew, and a slew of others hosting events across some of our most famous fashion strips - Queen West, Yorkville & Bloor St., King West.

This year FNO will be taking place on September 6th, 2012, coincidentally the very first day of TIFF, the Toronto International Film Festival. The event typically starts around 6:00pm and continues until the late evening. Empty those coin purses!

Click Here for a full list of participating retailers (so far) in Toronto.

Zeum Magazine Spring 2012 Teaser // V1/I4

Zeum Mag, a quarterly publication out of Toronto that focuses on art, design, fashion, and the young artists who produce them; has just released their Spring 2012 teaser video. Soft patterns, transparent fabrics, and vintage neutrals dominate the video that is a clear homage to the youthful freedom the season promises. The magazine is tasteful and trendy, and I'm excited to pick up the issue during it's release on the 30th of the month!

V1/I4 SPRING 2012 TEASER from Zeum Magazine on Vimeo.

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Dining in Toronto: LUMA by O&B

I know that I talk about fashion, and fashion, and fashion; but a wonderful new friend I met tonight suggested I incorporate my love of dining culture into this blog as well. After all, I am equally passionate about amazing food since I can't get enough of it! And there really is little else more therapeutic and soul-cleansing than a brilliant night of dining with incredible people and, hopefully, incredible food. This is the first of a unique take on dining in the city through the eyes of Dylan In The City!

Oliver&Bonacini's LUMA, a relatively new restaurant that opened at helm of the TIFF Bell Lightbox's famous beginnings on King St. West, is a casual yet refined escape from both the monotony and sometimes pretentiousness the Entertainment District can evoke; and it does it all with a brilliant plate of food. I spent the evening here tonight with my cousin, who was coming into the city for a day or two, and a couple of her amazing friends (who are now, I'm happy to say, my amazing friends as well). Immediately, upon entering the 2nd floor restaurant that overlooks King, we were greeted and treated in a polite, respectable, and refined manner. We were seated with prompt attention and given a chance to gather ourselves before we ordered.

I should mention, before I comment on the food, that LUMA was not what I expected it to be. Commonly touted as Oliver&Bonacini (famous for restaurants of significant praise and expense like Auberge du Pommier and Canoe) under a semi-casual light, I was expecting LUMA to be decent. What I experienced was beyond that; what I experienced was brilliant.

LUMA's decor is urban but refined. Warm colours and wood create an inviting atmosphere that is reflective of the urbanity of the street it sits above. It is casual enough, in this sense, to almost be a midday, bistro-esque sit-down. However, it's meticulous menu; scattered with everything from crisp, Parisian salads to warm, truffle soups; exudes a beautiful and minimalist sophistication.

I ended up vying for the Ricotta Gnudi, which is the only vegetarian-friendly item on the menu. The gnudi was as beautiful as the menu itself. Fluffy pillows encased in the slightest foam of Parmesano and swimming in a creamy ricotta mixture of field mushrooms, herbs, and the slightest, effervescent hint of truffle. The gnudi was heavenly, and left a rich aftertaste that just melted my heart. It was as warm as the service, which at times was a little slow, but was made up for in the fact that it was extremely attentive, kind, warm-hearted, and respectful.

I washed my wonderful pasta down with a sharp Vinho Verde, before sharing LUMA's famous Chocolate Délice (voted by Toronto Life as one of the best desserts in the city!) with my new, wonderful friends. The Délice was a rich and velvety bar of pure, dark chocolate, layered with textural elements of crisp peanuts, crunchy brownies, caramelised bananas, and perhaps the best peanut butter ice cream I've ever had the privilege of eating!

Overall, LUMA, as you've probably guessed, proved to be an unforgettable experience. A wonderful, sophisticated dining experience that was both refined and unpretentious. Fantastic, attentive service only equalled by the quality and execution of its beautiful, subtle dishes, and perhaps only surpassed by my wonderful company! A must-experience, especially with patio-season approaching, LUMA lives up to its reputation as the cornerstone of King West's most famous endeavour, the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Cheers!

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