The ShOws Day 1 / Jean-Pierre Braganza #Spring2013

Jean-Pierre Braganza's Spring 2013 Collection at the ShOws was, to say the very least, my absolute favourite presentation of the entire showcase. Braganza's Collection was the embodiment of everything I love about Fashion - the boldness and the playfulness with the chic and the trendy. It was a Collection that was composed brilliantly and totally balanced in every way; from the variance of shape to the geometric lines to the monochromatic textures. In short, it was the show of the ShOws.

Sharp edges, graphic, printed textures, and bold blocking were dominant elements of Braganza's Spring 2013 Collection. No stranger to playing with pattern and interesting colour, Braganza's aesthetic is almost space-aged with just the right amount of fierce vigor. The printed pants, the vested leather, and those stunning moments of sequins, turquoise, and tuxedo elements - it's urban, sophisticated, exuberant, and lethal.

Braganza's Spring Collection was my favourite of the ShOws. The Braganza woman is unabashedly confidant with an almost unforgiving essence that's simultaneously sexy, raw, and sharp. Keep it locked for more features on the ShOws as well as World MasterCard Fashion Week starting tomorrow! 

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Photos Courtesy BlogTo

The ShOws Day 1 / Tanya Taylor #Spring2013

The ShOws has come and gone here in Toronto! And has undoubtedly set the tone of an enigmatic and vibrant Fashion Week to come. Taking place earlier this week on the 16th and 17th of October (one week before the Official World MasterCard Fashion Week), the ShOws was a glamorous and bustling celebration of Spring Fashion and rich, Canadian talent. I had the privilege and the honour of attending both dates with some of my best industry friends; we enjoyed wine, complimentary food and products, as well as runway-side seating for some Canada's best design talent. Featuring a fantastic roster that included Tanya Taylor, Jean-Pierre Braganza, Antonio Azzuolo, and Jeremy Laing; the ShOws attracted the beautiful, the influential, and the artistic from every corner of the Fashion market! I was so happy to be a part of it.

Tanya Taylor was the first to show on Tuesday evening. The rising Canadian star presented a Collection that was as bright and colourful as it was soft. Grounded by softened jewel tones and crisp, bright whites; the showcase was feminine, flowing, and seasonally geometric.

Florals, corals, and periwinkle blues accented over-sized pants, belted, swing dresses, and graphic knits. The Collection was casual but also refined, and played on the re-emergence of many classic Spring trends. My personal favourite aspect of the Collection would have to be Taylor's attention to subtle detailing. The shapes and the cuts are all wonderfully silhouetted, but what made it special were the subtle moments and peeks of boldness. The glimmering sequin-style shine that lined every flower and caught the light elevated Taylor's signature floral corset-dress to a very chic level; the same can be said for her beautiful Spring overcoats.

Opening night was a refreshing dive into the feminine hues of Tanya Taylor's Spring 2013 Collection! Keep it locked for more of my thoughts on the rest of the ShOws fantastic presentations!

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Photos Courtesy BlogTo

Emily Woudenberg / PARAGON Preview Party + Look Book!

I had the privilege of attending Emily Woudenberg's exciting Preview Party for her latest jewelry Collection, Paragon, last week in downtown Toronto. We spoke about it here. The party was casual, fun, and full of fashion enthusiasts from all over to gaze and gawk at some of Woudenberg's best pieces yet!

Emily Woudenberg is one of our favourite local designers in the city. Always exciting, always fresh, and always creating bold pieces (whether through clothing or jewelry) in a new, vibrant way. We've featured her many times on DylanInTheCity before, and will undoubtedly continue to do so.

Paragon featured a variety of colourful, iridescent, and bold jewelry that was androgynous and extremely wearable despite it's powerful aesthetic. Presented on a brightly lit and impressively constructed pyramid table; the brilliant opalite of many of the pieces caught the glimmer of the light and created streams of subtle rainbows across the white surface - allowing us to fully appreciate the majesty of the stone. The beauty of the jewelry is unparalleled and we couldn't be happier for Emily.

Brilliant and beautiful! Carcia and Telly of It'sMusicFashionLife and Michelle of Homegrown Boutique.

I had a fantastic time at the party. Chatting up with bloggers, photographers, beauty professionals, and many other notables in the industry! And with the release of Paragon's Preview comes the release of the exciting Look Book as well! As we mentioned before, I had the opportunity to participate in the creation of Emily Woudenberg's Paragon Campaign! Check out these great images created by our fantastic design team!

Photography / Sylwia Bobryk

Videography / Justin Arjune

Makeup / Erin Heather

Hair / Dylan Dias

Featuring / Alice Liu & Benjamin Edward

There are many more Fashion events to follow this month! Fashion Week, Spring Collections, and everything in between is constantly being live covered by yours truly on both Instagram and Twitter. Join our network and keep up-to-date on all the fabulous!

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the shOws / October 16th & 17th / #FashionWeek

Yes! You guessed correctly. I am lucky enough to be attending the shOws this year at the unofficial start of Toronto Fashion Week! 4 incredible shows by 4 incredible, Canadian designers. I couldn't be more excited to have the honour and privilege of seeing some of the best Fashion this country has to offer in one of the most exclusive settings in the city.

The shOws, which is an independently funded and produced Collection of chosen talent; is an annual invite-only event that is meant to encourage, build, and present local Fashion talent in Toronto. And we're not talking about homegrown enthusiasts; we're talking real, developed, industry-powerhouses the likes of the iconic Jeremy Laing and Jean-Pierre Braganza - both mentored by phenoms Alexander McQueen and Karl Lagerfeld respectively - among others.

I'll will be runway side for both dates this year and all 4 designer showcases - including Tanya Taylor, Antonio Azzuolo as well as the aforementioned; live tweeting, taking photos, and hopefully including many of you in the action starting next Tuesday. Join me this year at the shOws!

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SAINT LAURENT / Spring 2013

Saint Laurent, the new born baby of Hedi Slimane; following the aftermath of the controversial re-branding, and re-naming of Yves Saint Laurent's great empire, has just released it's Spring 2013 Collection at Paris Fashion Week. Generally met with mixed and anti-climactic reviews; the Collection boasts strong silhouettes, a brooding and sophisticated palette, and classically sharp tailoring in the form of belted coats, blazers, and skin-tight trousers.

Although I can understand the attitude of reviewers considering this was Slimane's highly-anticipated debut - one can't knock his quality and approach. The clothing is immaculate. The palette is seasonal and on-point; and the flowing dresses, over-sized hats, and general aesthetic of an almost Old World meets New World, cowgirl sophisticate is chic, refined, becoming, and extremely bold. I especially love the huge capes and sheer blouses - weightless, movable, but very fashion-forward and interesting. I think people are expecting Slimane to re-introduce the grandeur of Yves Saint Laurent - but this can't be done. YSL will always be at the helm of what it means to be a YSL Woman - Slimane is re-introducing, re-interpreting, and re-imagining YSL. It has to be Yves Saint Laurent to Slimane, not Slimane for Yves Sain Laurent; in reality, that's the only way he will return YSL, now Saint Laurent, to it's former glory.

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Maiyet / Spring 2013 #ParisFashionWeek

You are what you wear! Maiyet's Spring 2013 Collection, showcased at Paris Fashion Week, is a Continental and beautifully composed display of soft textures, Earthy colours, and almost weightless grace. It is one of the most classically feminine displays of the Season - relying heavily on moving forms; bringing focus to the sophistication of their colourful, textural palette - from pure, crisp, cathartic whites to Safari greens, rich browns, and soft, ocean blues.

I absolutely love the White in this Collection. Yes, we've seen most Spring Collections this year, save for a select fab few, embrace the monochromatic and the stylistically simple this Season. But despite where we've seen starkness, stoic power, and bold shapes dominate World runways; Maiyet produces quite the opposite with the same energy of renewal - using graceful movement, bold, statement accessories, and billowing silhouettes that evoke an almost resort-like, effortless chic.

From the stunning sandals to the gorgeous, draped trousers; the belted maxi's to the printed Safari dresses - Maiyet's Spring 2013 Collection is bold, interesting, worldy, and charming but maintains the perfect amount of soft femininity, grace, and that summery-ease that everyone who shops Spring is just waiting to feel.

Best!

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JossyletToni + Dylan Dias / Find Me

I recently had the privilege of collaborating with Directors/Producers Jossyl Bacalla and Toni Francis for a Spring 2013 Fashion Film. The clothing is a colourful and flowing display of colours and textures that mirror the shadow and light of the forested area. A concept developed by all parties involved; the result is a romantic and ethereal display of femininity, softness, and newness. I was Key Hair for the shoot, along with a fantastic production and beauty team that included Arjun Mano (Director of Photography), Philip Cheng (Production Assistant), and Natalie Hudaj (Makeup) - Featuring the talent of Jessica Wanuch and Cy Speckeen. 

View Production Images here (Scroll to Find Me).

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