World MasterCard Fashion Week Day 3 / Lucian Matis #Spring2013

Lucian Matis never ceases to inspire, amaze, and totally engage me in his Seasonal Runway Presentations. His Fall/Winter 2012 Collection at the Fairmont Royal York in March was hands down the best of the Season during Toronto Fashion Week. This Season, for Spring 2013, he's given us yet again something new and fantastic. Consistently tasteful and immaculately produced; his works, though intensely varied in aesthetic, always boast strong and powerful femininity. That is, for the bold and sophisticated woman. It is confidant and on-point yet always with substance - unsurprising from the local mogul.

A unique and characteristic departure from many designers this Season, Matis takes a page out of the colours of Spring, and pushes aside the mediocrity of a monochromatic palette. Bold, geometric patterns echo the trends of the Season by use of lines and colour as opposed to fabric. Mirrored vectors and blocked hues in beautifully clashing variations were opening stunners. The soft movement of his long, flowing gowns were as innocent as a Maxi; made interesting and powerful with colour, bold shoulders and short sleeves. It's brilliant and, once again, a nod to a time of retro freedom; something we've been seeing spark here and there throughout the Runways of the world lately. It is quite refreshing.

I absolutely loved the hints and blips of neutrals, sheer, and leather that peaked out of this presentation as well. These Seasonally on-point elements added a dimension to the Collection as beautifully poignant as the peplums that graced them. And of course, my absolutely favourite - the red! Finally, it's time we've seen some red this Season. I said before that I felt like it could be the next IT colour, and I'm so happy to see Matis play with it, even if just for a little. The ornate, damask-esque lines speak of a Victorian refinement that is very Matis; adding that hint of sophistication and regalness his Collections are famous for (and coincidentally what I adore them for). A masterpiece and a vision; I loved it. Thank you Lucian! What a show!

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#LiBingBing + Vogue China = Magnificent

A Regal Woman by Chen Man
Featuring Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Giorgio Armani, and Haider Ackermann.

Courtesy Fashion Gone Rogue

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Trending for Fall! #Teal

If you've been paying any attention to the colours of Autumn slowly emerging this Season than you'd know that we're going much further than metallics, blacks, camels, and reds like we've seen on the runways of Fashion Weeks around the World. In fact, it's a re-interpration of Spring's hottest colour! Do you remember? We couldn't shut up about how much we loved Mint this last Spring Season. And now? Say hello to it's cool, older sister - Deep Teal.

Teal has emerged as one of the hottest colours of the new Season. A pre-fall refresher, this tone is not quite turquoise, not quite emerald, and not quite full teal; but a rich, foresty amalgamation of all. Vibrant, bold, and mature; our favourite colour for Autumn is bright enough to solidify any statement piece in stunning expressionism, but refined enough to tastefully be worn head-to-toe. Here are some fantastic examples of Deep Teal, or what some are calling Dark Ultramarine, on the runway, on the streets, and on the red carpet; featuring Elie Saab, Chanel, Sonia Rykiel, Yigel Azrouel, and Jay Godfrey - done with taste.

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Trending for Fall! #StudLove

Fall is the best season for Fashion for so many reasons that go beyond just layering. The scarves, the big coats, the over-sized knits and carry-alls, and of course the boots! And this season is no exception; we've seen fantastic leather, rich blacks, brilliant furs, and bold metallics dominate the Runways this year in celebration of Fall. But now there's just a little extra; studs.

Studs are an accent I like to think of as a pseudo-classic. They aren't classic in the traditional sense, as in an eternal style. They are classic as a modern accessory; as in they are multi-seasonal, and can be worn subtly with sophistication, or excessively with explosive flair. They are a fantastic and easy way to add metallic texture and colour to any outfit - whether to create a punk edge or just add an unusual sense of glamour. They are also remarkably easy to use for Do-It-Yourself projects; typically sold in bulk quite cheaply, and can be applied to everything from hats, to shoes, to pockets, and collars (just in case you need to go easy on the wallet). And they just happen to be perfectly complimentary to everything Fall Fashion is famous for; including animal print, fur, and rich leather.

Studs have quickly become a Fall must-have this season, and have graced the leather of almost every High Fashion name from Burberry to Balmain. Add dimensional flair to your outfit this season and invest in #StudLove!

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MOON Apparel Launches Their First Online Boutique! #MOONApparel

MOON began not too long ago as the love child between The Bay and the famed design family behind the Mimran Group in Toronto. Following the success of the collaboration, Mimran has decided to take MOON to the next, virtual level; a brand new and exciting E-Commerce website launching with the Fall 2012 Season.

Created with famed Canadian Designer Alfred Sung, MOONApparel.CA, in true Mimran style, is about affordable classics. Streamlined, modern, and fresh pieces that have been created to flatter a women of discerning style that is also the every-woman; living a busy life, transitioning from work to evening, always tasteful and always sharp. It's goal is to provide Canadian women with direct access to amazing and affordable pieces; offering free shipping and free returns. The pieces are shipped direct from a fulfillment house in Toronto, so orders will arrive within days all over the country! And did we mention the pay-off? Literally! MOON sticks to its conviction of being financially conscious. Their new Autumn/Winter Collection, which is launching with the website, features no piece over $119.00 CDN. Brilliant? Yes. This is a step in the absolute right direction with Online Canadian retailing for the Canadian market.

As part of MOON's new direction, they are hosting an exciting Pop-Up Shop from September 14th-16th in Toronto! Customers are welcome to attend the showing which will feature, in full, their new Fall/Winter 2012 Collection. The Pop-Up Shop will be taking place at 171 East Liberty Street, Suite 360, all day from 11:00am - 6:00pm. And did we mention that MOON is not just a secular brand? According to the company, they will also be launching designer collaborations in the future; perhaps with some of your favourite emerging Canadian names. Exciting to say the least!

Canadian Fashion has a new Online outlet. Buzz it! #MOONApparel

P.S. Exclusive Offer from MOON! LIKE MOON Apparel on Facebook and receive 20% off your Pop-Up Shop purchase! Only 1 week left ladies!

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Coco Rocha + The Yorkdale Expansion Project

International Supermodel and Canadian Fashion phenom Coco Rocha was just named the new face of Yorkdale's highly anticipated industrial expansion in Toronto. Taking a seat at the forefront of the iconic Shopping Centre's growth, Rocha will be leading the Fall Campaign and ushering Yorkdale into the exciting and massive 145,000 square feet project; the largest in Yorkdale's bold history.

Shot by famed photographer Gabor Jurina and styled by Zeina Esmail, the new Campaign will feature pieces by some of Yorkdale's newest additions to the Shopping Centre; many of which will be launching first-time Canadian flagships. Ted Baker, Kate Spade New York, Ann Taylor, Diesel, Anthropologie, just to name a few, will be featured in the brand new space.

Rocha is expected to be featured in an enormous, multi-platform campaign, digital and print, with a massive outdoor presence. The entire project is the most ambitious expansion of it's kind for Yorkdale, costing roughly $220 Million in total. We couldn't be more excited for our favourite Toronto Shopping Centre! And how could we not? The Fashion itself is enough. And Rocha taking a seat at the helm of these iconic brands while returning to her Canadian roots at the same time? Even better. #BeInspired

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Lucian Matis Fall/Winter 2012 Campaign Release

Did anyone else catch a glimpse of Lucian Matis' new Fall/Winter Campaign for the Season? I am swooning! If you know this Collection, you'll know how much we fawned over Matis' beautiful, engimatic, and regal showing of it last Fashion Week in Toronto. Read about it's stunning imagery here.

We are entranced. The textures, the darkness, the softness, the lines; it's as brilliant as the clothing itself. The feathers, the harshness of the light, the strength of the owl - and yet the softness of the hair, the clothing; the romanticism of it all. A stunning collection of images for easily the most fantastic Fall showing of the year. I simply can't contain my pride for Lucian Matis' continual artistic growth - I am so excited to see what he may have planned for the Spring/Summer 2013 Season! Fashion Week here I come. And you?

Photography by Greg Swales

PA: Ashley Gesner

Hair & Makeup by Anna Nenoui-Csiki (P1M)

Featuring Leigh Hoby (FORD)

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Nadine Naue For FGR // Friday May Eleventh // #RED

I'm obsessed with RED this season. I don't know why, I just have this itch that it's going to be, or should be, the next power colour. I know we're going through the motions of black leather, knitwear, iconic gold & silver hardware, and crisp whites as we head into Fall/Winter 2012 - but there's just something about RED. Bold, powerful, passionate, loud; it's unforgiving and stunning all the same. And I think I really want to see that with Fashion, or maybe I just wish I could see it all the time, because that's just me. RED in itself, as overbearing as it is, is almost the colour of colours. The red dress, red lips, red hair - synonymous with fire, sunshine, beauty, love, lust, and life. Wearing red is like sounding the alarm, being a siren. It evokes unforgiving assurance, confidence, and strength - but at the same time; can still be sexy, soft, feminine; should you choose it to be.

I've never been more in love with red on red on red, and I just wish I could turn it into some fantastic collection to make the world see RED new again. Anyways, we'll see what Fashion Week here in Toronto (fast approaching!) churns out for the new season, I just might not be the only one who feels this way.

Nadine Naue, in a fantastic New York Editorial by Zoltan Tombor, celebrates RED this season. Will you?

Friday May Eleventh

Zolton Tombor Photography

Styled by Edina Heath

Beauty by Pascale Poma

Featuring Nadine Naue of Q Model Management

For Fashion Gone Rogue

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HUDSON Jeans Celebrates 10 Years Cabaret Style! EXCLUSIVE

Iconic, denim-centric powerhouse, HUDSON Jeans, is celebrating 10 Years in the industry with a fantastic new campaign starring the one and only Georgia May Jagger. No stranger to the HUDSON name, Jagger has become the figurehead of the brand's colourful new direction for the Fall/Winter 2012 Season - Cabaret! Developed as not only an homage to Paris, the birthplace of Cabaret; HUDSON's new approach is meant to personify it's creative evolution and progressive success as a leader in the world of denim, and we think it's fantastic.

British cool, London fab, American sweetheart? Youthful, modern, oh so trendy, and still new; HUDSON is launching 4 brand new, statement pieces as part of this new campaign in correlation with 4 fantastic seasonal videos documenting each personality; each style. The entire campaign is an artistic blitz; featuring artists, musicians, and collaborators as part of the project and part of the HUDSON dream. Do you love it? We do! DylanInTheCity will be featuring each new video as they go live right here! So keep it locked for everything exclusive direct from HUDSON.

And to make it just that much better - here are a few EXCLUSIVE Sneak Peek pictures of some of our favourite looks from what's to come with HUDSON's brand new Fall/Winter 2012 Collection!

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H&M + MMM = Fall/Winter 2012

It's official! What's been buzzing around the fashion world recently has just been confirmed; H&M is planning an exclusive collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela, the famously eccentric design house that currently sits as a staple of historical innovation once held by Margiela himself. The collaboration came as a jolt to the industry; when H&M surprisingly released an email announcement about the exciting project earlier today.

Maison Martin Margiela embodies an aesthetic that continues to be a re-interpretation of fresh deconstruction. Obtrusive elements meant to create harmony, and the diversion from, or perhaps expanded definition of, what the fashion world deems luxurious. To be honest, though the collaboration has come as a bit of an unusual shock (since H&M tends to collaborate with designers of glittery exaggeration - re: Versace, Anna Dello Russo, Marni), I couldn't think of a consumer-driven, fashion boutique that could possibly hold a Margiela aesthetic better than H&M. The project is intended to include both men's and women's designs with a focus of knitwear, coats, and winter accessories. If there was ever any reason to be excited for Fall this year, I think this would have be it!

Maison Martin Margiela X H&M will be officially released on November 15th, 2012, and will only be available in select H&M stores around the globe. Step aside Summer! My wallet needs to survive 'til Autumn!

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H&M Fall/Winter 2012 Collection Preview

Interesting and seasonally sound pieces dominate H&M's Fall 2012 Preview. Totally on-point metallic on black, textural gold, and leather, leather, leather! I love the jeweled embossed baseball caps and the printed sportswear. The over-sized knits are completely on-season as are the aubergine and mustard power hues. A fantastic looking collection so far! Totally excited to see it hit the shelves along with Anna Dello Russo's highly-anticipated accessories line this Fall!

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