A Few of My Favorite Things

images from People.com and Polyvore.com

A Few of My Favorite Things

images from People.com and Polyvore.com

A Few of My Favorite Things

Images from People.com and RebeccaMinkoff.com

Sneak Peek:

SWOON!

images from Purseblog.com

Fashion for a Good Cause

These amazing boho chic bags are the Wayuu Mochila bags by SURevoltion. These bags are a limited edition collection created by women in La Guajira, a rural desert area on the border of Colombia and Venezuela, using a crotchet technique from the 19th century. Each bag takes a single woman a month to complete, and SURevolution’s design team travel to Colombia to hand-select the yarns and geometric patterns, which represent symbols of mythology from the artisans’ tribe.

SURevolution's mission is to create a market of fair trade and to alleviate poverty in developing regions of the world by bridging the gap between developing communities and developing markets. The bags are a hit worldwide; being sold at reputable high end online shops as well as being showcased in fashion magazines like Elle, Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.

Each one-of-a-kind bag retails for $325 USD but for a limited time you can use the promotional code 'FF60' for a 60% discount on jewelery and accessories on the SURevolution website.

images from SURevolution.com

Designer Profile: Chloe comme Parris

Sister designer duo, Chloe and Parris Gordon of Chloe comme Parris are ones to watch in the Toronto and international fashion scene. Relatively new to design, Chloe graduated from NSCAD - Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, only a few short years ago while her design partner and sister Parris is due to graduate this Fall. The sisters have an amazing energy that is apparent in their designs and they draw their inspiration from history, landscapes and their own lifestyles.



Recently I was able to sit down with Chloe to talk about the Fall 2011 collection and I was surprised to hear that her inspiration for the collection was found during a delve into the past while researching the style of the iconic late 19th century cowboy. Once she pointed out her vision the menswear inspired Henley shirts and silver buckles on the jackets and bags became a historical fashion statement.



The jewelry collection is designed by Parris who is studying metallurgy at NSCAD. Using natural quartz Parris fashions long necklaces, cross body sashes and even trinket laden scarves with the semi precious stone. Stacked rings resemble high rise buildings while jet black head dresses adorn model's heads like crowns. Parris's mix of silver, ebony and quartz add to the over-all modern feeling of their collection.

Be sure to follow Chloe comme Parris and their rise in the fashion world. These sisters have what it takes to succeed and their vision is unique and cutting edge. Visit their website www.Chloecommeparris.com

Chloe comme Parris is available in Toronto at Narwhal Boutique www.narwhalboutique.com, Fawn Boutique www.fawnboutique.ca and Love of Mine Boutique www.loveofmineboutique.com.

images by Karen Roze from Chloe comme Parris press kit

Fresh Look: Britney Spears x Harper's Bazaar

I think we all let out a sigh of relief seeing Miss Britney Spears looking not only pulled together on the cover of June's Harper's Bazaar (on newsstands May 31st) but actually radiant! Things for Brit seem to be on the upswing and I actually am shedding tears of joy because if there is anyone I am always rooting for - it's Britney, bitch.

In the cover article Spears talks about everything from her upcoming tour for her amazing album Femme Fatale, how being a mom changed the way she works and how she really is, "....pretty normal, you know?"

For more on the princess of pop be sure to pick up the magazine and visit the Harper's Bazaar website here.


photos by Alexi Lubomirski for Harper’s Bazaar

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/britney

2011 Costume Institute Gala: Model Edition

The Costume Insitute Gala is also the number one place for designers to show off they beautiful creations on beautiful creatures. Hilary Rhoda looked like a military bride in cream Alexander McQueen while Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was slinky in a sexy rose Burberry gown. Lily Aldridge and her fiancee (and KOL lead singer) Caleb Followill were sleek in Ralph Lauren and Stam looked like she was on her way to prom in a Tommy Hilfiger gown.

Bar Refaeli looked amazing in a gold beaded column gown with turquoise jewelry while Isabel Lucas looked a bit tired in her Louis Vuitton gown with Egyptian inspired accessories. Lily Donaldson really takes the cake in this exquisite navy lace Erdem gown while mature super model, Amber Valletta wears a simple black and lace Stella McCartney gown.

images from Fashionologie.com

2011 Costume Institute Gala: The Good II

Here are a few more good looks from the night. I absolutely love Patricia Clarkson's black sequin gown - it is so chic and she looks amazing in it. Stella McCartney rocked a high low gown designed by herself and while it seems to need to be nipped in at the waist she over all looks pretty fab. Anna Wintor usually goes for the safe look but her sequin long sleeve Chanel Couture gown is quite beautiful and definitely out of her comfort zone, which I like.

Naomi Watts and Liv Tyler looked classic and age appropriate in Stella McCartney and Givenchy couture, respectively while Kate Hudon rocked her baby bump in a strapless Stella. Alexa Chung went her usual route, wearing a Christopher Kane cocktail dress and keeping in line with her no fuss style while Jennifer Lopez looked caliente in hot pink Gucci.

images from Fashionologie.com

2011 Costume Institute Gala: The Bad and Eccentric

The Costume Institute Gala had it's fair share of bad and over the top. Unfortunately, the beautiful Blake Lively couldn't pull off this Grecian style Chanel. Two more beautiful girls, Margherita Missoni and Joy Bryant apparently didn't get the memo that the Gala was BLACK TIE! They look like they are going to the beach. Perhaps Sarah Burton used up all her good taste designing the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding gown because her gown is frumpy and ill fitting. Freida Pinto could do so much better. Why isn't she wearing jewel tones? What is with that tie?

Kirsten Dunst has yet again missed the ball on a good outfit. This garden party Chanel is out of place and her inability to look happy makes this even worse. Hamish Bowles, Daphne Guinness and ADR all look like their eccentric fabulous selves in McQueen for the event. Without them in attendance, the red carpet would have been a total let down.

images from Fashionologie.com

2011 Costume Institute Gala: The Ingenue Crowd

The young crowd came out for the event in some good looks and bad looks. Emma Roberts wins over Emma Stone for the B+W column dress. Saorise looks OK in Rodarte, I wish there was more Rodarte there last night but if this is the best we get then I'll have to live with it. Dakota looks a bit princess-y in this Valentino ball gown but at least she got the idea that this is an event to really dress up for!

Kirsten Stewart is wearing Proenza Schouler and it is like a mean joke because it is ill fitting and looks like a carpet. In an Olsen off Ashley wins hands down even though both are wearing vintage, MK looks like she decided to not change from her day outfit while Ash is appropriately dressed in a fab evening gown. Lastly, Hailee Steinfeld looks uber chic in a Stella McCartney high low hem dress - a trend I am liking for the red carpet.

images from Fashionologie.com

2011 Costume Institute Gala: The Good

The Costume Institute Gala last night was somewhat of a fashion let down. No one wore anything too fabulous and over all a few too many people forgot that it was a black tie affair. Where were all the ball gowns?

The ladies above take the cake for looking the best however none of them really wowed me aside from Ginnifer Goodwin (who almost made the bad list) and Diane Kruger who always looks amazing no matter what she wears.

I wish these ladies took real chances and stepped up to the fashion plate and actually dressed appropriately for the occasion.

Images from Fashionologie.com