From Grannies to Gaultier

I've been rooting for team "granny style" for quite some time now. I have an affinity for peter pan collars paired with flower-embroidered cardigans, what can I say? Sadly I was beginning to feel that no one would ever truly understand my old lady love; with Spring's constant stream of neon and futuristic feel, I began to doubt my passion for mothball scented garments would ever see the light of the runway. 

But then Jean Paul Gaultier's Fall 2011 collection came along. It was love at first sight. 

Models balanced sky-high silvery beehive wigs on their way down the catwalk, weighed down by chunky clip on earrings and pearl necklaces. Many of the prints, such as the yellow silk number pictured below, were made up of tiny cameos, and sparkles snuck their way into a number of the black pieces. Fur, dainty leather gloves, and a designer grocery cart or two completed the look, adding a truly authentic "I raided my grandma's closet today" feel.

 It was wonderfully refreshing, not only because I love the style of those who reside in rocking chairs so much, but because had my Great Grandmother been alive, she would've fought me for one of these pieces. If Jean Paul Gaultier's Fall 2011 garments have the ability to potentially bridge an almost 80 year style gap between then and now, that's something I can't help but admire; it's true timelessness. 

I can't wait to go grey!
But lets keep that just between Shoe and I.

Photos Via Style.com

Rodarte on the Runway

I awoke with start this morning. Giddy, like a kid at Christmas (or rather, myself every year at Christmas) I had only one thing on my mind: RODARTE FALL 2011!!!

As usual, Kate and Laura didn't disappoint.

Clearly influenced by the American Plains, the Fall 2011 collection is more accessible than the work shown in past seasons.  Despite the slightly more commercial nature of the looks however, knitting and quilting details were reportedly all done by hand, reaffirming my belief that the Mulleavy sisters are truly dedicated to the art of fashion. Muted beiges, creams and pastels were complimented by the model's tousled long hair and minimal makeup, creating a dreamy display of prairie-chic.  Overall, This collection induced an overwhelming desire to get lost in a wheat field in the middle of nowhere, never to be seen or heard from again.

My favorite elements (if I must choose) were the full apron skirts, chunky cropped knits and of course, the high collars; my latest obsession is dainty collars and Rodarte crafted some near-perfect ones!

Keep making beautiful things Mulleavy sisters, and I shall continue to swoon, sigh, and admire.

XOXX
Between Shoe and I

Photos via Style.com

The Garden of Erdem

Although I was in awe of many of the collections shown this Spring, none of them encapsulated the season quite like Erdem.

Held in a garden square in central London, the photos from the show ooze Spring perfection.

Ballet was huge source of inspiration for the designer, Erdem Moralioglu, who spent the past summer surrounded by a collection of ballet costumes at the Victoria & Albert Museum.  One look at his airy, floral garments, and I found myself holding back a series of shameful attempts at pirouettes and arabesques.

 Amongst all the white, sheer, and lace, brilliant pops of geometric patterns and bright reds added a colorful edge to the subdued looks.  The ballet shoe-inspired footwear by Nicholas Kirkwood was the perfect finishing touch to the dainty looks, complete with lace and patterned ribbon winding up the model's pale legs.

I want nothing more than to snatch one of these delightful dresses out of my computer screen and pack a wicker-basket full of vegan sandwiches for a picnic on a gingham blanket in some lush meadow...

I'm getting a little carried away.

Please don't remind me it's January and I live in Toronto?

-Between Shoe and I

Photos from Style.com

LG Fashion Week Round 4

GLASS Magazine

I'm very happy to announce I've been hired as the managing editor at a brand new independent Canadian publication. The first issue of GLASS magazine will be 120 pages, consisting mostly of creative beauty and fashion editorials, with a small chunk of written pieces at the front. The printer is at this very moment working away to get our 4000 copies ready for store shelves; GLASS will be available in just under a month and will be distributed nationally. A list of places to find it will be available soon: until then, keep your eyes peeled!

We had our launch party on the fourth night of fashion week at the Roosevelt Room: here's what I wore.

knit tank and pleated silk skirt: H+M, necklace: Nouvelle Nouvelle, shoes: Sam Edelman, 

turban: vintage, bag: Alexander Wang

Backstage at Sarah Stevenson

My last day at fashion week was spent chasing down models and steaming scarves for Sarah Stevenson, a lovely up-and-coming local designer. The collection was fantastic, and the experience was even better.

Using silks and heavy black wools, Sarah created a cohesive, wearable collection that had me swooning. The patterns, which Sarah designs herself, ranged from colourful acid-washes to gorgeous florals,  which were actually falling leaves when inspected closely. A collaboration with Eliza Kozurno, a gothic jewelry designer, added a sharper edge to the looks. The result was a collection fit for fairies.

Here's what I saw:

 Oh yah, keep this between Shoe and I?

LG Fashion Week Round 3

Another sporadic lineup of fashion week photos and reviews. In two weeks I swear my posting will be more regular; as of now I'm officially in "end of term survival mode", so things will remain a bit patchy till mid-April.

 Pink Tartan


Already having waited almost an hour for the very late Pink Tartan show to open it's doors, guests were told to stand at the back; there were simply not enough seats for the excited crowd. When the lights finally dimmed and the thrall's whispers died out, the room was overflowing with energy.

The collection was pretty, classic, and wearable, as Pink Tartan always is. The designer paired military caps and round brass buttons with full skirts and knee high boots. Although military for Fall isn't the freshest of ideas, Pink Tartan pulled together an appealing hybrid of dressy and casual, mixing heavy knits with light cottons, elbow grazing leather gloves with utility-style belts. The colour palette was primarily dark and heavy, using primarily black and army green (obviously), with a few classic camo prints here and there.  Pops of colour were shown in deep plum feathered skirts and pocketed dresses.  Accessory highlights included leather backpacks and ridiculously chunky knit scarves.

Joe Fresh


The busyness that started at Pink Tartan multiplied by the time the doors opened to Joe Fresh. Anyone who didn't rush the door, invitation or not, wasn't given a seat. Although I was lucky enough to nab a seat, my line of vision to the runway was horrible: again, sorry for the not-good pictures. I also had the luck of being seated behind THE ONLY MAN IN THE ENTIRE ROOM WEARING A BASEBALL HAT; who does that?

Moving on then!

Joe Fresh has made a name for itself as one of Canada's most watched lines, despite the fact that it sells in Loblaws grocery stores. Always bright and cheerful, Joe Fresh is the little-sister brand of the more sophisticated Pink Tartan (Fun fact: the designers also happen to be married).

This season, Joe went with tangerines, azure and ocean blues, mustard yellow, and forest greens. Paired with the ever-so-trendy camel, it was all very city-citrus and fun, but didn't scream fall. The silhouettes were girlish and classic, with short bell skirts and a multitude of mid-length wool coats, which were often belted at the waist. Turtlenecks also made an appearance, as did metallic, sheer and wide-leg (chord?) pants. Accessories were limited to long, colourful necklaces and a few briefcase-like handbags, and hair and makeup was plain jane circa 1970. The obvious must have for me was the mustard yellow landscape sweater; so very prairie-chic.  

Help Me Please

Somewhere between shows I actually wanted to see, I got wrangled into attending the "Korhani Home Rug Runway Show". This was literally a collection made of rugs, with pictures of rug patterns being projected onto the giant screen behind and tacky, deafening music to top it off. I wanted to escape. Low points include full length spandex unitards (in rug prints) and body painted men in thongs. THIS is why LGFW has so much trouble being taken seriously. 

Please note the girl far right wearing a hooded rug poncho; I couldn't help but chuckle and think of this:

Ghastly.

A behind the scenes look at LGFW is coming later this week! Don't change that channel!

Between Shoe and I