Oh Pipe up !

If you have been out of the loop when it comes to fashion and want to be in the know, I have a starting point for you: Piperlime. Offering the latest trends, how to advice, styling tips, and of course, the foundation of their existence, great, ecclectic and original clothing and accessories, Piperlime is a one stop shop. At your very fingertips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week are such brands as BB Dakota, Nanette Lepore, Marc Jacobs, Beyond Vintage, Theory, and Elizabeth & James. Piperlime offers so many great brands, who doesn’t love options.

http://piperlime.gap.com/

LCxo

S. MILLER

Sienna Miller, the gorgeous, versatile actress is only one part of the name above. Her sister, Savannah Miller is also found under it, and together they have created the fashion brand Twenty8Twelve. The name, which I believe to be both their birthdays, is a sister project that has blossomed into something pretty spectacular. Beautiful knits, structured jackets, denim pants, boho chic blouses are just a few of the things that make up Twenty8Twelve. Savannah, with an educational background in fashion, and Sienna just filled with ideas, have created something completely their own and are running with it. Have a peak.

(I have a mini crush on this lookbook. Super cute. Super flirty. Super fun.)

LCxo

MONASTIER DE CLERMONT

Outside Grenoble, there is a mountain village by the name of Monastier de Clermont that became the proverbial backbone of one of the greatest, if not the leader in, jacket companies.  Moncler, reknowned for their down jackets has found its place, made its mark and continues to grow unswervingly in an upward direction.  Recently collaborating with Comme des Garcons, Moncler has been around since 1954, providing warmth, practicality, functionality and lets not forget style. 

Moncler Gamme Rouge, a collection more refined and high end, has caught my eye, nestled its way into my heart and has now pervaded my every thought.  The only thing standing in the way of me buying the entire collection is that it is not offered in Canada nor the United States.  Ok, so maybe the price tags on them are also another reason standing in my way.  Make that two reasons.

Now go salivate over these beautiful jackets.

LCxo

MORNING THOUGHTS

As I am stationed at my desk in front of my computer, squeezing every minute left before the clock strikes 9 am and I have to officially take a crack at the piles of work on my desk, I am reading an online article about the Moscow subway bombings. The tragedy, the insanity, the devastation, the unanswered questions and the so many “why’s”. It makes me appreciate my solemn subway ride to work today. Looking over images and reading with such conviction the witness statements, something comes to me. My creepy people watching habits as I ride the rocket have suddenly taken on a new purpose.

I observe people out of boredom, as a way to keep my eyes wide open and prevent me from nodding off and having citizens of Toronto have a sneak peak at my “sleeping” face, which let’s face it, hardly no one looks great when they sleep ( with the exception of the hot guy on today’ subway. He looked heavenly as he took in an extra few minutes of shut eye). However, now, is it really that distasteful for me to observe, take in and perhaps come to a judgement of a person by their appearance, mood and body language? It is hard to argue against it. It is in human nature to take in and gauge our surroundings and decide whether we are at ease or uncomfortable. Like a dark alley in the streets of a big city. Most would take one glance and immediately decide to go the other direction.

That said, is people watching really that horrible and unpleasant or does today’s world require that we pay more attention?

LCxo

STELLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!!

Stella McCartney celebrates her two year mark designing for GapKids. The famed designer says she prefers kids parties and enjoys them alot more than adult parties

“I definitely like kids’ parties better than adult ones — they flow much better….And sugar highs are definitely better to be around than other kinds of highs!”

Do you agree?

As an aside, since she mentioned highs, interestingly enough, Kate Moss was at the event. I’m just saying.

LCxo

THE WORLD IS YOUR RUNWAY

As I was waiting for the subway yesterday, something to the left of me caught my eye. It was moving fast. I turn to look and it was a woman walking so fast, so much sway in her hips. It was like watching the Reitmans commercials “Reitmans, one, Haute Couture zero”. That commercial. But without with the comical twist and it was on a subway platform in Toronto.

Bam Bam Bam, hips to the left, to the right. Her walk was something you would see on ANTM (or CNTM, Canadian version which I must give a shout out to)where J or Jay Manuel would tell them their walk is atrocious and to have a little more control over their hips, arms, legs, you name it. Her face was so serious, covered in makeup and lips ladened in a lipgloss in the perfect shade of rose. She was sporting a camel brown trench coat, black pants and a large tote, which for the first time in my life, I did not take notice of what it looked like because her walk was too mesmerizing. Where is she going? To work? Back home after a night shift somewhere? Who walks like that?

All those questions came to a screeching halt when I realized, after she zoomed passed me, she was not a she, but was a he. My eyes continued to follow her, I mean him. He walked passed me and as I veered my head to keep him sight, I saw the most hilarious mistake everyone seems to make. When buying a jacket or a coat with a center back seam vent, the vent is tacked shut, not as part of the design, but to prevent it from stretching after countless people try it on in the store. Upon purchasing it, you are supposed to remove the tack. Same goes for welt and jetted pockets. The designer / manufacturer sews shut the pocket, again, so to not stretch it when countless potential buyers try it on and shove their hands in and out of it. It is loosely sewn shut/tacked and because I am a designer myself, I have no problem with taking a good pull at it and it coming undone. But if that makes you uneasy and you don’t want to take the chance in leaving a great big rip in your garment, grab some scissors and snip away.

Everyone is a diva in their own mind, like the man on the subway platform. But if you are going to use the world as your runway, you better make sure you have everything right and look the part. Better luck next time mister.

LCxo

MILAN FASHION WEEK ON A DIME

What do you get when 3 humans and 9 stuffed dolls run into 2 ostriches?

Calamity!!!!!

A great way to save money, as a designer, during Fashion Week is to leave the models at home and use dolls.  Surely the designer’s pockets surely don’t feel as raped of all their funds.  But rest assured, it is a certified way to make your collection look cheap. 

Mirco Giovannini, for whatever quirky reason, used these faux abstract stuffed dolls in the shape of humans to display his RTW Fall 2010 collection at Milan fashion week.   Whatever and however the designer thought it was going to turn out as, it did the complete opposite.  Not only can you not see the shape, lines and cut on these dolls (especially the one sitting on an ostrich…really, an ostrich?), but you cannot get a sense of appreciation for the three dimensional fit of these garments.  

You want to see a great fashion show, have a look at Cavalli’s.  Now that is an aesthetically pleasing presentation.   Mirco’s….not so much.  If this can be showcased as part of Milan Fashion Week, so can I.  Shall I pull the ever familiar move to Milan like our Canadian fashion design brothers of DSquared?

LCxo

AG – Adriano Goldschmied

While the man himself Adriano Goldschmied is no longer a partner in this denim brand, his former name sake company is doing just fine without him.  Yul Ku, the remaining master mind, is staying true to the brand.  Delivering great jeans with great fit, a great look and of great quaility, AG continues to grow worldwide and is expanding ever so much.  Keep a close eye for them in Canada as they are soon expanding their distribution to our beautiful country.

http://www.agjeans.com/about_brand_bio.html

LCxo

KARA ROSS

Kara Ross is an accessory designer who understands the power packed into the little things.  Earrings beautify a woman’s visage.  Rings elongate a woman’s fingers.  Necklaces showcase the very sensual and feminin collar bone area of a woman.  Yet they are these tiny, at times barely there, items…..with the power to create such grand change.  In its simplest form, for me, all it takes to feel beautiful is a good colour of nailpolish, a fabulous chunky ring, a pair of earrings and a spritz of perfume.   Kara Ross, I guess, is the ideal brand for me to turn to.

LCxo

RALPH LAUREN DOES MINIMAL

One of my favourite beauty looks from New York’s Fall 2010 fashion week is that of Ralph Lauren.  He kept the hair and makeup to a minimum, looking seemimgly effortless, much like Ralph Lauren’s talent. 

LCxo