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by The Backseat Stylers | April 9th, 2013 
Never mind the front row – backstage is where it’s at when it comes to fashion shows. I love watching as garments hanging on a rack come together as complete, fabulous looks on the models through a hurricane of activity by the designer, stylist, dressers and hair and make-up professionals. It’s a fascinating process infused with excitement and nervous energy, and I thoroughly enjoy my moments backstage as a fly on the wall. In fact, I got so caught up in it all at Lucian Matis‘ Fall 2013 presentation that I never made it to my seat, and I didn’t mind it one bit.
From the shards of glass on his one-of-a-kind dress made from Baileys bottles to the gorgeous nail art by Tips Nail Bar and the incredibly chic line-up of separates, dresses and outerwear in between, it was a pleasure seeing the collection so up close and personal. With black, ivory and grey for his colour palette, Matis’ latest efforts showed a side of his creative talent we haven’t seen before.
Minimalism wasn’t expected from the designer who’s made a name for himself through heavy-handed use of embellishments, bright colours and loud prints – to great success, I might add. And yet, the voluminous silhouettes and impeccable design details still felt distinctly Lucian Matis, making for one of my favourite of his collections to date. Not a look passed me by on its way to the runway that didn’t make me swoon.
   
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by The Backseat Stylers | April 1st, 2013 
Mackage is kicking their design game up a few notches, and as a long-time fan, it’s very exciting to see. The label’s Montreal-based designers, Eran Elfassy and Elisa Dahan, recently took Toronto Fashion Week by storm with their Fall 2013 runway collection.
Atop a sleek black runway and styled with an edge, their line-up of leather and fur trimmed wool coats and winter parkas, for both men and women, was even fiercer than usual. The colour palette of merlot, navy and orange couldn’t be more perfect for fall. From head to toe, each look was as covetable as the last, and topped with a chic clutch, satchel or shoulder bag to boot.
It was our first look, in person, at the brand’s latest venture into leather handbags. The verdict? Want. Now. And that goes for the outerwear, too. Check out the gallery below for our favourite looks from the runway show – trust us, you’ll be in lust too.
    
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by The Backseat Stylers | March 28th, 2013 
Backstage before the Joe Fresh Fall 2013 presentation at Toronto Fashion Week last week, designer Joe Mimran complimented me on my shirt. It was no surprise that he liked it – it was his after all, a black and white graphic print silk blouse I recently acquired from my local Joe Fresh store. In fact, my sartorial choice for that evening turned out to be a sign of what was to come on the runway: black, white and oh so fresh.
With Heather Marks and Amanda Laine leading the pack, Joe’s line-up of models emerged in fall pieces perfect for those of us who are ready to retire the colour-blocking and bright prints and bring back the black and white with a vengeance. From a simple striped turtleneck to a heavily studded leather jacket to a jumper aptly embroidered with “The End” to close the show, Joe Fresh’s runway collection for fall was everything we’ve come to expect from the brand: trendy but not painfully so, pocketbook-friendly without looking it, and entirely covetable.
With too many pieces on my fall wish list to count, it seems my Joe Fresh addiction continues…
   
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by The Backseat Stylers | March 26th, 2013 
When it comes to horror movies and TV shows, I’m too much of a wimp to partake, but fashion inspired by actress Jessica Lange’s character in the TV series American Horror Story turned out to be a proposition even I couldn’t resist.
Designer Kimberly Newport-Mimran presented the Fall 2013 collection for her label Pink Tartan last week at World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto with the help of a troupe of blond wig-donning, slightly deranged-looking models styled like the fictitious Constance Langdon. Newport-Mimran had created a fall wardrobe fit for a murderous yet incredibly chic woman, complete with fabulous blue fur coat, sophisticated camel-coloured cape, and lovely abstract print frock.
I may not be a fan of American Horror Story, but I’m a huge fan of Kimberly Newport-Mimran’s designs, and this latest Pink Tartan offering is no exception. That camel leather dress with knit sleeves and deep V back will be mine.
   
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by The Backseat Stylers | January 27th, 2013 
Target‘s arrival in Canada is just around the corner, and if we weren’t already excited enough, last week’s media event in Toronto certainly got us there. With a figure skating fashion show as the main event, attendees got a sneak peek at the brands the discount retailer will be bringing to Canada when its first stores launch in just a few short months.
Celebrity guests including interior designer Nate Berkus, chef Giada De Laurentiis, beauty guru Sonia Kashuk, stylist to the stars Kate Young and even Target mascot Bullseye (definitely a bold-face name!) were on hand to give insiders a taste of the collections that will be coming north of the border. Target also announced its very first Canadian collaboration, the Roots Outfitters line of casual wear, with none other than Roots.
Can’t wait for Target to open its doors in a city near you? Check out the gallery below for event photos that will tide you over in the meantime.
   
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by The Backseat Stylers | January 21st, 2013 
Karl Lagerfeld showed his Metiers d’Art Paris-Edinburgh collection for Chanel at the Linlithgow Palace in Scotland back in December, and now we’re finally getting a close-up look at the accompanying accessories for Pre-Fall 2013. The combination of Chanel’s iconic interlocking C’s and camellias with unmistakeably Scottish tartan and tweed make for a line-up of highly covetable handbags, shoes and jewelry.
The fierce silver chainmail flap bag and ornate gold oxblood resin cuff in particular are on my dream shopping list. The Kaiser never fails to design accessories that keep me wanting needing more Chanel in my life, and Pre-Fall 2013 is looking as to-die-for a collection as any.
   
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by The Backseat Stylers | December 4th, 2012 
This past October, the calendar for our city’s extended 2-week long Toronto Fashion Week had a notable omission. Greta Constantine had decided to defer what is usually one of the most highly anticipated and well-attended shows each season. Their glamourous jersey frocks, the bread and butter of designers Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong, were certainly missed.
Fast forward a month or so and the fashion week-attending crowd had been summoned to the Fermenting Cellar in Toronto’s Distillery District for a long-awaited Spring 2013 runway show from the Greta boys. The timing was genius, really. Presenting their latest collection outside the madness that is TFW meant that attendees could focus on Greta and Greta alone. And boy did we.
From the moment the first look came down the runway, we knew we were in for a fabulous treat. Gone, for the most part, were the drapey gowns we covet so much, replaced by body-hugging, equally sexy alternatives for next spring’s red carpet opportunities. It felt like a new Greta, a Greta we never knew was missing from our lives but immediately embraced.
The line-up of LBDs were to-die-for, as always, but the head-to-toe white looks were an unexpectedly girly delight. “I want to buy the entire collection, fly to Paris and eat croissants,” I whispered to Anita Clarke, wide-eyed as I watched the chicly-attired models glide by. She laughed, but I meant it. I’d been transported out of my seat to a café date on a lovely summer’s day in Paris, and I’m not sure all of me has come back yet to my frigid winter Toronto reality.
   
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by The Backseat Stylers | November 12th, 2012
The television air date is still a way’s away, but we’re already getting more than a few sneak peeks of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2012-2013. First there were those 60+ runway images we posted, then the close-up of Nicholas Kirkwood‘s custom-designed shoes for the VS Angels, and now we’re getting our first look at the show in motion, via an exclusive video shot by the folks over at The Coveteur.
After watching that clip, the CBS air date can’t come soon enough. Is it December 4 yet?
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | November 9th, 2012 
As if the 60+ shots we posted yesterday of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2012-2013 edition weren’t titillating enough, here’s a little something for those of you who are more interested in footwear than in heavily-embellished bras and panties: Nicholas Kirkwood custom-designed each pair of shoes in the runway show. The London-based shoe designer’s signature platforms and sculpted heels adorned the feet of the likes of VS Angels Alessandra Ambrosia, Miranda Kerr and Adriana Lima when the show taped earlier this week.
Take a peek at the gallery below for a closer look at Kirkwood’s designs. Dying for a pair? All you needed was a pair of Angel wings to get your hands on one.
  
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by The Backseat Stylers | November 9th, 2012 
At the H&M Spring 2013 preview this week, a bohemian style for the 21st century translated into sporty and relaxed shapes embellished with tassels (one can never have too many), fringes, and embossed details.
The fresh sun-bleached and neutral tones of the collection are highlighted in the gray denim jacket with quilted shoulders and gorgeous brocade print blouse and matching shorts, while vibrant reds and oranges embolden the tassel skirt with embellished waist and the statement brocade jacket. There are so many great pieces in this spring collection, but the standouts for me are the black embossed leather jacket and the studded white denim vest. Can’t you just imagine these on the lead singer of a band who gets asked to play at fashion shows in New York or Paris?
The accessories in the collection are just as stellar. I’m loving the tassel handbags, the metal toecap cowboy ankle boots, and the pineapple earrings. It is an undeniable fact that pineapples make better sartorial motifs than any other fruit (bananas are a close second). If you agree, you’ll be happy to know that there is also a cute bracelet with pineapple charms and a shirt with the fruit printed on it. Tassels, pineapples, brocade…it’s not even winter yet, but I’m ready for spring.
   
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THE BACKSEAT STYLERS BY T & S
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