Fashion Cares » The Backseat Stylers | Toronto Fashion & Style Blog

Glitter and Light: Backstage With M.A.C Cosmetics at M.A.C Viva Glam Fashion Cares 25

by The Backseat Stylers | September 19th, 2012

Elton John and many of his superstar friends, like Janelle Monáe, Jully Black and Kreesha Turner, put on Toronto’s biggest fashion event of the year, M∙A∙C Viva Glam Fashion Cares 25. The event, hosted by supermodel Linda Evangelista and designers Dean and Dan Caten of DSquared2, was the 25^th and final edition of a glamourous fundraiser that has been raising funds in support of HIV/AIDS awareness and the AIDS Committee of Toronto since 1987.

I may have missed the show, but I had the opportunity to sneak backstage earlier in the day with M∙A∙C Cosmetics to get a peek at hair and makeup for the 25-year Fashion Cares retrospective exhibit, which showcased looks from past events, as well as items from Elton John’s costume archives. M∙A∙C had brought in some of the very best makeup artists around for the occasion, and challenged them to create their own take on the original looks.

The results were nothing short of fabulous for an evening aptly titled, “A Night of Glitter and Light”. There was, quite literally, glitter everywhere and in all the colours of the rainbow. There were also feathers, crystals, body paint and faux lashes galore. As a complete makeup neophyte, I was enthralled, and rather snap-happy. Check out the gallery below for images from my backstage adventures at Fashion Cares 25. Thank you, M∙A∙C, for the lovely tour!

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Events

The Backseat Stylers x Fashion’s Night Out 2012: Part Two – Holt Renfrew, eLUXE and More

by The Backseat Stylers | September 12th, 2012

Shopping parties are the best when raided with an equally fashion-minded sister (at The Bazaar by RAC Boutique). (Image Credit: Richard Fabregui)

And just like that, Fashion’s Night Out Toronto has come and gone, but while it was here on September 6, we sure took full advantage. It was a jam-packed evening of shopping party after shopping party, the very best kind by our measure.

We kicked off our night at Toronto Eaton Centre (check out our recap), and the FNO fun was only just beginning. Next stop? Holt Renfrew, of course, where we joined a very magenta street party complete with pink confetti, limited edition pink Diet Coke bottles and a pop-up shop selling exclusive Holt Renfrew 175th anniversary paraphernalia. There may have been some confetti throwing and dancing in the street on our part (and photographic evidence).

From there we made the short trek to Hazelton Lanes to pay The Shopping Soirée, hosted by Toronto Fashion Incubator, TNT and Fashion Cares, and the MasterCard Stylicity Lounge a visit. There we chatted with a Mary Katrantzou-clad Suzanne Rogers, ogled the Kara Ross jewels on Gail McInnes and Kelly Claman, and caught up with some of our favourite fellow fashion bloggers, including Style Blog‘s Nelia Belkova, who also chose Clover Canyon for the occasion (take a gander at our FNO outfit post). There were also tables and tables of stylish goods to covet.

Our next destination was equally full of temptation for the pocketbook. A chauffeured BMW (by the way, how sweet is that?) took us to The Bazaar by RAC Boutique. More of the city’s independent boutiques than we can name had assembled together at the Burroughes Building to offer a carefully curated selection of chic offerings. The whimsical necklaces from Foe and Dear and statement jewelery from Love of Mine, in particular, were very hard to resist.

With closing time for Fashion’s Night Out just around the corner, we made one final stop at eLUXE‘s FNO bash. There was just enough time to admire the exclusive Smythe x eLUXE tuxedo jacket and make use of the photo booth with Toronto Is Fashion‘s Richard Fabregui. Fashion’s Night Out wouldn’t have been complete without the obligatory jumping session in the photo booth – am I right or am I right?

And with that, the clock struck 11pm, FNO was done for the year, and yours truly returned to our hotel room and ordered everything off the room service menu to cap off one hell of a Fashion’s Night Out. Till next year!

Me and Nelia Belkova – Clover Canyon loving twins! (Image Credit: Richard Fabregui)

Pink lemonade at Massimo Dutti at Toronto Eaton Centre – yes please!

Live-tweeting Toronto Eaton Centre’s fabulous FNO fashion show with PR all-star Jenna Stothers.

I really, really like confetti. Especially the pink kind at Holt Renfrew’s Hot@175 street party.

Well hello there, Gail McInnes, Glenn Dixon and Suzanne Rogers (in Mary Katrantzou!), at The Shopping Soirée at Hazelton Lanes of course.

Fabulous Kara Ross statement necklaces for all! Except me…I need to work on that.

Bloggers Richard Fabregui, Nelia Belkova, Marc Piercey, Anita Clarke and me at The Shopping Soirée at Hazelton Lanes. (Image Credit: Nelia Belkova)

Jeanne Beker at the MasterCard Stylicity Lounge. (Image Credit: Justin Charles)

Chauffeured BMW pour moi et mes fellow media types. No big deal.

Being silly with Richard at The Bazaar by RAC Boutique.

Actor Adrian Grenier and his entourage (see how we did that?) at The Bazaar by RAC Boutique. (Image Credit: Ashlea Wessel)

Working on my photo booth jumping game with T and Richard at eLUXE’s FNO event.

xx, S

Fashion News

M.A.C Viva Glam Fashion Cares 25 Line-Up to Feature Elton John, Janelle Monáe and More

by The Backseat Stylers | July 26th, 2012

M∙A∙C Viva Glam Fashion Cares 25 has announced the line-up of musical talent and fashion designers that will be taking part in the star-studded fundraiser scheduled for September 9, 2012 in Toronto. Raising funds in support of HIV/AIDS awareness and the AIDS Committee of Toronto since 1987, this 25th and final edition of Fashion Cares will feature performances by Sir Elton John and his guests, including Scissor Sisters, Janelle Monáe and Sky Ferreira.

Supermodel Linda Evangelista and designers Dean & Dan Caten of DSQUARED2 will serve as hosts of an evening that will feature a cocktail reception, a Fashion Cares-inspired fashion show, and musical acts that will also include Canadian favourites like Jully Black, Kreesha Turner and more. In addition, attendees will enjoy a 25-year Fashion Cares retrospective exhibit showcasing glamourous looks from past Fashion Cares events, as well as items from Elton John’s costume archives.

Designers contributing original pieces to the fashion show include: Comrags, David Dixon, DSquared2, Elie Saab, Farley Chatto, Gareth Pugh, Greta Constantine, Hoax Couture, Izzy Camilleri, Joeffer Caoc, Manish Arora, Marty Rotman, Mercy, Pat McDonagh, Pink Tartan, Sandra Rabasca, Stephane Rollande, Susan Dicks, The Blondes, Valencienne and Welly.

Musical performers joining Elton John on the Fashion Cares 25 stage will include: Aleesia, Anjulie, Jully Black, Diamond Rings, Divine Brown, Keshia Chanté, Jarvis Church, Shawn Desman, Sky Ferreira, Elise Legrow, Midway State, Mia Martina, Stephan Moccio, Janelle Monáe, Billy Newton Davis, Carole Pope, RyanDan, Serena Ryder, Scissors Sisters, Kreesha Turner and Nikki Yanofsky.

Fashion Cares 25 promises to be nothing short of spectacular, and all in the name of a very worthy cause. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit fashioncares.com.

xx, S

Images via FUSE Marketing, SALON, Nialler9