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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
by The Backseat Stylers | February 20th, 2011 
I jumped on the jumpsuit bandwagon last summer (see here and here for the evidence) and was all too happy to dig my rompers out again last week while on vacation in sunny Florida. Even though I’m back in chilly Toronto again, I still have jumpsuits on the brain, evidently, because when I spotted Keshia Chanté’s new album cover art, I instantly fell for her Pink Tartan sandspot one-piece from the Spring 2011 collection. I may not have Chanté’s big voice or big hair, but no matter because the jumpsuit itself is so fierce it instantly transforms its wearer into a diva. At least that’s what I’m banking on.
xx, S
Image via Pink Tartan Blog
by The Backseat Stylers | November 16th, 2010 
I couldn’t resist snapping Keshia Chante when she stopped to pose with a fellow Toronto Fashion Week attendee. I’ll let you all come up with your own clever captions!
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | April 11th, 2010  
Since T and I started this blog, some very exciting opportunities have unexpectedly come our way (see here and here), but the most unique so far has been the invitation to attend RUDSAK‘s fitting sessions for celebrities who would be gracing the front row at the Fall 2010 collection runway show. Held at RUDSAK’s Queen St. store in Toronto, we had an enormous amount of fun photo-documenting founder/designer Evik Asatoorian’s sessions with various celebrities as they tried on different pieces from RUDSAK’s current Spring collection.
Rick Campanelli (ET Canada co-host) was to strut down the runway as a celebrity model in RUDSAK’s show later that day, so his fitting included a short catwalking practice session. It turns out Campanelli is a natural, because he walked that runway like a pro just a few hours later. Who knew he could pull off that fur trapper hat with such flair?
For Campanelli’s fiancée, Angie Smith (ET Canada Fashion Producer), Asatoorian chose a leather jacket in a fabulously bright colour that produced a striking contrast against her dark hair. With removable sleeves, the jacket could also have been worn as a vest – how much more versatile can a leather jacket get?
 
Aliya-Jasmine Sovani (MTV Canada host) was fitted in RUDSAK’s latest take on the classic biker jacket – a decidedly edgier look than what she walked into the store with. Success!
Together, Asatoorian and Ivana Santilli (singer) chose for her a leather jacket and matching bag in a very versatile shade of light grey. The colour was the perfect choice for Santilli; it complemented rather than competed with the colour of her hair.
Keshia Chanté (singer), the last to be fitted, was the only one to take advantage of her black leather jacket’s removable sleeves and wear it instead as a vest. Sleeves or no sleeves, that jacket was hot.
With that, the fitting sessions were over, and T and I finally had the opportunity to peruse the store before it was time for the day’s fashion shows. Hard as it was, we managed to resist temptation, but we may not be so lucky the next time we set foot in that store – especially after seeing the Fall 2010 show. Entitled “Fly High”, the aviator theme-infused collection was utterly fantastic. As someone who is already an avid fan of other Canadian outerwear designers like Smythe Les Vestes and Mackage, this collection put RUDSAK on the map in my outerwear-obsessed mind. The coats and jackets were incredibly chic and the flight references in the accessories not too literal. No one’s letting me pilot any planes any time soon, but the aviator hats and flight goggles were too cool to pass on.
When the final model came down the runway, I knew right then and there that my resolution to purchase no more outerwear – especially winter coats – was out the door. The long wool coat with leather accents in that gorgeous shade of mauve was immediately added to my list of must-haves for next Fall.
  
Backstage after the show, as Sovani, Santilli and Chanté gathered for photo ops with the designer, the mood was celebratory. And why not? In the competition for the hearts and fall/winter outerwear budgets of Canadian fashionistas, RUDSAK had just thrown down the gauntlet with one very fierce collection.
xx, S
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THE BACKSEAT STYLERS BY T & S
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