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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 | November 7th, 2012 
Sunny Fong was the very last Canadian designer on the World Mastercard Fashion Week calendar this season. With the 8pm timeslot on a Friday night, one might worry that the burnt out fashion week crowd might give in to the temptation to skip out on the closing night shows and hit the bar instead, but they didn’t. Instead, they came out in droves – as they have every season since Fong’s line VAWK was reborn after his Project Runway Canada win – to see what is always one of the best collections of the week, and he made it more than worth their while.
Fong showed two collections, his lower-priced contemporary line, VAWKKIN, followed by his main line, VAWK. The former had debuted last season (remember that time I was a model for an afternoon?) with chic office-ready garb for the Bay Street crowd, and Fong continued in that direction for spring with a largely black-and-white stream of day-to-night dresses and separates. These were sophisticated looks with which the accountant in me would happily fill my work wardrobe. The white collared blouse with sheer black sleeves and skirt to match was a standout.
The second collection was much less practical, and delightfully so. The 13-look line-up was everything Fong’s fans, including Katy Perry and Elisha Cuthbert, love about VAWK: bold, sexy and dramatic. From the moment model Rochelle ten Holder opened the show in a jaw-droppingly stunning sheer black dress to when the final fringed eggplant purple gown turned out of sight, I was completely enamoured. It was one red carpet-worthy number after another, styled impeccably by Tricia Hall. The Niki & Lola-designed jewelry, including that Madonna-esque cone bra that had Twitter abuzz, perfectly complemented Fong’s strong collection.
Even tentative models who strutted only halfway down the runway, thanks to a super slick catwalk, couldn’t distract from the gorgeous designs. In fact, it was my favourite spring collection from VAWK to date, and a very high note on which to close Toronto Fashion Week for the season.
     
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by The Backseat Stylers | November 1st, 2012 
I have a confession to make: I went a little camera-happy backstage before Arthur Mendonça’s runway show at World Mastercard Fashion Week last week. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of models being dressed and hair and makeup being touched up, I snapped an inordinate number of photos of the same gorgeous subjects wearing the same fabulous pieces from Mendonça’s Spring 2013 collection. I just couldn’t help myself; the clothes, the styling (by fashion director George Antonopoulos) – it was all so irresistibly chic and sophisticated.
Mendonça’s designs have a timeless quality to them, yet still manage to feel current. The ladylike line-up featured a soft colour palette of whites and pastels, lovely, waist-cinching obi belts, and smart tailoring. There were no loud prints or busy embellishments here; these are the types of garments that stand out in a crowded room because they’re well cut, simple in design and flattering on the body.
Model Naro Lokuruka’s light blue pant suit and white vest combination was a definite favourite, as was Mendonça’s upmarket take on the on-trend varsity jacket. Standing there backstage, amongst all those beautiful clothes, I came to an important realization: I need some Arthur Mendonça in my wardrobe, stat. Check out the gallery of 33 images from backstage and the runway, and I’m certain you’ll feel the same way.
    
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by The Backseat Stylers | October 31st, 2012 
Joe Fresh has been rocking my world lately; I’ve been buying up the Fall collection like nobody’s business. Along with my milk and eggs, I’ve been stocking up on coloured pants, silk blouses, and skinny jeans that fit like they were made for me with each trip to my local Loblaw store. This recently developed addiction to all things Joe had me even more excited than usual to see the Spring 2013 runway show at World Mastercard Fashion Week last week, and I wasn’t disappointed.
The show opened with none other than the legendary Pat Cleveland, who sported the first in a series of black and white looks that made my heart go pitter patter. I’ve been embracing colour recently, but a return to my old, monochromatic ways would be more than welcome. I feel the same way about metallics, which I happily abandoned a few years ago. The latter half of the Joe Fresh show may have just brought me back to the shiny side with a stunning metallic leather laser-cut dress and printed gold leather skirt that I just have to have.
Quite a few of those runway pieces will be on my grocery shopping list come spring, and at Joe Fresh price points the Mister can’t possibly complain. Besides, fashion over food, am I right?
   
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by The Backseat Stylers | October 30th, 2012 
“Lucian Matis is the only show I care to see,” a certain blogger declared to me last week, immediately after the runway presentation for his eponymous line. My own list of must-see shows may be a bit longer than that, but I could certainly understand why she would feel so strongly about Matis’ work. Season after season, his collections never fail to surprise and delight. In fact, as a sometimes society photographer, one of my greatest pleasures is spotting an unmistakable Matis creation from across the room. So what might my camera capture next spring?
What Matis sent down the Toronto Fashion Week runway last week was to die for, to say the least. Known to be heavy-handed with the embellishments, there was surprisingly no sequin, bead, or flower petal in sight. And yet the designs were undeniably Lucian Matis in their dramatic flair, played out in voluminous peplums rather than feathers, and beautiful mosaic prints instead of paillettes. Sans the delightful overabundance of embellishments typically found in a Matis collection, the designer’s Spring 2013 wares were no less covetable than usual.
Standout looks featured eye-catching peplum dresses in croc-embossed fabrics, one in light, airy silk and the other in dark, heavy leather. I have no doubt I’ll be seeing both of these gorgeous creations on a red carpet in the coming months.
   
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by The Backseat Stylers | October 29th, 2012 
With a media preview, fashion show and after-party on the schedule, the final day of World Mastercard Fashion Week was unofficially Express day. The U.S. retailer of men’s and women’s apparel and accessories, which has over 600 outlets south of the border and a new store set to open at Toronto Eaton Centre in November, closed out fashion week with a bang with the help of a supermodel, a top Canadian band, and a very on-trend Spring 2013 collection.
Jessica Stam, one of my favourite models of all time, opened Express’s runway show in a cute striped frock, and was followed by a stream of pretty party dresses, ladylike floral print pieces, and a whole lot of peplum. The show highlighted chic, easy-to-style looks that will have us (and you!) covered for every occasion, from office meetings to first dates, next spring. The men in our lives won’t feel left out either; Express sent out one handsome male model after another looking quite dapper in the brand’s suit offerings.
And if we weren’t already taken with Express after a stunning Stam closed the show in a pleated LRD, the after-party, featuring a private performance by Canadian band Dragonette, sealed the deal. Express + Jessica Stam + Dragonette was just too fabulous a combination to resist.
In between songs, Dragonette singer Martina Sorbara confessed to the crowd, “I learned today that peplum is in style.” And Express, I would add, is definitely the place to find it. Shopping date at the new Toronto Eaton Centre store next month? Yes please! In the meantime, follow TEC on Twitter and Facebook for updates on Express’s upcoming launch.
   
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by The Backseat Stylers | October 26th, 2012 
World Mastercard Fashion Week (WMCFW) is currently in full swing and there’s no more fashionable a city in Canada right now than Toronto. Whether it’s models strutting their stuff on the catwalk, editors and VIPs sitting front row, or bloggers getting a sneak peek backstage, everywhere we turn it’s a fabulous feast for the eyes.
Being surrounded by many of the most sartorially gifted industry insiders for 5 days in a row is both inspiring and dangerous; our fall/winter wish lists have grown rapidly while we’ve people-watched over the course of the week, not so stealthily ogling the sea of chic ensembles around us. Unable to resist the urge to shop, we snuck a trip to Toronto Eaton Centre (TEC) in between runway shows. Armed with the top street style trends we’ve spotted at the fashion week tents just down the street, we scoured the 3-floor fashion mecca for pieces that would help us – and you! – get the looks.
We loved freelance fashion writer Bianca Teixeira’s cobalt blue, double-breasted pea coat, which she donned over a similarly-hued frock for a monochromatic look on opening night of WMCFW. Want a vibrant pop of colour in your fall/winter outerwear rotation too? Stop by Toronto Eaton Centre for a teal lapelless option at H&M ($129), an oxblood wool biker coat with leather sleeves at Zara ($269) or a raspberry wool blazer with contrast piping at Juicy Couture ($361). These are sure to cheer you up on a rainy fall day.
Whether it’s zebra, cheetah, or snake, the animal print trend is going nowhere fast. While it was a wonderfully loud leopard print coat that caught our eye, you can start small with a scarf like Massimo Dutti’s woollen green snakeskin foulard ($59.50) or a handbag like Banana Republic’s ‘Jamie’ box clutch ($150). For those of you who are ready to fully embrace animal print, a dress is surely the way to go. Who needs a LBD when you can rock Ann Taylor’s zebra knit jacquard sheath dress ($98) or Juicy Couture’s ponte knit green python dress ($218) instead?
We’ve spotted everything from crisp white cotton button-downs to colourfully-printed silk blouses so far this week, and one of our favourites has been the studded collar shirt we saw on Jenn Campbell, FLARE Magazine’s Senior Digital Editor. TEC has tons of collared shirts to choose from and whittling the list down to just 3 was a tough task, but J. Crew’s silk boy shirt in heart throb ($158), Club Monaco’s ‘Patricia’ silk shirt with contrast leather piping ($149.50) and Mendocino’s graphic print blouse by Clover Canyon ($312, arriving in November) are our top picks.
When it comes to statement necklaces, blogger Nelia Belkova is the queen; we’ve seen her sporting one fabulous piece after another every day this fashion week. Go big or go home, her accessories philosophy seems to be, and it’s ours too. Hang a conversation starter like H&M’s insect necklace ($14.95), BCBG Max Azria’s rocker statement necklace ($178), or the Lulu Frost for J. Crew crystal petal necklace ($220) around your neck to take your fashion week outfit to the next level with some help from TEC.
It’s the last day of WMCFW today, and U.S. retailer EXPRESS, which is launching a new store at Toronto Eaton Centre next month, is set to close the week. We’ll be live-tweeting tonight’s 9pm show, so be sure to follow @backseatstylers and @toeatoncentre on Twitter for updates straight from the runway.
See you at the tents one final time this season – and then at Toronto Eaton Centre! After all those fashion shows this week, you’ll want to do some serious shopping at TEC’s newest boutiques: Canada’s first unisex J.Crew, North America’s first Massimo Dutti, and Canada’s first Ann Taylor. We know we will.
xx, T & S
Sponsored by Cadillac Fairview
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THE BACKSEAT STYLERS BY T & S
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