Editors' Blog

Last week was Fashion Week at Marché Bonsecours in the Old Port of Montreal. For four days, the posh district was busy with runway shows and after-parties.

This year’s Montreal Fashion Week (MFW) was full of unusual surprises. First, it was open to the public and not just industry insiders. Second, a crowd of bloggers made themselves comfy at the shows. Result: We were a much bigger crowd of spectators than usual. That being said, the event became larger than life and peaked the interest of people who have no idea that MFW has been around for ages already. This is great for Montreal but not-so-great for a journalist who needs to work in a more peaceful environment.

So far here in Montreal, we’ve had years where new design graduates participated in MFW and made it just too over-the-top. And if it wasn’t too much one year, it was too little. Some designers were hitting MFW with looks that were too old, too boring and too simple. After a few years of this, I started asking myself why Quebec designers just weren’t following the same trends as the rest of the fashion world. Were they just not interested in international fashion?

Well this time, they’re interested in it. So much, in fact, that they showcased the same trends-only two years after they became popular in the rest of the world.

Let me explain myself. At MFW this year we saw bold and embellished shoulders, sequins, military styles and flesh tones. Hello 2008! But despite that, I loved it. I loved it because it’s great to encourage local Canadian designers and because it’s amazing that they can compete with mainstream designers like Elizabeth and James and French Connection in the commercial part of the industry.

Here’s what I thought of some of the main shows at MFW last week: Read the rest of this entry »

 Print This Post      Email This Post    Rosalie Granger    1 comment

Flipping through our March issue, I’m sure you spotted a couple of our models wearing the latest bare leg styling technique: socks with heels. Yeap, socks, stretched half way up the calf paired with pumps, platforms, open-toed shoes… you name it! Once considered a god-awful, tourist-in-action fashion faux pas, this spring it’s poised to be the hottest new craze. Models on the spring Burberry runway sported nude platform heels with nude socks and right here on Canadian soil, models at Joe Fresh Style strutted in clogs paired with crisp white knee-highs–a look straight out of a retro ’50s movie. The nude-on-nude vibe is the easiest to wear—it looks like a pair of booties from afar—but to me, this styling technique is a very slippery slope.

So I gotta know: will you sport this cool, unexpected look when the snow starts to melt? Or are you going to steer clear of this trend and leave it in the hands (erm, feet) of the clueless tourist?

Photo: Geneviève Charbonneau

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 Print This Post      Email This Post    Liv Judd    1 comment

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: A model walks the runway at the BCBGMaxAzria Fall 2010 Fashion Show during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2010 - Official Coverage at Bryant Park on February 11, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

I was lucky enough to catch what is being touted as one of Lubov and Max Azria’s best BCBG collections at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week late last week. Chic, simple and wearable are three words that perfectly sum up the looks.

What else caught my eye? Two styling tips: First, layering long-sleeved tees under dresses (perfect for wearing our summer frocks a little early, don’t you think?) and second, cream coloured tights (go buy a pair on sale now, I promise you’ll thank me next fall!).

Is anyone following the FW10 shows? Who is your favourite so far?

 Print This Post      Email This Post    Christine Laroche    0 comment

I just got my hands on the new MAC & Milk limited edition collection this morning and I’m already loving it. The collection features items pro MAC makeup artists will be using during Fashion Week in NYC (which started yesterday). These staple items that no makeup artist can go without include skin care products, lipsticks, glosses, eyeshadows, mascara, foundation and more.

This morning, I played with the Mineralize Skinfinish Natural pressed powder and a lipstick in Freckletone. The powder is super light and has a matte finish. I like that it doesn’t look thick or heavy. The lipstick got my attention because of it’s neutral peach colour (super trendy this season), but it’s the creamy texture that won me over.

The MAC & Milk collection is available exclusively online and only until February 22, 2010. If you’re lusting after the natural makeup trend this season, then you definitely need to check this collection out.

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (pictured): $30

Lipstick: $16.50

Eyeshadow: $17.50

 Print This Post      Email This Post    Maria Barillaro    0 comment

Starting today until next Thursday, February 18, Fashion Week is in full swing in NYC. The shows at Bryant Park will reveal the hot new trends for fall-winter 2010-2011.

Thanks to Michael Kors, I’ll get the chance to be front row at some of the shows for two full days. I don’t even care to blog about anything but Fashion Week right now. Needless to say, I AM VERY EXCITED! Read the rest of this entry »

 Print This Post      Email This Post    Rosalie Granger    0 comment