15 year old Lindsey Wixson in Miu Miu's Spring 2010 Campaign

Kiki de Montparnasse Oversized Garter Shirt

*image via Net-a-Porter

The Maximalist Revolution is Coming

One of the best shows that I went to this year at Toronto’s LG fashion week was Romanian designer Lucian Matis. He got his start as the runner up on Project Runway Canada, but after the show he put on, he’s a winner in my books.

The collection was prominently grand evening gowns in black with touches of grays, blues and warm gold’s. We also saw ruffles, massive hair bows, puffy shoulders and lace accents, most topped off with full-length Spanish tango gloves. Only Matis could pull off such huge statements while maintaining a look that was both elegant and glamorous. 

Another showstopper was the exquisite jewelry designed by Karen McFarlane. Made of beads, metal, wood, Tiger’s eye, and onyx, the necklaces and bracelets made a maximalist statement. 

I had the chance to meet both designers backstage after the show. Here are 5 Questions For Lucian Matis and Karen Mcfarlane:

1. Describe the collection in 3 words:

          “Intricate, Glamorous, Eclectic”

2. What was the biggest inspiration when designing the collection?

          “Romanian literature and folklore”

3. Who is your Design Hero?

          Matis: "Gaudi"

          McFarlane: "Delacroix"

4. The collection had amazing prints so I asked Matis to tell me a little bit about them. His response:

          “The prints have been inspired by Byzantine art. It’s very rich, lush and intricate and its got a lot of texture. It’s quite mad."

5. What’s one thing people don’t know about you?

          Matis: “I’m lazy at times. I hate it but I am!”

          McFarlane: “I’m a very devoted grandmother”

"You are only as good as the people you dress" -Halston

My friend HG had the chance to attend a Launch party for the new Halston Heritage line in Toronto a few weeks ago. She agreed to share her experience with us. Here is her contribution:

In their latest attempt to spawn a new generation of Halstonette’s, Halston has launched Halston Heritage. A literal throwback, the line brings back the caftans, jumpsuits and overall glam that made the name Halston synonymous with the effortless party clothes of the 70’s. He dressed and overindulged with the best of Studio 54, which is where these designs were last spotted, draped around the likes of Grace Jones, Liza Minelli, Bianca Jagger and Liz Taylor to name a few.

Roy Halston Frowick had the original Michelle Obama/Jason Wu moment – after designing the oversized pill box hat Jackie O wore to her husband’s inauguration, he left his job at Bergdorf’s and went on to rule the disco era. Halston died a tragic hero death, leaving behind his famous quote “You are only as good as the people you dress.”

Taking a que from Halston, powerhouse movie producer and current owner of the Halston House, Harvey Weinstein crowned Sarah Jessica Parker executive creative director of the heritage line. Arguably, the biggest style icon of our generation, the newest Halstonette was first photographed wearing pieces from the Spring 2010 collection on the set of SATC2, most notably the white dress she is sporting in the promo photos.

SJP recently hit Toronto to fete the line which launched exclusively at the Bay in Canada. Fitting that Halston Heritage is making its debut at the Bay, a brand also looking to resurrect the old days of The St. Regis Room. I was lucky enough to get an invite to the celebration, although arriving fashionably late prevented me from having my moment to gawk at SJP who arrived around 9pm and lasted a total of 10 minutes. Still, the Bay did their best to evoke elements of Studio 54 at Toronto nightclub This is London. Guests arrived to the sounds of the 70’s and an LED dance floor complete with dancers wearing pieces from the debut collection had guests busting out their hottest disco moves.
You can shop the entire collection online at Net-a-Porter.

Here are a few of my snaps from the party.

Yes this photo was taken in 2010...

Warhol’s of the legendary Roy Halston. Andy was a friend and staple at Studio 54.

A model wearing a version of the dress SJP wears in SATC2

Final note: Last summer I did my best Halston heritage when I wore a grey/silver jersey jumpsuit on a night out at Hudson Terrace during a visit to NY. I partied like it was Studio 54...
Peace out. HG

On the Street.....CNE Grounds, Toronto

My Fashion Magazine street style moment during LG Fashion Week in Toronto. 

Clothing and Shoes from Zara, Balenciaga City Bag
To read the whole article and see other street style shots click here.

*image via Angela Y. Martin, Fashion Magazine

"Moons and junes and ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way that you feel, as every fairy tale comes real" -Joni Mitchell

Lately I've been searching for some new accessories to brighten my spring wardrobe and I think I've found the perfect pieces! Carly Kalish's headbands are perfect for spring days, summer nights, beach afternoons, and best of all bad hair days. 

It all began when Carly moved to New York City's Nolita neighborhood and started giving her handmade headbands to friends and family as birthday gifts. People took notice of her distinct style so she decided to take a chance and began selling her creations to New York locals. The headbands are fun, whimsical, and have the ability to bring out one's inner free spirit, so it's no surprise that the trend caught on quickly. 

When she's not frequenting markets and unique city sales in pursuit of rare trim and electrifying fabrics to craft her exceptional pieces, Carly is a therapist and advocate of sex workers and victims of human trafficking. With such heavy encounters on a daily basis the designer really lets her inner bohemian out when crafting these colorful accessories. 

I had the opportunity to hang out with Carly earlier this week and check out the pieces. We had lot of fun and took some great photos of her creations. The headbands come in 3 different styles each with multiple color options and are reasonably priced at $5-$30.  

For more information or to purchase a headband contact the designer directly at carlykalish@gmail.com.

The best part--She let me keep my favorite purple floral crown and I haven't taken it off since!

Cold as Fire Baby, Hot as Ice

Ice age man at Manhattan's Museum of Natural History (Left) and Brad Koenig and Baptiste Giabiconi in Chanel F/W 2010 (Right)

"Everything I buy is vintage and smells funny. Maybe that's why I don't have a boyfriend." -Lucy Liu

If your like me, always in the mood to score a dazzling sequined gown, gypsy pants you'll never have somewhere (appropriate) to wear, silk boudoir robes, floral spring dresses, leopard, leather, and anything beaded and bejeweled for pennies your in luck!


Who: ODD's COSTUME
The wardrobe mecca was once known as the one-stop clothing and costume rental resource for New York's editors, costume designers (film, television, and commercials), and celebrity stylists. Before closing, their famous wardrobe catalog took up an entire floor on 29th street and housed current clothing, 1920's-1990's period costumes, shoes, and accessories. Moreover the library was only available for rental to industry-insiders. 


What : CLOSEOUT SALE
Very suddenly a couple months ago Odd's and it's owners disappeared. It was unknown where they went, or what happened to the clothes...
Recently the building's owners entered the space planning to renovate Odd's former home and found the entire floor of garments untouched--thousands of pieces still organized by time period and occasion. Rather than unloading the pieces to a rag buyer they've decided to give the public one chance to explore the library and purchase pieces at crazy low prices!


Where: 231 West 29th street 3rd floor


When: Weekdays from 11-4 for the next month
If you can't make it at those times contact Ashley (the wonderful lady who made this all possible) for appointments at actuallyashleynyc@gmail.com. She'll try and make a time that works for you and will be especially agreeable if your a group of 3+ people.

PRICES: Prices range from $10-$50 per piece 
Most things are in the $10-$30 range. We bought over 10 things and nothing was over $20.

ALSO IMPORTANT:

It's not black and white loves Ashley so when you go, be nice, bring ca$h, bring your own shopping bags and please don't make a mess! 

***A warning to even the most seasoned nyc vintage shopper. This is not a sale to miss--but please proceed with caution. When you enter you may be verrrry overwhelmed by the sheer amount of garments. Don't stop. Take a deep breath. Find Ashley among the plaid shirts and hooker heels and start pulling. I promise you'll be glad you did!***

Tell Ashley that you read about the sale on 'Its not black and white' for a $5 discount

Happy Thrifting

Rows of shoes in drawers and endless racks of clothing

My Amazing Finds

Leopard blouse with quilted leather shoulders and cuffs $10 

Sequined and pink pleat dress (Which I'll probably shorten) $20

Sheer 'Jasimine' Style Pant $10

Black Silk Robe with Vintage Lace trim and train $10

Red Sequined jacket with neck and cuff detail $20

Floral spring dress with open back $10

S in her new Henry Holland-esque neon and polka dot dress

'Jasmine' Style pant and orange 1980's dress I left behind. It could be yours!