Fashion Scene

With warm, happy weather it’s finally time to put those parkas away.

Until it starts to rain again, that is. We all know how the saying goes and until May flowers start to bloom it’s best to hide from the rain in one of the many trench coat designs that are ubiquitous this spring.

We took a look at some of our favorites and placed them on a scale from thrift to splurge. Of course, the supplier of the most classic trench coat, Burberry, dominates the top splurge slot. The luxury retailer has recently teamed up with the Sartorialist for a worldwide photo collection of trenched street style.

But for those who don’t want to sell their firstborn for a trench coat, pleasant surprises await.

Behold:

(top row from left to right)
Joe Fresh $49
H&M $69.95
Zara $95.90

(bottom row from left to right)
Urban Outfitters $99
Club Monaco $249
Burberry $2795

Umbrella by Marimekko $49
Boot by Hunter $160

-Elli Stuhler

The number of sleeps until the Academy Awards are limited! Who will clean up? Will Avatar do as well at the Oscars as in the box office? And what will everyone be wearing!?

Okay, simmer down. We took a little trip to the Holt Renfrew flagship in Yorkville to take a look at some of the Oscar-worthy dresses they had to offer. A wild game of celebrity dress-up ensued. And for your viewing pleasure, we put the dresses on Oscar himself and we think he looks great.

And the nominees are:

1. Oscar de la Renta – Helena Bonham Carter looked great as a heroin-chic ballerina at the Alice in Wonderland premiere. At the Oscars, however, we hope she’ll class it up with something like this super glamourous gown from Oscar de la Renta. Though we look forward to being surprised by whatever it is she’ll pull off.
2. Marchesa- After Penélope Cruz wore black to both the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards, we’d love to see her in some colour. Why not something romantic like this sultry Marchesa. She’s got it, so why not flaunt some leg?
3. Carlos Miele – This would be perfect for Meryl Streep, who’s up for Best Actress for Julie & Julia. It’s subdued in a look-twice-to-realize-its-extreme-elegance sort of way.
4. Oscar de la Renta – Nomitated for Best Actress for her work in An Education, Carey Mulligan would look like a fairy in this. We like!
5. Carlos Miele – With its flirty sleeves and layers of silk, we think this romantic gown would be a perfect match for Maggie Gyllenhaal. We’re super excited to see her up for Best Supporting Actress for role in Crazy Heart.
6. Carlos Miele - Sandra Bullock looked like a Grecian royal in a deep purple gown at the Golden Globes and then sported something a little more futuristic at the SAG’s. For the Oscars we’d love to see Bullock in something like this sleek, one-shoulder Carlos Miele, which wouldn’t stand in the way of any pummeling or cat fighting that may ensue vs Meryl Streep for Best Actress.

-Elli Stuhler

It’s unlikely that Lewis Carroll ever saw this coming. His collection of children’s stories about a little girl discovering the impassible (because nothing’s impossible) has taken the world by storm over and over again since the Victorian era.
The infinite possibilities (passibilies?) of imagination and absurdities that this story embodies, offer the perfect opportunity for fashion designers to emancipate their inner mad hatters. Needless to say, the Alice in Wonderland bandwagon is a crowded one. Everyone from Stella McCartney to Urban Outfitters to Avril Lavigne hopped on with an inspired collection.
Some were more extravagant than others. With her song (aptly) titled “Alice” appearing on the film’s soundtrack, Avril naturally did a collection for her line Abbey Dawn, which is similar to her wardrobe in Skater Boi, only with Victorian graphics replacing the tie. A little harsh? I’m allowed to dislike it; I’m not a tween.
On the other side of the spectrum, Paris department store Printemps commissioned designers such as Chloé, Alexander McQueen and Christopher Kane to create a piece for their Alice themed display window. Lavish crinolines and bizarre upside down contraptions are featured and sadly, aren’t for sale. Bergdorf Goodman has also followed suit, and Bloomingdale’s will too later this month.
In honour of Mr. Burton and Mr. Carroll, we decided to whip up our own Alice in Wonderland style spread to celebrate the similarities between fashion and chaos.

1. Dress – Betsey Johnson $278
2. White rabbit pendent with clock – Swarovski $160 limited edition online only
3. Charm bracelet – Stella McCartney $395 (USD)
4. Rosebud Plate – Alice in Wonderland collection Urban Outfitters $8
5. Wonderland Shoe- Nicholas Kirkwood for Printemps display window; not for sale (sigh)
6. Lipstick in Class Red – Sephora $12
7. Shatter Teapot – Willian Harvey, available at Umbra $63
8. The background used in this spread is a rug from the Urban Outfitters Alice Collection $68

This spring, H&M has the best denim for a fresh new look – and, of course, at the desirable H&M price.

H&M, The Blues is all about taking denim back to its roots with classic jean silhouettes and head-to-toe denim looks that come off confidently cool with an understated sexy that we love. Since the days of James Dean, jeans have been a wardrobe staple for downtown street wear and this Spring H&M allows us to play with that classic look and build on it with colour, cut and a variety of pieces. Boyfriend, slim and bootcut – mix and match shades of blue with washes thatare authentically faded and worn. Pair jeans with denim jackets, vests and tunics and compliment with simple but strong accessories and muted pumps. 

If you are feeling a little more rock’n roll, check out the hot leather jackets on offer and pair them with torn jeans….(the kind that look really cool – not like when you were in grade ten furiously rubbing a dull razor across your knee.)

For a Canadian girl, there is nothing better than the time of year when the sun is beaming and you can hear the snow melt like little rivers cleaning the streets. Finally, we get to trade in our enormous and cumbersome down coats for a cute and easy jean jacket.

Hey denim baby – it’s time to rock the blues:

• Dresses from $12.95
• Tops from $12.95
• Jeans from 19.95
• Jean Jackets from $19.95
• Jean Shorts from $12.95

Go to H&M Fashion Studio to build up your true blue denim look.

Fashion and tech lovers are having more and more to smile about; and now there’s an app for it.

Berlin-based publisher Fachverlag Schiele & Schön has recently launched Prêt-à-porter, the first ever fashion dictionary for iphone and ipod touch.

The app offers up to 8,000 technical terms as well as translations in German, Spanish, French and Italian. The app is great for verbal masturbation with fellow fashionistas and language is no longer a barrier for such indulgence. Now you can look up pressing fashion facts, such as the Italian translation of capris, which is pantaloni alla pescator. Now you know. You’re welcome.

To buy the App click here. Unfortunately it's only available in German at this point. Sprechen sie Deutsch? Alles Klar!

Valentines Day has two common approaches.           

The first entails making breakfast in bed for your lover, complete with heart-shaped eggs sunny side up, red food colouring and a corset that induces nostalgia to a time when breathing was somewhat easier.

Or it can be spent outside, watching the fire department quench the flames of an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend-paraphernalia-burning ritual that went a little too far.

We here at shedoesthecity.com aren’t here to judge which of these extremes you may chose, we’re here to get you in the mood. And what better way to do this than a sexy lingerie shoot? To get the look we combined the classic red and pink Valentines theme with fun floral prints from H&M, part of their yet-unreleased Spring/Summer collection.

We had the up-and-coming fashion photographer Lynsie Roberts shoot these Valentines inspirations at her studio in Liberty Village. The colourful looks, styled by long-time shedoesthecity contributor Olga Barsky, encompass the best of both extremes, whether this calls for scarlet crinolines and love letters, or drinking from heart-shaped flasks and beating up teddy bears.

Special Thanks to H&M, Elite Model Management, Fashion Crimes, 69 Vintage and Ministry of the Interior.

Photography by Lynsie Roberts http://www.lynsieroberts.com/
Styling by Olga Barsky and Elli Stuhler
Hair and Make Up by Katie Leboutillier of The Artist Group
Models: Jenya and Lacey of Elite Model Management

Vintage Slip -  The Melissa
Belt - 69 Vintage
Chandelier necklace - Fashion Crimes
Vintage telephone - Bungalow
Ring - Fashion Crimes
Socks - H&M
Shoes - H&M

On Lacey:
Panties - H&M
Gloves - Fashion Crimes

On Jenya:
Headband - Fashion Crimes
Lace leggings - H&M

On Jenya: 
Bra - H&M
Necklaces - Fashion Crimes
Ring - Fashion Crimes
Kitty headband - Fashion Crimes

On Lacey: 
Bra - H&M
Necklace - Fashion Crimes
Rose ring - Fashion Crimes
Pearl headband - Fashion Crimes

On Both:
Bunny Mugs - Ministry of the Interior

On Jenya:
Underwear set - H&M
Bangles - Fashion Crimes

On Lacey:
Underwear set - H&M
Ring - Fashion Crimes

Heart-shaped flask - photographer's own

Bra - H&M
Crinoline - 69 Vintage
Bracelet - Fashion Crimes
Necklace - Fashion Crimes
Retro Valentines - Sissy Dude by John Webster: websterbook.blogspot.com

On Lacey:
Bustier - H&M
Panties - H&M
Boots - 69 Vintage

On Jenya:
Bra - H&M
Leggings - H&M
Ring - Fashion Crimes
Boots - 69 Vintage

Teddy - Photographer's own

by Zoe Shapiro
Though I aspire to be a diligent and committed laundry folder and organizer, the time has come to admit that if it doesn’t belong on a hanger, I’d rather just be doing something else. I have gazed in wonder at the regimented pj/workout clothes/ post-work lounge gear/ sections so neatly separated in friends’ wardrobes and felt shame at my inadequacy. This is one of many reasons I’m loving bamjamz. It’s all of the above and I’m absolved of calling this laziness.

The new line, launched this month by Holt Renfrew, is the latest take on hip comfy sleepwear that doubles up as cosy loft-side lounging and yoga class attire. It’s made from a bamboo stretch fabric which besides being ultra comfy, is the most sustainable crop in the world. Green clothing without having to work the hackey-sac-granola-chic look is a big plus in my book! It does all the important stuff for when you’re sweating while strengthening your core (wicks moisture, controls odour etc...) but is fundamentally light enough to sleep in too. So you can use it for whatever you need when the pile of laundry is daunting...

Check out the first funky prints at Holts and sweet dreamz...or lounging...or pilating...

by Zoe Shapiro
The snow might still be swirling outside my window as I jot this down but I am smelling distinct signs of spring on its way; Sonia Rykiel, the queen of fun meets understated Parisian chic, is blowing into select H&M locations on Feb. 20th.

This capsule spring collection comes to Canada off of the strength of her winter lingerie line and it’s certainly kicking my winter blues. Rykiel references all the up and coming S/S 10 trends with a wink and girly spin: the season’s espadrilles and wedges are given the black and fuchsia treatment and the horizontal nautical themes of the season (see the SDTC trend alert!) are also referenced in cheerful spring colours. The cornerstone of this collection however is knitwear knitwear knitwear, perfect for transitional Canadian weather.

What I’m queing up for on Saturday is the yellow frilled knit with oh-so slight bedazzlement that I have big plans for in conjunction with a pair of tights, boots and my high-waisted denim skirt. Warm toes and a shot of sunshine all in an outfit. Other standouts will be the relaxed but figure defining black jumpsuit and the headgear: sparkley berets and cute headbands.

I am a huge fan of H&M’s designer collaborations (Madonna don’t count...). Here at SDTC, and in front of all your laptop screens too I’m sure, fashion is a big love. It’s this generation’s most lucrative and often sensational artform. But our bank balances do not resemble the depth of our desire, oh no. It’s fab that world-renowed designers are giving every price-point the chance to own their designs and interact with Fashion (with a capital F) beyond our subscription to Vogue et al.

I can almost hear the clicking of my heels on the cobbles of Boulevard Saint-Germain... sigh...

-Elli Stuhler
Mark Fast’s line of luxury evening wear is hand crafted in house over a series of months. It’s his slow line.

Aptly named Faster, his newly launched line of knitted wear takes this same concept of careful crafting, but speeds it up a couple notches.

It’s his Faster line, pun obviously intended.

But how fast can knitwear be, especially when it is as intricate as the supplied looks. His collection features elaborate knitted patterns, which web elegantly along the sides of his micro mini dresses and leggings. It’s a collection for those who dare.

The Winnipeg-raised, London-based designer uses seamless knit technology for his wardrobe basics using elastomeric yarns, meaning the yarn is infused with stretchy components that contribute to each garment’s slinky, formfitting finish.

It’s a line for urban - dare we say it - fast ladies on the go. Watch for protruding edges while speeding along, otherwise The Sweater Song, Weezer’s rendition of the knitwear blues will provide a whole new meaning.

by Rebecca Shrimpton
This Sunday night, whether you’re making out with your date or going out with your girlfriends, you’ll want to look good, and these crush worthy goodies will have you feeling the love all valentines, sweetness. 

Tocca Stella Body Polish $54.00
DuWop Lip Venom $16.00 
Tarte Tickled Peach Cheek Stain, $30.00
Lush Love Soap, $3.95
Shu Umura Luxe Black False Lashes, $20.00
Lip Smackers Bubble Gum Lip Smacker $1.75 
Gucci Flora by Gucci Eau de Toilette Spray, $70.00
Lush Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly, $12.95
Nars Orgasm Illuminator, $29.00
Lush Sex Bomb Bath Bomb, $5.95
Philosophy Flirty Girl Shampoo/Bubble Bath/Shower Gel, $24.00 
Philosophy Flirty Girl Body Lotion, $16.00