This Saturday November 8th, clear your calendar and fill it with Fashion. The second annual Green Gala hits the Fermenting Cellar, in the Distillery District from 8:00pm-midnight. Canadian designers Thien Le, Evan Biddell, Carrie Hayes and Nada Yousif, just to name a few, will all create garments with sustainable fabrics.

What’s amazing about this event is that everything from the makeup, lighting, food and decor is all done with the environment in mind! Come out and support Toronto’s green movement with a night of fashion shows, silent auctions, celebrities and good eats!

Hit up www.fashiontakesaction.com for more info on how you can grab yourself a ticket to a night that not only entertains but raises awareness!!!

Paris-based culture and fashion writer Dana Thomas really sinks her teeth into the world of luxury, or what used to be luxury.

Brace yourself when reading this book. It reveals the truth about where your expensive brands are made and how they cut corners to cheapen the production of them. Let me give you just a few examples that made me want to shed a tiny tear. According to the book, major labels are taking short cuts using cheaper threads ( ugh, PRADA)and manufacturing these garments in third world countries, then tearing out the labels and replacing them with “made in Italy” labels (excuse me VALENTINO)

This book also explains how there was a time when luxury was only available to the rarefied and aristocratic world of old money and royalty. NOW, you can’t walk up Bloor, Rodeo Drive or 5^th Avenue without seeing a girl in her mid-20’s rocking a classic Chanel. Luxury was never just a product, it was a lifestyle. One that showed off your status symbol and denoted a history of tradition.

Read it. It will open your eyes to the items you buy, where your money is going and how these luxury brands are run under a similar system as McDonalds.. yep… weird but true comparison.

The famously avant-garde Japanese label ‘COMME des GARCONS’ (in English: “like boys”) Joined the designer ranks of Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld, Viktor & Rolf and most recently Roberto Cavalli. 

The line designed by Rei Kawakubo will provide a range of both men’s and womenswear, as well as childrenswear, accessories and a new unisex fragrance for H&M.  In the past, teaming up with these high-end designers proved to be an instant sell-out success for the retailer.  Inside Fashion got a chance to preview the collection at the H&M Canadian Headquarters this morning and yes, there are some pieces that will definitely fly off the shelves on November 13^th when ‘COMME des GARCONS’ hit select H&M stores.

We thought it would have been unfair not to show you the collection before you line up at the store. So naturally we will be giving you a sneak peak of the “key pieces” on Inside Fashion.

Get ready to hit to the bank machine.

John

I do not want to oversell this, but, Fashion Cares this year is going to be amazing.  Even though the lavish event is on November 1st, I was lucky to get a sneak peak of the elaborate couture and makeup today at the MAC headquarters in Toronto. 

Here is that I can tell you thus far, the theme is Haute Couture meets Alfred Hitchcock, which means ‘Fashion Cares’ will be dubbed ‘Fashion Scares’.  Incredible, I know, but… oh so stressful. I have to dress up in costume.  No, I have no idea what I am going to dress up as, so please don’t stress me out by asking me about my “costume”.  Suggestions are appreciated!

David Furnish (aka. Elton John’s Hubby) will host the evening with a bunch of celebs that have yet to be announced.  I asked if Elton will be there and I am sorry to say, he won’t!  He is performing in Vegas that night. BOOOOOO!  Ah well, there will be some other great performers such as Katty Perry and Kreesha Turner.

For the past 22 years, ‘Fashion Cares’ has raised over $10 MIL for the Aids Committee of Toronto (ACT).  Come on out to support a great cause and to witness probably one of the best fashion events in North America.

Check out our coverage of Fashion cares on Inside Fashion this November.

John

www.fashioncares.com

The opening date of America’s first TOP SHOP store in New York has been now pushed back to MARCH 2009. Yes, March.

 I’m not sure if this is  a big deal to you or if you are even familiar with TOP SHOP but here’s the deal…..

 UK store TOPSHOP is one of the greatest, most overwhelming stores I’ve set foot in..and I’ve stomped my feet in many of stores. To people living in North America, it was a huge deal that they were going to open up a TOP SHOP in New York. Think back to the first H&M opening in Manhattan …now, picture a store that is a billion times better.  Every time I set foot into London, I make sure my Visa and schedule is cleared before heading to TOP SHOP.

 So here’s the bad news…..TOP SHOP’s Sir Phillip Green announced that the debut of New York’s TOP SHOP, which was suppose to open in Fall 08’ will now be pushed to March 09.

I wasn’t sure of the exact date the store was supposed to open but while I was in New York, I asked just about everyone where the TOP SHOP was and what route was the quickest way to it.

 Sir Green was quoted  “America is a new territory for us and we have to get it exactly right. This store can’t be a nine out of 10 when it opens; it has to be a 10 out of 10. So we’re delaying the opening until around mid-March.”

Whatever, thanks for breaking my heart and making me wait months and months until I get to walk threw the doors.

 The sad thing is, I don’t even live in New York and I’m traumatized by this news. Imagine the fashion heads there. I bet you there’s a girl sitting outside of the renovated building, in the fetal position just waiting for someone to give her permission to start shopping..

Boooo.

Androgyny is in.

More and more, designers are crossing the line when designing for men and women. Now, it’s all the same.

I started thinking about this whole “cross-dressing” (no pun intended, really, it is cross dressing) trend when we met up with J.Alexander (Miss J) from America’s Next Top Model, at New York Fashion Week. He was rambling on about how men and women are dressing the same and that the lines have blurred regarding what sex can wear what.

I don’t think this is anything new. Think back to when Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent where putting women in trouser pants and tailored suit jackets. Or more recently, how women are wearing massive watches, loose fit jeans and dress shirts. This way of dressing has been done for years…so why is everyone JUST talking about it now?

The term “boyfriend” is used in replace of androgynous. Boyfriend cut blazers, boyfriend jeans…..sounds a tad better than “androgynous blazer” huh?

It’s oblivious that it’s become more acceptable now. Men are feeling more confident wearing tighter jeans, floral prints and tons of color. Women have pushed these boundaries for years but for men, it was always looked down upon when they wore form fitting clothes.

What used to be labeled as more of a “European” dressing is now world wide. If you step foot into England, almost 70% of these guys are wearing skinnies. In Paris and Milan, same deal. It’s North America that had more of a problem accepting this.

I like my men dressed in garments that actually fit their body. Why would you buy an XL that ends up looking like a sack on your back? Fine cut clothing makes the world of difference, trust me. I’m not asking you to put on a floral evening dress, just clothes that show off what you’re working with.

Side Note: While thinking about this whole androgyny thing, I walked into Urban Outfitters and almost walked right out. At the front door, was a guy greeting people wearing a tee-shirt dress with unicorns on it and neon yellow tights………maybe a little too far… (I didn’t walk out; I spent too much money…. But didn’t buy the dress HE was wearing)

Anywho, one model has been rocking this androgyny style in the most flawless way. Can you guess who? None other than Agyness Denn. This girl can rock just about anything that’s put in front of her. But it was her fearless way of dressing and cross dressing that made men and women become more creative. Rocking three piece suits, short cut hairstyle, men’s wing-tip shoes….

Check out a few Fall 2009 collections that have blurred the line between men and women’s clothing and tell me what you think of this whole trend and way the fashion industry is turning. Have you crossed the line? What is pushing it in terms of men and women wearing clothing of the opposite sex? I must know what you think because I have a few mixed feelings about this trend as well.

Karl Lagerfeld http://www.karllagerfeld.com/

Alexander McQueen www.alexandermcqueen.com/

John Galliano http://www.johngalliano.com/

Sometimes starting from the ground up is more difficult than you think….Being in an industry where you could potentially be replaced within an hour, it’s hard to get your sound out there.

I’m emotionally and physically attached to music. I’ve got music playing all day and love hearing new sounds.

The SOUND: indie, electro, funk ,soul or anything sexy you can strut your stuff to. The music can have lyrics. We are not your average cookie cutter fashion show so anything goes. We endorse extreme amounts of creativity.
Imagine the lights come on and not only are you floored by the garments but the music’s got you going while sitting in the from row of a Marc Jacobs show. But please, no swearing or vulgar references.

The BENEFIT: In return for your music, we will post a link to your website at the end of the episode’s credits as well as post a link on our website. Also, you will receive a copy of the episode your music was featured on.

The STEP: Simply send your originally produced music and contact information to:
Inside Fashion
Suite 119
Richmond Street West
Toronto, ON
M5V 1X6

Can’t wait to hear your sound!

I fear that my passport will come to life and hurt me in the middle of the night for abusing it so much but who cares, cause this girl is hitting New York Fashion Week. The IF team heads to New York tomorrow morning to cover one of the most important weeks in fashion.

So ever since I was 13 years old and we finally convinced our parents that a computer would be a useful purchase, I would go on www.style.com every day during fashion week, secretly wishing I was one those women who got to experience the madness of NYFW. They would post the show right after it hit the runway and I would want to sell my purple bike for a ticket to NY to watch the shows.

FINALLY, the worlds have aligned. The gates have opened. Okay, I’ll stop but you must understand how gitty I am for this.

Sit with me, let’s talk some fashion. The designer list for NYFW is great this year. IF doesn’t just want to cover the big names, we want to check out the newest designers who haven’t yet been jaded by the industry and still really enjoy what they do (I’m NOT naming names.)

Duckie Brown is made up of one part tv producer and one part designer. Steven Cox and Daniel Silver use their sense of humor and fine tailoring skills to create a men’s collection that is not only styling but super wearable. If you don’t use a little quirk into your wardrobe, you may not appreciate their vision. With a name like Duckie Brown, I feel like I should be salsa dancing with Big Bird. (I am aware that doesn’t make any sense but that’s just what I think if when I hear the name.. let me be!)

FORM- Here’s the deal. Tara Subkoff who designs for Imitation of Christ is now named the new Artistic Director for FORM’s Spring 09’ line. FORM was created by Jerry Tam who was the first to be outted from Project Runway and was also Tara’s intern at Imitation of Christ. They will debut the line at FW and IF will be all up in that mix. I followed Tara Subkoff’s work with IOC so I can’t wait to see what the two of them do with this collection.

Lastly, we will be spending a day with Ed Kavishe who is the owner/photographer extraordinaire for www.fashionwirepress.com . We are going to pull him out of bed and follow him around to see what it’s really like to be crammed with 100 other men trying to get the same photograph. Ed is a super talented photographer and ALWAYS gets the shot. No really, this guy will do anything to get the photo. ANYTHING. I’m not going to list but I’ve seen his guy hustle and get what he needs.

Anywho, if you are reading this and know who I am….if you see me in the fetal position at Bryant Park because I have either gotten way to excited OR cannot possibly speak to another PR rep, just drop off a can of sugar free redbull and tap me to make sure I’m still alive.

No, we are not attending a show were rabbits are pulled out of hats and a clown makes you open up that can where the dollar store snake pops out.. we are going somewhere more magical than that.

It’s called MAGIC. This convention is held in Las Vegas twice a year. Clothing brands from all over the world come to MAGIC to showcase their new collections. Designers that are just starting out in the industry rely on this convention to get their brand out there.

Magic runs from August 25th - 27th at the Las Vegas Convention Center. It’s massive, amazing, huge, overwhelming. MAGIC has uplifted hundreds of brands. Buyers, stylists, merchandisers roam for three days trying to find hidden treasures and up and comers.

Aside from brands showing their lines, MAGIC has daily fashion shows, seminars and much more.

Check it out at www.magiconline.com and if you are in the Vegas area, come by and catch Inside Fashion running all over that convention centre!

p.s DIM MAK is showing their newest collection at MAGIC and it can be described in one word…DOPE!

If you know me, than you know that I am super lazy and usually use lip gloss. I am terrified that one day, I’ll be rambling away and that I’ll have so much lipstick on my teeth, it looked like I placed it there on purpose.

SO with that said, our fantastic friends from POP Beauty just sent me their new line of LIP LUST lipsticks. This stuff is amazing. It goes on somewhat sheer so you don’t end up looking like the Joker (sorry, it may be too soon to crack jokes about the character..but I have been a victim) and if you want more of a ‘pop’ than apply another layer.

Of course the color they sent me was “Naughty Red”  Apparently I come off as “the brighter the better” type person.  Not to mention that the packaging totally sells me and I am one who appreciates good packaging.

 Log onto www.popbeauty.co.uk and get in the know of how you can get your hands on these

OR

Step into any Sephora  www.sephora.com

I LOVE NEW THINGS..