More Than a Pretty Face

Lise Watier is on a nationwide search for a young woman who embodies the delectably light-hearted spirit of it’s new perfume, Something Sweet.

Renata Morales takes over the Phi Centre

If you know anything about the fashion scene in Montreal, then you will not miss Reneta Morales’ June bash. And if you don’t, you’ll still want to be there, too.

BB Fair

We bring you four of the fairest BB creams in the land (um we mean in beauty counters).

Face Forward

In our spring beauty editorial we focus on four emerging beauty trends that will becoming major, on and off the catwalk.

Get Back in Brow Shape

If you haven’t resolved your eyebrow issues, then it’s time to get them back into shape as the healthy, bushy, and well-groomed brow trend is gaining steam with each passing season.

Philippe Dubuc S/S13

Philippe Dubuc’s newly released video is a teaser of his spring/summer 2013 collection.

Sustainable Fashion

Eco Fashion Week begins in a just under two weeks, bringing fashion and sustainability together in an event that mixes education and style.

Hats Off!

A fashion exhibit of hats and headpieces takes over the McCord museum this summer.

Global Fashion

The fashion world, at times, has tunnel vision when it comes to some of the top fashion week’s around the world, but there are plenty of other cities, besides the major ones, hosting great fashion weeks with unique talent.

Double Duty

Get your makeup bag ready for spring 2013 makeup with multitasking must haves.

Kruger for Chanel

Diane Kruger will be the new face of Chanel Skincare

Saint Laurent, is that you?

Is Saint Laurent’s latest advertising campaign by Hedi Slimane a vision going unseen or is it a train-wreck in the making?

Formichetti Is Rebooting Diesel

If you thought that Diesel’s vision was already over the top, then we should all brace ourselves because NicolaFormichetti
will be joining the ranks of the provocative Italian label.

Let Mexx take you away

Mexx is giving away a dream trip for two to Amsterdam, worth approximately $14, 000. You’d be crazy not to enter.

Black Is The Colour of UNTTLD

UNTTLD, the brand behind Montreal’s José Manuel St-Jacques and Simon Bélanger, showed their fall/winter 2013 collection at World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto. A monochromatic dream, the pieces were the epitome of simple elegance.

The Perfect Manicure

Gel nails made easy with at home gel polish kits, like Red Carpet Manicure.

La Dolce Vita

Dolce and Gabbana go the royal route in their embellished, mosaic, and crown laden collection, taking cues straight from Italy itself.

WMFW Beauty Report

World MasterCard Fashion Week, showcasing some of Canada’s best design talent, just wrapped up in Toronto. Here’s some of the beauty trends we saw –and loved.

Fun House

Bold prints, pattern overdoses, and mixes of colour reign in this house, where dress up never ends and the party is just getting started.

Bond Girl

OPI created six new Liquid Sand polishes, each inspired by an iconic Bond Girl, set to be released this spring.

Going Green

Indulge yourself in Sephora’s beauty-filled take on Pantone’s colour of the year, Emerald.

The Art of Moisturizing

We love everything skin around here—new foundations, novelty bath scents, you name it. Our absolute favourite skincare though? Anything moisture-inducing.

Newsworthy

Some of this week’s newest updates, including MAC, Rihanna, Zara, and more.

Queen In Love

The mythical queen Jocaste, wife and mother of Oedipus from one of the greatest myths of antiquity that has inspired as many poets as Freudians, has been revisited by non other than writer Nancy Huston.

H&M at Paris Fashion Week

H&M debuts their Autumn 2013 collection in their first ever catwalk show at Paris Fashion Week.

Hair Talk

Burberry takes hair to a new level with impeccable styling by Neil Moodie.

American Dream

X-Factor creator Simon Cowell calls singer Olly Murs “very, very, very cool,” but most Americans missed his X-Factor journey to stardom, as the show was aired for a British audience across the pond. After four number one singles and three successful albums in the U.K., Olly Murs now hopes his international smash “Troublemaker” will have no trouble taking off in North America.

Mercedes-Benz Start Up

Mercedes-Benz Start Up, an initiative set to help aspiring designers make their mark, is searching for the next big Canadian talent.

Diesel Black Gold

Diesel Black Gold collection mixes leather and lace in a biker chic collection.

Dubai does nails

A Dubai-based nail salon that’s making Montreal their first North American home.

NYFW Got Nailed

New York Fashion Week will always be about the clothing, but now more than ever the focus is on nails, where anything goes -studs, colour blocking, lace, and fun nail art. We’ve rounded up our top picks from NYFW’s best nails. Check them out after the jump.

Beauty Round-Up

A look at some beauty industry highlights.

Palladium by Richard Chai

A design collaboration so good, it’s their second time around.

Backstage at BCBGMAXAZRIA

An inside look at BCBGMAXAZRIA.

Eastern Edge

BCBGMAXAZRIA fall/winter 2013 collection is New York meets Istanbul.

Are You A Good Girl? Or A Bad Girl?

The eternal dilemma of every woman, should you be good or bad? Well Archie’s Betty and Veronica offer the perfect foil for your good side and bad side, Courtesy of M.A.C. Cosmetics.

Love-ly Shades

Be our Valentine in these love-colored polishes.

No Fan of the French

Got the manicure blues? Kick it to the curb with Sally Hansen’s new Lustre Shine Nail Color.

Greg Pidcock sharing the decks with his new label boss, Lee Foss

Hot Creations label owner Lee Foss playing along side Greg Pidcock at Stereo

Montreal Fashion Week: Pedram Karimi

Amidst the backstage chaos before Pedram Karimi’s show at Montreal Fashion Week on Monday night, a model remarked about the mile-high flatform’s she was wearing, “they’re actually more comfortable than the high heels we usually get.”

Italian Fashion at the Musée McCord

Celebrate the contribution to Italian fashion of Giorgio Armani at the McCord Museum

Valentine’s Day Basics

Getting ready for Valentines day should follow the K.I.S.S. principle (Keep It Simple Sweetheart)

Boutique Oxford: Livres et Chaussures

Lancée le cinq octobre dernier, la Boutique Oxford se distingue rapidement de ses principaux concurrents et devient en quelques mois l’une des bonnes adresses de Montréal.

Long Live Winter!

Montreal’s High Lights Festival is surely one of the best remedies to beat the hump of the winter blues. Art, music, circus, songs, theatre, dance, and of course, gastronomy are all at the heart of this frosty celebration.

Lip Doctor – Get Balmy

Keeping your lips moisturized this winter will be a cinch.

Melancholia

Equal parts the seductress and the dominatrix, red lace and black leather form a darkly sweet mélange. Every rose has its thorns.

Emotional Rescue

Hit the jump for the photoshoot.

Le Charme Discret

Lithe bodies and feline poise spell seduction. With flashes of skin, sensuous straps, and shapely curves, these undergarments are the glamorous uniform for contemporary coquetry. The cat’s out of the bag – this lingerie is made to be seen.

Liaisons Dangereuses

James Bond may be a spy with style, but the real essence of mystique and seduction is the infamous Bond girl. No matter the time or the place she always packs an arsenal of glamour. An homage to the smoothest siren on the silver screen

Stand by Me

Hit the jump for the photoshoot.

Do Your Body Good (in 2 steps)

It’s not only your face that becomes dry due to the heating and cold air—your body does, too! Dry, scaly legs and arms are not so sexy, but in 2 simple steps you can get a new start (without scrubbing).

Amirali to heat up Montreal with a Live show at Velvet

Montreal is blessed with one of the best electronic music scenes in North America. We have events almost every day of the week regardless if it’s plus 22 or minus 20 outside. As a music lover, I was tickled pink when I saw that Amirali was playing along with Jay London, Myfrienderic and my personal favorite, The Doctors at Velvet nightclub in the Old Port on January 24th.

David Beckham Bodywear at H&M

Superstar soccer player and male style icon, David Beckham has teamed up with director Guy Ritchie for Beckham’s latest H&M underwear campaign.

Georgia May Jagger for H&M

If fashion and rock’n’roll were to have a child, that child would be Georgia May Jagger. The 21-year-old model and youngest daughter of rock-legend Mick Jagger and supermodel Jerry Hall has fittingly been chosen as the new face of H&M’s spring collection campaign.

Divine

If God is in the details, so too is style. From intricate lace, to appliqué to beading, exquisite embellishments create a playground for the senses. Complementing sleek silhouettes, texture and bold colour take control.

The New Romantics

Hit the jump for the photoshoot.

Fatal Attraction

Opulent femininity, sexy and dangerous curves, you can forget about the less is more philosophy. If to be a woman means to be “generous” then some women have more than enough for the excesses of luxury. What item of clothing hugs and celebrates the body more than fine lingerie.

Diamonds Are Forever

Hit the jump for the photoshoot.

Hunting High & Low

Hit the jump for the photoshoot.

Pump Up the Volume

Hit the jump for the photoshoot.

Christopher Bates

A man with the belief that love is the most powerful force in the universe and with the ability to design men’s clothing accordingly is certainly worth listening to. So, when Toronto-based menswear designer Christopher Bates said, “Love is my core inspiration and a central theme for my brand. Not just romantic love, but love for life,” it was impossible not to take note.

Girl Power

Beyond the sexy stripper cliché, pole dancing is an athletic sport that can also help you get in shape and feel sexy and strong. Our beauty editor, Eva Bilinska, took on the challenge of working the pole.

Designer Duo: Tavãn & Mitto

We met up in their boutique/workshop located on Saint-Laurent boulevard in Montréal. While sipping their espressos, Payam Tavan and Mike Mitto reflect on the notion of love, the day’s topic. “Love of women,” they sigh in the same voice. “What can you do,” explains Tavan, “we love women! It’s for them that we design. There’s a reason why we installed our workshop above the store: we wanted to be able to observe our clientele when they first come in so that we can get a feel for their energy and find what they’re looking for. To see them evolve is a source of constant inspiration.”

Designer Duo: UNTTLD

“We spend all our time together, 24 hours a day,” confides José Manuel, who is now sporting a noticeably shorter ‘do since our last meeting. Since then, Simon Bélanger also stopped by the hairdresser. Makes sense: “We do everything together, absolutely everything!” A quote that says it all.

Designer Duo: Martin Lim

Danielle Martin and Pao Lim fused their two family names to launch their very own label. It’s a definite sign of boundless love. “The night that we met, Pao had bleach blonde hair and I was wearing a wig that I’d bought in the Patricia Fields boutique in NYC, the stylist from Sex and the City,” confides Danielle Martin, who at the time was a young fashion enthusiast fresh out of Cégep. “Danielle told me, “You have nice hair, you know!” And that’s how it all started,” adds Pao Lim, who was then himself just finishing a bachelors degree in psychical activity and sports science. “That’s where he gets his sport/chic inspiration from,” jokes Martin.

BIG Costumes and Textiles

40 “BIG” and unique artifacts from the ROM’s collection of over 50,000 textiles and costumes are receiving an exhibition and the word capitalization treatment. The costumes’ and textiles’ importance is not just in their size, but in the personal, social and cultural effects they produced across different time periods.

Party 411 – Best Reds

Orange might have been the colour of the year, but it was red for lips, and it’s still going strong. We can’t think of any other shade that would light up any party and make your lips irresistible.

Party 411 – Glam Hair

Glamorous hair is all about the wave, whether it’s perfectly structured, or loose and natural–we’ve haven’t strayed far from the Hollywood legacy of luscious, cascading curls.

Party 411 – Sixties Eyes by NARS

You can get some guidance right at the tip of your fingertips with some how-to videos from NARS on how to go sixties party girl.

Punk Rock Queen

Patti Smith is recognized by many as the punk rock queen (in 2007, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), an extraordinary poet and visual artist, who defined New York’s infamous punk rock era of the 1970s.

Party 411 – Counter Help

If there was a time of the year to go all out with glamour–then ringing in the new year must be it! So we’ve put together a guide of the best party tricks to get your ultimate party look.

DJ Skate Nights at Harbourfront Centre

Yes, the Canadian winter can be tough in Toronto as well, but the DJ Skate Nights at the Harbourfront Centre give a reason to endure the cold for one night. Select DJs (names to be announced) kick up the temperature on the ice rink with a view of the lake. And the cool factor always goes up whenever the 1loveT.O. team (from 1loveto.com) hosts community-promoting events. Get your cute skating outfit photo-ready and check in for dates and scheduled DJs.

Shangri-La Toronto Experience

Luxury hotel and resort chain Shangri-La officially opened the Toronto hotel and residences tower this past October. You don’t need to reserve a stay here to enjoy the intricate Chinese art and architecture details, along with Asian-influenced cuisine and hospitality – come by to relax in the hotel’s contemporary spaces like the Lobby Lounge (without possibly missing the stunning stainless steel structure ‘Rising’, hand-hewn by contemporary artist Zhang Huan at the University Ave. street entrance), dine at Bosk or have a drink at The Bar.

Shaken, Not Stirred: Bond on Film (and in your drink)

To accompany the Designing 007: Fifty Years of Bond Style exhibition, TIFF launched a film programme screening all 22 Bond films, chronologically from Dr. No (1962) to Quantum of Solace (2008).

Elie Saab: The Prodigy of Love

To speak of fashion and Love with a capital “L” without mentioning Elie Saab would be heresy in the greatest form. That’s because, intrinsically, the style of this Lebanese designer, who rubs elbows with red carpets and haute couture clientele, is an ode… to love.

Best Perfumes of 2012

Our beauty editor counts down the 5 best perfumes of 2012. From film noir scents to the ever popular red berries: the most enticing and original fragrances of the year.

Monocle Shop

The Monocle media brand is expanding its global reach with the recent inclusion of Toronto as their fifth retail shop among select few international locations (New York, London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong).

Mark Your Calendar: Montreal Fashion Week

While we are all eagerly anticipating the upcoming winter holidays, the Montreal fashion community already has its eye fixed a little further ahead in the calendar. Planning is well under way for the 24th installment of Montreal Fashion Week, which will be taking place from February 4th-7th, 2013.

Gravitypope’s Designer Shoes & Apparel Heaven

Gravitypope is a big name among the fashion-savvy in Western Canada, which Toronto will now get closely acquainted with. The independently-owned high end men’s and women’s boutique (first opened as a footwear boutique in Edmonton in 1990) stocks some of the finest brands today: Acne, A.P.C., Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Marni, Maison Martin Margiela and Rag & Bone.

Alain Mikli

In the world of optics, Alain Mikli is a legend. He has become the symbol of a revolution that has changed both perceptions and codes of the international eyeglass trade. As grand creator, he has designed glasses for a number of celebrities from Grace Jones to Kanye West, not to mention also some of the biggest designers such as Issey Miyake, Jill Sander, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and Philippe Stark. To meet Alain Mikli is to discover a universe where philosophy and passion are intertwined.

Gotstyle in Distillery District

This dapper menswear style shop is expanding to a second, larger location (at 7,000 square feet and two levels) in the heritage Distillery District, with the official opening in January.

Seduced by James Bond

Fifty years later, he is still an icon for men and an object of desire for women, or vice versa for both genders. He is at the heart of the longest-running film franchise; a pop culture icon that transcended the world of cinema. Blame it on his effortlessly cool and classic style coupled with that British charm. I am talking about Bond, James Bond, of course.

The Chanel Constellation: Diamonds

In November 1932, Coco Chanel revolutionized the world of jewelry in debuting her collection Bijoux de Diamants (Diamond Jewelry). The press immediately flocked to her hotel showroom on Faubourg Saint-Honoré street to admire the dazzling collection, a collection that captivated based on its modern and audacious touch.

DX: Vertical Urban Factory

This one is for design enthusiasts keen on social and environmental issues: recently-renamed as Canada’s Design Museum, the Design Exchange (DX) is presenting a research project on the past and future of urban factories, exploring the issue of whether they can be re-integrated into urban centres.

Love-Themed Albums

Music about love, for love.

2013 Album Releases

Releases to look out for in the coming year.

Sharp Like Strellson

Although The Bay has carried some items from this Swiss menswear brand for some time, we’re glad nonetheless that a Strellson flagship shop has recently opened at Bloor and Avenue – the first in North America.

Desirable Books

Stylish books for holiday gift giving.

Meeting Alain Mikli

On the 18th of October we had the pleasure of meeting Alain Miklitarian, brand designer of Alain Mikli ™ during his short visit to Montreal. The event took place at W hotel’s Wunder Bar and featured by Antoine Laoun Opticien.

Tiger of Sweden/Jeans: Paint it Black

No one does the Scandinavian minimalist look as sharply as Tiger of Sweden. It is a go-to brand (whose heritage traces to a small town on the west coast of Sweden in 1903) for contemporary “24/7” suits for men and rock-chic collections for both sexes. And more recently, Tiger of Sweden has been accumulating quiet yet significant praise for its Tiger of Sweden/Jeans denim line.

PARAGON by WOUDENBERG at Nyood Lounge

It takes that extra level of creativity to create something truly unique in the world of jewelry design, where almost everything has “already been done”. The trick is to find something beautiful no one would have thought to look at, an idea Emily Woudenberg is no stranger to. The young designer brings out the beauty of architecture with her S/S line of elaborate statement jewelry… By Elayne Millar

Irina Rock’n Roll Muse

Irina has porcelain skin, a heart-shaped mouth, and doe eyes. She also has a blossoming career: she’s part muse for the biggest luxury brand names, singer, and musician. Irina Lazareanu brings fire to the stage! This is the voyage of an atypical star standing on top of the world! By Elsa Vecchi

Greta Constantine and 5 Gum

This October, the Toronto fashion world was shocked to hear that designer duo Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong, the minds behind the Toronto-based brand Greta Constantine, where not on this season’s Fashion Week calendar. The pair did their own thing this season.

Let the Music Play

Photography Donat
Styling Izabel Soucy

Makeup & amp; hair, Vittorio at plutinogroup.com. Hair and makeup assistant, Nina Farrauto. Sandra at Next Models.

Nicolas Hamel, Lunetier Vintage

Collectionneur passionné de montures, c’est en observant un manque important dans l’industrie de l’optique qu’il décide de lancer sa propre compagnie, convaincu qu’il pourrait répondre à la demande toujours grandissante. [article in French]

Converse Cult

Oversized logos, sculpted silhouettes, iconic campaigns — More than one-hundred-years after their creation, Converse shoes have become king of street style and urban design. There are big plans brewing for the all-stars, which are continually reinventing their style with each season.

John & Yoko 2.0

Genesis P-Orridge and Marie Losier met purely by chance in a crowded Soho art gallery in 2006. Genesis was a familiar face, one that has been an unmistakable presence in the music scene for the past 30 years. Precursor to industrial music and pioneer of the bands COUM Transmissions, Throbbing Gristle, and Psychic TV, this artist has always integrated music and artistic performances in his projects. But, what attracted filmmaker Marie Losier to this atypical music persona was first and foremost the singers fiery relationship with Lady Jaye, both lover and musical partner for the past 15 years. Their love story is the central theme of the feature film, The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye.

William Klein

William Klein has a reputation as an ‘enfant terrible’. Even within his profession, Klein is called the bad boy of photography. Some abhor him, while others adore him, but never of course without first expressing a feeling that lies somewhere between fear and fascination. The journey of his career is certainly impressing. It speaks to the vivacity of his spirit and depth of artistic talent. At the venerable age of 84, there is no question of retiring! His schedule is as busy as that of a minister: publishing two books; showcasing his photographs at the Tate Modern in London; and filming a documentary between Paris and New York for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Thankfully for us, William Klein will be making his way to Montréal this fall. He will be attending a retrospective honouring his films and an exposition of his photographs at the Cinémathèque québécoise during the New Film Festival.

Annie Horth

“It’s important to adapt haute couture pieces for the stage. In the end, it becomes more of a costuming-designing job. The most important thing in my work is to preserve a sense of realism and modernity throughout everything I do. I am not at all attracted by complicated styles that are gimmicky and give a costume-like look.”

News This Fall: Shu Uemura’s Renewal

The first ever cleansing oil was invented by Shu Uemura in 1967. One can only blame the oil-free craze of recent years for the disappearance of oil based products.