The Pipe Dream Daily
The hopeless dreamer's daily musings.
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A spotlight on Canadian designers
A few weeks ago, Post City Magazine approached me about doing a feature on Toronto-based fashion designers. The piece would be a bit of a preview of Toronto Fashion Week, which is coming up in October, as well as part of a new collaboration between Post City and a personal idol of mine, Jeanne Beker.
Needless to say, I was ecstatic about doing this piece and this week, I got to see the fruits of my labour (along with another talented writer, Caroline Aksich).
So if you happen to be strolling through Toronto in the next few weeks, pick up a copy of Post City in your respective neighbourhood, or read the article here!
rag & bone’s first ever men’s campaign
For the Fall/Winter 2013 campaign, which is also the brand’s first ever men’s campaign, rag & bone made the smart decision to go with Michael Pitt. As the new face for the edgy brand, Pitt starred in a series of sleek, black and white photos…
Michael Pitt for rag & bone
On set
…as well as a fashion flick:
Being a huge fan of Pitt, especially after his incredible performance in Funny Games, I’m quite pleased with rag & bone’s choice.
Funny Games, 2008
So I went to Italy…
This September I traveled to Italy on a work-related trip. It was spectacular. Italy doesn’t need an explanation. The purpose of my trip was to cover two jewellery fairs; About J in Venice and VicenzaOro Fall 2013 in Vicenza, a small town nearby.
Having covered shows like JCK Las Vegas for two years in a row, I thought I knew what I was in for when it came to this particular fair. But I was wrong because nothing could have prepared me for the prestige and glamour that is VicenzaOro. Being in Italy added an extra element of splendour to my entire experience abroad.
About J was an invitation-only affair held at the Hilton Molino Stucky in Venice. It included around 30 of the top jewellery brands that international buyers had been invited to visit with in an intimate setting at the hotel.
By night, guests were taken across the canal via boat to an elegant dinner at the Westin Europe & Regina Hotel.
About J was followed by VicenzaOro, running from September 7 to 11. Organized by Fiera di Vicenza, the fair was an excellent illustration of the prominence of the European jewellery market at the moment. While JCK Las Vegas 2013 was quite a success, the Hong Kong Jewellery & Watch fair that followed VicenzaOro continues the same streak, proving that the international jewellery industry is recovering from last year’s decline.
Below are a few of my top picks from this year’s About J and VicenzaOro shows. Words alone cannot describe the sheer grandiosity of the fair, which is why I thought a few photos would help. Enjoy!
Hilton Molino Stucky
Stephen Webster, from the ‘Fly by Night’ collection
Roberto Coin, ‘Dragons’ limited edition bracelet
Pasquale Bruni
Talento Italiano, from the ‘Ocean’ collection
Brumani, ‘Baobab’ collection earrings
Casato Gioielli, from the ‘Daphne’ collection
Glam for Fall 2013
One of the shows that made my jaw drop to the floor was Badgley Mischka Fall 2013. The dresses were definitively regal, detailed in embroidery, which I adore. Here are a two favourites, the latter of which was worn by Jana Kramer at this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards:
‘Collar’ me pretty
T-shirt weather is just around the corner, I can feel it! And wearing a tee doesn’t just have to be something you do when you’re running errands. Nowadays, t-shirts can be pulled off (no pun intended) for a night out on the town or even a fancy, evening gala. The way to do it properly is to pair your plain white or black tee with a fun, statement necklace. Think bright, layered and bulky; these are the perfect pieces to give your look a much needed a pop of colour.
Here are of my top picks from the market’s current roster:
Betsey Johnson, Multi Gems Frontal Necklace, $155
Swarovski, Tropical Necklace, $485
Vince Camuto, Cord Stone Necklace, $138
Carolee, The Bright Side Dramatic Bib Necklace, $130
Swarovski, Tangara Necklace, $950
Betsey Johnson, Heart Multi Charm Necklace, $155
Smart Set, Beaded Multi-Row Necklace, $14
Fossil, Bauble Necklace – Coral, $78
H & M, Necklace, $9.95
Layer on the ‘cool’
With the warm weather fast approaching, many often take it as an automatic sign to quickly shed all those winter layers.
But we’ve been blessed with the spring season; a time during which every fashionista knows to take advantage of layering. It’s that fleeting period following days of being bundled to the max and just before you get to walk the streets semi-nude in the scorching heat.
Designers are the ones to make the best use of this transition season, putting together looks saturated with layers upon layers of various fabrics.
Below are a some of my fave picks of the latest blazers and jackets for spring as well the season’s runway highlights. Enjoy.
Anthony Vaccarello, Spring 2013
3.1 Phillip Lim, Spring 2013
Zara, Jacquard Pattern Enclosing Coat, $159
Aritzia, Talula Exeter Blazer, $125
Smart Set, Sateen Blazer, $55
H & M, Jacket, $29.95
Trace Reese, Spring 2013
Rag & Bone, Spring 2013
Helmut Lang, Spring 2013
Rodarte, Spring 2013
Ralph Lauren, Spring 2013
Mulberry, Spring 2013
Finding the perfect one…
Summer is almost here and I can’t wait to give my wardrobe a complete overhaul. I’m so ready to put away the winter coat and jump into a pretty, floral dress. Here is a compilation of office-friendly numbers, perfect to greet the warm weather in!
The Bay, Tahari Watercolour Print Dress, $195
Jacob, Fit-and-Flared Floral-Print Dress, $99.90
Gap, Bird Print Tie-Waist Shirtdress, $69.95
Zara, Printed Dress, $99.90
Smart Set, Sleeveless Fit & Flare Dress, $59
Le Chateau, Crêpe De Chine Floral Print Shift Dress, $150
Slipping into the comfort of summer…
Being blessed with long legs came at a price for me – a large shoe size. With that, I don’t have the best luck finding shoes and I definitely stay away from heels. And with summer just around the corner, I’m on the look out for the prettiest (and comfiest) flats on the market right now. Here are a few print-friendly faves:
Aldo, Bozena Gold Ballerina Flats, $60
Zara, Printed Leather Flat Sandals, $69.90
Charlotte Russe, Metallic Tip Patent Floral Flats, $28.50
Aldo, Abegaila Brown Flats, $70
Zara, Printed Fabric Slipper, $69.90
Belle by Sigerson Morrison VADA2, Almond Toe Flats, $275
Feminine, floral and laden with lace
Lovely… it’s Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2013. This post may not be very timely but I just couldn’t refuse sharing these beautiful ensembles with the world, again. If I lived in a fairy tale, this is what I’d wear…
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