Let the Winter 2010 Games Begin!

By Cristina La

The opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olymics was held in Whistler, BC tonight; what a partriotic and beautiful ceremony it was.

Here are some highlights from the night!

The ceremony kicked off with a snowboarder entering through the olympic rings. Photo by Mark Baker












Nikki Yanofsky performs the Canadian National Anthem. She is wearing a beautiful red form fitting belted dress, honouring Canada's colours. Photo by Charlie Riedel

Native welcome, with welcoming poles and Native dance, honouring the Native tradition of hospitality; dressed in traditional costume.

Keeping with tradition, the Greece team takes their walk, leading fellow participating teams. Photo by Jonathan Hayward

Georgia team accompanies their flag through the stadium. The team mourns the lost of their team mate, Nodar Kumaritashvili who passed this morning in a training accident. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Team Canada concludes the entering of participating teams.

Nelly Furtado and Brian Adams perform. Nelly looking beautiful in her form fitting, off the shoulder royal blue dress, with a puffed accent. Photo by Streeter Lecka

The night is concluded with Wayne Gretzky lighting the cauldron!
Photo by Sandra Behne/Bongarts

The Passing of a Fashion Innovator

There are not enough words to describe the impact designer Alexander McQueen has had on the world of fashion. It has been reported, that McQueen was found dead in his London home on Thursday, the cause of his death has not yet been confirmed; he was 40. McQueen was expected to showcase his new collection at Paris Fashion Week in March. I thought the best way to celebrate the fashion matermind was to look back at some of his amazing designs that brought fashion to life.

Cristina La

Spring 2010 Trends

Top Trends for Spring 2010 by Sharla Farrell

Obviously a favourite past-time of mine involves scouring the fashion world, whether it is reading magazines or blogs. Recently, the number one thing that has been apparent to me are new fashion trends popping up for Spring 2010. It gives us all hope that the cold, dreary weather will disappear and flats will begin to replace boring winter boots. Here are a few of my favourite new trends that .

1. Lingerie and Loungewear

It’s not what it seems. It’s not just lingerie from La Senza worn underneath your clothes. We’re talking about lingerie pieces worn as dresses or bustier’s underneath simple black blazers. The recent collaboration between Sonia Rykiel for H&M is an example of lingerie’s debut into the fashion world. If you’re not a big fan of the “lingerie on the outside” trend, it’s still okay to pick up a few pieces so you can feel good regardless.

2. Blazers/Pant suits

I, for one, am extremely happy to see that blazers are here to stay for spring 2010. The menswear inspired fashion was seen on the runways with various patterns, materials, or adorned with chains. To spice them up, blazers were paired with pants of the same design. This is really a huge influence on the menswear trend. Boyfriend blazers help to make any simple outfit look extremely tailored.

3. Double Denim

Fall/Winter 2009 brought the revival of denim shirts; you know the ones that only cowboys wore? Yeah, those came back, often seen paired with leggings and boots for a casual vibe. I have always heard that it was more than a sin to wear two different shades of denim, but nonetheless that myth was erased. The spring 2010 Chloe and D&G shows seemed to be apparent fans of this trend. The idea is to keep it simple: light denim jeans with a medium wash denim shirt, or switch it up. Always accessorize!

Exciting Night in Fashion and Music!

The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards

By Cristina La

What an exciting night at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards; a night filled of fashion, music and entertainment!

Looking at the fashion on the Red Carpet:

The men of the Red Carpet were each in their own element, embracing their individual styles which included a lot of grey and black tones. The looks of the night ranged from casual, stylish and flashy:

Akon walked the red carpet in a laid back look, dressed in a basic black graphic t-shirt, a black pant and black runners; Akon stood away from the traditional formal style of the red carpet, and dressed for comfort.

Mario Lopez's look was not overly dressy, with a grey suit and black shirt, but still well put together and looking stylish as usual.

He is not referred to Glambert for no reason! Former American Idol contestant, Adam Lambert added sparkle to the Red Carpet, wearing a glammed up suit jacket and eye glimmering make-up, still sticking to the darker tones.

The women of the Red Carpet were dressed to impress, some more than others, but the reoccurring themes for the women were metallic's, sparkle and old Hollywood.

Katy Perry channelled her inner Betty Page, with straight cut short bangs; she wore a form fitting slinky dress with feminine added touches of flowers and sparkles.

Mya also sported an old Hollywood style, with soft curls, matched with deep red lips, and a deep-v silver metallic dress.

Fergie took a different approach compared to her fellow female artists, wearing a royal blue short dress, with a touch of metallic over the shoulder and across the front.


There were truly some great performances of the night: Lady Gaga kicking off the night with Sir Elton John, Beyonce made a strong performance with one of her hits 'If I were a Boy', with a mix of Alanis Morissette's song 'You Oughta Know' and P!nk's performance was beautiful with a Cirque du Soleil inspired theme. The awaited tribute performance to Michael Jackson was filled with 3D effects (although the viewers at home couldn't get the full effect, unless you had access to 3D glasses), accompanied by the amazing voices of Jennifer Hudson, Celine Dion, Smokey Robinson, Usher and Carrie Underwood, making it a perfect tribute.

Well deserved, Taylor Swift, took the award of the night home, winning 'Album of the Year' for her album 'Fearless'.

To get further highlights from the night, visit:

http://www.grammy.com/

Street Style: Shadrack Jackman

Street Style At York Univeristy

by: Sharla

I find it truly amazing to walk around the campus of York University and notice everyone’s personal style. In today’s daring fashion world, people are incorporating the famous runway looks from as daring as Balmain to as chic as Chanel. Some people are fearless, while others are still afraid to take risks. As I walked from York Lanes to Vari Hall, I could easily spot 4 or 5 people who knew exactly what they were wearing, how to wear it, and were appropriately styled with more than just confidence.

Considering it is Winter time at York, everyone’s prone to bundle up for the commute from class to class. It’s extremely hard to see what outfit is underneath the big, puffy winter jacket that keeps you oh-so warm and what people are wearing. Class is an exception. Sometimes even I find myself staring at the person’s shoes in front of me or because I love what they’re wearing. However, I have the added benefit of living in residence at York, so every day I get to see the outfit choices that the people I live with make.

There is one person in particular who caught my eye since the first day I moved into residence this year. He goes by the name of Shadrack Jackman (doesn’t it just roll off your tongue?). He’s in his first year at York University studying Theatre, and has high aspirations of becoming an actor. Accompanied with this, he has a passion and flair for fashion. His street style is extremely appealing to me and he goes beyond the borders of personal style. So I spent a couple of minutes with him, discussing fashion and getting to know his likes and dislikes about the fashion world today.

Sharla: Tell me about yourself, what you’re wearing today, and where it’s all from.

Shadrack: My name is Shadrack Jackman, I’m 18, and I live in Barrie. My outfit today consists of a fedora from Forever 21, glasses from Urban Outfitters, motorcycle jacket from a vintage store in Barrie, jeans from Stitches and my shoes and gold chain are from H&M.

Sharla: What would you say your personal style is representative of?

Shadrack: Very late 80’s, 90’s retro vibe. I try to incorporate all of the different generations and eras into my style. I love fashion’s history and the way it influences us today.

Sharla: So what do you think about the vintage trend that is appealing to everyone today?Shadrack: Vintage? I think vintage is...the only way to be vintage. There’s all these people walking around with their Gucci bags claiming to be so “couture” and beautiful because it’s fashion. But I don’t think fashion is about new and high class and having lots of money. I think it’s about making it work for you. I love how vintage has a history behind it. It gives that natural and eclectic element to the person who’s wearing it. Me, I just love vintage.

Sharla: Being a homosexual male at York University, how’s your style reflective of your personality?

Shadrack: It is so reflective of my personality, I’m a person who likes to take risks in every aspect of my life. I don’t really care what people think, if I feel like wearing short shorts to basketball...then I’m going to wear short shorts. I mean people are always going to react, and I’m the kind of person that loves to make heads turn. I love wearing clothes that make me feel good.

Sharla: What’s your biggest style influence right now?

Shadrack: Vogue and GQ editorials. I especially love reading Vogue. I take things that I see in both magazines, I put them together with things that I see when I’m on the bus or streets.

Sharla: Any fashion advice that you have for yourself or for anyone else?

Shadrack: I think that clothes help define who a person is, and it’s very important to put your personality into your clothes. Some people don’t but I do, and I look good.

To wrap this up, I had an amazing time speaking to Shadrack. It’s always fun getting to know someone on a fashion vibe with fashion terms. Today, his street style is always changing, growing and on the move.

Coo Coo for Gaga
LADY GAGA BRINGS ART AND FASHION TO MUSIC
By Cristina La

Some may use the words ‘out there’, ‘courageous’, ‘ground breaking’ or just plain ‘crazy’; but when you actually look into the world of Lady Gaga, fashion is what makes this performer the biggest phenomenon to whist through the music scene and into the world of fashion.

Her latest music video ‘Bad Romance’ puts UK designer Alexander McQueen’s designs from the runway to the world of music videos. Lady Gaga features the designers ‘Armadillos,’ that measure at a staggering 12inches tall and various clothing pieces that tastefully pulls the fashionistas futuristic video feel together.

One of my favourite parts of the music video is when Lady gaga strides her way across the screen in an ensemble by McQueen, singing:

Walk, walk fashion baby
Work it, move that bitch crazy
Walk, walk passion baby
Work it, I’m a free bitch baby

The song is a hit, but paired with the video’s impeccable detail and innovation, it just puts this song over the top!

Check it out!

Plato’s Atlantis-Alexander McQueen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUvFTc2mlNY

Helping Haiti

hey guys,

just a quick note to acknowledge those who are suffereing in Haiti.

along with cash donations there is a clothing drive happening at York in Vari Hall.

it would be a good time and much appreciated to clean out those closets and donate what you can.

FAY.

RUDSAK

For anyone who knows RUDSAK, they have the pleasure of knowing the luxury leather line thats got all the zippers and pockets a constructed jacket could ask for (plus the line is homegrown, as it is launched right out of Montreal!)

Check out their new location at Vaughan Mills Mall, entrance number six!

I got a chance to catch up with Katherine, a vital part of their design team, and ask her a few questions about the RUDSAK design...

Canadian Chic: RUDSAK

What started as a family business has grown into an infamous fashion house both within and beyond Canada. Launched in 1994, the small family name has grown into a luxury brand with eleven locations across North America, but is still loyal to the RUDSAK tradition: creativity, quality, international flare. Evik Astoorian, the man behind the Montreal label, has built Rudsak up to be synonymous with energy and ambition. His love for raw materials and neat lines mixed with clean zippers and pockets have become RUDSAK’s signature look. Fashion Weekly caught up with RUDSAK and learned the brand’s signature look is just as detailed as their clientele, “The result is a team-driven fashion company dedicated to customers who want to define themselves their way. For the self-assured, the confident and even the artists who won’t be told what to wear. For those who know who themselves and who know what they want.” Katherine Therien, a member of the design team at RUDSAK, lets us travel through the design history of the native fashion brand.

Inspiration for new collections often start with one object or image that sparks an entire story for the collection. When designing Therin says, “I pick a theme that would guide me and represent the trend of the season to form a harmonious story that will end up as the collection. I’m often influenced by traveling and draw on multicultural aspects from different countries”. The story told at LG Toronto Fashion Week was the tale of the breezy summer days of the ’60’s, what RUDSAK calls ‘the traveler days’. The spring collection transported us from Safari to Americana, while the design team worked with the Rocker look that has been the brands signature for several seasons. Keeping true to the brand name, the runway paraded clean lines and fitted shapes with attention to detail, that makes the RUDSAK brand timeless.

It’s the luxurious feel and international taste that has this Canadian brand soaring to heights. Though the brand’s success has trumped international borders, RUDSAK still celebrates their Canadian roots as they will be showing their Fall line at LG Fashion Week in March, and are the proud sponsors of Quebec’s Make a Wish Foundation. Attention to detail and celebrating their homegrown roots surely makes RUDSAK Canadian chic.