Coloured Moto Jacket Trend

 The snow has finally started to melt, and the temperature is creeping into the positives. For me that means one thing. Motorcycle season is near. Now I don’t have a motorcycle license…nor have I ever driven a motorbike…but it is on my to do list this spring, however I can't think of a better more exhilarating feeling, then sitting on the back of my man’s bike with the wind in my hair and the sun on my my face.

Motorcycle culture is on the rise and with the popular television show Sons of Anarchy in its fifth season, and already signed on for a sixth and seventh, it doesn’t look like this trend is stopping any time soon.  Bell helmets Just finished showing the 21 helmets exhibit in December for the second year in a row, and the International Spring Motorcycle show is here in Toronto this weekend coming. http://motorcyclespringshow.com/ With all this talk of biker culture its no surprise that we are seeing tons of moto jackets on the runway and hitting the retail stores for spring. 

(Check out   

http://theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/21-helmets-the-one-motorcycle-show-see-see-motorcycles/ for more info on the 21 Helmets)

Last season we saw a surplus of studded moto boots, and... well... studded and spiked everything. This spring it’s all about colour. The classic asymmetrical zipper remains, but designers paraded a rainbow of colours down the runway for spring 2013. Take a look!

Top left: Free People

Top right: Betsey Johnson

Center: Acne Studios

Bottom left: H&M

Bottom Right Phillip Lim

The best thing about all this moto hype is that is actually increasing the number of female riders. The once highly male dominated extreme activity is now hosting a 40% female enrolment in M2 safety courses, and licensing. So try something new this spring whether it be a colourful biker jacket or actually riding a motorcycle! See ya on the road!

-Brittni Monk

Must-Have Accessories for Spring 2013

So, I have rounded up my 5 favourite must-have accessory trends for the Spring season. It was a difficult choice, but these are fun, easy to find, and wearable.

1.     The Mini

I am obsessed with the mini handbag. It might be the cutest trend of the season and you can get a few in various colours. The Reed Krakoff micro boxer is my all time favourite- Not only do I love the electric blue colour (especially for Spring), but I also adore how it's structured. Below it, is the 3.1 Phillip Lim Mini Pashli Satchet. The top handle and snakeskin print are key selling points. 

 Reed Krakoff

 3.1 Phillip Lim

2.     Black and White

This trend is a given as everyone has been talking about it- black and white. You can play up the contrasting colours in either geometric shapes or stripes. I love the Celine calfskin slipper in the colour block. If you are feeling a bit edgier, the Nicholas Kirkwood striped block heel is sure to turn heads. 

Celine

Nicholas Kirkwood

3.     Seeing Clearly

The clear plastic trend seems to be on everyone’s radar this Spring. A beautiful shoe is the Celine Optic Mule, made of shiny calfskin and smoked vinyl. Pair it with an all white suit and you’re the center of attention. If you don’t want to break the bank, I adore the Marc by Marc Jacobs clear top handle satchel. Just be sure to keep the inside of your bag clean, of course!

 Celine

Marc by Marc Jacobs

4.     Pastel Dream

Pastels are sticking with us for another season, which I am excited about. I love the blush Mulberry Alexa bag. It’s an iconic handbag and its more neutral colour gives you the opportunity to wear it at any time. The Alexander McQueen structured Heroine tote is beautiful and I find the pastel colour to be perfect. 

rry,

 Mulberry

 Alexander McQueen

5.     Stackin’ It

I have saved by favourite accessory trend for last- Stackin’ It. I have started following a blog called  Me and Lex, and the sister duo stack vintage and new necklaces above one another to create the look of a bib. I find it to be stunning and I cannot wait to try it for Spring. The bib necklace from Dannijo is a more subtle way of creating a stacked look- or if you’re loving the look...stack on!

Me and Lex

 Dannijo

 - Carolyn Beaudry

Top 5 Street Style Picks from Paris Fashion Week 2013

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As much as we all adore to see what designers have in store for us on the runways, I am always excited for what the attendees can do on the streets. Street style is all about fun and playing up with clothing accessories.

I look forward to Paris Fashion Week the most as it is the most chic city of all, of course.

Here are my top 5 street style photographs from Paris 2013.

1. Anna Dello Russo

Miss Anna Dello Russo always pushes the limits with her fashion choices and gives people an exciting reason to love the art of fashion. Here, she is rocking an oversize fedora from Saint Laurent- an essential piece for the upcoming Spring Season.

2.     Giovanna Battaglia

Giovanna Battaglia, editor of L’Uomo Vogue, is another one to dominate the streets of fashion with her distinctive look and style. She is always wearing something fresh. Her oversized and voluminious Rochas coat is simply stunning. It is an eye catching piece that is sure to turn heads.

3.     Veronika Heilbrunner and Justin O'Shea

Veronika, fashion editor for My Theresa, is wearing an Acne Studio jacket. The pair look fierce and chic. She is playing with the stripe trend and paired it perfectly with the black turtleneck underneath.

4. Leandra Medine

Leandra Medine, also known as Man Repeller (top fashion blogger) is one that I always look to for style. She is so effortless and has an edgy look. Leandra is playing it cool with her tuxedo suit underneath the multi-coloured fur jacket.

5.     Miroslava Duma

Lastly, we have the Queen of Street Style and Russian "It" girl, Miroslava Duma. She is a consistent favourite of mine on the streets of fashion. She knows exactly how to put together the most classic outfit, yet in a fun way.

Here, she is wearing a print on print (I love how the handbag is the same print as her jacket). The oversized jewelry is a great way to spice up any outfit.

- Carolyn Beaudry

6 Trendy Beauty Looks to Rock Now

Bold Brows

Seen on the runway over and over again, bold, bushy eyebrows are definitely here to stay. The look has been on every fashionista’s radar and this winter it’s popular as ever. To get this season’s must-have beauty look remember that although bold brows frame and define the eyes, they require grooming and upkeep to ensure you don’t get that “stuck in a coma for the last 10 years” look instead! If your brows are on the thinner side don’t fret, fill them in with some shadow one-to-two shades lighter then your brows for instant va-va-voom you crave!

Not To Do:
Totally Overdone

The Look:
Perfectly Bold

Dark Lips

One of the most prominent looks on the runway this season was dark lipstick. Romantic-with-a-gothic influence was seen time and time again and the makeup matched. When trying to achieve this look at home try rich berry shades and deep, dark plums. Always remember when trying this look to keep the rest of your makeup minimal to ensure your bold lips aren’t competing for attention. 

The Look:
Kate's Perfect Bold Lips
(no competition here for attention!)

Bold,Coloured Eye Liner

Coloured liner is one of the biggest trends for winter. One of the most popular ways to emulate this look is to add a thin strip of a bold jewel tone to your upper lash line, and remember a little colour goes a long way!

The Look:
Teal Coloured Liner

Bare Faced Beauty

If the thought of bold lips and colourful eyeliner makes you squirm in your seat, then this approach to make up will be right up your alley. Minimal makeup looks made a huge statement in the campaigns for Calvin Klein where they showed off women looking beautiful and fuss free. Nothing says beauty more than a youthful fresh face that stands out on its own. 

The Look:
Beautifully Bare Faced

Low Volume Waves

This winter a stylish hairstyle with a bit of a summer twist is on my radar:low volume hair with a sleek finish and a couple waves toward the bottom half of the hair. Two-or-three loose braids can be added to the bottom half of your hair at night and taken out in the morning will easily achieve this look. 

The Look:
Perfect Low Volume Waves

Written by: Lindsey Kennerknecht

Chanel Pre-Fall 2013 review

by Cintia Lopez de Freitas

Chanel's "Metier D'Arts" collection showed last week in Scotland was stunning. It all happened in a majestic place called Linlithgow Palace, where Mary, Queen of Scots, was born almost 700 years ago. Her life of tragedy and romance was inspiration to Karl Lagerfeld who, as stated here, has a very personal connection with Mary herself and Scotland. According to the website, as an example of this connection, the first French poem he ever learned (at the age of six) was all about Mary. If that is not explanation enough to understand where Karl's inspiration came from, we can also go back to History and remember that the pairing between France and Scotland is part of it, which leaves us with no doubt that translating the "Grand Alliance" concept into fashion was a fantastic idea. 

And since we're talking History, why not point out that the venue picked to show this new collection was actually completely destroyed by a fire in 1424? The castle was rebuilt between the years of 1618 and 1622 under the reign of King James.

And on to the collection now, shall we? 

Karl Lagerfeld has a undeniable talent of impressing us with new takes on traditional pieces. This time was not different, except it wasn't only the traditional "Chanel" look he was thinking about - the designer transformed the classic Scottish clothing into beautiful fashionable garments. Wool, cashmere, traditional Scottish plaid and, of course, the masculine Renaissance looks were all featured in the show. Again, as stated in the review by Tim Blanks at Style.com, the tweeds, the knits, the cardigans and the man-styled essence of Chanel all came from Scotland and the time that Coco spent there with her lover the Duke of Westminster. Best of both worlds? Check out these beauties:

I'm not sure if one can get any more Scottish than this:

Oh, and you know the kilt, right?

The evening wear was a show of its own. The white wool gowns were so perfectly done I can only hope to see something at least similar on a red carpet sometime soon.

Simply gorgeous. How do you like it? 

Bangin' Blouses

Written by: Nicole Grisell

Lately all over the city I’ve been seeing a lot of window displays with gorgeous silk blouses draped over the mannequins. They’ve become all the rage, and these silk blouses are proving to be more than another work day staple, but now a fashionable item with new patterns, embellishments and cut-outs. Over the past couple weeks, I’ve even caught myself purchasing a few of these hot ticket items! Let’s look at the new styles, and what makes them more wearable outside of the office. 

Some of my faves right now that work as great examples come from stores we all know and love. We're going to look at our first blouse, from Club Monaco:

This blue blouse from Club Monaco is the Sophie Shirt. Now this is definitely not a blouse you would have on at your office on a Monday work day, but we've taken your basic blouse, and done something modern and new to it. Making the base see-through and layering the pockets to be opaque, hiding your goods are done well. 

Available in:
xs, s, m, lrg  
$129.50 

Our next blouse is another fave of mine, bringing out nothing but bright and gorgeous colour! From J.Crew, we have the Silk Boy Shirt in a bright fuschia pink:

Something so bold would never be seen in the office where white, beige, navy are most commonly seen. The bright fuscia gives the blouse character and personality making this one of my fave picks.

Available in:

00, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10

$158.00   

Next on the list, I have a great cut-out option for your wardrobe. Seen here, my pick from Equipment, the cut-out shoulders take a spin on your average tailored blouse:

Without the cut-outs on the shoulders, this blouse, the Nixie Bittersweet, would look like your average work day shirt (other than the colour that adds a big bang to the look as well!)

Available in:
xs, s, m, lrg
$208.00 

Now for my last blouse, I want to show you all that even with a plain white blouse, adding a little embellishment to the collar, pocket, even cuffs, can really glam up your look with minimal effort. Another great blouse from, Equipment - the Daddy blouse:

Available in: 
xs, s, m , lrg
$308.00

Now after showing you all what great pieces I found that will work for your style, not only at work, but in your day to day life we can see that bright colours are also a big hit! Having some of these great finds in your wardrobe this season will set you off as the fashionable lady you aspire to be.

For more great blouses, visit:

• Equipment 
• J. Crew 
• Club Monaco