Mary Katrantzou Exclusively @ Topshop Yorkdale

Today marks the day that the Mary Katrantzou collaboration with Topshop hits the Yorkdale Shopping Centre! The Fall/Winter 2012 Mary Katrantzou collection was a highly anticipated show seen at the most previous London fashion week.

Mary Katrantzou has been working with Topshop through the

NewGen 10 Tees line, which supports up and coming British designers (the Yorkdale location now has limited edition NewGen 10 Tees in-store, too!)

Now, she is one of Britains hottest, young designers. This S/S 12 collection is how she says THANK-YOU to Topshop for supporting her on her road to success!

The collection released today in the one location across Canada features her inventive use of patterns, exciting floral prints, and abstract appliqués. While her designs aren't made entirely for the mass market, they are truly exclusive and are sure to be snagged by the fashionistas spring wardrobe!

There are a select few items still available for purchase through the Topshop website, however the Canadian website will not be selling the Mary Katrantzou collection or the NewGen 10 tees. (thebay.com/topshop)

This being said, you best get in line at The Bay, Yorkdale Shopping Centre, to get your hands on these exquisite pieces.

NewGen 10 Tee

These totes are FREE with a purchase of $100+ (while quantities last).

Brittany Kaminski

@britkaminski

March 6th, 2012

Illamasqua

by: Finency Anggreni Setioyuwono

Spring / Summer 2011 is nothing but wearing refreshing fun and bright colors.

Let me introduce you to Illamasqua


Founded in November 2008 by Julian Kynaston, this UK brand positioned itself as "makeup for your alter ego." What's so unique about this product its daring and intense colors, along with dramatic makeup. Inspired by the dark and illicit club scene drama in 1920s and a rich heritage in the manufacture of makeup for film and theater, Illmasqua represents the bolder and darker side of a person hiding inside of us; also a confident statement of self-ownership.

In Canada, Illamasqua is only available at Sephora. False lashes, nail polishes, and lipsticks are some of their best-selling products.

Below are some of my top picks of Illamasqua products that you can use for everyday looks. Let me know which one you can't wait to be trying out this season!

(Toxic Nature nail polish - $18)

Illamasqua's spring collection, entitled Toxic Nature includes neon, neutral and rich metallic colors. These nail polishes are a must to complete your Spring's collection.

(4-Colour Liquid Metal Palette - $45.50)

This palette features four-must-spring-liquid-metal shades. Each color is amazingly rich and highly pigmented. Now is the time for you to get dazzled!

(Sheer Lipgloss in Mistress -$23)

An easier way to pull off the Tangerine trend for spring is with a gloss, and Illamasqua has a great one. The Sheer Gloss includes hints of shimmer to make the bold color a bit more wearable.

(Powder Blush in Nymph - $28)

Nymph is a beautiful cool toned light pink shade. Like all of Illamasqua's blushes, it has a matte finish, but it's extremely pigmented and a little bit goes a really long way. When applied lightly, it appears as a gorgeous baby pink - giving you a very fresh look.

(Illamasqua Lipsticks in Obey, Sonnet, Atomic - $25)

Of all Illamasqua's beauty products, my absolute favourite is its lipstick collection. Since Illamasqua's lipstick pigmentation is intense, you might want to try the lighter-colored Obey (matte coral pink) and Sonnet (matte peachy nude). Also, don't forget to try the Atomic lipstick (fuschia violet), a part of the Toxic Nature collection.

Happy shopping!

Think Big, Go Small

by: Finency Anggreni Setioyuwono

Big bags are so 2010.

This season, designers are going smaller yet practical. From disco ball at Louis Vuitton to metal coin purses at Ralph Lauren, the Spring runways were full of tiny-yummy-glittery handbags.

From ASOS to Fendi to Reed Krakoff offer different options of wearable petite clutches, totes, and shoulder bags that can carry women bare necessities. Phone, lip-gloss, keys, wallet are the true minimalist women’s luggage.

Alexander Wang - Jade stingray, leather, and suede wristlet bag
$795 - net-a-porter.com

A roomy wristlet clutch with exceptional cool hardware and panels of exotic leather, Alexander Wang's off-white stingray, leather, and suede trunk-style wristlet bag is one quirky-cool accessory

Reed Krakoff - Boxer leather envelope clutch
$990 - reedkrakoff.com

Got a Python in only three-digits price? Totally worth the money!
Reed Krakoff's knotted strap black leather and python envelope clutch is a perfectly pared-down piece. Pair this fuss-free bag with a high-impact dress and directional platofm sandals for after-dark city style

Prada Canapa Striped bag

$795 - prada.com

Prada's stripes are the pattern of the season. This bag is so fresh and crisp, really suitable for the spring.

ASOS Leather Boxy Lock Bag

$89.65 - asos.com

Boxy lock bag, featuring a bold washed leather finish with a contrasting buckle strap, silver-tone hardware detailing and square boxy styling. The bold yellow hue is also on the trend with the lemon-colored Spring runways.

Kate Spade Essex Small Scout

$295 - katespade.com

The infamous Essex bag from Kate Spade is definitely the “it” bag for this season. Clean shape, functional, and affordable, who can resist this candy bag?

Top 2 Necessities to an Easy Breezy Summer '11

by Natalie S. Kushnir

So last week I was in South Beach, MIA...all I can say is gorgeous, the weather, the beach, the FASHION. I must say I saw some incredible outfits, some others unfortunate (to say the least)...including a women injected head to toe (with extremely large buttox implants) in a one piece speedo all colours of the rainbow. But what I discovered in Miami are my top 2 necessities to an easy, breezy summer ’11. After all, how can we not be prepping up our wardrobes for spring/summer when the retailers are already suggesting it!?

So here they are...

1. The Romper...so versatile it may be the answer to your every summer wardrobe craze! A day at the beach? Toss a romper over your bathing suit. How about a breezy evening on the town, full leg length romper with a cardigan over the shoulders...hello, adorable!

2. UGG Slippers...I must admit, I’ve never been an UGG boot fan; I just don’t find them stylish, but I think I found my weak spot for the most comfortable slipper my foot has ever rested in. An “amen” from the foot for comfort...four colour choices with studded embellishment, the Deitra Sandal is definitely a fashionable addition to the wardrobe.

Catch the wave and ride with the trends this spring/summer 2011.

Mad Men star strips down for Versace spring/summer 2011 ad campaign

Continuing with the current predilection for designers using celebrities to front their ad campaigns, American actress January Jones, 32, can now be seen as the new face of the Versace spring/summer 2011 campaign.

The former model met Versace's creative director and Vice-president Donatella Versace at a photo shoot for Elle magazine (US) last year. An immediate friendship resulted and Jones has since been seen sitting front row at the Versace runway shows and sporting their designs on the red carpet. Versace is unique among Italian fashion houses due to its frequent use of celebrities for their advertising campaigns. Past celebrity faces include Madonna, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, and Halle Berry.

Jones, whose off-screen style is the antithesis of the ladylike 50s fashions she wears in her role as ex-model and housewife Betty Draper on Mad Men, is a perfect reflection of Versace's bright and sexually sculpted spring/summer collection. "When I saw [her] in that blue [Versace] dress at the Golden Globes, I thought [she] looked like a breath of fresh air," said Donatella. For Jones who has said "I want to be in fashion, but I wouldn't want to be the actress with a fashion line that other people design," the opportunity to star in the campaign of such a high-profile label as Versace is the perfect way to begin that transition. The recently released images were shot by veteran fashion photographer Mario Testino.

L. Lalonde