ELIN KLING | Style Inspiration

She’s Scandinavia’s biggest fashion blogger; well she’s really the biggest fashion icon in Scandinavia, and quickly becoming a global fashion icon. Elin Kling is already well known in North America for her minimalist approach to style, known for her unique way of making jeans and trousers the highlight of any outfit. In addition to her addictive fashion blog, Elin Kling is working as Fashion Director at her own fashion magazine STYLEBY, founded by Sweden’s largest media-house Bonnier. She is also the first fashion-blogger in the world who launched her own collection for H&M. The exclusive and unique collaboration launched in spring 2011. Her style, closet and job are enviable to anyone wanting to work in the industry, especially someone that wants to work for a magazine, a.k.a. ME! STYLEBY isn’t available yet in North America, nor is it available in English but hopefully it will only be a matter of time. I never understood the whole, ‘when a celebrity wears something-it sells out,’ I always thought it was crazy that people could have such little personal style. However, thanks to STYLEBYKLING I am now a hypocrite. Every time this young fashion icon posts a photo of an outfit or new piece that she bought to add to her wardrobe, I find myself looking everywhere trying to find where I can buy it. My favourite part- Elin always posts where everything she is wearing is from, and its not a tease like ‘vintage’ she fully supports clothes that are being sold NOW! Looking for style inspiration? Just check out STYLEBYKLING and you’ll have plenty of looks to lust after.

THE BLOG; STYLEBYKLING

THE STYLE

THE MAGAZINE (FIRST ISSUE)

That is all. xoxoxo

Jamie Duncan - @JamieLDuncan

Wang Sweatshop Lawsuit

American designer Alexander Wang has been accused of sweatshop practices and a $50M class lawsuit filed and dropped but will be refilled in federal court. The accusation was made by 30 of his employees, the workers claimed that the designer have violated several New York state labors and have forced them to work 16hours days in a tight room without getting overtime pay in a light-deprived 200-square-foot studio located at 386 Broadway. The accusations have been denied by Wang’s representatives stating “The company takes its obligations to comply with the law very seriously, including the relevant wage and hour regulations, the payment of overtime to eligible employees and having a safe working environment for all of our employees. We will vehemently defend any allegations to the contrary”. All though the lawsuit have been dropped it is just the beginning for designer Wang, a motion have been filed by plaintiff’s lawyer on Thursday to suspend the case, which will be hand over to another lawyer to be reopened, because of the on going beef between the two lawyers. Even though the case is on pause, the people have taken justice into their own hands and egged every window of one of Wang’s stores.

By: Loudjina Jean-Baptiste

Etsy: A Treasury of Fashion

One of the most addicting and my personal favourite website is Etsy.

Etsy is a online shopping website. The main distinguishing feature about Etsy is that it is an online community selling homemade products. Etsy supports small independent vendors. Etsy has many categories to select from to make your search easier, from accessories, clothing, housewares to toys. Etsy has everything your mind can imagine homemade and sometimes items you never ever thought of.

Micro Jean Studded Shorts- $54.00

My personal favourite is the jewelry and clothing sections. On Etsy I can find pieces that are one of kind and order custom made pieces for myself. Knowing no one else has one just like mine makes the extra cost worth it.

Being able to order custom made or made to order pieces is one of Etsy's biggest selling point for me. This can be an amazing thing for people like me who don't always fit normal clothes in stores and custom made pieces fit perfectly.

Wild Winds Mutli-Coloured Hair Piece- $20.00

Lately I have been obsessed with searching Etsy for handmade swimsuits. Summer is just around the corner! Everyone is searching for that one perfect bikini. Getting one of Etsy means no one else on my beach will have the same bathing suit.

Extra High Waist Bottom Swimsuit- $46.00

One of my favourite vendors currently making handmade bikinis that are made to order. The vendor is Mimi Hammer. She is situated in Montreal, Quebec. Buying off her site supports Canadian talent. She makes bathing suits that are fun and original.

All in all Etsy is a fun place to window shop while sitting at home and to order one of a kind pieces for your wardrobe and home.

TTFN,

Louise

The added value of colour

Apparel can be used as a form of expression and as tool to control how people perceive you. The most common and safe colour a girl can wear is the classic black. This colour helps you blend into the crowd, hide all imperfections and of course be less memorable among people.

Fashion is an endless cycle and some women have grown tired of trying to keep up with trends and therefore have opted for the timeless black in all of their clothing options. Even though black is the easiest of colours, it’s not the one that will catch people’s attention or give you that extra skip in your step. Try incorporating a pop of red, electric blue, mint green or tango orange in your wardrobe and watch as people’s attitude around you begins to change and more importantly how your level of confidence will start to increase.

When standing in a crowded room or being at a job interview, its important to differentiate yourself and show the world that you’re not afraid to take a little risk and be different. The added value of that bright colour you decide to finally try out might just be the icebreaker you need for going after your dreams!

Emerald Green Skinny

Coral Swing Dress

By: Laura Suarez

Simply Vera

Simply Vera Vera Wang is launching her new cosmetics collection. It consist of beautiful hues and glowing radiance in which inspire confidence and individuality, whether dressing for your wedding day, decorating your home, or creating an everyday makeup look. Everyone knows Vera for her very simplistic style, which can be seen in the collection. The focus is simple: a beautiful skin canvas embellished with color to allow a woman to express her personality.

The collection features edited products inspired by Vera’s own personal makeup philosophy – including a smoothing lip primer, a revolutionary lash enhancing serum and a brightening skin primer. It offers a fresh and modern take on beauty. It is effortless and timeless with a blend of whimsical refinement. The overall palate embraces natural shades, and draws inspiration from the full range of Simply Vera Vera Wang fabrics and textiles, while the sleek, modern packaging makes finding the perfect look easy.

The Simply Vera Vera Wang Cosmetics Collection consists of sixteen products available in 74 shades. Products include a versatile Soothing Balm, multi-tasking Illuminating Concealer, fourteen beautiful Transforming Shadow Duos available in twenty-eight complimentary shades, and a revolutionary Lash Enhancing Serum to naturally boost lash length and volume over time.

The Simply Vera Vera Wang Cosmetics Collection will be available exclusively at Kohl's Department stores and Kohls.com beginning April 2012!

-Ariana Chung

Sandals in the City

For me, warm weather wardrobe is easy. Linen shirts, short shorts, tees and tanks, skirts and dresses. That said, finding the perfect summer shoe or sandal is the most frustrating aspect of summer in the city. If I were spending my days on a coast, in a meadow or near a lake, I would be barefoot, but since I'm not, here is a roster of footwear that I deem appropriate for summer loving in the city.






Espadrilles: These babies are perfect for summer dresses, denim shorts and really anything in between. Plus, they make me feel as if i am in the south of France.

Lauren By Ralph Lauren





Birkenstocks: These sandals get a lot of heat due to the geriatric and/or orthopedic reputation. But, they are one of the most comfortable and durable shoe for summer out there. Long live the orthopedic geriatric sandal!

Kairo



Huarache: In my opinion, these are the best sandals for summer period. They are comfy, durable and can be worn with anything. These are the best sandal investment you will ever make.



Frye "Jacey" Huarache






Cheers to happy feet and pretty toes!


victoria.

SPRING-SUMMER 2012| Trends that need to DISAPPEAR

Now I have to admit, I am absolutely ‘IN LOVE’ with the Spring/Summer 2012 collection that is currently in stores. I cant help going into stores like Zara, Mendocino, Aritzia, H&M, and French Connection without leaving with yet another piece to add to my quickly expanding wardrobe. Not to mention the amazing assortment I have found at Town Shoes, Capezio, and Browns for Spring/Summer shoes. It seems to me there are just too many things to buy, and not nearly enough money in the bank to pay for my mile-long wish list. Now while I am clearly on a high from the warm weather and new collections, it is not enough for me to tolerate 2 particular fashion trends that I feel should be banned from all stores.

Lets start with the sheer layer skirt . This style has got to go, not only is it unattractive but it looks like the sewers kept running out of fabric. They had to use a green print for the slip underneath that only ended up going mid-thigh and used three types of sheer lace and tulle to get the dress to reach the floor. Talk about mixed messages. I honestly have no suggestions on how to wear this skirt. When I asked a fellow fashion trend-setter about her thoughts on the piece, she replied with, "You should buy these, then throw them in a mud puddle, dance on them, and light them with gasoline and a match." Talk about strong opinions.

ZARA; Long Tulle Swiss Dot Skirt

To make matters even worse, Zara came out with pants in this same style that are equally appalling. While there are some less horrible versions of this trend, seeing these pieces have ruined the whole look for me. There are just too many things going on in this outfit, and its only the pants! Im not even including the bright shoes that add to the overwhelming effect of this outfit. When I asked my same fellow fashion trend-setter what she thought of these pants, this was her reply, "i'm going to take scissors and cut this up into 1 million pieces, throw it in a box, wrap it with a whole roll of duct tape, mail it to australia with a note that says 'burn before opening," and i couldn't have said it better myself.

ZARA; Sheer Flower Print Trousers

The second trend that needs to disappear, has been around for several years. Ever since the initial arrival of this skirt, I have despised it. Not only is it absolutely unattractive, its incredibly cheap-looking. Especially now, with the bohemian look off of our radar this season, this skirt as well as the previous 2 pieces, need to be locked away far from the world so they dont see or remember it. You can only wear peasant blouses and panelled skirts for so long before you just start to look like a bag lady.

ZARA; Panelled Skirt

That is all.

Jamie Duncan

@JamieLDuncan