Vancouver’s Eco Fashion Week kicks off with stellar collections and re-styled Value Village wears | Hollywood yohana





Mother Nature clearly approved of the kick-off to the Fall 2012 edition of Eco Fashion Week. She gave a long, wet, chillier-than-usual Vancouver winter its first dry spring high of 16 degrees. The runway, set atop an iceless 2010 Olympiad legacy rink in Robson Square, warmed up with a show featuring no new clothing.
It was stylists, not designers who took centre stage using some $500 worth of pre-loved Value Village finds. Sarah La Greca and Deanna Palkowski styled 21 waste-not, wide-ranging looks from pastel-on-pastel and print-on-print to ‘70s rock and ‘80s glam sent out to a Grimes soundtrack. My favourite: a Chinoiserie smoking jacket that wouldn’t have been out of place in Jason Wu’s fall collection, followed by a Cher Horowitz-esque pastel blue pleather jacket worn over a ladylike ivory ensemble—albeit more spring than fall—and a double scoop of polka dots on a blouse and pencil skirt.

Next, Eco Fashion Week founder Miriam Laroche styled her pick of pre-loved threads. There were rich, clashing colours overall, with tartan skirts atop sequins tops, and scarves reworked as tops, skirts and finally a whole cocktail dress. A little ‘80s Yves Saint Laurent meets ‘80s Ralph Lauren meets present day Marc Jacobs, perhaps. In fact, one actual YSL dress of yore, magenta with abstracted roses, traveled the runway for a second time.
Perhaps I’ve been reading too many dystopian teen novels, but could all-vintage be the post-apocalyptic future of fashion? There were even contestants in attendance, of the Miss World variety that is.
It got even more apocalyptic, and punk too, yet new and never-worn at Unlokk by Eason Wang. The young Shanghai-born designer, a former Blanche Macdonald student, opened his presentation with a conceptual video of a girl in a gas mask struggling to come untied then staggering through a distorted forest. The clothes, both men’s and women’s, showed sparks of creativity but lacked polish. A cape-type topper with sharp, angular shoulders reminiscent of armor I liked, a shaggy Sasquatch hair hem on a dress I did not.
Next was Snap, a line from Whistler-based F As In Frank that reworks men’s vintage pieces for women. A remix of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” was selected and aptly sums up their aesthetic. It was all very Grunge Prairie Western corralling plaid, denim, lace, floral and sweats.
Eponymous jewellery line Bitru Fariel ended the evening. To say her handcrafted baubles are statement pieces is an understatement. There was a necklace of batteries bunched and wrapped in wire, what looked like white electrical cable coiled into two breasts, and coral and wire shaped like a skeleton as a finale. Not to beat a dead comparison, but these too befit a fictional Hunger Games’ Capitol.

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Check out 40 shots from H&M’s upcoming fall collection (Bedazzled sweaters and floral prints inside!) | Hollywood yohana

Yesterday, we hit H&M’s Toronto headquarters for a sneak peek at what the brand is cooking up for fall. As it turns out, they’re not quite cooking: they’re bedazzling. Everything. Gold and crystal baubles adorn sweaters, skirts, heck, even a harness. Meanwhile, Erdem-esque floral digi prints show up on sweaters and leggings, layers are long and lean and the heels are of the need-it-now variety. This collection will begin to hit stores in July, but in the meantime, have a look at some of the items you’ll be fighting to get your hands on.

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Inside Calgary’s ARTwear fundraiser: A Parisian-themed runway and stylish doyennes sipping bubbly | Hollywood yohana




Amidst a flowing wine and champagne bar, the Calgary crowd kicked off the long weekend earlier this month with a fusion of art and fashion at the ninth annual ARTwear fundraiser fashion show.
If only we’d attended three weeks ago, we’d have learned how to fasten our own massive twig hats and carpet-foam dresses in time for Halloween. The VIP portion of the evening included a showcase at the Art Gallery of Calgary (AGC), where the Alberta College of Art + Design students presented creations from their Wearable Art atelier. The use of unconventional materials turned models into performance art pieces, as they mingled post-show with media, designers, and well-dressed guests paying for the cause (proceeds from the event go to the AGC’s Public and Education Programming for grades K-12).

Around 7:30, a VIP shuttle whisked us over to Hotel Arts, where a heaving, hyped-up crowd of 600 people were gathering to watch boutique retailers walk the runway, themed Paris Glam (throw in an Eiffel Tower as backdrop and you’re good to go). Prepping you for the holiday season were masses of sequins from APT 22, barely-there lingerie from SHE Apparel and a look forward to exclusive Spring 2012 pieces from design house Zenobia.
Our favourite piece of art was the blown-up cover of FASHION’s Winter issue, but maybe we’re just biased.

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Who wore it best on the AMA red carpet: Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, or Nicki Minaj? | Hollywood yohana




 Last night’s American Music Awards was all about the women—with Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, and Adele taking home the most awards, and Jennifer Lopez totally taking over the stage. But what about the red carpet? Did Selena Gomez’s satin Giorgio Armani gown look best (complete with Justin Bieber carrying her train) or was it all about Katy Perry’s sequin dress by Vivienne Westwood Gold Label? We have our top picks—now it’s time for you to vote!

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Our top 8 tips, tricks, and picks for how to wear the cropped sweater this season | Hollywood yohana

A cropped knit sweater is an easy way to complete an almost-there outfit and to add an extra layer of warmth—which is especially appealing as temperatures continue to drop. The trick to this trend, seen everywhere from runways to the hallways of our office, is finding the right pieces to pair your with your sweater; after all, no one wants to see bare midriffs in November! There are many ways to mix up this look—we suggest layering over a button-up top and then pairing with flared or printed pants. Worn well, the cropped sweater will carry you through the season in style. Happy layering!

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Jean-Pierre Braganza brings his brand of East London edge to Toronto | Hollywood yohana




The ShOws were created to bring back talented expat Canadian designers showing overseas, and London-based Jean-Pierre Braganza is a fine example of a local boy doing good—he’s part of the just-announced Alexa Chung–fronted British Designers Collective for 2012, which means he’ll be retailing his wares in a six-week pop-up shop in Britain’s Bicester Village shopping centre alongside Preen, Holly Fulton, and Erickson Beamon. Toronto got an up-close look at his black, grey and plum and lilac fall collection last night, with its sharp-fitting pencil dresses with slashes of block colour or digi prints, wild patterned knits and voluminous, Westwood-ish bustled skirts.


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Bring pyjamas into daytime with these must-haves | Hollywood yohana

The list: Bedtime story


Silky pyjama-inspired separates make their way out of the boudoir this spring.

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Go inside Canada’s first Express store, plus catch up with Entourage’s Emmanuelle Chriqui | Hollywood yohana





Following the trend of American-based stores moving up north, Express opened at the Fairview mall last Thursday, and we think their first foray into Canada is sure to be a good one. A few hours before the store was opened to the public, we got to see the new digs and chat a little with Emmanuelle Chriqui a.k.a. Entourage’s Sloan McQuewick, who was back in her home territory for the store’s launch. The Canadian-born actress leant her name and stardom to the opening of the store, doing the round of interviews and signing autographs for fans.
Naturally, the first thing we had to ask her is how she felt about Entourage ending.”It’s bittersweet,” she admitted. “It was such a blessing to be part of something that was so much bigger than we expected it to be. It’s a little bit sad.”After asking her about Entourage movie rumours, (she doesn’t know much more than we do!) we got down to the business of why we were there. “I became a fan of Express when I discovered their blazers,” she explained, “but mostly I love when you buy a piece that is versatile. That’s what Express is, you can find ‘your piece.’”

Chriqui’s right. Every piece we see in the store can be dressed up or down, worn to work or at home… you get where we’re going with this. Between colour-blocked tees and pencil skirts, sheer button-up blouses, and tons of those aforementioned blazers, there were lots of stylish but appropriate options for daily life. (We picked up a cute, oversized striped sweater. So cozy!)
As to why they chose Canada for their first international move? “We’re a fashion company, so we go where fashion is and fashion completely is here,” said Pam Seidman, VP of Communications for the company, who knew that flattery would get her everywhere.

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Rocker tank | Hollywood yohana

Coco & Tashi


I love the rocker feel of this tank top from Coco & Tashi  and its 1920s-inspired fringe. I’ll pair it with dark jeans and motorcycle boots to kick-start my fall look.


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Shop Occulter for Morrissey-shaped candles, human jaw relicas and all other witchy, uh, essentials | Hollywood yohana

 


The shop: When did sorcery get so expensive? At Occulter, the two-year-old home of jewellers and object-makers Black Sheep & Prodigal Sons, dark arts become artisanship, and artisanship is code for $$$$$. Perhaps that’s why, at Occulter’s physical manifestation on the Lower East Side, you have to make a private appointment to shop for Styxian accoutrements. Its e-shop, though, is always open, and while it’s much less spell-binding, it’s also less likely to black-leech your bank account dry. I’m not arguing the price of handcraftsmanship, or of magic. It’s just that in the cold light of Google Chrome, a multi-thousand-dollar “Navajo Shamanic” breastplate made from “upcycled salvaged materials” seems exactly as “witch, please” as it is.

The goods: Necromantic influences have ridden the runways for some seasons now, but for Black Sheep & Prodigal Sons designer-founder Derrick Cruz, it’s not a trend—it’s a lifestyle, death-style. He sells a handful of designers who share his sixth-sensibility: Gabriel J. Shuldiner, Langoliers and Bevel, who make the best-selling “Camazotz” ring ($265).
Ashy landscapes by Brooklyn artist Jeremy Dyer run from $3,000 to $9,000; holding down the other end of the scale are Binchotan charcoal toothbrushes ($10) and teas with names like potions (also $10).A voodoo-y keychain with a hand-carved porcelain bighorn charm and hammered silver keys is $650, at which price you’d rather lose a kidney than your keys. This braided bangle, made-to-order from the blondest American horsehair, is $440, and corsetish lamb-leather wrist cuffs are $350 (then again, both could pass for Ann Demeulemeester and, by that standard, are almost a bargain).
As fortune has it, if you are reading this before July 1, you’re in time to spirit away a piece or two from Occulter’s seasonal sample sale. Bevel’s “Razor House” bracelet, like a silver vagina dentata, is $400 marked down from $1,040; a Mayan underworld-inspired rosary is $555 from $1,111; and a skull ring is $220 from $444. Don’t get a skull ring, though. Are you 12?
The shipping: You pay this much, you get packaging you almost want to frame (pictured). Most orders ship within five days, and costs are calculated by weight. Inquire before you buy: Occulter staff are quick to respond on all channels of social media. Just don’t let them hex you into buying that $2,500 24K-gold replica—I hope—of a human jaw.

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Tamera Styles the Classics: Little Black Dress Edition | Hollywood yohana

Tamera Styles the Little Black Dress 
 
Tia and Tamera may look alike, but the sisters have very different styles. So, we thought it would be fun to give each of them the same wardrobe staple and find out what they would pair with it. First up: Tamera's looks! Each day this week, we're going to show exactly how Tamera would style various classics. Get ready for the little black dress...
"Ooo, sick!" Tamera raved after taking one look at J. Crew's LBD. "I would definitely put a colored high pump with that. I would also add some color with my jewelry. Instead of regular gold, I would do emerald. I also may add a skinny belt in some kind of color. I would just add a lot of color to the dress. Then, I'd do my hair in a sleek ponytail."
1. J. Crew classic black tafetta V-neck dress ($200)
2. Kendra Scott Green Agate Elle Earrings ($52)
3. J. Crew Golden Sunflower Patent Skinny Belt ($36)
4. Jessica Simpson Aquadisiac Halie Platform ($89)
 
 
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Sarah Knight Shares What It's Like to Cover Award Shows | Hollywood yohana

Sarah Knight 
 
 
Giuliana Rancic's assistant extraordinaire Sarah Knight dishes on what it's really like to work the exciting and glamorous awards season, which starts with the Emmys and concludes with the Oscars. Read on for the scoop...
Of all the awards shows that you cover with Giuliana, which is your favorite red carpet to be on and why?
They are all so much fun, but if I had to choose, I would say the Golden Globes! The Globes is a mix of both television and movie stars, so you really get the whole package! The ceremony is held at the famous Beverly Hilton Hotel in the heart of Beverly Hills and there is just something about the Globes that is über-glamorous.
What exactly do you do on the day of a major awards show. Please break down your schedule for us.
Usually, we arrive at the location early in the morning to start prepping. I'm normally helping G go over her question cards while she is getting her hair and makeup done. I will read the questions that have been written on the cards for each celeb and jot down notes if she has any. It's kind of like studying for finals! It helps Giuliana to hear the questions out loud first, and she is always extremely prepared. When Giuliana is all glammed up and ready to hit the red carpet, we make our way to E!'s position and wait for the fun to start. I'm typically sitting on a wooden apple box in a teeny tiny corner to stay out of the way of the cameras. I've got G's book of questions and I'm responsible for handing her the correct card for each celeb. Plus, did I mention I have 
 
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Tamera Styles the Classics: White T-Shirt & Jeans Edition | Hollywood yohana

Tamera Styles White Shirt and Jeans 
 
 
Tia and Tamera may look alike, but the sisters have very different styles. So, we thought it would be fun to give each of them the same wardrobe staple and find out what they would pair with it. First up: Tamera's looks! Each day this week, we're going to show how Tamera would style various classics. Get ready for the white tee and jeans...
"This is my favorite look—ever!" I do believe that it also happens to be men's favorite look," Tamera told myStyle. "I would wear my hair down with big waves, and just add some diamond studs, a gold bracelet and black heels."
1. 7 For All Mankind Bootcut Jeans ($169)
2. Old Navy V-Neck Tee ($9.50 $8.50)
3. Genevive By CZC Diamond Studs ($30)
4. Forever 21 Gold Etched Wrap Bracelet ($5.80)
5. Steve Madden Remmedy Black Suede Heel ($89.95)

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myStyle Catches Up With Tia During Oh, Baby! Promo Tour | Hollywood yohana

Tia Mowry 
 
We caught up with the fashionable author of Oh, Baby! Pregnancy Tales and Advice from One Hot Mama to Another during the last stop on her book tour at Barnes & Noble at the Americana at Brand in Glendale, Calif.

WHAT SHE'S WEARING: I am wearing a Yumi Kim dress and XTC wedges. Wedges are great for the summer!
FASHION PHILOSOPHY: I definitely wanted to be viewed as a hot mama; that was my whole goal with my style throughout this tour. I want moms to know that just because you're a mom, you don't have to be dowdy. You can be stylish, chic and comfortable all at the same time.
ON DRESSING CREE: I love putting my son Cree in prints. He has a lot of stripes. He has a lot of plaid. I love putting him in color, too, because I really love color!
TMI, TIA!: In the book, I mention that I peed on myself during my pregnancy. Sometimes, I get embarrassed by that. But you do! Sometimes when you cough or you sneeze or you laugh, you pee on yourself and nobody has ever told me that. It's happening to my sister right now, but she knew it would happen, because it happened to me.
PREGNANCY CHIC ADVICE FOR TAMERA: I know that she's read the book and I know that she's wearing a lot of blazers with her outfits. That's one of my tips that I give in my book—one of my top 10 go-to tips to be one hot mama. I also recommend wearing heels while you still can. Tamera is
rocking the heels! You won't be able to wear heels later on in your pregnancy, so wear them as long as you can and as often as you can in the first and second trimesters because the third, you probably won't make it!
BABY ON BOARD: Cree is very good on the plane. I think he's good because ever since he was two-and-half-months, he's been on a plane. He has been on 26 flights and one train ride, so I think he's used to it. We choose big air carriers, where if he's taking a nap, I can lie down. We also choose first flights out because it's early in the morning and Cree will still be on his sleeping schedule. I also make sure that whatever time our flight leaves, it's on his sleeping schedule. Another tip is to pack a great baby bag—toys and enough milk or food in case your plane gets delayed. We also travel in our pajamas and everyone always says, "Oh! I wish I can travel in my PJs."

Tia Mowry, Cree

 DODGING GERMS: When I was breast feeding, I would put breast milk by Cree's nose and ears. My pediatrician told me that reduces a baby's chances of getting sick on a plane. At the end of the day, you have to let go and realize that babies will get sick. It's good for their immune system—for them to get exposed to certain things.
THE HUBBY HELPS: If I say, Honey, I need 30 to 45 minutes to myself, Cory will take care of Cree and I'll go upstairs and relax. He's been good with our night shifts. When Cree wakes up in the middle of night, I'll get up, change him, feed him and put him to bed. The next night, Cory will do it. So, at least we're catching up on our sleep.
Tia Mowry, Cree
DATE NIGHTS: You definitely have to make time for your husband and set dates—but not date nights. When you have a child, staying out until 11 at night when you have to wake up at 4 a.m. is not good either. Instead, Cory and I will have lunch dates. Cory will call and ask if I'm free and tell me to meet him somewhere and vice versa.
FAMILY TRADITIONS: We have the weekends for the family. Sometimes, we'll have friends over, but it's very important for us to go out to dinner and spend time together as a family, or even cook a meal together and all of us eat together. It was very important in my household growing uo to come together for dinner and talk about our day. Cory and I definitely continue that tradition.

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Tamera Styles the Classics: Black Pencil Skirt Edition | Hollywood yohana

Tamera Styles a Black Pencil Skirt 
 
Tia and Tamera may look alike, but the sisters have very different styles. So, we thought it would be fun to give each of them the same wardrobe staple and find out what they would pair with it. First up: Tamera's looks! Each day this week, we're going to show how Tamera would style various classics. Get ready for the black pencil skirt...
"I would add a white men's T-shirt with a black blazer and colorful heels to this," Tamera explained to myStyle. "Like the LBD, I would also do a ponytail with this black pencil skirt. I love a pony! I'd top it all off with classic gold hoops."
1. J. Crew Long No. 2 Pencil Skirt ($128 $89.99)
2. James Perse White V-neck Shirt ($50)
3. Newport News Girlfriend Blazer ($84 $33)
4. AK Anne Klein Gold Hoop Earrings ($18)
5. Steven Geneveve Blue Nubuck Heels ($149)
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Top-of-the-Week Tip: Put Your Best Colorful Foot Forward! | Hollywood yohana

Chromaticgallerie Heels 
 
Fashion doesn't always have to equal pain! Just ask Chris Luhur, designer of CHROMATICgallerie. The shoe line offers a rainbow of comfortably chic, customizable pumps. We're talking bold, vivid colors, cushioned insoles and no more than a four-inch heel. Nice! Keep reading for Luhur's easy tip on how to pump up your look!
"Don't be afraid to get a little wild with your workwear. An animal-print or bright colored shoe spices up basics." —Chris Luhur

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