Vancouver’s red carpet | Hollywood yohana

 
 
 
“In a notoriously laid-back city, it’s nice to see a bit of red carpet glamour,” said Maggie Langrick, the new arts editor at the Vancouver Sun and my co-judge for this year’s Best Dressed on the Red Carpet at the Leo Awards. We were being asked what was the best part of being asked to present this award, and her words were spot on.

The red carpet event took place at the Westin Bayshore on Saturday, May 24, and not surprisingly, some of Vancouver’s best and most established designers dressed some of the lovely nominees. Vicky Mackie, the Leo Awards publicist, looked stunning in a Chloe Angus (chloeangus.) two-piece silver and blue number with a dazzling belt, while Jo Bates, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress by a Female in a Feature Length Drama, wore a floor-length turquoise and brown silk burnout dress by the same designer. Corner Gas actress Gabrielle Miller wore a knockout silver-sequined mini by Jason Matlo (jasonmatlo.), an outfit that garnered her the Best Dressed on the Red Carpet honour.
As for me and my co-presenters, who also included Citytv’s Dawn Chubai, we wore outfits provided by Teenflo, which just opened its first retail location outside Quebec on the upper level of the Pacific Centre. Since our goal was to judge the stars, not upstage them, Dawn chose a black, yellow and white skirt—a signature look from Teenflo’s spring collection, Maggie went with a classy white pantsuit, and I picked a magenta sheath dress and paired it with a statement necklace from the new H&M flagship.


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Montreal shop notes: 5 minutes with Renata Morales | Hollywood yohana

Renata Morales


The unique style of designer Renata Morales has earned her props from art-loving fashion circles, including Grammy-winning Canadian band Arcade Fire. Here, she shares her favourite shops and the story behind Denis Gagnon’s infamous eyewear.
You’ve moved from prêt-à-porter to designing exclusively for private clients?
“That’s what I enjoy doing. It’s more elaborate stuff, where all the work is really ornate. I’ve also done costumes for [Oscar-nominated film director] Denis Villeneuve’s short, Next Floor.”
How cool is it working with Arcade Fire?
“I work with them because we’re friends. It’s not costume-oriented, except those Tron suits they wore on SNL.”

How has your style evolved over the years?
“One main evolution for me is lightness. As decorative as my clothes may be, I like clothes that are so light you forget about them.”
What’s coming for fall?
“I’m working on a contrast between moss and metal—metal that looks light.”
Where do you shop?
“I’m very excited about Denis Gagnon’s new boutique in Old Montreal. We’ll be neighbours again.”
He told me his signature frames came from you.
“They used to be mine. He kept saying to me, ‘Those glasses look horrible on you.’ Finally, I called him up and said, ‘ok, Denis, you can have the glasses.’”


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Excessorize Me | Hollywood yohana

 
 
 
Mark Twain may have said that “clothes make the man,” but any clever kitten knows that accessories make the woman.  After all, judging from the parade of exotic plumes and precious sparklers spotted at fashionable fetes across the city, ’tis the season to sparkle and shine.

Ah December! That delicious time of year when excess is not only expected but also accessible to the masses–the sultry, smoky eye palettes, the high-watt window displays and the tantalizing treats piped to sweet perfection. It is certainly a maximalist’s dream come true–a dream that includes both sugar plum fairies dancing in one’s head and rock candy rings dancing on one’s hand.
With all of the festive frivolity kicking into haute gear, now is the time to strike that over-the-top balance of lavish loot – whether it be bags, beads or bows.  Lovelies take note: when it comes to accessorizing, the key word is excess.  Draw your style inspiration from film stars and First Ladies who wowed with their enviable mix of beauty and bijoux: Jackie O’s enamel Jean Schlumberger bangles, Liz Taylor’s statement necklaces and cuffs in Cleopatra, and Audrey Hepburn’s twinkling tiara in Breakfast at Tiffanys. Just remember, my darlings, the bon mots of Christian Dior: “It’s not money that makes you well-dressed, it’s understanding.”
What does excessorizing mean to you?
Chunky strands of costume jewelry layered around your neck?
A gob-stopper sized rhinestone ring passed down from your grandmother?
Stacks of exotic gold bangles collected from your travels?
A sexy panther hanging from a long, gold chain?
A pink feathered evening bag with an elegant bejeweled clasp?
Happy holidays to stylish snow angels everywhere!
Wishing you and yours a very FASHIONable new year.
Shown: Le Chateau dress, $90. 


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Let the games begin! Get into the competitive spirit with 18 amazing Olympics-inspired collections | Hollywood yohana




We’ve officially reached the one-week countdown to the London Olympics, which can only mean one thing: the Olympics have hit their peak, leaving no one (not even the fashion industry) untouched in their wake. From the Canadiana-themed the Bay collection to one of Opening Ceremony’s covetable collaborations at its temporary pop-up OC London store, there is so much amazing Olympic-themed fashion at our fingertips that even the least athletic of us can confidently get their sportif chic on. We’ve got a lineup of the most stylish Olympic-inspired collections for your viewing pleasure, as well as a few staple sportswear pieces should you be inspired to get a sweat going yourself!

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One fine photo: Photographed by Chris Nicholls for FASHION’s February 1989 issue | Hollywood yohana

One fine photo: Photographed by Chris Nicholls for FASHION’s February 1989 issue



“Many of the interesting shapes featured in this photograph are duplicated,” says FASHION’s current art director, Maarten Sluyter. “The model’s hair mimics the volume of her skirt, and the V shapes are repeated. There’s a lot of contrast in this image—it’s stark white and jet black with very little grey. It makes me think of classic Man Ray or Herb Ritts photography. The model’s pose has a timeless, sculptural quality—it’s graceful, almost ballerina-like. Here, form takes the spotlight.”

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Traveling beauty: The world’s best hotel amenities are worth slipping into your bag upon checkout | Hollywood yohana

Beauty travel



One of the best perks of checking into a hotel is rushing to the bathroom to see what kind of products await. Some offer perennial favourites like Kiehl’s or cool niche brands such as Malin + Goetz, but others commission beauty brands to create exclusive items, making them that much more likely to disappear upon checkout. Herewith, our picks for hotels that provide the squeal factor when it comes to travel-size toiletries. 

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Saskatoon It girl: Jacqueline Conway | Hollywood yohana

Saskatoon It girl: Jacqueline Conway


 Prairie belle Jacqueline Conway is the owner of Trend Blazer Marketing and a jazz, tap and lyrical dance teacher. But that’s not all this 27-year-old mover and shaker choreographs; she’s also the brains behind the Saskatoon Fashion and Design Festival (she’s the executive director) and Mix & Match Marketplace, a designer trade show for Regina and Saskatoon artists that targets the province’s nouveau fashion crowd. Conway relies on labels like Club Monaco and Rachel Roy for classic everyday staples and Zac Posen and BCBG Max Azria when she’s looking to create a little after-hours sizzle. Local labels Rebecca King and Laurie Brown—among those Conway has selected for pop-up shops and fashion shows—have found their way into her closet amongst her Joe Fresh and H&M finds. “Retail therapy is the best solution to a stressful workweek,” she says.
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First look: Jason Wu ventures into contemporary fashion with his new line, Miss Wu | Hollywood yohana





Next January, Jason Wu will add his name to the long list of designers that have forayed into contemporary fashion when he unveils his diffusion line, Miss Wu. The collection, which Wu describes as “slightly more downtown, and with a more relaxed attitude” than his signature line, is sure to garner a loyal following amongst trend-savvy women who like their fashion feminine and classic. Timeless ‘60s beauties—think Marianne Faithfull and Jane Birkin—served as inspiration for the Miss Wu’s 40-piece Spring 2013 line-up, which features mod silhouettes, groovy graphic prints and covet-worthy floppy hats. Wu, who gained experience designing affordable fashion with his Target capsule collection, told WWD that Miss Wu isn’t just about doing ‘Jason Wu-for-less.’ “I always see Jason Wu [the collection] as my aesthetic, my design sensibility,” the designer said. “Miss Wu is my personality.”

Miss Wu will be available exclusively at Nordstrom’s until January 2014, at which point Wu plans on globally expanding the line. Fingers crossed for a couple of Canadian locations!

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