Aspire to inspire

Montréal is culture.The Aficionada

She loves art, pixels, and all forms of artistic expressions. In fact, The Aficionada is a dedicated follower of fashion, especially when it comes to the jet-set lifestyle. Music performances, art exhibitions, multimedia and dance shows, our Aficionada is an eclectic blend of Montréal culture in any shape or form. If it’s happening in Montréal, she’s always the first to know about it. So be sure to check back regularly for the latest inside scoop!


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Montréal is fashion.The Fashionista

As a recently transplanted Parisian, The Fashionista takes to the streets of Montréal in search of well-kept European fashion secrets. Armed with a hefty stack of magazines from around the world, this fashion blog enthusiast and style watcher tells is as it is so you’ll always know if shoulder pads are in or out. What makes our Fashionista so charming is her love of writing, without pretension. Time to catch up on your reading… and the latest finds for your next shopping spree!


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Montréal is art of living.The Vanguardia

With her great smile and contagious good mood, The Vanguardia is always ready to host a girls’ night in or to throw together a party—a living embodiment of Montréal’s joie de vivre. As someone constantly on the lookout for exciting new ideas, it’s no surprise that our Vanguardia changes her home’s décor every six months! Follow her column to find out what’s hot and what’s not for home living and interior design.

 

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September 2011

Back to fashion

By la Fashionista

BACK TO FASHION

What if we embraced fall as a time of renewal and the dawn of a new colourful season filled with rich, varied expressions of style? Spread the word—fall, also known as the back-to-school season, signifies a new beginning and a time of wardrobe resolutions, new collections and the arrival of the September issue of Vogue to help set the fashion tone. 

So just what kind of styles will we eat up this winter?  Indeed, the time has come to stock up on fashion staples. Take a step towards fall with this column as we distill some of the latest fashion trends and styles. 

Dotty about dots

If summer was all about stripes, then winter has its heart set firmly on dots: from pastilles, polka, big or small, dots are all the rage. Always stylish and never clownish, Marc Jacobs transformed the dot into a key ingredient of his collections. This season, many designers from Paul Smith to Stella McCartney and even Lanvin are embracing the dot… Are you ready to adopt a dot this winter?

 

2011 Fall-Winter runways from Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg


2011 Fall-Winter campaign from Zara

Jovial jewels

Much like our beautiful province, fall will be stylishly flamboyant. Emerald, ruby and sapphire—the shimmering colours of the crown jewels—make for joyous eye candy this season. Lemon yellow and amethyst round out a selection of glamorous and colourful offerings.
 
2011 Fall-Winter runways from Chanel, Valentino
2011 Fall-Winter runways from Diane von Furstenberg

 
2011 Fall-Winter runways from Diane von Furstenberg, Versace


2011 Fall-Winter runways from Diane von Furstenberg

If I was a boy I would…

… wear pants, shirt and jacket. The masculine-feminine look continues to get its flirt on with the changing times. It’s an evolving trend determined to reinvent itself as timeless chic.

 

2011 Fall-Winter runways from Dolce & Gabbana, Paul Smith

2011 Fall-Winter runways from Dolce & Gabbana

Fetish expressions

If we are to believe some of our leading designers, “porno chic” has a long, bright future in store. Launched by Carine Roitfeld (former muse of Tom Ford and chief editor of Vogue France for ten years), the eccentric glamour & trash paradox continues to enliven runways with its politically incorrect slant. A principle integrated perfectly by Marc Jacobs in the Vuitton fashion show showcasing a very fetishistic, yet devilishly chic aura.

 

2011 Fall-Winter runways from Diane von Furstenberg, Louis Vuitton


2011 Fall-Winter runways from Alexander McQueen

Solid gold

In times of crisis, one needs to invest in a little gold! King of the podium for a few seasons already, gold leaf continues to make us melt—either as a complete outfit or to complement small, colourful sweaters or other prints—and glimmer with confidence.

 

2011 Fall-Winter runways from Diane von Furstenberg, Dries Van Noten

2011 Fall-Winter runways from Stella McCartney

Python Pythia

Python prints and leathers boast plenty of urban sophistication and a whole lot of bite this season as the new leopard. Snakeskin accessories have long been associated with the fashion world; today, however, they fit perfectly into the fast-fashion mold. But be careful not to go overboard with the faux-luxury look… dose your look to create perfect chic-wild harmony.


Kate Moss at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2011


2011 Fall-Winter campaign from Zara

 

2011 Fall-Winter runways from Burberry Prorsum and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac

Whiter pastures

Although this season serves up a slew of all-black looks, it also features many milky white shades to create veritable cocoons of coziness. As usual, black & white goes hand in hand with many styles while some designers are trying their hand at cow print, which can look really cute when worn subtly. Just remember that cow print fashions are best reserved for very chic wardrobes.
 

2011 Fall-Winter runways from Burberry Prorsum, Lanvin


 

2011 Fall-Winter runways from Prada, Alexander McQueen

 

The thing to remember is that fall is a time to spruce up your fashion codes with carefree basics that afford a healthy dose of self-pampering.

In next month’s issue, "I throw, I keep, I transform, and I buy" or how to embrace winter head-on with impeccable style. Have a great back-to-fashion season!

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