Summer things

*bixi bikes
*oakville, on
*blue leather jackets
*the last emperor
*obamas do date night
*picnik électronik
*dinners at salle à manger
*tennis whites
*5 à 7
*plateau block parties

*dep wine in the afternoon
*preen anything
*fridays at korova
*old port celebrity sightings

Valentino gives me foot fetish

Watching: Alixis Mabille

My favorite newcomer to the couture scene is Alexis Mabille, who in my opinion has presented the best collection so far. This is only his fourth solo collection, but he has already won the respect of the fashion community. Mabille's whimsical collection for fall, expresses the often forgotten mantra of fashion designers, to make women look and feel beautiful. So perfect in their simplicity, his designs, for lack of a better word, are just downright pretty. So pretty they deserve thier own post.

Practical Couture?

Givenchy

Armani

Dior

Chanel

Lacroix

With the economy in shambles the glistening shine of the fashion world appears somewhat tarnished. In Paris these week, fall couture was focused on more classic wearable collections, starkly opposing the over-the-top opulence of last season. While for many, couture embodies the fashion designer’s unrestrained fantastical vision, many have lamented the exorbitant cost of producing a collection not designed for commercial consumption. Every couture garment is a labor of love, but that labor comes with a steep price tag. For a handful of the fashion elite the extreme cost is well worth the status of owning such coveted items, but this season couture clients and designers seem to be changing their tune. Most are showing collections that are more restrained, returning to more conventional shapes, cuts, and colours. Armani reclaimed the pantsuit, Lagerfeld worked with geometry, Tisci hit a high note with chiffon gowns, and Galliano showed relatively restrained volume. All sumptuous but less excessive then last season.

MIA

Every so often one needs to let the world float away and take a break from it all. After a two month hiatus my digital self is back and better then ever. What have I been doing for the past two months? Celebrating naturally!

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one

40 years ago Yoko Ono and John Lennon staged one of their most memorable political events in Montreal. The duo made international headline protesting the Vietnam war from Suite 1741, of the Queen Elizabeth Hotel. During their week long "bed-in" Ono and Lennon met with over 150 journalists each day to discuss their hopes for a peaceful future. During that time Lennon also wrote and recorded "Give Peace a Chance" from his hotel room.
To celebrate this historical event, and the message it provided, the Montreal Museum of Fine Art is hosting Imagine: The Peace Ballad of John & Yoko, an exhibition intended to provide political and social context to the 1969 "bed-in." The exhibition was produced and curated with the help of Yoko Ono, who will receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award at this year's Venice Biennale. There are over 140 works including many unpublished photographs, videos, and films. You can even play "Imagine" on a white baby grand piano. The whole experience is very inspirational, something we could all use a hefty dose of in these troubled times. The exhibition runs until June 21st, and in keeping with the theme of the exhibition, admission is free. GO.

Models and Mortals

Who: Anyone who matters in the fashion world

What: The party of the year
Wear: Your most decadent attire
When: Whenever you manage to snag an invitation
Why: Because you’re no one until somebody judges you (on your outfit that is)

The Costume Institute Gala at the Met, is the most desirable invitation of the spring season. This year's “Model as Muse” theme didn’t floor me with its creativity. After all, most celebrities attempt to dress like they fell out of an editorial anyway, with various degrees of success. Attempting anything too avant garde often makes one look like fashion road kill:

Louis Vuitton

Blair would not approve.......Despite some unfortunate choices, most of the ladies in attendance looked lovely. Trends of the evening included jewel tones, shorter then short dresses, full skirts, black booties, and strappy sky-high sandals. Below are my favorite outfits of the evening.

Phi, Thakoon


Nina Ricci


Oscar de la Renta


Balmain, Marc Jacobs


Chanel, Versace