LKisEvents: My Favorite LGFW Show, Day 5 (this is it, kids!)

My fifth day at LG Fashion Week Beauty by L'Oreal Paris was the last hoorah for this amazing event (I mean there will be other shows, but I really dig my intense week as the FDCC Style Blogger)....I was thrilled to see the designers bring their best and to feel the palpable excitment over the grand finale of fashion week.  Now, the obvious choice for best show on day five, I think for a lot of people, including me, was Denis Gagnon.  Described as art, this collection was extremely sophisticated and downright different.  Tribal, yet somehow extremely luxurious, these garments were complex, riveting and, frankly, pretty awesome ( I will be seriously contemplating purchasing a Denis Gagnon long-fringed purse...). 

It is a rarity to come across across something new.  Shimmery strands, swinging back and forth in a kind of cantor down the runway: I think that Denis Gagnon is tapping into something entirely other, which brings nothing more than sheer delight to a fashion adorer like me...and, judging by the semi-standing ovation at this closing show, to a lot of other people, too.

LKisEvents: My Favorite LGFW Show, Day 4

Ok, SO my first choice is Evan Biddell "KINGDOM."  This show took place before the actual LG Fashion Week Beauty by L'Oreal Paris began and I did not have a chance to attend (I have been assured that next time, I will get to see this genius in live action).  From what I could tell, Biddell's collection was perfection in the most "me" way (I literally would love to own everything)...but since this was a video of a show and not an actual runway show, I need to give you my runner up...and the second choice for Thursday night was an easy one:  Romona Keveza was sweeping, romantic and girly-gorgeous.  Here are some shots from this storybook show:

 This designer created dramatic, elegant dresses...between the power-ballads playing in the background and the pretty girls in beautiful gowns (a friend from a past life: Ainsley, you rocked the runway!), I was literally on the verge of being choked up.  And I don't even cry at weddings!!  

LKisEvents: My Favorite LGFW Show, Day 3

This show probably doesn't need any more recognition that it already got, but I just can't help it:  I love Joe Fresh.  I read somewhere that Joe Fresh embodies the democratization of fashion.  What does that mean?  Well, I interpret it as: style for everyone- the prices for these fabulous garments are feasible for any wallet- designer or discount.  

 Affordable preppy-wear bounced down the runway in the best way.  Academia and scouts-honor become ridiculously fashionable, on day three at this show.

The whole Joe Fresh style of spring/summer 2011 was filled with youthful, sporty references.  I have said it before and I will say it again:  I love Joe Fresh.

LKisEvents: My Favorite LGFW Show, Day 2

On day two of my FDCC Style Blogging gig, my preferred show was an obvious choice. Jessica Jensen + Alexander Berardi's beachy runway was filled with romance.  Sophisticated and chic, this collection made me want to eat steamed clams in Nantucket or board a yacht in Capri (that is not to say that before this show I was averse to either of those activities...).  

Check out the pics from this great show: 

A fantastic collaboration between a whimsical clothing designer and an accessories maven, this show was a coordinated, beautiful and wearable wonder, on day two of this season's LG Fashion Week Beauty by L'Oreal Paris.

LKisEvents: My Favorite LGFW Show, Day 1

I am finally coming up for air after my first stint as the official FDCC Style Blogger on http://www.lgfashionweek.ca/.  Two posts a day for 5 days, covering all the shows and style at LG Fashion Week Beauty by L'Oreal Paris,  was an amazing experience.  I had the opportunity to see and report on every show that graced the runway, but I must say that there were some that totally stood out for me.  SO, I wanted to share my favourites from each day at Toronto's LG Fashion Week...here is day 1:

Mikhael Kale

I was obsessed with this collection as soon as it came down the runway during the Holt Renfrew show.  It was cool, edgy, modern and, yet, a bit girl-y too: think-fairy-princess-meets-The-Runaways. 

With exagerated hips and long spidery legs (one pieces and mini's were the majority of the silhouettes), this was the best fashion-part of my first day.

LKisStyle: How to in the House of Style

So as some of you may know, I have been attending LG Fashion Week Beauty by L'Oreal Paris, here in Toronto.  I have been the official FDCC Style Blogger and you can see all my coverage of the shows, and the fashions I find in between trips to the runway, on http://www.lgfashionweek.ca/.  So far, it's been amaaaaaazing.  I have had the opportunity to meet a ton of awesome people and see incredible shows from the front row.  This my friends, is the big leagues.  And so the obvious question has been plaguing me: Oh goodness, what do I wear?  Well, here is my answer, so far:

Day 1:  I went for velvet- an Armani jacket, Leyendecker dress and Aldo shoes....

Day 2: Vintage silk dress and belt....

Day 3: Armani blazer, URU silk tank top and Stuart Weitzman over-the-knee boots....

More of my blogging adventures will be up today on http://www.lgfashionweek.ca/ and you can always follow me on Twitter @LKisStyle, for insta-reports on the happenings at Toronto fashion week.  And now...I better go get dressed...

LKisObsession: Less is More, Except With Double-Finger Rings

It's not like being obsessed is a good thing, but when it comes to my love for jewelery, I am totally okay with it.  For the past few years, I have become a bit of a collector of double-finger rings.  I realized that my preoccupation had become an obsession when two awesome girlfriends (KD and AK) spotted me with my latest purchase and said they had seen the item in question and knew that I would buy it.  Had I become that predictable?  The answer is, quite frankly, yes.

Here are a few of my double-ring-favorites that are in heavy rotation these days:

Found this one at none other than Forever 21 in Vegas (which by the way is the largest Forever 21 in the world!).

 Custom-made ring from my days in NYC.

 My beloved snake ring from LF in LA.

Blingin' double-ring: a splurge at Henri Bendel on my last trip to NYC.

  

Then there is the brass-ring of multi-finger rings (pun and a half)...

Alexander McQueen's Knuckle Duster (as if the clutch wasn't enough!?) is the coveted accessory in question, and it will no doubt one day take my collection to the next level.  I'll admit it: I can't get enough, but if that means I am obsessed, well, I'll deal.

LKisStyle: Big News for Little ME!!!

Ok, so, writing a blog has been my passion lately.  I mean I think I was always writing a blog in my head (opinions about fashion were not exactly hard to come by in my noggin'), but this past May, I took a leap of faith and decided to put my money where my mouth was...or at least put my words on the line.  Well, I have just been given a huge opportunity: I am going to be the Style Blogger for LG Fashion Week, Beauty by L'Oreal Paris, the Style of Power, this October 18-23.  My official title: The FDCC Style Blogger.  What is the FDCC you ask? Well, it is an organization called the Fashion Design Council of Canada, and it actually puts on Toronto Fashion Week!  And, as their official style blogger, I will get VIP access to all of Toronto Fashion Week and be checking out the who's who in attendance, the experiential execution of this uber-glam event, and, of course, the fabulous fashion that graces the runways of the second largest fashion week in North America.  Check out my first post: http://www.lgfashionweek.ca/blog/default.aspx! I will be posting every day of LG Fashion Week, on their site: http://www.lgfashionweek.ca/, and I will also be posting style stuff on my site. It's gonna be a busy week, but honestly, I can't wait!!!

LKisStyle: Matchy Match Never Looked so Good

Every now and then, one finds an exception to their fashion rule... 

I lived in France for a summer with a roommate who had to match.  She was always coordinated.  Her shoes matched her bag, which matched her dress, which matched her jewelery.  She would squeal with glee when we found her canary yellow heels to go with her canary yellow dress.  Now, there is something to be said for coordinating, the classic or conservative dresser should never be too mismatched... albeit I am just not a believer.  For me, it was SJP who made the mismatched and the eclectic a fashion statement.  She walked along the sets of Sex in the City with her bag a different color than her shoes, and both totally different vibes than her outfit (what I would give for a day shopping with Patricia Field).  So for the most part, except for maybe extreme family functions and any religious event, the mismatch is more my thing...

But here comes the exception: On a recent trip to Las Vegas, the most fabulously coordinated accessories blew my little mind.  With a display of delicate black lace shoes, combined with the matching Gothic four-finger-ring clutch, I was glued to the store window:

The late (and amazingly great) Alexander McQueen's line is still kicking, and if this rock'n'roll aesthetic can condone matching, well, then I guess I can too.  What is your favorite style rule?  I think that this process is the best part of fashion: just when you think the rules are set, someone gives you an excuse to break them....

LKisObsession: Seeing Green (Nail Polish)

How poetic to be jealous of something that is green.  Well, I will admit it, I am totally envious.  I was recently at a diner having a lovely brunch, when I noticed a waitress' deep green nails.  I remarked immediately asking the obvious question: "Omigawd, is that green?"  She must have thought I was rather slow, but she graciously spread her manicured hand on the counter and showed me the goods.  This color was the perfect mix of unexpected, hardcore and feminine and I would (if only I could stop getting French manicures) totally wear it:

Then, last night sitting with a most-stylish friend (SS, you are!), I remarked on her green nail polish.  She informed me that her niece (fashionable already, even though she is only a toddler...) sent her the limited edition Chanel's Khaki Vert.  Somehow, this interesting hue didn't invoked my usual aversion to muted tones on fingernails.  Rather, this subtle green was a sophisticated twist, and I could just picture any girl headed into social event season in her luxurious ball gown and khaki nails.

Envy is usually represented by the color green, but who knew my dark emotion could look so fabulous on fingernails.