LKISEvents: Blogger Brunch at Le Germain

When I was asked to attend the blogger brunch at hotel Le Germain in Maple Leaf Square, I knew to expect elegance, but the added bonus was a completely delightful afternoon.  

What to wear to meet a bunch of fashion-y bloggettes?  

I went for silver jeans, a transparent smoke trench and a white shirt (which seemed to be the theme of the day!):

Get a bunch of style and blog-obsessed girls in one room and what do you have? One chatty meal!

I approached the magnificent hotel (complete with a sidewalk view of the CN Tower) and went in to head up to the apartment suit where the brunch was being hosted on the 8th floor.

There I met our host (with the absolute most) Marta (www.WithLoveGabrielle.com) and the other girls who I would be dining with from www.notable.ca, www.backseatstylers.com, www.styleblog.ca, www.brokenheeldiaries.com, www.stylegination.com, and www.thesoulsofmyshoes.com. 

All with unique points of view and lots of fun insights into the world of blogging. 

As we contemplated our four course meal, our conversation ranged between what things we love to hate about Toronto Fashion Week, the PR folks who treat us well...and not so well..., dishing on weird blogging stories and tips on how to get designer duds on the cheap (there are a few Winners spots that are apparently better than others in TO...).

Our, first course was a delicious breakfast style mini-bite on a stone slab, complete with a powdered sugar "g."

Then it was on to our three other courses:
Chips and ceviche, sheppard pie followed by a delectable dessert.

The whole experience was really interesting. I found out that, like me, there are bloggers out there that have sort of fallen into this world and followed their passion; that the Playboy parties in LA are not for everyone and that getting spam from PR reps is a definite no-no!

Our luncheon was so great, I almost missed my flight! (true story ladies!!!) and what happens when you get a bunch of bloggers together?  

Well, they write about it! 

http://notable.ca/nationwide/yp-life/Blogger-Brunch-at-Hotel-Le-Germain/

http://withlovegabrielle.com/hotel-le-germain-maple-leaf-square-blogger-lunch

http://styleblog.ca/2012/03/21/what-i-wore-dots-stripes-and-velvet/

 These girls were all different, cool, outspoken and welcoming.  

I like to think that this little lunch was just a snapshot of what blogging is all about.

xxx

LKIS

LKISStyle: Guess Who is the new Official Style Blogger for Virgin Radio?!

New opportunities and new fashion-filled blogs?  Sounds good to me!  

I am now the official style blogger for Virgin Radio!  Check out my blog on their site, every week as I post-away on the latest in fashion (it will be different than here, promise!). 

So excited for the opportunity (thank you Virgin!!!!), and to get my perspective on fashion out to the world!  

So here is the link: 

http://montreal.virginradio.ca/blog/Style/home.aspx

See you here and there!

xxx

LKIS

LKISEvents: World Mastercard (that's short for Toronto) Fashion Week, the Scene Day 5

The fifth and final day of Toronto Fashion Week was a feast for the stylish eye.  

On the runway there was tons to see but it was off the runway that got to me!  It was all about personal style and have that chic je-ne-sais-quoi....

I loved this show-goers head-to-toe look. 

My girl, Mel, was rockin' it in a great long shag vest.  

I can't forget this stylish guy:
Designer Christopher Bates looked amazing in his pink blazer.  

And, if you are going to have flare, you might as well find a like-minded fashionista.
This twosome was loving their tails.  

This pair was gorge in totally original get-ups (the dress on the left is made of can tops!). 

Want to make a personal style splash?  You can never go wrong with a bit (or if you ask me, a lot!) of sparkle:  

These shoes were the ultimate bling.  

Standing out in this fashionable crowd is no problem for amazing stylist Melanie Brisson, who had on an accessory that I still want to borrow (steal?!)!
Should we call it an ear-dangle?  An earlace? An earrounding?  Whatever it is called, I LOVED it!

Personal style is all about expressing yourself and a stack of pins was getting the message across.  

And, personal style can also be about the subtle touches; the accents.
This fashion week attendee looked gorgeous in green.  

Sassy cat eyes made this model agency gal's peepers pop. 

A pair of (truly) signature shoes can do the trick (Eurotrashgirl you were smashing). 

Or, a pair of bondage-y boots were totally bold.  

Even electronic accessories can convey personality, like this bunny-earred iPhone case. 

And don't forget that on day five, it was about to be Saint Patty's day, so these boys were giving a nod to a bit of Irish green. 

If you want to know how personal style is done, you just have to ask the F-List's Leesa Butler, who strutted in the Dare to Wear Love show and totally rocked her look after rocking the runway.  

Or, embrace your diva-ness like Bikko Beauttah, who defines the word glamorous. 

Personal style is also all about being totally fabulous inside and out...just ask my new fave, Ainsley Kerr.  

My fifth day style-finale: Head-to-toe black with a hint of emerald green and a lot of sheer. 

Fashion is all about expressing your own personal aesthetic and there was no better example of that than at the tents on the last day of Toronto fashion week.

I definitely felt right at home!

xxx

LKIS

LKISEvents: World Mastercard (that's short for Toronto) Fashion Week, the Fashion Day 5

I always have mixed emotions on the last day of Toronto Fashion Week.  On the one hand I am exhausted and have so much work left to do, and on the other hand I am eager to see that last pop of fashion file down the runway.  

And, true to form, the 5th and final day was truly a finale. 

Saniya Khan

The Saniya Kahn show was light and airy with kind of an ethereal woodsy fairytale vibe.  I could picture these pieces featured in a storybook shoot with draping velvet, intricate detail and added sparkle.  Everything looked really comfy without compromising its feminine feel. 

Arthur Mendonca

Arthur, Arthur, Arthur:  You know what I want and need in life.  This whole collection was simply succulent.  Perfect colour, gorgeous totally sexy clothes with a hint of S&M to give you just a little smirk as each look went by (I might have loved the latex tights, the fur stoles and the metallic lace).  Please, somebody, get me that finale empire dress.  Divine. 

Travis Taddeo

Yet another show where I was blown away.  Inspired by a woman facing the destruction of the world, there were some pieces that literally blew my socks off.  I flipped for a shirt with fur-wrapped sleeves, the all-red looks (so striking!) and the luscious red motorcycle jacket with fur accents... Judging by the audience's reaction, the end of the world might be fast approaching if some of us don't get our hands on that jacket. 

Joeffer Caoc 

Well, more peplum, anyone?  Modern metallics and studs mixed well with some interestingly retro-inspired silhouettes and created a look I hadn't seen yet at the tents.  Caoc combined all kinds of textures: sequins, leather, tweed, to create an edgy collection of everyday separates. 

Rad by Rad Hourani #5 Unisex Collection 

Completely androgynous and asexual, these looks clearly were defying the norms of what we normally see on the catwalk (not to mention both guys and girls strutting in boots with heels).  This collection truly was designed for both of the sexes.

Dare to Wear Love 

What a way to go out with a bang!  Canadian celebs, fashion industry alums and models all paraded down the runway in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.  It was a sea of colour, energy and some really memorable moments (Dana Pugliese fanning away, Ainsley Kerr strutting with a smile, Trish Status carrying one audience-member over her shoulder!).  But who stole the show? The adorable Danielle Brown, as this adorable mini-model high-fived the entire front row!

I am not sure if my memory gets fuzzy over the seasons or if I just get nostalgic for fashion week the minute it's over, but this year seemed like it was next-level.  Day five was a great mash-up of incredible shows and I was filled with Canadian pride as the catwalk came to a close. 

xxx

LKIS