Fashion-able: 2012 Designer Collaborations

There’s something so exhilarating about a great collaboration. Some of our favourite songs of all time have resulted from it (hello, One Sweet Day? ‘Nuff said.). We’re thrilled that fashion designers have started creating limited collections with guests – be they a blogger, editor, artist or model, we’re making our wish lists for items from these designer collabs.

The Man Repeller x Dannijo (MR Dannijo)

We’ve had a girl crush on The Man Repeller (aka Leandra Medine)
since the launch of her cheeky blog back in 2010. Everything she does is
perfection (lady boners all around!), so when she pairs up with a designer we
pay attention. Her collaboration with the jewelry line du jour Dannijo has the
perfect punch of colour for fall. 

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Agyness Deyn x Dr. Martens

This collaboration takes us back to the days of Claire Danes circa My So-Called Life—think daisy prints and the original grungy plaid of the
90s. British model, Aggy says she bought her first pair of Docs at 13 “as a combination of
showing that I wanted to rebel against my parents and they were the coolest
boots that I could get away with wearing to school”. We can’t wait to get our hands on this collection, which hits stores August 15.

Flare Magazine x Aldo

That’s right folks, Flare Magazine’s fashion director Liz Cabral and Canadian shoe brand Aldo are teaming up again for another collaboration. There aren’t too many details out yet, but Liz tweeted “we’re doing more than just
a shoe”. This pairing makes us proud to be Canadian and if it’s anything like their first collab, you’ll probably want to start planning your strategy for being first in line. The collection will be revealed in September and available in stores and online in October.

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H&M x Maison Martin Margiela

What we love most about H&M collaborations is how they
bring high fashion to the masses. Labels like Lanvin, Versace and
Comme des Garçons are made affordable so us, the common folk, can wear high fashion items. The latest collab is with cult favourite Maison Martin Margiela. It launches November 15 in approximately 230 stores
worldwide, as well as online.

Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuitton

The latest artist to collaborate with legendary fashion house Louis Vuitton is 82-year-old avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama. The collection is fun
and quirky, just like her art. Polka-dot-obsessed Kusama’s collection is complemented by the breathtaking exhibits at the Whitney Museum in New York City and the Tate Modern in London. Available now in select Louis Vuitton stores worldwide.

“…a polka-dot has the form of the sun, which is a
symbol of the energy of the whole world and our living life, and also the form
of the moon, which is calm. Round, soft, colorful, senseless and unknowing.
Polka-dots become movement… Polka dots are a way to infinity.” – Yayoi Kusama

 

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Rave: NYFW highlights

For the last week, New York Fashion Week has dominated our news feeds, time lines and Twitter. After seeing the collections online (and a couple in person), we can’t help but get excited about our very own World MasterCard Fashion Week just around the corner.

Fashion week can be overwhelming, so much to see, way too much to read and a ton of collections, new designers and trends to follow. Here, we’ve picked a few of our favourite shows with looks we’d love to rock.

New Zealand based Karen Walker showed a collection full of great pieces and accessories including her sunnies and amazing shoes. We fell in love with the jackets, featuring pops of colourful shirts and the very wearable skirts and dresses, take a peek at the full show here. We’ll take one of everything please. 

Images via Fashionologie.

Beads, pom poms and tassels were all over Altuzarra‘s FW collection. All of Joseph Altuzarra’s looks were fun, flirty and we could find a place to wear each and every one. Check out the full collection here at Style.com.

Images via Style.com.

Always a great show – Marc Jacobs incorporated oversized hats with their structural dresses and chunky knits to put on an eccentric show with lots of texture. Though we may not be stepping out in a big fuzzy hat anytime soon, the skirts, dresses and shoes are on our radar for fall. 

Images via NYmag.com.

Other notable show shout-outs include Gen Art’s Samantha Pleet show, Theyskens’ Theory and Derek Lam.

And as with any fashion week, outside the tents models, editors and fashion-forward attendees are stopped for their street style looks. After hours of enviously following our favourite sites, we’ve picked some of our favourite bloggers with street style we covet. 

Elin Kling always manages to look effortlessly stylish – she mixes a palette of black, greys, leather (all staples in our wardrobes) and pulls them together in fashion-forward looks. 

Images via Style by Kling.

Hanneli Mustaparta always has a chic, polished look. Being a former model probably doesn’t hurt either. She does great things with colour and can really do no wrong in our eyes. 

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Leandra Medine, the Man Repeller always makes our lists – her innovative combos and mixing of prints, patterns and fabrics inspires us to increase our layers, amp up our accessories and experiment with new looks. Isabel Marant sneakers paired with a cocktail dress? We’re into it. 

Images via ManRepeller.com. 

Fashion-Able: Man Repelling Street Style

Last week, we had the opportunity to go see the man repeller herself, Leandra Medine at the Holts Muse blog launch party. Guests mingled, drank, took lots of photos and generally looked uber stylish on the third floor of Holt Renfrew. If you’re not quite sure whether your outfit is attracting or repelling men, the technical definition from Leandra is as follows:

MAN·RE·PELL·ER¹  [MAHN-REE-PELLER]– noun: Outfitting oneself in a sartorially offensive way that will result in repelling members of the opposite sex. Such garments include, but are not limited to harem pants, boyfriend jeans, overalls (see: human repelling), shoulder pads, full length jumpsuits, jewelry that resembles violent weaponry and clogs.

We love the chance to try out new styles and experiment with fashion, despite what anyone thinks. Leandra may have said it best when she came to Toronto: “at the end of the day, you’re not dressing to repel men, you’re dressing to make yourself happy…” and we’re generally a pretty happy bunch. We grabbed our camera and snapped some shots of the style-conscious party-goers with our best man repelling highlights. 

Blogger Anita Clarke was rocking some harem pants and a mean arm party.  Man-repelling highlight: Neon nail polish. We’re into it, in a big way. 

Let’s get a close up of that arm party. Nice.

Ashley Rowe and Andie Riedel from the fourth floor.
Photo credit Ashley Rowe. 

Designer Ashley Rowe threw on some statement pants with Dalmatian print, a pair of wide-legged trousers from her collection. We’ve got our eye on those at the next sample sale. Man repelling highlight(s): Anything Dalmatian.

(left to right) Stylish Holt’s guest, Leandra Medine and Jen McNeely

Leandra Medine, Jen McNeely of She Does the City and guest gracefully strike a group pose. Man repelling highlight(s): Thick knit scarf, DANNIJO collar, bright lips.  We’d be inclined to wear all these items simultaneously.

Kristina Breckon and Kristin Nickolas

Consonant Skincare’s Kristina Breckon and Kristin Nickolas were rocking cozy chic looks with bootie + chunky scarf combos. Man-repelling highlight(s): It’s an even tie between the faux fur scarf and tapered harem pants.

Katie Polivka

Katie Polivka from Holt Renfrew wears a mesh skirt and fuzzy sweater. Love the mixing of textures. Man-repelling highlight(s): That leopard print clutch is amazing, but bow-on-head is an auto-win.

 

All photo credits belong to On The Fourth Floor, except where noted. 

City Living: ♫ Man Repeller’s comin’ to town… ♫

When we heard that Leandra Medine – best known as The Man Repeller – would be in town to host a party celebrating the launch of Holt Renfrew’s new blog, Holt’s Muse, a million thoughts flew into our heads: does this fit into our lunch hour (her public appearance at Holt Renfrew on Bloor is tomorrow from 1 to 2:30 p.m.), we hope we get invited to the private party (we did, thanks Holt’s!) and above all else, what the %&*# do we wear to repel impress the NY-based blogger? The blog, if you don’t do a daily visit already, is famous for celebrating styles that women love and men don’t. Hence, man repelling. In short, think loose, baggy, long and layered with a side of shoulder pads.

Still don’t get it? Instead of scratching your blown-out head, we’ve got some tips to help you craft the look. Men may hate it, but we love it.

We’re actually lucky that winter winds have hit, because the number one tip we have to make an outfit Man Repeller-worthy is to layer it up.

Option one: We’re picturing a fitted maxi skirt, a longer sheer blouse (roll those sleeves up cause you’re going to need room for bracelets. A lot of bracelets.) and a sweater vest. A common mistake that layering rookies make is thinking that one vest is enough. On top of the sweater vest, find a longer vest and put it on. Don’t be afraid of patterns here either; if one vest is plaid, even better. You’re almost there. Find all of your old bracelets and watches – everything from costume to camp-made are welcome – and start loading them on. And don’t skimp on the rings. Three on average per hand is our M.O. Here is some inspiration:

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Another mistake: don’t think that your maxi means you should ignore what’s underneath. Joe Fresh has a great pair of black and grey cheetah tights right now for $8 that are well worth it for a date with Leandra. 

Shoes: no flats allowed. And there are no exceptions to this rule and do not, repeat, do not put on a pump. Stick to clogs, wedges and chunky ankle boots. Before you head out, throw on a heavy jacket. Wool and fur, or vintage, is key to this finishing touch. Et voila.

Option two: Start with a short dress. Don’t be deterred by the weather, summer dresses work, as well as LBD’s. Add a longer t-shirt and a chunky sweater. In lieu of a sweater, go for another short dress on top of your t-shirt/dress combo. As long as it’s an inch or two shorter than your first dress, you’re good. 

Accessories: necklaces will work best with option two, so go for a statement piece and some longer chains. We especially love layering our necklaces. Big and delicate, short and long. Sometimes it is so ugly that it becomes pretty. Don’t forget your rings.

Insert bare legs and ankle boots:

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Put on a cropped blazer/jacket (Chanel tweed is ideal) and top it off with another jacket that is approximately the same length as your underlayer dress. A trench can work but do not put on your winter jacket right now. Grin and bare it…pun intended.

Leandra Medine will be at Holt Renfrew’s Bloor location (50 Bloor St. W.) from 1 to 2:30 p.m. tomorrow. Follow her on Twitter here.

Fashion-able: Bags vs. Clutches

If you like to peruse fashion blogs (and by “like to peruse” we mean “are obsessed with”), you might have come across the online debate about bags versus clutches. The Bag Snob likes, well, bags. And The Man Repeller prefers clutches. It’s a fascinating debate that seems to have online peeps pretty evenly split. It got us chatting about this choice up on the fourth floor, and we were pretty evenly split as well.

We know that many of you will not be purchasing $2,000 purses, but we couldn’t have a post about bags and clutches without mentioning some heavy-hitters in the accessories world! But, we also mixed in some affordable alternatives. Here are some options to satisfy all of your bag and/or clutch needs, whether high-end or high-value.

Clutches

Serious splurge: Derek Lam Evie Studded Clutch ($589 – sale price at Barney’s! Regularly $990)

 

Work this lovely little piece of heaven for a look that’s rock-and-roll chic. With a flap front and magnetic closure, this clutch comes with cool metal stud embellishments. Lined in fabric and featuring Lam signature ram hardware, the clutch has also has great woven lace-up trim detail. Perfect for day or night, this Aries-inspired clutch will take you from brunch all the way through to dinner and dancing. 

Score a save: Matt & Nat Sondre Wallet/Clutch ($75)

Vegan (and Canadian!) line Matt & Nat has been producing gorgeous bags, clutches and wallets since founder Inder Bedi was challenged to become vegetarian for 30 days. Each piece produced is environmentally friendly, with linings made from recycled plastic bottles. This pretty little clutch doubles as a wallet, and has a similar studded design as the Lam clutch above, but without the hefty price tag. It also comes in a cool peacock blue.

Serious splurge: Hunting Season Leopard Envelope Clutch ($1,432)

If you aren’t already completely decked in this season’s must-have print, then we have the clutch for you. Hunting Season’s luxe Leopard Envelope Clutch ($1,432) is made of patterned calf hair and trimmed in black snakeskin. With bold prints and a ladylike shape, find this clutch in the pages of Vogue and Elle.  

Score a save: Club Monaco Emily Clutch ($198)

Incorporating leopard into an outfit with an accessory is a subtle way to rock a trend, and won’t set you back a ton. This clutch from Canadian favourite (well, formerly Canadian) Club Monaco is sleek and simple, ensuring that you’ll have it around for a few years.  

Bags

Serious splurge: Marni Goat Hair Leather Bag  ($1,500)

 

Because a girl can never have enough fur in her closet. This quirky Marni leather cross-body bag’s goat hair is shaggy in the front and shaved in the back. With all the “it” factor a Marni girl could want, the bag has an adjustable strap and black leather trim. If you are already on PETA’s wanted list, then this bag is surely for you. 

Score a save: Zara Faux Fur Handbag ($59.90)

 

We think this Zara faux fur option is pretty cool, even though not exactly the same as our Marni pick. It will make those who are PETA-friendly feel good about carrying something that resembles fur, and will add some edge to your look. The colour palette will go with almost any outfit, but steer clear of wearing anything else fur related. 

Serious splurge: Miu Miu Leather Hobo Bag ($1,186)

Words cannot express our love for fringe, but let us tell you in the words of Rachel Zoe – it’s mah-jor. Carry this statement piece in the season’s neutral colour palette of choice. Embellished with leather fringe trim, this nude-hued bag is timeless, cool and original. Designed with a fold-over flap and clasp closure, the bag comes complete with an adjustable and removable shoulder strap and strategically placed pockets. Bag lovers, make room in your closet for this fringe take on a Miu Miu classic.   

Score a save: Danier Leather Fringe Purse (on sale for $69, regularly $139)

Though not as fringe-tastic as the Miu Miu purse, this Danier version is still really pretty and very chic. Made from soft lamb leather, the purse is a cute size, with just a bit of fringe detailing, meaning you won’t get sick of it in just one season. The braided handle adds a fun bit of subtle boho. It’s also available in black and grape. And the sale price is impossible to beat.

After weighing all of our great bag and clutch options, our verdict in the great debate? Go for both! You can never have too many choices.