It’s always fun to see the latest collections from some of Canada’s most well-known designers, but LGFW is also about supporting new local talent. Here are three emerging designers that showed last week at David Pecaut Square that we think will become an important part of Canada’s style scene.

Caitlin Power

This patternmaker and instruction turned designer launched her own line in 2010. Her show was part of the Mercedes Benz start up show, meant to showcase emerging talent, and was a cohesive line of western-inspired pieces accented by burnt orange prints.

Despite all the fashion magazines and style blogs out there, sometimes you just don’t have the slightest clue what you should be wearing. Canadian stylist Rachel Matthews knows it can be quite overwhelming for women to sort through the abundance of trends on the market each season to find what really suits their personality and body type. As a means to help Toronto ladies improve their self-esteem and have some fun with their wardrobes, Matthews has created a series of fashion seminar events called Rack to Rack FunShops. Over vegan cupcakes and pink champagne, attendees learn how to shop for their body type, get creative with basics and style those tricky pieces that have been sitting back in the closet for far too long. Take some of Matthew’s advice to heart when planning your fall wardrobe:

- Uneasy about buying coloured clothing? Incorporate the season’s colour palette with bags, shoes, belts, and jewellery that can be switched up for day or night.
- Don’t be afraid of mixing prints or textures in a look. Just be sure to keep the clothing in the same colour family.
- Don’t spend an entire paycheck on trendy pieces. Instead invest in the highest quality basics and classics you can afford and pair those with affordable seasonal pieces that will add interest and help you create a new look.
- A good seamstress or tailor can be your best fashion friend. If you have trouble finding pieces that fit properly right off the rack, take them to a professional to be altered or better yet have them make you a pair of pains, skirt, or a blazer to your exact measurements.
- Get to know the sales associates at your favourite stores. They will help you shop more efficiently and keep you informed of upcoming sales or new arrivals.

By: Daniela DiStefano, Toronto

Follow me on Twitter @ddeestefano.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Toronto-based accessories designers Marta LeClair and Monika Sammut of Marlu are stars on the rise. They launched their handmade jewellery line in 2010 and have since seen their designs on the Vawk Fall 2010 runway and on the pages of Loulou, Mudd and Filler magazines.

While the sisters did not initially set out to be jewelry designers ― Monika studied art history in university while Marta pursued filmmaking ― they seem to have found their calling with their classic designs with an edge.

Q: What is it like designing a collection with your sister? What role do each of you play in the design process?

A: Monika: We love working together! We have the same vision of what we want Marlu to be and where we’d like to see it in the future. Although I’m more involved in the practical side of the business and Marta deals with the creative, we both are deeply involved in the design and production of all Marlu pieces. Every piece passes the Marta and Monika inspection!

Q: What were some of the challenges that you experienced while designing your first collection?

A: Marta: The biggest challenge was narrowing down our designs. We want people to have an instant image pop in their head when they think of Marlu so we needed to define ourselves from the very first collection. The biggest growing pain is probably all the money we spent on materials we’ll never use. It’s part of the creative process, we know, but we’re both very budget conscious.

Q: Your jewellery pieces are named after plants, rocks, etc. in nature. Why did you decide to name them that way?

A: Monika: All the names of our pieces come from Latin. We were looking for a unique way to identify the pieces and we wanted the names to have meaning. The choice of words stems from the ideas behind each collection and the materials we used in each piece.

Q: Why is it important for you to go the handmade route with your jewelry line?

A: Monika: We wanted to control the quality and the aesthetic of each piece in our line. Making the pieces ourselves and handpicking the materials we use, like semi-precious stones, allows us to maintain the integrity of Marlu.

Marta: Plus it’s so much fun shopping and spending all that time together.

Q: How has your Polish heritage molded the two of you as designers and business owners?

A: Monika: In Poland, our parents owned a gift and jewelry boutique, so from a young age we’ve been around the business. We would travel with our parents as they met new designers and artisans. It was definitely something that stuck around in our lives.

Marta: Our logo also reflects our Polish heritage. The siren is an emblem of the city of Warsaw. To us she represents the perfect mix of the feminine and masculine; a feeling we try to convey in our jewelry.

Q: What is the inspiration for your next jewelry collection? When will it be unveiled?

A: Monika: We’re continuing to build on the Marlu signature look of metal, leather and stone. We’re adding more colour and texture and really bringing out the feminine aspect of jewelry. The collection will be unveiled for the 2012 season.

Q: You’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with Vawk. Any other designers, photographers, models, etc. that you would like to collaborate with?

A: Monika: There are so many creative, talented people in the fashion industry all over the world who we’d love to collaborate with. If we had to narrow it down to Canada it would have to be Greta Constantine, Denis Gagnon and, of course, Vawk anytime! We also love the photography of Mike Ruiz and John Sayer-White.

Q: What’s next for Marlu? Any plans on expansion?

A: Monika: At this time we are working on our next collection, and constantly researching, drawing and sourcing materials. Although you can purchase our jewellery pieces on our website, we have begun to place our pieces with retailers. We are also preparing to expand into the States and eventually to make our way into the European market. Stay tuned!

By: Septembre Anderson, Toronto

You should follow me on Twitter @septembreA.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Lately my most frequent indulgences have come from 15ml glass bottles. Yes, I’m all about a great salon manicure to put some extra pep in my step and some vibrant shine on my fingers. Lucky for me and my fellow Toronto manicure addicts, Noir Nail Bar is ready to service all our polish desires and more.

Nestled in the heart of the city’s trendy Liberty Village, Noir offers a full-scale aesthetic experience to get you looking gorgeous. Mother-daughter duo Teresa and Melissa Leiva offer expert manicures (from $20) and pedicures (from $30) are preformed with cult favourites OPI and CND products. Enjoy your service in the chic black, white and pink lounge-inspired nail bar, or your own private room equipped with LCD TV and WiFi so you won’t miss a beat. Let their beauty pros glam you up with their waxing services (from $12), make-up applications (from $25) or lash tinting ($20), and you’ll be flaunting your best possible self in no time.

Noir Nail Bar
171 East Liberty St., Unit 149 (east of Atlantic Ave.)
647-352-6647

By: Daniela DiStefano, Toronto

Against a backdrop of falling snow and a slowly burning fire, cozy wools, luxe fur trims, jewel-toned velvets and neon pom-pom broaches defined the new Greta aesthetic. Toronto’s Jersey Boys, Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong, presented a collection that seemed to jump off the pages of a Russian romance novel set in the Orient.

Their signature jersey dresses were winterized with floor-grazing coats and cropped capes at the off-site showing. Flowing capes, princess tiered skirts and wide-legged pants in shades of crimson, charcoal, cobalt and eggplant were paired with exclusive paisley patterned boots created by Aldo, and styled with oversized scarves, thick waist-cinching belts and jingle bells dangling from the models’ fingers.

Backstage Beauty at LG Fashion Week: Greta Constantine

Greta Constantine designers Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill took on deep-winter dressing in their latest collection, and the hair and makeup for the show followed suit.

Adrian Carew, Schwarzkopf Professionals stylist and owner of Hair2Inc, was busy creating hair for the “relaxed, everyday woman” with a style meant to look “very minimal and uncontrived.” He began with OSiS Dust It Mattifying Powder to add texture to blow-dried hair, and then created a “makeshift bob” with a low, tucked and pinned under ponytail. The look was completed with a large thick scarf wrapped up for a bundled-up effect.

For the face, M.A.C Cosmetics Senior Artist Melissa Gibson went for a “cold, no makeup feeling, with a kind of wind-burn lower cheek,” embracing the effects of a Canadian winter. She was inspired by Tibetan children and Renaissance woman, and mixed M.A.C Cream Colour Blush in “Premeditated” and “Movie Star Red” along with “Root” to mimic a “pure and ruddy” look on the lower cheeks. Lids were layered with M.A.C Eye Shadow in “Coral,” “Orange” and “Sushi Flower” for a fleshy tone. Lashes were bare and lips muted with a touch of concealer.

Leanne Colley and the team from Toronto’s Tips Nail Bar added to the cold, wintery effect with pre-made nails made to seem as if the models had burnt them slightly when adding wood to the fire. The “charred” effect was created with OPI Nail Lacquer in “Black Onyx” faded to clear by diluting the polish with a topcoat. Male models, sporting looks from the Ezra Constantine men’s line, were given a thin black stripe at the edge of the nail with an extra fine tip polish brush.

By: Daniela DiStefano, Toronto

Avoid clichés this Valentine’s Day and get your significant other something he’ll truly appreciate.

For the guy on the go:

1. On The Road Travel Kit, $49, Drake General Store, 1144 Queen Street West
2. COMUNE waxed denim Taylor bag, $120, comune.com

For the stylish guy:

3,4. Neff LOVE Cap, ($37) and matching LOVE tank ($20), neffheadwear.com

For the music aficionado:

5. Sony LX-300 USB Turntable, $199, Criminal Records, 315 Queen Street West

For the Don Draper in training:

6. Mr. Boston Official Bartender’s Guide, 67th edition, $15.95, The Cookbook Store, 850 Yonge Street

For the ostentatious type:
7. Empire cufflinks, $325, GreenShag, 670 Queen Street West

For the man with a sweet tooth:

8. Red Velvet Cupcakes, $19.50 per half dozen, Bunner’s, 3054 Dundas Street West

For the present you’ll both appreciate:

9. Kamma bra ($58) and panty ($24), Change of Scandinavia Retail Canada

For the gamer:

10. Dead Space 2 for PS3, $59.99, available at Futureshop

For the guy who likes to smell as good as you:

11. Tom Ford Grey Vetiver, $85, available at Holt Renfrew

For the techy:
12. Kobo eReader, $99, available at Chapters

By: Sara Constantineau, Toronto

Follow me Twitter @sara_rochelle.

Who says you need a fiancé to justify ring shopping? Toronto is home to a number of boutiques that offer up some serious designer bling from both local and international designers. Opening last Fall, The Narwhal is the only boutique in Canada to carry the Finn gold love knot ring (the diamond encrusted styles can be special ordered). You can also find Nicole Richie’s House of Harlow line, including this Tribal Wrap Ring. JacFlash lends its rock and roll aesthetic to this Armour Knuckle Ring from Low Luv, while the Mr. Kate moustache ring is a touch more whimsical. UPC Boutique stocks clothing and accessories from Chloe Comme Paris, a line spearheaded by two young Canadian sisters, like this silver Bishop ring. In between the latest TopShop finds at Jonathan & Olivia, you can find a host of designs by Pamela Love, like this triple rope ring made from sterling silver.

1. Finn 18k gold Love Knot Ring, $695, available at The Narwhal
2. House of Harlow Tribal Wrap Ring, $70, available at The Narwhal
3. Low Luv Armor Knuckle Ring, $95, available at JacFlash
4. Mr. Kate Logo Full Finger Ring, $75, available at JacFlash
5. Chloe Comme Paris Bishop Ring, $150.50, available at UPC Boutique
6.Pamela Love triple finger rope ring, $495, available at Jonathan + Olivia

The Narwhal, 8 Price St., Suite 101; JacFlash, 1036 Queen St. West; UPC Boutique, 128 1/2 Cumberland St.; Jonathan & Olivia, 49 Ossington Ave.

By: Sara Constantineau, Toronto

You should follow me on Twitter @sara_rochelle

Playground Project’s Bitch Slap art show opening reception this past Friday in Toronto was not to be missed. Featuring 28 female artists from Canada and New York City, the event drew some of the city’s most creative – and stylish. From Chanel handbags and Hervé Leger dresses to vintage leather and fur, we saw it all. Here are some of our favourite looks from the evening, Pabst Blue Ribbon not included.

Photos courtesy of photographer Brendan Adam Zwelling.

By: Caitlin Agnew, Toronto

You should follow me on twitter @caitlin_la

On Monday, November 1 The Bay welcomed another VIP designer guest to The Room in Toronto: Thakoon Panichgul.  The Thai-born American keeps in good company, appearing in The September Issue as Anna Wintour’s darling, collaborating with The Gap, and dressing Michelle Obama.  During his stop in Toronto Thakoon previewed his Spring/Summer 2011 line – a collection of easy whites, muted sorbets, and flowing dresses – and got to know stylish Torontonians Suzanne Rogers, Shinan Govani and Jeanne Beker.

Thakoon is available at The Room, 176 Yonge Street in Toronto.

By: Caitlin Agnew, Toronto

Seven photographers spent a year documenting Burlesque, one of the oldest forms of feminine performance art, resulting in The Velvet Divide: The Art of Burlesque. The exhibition is now showing at the Hang Man Gallery in Toronto. Thanks in part to style icons like Dita von Teese, this sultry performance style is all the rage. For some sartorial inspiration, visit the gallery at 756 Queen St. East to see the stunning costumes and old-school glamour intrinsic to the alluring world of burlesque. The exhibition runs until November 14.

By: Sara Constantineau, Toronto